tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8388548543299418731..comments2024-03-29T03:22:09.826-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Sant' Gria brand / SUN 4-10-16 / Jerusalem's province to Romans / Rich kid in Nancy / Grocery chain since 1926 / 1993 standoff site / Cowpoke's friendRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71447086785152304642022-08-03T04:02:48.345-04:002022-08-03T04:02:48.345-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Unogeekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13961941331254584226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62367715139158329232022-06-02T05:28:28.410-04:002022-06-02T05:28:28.410-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.UnoGeekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765737099600929027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74429786707555469622022-06-02T05:28:01.427-04:002022-06-02T05:28:01.427-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.UnoGeekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765737099600929027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87748653982999284642021-10-13T02:13:12.112-04:002021-10-13T02:13:12.112-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Sarika Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17245959348177924010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80890460312380719142016-04-24T09:04:03.328-04:002016-04-24T09:04:03.328-04:00I am eighty-one, I knew YAGO immediately, we used ...I am eighty-one, I knew YAGO immediately, we used to drink and then save the bottles for candle holders.Jackietnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29202161950501860102016-04-18T23:40:42.076-04:002016-04-18T23:40:42.076-04:00A and O = Athletics and Orioles? Undeduceable in m...A and O = Athletics and Orioles? Undeduceable in my world. Blood types, sure. But ALER? Feh!Puzzledhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315835789440052455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22407802403641558072016-04-18T01:27:16.825-04:002016-04-18T01:27:16.825-04:00I've been a Minnesotan for over 50 years, and ...I've been a Minnesotan for over 50 years, and several years ago I finally went to Lake Itasca. It was a gorgeous day, I walked right over the beginning of the Mississippi River.<br /><br />My father started me on crossword puzzles in the Maleska era years ago. My father called his official crossword pencil case his etui,<br />and as kids we didn't dare touch it. <br /><br />I appreciate knowing all those arcane words, and you do occasionally run across them in the wild.kathy of the towernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7105380006373961802016-04-17T23:30:46.703-04:002016-04-17T23:30:46.703-04:00@shamroc 7 - way late, and you may not see this, b...@shamroc 7 - way late, and you may not see this, but 'A' is an Athletic, 'O' is an Oriole, both short for their teams, and both are in the American League in baseball, hence, ALers. There you go, and welcome.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73876711695261245812016-04-17T23:08:57.771-04:002016-04-17T23:08:57.771-04:00@shamoc7: If your haven't heard yet from other...@shamoc7: If your haven't heard yet from others, A=Athletics and O=Orioles, and ALER=American League player.leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28669130430203652652016-04-17T21:07:42.566-04:002016-04-17T21:07:42.566-04:00@shamroc7 - baseball - the Oakland Athletics are n...@shamroc7 - baseball - the Oakland Athletics are nicknamed the A's; Baltimore Orioles are often called the O's, both teams play in the American League, on sportscasts often called the A.L. Hence, O's and A's are ALERs (American Leaguers) which needs to be banned immediately, if not Sooner, which is the U of Oklahoma's mascot. Please ask again about any sports reference, glad to help.<br /><br />Thank you @rainy for the kind words. I do my best to get around; probably why I'm semi-broke (it's all relative)and still employed. Wouldn't have it any other way. Too late anywho.rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28993986986007520722016-04-17T20:23:50.969-04:002016-04-17T20:23:50.969-04:00I am not great at these Sunday puzzles but I keep ...I am not great at these Sunday puzzles but I keep trying. This one was easier for me and I got the theme right away. I also loved Latrine but can anyone tell me what a ALER is? The most I found are some comments here that it should banished. The clue is A or O, e.g.shamroc7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3114767683521161772016-04-17T18:46:50.339-04:002016-04-17T18:46:50.339-04:00@rain forest: Thanks for acknowledging the steadfa...@rain forest: Thanks for acknowledging the steadfastness of us syndies. Glad you are one of us.<br /><br />Just a side note: In doing these puzzles, I have often wondered if there is some positive balance between cluttering the brain/memory with trivia, on the one hand, and usefully exercising it, on the other.<br /><br />I'm inclined to think that doing crosswords is mostly, if not exclusively, a means of testing it leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5227605390057891322016-04-17T18:16:49.254-04:002016-04-17T18:16:49.254-04:00Got the same triple Natick as Berselius:
