tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4484181445863171101..comments2024-03-29T06:32:07.322-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Coastal Brazilian state / TUE 2-19-13 / Ottoman nabob / Sainted king who inspired carol / Old one in Austria / Elongated fruit from tree / Pertaining to Hindu scriptures / Furry allies of Luke SkywalkerRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70111818542371280572013-03-26T19:30:44.147-04:002013-03-26T19:30:44.147-04:00Still not used to the way clues which I have no cl...Still not used to the way clues which I have no clue about answer themselves via crosses, but I'm not complaining. Only one write-over today and that was my own fault for misreading "rest atop" as "rest stop". I think the compilers did that on purpose.straylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536180563789923012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12122216349454084872013-03-26T18:54:31.110-04:002013-03-26T18:54:31.110-04:00@Diri - with both vigor and viagra, I understand.....@Diri - with both vigor and viagra, I understand...Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18588913351155407142013-03-26T18:37:38.440-04:002013-03-26T18:37:38.440-04:00I utilized @Ginger's SYS to resolve the countr...I utilized @Ginger's SYS to resolve the country singer/scientist cross (but some other vowels produced some interesting possibilities). I skipped BEV on my first pass and never noticed it again when it had been filled in by the crosses. I just let the down answers spell the sainted king's name - I'm sure any attempt on my own would have produced many write-overs. No, I did not see the theme.<br /><br />@Waxy - I'm positively aghast that our pharmacies don't advertise north of the border, as Canadian ones certainly pursue the U.S. market with vigor.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43901005616782301362013-03-26T16:53:00.092-04:002013-03-26T16:53:00.092-04:00May be a Canadian thing but had never heard of Rit...May be a Canadian thing but had never heard of Rite Aid or CVS (or Lacto-Ovo for that matter) which led me to an unusual-for-Tuesday Nattick. Rest of the puzzle routine though like many others had no idea of the theme til arriving here. Would have clued 61A by referencing ELROY "Crazylegs" Hirsch but that's just me showing my age/sports biases.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11778059621576206092013-03-26T14:00:06.460-04:002013-03-26T14:00:06.460-04:00Wat theme? Like many others, did not realize there...Wat theme? Like many others, did not realize there was a theme until I came here. But when, thanks to Rex, I found it I thought the puzzle had an added dimension. Fun, but on the tough side.<br /><br />Never heard of WATSONANDCRICK, nor am I conversant with country singers so had to make a SWAG (scientific wild a**ed guess)guess. Luckily I guessed right.<br /><br />Liked this better than OFL did, thanks Barry and Sara.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61652610425776169532013-03-26T12:33:35.688-04:002013-03-26T12:33:35.688-04:00Easterners long ago lost the "wh" sound,...Easterners long ago lost the "wh" sound, but many others still have that sound. When my brother from Oklahoma went East to school in the 1940s and came home at Christmas, I can remember my mother scolding him for dropping the "wh" sound. Also, worksheets for elementary school children sometimes list words such as"where" and "wear" as homonyms, which confuses those children who still have the "wh" sound.Normanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37124898954700479722013-03-26T12:07:40.946-04:002013-03-26T12:07:40.946-04:00Good grief! Now we're getting porn ads in here...Good grief! Now we're getting porn ads in here?!? Take that crap somewhere else. Where are the filters??<br /><br />To today's "themeless" Tuesday. I stared and stared, but nothing would come. I had to read OFL's blog to discover it. Headslap!<br /><br />This one gave me a bit of trouble, and it was beacuse of "Good King WENCESLA[U]S." I have never seen this name with the U, so as much as it seemed to want to go in there, I wouldn't do it because the space was one letter too long! It's "Wenceslas." Everybody knows that. Eventually the crosses forced it in, but I frowned the whole way.