tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post9058153075487134284..comments2024-03-28T13:00:19.785-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Haile Selassie disciple / TUE 10-29-13 / Regulatory inits since 1934 / Priest's garment / Yule libation / Sharer's oppositeRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87940954677337191572013-12-03T19:51:53.221-05:002013-12-03T19:51:53.221-05:00How many basketball courts can be balanced on the ...How many basketball courts can be balanced on the head of a pin?<br /><br />Robert, I enjoyed your Tuespuz. First throwdown was WHITESMOKE; second was GREENLIGHT, neither with any crosses. Guilty with AGASt/AStERSE.<br /><br />@Ginger & @Rainy, what a game! OPENBAR on me. Wondering what the point spread on the 'Niners game is going to be? Go Hawks!<br /><br />Capcha: sYogui. Boo Boo's answer to the question, "Who's the other bear?"<br /><br />Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44377276490254432472013-12-03T17:25:59.210-05:002013-12-03T17:25:59.210-05:00There is nothing in this puzzle I wish to asperse,...There is nothing in this puzzle I wish to asperse,<br />And I think that all who do would simply disperse.<br /><br /><br />The meaning of FULL COURT was clear, no matter how you wish to define "gym". I guess a guy or gal could say, "I was at the gym today", even though he/she never left the locker room, but the "as in basketball" takes care of that little pewit. <br /><br />So Rex is on record as not liking themes that involve "words that can follow words", "words that can precede words", and "words found within words (or phrases)". Maybe he would like a theme which involves "words that randomly show up somewhere in the grid". I think M&A could have a field day with that. Har.<br /><br />'Hawks!rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30043910232296039132013-12-03T15:46:52.702-05:002013-12-03T15:46:52.702-05:00Theme vs Fill vs Theme vs Fill... IMHO, good, dens...Theme vs Fill vs Theme vs Fill... IMHO, good, dense themes trump a few iffy fill-ins, and this puzzle is definitely theme dense. 37-A helped pull it all together, and made the south a tad easier. Some of the HOUSEs brought a smile...OUT, BIRD, SMOKE.<br /><br />As a kid in the 50s, girls were not allowed to play boys rules BB. Didn't understand it then, and still don't.<br /><br />@DMG hand up for ASPERgE, <br />Shout out to me at 28-A.<br /><br />@SIS How about them Hawks!Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156872089175084024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89420193894597031362013-12-03T15:30:57.813-05:002013-12-03T15:30:57.813-05:00The characters in "TBBT" are neRds or ge...The characters in "TBBT" are neRds or geeks, I think, but not DORKS (well, all but one, maybe). <br /><br />In my neck of the syndi-woods, AWFUL can itself be a modifier, as in "I feel awful good about finishing the puzzle" or "I liked it an awful lot". I'd say it ranks one notch below "wicked" so a puzzle that's "awful good" is not quite up to par with one that's "wicked good". Hmm, maybe I'll devise a rating scheme to incorporate those terms - it might go something like this: awful, pretty awful, pretty good, good, awful good and wicked good. <br /><br />@lms - glad to hear (five weeks later) that Tucker suffered no ill-effects from his experience.<br /><br /> Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15241311419647262882013-12-03T14:20:00.349-05:002013-12-03T14:20:00.349-05:00Enjoyed this one. Only hang up was my spelling for...Enjoyed this one. Only hang up was my spelling for a word I've encountered in puzzles before but never used, APAERgE!, but STN took care of that. Hesitated at TROOPERS, but decided the clue must refer to soliders out on a 20 mile hike! Different strokes for different folks!DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80296278291531990192013-12-03T12:32:36.220-05:002013-12-03T12:32:36.220-05:00Full court at the old gym at J. Sterling Morton Hi...Full court at the old gym at J. Sterling Morton High School East for men's basketball had five sides (one corner wass cut off due to an electrical room.) Plus, since the gym was on the stage for the school auditorium, a player going out of bounds towards the spectators was at risk of falling into the orchestra pit!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36168146196625651552013-12-03T11:50:50.759-05:002013-12-03T11:50:50.759-05:00I stand foursquare against OFL on this one. While ...I stand foursquare against OFL on this one. While it may be true that there are plenty of HOUSE expressions, I still marvel that pairs of words from that list can create their own idioms. This type of theme is always a delight for me, and I hope it NEVER goes out of style. Sheesh, how many times can they DO that?!?<br /><br />Had an interesting hiccup while solving the paired clue at 45&46. Reading "Quite bad," and having _MS already in, I naturally made it PMS (!) and set about finding a companion word, like say, MOODY, for 46a. Till I noticed... oh. I'm in the DOWN section. And looky here: PMS was right!