tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1152477661079830540..comments2024-03-28T06:29:03.535-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: 1958 space monkey / SUN 3-1-15 / Movie that opened 3/2/1965 / Figure in Sunni/Shia dispute / Culminating point that beauty has attained in sphere of music / Nicki with 2014 hit Anaconda / Crown since 1952 / 1961 Disney villainessRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44671252296258490792015-03-18T01:58:48.257-04:002015-03-18T01:58:48.257-04:00Loved the puzzle, but one complaint. Do, re, mi, f...Loved the puzzle, but one complaint. Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti do. *NOT* "sol". After all, it's "Sew, a needle pulling thread" and not "Soul, a needle pulling thread."robparsons1988https://www.blogger.com/profile/08743047220070604526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24677913916975313462015-03-08T16:11:22.189-04:002015-03-08T16:11:22.189-04:00I agree with Anonymous - posted 10:23. All the So...I agree with Anonymous - posted 10:23. All the Sound of Music clues are legitimate. The family is often referred to as "The Von Trapp Family Singers," so that was easy. The first lyric would be the first phrase -- again correct. "Best Picture" needs to be followed by the type of award, because after all there are many these days. (Golden Globe, etc.) I felt that the other fill was solid.TMallardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22391044038666025432015-03-08T14:45:14.873-04:002015-03-08T14:45:14.873-04:00EPIC LAWSUIT
JULIEANDREWS OGLED a THREESOME,
She ...EPIC LAWSUIT<br /><br />JULIEANDREWS OGLED a THREESOME,<br />She EYED MISSUSA, SARA, and me.<br />“Is it ESSENTIAL,” she asked, “would I be dumb<br />if I wanted to TRI it and see?”<br /><br />--- TIPSY PIPETS<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37011857360102852482015-03-08T14:18:41.864-04:002015-03-08T14:18:41.864-04:0073-down and 80-down. Those are "My Favorite ...73-down and 80-down. Those are "My Favorite Things."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36927161157546170962015-03-08T13:23:43.185-04:002015-03-08T13:23:43.185-04:00I had one of the AHA!est moments ever today. I'...I had one of the AHA!est moments ever today. I'll explain.<br /><br />It didn't TAKE long, puttering about in the SW, to get THESOUNDOFMUSIC, from just the F in FRO and the T in THRO. The rest of the themers fell like dominos--except that for a while I had moved SALZBURG to Germany (!), thus creating a 7-letter writeover.<br /><br />But there in the NE I was frustrated not being able to squeeze ESSENTIAL into eight squares. I thought CRUELA had two L's but there was room for only one. But then below, what was that crossword tournament thing that started with _VING____? Head scratch, head scratch. I had UGLI and SIGMA and IMAM, so it seemed to be [something] TIME.<br /><br />OMG!!!! It's a rebus! EL SOL! SOLVING TIME! These are notes! CRUELLA DOES have two L's! And that's LAWSUIT--of course--and SNOWS!<br /><br />So then following the natural progression, I could put DO in the corner and here came GORDO and GOTTI--of course! So then down in the SW it was a TODO list; that one had me stalled. DOORS without a rock-group clue was disappointing, as was ELO. Come on, if you're talking "Roll Over Beethoven," you better be talking Chuck Berry, I don't wanna hear any stupid covers. Anyway, MOZART made him roll over enough.<br /><br />This was one of those themes that, once you get it, the whole shooting match comes tumbling down in an instant. So it can hardly be tougher than easy-medium. But my last sticking point was that stupid HARDC...I wish they wouldn't DO that! I'm assuming that "Sicilian border?" refers to a Sicilian-style pizza. Who eats the CRUST, anyway? Thanks, Dame Judi DENCH, for saving my bacon there. A sequel to that film is upcoming. I'm sure I'll get dragged to that one, too. Oh well.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45730935106453012222015-03-08T12:51:30.559-04:002015-03-08T12:51:30.559-04:00Ho hum. Yes, great construction, appropriate theme...Ho hum. Yes, great construction, appropriate themers, OK fill, so I shouldn't complain, but soooo easy and rather uninteresting. Only hang-up was thinking it might possibly be IE for EI in OSCAR's last name - left those blank for the fill to cure. Got the rebus at GOTTI, helped with the forgotten monkey. Maybe when you know all the themers it takes the fun out. Well-executed enough, but again, ho hum.<br /><br /> Am I the first to mention wanting to swap answers for 73d and 80d??? Didn't check that closely above. 73d - what JULEANDREWS bared in S.O.B.<br /><br />Again we have a SWEDE in the puz. Always OK.<br /><br />I've been on the Potemkin steps in 2001 and in 2008. Great sightseeing and my company was beautiful and terrific. Probably won't be back due to the unrest in Ukraine.<br /><br />@SPACEY at 105d!! Got your RRN and DIV coulda been one too. Also a HARDC for ya. And some cross-referencing and texting answers to boot.