tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7807675425498081892..comments2024-03-28T08:13:00.333-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Spotted rodent / WED 4-24-13 / Tourist town of Salerno / Jared of Mr Nobody / Ken Olin series about baby boomers / Comedian with 1972 album Class Clown / Astronomical red giant / Belgian city sometimes mispronounced wipersRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2857240915489621362013-05-29T18:49:39.044-04:002013-05-29T18:49:39.044-04:00@jackj - I also wanted more tennis. Where is deuc...@jackj - I also wanted more tennis. Where is deuce? Ad-in? Let? Interesting that at this minute in syndiland, I'm watching the French Open. <br /><br />@dk - Just be careful of the 'tweener'<br /><br />As you may have guessed, I'm a tennis junkie, and of course I LOVEd this puzzle, but DNF due to the SOsHI/sSTAR cross.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62360799486784315662013-05-29T15:26:30.696-04:002013-05-29T15:26:30.696-04:00AMAIN/AMALFI,AMOR/AMOON,ALLOALLO, ALAMODE,ARIZONA,...AMAIN/AMALFI,AMOR/AMOON,ALLOALLO, ALAMODE,ARIZONA,ARENA,ANON,ATTENDON,AGED - I figured that was enough A-words for one grid, so I eliminated aSTAR as a possibility. Unfortunately I couldn't find any way to disqualify 24 more letters so I left it blank.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82517623363529701402013-05-29T14:23:26.642-04:002013-05-29T14:23:26.642-04:00My usual one square DNF. Yep, I didn't get tha...My usual one square DNF. Yep, I didn't get that "C". There were other struggles. What's a "hooley"? But eventually, after erOs became AMOR, to became ON and mINER became NINER, they all worked out. Enjoyed the tennis theme, appropriate now with the French Open going full blast. Wonder if it related to anything back in real time?<br /><br />@Ginger: I've been following the Open only by checking the results on the sport's page. The only broadcasts available here are at 2AM and 6AM, outside my comfort zone for viewing, and, at present, no way to record them. However, I see that Saturday will bring the Third Round at 9AM, so I'll be watching then.DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15475323038620624772013-05-29T14:22:44.020-04:002013-05-29T14:22:44.020-04:00I thought that finding out people pronounced YPRES...I thought that finding out people pronounced YPRES as "wipers" was funny--enough reason to use it as a clue. Maybe not funny, but surprising was how many people seemed not to knowe AMALFI or SOCHI. I thought the theme was rather weak, and actually didn't realize what it was until I finished and looked at FIFTEEN, THIRTY, FORTY, and then saw LOVE. Meh. Otherwise a serviceable puzzle highlighted by that rhyming southeast corner. I agree with @Doc John that I have nothing against Julia Roberts, but I'd like to.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65654786849213491862013-05-29T13:50:22.751-04:002013-05-29T13:50:22.751-04:00@Masked and Anonymo2Us, you always make me laugh! ...@Masked and Anonymo2Us, you always make me laugh! I don't know whether you read any of the comments from syndicated solvers but I just had to say that. <br /><br />Lest any of the other regulars who solve in real time feel slighted, let me just add that you're all great! I love the comments on this blog more than the blog itself.Syndi Solvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63211051227440735492013-05-29T13:36:21.513-04:002013-05-29T13:36:21.513-04:00@Spacecraft, ditto on the ATTENDto error at first....@Spacecraft, ditto on the ATTENDto error at first. Another error was writing AlabamA instead of ARIZONA. I know what a bolo tie is but I have no idea where they are worn. Both errors were easily fixed with crosses. <br /><br />I thought the theme was fine. I looked at it as one player winning all the points in a row (with the other player's LOVE score ignored) until they won -- GAMES OVER. Since this was the score for only one game, and not a match, it made sense to me.<br /><br />Highlights for me were George CARLIN of "Class Clown" (I like the track about Muhammad Ali - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtZXgfdauBY" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtZXgfdauBY</a> and SERENA Williams.<br /><br />My favorite clue was for the FORTYNINER (One who hoped things would pan out?)