tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4680165898457036045..comments2024-03-28T18:52:07.432-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: BFFs, Mon 3/11/13, Champion, Bugs, Fleas, Tomfoolery, BussingRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19419907260931132942013-04-15T18:30:42.337-04:002013-04-15T18:30:42.337-04:00Anoa Bob, no kidding? Good job here! My only "...Anoa Bob, no kidding? Good job here! My only "iffy" comment is that four of the males are hooved and one is either pawed or taloned(?). Not a complete set. I enjoyed the puzzle and chuckled that NEUTERS was present. Lots of animals around.<br /><br />I worked yesterday's (Sunday) puzzle while watching the Masters all day. Should have commented because I thought the anagrams were a crackup, especially the Bush Gore one. Really high quality puzzle.<br /><br />Cheers. Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23496970291051786992013-04-15T16:28:38.081-04:002013-04-15T16:28:38.081-04:00A good way to start the week. Only write over was...A good way to start the week. Only write over was for having EGOTist not EGOTRIP. ODAY was a gimme, partly because I seem to remember she was involved in something (what?) that rated headlines a long time ago. Also didn't hurt that I have given my husband more than one bottle of bayrum. DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44296508179562750192013-04-15T15:52:40.453-04:002013-04-15T15:52:40.453-04:00I thought this was an extremely easy puzzle. For m...I thought this was an extremely easy puzzle. For me it was a fill-in-the-blanks-as-fast-as-you-can-write Monday. I never even saw ODAY as I already had all the across answers. I got the theme at STAGFLATION with TOMFOOLERY already in place. It was a piece of cake, walk in the park, etc.<br /><br />DANKE schon Mr. Fisher.NM Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920756034993068695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62320156026159153142013-04-15T14:09:30.895-04:002013-04-15T14:09:30.895-04:00@Anoa Bob - I did not realize that you are the rea...@Anoa Bob - I did not realize that you are the real Robert Fisher until you posted. Thanks for the 'reveal' and thanks a bunch for a fine puzzle. Enjoyed it!Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63381977492798669232013-04-15T11:25:29.113-04:002013-04-15T11:25:29.113-04:00While BAYRUM isn't familiar to me--a splash of...While BAYRUM isn't familiar to me--a splash of Aqua Velva and I'm good--Anita ODAY is. Hand up for the NW HOTHEAD. This wasn't your typical fill-in-the-blanks-as-fast-as-you-can-write Monday. I had to do a little bit of work. TOMFOOLERY didn't come to me immediately, and although after I'd filled in STAGFLATION I had to admit I'd seen that term before, it certainly didn't jump out at me.<br /><br />A nice puzz; good kickoff to the week.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67064868874506371462013-03-12T10:22:01.679-04:002013-03-12T10:22:01.679-04:00It really was great...what Tita and Loren said*......It really was great...what Tita and Loren said*...<br /><br />*[except for Loren's nice comment about the perpetually glowering insectoid robot-villain MetaRex]MetaRexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01697113550216241303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43837059184832965772013-03-12T08:44:42.151-04:002013-03-12T08:44:42.151-04:00Great post! Thanks for the share.
-PasoOaks.comGreat post! Thanks for the share. <br /><br />-<a href="http://www.pasooaks.com/" rel="nofollow">PasoOaks.com</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15849792959440488060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51327213605557905432013-03-12T00:08:45.691-04:002013-03-12T00:08:45.691-04:00@Andrea - lol!!
