tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3841411764084376569..comments2024-03-28T15:13:08.509-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Japanese salad herb / Hardwoord percussion stick / WED 7-6-16 / Corcoran of Bachelor Father / Nonpro sports org / Biophramaceutical company that makes Enbrel / Cudgel made from knotty stickRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25141702933802957132016-08-11T00:19:15.184-04:002016-08-11T00:19:15.184-04:00I am out of my league here, enjoy every one of the...I am out of my league here, enjoy every one of the NYT crosswords, idolize those who can construct them. They must have the kind of brains that bend spoons. If physics were their chosen fields, I'm sure they'd out-Einstein Einstein. I got hooked on an L.A. Times crossword in the '70s, a simple clue, "Pound forte," could not shake the image of a kid pounding piano keys. The 4-letter answer was "poem." Aha! The Pound is Ezra. But when I've tried to build even a simple puzzle I paint myself into a corner with words that look like Motor-Vehicle eye charts. Honestly, how do David Woolf and others do it?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222518152379837204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45802929781368946262016-08-10T23:43:14.007-04:002016-08-10T23:43:14.007-04:00@rondo, re: your first post, I was holding back on...@rondo, re: your first post, I was holding back on asking who had *educated* you on TRIAMORY but I see you have already answered the question :-).<br /><br />Thanks for the compliment above, which I can return, for both you and our wonderful LIW.Teedmnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12832353448839187816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40457006195526402932016-08-10T22:50:30.845-04:002016-08-10T22:50:30.845-04:00@lefty - probably all of those things you mentione...@lefty - probably all of those things you mentioned are part of it for me, plus the dredging up of memories which I, as people have seen, am not too shy too share. Most folks probably don't care (nor believe), but that's what I lived. For the past 30+ years(back into Maleska days) I have enjoyed getting to the solve, if I get reminded of a story from my life, that's a bonus of not speed-solving. Solving does connect you to folks you wouldn't otherwise. Thanks to this blog. @D,LIW and @teedMN are lovely people that I otherwise would never have met. And I appreciate the viewpoint of other commentors, even if I don't agree. Worthwhile? Sure. It's what you make of it.rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36513298361970269132016-08-10T22:39:13.756-04:002016-08-10T22:39:13.756-04:00@Lefty
Mulling on your thoughts...
Lady Di@Lefty<br /> Mulling on your thoughts...<br /><br />Lady DiDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32465541146270835472016-08-10T21:35:15.261-04:002016-08-10T21:35:15.261-04:00Just an afterthought after doing this and many of ...Just an afterthought after doing this and many of these x-words:<br /><br />Our memory banks probably have much more than enough extra space to accommodate lots of otherwise useless trivia. And x-words can test our brains' capacities to make often elusive connections. The testing is mainly what makes them SEEM worthwhile to me.<br /><br />There is more--ego, enjoyment, personal satisfaction, opportunity to correspond and to criticize, etc.--making the time spent worthwhile to most. Not sure about myself.<br /> <br />A little late here, but any thoughts?<br /> leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86538796534012375282016-08-10T21:11:24.672-04:002016-08-10T21:11:24.672-04:00Surprised at the wrangle over CLAVE, I guess becau...Surprised at the wrangle over CLAVE, I guess because I joined a group of salsa musicians and, though a long-time piano player, could not bang those damn two sticks correctly. Clave (Sp. var. "key") is also the name of the rhythm pattern with which they are knocked together to provide the basic beat for all the other musicians.Jimmy W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10968963741319419442016-08-10T19:47:08.244-04:002016-08-10T19:47:08.244-04:00I'm in TrepidiciousLand here, posting this com...I'm in TrepidiciousLand here, posting this comment.<br /><br />At least one commenter didn't recognize Groucho's cigar prop.<br /><br />So, I must remind y'all, of a story, true or not, about his show, "You Bet Your Life." (Where folks really bet very little.) Anyway, interviewing a contestant, a man or woman according to various versions, the contestant mentioned having many (10, 12 172?) children. <br /><br />G - Why so many children? (Questions, according to stories, vary.)<br /><br />C - I love (kids, my husband, my wife)<br /><br />G - I love a good cigar but I take it out every now and then. (variations abound)<br /><br />Even if you didn't know G&cigar, that story is rampant.<br /><br />Sorry<br /><br />Still the Lady<br /><br />DiDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5640827600090461392016-08-10T19:24:42.157-04:002016-08-10T19:24:42.157-04:00PS
