tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post504378604122957242..comments2024-03-28T04:40:27.172-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Sea goddess who rescued Odysseus / THU 1-23-14 / Actress/model Kravitz / Snack brand represented by Sterling Cooper on Mad Men / Carlissian of Star Wars films / Member of boy band with nine top 10 hits / Poet who wrote If you want to be loved be lovableRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69461373426077139812014-02-28T16:17:17.776-05:002014-02-28T16:17:17.776-05:00@Donn in NM - wiki defines "block quotation&q...@Donn in NM - wiki defines "block quotation" (also referred to as "BLOCK QUOTES" in many reference books) thus: A block quotation (also known as a long quotation or extract) is a quotation in a written document, that is set off from the main text as a paragraph, or block of text, and typically distinguished visually using indentation and a different typeface or smaller size quotation. (This is in contrast to a setting it off with quotation marks in a run-in quote.) Block quotations are used for the long quotation.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85022838319881877492014-02-28T11:16:53.234-05:002014-02-28T11:16:53.234-05:00A late comment because we get the NYT puzzle a mon...A late comment because we get the NYT puzzle a month late. I got the idea of the missing numbers across, but not clues for the second part of the downs was very annoying. Does anyone know what a "block quote" is? And yes, azul/azur and sear/char were snags. Donn in NMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39359807217312843222014-02-27T19:32:02.649-05:002014-02-27T19:32:02.649-05:00@Dirigonzo - Waiting five weeks for everyone else ...@Dirigonzo - Waiting five weeks for everyone else to take their seats seems a bit much, so your five 6's beat my four 2's.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49152370378520662012014-02-27T18:48:39.704-05:002014-02-27T18:48:39.704-05:00Great puzzle Michael!!
Much ado about the the num...Great puzzle Michael!!<br /><br />Much ado about the the numbering. Of course the numbers are there - just blocked by the white block that is already in place...<br /><br />Mike in SyndyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82538384934466256342014-02-27T17:19:30.520-05:002014-02-27T17:19:30.520-05:00I got to this puzzle way late in the afternoon, bu...I got to this puzzle way late in the afternoon, but enjoyed it. All was completed except the NW corner. Just couldn't get "egg" pudding off the page. IMHO this was fresh and very clever by Mr. Hawkins and I thank him. BTW curmudgeons come in all ages.<br /><br />Ron Diego 2:20 PM PST 2/27/14Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89928367063114193452014-02-27T16:43:42.341-05:002014-02-27T16:43:42.341-05:00I solved this (syndicated) on paper and, like Rex,...I solved this (syndicated) on paper and, like Rex, solved without realizing there were missing numbers -- just thought the second parts were all "words or endings that can follow 'block'" -- which Ithought was kind of lame. So finding the "blocks" was fun, but the rest not quite as much. TimJimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36266490218619634842014-02-27T15:28:14.566-05:002014-02-27T15:28:14.566-05:00Well, it was different--and different is good. I u...Well, it was different--and different is good. I understand the way the theme was treated, and as it's laid out, I don't see any other way to present it except what was done. There's a block, and that generates numbers on the east and south faces. Putting a number in a white square not following or below a block would have given away the store. I got #BUSTERMOVIE off just the M, from two terrific Cameron flicks in the clue (the third being ABYSS).<br /><br />My grid is not without some messiness; OXy had to become OXI, the smidgen was not a tidBIT but a WEEBIT, and my NUDES started out as mUsES. No BRA for them. The fill, though featuring a rapper along with some other WOEs (AZUL, IDAS, ELEA), was overall pretty good. ASTHE is...unfortunate. You didn't like it either, I'm betting, Mr. Debuting Constructor. I give you props for wincing at that, since the rest of it shows you have some serious rookie chops. Stick AVEC it, sir. Just try to keep the rappers to a minimum.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4673028623411643542014-02-27T15:11:41.889-05:002014-02-27T15:11:41.889-05:00Meanwhile back in syndiland where we all solve on ...Meanwhile back in syndiland where we all solve on paper, I actually do read all of the clues all of the time so I knew right away there were numbers missing in the grid. The SUNBLOCK/BOLCKADE cross showed me how the missing numbers were to be utilized, so off to the races (you know, in a leisurely fashion)! Unfortunately I thought The Graces at 51d might be mUsES and never did go back to fix it, so dnf with TWS.<br /><br />The puzzle from the NYT daily puzzle calendar today is an ACME/Patrick Blindauer creation that also featured an imaginative gimmick designed to give speed-solvers fits - loved that one, too.<br /><br />@anony 1:47pm (5 weeks ago) 0 that's because this is the January 23 puzzle.<br /><br />@Z - since you and your five nines have left the table I'd say my five sixes are looking pretty good.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71681555000421212692014-02-27T15:10:47.559-05:002014-02-27T15:10:47.559-05:00Where's @Spacecraft?
