tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8308099185688479533..comments2024-03-29T08:57:48.742-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Suffix meaning little one / TUE 12-17-13 / Bruce who played Dr Watson / Supercute marsupials / Hemingway novel title location / Italian grannyRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65547762433387058162014-01-22T00:15:44.411-05:002014-01-22T00:15:44.411-05:00Today's comments (or should I say yesterday?) ...Today's comments (or should I say yesterday?) are why I love Syndiland. Kinder and Gentler, yes, but just as insightful and clever as the real timers. Thank. You. All.<br /><br />Sometimes it seems that the comments follow Rex's lead, either in snarkiness, or praise. Of course this could be attributed to the quality of the puzzle, but I sense a need on the part of some, to follow the prevailing wind and not take a divergent tack.<br /><br />I actually liked this puzzle. Yeah, there was a lot of grid gruel, but I like what @Acme said about it; 'It's the glue'. <br /><br />Though I'm into most sports, I'm not an NBA fan. First, NBA athletes are notoriously hard on the eyes. And the uniforms are ugly. So; 'A bunch of pituitary problems running around in their underware', seems to describe the sport.<br /><br />One pair, nines, time to foldem. Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156872089175084024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62286040113830025262014-01-21T20:07:17.707-05:002014-01-21T20:07:17.707-05:00Thought t was pretty easy ... and still got a DNF,...Thought t was pretty easy ... and still got a DNF, as I spell mine KEBOB. Theme was indeed pretty meh. I could see that the second word in each answer started with B, but so? Took the revealer to see NBA, and again ... so? And yeah, a lot of the fill was uninspiring.<br /><br />Still, I agree with the rest of you syndys, it's just a pastime that I probably spend way too much time on (certainly way more than Rex, et al, do on a given puzzle), but not really worth getting my official NBA shorts in a bunch.<br /><br />So, about SATI. I took the SAT back in the dark ages -- did pretty well, too. What's with the "I"?<br /><br />Fours over nines full house. That and $100 will get me 1/4 ounce of Colorado's over-the-counter finest. And a trip to the Mumbai Escort Service.Cary in Bouldernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82157610626060915032014-01-21T19:04:01.139-05:002014-01-21T19:04:01.139-05:00In contrast to a puzzle the other day which I like...In contrast to a puzzle the other day which I likened to jazz music (fun for the constructor and critics, less so for the audience), this was a nice bubbly pop song which I enjoyed despite the rolling eyes of people who think I should know better.<br /><br />Rock on, Ms Gamache.straylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536180563789923012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11483445393434337062014-01-21T17:05:29.049-05:002014-01-21T17:05:29.049-05:00Just back from completing (with liberal assistance...Just back from completing (with liberal assistance from the "fill in current answer" button) @m&a's Christmas puzzle. It was, for lack of a better word, "offbeat", much like his posts. If you're tempted to give it a try let me offer a hint - don't take it too seriously. It's a good way to try solving on-line though (and it will make you appreciate solving on paper even more, I'll bet). copy/paste this into your browser:<br />www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=46705&id2=1289655141<br />Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58888763721028138992014-01-21T16:42:24.740-05:002014-01-21T16:42:24.740-05:00Just looked it up, and apparently all the followin...Just looked it up, and apparently all the following are accepted variations: KABOB, KEBOB, and KEBAB. <br /><br />@rain forest: Just hit the little circular arrow at the end of the "type the text" space. Another choice will appear, and lately it's generally numbers, much easier to interpret. <br /><br />This time I got a full house, but not a good one, 2's over 3's..DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13074058131922770342014-01-21T16:40:52.426-05:002014-01-21T16:40:52.426-05:00Or maybe I'm actually now the second to second...Or maybe I'm actually now the second to second...Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37470549625987550502014-01-21T16:39:00.870-05:002014-01-21T16:39:00.870-05:00@DMG, toasted ONION BAGEL with butter or cream che...@DMG, toasted ONION BAGEL with butter or cream cheese - yum, yum, but maybe an acquired taste.<br /><br />With the exception of a few writeovers: SUNLAMP before SUNBATH, TINSTARS before TINBADGE and AGOD before ASON (oh, yeah, and JOB before PHD, but that's actually a pet peeve) found this trended on the easy side, especially in comparison to recent Tuesday puzzles.<br /><br />Wondering if this is the first time GREEN BAY and the NBA have been mentioned in the same breath?<br /><br />And let me be the first to second @Diri's ACME comments. Needed saying.<br /><br />Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89259097796531911662014-01-21T16:32:37.852-05:002014-01-21T16:32:37.852-05:00Before I joined the Syndi folk, I confess I would,...Before I joined the Syndi folk, I confess I would, on occasion react unfavourably to a puzzle, and would allow OFL to explain why I felt that way.