tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8699788174817474229..comments2024-03-28T12:49:16.793-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 &mdash Brendan Emmett Quigley (Finnish architect Alvar / Like Petruchio's wench in "The Taming of the Shrew")Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42459444382274640662009-02-27T15:19:00.000-05:002009-02-27T15:19:00.000-05:00I did this puzzle over breakfast instead of in the...I did this puzzle over breakfast instead of in the evening as is my usual. So I was hurried and didn't enjoy as I might have.<BR/><BR/>I liked the puzzle. Liked all the "q"ues. I like Q words. Particularly like the word QUAY<BR/><BR/>Anyone notice the 3-square off 51 is a SYMMETRICALMATRIX? (assumming letters have unique values) (the letters also work as words.)<BR/><BR/>The 4-square is nearly so, with only the r-y breaking the symmetry.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Like to see BAJA in the puzzle, it's a word that makes me happy-<BR/><BR/>but there was trouble in BAJA for me with STLO mystifying and TWIX elusive, and TWOD unseen (had an R in there- SOLO x ORIX..)<BR/><BR/>Spelled NEAP with two Es<BR/><BR/>And natik(?) at mt rushmore. Don't know LORCA so LENG worked for "Pants spec", the abrev. "spec" confirming.<BR/><BR/>But I also had ANACT for Emerson's quote.. conversation was undoubtedly more civilized in his day. Any way, I could not see ECRU for the E_CU.<BR/><BR/>Also KIKI crossed WAKE.<BR/><BR/>Like the Q'sliquid el layhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955796642605260715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53903696953499782492009-02-27T04:31:00.000-05:002009-02-27T04:31:00.000-05:00See? There's the problem with this baloney. "You...See? There's the problem with this baloney. <BR/><BR/>"You offended me." <BR/><BR/>"Well, your being offended offends me." <BR/><BR/>"Even though I wasn't offended myself, I am offended that you don't understand how you offended her."<BR/><BR/>"You don't offend just me, but you are offensive to everyone in my offended group of which I now decide I officially represent whether they like it or not."<BR/><BR/>And on it goes....<BR/><BR/>Evilevil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53156614840793090282009-02-27T03:28:00.000-05:002009-02-27T03:28:00.000-05:00Mazel tov, Chefbea, many happy returns on your b'd...Mazel tov, Chefbea, many happy returns on your b'day!<BR/>Re: mazel tov, we have a lovely plant called a "Wandering Jew." It's a vine and it grows like mad, good plant for people who aren't great at growing. <BR/>Wanted cranes, got boats (?). Don't get me started on "two-d"; too tired to rant. <BR/>This puzzle was fun, though. <BR/>Pace yourself, Rex, and bonne chance, buddy.<BR/>AND, great job, Puzzlegirl!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2709093177922931102009-02-26T23:46:00.000-05:002009-02-26T23:46:00.000-05:00Happy Birthday, chefbea. I'll have you know - and ...Happy Birthday, chefbea. I'll have you know - and this is absolutely true - I had a "Bowl of Beets" tonight at Community Food and Juice (a horrible name for a Fantastic restaurant, Broadway near 113th). They were "heirloom beets," and they were ... delicious. I can't lie.<BR/><BR/>I love orange. I love Orange. I am wearing orange right now. My watch is orange. Orange is my favorite color. And yet the very thought of what "Orange Twix" must taste like is making me slightly queasy.<BR/><BR/>This week's comments seem no different than any other week's comments, so I have no idea what anyone is going on about. If I were going to be annoyed / upset by anything, it's all the damned tournament talk. But that just can't be avoided (and will die in a few days).<BR/><BR/>See many of you tomorrow. I hit Brooklyn sometime around noon.<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29102270895842777362009-02-26T23:03:00.000-05:002009-02-26T23:03:00.000-05:00The "Wandering Jew," at least as conceived in anti...The "Wandering Jew," at least as conceived in antiquity, is not at all intended to be offensive. It solves a rather difficult religious problem for Christians. Depending on how you read it, the bible claims that the Second Coming will occur within the lifetime of those alive during the crucifixion. Since so many years have passed, and since the bible must be true, there must be at least one person still alive who was alive at that time. He's our Wandering Jew. Several more and more complicated myths have grown up around the subject but for many Christians you either have to accept a 2000+ year old or biblical error. Which is more likely? Depends on your personal beliefs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58716745971821850672009-02-26T22:23:00.000-05:002009-02-26T22:23:00.000-05:00@jubjub, do not go away. Your posts are interestin...