tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post283840364390007787..comments2024-03-28T20:15:26.332-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2008 - Raymond C. YoungRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80565327132849077992008-02-16T18:40:00.000-05:002008-02-16T18:40:00.000-05:00Six-weeks-plus-a-day club checking in ...That was ...Six-weeks-plus-a-day club checking in ...<BR/><BR/>That was beautiful. The prettiness of the grid caught my attention immediately, and I enjoyed the clues and answers too. Lots of long words and no little isolated corners. There were only three American things I'd never heard of (MOVIEFONE, HARPERLEE and IVINS), but lots of good stuff like EMAILLIST and INTHEPINK.<BR/><BR/>Very good clue for SCALAR, both in terms of accuracy and misdirection. The thermometer is the perfect example. I loved 28D. Not much in the way of misdirection clues, but with things like "fit" it's still easy to misdirect myself.<BR/><BR/>I had SCARESWITLESS for a while and was pinching my nose at having an answer in a clue. Tried SCARESTODEATH and SCARESTHEHELL before I finally got it right.<BR/><BR/>I hadn't heard REAFFOREST or VAPORIFIC before, nor "up the river." It's always been creek, but they're believable.<BR/><BR/>Regarding LICIA, LOSCH and LICEY yes they were obscure, but now you know how I feel about every non-world-famous American team, author, musician and athlete that appears in puzzles.<BR/><BR/>I knew you were going to say it was easy in the end, but ten minutes! Holy cr*p are you fast. I'm not sure I could cheat that fast. :-)Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32828356462897687882008-02-15T23:36:00.000-05:002008-02-15T23:36:00.000-05:00Done in early by bad mistakes. Thought I was bein...Done in early by bad mistakes. Thought I was being clever with SPINSTERS for "Relations of Homer" and INTOPFORM for "Fit". Both wrong - badly wrong.impjbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311105934112373190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27364551548535579312008-02-15T22:41:00.000-05:002008-02-15T22:41:00.000-05:00Also from the syndicate -KERR & SCALAR were the on...Also from the syndicate -<BR/><BR/>KERR & SCALAR were the only 2 gimmes for me in this somewhat challenging Friday puzzle. But, alas, SCALAR led me to infer ATEAM for "put in to start" and then HELLENICS for "Relations of Homer?". And, for some inexplicable reason, thought "Soprano Albanese" was MELBA.<BR/><BR/>Vatta mess vas dat nortvest!! The rest, though, seemed to embody easiness.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57701263437044123982008-02-15T22:40:00.000-05:002008-02-15T22:40:00.000-05:00from 6 weeks later:At 11:33 AM, karmasartre said:"...from 6 weeks later:<BR/><BR/>At 11:33 AM, karmasartre said:<BR/>"...Different eras mean different errors..."<BR/><BR/>So true!!!<BR/><BR/>Hated the NW, but so be it...on to Saturday...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40319897730560161492008-02-15T20:25:00.000-05:002008-02-15T20:25:00.000-05:00Yes, I too read these long after they were posted....Yes, I too read these long after they were posted. It's like coming across the log of ghost ship adrift on the briny. Last entry, "Today we're going back to see those friendly natives who gave us the garlic soap."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92027942921053151232008-02-15T17:17:00.000-05:002008-02-15T17:17:00.000-05:00I suspect more folks than you know read this on sy...I suspect more folks than you know read this on syndication. I am pretty regular, but I generally lurk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33126073660357814292008-02-15T16:48:00.000-05:002008-02-15T16:48:00.000-05:00Doing this in syndication so I doubt many folks wi...Doing this in syndication so I doubt many folks will see it, but....<BR/><BR/>Ahh, the TRaSh 80! My father's third or so computer, but the first without that tiny little orange screen. I recall he had an account at Radio Shack and spent a poop-load of money on it. He also bought a whole bunch of circuitry there many years before the TRS came out and we built a transistor radio together from scratch!<BR/><BR/>So I got this answer right away...fond memories!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4772685460566690452008-01-05T21:35:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:35:00.000-05:00Sorry, this was another one where the writer seems...Sorry, this was another one where the writer seems to have completed the puzzle, then consulted google for a suitable clue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27342078719401857092008-01-05T13:00:00.000-05:002008-01-05T13:00:00.000-05:00Really wanted SHAFTS for 28 across--like in the re...Really wanted SHAFTS for 28 across--like in the really, really old chant "elevator, elevator, we got the shaft".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11722210871541447052008-01-05T00:59:00.000-05:002008-01-05T00:59:00.000-05:00Greg, your local hardware store may be able to get...Greg, your local hardware store may be able to get you an obscure item called a *insert Dr.