tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2130464985532809765..comments2024-03-29T01:22:33.864-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Pele's given name / SUN 4-14-13 / Italian Renaissance composer Giovanni / Aunt of 1960s TV / Knitter's stash / Sufficient in Macbeth / Actress Lorna / When repeated 1963 #2 hitRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51468476837275528172013-05-21T15:06:51.866-04:002013-05-21T15:06:51.866-04:00my name is mccart john i never believe in spell c...my name is mccart john i never believe in spell casting, until when i was was tempted to try it. i and my husband have been having a lot of problem living together, he will always not make me happy because he have fallen in love with another lady outside our relationship, i tried my best to make sure that my husband leave this woman but the more i talk to him the more he makes me fell sad, so my marriage is now leading to divorce because he no longer gives me attention. so with all this pain and agony, i decided to contact this spell caster to see if things can work out between me and my husband again. this spell caster who was a woman told me that my husband is really under a great spell that he have been charm by some magic, so she told me that she was going to make all things normal back. she did the spell on my husband and after 5 days my husband changed completely he even apologize with the way he treated me that he was not him self, i really thank this woman her name is Dr Aluta she have bring back my husband back to me i want you all to contact her who are having any problem related to marriage issue and relationship problem she will solve it for you. her email is traditionalspellhospital@gmail.com, she is a woman and she is great. wish you good time.mccartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72092228203115377042013-05-21T15:02:31.490-04:002013-05-21T15:02:31.490-04:00my name is mccart i never believe in spell casting...my name is mccart i never believe in spell casting, until when i was was tempted to try it. i and my husband have been having a lot of problem living together, he will always not make me happy because he have fallen in love with another lady outside our relationship, i tried my best to make sure that my husband leave this woman but the more i talk to him the more he makes me fell sad, so my marriage is now leading to divorce because he no longer gives me attention. so with all this pain and agony, i decided to contact this spell caster to see if things can work out between me and my husband again. this spell caster who was a woman told me that my husband is really under a great spell that he have been charm by some magic, so she told me that she was going to make all things normal back. she did the spell on my husband and after 5 days my husband changed completely he even apologize with the way he treated me that he was not him self, i really thank this woman her name is Dr Aluta she have bring back my husband back to me i want you all to contact her who are having any problem related to marriage issue and relationship problem she will solve it for you. her email is traditionalspellhospital@gmail.com, she is a woman and she is great. wish you good time.mccartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83860060794978984542013-04-28T22:27:04.652-04:002013-04-28T22:27:04.652-04:00I think the alleged hostility of anonymous posters...I think the alleged hostility of anonymous posters here is the emperor's new clothes of this blog. So many well wishes from so many "anonymice" today... Too bad Rex doesn't read them. Or DOES he?... <br /><br />@Rex- I hope you're all better by now. Being sick sucks. So does losing a pet. I buried my female cat, "Kits" just a few months ago. I had at some point decided she would be my last... Pay no attention to the beautiful tom cat sleeping at my side ("Mr. Felix")... Yeah, he probably won't be my last either;-) My condolences to you sir, and to @JenCT... -Kevin QuinnKevin Quinnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54016186757213435212013-04-22T00:27:27.016-04:002013-04-22T00:27:27.016-04:00DARK SHADOWS wasn't a long-running British TV ...DARK SHADOWS wasn't a long-running <i>British</i> TV show -- it was an American show, taped in New York City and originally broadcast by and owned by the ABC network.Joshuanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54392170381819239162013-04-21T20:53:56.186-04:002013-04-21T20:53:56.186-04:00@Rex, belated condolences on losing your kitty.
