tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3346279389224302633..comments2024-03-29T09:48:31.305-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Wagner's earth goddess / WED 3-24-10 / 1936 foe of Franklin D / Creator of Roderick Usher / Vocal nasalityRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58771653766793171232010-03-25T08:19:18.563-04:002010-03-25T08:19:18.563-04:00Of course the Beatles have been translated into Sp...Of course the Beatles have been translated into Spanish. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L4-FKmuJrA" rel="nofollow">Latin American Idol</a>!SethGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753036404140901368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88043792515517786362010-03-25T06:57:48.818-04:002010-03-25T06:57:48.818-04:00@ Andrea b-l-t-n:
heri - hodie - cras = Yesterda...@ Andrea b-l-t-n:<br /><br /><br />heri - hodie - cras = Yesterday - today - tomorrow<br /><br />cognates: heritage - ? - procrastinateJ. Caesarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40667608175737465092010-03-25T05:29:12.660-04:002010-03-25T05:29:12.660-04:00Same Natick at ALAI/AYER...
(Kept thinking HIER in...Same Natick at ALAI/AYER...<br />(Kept thinking HIER in French, which sounds the same I'm guessing has the same root as AYER, as they look different but sound the same, tho I don't remember what yesterday is in Latin. It's weird bec in Spanish you always hear manana, manana...but not ayer.<br />Have the Beatles ever translated into Spanish?<br />The only Spanish i know is from reading ads on the NY Subway when I'm bored...but I'll give it a try.<br />"Ayer Ayer, todos las mias problemas sembre muy far away...Hora mira mira they are aca to stay, Oh yo lo credo in ayer ayer.<br /><br />(Ok, it's now officially yesterday here in California)<br /><br />Anyway, thought the arch was cool construction, all puns intended...<br /><br />Lots o' baseball/sports as always in Mr Collins' puzzles. They always feel so hyper-masculine to me.<br />CARDINALS, ON DECK, ODOUL, SOX, PRESS (Can I count BUM KNEE and BUDWEISER?) <br /><br />A few bleedovers: NASD, ASLAN from last week discussions...<br />and, as previously noted LADE (which I still wish I had made LEDA) coming back to haunt me...<br /><br />@Stan<br /> I'm loving the name list! SMERSH: naming gone bad <br />SPECTRE: acronym gone good <br />TOOTH: Fabulous!<br /><br />Wonderful memories of Rimini, that have nothing to do with the town per se, more with my -ex, Arcangelo.<br /><br />Rimini/Bimini! It's the only tacky town I've ever seen in Italy. It's amazing that a country that boasts Venice, Florence, Umbria, Assisi, Vernazza, Siena (I could go on and on!) has Rimini. Rimini is the Jersey Shore of Italy. I wonder if that's where The Situation's grandparents hail from?andrea better-lade-than-nevernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66004908503017736342010-03-24T22:43:31.814-04:002010-03-24T22:43:31.814-04:00Thank you, Mr. Bond. To continue in this vein:
Ma...Thank you, Mr. Bond. To continue in this vein:<br /><br />Maxwell Smart and 99 fought against KAOS.<br /><br />The Man from U.N.C.L.E. battled THRUSH.<br /><br />Another Bond opponent was SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion). It was led by ERNST Stavro Blofeld.<br /><br />My favorite, from a Harvard Lampoon parody, was T.O.O.T.H (The Organization Organized To Hate).Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40127953745779672822010-03-24T22:42:52.506-04:002010-03-24T22:42:52.506-04:00@Seth - Thanx for informing about Paganello! Love...@Seth - Thanx for informing about Paganello! Love their logo. Rimini is known to me by their sacred art.<br />I also thought of O'Doul's beer, but had "learned" of the baseballer from cws.<br /><br />Stangely, no sports problems. My problem was Spanish, in the North middle: AYER, ISABEL for which I had to Google, as well as for NES and ALAI.<br /><br />@Chefbea - Flavored ice from the slopes of Etna, ala Slush Puppies, were put together BCE. Then came the Arabs and added cane sugar. Not true ice cream since Mediterraneans never too big on milk, being the most lactose-intolerant. Hubster has to take those pills to eat ice cream.<br /><br />@Mac - indeed, a repaired laptop. After I poured coffee on hubster's I had to get a replacement. Can't seem to captcha my Google Blogger turtle icon and password. Sonster Dante, support programmer in Lexington MA for Blade Logic (?) at BMC will work his magic on the old one.Sfinginoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62205414134774699622010-03-24T18:18:36.254-04:002010-03-24T18:18:36.254-04:00SMERSH is not a joke! They're out to get me.
