"Look Around," by Victor Barocas

Constructor's Comments

This puzzle was one of those where you have the idea for it and you think, "Yeah, that would be nifty," but you're not sure that it's possible.  I also promised myself years ago that I would never make an "around the outside" theme, and now here I am.  I'll never make another one.  They look so doable, but they are so hard, even in this one that had a lot of flexibility in the outside words.  On the other hand, I really liked the BELL-BOTTOM row, and I liked the different meanings of BEAR in CARE (BEAR) and CAN'T (BEAR), and of COUNTER in CARD (COUNTER) and BEAN (COUNTER).  ALL RIGHT was, in my opinion, the weakest, but omelets and breaking eggs, I suppose.  The fill was rough in spots because of all the demands, but I'm glad I got a good classical reference in there with EURIPIDEAN, and I was very proud of the clue for ALPHABETIC.  I hope that people enjoy the puzzle.