How about BILLYgoat, JACKass, (Jen...@Andrea - lol!!<br />How about BILLYgoat, JACKass, (Jenny for hte female), JACKrabbit...<br /><br />Loved this one. Nice theme, great fill...EGOTRIP, ARMREST (and its clue), Nipper's nippers, RON.<br /><br />Did it INAFLASH while waiting endlessly at the doctor's office...<br />Didn't notice till I got here that I "finished" with BareNAKED...wondered what that had to do with the theme.<br /><br />I think I was 101 and 102 in last night's comments.<br />I now have a houseful of guests - not sure when I'll do uploading and updating...<br /><br />OMG @webwinger - didn't notice the spay/NEUTER/BULL thing - wow!<br /><br />@BobK - wow - I'm so nice, you counted me twice!<br /><br />I never Lose stuff - I always MISLAY it. I MISLAYed my purse at ACPT after chatting with Mr & Mrs Parker - thankfully she found me and purse and I were reunited. Thanks!<br /><br />@Anoa Bob - wow - I am writing this and reading comments in parallel - Robert Fisher is you? Nice to meet you!<br /><br />@LMS - What a perfect recap - thank you for saying that so eloquently - I agree 100%! You hit everyone spot-on (except for me, of course - you're far too kind!)<br /><br />And let me say that, counter to how you would not have been able to pick out @Rex, any of us could have picked you out from a mile away, even had you not had your picture as your avatar.<br />You were the warm, engaging, fascinating one always surrounded by flocks of people. You're stories are fabulous, and you make everyone feel like they've been your friend forever.<br /><br />@Andrea - thanks for the reminder that this is in fact Will's brainchild, and he has put together a fabulous event. He gets lots of help from his volunteers too - thanks to all of you who judge us and help us with the logistics, etc..<br />And thanks for all the time you spent with me - you're even more uplifting in person!<br /><br />@Sparky - you knew him personally, or you knew his name as an answer in Puzzle 4...?<br /><br />@Bird - it ain't Carnegie Hall... there are so many of us non-contenders...<br />Last year I practiced lots, and came in 502. This year, I practiced not a whit, but changed my approach somewhat, based on that experience, and guidance from imsDave.<br />I came in 396... Am I glad my number is higher? Sure... Would I mind if I had dropped 106 points? Nah - I woulda blamed it on wheelhouses or the time change...<br /><br />We who are not in the top 100 do it for the reasons you've been reading here.<br /><br />So yes - everyone who is on the fence ought to come next year. Or come to the REALLY laid-back Lollapuzzolah or Westport, Canton, Killingsorth...<br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84836932439524212812013-03-11T23:43:54.581-04:002013-03-11T23:43:54.581-04:00GERM for Bug slowed me down the most, even with it...GERM for Bug slowed me down the most, even with it mostly filled. ("What insect ends in ERM???") Wrong wavelength today. Joseph Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27980348385800795292013-03-11T22:55:35.728-04:002013-03-11T22:55:35.728-04:00@acme - Right On!
@lms - Nice!
I think I want to ...@acme - Right On!<br />@lms - Nice!<br /><br />I think I want to go next year. Now I need to practice, practice, practice.Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52273356701395618392013-03-11T22:45:28.933-04:002013-03-11T22:45:28.933-04:00Found this pretty easy and a pleasure. Thanks @An...Found this pretty easy and a pleasure. Thanks @AnoaBob. Knew Anita ODAY. She's the great singer with the big hat and white gloves in "Jazz On A Summer Afternoon." Holy cow, The 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.<br /><br />Had the best time at ACPT. Third year. My standing went up a tad; still in the basement. Thanks for the great comments Andrea, Bob, Loren and others I can't remember nor find when I scroll up. You truly describe the atmospher; so many people all quite individual and all together having fun. I am all choked up too.<br /><br />By the way, I knew Seiji Ozawa.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31424250978365848022013-03-11T22:32:36.860-04:002013-03-11T22:32:36.860-04:00This 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 6:44, 6:14, 1.08, 82%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:07, 3:42, 1.11, 88%, Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61519116523655269072013-03-11T21:50:14.203-04:002013-03-11T21:50:14.203-04:00@Thoracic – yes, you can participate in the activi...@Thoracic – yes, you can participate in the activities but not compete solving. And yes, that was my intention because I do not solve quickly. (I didn’t even know how to look up my standing – didn’t know what division I was in or anything. Thanks @joho for telling me. I thought I’d be in the very bottom ten or twenty.)