tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1510231573592647609..comments2024-03-28T16:18:29.258-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Coulrophobe's bugaboo / THU 6-15-12 / Curly-haired toon / O'Connor of Xena / Composer/conductor Webern / Posta stamp on una carta / Nobelist name of 1922 1975 / Rank smoke / Zesty casserole with crustRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55739182037309324742012-07-20T22:35:21.729-04:002012-07-20T22:35:21.729-04:00Wasn't there a country song in the '60s wi...Wasn't there a country song in the '60s with the kyric, "Just walk on by, wait on the corner"? Well I spent a long time trying to remember the name of the guy who sang that song (Jim Reeves, it turns out) before I remembered the Dionne WARWICK hit. And popciclES are treats to beat the heat, too, so that section took a while to sort itself out.<br /><br />itinity - about how long it took to complete this puzzle.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36216177371829575202012-07-20T21:57:33.713-04:002012-07-20T21:57:33.713-04:00My first pass through the clues produced nothing b...My first pass through the clues produced nothing but REM. But for "Puck" I wanted MTV STAR...which didn't fit. If I remember correctly, Puck was a favorite cast member in the very first season of MTV's "The Real World". So I was already thinking MTV before I WANT MY MTV found its way into my grid. And I had to smile when POP UP VIDEO showed up symmetrically.<br /><br />I had WARWICK from the clue but couldn't commit because I couldn't come up with a single cross until I had finished all but that SW quadrant.<br /><br />This was one of those "I can't believe I finished" Fridays. I love those kind.<br /><br />All the rock music references made me think of my favorite <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FKxj7S66vU4/SN9pzzo4_7I/AAAAAAAACCo/XFx648jviNw/s400/stiff+button" rel="nofollow">punk/new wave era pin</a> when I was penciling in the answer to 1d. A lot of great music on that label back in the day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65073908105472593072012-07-20T20:50:11.499-04:002012-07-20T20:50:11.499-04:00@JenCT, thanks for clearing up the "arch"...@JenCT, thanks for clearing up the "arch" clue for me. I'll try to use it in a sentence today. Got the CRAFTIER on crosses.<br /><br />BTW, when I was a boy one of my chores was to raise chickens as our family egg source. I always had about a dozen layers for several years. Even sold some to the neighbors. When one quit laying it became dinner. No Russell Crowes, though.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60521102864342341592012-07-20T19:51:37.718-04:002012-07-20T19:51:37.718-04:00@SiS: I found these alternate meanings at Dictiona...@SiS: I found these alternate meanings at Dictionary.com:<br /><br />arch<br /><br />adjective <br /><br />1. playfully roguish or mischievous: an arch smile. <br /><br />2.cunning; crafty; sly.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46226098220465639482012-07-20T17:51:45.156-04:002012-07-20T17:51:45.156-04:00I never wanted my MTV; my catchphrase for the 80&#...I never wanted my MTV; my catchphrase for the 80's (and 90's--and'00's, etc.) has always been "I WANT IT ALL!" which is what I tried first. I also tried GHOstS before GHOULS, especially since I was working down and had the GHO in place.<br /><br />Another hardish one that looked impenetrable at first blush; I finally found my gimme with WARWICK (she did a concert at my school in the late 60's; she was falling-down drunk but still did a bitchin' "Walk On By"), and that pried open the SW. Little by little the puzzle laid itself bare until I DID "have it all." That's the most satisfying solve there is.<br /><br />I don't recognize Mr. Diehl's name; if you are a seasoned contributor, sir, my apologies for my ignorance. But if this is a debut: Give up your day job, dude, and do this full time!Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25050671991787711332012-07-20T16:10:06.317-04:002012-07-20T16:10:06.317-04:00Late here cause I was CHILLAXING watching day two ...Late here cause I was CHILLAXING watching day two of the British Open. Looks like an exciting weekend.<br /><br />Didn't notice the "ae" ending of personae so GOBLIN became GHOSTS, then turned into GHOULS.<br /><br />Really good clues in this puzzle Mr. Diehl, but maybe someone can explain how "Comparatively arch" is CRAFTIER? <br /><br />Have a good weekend Syndylanders.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69120176542960718642012-07-20T15:36:01.867-04:002012-07-20T15:36:01.867-04:00Had the same problem as @Two Ponies, too many prop...Had the same problem as @Two Ponies, too many proper names left me with too many blanks in the NE. I also got hung up in the NW. My conviction that Corningware comes from upstate New York ( Onieda?) combined with the ubiquitous HappyMEALS led to more blanks. I did manage to finish the South, but had to take TACOPIES and CHILLAXING on faith. Everytime I think I gaining on solving these things, one like this comes along to say I've still got a ways to go.