tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1182323878306745832..comments2024-03-28T06:54:54.038-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Heraldic band / THU 8-16-12 / Hipster Captiol worker after collapsing / Singer with 1986 #1 album Promise / Cyclades setting / Speaker of line Listen to them children of nightRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27618588523070825322012-09-20T15:36:41.128-04:002012-09-20T15:36:41.128-04:00This played "PEFAT" for me - "prett...This played "PEFAT" for me - "pretty easy for a Thursday" and maybe that's why I liked it; or it could have been the cluing, which I thought was fresh and witty, or the general lack of dreck. Whichever, I had fun and it didn't even take all afternoon despite thinking that the unfettered air space at 32d would be dangerouS instead of OPENSKIES which I don't particularly like. Ethan Cooper should come back more often than once every 6 years.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23163570179186927362012-09-20T15:31:13.447-04:002012-09-20T15:31:13.447-04:00Mostly got hung up in the NE where I had lotsTODO...Mostly got hung up in the NE where I had lotsTODO, but CONTROL put the "t" where it belonged. Needed that because I'm lousy on bands and a lot of today's actresses. Once I worked that out and re-spelled COueR correctly, the puzzle fell. Must admit I still don't understand the use of ALT, but it's probably generational. I knew CCC and MAYTAG right off.DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73146989201518575182012-09-20T13:26:16.408-04:002012-09-20T13:26:16.408-04:00Also had DRseUss before DRACULA. ACMe cracked me u...Also had DRseUss before DRACULA. ACMe cracked me up with "The Bat in the Hat."<br /><br />Had Isle of Man instead of ELY and DNF'd the SE.<br /><br />Caught on to the theme when I couldn't figure out 52A (I had SHIFT----LO--) by studying 20A and 39A for pattern. Aha, keyboard words. I them went to my computer and found CAPSLOCK. Fun puz.<br /><br />To this day, the SPACE BAR scene in Star Wars is one of my favorite movie moments. Totally blew me away.<br /><br />Capcha: byArib. Policy of Defense Dept. in Saudi?Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35836117457621671532012-09-20T10:59:38.451-04:002012-09-20T10:59:38.451-04:00@Stephen: TAGUP refers to the rule that baserunner...@Stephen: TAGUP refers to the rule that baserunners must not advance on a fly ball until after it is caught. Usually runners will take a lead, so that if it's not caught they'll have a head start; hence they have to "go back before proceding."<br /><br />I got the theme OK, but it didn't impress me. As far as I can figure out, the entries are simply a series of keys mashed together willy-nilly. The lone exception might be SHIFTCAPSLOCK; well, at least it's two keys doing the same thing. Meh.<br /><br />This is not to say that the puzzle is no good. Interesting fill pretty much all over. Once again the NW was the hardest. I have never heard of "Cyclades." HOI was my lone gimme there--and in fact my only entry till the very last. TAGUP helped, and after running the gamut from ADDSUP to ADDSTO finally to RUNSTO, I managed to infer the rest correctly.<br /><br />3/4 of the puzzle: easy-medium. The NW: challenging. I guess if you average it out, it's...medium.<br /><br />Had no idea ACDC was Australian.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87817080007356390412012-08-17T01:55:59.626-04:002012-08-17T01:55:59.626-04:00I followed so many wrong paths, but eventually got...I followed so many wrong paths, but eventually got the theme, and yes, that helped immensely. Just over 20 minutes. This was the most enjoyable puzzle I've solved in recent memory.<br /><br />DROOL! Love it!<br /><br />Got TAG UP right before seeing the clue to LAST, so the Baseball Fu was strong with me for that one.<br /><br />Great puzzle Ethan Cooper! I'll be looking forward to his puzzles again.<br /><br />-BrennanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29002794590000520762012-08-16T23:14:16.093-04:002012-08-16T23:14:16.093-04:00Lots of good stuff. Took a really long time, thoug...Lots of good stuff. Took a really long time, though. Wrote in "Isle of MAN", "ANDY Taylor", and ONEG for "blood sharing"; had to slog slog slog them all back out. The hard work was OK, though, because some of the clues were just so good.<br /><br />Never heard of TAG UP, even though I did play that deadly game as a kid.