tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5845540607629336986..comments2024-03-29T03:22:09.826-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: TUESDAY, Nov. 4, 2008 - Peter A. Collins and Joe Krozel (Italian battery pioneer / Kennedy-era launch / Inaugural ball holder)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8999141986771806412008-11-04T23:35:00.000-05:002008-11-04T23:35:00.000-05:00This puzzle was OK but it didn't hold a candle to ...This puzzle was OK but it didn't hold a candle to the Electon Day 1996 NYT puzzle, where the clue "Lead story in tomorrow's newspaper (!), with 43A" could have been filled in as "Clinton" or "Bob Dole." (43A was "elected" -- above and below were the answers "prognostication" and "mister president." The down clues for Clinton/BobDole were interchangeable.) Now that was a BRILLIANT puzzle. Constructor was Jeremiah Farrell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60526626877193647612008-11-04T23:14:00.000-05:002008-11-04T23:14:00.000-05:00OMG! IT IS DONE! THANK YOU ALL!OMG! <BR/>IT IS DONE! <BR/>THANK YOU ALL!fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24913682740174527402008-11-04T22:03:00.000-05:002008-11-04T22:03:00.000-05:00Having seen my post I'm embarrassed at1. How long ...Having seen my post I'm embarrassed at<BR/>1. How long it is.<BR/>2. How long it is.<BR/>3. All the typos.<BR/>Was looking for a button to remove it . No success.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15377668158107804376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10487477045657839912008-11-04T19:45:00.000-05:002008-11-04T19:45:00.000-05:00Rex, Echoing a lot of "thank you's" I've seen on t...Rex, Echoing a lot of "thank you's" I've seen on this blog - since I started reading the posts quite a while after I started using it as a free help for clues I was totally stuck on. Thank you for the interview with Emily Cureton. Had wondered about buying one/some of her drawings but could not figure out how to contact her about them until you posted her e-mail on your interview.<BR/>I'm quite in disagreement with your poster who refer to googling for answers as "cheating". Googling for answers on a site like this I agree is cheating just like calling the 900 number clue line. But going to an information source I've always considered not only fair but a justification for the time spent doing the puzzle as i can actually learn something. I've felt in the past three years or so that cultural clues have become much more obscure and far reaching. Seems to me that constructors are assuming people are now using the internet for reference.<BR/>I'm not sure if I am in awe of those of you who can solve even Saturdays in less time than it takes me to write the answers in on boringly easy puzzles, or not. I sort of find myself yawning at these comments, in a kind of boredom - like a dog who has given up on trying to figure out a mirror.<BR/>To me part of the fun is coming back to the puzzle hours, or days, later and having a light bulb moment over clues that stumped me before. <BR/>But I do enjoy the insights to pairing of words, etc that I didn't notice before. Actually, I really, really miss Emjo's drawings for the very original connections she made.<BR/>this is the first place I've posted besides the Lilac society round robin. Was glad to find, eventually, that I could use the Google account I have for that. May aactually be able to remember the password.<BR/>Pay Pal is still beyond me. so I've written a check. Though remembering how much I spent on those clue line calls - during the dark winter months - I think the check should have been for more.<BR/>My husband has an unexplained aversion to crossword puzzles so will not do them with me; growls if I ask for help with some British reference I think he will know. But he has enjoyed all the jokes and comments from your blog that I've shared with him.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15377668158107804376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29351976733916789192008-11-04T19:08:00.000-05:002008-11-04T19:08:00.000-05:00@ ulrichWhen in doubt, don't blame dementia, just ...@ ulrich<BR/><BR/>When in doubt, don't blame dementia, just coin a new word: Twensday!<BR/><BR/>@foodie<BR/><BR/>I am so sorry, I can't be everywhere at once, otherwise, Egremont would have a lot better name than that!<BR/><BR/>@artlvr<BR/><BR/>Isn't Viand French for meat or something? It rings a vague bell, but I often have a ringing in my ears...<BR/><BR/>@Rex<BR/><BR/>Deep chuckle for the day:<BR/>"Who? and Oh" <BR/>THAT"S why I love you!