Like Rex, I never saw th...Where's @Spacecraft?<br /><br />Like Rex, I never saw the unnumbered clues - just slogged along until the post "block" letters made sense.<br /><br />BRA/BUXOM. WHERE are Beavis & Butt-head when we need them?<br /><br />Liked APOGEE atop SEWERS.<br /><br />The latest tabloid item - JON AVEC MIMI. (Could AVEC also mean on top of in French?)<br /><br />@Diri, no zeros today.<br /><br />Michael Hawkins, I really enjoyed your debutpuz. Encore!<br /><br />Two lousy pairs today. @Z's five nines is looking good. Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89587946343327845272014-02-27T14:17:01.374-05:002014-02-27T14:17:01.374-05:00I didn't enjoy this at all. And there was one ...I didn't enjoy this at all. And there was one square that could be answered two ways, one of which was wrong. The only way to sort it out was to assume the constructor intended a pangram. Lil RoN is a rapper. "Ram in" works for the down clue. So how do you know it is Lil Jon and "Jam in"? Never noticed the clues without letters in the grid and had no idea what the post block stuff meant. Also blew the Sheb, tube pan pairing. I thought his name was Shep. Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be fun.Singernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19910137794497318802014-01-24T13:47:38.668-05:002014-01-24T13:47:38.668-05:00That is not the puzzle in my south Forida edition ...That is not the puzzle in my south Forida edition of the January 24, 2014 New York Times. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25603761665789549182014-01-24T11:09:49.563-05:002014-01-24T11:09:49.563-05:00i thought this puzzle was brilliant. maddeningly d...i thought this puzzle was brilliant. maddeningly difficult for a long time, then when i got the blocks, easier but still challenging and fun. i am glad i stuck to it. unlike the rexinator, i noticed that there were numbers that were missing (because it was so hard for me to get started, i did read the clues "like a book") which aided in finding the rebus. great puzzle. think rex missed the boat on this one. ulysseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16574980607853347444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7814139043908373092014-01-24T07:33:33.347-05:002014-01-24T07:33:33.347-05:00I fumbled my way to almost all of the answers. I ...I fumbled my way to almost all of the answers. I guessed correctly on AQABA, but I guessed wrong on LUNE. I guessed LUNA, which made me wonder what ABA had to do with "Fin." Now that I see ABE = "Fin," I'm kicking myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46047264816664619622014-01-23T22:59:16.913-05:002014-01-23T22:59:16.913-05:00a person who is enthusiastically interested in and...a person who is enthusiastically interested in and very knowledgeable about a particular subject.<br />"a computer buff"<br /><br />a person who is excessively fond of or addicted to something.<br />"the restaurant's owner is a wine fiend"Comparing Definitionsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69359674952962052562014-01-23T22:10:54.324-05:002014-01-23T22:10:54.324-05:00Why are buffs "fiends", as in 1D?Why are buffs "fiends", as in 1D?odalittlemousenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52607996843991239082014-01-23T21:21:26.265-05:002014-01-23T21:21:26.265-05:00@Ellen S - That is a mystery only OFL can solve. T...@Ellen S - That is a mystery only OFL can solve. The grid image looks like a revealed puzzle would look in AcrossLite, and OFL says he uses other programs on the FAQ page. But, I don't know what other software looks like when you reveal clues or even if OFL still uses the same programs. <br /><br />Nice pics. I got no answers Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72000327470055331252014-01-23T20:16:38.380-05:002014-01-23T20:16:38.380-05:00"Will Shortz notes: This is the second day in..."Will Shortz notes: This is the second day in a row in which a Times constructor is making a debut. Michael Hawkins hails from Gastonia, N.C. The print and online versions of his puzzle necessarily have different numbering. The print version is the first puzzle I can remember in which the solver is supposed to number some of the black squares — either present or (as in this case) missing!"<br /><br />Same grid in both on-line and print versions but DIFFERENT numbering.wreckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08797908615185213756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68439532253725030012014-01-23T20:09:37.464-05:002014-01-23T20:09:37.464-05:00@Answer Z, I think what @LaneB and somebody else e...@Answer Z, I think what @LaneB and somebody else earlier are saying is that their printed puzzle grid numbers don't match the grid numbers in Rex's screenshot. ANd they don't match the grid numbers in my Puzzazz version. What I have on the fourth row is 20, 21 and 22. The "BLOCK" would be 23, but has no number. <br />In the clues, 23 is clued as "Supply line cutter." <br />THen in Puzzazz, Row 5 starts with 24, clued as "Fatigue". <br />There is a clue for 23, but no grid number. <br />But Rex shows a grid number 23 at the beginning of Row 5. The answer he has there, at 23A, is "Drain" which Puzzazz says is the clue for 24A. The Puzzazz and dead tree versions make sense - there are clues which don't have corresponding grid numbers. Rex's grid makes no sense. And yet he says he didn't need the clues for 23A, 39A etc -- But he has a 23A and 39A in his grid. ? <br /><br />One of those mysteries we'll never know the answer to?