tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5647025978101393594..comments2024-03-28T09:44:06.223-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Horse-drawn vehicle often mentioned in Sherlock Holmes stories / MON 7-25-11 / Flowers on proverbial path / Opposite of deletes in typesettingRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57340707649485094292011-08-30T01:40:02.095-04:002011-08-30T01:40:02.095-04:00I have to admit that the theme was a little pale, ...I have to admit that the theme was a little pale, especially if one already knew the garnishes and could fill them in instantly. Still, I liked the long verticals: SORE LOSER, AFFILIATE, PRIMROSES, and SPLIT ENDS. That was some lovely fill. Even the answers with space breaks were, either by chance or design, symmetrical: 4 + 5 vs. 5 + 4.<br /><br />I'm even prepared to defend CELERY STICK over stalk. To me, a celery stalk implies the whole thing, ripped straight off the vegetable, but a celery stick, like a carrot stick, is a cut-down version of the whole.Nullifidianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15207390447020990907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68455792712539831412011-08-29T22:05:13.909-04:002011-08-29T22:05:13.909-04:00My favorite Enz song, Rex. Wow, that brings back ...My favorite Enz song, Rex. Wow, that brings back some memories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65132595773488879722011-08-29T21:53:32.886-04:002011-08-29T21:53:32.886-04:00Lone error: Rhone. I was thinking celery stalk, b...Lone error: Rhone. I was thinking celery stalk, but trust my spelling so little that I waited for crosses to see whether it was STALK or STOCK. I was pretty sure STALK would reveal itself but FACET gave me the C so I went with STOCK, even though I knew it didn't look right.<br /><br />Had "stuffed OLIVES" until HOODLUM forced PIMENTO. I'll accept it: when you buy a jar of "martini olives" they're stuffed with pimento. I prefer to use the sun-dried tomato stuffed olives from the olive bar at Whole Foods, but those have been harder to come by of late. Also enjoy a good anchovy stuffed olive, but the bad ones outnumber the good ones so it's been a while since I've gambled on a jar of those.<br /><br />And as someone who grew up on MINCE meat PIE at Thanksgiving...<i>"Where's the beef???"</i><br /><br /><br />captcha=pikelsh (burger garnish, 45d style)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58078882300973214272011-08-29T21:24:21.797-04:002011-08-29T21:24:21.797-04:00@Rain Forest and @Pippin - just finished a Bloody ...@Rain Forest and @Pippin - just finished a Bloody Caesar (albeit without a celery stick) with a steak fresh off the BBQ. Life is good. Have never understood why anyone would stick with a flaccid Bloody Mary when a full-bodied Caesar is available as an alternative. Maybe just a Canadian thing, eh?Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5987270211188926402011-08-29T18:14:42.366-04:002011-08-29T18:14:42.366-04:00From syndiland, I have a question - is MINCEPIE po...From syndiland, I have a question - is MINCEPIE popular these days? Really? Where? My grandmother used to make minced meat pie, which I guess is the same thing, but I haven't heard much about it for years. Would "Traditional Christmas dessert" have been a better clue? (OK, that's more than one question, but still...)Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6068966014716917912011-08-29T15:45:03.973-04:002011-08-29T15:45:03.973-04:00@rain forest: Oh yes! As a fellow Canadian I can...@rain forest: Oh yes! As a fellow Canadian I can attest to the superiority of a Caesar (never heard the "Bloody" before it, only the "Virgin Caesar" - one without alcohol).<br /><br />@Anon 1:14 - I agree with retired chemist about the two usages of Google which I do NOT consider cheating. But the most satisfying solve comes when I manage to complete the puzzle with no help.Pippinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79219479889354148582011-08-29T12:42:27.998-04:002011-08-29T12:42:27.998-04:00Up here in Canada, we serve Bloody Caesars, made w...Up here in Canada, we serve Bloody Caesars, made with clamato juice and spiced with liberal amounts of Worcestershire sauce, tabasco, lime juice, and celery salt spun on the glass rim. A celery "stick" (or a blanched green bean) completes a beverage which is far superior to a Bloody Mary.<br />Puzzle was typically Monday easy, and interesting enough.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22260383471255805762011-07-26T01:32:11.359-04:002011-07-26T01:32:11.359-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 7/30/2009 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 6:44, 6:51, 0.98, 48%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:40, 3:40, 1.00, 51%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37537525901451595902011-07-25T22:23:05.414-04:002011-07-25T22:23:05.414-04:00@Sfingi: huh? I will never understand the fascinat...@Sfingi: huh? I will never understand the fascination Americans have with Speedo.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80476215956555555612011-07-25T20:20:32.587-04:002011-07-25T20:20:32.587-04:00Prefer pitted olive with pearl onion, maraschino c...Prefer pitted olive with pearl onion, maraschino cherry, and celery as edible stirrer.<br /><br />As an OCDOCD, I have several rules for Googling. First, must try to finish puzzle with final lap. Then, it's not a DNF if I filled the word in first. Finally, it's not a DNF if it's in the categories of sports or French.<br /><br />Had Alpo before IAMS. Otherwise, Monday easy.<br /><br />SPEEDO: body wearing it :: dope: brain using it.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67944545991242416672011-07-25T19:51:23.465-04:002011-07-25T19:51:23.465-04:00@Sam Malone: Where's the horseradish???