<br /><br />Now, however, in agreement with @Spacey and @SIS, I just like doing these things, I appreciate the ability of the people who can put a puzzle together, and I enjoy the challenge as the week progresses. <br /><br />Clearly, there are some who take the construction and solving of puzzles VERY seriously, and aren't shy about demonstrating how seriously. Well, I guess you gotta be passionate about something.<br /><br />I know it is a TINSTAR, but I could see the answer was going to be TINBADGE. Big deal. I spell it KEBAB, but I also say tomayto, while you say tomatto. Also big deal. In Maine, correct me if I'm wrong @Diri, they say "warsh" your hands, which is kind of cute, I think. <br /><br />I want to have numbers so I can play poker, too!rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73446516029798758462014-01-21T16:05:17.656-05:002014-01-21T16:05:17.656-05:00I'm glad ACME's comment came late in the t...I'm glad ACME's comment came late in the thread to put a more positive spin on - I was beginning to forget why I liked the puzzle.<br /><br />Apparently we syndilanders, in addition to being kinder/gentler in our criticism, can't spell KEBAB correctly - my initial variation was the same as @DMG, but alas I corrected only one of the two wrong letter resulting in Hemingway's novel taking place in THESaA, which I believe is a small island nation off the coast of east Africa.<br /><br />Now I'm off to see if I can find the puzzle m&a claims to have constructed.<br /><br />Two pair - nines over fives. Hard to believe that would win anything here but we'll see.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11952201112455584972014-01-21T15:31:33.790-05:002014-01-21T15:31:33.790-05:00If I were DESPOT for a day, I'd get a KOALA an...If I were DESPOT for a day, I'd get a KOALA and rent it out to all the grumpy guses on this post today for hugs. I'd make a fortune. <br /><br />Getcher koala hugs here - five bucks a minute - getcher koala hugs - guaranteed to make you smile...<br /><br />I had NoH/KEBoB, which I believe is a traditional Japanese dish served during theatrical performances. Nice goin' Paula on slipping that one in.<br /><br />The NYTcwpuz gives me two fun events in my day: solving it over a cup of coffee or two while watching the previous evening's Letterman, and coming to Rex's place to see what the Braniacs are ranting or raving about. I have to say that I agree with @Spacy when he asks if anyone can do better. And with @DMG when she asks why folks are so negative. I like Syndyland.<br /><br />Trip nines over sixes.<br /><br />Go Hawks! Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35542698164634607602014-01-21T14:38:14.161-05:002014-01-21T14:38:14.161-05:00Tangy, or,otherwise, I cant imagine eating an onio...Tangy, or,otherwise, I cant imagine eating an onion anything for breakfast! That said, my only slow down with this puzzle was that I spell that stuff on a stick, KaBoB, and had to correct it.<br /><br />Never saw so many negative Nellies as today's commenters, which is why I skipped them once the trend became obvious. Seems that happens a lot these days. Wonder why people continue to do something that they don't enjoy?<br /><br />Pair of 8's pair of 6's. It'd be a full house if I adopted @Ginger's wild 2's.DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37425539416044276782014-01-21T11:03:45.337-05:002014-01-21T11:03:45.337-05:00Dave S - 29D should be "kebob" making 41...Dave S - 29D should be "kebob" making 41A "noh" meaning an emphatic "EN O."DScheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02906501230891969823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48247144874493666062014-01-21T10:47:02.149-05:002014-01-21T10:47:02.149-05:00When I react unfavorably to a puzzle and prepare t...When I react unfavorably to a puzzle and prepare to hack it to pieces in here, two things slow me down: 1. "You think YOU can do better, a******? Go ahead!" No, I know I can't. I don't know how they do any of it.<br /><br />And 2. OFL has already beaten me to it.<br /><br />I will say this: if that exact same grid had been submitted by an unknown, it's 90% that Will would have tossed it on the rejection heap.<br /><br />I eagerly await your next attempt to WINBACK my admiration, Paula!spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26620967521538588342014-01-21T09:15:57.840-05:002014-01-21T09:15:57.840-05:00I found this a very easy Tuesday and totally surpr...I found this a very easy Tuesday and totally surprised by Rex's rating of medium/challenging.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15768742687610950452014-01-07T08:48:46.198-05:002014-01-07T08:48:46.198-05:00Don't know why, but I rushed through today'...Don't know why, but I rushed through today's edition--even without identifying the "theme". Made up for last week' s failures. rather. Visit-<b><a href="http://www.hknightlifeescort.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hknightlifeescort.com/</a></b>.<br />Melinawatsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15012878022949160214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57402414581961076642013-12-18T06:39:57.899-05:002013-12-18T06:39:57.899-05:00I know you intended to say that a Kir Royale is Ch...I know you intended to say that a Kir Royale is Champagne and Cassis. through seoclerks.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749371189592614793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87349289499748745442013-12-18T03:30:15.214-05:002013-12-18T03:30:15.214-05:00VERY late to the party, if you can call it that!