-Evil-air-quotes here* ... "timer."<BR/><BR/>I myself have discovered a different and I believe previously unknown instrumentality, known as a "wristwatch."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62255146335820503292008-01-05T00:46:00.000-05:002008-01-05T00:46:00.000-05:00I tripped over LICEY simply because my answer, LIC...I tripped over LICEY simply because my answer, LICEI, is the plural of LICEO (high school) in Italian, which to me made LICEI (and its cross SHIEST) about 2 or 3 percent more likely. <BR/><BR/>Except for that, great puzzle, amazing tour de force. Only two 3's and two 4's and the rest of the puzzle solid white space. Good job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54255584969129038922008-01-04T23:04:00.000-05:002008-01-04T23:04:00.000-05:00Dreadfulness:1. REAFFOREST ... No such word!2. Slo...Dreadfulness:<BR/><BR/>1. REAFFOREST ... No such word!<BR/><BR/>2. Sloganeer = person who creates or uses a slogan, not the slogan itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58753153363327268122008-01-04T20:37:00.000-05:002008-01-04T20:37:00.000-05:00I thought this was a fairly easy Friday. I worked ...I thought this was a fairly easy Friday. I worked steadily, if not particularly quickly, on it and finished without problems. I might have done it quicker if I weren't worn out by all the caucus excitement here in Iowa. Nothing like standing in a crowded, extremely hot elementary school gym while confused people try to count large numbers of people moving around. Fascinating (if off-topic), nonetheless.Michael Chibnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04700426644898924644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60811720263036594642008-01-04T20:32:00.001-05:002008-01-04T20:32:00.001-05:00REAFFOREST? What's up with that? Google definiti...REAFFOREST? What's up with that? Google definitions didn't even have it. (Yes, I know, that doesn't mean it's not a word.) The fact that it had 2 Fs in a row made me rethink that whole quadrant and second guessing myself on MOVIEFONE and even STEADFAST. Also tried to check CAPOT but Google didn't know that one, either. Even finally getting EPIC TALES didn't help me (although I did like the clue), not until I realized ANTED was past tense of ANTE (insert enormous "Duh!" here) and I just went with REAFFOREST and hoped I was right.<BR/><BR/>An iffy fill was OHOH. I mean, I got it form the crosses but does anyone really say that? I think most people would say "oh yeah" or "oops".<BR/><BR/>I also made the embellish/EMBROIDER mistake but at least in that section I got the Y right! "Shiest" just didn't look right when I wrote it down.<BR/>To quote David Byrne from "Once in a Lifetime": "And you may tell yourself, 'My god, what have I DONE?'"<BR/><BR/>LOVED Rex's comment on VAPORIFIC- something you might actually hear on the Simpsons (to relate this all to the Homer clue).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32589957956203828702008-01-04T20:32:00.000-05:002008-01-04T20:32:00.000-05:00REAFFOREST? What's up with that? Google definiti...REAFFOREST? What's up with that? Google definitions didn't even have it. (Yes, I know, that doesn't mean it's not a word.) The fact that it had 2 Fs in a row made me rethink that whole quadrant and second guessing myself on MOVIEFONE and even STEADFAST. Also tried to check CAPOT but Google didn't know that one, either. Even finally getting EPIC TALES didn't help me (although I did like the clue), not until I realized ANTED was past tense of ANTE (insert enormous "Duh!" here) and I just went with REAFFOREST and hoped I was right.<BR/><BR/>An iffy fill was OHOH. I mean, I got it form the crosses but does anyone really say that? I think most people would say "oh yeah" or "oops".<BR/><BR/>I also made the embellish/EMBROIDER mistake but at least in that section I got the Y right! "Shiest" just didn't look right when I wrote it down.<BR/>To quote David Byrne from "Once in a Lifetime": "And you may tell yourself, 'My god, what have I DONE?'"<BR/><BR/>LOVED Rex's comment on VAPORIFIC- something you might actually hear on the Simpsons (to relate this all to the Homer clue).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13085790774885252792008-01-04T18:37:00.000-05:002008-01-04T18:37:00.000-05:00Enjoyed today's puzzle, and agree with most of the...Enjoyed today's puzzle, and agree with most of the above. I also tried to put in Knightsbridge instead of Sloane Street, and I have to admit to "scares the hell"......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30295708518262619542008-01-04T16:28:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:28:00.000-05:00Well, if you don't remember the TRS-80, you sure w...Well, if you don't remember the TRS-80, you sure won't remember the Exidy Sorcerer. Those were the days - programming in machine language....Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185769708011092016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11928396634701047862008-01-04T16:12:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:12:00.000-05:00Eric. Too funny. I see disgusting tripe in store a...Eric. Too funny. I see disgusting tripe in store all the time and wouldn't eat it at Candlemas or at any other time for a dessert, an entree. No mas.<BR/>I don't call mulligans cheating if announced but find sly manoeuvres such as moving one's ball, fanning and not counting it, omitting unobserved shots that may have gone only a few yards or feet deceitful. googling is ok if one owns up to having done it. Falsifying one's time or score is not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32078041674599032352008-01-04T16:11:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:11:00.000-05:00Eric. Too funny. I see disgusting tripe in store a...Eric. Too funny. I see disgusting tripe in store all the time and wouldn't eat it at Candlemas or at any other time for a dessert, an entree. No mas.<BR/>I don't call mulligans cheating if announced but find sly manoeuvres such as moving one's ball, fanning and not counting it, omitting unobserved shots that may have gone only a few yards or feet deceitful. googling is ok if one owns up to having done it. Falsifying one's time or score is not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20305334103241790242008-01-04T16:05:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:05:00.000-05:00Not sure what everyone's beef is about Los Tigres ...Not sure what everyone's beef is about Los Tigres del Licey... I mean, I have ALL of their baseball cards, with many autographed! (NOT) I actually got stymied a couple of times, once when I had 'scares the life' and couldn't think of 'heck,' and another where I had 'uh oh' instead of 'oh oh!'<BR/>Overall, though, I very much enjoyed it! Where is everyone getting themselves timed? I buy the paper and do it in manually - is everyone else here doing it on the NY Times website or something?The Big Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00383322329027962325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27047603785622123552008-01-04T16:04:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:04:00.000-05:00I'd rate this a medium puzzle, like many others my...I'd rate this a medium puzzle, like many others my main problems were in the NW, had "scaled" instead of "scalar" which blew it for me. "reafforest" sounds wrong.<BR/>Never heard of the TRS-80. "Ivins" was the first one I got, I miss her columns. Only got "licey", "losch", "capot", and "licia" because of the crosses, pretty obscure stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65955257875576132032008-01-04T15:53:00.000-05:002008-01-04T15:53:00.000-05:00Warning: convoluted logic follows.LICEY if clued a...<B>Warning:</B> convoluted logic follows.<BR/><BR/>LICEY if clued as an infestation would not pass the Breakfast Table Test so somewhere it was reclued to that which appeared in the puzzle today.<BR/><BR/>The point: if you have a choice between two letters, as I or Y today, take the one that would create a word that would not pass the Breakfast Table Test if clued differently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89360963479810394512008-01-04T15:07:00.000-05:002008-01-04T15:07:00.000-05:00I dunno what Candlemas is, but thankfully they don...I dunno what Candlemas is, but thankfully they <I>don't</I> serve TRIPE for dessert as I first thought. <BR/><BR/>I didn't like EASINESS. I put it down, but thought, "Isn't the real word for that simply EASE?"Eric Seljehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17281291974062721183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59506510101083919972008-01-04T14:46:00.000-05:002008-01-04T14:46:00.000-05:00I finished all but a single square - like many, ha...I finished all but a single square - like many, had trouble only with NW. I had put "movietone" instead of 'moviefone' That gave me reatforest, which I was pretty positive was wrong...but I have never heard of the word "reafforest."<BR/><BR/>I follow opera, so "Licia" was no problem...OISKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808675378318214461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90434353841072110242008-01-04T14:36:00.000-05:002008-01-04T14:36:00.000-05:00NW brought me down. I kept thinking "reforest" an...NW brought me down. I kept thinking "reforest" and REAFFOREST still looks made up. I wondered if Homer's relations were going to be some variation of Epicureans, but there was no food pun in the clue. (I also jumped at SIMPSONS and was disappointed to see they were going the highbrow route). And my brain just locked on "facility" -- focusing entirely on the physical plant and not the concept of EASINESS. Although EASE is a much better synonym. <BR/><BR/>I will say that TELESCOPY (a great weird word) sounds like some arcane intergalactical medical procedure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com