tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6727347638269911643..comments2024-03-19T10:02:29.235-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Head nurse on Scrubs / THU 9-26-13 / Dance reminiscent of horse's gait / Golden treasure in Bilbo Baggins riddle / Thickness measures / Darth Vader locale / Acid-burned Bat-villain / 30 Rock character or first name of his portrayerRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19807664038885273492022-05-31T23:42:20.274-04:002022-05-31T23:42:20.274-04:00I found this much as did @spacecraft. I couldn...I found this much as did @spacecraft. I couldn't figure out how to wedge "11" into 1A, ran about half of the top edge to get DOZEN, and realized there had to be something outside the box. Went to the reveal and immediately realized that not only were the theme answers sprinkled around the outside, they're all in proper position for a square clock.<br /><br />This is lovely puzzle architecture. Yes, harder cluing would have made it feel more like a Thursday in difficulty, but I do like that Mr. Shortz decided to make it more accessible to people who don't normally finish the weekly twist. Let them have a goodie.<br /><br />This reminds me of the fun I had years ago with a New Year's Eve puzzle that managed to get countdown numbers -- 12 through 0 -- into the across answers, while using the spelled-out numbers -- as letter sequences -- in the down answers.Prunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00224476641730508311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53923087420775358762013-10-31T20:10:26.780-04:002013-10-31T20:10:26.780-04:00IMHO, this puzz is as brilliant as the Rubic's...IMHO, this puzz is as brilliant as the Rubic's Cube.<br />Clock smack dab in the center and the numbers right where they should be on the face. I'm in awe, Pepper & Barocas. (Pepper Barocas kinda sounds like a Venezuelan culinary treat.)<br /><br />My few writeovers: Dark before DEATH because "side" wasn't long enough. IAMACAMERA totally on crosses. Like @Ginger, never seen 30 Rock or Scrubs, but know TRACY Morgan from Letterman.<br /><br />@Spacecraft, my paper had... <br />44 Kind of sax46<br /> Down Under <br /> climber<br />It took genius here about ten minutes to get the forehead slap.<br /><br />Had a SIAMESECAT named Foo Paw for 15 years. Loved that little mean bitch.<br /><br />Gonna punch out on the CLOCK now.<br /><br />Capcha: etairdsu: An Italian dessert?Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52957310644841959142013-10-31T19:53:31.177-04:002013-10-31T19:53:31.177-04:00Much fun. A newspaper snafu on 46 had me stymied f...Much fun. A newspaper snafu on 46 had me stymied for a while, and until I figured out the theme I was thinking up a dozen dozen ways to complain to the compilers (all gross).<br /><br />In think this puzzle hit it just about right: not too difficult to solve before twigging to the theme; tricksy enough to be interesting; a nice "aha!" moment when the theme became apparent.<br /><br />Well done, Pepper and Barocas! More please.straylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536180563789923012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54490255802757486562013-10-31T17:06:12.858-04:002013-10-31T17:06:12.858-04:00I didn't have an inkling as to what was going ...I didn't have an inkling as to what was going on until I arrived at the CLOCK in the center of the grid and realized that I had been having problems around the edges and the missing numbers were just what I needed to fix things up. I didn't know 9 WEST but by the process of elimination and it's location that's what it had to be.<br /><br />Speaking of clocks, don't forget to turn yours back an hour Saturday night.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8682929081786632272013-10-31T16:23:31.218-04:002013-10-31T16:23:31.218-04:00Got stuck in the SW because I had "Noel"...Got stuck in the SW because I had "Noel" but belatedly thinking of YULE gave a completed grid. But I missed half the fun because I only realized that the answers missed numbers, but never saw them in order around the clock.