tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3041295582523626083..comments2024-03-19T00:21:49.519-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Neurotic Martin Short character / SUN 10-23-11 / Slayer of his brother Bleda / Like average folks in Britain / Start of 1957 songRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88845533262249750352011-12-04T13:09:03.773-05:002011-12-04T13:09:03.773-05:00This one suuuuucked. Yawn. Not challenging at al...This one suuuuucked. Yawn. Not challenging at all - it was difficult because it did not make sense at all. Clever phrasing and big words just replaced by meaningless combinations and uninteresting words/phrases that no one ever says or thinks. For example: "uni" is what british kids call college and ncis calls local cops (because they wear uniforms) - no one in the history of the world has. Both would have been more fun. No one in history has ever used "uni" to mean unitard. I occasionally I throw these away if I don't like the gimmick, but none as fast as this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72043459433230953022011-11-08T17:00:37.104-05:002011-11-08T17:00:37.104-05:00From syndication land - a week late.
Think of &qu...From syndication land - a week late.<br /><br />Think of "succeed" meaning "to follow" instead of "to reach a goal"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37887316727851510412011-10-31T17:28:18.479-04:002011-10-31T17:28:18.479-04:00@Anony 12:11PM - "Follow".@Anony 12:11PM - "Follow".Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84889863371234038672011-10-31T12:11:20.705-04:002011-10-31T12:11:20.705-04:00Syndication here. Could someone explain how succe...Syndication here. Could someone explain how succeed = ensue? I'm just not seeing the relationship between those two words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62846972781837852092011-10-31T03:05:45.413-04:002011-10-31T03:05:45.413-04:00How could you not laugh at 42 D "Remains...&q...How could you not laugh at 42 D "Remains..." That was my favorite but I enjoyed the word play in all the theme answers and their clues.<br />I didn't even notice if some of the fill was bad.<br />Nonu was hard to think of but once got it from crosses I had an ah ha moment, remembering the book mentioned by someone. Ideal gas was an unknown for me, but educational (sort of) <br />Got a chuckle from Noam's take on 13D "Runs..." and enjoyed Glimmerglass' comments on placement of Stands to reason, etc. Hadn't noticed on my own, but I like.<br />Sundays are usually my favorite. Can be fun to keep it around to fill in through the week.SharonAKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1082885217219386192011-10-31T00:50:33.249-04:002011-10-31T00:50:33.249-04:00Writing from syndication-land where I did this eve...Writing from syndication-land where I did this evening's puzzle while listening to a <i>lengthy</i> audiobook of J.B. Bury's <i>History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great</i>. And just as well, because this puzzle also took me forever.<br /><br />It wasn't so much that the clues refused to fall, but more that there were lengthy theme clues, with tiny little regular fill, so it was a case of having to work one's way through a couple dozen small clues before hitting the broad patch of theme answers.<br /><br />Unlike most here, <i>SALVIA divinorum</i> was my gimme—the very first thing I laid down. I'm in my early 30s, so perhaps it's a generation gap in drug culture. Not that I would know anything about <i>that</i>.... *whistles*<br /><br />Progress was consistent throughout, but slow due to the number of blocks in this puzzle, breaking up the squares into smaller answers. I didn't have the same problems as others with IDEAL GAS, which is perhaps my science background seeing me through. Indeed, there was very little in the way of literary clues in the puzzle, unless you consider movie adaptations like the <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> miniseries and Kurosawa's <i>Ran</i> to be literary.<br /><br />Overall, I'm nonplussed. The theme was somewhat weak, and there wasn't much of interest in the non-theme fill. Nothing struck me as being particularly clever or inventive.<br /><br />So that's a new week begun, and now I can see if I can stick to my resolution to comment every day.Nullifidianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15207390447020990907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27715591796366947982011-10-31T00:37:35.079-04:002011-10-31T00:37:35.079-04:00Spacecraft here. Methinx Our Chief Blogationist is...Spacecraft here. Methinx Our Chief Blogationist is turning (ONADIME?) into a bona fide curmudgeon. Was it really that bad? Nah. But I do get Rex's point about being paid the daily rate x5.