tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post168391112409043156..comments2024-03-28T09:56:40.623-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Volleyball champion/model Gabrielle / TUE 3-15-11 / Small biter in Niger / Circus wedding staple / Fox hit since 2002 informallyRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39274994231601691932011-04-19T15:03:30.890-04:002011-04-19T15:03:30.890-04:00Another prime-time love fest on a par with yesterd...Another prime-time love fest on a par with yesterday's, and who am I to argue? I admit I forgot all about the circles until I came here so needless to say now I am even more impressed with the construction.<br /><br />I managed to guess wrong on much of the short fill: Loo > LAV, EttE > ENNE, Out > OLD, sze > ADJ (which I didn't understand until it was explained above) and err > SIN. None of this was the puzzle's fault - I just guess wrong a lot. Then Continual became CEASELESS and it was pretty much all over but the smiling.<br /><br />Detetected a mini dog theme in the downs in the bottom half of the grid with Rex and his vet and his treats all laying about down there.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56593253725560051642011-04-19T11:05:37.613-04:002011-04-19T11:05:37.613-04:00Hello from syndication-land. Yeah, that Michael S...Hello from syndication-land. Yeah, that Michael Sharp guy ain't half bad. Really, really didn't want "C" Major only because of "C" cups. I've never heard of "scuzz". This would be my only hang up to what was otherwise a great solve. <br /><br />MKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9506528875268984432011-03-29T01:57:15.783-04:002011-03-29T01:57:15.783-04:00I'm a couple weeks behind,
but have to say, ...I'm a couple weeks behind, <br /><br />but have to say, this was the best Tuesday ever, at least since those ones by that Michael Sharp guy, with GALOP at 1-across, if I recall correctly.<br /><br />I have perfect pitch, and nevertheless the transposition to C Major didn't bother me a bit.<br /><br />I was so amazed to see the graphic analog formed by the circles...before solving the puzzle I assumed it would be a sine wave...look at the perfect proportions of the curves the circles make.<br /><br />Yes, perhaps the whole line at 29A should be half-height, since it is only a half step from E to F but a whole from F to G...(kidding.)<br /><br />Bravo on this puzzle, and Andrea's yesterday as well. Great start to the week...I don't normally do Mon. or Tues, but glad this week was an exception.cody.riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05883012611419987246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8671458310508953132011-03-17T08:43:09.692-04:002011-03-17T08:43:09.692-04:00Greatest theme I've ever seen.Greatest theme I've ever seen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7607995959407680762011-03-16T23:48:21.412-04:002011-03-16T23:48:21.412-04:00Fun puzzleFun puzzleAldo shoes reviewhttp://www.superbigdeal.com/aldo-shoes-reviewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29637575054644868632011-03-15T23:30:39.552-04:002011-03-15T23:30:39.552-04:00Beethoven was born on December 16th. He was bapti...Beethoven was born on December 16th. He was baptized on the 17th.The Immortal Belovednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60795482424975020782011-03-15T22:59:16.583-04:002011-03-15T22:59:16.583-04:00The only possible improvement would have been if i...The only possible improvement would have been if it had appeared on December 17 (B's b'day), though maybe not a Tuesday. A pleasure!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17025994484782527098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75170799698940313422011-03-15T22:01:08.340-04:002011-03-15T22:01:08.340-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation. In a nutshell, the higher the ratio, the higher this week's median solve time is relative to the average for the corresponding day of the week.<br /><br />All solvers (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 7:04, 6:55, 1.02, 62%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 10:07, 8:55, 1.13, 84%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:40, 3:41, 0.99, 49%, Medium<br />Tue 5:09, 4:34, 1.13, 86%, Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61693713455007779992011-03-15T20:29:44.506-04:002011-03-15T20:29:44.506-04:00Ooh Alex, thank you so much for that Clockwork Ora...Ooh Alex, thank you so much for that Clockwork Orange moment. Well played!<br />I'm not sure why I was so grumpy this morning but I have mellowed over the day. I agree that the theme was special but still I must agree with @ Shamik that the fill left much to be desired.