tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5562978811174893573..comments2024-03-29T03:22:09.826-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Labors of Hercules painter / FRI 8-20-10 / Objet d'art auction Octopussy / Rosaceous ornamental / Simple trattoria dressingRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62976018376372226672010-09-25T15:39:26.979-04:002010-09-25T15:39:26.979-04:00Fine puzzle, lots of smiles and head slaps. What&...Fine puzzle, lots of smiles and head slaps. What's everyone's problem with this? My only speed bump was the G shared by Simple Trattroria Dressing and Hollywood techie's field.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456539888262250267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44075154389607820232010-09-24T21:41:06.705-04:002010-09-24T21:41:06.705-04:00Guess I've spent too much time reading the SPO...Guess I've spent too much time reading the SPORTS section lately cuz ASHE & FLOPSHOT were gimmes. However, not much else other than PTOLEMY, MAO & MAHJONGG. DNF'ed due to the southeast. Also, my BOXER worked on his TONE, BOBS, JABS and WIND but never a BONE!Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86345390376655394662010-09-24T20:10:36.945-04:002010-09-24T20:10:36.945-04:00A hand up, 5 weeks later, for every single mistake...A hand up, 5 weeks later, for every single mistake that is mentioned above, plus a few of my own (spOtSHOT sounded pretty good to me)but my ultimate demise resulted from my absolute refusal to give up on SHEA (like @WADE 10:29am)at the top of the northeast. This despite my certainty that aSSAYTESTS could not possibly be right, and desperately wanting PTAS, which just didn't work the way I had things. Never heard of ASHE stadium so everything below it remained blank, except ONE which I did manage to get by figuring that "bread" in this instance referres to money. All in all, not much joy for me in this one, but I take pride in "almost" finishing a puzzle that a few months ago would have left me completely demoralized. Captcha is fiestiz - how I don't feel after a puzzle like this one.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57849047840969599202010-08-22T02:17:25.629-04:002010-08-22T02:17:25.629-04:00My love and I had the G that would eventually belo...My love and I had the G that would eventually belong in "BARGE" early on, but (like the puzzler who mentioned "TARGE") the false T of "TONE" where the B should have been, and got desperate enough to "research" (a.k.a. to cheat w/ Wikipedia) and learn easily that great quantities of fireworks are manufactured in TIOGA, Penn. Once we were forced to give that up, we eventually had "SARGE" and were loath to give <i>that</i> up. At length, the utter nonsense of "SONE" suggested BONE as slightly less absurd for a prize-fighter to work on. (Eventually she corrected my misconstruing of "boxer".)<br /><br />I was convinced that the three reasonable answers "TIOGA", "SARGE" and "BARGE" were an intentionally elaborate evil trap by the composer -- so I'm disappointed to see that no one else complains about either of those two false lights!GR Zempelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52720131403746173802010-08-20T22:43:05.266-04:002010-08-20T22:43:05.266-04:00@Andrea, thanks for your confidence. Sure, in a mi...@Andrea, thanks for your confidence. Sure, in a million years, I could have gotten it : ) <br /><br />I followed your advice (I'm good at that) and (re)read @ Howard B --Thank you HB for the encouragement to all those who struggle towards the end of the week , you are a gentleman and a scholar. I also watched @Sanfranman's link to the FLOP SHOT. Actually that was pretty amazing, the amount of deliberateness, and physics, that goes into something with such a sloppy, floppy name. I was very impressed. And I will not forget it.<br /><br />So, as per usual, I have been educated and enlightened by my blogfriends. Thank you!foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79716681955121456832010-08-20T22:16:37.510-04:002010-08-20T22:16:37.510-04:00This 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 6:38, 6:58, 0.95, 28%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 11:09, 8:52, 1.26, 97%, Challenging<br />Wed 11:34, 11:44, 0.99, 54%, Medium<br />Thu 18:19, 19:17, 0.95, 44%, Medium<br />Fri 33:25, 26:39, 1.25, 90%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:33, 3:43, 0.96, 33%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 5:38, 4:34, 1.23, 97%, Challenging<br />Wed 5:35, 5:46, 0.97, 44%, Medium<br />Thu 8:22, 9:14, 0.91, 40%, Medium<br />Fri 17:25, 13:00, 1.34, 90%, Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92127177709429747872010-08-20T21:43:20.939-04:002010-08-20T21:43:20.939-04:00@ JC66,
I rescind my objection.
