tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8143248032268690622..comments2024-03-28T09:44:06.223-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Saturn's wife / THU 8-7-14 / Singer with the 1971 hit "Mercy Mercy Me" / Dorothy of old "Road" films / Jackson with 13 #1 country albums / Sch. of 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston / Wordsmith who wrote "Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague"Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87147009018001572072014-09-11T15:59:59.935-04:002014-09-11T15:59:59.935-04:00This one couldn't have been too hard, or I wou...This one couldn't have been too hard, or I would never been able to fill in names I've never encountered before: a coach, a golfer, a country album guy, someone with a decades ago hit. The only name I vaguely recognized as it appeared was KATESPADE, but with no idea why the clue fit. Thanks @Spacecraft for that answer. And thanks to all the others who explained OFEM. Was sure I was wrong there! Duh!<br /><br />On the other hand, 2655 isn't a bad way to star the day!DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84860028905879668512014-09-11T15:51:36.572-04:002014-09-11T15:51:36.572-04:00I had the future G.P. taking a MsAT and I didn'...I had the future G.P. taking a MsAT and I didn't know Saturn's wife, so CROSS never appeared in my grid. Other than that, I liked it - I managed to figure out the quip and I enjoyed seeing things like LADIDA and UNSET materialize, and it's always a pleasure to see Dorothy LAMOUR in the puzzle.<br /><br />735 ties me for the lead with @spacy, I think.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54312054477838719272014-09-11T15:06:22.342-04:002014-09-11T15:06:22.342-04:00Careful parsing HESGOTIT. It could INSPIRE a MANUP...Careful parsing HESGOTIT. It could INSPIRE a MANUP.<br />New pandemic: the AGRA VIRUS.<br /><br />There've better Thursdays.<br /><br />4035 - RATS.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61549720460343112642014-09-11T14:38:09.390-04:002014-09-11T14:38:09.390-04:00Personally, I think RUNSATAB and USERNAME are good...Personally, I think RUNSATAB and USERNAME are good fill.<br /><br />It is I who likes correct grammar, or is it just me?<br /><br />I liked this puzzle.<br /><br />2191 I don't like my hand.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71298896344288305792014-09-11T13:00:46.731-04:002014-09-11T13:00:46.731-04:00One of many for whom quips are not the ideal theme...One of many for whom quips are not the ideal theme, I had to work through this till I got most of the letters in the quip segments before they made sense. While not overly arduous, I'd put this one on the challenging side of medium. Pretty much a Thursday--maybe late-evening, so to speak.<br /><br />Synchronicity: watching "The Price is Right" while solving, they put up a collection of KATESPADE bags as a prize! Thanks, Drew and crew.<br /><br />1374=6, not the best. Like today's offering. But still good.<br /><br />spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66406958560145232592014-09-11T12:29:04.811-04:002014-09-11T12:29:04.811-04:00@Plaster 10:06, Apparently you are not a member of...@Plaster 10:06, Apparently you are not a member of the "Whiner Generation" I've been reading about. Good show! So many of the commentators are looking for THE perfect puzzle each and every day.<br />Hey, I've got no complaints except when the Constructor makes it impossible for the majority. Of course, my IQ is about 49. <br /><br />Ron Diego 9/11Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38979569431168589372014-09-11T10:12:17.063-04:002014-09-11T10:12:17.063-04:00I enjoyed this puzz. It's fresh, clever, has g...I enjoyed this puzz. It's fresh, clever, has good fill and has its amusement. Had to look up Mr. Yorke's name But when I can do a Thursday in less than 20 mins. I'm a happy sappy old man.<br /><br />Ron Diego 9/11 !!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19311665118196542152014-08-08T04:18:27.090-04:002014-08-08T04:18:27.090-04:00@Chefwen: BEQ is a very nice person but I cannot g...@Chefwen: BEQ is a very nice person but I cannot get his rhythm at all. Another time, another space. Love QUIPS; loathe rebuses (rebi?).+wordphanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05693465770426693314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62527257070987251502014-08-07T22:10:47.041-04:002014-08-07T22:10:47.041-04:00This 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 6:25, 6:01, 1.07, 79%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 7:07, 8:01, 0.89, 17%, Easy<br />Wed 14:00, 9:31, 1.47, 99%, Challenging (4th highest ratio of 240 Wednesdays)<br />Thu 14:27, 17:28, 0.83, 20%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:22, 3:55, 1.11, 87%, Challenging<br />Tue 4:42, 5:10, 0.91, 14%, Easy<br />Wed 10:14, 6:08, 1.67, 100%, Challenging (highest ratio of 240 Wednesdays)<br />Thu 10:05, 10:49, 0.93, 33%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58600384573360528082014-08-07T22:06:24.808-04:002014-08-07T22:06:24.808-04:00Medium. 