tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8542892572045978999..comments2024-03-28T10:07:35.541-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Legendary 1920s-'30s Harlem nightspot / MON 7-18-11 / Comic actor shares name Washington suburb / Cutlass Super 88 bygone autodom / Promgoers carRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60110033093785552992011-08-22T19:15:47.259-04:002011-08-22T19:15:47.259-04:00I don't care that the plunger issue has been e...I don't care that the plunger issue has been exhaustively covered, I'd like to mention that just two weeks ago, after unsuccessfully attempting to plunge a bathtub clog downward, it occurred to me to try sucking it back up, which succeeded in SUCTIONing up enough human hair to make an oversized Elvis wig.<br /><br />Appropriate video selection, Rex, because without Godley & Creme the band at that point had essentially become 5cc. Their previous album, <i>How Dare You!</i> is one of the most criminally underrated albums of all time. Still one of my favorites, it has in fact been in my CD changer for the past week or so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55559930450972732472011-08-22T18:44:26.489-04:002011-08-22T18:44:26.489-04:00From syndiland, my first instinct was to chime in ...From syndiland, my first instinct was to chime in on the plunger issue but that seems to have been exhaustively covered by the prime-timers (thanks @plumber joe et ALIA) so I guess the only unpicked nit left for me is the clue for 59d (OLDS) - it sems to me that on a Monday the abbreviation should have been signaled somehow. Or is that just me?<br /><br />Other than that, a smooth Monday puzzle although I really wanted Dark purple (27a) to be winE. And I did not know (or care) that that "Arthur" had been remade.<br /><br />Obama is vacationing on CAPECOD this week - I'm pretty sure he really needs it.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21725587069173219692011-07-20T00:05:14.341-04:002011-07-20T00:05:14.341-04:00Coming in late because we are on vacation on (drum...Coming in late because we are on vacation on (drumroll, please...) CAPE COD.<br /><br />Found this a nice, solid Monday with some Tuesdayish vocabulary and a snappy theme reveal.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81703714933841941602011-07-18T22:47:16.717-04:002011-07-18T22:47:16.717-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation. 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 6:22, 6:51, 0.93, 24%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:20, 3:40, 0.91, 16%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77495685096586523652011-07-18T22:01:36.337-04:002011-07-18T22:01:36.337-04:00Just got to the puzzle now (busy day.)
I've n...Just got to the puzzle now (busy day.)<br /><br />I've never laughed so much at this blog as I did today - too funny!!! The very first post was hilarious.<br /><br />Oh, and I enjoyed the puzzle.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3735373756067956222011-07-18T21:37:49.458-04:002011-07-18T21:37:49.458-04:00@dk, you are certainly no fool, but I did assume y...@dk, you are certainly no fool, but I did assume you were joking in your first post.CoffeeLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473192190412844538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61476579627042972852011-07-18T21:11:39.091-04:002011-07-18T21:11:39.091-04:00While correct, I agree the ALKALI clue is a bit su...While correct, I agree the ALKALI clue is a bit suction-inducing but mainly because it's Monday. The domain of the clue is agronomy. It is practically the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alkali" rel="nofollow">definition</a> of "alkali" to a farmer. The salts are typically carbonates.<br /><br />I'd have prefered to see a more straightforward clue today.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72774034557390535162011-07-18T20:45:47.340-04:002011-07-18T20:45:47.340-04:00@anon at 7:41 pm. I feel like such a fool.@anon at 7:41 pm. I feel like such a fool.dkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317008233459295376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33417376071064342152011-07-18T20:26:55.103-04:002011-07-18T20:26:55.103-04:00Late to the party -
Easy, yes. Liked the theme -...Late to the party - <br /><br />Easy, yes. Liked the theme - my elder daughter's childhood nickname was CeCe (her initials).<br /><br />Did not like ALKALI's clue. It isn't a salt in ChemSpeak. Nor in GeologySpeak, at least among the geologists I know.<br /><br />I will take the plunge and support the clue for 53A. I have more experience than I would have liked...<br /><br />Thanks, Mr. Donovan.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5592313268140166832011-07-18T19:41:41.677-04:002011-07-18T19:41:41.677-04:00Re FIVECCS: Five two word answers, with each word ...Re FIVECCS: Five two word answers, with each word starting with "C". There. Clue problem solved.<br /><br />@dk: It's not A EON; "aeon" is an alternate spelling for "eon".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73769439274319936892011-07-18T18:41:00.987-04:002011-07-18T18:41:00.987-04:00Did this at MD's office 9 a.m. Did not pass b...Did this at MD's office 9 a.m. Did not pass breakfast test in a mild way. Comments now not passing the I was about to cook dinner test. Maybe I'll just have a nice cup of tea.<br /><br />Had pobahs before PASHAS. I belive the FIVECCS refers to the five answers but, alas, COCOCHANEL becomes a problem. Ah well, it's a nice Monday puzzle. @acme said it best. Thanks Kevin Donovan.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9944873821150211332011-07-18T18:37:50.391-04:002011-07-18T18:37:50.391-04:00Perhaps the theme wasn't too ambitious, but sh...Perhaps the theme wasn't too ambitious, but shouldn't there be a couple of bonus points for having "mecca" in there?Aaronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81151558102235218222011-07-18T18:35:08.402-04:002011-07-18T18:35:08.402-04:00Whassup? My timer was off also! Boy, this blog c...Whassup? My timer was off also! Boy, this blog can take off on an issue, no?Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-899113059589636672011-07-18T16:43:25.005-04:002011-07-18T16:43:25.005-04:00In my first job, I plunged many toilets. My boss ...In my first job, I plunged many toilets. My boss taught me to set the suction, then pull back vigorously. Many clogs were cured in this way. Good clue.<br /><br />In my current job, I freqently deal with blood samples. 5 cc (~1 tsp) is generally enough for a good collection of screening labs. Good clue, if somewhat undeserving of being a theme for a puzzle.Lojmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908151075803077995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21505657194702567912011-07-18T16:30:17.537-04:002011-07-18T16:30:17.537-04:00Enough about toilets.
