tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2854401837627907860..comments2024-03-28T18:12:10.683-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Third Watch actress Texada / FRI 4-4-14 / Frank Loesser show tune / Sporting goods chain with slogan Get outside yourself / Chart in Cadiz / Love Death on Long Island novelist Gilbert / Songwriters hall of fame member who wrote April Love / Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57572200048360265562017-05-18T14:11:41.873-04:002017-05-18T14:11:41.873-04:00Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off ...Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us (creditloan11@gmail.com)URGENT LOAN OFFER WHATSAPP +918929509036https://www.blogger.com/profile/05012516565440710656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85222651395447794162014-05-09T19:23:24.474-04:002014-05-09T19:23:24.474-04:00OK I guess I'm now educated that Sammy Fain is...OK I guess I'm now educated that Sammy Fain is worth knowing. But Sammy Cahn is much better known and having 7 of the 9 letters the same made Fain look even stranger. sdcheezhdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457420125517948430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59923102617248779082014-05-09T18:45:05.965-04:002014-05-09T18:45:05.965-04:00WTF? Hated this puzzle, even my cat wouldn't s...WTF? Hated this puzzle, even my cat wouldn't sit on the newspaper for this one. What a bunch of Smoot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38253855050013697232014-05-09T17:01:55.267-04:002014-05-09T17:01:55.267-04:00I absolutely love watching the grid-spanners come ...I absolutely love watching the grid-spanners come into view as the crosses go in, and each one providids its own OHO! moment when the full phrase comes to mind. Alas, in the end a rookie mistake doomed me as I had SNEERED in place without re-reading the clue to see that the tense was wrong, so SAMMY and TIA eluded me. That's too bad because "April Love" was the first song to ever tug a my budding heart strings and I enjoyed being reminded of it.<br /><br />Who knew @Gil I.P. did satire?<br /><br />Still hot at the table, though - eights full of fours.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12293872343624006722014-05-09T15:50:44.782-04:002014-05-09T15:50:44.782-04:00I had the same reaction to TENTER as did Rex - &qu...I had the same reaction to TENTER as did Rex - "naw, couldn't be." @Spacy, pull that hanky. <br />GUESSSO looks snakey. <br />Had "paid" before AMAN for 57D. Tried to fit availaBLE in 4D. Finally got it right despite having no idea about 2D & 3D, or 5D.<br />Love SCARLETA's flute concerti.<br />This puz took me awhile, but I decided to SLUGITOUT and eventually finished despite all the proper names.<br />I don't know why, but don't you like SMOOT BUNS?<br /><br />@DMG, EMI is a music business that Sir Ridchard Branson owns along with the Virgin brand.<br /><br />Two pair. Fold. Have good weekend. Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14480478925648316882014-05-09T14:57:52.828-04:002014-05-09T14:57:52.828-04:00While I admire the ability needed to create this t...While I admire the ability needed to create this type of puzzle, I shudder when I see them, Too many unfamiliar words. Still, did better than expected when I saw all that white space, but, of course, DNF. The NW was a mess because I had no idea about the first three downs, not helped by damagEINSURANCE. Even ELIGIBLE didn't help me fix that. Elsewhere, don't know REI, SBA, AZOV, and HEX, which I think of as a spell. The rest finally worked out, tho I still don't know what airline EMI represents. Short for Emirates? Know them cause they sponsor a lot of tennis. <br /><br />Loved the Adelaide quotes!<br /><br />Pretty good house, 88899.<br /><br />DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41278116183098519632014-05-09T14:48:46.167-04:002014-05-09T14:48:46.167-04:00I liked it. Hey Mikey!I liked it. Hey Mikey!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8910548879979905642014-05-09T14:40:02.698-04:002014-05-09T14:40:02.698-04:00Lani Guinier is not an obscure clue. She was all ...Lani Guinier is not an obscure clue. She was all over the news in 1993, when President Clinton nominated her as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and then withdrew her after Republicans went berserk over some of the stuff she had written. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8112867147837062872014-05-09T14:24:25.268-04:002014-05-09T14:24:25.268-04:00@spacey: TAC might be the middle square in tic tac...