<br /><br />DST just starting, maybe time for me to VEGOUT.rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84525174330198455102015-03-01T20:22:38.869-05:002015-03-01T20:22:38.869-05:00Took me almost to the end to figure out the rebus;...Took me almost to the end to figure out the rebus; I guessed that the "Noted" in the title was a rebus hint, but I was thinking it would take the shape (literally!) of having to incorporate letters from above and below into certain answers, which when circled would form the shapes of musical notations (e.g., I had BUFA and thought the "F" turned the corner to make FATS and that the resulting outline of the word FATS was the shape of an eighth note rest). I then tried to do this at all the other problem areas...obviously waaaay overthinking things! I finally "gott" it at GOT(TI)/ESSEN(TI)AL, and then it was a piece o' cake (aside from getting "stuck" in the TAPE FLAP like many others). Enjoyed it much more post-rebus . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54426186972382493932015-03-01T19:55:50.354-05:002015-03-01T19:55:50.354-05:00Had accidental DNF if such a thing is possible: t...Had accidental DNF if such a thing is possible: thought I'd gotten it all done but forgot to go back to figure out the FLAK/TAKE -FLAP/TAPE intersection and am very amused to see such a robust discussion about having one or the other. This reminds me of multiple choice exam questions for which the teacher accepts two answers while I have neither. <br /><br /><br /><br />Love,<br />D and AAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6778020426480674882015-03-01T17:50:24.513-05:002015-03-01T17:50:24.513-05:00Brief but charming clip of The Trapp Family Singer...<br />Brief but charming clip of The Trapp Family Singers performing a German folk song, along with 'our ancient instruments'. Looks to be perhaps from the Fifties, perhaps from a program on Japanese TV?<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EdFHBOwMOE<br /><br />The von Trapps, four of the great- grandchildren, singing 'The Lonely Goatherd' in Carnegie Hall, in 2012.<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRElE5rtThwbeatricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16162755764092888665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76395042261969944202015-03-01T17:43:32.581-05:002015-03-01T17:43:32.581-05:00When i was in high school in the midwest it was pi...When i was in high school in the midwest it was pipets.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54421318732815637972015-03-01T17:42:56.714-05:002015-03-01T17:42:56.714-05:00Heavens, I didn't watch the Oscar's either...Heavens, I didn't watch the Oscar's either. Just saw the Sound of Music clip.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72435314543438379942015-03-01T17:42:43.612-05:002015-03-01T17:42:43.612-05:00Did anyone else consider TIRESOME for Wynken, Blyn...Did anyone else consider TIRESOME for Wynken, Blynken, etc?aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59571477382883725112015-03-01T17:42:24.070-05:002015-03-01T17:42:24.070-05:00Did anyone else consider TIRESOME for Wynken, Blyn...Did anyone else consider TIRESOME for Wynken, Blynken, etc?aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55602490305826779702015-03-01T17:10:21.001-05:002015-03-01T17:10:21.001-05:00Heavens, I didn't watch the Oscar's either...Heavens, I didn't watch the Oscar's either. Just saw the Sound of Music clip.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2659022796288236782015-03-01T17:04:49.614-05:002015-03-01T17:04:49.614-05:00Wait a minute. Did someone just ERASE 18 minutes o...Wait a minute. Did someone just ERASE 18 minutes on that TApE?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46950307208764223052015-03-01T17:04:12.094-05:002015-03-01T17:04:12.094-05:00When i was in high school in the midwest it was pi...When i was in high school in the midwest it was pipets.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27987432135214038952015-03-01T17:00:58.136-05:002015-03-01T17:00:58.136-05:00Can't say I liked that too much. Too much scre...Can't say I liked that too much. Too much screaming and out of tune singing. The Sound of Music tribute was definitely better. Even there she went a little heavy wiyh the belting towards the end.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60394807040551762032015-03-01T16:42:56.307-05:002015-03-01T16:42:56.307-05:00I think she did it beautifully, and as an ex pro i...I think she did it beautifully, and as an ex pro ingenue I wasn't the least insulted. I was tickled that she could sing that well, and to realize that behind all of the gimmicks there is actually a musician of some training and talent.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55704415909544080172015-03-01T16:42:42.574-05:002015-03-01T16:42:42.574-05:00SpireHEGIRA is a filamentous green alga. Also a Br...SpireHEGIRA is a filamentous green alga. Also a British folk/prog band. No, seriously, Hegira probably has an etymol linked to Hadj, Hadji etal, wouldn't you think?