31. Sting’s Birthday (free crossword)
In honor of Sting’s October 2nd birthday, here’s a Sting crossword. It was commissioned as a birthday present for him two years ago by his manager, Kathy Schenker: [PDF version] • [Across Lite]
Sting is an avid solver of The New York Times and The Times of London crossword puzzles when not dabbling in music. Preceding and somewhat overlapping both those pursuits were brief stints as a bus conductor, construction worker, dump truck driver, tax officer, and Catholic school teacher in a small coal-mining village.
Sting’s memoir, Broken Music, is worth a try. Intelligently and evocatively written, it chronicles his journey toward becoming a professional musician. Also worth checking out is Michael Apted’s excellent documentary, Sting — Bring on the Night. (Picture: Sting in the sweater that earned him his nickname)
[PDF puzzle answer] including complete explanation
October 1, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sting, schming. I want a new Squares. Today is Monday.
October 1, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Boy, Sibby, you’re a tough customer to please! :-)
The new Squares cartoon just went up a little early, on Friday. That means you’ve had 3 extra days to discover and savor all of its subtle nuances and neoclassical references. Now get cracking on this crossword.
October 1, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Hey, that was a tough puzzle.
I saw the Police in concert this summer, and had a huge crush on Sting around 1983-84. And now I’ve done his Special Private Birthday Crossword—[swoon]
October 2, 2007 at 7:26 am
I was told that he likes them hard. There are a number of personal references and several British clues/answers used with him in mind. Latin also pops up once, which is a particular interest of his, along with math and science. I never did hear how he did with it, though.
October 2, 2007 at 2:41 pm
What a coincidence — I was listening to Sting’s “Soul Cages” as I checked Pat’s site today. Nice birthday puzzle for Sting!
October 2, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I’m sure he loved it, Patrick. It’s really tops. But that lady Kathy should have let you know his reaction — she’s even in the puzzle herself. It must’ve taken a LOT of work!
October 3, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Gandhi, Sting, and me! I am in good birthday company - thanks for the crossword!
Ashish
October 3, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Ashish, don’t forget Groucho Marx and King Richard III. October 2 was also National French Fried Scallops Day, something I’m sure you had many of to properly celebrate your birthday.