@spacey: TAC might be the middle square in tic tac toe (42 across)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18208355403393785104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33011357191337937712014-05-09T14:04:24.291-04:002014-05-09T14:04:24.291-04:00Not that cock sucking is a bad thing. Ahem.Not that cock sucking is a bad thing. Ahem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18208355403393785104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4316093194016713552014-05-09T12:37:50.495-04:002014-05-09T12:37:50.495-04:00Let's face it: stackers make you use a differe...Let's face it: stackers make you use a different muscle. When the ball comes to your left, better have a decent backhand. So, comparing these to "normal" puzzles is apples/oranges. The fill is GOING to suffer; accept this going in.<br /><br />I hope somebody can explain to me 42a. I had TAC locked in on crosses, so just stared at it and shrugged. Was that right? GUESSSO (clever way to sneak in the ol' triple S, guys!).<br /><br />Since I had ESSO on top, I started the bottom with EXXONGASSTATION. But the X's wouldn't, er, cross. Turns out I simply needed to STAYIN the generic mode. That, and changing IDeO to IDIO to accommodate AMATIS, were my only w/os.<br /><br />Can you have TENHOURS and PACTEN in the same grid? Is that flaggable? Just wonderin'.<br /><br />ADELAIDESLAMENT evokes for me a nice memory, recalling the time I appeared opposite the great and lovely Viv Blaine in summer stock. I can't resist just a couple of lines from that ditty:<br /><br />"In other woids, just from wondering whether the wedding is on or off, a poisson can develop a cough."<br /><br />So, thanks for the memories, guys. Keep on doing your thing. Every serious player needs a good backhand.<br /><br />Best I can do today is trip 4's. spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91538633845940012362014-05-09T11:45:40.414-04:002014-05-09T11:45:40.414-04:00Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo. The "half empty" cupp...Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo. The "half empty" cuppers have had their field day. The nitpickers are in rare form. The negatators are in full bloom.<br /><br />Personally, I DNF because of REI and TERNES, but I had a great time with all the rest.<br /><br />So thanks very much Messrs. Ashwood & Krozel. I usually disregard the comments of the Pedant who runs this show.<br /><br />Ron Diego 9:45 AM PST 5/9/14Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2057778348165065052014-04-06T01:50:02.600-04:002014-04-06T01:50:02.600-04:00A week or two ago I complained that Rex's site...A week or two ago I complained that Rex's site has become just about ripping puzzles, rather than solving them. Today I stand with Rex in just ripping this monstrosity. Gad, what a piece of crap.RastusFBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-547243063706930162014-04-05T16:31:02.083-04:002014-04-05T16:31:02.083-04:00A person could develop a cold!A person could develop a cold!Mayaleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16294095391012394876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89690923655965236332014-04-05T00:00:44.058-04:002014-04-05T00:00:44.058-04:00Didn't find this particularly hard, liked the ...Didn't find this particularly hard, liked the puzzle, knew what Rex would say.michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66402939900855829982014-04-04T23:22:27.099-04:002014-04-04T23:22:27.099-04:00MAS,
I think there is a difference between "...MAS,<br /><br />I think there is a difference between "play[ing] favorites" (which I don't think is what JFC was saying] and not being as critical of known & respected constructors (which was how I read his comment). <br /><br />Regards. Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032302346488486116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8219741832933727542014-04-04T22:18:44.913-04:002014-04-04T22:18:44.913-04:00JFC: You are saying that Will does not treat all s...JFC: You are saying that Will does not treat all submissions/constructors equally. This is completely untrue... both myself and Joe have received many rejections from Will... he doesn't play favorites. If Will likes a puzzle he accepts it, if not he rejects it (or asks for changes). It's that simple. I'm sorry you didn't like the puzzle. But the fact is that both Joe an I did, and obviously so did Will. Criticize the puzzle all you want, it's a free country, and I have a pretty thick skin. So seriously, I have no problem with your opinions or Rex's for that matter. But please don't say that there is favoritism going on, because that is untrue.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Martin Ashwood-SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43284600123870747782014-04-04T22:17:29.291-04:002014-04-04T22:17:29.291-04:00@mathguy...it's not just famous people or @Rex...@mathguy...it's not just famous people or @Rex targets.<br />In my plebian career, I've always heard, and seen, "it only takes one 'oh shit' to wipe out a whole bunch of 'atta boys'."<br /><br />And what's up with the vitriole against Maleska? Fine, we have a new age in puzzles. I'm ok with that. I cut my teeth on late Maleska, then Weng. Styles come and go. In 20 years, will Rex's followers be deriding the Shortzian era? I bet they will be.