The funny looking grid shows Tyler's initials - TLH.

The 15 letter answers also describe the ACPT champ - Primary, First, Leading, Two Minute [solver].
Crosscan | 06.21.08 - 12:41 am | #

I didn't know Tyler's middle initial, and I used to see him every week at trivia. (I think I would be hard pressed to make my first and last initials out of black squares in a 15x15 grid. The R would be a doozy.) Tyler is much more likely to toss sports fill into the grid than sci-fi—he's a sports junkie. The puzzle kinda killed me, but it was late, I'd had a very long day, and there may have been some drinking.
Orange | Homepage | 06.21.08 - 8:04 am | #

The Elks were organized originally to drink beer after normal closing hours including Sundays. They would, however, pause at 11:00 PM every evening to remember their departed comrades.

It should be no surprise that I am not exactly on the same wavelength with a champion solver, but I finished ok, but took over a half of an hour. If I could have gotten one of the long answers without three of four crosses, I am sure I could have done better. MBS
PhillySolver | 06.21.08 - 8:58 am | #

I'd say Tyler's earned a vanity puzzle! I hope the black squares on Sunday spell "SHORTZ RULES ALL".

My last quadrant in the NYT was the NW: never heard of this particular LOWE; the word "Hook" just makes me think Henry, but that wouldn't fly in a clue; and I ignored the "Midwest" part of the time-zone clue, leaving DST in there before changing it to CST and finally the correct CDT.

PG, the oxygen releaser is ALGA, crossing ALL GONE - ALL DONE fits the clue too, of course. I don't blame you for not using the Newsday applet! Another good one from Doug. (and yikes... my maternal grandfather was named Jerry Lee Ossicle!)
Dan | 06.21.08 - 9:31 am | #

To Tyler: thanks for TOILETSEAT - I'm ashamed/proud that was a gimme...
tony orbach | 06.21.08 - 10:05 am | #

Dan: Jerry Lee Ossicle? You're making that up!
PuzzleGirl | 06.21.08 - 10:47 am | #

Well... yeah. LIES!
Dan | 06.21.08 - 11:41 am | #

can somebody explain QAS, the [___ in Quebec] clue from the LAT?
joon | 06.21.08 - 7:34 pm | #

joon - "Q as in Quebec"
Jan (danjan) | 06.21.08 - 8:16 pm | #

thanks. now i feel dumb.
joon | 06.21.08 - 9:40 pm | #

puzzlegirl, don't think that the saturday stumper is usually this easy (and i think your time is really good!!!). only about one-third of the time is it this easy; most of the time it is a killer. which is great.
Anonymous | 06.22.08 - 2:50 pm | #