tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3538105596445836430..comments2024-03-29T04:46:57.646-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: 1985 john malkovich film / THU 11-15-12 / Palindromic girl / Soul singer Bryson / Orbit Eclipse / Parent company of Oscar Mayer / Clooney's ER role / Breaking Bad airerRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63733739718655926942012-12-20T16:36:22.328-05:002012-12-20T16:36:22.328-05:00Given the tree theme, might have been fun to clew ...Given the tree theme, might have been fun to clew KRAFT as a type of paper instead of the owners of a wiener company. Excellent Thursday puzzle with a crisp well-constructed theme, thankfully even trending easy when time for puzzle-solving is at a premium.<br /><br />@Diri, with you 100% on your NRA comment. Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67943366932431429282012-12-20T15:32:56.401-05:002012-12-20T15:32:56.401-05:00If I never see another reference to NRA in a puzzl...If I never see another reference to NRA in a puzzle it will be too soon, but I do think it's macabrely ironic that today it crosses DEAD. Make of it what you will.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29110882943808455382012-12-20T12:17:40.057-05:002012-12-20T12:17:40.057-05:00Let's hear it for COLE Hamels, the hero who ma...Let's hear it for COLE Hamels, the hero who made it possible for our beloved Harry Kalas to cry "The Phillies are 2008 world champions of baseball!", and so have a beautiful memory to carry to his too-early grave.<br /><br />If you're guessing I'm gonna thumbs-up this baby, you are right on. First of all our TREES are standing tall and straight--and are evenly spaced to allow for growth! I enjoy neat little theme endcaps, at first and last across where they should be. The fact that the circled letters spell out FOREST is like a scoop of ice cream on my CHERRY or APPLE pie (PEAR pie? DATE pie? Nah).<br /><br />Never noticed the tree in STREEP till I came here. Marvelous long downs--both in and out of theme territory--highlight this goody. Only writeover: EMt for EMS. Favorite entry (besides, of course, COLE): YESDEAR, which I define as the two words said together most often by men after saying "I do." WOTD for me: UMAMI. Really? It filled in on crosses, but I let it stand with much apprehension. Wow, that's really a word. Who knew?<br /><br />And if I had no other reason to vote YEA on this one: Andrew is my son's name.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73227220497214602122012-12-20T11:30:13.838-05:002012-12-20T11:30:13.838-05:00A good puzzle.
I found it easy. Had almost the s...A good puzzle. <br /><br />I found it easy. Had almost the same slowdowns as @Rex except for SOAKEDUP and UMAMI.<br /><br />Thank you Mr Reynolds.NM Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920756034993068695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31021939974585237862012-11-17T22:13:36.727-05:002012-11-17T22:13:36.727-05:00@lymank, are you using Chrome? I'm having the ...@lymank, are you using Chrome? I'm having the same problem, and when I updated my Java and tried to install the plugin on the NYT page, it tells me it won't work with Chrome. Very frustrating.snegunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48082584811308671772012-11-15T22:32:47.751-05:002012-11-15T22:32:47.751-05:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 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 6:17, 6:46, 0.93, 23%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 8:44, 8:58, 0.97, 50%, Medium<br />Wed 12:49, 11:49, 1.08, 72%, Medium-Challenging<br />Thu 13:29, 18:47, 0.72, 7%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:43, 3:41, 1.01, 62%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 5:06, 4:41, 1.09, 77%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 7:01, 5:57, 1.18, 89%, Challenging<br />Thu 7:12, 9:23, 0.77, 17%, Medium<br /><br />@lymank ... so far, so good for me with the new format. I've been able to play against the clock both days. Have you tried logging out and then clearing your browser cache and cookies? Maybe that will help? Also, are you sure you've got the latest version of Java for your browser? What happens when you click "Play Against the Clock"?sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88801967897923330772012-11-15T21:03:04.156-05:002012-11-15T21:03:04.156-05:00I'm still having trouble with the new format. ...I'm still having trouble with the new format. I've written to the NYT but haven't received a satisfactory answer. I'm unable ot use the Play Against the Clock option. Doesn't matter whether I click on today's date, or on the Play button just to the right of that.<br />Surely others out there are having similar trouble? Help!lymankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530652273581025897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60330114370673438492012-11-15T20:03:38.520-05:002012-11-15T20:03:38.520-05:00@M&A