<br /><br />I was not bothered by either LOVE BOATS or GAMES OVER. I have often heard the first term used by people for a certain subset of cruises (singles cruises, for examples). And the second term is a phrase that people do use in real life when the game (not a video game) is over. <br /><br />My only low point was the SOCHI/CSTAR cross. On the other hand, at least this has taught me the name of the city for the 2014 Winter Olympics and that is useful information.Syndi Solvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4396978754231809092013-05-29T13:14:46.210-04:002013-05-29T13:14:46.210-04:00The puzzle was an enjoyable solve, but when I fini...The puzzle was an enjoyable solve, but when I finished and looked it over I saw the tennis theme with LOVE----- (cleverly under AMOR) and the score numbers and SERENA, but looked in vain for match. I used to play tennis and we never said GAMESOVER. And shouldn't Clive have substituted "serves" for TIPOFF. Are we supposed to INFER the serve? It's like our constructor doesn't play the game.<br /><br />LOVEd HALLE crossing AMOR. (sigh)<br /><br />SERENA is playing tennis all by herself. Or maybe she's playing with GRETEL, because Hansel is nowhere to be found.<br /><br />So my LOL of the day award goes to @Anoa Bob 3:03. Thanks for the chuckles, Bob.<br /><br />Capcha: adinobs. Something you have taken out with your tonsils? Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31689711373401588522013-05-29T13:06:52.621-04:002013-05-29T13:06:52.621-04:00Certainly not EASY/MEDIUM for me. Two personal nat...Certainly not EASY/MEDIUM for me. Two personal naticks: AMAIN/AMALFI and LETO/NOS (no idea about this Jared guy or KenKen). <br /><br />YPRES no problem as my WWI British army veteran grandfather fought there and always called it WIPERS - in fact, thought it was spelled that way for many years, sorta like WATERLOO a century earlier!<br /><br /> Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55911986745669787562013-05-29T11:10:06.998-04:002013-05-29T11:10:06.998-04:00@Benko: No such thing as the winter Olympics???? L...@Benko: No such thing as the winter Olympics???? Let me guess: you hate cold weather. So do I--witness my move to warmer climes--but THAT far in denial I'm not. And that saved me: though I'm an astronomy buff I confess I wasn't up on recent star reclassifications that included C.<br /><br />Hand up for mistaking the archaic ATTENDEDON as having the more common -TO ending. Now to the clue for YPRES. Spelling notwithstanding, doesn't there have to be something wrong with "wipers" appearing in it? I feel a pull in my hip pocket. Sheesh,"Belgian town" oughta be enough.<br /><br />Didn't care for the 8's in the NE; those in the SW sparkled. Likewise, EPICURES has it all over ALLOALLO. South 1, North 0. GAMESOVER.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33675898060423602722013-05-08T23:28:40.601-04:002013-05-08T23:28:40.601-04:00Because Ypres is in a Dutch-speaking part of Belgi...Because Ypres is in a Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, locally it's known as Ieper. Great place to visit, if you're into history.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59010114316109984892013-04-25T00:43:54.701-04:002013-04-25T00:43:54.701-04:00yep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEl9ZBJ5zCUyep.<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEl9ZBJ5zCUacmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14531682209062838002013-04-25T00:41:05.263-04:002013-04-25T00:41:05.263-04:00Not positive, but I think the new Fiat commercial ...Not positive, but I think the new Fiat commercial with the music "When I hear the ocean calling..." and all these little cars are driving off the cliffs, that looks like it might have been filmed on the Amalfi coast. Don't know if there is a way to google and embed this.acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6331401025191936292013-04-24T22:01:58.216-04:002013-04-24T22:01:58.216-04:00This 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 6:32, 6:14, 1.05, 78%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 8:15, 8:14, 1.00, 55%, Medium<br />Wed 9:26, 10:07, 0.93, 33%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:55, 3:43, 1.05, 75%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 5:11, 4:49, 1.08, 68%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 5:32, 5:59, 0.92, 30%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54869622522169071312013-04-24T20:30:13.390-04:002013-04-24T20:30:13.390-04:00I forgot Sochi, but I've been to Amalfi and ha...I forgot Sochi, but I've been to Amalfi and have eaten paca...