Awesome puzzle, TY! I love the paired themers and the funky grid shape! I also loved seeing Albany in the clue for CAPITAL . Only thing I didn't love was the couple of unchecked squares w/ only one clue direction - most were themers which definitely helped in getting them, tho
I'm just a beginner and this puzzle was awesome! Just had a question on the theme... I didn't completely catch its essence... What do the grey boxes signify?
I have to agree with everyone about this being an AWESOME puzzle! Start with CURRY and then check the shaded word directly below it: FAVOR - so you get CURRYFAVOR. There are 6 others that "complete each other"