tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post324171718456036423..comments2024-03-28T07:31:08.187-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Pagliacci clown / THU 2-2-12 / NHL's Laperriere / Oscar Wilde poem By the * / Cinematographer Nykvist / When doubled Miss Piggy's white poodle / L * du jeu 1939 Renoir filmRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28327550362797655642012-03-14T17:12:03.949-04:002012-03-14T17:12:03.949-04:00I GET THE GAINESVILLE SUN PUZZLE FROM MY NEIGHBOR ...I GET THE GAINESVILLE SUN PUZZLE FROM MY NEIGHBOR SINCE I CANCELLED MY SUBSCRITION WHEN THEY FIRED JAKE FULLER. THE SUN RUNS ABOUT FIVE WEEKS BEHIND THE NYTIMES, AND I ONLY DO THE PUZZLE WHEN I HAVE TIME SO I RUN SEVERAL WEEKS BEHIND THAT. I LOVED THIS PUZZLE. HAD TO GOOBLE SVEN NYKVIST BUT GOT ALL THE REST WITH NO HELP FROM ANYONE OR ANYTHING ELSE. I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT AND FUN! HAD TROUBLE WITH ORBED AND HALL (FIRST HAD WALL). THEN FIRST HAD BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH (NEVER SAW THE MOVIE), BUT OTHERWISE IT WAS A SMOOTH THURSDAY PUZZLE. P.S. IS HOWELL RAINES STILL CONSIDERED A JOURNALIST???gerrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35674882374854205132012-03-08T23:08:09.351-05:002012-03-08T23:08:09.351-05:00Thanks, JenCT. Short for deltiod, eh? Wow, who kne...Thanks, JenCT. Short for deltiod, eh? Wow, who knew. I guess we're shortening everything anymore. Soon we'll be just talking in acronyms. IHTDNC (I hope that day never comes).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34167313383206071222012-03-08T21:23:34.007-05:002012-03-08T21:23:34.007-05:00@Anon. 9:12: DELT as in deltoid muscle, involved ...@Anon. 9:12: DELT as in deltoid muscle, involved in raising one's arm.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6875511598693144832012-03-08T21:13:55.942-05:002012-03-08T21:13:55.942-05:00Evil Doug is correct. If a "base hit" i...Evil Doug is correct. If a "base hit" is <i>any</i> hit, why are there "extra base hits"? I agree, that used to be true, but pitchers used to be called "twirlers" too, and I wouldn't expect to see that in a crossword.<br /><br />Evil is (was, five weeks ago) also remiss in posting this:<br /><br />JOE DIVOLA: You know the story of Pagliacci, Nedda?<br /><br />ELAINE: Uh.. Im Elaine!<br /><br />JOE DIVOLA: He's a clown whose wife is unfaithful to him.<br /><br />ELAINE: Oh.<br /><br />JOE DIVOLA: Do you think Im a clown, Nedda?<br /><br />ELAINE: Do I think you're a clown? No, not if its bad to be a clown, if its bad to be a clown then you are definitely not a clown. But if its good to be a clown then, you know, I would have to rethink the whole thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2361568159646566592012-03-08T21:12:37.232-05:002012-03-08T21:12:37.232-05:00Oh dear, I'm probably too late to have anybody...Oh dear, I'm probably too late to have anybody else read this, but I hope someone does, because I need an explanation for "Arm raiser, informally"=DELT. I am staring and staring at this and I get nothing. A frat brother wants to cast his vote?? WHAT???<br /> That natick (I don't know French) and the NW beat me down. I would wager that half of Oscar Wilde scholars don't know "By the Arno." And AREEL? That word is "areek!" It certainly left me asea--and my blood aboil. None of this was helped by my my mistake re the start of the aphorism: I thought it was "To acknowledge."<br /> But when "The Thieving Magpie" wouldn't fit at 11d, I had my first fifteener. Also I'm chuckling at the BASEHIT controversy. If Yankee fans hate that clue, I love it. How about at the end of the game, with the score tied and RISP: "That's gonna fall for a base hit; game's over! [fill in any team name, except Yankees] win!" Could be in the gap, doesn't matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79335867461243351922012-03-08T11:32:21.862-05:002012-03-08T11:32:21.862-05:00Great puzzle today. I love it when so many commen...Great puzzle today. I love it when so many comment on the smallest of so-called irregularities. It would be so boring if everyone finished in 15 mins. without any provocations. And, Evil D. is a man's man who shall not be stifled, as long as I have my say. Signed, God P.S. Larry, grow up and get real.Sage of La Mesanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34385972252872571372012-02-10T21:00:47.339-05:002012-02-10T21:00:47.339-05:00I have to express appreciation to the writer just...