Just in case you missed his post, Mr. Mohair g...PS<br /><br />Just in case you missed his post, Mr. Mohair gets my "best laugh of the day" award. Perhaps Mrs. Mohair has more in common with @Rondo than we think!<br /><br />Diana, Waiting for commentsDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8181867408819549372016-08-10T17:58:01.175-04:002016-08-10T17:58:01.175-04:00@rainy - Viewing it through the PRISM of time, I&#...@rainy - Viewing it through the PRISM of time, I'm GONNA say I mighta been something like one or more of those things you mentioned more than half a lifetime ago. Only one of 'em was what you might call good looking, the others may have had trouble finding dates, so. . . But that's what can happen when you're the only guy invited to a women's softball team skinny-dip. AHOST of the MANY other dippers observed but did not participate in the -AMORY part. Pretty sure it was planned on ALLA their parts, maybe as sympathy or encouragement for a newly re-singled guy. I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting into. And I think they all disliked my ex as much or more than I did. Also pretty sure we were all DRUNK, or on the way. It will not grant me SAINTDOMrondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64087195589942598772016-08-10T17:37:20.170-04:002016-08-10T17:37:20.170-04:00It's fun when the Syndicated puzzle and the cu...It's fun when the Syndicated puzzle and the current puzzle harmonize. In futureland today, we have a highly polarizing puzzle and a 'degustibus' reference posted right around the same time as DLIW posted hers, that one by Masked & Anonymous. Has anyone ever seen them together? Is this the reason for the mask?kitshefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25139928181393923492016-08-10T17:22:31.636-04:002016-08-10T17:22:31.636-04:00As @Beatrice said, 'de gustibus non disputandu...As @Beatrice said, 'de gustibus non disputandum est'<br /><br />We seem to be a house divided today. I'm in @Rainy's camp - not the best puzzle ever, but it delivered a lot of fun, IMHO. <br /><br />TWOSTATESOLUTION kept me thinking of the mid-east, so I didn't get the US zip code ref. Duh. And dnf'd in the NE.<br /><br />OTOH, even I, a non-TV fan, see AMGEM ads whilst at the gym. Where I'm about to go.<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting, de gustibus non disputandum estDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19419505662655859482016-08-10T16:46:12.986-04:002016-08-10T16:46:12.986-04:00@rondo - it might be called Tetramory, but whateve...@rondo - it might be called Tetramory, but whatever, that has to be fun. You must be some sort of stud, as well as a jack of all trades, or maybe an old sea dog.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1009438146658329272016-08-10T16:29:22.243-04:002016-08-10T16:29:22.243-04:00One w/o having an E for the I in the Irish cudgel ...One w/o having an E for the I in the Irish cudgel and an educated guess on the (last blank filled) M in TRIAMORY. So the TWOSTATESOLUTION was late in coming and did not help in the solve, just a curious look around ex post facto.<br /><br />So it’s back to the fifties for NOREEN and jump ahead 50 or 60 years for that particular MAE. Talk about a generation, or two or three, gap. So I’m GONNA give ‘em both a yeah baby just because. John Forsyth played such a cheesy “playboy” in Bachelor Father. There should be outrage about that. Talk about sexist. Watch for that show on one of the oldies networks. I’d forgotten how bad it was. NOREEN and Sammee both acted better.<br /><br />If quadamory is a word, I’ve been there. Once. July 1983. Lady softball players from the ex-wife’s team. Who knew? Now I suppose I just seem VAIN. <br /><br />RAMPAL a gimme since my daughter played the flute and I bought recordings of some of the great ones like him and James Galway. She did very well, BTW.<br /><br />@teedMN – “. . . finally remembered the ALAMO. . .” – you’re killin’ me. TEHEE.<br /><br />Odd puz, but almost spotless. Is TRIAMORY something U DO? HMM.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25935722721781132142016-08-10T15:36:27.338-04:002016-08-10T15:36:27.338-04:00What Rex said in almost the same detail.