<br /><br />ASPERSE was in a puzz not that long ago, so I wasn't that put off by it. AGASP, though, that's a groaner on any day of the week.<br /><br />The basketball memory for me was the SETSHOT, a relic still in use in my heyday. I used to be deadly from the corner. Being 6'2" helped against the block. It was one of those "Well, now that you mention it" moments. Yeah, the free throw IS one, isn't it? Maybe that's why so many modern-day stars CAN'T MAKE ONE FOR S**T. They practice jumping, and that's what they're used to. Back to the basics, boys! spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17036876002791744472013-10-30T08:15:15.165-04:002013-10-30T08:15:15.165-04:00Hi crossword done interestingly and brilliantly we...Hi crossword done interestingly and brilliantly we can use this type of crossword for any secret message but one thing opposite party know the meaning.<br /><br /><br /><a href="www.iryafasteners.com/industrialpins.html" rel="nofollow">ISO 2341</a> | <a href="www.iryafasteners.com/industrialpins.html" rel="nofollow">DIN 1444</a>stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660271145712729215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24961911175073413082013-10-30T02:06:24.342-04:002013-10-30T02:06:24.342-04:00Also, I would have enjoyed (preferred?) the Danny ...Also, I would have enjoyed (preferred?) the Danny Elfman clue. Not obscure for me, but then I am music-attuned.J Dipintonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73183624284896716502013-10-30T01:58:54.805-04:002013-10-30T01:58:54.805-04:00@Rob C -- I liked the puzzle just fine (except for...@Rob C -- I liked the puzzle just fine (except for "trooper", which spelling is simply wrong with that clue, IMO). I also enjoyed asperse -- a rarely used, but not unheard of word -- and I thought the overall construction was great. As for me, I'm goin' to the gym to MAMBO!!!j Dipintonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3280940913621001372013-10-29T22:04:11.849-04:002013-10-29T22:04:11.849-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak I've made to my method. 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 7:13, 6:07, 1.18, 97%, Challenging (8th highest ratio of 201 Mondays)<br />Tue 7:16, 8:15, 0.88, 16%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:16, 3:46, 1.13, 91%, Challenging<br />Tue 4:36, 5:09, 0.89, 13%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8902138156352314742013-10-29T21:04:00.050-04:002013-10-29T21:04:00.050-04:00Did you ever think that maybe your are just bored ...Did you ever think that maybe your are just bored with doing crossword puzzles. It wasn't the most exciting puzzle I've ever done, but I did it to kill some time and confirm that I still have a brain that enjoys coming up with word associations. You are negative most of the time.I'm just saying...https://www.blogger.com/profile/16084159819717252937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79185428250669429372013-10-29T20:39:15.126-04:002013-10-29T20:39:15.126-04:00Just a few more comments on the puzzle:
-I actual...Just a few more comments on the puzzle:<br /><br />-I actually had two more themers that I squeezed into an earlier iteration of the puzzle, GUARD DOG and ROAD WORK, but if you think the fill was strained now, you should have seen that one! I didn't even send it in. Jeff Chen asked if he could post it on the xwordinfo site, but I had deleted the file.<br /><br />-ELFMAN was originally clued as Danny (not too many other ways you could go with that one)- I wonder if it was changed b/c Jenna is considered more well known. And I wonder if that's a correct assumption.<br /><br />-FULL COURT was originally clued as "Like some pickup games". That would have avoided that discussion.<br /><br />-I still love ASPERSE<br /><br />-@Lewis - I agree that "Theme density can be an enjoyable element of a puzzle, but if it causes too much ugliness in the fill". Different folks have different opinions as to where the ugly line is. I draw the line very much on the side of theme density. It sure makes for some lively discussion here, which I enjoy, even if I'm the one getting beat up about it.<br /><br />Again thanks to everyone for your comments. On to Wednesday.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09567874862630285191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59320564968268559292013-10-29T17:50:05.262-04:002013-10-29T17:50:05.262-04:00When you enter the Wissahickon Boys' Club Gymn...<a href="http://youtu.be/oUahdLrV1Cs" rel="nofollow">When you enter the Wissahickon Boys' Club Gymnasium, you have to come in through the door. And as soon as you open the door, you're <i>in</i> the gym. Now, you gotta close the door.