@...@Rex, belated condolences on losing your kitty.<br /><br />@jackj, regarding that comment about chocolate:<br /><br />"Even better than sex, they say."<br /><br />I LOVE chocolate but my reaction to this old saying is always, "I think they must be doing something wrong." :-)<br /><br />Very enjoyable puzzle! Nothing much to add to the existing comments. I loved all the literary clues. When I got to ARCADIA I thought of the Tom Stoppard play which is one of my favorites.Syndi Solvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71297986002922095012013-04-21T16:14:14.439-04:002013-04-21T16:14:14.439-04:00Turned out to be more of a straight medium for me;...Turned out to be more of a straight medium for me; I got off on a couple of wrong feet: rENter before TENANT, dsT instead of EDT--and, the only "white" drink I know is WHITErussian, which I filled in without an inkling that it might be wrong. That, folks, took a while to SORT out.<br /><br />However, all got straightened out in the end; so thanks for the "guilty pleasure," Liz!Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67603915646164926652013-04-21T15:34:09.236-04:002013-04-21T15:34:09.236-04:00From SynCity, my heart-felt condolences to those w...From SynCity, my heart-felt condolences to those who lost their beloved pets last week.<br /><br />PP and I struggled with parts of the grid, notably the NW corner where my idea to put in "aper" at 1a (Parrot) made it harder than it had to be. I usually finish a puzzle with at least one answer that I get right without understanding why and today had gtwo perfect exxamples: TIS for Contracted agreement and ENSIGN for Naval flier. Then I come here and somebody explains them for me - thank you Rexville!<br /><br />Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9100104272435604132013-04-20T10:24:40.175-04:002013-04-20T10:24:40.175-04:00So sorry about your cat, Rex. We had the same exp...So sorry about your cat, Rex. We had the same experience New Year's Eve with our 16 year old, we're still missing her so much. Glad to hear you're feeling better. <br /><br />This one was easy-medium for me too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67229208629393437262013-04-14T22:47:17.900-04:002013-04-14T22:47:17.900-04:00I hesitated at 48 A, because I associate the answe...I hesitated at 48 A, because I associate the answer so strongly with:<br /><br />The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam as translated by Edward FitzGerald.- <br /><br />A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,<br />A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread — and Thou<br />Beside me singing in the Wilderness<br />— Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!<br /><br />(Much more pleasant than the scenes from Shakespeare!)Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51692818973370428122013-04-14T21:41:03.651-04:002013-04-14T21:41:03.651-04:00DNF. A few blanks in Mid West. Puzzle okay. Like...DNF. A few blanks in Mid West. Puzzle okay. Liked SKEINS, SCALDS, chunky words. <br /><br />My husband accidently brought home Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter with Reeses. We don't like chunky ice cream. I am bravely eating it so it won't go to waste. Oh, the horror.<br /><br />Glad you are mending Rex. Really sorry about the cat. Such a hard decision. George Carlin got it right about letting a pet into your life. <br /><br />Oh, @Jen. He was such a big woofer. I am sorry. He was a hugful.<br /><br />Thanks for the update @quilter1. Glad you are coming along. <br /><br />As for @Sparky: Have been having a lot of migraine episodes, have carpel tunnel and PC sholder. Yoikes! I think I'll take a rest from the computer for a while. May lurk, though. Be good.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20593874553148964472013-04-14T21:26:11.683-04:002013-04-14T21:26:11.683-04:00Once I filled In SWISSFAMILYROBINSON, BITTERSWEETS...Once I filled In SWISSFAMILYROBINSON, BITTERSWEETSYMPHONY, BELGIANCONGO andHOTFORTEACHER, the rest came relatively easily (for me--meaning that it took "only" a little less than 2hours. I enjoyed it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />LaneBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29976000601683672862013-04-14T20:26:42.297-04:002013-04-14T20:26:42.297-04:00Agree with Ed From Hackensack. Googling is a DNF.Agree with Ed From Hackensack. Googling is a DNF.jerry khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16281709143821361912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26225061707353849392013-04-14T19:59:16.277-04:002013-04-14T19:59:16.277-04:00Oh Jen - so sorry about Duke!
