tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1234274027370945658..comments2024-03-28T04:40:27.172-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Koran memorizer / FRI 4-27-12 / Finnish architect Aalto / Pick-up sticks piece / Warp drive repairman on original Star Trek / North Pole author 1910 / Tom Detective 1896 novelRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19346535241286284292012-06-02T13:39:54.499-04:002012-06-02T13:39:54.499-04:00@Solving in Seattle, at our club, sometimes the H....@Solving in Seattle, at our club, sometimes the H.C. chair invokes the USGA "exceptional tournament performance" rule and freezes the player's H.C. for a year at the level to which they played during their best round of the tournament. Instant justice!!<br /><br />Fairways 'n greens -- hope you finish in the prizes!Lola505https://www.blogger.com/profile/09249427833942985450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6323883130572417362012-06-02T11:52:28.915-04:002012-06-02T11:52:28.915-04:00@Lola, my partner and I are middle of the pack goi...@Lola, my partner and I are middle of the pack going into the second (and final) day. You're right about the sandbaggers. There are guys who really do "handicap maintenance" during the year and show up for the big events. I happen to be the Handicap Chair at my club which really endears me to many of the players, but we try to make sure there are no obvious felons in the field.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50535009120125793642012-06-01T23:43:10.353-04:002012-06-01T23:43:10.353-04:00I'm with @patdugg79 about the clue for 44a, bu...I'm with @patdugg79 about the clue for 44a, but do not share you guys' love of "CARTOONY." I put it in quotes because it's not a word, at least according to my Scrabble dictionary. Had it filled in, and went: "Really??" and looked it up. Tried to rework the section to change that entry somehow, but nothing else worked. I left it in, and after completing the grid (successfully, no errors), went back and double-checked by looking up 50a.<br /><br />The cluing today was inconsistent, as has already been noted. "Rise" for KNOLL was absolutely brutal. Likewise did my solving experience vary from one area (north: easy) to the other (south: pret-ty darn hard). Unusual to see JACKSTRAW clued without mentioning British politics.<br /><br />Loved ERSATZ, SCOTTY and the memorably pneumatic MARLA. Also the center SEXES/TAXES crossing: X marks the spot.<br /><br />A very Berry Friday: guess I'll give it my STAMPOFAPPROVAL.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68732964840377019372012-06-01T21:15:39.752-04:002012-06-01T21:15:39.752-04:00@Lola505 - NOTE was the right answer, you just had...@Lola505 - NOTE was the right answer, you just had it in the wrong place; it goes in the corresponding squares on the other side of the grid. Thanks for the lowdown on Trump's exes - it's amazing how crossword friendly they all are. I wonder if his daughter Ivanka ever shows up?<br /><br />@DMGrandma - I meant to add that if you do relent and get a Google identity (it's really pretty easy), when you post here you will have the option of getting follow-up comments via email, so all later posts will show up in your in-box. It's much more convenient than checking back periodically to read new posts. Of course Google will probably read all of your email but they wouldn't do anything evil with your personal data - really, it says so right in their privacy policy.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12174446867860705812012-06-01T20:40:10.784-04:002012-06-01T20:40:10.784-04:00Managed to finish error-free with only a few, sing...Managed to finish error-free with only a few, single-square corrections. Would have had errors, had I not gone back to the SW corner and fixed up my ruminant "ewes" for DEER and "note" for ANTE. Not one for rechecking, but today, good thing I did.<br /><br />@Diri, The Donald's wives go: Ivana (who called him "The Donald"), Marla, and Melania, the only brunette, just for possible future reference.<br /><br />@Solving in Seattle, how's your team standing after the first round? 'Round here, the sandbaggers come out of the bushes and bite you on the you-know-what on the last day. Good luck!Lola505https://www.blogger.com/profile/09249427833942985450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27071681966244002002012-06-01T20:23:53.102-04:002012-06-01T20:23:53.102-04:00I dashed home from the golf tournament for a nap a...I dashed home from the golf tournament for a nap and a shower and couldn't sleep so I did the CW in record time (with a little help from Father Google). As @DMGrandma, I was on the same wavelength on this one. And that's EASYFORmeTOSAY.