tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3892339424456338060..comments2024-03-28T20:49:13.267-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Verona vino / FRI 4-14-17 / 16 things in Don Giovanni / Foreigner's genre / Instrument with three-sided body / Instrument with octave keys / Creator of 1966 underground film chelasea girlsRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25514273025901305162017-07-01T06:20:00.320-04:002017-07-01T06:20:00.320-04:00Good as always..
http://marianasedu.com/mbbs-in-a...Good as always..<br /><br />http://marianasedu.com/mbbs-in-abroad.htmlJohnhttp://marianasedu.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1313176343548235372017-05-31T08:47:47.849-04:002017-05-31T08:47:47.849-04:00I thought the puzzle was opaque, also. Had no trou...I thought the puzzle was opaque, also. Had no trouble with coil. Love the balalaika! 1000 was awful-- appreciated the explanations, as always!!Nightowlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13163606165528477841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36652433522281361472017-05-31T08:35:42.800-04:002017-05-31T08:35:42.800-04:00Syndi-lander here. Just googled Foreigner. It'...Syndi-lander here. Just googled Foreigner. It's a British band formed in 1976. Genre is usually a clue to music, art, etc., I've noticed. Arena rock and other firms of R and R, R and B are not in my wheelhouse.'76 wad the year my first son was born, so I wasn't in tune with many current events.Nightowlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13163606165528477841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88032567160256623152017-05-19T15:36:22.322-04:002017-05-19T15:36:22.322-04:00Guess I did not have an ear for EYE. Or rather, I...Guess I did not have an ear for EYE. Or rather, I did. Thought HEDEe looked funny and wondered how EXPEDIy was like a kayak, thinking watercraft. Oh well. <br />Snowcrab used to be considered by-catch until kingcrab became scarce.centralscrewtinizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03404913280254786506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78053558155373676472017-05-19T15:25:03.430-04:002017-05-19T15:25:03.430-04:00Wait,counted the e twice. It is actually 5 letter ...Wait,counted the e twice. It is actually 5 letter off not 6. So it is 184/189. 97.3%<br /><br /><br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19496248060282547422017-05-19T15:13:08.784-04:002017-05-19T15:13:08.784-04:00Four hints off a solve without hints.
First Thou...Four hints off a solve without hints. <br /><br />First Thought the actor's name was Heyer. Checked and changed it to Heder,giving me odd for whimsical. Looked up ceu and it was not a word. So I gueesed it was CES and Skat was the game. As had RTs instead of RAS. Finally never heard of fashion ECKO. Another three letters for the e,k,and o. 6 letters off put together. How are many letter are there?189?<br />If so,then 183/189=96.82%<br /><br />So close.<br /><br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1237117184206327322017-05-19T15:06:59.552-04:002017-05-19T15:06:59.552-04:00I was held up for a time in the west because “. . ...I was held up for a time in the west because “. . . the spelling straight-laced is more common than strait-laced in the Oxford English Corpus . . .” I wouldn’t spell it the way it is in the puz. To use it as spelled in the puz, I would have to say, ”George STRAITLACED up his cowboy boots.” Which would be ridiculous. And my RUG was at first a cat. The OTHERHALF of the puz seemed easy in comparison.<br /><br />Speaking of ARENAROCK, STEALIN’ should have been clued 1973 Uriah Heep hit and BADRAPS as the 50 Cent catalog.<br /><br />Interesting to see SHOT next to TAVERN, CATNAP next to SOUNDASLEEP, and SPASMS next to WARHOL. And PUTIN so far away from ALPHAMALE (cue “Dueling BALALAIKAs”).<br /><br />Holy MOSES, either of those ANNAS could be today’s yeah baby. IFSO, maybe I’d opt for the TALLONE.<br /><br />Time to SCAT, or SKAT, maybe for some spiked punch at the TAVERN. That is AWL.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12538960943669919362017-05-19T14:32:59.195-04:002017-05-19T14:32:59.195-04:00Quick comment today. Gotta run.
