tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2824549272626777233..comments2024-03-29T08:03:27.720-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: MONDAY, Jul. 7, 2008 - Bob Klahn (RECURRING MELODIC PHRASE / PLAYFUL KNUCKLE-RUB)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76210548664403993332022-05-20T15:53:04.834-04:002022-05-20T15:53:04.834-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Fachrul Rozihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006939462691150145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55552409888802246672008-07-10T16:15:00.000-04:002008-07-10T16:15:00.000-04:00As a followup, let me mention that not only is SAI...As a followup, let me mention that not only is SAINT LO famous from WWII itself, its postwar reconstruction played an important role in Samuel Beckett's final development as a great writer, just before his great burst of creativity 1946-1949. Beckett went there as a bilingual volunteer with the Irish Red Cross, and was witness to enough ruin and hope to last him decades.<BR/><BR/>See Eoin O'Brien THE BECKETT COUNTRY, an absolutely gorgeous book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73200331059487054142008-07-10T16:03:00.000-04:002008-07-10T16:03:00.000-04:00Sorry for the lateness of this response:Like most ...Sorry for the lateness of this response:<BR/><BR/>Like most of you, I got OSTINATO from the crosses and wondered what it could possibly be doing in a Monday puzzle, and I certainly had no memory of seeing it a few months back on a Saturday.<BR/><BR/>So here I am in the middle of reading Richard Powers THE TIME OF THEIR SINGING, and hahaha, the word pops up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90189844812898797182008-07-07T23:13:00.000-04:002008-07-07T23:13:00.000-04:00@miriam, you are funny! My late cat used to litera...@miriam, you are funny! My late cat used to literally "climb the walls", jump as high as she could for no good reason!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84492429923122005092008-07-07T23:01:00.000-04:002008-07-07T23:01:00.000-04:00@karmasartre: I don't actually breed levitating c...@karmasartre: I don't actually breed levitating cats; I train them. In point of fact, all my cats are neutered. They levitate as a result of a stringent program of operant conditioning. Dinah is especially adept, as she's rather jumpy and began to levitate spontaneously one day when someone accidentally dropped a book.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58623180722420466822008-07-07T22:39:00.000-04:002008-07-07T22:39:00.000-04:00Can someone explain how the new Natick Principle i...Can someone explain how the new Natick Principle is different from the Asok's Beak conundrum that was discussed back in January?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55425832758776929622008-07-07T20:21:00.000-04:002008-07-07T20:21:00.000-04:00I solved the puzzle relatively easily except for g...I solved the puzzle relatively easily except for getting caught for a minute on exeter/exacta.<BR/><BR/>Arista Records was the highlight of the puzzle. I remember back to the early 70s when Clive Davis started it up (through Columbia Records, according to Wikipedia). He had an incredible ear for talent, and signed less-popular, but stellar musicians/groups to the label. For the life of me, I can't remember the acts that he signed .... does anyone else remember this?Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13396770897787677711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32567647137732325692008-07-07T20:14:00.000-04:002008-07-07T20:14:00.000-04:00Bill from NJ,Where were the Murphy bed, the Cheste...Bill from NJ,<BR/><BR/>Where were the Murphy bed, the Chesterfield and the Davenport? In various living situations I've had all three.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17239326864131329172008-07-07T19:47:00.000-04:002008-07-07T19:47:00.000-04:00Doc John, Debi Thomas's Wikipedia bio says she's a...Doc John, Debi Thomas's Wikipedia bio says she's an orthopedist in Urbana, IL.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38647173270904912022008-07-07T19:13:00.000-04:002008-07-07T19:13:00.000-04:00Great puzzle Mr. Klahn.IS IT I spelled backwards i...Great puzzle Mr. Klahn.<BR/><BR/>IS IT I spelled backwards is IT IS I.<BR/>An apt response from Judas.Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07466240197659721721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42386330130815993512008-07-07T18:50:00.000-04:002008-07-07T18:50:00.000-04:00Oh yeah, I forgot to add this reference to NOOGIE....Oh yeah, I forgot to add this reference to <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-aHpo58uhc" REL="nofollow">NOOGIE</A>. <BR/>(Unfortunately, I couldn't locate any actual SNL footage).Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87145709918132395702008-07-07T18:46:00.000-04:002008-07-07T18:46:00.000-04:00Klahn on a Monday reminds me that network sitcoms ...Klahn on a Monday reminds me that network sitcoms are often written by Harvard-educated writers. Kind of writing down but trying not to be too obvious about it. Like having NOOGIE and OSTINATO cross one another.<BR/><BR/>My grandparents had a settee in their parlor and a daybed in their sitting room. Sounded 19th century to me even as a child.<BR/><BR/>Everywhere there was a potential problem, I would find crosswordese crossing and the problem would fizzle.<BR/><BR/>Enjoyable, quick and easy, all that is required of a Monday puzzle.Bill from NJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103923612595508277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14738268159195236522008-07-07T18:26:00.000-04:002008-07-07T18:26:00.000-04:00When I saw Klahn I knew this wouldn't be a typical...When I saw Klahn I knew this wouldn't be a typical Monday and I was right. This took a little longer than usual for me, as well. Had some trouble parsing PENNANT RACES but was helped when I realized that the S for dust didn't fit and changed the answer to DUCT and it fell into place.<BR/><BR/>DEBI THOMAS has forever burned herself into my psyche as a huge choke. Should have won the gold medal but missed a triple-triple combo and then more flubs after that. I was surprised to find from this puzzle that she was actually World Champ at one point. After the Olympics, she took time off from her medical studies and I'm not sure but don't think she ever returned to them.<BR/><BR/>Of course Michelle Kwan also choked in the Olympics- twice but her skating is so wonderful and elegant that I forgave her. Don't get me started on that gangly bum, Tara Lipinsky or Sarah Hughes, either, who were lucky at just the right time. The later Olympic competitions seem to go to the one who doesn't fall, no matter if the rest of her skating doesn't compare.Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66726681725886926692008-07-07T17:49:00.000-04:002008-07-07T17:49:00.000-04:00I was able to get rid of an invading bat. I watche...I was able to get rid of an invading bat. I watched a bit, and saw it was seeking the dark rooms. So, I turned on all the interior lights, opened all the doors and windows, and it split lickety-slpit.<BR/><BR/>But if Miriam B is breeding levitating cats I am clearly out of my league.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77339613298200307972008-07-07T17:28:00.000-04:002008-07-07T17:28:00.000-04:00I finished this puzzle in a few minutes and I neve...I finished this puzzle in a few minutes and I never noticed the obscure answers like ostinato because I had everyting cross referenced and contexturally solved. When I read everyone elses blogs I thought it was pretty funny because I never even saw the "difficult" stuff.alanrichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06395356843823270129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26904511789935748242008-07-07T17:11:00.000-04:002008-07-07T17:11:00.000-04:00@miramb and @roathan, thank you for the bat tips. ...@miramb and @roathan, thank you for the bat tips. I think this one just flew into the screen as it is tough to see. My meta issue is how did it get in, as I had batman in last year to do what they do.<BR/><BR/>On the old testament-new testament clues: When we have blog comments attesting to an erect sharp in the middle of the puzzle... we need all the salvation we can get. So go here and get some.<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_EDkSbqavk<BR/><BR/>Need to find a church lady avatar or Reverend Ike... yeah thats the ticket.dkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317008233459295376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45452288667789293632008-07-07T17:08:00.000-04:002008-07-07T17:08:00.000-04:00I thought today might be the day. For several mon...I thought today might be the day. For several months I've been wondering about constructors and whether they actively search for unusual words. All this was brought about by a magazine I've got sitting in my 'reading room', containing plans for building a Prairie Settle, a type of couch. I thought that was a great late week clue. Type of couch: SETTLE. <BR/><BR/>I tried my usual Monday solution process, downs only to start and see how far I get, and wondered if 6D might make my day. It didn’t.