<br /><br />Did not like "all THAT", although it did occur to me. The clue just did not fit into the pattern of great ideas that do not suggest themselves but do confirm themselves.<br /><br />Capchas getting worse! Why do we need this on a crossword blog???? Save us!Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911901473993027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52070470016626789092012-08-16T21:24:12.936-04:002012-08-16T21:24:12.936-04:00My apologies. The one time I skip reading all com...My apologies. The one time I skip reading all comments, I picked the wrong word to look for. I am chagrined.<br />Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64884080721943404742012-08-16T21:21:13.790-04:002012-08-16T21:21:13.790-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3203962886892779352012-08-16T20:20:09.074-04:002012-08-16T20:20:09.074-04:00@treedweller. Great tip. The doohickeys are also...@treedweller. Great tip. The doohickeys are also useful to put at the end of a roll of tape so when you go back to use it it's not all stuck down. <br /><br />Thanks Ethan Cooper and Rex. This was a good day. Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65424227533836196522012-08-16T20:13:57.774-04:002012-08-16T20:13:57.774-04:00Had VEETOES at one point pushing for a rebus and t...Had VEETOES at one point pushing for a rebus and thought I would change CHARD to CHeese. Naticked TAgUP/AgS. Didn't know either. Now I get them. Thanks @syndy. <br /><br />Caught on with ESCAPE, SPACE, SHIFT and was able to continue chipping away till done. LILI Taylor in Monday's BEQ.<br /><br />Very good @Bard. Made me go look it up. Cousin Walter spent a summer in the CCC.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81781327870628330822012-08-16T20:09:10.507-04:002012-08-16T20:09:10.507-04:00My Mac does not have a PAGE DOWN key. I need to d...My Mac does not have a PAGE DOWN key. I need to do fn+down arrow. r.alphbunkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657275501845781384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31849935296030758322012-08-16T18:26:47.939-04:002012-08-16T18:26:47.939-04:00ALT PAGE DOWN = my favorite answer. I can just pic...ALT PAGE DOWN = my favorite answer. I can just picture the poor kid.Bob Sneadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44588995464631879692012-08-16T17:42:18.652-04:002012-08-16T17:42:18.652-04:00@Loren -- DRSUESS made me laugh outloud. Can just ...@Loren -- DRSUESS made me laugh outloud. Can just picture as I harken back to when I used to read Dr. Seuss to my toddler son, uttering that chilling phrase<br /><br />One of the most entertaining features of this blog and of 31's reviews is our ability to be self-depricative and share our shortcomings with otherslong suffering mets fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6184004247203389682012-08-16T17:15:09.857-04:002012-08-16T17:15:09.857-04:00Always have the rebus radar up on Thursday which s...Always have the rebus radar up on Thursday which screwed me today.<br />As @John V said, held on to MONOLO-GUE forever. <br />Was double certain when I had CAP_L and knew ITA went in that one square<br /><br />Overall liked the puzzle-- just crunchy enough thanks, Ethanlong suffering mets fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75399044799656574402012-08-16T16:48:17.328-04:002012-08-16T16:48:17.328-04:00@NY Times - Scrabble cheating was all over the spo...@NY Times - Scrabble cheating was all over the sports talk shows yesterday. Add some steroids controversy and they can probably land on ESPN.<br /><br />Our pal Gareth has the LA Times puzzle today. It is a real Almond Joy in my book.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15890447490037094322012-08-16T16:23:12.750-04:002012-08-16T16:23:12.750-04:00Even in a Scrabble Match, ‘Cheat’ Is a 4-Letter Wo...<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/sports/scrabble-community-rocked-by-cheating-at-tournament.html?_r=1" rel="nofollow">Even in a Scrabble Match, ‘Cheat’ Is a 4-Letter Word</a><br /><br />Not sure why this is in today’s Sports section, but thought you folks might find the article interesting.NY Timesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36386163116761852682012-08-16T15:52:44.225-04:002012-08-16T15:52:44.225-04:00Those little square doohickeys are also useful whe...Those little square doohickeys are also useful when your thongs (flip-flops) fail. If the little button on the bottom has pulled through the Hole in the sole, poke it back through and clip on a bag clip keep it from pulling out again. I thought I had a "vessel with the pestle" thing going there for a minute, but it petered out. treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12634227778469664442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12622270919126361642012-08-16T15:43:52.350-04:002012-08-16T15:43:52.350-04:00@Two ponies, @sueMcc