Form...@Sam Malone: Where's the horseradish???<br /><br />Former bartender here also, so the garnishes came easily, although I tried Maraschino Cherry before ORANGESLICE.<br /><br />Liked the puzzle, but definitely crunchy for a Monday.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38032715142176045702011-07-25T19:09:08.839-04:002011-07-25T19:09:08.839-04:00besides how did we all come to find our ways here?...besides how did we all come to find our ways here?syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41503056028206701982011-07-25T17:05:35.847-04:002011-07-25T17:05:35.847-04:00Shit happens. Sometimes you Google; sometimes you ...Shit happens. Sometimes you Google; sometimes you wing it. Sometimes it's a DNF; sometimes it's 'I needed some help." Be flexible. Have a good time!slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26967565804245019152011-07-25T16:17:27.855-04:002011-07-25T16:17:27.855-04:00yes - crossword puzzles are definitely not a matte...yes - crossword puzzles are definitely not a matter of "you either know it or you don't". I have stared at puzzles with about 10 or 20% of the grid completed. I will put it down and then come back hours later and often polish the thing off in minutes. One visual clue looked at differently, one AHA memory moment can lead to an avalanche of answers and momentum.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061040532903767385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60917669147093392662011-07-25T16:09:24.949-04:002011-07-25T16:09:24.949-04:00@anon 1:14 --
I find that if my computer is conve...@anon 1:14 -- <br />I find that if my computer is conveniently nearby when I hit a snag in the puzzle, I am easily tempted to google. If I'm purposely not near a computer and exercise some patience, I find I can eventually complete the majority of puzzles. However it does depend on how much time one has to devote to solving. I don't see googling as 'cheating' but like @CoffeeLvr says, at least you are learning something so maybe next time you'll know it. It is still a satisfying experience for me if I google one clue that allows me to break open an area and finish the rest on my own. I agree with others who suggest that you put it down for awhile. When you come back to it, something clicks and you can often get answers that had stumped you previously...it's weird.shrub5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09466867716773759568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13966593703953345392011-07-25T15:48:16.409-04:002011-07-25T15:48:16.409-04:00Easy-medium here and loved all the comments about ...Easy-medium here and loved all the comments about garnishes. Lazy Monday morning. :-) <br /><br />I say STALK because I like to see the leaves on the celery in my bloody mary. Sticks are cut up to fit in your lunch baggie.Shamikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635283729322415150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68877305505910440142011-07-25T15:42:13.622-04:002011-07-25T15:42:13.622-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 6:36, 6:51, 0.96, 35%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:44, 3:40, 1.02, 61%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58090155251673872112011-07-25T15:41:00.493-04:002011-07-25T15:41:00.493-04:00I too consider a Googling as a DNF. But I do have ...I too consider a Googling as a DNF. But I do have one or two Googles etc. that I sometimes allow myself - (1) checking a clue I do not understand, <i>cf.</i> a dictionary definition of a clue word, and (2) verifying an answer I believe is right once I have put it in. If I am wrong i count it as a DNF, and if I am right I move on.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91736200616758809802011-07-25T15:37:58.687-04:002011-07-25T15:37:58.687-04:00I like themes simple enough not to require an expl...I like themes simple enough not to require an explicit reveal (it is Monday, after all). And the SLURRED speech after the four drinks was a nice bonus.<br /><br />For some reason I really liked AFFILIATE--one of those words you rarely say, but recognize immediately.<br /><br />Thnx, Rex, for the Finn brothers.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28868163506314762362011-07-25T15:34:45.764-04:002011-07-25T15:34:45.764-04:00@David aka long suffering cubs fan --