"I ...Got the same triple Natick as Berselius:<br /><br />"I got the rare triple-natick on this one thanks to ITASCA/ LEVERET, CAT, ROOSTS. Though I probably would have got ROOSTS eventually I thought the other would be rAT or bAT somehow."<br /><br />Other than that it was a clean, smooth solve, so I'm back to playing Horse Shoes - almoooooost<br /><br />Liked the boat theme. Usually don't care for clues relating to other clues, but in this puzzle it actually helped the solve.<br /><br />Very much enjoyed Rex's write up of the tournament. I'm still debating whether to solve or just watch in St. Paul. Timing usually slows me down, so I could be number 198, if 198 play. I could cheer on Teedmn, at least. <br /><br />Now - on to do whatever I would have done this morning if I had a paper. Oh yeah, I could read the comics. (Or the latest politico stuff - same thing.)<br /><br />Diana, Waited. Played. Almost won.Diana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40532693176045600002016-04-17T16:47:50.411-04:002016-04-17T16:47:50.411-04:00I enjoyed the puzzle. What I don't understand ...I enjoyed the puzzle. What I don't understand is the criticism of the so called arcane clueing/answer of it. When I first started doing puzzles in 1986 I realized I had to start remembering things that were alien to my everyday life. So now we have to make it easier? What's the point?<br />There are people who enjoy crosswords and those who do not. Not many in the middle and not a lot going back and forth, IMHO. So keep trying to make us remember or memorize or whatever. I'm 63 this week and that's one of the main attraction for me and I would suspect others. AnonymousPVXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10078186298428497941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43743111863545813312016-04-17T15:46:34.649-04:002016-04-17T15:46:34.649-04:00I haven't done a lot of Sundays, but this is t...I haven't done a lot of Sundays, but this is the easiest I've yet to see. Most of the more obscure stuff was quickly revealed by the crosses.<br /><br />One wasn't: I Naticked at the BAI/SIRHAN cross, entering a "U" instead an "I". I think I've heard of BAI and I know I've heard of and read plenty about SIRHAN SIRHAN, but I had to settle for a spelling lesson.<br /><br />Otherwise, it was just a matter of filling a rather prosaic puzzle.leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68104465263370492512016-04-17T15:33:56.388-04:002016-04-17T15:33:56.388-04:00This is the kind of Sunday puzzle I like. Sparkly...This is the kind of Sunday puzzle I like. Sparkly theme, a good mix of the misdirect and the obvious in cluing, nice longer answers, and not a lot of cringe-causing entries. Most of all, it was finished relatively quickly.<br /><br />I knew LEVERET, GNEISS, ITASCA (I, a Canadian, eh), and roamed at will throughout the grid. I never think about whether or not the cultural nature of a puzzle is current, recent, or dated. Doesn't bother me, and I've become used to rappers and The Simpsons.<br /><br />I didn't start doing the NYT xword until the Maleska era was over. It's always been Shortz as far I'm concerned. Maybe I should look up some of the older Maleska xwords just to see what everyone either misses dearly, or disses clearly. Oooh!<br /><br />I wonder if OFL will now say he is the 58th greatest crossword solver in the universe. If not, that might say something about him.<br /><br />Now, since I don't do this often enough, let me thank my Syndi colleagues for their sterling contributions to this here blog.<br />@Spacey - I think it is impossible for you to write a boring comment. Always entertaining, even if I don't always agree with you on your grades.<br /><br />@Rondo - Man, you have done/do just about everything, and have been everywhere. What a varied and interesting life you have, plus I appreciate your positive vibe in your comments<br /><br />@Burma Shave - and the poetry continues. I'm ever amazed at your ability to use so many of the daily crossword terms as you invariably head into bed with someone.<br /><br />@Ladi Di - always waiting, waiting for Rondo.<br /><br />@Leftcoast TAM - whether late or early, you appearance here is appreciated.<br /><br />Must go for my daily shambles. Love that expression.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26437938200084172372016-04-17T15:17:32.808-04:002016-04-17T15:17:32.808-04:00second day in a row that the paper was several hou...second day in a row that the paper was several hours late. Today there was a good excuse - the printing press broke last night! So I'll be posting later...