<b>I have to express appreciation to the writer just for bailing me out of such a setting. Just after surfing around through the search engines and getting suggestions which are not pleasant, I assumed my entire life was done. Living minus the answers to the difficulties you have resolved all through your posting is a crucial case, as well as those that might have adversely damaged my entire career if I hadn't noticed your site. Your own ability and kindness in maneuvering all the pieces was useful. I'm not sure what I would have done if I hadn't encountered such a subject like this. I can at this time relish my future. Thank you so much for this skilled and sensible guide. I will not be reluctant to refer the sites to any person who would need tips on this topic.</b><br><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/buying.lowcomparesave.83hw.com/best-buy-feet-and-spikes-speaker-accessories-electronics-for-sale/cheap-dayton-audio-dss6-bc-black-chrome-spike-set-4-pcs-for-33-93" rel="nofollow">Dayton Audio DSS6-BC Black Chrome Spike Set 4 Pcs.</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42241486438072966192012-02-03T16:04:31.181-05:002012-02-03T16:04:31.181-05:00Oh. OK, thank you. Clearly not up on my anatomy, h...Oh. OK, thank you. Clearly not up on my anatomy, here! :)COIXT RECORDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06471607923683058246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50426625184382875852012-02-03T15:48:02.232-05:002012-02-03T15:48:02.232-05:00@COIXT: LOL BMs
DELT is short for DELTOID.@COIXT: LOL BMs<br /><br />DELT is short for DELTOID.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8287122751641471132012-02-03T14:05:04.450-05:002012-02-03T14:05:04.450-05:00Can someone please explain "DELT" ? :(Can someone please explain "DELT" ? :(COIXT RECORDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06471607923683058246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10791602207277799002012-02-03T13:54:33.334-05:002012-02-03T13:54:33.334-05:00I agree, don't like 'more --> other,...I agree, don't like 'more --> other,' 'ire' and 'ore' are NOT VERBS, & don't like 'bad demonstration' clue for 'riot.' <br />Did like 'arm-raiser, informally', for 'delt' - provided a good aha after a bit of struggle.<br />rlsbeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50406316014760575172012-02-03T12:03:34.320-05:002012-02-03T12:03:34.320-05:00Am I the only one who was held up until the end at...Am I the only one who was held up until the end at <b>46A: Number twos, for short</b>? I had "B.M.'S" which I thought was rock solid and expected it to cause much controversy!COIXT RECORDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06471607923683058246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86677761269149386142012-02-03T00:01:15.932-05:002012-02-03T00:01:15.932-05:00@Larry - ED obviously can speak for himself, thoug...@Larry - ED obviously can speak for himself, though he is one past his limit today. However, ED is correct in that Rex uses profanity (including fuck, whatever that means) and I seem to recall Acme does too. It shocks my sensibilities as well. So even if we rid this blog of ED we will still have bad language. So I implore you to come over to Wordplay. Rex will miss you but ED won't. I would ask ED to come to Wordplay but they censor comments and his would never be posted....<br /><br />JFCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88323775513549889992012-02-02T23:50:07.729-05:002012-02-02T23:50:07.729-05:00@fergus - insouciance - OMG, thank you for a new w...@fergus - insouciance - OMG, thank you for a new word!!! Nobody growing up in Chicago knows that word....<br /><br />JFCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40122553753613095592012-02-02T23:00:57.755-05:002012-02-02T23:00:57.755-05:00Mister Doug of Evil,
I, too, grew up in the hin...Mister Doug of Evil, <br /> <br />I, too, grew up in the hinterlands of Chicago. This may be why I tolerate your overt crassness -- or maybe it's because I sense you've got such a kind heart behind all your bluster. Aren't these the traits of the "city that knows how?"<br /><br />You affect a persona rather different than the Berkeley-type I write with, yet hold a delightful shared insouciance I also employ when when dealing with my agreeable coastal compatriots.fergushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056002311944010536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65355549454501457532012-02-02T22:55:57.479-05:002012-02-02T22:55:57.479-05:00@E.D.