new theme song as you come out to chat wi...@M&A<br />new theme song as you come out to chat with Letterman..."It Had to be Yew"acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15551735968032599162012-11-15T17:52:57.575-05:002012-11-15T17:52:57.575-05:00@sanfrandude: Thanx for still doing the stats, eve...@sanfrandude: Thanx for still doing the stats, even tho working with an increasingly weird sample base. Actually, easy or medium sounds about right, anyhoo. thUmbsUp to you, dude.<br />I feel lucky that the U-count doesn't seem to get messed up by newspaper policies. Does sometimes get messed up, because no U's in SKY, or tree names, etc. (PLUM, anyone? ULM? Or at least throw old M&A a bone, with a YEW?)<br /><br />M&A wotd: UMAMI - The source of all baby U's.Masked and Anonymo5Usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19311318005383637472012-11-15T16:55:49.710-05:002012-11-15T16:55:49.710-05:00@miriam b - Very good. I think Jimmy Buffett borro...@miriam b - Very good. I think Jimmy Buffett borrowed some of that for a song or two.<br /><br />@AQnon3:17 - Point taken. But I still think it should be capitalized for a puzzle. Then again it is Thursday so there must be some degree of difficulty.<br /><br />That's 3. Ciao.Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82638482468259393742012-11-15T16:46:24.188-05:002012-11-15T16:46:24.188-05:00Midday 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 />Thu 13:30, 18:47, 0.72, 7%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Thu 7:46, 9:23, 0.83, 22%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64493636535988615572012-11-15T16:43:24.008-05:002012-11-15T16:43:24.008-05:00@Bird: I agree with all your nits, particularly a...@Bird: I agree with all your nits, particularly as concerns MATADOR. I'm reminded of the Tom Lehrer classic, In Old Mexico. Some of it is nonPC, sorry to say, bu, you now, it's Lehrer.<br /><br />When it's fiesta time in Guadalajara,<br />Then I long to be back once again<br />In Old Mexico.<br />Where we lived for today,<br />Never giving a thought to tomara.<br />To the strumming of guitars,<br />In a hundred grubby bars<br />I would whisper "Te amo."<br /><br />The mariachis would serenade,<br />And they would not shut up till they were paid.<br />We ate, we drank, and we were merry,<br />And we got typhoid and dysentery.<br /><br />But best of all, we went to the Plaza de Toros.<br />Now whenever I start feeling morose,<br />I revive by recalling that scene.<br />And names like Belmonte, Dominguin, and Manolete,<br />If I live to a hundred and eighty,<br />I shall never forget what they mean.<br /><br />(For there is surely nothing more beautiful in this<br />world than the sight of a lone man facing singlehandedly<br />a half a ton of angry pot roast!)<br /><br />Out came the matador,<br />Who must have been potted or<br />Slightly insane, but who looked rather bored.<br />Then the picadors of course,<br />Each one on his horse,<br />I shouted "Ole!" ev'ry time one was gored.<br /><br />I cheered at the bandilleros' display,<br />As they stuck the bull in their own clever way,<br />For I hadn't had so much fun since the day<br />My brother's dog Rover<br />Got run over.<br /><br />(Rover was killed by a Pontiac. And it was done with<br />such grace and artistry that the witnesses awarded the<br />driver both ears and the tail - but I digress.)<br /><br />The moment had come,<br />I swallowed my gum,<br />We knew there'd be blood on the sand pretty soon.<br />The crowd held its breath,<br />Hoping that death<br />Would brighten an otherwise dull afternoon.<br /><br />At last, the matador did what we wanted him to.<br />He raised his sword and his aim was true.<br />In that moment of truth I suddenly knew<br />That someone had stolen my wallet.<br /><br />Now it's fiesta time in Akron, Ohio,<br />But it's back to old Guadalajara I'm longing to go.<br />Far away from the strikes of the A.F. of L. and C.I.O.<br />How I wish I could get back<br />To the land of the wetback,<br />And forget the Alamo,<br />In Old Mexico. Ole!<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80934741787040847322012-11-15T16:08:56.614-05:002012-11-15T16:08:56.614-05:00@Bird Yes, the US Open is a Major Championship. I...@Bird Yes, the US Open is a Major Championship. It is one of the majors. "Major Championship" is a proper noun, whereas majors is not. At least the PGA, and all reputable publications, seems to think so.Anon 3:17noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35524227100971307672012-11-15T15:36:20.548-05:002012-11-15T15:36:20.548-05:00@Anon3:17 - Thanks, but the US Open is a Major Cha...@Anon3:17 - Thanks, but the US Open is a Major Championship. That's why I called foul.Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69706529798639126412012-11-15T15:17:44.808-05:002012-11-15T15:17:44.808-05:00@Bird - re 24A Major Championships is capitalized,...