<BR/>Neither did 9D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21586323189682576692008-07-07T16:13:00.000-04:002008-07-07T16:13:00.000-04:00Confirmed (from this blog, May 24):"I should say t...Confirmed (from this blog, May 24):<BR/><BR/>"I should say that I liked this puzzle a lot, much more than yesterday's. It was tough and interesting and full of lively and clever answers. I liked it despite never having heard of five different answers (all Downs, strangely):<BR/><BR/> * OSTINATO (10D: Repeated musical phrase)<BR/> * UNIATE (2D: Certain Christian)<BR/> * SCHAEFER<BR/> * BLAS (48D: Gulf of San _____ (Caribbean Sea inlet))<BR/> * LOME (49D: West African capital)"<BR/><BR/>--King RexAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34314836061838174682008-07-07T15:21:00.000-04:002008-07-07T15:21:00.000-04:00OSTINATO would have been a slightly easier solve i...OSTINATO would have been a slightly easier solve if I hadn't misread melodic as melodramatic (don't ask), but I think the clue which is technically correct per the definitions I just read is slightly off. I think of an OSTINATO as an underlying repeated phrase that supports the melodic material above or below it. To me, a recurring melodic phrase is a motif.imsdavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12966770844825169981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59969014902693534122008-07-07T14:49:00.000-04:002008-07-07T14:49:00.000-04:00while we're on genesis sons, we can't just stop at...while we're on genesis sons, we can't just stop at adam (who is occasionally called god's "son") and his immediate family--genesis keeps going and going. noah and his family (shem is also four letters) is in genesis. so too abraham, isaac and jacob (and his brother esau, four letters).<BR/><BR/>i second jim in chicago's call for the cessation of old testament clues based on book order.Joonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825085755390339668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12472558826159485252008-07-07T14:45:00.000-04:002008-07-07T14:45:00.000-04:00Did no one else notice SHARP being right in the ce...Did no one else notice SHARP being right in the center of the grid, completely erect (not semi!) and holding the pieces of the puzzle firmly together? A very appropos parallel to the blog, I must say.<BR/><BR/>Even if it wasn't intentional I'd still frame it for the office wall.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10389790318218161090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1917056823574011252008-07-07T14:38:00.001-04:002008-07-07T14:38:00.001-04:00@dk: I second ronathan's bat cautions. About a y...@dk: I second ronathan's bat cautions. About a year ago a bat got into my bedroom somehow and did not follow the close-the-door-open-the-window protocol. One of several cats who were present levitated and clobbered the bat, killing it. I called the county health dept. and they sent a person known as a sanitarian (my new word for that day) wearing protective clothing and substantial gloves who placed the bat in a coffee can. The corpse was sent to Albany for examination and to my relief the bat tested negative for rabies. Of course, all the cats, indoor or not, have been inoculated against rabies, so I wasn't worried about them - only myself. When this happened, no one else was at home, and it was pretty alarming. <BR/><BR/>On Genesis sons: Cain, Abel, Seth, and ENOS. Better a Genesis son than a space monkey, I suppose.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28615445079721010102008-07-07T14:38:00.000-04:002008-07-07T14:38:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21527405191092152762008-07-07T14:25:00.000-04:002008-07-07T14:25:00.000-04:00Along with Treedweller, I recall OSTINATO from som...Along with Treedweller, I recall OSTINATO from sometime in the last few months, but maybe it wasn't from the NYT puzzle? Since I do a few other puzzles from time to time, I'm not sure of the origin.<BR/><BR/>MACE was the first thing that came to mind for the tear to the eye Clue. I liked the MIX and MESH combination, and the slightly devilish SEAT and ERSE pairing. I recently did an old Klahn Sunday puzzle that got buried and forgotten, which lends an even higher appreciation of the construction elegance and the quality of the clues, whether they be quirky, misdirecting or dripping with dry wit. They tend to have an extra measure of correspondence with the answer, so that you know you've got it when you arrive there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29162110168757103952008-07-07T14:23:00.000-04:002008-07-07T14:23:00.000-04:00musical theatre to the rescue again (rex, i can *s...musical theatre to the rescue again (rex, i can *see* you cringing...;-) ).<BR/><BR/>i thought i saw it posted here earlier, but "natick" is in fact bill finn's hometown (didn't i see that <I>elegies</I> reference here?) -- and also the hometown of alison fraser, his long-time friend and one of his earliest leading ladies.<BR/><BR/>then there's "settee" -- etched into my memory via oscar hammerstein's lyrics for "i cain't say 'no'" (from <I>oklahoma!</I>):<BR/><BR/>fer a while i act refined and cool --<BR/>a-sittin' on the velveteen settee.<BR/>then i think of that old golden rule --<BR/>and do fer him what he would do fer me!<BR/><BR/>such a happy surprise to encounter an early-in-the-week klahn. no doubt he and will are fattening us up for the kill!<BR/><BR/>;-)<BR/><BR/>janiejaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15129173620859824730noreply@blogger.com