...SMERSH is not a joke! They're out to get me.<br /><br />From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<br /><br />SMERSH is a Soviet counterintelligence agency featured in Ian Fleming's early James Bond novels as agent 007's nemesis. СМЕРШ (SMERSH) is an acronym from two Russian words: "SMERt' SHpionam" (СМЕРть Шпионам, Směrt Špionam) meaning "Death to Spies". Though Fleming's version of SMERSH supposedly was modeled upon the real SMERSH organization, the novels portray SMERSH as a massive Soviet counterintelligence organisation which aims its operatives abroad in subversion of the West, with the additional goal of killing Western spies, particularly James Bond of SIS. SMERSH's headquarters are in Leningrad, Soviet Union.James Bondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11453935217351565472010-03-24T17:29:52.809-04:002010-03-24T17:29:52.809-04:00Where's the math dispute today?
Good to see...Where's the math dispute today? <br /><br />Good to see a picture of Bob Gibson in the write-up. He was one impressive dude on the mound, and even more so as his momentum carried him off.fergushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056002311944010536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71511009768969390132010-03-24T15:50:08.164-04:002010-03-24T15:50:08.164-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Wed 11:43, 11:50, 0.99, 52%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Wed 5:46, 5:48, 1.00, 53%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25597400716719930182010-03-24T15:47:10.122-04:002010-03-24T15:47:10.122-04:00I did not have a crush on this puzzle, though the ...I did not have a crush on this puzzle, though the theme and construction were fine. What Rex said about the crosswordese (which led me to a blank square at ALAI/AYER). Liked PRISM, TWANG, SHIRK, BRIARS and SMERSH.<br /><br />@chefbea is right, BAR-B-Q would have been an excellent addition. Also, our favorite 1948 Nobel-winner TS ELIOT.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63039365310310722292010-03-24T15:29:29.401-04:002010-03-24T15:29:29.401-04:00On the Beaufort SEA clue, I think the clue-writer ...On the Beaufort SEA clue, I think the clue-writer just got tired of thinking of a substitute word for the Blank that wasn't "body of water"--maybe seemed too easy for a Wednesday. Not that it would have been a serious blot on this puzzle.<br />Had the best meal of my life, seriously, in Senigallia, south of Rimini on the coast. Uliassi is the restaurant. Check it out if you're anywhere near.Ruthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85449679635452551852010-03-24T15:02:04.184-04:002010-03-24T15:02:04.184-04:00I agree with Steve J on the circle puzzles. It al...I agree with Steve J on the circle puzzles. It always seems that the constructor has to compromise on fill in order to get the theme to fit in the grid.<br /><br />I knew the circled letters would refer to the arch, but didn't bother to check. I understand that folks who construct xwords may admire the ingenuity of a puzzle like this, but as a mere solver, I've got to say it was ... less than challenging.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825669443134444569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33904206522395891552010-03-24T14:49:55.587-04:002010-03-24T14:49:55.587-04:00Is 'Nintento's Super _____' cluing Nin...Is 'Nintento's Super _____' cluing Nintendo Entertainment System really kosher?travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10068393277095793532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8393927402706643982010-03-24T14:06:42.883-04:002010-03-24T14:06:42.883-04:00@Glitch, re @Steve J's very interesting questi...@Glitch, re @Steve J's very interesting question re what sorts of puzzles Mere Mortal Solvers enjoy: a Big Annual Event in Austin is the Spam-O-Rama. You can scarcely imagine--nor scarcely <i>want</i> to imagine--the possibilities enabled by the existence of said product. So yeah, solving is like a box o' Spamlets.lit.dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729199575329286046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29021800918303008492010-03-24T13:49:41.563-04:002010-03-24T13:49:41.563-04:00@Rex, me too on the Beaufort SEA being described a...@Rex, me too on the Beaufort SEA being described as an "area"; thought that was just because my world is measurements of plats, acres, and square-ft. areas for carpeting.<br /><br />Seems Maleska-era puzzles didn't allow definite articles in the puzzle, except for proper titles. Am I dreaming? @Edith?<br /><br />@jesser - bamboozled-LOL! If I'm out your way, we will knock a few back. Bam!<br /><br />@Ulrich, The Teutonic Grill?!!! As well you should take umbrage!<br /><br />@OldCarFudd, the same people who bought Budweiser make the tasty Negra Modelo . Go figure.<br /><br />@Tinbeni, you are incorrigible!<br /><br />Always thought, "No, SIRREE," was spelled "Siree." Still doesn't look right to me.<br /><br />@Parshtur, I think Judy Collins did that song, too. Anyway, I think it is about the town of Rhymney, in Wales.fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7855427571644088572010-03-24T13:42:57.257-04:002010-03-24T13:42:57.257-04:00@Steve J