<br />I see from sanfranman that it skewed hard for a Tuesday. Ah poor Tuesday. The hardest day to please.Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896743444873087885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36899546083356754202011-03-15T19:50:05.781-04:002011-03-15T19:50:05.781-04:00A clever and original use of circled letters. If ...A clever and original use of circled letters. If only the featured opus hadn't been transposed, the effect would have been more honest and factual (it's always nice to learn something while solving).<br /><br />Loved the playful winks with such answer-pairings as EEKS/EELS, TVPG/DOH, and the subtle THEO/TELLY (connecting Sevales' first name with that of his character).davkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661794533403708226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67977997957336312812011-03-15T19:27:20.664-04:002011-03-15T19:27:20.664-04:00And it was like for a moment, O my brothers, some ...And it was like for a moment, O my brothers, some great bird had flown into the milkbar and I felt all the malenky little hairs on my plott standing endwise and the shivers crawling up like slow malenky lizards and then down again. Because I knew what she sang. It was a bit from the glorious Ninth, by Ludwig van.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59629845542748222812011-03-15T17:54:46.947-04:002011-03-15T17:54:46.947-04:00Can't think of a puzzle I've DESPISEd this...Can't think of a puzzle I've DESPISEd this much in a VERY long time. Thematically it may have shone for others, but the rest of the fill was just horrible.Shamikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635283729322415150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30512908069798172272011-03-15T17:43:44.357-04:002011-03-15T17:43:44.357-04:00Solved part in Miami and rest on plane to NYC. Oh...Solved part in Miami and rest on plane to NYC. Oh Joy, it's great to be back. Became aware circles looked like notes I could pick out. BEETHOVEN filled in and Loo changed to LAV. OsAge to OMAHA. Had onapiano at 57A but the downs said PIANOKEYS over at 62A. Fun to solve. I like the scene in "HELP" when the whole world sings the Ode to save Ringo from the tiger.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4489675199902306622011-03-15T17:20:26.810-04:002011-03-15T17:20:26.810-04:00The theme was deep. Only extra I would have liked ...The theme was deep. Only extra I would have liked to see was a reference to FREUD. Thanx @Schiller. And a lovable circle trick. <br />Otherwise, rich theme, and easy solve.<br />Oh, and ODE was a good choice for the length of notes - only the last E was longer than the others.<br /><br />Had tent before RING. I've been at weddings which were 3-ring circuses.<br /><br />The plural of ORZO is ORZI. It's Italian, not Spanish. <br /><br />TELLY - Since I thought this meant Justin Beeber is popular in England, I looked it up. No, the Beeb is the BBC. I don't keep up with British lingo since my family happily left almost 4 centuries ago.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13175237756189112862011-03-15T16:05:25.504-04:002011-03-15T16:05:25.504-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Tue 9:58, 8:55, 1.12, 84%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Tue 5:19, 4:35, 1.16, 89%, Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66512331530627054392011-03-15T15:25:59.406-04:002011-03-15T15:25:59.406-04:00So much to like, I don't know where to start. ...So much to like, I don't know where to start. Thank you, Jeremy Newton, for a construction feat! Thank you, Mom & Dad for forcing me to take one year of PIANO lessons. Thank you, son, for storing the organ you inherited in my family room, so I could confirm the notes in the grid.<br /><br />Love NORA Ephron; I get her books on CD from the library and listen in the car. So true, so funny.<br /><br />Well, I see last week's RINSO is joined by DUZ.<br /><br />Had a hard time in the SW, as the dog command was first SItnstaY, then SItupBOY, and finally correct.