That's interesting! I wo...@Two ponies, @sueMcc<br />That's interesting! I would have guessed it was short for Opium... Sort of like Swee'pea<br /><br />@LMS<br />LOL, love mistakes like that...so cool that DRseUss and DRACULA share so many letters! <br />the Bat in the Hat? The Places You Will Go...and Suck Blood? Horton Hears(e) a Who?<br /><br />I actually considered MAtTel for MayTag. EZ Bake Ovens, so maybe coin operated washer Dryers!?! <br /> Tho I doubt TYKEs play make-believe about laundry.Ahora Canola Msdosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26771489351739168542012-08-16T15:32:16.354-04:002012-08-16T15:32:16.354-04:00@redanman - Why so negative? This was a good puzzl...@redanman - Why so negative? This was a good puzzle with some minor flaws. I did chuckle at your comment.Anonymousenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72949414625931552652012-08-16T15:23:54.760-04:002012-08-16T15:23:54.760-04:00I found the clues to be hard, didn't get much ...I found the clues to be hard, didn't get much of a foothold for a while, then things fell. Ethan, contribute more often -- this was good!<br /><br />Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10137381479326256822012-08-16T15:04:51.562-04:002012-08-16T15:04:51.562-04:00I had more fun with this one than a sissy in a CCC...I had more fun with this one than a sissy in a CCC Camp.<br /><br />Politically correct my @$$<br /><br />This was weak, at least use what the keys actually say on them!xyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287781952915413013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72886802234898924632012-08-16T14:59:06.072-04:002012-08-16T14:59:06.072-04:00Enjoyed this not-so-easy, but computerese-y puzzle...Enjoyed this not-so-easy, but computerese-y puzzle a lot.<br /><br />This has been a good week, so far...V-SIGN @Ethan C.<br /><br />UH-OH, MY CAPSLOCK. MUST ESCAPE...Sandy Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74713863185512489782012-08-16T14:44:17.138-04:002012-08-16T14:44:17.138-04:00@Bird - I'll drink to that! Hic.@Bird - I'll drink to that! Hic.Dean Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63565185243177989022012-08-16T14:33:06.266-04:002012-08-16T14:33:06.266-04:00That was a decent puzzle. Thank you Ethan.
The fi...That was a decent puzzle. Thank you Ethan.<br /><br />The first time through yielded very little. I had *S**P*CONTROL when ESCAPE appeared out of nowhere and, with the others partially filled, revealed the theme. With the exception of the NW corner the rest of the puzzle was a snap. Never heard of CCC or the Paris landmark and Swiss CHARD was hard to come by. Only nit is that ESCAPE and CONTROL are on the keyboard (at least not on any of mine) as ESC and CTRL, so the theme is not perfectly executed. Still liked it though. And as I’m staring at my keyboard I notice there is only one key that is not labeled. Another demerit?<br /><br />Kept trying to figure out how CAPITAL would fit at 52A before I got the theme. A few writeovers make the grid a little messy, but neatness does not count.<br /><br />Love the clue for 24D and nice to see WERNER make the puzzle.<br /><br />Like @Rex I thought of the 3rd variation of the V-SIGN.<br /><br />@John V – my thoughts also on 9D.<br /><br />@orangeblossom - <a href="www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnCgJFEdTXI" rel="nofollow">Gong - Escape Control Delete</a> <br /><br />Today is National Rum Day. Cheers!Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39017646571987828462012-08-16T13:08:28.860-04:002012-08-16T13:08:28.860-04:00Nice to have a non-rebus Thursday, although I was ...Nice to have a non-rebus Thursday, although I was briefly tempted by cheese. The west seemed a lot easier than the east, at least until I finally added CONTROL to SPACE, and gave up on the Klemperer starting with O. I did remember CCC from visits to National Parks, and I only just switched from CIGNA to Aetna, so that corner was easier than it might have been. No keyboard on my iPad so nothing of use at my fingertips.<br /><br />This is my fourth attempt at the captcha.... Maybe I'm a robot and didn't know it.thursdaysdhttp://mytimetotravel.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com