tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4854542948459059951..comments2024-03-29T08:33:53.797-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: 2008 Oryx AwardsRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76658510218505805612009-02-02T16:43:00.000-05:002009-02-02T16:43:00.000-05:00@Tom H, the WSJ puzzles are uniformly good, but no...@Tom H, the WSJ puzzles are uniformly good, but none of last year's batch happened to hit that "Wow!" sweet spot for me. There were more than 250 Sunday-sized puzzles in the running (NYT, syndicated LA Times, Merl Reagle, WSJ, Boston Globe) for just three slots.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39270449402345344652009-02-02T15:39:00.000-05:002009-02-02T15:39:00.000-05:00No WSJ puzzles ? Why not?No WSJ puzzles ? Why not?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45459888821857214962009-02-02T15:25:00.000-05:002009-02-02T15:25:00.000-05:00Maybe @anonymous 12;31 was a Cardinals fan - and w...Maybe @anonymous 12;31 was a Cardinals fan - and was a little bitter about the outcome. <BR/><BR/>I think Oryx rocks as a name!hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27308055118287892092009-02-02T09:31:00.000-05:002009-02-02T09:31:00.000-05:00"Oryx" is definitely more mellifluous than "ACCA,"..."Oryx" is definitely more mellifluous than "ACCA," which sounds like someone's coughing up a loogie.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63473384598098838312009-02-02T03:12:00.000-05:002009-02-02T03:12:00.000-05:00@anonymous 12:31 amThey called me a "naming consul...@anonymous 12:31 am<BR/>They called me a "naming consultant" not me! <BR/>I went thru a phase where I tried out all sorts of names for a namer but I settled on "Namer".<BR/>I like the simplicity, the biblical overtones and the sheer chutzpah!<BR/><BR/>It took me 5 years to come up with ACME Naming for my company, it's a joke within a joke within a joke, but too tired to explain at the moment...<BR/><BR/>And as you can well imagine, at one point my company name was going to be "Too Clever by Half"<BR/>(it was) and another time "Name Dropper" which I'm saving for my one woman show!<BR/><BR/>Plus, since I always forget to charge $ it's more a pre-occupation than an occupation...<BR/><BR/>But what I really want to do is direct....I mean, construct!<BR/><BR/>So I'll just take your comment as a compliment, tho I can clearly see it was not meant as one!<BR/>;)<BR/><BR/>I just feel like I too won a prize when I begged them to let me rename the awards and they allowed me to take a stab. <BR/>When I first floated "Oryx" Rex responded, "I'm not hating it" <BR/>(or words to that effect). <BR/>High praise indeed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69241247697409060302009-02-02T00:31:00.000-05:002009-02-02T00:31:00.000-05:00I didn't know that "naming consultant" was an occu...I didn't know that "naming consultant" was an occupation...Seems to me that someone who can come up with "oryx" could come up with a zippier title for this trade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35774936924097490602009-02-01T23:16:00.000-05:002009-02-01T23:16:00.000-05:00Congratulations to the winners, and to the Oryx co...Congratulations to the winners, and to the Oryx committee! Amazing work, and I LOVE the pithy descriptions of the winning puzzles. I'm certain that for most people, they would not be easy to compose. But then Orange and Rex are not most people. <BR/><BR/>If I recall correctly, Andrea brilliantly came up with Oryx following a blog discussion where we spoke of ORange-REX and then of "Orexin". Orexin is a natural chemical in the brain that enhances appetite (same word origin as anorexia for lack of such). It is also thought to play a role in addiction. Given how I feel about puzzles, I love the additional connotations that this award name has for me--- appetizing, addictive! <BR/><BR/>It was also a great pleasure to watch through this blog how Andrea took various loose strands and evolved them into an inspired name. Genius!<BR/><BR/>@pauer, thank you for the description of another creative process! Getting a glimpse behind the scenes is a real treat.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43230429495528425352009-02-01T15:52:00.000-05:002009-02-01T15:52:00.000-05:00Just another thank you for doing what you do to ma...Just another thank you for doing what you do to make puzzles more enjoyable to solve.<BR/><BR/> Looking forward to tackling these puzzles in the coming days/weeks....hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16682558519305713952009-02-01T14:04:00.000-05:002009-02-01T14:04:00.000-05:00@JohnG, this blog is a busy enough place with in-d...@JohnG, this blog is a busy enough place with in-depth coverage of just the NYT puzzle, isn't it? My blog covers all those other puzzles too—more puzzles, yes, but a shorter write-up of each one. I love the NYT crossword, but there's a whole world of great puzzles out there that appear in other venues.<BR/><BR/>As for our methodology, throughout the year we each saved our favorite puzzles in various categories. In January, I sent Rex my favorites in each category. In response, he mentioned his choices and suggested a ranking of the top three to merge the two lists. And I almost always agreed completely with his 1-2-3 ranking.<BR/><BR/>Inevitably, once people start commenting with shout-outs to their favorites, we note other puzzles we wish we'd honored—but every Oryx winner is a worthy one. Maybe we'll follow up with a "People's Choice Awards" branch of the Oryx Awards.