Labored ...What Rex said in almost the same detail.<br /><br />Labored over it for much too long and cheated to finish in the NW, that old coffin corner.<br /><br />Hope not to see the likes of this one soon again.<br /><br />Peace. Particularly in the Mideast, but not counting on it.<br /><br />leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28042986326494650382016-08-10T15:26:46.620-04:002016-08-10T15:26:46.620-04:00I have lots of comments.
I have A HOST of comments...I have lots of comments.<br />I have A HOST of comments. QED<br /><br />What did Old MacDonald have? A FARM. QED<br /><br />PGA/Masters. The prize money for the Masters, and all the other majors, counts as PGA winnings.<br /><br />I make wine with three friends. Depending on the type, it may be OAKED, by storing in an oak barrel or by oak chip infusion, or it may remain unOAKED. <br /><br />You must listen to the brilliant Rheinhart/Grapelli/RAMPAL album. Sublime.<br /><br />I rarely go all out when I laugh; I tend to TEHEE rather than the blatant TEeHEE. <br /><br />So, I liked this puzzle a lot, for many (A HOST) of reasons. I hope that I never succumb to timing myself lest I get a bad time and thus blame the constructor for putting in words I don't know. <br /><br />rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9989689233238860302016-08-10T15:15:34.575-04:002016-08-10T15:15:34.575-04:00Mae West!Mae West!Thursday googlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11106516072486712794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41266285524771610192016-08-10T14:24:15.756-04:002016-08-10T14:24:15.756-04:00From Syndication Land
I liked this puzzle! Sure ...From Syndication Land<br /><br />I liked this puzzle! Sure it was challenging, but it was one of those puzzles where the theme did help me finish down in the alla/clave corner. I like learning new words, and how to spell shillelagh!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82334652211724409902016-08-10T12:43:28.880-04:002016-08-10T12:43:28.880-04:00Count me in with OldCar Fudd. I have never agreed...Count me in with OldCar Fudd. I have never agreed with Rex so completely. Especially with regard to getting bored after checking a few four letter words for postal code validity. Longbeachleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945278798020339134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68195348037936728892016-08-10T10:43:13.777-04:002016-08-10T10:43:13.777-04:00LETTS GETAT MANY
OHOK, it’s VAIN and/ORE INGLORIO...LETTS GETAT MANY<br /><br />OHOK, it’s VAIN and/ORE INGLORIOUS,<br /> she’s GONNA go all TRIAMORY again.<br />Tho’ DRUNK on WINE she never TOLDALIE to us, <br />MOM’S AHOST and loves to LAYMEN.<br /><br />--- NOREEN ASGARD-CLAVE<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25939564250019500792016-08-10T10:40:38.786-04:002016-08-10T10:40:38.786-04:00This was a NO-day puzzle. It should never have blo...This was a NO-day puzzle. It should never have blotted out the sun today, tomorrow...ever. This may well be the worst puzzle I have ever bothered to finish. Where to start?<br /><br />Non-words: TRIAMORY, OAKED. Obscurities: MIROS, RAMPAL, MAE as clued. Absolute nonsense fill: SMS, UDO, RXS, TWI...I can't go on. Just...no.<br /><br />I too thought it was SAINThood, but that's not listed, whereas SAINRDOM (?) is. I don't even mind the silliness of MOOCOW (must be one of those on AFARM). Couldn't WACO have been clued better? We're all trying to forget the atrocities at that place. AMGEN is familiar; haven't you ever seen those ads that begin "I'm Philmickelsonprogolfer?" He says it like the whole thing is his name.