<br /><br />Anyway, I only came here because I posted the <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/109767899497000378212/albums/5972242298268143697" rel="nofollow">pictures</a> of the trip Gill I.P. and I took to San Fran to visit Acme. With luck, if you click on my avatar, the profile for "My Web Page" will take you there. But just in case (because nothing else worked), I've embedded it here. Nothing special, just a very few pictures of the three of us having fun. Ellen Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473445503706985149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51806719066955915452014-01-23T19:59:06.841-05:002014-01-23T19:59:06.841-05:00@AnonB said it best. I left it and came back 3 ti...@AnonB said it best. I left it and came back 3 times and still DNF. Not fun. In fact, I hated it!ludyjynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80327119516139441552014-01-23T19:46:12.143-05:002014-01-23T19:46:12.143-05:00@LaneB - In the print version the "Block"...@LaneB - In the print version the "Block" has no number even though it has a numbered clue. So 23A/23D is at the square in Row 4 Column 12. 9D is SUNBLOCK and 23D is BLOCKS OUT. Rex posted one from an online version that misses this element.<br /><br />As for most of your questioned clues, pop culture clues. LET is a tennis term. A serve has to land in the square immediately after the net without touching the net to be a good serve. If it doesn't land in the square it is a "fault." If the server "double faults" (misses twice) the other player scores the point. If the serve hits the net but manages to land in the square the server gets to serve again without penalty - a "do-over."Answer Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67612168638056879712014-01-23T19:25:55.618-05:002014-01-23T19:25:55.618-05:00I'mm obviously missing something, but the NYT ...I'mm obviously missing something, but the NYT version I have has different grid numbers than the version printed by Rex on the blog. It starts with 23a which in my version is 24a but the clue on mine is identified as 24a [Fatigue] and my 24a answer as correctly DRAIN. Thereafter, all the clues have different numbers but match the answers in Rex's solution. <br />Anyway, I found the whole thing impossible and failed to put the BLOCK in the right places.<br />Moreover, lots of the clues were way out of my ken. e.g., a20, a4, a27, d12, and a67 clued as "do-over" and answered as LET [?] in my version.<br />If I don't get the rebus, fasilure is sure to occur. Hell, I don't even get the explanation on this one!<br />Huge pain in the tush.<br />Perhaps one of you kind [and smart] souls out there can square me away. Thanks.LaneBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76386480777781134122014-01-23T17:52:53.786-05:002014-01-23T17:52:53.786-05:00Liked this puzzle. Got stuck with "azur&quo...Liked this puzzle. Got stuck with "azur" as well, but otherwise thought the theme was well executed. Interestingly, my 14 year old son was looking at the grid before his piano lesson and pointed out that there missing numbers, so the theme was obvious as soon as I hit the New Kids, which I was ashamed to get so quickly. <br /><br />Idas? Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2308365061121785832014-01-23T17:45:16.044-05:002014-01-23T17:45:16.044-05:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation of my method and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak to my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Thu 21:35, 19:03, 1.13, 73%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Thu 14:48, 10:36, 1.40, 89%, Challenging<br /><br />This is another puzzle this week that's probably not particularly well-suited for evaluation by this method. It appears to be headed for another low-water mark in terms of the number of online solvers (181 so far vs the previous low of 210 ... that being David Steinberg's Thursday stumper of 12/12/2013). I made the mistake of solving it using the online applet in spite of the note telling me that I should print out the PDF. So I was unaware of the missing clue numbers aspect of the theme.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6945394407350502252014-01-23T17:35:05.576-05:002014-01-23T17:35:05.576-05:00Yep, colored blocks.
Michael, thanks for stopping...Yep, colored blocks.<br /><br />Michael, thanks for stopping by. My maiden name is Hawkins and today I truly wish I were related to your brain! <br /><br />You may not think the fill was sparkly, but it surely is considering the constraints of your very cleverly constructed grid. <br /><br />I can't wait to see your Monday that's in the queue!johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64358744256948497502014-01-23T17:30:42.633-05:002014-01-23T17:30:42.633-05:00Even after I filled in all the squares (and blocks...Even after I filled in all the squares (and blocks), I was puzzled by this one. I was about to complain until I saw the missing number-clues explained here. Still not sure I like it, but have to admit that the puzzle is very clever. Sure would have been a lot easier (I had to do some minor googling) if I caught on to the gimmick.Michaelnoreply@blogger.com