tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4351491907148405525..comments2024-03-29T07:55:40.047-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Collegiate honor society of Bloomberg Iacocca / SAT 6-9-12 / Annie who voice Bo Peep in Toy Story / Food from Tupi language of South America / Dish containing masa / Pain is Love rapper / Hockey shot involving two players / Rex Perpetuus NorvegiaeRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-654683635303922272012-07-16T15:15:34.485-04:002012-07-16T15:15:34.485-04:00It's Monday for my Saturday post because there...It's Monday for my Saturday post because there is golf.<br /><br />I solved this but there was smoke coming out of the google machine.<br /><br />You've got to hand it to Mark Wahlberg and how he's reinvented himself. It wouldn't surprise me if he has a career as long as Clint's.<br /><br />RES: An object, a subject matter, or a status against which legal proceedings have been instituted. <br /><br />So, let's not get all lawyerly on the clue here. It works.<br /><br />I thought "Avalanche gear" as the clue for ICESKATES was clever. I stared at ICESKA forever trying to grow avalance gear on this cow. Couldn't accept TES until I remembered the Colorado NHL team. Forehead slapper. <br /><br />Dropped in OBAMACARE after asking my wife the Duck's name. "Oh, the duck was the OBOE." Had stlo before CAEN. VEilS before VESTS. jAlApeno before HABANERO.<br /><br />I'm OUTTA here - gotta go check into the BATES motel.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28466676740789995662012-07-16T08:37:39.466-04:002012-07-16T08:37:39.466-04:00First post here - been doing the puzzle regularly ...First post here - been doing the puzzle regularly for about three/four months now and coming here to check my answers. Interesting to see how many people thought DOHAQATAR was a gimme. It was the answer that totally F'ed me. I thought of Qatar since I had DOHA-ATA- but (agree 100 percent with @LennieAugustine) "RES" is not a word, and couldn't see how QANDA was a "grilling option" (get it now after reading the commments - Q and A - was thinking it was a brand of grill maker I never heard of). Also agree with @mac - think this was a wank by the constructor who's initials are DQ.Anonyratnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32599054523214571652012-07-16T01:01:53.359-04:002012-07-16T01:01:53.359-04:00As usual, I was the opposite of Rex ... I flew thr...As usual, I was the opposite of Rex ... I flew through the south half of the puzzle and had a painful slog through the north. In the south, probably because I'm a member of Tau Beta Pi and Lee Iacocca went to my college (Lehigh) and I knew he had been in it, and in the north, probably because I stuck way too long with TEHERAN TV for DOHA QATAR. (How is it all you people had that one instantly? I never even heard of Doha.)<br /><br />I had issues with a ton of clues in this one:<br /><br />1) LOGIN NAME is not an access provider ... the password that goes with the login name is.<br /><br />2) I hate "Flip" for GO BANANAS. Add "out" at the end of the clue, for "Flip out," and now it's fine.<br /><br />3) "Soup flavorer" for DILL? Really? I mean, I know it can be used as a soup flavorer, but so can about 15,000 other ingredients<br /><br />4) Didn't like REY in the same puzzle that had "REX Perpetuus Norvegiea" as a clue - REY and REX are from the same root and more or less are the same word.<br /><br />5) Agree on the "ST. OLAV" clue needing an abbreviation signal.<br /><br />6) I'm sorry, I refuse to accept OUTTA as a word, so "Word with control or sight" is just not right.<br /><br />7) AMA for "Health advocacy abbr."? Really? Of all the ways to clue the American Medical Association, what does "advocacy" have to do with it? How about "Physician income advocacy abbr." instead? There, now I feel better.<br /><br />8) Brief word = RES? You know, just because something is a legal term, doesn't mean it's a "brief" word. I'm a lawyer, I've written maybe a 100 briefs, I'm not sure I've ever used the word "Res" in one of them.<br /><br />I could go on, but I'll just say it seems to me that Mr. Quarfoot was intentionally misleading with his clues in this one for the sake of making the puzzle more difficult, and that's not commendable in my book. I like a challenging puzzle as much as the next guy, but not at the expense of accuracy of clues.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17631093655277281682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26604712045710124922012-07-15T11:19:39.875-04:002012-07-15T11:19:39.875-04:00@Spacecraft - for "R AND R", am staying ...@Spacecraft - for "R AND R", am staying at a "B AND B". Do "R AND D" for a living.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61846939871426084612012-07-15T02:27:54.579-04:002012-07-15T02:27:54.579-04:00DNF, only in small part due to one of my screaming...DNF, only in small part due to one of my screaming hates: Q&A. Yes, that's right, not "Q AND A," which is nothing short of RIDICULOUS! Why in the WORLD would anyone ever abbreviate "question" and "answer" with single letters--and then turn around and SPELL OUT the word "and?" IT MAKES NO SENSE!!!Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17782262336874453102012-07-14T16:59:55.115-04:002012-07-14T16:59:55.115-04:00OUCH