21 minutes. All proper names were in my ba...Medium. 21 minutes. All proper names were in my bailiwick(except OPS).<br />Enjoyed the quip very much.Liked IT WAS I and bag lady clue.<br />Thanks JDPCharles Flasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588962898277593533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20849198108280171942014-08-07T21:59:52.301-04:002014-08-07T21:59:52.301-04:00Cherry Pie too. Skip and Flip rule.Cherry Pie too. Skip and Flip rule.Charles Flasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588962898277593533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2590042274062193932014-08-07T20:19:19.910-04:002014-08-07T20:19:19.910-04:00PDF versionPDF versionchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3499603382282236282014-08-07T20:17:55.618-04:002014-08-07T20:17:55.618-04:00Can someone send me the LA times puzzle? Would lo...Can someone send me the LA times puzzle? Would love to do it. Thanxchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61044092675952146572014-08-07T19:32:46.352-04:002014-08-07T19:32:46.352-04:00POST PUZZLE PUZZLE (PPP) solution:
The answer ED...POST PUZZLE PUZZLE (PPP) solution:<br /><br /><br />The answer EDISON anagrams to ONSIDE, a football kick that generally happens when a team is behind.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8948773967166959252014-08-07T18:49:07.332-04:002014-08-07T18:49:07.332-04:00@joho - Loved your LAX puzzle. It was right up my...@joho - Loved your LAX puzzle. It was right up my and @chefbea's alley.<br /><br />@Tita and @chefbea - Thanks for your good wishes. All stocked up and fingers are crossed.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18073676081511128952014-08-07T18:41:12.456-04:002014-08-07T18:41:12.456-04:00Actual conversation between myself & my sister...Actual conversation between myself & my sister re dreaded dinner at our mother's.<br /><br />Sis: Good, you're still home. Could you bring some balsamic vinegar to Mom's?<br /><br />Me: Sure. You're there already!?<br /><br />Sis: Hell no, we're not due until 7<br /><br />Me: Was I supposed to pick you up?<br /><br />Sis: What!?Why grammar mattersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84997113019381961672014-08-07T18:33:29.385-04:002014-08-07T18:33:29.385-04:00Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute here...
Of C...Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute here...<br />Of COURSE it's "em" the word, not "'em" the contractoin! Who anagrams contractions?<br />You're welcome.<br /><br />@numinous, @lms - our stale riposte when one of us says something like "Would you make me a sandwich", is "Poof! You're a sandwich!"<br />[[groan]]<br /><br />I am always careful with my scarves while riding top-down to NOT emulate Isadora DUNCAN.<br /><br />@M&A - no joy for the opener JUJU and how cool it looks in the grid?<br /><br />@chefwen - here's hoping those storms pass you by.<br /><br />@Evan - how did you manage to be the sub on a day when you're in the puzzle - I smell a rat. Great job, btw.<br /><br />Off to the LAT!<br /><br />Thank you Mr. Quigley, even though I *hate* quip puzzles. I got a kick out of the quip. <br /><br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82616680719987140912014-08-07T17:23:29.922-04:002014-08-07T17:23:29.922-04:00Easy-medium. Enjoyable. Some good fill. IS IT JUST...Easy-medium. Enjoyable. Some good fill. IS IT JUST ME, however incorrect, is in the language, so it bothers me not at all. Thought the EM in "OF EM" was not 'em, contraction for them, but an em dash. Actually doesn't matter which.<br /><br />1971 singer was first Lesley GorE. Wrong...<br /><br />Thanks, Mr. DiPietro.<br /><br /><br />retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29671431597012601452014-08-07T17:01:04.376-04:002014-08-07T17:01:04.376-04:00@Steve J - Of course there is, do you think there&...@Steve J - Of course there is, do you think there's anything in any of what you said that I don't know? I just can't stand the laissez-faire attitude towards anything goes coupled the implied, nay, overt criticism ("pundants who insist that..") of those who care and say something.<br /><br />I don't know if you have had a tween girl in the last decade or so, but if you did she was under intense peer pressure to wear shorts so small that they don't completely cover her underwear. Shorts that had lovely messages embroidered on the rear saying such things as "Juicy" or "Luscious", or hands appliqued on each cheek. Judging by the tweens I've seen, accompanied by their parents, in convenience stores in my area it was quite the rage. Before you ask, I live (quite inaptly given my net worth) in the fourth wealthiest county in the country.