tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8352547526388547980..comments2024-03-19T06:23:36.761-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Swedish liquor with memorable ads / MON 9-5-11 / First part of ski run / Chicago columnist Kupcinet / Trumpets saliva draining key / Fat chance laddieRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73505700700761511422011-10-11T13:13:38.793-04:002011-10-11T13:13:38.793-04:00@Dirigonzo 6:28 PM
There's a strange feeling o...@Dirigonzo 6:28 PM<br />There's a strange feeling of precognition one gets here in syndication land. For instance none of these prime timers have any idea that Steve Jobs and Al Davis are going to die in the same week. Or that the Detroit Lions will win their first five games. But we know. We know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66299285109733931712011-10-10T23:51:14.445-04:002011-10-10T23:51:14.445-04:00Great Monday offering, sez the Spacecraft! I, too,...Great Monday offering, sez the Spacecraft! I, too, wondered what the "theme" was--till I got to 63d.<br />Then I had the V8 reaction.<br /> I loved the visual in the NE: YODA, riding a YAMAHA ATV with MERV hanging on bravely behind, ALIT on the bank of the RHEIN.<br /> My favorite Yodaism is his reply to Luke's "I don't believe it!" :<br /> "That is why you fail."<br /> I had no confusion about IRV Kupcinet. Not that I know him--or even read him, but he's got one of those names that seem to be begging<br />to be pronounced. I saw it in print<br />and thought, wow, what a neat name.<br />Irv Kupcinet. <br /> My criticisms are so slight as to hardly medtion: thou DIDST stretch a bit for 56a; you needed another Roman numeral to get an EXITVISA out of the East. But at least it wasn't a string of iii's, which would really be horrible. Also, the clue for NEWS could have been a bit more inventive, say, "Lewis go-with," or something.<br /> Overall, though, it looks like Messrs. Berry and Merrell are forming a Patrick dynasty. Go to it, guys!<br /><br />poderica: The body-snatchers finally got to Ms. Jong. She should have gotten on that plane.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17577333506453437672011-10-10T19:32:36.552-04:002011-10-10T19:32:36.552-04:00@Deb - congratulations to you and hubster; 30 year...@Deb - congratulations to you and hubster; 30 years of marriage is cause for celebration and I hope he has made appropriate arrangements to mark the occasion.<br /><br />I purposely did not mention the name of the holiday because I understand that Columbus has fallen into disfavor in some circles and I didn't want to start any controversies; but yes, that's what it is and I'm SHOCKED that your husband didn't have the day off. What government does he work for - Canada? Oh wait - it's their Thanksgiving Day (Happy Thanksgiving, Canadian Rexites) so he would have the day off anyway. He must be one of those "essential personnel" that have to work on holidays. I think government offices are about the only thing closed today, for everybody else it's just another reason for a 39d.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8799544059424933602011-10-10T18:51:14.544-04:002011-10-10T18:51:14.544-04:00I finished this puzzle and thought "HUH? I t...I finished this puzzle and thought "HUH? I thought Mon-Thu puzzles ALWAYS had a theme ? What's the theme?!?!? So, thanks for being here to answer that once again, Rexville. <br /><br />@Dirigonzo - It's my husband's and my 30th anniversary, but I don't think that's the holiday you're referring to. He's a government employee and didn't get the day off, so I have to ask: What is today? Columbus Day?<br /><br />tutubist: Tuba playing ballerinaDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16675331024091722316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72214324574882880762011-10-10T18:28:48.135-04:002011-10-10T18:28:48.135-04:00We syndicated solvers exist in a strange time-warp...We syndicated solvers exist in a strange time-warp indeed. This puzzle originally appeared on a Monday holiday and the syndicated version did also. And USERID which appeared at 70a in today's grid was also in Yesterday's Sunday puzzle which of course originally appeared a week ago so the proximity of the appearances didn't exist in real time, but on the other hand according to the prime-time comments ARP made back to back appearances "yesterday and today" but they were four weeks apart in syndication. It's all very confusing,and to further complicate things, the prime-timers are referring to comments from "yesterday" that we won't see until next week!<br /><br />I thought the puzzle was much easier than figuring out what day it is.