tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8957709571299728940..comments2024-03-29T09:58:30.660-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Spiny fish named after bird / FRI 4-13-18 / Layout with little concern for privacy / Many Youtube video upload / Render undrinkable as alcohol / Piece of armor worn over shinRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19539937564152334602018-05-18T18:36:24.916-04:002018-05-18T18:36:24.916-04:00JK and WS are responsible for the crossing Naticks...JK and WS are responsible for the crossing Naticks in the SE quadrant, and are JAILABLE, but I would sentence them to a week or two of community service.leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70326025922183636262018-05-18T18:07:30.599-04:002018-05-18T18:07:30.599-04:00Easy-medium Friday puzzle, except for the SE. Rar...Easy-medium Friday puzzle, except for the SE. Rare to see one with nothing under 5 letter answers. A good workout with only DIVE BAR to cause chagrin.<br /><br />In the SE even with several gimmes in place (IM SAD, FASTEN, LEER AT, ENDERS, DENATURE, getting GREAVE caused some grief. ZIPPERED also took some time, but I finished this and thought it was a very good puzzle which put up a fight and rewarded the effort.rainforestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12000718319069970572018-05-18T14:48:19.553-04:002018-05-18T14:48:19.553-04:00Looks like the only write-over as ScARcE before SP...Looks like the only write-over as ScARcE before SPARSE. Oh, and CUrSER. Good thing DURANGOS and GAZELLES were gimmes to tie these 4 puzzles together. NE the hardest for me, had to EARNIT, that’s DENATURE of debeast.<br /><br />What’s that D,LIW? SALEDAYS at Macy’s? Unheard of.<br /><br />Sports Illustrated. Body paint. Ronda ROUSEY. Yeah baby.<br /><br />A puz good for all our CRANIA.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69781158390637008732018-05-18T12:39:06.795-04:002018-05-18T12:39:06.795-04:00JAILABLE TASTES
At the DIVEBAR where he TENDED
h...JAILABLE TASTES<br /><br />At the DIVEBAR where he TENDED <br />he’d LEERAT SIRENS large-breasted,<br />his TENETS and CUSTOMS offended<br />and he’d HOPENOT to get ARRESTED.<br /><br />--- QUINN_S. “CUSSER” ROUSEY<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42198129980614021252018-05-18T12:33:51.575-04:002018-05-18T12:33:51.575-04:00I had a mixed time here, too. Some of it surprisi...I had a mixed time here, too. Some of it surprisingly on the old wave length, other places it was waving at me from a far away length. "You know this - think!!" <br /><br />So truly dnf - but still fun for the ones I got. Like UMLAUT - perfect. <br /><br />IMSAD and IDLED were kinda...meh...for me. As was EARNIT - didn't think the puzzle did right there. If you get what I mean. My MESS was in the hall before moving to a TENT. <br /><br />What is a GREAVE? I wore spats in the HS band. (Yuck) <br /><br />Videos have cats. Period. And Macy is having that sale! Today only! Best sale of the century! Qualify for extra savings! By breathing on a mirror! One day sale is really on for two! Bring friends and family! Heck - bring that stranger loitering at the front door, looking lost. This is the one you've been waiting for! Don't miss it! Macy's will never have a sale again! Until tomorrow!<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for Crosswords, but not for a sale at Macy'sDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32392914239103106412018-05-18T11:14:15.140-04:002018-05-18T11:14:15.140-04:00Black coffee and Bleu cheese, really? I must have ...Black coffee and Bleu cheese, really? I must have ACQUIRED those TASTES in my distant youth. Now, parsnips? Brussels sprouts? THERE's some ACQUIRED TASTES for ya. Oh well, de gustibus non est disputandum. This puzzle: pretty tasty. A tad on the easyish side--FOR A FRIDAY--but still making you EARNIT. This was originally gARNer in my grid, and SPARSE was ScARcE. SE the toughest of the four, IMO; last thing I got was the MPEGFILE. I managed to remember seeing that letter string somewhere, so I went with it. Was flummoxed because two of the answers down there seemed to have extra squares. EARN. DIVE. EARNIT was tough to parse; perhaps a clue like "Make money 'the old-fashioned way'" might be fairer. And DIVEBAR is really painted green. Close down that neighborhood eyesore!<br /><br />Last time I removed a diaper I unpinned it: so last century! Of course, it WAS last century! Nothing under five letters; this must have been a much deeper challenge to construct than is was to solve. Not normally a big Krozel fan, I doff my hat today. Well done, Joe! DOD? well, my concept of a "damsel" is rather more delicate than a Ronda ROUSEY, but the stage is bereft of competition this time. I know one thing: I'd never LEERAT her! Birdie.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58134974427176931722018-04-15T17:10:26.191-04:002018-04-15T17:10:26.191-04:00Um, Sharon. You’ve already started on crazy Engli...Um, Sharon. You’ve already started on crazy English plurals. Mickey Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56231809225369258952018-04-13T21:50:59.431-04:002018-04-13T21:50:59.431-04:00This played for me like a Patrick Berry puzzle whi...This played for me like a Patrick Berry puzzle which is about the highest compliment I can pay. Clever cluing, not too many proper nouns, fun wordplay, and from a constructor I usually have trouble with. Very good puzzle. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Progress that Rhonda Rousey is crossword worthy despite her career tailspin. It was very cool about two years ago when she was on her amazing streak that the two most prominent and recognizable athletes in the US were Rhonda Rousey and Serena Williams. RAD2626https://www.blogger.com/profile/18196568765752439378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13164187927119644522018-04-13T21:15:47.255-04:002018-04-13T21:15:47.255-04:00Mixed feelings about that one. Unconnected blocks ...Mixed feelings about that one. Unconnected blocks are not my favorite things, but now I know that this puzzle is called a quadragon. The fill is superbly fresh, but there are some issues: First of all, too many UN- words. UNTAPED and UNMIXED, OK. But UNNAILED? There are also BSTARS and ZIPPERED etc. But overall, there isn't a single word that makes you hate the puzzle. That's quite a feat.<br /><br />I would have appreciated more puns and zingers in the clues, but again, nothing annoying, smooth stuff. <br /><br />In the end, this is a gimmick puzzle (panagram, 90- and 180-degree symmetry, low word count). But it does a great job in not feeling like one. That is an achievement in itself, but I am really curious as to what percentage of regular solvers appreciate such -and very often insufferable- gimmicks. I'd put the over/under at 20%.<br /><br />This has been a very solid week though. Good job, NYT.<br /><br /><b>GRADE:</b> B+, 3.7 stars.semioticus (shelbyl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16204028248874222567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22642284408405485982018-04-13T21:05:59.746-04:002018-04-13T21:05:59.746-04:00@Lewis - Noted the debut but oofed at the word in ...@Lewis - Noted the debut but oofed at the word in the context of America’s current opioid epidemic. John Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408970733883446524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88253453317644774202018-04-13T20:46:11.803-04:002018-04-13T20:46:11.803-04:00I was impressed the moment I recognized this buzz ...I was impressed the moment I recognized this buzz saw flailing out of the printer. Stacks on stacks and those quadragons that OFL called out.<br /><br />The fill had some fun stuff, like this little travelogue: Go skiing at BOREAL near Tahoe, or wine tasting in Paso ROBLES, or ride the train from DURANGO, but at least find a DIVE BAR in each town. I've not been to ANGOLA, so you're on your own. <br /><br />Scurrying to the phone to lay eyes on a SEA RAVEN. New to me!<br /><br />The whole concept of ACQUIRED TASTES is interesting and complex. A lot more going on than people arguing about pizza or coffee. Remember smoking? That sure didn't feel good the first time, but I looked cool. Sour and bitter seem to be the culprits at first taste of food or beverage. Larry Gilstraphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15493069947477383208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90295432832835999362018-04-13T20:30:33.713-04:002018-04-13T20:30:33.713-04:00Flew through this – under 13 minutes is probably a...Flew through this – under 13 minutes is probably a slow Friday for many of you, but it has got to be my best by far. Loved it though, rather than finding it too easy. I threw in ACQUIRED TASTES with no crosses, and darned if it wasn’t right. I lived in ANGOLA when I was a tot, I’m very familiar with JAILABLE (maybe more from watching Law And Order rather than my 22 years in federal law enforcement?), and I loved the series ARRESTED development. Most of my wine sampling has involved well more than a sip, since they know I’m going to buy more once my sobriety has departed, but I’m guessing HAVEASIP would be more likely if it was a friend offering a taste out of their glass. I only recently (since ACPT) started paying attention to constructors’ names, but if this puzzle is anything to go on, I am a big fan of Joe Krozel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16491771194367384213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24100005191419622012018-04-13T20:02:18.057-04:002018-04-13T20:02:18.057-04:00@GILL ... Poker players often declare a raise befo...@GILL ... Poker players often declare a raise before deciding how much they are putting into the pot. It's all part of the psychological gamesmanship.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32612560007552623442018-04-13T19:56:48.676-04:002018-04-13T19:56:48.676-04:00@puzzlehoarder -- Still another well-wisher is sen...@puzzlehoarder -- Still another well-wisher is sending you congratulations and good wishes. And congrats to you too, @GILL.