Just when I think my solving skills are impr...OUCH<br /><br />Just when I think my solving skills are improving, I'm DQd by DQ.<br /><br />Thanks to Anon 12:42 for an explanation of OBOEPART, tho I still think it's a reach. UG told me that 'K. Brown, is T.L.Jones' character in MIB. That part of the grid now looks like a Rorschach test. (I use ink on paper)<br /><br />@onnieinseattle - how's the eye? I understand it's critical to take care of those things, so glad you did.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56626202290674762672012-07-14T15:47:52.844-04:002012-07-14T15:47:52.844-04:00Add "f" to today's Capcha and you ge...Add "f" to today's Capcha and you get my results with this puzzle: Alsoof, as I was also (way) off on a lot of this puzzle. Gee, hockey, rappers, unknown Greek societies...This one was way to deep for me. Congrats to those who conquered it!<br /><br />The number on this Captcha is 365. Hope that doesn't bode a whole year of ineptness!DMGrnadmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53306226290219775262012-07-14T12:57:09.858-04:002012-07-14T12:57:09.858-04:00I know at least two people who can tell me with pe...I know at least two people who can tell me with perfect clarity that DOHA, QATAR is located on the Persian "Gulf" but will also tell me that the OBOE PART represents the duck in <i>Peter and the </i>"Woof".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67406662431972485182012-07-14T12:42:53.489-04:002012-07-14T12:42:53.489-04:00Good brain workout today. Satisfying to complete ...Good brain workout today. Satisfying to complete with no errors.<br /><br />Does DQ always work his initials into his puzzles? <br /><br />When ICE SKATES fell I was thinking Avanlanche was a brand of skates; didn't even make the hockey connection until I came here. Nice cross with ONE-TIMER. Also liked AMA crossing OBAMACARE (though I really hate that term).<br /><br />OBOE PART is not redundant. When an instrumental piece is performed by more than one person, each performer has a separate piece of sheet music, called a part, to play from. In "Peter and the Wolf" the OBOE PART represents the duck. The oboe is the instrument used by the oboist to play the OBOE PART.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6490503466186677632012-07-14T10:17:27.583-04:002012-07-14T10:17:27.583-04:00How is "brief word" RES?How is "brief word" RES?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2201334499491252062012-06-13T13:21:56.159-04:002012-06-13T13:21:56.159-04:00"Calculus" is Latin for "pebble&quo..."Calculus" is Latin for "pebble".Brendan Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397356616693377367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48786769983349345582012-06-09T23:25:00.476-04:002012-06-09T23:25:00.476-04:00I didn't get to try today's puzzle
(which...I didn't get to try today's puzzle <br />(which is too bad because it looked like a good one), but thought I would respond to @SethG and @Z re flying discs . . .<br /><br />@Z - Agreed. I play golf too but don't care too much about shape of dimples on the ball or depth of grooves on the face of the club. Yeah it sounds interesting but I play for fun with a 15 handicap.<br /><br />@sethg - let them look at me funny, I don't care - I am not obsessive about Ultimate<br /><br />Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)Flying Discnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39092784122137143892012-06-09T23:09:04.489-04:002012-06-09T23:09:04.489-04:00ABHU DHABI also fits, if you misspell it.
Had the...ABHU DHABI also fits, if you misspell it.<br /><br />Had the H having thought HABANERO was more likely than JALAPENO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31933225144653592732012-06-09T23:02:23.523-04:002012-06-09T23:02:23.523-04:00A complete train wreck. Never connected. Felt to...A complete train wreck. Never connected. Felt too clever by half.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16455794561284359772012-06-09T20:41:17.321-04:002012-06-09T20:41:17.321-04:00I finished the SW corner with no writeovers, but t...I finished the SW corner with no writeovers, but that's all I finished. The Nudist's lack at 7d was a personal gimme due to my sun-bathing preference, AGENTK is in the theaters again due to the new MIB release, and LOGINNAME seemed reasonable, but the rest of the grid just eluded me. Oh wait, I had SEEME and CTSCAN in the NE, too!<br /><br />Totally miffed that I missed OBAMACARE - when healthCARE didn't fit, I just gave up. It's been a long day.<br /><br />See you here next week.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37694070328886693952012-06-09T20:09:23.147-04:002012-06-09T20:09:23.147-04:00Rats...meant to say:
@chefwen: Puzzle husband sug...Rats...meant to say:<br /><br />@chefwen: Puzzle husband suggested "pockets"...Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62400284706404706282012-06-09T20:07:37.347-04:002012-06-09T20:07:37.347-04:00suggested "pockets" too! I had clothes,...suggested "pockets" too! I had clothes, which I knew was way too obvious for Saturday.<br /><br />I do think it's even better than already funny TANLINE. (Though unless you're a Möbius strip, you generally have more than one, no?)Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49665969829711533842012-06-09T19:38:05.275-04:002012-06-09T19:38:05.275-04:00@chefwen: pockets are great!@chefwen: pockets are great!