tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8418056762559080216..comments2024-03-29T03:22:09.826-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Simple bit of plankton / WED 7-28-10 / MGM motto ender / Speaking machine developer / Beatlesque dos / Flying Cloud automakerRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46302341726166978192010-09-01T16:04:04.219-04:002010-09-01T16:04:04.219-04:00questions for all constructors:
1. Is it typical ...questions for all constructors:<br /><br />1. Is it typical nowadays to use software to construct puzzles?<br /><br />2. If so or if not, is there a good book/class/e-class/video/etc. to look at to learn more about constructing one's own puzzle?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />GregThe Big Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383322329027962325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43578147851045519452010-09-01T16:01:27.080-04:002010-09-01T16:01:27.080-04:00Certain there was no cause and effect but I seeth ...Certain there was no cause and effect but I seeth that betwixt the original NYT solution of this crossword by 'Enry & Eliza on July 28th and its syndicate appearance today, 69A (Patricia) NEAL has passed away. Wonder too if there was some type of shoutout to her ex (Roald Dahl) in 48D DAHLIA.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52854976176899265572010-07-29T23:53:20.104-04:002010-07-29T23:53:20.104-04:00@sfingi
Just saw your comment now. If it makes yo...@sfingi<br />Just saw your comment now. If it makes you feel any better, Tues night was having dinner with old friends and their delightful, baseball-obsessed 10 yr old.<br />He was playing hangman at the table and had PEEWEE. I asked if it was like PEEWEE Herman, and he said, "No, Peewee Reese". I asked if he was a Met or a Red Sox or Yankee...<br />and he said (I now forget what team) but that he protected Jackie Robinson. And I asked how? (thinking he meant he was the catcher or something) and he said from other teammates who were racist!!!!!!!!!<br />This from a ten yr old, so don't fear, PeeWee Reese and his legacy live on!andrea peewee michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53372512366207468672010-07-29T15:18:09.305-04:002010-07-29T15:18:09.305-04:00Also appreciated the cross of OPEN and SESAME in t...Also appreciated the cross of OPEN and SESAME in the NE corner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69534789346718854162010-07-29T00:58:50.170-04:002010-07-29T00:58:50.170-04:00I enjoyed the Godfather/Pepsi commercial, but here...I enjoyed the Godfather/Pepsi commercial, but here's the Pepsi commercial you should have included:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRceIelAB3s<br /><br />-barryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79828756993355574752010-07-28T21:47:17.005-04:002010-07-28T21:47:17.005-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48980724398653879052010-07-28T21:46:54.397-04:002010-07-28T21:46:54.397-04:00Lots of puzzle work for a Wednesday, I liked it! O...Lots of puzzle work for a Wednesday, I liked it! Of course I was convinced this was our Howard B., so I looked at the whole thing differently. <br /><br />It was a little complicated to get into, but once you got the trick it was just fun. No complaints about this one.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64374429025866879142010-07-28T21:38:35.302-04:002010-07-28T21:38:35.302-04:00Back from Cape Cod (beautiful place). This tour de...Back from Cape Cod (beautiful place). This tour de force puzzle had me staring blankly at MRIGGI and was the perfect thing for a three-hour drive.<br /><br />Really liked "Vulture fare" as a clue. And all the carrion jokes, which were new to me.<br /><br />In my experience, diatomaceous earth is effective against carpenter ants. Also good for oil spills in the garage. Not great as cat litter since it doesn't clump.<br /><br />@Hazel: The *only* effective thing against tomato horn-worms is staring at the damaged plant until you see them and then pulling the horrible things off by hand. I actually relocate them because I don't like killing anything.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9533950756929129642010-07-28T19:10:01.891-04:002010-07-28T19:10:01.891-04:00@Tinbeni - We didn't make it over to the Istri...