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52717896865229509212011-10-10T14:19:21.026-04:002011-10-10T14:19:21.026-04:00Loved the layout of the theme answers. You've...Loved the layout of the theme answers. You've got WEST in the West, Sweden in the East. One TV in NE, multiple TV'S in SW. EXIT at the end.<br /><br />For this puzzle 69a really should have been clued <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxanTld0nRY" rel="nofollow">Tubes singer Waybill</a>. VIVA FEE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10144137230289543342011-10-10T11:37:01.041-04:002011-10-10T11:37:01.041-04:00good puzzle! The only one I missed was Rhein for ...good puzzle! The only one I missed was Rhein for Rhine. Enjoyed it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47925657136741112912011-09-28T05:52:36.672-04:002011-09-28T05:52:36.672-04:00This is a wonderful post! Never thought of making ...This is a wonderful post! Never thought of making a post about the answers in a crossword puzzle. BTW, 60A: I love Absolut Vodka especially the Raspberry and Citron flavor.Alcohol Server Certificationhttp://www.learn2serve.com/alcohol-training/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16388385523451702092011-09-07T22:28:10.504-04:002011-09-07T22:28:10.504-04:00@william e emba - while correct, yours is a distin...@william e emba - while correct, yours is a distinction that can lead to some <a href="http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/yodaspeak.html" rel="nofollow">fasci</a><a href="http://scifi.about.com/od/starwarsglossaryandfaq/a/SWAR_yoda-speak.htm" rel="nofollow">nating</a> uses of intellectual energy. Not that I mind.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33000082787664965822011-09-07T21:24:11.635-04:002011-09-07T21:24:11.635-04:00For the record, YODAspeak is not based on Latin. ...For the record, YODAspeak is not based on Latin. YODA spoke in OSV order (Object-Subject-Verb), which is rather uncommon among languages. Latin, being inflected, permits any order, but the usual order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb), with variations being stylistic ways to emphasize aspects of the sentence.william e embanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4719871078558147272011-09-05T23:12:39.624-04:002011-09-05T23:12:39.624-04:00@SFINGI still, in the absense of any actual eviden...@SFINGI still, in the absense of any actual evidence not willing to except a done deal-just add his name to the list! certainly not blaming prince Eddiesyndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71433718040339773582011-09-05T22:32:36.162-04:002011-09-05T22:32:36.162-04:00“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter&quo...“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter". YODA<br /><br />My favorite YODA quote-- not that it's necessarily true, but something to strive for... <br /><br />Thanks @600, arachaeoprof and Sparky, and @JenCT from last night. I appreciate it :)foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1511469221525512192011-09-05T22:15:11.729-04:002011-09-05T22:15:11.729-04:00Loved the puzzle, thanks Patrick Merrell.
Had ISE...Loved the puzzle, thanks Patrick Merrell.<br /><br />Had ISEE before ISPY, AAH before AHH.<br /><br />I didn't get the YODA clue until I came here.<br /><br />I've got to get back to doing the puzzles earlier in the day!JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14215900439734425462011-09-05T18:31:03.071-04:002011-09-05T18:31:03.071-04:00@Syndy - First of all, the Brits always want all g...@Syndy - First of all, the Brits always want all grand gestures to belong to their beloved/hated upper class. It's a cathexis of their emotions 'til they finally abandon the class system. The previous theories have been about this or that earl or educated physician. The same is true about their theories about Shakespeare. Couldn't possibly be this middle class William. This fellow, Stickert, fits the profile better. I've read nearly every book about true serial killers, and Hubster has defended two - possibly three - of them. Eliminating those hit in the head, they are white, middle to lower class, have Mama problems; 60% wet the bed, literally. In everything I've seen or read, not an upper class twit in the lot. For the ripper, there's a tourist industry in London that thery aren't about to give up.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79689483629456796922011-09-05T18:06:07.716-04:002011-09-05T18:06:07.716-04:00Hand up for shalt before DIDST. Also DiI before DX...Hand up for shalt before DIDST. Also DiI before DXI. Misread the clue somehow. No idea re INRUN but the downs did it. Smooth sailing otherwise.