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84941950128767761532009-02-01T13:44:00.000-05:002009-02-01T13:44:00.000-05:00First, to echo others, you two are doing a great j...First, to echo others, you two are doing a great job with these awards, so thank you on behalf of all crossword fans.<BR/><BR/>Great choices - how do you even pick between some of these puzzles and some that didn't make it?(Caleb's Hollywood puzzle for example was fantastic). Maybe a little background on how you decided to choose these puzzles would help.<BR/><BR/>Now for some violent agreements and some carping (which relates to my earlier request for some background):<BR/><BR/>- PB2 is brilliant and deserves the highest award. The three ring circus, the dollar bill and the squares away are absolutely the most spectacular puzzles I have seen in my thirty years of solving. <BR/><BR/>- PB1 is a genius veteran and he should just remove his name from being considered for these awards. That "Splits and Mergers" was a briliancy, as was his "Process of Elimination" puzzle (maybe in 2007, but I still remember the leftovers!).<BR/><BR/>- Not sure about the themeless awards though. I remember so many other toughies that were more crunchy and memorable than the multiple KTraceys.<BR/><BR/>- LIES puzzle was one of the worst I have seen, so a dishonorable mention seems right. Also, it sounds like you are honoring Shortz for his cluing and not the constructor?<BR/><BR/>- Thanks for pointing us to some fabulous non-NYT puzzles we may have missed. But did I miss something else: that Rex has only focused on NYT puzzles and has gone on to award prizes to puzzles that we cannot discuss on this forum? :-)<BR/><BR/>Overall, great job to all, the constructors in particular!<BR/><BR/>JohnGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8248367281684160392009-02-01T13:28:00.000-05:002009-02-01T13:28:00.000-05:00Wow. Thanks. I don't know what to say. How about I...Wow. Thanks. I don't know what to say. How about I stick to anecdotes so I don't get all choked up?<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.xwordinfo.com/ShowPuzzle.aspx?date=10/6/2008" REL="nofollow">Dollar Puzzle Answer Grid</A><BR/>The dollar bill puzzle started as a doodle in my notebook; it was just a rectangle with the word ONE in the center and in each corner. I forgot about it for months, but when I spotted it again it reminded me of Mike S's excellent pool-table-shaped POCKET rebus puzzle. "Ah, the Times has run a rectangular grid in the past," I thought. It had many iterations, including a Sunday-sized treatment with a giant ONE made of black squares in the middle, and I tried like hell to get BSA and AMA out of the grid since THEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA was the main theme entry, but nobody seemed to notice or care. I ended up ditching the central ONE, too. This one certainly got more attention than anything else I wrote last year. I'll be doing a TEN in 2019, so mark your calendars now.<BR/><BR/>The puzzles I did with Francis H. and Frank L. were pretty out there, and I couldn't have done it without them. I'm very lucky to be able to work with the likes of them, as well as with people like my pal Tony O. and the vivacious Andrea C.M.(E.). Everyone I work with brings something truly unique to the table, and it sure has taught me a lot.<BR/><BR/>One near and dear to my heart was a Sunday puzzle I did with Tony, called "Forward Thinking"<BR/><A HREF="http://www.xwordinfo.com/ShowPuzzle.aspx?date=3/2/2008" REL="nofollow">Answer Grid </A><BR/>which Will was nice enough to run during the ACPT last year. That was sweet.<BR/><BR/>Congrats to all the constructors, thanks to all the editors, and long live all the solvers.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Patrick B2pauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459037089749874180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47885403444996993802009-02-01T10:39:00.000-05:002009-02-01T10:39:00.000-05:00Jon --You can find all the old New York Sun puzzle...Jon --<BR/><BR/>You can find all the old New York Sun puzzles <A HREF="http://www.nysun.com/crosswords/puzzle_dir/archive_dir/" REL="nofollow">at this link</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69551994824441933562009-02-01T02:53:00.000-05:002009-02-01T02:53:00.000-05:00Yay! Very cool write up of all amazing puzzles. I'...Yay! Very cool write up of all amazing puzzles. I'm happy to be published in the same NEWSPAPER that these guys have been published in. I tried my best with my Hollywood Blvd. puzzle. Next year!!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>--Caleb M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5499850347838551092009-02-01T00:40:00.000-05:002009-02-01T00:40:00.000-05:00Wow, many thanks! (What a coincidence my two have...Wow, many thanks! (What a coincidence my two have the same grid -- I'll have try try that one again.) This must take an incredible amount of work to put together, thanks for doing it and for all your blogging throughout the year. It's great to have so much feedback on what people do and don't like when solving.mellocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10637828760951248690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89976602608642213162009-01-31T23:46:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:46:00.000-05:00Thanks, @PuzzleGirl. But my question referred to...Thanks, @PuzzleGirl. But my question referred to the specific puzzles cited in the post. The puzzle pointer links only have limited archives for some of the puzzles. Are there any other locations with more complete archives? Thanks!