<br /><br />@FredRom, you confused me with your g-c abbrev. To some that's the std abbrev for Gonococcus. [Then I gottit.] Will have to look up the Mohel ref.<br /><br />That monkey was only GORDO when he went up, FLACO when he came back.<br /><br />@'mericans, better late than ever before! Glad that you're taking your responsibilities seriously, but hate that you aren't getting your share of SOLVINGTIME.<br /><br />@Roomie is making me consider an appropriately placed warning tattoo: This is not a toy<br />Hmm?<br /><br />Now let's all put the political editions to bed.Leapfingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243620614139990887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24584734342367482552015-03-01T16:37:54.422-05:002015-03-01T16:37:54.422-05:00@OISK -- First we had the Bobby Thompson home run ...@OISK -- First we had the Bobby Thompson home run in common (though from different sides of the rooting gallery.) And now we have THE SOUND OF MUSIC (the Mary Martin B'way version, NOT the Julie Andrews film version) in common. The show was so much better! Shouldn't "Edelweiss" ALWAYS be sung to a guitar by a folk singer? Wasn't it much more dramatic when the kids escaped from the STAGE during "So Long, Farewell" than from the MOVIE SCREEN? And wasn't Mary Martin much less saccharine than Julie (although, to be fair, I've always thought Julie had the more beautiful voice.) Anyway, it's nice to see that someone else was there and remembers!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16737377749030219974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83132148437371146792015-03-01T16:34:45.993-05:002015-03-01T16:34:45.993-05:00Indeed, Elephant Child, thank you for jogging my m...Indeed, Elephant Child, thank you for jogging my memory. Yes it was.<br /><br />You know, NCAPresident, I also think that when Mozart first started composing (was it age 5 or 6?) it was by no means certain that the fortepiano would survive, so he probably wanted to compose music that would sound fine on the "legacy" instruments. I've read that many composers around that time and earlier preferred the clavichord as their best liked instrument. It was capable of changing dynamics, and also allowed playing a keyboard with vibrato. But of course it was incredibly soft. Some Igor Kipnis recordings using a clavichord show the best traits of the instrument. I've never played one, but when I was in college one of the faculty lent me his one-stringed harpsichord. (He was a very, very generous person.) It was kept in a room meant for him to have meetings as a student advisor (actually spiritual director). The room was smaller than a walk-in closet. The very small instrument sounded tremendously powerful in the room. The fortepianos likely sounded great when played in such small rooms but performing things like concertos would have probably sounded the best when played on a fairly large harpsichord (especially when considering that the other instruments played softer than their modern versions). Believe it or not, I very much enjoy listening to these softer instruments while in my car driving, as the sound envelops me as it did in my college days.pmdmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62876829629286303562015-03-01T16:19:28.569-05:002015-03-01T16:19:28.569-05:00I didn't like the answer BEST PICTURE OSCAR, e...I didn't like the answer BEST PICTURE OSCAR, either<br /><br />finished, but wasn't happy about it.<br />Rug Crazyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283894657220231200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3681670843183191902015-03-01T16:19:27.545-05:002015-03-01T16:19:27.545-05:00I didn't like the answer BEST PICTURE OSCAR, e...I didn't like the answer BEST PICTURE OSCAR, either<br /><br />finished, but wasn't happy about it.<br />Rug Crazyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283894657220231200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61785543539350980272015-03-01T16:17:24.747-05:002015-03-01T16:17:24.747-05:00@MichelleR: To further incur your possible disappr...@MichelleR: To further incur your possible disapproval, I am a retired schoolteacher, opposed to the Pledge or any form of religious observance in the public schools. So, kick away!Fred Romagnolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11994837736408182418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47713268757408202822015-03-01T16:13:43.461-05:002015-03-01T16:13:43.461-05:00@R phone:
Doha is the capital of Qatar. They won ...@R phone:<br /><br />Doha is the capital of Qatar. They won the right to host the world cup of soccer (football to the rest of the world), amid allegations of kickbacks, corruption, etc. They've been much in the news lately because, in order to avoid the worst heat of summer, FIFA, the governing body for world soccer, has decided that the games will take place in November and December, with a final just before Christmas.<br /><br />The European teams are absolutely livid, because it blows a huge hole in their schedules. Some national teams are even talking openly about boycotting.'mericans in Parisnoreply@blogger.com