<br /><br />Good observation @foodie. Rex not a complete equal though, as sometimes I picture him, like Puck standing at the masthead of the old Journal American, saying What Fools These Mortals Be."<br /><br />I'm so glad to be back at the I can do this end of the week.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73879997157131641762011-09-05T16:44:29.699-04:002011-09-05T16:44:29.699-04:00I read the Cornwell book and thought, well, maybe....I read the Cornwell book and thought, well, maybe. No real way to prove or disprove. We took the Jack the Ripper tour in London, ending at a pub, of course.quilter1https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569747169212018177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91551594229266722032011-09-05T16:19:08.894-04:002011-09-05T16:19:08.894-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 6:36, 6:51, 0.96, 35%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:45, 3:40, 1.02, 63%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />I'm baaaaa-ack (like a bad penny?). Reviewing last week's blog postings, I see that at least a few of you were wondering about the stats. As Tobias reported, I was busy entertaining guests and thus (a) couldn't be as diligent about tracking online solve times and (b) wasn't as glued to my computer as I usually am. For those who are interested, here's what I've got for last week's puzzles:<br /><br />All solvers (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 6:57, 6:51, 1.01, 59%, Medium<br />Tue 10:08, 8:55, 1.14, 87%, Challenging<br />Wed 11:33, 11:51, 0.98, 47%, Medium<br />Thu 21:44, 19:14, 1.13, 79%, Medium-Challenging<br />Fri 17:36, 25:48, 0.68, 7%, Easy (8th lowest median solve time of 117 Fridays)<br />Sat 36:15, 30:07, 1.20, 92%, Challenging (10th highest median solve time of 107 Saturdays)<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:01, 3:40, 1.10, 87%, Challenging<br />Tue 5:15, 4:35, 1.14, 90%, Challenging<br />Wed 5:44, 5:51, 0.98, 50%, Medium<br />Thu 11:59, 9:23, 1.28, 88%, Challenging<br />Fri 8:20, 12:46, 0.65, 3%, Easy (4th lowest median solve time of 116 Fridays)<br />Sat 21:36, 17:10, 1.26, 91%, Challenging (11th highest median solve time of 106 Saturdays)<br /><br />Take the Monday discrepancy between the two groups with a grain of salt. I wasn't able to check the solve times after about noon that day. I'm guessing that the Top 100 median finished the day much closer to the Monday average.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48453148165926198842011-09-05T14:42:03.024-04:002011-09-05T14:42:03.024-04:00@600: Gosh, no. I just copied and pasted! I lov...@600: Gosh, no. I just copied and pasted! I love those olde ballades from the British Isles, though I have zero ethnic claim on them.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1613808073399537482011-09-05T14:33:39.274-04:002011-09-05T14:33:39.274-04:00arlene: me dum toarlene: me dum toslypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38740887923470675282011-09-05T14:30:52.643-04:002011-09-05T14:30:52.643-04:00@miriam b: Oh my God. Did you type all that? No...@miriam b: Oh my God. Did you type all that? Not an easy feat!<br /><br />Anyway, I loved it. Often just read the first couple of lines of long pieces reproduced here, but not this time. Read every word and loved it all.600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63341358008699618952011-09-05T14:27:57.651-04:002011-09-05T14:27:57.651-04:00Very enjoyable Monday!
Writeovers = shalt/DIDST...Very enjoyable Monday! <br /><br />Writeovers = shalt/DIDST and washrag/DISHRAG.<br /><br />Had to miss a family reunion over the weekend in WESTVIRGINIA. <br /><br />@Foodie: as always, your constributions are kind and constructive!archaeoprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956231727789223463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76346329685361275012011-09-05T14:16:50.856-04:002011-09-05T14:16:50.856-04:00I missed the theme completely because I never saw ...I missed the theme completely because I never saw the 63D clue - filled it in from the crosses. Too smart for my own good. Am I the only one?arlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15055224596227067553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89255022107008250262011-09-05T13:42:13.702-04:002011-09-05T13:42:13.702-04:00Sorry, I forgot about MARV Albert.Sorry, I forgot about <a href="http://deadspin.com/5814233/the-comeback-pig-marv-albert-and-how-to-survive-any-sex-scandal" rel="nofollow"> MARV Albert.</a>Dr. Frank-N-Furternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51926947894204919072011-09-05T13:34:14.775-04:002011-09-05T13:34:14.775-04:00@M07S: One version of Sir Patrick Spence.