1) That your comment was an attempt at hum...@E.D. <br />1) That your comment was an attempt at humor couldn't have been clearer, that you were just establishing your evilness. It's what you think humor to be, calling some random person a moron, that's the issue. Making it an ad-hominem attack on a random poster, making no point but calling him a moron was lazy, thoughtless, and without any wit.<br />2) I didn't make up the joke, I just modified it and repeated it? Seriously, that's your excuse? I wouldn't take that as an excuse from a 5 year old, and from how you've said in then past about you raised your children, neither would you.<br />3) I've never seen Rex or anyone else use explicit profanity here, ever. The point you were making was that Rex euphemized his f-bombs, which somehow is beneath you to do so. Whatever reasons Rex has for doing so, you've no right to abrogate it, specifically when there are likely consequences.<br /><br />There's no bullshit, no taking things out of context, no misunderstanding things on my part, I'm just presenting a listing of bad behavior on your part. At times you're genuinely funny, at times you sully up the joint.Larrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46033666255351919102012-02-02T22:55:31.293-05:002012-02-02T22:55:31.293-05:00@mac - Pictures would be really appreciated by all...@mac - Pictures would be really appreciated by all not fortunate enough to attend.<br /><br />@JFC - Glad you enjoyed the Pineapples. Maybe next year I'll get some popcorn in a Green Bay Packer Tin. <br />Don't have much of an opinion on either of the teams that will be playing, so I guess I'll cheer for the scores that will earn me some money in the football pool.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65895135107535013552012-02-02T22:31:34.531-05:002012-02-02T22:31:34.531-05:00This 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 6:11, 6:49, 0.91, 14%, Easy<br />Tue 7:46, 8:51, 0.88, 17%, Easy<br />Wed 10:17, 11:50, 0.87, 24%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 20:54, 18:57, 1.10, 74%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:26, 3:40, 0.94, 25%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 4:07, 4:34, 0.90, 18%, Easy<br />Wed 4:51, 5:52, 0.83, 10%, Easy<br />Thu 10:25, 9:16, 1.12, 76%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37225524960255188772012-02-02T21:59:03.440-05:002012-02-02T21:59:03.440-05:00@Loren muse smith: I agree, this is sort of a Salo...@Loren muse smith: I agree, this is sort of a Salon, only Rex doesn't do the inviting, we just drop in! <br /><br />Planning a party-filled weekend: Westport Crossword Puzzle Tournament with Will Shortz and many Rexites, and then the Super Bowl Party on Sunday. What a match-up for us in CT: NY Giants against the NE Patriots. There will be fans of both teams in our house! I'll be in the kitchen.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76321087640325376962012-02-02T21:49:10.036-05:002012-02-02T21:49:10.036-05:00Congrats to Mr. Ockman on the debut. I like the qu...Congrats to Mr. Ockman on the debut. I like the quote though I don't like quote puzzles. I had a hard time getting a foothold this morning, so I finished after work tonight. I don't much like the fill in the eastern corners, but I think the cluing slowed me down more than the bad fill. And saying that, isn't one of the points of the cluing to be accurate but suggest alternative, wrong answers. If the cluing is too straightforward I would just do the KenKen instead.<br /><br />Taking in everything, this is a solid debut and I look forward to seeing more.<br /><br />Finally, whenever I catch baseball games on tv or radio in other cities I realize how lucky I am to have had Ernie Harwell, Paul Carey, Al Kaline, George Kell, Jim Price, Dan Dickerson, Mario Impemba, and Rod Allen describing and commenting on baseball.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40845092894876710312012-02-02T21:35:02.143-05:002012-02-02T21:35:02.143-05:00As I said in my initial comment
