tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post400843312019093191..comments2024-03-29T05:08:37.783-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Henry Higgins's creator —WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7 2009 — Laura's 1960s sitcom hubby / Botanical angle / Dendrite's counterpart / Richard Petty's racing sonRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65967161687477006642009-11-11T18:22:45.173-05:002009-11-11T18:22:45.173-05:00Waxy: LObloodyL!Waxy: LObloodyL!slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49100390605782147672009-11-11T17:14:23.562-05:002009-11-11T17:14:23.562-05:00For a comedy combo of the baseball and Shakespeare...For a comedy combo of the baseball and Shakespearean themes, check out -<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhQ9aeCE8Oo" title="Wayne and Shuster Youtube" rel="nofollow">Wayne and Shuster Youtube</a>Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68143807751661180012009-11-11T14:20:22.384-05:002009-11-11T14:20:22.384-05:00I could not see the bases for the world, making my...I could not see the bases for the world, making my nom de plume a boggle and me a bozo, or at best, a meek beginner. Pray, thou do not yell, I liest not and aver to start anew the 'morrow. P'raps I'll have aced it yet. Give me an F on this one. Letsgo.Wade Bogged Downnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23385278962288905242009-11-11T11:43:31.288-05:002009-11-11T11:43:31.288-05:00Post from syndication land where the Damn Yankees ...Post from syndication land where the Damn Yankees have won it all again!<br /><br />It was pleasant to see rp rate a puzzle as medium that I found easy, but then I realized I actually completed the puzzle wrong. Darn! I had AnON / AnIL instead of AXON / AXIL. Got snagged by confusing my crosswordese anil:axil. And I know what a dendrite is, too.<br /><br />Had trouble in the usual places, shoe for SIZE being the biggest. Had to guess at the AAL*TO / *IEST cross and guessed right with an "L". <br /><br />I was a bit annoyed with the theme, the wierd grid and the easiness of the puzzle (despite the impossible bind at AALTO / LIEST) and the possible Natick at AALTO / ALMA. But the way that the diamond was drawn with the circles and the fact that the circles actually spelled the names of the bases in the correct order and in the correct direction - now that is a masterwork of construction and all the flaws are forgiven. Now if only the Rockies had won the series...Singernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1508429605864951632009-10-08T08:05:40.366-04:002009-10-08T08:05:40.366-04:00@Foodie:
When we moved to Hamburg, Germany I would...@Foodie:<br />When we moved to Hamburg, Germany I would watch soaps and other series on TV to learn colloquial German - it worked vry well!<br /><br />There is a catalogue, I think it's called "Design within Reach" that also shows pictures of the designers, who are from all over the world. Wonderful classic modernist pieces, plus the latest in interior design.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67606639985608581402009-10-08T03:15:35.114-04:002009-10-08T03:15:35.114-04:00MOOER made me laugh.
(Hungry cow, maybe) !MOOER made me laugh.<br /><br /><br /><br />(Hungry cow, maybe) !liquid el layhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955796642605260715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73210066379166790272009-10-08T02:26:18.064-04:002009-10-08T02:26:18.064-04:00hmmmm. the world is still safe.
Add it to the lis...hmmmm. the world is still safe.<br />Add it to the list of stuff I still can't do.acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-594883625166103932009-10-08T02:23:31.206-04:002009-10-08T02:23:31.206-04:00@greene is teaching me to embed:
/watch?v=Z59vdEL_...@greene is teaching me to embed:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com" rel="nofollow">/watch?v=Z59vdEL_MdY&feature=related</a><br /><br />if this works, he's just created a monster!andrea anew michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69514104280831690522009-10-07T22:50:33.715-04:002009-10-07T22:50:33.715-04:00@ MIT girl - Who knew? Baker House done by Aalto? ...@ MIT girl - Who knew? Baker House done by Aalto? Cool! Thanks for info. <br /><br />retired_chemist V '61retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55019337901968485182009-10-07T22:34:30.037-04:002009-10-07T22:34:30.037-04:00If you want to get on friendlier terms with these ...If you want to get on friendlier terms with these architects whose names keep popping up in crossword puzzle land, swing by the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA., to see two wonderful buildings by Eero Saarinen (the chapel and Kresge Auditorium) and one by Alvar Aalto (the serpentine dormitory, Baker House). They were part of what attracted me to attend MIT. You can also see an interesting Frank Gehry building, an IM Pei Building, a colorful Sol LeWitt floor and a lot of great public sculptures.MIT Girlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87833532012452442702009-10-07T22:05:23.208-04:002009-10-07T22:05:23.208-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> 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 7:13, 6:59, 1.03, 63%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 10:40, 8:34, 1.25, 95%, Challenging<br />Wed 10:49, 11:46, 0.92, 33%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:45, 3:42, 1.01, 60%, Medium<br />Tue 4:58, 4:24, 1.13, 83%, Challenging<br />Wed 5:28, 5:48, 0.94, 35%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23120954846055301362009-10-07T21:22:58.204-04:002009-10-07T21:22:58.204-04:00@Andrea, I can imagine you totally nailing the &qu...