<br />I think my Captcha may be trying to express my reaction: Votatic.DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69531296363372153312012-07-20T11:43:56.393-04:002012-07-20T11:43:56.393-04:00OK, I stand corrected. I did find the word "c...OK, I stand corrected. I did find the word "chillax" in the Dictionary of Slang. I suppose one could also construe it to mean "an ice cube enema." Bah I'm an oldtimer and don't care for language bastardization. Just sayinRon Diegonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83616303332057889852012-07-20T11:32:12.222-04:002012-07-20T11:32:12.222-04:00Strange thing: Although I finished the puzzle, wit...Strange thing: Although I finished the puzzle, with a little help, I can't find the word "chillaxing" in any dictionary or Wikipedia or any other source of reference. Ergo, I declare the word invalid - even though the meaning is obvious. Not fair Mr. Diehl! Just a little too clever and devious. Overall, I sincerely liked the puzzle.Ron Diegonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2533036740118404332012-06-16T13:16:17.028-04:002012-06-16T13:16:17.028-04:00Big kudos for the symmetrically placed "I WAN...Big kudos for the symmetrically placed "I WANT MY MTV" and "POP UP VIDEO".dlsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45642239868622618872012-06-16T00:11:16.382-04:002012-06-16T00:11:16.382-04:00@ TITA the smell of a good cigar brings back the m...@ TITA the smell of a good cigar brings back the memory of my Grandfather so strongly I smile for the rest of the day! It has to be awfully bad not to.syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69195934395996904922012-06-15T23:53:56.488-04:002012-06-15T23:53:56.488-04:00Got to the puzzle late today. Like Rex each quadra...Got to the puzzle late today. Like Rex each quadrant played at a different difficulty, but the SE was my easy corner. CHARTRES, PCP, and VAN gave me enough to fill that corner.<br /><br />The SW was next, but -MEAL resulted in valueMEAL, and being stymied in the NW. I returned to the NE where I had LEON. I guessed correctly on ANNA and RICCI, got enough letters to finally shake a spear at WOLFGANG Puck and had only the NW left.<br /><br />-AW meant the equation had to be a -LAW and that L meant the monopoly clue was a -ROLL and value was wrong. I suppose that knowing that Owens Corning was but an hour away might have made that corner easier for me. As is often the case for me on Fridays and Saturdays, one section took longer than the entire rest of the puzzle for me.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11270278809740149022012-06-15T23:03:15.157-04:002012-06-15T23:03:15.157-04:00First entry was SuperSize for 6 down due to all th...First entry was SuperSize for 6 down due to all the talk about the proposed ban on large sugary drinks in NYC. (Don't think we need Bloomberg to be deciding how much soda we can drink.) But quickly filled in SW and realized it was meal but then threw in JumboMeal (sticking to the supersize theme) before I got to Combo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35486996111519523942012-06-15T22:34:45.002-04:002012-06-15T22:34:45.002-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation. 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 6:13, 6:49, 0.91, 15%, Easy<br />Tue 12:03, 8:55, 1.35, 100%, Challenging (highest median solve time of 156 Tuesdays)<br />Wed 9:58, 11:47, 0.85, 18%, Easy<br />Thu 16:25, 18:56, 0.87, 23%, Easy-Medium<br />Fri 26:56, 24:43, 1.09, 68%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:38, 3:40, 0.99, 46%, Medium<br />Tue 6:25, 4:37, 1.39, 100%, Challenging (highest median solve time of 156 Tuesdays)<br />Wed 5:37, 5:53, 0.96, 41%, Medium<br />Thu 8:33, 9:21, 0.97, 40%, Medium<br />Fri 14:14, 12:14, 1.16, 79%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41665587503871771792012-06-15T22:25:45.033-04:002012-06-15T22:25:45.033-04:00Sigh... *cigar*Sigh... *cigar*Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59797152507205184122012-06-15T22:24:45.516-04:002012-06-15T22:24:45.516-04:00Beautiful weather for a fabulous day at the idylli...Beautiful weather for a fabulous day at the idyllic butterfly/chicken/dog/cat/caterpillar sanctuary that is Jen's little corner of heaven.<br />Such a delightful luncheon straight from the garden. So nice to see you all. Thanks again, Jen & Ryan! <br /><br />(Frieda was her name-o...)Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42143724285456718952012-06-15T22:19:43.630-04:002012-06-15T22:19:43.630-04:00Very hard for me. Needed to google 2x and ask Puz...Very hard for me. Needed to google 2x and ask Puzzle-spouse once, so DNFWOG. <br />I tagged 13 clues as obscure, 9 as pop names... funny - seemed like much more pop when I was solving... Didn't like that.<br />Loved all the tings y'all loved.<br /><br />@Loren - 19A and 20A sound like just a typical day for you... ;)<br /><br />@Smitty - I had cheat before STIFF.<br />popsicle before SNO[W]CONE.<br /><br />@Jack Bettridge - I have a theory that everyone hates the smell of cogar smoke. Men just put up with them because women will leave them alone while they partake.<br /><br />Thanks Dr. Diehl.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5906257030189371762012-06-15T21:59:26.111-04:002012-06-15T21:59:26.111-04:00Wow, this was tough - like @Rex, BOOP took forever...Wow, this was tough - like @Rex, BOOP took forever - I kept wanting the Peanuts character with the "naturally curly hair." I can't even remember her name.<br /><br />The ONE OCTAVE answer totally threw me - good one.<br /><br />Had a picture-perfect day CHILLAXING with blog friends mac, Sparky & Tita at my house; such a nice time.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84057784867209906922012-06-15T21:05:52.773-04:002012-06-15T21:05:52.773-04:00@Stephen: WHAAAAAT? You never heard of the Aust...@Stephen: WHAAAAAT? You never heard of the Austrian maestro? Maybe too many COMBO MEALS in your life? Wolfgang Puck is a walking culinary genius Try his Lobster Taco recipe because I don't think he would try to make TACO PIES - too mushy, like okra.<br />Loved the puzzle, can I have more?<br />Needed Google help but finished with a smile. I looked up the meaning of Coulrophobe and spent way too much time looking at all the other "phobia" words.<br />So wanted "Theron" in place of RICCI. Both such terrific actresses. My daughter rented "Monster" for us and asked me to guess who the actress was.....My husband calls her the beauty of all chameleons.<br />Have 8 people coming over for a typical Cuban dinner of "lechon" black beans,rice, yuca, croquetas and plantains. No KENS or TACO PIE(S) in this menu.GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19595624172008609782012-06-15T20:59:02.136-04:002012-06-15T20:59:02.136-04:00Fantastic Friday! Enjoyed the puzzle in fits and s...Fantastic Friday! Enjoyed the puzzle in fits and starts, got totally stuck in the NE until I googled coulro, then it went down.<br /><br />Fantastic Friday at JenCT's house with Sparky and Tita! Thanks again, Jen and Ryan.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9189099914703454292012-06-15T19:26:11.183-04:002012-06-15T19:26:11.183-04:00I'm astonished there is a thing called a TACO ...I'm astonished there is a thing called a TACO PIE. WhatTF? <br />Loved the whole puzzle, and loved the Home on the Range range, and various other things. <br /><br />Has anyone really heard of WOLFGANG PUCK?? WhoTF?<br /><br />Confession: DNF. ;-( There was this money-saving fast food option, see, and it had to gotta be COMBOdEAL, and that was true and right and good. No way it was going away. Malheureusely, there was also the small matter of an explanatory lead-in, which in my world was IdEAN. hmmmm. long pause. Clearly, an explanation has something to do with an IDEA, right? So what is IDEAN??? Finally googled it, and got no satisfaction. In spite of that, my head was so in love with the IDEA that I let it stand. Bah.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911901473993027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85573613589439574942012-06-15T16:48:34.353-04:002012-06-15T16:48:34.353-04:00Midday 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):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Fri 26:07, 24:43, 1.06, 62%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Fri 14:26, 12:14, 1.18, 80%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83734073959233801192012-06-15T15:02:50.033-04:002012-06-15T15:02:50.033-04:00Two great puzzles in a row. May this continue!Two great puzzles in a row. May this continue!Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66755415111072410472012-06-15T14:43:09.764-04:002012-06-15T14:43:09.764-04:00Everything that Rex and evil Doug said. Great Frid...Everything that Rex and evil Doug said. Great Friday puzzle with excellent cluing and misdirection. Going to go chillax in the garden now :DFearlessKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23935720955045336052012-06-15T14:38:24.082-04:002012-06-15T14:38:24.082-04:00@ orangeblossomspecial,
Thanks. The Wizard of Oz i...@ orangeblossomspecial,<br />Thanks. The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorites.Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896743444873087885noreply@blogger.com