<br /><br />And for what do we suffer this? The theme, plus SHILLELAGH. Not NEARLY enough. This hole's score is "other." Lots of squares around the number. LETTS put it behind us and go on.snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72252763154353133522016-07-09T09:55:05.056-04:002016-07-09T09:55:05.056-04:00I think What Rex meant when he said "...and i...I think What Rex meant when he said "...and is in no way—not one—geared toward the enjoyment or pleasure of the solver." was "...geared toward the enjoyment or pleasure of Rex Parker"<br /><br />Since some of the clues were outside his wheelhouse, it messed up his speed and angered him. <br /><br />I enjoy learning new words every day and I'm sure CLAVE and LETTS will remain in my brain. Not so much words like SAINTDOM or TRIAMORY which I doubt I'll see again. <br /><br />I liked the theme. Once I had solved some four letter clues I tried in vain to puzzle out the theme until I had S AT SOLUTION. That gave me the theme and I was able to get the rest of the four letter clues. <br /><br />Of course I checked the four letters for state abbreviations and was impressed at how many states were represented. What's so bad about the theme being on the four letter clues if there are so many of them? <br /><br />Well done David. <br /><br />But I do agree this was more of a Thursday puzzle. Bruce Fieggenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02676126412631174236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84440081328283721172016-07-09T06:40:08.324-04:002016-07-09T06:40:08.324-04:00David - I rarely read the reviews here. Usually I ...David - I rarely read the reviews here. Usually I do after I have a tough time with a puzzle and check to see how others did with it. I was frustrated by this one (an work in the biotech industry - so Amgen was one of my first true finds).<br /><br />No problem with the theme. In a Wednesday puzzle, to me, finding the theme should lead the the solver directly to a fill-filling frenzy. Not this time, for me. I found the clues to be seemingly almost purposely obscure and clunky as almost a misdirectional ploy. I got stumped on HIND (rearmost) for Heaven's Sake - because my brain was so weary/wary from close-to-punish clues all over this grid. <br /><br />Other Thursday faire: AGORA, FERRY (because of the clue, RIME (never heard of it), TRIAMORY (eyebrow-raiser). Some of this felt like intentional cuteness, which just makes one's eyes roll. I eventually raised a white flag. As a solver one should feel rewarded when the theme is learned but to me this one just turned on me and made me feel like I wasn't in on a cruel joke. <br /><br />Sorry. Thumbs down. Mickey Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238134281252764213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60023888953336698552016-07-07T10:31:34.195-04:002016-07-07T10:31:34.195-04:00Z,
Insist all you want but Augusta National is th...Z,<br /><br />Insist all you want but Augusta National is the green jacket organization. Period. It's incidental that the PGA has a tour stop there. That's what the clue call for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30634983997184926892016-07-07T00:22:21.341-04:002016-07-07T00:22:21.341-04:00Ok...read the comments, and as usual, like the puz...Ok...read the comments, and as usual, like the puzzle more, but really, only a little more. mr. Woolf, thank you for visiting and for your thoughts. Much appreciated.<br /><br />Let me say that I did just love SHILLELAGH! Or however the hell you spell it. Knew the word, no idea how to spell it. Great.<br /><br />And, I really hesitated on 33D, because I know MOOCOW only from a fabulous rant by Lewis Black. If you're an almond milk aficionado, do NOT google that video.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25144932254849189882016-07-07T00:10:21.172-04:002016-07-07T00:10:21.172-04:00Ok...way late here...drove up to the Cape, tried t...Ok...way late here...drove up to the Cape, tried to finish this in fits and starts, avoided the revealer until desperate, then thought...are you kidding me!!??! A theme only a constructor could love!<br /><br />Read Rex, and it's late, so didn't read the rest of you yet, so haven't the benefit of y'all who find the good in every puzzle. <br />I am only able to agree - a rare wholehearted agreement - with OFL.<br /><br />Except for AFARM... I actually smiled at that answer. Though was pretty forced, the cross with "Like an environment difficlult for FARMing...isn't that verboten?<br /><br /> STEVE ALLEN gets a free ride....one of my earliest memories was my parents letting me stay up late and watch The Tonight Show. And one of the few memories of my dad at all, who died when I was 9.<br /><br />104 comments...let me guess... 26A?<br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.com