@jubjub, do not go away. Your posts are interesting and your perspective is unique. <BR/>Much is lost in typed words without the nuance of tone. I, for one, have never read you as trying to offend.fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43903976199420199232009-02-26T21:53:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:53:00.000-05:00Kristin O'b, not trying to be funny. I actually fe...Kristin O'b, not trying to be funny. I actually feel like the puzzles the last few days have had some mildly offensive content to them. I had never heard of a "Wandering Jew" plant, and was surprised to find that the name of the plant has a rather derogatory etymology. I looked up in the book "The Third Reich" that "The Wandering Jew" was the name of one of the worse antisemitic Nazi propaganda films. As I commented yesterday, I try to have a thick skin about things that are trying to be offensive, e.g. I often like South Park, but when things are going out of their way to be inoffensive and have kind of an old-fashioned prejudice to them, I find it upsetting. <BR/><BR/>Anyways, sorry to have offended a fellow Kristin (you even spell your name right :)) -- I didn't mean anything by it. I have to admit I find the misinterpretations rampant in this format of communication also upsetting, and am now considering whether I want to be posting here at all in the future.jubjubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00149213213886604843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26163568692534401382009-02-26T21:52:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:52:00.000-05:00@Chip: I just ordered a copy (original English ed...@Chip: I just ordered a copy (original English edition) of My Son, My Son from our library system which owns exactly one copyPlantieBeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960277851368508036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2101706373292541512009-02-26T21:45:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:45:00.000-05:00thanx Bill from NJ for the wishes and also chefwen...thanx Bill from NJ for the wishes and also chefwenchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78521269277557245982009-02-26T21:44:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:44:00.000-05:00That's it, I'm leaving for Poland tomorrow. Why do...That's it, I'm leaving for Poland tomorrow. Why don't we get anything cool like Orange Twix?Friends of Troy Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04369949485936818075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86116669353010041652009-02-26T21:30:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:30:00.000-05:00Anybody familiar with the book 'My Son, My Son!' b...Anybody familiar with the book 'My Son, My Son!' by Howard Spring? It was originally entitled 'O Absalom' when published in England in 1938.....which helped me a lot in today's puzzle. The BBC dramatized the book and it was shown on Masterpiece Theater many years ago. I remember choking up at some of the highly emotional scenes in this story of a father's love for a son whose life takes one bad turn after another. Sadly, it's never been available as a video or on dvd. Obviously, I'd love to see it again. Good read, too.Chip Hiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944056030047563287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73758263541229582582009-02-26T21:26:00.000-05:002009-02-26T21:26:00.000-05:00@PlantieBea: thanks a lot: my birds have long tail...@PlantieBea: thanks a lot: my birds have long tails, they must be cranes. I actually made some myself at the time, couldn't do it again to save my life.<BR/><BR/>@Orange: great interview. Sounds like all of Chicago is backing you at the tournament. <BR/><BR/>@David: This afternoon I arranged some lovely pink and coral tulips in my Aalto vase. To tell you the truth, I probably wouldn't know the name of the designer without the crossword puzzles I do every day..... Gloam and Brougham came easily, probably because of all the reading I've done in spite of being a puzzler.<BR/><BR/>@PIX: that's an interesting connection, I will check that out!<BR/><BR/>I can recommend a restaurant on 23rd St., El Quixote, very easy to reach with the F-train. It's an old Spanish restaurant, with especially good fish and good service.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13261928420819893142009-02-26T19:43:00.000-05:002009-02-26T19:43:00.000-05:00This has to be the easiest BEQ that I've ever done...This has to be the easiest BEQ that I've ever done. I found it Wednesday-level. Still an enjoyable puzzle with all sorts of great fill....<BR/><BR/> Maybe I'll make to the tournament next year...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26636949294214076792009-02-26T19:36:00.000-05:002009-02-26T19:36:00.000-05:00@Glitch, I have been waiting for someone to mentio...@Glitch, I have been waiting for someone to mention how Greer Garson is not arcane, given her lengthy acceptance speech at the Oscars for Mrs. Miniver. It has long been in the annals of Academy history as the reason honorees are "played off stage" now.fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46162752640554970672009-02-26T19:29:00.000-05:002009-02-26T19:29:00.000-05:00Aargh, I blew it -- I meant "Aalso funny to cross...Aargh, I blew it -- I meant "Aalso funny to cross <I>ALTO</I> with 61A:AALTO"; crossing AALTO with another AALTO would flout the crossword convention that forbids duplication of a word in the grid. NDEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45196288768493909462009-02-26T19:25:00.000-05:002009-02-26T19:25:00.000-05:00Thanks for "retired chemist" for explaining that t...Thanks for "retired chemist" for explaining that the theme (such as it is -- not that I mind) is "ing+qu", not just Q. [The U is almost automatic, the ING not so.] Nice the the last entry deviates from the verbing pattern of the other entries. (And nice to have Haydn string quartets mentioned; I was wondering which one we'd be treated to in the blog, but alas...) Maybe not so nice to clue 53D:ALTO this way, especially since it could also have been clued as a component of string quartets (at least in French, where ALTO can be used for "viola"). Aalso funny to cross AALTO with 61A:AALTO...