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16737377749030219974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55340563951502368852018-04-13T19:44:51.131-04:002018-04-13T19:44:51.131-04:00Bravo, Quasi!Bravo, Quasi!sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46328789867853768032018-04-13T19:27:41.426-04:002018-04-13T19:27:41.426-04:00For a moment I got really excited when I thought 2...For a moment I got really excited when I thought <b>21A: Layout with little concern for privacy</b> might be PANOPTICON ... and the grid kinda <i>looks</i> like a panopticon... no dice, but maybe an idea for another constructor sometime hmmmm?!?!t-dawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13233425624188507092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2979992415116316752018-04-13T19:16:57.529-04:002018-04-13T19:16:57.529-04:00@puzzlehoarder. I second @Lewis....Congratulation...@puzzlehoarder. I second @Lewis....Congratulations!<br />Our daughter's Baby Shower is tomorrow. First girl for the dad's side of the family. Eat your heart out Princess Charlotte of Cambridge! GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36002173851141422052018-04-13T19:05:18.010-04:002018-04-13T19:05:18.010-04:00My compliments to Rex today -- amusing, informativ...My compliments to Rex today -- amusing, informative, and kind to constructor. Rare! My best Friday ever, only missed MPEG and greave!?! <br /><br />FYI to Theodore at 8:48AM. Blue can be "off-color," hence "cussing." Honeysmomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58277371387062913492018-04-13T18:51:22.760-04:002018-04-13T18:51:22.760-04:00@puzzlehoarder -- Congratulations! @puzzlehoarder -- Congratulations! Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47613626514046426512018-04-13T18:29:05.491-04:002018-04-13T18:29:05.491-04:00Aaah, ya buncha wimps! I've been drinking esp...Aaah, ya buncha wimps! I've been drinking espresso since I was, like, five years old. Yeah it tastes a little better with a pinch of sugar stirred in (or a sambuca on the side), but it's good unadorned as well. I don't usually drink regular coffee black (actually I don't drink regular coffee at all anymore), but I have, and I didn't find it to be any worse than if it had milk and sugar in it.Joe Dipintohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922691457886440325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62225806115103359572018-04-13T18:12:43.350-04:002018-04-13T18:12:43.350-04:00The problem with high value letters is that their ... The problem with high value letters is that their relative rarity facilitates solving. That's a big reason for why this puzzle was so easy to solve. When I saw the grid I was hoping the constructor had saved up obscure words to weave into some kind of midlength masterpiece that would be a challenge to even start. Of course then it would have been a Saturday. What we got instead was some harmless fun and about a half and half mix of good entries interlaced with bland fill. My daughter's wedding is tomorrow so I way over my time here.puzzlehoardernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90114081970294300172018-04-13T17:27:38.162-04:002018-04-13T17:27:38.162-04:00@jberg (3:20) -- Wiki didn't say that when liq...@jberg (3:20) -- Wiki didn't say that when liquor was DENATUREd it was about avoiding taxes. (That I might have forgiven.) They said it was to discourage recreational drinking, and that's what made me so cross. See <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for your nice comments @GILL, @Quasi, and @Aketi.<br /><br />Bravo, @kitshef, @FrankStein, et al. Black coffee is indeed undrinkable. If it were an ACQUIRED TASTE, surely I would have acquired it by now. I have often been told by people who drink their coffee black: "You take milk and sugar [now Splenda] in your coffee???? You're not a <i>real</i> coffee lover." Well, I suppose, then, I'm not. What can you do? But it's not a competition. Hell, it's not even a pissing contest (hi, @Z).Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16737377749030219974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19790798947701671192018-04-13T17:08:12.162-04:002018-04-13T17:08:12.162-04:00@Z, you’re right. That was my point. Even though I...@Z, you’re right. That was my point. Even though I liked Kitshef’s take. The clue made little sense to me. There’s nothing to acquire in drinking “black” coffee. Adding hazelnut would make it “acquired” — something I’m proud to say I never have. FrankSteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90165740951474642022018-04-13T16:55:34.424-04:002018-04-13T16:55:34.424-04:00Way easy for a Friday, but I liked it. DRUM ROLL,...Way easy for a Friday, but I liked it. DRUM ROLL, HARANGUE, ZIPPERED, ACQUIRED TASTE -- good stuff.<br /><br />I once read an article about Chloë Sevigny which stated that (I paraphrase) "she added the umlaut to her name when she was older; it wasn't on her birth certificate." I was diacritically opposed to the author's statement.Joe Dipintohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922691457886440325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6263621223811644172018-04-13T16:46:06.031-04:002018-04-13T16:46:06.031-04:00Huh. You don't say. I guess you learn somethin...Huh. You don't say. I guess you learn something new every day. Thanks Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07588682026767753507noreply@blogger.com