<br /><br />BUT – everyone was right – you HAVE to do the puzzles, not so much to compete, but so you can throw your hand up when you’re finished, turn the puzzle in, and then scurry out of an already pretty empty room to whine that you didn’t know a certain person’s first name :-( or that even though you saw the trick early on, you still didn’t make a lot of headway. . . kind of like what we talk about here every day.<br /><br />@Andrea is SO RIGHT to mention Will – utterly walk- up- and- talk- to-able. Always smiling, posing for pictures. . . He was great; this tourney is his baby, and what a baby it is! First class fun from start to finish. (The two people doing the play-by-play commentary for the finals were hysterical!)<br /><br />What an unbelievably nice, generous group this was. 550 people (sitting in the audience watching three people solve a puzzle and enjoying the heck out of it) were willing Tyler to change that early misstep in the northwest as it got later and later and Ann and Dan had already finished. (I was sending my strongest ESP Willing Delta Gamma Wave Mind Signals, and he did finally see it. Whew!) And those same 550 people sang happy birthday to Ann.<br /><br />Can’t wait until 2014!Loren Muse Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05308030011870397977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87487654089128081442013-03-11T21:17:51.439-04:002013-03-11T21:17:51.439-04:00@andrea: totally agree with you, and so nicely de...@andrea: totally agree with you, and so nicely described! <br /><br />@Loren: thank you as well, for the compliments and the perfect description of our experience. I've been at the tournament 5 times now, and it actually gets better, you don't panic quite as much (except at puzzle 5....).<br /><br />Save your pennies and try to go next year, it is so much fun to be in a big place with hundreds of people with the same interest (love). machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78443371991398478112013-03-11T20:59:01.128-04:002013-03-11T20:59:01.128-04:00@anoa bob,
I too didn't realize that Robert F...@anoa bob, <br />I too didn't realize that Robert Fisher = anoabob!<br /><br />Glad to see how smooth and exactly right this puzzle was and that you really put your money where your mouth is...<br />All the comments, nitpicks, praises and naysays you make here at Rex's are non-hypocritical, you can make a perfect, solid, fun puzzle!<br /><br />Again, Natick's are when NO one would really know, not just if an answer isn't in your age-range wheelhouse.<br /><br />And having just seen a "Family Feud" episode where they had to come up with SEVEN top answers for words for BUTT that start with B, (which inspired a puzzle on my part), I am not surprised so many folks had BARE/BUTT etc before BUCK. Again, a PERFECT example where the THEME will help you solve.<br /><br />The other answers fit, both by definition and by length and even shared letters, but ONLY ONE fits the theme! That's what gives it the bump up, the fun, the wordplay!!!<br /><br />It's fantastic that Loren was able to capture the feeling we get when we meet each other... It IS a drag that it is so far away (for many) and super expensive, which is a reality.<br />I know I have needed to cobble together airline miles, housesitting privileges with friends in the city, bartering time as a judge just to be able to be in the same room with all these folks...knowing wonderful friendships will happen<br />(can't attest to TRYSTS that another poster wondered about), old ones will be refreshed and cemented...new collaborations will happen and a sweet reminder that there is a lot more going on than putting letters into squares for a smile or two here and there, and the aha moments we live for.<br /><br />Also the odd, fleeting moment handing @Rex a puzzle, facedown, shortly before Will announced everyone to GO!<br /><br />That is also something people forget, Will has created this, set the tone, is omnipresent, never hesitates to pose for a photo, has no job beneath him (he collects papers too when the other judges are squirreled in the back to begin judging) is forver looking for ways to make it bigger, better, faster, technically advanced, without losing the intimacy that it began with 35 years ago<br />(At one point they asked a show of hands of the folks who hadn't been BORN when the ACPT began!<br /><br />The cynics will always think the adulation of Will is ass-kissing or whatever, but they are happily absent from the lovefest in general...<br />and yes, the omnipresent smile on my face is indeed a reflection of feeling I am HOME if only for a few days...despite fatigue and sometimes feeling torn in 85 directions bec I DO want to be with everyone, everywhere at all moments...