<BR/><BR/>Gotta slightly disagree on EREMITE tho, to me it sounds like a cross between Hermit and Vegemite.<BR/><BR/>@Peter and Joe K<BR/><BR/>A++ for construction<BR/>A- for NOOSES and SECRETE and having Taft's entire being summed up as FAT.<BR/>(Rescued by Rex's brilliant riff on T-FAT...perhaps Obama is not our first prez of color...)<BR/><BR/>UNRATED, but very cool for having both<BR/>ALIENTO and a LEANTO.<BR/><BR/>Am I reading too much into it, or is LABCOAT and FANBELT a mini-theme begging to grow?!<BR/><BR/>@phillysolver<BR/><BR/>How cool to have noticed ONE IDA after yesterday's discussion!!!!!!<BR/>you have NO IDEA how exciting something like that is to me.<BR/>(anagram intended!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79478997877077298922008-11-04T18:13:00.000-05:002008-11-04T18:13:00.000-05:00Yes, mantis, I'll concede that not even Kenny Roge...Yes, mantis, I'll concede that not even Kenny Rogers is exempt from the Dolly Rule. And Kenny is from Texas, after all. And "Islands" was written by the Bee Gees. So you have a perfect storm of coolness that by some fluke of nature brews an atrocity. I'm cool with that.<BR/><BR/>The first cassette (pronounced with the stress on the first syllable) I ever bought was Styx's "The Best of Times," along with a Little River Band cassette, the one with the song "Cool Change." I gave away the Styx tape, after listening to it once, to Anna Street, to try to make her like me.RodeoToadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03374112725461339067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-716479420913867642008-11-04T18:03:00.000-05:002008-11-04T18:03:00.000-05:00Isn't SECRETE something that glands do???Going hom...Isn't SECRETE something that glands do???<BR/><BR/>Going home now, full of hope, to watch election returns.archaeoprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956231727789223463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43326395392607720942008-11-04T17:53:00.000-05:002008-11-04T17:53:00.000-05:00What a fun puzzle. Love the Vs! Not that I'm biase...What a fun puzzle. Love the Vs! Not that I'm biased (my first name is Vegavahini -- grew up in rural Wisconsin -- been there, done that, Wade). Had to come here though to learn that they were in the shape of a check mark.<BR/><BR/>As a fan, an honest-to-goodness fan, of '80s (but even more so, '70s) pop music, well, gosh, I just don't know how to *choose* between Total Eclipse and Safety Dance. And ABBA were weird? How so??<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Orange, for the Sun tip. I know what I put in first, without even thinking twice.<BR/><BR/>-VVegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893157908004486201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79181524971619700052008-11-04T17:50:00.000-05:002008-11-04T17:50:00.000-05:00Didn't "The Wall" by Pink Floyd come out in the ...Didn't "The Wall" by Pink Floyd come out in the 80s? Almost anything off that masterwork is superior to the songs put up in nomination here.<BR/><BR/>May I suggest "Comfortably Numb"?edith bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048817959846956992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60786497426884454922008-11-04T17:26:00.000-05:002008-11-04T17:26:00.000-05:00@ green mantis- great comment on Dolly!I guess I w...@ green mantis- great comment on Dolly!<BR/><BR/>I guess I was in the minority in the music video voting dept. but another one left out (say what you will about him) is Thriller. Exceptionally well put-together video and the part where he says "I'm not like other boys" is priceless!Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46712476319651230732008-11-04T17:11:00.000-05:002008-11-04T17:11:00.000-05:00The unfortunate inclusion of "nooses" notwithstand...The unfortunate inclusion of "nooses" notwithstanding, a fun and happy puzzle. I am so excited today I'm like a toddler on poprocks and cane syrup.<BR/><BR/>Si se puede, people!!!<BR/><BR/>Also, stop dissing Islands in the Stream. I believe the universal ruling is that if Dolly's within ten feet of something, said thing is made of awesome.green mantishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01823785147354157816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57439339855910274272008-11-04T16:46:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:46:00.000-05:00Yesterday I said I liked my puzzles to be crunchy ...Yesterday I said I liked my puzzles to be crunchy rather than smooshie and multiple Vs and Xs always add a little crunch to a puzzle.