tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8729298045121281265..comments2024-03-28T20:06:43.260-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Indiana/Illinois separator / MON 1-2-17 / Invaded in large numbers / "I understand," facetiously / Classic Eric Clapton song about unrequited love / To be, to TacitusRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89286484479809821092017-10-15T10:40:09.140-04:002017-10-15T10:40:09.140-04:00Do you need free Twitter Re-tweets?
Did you know t...Do you need <b>free Twitter Re-tweets</b>?<br />Did you know that you can get these <b>ON AUTO-PILOT & TOTALLY FREE</b> by getting an account on <b><a href="http://socialexch.syntaxlinks.com/r/YouLikeHits" rel="nofollow">You Like Hits</a></b>?Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36575537564797220602017-02-06T16:15:42.267-05:002017-02-06T16:15:42.267-05:00I thought this was just right for a Monday. Of co...I thought this was just right for a Monday. Of course, easy, but also fun.<br /><br />Speaking of fun, I guess yesterday's game inspired more than a few FEST, GALA, BASH, and FETE partaays. So half of our contractor's crew called in this morning, and our demo/reno loses another day. <br /><br />I loved Melissa's commercial yesterday, even with a bit of a "three stooges" edge. And 4 years of bad hair? What can I say? That was a drink spitter for sure.<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for CrosswordsDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66830608930412754142017-02-06T15:16:55.003-05:002017-02-06T15:16:55.003-05:00Annabel, would that you were the "mouth"...Annabel, would that you were the "mouth" of the year.<br /><br />Despite some trite entries, this was quite an interesting puzzle with a unique down-themer, er, theme, and a nice revealer. I never notice POCs and don't care unless they are egregious, eg, lints. Btw, why do we say, "eat your peas", but never "eat your corns"? Language, I guess, but even "corns" is legit if we're talking about those calluses you might get on your toe, something I have one of and have no idea why it is there and am hoping doesn't become plural.<br /><br />Amazing Super Bowl, @Rondo. I'm a Pats fan but I do believe the Falcons just blew this one, wasting an impossible catch by Julio Jones in the process. <br /><br />Nice Monday.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73646750687520852392017-02-06T13:30:36.057-05:002017-02-06T13:30:36.057-05:00PARTYDOWN? Okay. Let's also note the beer ONTA...PARTYDOWN? Okay. Let's also note the beer ONTAP, some who just SIT there, and the NECKing in the corner. Oh, and on the other side of the room, the beer-sotted YOWLer (though HOWL would fit the clue better) feeling his OATS. TSK.<br /><br />It's all a matter of LIFESTYLECHOICE, it seems.<br /><br />RADIOGALAXY is an interesting term, and maybe worth knowing. The other long downs are pretty good, too.<br /><br />OH, and thanks, CD, for providing the music.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79854317473994988342017-02-06T12:45:06.351-05:002017-02-06T12:45:06.351-05:00Welcome to the PARTY. I guess they’re all over if ...Welcome to the PARTY. I guess they’re all over if you only look for them. COLumns 4 and 9 are all threes, but lotsa long and longish answers for a Mon-puz give me HOPE for Mr. Deodene’s future.<br /><br />I was right about Lady Gaga being the highlight of the Super Bowl, until the PATs woke up in the second half for a score-FEST. HOLY cow. That’ll be hard to TOP. Enjoy any of the ADS?<br /><br />Since LAYLA was inspired by yeah baby Pattie Boyd, I’m ABLE to stretch that to years AGO.<br /><br />NOTTHAT much to complain about, compared to normal Monday METRICS.