<br /><br />See you Syndies later.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73212914090270053102012-06-01T20:01:58.883-04:002012-06-01T20:01:58.883-04:00MAR_A (The Donald's second ex)could be filled ...MAR_A (The Donald's second ex)could be filled in with any number of random letters (really, try it) so I had to stare at the cross at 40d for a long time before the KNOLL finally rose up to complete the grid. But yes, pretty easy for a Friday.<br /><br />More syndisynchronicity (hi, @Waxy) - just last night I wrote a piece that mentioned Eagle Island in Casco Bay, which was Admiral PEARY's summer home (it is now owned by the State and is well worth a visit), and today he shows up in the grid!<br /><br />@DMGrandma - I just ignore the photos if I can't read them and it seems to work out OK (if this comment appears it worked again).Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23956845650053904712012-06-01T18:36:47.835-04:002012-06-01T18:36:47.835-04:00Syndisynchronicity again - hadn't given a thou...Syndisynchronicity again - hadn't given a thought to The Commodores for years until solving this puzzle. Then glanced at the entertainment section of the paper only to read that The Commodores are giving a concert in Montreal this Monday.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28504324300307671242012-06-01T17:18:18.601-04:002012-06-01T17:18:18.601-04:00Hi from syndi land - actually found this one prett...Hi from syndi land - actually found this one pretty easy. Matter of fact doing great this week. Got THREETIMESALADY off the bat and away we went. Was surprised to see a medium rating. Loved pick-up-sticks when I was a kid (yes, I'm old) but still took me a while to click on JACKSTRAW. Had the top half in good time. Took a little while for the bottom.eastsacgirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78389175843711924212012-06-01T15:22:34.016-04:002012-06-01T15:22:34.016-04:00Was on the constructor's wavelength and enjoy...Was on the constructor's wavelength and enjoyed this puzzle. There were a few slow spots, but they solved themselves. It helped that I vaguely recall hearing of (playing?) jack straws in the dim past.<br />I find myself playing games with the robot words, some of which (the photos) are too dim for these aging eyes. Also find Google has apparently decided I can't post unless I open an account with them. Have no desire to do so. Shall see what happens.DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20000961793145067892012-06-01T15:22:07.291-04:002012-06-01T15:22:07.291-04:00Can't believe how quickly I dashed through thi...Can't believe how quickly I dashed through this. Got the NE instantly which enabled me to get both long acrosses. Stalled momentarly in the centre, but the bottom half fell without a struggle, and the "x" became apparent right at the end. Now I see that everyone else found it easy, so I'm not crowing, but I'm happy.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24746687365801806252012-06-01T13:53:26.305-04:002012-06-01T13:53:26.305-04:00To @Evil Doug: My huband is a Seinfield fiend and...To @Evil Doug: My huband is a Seinfield fiend and has seen every episode, so when we went to NY several years ago, I took him on the Peterman tour as a surprise. The surprise was what a waste of time and money it was. For my $37.50 X 2, I was very pissed about the crummy pizza bagel and the candy bar.connie in seattlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25959034329232397142012-06-01T13:27:16.043-04:002012-06-01T13:27:16.043-04:00This blog is hilarious. Better than watching the B...This blog is hilarious. Better than watching the Big Bang Theory. I think Evil D and Jack should get together for a pilot (non aero). It's especially funny when the blogmeister is flummoxed (sorry, RP). Yeah right, easy for me to say. I'm 75 years old and "As I lay dying...........(chortle, chuckle, teehee and guffaw).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61853973326212650392012-06-01T12:57:53.087-04:002012-06-01T12:57:53.087-04:00Don't wish to carp but no stamp of approval he...Don't wish to carp but no stamp of approval here! Agree with @jackj 5 weeks ago that this certainly seems to be part of an effort to "easify" late week puzzles. Certainly not up to the usual Patrick Berry level of obtuseness. Other than INTENDS TO at 29D and HARP at 10A, had no writeovers at all, certainly an ersatz Friday/Berry for me. Bring on Saturday...Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91972941343299890902012-04-28T11:57:04.182-04:002012-04-28T11:57:04.182-04:00@patdugg79 in this context, when I say "easy ...@patdugg79 in this context, when I say "easy for you to say," it means I can't / won't do it. Same same. You might never use it this way, but you may as well accept that some do.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16342530371183121220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9179675414755651522012-04-27T23:18:51.033-04:002012-04-27T23:18:51.033-04:00@treedweller:
