tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post272685518733964417..comments2024-03-29T06:56:53.823-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Theme From Shaft composer 1971 / MON 9-2-13 / Classic computer game set on island / Alternatives to Slurpees / So-called mansiere essentially in Seinfeld episode / Complement of Disney dwarfs Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56038942154122493662013-10-07T20:22:43.054-04:002013-10-07T20:22:43.054-04:00@strayling - Who you callin' a memory jerker?@strayling - Who you callin' a memory jerker?Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71790177304063206802013-10-07T19:12:22.234-04:002013-10-07T19:12:22.234-04:00Just right for a Monday, and the bar I'm in ev...Just right for a Monday, and the bar I'm in even helpfully played the theme tune from Shaft as a memory jerker for me.<br /><br />Speaking of which, you're a bad person @Dirigonzo. +1 if I could.straylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536180563789923012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68751578108350939782013-10-07T17:32:38.880-04:002013-10-07T17:32:38.880-04:00Lots of fresh fill added to the fun and my beloved...Lots of fresh fill added to the fun and my beloved GTO made a re-appearance - loved it.<br /><br />@spacecraft - [so sorry to learn of the loss of your Dick. My condolences.] Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73649950286379141382013-10-07T14:44:44.009-04:002013-10-07T14:44:44.009-04:00Clever Monday puzz, Jim.
I fell into the Tivo/Tape...Clever Monday puzz, Jim.<br />I fell into the Tivo/Tape trap, too.<br />I smiled at the ANVIL/UNVEIL crossing.<br /><br />@Ginger, both Hawks and Huskies lose close ones on the road. No joy in Mudville.<br /><br />capcha: nexdern. We'll get 'em the nexdern time.<br /><br />Hey, somebody in D.C. get to work!<br />Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37362813725050947782013-10-07T14:09:29.077-04:002013-10-07T14:09:29.077-04:00"TAPE"ing a TV show is certainly passé, ..."TAPE"ing a TV show is certainly passé, yet it's a term many of us still use. I've heard folks talk about 'dialing up' a friend, yet the dial phone is now seen only in museums. Language lives and evolves with new technology and new slang; and dies a slow death as words like 'tape', and 'dial' eventually become obsolete. Crossword puzzles, and blogs such as this one, focus on the infinite variety the English (and French, German, Spanish, etc) languages provide. It's what keeps bringing me back. <br /><br />The Hawks had a bad day yesterday.(I DVRed it, but caught myself saying I 'taped' it.) Back to work, Pete, Russell, and company. Go Hawks!Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39143343703016140372013-10-07T10:51:20.239-04:002013-10-07T10:51:20.239-04:00Only one way I can add to that--and it's a cas...Only one way I can add to that--and it's a casino that's already gone: O'Shea's. Ah, the good ol'...well, you know.<br /><br />Starting in the NW, I was disappointed when ISAAC's last name couldn't be ASIMOV. It was an easy finish, the fill was good...I guess after treading through Friday and Saturday minefields, Monday is bound to be a letdown. That's not the constructor's fault. I'll give it an 87, B+. It's got a good beat, and you can dance to it. [Dick, you are sorely missed!]spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26900917482523721662013-09-02T22:06:25.656-04:002013-09-02T22:06:25.656-04:00@joho _ Good point. "Tape" as a catch-al...@joho _ Good point. "Tape" as a catch-all verb for "record" resembles "'dial" as we use it as we tap in the numbers on our modern phones.geordiegirlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21353101242718692412013-09-02T21:37:55.516-04:002013-09-02T21:37:55.516-04:00@ Anvil iCEE Acey Deucey,
Aren't they called ...@ Anvil iCEE Acey Deucey,<br /><br />Aren't they called portmanteau(x)?<br />That would be fun!<br /><br />capCHA- Celeaga 636. An ointment for sprue and gluten intolerance adminstered b.i.d. per anumQuestiniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06225633428852696530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54540192568738010112013-09-02T19:47:14.368-04:002013-09-02T19:47:14.368-04:00Yup, TIVO to TAPE.