<br />21x21=441, while 15x15=225. That's less than twice as big, so to pay five times the rate seems excessive. But seriously, in a larger puzzle you're bound to have more junky fill--because there's just so damn much more fill, period! So I tend to cut the Sunday builders some slack.<br /> This one had its share of obscurities, and a pet peeve of mine: NONU. Not only is that ugly fill, it's a stupid, senseless thing to say. Not a real big fan of SETSAT, either. But it was OK, the theme worked, sorta, the big one down the middle, while eliciting a visual "ew" for sure, was cute. Oh, come on, it was a little cute. And the puzzle had one more redeeming feature:<br /> I finished it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66282328568542393312011-10-30T17:08:12.479-04:002011-10-30T17:08:12.479-04:00Coming to you from snowy northeast syndiland, wher...Coming to you from snowy northeast syndiland, where it was a perfect day to spend inside doing a puzzle that took almost forever to finish. Well, almost finish as my progress screeched TOAHALT in the SE where I couldn't see IDEALGAS (maybe it's invisible?) and couldn't get the crosses to make it appear.<br /><br />Someone has already mentioned early-Rex due to a wrong puzzle shwoing up. so let's visit him at RPDTNYTCP on this date 5 years ago:<br /><br />- "Solving time: 4:34*"<br />- "Finished today's puzzle in Rex-record time, which makes me wonder how those of you who do it in HALF that time do it. I don't think I can write that fast."<br />- "[*ERRATUM, which is very sad to me, yet also possibly funny: I had two wrong squares today because I didn't check the crosses."<br />- "I detect a subtheme here. A dark and shady subtheme. My kind of subtheme. Underneath the friendly banter of this puzzle lies a hardboiled crime story."<br />- "One of about three places in the puzzle that slowed me down. To me, RES is "thing" in Latin. I do not own a Hi-RES monitor. I don't even own a DVR. I'm like a technology savage, watching shows only during their original air times, and only if I remember they're on. Even my iPod is big and clunky and memory-challenged. It's a wonder this blog gets published every day, frankly, what with my hamster-powered iMac and my decidedly Low-RES scanner."<br />- There were 5 comments including this from Rex himself" "If you liked Anka's floating head, you'll love today's (Halloween's) pics. Though come to think of it, the unexpected creepiness of the Anka head is hard to top. Even Christopher Lee bleeding from his mouth can't quite evoke the same horror as the Anka head."<br /><br />Happy Halloween everybody.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29701990444591190412011-10-30T14:07:45.980-04:002011-10-30T14:07:45.980-04:00@ Anonymous 9:19 AM - The right K is the one that ...@ Anonymous 9:19 AM - The right K is the one that got its 71a whooped by Oklahoma yesterday.<br /><br />(and add Arizona to the list of Wildcats)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79846624172778517902011-10-30T11:02:44.396-04:002011-10-30T11:02:44.396-04:00Full of obscure answers, so did not finish. Not s...Full of obscure answers, so did not finish. Not surprised to find this kind of rubbish from someone who spends their time watching Jersey Shore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42920002092809444632011-10-26T21:36:42.567-04:002011-10-26T21:36:42.567-04:00Villanova and Northwestern, tooVillanova and Northwestern, tooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53779059098111003422011-10-26T13:41:50.779-04:002011-10-26T13:41:50.779-04:00My post is so late in the week I am not sure anyon...My post is so late in the week I am not sure anyone will read it but....<br /><br />I am with Arlene. I put the puzzle down several times convinced I was stuck and then found solutions on a second or third attempt. I liked the fact that DEPENDS and PANDG (the manufacturer of DEPENDS) was in the same puzzle. Also I liked several clues that had double meanings (SKINNY=NEWS). <br /><br />KSU is Kansas State University (Also the Wildcats along with Kentucky - Who knew unless you live in Kansas?)smoss11https://www.blogger.com/profile/07288520816424106279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60669068534041076422011-10-24T11:46:37.965-04:002011-10-24T11:46:37.965-04:00At last I (anon 3:06) got 8D. While no one comment...At last I (anon 3:06) got 8D. While no one commenting here was helpful, Wikipedia allowed me to get on with my life by explaining that "Depend is a brand of unisex adult underwear for those experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence by Kimberly-Clark."