<BR/><BR/>I was really proud of myself to recognize the check mark made of Vs in the middle ot the puzzle and it vindicated the puzzle in my eyes although I liked EYEEXAM and the not-readily-recognizable ALIENTO.edith bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048817959846956992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34501501851384041862008-11-04T16:44:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:44:00.000-05:00Nice puzzle today indeed - but on to perhaps the m...Nice puzzle today indeed - but on to perhaps the most important subject of the day (yeah, right: the election - don't attack me! I was out voting at 6:45 AM...): 80s music wars! I'm not sure if we're going for cheesiest, best or combination of both - the Til Tuesday song "Voices Carry" was too good to be in the running ((I think to qualify, the first strains of the song should make you wince at what's to come!) "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow", sung by McVie, was one of the better Fleetwood Mac songs -when Stevie Nicks became "The Gypsy", I think that was the last I could stomach of her. Orange, "Safety Dance" is just so bad that I would rather eat a raw onion apple-style than ever have to hear one line from that tune again! So, I think it rates somewhere up there. "Total Eclipse of the Heart"? That's kind of a timeless, Lite radio song, and doesn't stand for the 80s as much as the others - but it is great/horrendous. "Bette Davis Eyes"...I remember when I first heard it I thought: "Rod Stewart has started taking estrogen"...not that there's anything wrong with that...What am I offering here? Mostly ranting - but how about "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive?? "I want your love -lu-uh-uh-uh-uh-uhve" wow! I'm partly ill just thinking about it! Still, of the songs mentioned here, "Mr. Roboto" has to win, if only to perpetuate alternate-to-mythology-clue possibilities for STYX.<BR/>Tony O.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43232532578425894822008-11-04T16:35:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:35:00.000-05:00@foodie, we have an unpronounceable last name whic...@foodie, we have an unpronounceable last name which, when attempted, results in something too close to profanity for anyone's comfort. From this end, I am always bemused by those who are afraid to ask me how it is pronounced. Its advantage, that we have detected, though, is the built-in protection from identity theft.<BR/><BR/>p.s.FWIW, I am particularly proud of the role Iowa has played in this day, the chattering heads keep mentioning it!fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45334073881688479982008-11-04T16:17:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:17:00.000-05:00@wade, I too have discovered the value of an unpro...@wade, I too have discovered the value of an unpronounceable name in ferreting out the fake friends on the phone. <BR/><BR/>I can't decide which is better-- to have been unpronounceable from childhood, or to acquire the affliction as a young adult when you change countries... But I was desperate enough that for a brief period, after marrying a nice southern boy (if New Orleans counts), I tried his last name on for size. An in-law stuck a "Mae" in after my first name so the whole thing would have a traditional southern lilt. But that first name was unsalvageable (where was Andrea Carla when I needed her?). So back I went to owning my unpronounceability.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25862383409012662612008-11-04T16:15:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:15:00.000-05:00I am going with the Cheryl Party and writing in 'T...I am going with the Cheryl Party and writing in 'Til Tuesday's "Voices Carry", because AIMEE Mann is awesome.HudsonHawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119485923243014649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34359115269963597502008-11-04T15:50:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:50:00.000-05:00I really enjoyed VENA and VANE intersection becaus...I really enjoyed VENA and VANE intersection because I could then see what the Vs were forming; that whole section started filling itself out.<BR/><BR/>With that being said VICTOR took me way too long. I was with Rex on that one.