<BR/><BR/>38D:BROUGHAM is also known in (some) word-puzzling circles as the base of one of the longest monosyllabic English words, "broughammed". Indeed the first Google hit for "broughammed" is the Wikipage for "List of the longest English words with one syllable"!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the puzzle and blog; hope to catch up with some of the regulars (and occasionals) in Brooklyn.<BR/><BR/>NDEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16992064624421789672009-02-26T19:11:00.000-05:002009-02-26T19:11:00.000-05:00"The Mercury Brougham was the Ford Motor Company's..."The Mercury Brougham was the Ford Motor Company's flagship Mercury model during its two year run from 1967-1968" --- Wiki<BR/><BR/>My uncle owned one, so put me on the non-Natick side of the river.<BR/><BR/><BR/>.../Glitch<BR/><BR/>... and Greer Garson is as well known as that Tyrone What's-his-name guy.Glitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31974522938137093172009-02-26T18:44:00.000-05:002009-02-26T18:44:00.000-05:00Happy Birthday Chefbea, if I were not over 5000 mi...Happy Birthday Chefbea, if I were not over 5000 miles away from y'all I would make Chefbea the best Devil's Food Cake that uses pickled beets as one of the ingredients. To coin a phrase YUMMO!<BR/><BR/>Usually have trouble with BEQ puzzles and today started off slowly but gained momentum nicely. My only problem was misreading firm honcho as film honcho, my midrange vision sucks, so I put in prod for producer, when I finally corrected that corner I thought, since when do movies have presidents? Finally, held the puzzle about 6 inches from my nose and said, allrighty then, now it makes sense.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42384607680678938262009-02-26T18:19:00.000-05:002009-02-26T18:19:00.000-05:00@chefbea-Since I don't believe in ecards,this will...@chefbea-<BR/><BR/>Since I don't believe in ecards,this will have to do:<BR/><BR/> ****Happy Birthday, chefbea****<BR/><BR/>(I hope I didn't just send one!!)Bill from NJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103923612595508277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89139335587470067352009-02-26T18:07:00.000-05:002009-02-26T18:07:00.000-05:00I am a first time poster, although I read the post...I am a first time poster, although I read the posts almost every day. I just can not believe some of the comments made over the last few days. This used to be a real fun place. What has happened to some of you?<BR/><BR/>@ jubjub: Do you really think that's funny?Kristin O'bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03164332661593309395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41534995570247646842009-02-26T17:47:00.000-05:002009-02-26T17:47:00.000-05:00I made it to Brooklyn! Two uneventful flights and ...I made it to Brooklyn! Two uneventful flights and one terrifying cab ride later - the WANDERING JEW is here.<BR/><BR/>In my version of the puzzle KIKI/WAKE were the answers. Don't go breaking my heart and tell me I was wrong.<BR/><BR/> I like all the Q's.Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01699404861773455504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46421883187473901952009-02-26T17:44:00.000-05:002009-02-26T17:44:00.000-05:00@ treedweller - WAY COOL Aalto sax. Someone should...@ treedweller - WAY COOL Aalto sax. Someone should make it their avatar. It's so baroque it's rococo! Loved it!retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45483068113613058372009-02-26T17:05:00.000-05:002009-02-26T17:05:00.000-05:00Two days before the tourney and I screwed up on th...Two days before the tourney and I screwed up on the oft mentioned SAUTEPAN (real word) - I did the puzzle at 4:30 a.m. and just didn't have the appropriate mental toughness to question the silly result I got for the clue (but pretty good crossword word), AFT. Look to Rex's posts on accuracy - he is so right. I was in the 8 minute solve range and I doubt getting 9 is going to cost me anything in the tourney.<BR/><BR/>I'll need an intervention from my friends to help me with this horrible affliction. I plan on being in The Archives Bar after I get settled into to the hotel (4 - 5 tomorrow) and look forward to seeing some of you. I'll be the mid-fifties guy, 6'3", gray hair and a tad paunchy.<BR/><BR/>Let the games begin!imsdavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12966770844825169981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25116065697068398292009-02-26T16:38:00.000-05:002009-02-26T16:38:00.000-05:00@retired_chemistthe Aalto saxophone@retired_chemist<BR/><A HREF="http://img527.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aaltosax.jpg" REL="nofollow">the Aalto saxophone</A>treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12634227778469664442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73808883569809016152009-02-26T16:21:00.000-05:002009-02-26T16:21:00.000-05:00@David: When I wrote "My guess would be that at le...@David: When I wrote "My guess would be that at least 1/4 has heard of neither" (i.e. Aalto and Lorca) I wanted to say the same thing as you did. That's where the crosses come into play.<BR/><BR/>My 3rd and last comment--this will not turn into another TIA dabacle!Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02086202853174403008noreply@blogger.com