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47669390850914311752012-06-09T18:22:40.220-04:002012-06-09T18:22:40.220-04:00hard! Got only part of the soutwest. Ja Rule!? bit...hard! Got only part of the soutwest. Ja Rule!? bitter aloes? tau beta pi?michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34816433265007856252012-06-09T18:19:14.385-04:002012-06-09T18:19:14.385-04:00I thought this one was easier, but only by a hair,...I thought this one was easier, but only by a hair, than yesterdays. <br /><br />My first fill was at 7D when I plopped in pockets, kinda like that better than TAN LINE. Didn't fare much better at 16A with set Aside. Bra before PJS, nEAr before SEAL, KLINGER set me straight there. OBAMA CARE nixed my pockets. It was tough going and I did need outside help, but I'm still going to chalk this one up to FINISHED with assistance, I allow that on Fri and Sat.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66670138304096586142012-06-09T18:08:49.014-04:002012-06-09T18:08:49.014-04:00This 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 6:39, 6:49, 0.97, 45%, Medium<br />Tue 10:00, 8:54, 1.12, 82%, Challenging<br />Wed 10:44, 11:47, 0.91, 30%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 17:12, 18:57, 0.91, 35%, Easy-Medium<br />Fri 21:10, 24:42, 0.86, 25%, Easy-Medium<br />Sat 31:35, 29:29, 1.07, 71%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:46, 3:40, 1.03, 66%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 5:05, 4:36, 1.10, 81%, Challenging<br />Wed 5:48, 5:53, 0.99, 50%, Medium<br />Thu 8:31, 9:21, 0.91, 38%, Easy-Medium<br />Fri 11:08, 12:14, 0.91, 35%, Easy-Medium<br />Sat 17:51, 16:44, 1.07, 72%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62274801867039978892012-06-09T17:32:56.262-04:002012-06-09T17:32:56.262-04:00What a relief to come here and see that so many pe...What a relief to come here and see that so many people had trouble today. It. Kicked. My. PRAT.<br /><br />Like @Tita <i>et al</i>, major, major DNF.<br /><br />Everything seems fair enough when I see the completed puzzle (well, OBOE PART was unexpected); maybe if I had plugged away at it for a few more hours I could have finished. <br /><br />TANLINE, PJS, Q AND A - terrific! I, too, couldn't let go of "modesty." Also had "veils" forever, and "steady" before SUITOR.<br /><br />@Rookie - hang in there. Today was a really hard puzzle! Fair, but hard. Thanks, David.Loren Muse Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05308030011870397977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64300069370478459092012-06-09T17:08:17.117-04:002012-06-09T17:08:17.117-04:00The southwest corner killed me. I had to give it u...The southwest corner killed me. I had to give it up. You people are amazing!Stevlb1https://www.blogger.com/profile/03814855846710624128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47027280708211666412012-06-09T16:46:53.643-04:002012-06-09T16:46:53.643-04:00"One-timer" is a hockey shot? Gee, that&..."One-timer" is a hockey shot? Gee, that's fascinating. I'm sure I'll remember that on my deathbed. I'm not an "MIB" fan so it took me a while to get "Agent K". Guessed "habanero" and that the Scofield was some kind of pepper-hotness scale. I agree about "Marky Mark"; Mark Wahlberg hasn't used that moniker since before Clinton ran for reelection. "Bates" as a big name in motels is certainly creepy, and I'm a big Hitch fan. This guy has hockey on the brain. I figured "Avalanche gear" referred to the Colorado hockey NHL, but come on! Don't follow hockey much, but rooting for the LA Kings to finish off the NJ Devils for the Stanley Cup today; the only thing interesting in sports today, what with I'll Have Another scratched from the Belmont (didn't learn about that until I fetched the NYT off the front door step this a.m.- I was at an all-day workshop on Friday and went to bed early after). "Q and A" for "grilling option" is clever or ridiculous, depending on what mood you're in. This being Saturday the puzzle being moderately stinky, I figured it was something to do with interrogation and not stove-top cooking. On the whole this puzzle only moderately annoyed me. Finished it, so can't complain too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61936443413605599582012-06-09T16:00:36.245-04:002012-06-09T16:00:36.245-04:00I found the SE really tough, and ultimately DNF - ...I found the SE really tough, and ultimately DNF - I had to look up PETCO. Even though I thought of it, I couldn't believe it as a stadium name, so I wrote in PEPCO instead. I only realized just now that the first P in that utility company's name stands for Potomac, not Pacific, so that was even more unlikely. My real problem was that I wanted pals instead of CREW for "mates", didn't know Potts, and didn't know the Avalanche was a hockey team. Didn't know KLINGER, either, for that matter, and had no idea which AGENT we were dealing with - I tried A and X before K. Also thumb before PINKY. Mark Wahlberg grew up on the next street, but it took me a long time to see that one because I originally misread "Hotties" as "Hits." (That's pretty sloppy reading, I know, but there it is.) Finally I got him, guessed LIM, and that gave me KLINGER and then LOGIN NAME, but DNF becuse I used Google.<br /><br />I started off with a bank, too, what with DOHA, QATAR. Easy for me because there's been a lot of discussion about Al-Jazeera English coverage being distorted by Qatari policy (not too much on democracy movements in Arab monarchies, e.g.) - but I guess that's not everyone's interest.<br /><br />Finally got through with this about 3 PM - had to put it down and do something else several times. Quite a workout!jberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169065390875378077noreply@blogger.com