@Bird - re 24A Major Championships is capitalized, majors is not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12220095019174760292012-11-15T14:27:49.654-05:002012-11-15T14:27:49.654-05:00Strangely, the person I was mistaking PEABO Bryson...Strangely, the person I was mistaking PEABO Bryson for was Picabo sTREEt!<br />Between her and Meryl, maybe a puzzle there!<br /><br />Still don't get why Will didn't hold off till April for this puzzle which would have made it even MORE elegant!<br />ARBOR Day was a Friday this year and a Friday next.<br /><br />Maybe he didn't want the constructor to have to wait six months to see his work published??<br /><br /><br />HA! Kidding!<br />;)<br /><br />@OISK<br />Too funny! Off to dance!acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83351345442431263972012-11-15T14:15:19.073-05:002012-11-15T14:15:19.073-05:00@Annie D I sent 2 e-mails to complain about the n...@Annie D I sent 2 e-mails to complain about the new format. I think I found the address at the bottom of the xword page where I printed the puzzle. I'll check tomorrow.chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43946019555721736512012-11-15T14:03:09.422-05:002012-11-15T14:03:09.422-05:00Nice puzzle from Andrew Reynolds. As others did, I...Nice puzzle from Andrew Reynolds. As others did, I wondered if today is Arbor Day? Struggled here and there with spellings and a couple IDK (I Don’t Know), but finished without an error. Only write-over was ADD TO before ADD ON. I liked all the long downs and how the multiple-Oscar-winner STREEP is next to AWARDED.<br /><br />Nits – Majors at 24A should be capitalized. PSS is not pretty (PPS is better, but then what do you do with FALLP?). I don’t associate FIG, DATE and PEAR trees with FORESTS – they grow in groves, orchards and backyards? I don’t <i>throw</i> my OARS over the side of the boat. STREEP and GUM do not belong in this grid. A MATADOR is a hero?Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79675064900774618522012-11-15T13:46:18.636-05:002012-11-15T13:46:18.636-05:00Clever and well-thought out puzzle. I had the hard...Clever and well-thought out puzzle. I had the hardest time recognizing "candidates", how quickly I forgot....<br /><br />Noticed S(tree)p and wanted caw for coo as well. Umami was easy, I just ordered some little tubes for stocking stuffers. Lots of foodies in our family. I'm keeping one.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42013352085339475772012-11-15T13:46:10.158-05:002012-11-15T13:46:10.158-05:00Is there any place to give the times feedback on t...Is there any place to give the times feedback on the new app? I really don't like it...if I mistype and want to change the letter, out of habit, I will hit the dele key and then it deletes the entire puzzle! I HATE that!AnnieDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10344302828359075478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33504570200628044152012-11-15T13:38:56.033-05:002012-11-15T13:38:56.033-05:00I'm not up on my African countries, so forgive...I'm not up on my African countries, so forgive me for a dumb question, but is MAURATANIA in any way associated with that minuscule island off Madagascar, LESSATANIA?Not so bright guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72209078975404985632012-11-15T13:29:55.414-05:002012-11-15T13:29:55.414-05:00@Gareth,
In an orchard. Or my backyard.
rp@Gareth,<br /><br />In an orchard. Or my backyard.<br /><br />rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30248340386900097312012-11-15T12:33:35.427-05:002012-11-15T12:33:35.427-05:00@lawprof:
I stop the clock when a) I finish the g...@lawprof:<br /><br />I stop the clock when a) I finish the grid, and b) I'm finished checking over my answers. I treat it like I would at a crossword tournament -- the clock stops when I decide to turn the puzzle in. Whether or not I understand the theme is irrelevant if I fill in a perfect grid anyway (though it almost certainly helps cut down on my solving time).Evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15440942981870183719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54726693479731309522012-11-15T12:01:21.661-05:002012-11-15T12:01:21.661-05:00@ lawprof,
I don't time myself, but on a relat...@ lawprof,<br />I don't time myself, but on a related topic, if I finish the grid correctly but can't figure out the trick it's a personal DNF.Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279414989390373057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81589065182398588572012-11-15T11:41:43.775-05:002012-11-15T11:41:43.775-05:00The forests here have lots of fig trees but none o...The forests here have lots of fig trees but none of the others... Where else would you expect to find a fig tree???Gareth Bainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17770425154034935768noreply@blogger.com