<br /><br />I wanted TELLY for 7D, but it wouldn't fit, then I got him at 39A! These little link ups are one of the best features of a puzzle for me. <br /><br />@JaxInLA, thank you for solving the mystery man in Rex's post.CoffeeLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473192190412844538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1806380169236302372011-03-15T15:22:32.846-04:002011-03-15T15:22:32.846-04:00Kind of eerie today. It's my sister's bir...Kind of eerie today. It's my sister's birthday, and her name is JOY. She's not a crossword person, but I'm sure she'll get a kick of having a puzzle themed after her.Tony from Charm Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17227613303932442724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67820907628854034952011-03-15T15:14:00.041-04:002011-03-15T15:14:00.041-04:00Yes, I agree with previous post, a strange mix of ...Yes, I agree with previous post, a strange mix of slang and high culture--made it a difficult Tuesday puzzle for me!KarenSampsonHudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12072958906391798661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27368416763941010782011-03-15T14:53:28.562-04:002011-03-15T14:53:28.562-04:00So, the thing is, the Times puzzle is, IMHO, an &q...So, the thing is, the Times puzzle is, IMHO, an "Ode To Joy", per se (some Saturdays excepted, of course.) At breakfast, I told my wife that I would anticipate an "Ides" theme, which would have been a downer, given all that's up in the real world. <br /><br />So, today is a variation of, "Res Ipsa Loquitur", the thing speaks for itself -- an Ode to Joy.<br /><br /><br />Thanks, Jeremy.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59705990209048192522011-03-15T14:33:02.930-04:002011-03-15T14:33:02.930-04:00@evgeny
You were right! I was thinking of Samsoni...@evgeny<br />You were right! I was thinking of Samsonite!<br /><br />@fikink<br />Thanks for the defense, and it was a drag for the blog comments to end on that note, but I didn't take it that personally...of course people can't be totally objective, but you can still read tone and specifics to know if people are being overly effusive or genuinely like something (I hope!)<br />And people let me know their displeasure with the whole YOUR/ONES thing, but I can (and have!) taken my lumps when warranted...<br /><br />Anyway, don't want to detract from today's chorus of JOY for Jeremy!!!<br />(Whom I do not know, never met and have no preconceptions about his puzzles!) Still INPJS and still love it!andrea ceaseless masonitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62753029982852367792011-03-15T13:17:04.188-04:002011-03-15T13:17:04.188-04:00I will confess to a bias in favor of ACME's pu...I will confess to a bias in favor of ACME's puzzles because, in part, of her frequent presence on this blog. I would have said the same thing about Joon Pahk and his presence at WordPlay until Saturday's disaster (for me).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13868125573218991442011-03-15T13:14:34.287-04:002011-03-15T13:14:34.287-04:00Easy, breezy and brilliant puzzle! Had much more t...Easy, breezy and brilliant puzzle! Had much more than an aha-moment when I realized I could sing the circled letters!<br /><br />Ode to Joy makes me think of spring, hopefully not far away. Myopia, tsetse fly, masonite (plenty of that in my house, doesn't warp) were great. <br /><br />Minor nit: didn't like the clue for evens at 26A very much.<br /><br />@mmorgan: I think that, no matter how hard we try, we can't be totally objective when someone we know and like has constructed the puzzle.<br />Having met quite a few constructors, I also feel it's more fun to do a puzzle when you know the maker.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27358009347794837022011-03-15T13:07:42.076-04:002011-03-15T13:07:42.076-04:00Cool -- a puzzle I could play, when finished, and ...Cool -- a puzzle I could play, when finished, and even recognize.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60571654735534890942011-03-15T13:07:10.105-04:002011-03-15T13:07:10.105-04:00P.s. to last night's post (yeah, I just dragge...P.s. to last night's post (yeah, I just dragged my ass out of bed).<br /><br />Absolutely delighted to see how many classical music buffs are still alive! Beethoven 9 was the first recording I ever bought. Ninth grade(!), the Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horn, James King, and Martti Talvela recording with the Vienna Phil. Classic. On vinyl, of course.<br /><br />@Ret_Chem, a perspicacious observation indeed re the aspect ratio on 29A!lit.dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729199575329286046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29295316264632843942011-03-15T13:02:35.227-04:002011-03-15T13:02:35.227-04:00@mmorgan, I agree with you re: interpretation and ...@mmorgan, I agree with you re: interpretation and analysis. In fact, my very personal reaction to "the showers" betrayed a personal demon, as @Matt very civilly pointed out.<br /> <br />However, what makes this forum so unique is its life. Michael has birthed a community based on mutual respect, decency and fairness. Neither classroom nor cathedral, it is a friendly association of common interests where kindness should prevail. <br /><br />imo ;)<br /><br />Three and out.fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.com