which seemns ages ...As I said in my initial comment<br />which seemns ages ago:<br /> Re: Base hit<br />Nit picking,nit picking,nit pickingANON Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68310469015088177432012-02-02T21:33:57.023-05:002012-02-02T21:33:57.023-05:00Quote puzzles are OK with me, but this puzzle had ...Quote puzzles are OK with me, but this puzzle had too much trivia and foreign words. I was about to give up when something made me guess PARMA and the rest fell in place.Mike in DCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83044352895962168542012-02-02T21:03:13.538-05:002012-02-02T21:03:13.538-05:00Apologies @Two Ponies but - "regardless of wh...Apologies @Two Ponies but - "regardless of what is printed in the MLB Rule Book..." can't be ignored.<br /><br />Colloquially you may never have heard "base hit" to refer to a double, triple, or home run. Nevertheless, they are all base hits. It is definitional, it isn't debatable. If you think otherwise you are simply wrong.<br /><br />I've now posted twice on this and have only gotten half way through today's comments. I promise to move on no matter how disturbing I find any later comments on the base hit "issue."Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7673866975778668352012-02-02T20:46:34.219-05:002012-02-02T20:46:34.219-05:00in haste I read "music" as "musical...in haste I read "music" as "musical" with the Ludwig van clue, so I have myself to kick for that. It was a true blocker, and with all the crap fill I was lost, I thought there MUST be a Mary Poppins thing I missed in that movie (last seen over a decade ago). I get annoyed with barely passable references to classical music, and "Beethoven's Ninth" is just that. It's a Symphony. Granted, it's so seminal it deserves nicknames, etc., but it sounds like calling a certain Bard's play "The Dream" or "The Gent" (as opposed to "The Scottish Play") or whatever but after a while of frustration, having to deal with a grid that was obviously going to give me a quote that wouldn't change my life, I threw the paper on the floor when I hit eelers. Using Ludwig van like that!? He did no harm to anyone!stix2metunesmiffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04098671672736862293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48792475398192412172012-02-02T20:36:18.578-05:002012-02-02T20:36:18.578-05:00It’s 7:16 Chicago time and I’m back looking over a...It’s 7:16 Chicago time and I’m back looking over all the blogs. <br /><br />1. @Evil was at his best today. I had to read and re-read his posts. Felt like George Scott playing Patton when reviewing the battlefield after he had beaten Rommel’s forces in North Africa and exclaimed about war, “I love it. God help me I do love it so. I love it more than my life.” Not sure about that last one as far as ED’s post are concerned.<br /><br />2. Amused by the rancor over base hit. If you hit the ball and reach base safely, for XWP purposes that’s a baser hit. If you advance to second or third or home on the hit, even better. But for baseball purists apparently only singles count as base hits. Can’t get too worked up. Never was very good at baseball and it’s a boring game to watch. <br /><br />3. @Larry said... “So, you like it that ED calls someone a moron when they're factually correct….” This really is kind of a provocative blog with lots of opinions and lots of bad language. So if your company filters it for its content, I say bully for your company, but the blog won’t change, so you might try Wordplay where the discourse is civil and the bloggers polite.<br /><br />4. @Chefwen, the sparkling pineapple wine tastes great but it tastes even better if you drop a chunk of fresh cut pineapple into the glass before drinking it. Thanks again. I also appreciated the note. I assume you are rooting for the Giants in the Super Bowl but it must be tough.<br /><br />It’s now 7:34 Chicago time….<br /><br />JFCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com