<br />Sometimes there I can't breathe when I look around the room and see everyone meeting everyone and knowing what is to come from unexpected synchronistic moments. :)<br /><br />This blog can some times be a microcosm of the community of what is possible with people at their best and all things a community can be, which is why the unnecessary negative elements are a drag.<br />Whatever...I'm just glad that doesn't seem to exist live and in person, so right on to that!acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81746017558598402302013-03-11T20:46:06.618-04:002013-03-11T20:46:06.618-04:00Late again to the party of comments. @Loren add m...Late again to the party of comments. @Loren add me to those that think your write-up is terrific!!!!<br />@Rex. Would you ever had believed you could bring so many new friends together? Wow....,I'm seriously knocked for six!!!GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39022444376781788472013-03-11T20:37:47.862-04:002013-03-11T20:37:47.862-04:00We can assume, then, that Rex doesn't wear his...We can assume, then, that Rex doesn't wear his helmet for the competition. A man in a helmet is always intimidating.<br /><br />Quick, easy solve here, so a little surprised by the mid-day times. The Y was my last letter in. Was pretty sure, but considered BAiRUM/ODAi briefly before going with the Y. <br /><br />Got the Manimal theme early on, when COLE slaw ruled out Bare NACKED. I often miss the themes on Monday because I'm done before I pause to think about possible themes, but today I paused just long enough to see it.<br /><br />ARMREST above CS LEWIS is nice, but EGO TRIP above NEUTERS is even better. All in all, though, this puzzle is an ODE TO sex. TRYSTS, HEAD, STAFF, MISLAY, HOT, FLY, ONCE MORE, the whole GAMUT appears. RON and IRIS, NED and KRIS, ALAN with Ms. ODAY, and enough PEWS for confessing their waywardness the next morning. @Anoa Bob - a great start to the week.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88945200185721081302013-03-11T19:00:03.368-04:002013-03-11T19:00:03.368-04:00@loren - what lovely comments about the Rexites! I...@loren - what lovely comments about the Rexites! I would come if only to meet you! I especially love how you assure us that Rex isn't so scary. Milfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04923019988243284636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14302577988849039332013-03-11T17:43:41.744-04:002013-03-11T17:43:41.744-04:00@Thoracic - The best person to answer your questio...@Thoracic - The best person to answer your question would be lms, but until she comes back in the room, I'll spill a little secret: She had signed up to come to the ACPT and just watch, but her friends convinced her to join in the competition. ("Uh, Loren, watching the ACPT means looking at the backs of people's heads and listening to pencils scratching for several hours. It's really only fun if you are in it.") She seems to have enjoyed it!<br /><br />And if your screen name is "Thoracic" and you can use the word "neophyte" in a sentence, you are quite smart enough. Only reservation is that you are Canadian. The group had an interesting run-in with a Canadian this year . . . :>) (That means I'm kidding . . . sort of.)<br /><br />No, really, please come.Fly On The Wallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32388356615518079752013-03-11T17:11:36.619-04:002013-03-11T17:11:36.619-04:00Can just anyone go to the ACPT to watch, or is it ...Can just anyone go to the ACPT to watch, or is it only for smart people? I am a relative neophyte, but am getting moderately obsessive about this whole crossword thing. The tourney sounds like a blast ( as well as a good reason to flee Newfoundland in March every year).Thoracichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16330466807313325340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67575399330762834912013-03-11T17:00:28.610-04:002013-03-11T17:00:28.610-04:00@loren muse smith, what a lovely written descripti...@loren muse smith, what a lovely written description of the the residents of Rexville! I would love to meet every single person you mentioned .. and more. I think the passion we all share for crosswords makes us a very special group of people who instantly "get" each other. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I'm like @retired_chemist and at my busiest time of the year when the tournament runs, working weekends, too. <br /><br />I'm going to try to make the Westport tournament this year if I can. <br /><br />johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62333061428744509982013-03-11T16:42:31.887-04:002013-03-11T16:42:31.887-04:00I wanna go to ACPT sometime, for the same reasons ...I wanna go to ACPT sometime, for the same reasons Loren Muse Smith said. However, it's at a bad time of the year for me.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71989201594876373542013-03-11T16:37:11.787-04:002013-03-11T16:37:11.787-04:00Didn't notice the theme.