I still disagree, though not about ...@treedweller:<br /><br />I still disagree, though not about Scrabble. I have no actual opinion on the game or strategies for playing it . . .<br /><br />But even if you interpret "Yeah, right" to mean "Yeah, right, as if I would do that," that's still not the same as "Easy for you to say."<br /><br />With, "Easy for you to say," one might still have every intention of doing what's being discussed. You might do it, you might not. That's not clear. It's just that you resent the implication that it's somehow "easy" to do.<br /><br />With, "Yeah, right, as if I would do that," one is dismissing the idea being discussed entirely. You've already decided you're <i>definitely</i> not going to do it.<br /><br />Still different, says I.patdugg79https://www.blogger.com/profile/02699939367868272276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3536611789156399022012-04-27T22:50:43.445-04:002012-04-27T22:50:43.445-04:00@John V: LOL@John V: LOLJenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81461553280715289862012-04-27T20:37:49.847-04:002012-04-27T20:37:49.847-04:00@Anonymous 7:48: That you, PB?@Anonymous 7:48: That you, PB?John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8081436208290563382012-04-27T20:29:38.793-04:002012-04-27T20:29:38.793-04:00ANNA, PIP, and SILKS gimmees. Had soya at 16A. S...ANNA, PIP, and SILKS gimmees. Had soya at 16A. Shawl before SHIRT, ewes before DEER. Many little glitches resolved with work. Challenging for me but I finished. Happy as a doodle bug.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72295077109503237462012-04-27T19:48:51.959-04:002012-04-27T19:48:51.959-04:00Patrick Barry puzzles are the worst. I refuse to w...Patrick Barry puzzles are the worst. I refuse to waste my time on them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4835255471517123602012-04-27T19:04:59.572-04:002012-04-27T19:04:59.572-04:00The INTESTATE clue was pretty clever. For some re...The INTESTATE clue was pretty clever. For some reason (maybe Ben Franklin's "death and taxes" was rolling in my mind) I went directly to the right answer on that one.Joe The Jugglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623445472297705053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26654038850891153282012-04-27T17:24:04.127-04:002012-04-27T17:24:04.127-04:00@patdugg79
I disagree. in fact, I think a lot of t...@patdugg79<br />I disagree. in fact, I think a lot of the best scrabble players have memorized those word lists, and it undoubtedly gives an advantage.<br /><br />In my example, imagine a tone that would convey an implied extension: "yeah, right, as if I would do that." easy for you to say, but not worth the effort. All kinds of nuances are possible.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16342530371183121220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74684828513606075932012-04-27T17:00:14.909-04:002012-04-27T17:00:14.909-04:00Wow. I'm speechless at sanfranman's repor...Wow. I'm speechless at sanfranman's report today. Literally, speechless. I've done plenty of Berry Friday puzzles where I would have expected such a rock-bottom rating, but not today's!<br /><br />I (and Rex) just missed the boat today.Matthew G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07957320012395569238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89221427086980062112012-04-27T16:43:44.529-04:002012-04-27T16:43:44.529-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Fri 15:53, 24:54, 0.64, 3%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 8:17, 12:19, 0.67, 5%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85026223691567333902012-04-27T16:25:22.133-04:002012-04-27T16:25:22.133-04:00"Sorry you couldn’t keep pace with the commen..."Sorry you couldn’t keep pace with the comment.<br />J.a.c.k."<br /><br />8 words.<br />0 commas.<br />5 periods.<br /><br />By jove, I believe you've got it!<br /><br />dougevil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.com