<br /><br />I did wonder why, in a "themeless," so much of the fill was junky. Just in one locale, we have two awkward partials (ISAT, LIEON) separated by WWI. Strangely, the BARB/BEV thing didn't bother me. TVPG on top of EELY, on the other hand, will earn this REVIEWER'S IRE.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41418309583747339712013-02-24T14:56:55.957-05:002013-02-24T14:56:55.957-05:00You all obviously didn't get enough repetition...You all obviously didn't get enough repetition with Disney videos with your kids: http://youtu.be/wedmjYnTPxEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10627372423216368102013-02-20T12:10:25.127-05:002013-02-20T12:10:25.127-05:00Don't understand the anger with BEV, but I'...Don't understand the anger with BEV, but I've worked bars and restaurants for 10 plus years and BEV naps are what go under beverages so it fit well for me. Random42https://www.blogger.com/profile/01003629417453854149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51613804237034538322013-02-19T22:03:30.951-05:002013-02-19T22:03:30.951-05:00This 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 5:46, 6:07, 0.94, 22%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 7:45, 8:23, 0.92, 24%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:35, 3:39, 0.98, 33%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 4:37, 4:52, 0.95, 29%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50525807997627812822013-02-19T21:18:31.187-05:002013-02-19T21:18:31.187-05:00Easy, but didn't detect the theme. Didn't ...Easy, but didn't detect the theme. Didn't even try to. <br /><br />I'm still as slow at the end of the week, but am getting way fast at the beginning.<br /><br />Agree, there is not DEWS - just as there is no sud.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42447283327709828952013-02-19T19:58:47.226-05:002013-02-19T19:58:47.226-05:00Toomuchfocus on BEV! When the real focus should b...Toomuchfocus on BEV! When the real focus should be why not BAHR/HMO and make it ACmE instead of ACHE??!! ;)<br /><br />Seriously, six nice long wonderful sophisticated, challenging fun theme entries...PAPAW and PUPPY to boot!!!<br /><br />And yes, @Fearless Kim, thank you for taking over the waxing enthusiasm about how Scrabblicious!!!!<br /><br />Admittedly<br />Had to reread puzzle several times before I got the theme...then was pleased as punch (a kind of bev...)<br /><br />Wish yesterday's had run on Groundhog's Day, wish today's had run closer to Christmas...when I am Queen that will be so!<br /><br />CANOE bleedover as someone mentioned...<br /><br />Anyhoo, fabulous Bara and Sarry!!!!<br /><br />TV ALERT: LA so crazy that I was just sitting at lunch today and next thing I know, I was being asked to read a tweet on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Tune in, wontya? And tomorrow I'll tell you the HOO, WERE, WAT, WY, WEN and HOU it happened....<br /><br />Acorn Canoe Michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49970811081977753552013-02-19T19:39:33.129-05:002013-02-19T19:39:33.129-05:00How else do you pronouce Watson except What-son?How else do you pronouce Watson except What-son?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26814666652950138932013-02-19T18:33:22.884-05:002013-02-19T18:33:22.884-05:00@ ben - thinking outside the box@ ben - thinking outside the boxretired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1948799217840844012013-02-19T18:19:17.314-05:002013-02-19T18:19:17.314-05:00Never heard of Wenceslaus. Found audio of the caro...Never heard of Wenceslaus. Found audio of the carol and I've heard of the melody but the words don't seem familiar. Anyway, that resulted in my one error... Wencealaus/Anna. Oh well. <br /><br />Guessed on Bahia and got it, since there's a tropicália dance club down the street from me called Club Bahia. Never been in there since they have a $15 cover (and I can't dance).<br /><br />Couldn't figure out the theme. I thought maybe it was prepositions in the middle of the words (hoOVERdam, wastsONandcrick, wEREwolves, housINgproject, wayATtearp).bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23384492680040765322013-02-19T17:48:10.490-05:002013-02-19T17:48:10.490-05:00We always welcome revisions where needed - would t...We always welcome revisions where needed - would that apply to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Ann%27s,_London" rel="nofollow">St. Ann's?