He was friendly inde...Oh Jen - so sorry about Duke!<br />He was friendly indeed, lumbering along with the cats and the chicks...<br /><br />I know he'll be sadly missed. I hope the rest of your menagerie (and family) can help make this a tiny bit easier on you all.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19720230160197381572013-04-14T19:04:53.345-04:002013-04-14T19:04:53.345-04:00@Jen Ct sooo sorry!@Jen Ct sooo sorry!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37512740895063548172013-04-14T18:53:31.969-04:002013-04-14T18:53:31.969-04:00@JenCT - Rock is exactly what I have managed to a...@JenCT - Rock is exactly what I have managed to avoid for most of my life! I am certainly not about to start paying attention to Van Halen, REM, INXS, or the Verve(??) in order to improve my crossword skills! I did finish this puzzle successfully, despite all the pop. At least I knew who Phil Ochs was. There but for fortune go you or I...<br /><br />OISKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808675378318214461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75105853080114506072013-04-14T18:47:12.724-04:002013-04-14T18:47:12.724-04:00Most of us wait all week to pick up the Sunday NYT...Most of us wait all week to pick up the Sunday NYT from our doorstep or driveway and then settle into our most comfortable chair or prop ourselves up in bed to do the puzzle. It's a great (sometimes the best) part of my week.<br /><br />But today, extra special....You Gen X guys got your thrill from revisiting "Hot for Teacher". We baby boomer gals got our thrill from the chocolate theme.<br /><br />Yes, it is better than..................anything!<br /><br />Get well soon, Rex. Airymomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14733192944158516542013-04-14T18:25:45.016-04:002013-04-14T18:25:45.016-04:00@OISK: Come out from under that rock, would ya?
...@OISK: Come out from under that rock, would ya?<br /><br />So glad you're on the mend, @Rex, and sorry about your cat. It's hard to lose a pet that's been with you for so long. <br /><br />I haven't been sick, but it's been a rotten day for me, too: Our 9-yr.-old German Shepherd (my avatar) suffered a ruptured spleen tumor last night (we didn't even know he had a tumor), and the vet put him down today. <br /><br />Duke was super-friendly, always ready for a hike or a car ride, was great with kids & other animals, a wonderful watchdog, and a loyal family member. <br /><br />I'm really hoping that my service dog will be ready soon...<br /><br />I enjoyed the puzzle very much: yes, it was on the easy side, but Liz Gorski puzzles are always right in my wheelhouse.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74781233323914910342013-04-14T18:12:31.473-04:002013-04-14T18:12:31.473-04:00This 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 5:33, 6:10, 0.90, 10%, Easy<br />Tue 7:16, 8:15, 0.88, 15%, Easy<br />Wed 9:50, 10:16, 0.96, 40%, Medium<br />Thu 13:57, 16:58, 0.82, 18%, Easy<br />Fri 16:46, 22:14, 0.75, 13%, Easy<br />Sat 28:50, 25:16, 1.14, 84%, Challenging<br />Sun 24:23, 29:29, 0.83, 17%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:22, 3:42, 0.91, 9%, Easy<br />Tue 4:25, 4:49, 0.92, 15%, Easy<br />Wed 5:12, 6:04, 0.86, 12%, Easy<br />Thu 8:37, 9:56, 0.87, 22%, Easy-Medium<br />Fri 8:38, 12:47, 0.68, 5%, Easy (9th lowest ratio of 172 Fridays)<br />Sat 17:27, 15:01, 1.16, 82%, Challenging<br />Sun 15:03, 19:51, 0.76, 7% (6th lowest ratio of 82 Sundays)<br /><br />So ends (mostly) easy week with the NYT crossword. Sorry for your health woes, Rex, and for your loss. 17/18 seems to be a common age for these heart-wrenching decisions for cat-owners. Get well and hang in there.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40637408560934857502013-04-14T18:04:16.001-04:002013-04-14T18:04:16.001-04:00Waiting for someone else who disliked this one. I ...Waiting for someone else who disliked this one. I do not know Van Halen from Van Johnson, never heard of Bittersweet symphony, Hot for teacher, The Matrix hero, have no idea who Yanni is, but knew it from prior puzzles, Never heard of anything by REM ether, so until CDROM jumped into my brain I was stumped . There is a point at which the pop culture gets annoying enough for me to just want to toss the puzzle. This one got close to that point. (never heard Louie Louie either, but I vaguely recall the existence of