<br /><br />Just like the interior decorator who tells you how 'dated' your kitchen is.<br />All that word means is that you followed a decorator's advice 5 years ago.<br /><br />EMS is my go-to sporting goods chain. I know REI only from puzzles. <br /><br />This puzzle? I agree with Rex on the wince-inducing dreck, and wound up with 3/4 of the puzzle done before having to google, but don't have a strong opinion for or against the stacks.<br />Like 'em when I can get them, like the south, SNEERAT them when I cain't, like the NW.<br /><br />Thanks, anyway, to the constructors, and 'night, Rexville.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56726796590572460922014-04-04T22:09:34.068-04:002014-04-04T22:09:34.068-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak I've made to my method. 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 6:04, 6:12, 0.98, 38%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 9:09, 8:32, 1.07, 69%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 10:57, 10:19, 1.06, 69%, Medium-Challenging<br />Thu 13:16, 18:33, 0.72, 7%, Easy<br />Fri 23:07, 21:38, 1.07, 68%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:02, 3:58, 1.02, 56%, Medium<br />Tue 5:39, 5:11, 1.09, 72%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 6:51, 6:17, 1.09, 75%, Medium-Challenging<br />Thu 7:40, 10:44, 0.71, 4%, Easy (10th lowest ratio of 223 Thursdays)<br />Fri 14:29, 12:57, 1.12, 71%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74271174596125819502014-04-04T21:56:57.120-04:002014-04-04T21:56:57.120-04:00@Gill, I do not agree. It's that simple. And...@Gill, I do not agree. It's that simple. And it's not just the individual entries. It's also the collection of what can only be viewed as ugly. Even the grid is ugly. I have no predisposition against quad stacks but this really is a mish-mash of ugly. <br /><br />Allow me to say what Rex was saying without saying it. Had this puzzle not been constructed by these two but by a couple of unknowns, Will Shortz would have turned the application into a paper airplane and flown it across Times Square.<br /><br />In sum these two constructors should have known better in the first place and Will shouldn't have let it go through.<br /><br />JFCJFCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49478922571256261792014-04-04T21:47:24.359-04:002014-04-04T21:47:24.359-04:00Rex, I believe you're officially off the MAS C...Rex, I believe you're officially off the MAS Christmas card list. Robsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261624922232372391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73792439173972712812014-04-04T21:27:22.850-04:002014-04-04T21:27:22.850-04:00SAMS are surface to air missles SAMS are surface to air missles Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608638458372548213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2973247123787204202014-04-04T20:24:18.644-04:002014-04-04T20:24:18.644-04:00@JFC...Here's the thing. All of those three l...@JFC...Here's the thing. All of those three letter words are pretty much in the vocabulary - at least to me. It's when you start using words like orientated, diaphoretic and recoinnoiter that I balk because really, does anyone utter them? Well, maybe.....<br />GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15850203887250790312014-04-04T19:51:12.133-04:002014-04-04T19:51:12.133-04:00Don't love stacks; don't hate them. Was p...Don't love stacks; don't hate them. Was pretty sure Rex would not like the puzzle. I'm ambivalent. I don't how I managed to finish without Googling: the ADELAIDESLAMENT row had the final blanks, and _ _ EL _ IDESLA _ ENT wasn't too hard to figure out by that point. Can't say I enjoyed it though. LAT made me smile more today. Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032302346488486116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71422542460025061022014-04-04T19:46:37.443-04:002014-04-04T19:46:37.443-04:00@wreck - Based on their locations, I would guess y...@wreck - Based on their locations, I would guess you are right, they are trying to be a chic outdoors store. Maybe that is even how they started out. But I won't be going out of my way to shop there. I will probably get REI immediately the next time it appears in a puzzle, though.<br /><br />@atlantasolver - A great philosopher once said, "None of us will report you to the crossword police, I promise. What you choose to live with is up to you. You will find the whole array of google use commented upon here; Never, Only Post-Solve, Only Once I've Given Up, When I Get Stuck, In Order to Get Started (usually only for Friday and Saturday puzzles). Personally, if I google I consider it a DNF, though I may not bother to mention it here when I do. I do try to google to verify "facts" before I embarrass myself by saying something wrong here."Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.com