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146172633099883392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12112216783174147962009-01-31T23:27:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:27:00.000-05:00Congratulations to all these people who bring us s...Congratulations to all these people who bring us such joy day after day, week after week. And what an effort to keep track of all the different puzzles, wow Rex and Orange! I do 3 - 5 of them most days now, especially the ones you two and Andrea point out to us in the blog and comments, which may explain that I just noticed, in one of my stacks of books still to be read, Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake"....machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9492757250616202952009-01-31T23:12:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:12:00.000-05:00Yes, you two did a great job with this. And, Andre...Yes, you two did a great job with this. And, Andrea, the name of the award is perfect.<BR/><BR/>Jon, links to other puzzles can be found in Rex's sidebar under "The Country's Other Puzzles."PuzzleGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06835502266781516627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71524791070635775532009-01-31T23:09:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:09:00.000-05:00Oh, and, of course: Congratulations to all the awa...Oh, and, of course: Congratulations to all the award winners! (And thanks to the award givers, for their work!)Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146172633099883392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57420129255159503442009-01-31T23:08:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:08:00.000-05:00Wow, great list! Is there any way to get AcrossLit...Wow, great list! <BR/><BR/>Is there any way to get AcrossLite Versions of the non-NYT puzzles? I'm a Sun subscriber, but most of those older puzzles aren't on the cruciverb archive. Same thing with the PI puzzle, the Newsday puzzle, the CrosSynergy puzzle, and the LA Times puzzles. Any advice for a relative crossword newbie who wants to try all these highlights? Any help is greatly appreciated...Thanks!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146172633099883392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87057829984316360142009-01-31T23:05:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:05:00.000-05:00...and just like in grade school, there really are......and just like in grade school, there really are no losers. Fun year with thanks to the winners, the editors, the award team and my fellow blog participants.PhillySolverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896753042626337920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43739376015992003652009-01-31T22:34:00.000-05:002009-01-31T22:34:00.000-05:00WOW...CONGRATS TO ALL!Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO c...WOW...CONGRATS TO ALL!<BR/>Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO cool.<BR/>How lucky someone (actually two someones)paid such close attention! Bravo to the American Crossword Critics Association <BR/>(aka ACCA)!!! <BR/>Acka Acka!<BR/><BR/>@Jannie B<BR/>Yes, interesting! <BR/>SO extra Yay to Rex and Orange for keeping solvers apprised of the brilliant Sun, Onion, Chron of Higher Ed, Matt Jones, BEQ, LA Times...that's a LOT of work!<BR/><BR/>And did you notice there was a nice balance between the sexes and that this year the Best Themeless Oryx recipients were all women?! <BR/>Shock and awe :)<BR/><BR/>Could not be more thrilled about Patrick Blindauer's Gold Oryx for "Constructor of the Year" if I had won it myself!<BR/><BR/>His dollar bill puzzle still takes my breath away<BR/>(partly because I swallowed it whole and pieces got lodged in my throat... ;)<BR/><BR/>@Patrick<BR/>I was all prepared to say to you: <BR/><BR/>CLOSEBUTNOCIGAR<BR/>WINSOMELOSESOME<BR/>YOUDIDYOURBEST<BR/>WESTILLLOVEYOU<BR/><BR/>but now I don't have to!<BR/><BR/>@Mac<BR/>Yes, I'll bet it was. Think of all the amazing puzzles out there...that's what I'm saying about how much work this must have been to choose!<BR/><BR/>That whole Simpson's puzzle/tie-in was mind-boggling and luckily got its due in the world at large. <BR/>I mean, Merl is magic! <BR/>(Hey! Do you think Merl is short for Merlin?!)<BR/><BR/>My personal fave puzzle to have had a hand in this year appeared in the no-one-knows-there-is-a-puzzle-in-there Wall St. Journal. Patrick was able to create a grid that looked like an ant farm!<BR/><BR/>(Fingers crossed that his THREE Oryx awards won't change his staggering modesty and he is still willing to collaborate!)<BR/><BR/>@Allan<BR/>Thanks! Now, about that ACPT... ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91334682022808570242009-01-31T21:27:00.000-05:002009-01-31T21:27:00.000-05:00Was the Simpson puzzle considered at all? I just l...Was the Simpson puzzle considered at all? I just loved that one, and the tie-in to the program that evening.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1307799073184425562009-01-31T21:06:00.000-05:002009-01-31T21:06:00.000-05:00Love the name. Very interesting read. Until I st...Love the name. Very interesting read. Until I started following this blog, I never paid attention to the who the constructors were. Now that I do, hope it makes me a better solver.allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781898738812454336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49363809473576038042009-01-31T19:00:00.000-05:002009-01-31T19:00:00.000-05:00I find it interesting that so few of your winners ...I find it interesting that so few of your winners were in the NYT. Sort of gives credibility to all the carping we've been doing on the blog about themes lacking originality, banal fill, etc.JannieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18282015159638078416noreply@blogger.com