the song.) The theme did not excite me either. I'm from Brooklyn, but this puzzle gets my Bronx cheer.OISKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808675378318214461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70375413015307654832013-04-14T17:00:19.289-04:002013-04-14T17:00:19.289-04:00if you google, its a DNF folks. Rex sorry about t...if you google, its a DNF folks. Rex sorry about thecat. My grandfather used to tell me "Good pussy is hard to find"EdFromHackensacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53871880961479123132013-04-14T16:06:29.056-04:002013-04-14T16:06:29.056-04:00@rudiger45 - rotary phones associated letters with...@rudiger45 - rotary phones associated letters with numbers 2-9, three letters per number. Q and Z were omitted. This slight was corrected when texting became a telephone function. Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35005092902092827062013-04-14T15:34:38.629-04:002013-04-14T15:34:38.629-04:00First of all, condolences on the loss of your cat,...First of all, condolences on the loss of your cat, Rex. Putting a cherished pet to sleep is never easy. April truly can be "the cruelest month". I got about 50% of this puzzle on the first go down & across and then spent about 2 hours filling in rest... got about 90% done before I came to the site. This is excellent for me. I really enjoyed this puzzle & some of the quirky cluing. My fave was 44 Across "Naval flier"... I immediately thought "AVIATOR" but was one letter too long and "PILOT" one too short. When I finally filled in "ENSIGN" I asked myself "But can't those ranked as Lieutenants, etc.. be naval fliers too" Then it hit me that an "ENSIGN" can be a flag. Great cluing Ms. Gorski. PS Was "DARK SHADDOWS" a British show? I remember Barnaby Collins on ABC when I was a kid.Fitzynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18385976252820931832013-04-14T15:29:05.146-04:002013-04-14T15:29:05.146-04:00UM@Jackj.MILK(THISTLE) WAS one of the theme answer...UM@Jackj.MILK(THISTLE) WAS one of the theme answers-I guess Rex missed it too! Rudders for NUDGERS messed me up in the sw! -never heard of the Verve-never heard the song! wanted(kept singing) BITTERSWEETmemories! REX been there-the hardest act of love may you ever have to fulfillsyndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38746760915669203732013-04-14T14:20:48.456-04:002013-04-14T14:20:48.456-04:00@4-Oh. Man. 23-Across pretty much sums up your w...@4-Oh. Man. 23-Across pretty much sums up your week. Sympathies, all around.<br /><br />Since you have been out cold for the duration, thought I'd recap the week for you. So, major spoiler alert, here.<br /><br />*** (spoiler barrier) ***<br /><br />Monday: O/S, which stands for April Fools, in Bulgaria. BFFs stage a coup. coop? coupe? whatever.<br />Tuesday: Debut. For the new traffic sign "GOON AHEAD", alerting one In advance to encounters with weirdball motorists.<br />Wednesday: Stacked 15ers that are Movie Themers. My fave of the week.<br />Thursday: Sunglasses that can see around corners. Evil Doug loses it.<br />Friday: Wraparound rear ends. Very few U's. Some new guy named Patrick Berry. I'd skip, if I were you.<br />Saturday: Mutha's Day themeless. Lotsa French stuff.<br />Sunday: Chocolate til you drop. Sweet! Welcome back, blog dude Rex.<br /><br />M and Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50744475417582376422013-04-14T14:20:15.798-04:002013-04-14T14:20:15.798-04:00I also flew through this & concur with an &quo...I also flew through this & concur with an "easy" rating; only medium-fun, though, because the theme was quickly deduced and resulted in too much standard fill with unimaginative cluing.<br />Minor quibbles: <br />1A: Parrot, to me, is to copy or repeat, not necessarily ECHO.<br />21A: Would be better to clue it "In N.Y.C., it starts in March." As stated the clue sounds like it was created by someone who believes the world revolves around NYC (like an ESPN programmer).<br />109A: On the two phone pads I checked, there's a key for PQRS; seems like cheating for the convenience of the fill to omit the Q.<br />16D: Can't think of any basketball drills that aren't ONCOURT, can you?!?<br /><br />That said, I did like the misdirection of 51D ("Flat storage site" for CDROM) and 41A ("Worldly figure" for SPHERE).rudiger45https://www.blogger.com/profile/06097601521522263106noreply@blogger.com