@Andrea, I can imagine you totally nailing the "Oh Roooob!"<br /><br />When I first came to the US, I watched situation comedies obsessively because this is how I could learn everyday American, rather that the formal academic English I knew. And MTM was my favorite both in the Dick Van Dyke and the MTM shows. <br /><br />@dk and Clark, I too have an AALTO vase. Not always easy to arrange flowers in it, but tulips look great! I remember going to Finland many moons ago and being very impressed with their design. Check out iitala glass. In general, I liked the fact that shops in Finland displayed photos of the designers of various objects, furniture, jewelry, wallpaper, clothes and textile. Appreciation of great design seemed to permeate the entire culture!foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10740408000294269182009-10-07T21:07:43.293-04:002009-10-07T21:07:43.293-04:00@ mac and Crosscan, So sorry for the mix-up! Yikes...@ mac and Crosscan, So sorry for the mix-up! Yikes. I swear I know better and actually try to pay attention.<br />@ andrea, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you seem to be faring fine on your own even if you can't change a tire. What's AAA for anyway?Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896743444873087885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78137505420900227152009-10-07T20:29:59.059-04:002009-10-07T20:29:59.059-04:00I agree with Michele...this theme is a repeat of o...I agree with Michele...this theme is a repeat of one done several months ago. In that one, the bases were spelled out in diagonal squares. I was quite surprised to see a theme repeated. What's up Will Shortz?David Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49942423765615884232009-10-07T19:54:13.671-04:002009-10-07T19:54:13.671-04:00@Two Ponies
Thanks!!! I'm hoping they will re...@Two Ponies<br />Thanks!!! I'm hoping they will rerun that show till I'm 80...what with the residuals just pouring in!<br /><br />(Insert rant here about how the 8 hours of labor was totally unpaid with no breaks or food!)<br /><br />Thank you for thinking I was simply breaking stereotypes as opposed to it simply showcasing the thousands of things I know not how to do!<br />(Watch her change a tire! Let's get Andrea to sew a button! Hey, how about opening a bottle of wine! Wait, let's ski!)<br /><br />Actually it was a totally fun surreal experience (retroactively, of course)andrea onset michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32823059070705136572009-10-07T19:39:16.677-04:002009-10-07T19:39:16.677-04:00@Two Ponies: that was Mrs. Crosscan!!@Two Ponies: that was Mrs. Crosscan!!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44163689541705508032009-10-07T19:11:06.252-04:002009-10-07T19:11:06.252-04:00@ andrea, I had to get to a Mac to view the youTub...@ andrea, I had to get to a Mac to view the youTube clips but your presence really livened up the show. You seemed very comfortable on camera. I was very amused that you bucked what might have been a production stereotype. You were the only woman on the show and you didn't know how to shop or peel a potato??? Too funny. In my mind you saved the show from hopeless nerdiness. Now I know why Mrs. mac asked if you were for real! (In a good way of course!)<br />Thanks for showing another side of the puzzle solvers.Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896743444873087885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64470770289428377022009-10-07T17:50:35.464-04:002009-10-07T17:50:35.464-04:00@Elaine
OTT has benn in about 111 puzzles since 1...@Elaine<br /><br />OTT has benn in about 111 puzzles since 1993.<br /><br />Ranges from once in 1996 to about 12 in 2000. So far this year 6 times.<br /><br />It is the 298th most "popular", ERA first at 346 tops the list.<br /><br />.../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91852107326194278612009-10-07T17:44:49.414-04:002009-10-07T17:44:49.414-04:00Since my paper was soaking wet, I printed this usi...Since my paper was soaking wet, I printed this using Times Reader (an online thingie free with subscription) and there were no circles! But that just made for a pleasant bonus afterwards.<br /><br />Always appreciate Kirsty MacColl...<br /><br />Go Sox!Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89551142324797110232009-10-07T17:16:51.066-04:002009-10-07T17:16:51.066-04:00I would like Sanfranman to check how many clues/en...I would like Sanfranman to check how many clues/entries involve MEL OTT....for a long time, the only baseball answer I knew. Honestly, he's been in one or another puzzle at least twice a week since Hector was a pup! Since crosswords were invented! Since the Dawn of Time!<br /><br />Anyone else think names are TOTALLY getting out of hand as the easy way out of a jam? I was guessing on AALTO/RITA, but RITA seemed reasonable, and I didn't bother to go upstairs to the GoogleMachine! ALMA wouldn't be such a BOO-HISS entry if only (a) it were not pluralized, and (b) it was an ALMA we'd reasonably know. This minor actress was dead before Rex was born, wasn't she? <br /><br />Andrea Loon Michaels, please rant more!!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33639095440348569442009-10-07T16:49:16.043-04:002009-10-07T16:49:16.043-04:00How has 6D MOOER slipped by without a Booer? (Sou...How has 6D MOOER slipped by without a Booer? (South African trekker [var.])<br /><br />As for 26D OHARE, surely a clue more in keeping with the baseball theme would have been "Cub's landing place?" The Bears land in SFO! (Oh, you mean Da NFL Bears? Doh!)<br /><br />Larry THE BearAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57348510050208618522009-10-07T16:02:13.737-04:002009-10-07T16:02:13.737-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Wed 10:49, 11:46, 0.92, 33%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Wed 5:35, 5:48, 0.96, 42%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44935647279164756292009-10-07T16:02:09.266-04:002009-10-07T16:02:09.266-04:00Loved this puzzle and figured out the bases half w...Loved this puzzle and figured out the bases half way through and that helped with the second half. Hand up for diest, my only mistake.<br /><br />Don't want to hear anymore about SACKs after that pathetic show the Packers put on Monday. SOB! Was watching said game with a Viking fan, double SOB!! Really wanted to do some face punching.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4391330966146206522009-10-07T14:36:56.053-04:002009-10-07T14:36:56.053-04:00Had reactions similar to cynthiag and bobkerfuffle...Had reactions similar to cynthiag and bobkerfuffle/ agree w RP don't know why they couldn't have held this puzzle a few weeks until Series starts, also, too many silly plurals for me...only Kruger actress I knew was Diane from Inglorious Basterds..who knew about ALMA? My favorite: OHARE for "Bear's landing place". What a hoot!Charles Boglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667976595355657752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39106758154398769802009-10-07T14:03:03.134-04:002009-10-07T14:03:03.134-04:00@Rex
Too bad 32A (Socrates letter clue) wasn't...@Rex<br />Too bad 32A (Socrates letter clue) wasn't R-H...E!!! <br />My heart skipped a beat when I started to fill it in...<br />Plus, had it been RHE it would have been another theme answer.<br /><br />Wow, all you have to do is marry Donald Trump and have a baby named Tiffany by him and you get your name in a NY Times puzzle???!!!<br />Why didn't I think of that! <br /><br />I have to say, when forced to use plurals for names, I LOVED the two EMMAS and the two IANS both being literary!!!!!!<br />If only there were two ALMAS who were actresses, that would have been cool...<br />instead, near Natick for me with the first A.<br />I got LIEST, but I thought it was a reference to IAGO...and I was once even in a college NOH production of "The Tempest".<br />(Yes, it sounds as good as it was! I think my own parents walked out!)<br /><br />@Crosscan<br />Great call about HOMIE...esp it being a variation on top of everything else, but the circles are pretty magnificent, even tho I think this whole crossword constructor/baseball obsession has gotten out of hand.<br /><br />@Mexgirl<br />Make that an un-silent minority!<br />I'm sure SanFranMan could do some wild stats on this...how many baseball themes there have been, how many baseball players mentioned on a daily level, how many baseball initials real and forced, how many baseball metaphors in the commentary, how many complaints about all of the above...<br /><br />On another less rant-y note,<br />TEMPER was the hardest clue for me to figure out and I LOVED it when I got it and I love Rex's punchintheface comment.<br /><br />(That also goes for being told to CALM down.)<br /><br />@Rex<br />SIZE for Shoe was my only writeover. "If the shoe fits...be careful!"? <br /><br />The Old Dick Van Dyke Show is probably my favorite show of all time. I had hoped that would be what it would be like to write for a sitcom.<br />I can only do three passable impressions:<br />Katherine Hepburn claiming "The Callalilies are in bloom again", Peter Lorre's collar-grabbing plea "Ric, you've got to hide me!" and MTM's "Oh Rooooooob!"<br />(I wish I could embed a video!)andrea loon michaelsnoreply@blogger.com