Fishmonger is fami...@ JC66,<br />I rescind my objection.<br />Fishmonger is familiar.<br />The imp in me wonders about the "mong" roots relaying to a seller or promoter. What a crazy and wonderful language English is!Moonchildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52353487215561252672010-08-20T21:34:54.536-04:002010-08-20T21:34:54.536-04:00@ Wade
Hand up for MUGS/MEDS
@ Moonchild
Fish...@ Wade<br /><br />Hand up for MUGS/MEDS<br /><br />@ Moonchild <br /><br />Fish MONGERJC66https://www.blogger.com/profile/05324615675333287919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83990116733144564382010-08-20T21:04:24.436-04:002010-08-20T21:04:24.436-04:00DNF. More like didn't start. Had FLAGG, miss...DNF. More like didn't start. Had FLAGG, misspelled MAHJOhnG (I play it at night.) Was thinking of Fiorello LaGuardia for 45A. Brain freeze. Macy's fireworks on a BARGE. Gave up and went for German food with a good friend. @r.alphbunker. Just last night I read that "yeah, yeah" anecdote in a mystery book by Michael Bowen. @Howard B. Good advice, I'll keep it in mind. @mac Hae a nice trip. Maybe tomorrrow will puzzle better.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69198275210494904202010-08-20T20:23:10.329-04:002010-08-20T20:23:10.329-04:00This posting is a perfect example of why Rex's...This posting is a perfect example of why Rex's blog is so addicting. Rex isn't afraid to share his emotional reaction to a puzzle yet always manages to do it in a way that's respectful of the constructor.<br /><br />I found today's puzzle excoriating but was exhilirated to see that Rex also found it exasperating.donkosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73823268028070894142010-08-20T20:16:42.020-04:002010-08-20T20:16:42.020-04:00Here in Maine, we shoot fireworks off a barge. Unl...Here in Maine, we shoot fireworks off a barge. Unless we shoot them off a beach, which unfortunately also has 5 letters and starts with "b".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80106104975405698052010-08-20T18:35:53.578-04:002010-08-20T18:35:53.578-04:00That FLOP SHOT sound you heard last night was me t...That FLOP SHOT sound you heard last night was me throwing in the towel after about 1-1/2 hrs. Hopeful for a not so tricky one tonight.<br /><br />@mac - Have a wonderful and safe trip.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33225707102053042022010-08-20T18:25:27.595-04:002010-08-20T18:25:27.595-04:00DNF for me - lots of mistakes: METS instead of AS...DNF for me - lots of mistakes: METS instead of ASHE, MOSSES for TINSEL (thinking of Spanish Moss), REDDROPLET for WIDOWSPEAK, etc.<br /><br />I'll keep practicing...JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-969663341474115542010-08-20T18:04:56.880-04:002010-08-20T18:04:56.880-04:00My errands included lots of waiting around today, ...My errands included lots of waiting around today, so this puzzle provided ample companionship. Most other days with a puzzle this demanding I would have thrown in the towel with only about two thirds of the squares filled in.<br /><br />Stuck for a while with OBEY for Assent to relent as well a being another BEAVER victim. And my boxer hung on the ROPE for way too long.fergushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056002311944010536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1035147497063596372010-08-20T17:56:09.435-04:002010-08-20T17:56:09.435-04:00I wish I spoke Italian. I did end up having AGLIOE...I wish I spoke Italian. I did end up having AGLIOEOLIO for lunch today and it was delicious. <br /><br />@Mac ... I wish you a wonderful safe trip! Also, I agree with you in thinking the dressing was oil and vinegar for a salad, not the oil and garlic for pasta. Just another misleading clue which seems to have angered a bunch here today. Very polarizing puzzle.johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71689582038448155382010-08-20T17:40:13.861-04:002010-08-20T17:40:13.861-04:00Enjoyed this one but you know me, I like it hard.Enjoyed this one but you know me, I like it hard.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754156636762779545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32485055610122008242010-08-20T17:27:48.349-04:002010-08-20T17:27:48.349-04:00Natick (def): RENI/JESSIE
I had a Y in that spot b...Natick (def): RENI/JESSIE<br />I had a Y in that spot because RENI just didn't look right and both clues just seemed so obscure that Jessye could be correct.Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9761354758958310182010-08-20T17:17:14.703-04:002010-08-20T17:17:14.703-04:00having PTAS under the stadium is what made it ASHE...having PTAS under the stadium is what made it ASHE for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59629790395180198392010-08-20T17:14:57.438-04:002010-08-20T17:14:57.438-04:00@andrea cees michaels - love the Palin reference!