</a>Wikipedianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37705280863972777742013-02-19T17:37:49.906-05:002013-02-19T17:37:49.906-05:00To my knowledge (20 years' residence), there i...To my knowledge (20 years' residence), there is NO "St. Ann's" neighbourhood in London!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72092378606364115522013-02-19T16:25:02.660-05:002013-02-19T16:25:02.660-05:00Rex has stated that he does not read anonymous com...Rex has stated that he does not read anonymous comments.<br /><br />Does he read<br />Notsofast said...?<br />Seriously? said...?<br />The Abbreviator said...?<br />Bluebeard said...?<br />Check the guidelines said...?<br /><br />Just wondering.Just wonderingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55118240337288894402013-02-19T15:56:59.137-05:002013-02-19T15:56:59.137-05:00Did this last night via Across Light. Took a whil...Did this last night via Across Light. Took a while. Didn't see theme at all so checked Amy who posts very early. Oh, OK. Filled in this am on paper and that took six minutes even though I knew the answers. Sigh. <br /><br />Like @10:36 I just figured BEV was an abbreviation as was the clue and moved on. Never heard of BEVMO; have heard of ABC Stores. <br /><br />There is more than one way to spell WENCESLAUS which held me up for a while.<br /><br />Vincent Price would pronounce Lord Peter Whimsey, not Wimsey. Drove my friend Bertha crazy. <br /><br />Printed out my etickets. See you all. You too, @Lindsey.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77090929562475657132013-02-19T15:55:20.777-05:002013-02-19T15:55:20.777-05:00Midday 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 and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak to my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Tue 7:46, 8:23, 0.93, 24%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Tue 4:42, 4:52, 0.97, 36%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Good work, Barry & Sara. I had one of those experiences that speed-solvers hate ... tracking down a typo in a solution I was absolutely certain was correct. It took me more than 3 minutes to find it, which gave me a solve time that's close to the high end of my Tuesday range vs one in the middle. C'est la vie.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45939194987010931182013-02-19T15:29:49.073-05:002013-02-19T15:29:49.073-05:00WENCESLAUS was the given name of greatly talented ...WENCESLAUS was the given name of greatly talented ventriloquist Senor Wences. A street in New York's theater district has been designated Senor Wences Way.ksquarenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9853645096793523712013-02-19T15:01:49.528-05:002013-02-19T15:01:49.528-05:00I blinked at bev. and dews, but the only real hold...I blinked at bev. and dews, but the only real holdup was the crossing of Terri and Crick. I learned something. <br /><br />Nice puzzle, but thank you Rex for pointing out the theme.<br />I'm with Ulrich on the pronunciation, it's definitely close enough to me!<br /><br />Thanks Barry and Sara.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55483140601941930792013-02-19T14:33:30.873-05:002013-02-19T14:33:30.873-05:00Maybe I'm getting the hang of this stuff. Re...Maybe I'm getting the hang of this stuff. Record time with no look-ups or erasures. Of course, record time for me would be forever for lots of those who comment here. Still...a good day for a 'medium' Tuesday.LaneBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88182111947160666152013-02-19T14:27:16.513-05:002013-02-19T14:27:16.513-05:00@Tita: Thx--goes to show that one should read thos...@Tita: Thx--goes to show that one should read those quotes to the end--and that the Spanish have more in common with the Chinese than I thought...<br /><br />and @Bluebeard: In never knew you went into the pirating business after killing all those wives...Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02086202853174403008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64549195589185232952013-02-19T14:18:24.022-05:002013-02-19T14:18:24.022-05:00@Ulrich - Blanca is also Spanish...in Portuguese, ...@Ulrich - Blanca is also Spanish...in Portuguese, white is Branca.<br />In general, you will find the Spanish substitute l's for r's...<br />praia = playa = beach<br />praça = plaza = square<br />As do the French. Then, throw in Italian with piazza...oy veh!<br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.com