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83165061281773249312017-02-06T12:14:24.039-05:002017-02-06T12:14:24.039-05:00This is a new name to me. Debut? If so, he might b...This is a new name to me. Debut? If so, he might be a diamond in the rough--VERY rough. The theme and execution are good; the centrally located revealer even contains "DOWN," the direction of the theme entries. This is a touch that holds promise for future efforts.<br /><br />The fill, on the other hand, is the "rough." III is the crutchiest of all RRNs; ESSE of all Latinese. The grid is littered with the tired and true (note sp.). ASA--though that, at least, could have been clued as a name instead of a partial--and KEEPSTO are unlovely.<br /><br />There are some good moments. OFFSIDE does not normally carry an ending S, either in football, football as the rest of the world defines it (soccer), or hockey. Think about it: you can only be off one side or the other...right? LAYLA (the poignant unplugged version, please; the wail by Derek and the Dominoes is awful until you get to the piano end) is a classic--and if only spelled differently would make a splendid DOD (Ali). But we do have one: GENE Tierney. Alan Alda as Hawkeye once said about her "I'm a sucker for an overbite." Yeah, me too.<br /><br />Hit into the "rough" and you flirt with bogey--but sometimes the rough GOESBALD and you escape with a par. Besides, we have to encourage this new blood. [eschews biting rookie's NECK]spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87957500475800085592017-02-06T12:13:12.434-05:002017-02-06T12:13:12.434-05:00ENEMY WOES ONTAP (HOLY WARP)
IGOTCHA! You’re OFFS...ENEMY WOES ONTAP (HOLY WARP)<br /><br />IGOTCHA! You’re OFFSIDE, and OVERRAN this BASH unwound,<br />NOTTHAT I HOPE you LYEd, just grab AHOLD and PARTYDOWN!<br /><br />--- COL. GENE CICADAS, III<br /><br />this stream of unconsciousness sponsored by TOYOTA & TABASCO TOBACCOS<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72869268467087278062017-01-02T21:38:42.410-05:002017-01-02T21:38:42.410-05:00I had a teacher in college who told us about a pro...I had a teacher in college who told us about a prof he had in graduate school. The prof would fill the board with a problem statement and close to the end of the period step back and say "Ah so, answer is" and write the answer, and leave the room. By the end of the term when the prof stepped back he and his classmates would know everything necessary was on the board, they only needed the insight to see it. They would silently say "Ah so" and write the answer in their notes before or as the prof was writing it on the board. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72720318588752651092017-01-02T21:31:34.616-05:002017-01-02T21:31:34.616-05:00@anabel, for future reference: when you see TV, CD...@anabel, for future reference: when you see TV, CD or DVD in the clue and a three letter answer, it is RCA. This not a rare occurrence. <br /><br />Sorry you didn't choose science/technology. Lots of fun.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32216084093267346422017-01-02T21:05:31.078-05:002017-01-02T21:05:31.078-05:00@RAD2626 and @PurpleCar - You might be interested ...@RAD2626 and @PurpleCar - You might be interested in <a href="http://rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/2014/10/mount-charley-weavers-home-town-sat-10.html" rel="nofollow">this</a> or alternatives as mentioned <a href="http://crosswordfiend.com/2015/12/19/sunday-december-20-2015/" rel="nofollow">here.</a> I'm pretty sure there is a more recent discussion with a bit more knock-down drag-out in the comments, but I couldn't find it.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8401023981631240612017-01-02T19:36:38.307-05:002017-01-02T19:36:38.307-05:00Thanks for the review AT.
Liked the puzzle.