<br /><br />I've said it before and I'll say it again, ew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37928496279025916932011-10-24T09:19:35.822-04:002011-10-24T09:19:35.822-04:00OK, Martin, what's the right K?OK, Martin, what's the right K?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2483040640017493412011-10-24T00:20:32.444-04:002011-10-24T00:20:32.444-04:00Haven't been here all week for fear of 'sp...Haven't been here all week for fear of 'spoilers' re: the meta puzzle.<br /><br />I enjoyed doing this puzzle, though there were plenty of answers/clues to hate, as lots of you have pointed out.<br /><br />Sent my email in with metadata answer in at 11:58pm, asking for an extension ;) (reminds me of being in school), since it was only when I got to my sister's and compared notes to her week's worth of puzzles that I realized I had done the WRONG Friday!!!!!<br /><br />Across-Lite ate my Friday puzzle, Mr, Shortz!Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69268404051801880122011-10-23T23:56:00.045-04:002011-10-23T23:56:00.045-04:00Thanks, @Martin.Thanks, @Martin.CoffeeLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473192190412844538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9157234731472343202011-10-23T23:24:19.331-04:002011-10-23T23:24:19.331-04:00@Anonymous 10:58
Wrong K.@Anonymous 10:58<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_State_Wildcats" rel="nofollow">Wrong K.</a>Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9693509648802327982011-10-23T22:58:04.671-04:002011-10-23T22:58:04.671-04:00Will someone please tell Will Shortz that the KSU ...Will someone please tell Will Shortz that the KSU (Kentucky State University) is the Thorobreds? The Wildcats are at the University of Kentucky (UK or sometimes UKy). I've seen this mistake in more than one Sunday NYT puzzle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31689738112672022772011-10-23T21:52:36.574-04:002011-10-23T21:52:36.574-04:00Can anyone explain the reference to Kirsty McColl&...Can anyone explain the reference to Kirsty McColl's video Innocence? (In a sense?)Detournoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42252876830802624882011-10-23T21:17:04.389-04:002011-10-23T21:17:04.389-04:00I too had Phi origianally. Found this much harder ...I too had Phi origianally. Found this much harder and sloggier than a normal Sunday. But no matter, as I'm still on a high from last weeks meta challengeDetournoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85156987583007970592011-10-23T20:52:03.586-04:002011-10-23T20:52:03.586-04:00Thanks, Martin--who knew? But the Jersey Shore cl...Thanks, Martin--who knew? But the Jersey Shore clue--I know who The Situation is, but yes, eeeeuw!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65456127988074600752011-10-23T20:50:23.253-04:002011-10-23T20:50:23.253-04:00Greg Charles--I agree! Checked the Greek alphabet...Greg Charles--I agree! Checked the Greek alphabet and the symbol is phi.<br />Did not love this puzzle; theme not hard to get, but lots of dumb or obscure fill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28982232920628058872011-10-23T20:43:20.246-04:002011-10-23T20:43:20.246-04:00Psi and phi are both used for flux, often to disti...Psi and phi are <a href="http://www.natscience.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/electromag/712/Multiple-definitions-of-electric-flux" rel="nofollow">both</a> used for flux, often to distinguish the flux produced by a single turn of conductor vs. an entire coil.<br /><br />It's a nerdy version of the "Mauna ___" clue.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70331360325150262902011-10-23T20:25:19.076-04:002011-10-23T20:25:19.076-04:00I'm pretty sure the symbol for flux is phi, no...I'm pretty sure the symbol for flux is phi, not psi. Wikipedia backs me up there. That seems like a blown clue to me.Greg Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783955694932149447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11210573250845977902011-10-23T19:31:14.719-04:002011-10-23T19:31:14.719-04:00@Noam D. Elkies I thought the same thing. THen, co...@Noam D. Elkies I thought the same thing. THen, coming after DEPENDS and RUNS, REMAINS sounded scatological to me, as well.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16342530371183121220noreply@blogger.com