<br /><br />Is Leto ("let") part of the tennis theme?michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36004859078951955502013-04-24T17:53:26.735-04:002013-04-24T17:53:26.735-04:00I loved this puzzle as I generally found the clues...I loved this puzzle as I generally found the clues more literate, and not heavy on pop culture, which I prefer to avoid ("love boats" aside). I thought the clues were very, very clever. Rex, I love your daily review, but I suspect you may be growing curmudgeonly, and perhaps it's time for you to design vs. solve them?Laurence Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16512608792667325309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18143251035903384822013-04-24T16:46:10.343-04:002013-04-24T16:46:10.343-04:00Should have clued LETO in reference to the amazing...Should have clued LETO in reference to the amazing movie, "Requiem for a Dream." Ellen Burstyn was absolutely devastating in her role as the diet pill addicted housewife. Julia Roberts (who I have absolutely nothing against) robbed her of an Oscar that year. But I digress.<br /><br />Have I mentioned my dislike for Capcha lately?Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49473085571596230662013-04-24T16:14:52.549-04:002013-04-24T16:14:52.549-04:00Midday 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 />Wed 9:26, 10:07, 0.93, 33%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Wed 5:45, 5:59, 0.96, 40%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6005110643310491592013-04-24T15:48:24.167-04:002013-04-24T15:48:24.167-04:00If you had the pleasure of being thirty something ...If you had the pleasure of being thirty something in the late 80's-early 90's, you may have watched My So Called Life, which starred Jared Leto?jerry khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16281709143821361912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64615901814577183182013-04-24T15:08:52.757-04:002013-04-24T15:08:52.757-04:00p.s. ELENI: not a rodent -- just feels like one. ...p.s. ELENI: not a rodent -- just feels like one. Should go on the dust jacket of the next reprinting, somewhere. Can't believe my SnarkOMeter didn't register, on that. Dern thing must be broke.<br /><br />Used to play a lot of tennis. So can't believe I instead smelled some sort of all-numbers theme, initially. Kept tryin to slip in TENSPEED, or somesuch, for the cruise ship clue.<br /><br />Gotta agree with many folks, who are uncomfortable with a tennis scoring progression of: love, fifteen, thirty, forty, games. McEnroe would question whether you can be serious. But hey, it's just a puz. Not the Wimbledon final(s).<br /><br />@LMS: <br />Nice ALPACA catch, on the wraparound. Grid's got a sparkly wraparound I-STAR, also. Speaking of bein a big I-STAR, I be digressin my ass outta here, away from the blog, for a spell. Gotta do a big road tour.<br /><br />Carpe loveboats, y'all. M&AMasked and Thrumonamousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26182576916394518502013-04-24T14:54:03.400-04:002013-04-24T14:54:03.400-04:00Tony Soprano's psychologist's family was f...Tony Soprano's psychologist's family was from Amalfi. Charleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52797775823571843412013-04-24T14:42:31.207-04:002013-04-24T14:42:31.207-04:00Second bumpy ride in a row. I like an elegant puzz...Second bumpy ride in a row. I like an elegant puzzle. Smoother solving than this. To me this puzzle was workmanlike, lacking humor or art. The SOCHI-CSTAR cross should have been an obvious natick. But no. I give it a "C".Notsofastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67092956101078297692013-04-24T14:10:28.191-04:002013-04-24T14:10:28.191-04:00GAMES OVER is not a plural.
It's GAME'S OV...GAMES OVER is not a plural.<br />It's GAME'S OVER.Tennis Pronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62392300835796928822013-04-24T13:38:27.459-04:002013-04-24T13:38:27.459-04:00Meh. Took longer than it should have.
LOVE BOATS ...Meh. Took longer than it should have.<br /><br />LOVE BOATS (only 1) and GAME'S OVER (it's a MATCH)?<br />ATTEND ON? ATTEND TO.<br />AMAIN? I started with APACE.<br />BLIST before BENCH.<br /><br />Is Clive from the UK (queue at 39D)? That might explain some of the cluing and fill. But this is the <b>New York</b> Times.<br /><br />Happy Humpday!Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83316065488670825732013-04-24T12:57:42.345-04:002013-04-24T12:57:42.345-04:00Agreed, AMALFI should be common knowledge for Wedn...Agreed, AMALFI should be common knowledge for Wednesday level solvers.Enriconoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79154638135181816602013-04-24T12:43:36.549-04:002013-04-24T12:43:36.549-04:00"How could you not know AMALFI?"
a) By..."How could you not know AMALFI?" <br /><br />a) By never having any interest in visiting Italy.<br />b) By having an interest in visiting Italy but focusing on major attractions - Rome, Venice, Tuscany, the Alps. You know, things of interest.<br />c) By being Sicilian and not giving a hoot about the mainland.Ask a stupid questionnoreply@blogger.com