<BR/><BR/>.chAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89058065209699730892008-11-04T15:41:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:41:00.000-05:00Dante's Paradise, Canto XXI:“'Twixt either shore O...Dante's Paradise, Canto XXI:<BR/><BR/>“'Twixt either shore <BR/>Of Italy, nor distant from thy land, <BR/>A stony ridge ariseth, in such sort, <BR/>The thunder doth not lift his voice so high, <BR/>They call it Catria: at whose foot a cell <BR/>Is sacred to the lonely EREMITE, <BR/>For worship set apart and holy rites.”miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40981422855501086442008-11-04T15:30:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:30:00.000-05:00Mmmm! Vs! In a vee! My favorite parts are all a...Mmmm! Vs! In a vee! My favorite parts are all atingle! My CASTSVOTES took too long to correct and now I have overink in the middle of my grid. <BR/>OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCDOCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCD OCDOCD OCD OCD OCD OCD <BR/>Like puzzle girl I had an idea that Taft was fat but I was certain he was dead – While Kenny Rogers nay not be dead his career should be! I hate the verb is in all its forms. <BR/>Safety Dance has just a little too much kitsch but Total Eclipse has too many catch phrases – turn around bright eyes, total eclipse of the heart – that’s [damn is] more than enough for two lame ass pop songs. <BR/>And finally Vote! And as a partisan I say Yes We Can!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84445061838048776272008-11-04T15:24:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:24:00.000-05:00@ulrich, taking a wilderness rescue course and we ...@ulrich, taking a wilderness rescue course and we are "studying" outdoor shelters. My favorite is the quonsey (version of a Quonset hut) where you cover your pack with a mound of snow, wait an hour, pull out your pack and viola a snow home. I will take photos this January, along with what will no doubt be my impression of a pop-cycle.dkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317008233459295376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81286969404929372092008-11-04T15:20:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:20:00.000-05:00rex -- you weren't *loitering* in that pic, were y...rex -- you weren't *loitering* in that pic, were you?<BR/><BR/>;-)<BR/><BR/>j. (not wanting to count her chickens, but feelin' euphoric in spite of herself...)janiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15129173620859824730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6677337037823382622008-11-04T15:09:00.001-05:002008-11-04T15:09:00.001-05:00@joho, ouch, I consider myself smote. Here is som...@joho, ouch, I consider myself smote. <BR/><BR/>Here is some musical fun:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfbKIOexLDcdkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317008233459295376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13610180960859269582008-11-04T15:09:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:09:00.000-05:00My first name is Doyne, which nobody knows how to ...My first name is Doyne, which nobody knows how to pronounce, including me (family says Do-wen). It always sucked on the first day of school when the teacher called roll and everybody learned you had a stupid name, but it's handy as an adult because you know that when the phone rings and the person asks for "Do . . .? Doyle? Doing? Donnie?" that somebody's gonna try to sell you something.RodeoToadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03374112725461339067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21601163161061720082008-11-04T15:04:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:04:00.000-05:00Yma Sumac us dead! She was 86? I was sure she was ...Yma Sumac us dead! She was 86? I was sure she was a child of the 60's! I've never seen a picture or heard a word from her, but I loved her because of her strange name.<BR/><BR/>Because you see, some of us have strange names. But there seems to be a chance that, today, we the unpronounceables will be vindicated.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48826695119487971232008-11-04T14:24:00.000-05:002008-11-04T14:24:00.000-05:00@LEANTO debaters,You're both right, at least accor...@LEANTO debaters,<BR/><BR/>You're both right, at least according to the following:<BR/><BR/>http://www.practicalsurvivor.com/node/22<BR/><BR/>I remember having to construct one similarly in order to get beyond being a Tenderfoot, which I was for two years. Never made it past the rank of Second Class, probably because on our hikes I may (or may not) have been ONDOPE. I really can't remember as that was a lot of brain cells ago...Mike the Winohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06130415184285936710noreply@blogger.com