Good puzzle. Cha...Quick comment today. Gotta run.<br />Good puzzle. Challenging for me, starting in the mid East with TERABYTE, ICE AX, EXPEDIA. Moving to the SE I slammed in BALALAIKA, and mopped up there.<br /><br />Many places, a la @Spacey, caused big slowdowns, but a couple of guesses (BOOTH, PATH, OBOE) helped immensely. I think the biggest holdup was SNOW CRAB.<br /><br />Loved PARLANCE, SPASMS, TIME SLOT.<br /><br />BYErain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44579388964315702332017-05-19T14:28:33.867-04:002017-05-19T14:28:33.867-04:00Used to work next to the OR where they use a 24-ho...Used to work next to the OR where they use a 24-hour clock, so I should have gotten 1000. But I didn't. Didn't know the fashion designer, the card game had HELo instead of HELI, so got Naticked in the SE.<br /><br />Had POTROAST right off the bat. So proud of sussing out PARLANCE. Got all the other misdirects pretty quickly. Ah well...<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for CrosswordsDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60551097136026282012017-05-19T12:46:30.470-04:002017-05-19T12:46:30.470-04:00ABOUTTHAT STRAITLACED RAINDATE . . .
Is ATLAS an ...ABOUTTHAT STRAITLACED RAINDATE . . .<br /><br />Is ATLAS an ALPHAMALE, that creep? IFSO, he’d give TOUGHLOVE a SHOT.<br />But at TENAM ANNA’S SOUNDASLEEP, so that CATNAP filled HER TIMESLOT.<br /><br />--- MOSES WARHOL<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46470194606899634032017-05-19T12:22:55.147-04:002017-05-19T12:22:55.147-04:00I can't believe there are some who called this...I can't believe there are some who called this easy--and one in particular (@anoa bob) who actually said the cluing is mostly straightforward. If there is one puzzle I've done so far where most of the cluing is anything BUT, it's today's.<br /><br />Hand up for HOUSE. When it turned out to be EATER, I thought, light EATER?? WHA??? I suppose this is someone on a diet, but "word after" (or "before") clues should refer to stock phrases. This is one of those Wheel of Fortune puzzles that people never solve early--because those two words don't normally "belong" together. Out of bounds, stroke and distance penalty.<br /><br />Another hand up for some long sentences = BADRAPS. The only thing I can think of is that if you're innocent, even one day in jail would feel too long. But that is a stretch that no rubber band in my experience could ever withstand without snapping. Horrible, awful clue; a snap-hook WAY out of bounds into somebody's garden. One more stroke. This is getting out of hand.<br /><br />The 1000 thing is an example of the cluer doing everything he can to thwart the solver. Possibly he was so angry at having to settle for the clearly substandard entry TENAM that he took it out on us!<br /><br />Lots of other misdirects: with "diner choice," naturally we're all thinking about FOOD, not where you sit, fergoshsakes. Spiked punch? = AWL. Yeah, descriptive, but not of any liquid in a party bowl. Straightforward? Not.<br /><br />It's better HALF, and sneak IN. I don't think I've ever heard anybody say "STEAL IN." TALLONE sounds more Starbuck-y than beery, and who in blazes is HEDER? Talk about 100% crosses!<br /><br />Despite all these WOEs, I did somehow manage to finish it off, but certainly no thanks to the constructor, who seemed intent on its being unsolvable. There are good things in it; there are even patches that might be called easy. But with all the above, I was left scratching my head and just hoping I was somehow right. That's not a joy-filled experience. One thing WAS obvious: the choice for DOD, our favorite ANNA. Again. With a couple of better clues, this might even have made birdie, but...ya gotta stay in bounds. Bogey.<br /><br />spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53741641004725266302017-04-20T08:03:45.277-04:002017-04-20T08:03:45.277-04:00'House' at 19A went in first, which may be...'House' at 19A went in first, which may be why the SE was first to fall for me, unlike so many here. Also had coLdONE before TALLONE, and thought tAIlgATE before RAINDATE. I question the '?' in the 28A's clue. Seems literal enough to me. But maybe that's a bit of misdirection? Played tough but fair to me. Nice work, AK!ShortShriftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83853740937212856292017-04-15T12:21:42.375-04:002017-04-15T12:21:42.375-04:00@ Bill Feeney 2:28. Re: ARENAROCK, Phil Spector...