(...VERY late to the party, if you can call it that!<br />(More like I've arrived to broken beer bottles, passed out guests, an injured cat, and spilled ashtrays!)<br /><br />The theme is NOT thin. Altho it APPEARS that it's but three letters, what with eight entries of 10, 10, 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7 you have 56 theme letter squares!<br /><br />B is a hard letter to work with, so I thought that was great.<br /><br />I liked that there was a feminine vibe (to have the word "Supercute" in a clue blew me away!)<br />along with BARBARA and ANISTON and CHIC.<br /><br />And I liked SUN next to RAIN as someone else mentioned...plus the foodie mini theme:<br />ONIONBAGEL, SUBWAY sandwiches (was eating one while I solved!), Kevin BACON, KIR, KEBAB, EEL (my fave sushi) and GORGED.<br /><br />I also found this chatty in a way that I like...<br />NAH, SONNY, OOH, HAHA, "Happily EVER after"<br /><br /><br />I'm not a fan of ONENOTE criticism...and yes, there was an unusual amount of stuff to dislike (TINBADGE, SATI, GES, KNT, ASON/SONNY) but I thought overall, the BIGIDEA was good.<br /><br />I also liked that both HENRY JAMES and NIGEL BRUCE are two double first named writer/actor.<br />It makes the clue slightly obscure in a good way and seems somehow like the genesis of another puzzle.<br /><br />@Lewis<br />You can rest assured that Paula won't ever see these comments!<br /><br /><br />acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67648202447229050082013-12-18T00:50:01.627-05:002013-12-18T00:50:01.627-05:00Hey law prof! If you are using the term latter(or ...Hey law prof! If you are using the term latter(or former), it can only refer to one of two possibilities, not three. Just saying;Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11466283010960603392013-12-17T23:16:14.685-05:002013-12-17T23:16:14.685-05:00Oops!! *well* - I must have been channeling @Elle...Oops!! *well* - I must have been channeling @Ellen S and her weel-expressions!!!<br /><br />Only noticed my seely typo cause I had to come back to thank @M&@A for a fine puzzle - though I required a few more "reveals" than @Bob K.<br /><br />M&Any thanks!Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77894706120690477482013-12-17T22:00:03.450-05:002013-12-17T22:00:03.450-05:00@Mohair - I echo your weel-expressed sentiments re...@Mohair - I echo your weel-expressed sentiments re: OFL - in fact, pretty much word-for-word what you said.<br /><br />I do have to offer a very rare "meh". I hardly ever meet a puzzle I don't like. This was one such.<br /><br />@Steve J - great, if ironic, post!<br /><br />Welcome Miss Sunshine!<br /><br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39039271149625306062013-12-17T20:32:20.830-05:002013-12-17T20:32:20.830-05:00Did not mind this one at all. Just about right fo...Did not mind this one at all. Just about right for a Tuesday; some of my students were able to finish it. The theme was OK, not OMG brilliant, but not as awful as some have said. <br />I enjoyed it, just was not dazzled by it, but I don't expect to be dazzled on a Tuesday. Thanks, PaulaOISKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808675378318214461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65050991845667042472013-12-17T20:12:39.195-05:002013-12-17T20:12:39.195-05:00Autofill could do a better job.Autofill could do a better job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7630462453850355342013-12-17T19:13:27.400-05:002013-12-17T19:13:27.400-05:00@jae: Actually, compared to Pierce, she was Kiri ...@jae: Actually, compared to Pierce, she was Kiri te Kanawa....;-)GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19686666318877457282013-12-17T18:32:28.483-05:002013-12-17T18:32:28.483-05:00@M & A -- Thank you for your special puzzle!
...@M & A -- Thank you for your special puzzle!<br /><br />I breezed through it in just 66 minutes and 31 seconds! (Plus about five Googles and three "reveal letter" shots --I was determined to finish!)Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61381271949518910772013-12-17T17:59:35.190-05:002013-12-17T17:59:35.190-05:00Paula had me at 59 Across. Unusual grid, with not...Paula had me at 59 Across. Unusual grid, with nothing longer than ten letters. Speaking of grids, perhaps we'll get hidden N-F-L strings, tomorrow? INFLAMMATORY, anyone?<br /><br />@m & a -- Just completed your Christmas crossword. A toughie. Liked your ?? clues. You are a weird duck. I somehow know you'll like hearing that. Thanks for the extra workout.<br /><br />cjC.J. from Green Baynoreply@blogger.com