The k...@M07S: One version of Sir Patrick Spence. <br /><br />The king he sits in Dumferling,<br />Drinking the blude reid wine: <br />'O where will I get a gude sailor,<br />That'l sail the ships o mine?' <br />Up then started a yallow-haird man,<br />Just be the kings right knee:<br />'Sir Patrick Spence is the best sailor<br />That ever saild the see.'<br />Then the king he wrote a lang letter,<br />And sealld it with his hand,<br />And sent it to Sir Patrick Spence,<br />That was lyand at Leith Sands.<br />When Patrick lookd the letter on,<br />He gae loud laughters three;<br />But afore he wan to the end of it<br />The teir blindit his ee.<br />'O wha is this has tald the king,<br />Has tald the king o me?<br />Gif I but wist the man it war,<br />Hanged should he be.<br />'Come eat and drink, my merry men all,<br />For our ships maun sail the morn;<br />Bla'd wind, bla'd weet, bla'd sna or sleet,<br />Our ships maun sail the morn.'<br />'Alake and alas now, good master,<br />For I fear a deidly storm;<br />For I saw the new moon late yestreen,<br />And the auld moon in her arms.'<br />They had not saild upon the sea<br />A league but merely three,<br />When ugly, ugly were the jaws<br />That rowd unto their knee.<br />They had not saild upon the sea<br />A league but merely nine,<br />When wind and weit and snaw and sleit<br />Came blawing them behind.<br />'Then where will I get a pretty boy<br />Will take my steer in hand,<br />Till I go up to my tap-mast,<br />And see gif I see dry land?'<br />'Here am I, a pretty boy<br />That'l take your steir in hand,<br />Till you go up to your tap-mast,<br />And see an you see the land.'<br />Laith, laith were our Scottich lords<br />To weit their coal-black shoon;<br />But yet ere a' the play was playd,<br />They wat their hats aboon.<br />Laith, laith war our Scottish lords<br />To weit their coal-black hair;<br />But yet ere a' the play was playd,<br />They wat it every hair.<br />The water at St Johnston's wall<br />Was fifty fathom deep,<br />And there ly a' our Scottish lords,<br />Sir Patrick at their feet.<br />Lang, lang may our ladies wait<br />Wi the tear blinding their ee,<br />Afore they see Sir Patrick's ships<br />Come sailing oer the sea.<br />Lang, lang may our ladies wait,<br />Wi their babies in their hands,<br />Afore they see Sir Patrick Spence<br />Come sailing to Leith Sands.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19677575693041320992011-09-05T13:15:30.588-04:002011-09-05T13:15:30.588-04:00First, before I even read the blog, @foodie at 8:1...First, before I even read the blog, @foodie at 8:19 yesterday: WISH I'D SAID THAT! So well said. Kudos. (And now that I've read today's comment--yes to that too.)<br /><br />I agree with previous commenters that Acme and Rex have said it all. A fun puzzle. My only writeover was shalt for DIDST. (I have to control my OCD and not do all acrosses first . . . )<br /><br />I loved the crossover theme answers revolving on V.<br /><br />I haven't read Cornwell's book on Jack the Ripper, but if you've never seen Johnny Depp's "From Hell" (and if you have a strong stomach,) you might get an insight or two there. (Wonder if the book and film come to the same conclusion?) I understand the film is actually adapted from a . . . wait for it . . . comic book series.<br /><br />And, finally, @Z--I love all things "Star Wars," but I never realized Yoda's word order was a reference to Latin! As soon as I read your comment, all my Latin came tumbling back and it seemed so obvious. Thanks for the insight.<br /><br />Off to see Acme at LAT. Thanks for the heads-ups, folks.600noreply@blogger.com