Watchi...Thanks for the review AT.<br />Liked the puzzle.<br />Watching PSU go ahead of highly favored<br />USC. Charles Flasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588962898277593533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59753251429749553712017-01-02T18:55:05.592-05:002017-01-02T18:55:05.592-05:00RAD2626 Thanks for mentioning AHSO. Ridiculously r...RAD2626 Thanks for mentioning AHSO. Ridiculously racist. We used to say this as ignorant children while we held our eyelids tight and bucked out our front teeth, trying to imitate the stereotyped Asian characters we saw in old movies. Yet another unacceptable entry in the NYT cw.PurpleCarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461102532876375940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57620768871515076382017-01-02T18:44:35.206-05:002017-01-02T18:44:35.206-05:00@Word Nerd II, thanks for noticing. I try to rest...@Word Nerd II, thanks for noticing. I try to restrain my comments about POCs, but sometimes can't help myself. One-trick pony, I guess. I suspect most folks could care less about them and I would hope they do the same thing when encountering a POC post that I do when I see a comment about something in which I have no interest, e.g. politics, and that is to skip right on over it and move on.<br /><br />The shared S at the ends of TIN/IMP & OAT/ION is what I call a <a href="http://anoabob.blogspot.com/2013/06/poc-levels.html" rel="nofollow">two-for-one POC</a>. It's the equivalent of a helper square, or, less charitably, cheater square.<br /><br />I don't think of a POC as a grammatical term, just a crossword term. The gist is increasing the letter count by adding an S, ES or dropping the Y and adding IES, even if it's in the middle of a phrase. Changing the base phrase GO BALD to GO<b>ES</b> BALD ups the letter count 33% without adding anything of value or interest. Just fills up more grid space.<br /><br />For the hard-core word nerd, I've posted comments on POCs and the broader issue of letter count manipulation (LCM) <a href="http://anoabob.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">on my blogger site</a>.<br /><br />Why don't you get a blogger name, an avatar, and drop by more often. Anoa Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185183023273883700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44173232916071180732017-01-02T18:39:01.353-05:002017-01-02T18:39:01.353-05:00@Z, (i)an extra S added internally doesn't jus...@Z, (i)an extra S added internally doesn't just make things easier the way a final S POC does, because it shifts all subsequent letters over also, ie, it has an amplified effect;<br />(ii) two words that meet at a common S are indeed 2 POCs, but 1 S in 1 square = 1 instance, and you can't double-dip. If you give 1 lecture and 12 people attend, you still only gave 1 lecture, not 12, and you'll only be paid for that 1 class;<br />(iii) I go, you go, he/she/it GOES; we go, all y'all go, they go<br />Hmm, seems to me it isn't a matter of plurality but of singularity, but mainly it's a question of person. So verbifying the convenience won't cut it, Mister.<br /><br />Give it up, and admit that you can't tar every terminal S with the POC brush, willy-nilly. There's rules, dammit.Word Nerd IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19356741257679126042017-01-02T18:32:46.618-05:002017-01-02T18:32:46.618-05:00@Tita, hahah!@Tita, hahah!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9908933344337177072017-01-02T18:19:03.429-05:002017-01-02T18:19:03.429-05:00@Z - Hold your tongue, you're talking to a Phi...@Z - Hold your tongue, you're talking to a Philadelphia fan - things could be worse.Mohair Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502840715719161565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64730041937221247462017-01-02T17:00:22.417-05:002017-01-02T17:00:22.417-05:00Bumper sticker we once saw:
"My wife ran awa...Bumper sticker we once saw:<br /><br />"My wife ran away with my best friend...<br />I miss him."Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40922189185702348252017-01-02T16:58:02.239-05:002017-01-02T16:58:02.239-05:00@QuasiMojo11:15 - Good one.