<br /><br />Today's Captcha explains them all: inciph. DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91859249667889956792013-10-31T16:12:19.252-04:002013-10-31T16:12:19.252-04:00Several days ago an anon asked if Rex ever liked a...Several days ago an anon asked if Rex ever liked a puzzle. Here is your answer! Fun, Clever, (difficult to construct) Gimmick. Caught on at RING, then went back and parsed 1,5, an 10-A, and with it all adding up, swept through the rest. <br /><br />Loved the non-theme long answers. Not many blue-eyed pets to choose from, though Siberian Huskies came to mind first. Learned where Cabaret came from. I watch very little non-sport TV, and have never seen Scrubs or 30 Rock; Also did not know DEATHSTAR, but all were gettable from crosses or by the SWAG method. (Scientific Wild Ass Guess)<br /><br />Thanks Tom (he of 'gocommando' fame) and Victor.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92132214129697643352013-10-31T15:14:53.626-04:002013-10-31T15:14:53.626-04:00Rainforest, you're too hard on yourself.Rainforest, you're too hard on yourself.LongBeachLeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1861495850703550182013-10-31T14:53:48.186-04:002013-10-31T14:53:48.186-04:00Like many, I guess, I thought 1A was 10BALL,and 1D...Like many, I guess, I thought 1A was 10BALL,and 1D was 10BEST, and so I looked in vain for numbers that worked for both across and down. Even after I solved the puzzle, I thought 11 was missing! Talk about your hubris. <br /><br />So, anyway, I now like the puzzle way more than I did when I finished, although if I thought 11 was missing, I guess I *didn't* actually solve it. I weep.<br /><br />capcha: 2 hurbyl. Description of a soup with an excess of oregano.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46434620348742570702013-10-31T11:16:23.882-04:002013-10-31T11:16:23.882-04:00I wish the "appendecto" thing had been M...I wish the "appendecto" thing had been MY paper's only issue with space: MY puzzle had no clues after 59d! I had to solve this puppy with four clues totally missing--including a themer. Did it by a bit of guesswork and inference, so it didn't feel "easy."<br /><br />Come to think of it, though, if you can solve it correctly without four clues, how hard can it be?<br /><br />Started out knowing the first across; much of my youth was misspent in pool halls. Now just how to fit 11BALL into four squares. I stopped and scanned the clue bank for some kind of revealer; found it at 41a. Went right there and worked on getting that word; soon had CLOCK, and the jig, as Maxwell Smart once p.i.-ly said, was up. Oh, for the days when you could poke a little harmless fun without committing grievous offense. Human skin has really thinned out of late.<br /><br />But I digress. Overall, despite the crowding of 10 and 11 in the NW corner, and the unfortunate STES, I agree with OFL: good job, guys. One w/o, had epIC before ODIC, though I should've known better. Guess I got Horace and Homer mixed up. I know, one's Greek and the other's Roman, but hey, they both start with HO.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90055904981509281232013-09-27T01:17:12.502-04:002013-09-27T01:17:12.502-04:00This 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 no data<br />Tue 8:22, 8:12, 1.02, 59%, Medium<br />Wed 9:01, 9:44, 0.93, 33%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 10:43, 16:30, 0.65, 4%, Easy (7th lowest ratio of 196 Thursdays)<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon no data<br />Tue 5:29, 5:09, 1.06, 66%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 5:20, 5:34, 0.96, 39%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 6:49, 9:27, 0.72, 6%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72254754439015289842013-09-26T21:49:08.583-04:002013-09-26T21:49:08.583-04:00@Bob K and @Mac - Have wonderful vacations.
@Mac ...@Bob K and @Mac - Have wonderful vacations.<br /><br />@Mac - I think of you every time I go to my hairdresser. There is a company right across the street with a couple of cute vans which have "Mac Made Easy" printed on them. I usually blurt out "HI MAC" and I know it's time to turn left.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24789984172996321922013-09-26T21:27:26.010-04:002013-09-26T21:27:26.010-04:00Ha ha - y'all are great - I really miss being ...Ha ha - y'all are great - I really miss being here every day!Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7141177683333973562013-09-26T17:41:51.305-04:002013-09-26T17:41:51.305-04:00Easily the best puzzle of the week, for all the re...Easily the best puzzle of the week, for all the reasons already articulated. Found Mon-Tue-Wed all easy and uninspired. This puzzle is almost seamlessly filled and full of much fun along the way.August Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09919963003128838777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38612807881969242922013-09-26T16:38:58.363-04:002013-09-26T16:38:58.363-04:00@Tita - I would prefer the hands to show 5:00@Tita - I would prefer the hands to show 5:00Jimmy Buffettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72791436232307169662013-09-26T16:38:20.400-04:002013-09-26T16:38:20.400-04:00@Tita - We would prefer the hands to show 4:20@Tita - We would prefer the hands to show 4:20Cheech and Chongnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34198952393547230062013-09-26T16:32:39.865-04:002013-09-26T16:32:39.865-04:00What's a clock face?What's a clock face?Someone born in the past 50 yearsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14766156381655498202013-09-26T16:22:29.668-04:002013-09-26T16:22:29.668-04:00Midday 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 />Thu 10:45, 16:30, 0.65, 4%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Thu 7:02, 9:27, 0.74, 7%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30268483438414198272013-09-26T15:53:00.223-04:002013-09-26T15:53:00.223-04:00Did anyone think 5D should be clued as “Snap”? Did...Did anyone think 5D should be clued as “Snap”? Didn’t think so.<br /><br />Terrific puzzle – great job fellas!<br />Ray Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52255416521548639162013-09-26T15:47:37.312-04:002013-09-26T15:47:37.312-04:00I liked ETAIL next to NETPAY, though I'm guess...I liked ETAIL next to NETPAY, though I'm guessing they didn't do that on purpose...Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34147913137611416512013-09-26T15:21:05.511-04:002013-09-26T15:21:05.511-04:00@Tita: http://mentalfloss.com/article/22461/why-10...@Tita: http://mentalfloss.com/article/22461/why-1010-default-setting-clocks-and-watchesTime Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48118977262038386162013-09-26T14:46:46.338-04:002013-09-26T14:46:46.338-04:00@Tita - Looks happier?@Tita - Looks happier?Just guessingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73567742749403812932013-09-26T14:33:14.218-04:002013-09-26T14:33:14.218-04:00I thought of best 10 instead of 10 best, so the 10...I thought of best 10 instead of 10 best, so the 10 would be below the 11. Finished the grid very fast, catching on to the number theme immediately. A bit too much pop culture, never watched Scrubs, nor The Hangover, nor 30 rock, nor Star Wars, so I enjoyed this a bit less than most others seem to have. <br /><br />OISKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808675378318214461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78392711646833130002013-09-26T14:26:07.292-04:002013-09-26T14:26:07.292-04:00@carola - if you did, they would have to point at ...@carola - if you did, they would have to point at 10 and 2...<br />Maybe some ADMAN in this blog can tell us why watch ads always show 10:10 WHy not 8:20?Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27386060987435203012013-09-26T14:02:51.574-04:002013-09-26T14:02:51.574-04:00@ahimsa - About doing this puzzle on paper - yes, ...@ahimsa - About doing this puzzle on paper - yes, I enjoyed looking at my square clock face with the numbers arrayed perfectly around it. I also liked the O in CLOCK right in the middle to represent the little button where the hands are attached (I didn't draw hands in, though :) ).Carolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15971759975067250908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48631366797774874482013-09-26T13:46:45.214-04:002013-09-26T13:46:45.214-04:001A - no idea, but I get it from the downs. BALL? W...1A - no idea, but I get it from the downs. BALL? Which one? 11 I think.<br />DOZEN (off ZACH)? WTF?! Ah, must be a numbers theme.<br />50% = HALF. Doesn't really need a number so now what? And how does a numbers theme relate to SIAMESE CAT?<br /><br />Ohhh, CLOCK. Very good.<br /><br />A fun solve with very little to complain about today. Thanks MSSRS Pepper and BarocasBirdnoreply@blogger.com