@ Bill Feeney 2:28. Re: ARENAROCK, Phil Spector's Wall of Sound was essentially a set of studio techniques and effects used for creating multi-layered sound on recordings. The Wall of Sound that sat on stage behind the Grateful Dead for their 1974 tour is the one to know regarding live performances. As far as Foreigner's music..... pfffft.ra.ranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70987088707943078442017-04-15T07:57:13.239-04:002017-04-15T07:57:13.239-04:00@Beatrice, a PhD in English may not be a PhD in th...@Beatrice, a PhD in English may not be a PhD in the English language, its grammar, its diagrammed parts, etc etc. A PhD in English is far more likely to indicate familiarity with and expertise on English literature. Or, possibly, comics.<br />The language evolves after we leave our fourth-grade teachers behind. Even grammar evolves. We each retain our fingernails-on-blackboard sensitivities, but that doesn't make us right. I'm always amused when I hear Brits use plural verb forms with collective nouns, because I've completely bought into structures like "the company puts customers first." I'm shakier on nouns that have become verbs--medal, OK; laser, NO; impact, NFW unless it's a dentist speaking. But I know these things are creeping in, like "proactive" (gives me the willies). "If so" used as "then" is common, inoffensive, and ok. (Not like "hone in." [insert creeped-out shivering sound here])BarbieBarbienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1266158063792772312017-04-14T23:10:26.880-04:002017-04-14T23:10:26.880-04:00From the same performance, another side of Alexei ...From the same performance, another side of Alexei Arkhipovsky:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqeSU7lSLE<br /><br />And another side of BALALAIKA*:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R7gQ4PAf-w<br /><br />Neither qualifies as ARENAROCK<br />...............................<br /><br />@Pete, I always feel right justified when there's a reason for unjustified condemnation, heh.<br /><br />@Lindsay, nice one! That should reduce congestion on the TriBureau Bridge<br /><br />Anyone who reads cookbooks and/or menus is likely to follow<i> Yankee</i> with POTROAST, but I also assumed LACED was STRAIghT, and wondered whether the 'light' EATER would be a black hole. Dense, eh?<br /><br />@Nancy, I think maybe your BALALALALAIKA slipped on a banananana peel.<br /><br />Liked it. Better a POTROAST and TOUGHLOVE than a TOUGHROAST and POTLOVE.<br />Leapfingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243620614139990887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20225658255024915732017-04-14T22:57:51.975-04:002017-04-14T22:57:51.975-04:00@Nancy...Damn it... The next time chocolat or even...@Nancy...Damn it... The next time chocolat or even CHOCOLATE appears, let us fans peek into your fabulous lyrics.<br />One of my favorites.... "I like them under my skirt" ......;-)GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82969450049353591442017-04-14T22:31:09.815-04:002017-04-14T22:31:09.815-04:00@Mohair (1:33 p.m.) Re: BALALAIKA. I'm normal...@Mohair (1:33 p.m.) Re: BALALAIKA. I'm normally a huge David Lean fan. He directed three of my all-time favorite movies: BRIEF ENCOUNTER; BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. (The first two are even listed on my blog profile.) But for me, DR. ZHIVAGO was one l-o-o-n-g white snoozefest and it's more than likely I snoozed during the whole BALALAIKA thing, whatever it was. I remember nothing at all about the movie except lots and lots and lots of snow, everyone dressed in lots and lots and lots of fur (in which Julie Christie looked quite fetching) and endless close-ups of Christie and Sharif staring longingly at each other. And staring. And staring. I'm sorry I didn't love it, @Mohair. Please don't strip me of my Sixties credentials, as you sort of hint of doing above :)<br /><br />@GILL (1:05 p.m.) -- I appreciate the shoutout. Of course no one on the blog will have the faintest idea what you're talking about. I just sent you an email thanking you and providing some details that I think you'll find interesting.