@Anon3:08 - So appare...@QuasiMojo11:15 - Good one.<br /><br />@Anon3:08 - So apparently the same holds true for wives as husbands, easier to find than a best friend. <br /><br />Word Nerd II - <i>Singular Verb of Convenience</i> may be more technically correct, but the point is that number was manipulated to make the word the right length for the convenience of the constructor. And, yes, if number was an issue in both directions than you count the little s twice. For example, in <i>asides</i> if the first s was crossed with a plural it would be only one PoC, while the second would be 2. <br /><br />@Mohair Sam - The problems with the Knicks aren't going to be solved by a coach, or a GM for that matter. Nothing is worse than being the fan of a team with a bad owner. Detroit has classic examples in all four major American sports.<br /><br />@MordecaiBeizer & @Astronomy Buff - Of course a RADIO GALAXY emits x-rays, some even detectable from earth, since radio galaxies have stars and stars emit x-rays. So this is a fine clue for a Saturday or Friday. I don't think you can call the clue "wrong" (see FAQ#16). Still, I have to wonder if the misdirect was intentional given that this is a Monday. Or perhaps there just wasn't a better way to clue it.<br /><br />@pmdm - @NCA Prez was pointing out that the term used in the puzzle, OFFSIDE without a terminal S, is the correct term. No need to point to Shortz that he is correct.<br />Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13293013382502031852017-01-02T15:08:51.573-05:002017-01-02T15:08:51.573-05:00George Harrison and Eric Clapton remained friends ...George Harrison and Eric Clapton remained friends for life. See their multiple performances together on YouTube. Clapton was the musical director for the wonderful Concert for George (2003 in Royal Albert Hall). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Dr1anRP9w<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89543680303754377622017-01-02T14:41:59.408-05:002017-01-02T14:41:59.408-05:00@NCA President 1:46 PM:
U R Right!@NCA President 1:46 PM:<br /><br />U R Right!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55928883637729292602017-01-02T14:19:51.282-05:002017-01-02T14:19:51.282-05:00So nicely done! PARTY after PARTY, each more DOWN...So nicely done! PARTY after PARTY, each more DOWN than the last. Loved the astral RADIO GALAXY balanced by the terrestrial WABASH RIVER. <br /><br />@Annabel, your write-up was a treat. Carolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15971759975067250908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33303503052351929992017-01-02T13:58:56.980-05:002017-01-02T13:58:56.980-05:00Wiktionary says that the plural of tobacco is eith...Wiktionary says that the plural of tobacco is either TOBACCOS or tobaccoes.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18080027831092093115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72268610541706231232017-01-02T13:46:38.038-05:002017-01-02T13:46:38.038-05:00@old timer: Lola is a great song! One of my favs.....@old timer: Lola is a great song! One of my favs...but what's interesting is that, the way the lyrics are written, Lola could be taken to be either. When he says, "I'm not the world's most masculine man, But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man And so is Lola," that twist at the end could go either way. Either, the singer's a man and so is Lola (the controversial, "fun" way to think of it), or Lola is as glad about the singer being a man as the singer is himself, (the boring, but still "fun" way to look at it).<br /><br />Throughout the song, there are a lot of places that obviously allude to Lola being, well, mannish...but even at the payoff line above, there is still no proof. I love that. Always have.<br /><br />I also think it's funny that they had to change Coca-Cola to Cherry Cola...evidently you weren't allowed to advertise products in songs in Britain at the time. The British release was cherry cola and the US version was Coca Cola.<br /><br />That's probably TMI and certainly apropos of nothing at all, but at least it wasn't about Trump...amiright?Dorothy Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06148036083217174024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49272377898088403712017-01-02T13:35:44.591-05:002017-01-02T13:35:44.591-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dorothy Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06148036083217174024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22040687682566088422017-01-02T13:25:58.462-05:002017-01-02T13:25:58.462-05:00I believe there's a special talent in making M...I believe there's a special talent in making Monday and Tuesday puzzles enjoyable for both the newbie and the old vet. Today's gem meets that challenge, this was a lot of fun, had a minimum of 'ese (ESSE), and a clever theme. Nice going' Chuck Deodene.<br /><br />How about that Pattie Boyd? In addition to LAYLA (Clapton's best, imo) and "Something" (ditto Harrison), she's the face launched several other rock hits. About 998 on the Helen Scale I'd say.<br /><br />@Lauren - Congrats to your daughter. I took advantage of your link, her work is just a wee tad over my head - Saturday cluing for sure. You gotta be super proud.<br /><br />@Z - That's why I liked the interview, his thinking can be applied to all sports. Note how Bennett suggested with a grin that he take over the New York Knicks (Hell, anybody take over the Knicks, please).<br /><br />@Annabel - Envy your New Year's Eve spent with two mastiffs. But I've got to admit you're the first person I've ever heard describe the big slobbering lugs as "cute."Mohair Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502840715719161565noreply@blogger.com