Enjoyed the puzzle a lot; than...Yup, TIVO to TAPE.<br /><br />Enjoyed the puzzle a lot; thanks @ACME for the construction points. <br /><br />Having a young dog reminds me of having a toddler (but without the crying!) - she finds things on the floor that we forgot we owned...JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90619753248650389772013-09-02T19:14:27.757-04:002013-09-02T19:14:27.757-04:00TAPE, UGH! Thought that clue should have been clea...TAPE, UGH! Thought that clue should have been cleaned up with a "maybe" added to the end. I can't imagine too many persons TAPE televisions shows anymore. I always associate Labor Day with baseball and barbeques so I enjoyed OAKLANDA'S and ASTRO.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13794515134462751796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73913588981917857242013-09-02T16:24:11.689-04:002013-09-02T16:24:11.689-04:00Midday 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 (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 6:08, 6:08, 1.00, 54%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:50, 3:50, 1.00, 45%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6451269899581789412013-09-02T14:50:54.790-04:002013-09-02T14:50:54.790-04:00Synchronicity: 29D EMU.
On an episode of "A...Synchronicity: 29D EMU. <br /><br />On an episode of "American Pickers" Mike and Frank are walking across a field to look inside an old barn when they are suddenly confronted by a nearly six-foot tall EMU. They were visibly taken aback, but turns out it was not the attack variety, so they walked away unharmed.<br /><br />Then on an episode of "How It's Made" about the Maserati Quattroporte, they show how the body is prepped for painting by being polished to a super-smooth finish by these giant rotating wheels of.....EMU feathers! I swear!<br /><br />Nearly fell out of my chair. (Gotta get some side boards for this dang thang!) Anoa Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185183023273883700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1355597301830833662013-09-02T14:17:17.781-04:002013-09-02T14:17:17.781-04:00Not thrilled with EBON but otherwise easier than u...Not thrilled with EBON but otherwise easier than usual for a Monday (at least for me); theme popped at the end...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80921252019063083952013-09-02T13:53:31.618-04:002013-09-02T13:53:31.618-04:00Mayonnaise face - what my Sicilian husband has bee...Mayonnaise face - what my Sicilian husband has been knows to call me, for 2 reasons.<br /><br />Love my blue jays. They have to shriek to warn the squirrels to get out of the way when they come to get their single peanut. Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88497348650774149152013-09-02T12:48:14.232-04:002013-09-02T12:48:14.232-04:00I thought this was a heckuva puzzle and loved the ...I thought this was a heckuva puzzle and loved the simple theme. As Acme points out – it’s so much more than just rhymes. How cool that there are so many weighs (hi, @Little Miss Muffet) to spell the sound.<br /><br />Six examples and only two are plural. Nice.<br /><br />Liked LAZES next to EDENS, but I bet @anoa bob didn’t like those S’s. Now that I’m retired from event planning and all the, uh, soirées, I have been LAZing in this EDEN of a place. @dk – get a fingernail brush before you harvest those potatoes. Seriously.<br /><br />@Milford – well said about this blog and the complainers.<br /> <br />Andrea – I like that idea! Tekicketh, epokeye, ashotrm. . .<br /><br />@Lewis – I noticed that OLD LEST I’M DEAD line, too.<br /><br />Hellman's MAYONNAISE is my go-to ingredient for removing the ability to fasten my jeans.<br /><br />Nice job, Jim. Makes me want to copy. Thunder thighs, word to the wise, Pulitzer prize, close your eyes, one of the guys, money supplies. . .Loren Muse Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05308030011870397977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47700978776080709662013-09-02T12:42:31.865-04:002013-09-02T12:42:31.865-04:00@Rex, Kudos for including the illustration of the ...@Rex, Kudos for including the illustration of the Steller’s Jays. Beautiful birds, but man, oh man, what a harsh shriek they have.Ray Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88117511215899410712013-09-02T12:17:20.840-04:002013-09-02T12:17:20.840-04:00@rex -- loved "This was... a puzzle!"