The Astral Plane
According...Enough about toilets.<br /><br />The Astral Plane<br /><br />According to the Ageless Wisdom, The Astral Plane is "the plane of emotions, including the polar opposites such as hope and fear, sentimental love and hate, happiness and suffering. The plane of illusion."<br /><br />It's where your dreams live.<br />It's also where psychics get their information from, which is why their information can vary wildly: there is always a level of distortion involved.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17857747515877769718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70141698201638820082011-07-18T16:13:49.404-04:002011-07-18T16:13:49.404-04:00Midday 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 6:13, 6:51, 0.91, 17%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:26, 3:40, 0.94, 26%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14984157291335489572011-07-18T14:49:13.379-04:002011-07-18T14:49:13.379-04:00@Mac - agree with you on puce. My favorite color i...@Mac - agree with you on puce. My favorite color is digital camouflage in mauve/taupe/puce.<br /><br />Fast puzzle' Didn't notice the theme. <br /><br />@Anon1234 - Wow! I thought only the Pope and Johnny Carson spoke Latin.<br /><br />What I think sucks, eco-wise, are disposable single-use plungers. Now I suppose the readers will run out and buy them.<br /><br />@Toilet clog - you're just a slow-hand kinda guy.<br /><br />@Efrex - O'Neal was that guy who hung out with Farrah Fawcett. His daughter won an Oscar at 10, the youngest ever. She had 3 kids with John McEnroe. They're all typically Hollywood-messed-up.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73583589649867452992011-07-18T13:50:01.332-04:002011-07-18T13:50:01.332-04:00@Bob Kerfuffle: my failing eyesight did the same ...@Bob Kerfuffle: my failing eyesight did the same thing with that clue.archaeoprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956231727789223463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33230260041835734622011-07-18T13:49:24.918-04:002011-07-18T13:49:24.918-04:00This is the most disgusting day on the blog since ...This is the most disgusting day on the blog since its inception :) <br /><br />I'm with @andrea. Next time, may be SUCTION could be clued through vampires. Anne Rice could comment.<br /><br />Very cool puzzle, although there are THREE C's in COCO CHANEL. It was the first thing that fell for me and it threw me off. <br /><br />A very Geograpic puzzle too, CAPE COD, CHEVY CHASE, CARSON CITY, ASPEN, OHIO and MECCA!<br /><br />I caught a reality TV episode with Ryan and Tatum O'NEAL. It actually felt more real than most of this genre. And in the end, I liked them better than I expected, and found myself wishing them luck. <br /><br />PS. If some of you have said some of the same thing, my apologies. I usually read all the comments very carefully before commenting, but today... (see beginning of this post)foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32105803996356790702011-07-18T13:37:21.906-04:002011-07-18T13:37:21.906-04:00After a good run last week rating Thur-Sat easier ...After a good run last week rating Thur-Sat easier than Rex, this Monday I'd have to say was almost Challenging based on my time - which is always a quick look at the wristwatch before and after. So I bucked the trnd here.<br /><br />Threw down a few wrong answers which had to be repaired, slowing things down, and the fill was was above average for a Monday in the literacy department, plunger not withstanding...Tincup2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91669687421693979852011-07-18T13:07:46.855-04:002011-07-18T13:07:46.855-04:00So, how come no C.C. Sabathia? Huh?
crattyr: T...So, how come no C.C. Sabathia? Huh?<br /><br />crattyr: The result of too much suction.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44092783989930082052011-07-18T12:57:41.771-04:002011-07-18T12:57:41.771-04:00Yikes, this decent Monday puzzle got hijacked by a...Yikes, this decent Monday puzzle got hijacked by a toilet plunger! Warning to all contructors: do not, I repeat, do not use said words in a clue ever again as comments will digress into a downward spiral of bathroom humor.johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23461386918444225232011-07-18T12:42:13.513-04:002011-07-18T12:42:13.513-04:00Fun and Lively Monday!Eating scampi on old Cape Co...Fun and Lively Monday!Eating scampi on old Cape Cope watching Bonanza on TV (the Cartwrights are going in to Carson City again)CYD CHARISSE is a girls name and HELLO of course a plunger uses SUCTION!thats what happens when the pressure below is greater than the pressure above!My timer was also off and I don't ever touch it!syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5515857497735866572011-07-18T12:34:09.110-04:002011-07-18T12:34:09.110-04:00Alia is neuter plural. You use it for things.
Alii...Alia is neuter plural. You use it for things.<br />Alii is for people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25153515449978365682011-07-18T12:26:05.626-04:002011-07-18T12:26:05.626-04:00Besides a basic solution, alkali is also a soluble...Besides a basic solution, alkali is also a soluble mineral salt (Earth Science).<br /><br />Who knew I would be laughing so hard a toilet plunger posts this Monday AM - made my day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com