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16737377749030219974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10315197008233248922017-04-14T20:50:20.390-04:002017-04-14T20:50:20.390-04:00@Bill Feeny - Darlene Love singing Christmas ( Bab...@Bill Feeny - Darlene Love singing Christmas ( Baby Please Come Home) on Letterman...jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28090893648179563802017-04-14T19:12:52.945-04:002017-04-14T19:12:52.945-04:00@Rex *does* have a PhD in English - IF(SO) is a co...@Rex *does* have a PhD in English - IF(SO) is a conditional or hypothetical, 'then' is the consequent - in logic, programming, and plain ol' English. In the example used above, 'then' is implied. End of grump.<br /><br />@Tita - me too on Mr. Potato Head! Maybe because he was a sort of humanoid...potato?<br /><br />The final work of the wonderful Orlando di Lasso was a set of 'spiritual madrigals', entitled "Lagrime di San Pietro", or "Tears of Saint Peter". Here is the first one.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7WTRVwnsU0<br /><br /><br />beatricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16162755764092888665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85994457670457429602017-04-14T18:05:48.483-04:002017-04-14T18:05:48.483-04:00How about "I'm with HER" almost dire...How about "I'm with HER" almost directly across from PUTIN!?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08769746662846995308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20791952938562307892017-04-14T17:47:57.690-04:002017-04-14T17:47:57.690-04:00Anon @10:21
Didn't know the balalaika was so...Anon @10:21<br /><br />Didn't know the balalaika was so complex and versatile. Beautiful music. Thanks for posting the link. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64254130056621986622017-04-14T17:35:54.507-04:002017-04-14T17:35:54.507-04:00Typically found it tough going on the first go aro...Typically found it tough going on the first go around; tried ten cs on theory that ten cnotes or ten centuries make 1,000. Put the puzzle down and on second review worked it all out except, to my great chagrin had Ecco which caused balalaika to be misspelled. Still, found it an enjoyable and satisfying workout.GHarrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52992956677757636312017-04-14T16:05:57.936-04:002017-04-14T16:05:57.936-04:00ARIA and ARIOSE should not be in the same puzzle, ...ARIA and ARIOSE should not be in the same puzzle, let alone crossing through one another. Grrrr....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16173420214025636864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2403799447954862012017-04-14T15:16:26.858-04:002017-04-14T15:16:26.858-04:00A long slog, killed by "ses."A long slog, killed by "ses." Hungry Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465905817770134952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52704823222291022202017-04-14T14:28:39.237-04:002017-04-14T14:28:39.237-04:00From more stuff you didn't care to know...I...From more stuff you didn't care to know...I'll take a stab at ARENA ROCK. it started with Phil Spector and his wall of sound. Think what you will of him personally, he did invent, refine a sound that went floor to ceiling, wall to wall. Think The Shirelles and other girl groups from the sixties e, g. Be My, Be My Baby. Orchestration, over dubs, back up singers...throw everything at the song and you get the Phil Spector sound. Perhaps a perfect example would be the Righteous Brothers' You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling. So a group like Foreigner did(does) the same thing and it takes an arena to hold the sound. BTW, one of the reasons Stand By Me is such a powerful song, is that it was the first am Top 40 hit to use a full orchestra so when those violins sweep in, it was a totally new sound for the pop music fan. All of this is from memory so any mistakes are fully mine.Bill Feeneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14749914996804261832noreply@blogger.com