@Tinbeni - We didn't make it over to the Istrian Peninsula - closest we got I guess was Zadar, which had a beautiful downtown area. I checked out Pula after you posted - and that coliseum does look spectacular. We DID get to the Peljesac peninsula on our way to the beautiful island of Mljet, tho. <br /><br />@Chefwen - yes we are still considering Kauai for the big five oh, but now some other candidates are starting to try to muscle in. We'd wanted to stay in Todd Rundgren's house (which had been available for rental, but appears to be off the market now). Got to get through the less big four nine before I get serious, though. <br /><br />@DK - what is your organic solution for tomato hornworms?hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15617203540703780282010-07-28T19:06:36.567-04:002010-07-28T19:06:36.567-04:00I would have found it medium but I misread the SE...I would have found it medium but I misread the SEETH clue as "Has in view, architecturally", so I had a lot of pointless difficulty finishing SEET-. The "Pentagonal plate" -OME just made no sense to me, and going through the alphabet did not help. Finally I saw the clue said "archaically", finished, and then took about another minute to realize HOME was HOME plate. Well, duh.william e embanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46674798590602799282010-07-28T18:54:06.301-04:002010-07-28T18:54:06.301-04:00I have a theory that the third of all guys who hat...I have a theory that the third of all guys who hate cats are the same ones who hate musicals. But, I have many theories, untested.<br /><br />I "finished" this with a WTF and "I'll find out the theme and weird proffesor/student conversation from Rex." I didn't Google - what would I Google? and instead of DOOLITTLE, ended up with viOLeTTLE. Took a wrong guess at the Spice Girl's name.<br />At the bottom, had ECOl crosses AltER. <br /><br />For a while had CAdaver, then CARcass, before the delicious CARRION. Terrible job, but someone has to do it. Thank you buzzard, maggot etc.<br /><br />Asked Hubster what sport has a pentagonal plate and got HOME. I just knew it was sports.<br /><br />This was too clever by half, but I guess it was good. Though I hated having errors and not having an idea.<br /><br />Some good jokes, esp. @Shorty. <br /><br />@Martin - Nauplii - at least it can be Googled.<br /><br />@Rex - my sister, the MD art professor, is named Dedree Drees, and was, of course, Peewee Reese all through school. Born too soon. No one's ever heard of him, now.<br /><br />Love GAUDY DIATOMS - and RANDI.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47198235505190295532010-07-28T17:00:43.648-04:002010-07-28T17:00:43.648-04:00Some people prefer Coke. I think that this commer...Some people prefer Coke. I think that this commercial caught a lot of flak and got pulled.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-1emjdUGbE" rel="nofollow">Coke commercial</a>D_Blackwellhttp://www.dbwebdesign.com/crossword-puzzles/index.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85857299092025861412010-07-28T15:49:08.016-04:002010-07-28T15:49:08.016-04:00@ Martin - you may well be right. All I REALLY rem...@ Martin - you may well be right. All I REALLY remember is that (1) DIATOMS were mentioned; and (2) whatever I was supposed to see, I didn't.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18998864091994519192010-07-28T15:48:26.117-04:002010-07-28T15:48:26.117-04:00@Suggestion/P>G>: Fair enough. I've alwa...@Suggestion/P>G>: Fair enough. I've always been in need of a good editor. <br /><br />That's three for me. Done for the day.Steve Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185067739452052656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62580941793931926732010-07-28T15:36:45.045-04:002010-07-28T15:36:45.045-04:00Re CARRION jokes - all luggage CARRION jokes are i...Re CARRION jokes - all luggage CARRION jokes are in the public domain, Wade's CARRION my wayward son is a new coinage.jigamenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50960558519039620372010-07-28T15:31:26.333-04:002010-07-28T15:31:26.333-04:00Welcome ome @hazel, was wondering where you were. ...Welcome ome @hazel, was wondering where you were. Sounded like a great trip. Next stop Kauai for the big five o?<br /><br />The CARRION jokes are making my day!chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44608773997234751602010-07-28T15:12:19.563-04:002010-07-28T15:12:19.563-04:00@SethG - And it's a damned good thing you ente...@SethG - And it's a damned good thing you entered the PARC with no crosses, as we are very strict here about public displays of religious iconography.<br /><br />Nicolas Sarkozy, PresidentShortynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78977923397133138182010-07-28T15:12:16.805-04:002010-07-28T15:12:16.805-04:00@retired_chemist,