</a>August Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09919963003128838777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38736424353904190182013-10-29T17:42:49.064-04:002013-10-29T17:42:49.064-04:00To further help the cause: in West Side Story, the...To further help the cause: in West Side Story, the dance is going to take place "at the gym." The "gym" is clearly a basketball court (check out the mambo scene on YouTube).J Dipintonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74433009287609016032013-10-29T17:12:18.581-04:002013-10-29T17:12:18.581-04:00Must agree with Joe the Juggler, Z and everyone el...Must agree with Joe the Juggler, Z and everyone else who is defending the full court clue. In my high school the basketball court was referred to as the gym; in fact, we had the "old gym" which was on the basement level, and a larger "new gym" on the second floor. The clue made perfect sense to me.<br /><br />I can't countenance "trooper" with that clue though. I've never seen it spelled that way to connote that meaning. Should absolutely be spelled "trouper".J Dipintonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21281996952474261162013-10-29T16:49:36.131-04:002013-10-29T16:49:36.131-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation of my method and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak to my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Tue 7:16, 8:15, 0.88, 16%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Tue 4:48, 5:09, 0.93, 23%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19589804194891006322013-10-29T16:43:33.457-04:002013-10-29T16:43:33.457-04:00Danny ELFMAN was on the front page of the LA Times...Danny ELFMAN was on the front page of the LA Times Calendar section today. He's doing a sold-out concert of the scores he wrote for Tim Burton's movies.<br />jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69455971177407035482013-10-29T16:41:48.573-04:002013-10-29T16:41:48.573-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62063575937171346312013-10-29T16:32:57.112-04:002013-10-29T16:32:57.112-04:00Please, please never put Cruz and Kennedy together...Please, please never put Cruz and Kennedy together again.Alice in SFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19097225829420659992013-10-29T16:26:49.779-04:002013-10-29T16:26:49.779-04:00NB: those of us defending the puzzle's usage o...NB: those of us defending the puzzle's usage of "gym" aren't claiming that this is the only possible usage, just that Rex is wrong in saying it's not a valid one. Using the word "gym" to refer to a health club or rec center in its entirety is legitimate, but so is using the word to refer to a room that houses nothing but one basketball court and is distinct from things like locker rooms or weight rooms.Joe The Jugglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623445472297705053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48063479684124109102013-10-29T15:42:56.581-04:002013-10-29T15:42:56.581-04:00@anonymous 7:13 -- I agree about trouper.
@Doris -...@anonymous 7:13 -- I agree about trouper.<br />@Doris -- I'm with you on ASPERSE<br />@aliasZ -- your list made me smile<br /><br />It's not the type of theme I'm fond of, unless it produces answers with spark.<br /><br />@robert -- thank you for checking in and taking the time to elucidate on the puzzle. And thank you for taking the time to make this puzzle, as I enjoyed the solve. And I liked DREAMON and LDOPA. I also liked your clue on OPENBAR. I disagree with you on one point, however. Theme density can be an enjoyable element of a puzzle, but if it causes too much ugliness in the fill, I don't think it is worth it. In this puzzle, I think it was more a wash.<br /><br /><br />Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81853968769264111842013-10-29T15:33:16.293-04:002013-10-29T15:33:16.293-04:00An EIDER is a kind of duck, hence EIDERdown. My do...An EIDER is a kind of duck, hence EIDERdown. My down duvet is on the bed already.quilter1https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569747169212018177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26236371281519375502013-10-29T15:30:37.897-04:002013-10-29T15:30:37.897-04:00From Merriam-Webster:
Definition of EIDER
1
: an...From Merriam-Webster:<br /><br />Definition of EIDER<br />1<br />: any of several large northern sea ducks (genera Somateria and Polystica) having fine soft down that is used by the female for lining the nest —called also eider duck<br /><br />2: eiderdown <br /><br /><br />ei·der·down<br />noun \-ˌdau̇n\<br /><br />: soft feathers that come from ducks and that are used in warm clothing and bed covers<br /><br />So as usually happens, the puzzle is correct.<br /><br />@M&A - It was a pleasure to do your puzzle, tho I must admit I was at times confused by some of your UniqUe wordplay!Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41677660295151972952013-10-29T14:59:44.922-04:002013-10-29T14:59:44.922-04:00shoulda been "ahimsa". sorry.shoulda been "ahimsa". sorry.WAMandABnoreply@blogger.com