<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for the paperDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65559333541954474902016-04-17T12:10:48.993-04:002016-04-17T12:10:48.993-04:00I was struck not by "staleness" but by h...I was struck not by "staleness" but by how hard the constructor (or editor?) tried to trip us up with bendy clues. It started in the NW with "Army head?" for LATRINE and "Sell" for PERSUADE. I began to expect the curves, and came closest to failure when the clue was straightforward, like "Hide away" for STASH. But of all the clues, I single one out: "Makeshift beds" for PALLETS. Did you ever see a pallet? Also called a skid, it's a frame made of the cheapest wood possible, usually very splintery and warped. I'm picturing some homeless guy looking for a place to sleep, and he picks this bumpy, splintery thing over the ground? NOWAY. Absurd clue.<br /><br />So is "Not quite" for HARDLY. HARDLY means "not by a long shot." NEARLY, which is what I had, means "not quite." Downs made me change that, as well as NEWpORt to NEWYORK. That BAI dude is a total WOE, and I couldn't figure out the scroll holder. ART? ORT? Then at last ARK hit me. Of course.<br /><br />Theme was good and entertaining. I don't quite get OFL's STONINESS re dated material. CHEERUP, Fearless One! But you will never see me at a timed competition. I just. don't. do. timed. contests. I love Scrabble, but I won't play with a timer. I am way too laid back for that stuff. Not to say that I'd sit there forever; if I can't come up with something after a couple NOT-TIMED minutes, I'll either pass or make a mini-play. But I will NOT watch the sand running out.<br /><br />Oh yeah: UNDAM?? Not a word. But by that time I was ready to accept anything. For the Damsel of the Day we'll have to go with ELAINE, as played by Julia. Not that I'm ENRAPTURED, but if she offered, I'd say YESLETS. B.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13729179040728325472016-04-17T11:38:13.685-04:002016-04-17T11:38:13.685-04:00I knew OFL would not like the agedness of the clue...I knew OFL would not like the agedness of the clues/answers I, too, thought of Maleska. Dude, CHEERUP. This was a walk in the park for A LOT of us. WEREHERE and we’re not going away. But I agree about killing ALER and such. Is there going to be any appreciable time elapsed before we see ASS again?<br /><br />Within the last five years, ORSO, I have been on a FERRY in NEWYORKHARBOR, a GONDOLA on a GRANDCANAL - albeit in Vegas, captained a vessel in the ATLANTICOCEAN, crossed CHESAPEAKEBAY (in a car) and did the COLORADORIVER whitewater in a kayak/RAFT hybrid (my work computer wallpaper is proof). So I guess I missed the ARABIANSEA, but does the rest really sound like what a geezer does?<br /><br />HARDLY a yeah baby in sight, ELAINE as played by the clue, I s’pose. BERRY could have been clued Halle. <br /><br />@D,LIW - yup, you can check yours now, too. Thanks.<br /><br />No rebus or other silliness, so these words do not make me very CROSS.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40240824750227955432016-04-17T10:48:52.219-04:002016-04-17T10:48:52.219-04:00RECT UBOAT
Don’t use a GRANDCANAL GONDOLA
as a CH...RECT UBOAT<br /><br />Don’t use a GRANDCANAL GONDOLA<br />as a CHEEP COLORADORIVER RAFT,<br />that’s NOWAY to HAVEAGO at a ROLLOr,<br />your ABSENCE MITE be the ETERNAL last laugh.<br /><br />--- ROB BAI YAGO<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80296658271879493042016-04-16T21:44:49.896-04:002016-04-16T21:44:49.896-04:00PS Rondo - have your checked your home email?
La...PS Rondo - have your checked your home email?<br /><br />Lady DiDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31368365866156289002016-04-11T21:50:30.988-04:002016-04-11T21:50:30.988-04:00Quite the most obnoxious comment I've ever see...Quite the most obnoxious comment I've ever seen on this blog. joannalanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15873280406867309312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78827630095713921692016-04-11T12:31:38.439-04:002016-04-11T12:31:38.439-04:00Anonymous said: "A legal term is 'Res ips...Anonymous said: "A legal term is 'Res ipse loquitor '"<br /><br />A pet peeve of mine. It's "res ipse loquitur." It's 3rd person, singular, present indicative of the deponent verb loquor.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15339432172410182520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15916980315538080972016-04-11T12:09:46.680-04:002016-04-11T12:09:46.680-04:00In response to overwhelming demand (thanks, @Leapf...In response to overwhelming demand (thanks, @Leapfinger, and I'll bet you got it right, @Teedmn): My meta answer was a craft not quite on top of the water yet not quite fully submerged, a CANOE in the RAPIDS, RCAAPNIODES. But M&A may have had it better with his CANOE on top of a STATIONWAGON!<br /><br />@Mohair Sam - I believe Lollapuzzoola allows couples entries. This year's LP will be August 13, a Saturday in August. It's only a one-day affair, but you might enjoy it. Just ask Nancy!Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45650191992675496902016-04-11T10:39:17.217-04:002016-04-11T10:39:17.217-04:00@Leapfinger - Isnt having the resources to go a xw...@Leapfinger - Isnt having the resources to go a xword tourney (heck, to even buy the NYT or a crossword subscription) a "systemic advantage?" Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.com