I think you might confusing the...@retired_chemist,<br /><br />I think you might confusing the diatomaceous earth that came with the Gilbert microscope with the brine shrimp eggs that were also included. The former was a vial of white powder that was alleged to be fossil remains of diatoms. Only mine might have been cornstarch for all the diatoms I never spotted.<br /><br />The latter was a vial of brine shimp eggs that looked like little tan collapsed beach balls. They were supposed to hatch and reveal nauplii and other microscopic crustacean wonders according to the book. But they pretty much stayed like collapsed beach balls.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67867577304502820882010-07-28T15:12:03.635-04:002010-07-28T15:12:03.635-04:00and I agree that "hosier" v "osier&...and I agree that "hosier" v "osier" is "meh."The Big Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383322329027962325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32742620359383849452010-07-28T15:11:08.336-04:002010-07-28T15:11:08.336-04:00@Anon 12:55 - I think because the character was ju...@Anon 12:55 - I think because the character was just as much "Mr. Enry Iggins" as he was "Professor Iggins," that the clue works (for me).<br />I enjoyed this puzzle overall - wasn't madly in love with it, but did find it cute and well done.<br />I had a hiccup for a minute at the very end when I was finishing the puzzle in the East.<br /><br />I had "pit stops" crossed with Brooklyn-"ite."<br /><br />This left me with EP_R and _TT for my last two clues, and I sat there perplexed for a moment before I realized my gaffe.<br /><br />Frankly, as someone who lives in Brooklyn, I find the word "Brooklynite" FAR more everyday and thought-of than "Brooklynese." People say someone has a Brooklyn accent, but I know of no one who says he/she/I/they/etc. speak "Brooklynese."<br />Only unsatisfactory moment for me.<br /><br />GregThe Big Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383322329027962325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87450035696298306272010-07-28T14:51:19.171-04:002010-07-28T14:51:19.171-04:00Do you need elp, andrea? I entered PARC with no cr...Do you need elp, andrea? I entered PARC with no crosses.SethGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753036404140901368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22768174983566709282010-07-28T14:46:29.611-04:002010-07-28T14:46:29.611-04:00LOL...loved the carrion jokes. Thanks for those!
...LOL...loved the carrion jokes. Thanks for those!<br /><br />Felt like this one was a slog until I saw my time and it turned out on the easy end of easy-medium for a Wednesday. And I liked this puzzle for the little extra thinking up of those h-less answers.<br /><br />Again, it is always a "good" puzzle when it generates this much activity. Definitely not a meh today. My rule for solving all those cross reference clues is to ignore them until later. It goes faster, easier and I don't get as annoyed.<br /><br />I do like musicals.Shamikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635283729322415150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43154429582278041982010-07-28T14:46:26.760-04:002010-07-28T14:46:26.760-04:00@Andrea, that luggage pun is hysterical.
I thought...@Andrea, that luggage pun is hysterical.<br />I thought "carcase" before CARRION --<br /><br />A luverly smooth solve otherwise! Many thanks, Mr. Baker.<br /><br />∑;)ArtLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03869528391374878601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1108648839757436602010-07-28T14:35:50.916-04:002010-07-28T14:35:50.916-04:00I for one will not be personipulated by the PC cop...I for one will not be personipulated by the PC cops.<br /><br />As for the pupil/student debate I come down on the side of "tutee" or is that "tutette"?Van55https://www.blogger.com/profile/15904942044695917615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27547659957032046652010-07-28T14:08:56.581-04:002010-07-28T14:08:56.581-04:00I think deep down I would have preferred less the ...I think deep down I would have preferred less the long answers (agree it should have been professor iggins, and all in the voice of Liza) and just the names Doolittle and Iggins and then tons of minus h answers instead of 4 short ones.<br /><br />But I suppose that is like Siskel saying what he wished he had seen in the movies he reviewed instead of commenting on the movie he actually saw!<br /><br />I had one problem after another initially..."begs" out of, right from the get go...so the E gave me "Erbe" instead of PARC, tho at least I got the dropped H right, if unconsciously, as it's "Herbe" in French<br />(Are you listening, pupil Seth?!)<br />and bunches of other mistakes...Dune instead of MESA gave me Hockey/Soccer Dads!<br />and on and on.<br /><br />I guess this puzzle was da bomb...da H bomb. Dropping da H bomb...something!<br /><br />@Wade<br />I thought about the same CARRION cartoon while solving, but couldn't remember the word, other then remember it was a pun on luggage! Speaking of which, I'm waiting my Delta flight as I write this back home to SF and they charged me $23 for my non-carrion :( At least the wi-fi is free.andrea car(la)rion michaelsnoreply@blogger.com