Had sun before ORB a...Didn't notice the theme.<br /><br />Had sun before ORB and someMORE before ONCEMORE. <br /><br />Minitheme: Part of the eye.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20062613984086114732013-03-11T16:04:46.450-04:002013-03-11T16:04:46.450-04:00@Loren. That was so nice!!! And you are right. I h...@Loren. That was so nice!!! And you are right. I have met many of the people you mentioned and would love to meet the others. Maybe next year...you never knowchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60065412321926195542013-03-11T15:57:08.089-04:002013-03-11T15:57:08.089-04:00Wow – so this was anoabob’s? Cool!
So I’ve predi...Wow – so this was anoabob’s? Cool!<br /><br />So I’ve predictably crowed about meeting some constructors at the ACPT – I met many, many top constructors, and each one was nicer than the next. Absolutely no divas anywhere. Period.<br /><br />But that’s not why I went. I went to meet face-to-face people from this blog whom in a way I count among my best friends. . .<br /><br />Ims dave – utterly charming, upbeat, funny, exuberant, tall, and, yes, a George Clooney look-alike. He was the mother hen, organizing everyone. Dave and I plan on doing a duet in the talent show next year. Stay tuned.<br /><br />Tita – so, so warm and friendly. Super intelligent and engaging and I’m not telling anyone anything new here. I didn’t get a chance to spend time with her good-sport of a husband, but I understand he’s just as lovely.<br /><br />Sparky – Her name should actually be Spunky! Down-to-earth with a fresh “call’em-as-I-see’em” approach that’s really fun! I’m so glad she decided to make the trip up from warm Florida. She’s a great sport and added a lot!<br /><br />Bob Kerfuffle – never saw him when there wasn’t a twinkle in his eye. Pleasant, funny, smart, extremely nice. Great Hawaiian shirt for the competition. I suggest that next year, all Rexites wear a loud shirt on Saturday.<br /><br />Mac – elegant, warm, insightful, interesting with a beautiful accent. I could listen to her read the phone book.<br /><br />Evan – very nice, interesting and friendly. He saw me first and introduced himself. (Did you get your picture?)<br /><br />Nanpilla – greeted me so warmly right off the bat and made me feel so welcome. Funny, nice, interesting and oh so spry.<br /><br />Andrea – no surprises here – as bubbly and warm in person as she is here. I never saw her without a smile on her face. And since she knew everyone there, she was quick to introduce people to each other. That’s not so easy, but she was smooth as silk.<br /><br />Metarex – another non-stop smiler. Possibly more exuberant than Dave! He, too, always had a twinkle in his eye. Very smart guy.<br /><br />Karen – I felt like I’d known her my whole life! Always smiling, too. Wish I could have spent more time with her. And I wish we could have made it on the Family Feud Stage. I was all over ORATE.<br /><br />Lindsey – energetic, pleasant, smart, and friendly. And it was totally ok that you kept finishing 20 minutes before me!<br /><br />David B – daily reader, reluctant poster. (Grab an avatar and join in! I’m waiting. . .)<br /><br />Rex – If I had had to spend time with the contestants and figure out which one he was, I could not have in a million years picked him out; I had always been a bit scared of him, and I would have been looking for someone intimidating. (Next year, I’ll try to bring you some Pappy Van Winkle)<br /><br />Y’all start a fund now – put twenty dollars every now and then in an envelope to save up and go next year. I’m not an artist who can express what it feels like to be with so many people who love crossworld. But the desire to express that makes me understand why there are poets and painters out there.<br /><br />I’ll stop before I start blubbering. <br /><br />Go next year. Seriously.Loren Muse Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05308030011870397977noreply@blogger.com