...@andrea cees michaels - love the Palin reference!<br /><br />As someone mentioned, Shea Stadium was torn down... So wouldn't that make:<br />"Queen's ____ stadium" HAVE to be "Ashe?"<br />Citi is referred to as Citi Field, not Citi Stadium.<br /><br />Would the clue be required to state "former" in order to be Shea?<br /><br />Thoughts?<br />GregThe Big Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383322329027962325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22924123086468605992010-08-20T17:12:27.902-04:002010-08-20T17:12:27.902-04:00@foodie
If I could do it, you could do it!
(at lea...@foodie<br />If I could do it, you could do it!<br />(at least in a million years! So agree with @howardB...plus look at the video @sanfranman posted)<br /><br />I refused to google, put it down and came back to it an hour later (thus one hour of my two-hour solve). The key (for me) was realizing that SHEA was ASHE...and getting those goddamned CEES, PLURALIZED-type misdirections!<br /><br />@nde<br />wow! I always learn so much from you! Thanks!<br /><br />and @glitch UZIS = ha!<br /><br />@ulrich<br />I don't remember the 2008 posting, I think we had the discussion again much more recently...maybe when Ann ERDE was a finalist at the ACPT.<br /><br />@Zeke<br />Really knowing Fannie Flagg from gameshows was really what started it off for me today. I agree it's hard to reconcile the fact that she was a real writer...<br />(Wasn't she also on "Mama's Place" or am I conflating her with Carol Lawrence?) <br />Felt the same way when I saw Kitty Carlisle Hart sing in a film... <br />or saw Yvonne deCarlo not as Lily Munster. Mind-blowing!<br /><br />AND I also agree about CRIB sheets seeming more for mathmatical equations or some such quick peek technique. Maybe we should ask Sarah Palin?andrea cees michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16030077797665336782010-08-20T16:56:51.924-04:002010-08-20T16:56:51.924-04:00More of a reminiscence than a criticism, but does ...More of a reminiscence than a criticism, but does "essay" test really fit with "crib'?<br /><br />As a long-ago graduate of a small New England college, I signed the honor statement at the bottom of each exam. So it is not that I would have ever used a crib. But under the rubric of 'just sayin ...':<br /><br />Essay questions generally ended "Compare and Contrast" or (and even more terrifying) "Comment - use as many blue books as you need". A 'crib' wasn't going to be much help on those suckers!<br /><br />But cases and endings in Greek and Latin, a botanical field guide, or some formulae on a cuff might have come in handy.Dick Swartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14332275830177669662010-08-20T16:45:33.252-04:002010-08-20T16:45:33.252-04:00@Noam: very good :-)! Tactics sounds like actually...@Noam: very good :-)! Tactics sounds like actually doing something, while strategy is just thinking about it. <br /><br />Am I imagining it, or are the captchas a lot more complicated?machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27509659849524948122010-08-20T16:36:29.642-04:002010-08-20T16:36:29.642-04:00@mac: I understand the Stratego/TAKTIKO connection...@mac: I understand the Stratego/TAKTIKO connection, but (coming from chess) I usually think of strategy and tactics as complementary: short-range tactics, long-range strategy. A memorable description of the difference (alas the author's name is not as memorable) says that tactics is what you do when you know what to do, whereas strategy is what you do when you don't know what to do.<br /><br />Now if I could only figure out whether the meaning of "is" is "is"...<br /><br />NDENoam D. Elkiesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66709667196999261792010-08-20T16:33:05.252-04:002010-08-20T16:33:05.252-04:00Man. Speaking of "Oh, the huge manatee"...Man. Speaking of "Oh, the huge manatee"...<br /><br />I thought I had finished this quickly and easily (for me) but came here to find I had royally eff-ed up the center. My tour de force of errors included 28A chOPSHOT (hitting out of deep rough?); 24D PhAsE (iffy, I admit); 28D cLeGG (any name would sound as sweet); 33A gEesE (V, check); and 33D gANELSAW (OK, so I shouldn't have believed in that G - but woodworking I know from nothing). Here's to better luck next time. <br /><br />Fireworks on a BARGE, though, I get, here on Lake Michigan.Jennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6629205285453687722010-08-20T16:17:12.235-04:002010-08-20T16:17:12.235-04:00@Ulrich: Yes, the German recipe suggested adding ...@Ulrich: Yes, the German recipe suggested adding Muskat, with which I concur.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.com