Maybe *puzzle solvers* are analogous to ...@Steve J<br /><br />Maybe *puzzle solvers* are analogous to those who enjoy SPAM (the meat product).<br /><br />SPAM, like crosswords, comes in many forms (Spam Classic, Spam Hot & Spicy, Spam Less Sodium, Spam Lite, Spam Oven Roasted Turkey, Hickory Smoked, and Spam Spread). It has been relished by millions for over 70 years, most of whom probably never read the list of ingredients or know how its made.<br /><br />I doubt anyone likes all the variations equally.<br /><br />OTOH, I suspect some gourmets may have their entire day ruined if even offered a *spam-wich*.<br /><br />;-)<br /><br />..../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7509120436951182872010-03-24T13:36:31.710-04:002010-03-24T13:36:31.710-04:00I never like the crosswords which require me to co...I never like the crosswords which require me to connect circles. After finishing the puzzle, it didn't help that I misread the clue about spelling out the landmark. I started at the right bottom and went left ending up with gobbledegook . I knew that the arch would be there somewhere but decided not to care. I had the holiday visitor as angel (santa obviously wouldn't fit) which threw me off the Adriatic Riviera city which I felt had to be Rimini (in my mind from Francesca da Rimini, Tschaikovsky's symphonie fantastic). Didn't totally finish the puzzle in actuality as I didn't know about an arc cosine so culdn't finish the 7th century year.alice in SFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10259805848757442532010-03-24T13:28:28.063-04:002010-03-24T13:28:28.063-04:00I knew RIMINI from the Liszt Dante Sonata (Après u...I knew RIMINI from the Liszt Dante Sonata (Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata). That piece is in part a musical depiction of Francesca of RIMINI's words in the 5th Canto of Dante's Inferno: "There is no greater pain than to recall the happy times in misery . . ." (<i>Nessun maggior dolore che ricordarsi del tempo felice nella miseria . . .</i>).Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40002865960374564462010-03-24T13:20:36.455-04:002010-03-24T13:20:36.455-04:00For those of us not competing for some accolade, I...For those of us not competing for some accolade, I find it rewarding to solve the theme first. That gives me lots of filland lessens the likelihood of being tripped up by awkward clues.DeeJayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16709717979265507047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24142327983421561452010-03-24T13:15:37.754-04:002010-03-24T13:15:37.754-04:00I enjoy theme-dense puzzles with well-executed vis...I enjoy theme-dense puzzles with well-executed visual devices, so this was a fun Wednesday solve for me. Started by scanning for and marking theme clues, which paid off big time with relatively few crosses. For example, CARDINALS early on saved me from the ERDA problem Rex mentioned, and, with just a couple of the shorter theme answers and the circle pattern, I got 40A from only the T.<br /><br />Had 7A URAL at first. Figured it out, though it left me wondering just how jai the ALAI are. Also had a rekey at 14A, where I initially had CHERRY. Must have studied a transgressive rereading of the story in grad school. Luckiest moment of the day was 11D “Narnia lion”. I’d already done the LAT puzzle, so I knew to put NALA instead of ELSA.lit.dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729199575329286046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88936220115574974032010-03-24T13:15:08.179-04:002010-03-24T13:15:08.179-04:00@Van: thank you! Acronyms are the bane of my CWP e...@Van: thank you! Acronyms are the bane of my CWP existence.<br /><br />@Olio: you bet, I've been happy with some crosswordese here and there!<br /><br />@JenCT: Wow, I only now recognize her! That must be a case of photoshop or airbrush!<br /><br />MacCTmachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63844650931954811642010-03-24T12:57:08.627-04:002010-03-24T12:57:08.627-04:00big plus...I now have an association to the lyric ...big plus...I now have an association to the lyric "the sad bells of Rimini" as sung by Pete SeegerParshutrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01031361199056452340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3553604995269967632010-03-24T12:55:47.814-04:002010-03-24T12:55:47.814-04:00This puz had little ALLURE for me, SIRREE.
Which c...This puz had little ALLURE for me, SIRREE.<br />Which calls to mind the old story about Louis B. Mayer rejecting a period script as being too contemporary because of all the responses that were "Yes, Sire"<br />Didn't wait for ODOUL, go APE for ERDA, or get STYMIED by ODEA...or get LEId either.<br />All in all, I'm ready to ESCAPE to THEUN by way of the GATEWAY ARCH.Parshutrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01031361199056452340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40217000527245957882010-03-24T12:51:05.945-04:002010-03-24T12:51:05.945-04:00Didn't know Leah Remini was so, uh, in shape. ...Didn't know Leah Remini was so, uh, in shape. You'll never see her co-star on the cover of a magazine in his swim trunks.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68251475016973669172010-03-24T12:47:58.784-04:002010-03-24T12:47:58.784-04:00Arches and circles...cool. Some one-uppin' co...Arches and circles...cool. Some one-uppin' constructor needs to devise a "golden arches" grid now. Maybe the double arches could spell out S-U-P-E-R-S-I-Z-E-M-E and C-H-O-L-E-S-T-E-R-O-L. Put EERO in that one, just to throw everyone off.<br /><br />Crosswords are such funny little beasts. I actually kinda admired all the "desperate cruciverbalist" fill in this one. Was like watching some bizarre mutant lifeform struggling to survive against all odds, in a hostile blogosphere, ... yada yada. I'd hafta go mild thumbs down overall, but I just could not avert my eyes until all had been solved. An A- for effort, just trying to make it all work out.Masked and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54809978464567338872010-03-24T12:41:52.836-04:002010-03-24T12:41:52.836-04:00What - no credit for me today?
EERO SaarinenWhat - no credit for me today?<br /><br />EERO SaarinenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com