<br /><br />I've spoken to some of these parents and their response is that this it's the way it is and things have changed since we were kids. While that's true, you don't have to go down without a fight. That they have is inconeviable to me.<br /><br />So, yes, when people ask me how I feel I reply "I'm good" about as often as I say "I'm well". I do it contextually, but am always torn between feeling a fool when I say "I'm good" and resentful for feeling pompuous when I say "I'm well". I simply wish I could say "I'm well" without repercussions because that's the proper response, and the one that comes naturally.Zekenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41777486098167963952014-08-07T16:32:06.713-04:002014-08-07T16:32:06.713-04:00Had to google THOM, KATE SPADE, SAFIRE and ARCH an...Had to google THOM, KATE SPADE, SAFIRE and ARCH and still DNF because I thought big sunglasses were passe, ergo RArE. And since that was the last letter to go in, I just didn't look at the cross. Oh well. Thought EM was thEM until I came here. IT IS and IS IT stuck out at I but ME didn't worry about it. <br /><br />I've already shared this with muse but while we're on that subject, here goes.<br />graffiti seen in an Australian men's room stall: "My mother made me a homosexual." And beneath it: "If I gave her the yarn, would she make me one too?"<br /><br />I thought this was a fair effort for a Thursday. Folks have said and will say IT IS I after knocking on crossword doors for years. Always a gimme for me. I just shrug and move along. <br /><br />I was, at the least, entertained for the better part of an hour and then another hour or so here. Thank you, Joe DiPietro and thank you commentariat.Numinoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01263999193499725814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53650392252135660582014-08-07T16:07:51.524-04:002014-08-07T16:07:51.524-04:00Midday 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 14:27, 17:28, 0.83, 20%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Thu 10:20, 10:49, 0.96, 36%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2265419959023820462014-08-07T15:42:29.264-04:002014-08-07T15:42:29.264-04:00With a bit of Google help (OPS, GAYE, THOM, AGRA) ...With a bit of Google help (OPS, GAYE, THOM, AGRA) and despite the quip being meaningless, I managed to finish sans errors. Easier than yesterday's fo r which I' happy.LaneBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65136268807617578382014-08-07T14:52:52.408-04:002014-08-07T14:52:52.408-04:00@Mohair Sam: Sorry about that. I meant @mathguy.
...@Mohair Sam: Sorry about that. I meant @mathguy. <br /><br />@Zeke: There's more than a little of what's now considered standard, correct usage today that was considered sloppy and substandard in past generations. Just like our parents complained about our music and we turn around and complain about the music of the generations after us, so we do with language. (Not that I disagree that some of the changes are better than others. I just know that no matter how much I dislike something - like the loss of the silent T in "often" ("off-ten" would have been considered incorrect just 1-2 generations ago, but now it's pretty much the norm instead of the formerly preferred "off-en") - it's going to change and it's going to stick. <br /><br />I'm over my quota for the day. 'Til tomorrow. <br />Steve Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185067739452052656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53613036623145269902014-08-07T13:56:56.098-04:002014-08-07T13:56:56.098-04:00Busy day..Just got home from our NARFE meeting whe...Busy day..Just got home from our NARFE meeting where I did today's puzzle. Luckily the meeting was pretty boring nd I was able to do the puzzle<br /><br />@Chefwen - be safe!!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62285148073077086152014-08-07T13:56:18.608-04:002014-08-07T13:56:18.608-04:00it is m&e. Always love a good anagrams puz.
...it is m&e. Always love a good anagrams puz.<br /><br />@zeke and @evil: har. And har. Cherish U two.<br /><br />ISITJUSTMEORISITI? Always love a good hidden quip puz.<br /><br />weejects anonymous: OPS. She'd make a great wife for Iggy Pop. Or for Opie. KFC and FSU are also noteworthy, because of their great clue saves.<br /><br />DITSY. ISIT. DUSTMITE. HESGOTIT. ITISI. NOTION. UIT (near #11). IT (near #37). Always love a good word search puz.<br /><br />@KAT: Please call Robert Burns -- he wants his TAK back.<br /><br />What's wrong with USERNAME? I'd put it right Up there with KISSER, NOCOMMENT, and the EYESUP/MANUP twins.<br /><br />Off now, to get innoculated for the FLAWAGRA VIRUS, havin had direct contact with line 14.<br /><br />Agent 007-U will return, etc., etc. Man. I just loved this puz, on so many different levels...<br /><br />Thanx, @Evan.<br />M&A<br /><br />p.s.<br />My prove I-ISN'T-ROBOT is just a picture of a silver punch bowl with a big gouge in it. What to enter?<br />Think I'll go with porno sphere.<br /><br />Masked and Anonym007Usnoreply@blogger.com