I...@rex -- loved "This was... a puzzle!"<br /><br />I do like OLD LEST I'M DEAD reading across.<br /><br />Plain and simple, not much out of the ordinary to comment on. And I noticed what Mr. Benson noticed about the rhythm of the answers, which added to the theme's quality.<br /><br />I do have friends who actually still tape tv shows on cartridges. I am very conservative when it comes to adopting new tech devices, but the DVR has certainly become a must in our house.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69212314840341546622013-09-02T12:08:29.375-04:002013-09-02T12:08:29.375-04:00RE: 'Tape' for 'TIVO'.
3M, a pio...RE: 'Tape' for 'TIVO'.<br /><br />3M, a pioneer in tape technology and the manufacturing of both audio and video tapes, exited the business in 1997.<br /><br />For constuctors, perhaps 'tape' will live as long as Nita Naldi.<br /><br />Dick Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67345601094342989102013-09-02T12:08:00.630-04:002013-09-02T12:08:00.630-04:00Easy-medium works for me.
Debated Tivo vs. TAPE o...Easy-medium works for me.<br /><br />Debated Tivo <i>vs.</i> TAPE only briefly. Both had a pretty scrabbly letter in 8D so O(P or v)___ looked like it would offer an easy decision. It did. Same strategy for 42D UNVEIL <i>vs.</i> UNmask. (My way of being nice to newbies - offering solving hints.)<br /><br />Enjoyed the puzzle. Thanks, Mr. Peredo.<br />retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72772931511242653792013-09-02T11:47:11.046-04:002013-09-02T11:47:11.046-04:00Another aspect improving the theme is the fact tha...Another aspect improving the theme is the fact that all the theme answers are in the same meter: three syllables, long-short-long, which I believe is called a "cretic." That narrows down the list of potential fits considerably; "we call it maize" would not have worked.Mr. Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12507031178939980974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10203582447600772722013-09-02T11:40:36.191-04:002013-09-02T11:40:36.191-04:00Even though spell checker doesn’t like it, my scra...Even though spell checker doesn’t like it, my scrabble dictionary says wheys is okay and outscores weighs 14 to 13.Little Miss Muffetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39276145542239900922013-09-02T11:32:01.449-04:002013-09-02T11:32:01.449-04:00I really enjoyed the different WAYS that the const...I really enjoyed the different WAYS that the constructor rhymed the AYES, ASE, AISE, AZE, AYS, AS!<br /><br />The theme answers were juicy and fun...<br /><br />And on Labor DAYS, I like to LAZE and GAZE upon my MONETs and LEIs- which I have 'on TAPE' to turn a PHRASE...UGH. Sorry. (can't believe I'm signing my name to this one)Sandy Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36766790261353921022013-09-02T11:23:57.588-04:002013-09-02T11:23:57.588-04:00I have a small nit with the clue for 63D. It shoul...I have a small nit with the clue for 63D. It should read "Classic computer game set on islands" since it is set on six different island, not on an island.pmdmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67718943029538501552013-09-02T11:17:21.878-04:002013-09-02T11:17:21.878-04:00With a tie in to Labor Day(z). Or will that be tom...With a tie in to Labor Day(z). Or will that be tomorrow?jerry khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16281709143821361912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13976589766195511972013-09-02T11:02:13.425-04:002013-09-02T11:02:13.425-04:00Tip of the hat to @Rob C for straightening up Anon...Tip of the hat to @Rob C for straightening up Anon 12:45.<br /><br />My wife and I solve the puzzle together most mornings. We're good at solving, but painfully slow compared to many folks here. Still, I comment here periodically and have never felt uncomfortable, and I enjoy the posts of superior solvers - and love Rex's thoughts.<br /><br />And - I have noticed that the old-timers are very welcoming to new posters. <br /><br />This blog and all the comments enriches the NYT crossword experience for speed solvers and struggling newcomers alike. Anon12:45 is simply wrong.<br />Mohair Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502840715719161565noreply@blogger.com