my condolen...@David aka long suffering cubs fan -- <br />my condolences my friend, at least I have seen a championship in my lifetime, albeit 25 years ago alas, this year yet again neither Mets nor Cubs they might as well just skip the rigamoroll and just give the dreaded Phil-thies the Championship now with that starting pitchinglong suffering mets fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30645268753022862002011-07-25T15:24:17.729-04:002011-07-25T15:24:17.729-04:00@anon 1:14,agree with the long suffering mets fan ...@anon 1:14,agree with the long suffering mets fan (I am a longer suffering Cubs fan, btw). When I started doing the NYT puzzles in HS and college, I would consult dictionaries and encyclopedias only after I had exhausted all my limited brain cells, then I would tally the # of aids and write it at the top of the puzzle. My goal was to reduce the # of aids each day (I usually completed the Monday right from the start) Little by little I conquered Tues., Wed. and Thurs. with occasional hiccups, reaching a point where I would not ever look for help on those days (at that point, if I couldn't get it on my own, it was a DNF). My first unaided Saturday completion was a highlight in my life, as was my first Sunday.<br /><br />If I had google back in college I would certainly have used it as a means of improving, though I would then not have the very fond memories of poring through reference books at all hours of the night on weekends trying to finish those nasty late-week puzzles, often in a very altered state.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061040532903767385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79504496498044021882011-07-25T15:11:33.301-04:002011-07-25T15:11:33.301-04:00@Anon 1:14 -- its your puzzle, your rules. For me...@Anon 1:14 -- its your puzzle, your rules. For me, the puzzle high comes from no outside help. As a relatively new NYT puzzle solver of about a year myself, I marvel at people like Rex who not only rarely make a mistake (he will let you know), but the speed aspect is amazing -- if speed is your thing, which it is not mine<br />These speed solvers are incredible.<br /><br />I think this past Saturday was the 3rd for me that I had a perfect puzzle on a Saturday, but it took about 2 hours of picking it up and putting it down for awhile to get there. Personally, a great sense of accomplishment. I google after the puzzle and try to remember for next time, unless my questions have been answered here, which they often are hope this helpslong suffering mets fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-583365005771534412011-07-25T14:45:51.759-04:002011-07-25T14:45:51.759-04:00@Anon at 1:14, when I was new to the puzzle, some ...@Anon at 1:14, when I was new to the puzzle, some 300 years ago -- when Googling might have been a look you gave a young woman -- my practice was to fill in what I could, then clip out and save the puzzle to compare to the solution printed the next day. If I made a mistake or had blanks, I made CERTAIN to write in the correct answers, rather than just read them. For me, this ensured that I'd learn and remember. Highly recommended, if you are a paper solver. <br /><br />My current rule is that Googling constitutes running up the "Did Not Finish" flag. I count correct finishes as unaided. As noted, there are many approaches and I by no means suggest that mine is right for anyone other than me.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73262245081178541142011-07-25T14:16:16.941-04:002011-07-25T14:16:16.941-04:00@efrex daddy,
Constructors use Google to make the ...@efrex daddy,<br />Constructors use Google to make the puzzle???!!! ;)<br /><br />@dk<br />something tells me you wouldn't have to be drunk. ;) ;)<br /><br />@shrub5<br />Thanks! Still chuckling too...<br />(along with Joho, whose original thought of adding o to speed was the genesis of her debut puzzle!)<br /><br />Cheers!andrea pickled michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10041062394183532352011-07-25T14:14:15.189-04:002011-07-25T14:14:15.189-04:00I now know more about celery terminology than I ev...I now know more about celery terminology than I ever dreamed I would. Until I forget it all...<br /><br />Decent puzzle, but I did not find it exciting. Easy-medium. Do not know my garnishes, except for the martini. Knew OLIVE, then had to wait for a few crosses to see the PIMENTO part. Don't think the term "PIMENTO OLIVE" is the usual phrase, but it is certainly inferrable.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.com