tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5309915801419969908..comments2024-03-29T01:22:33.864-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: FRIDAY, Apr. 20, 2007 - David QuarfootRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29530451973521646052008-07-07T20:58:00.000-04:002008-07-07T20:58:00.000-04:00NW went down fast for me, but i had to claw for al...NW went down fast for me, but i had to claw for almost everything (except EENS) in the SW.<BR/>I liked the TEASERS TOASTER symmetryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70795398063260739512007-06-01T19:53:00.000-04:002007-06-01T19:53:00.000-04:00Into afternoon coffee before I finished this one t...Into afternoon coffee before I finished this one today. I loved it. Three or four times I came this close to googling, and I would have before I discovered this blog, but it pains me to have to admit to "cheating" when I come here. <BR/><BR/>The north/east was the last to fall for me. <BR/><BR/>The clue to 1d could have been, "One almost always seen at a wedding reception"<BR/><BR/>I also wondered what kind of sore a ULKER was. Seems there were both "C" and "K" RATIONS. <BR/><BR/>My red herrings were CUPCAKE for PET NAME, BUMP for BURP, and the above mentioned K RATIONS.<BR/><BR/>AMEN CORNER seems a bit thin, but the rest of the puzzle makes up for that in spades. I can imagine formula one racing drivers referring to the last curve thusly. <BR/><BR/>Bravo DQ!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56592481633594505572007-06-01T15:35:00.000-04:002007-06-01T15:35:00.000-04:00does anyone remember the "Johnny Seven O.M.A."? On...does anyone remember the "Johnny Seven O.M.A."? One Man Army, coolest toy I ever had with 7 different weapons from grenade launcher to hidden dagger. 6 weeks later as usual. Love the blog. I am getting better every week. Thx, Rex. - - RobertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67225583217650505552007-04-21T18:45:00.000-04:002007-04-21T18:45:00.000-04:00Well, I'm day late, but I can't pass up the opport...Well, I'm day late, but I can't pass up the opportunity to gush about DQ. (I mean, really, who can?)<BR/><BR/>I love DQ's puzzles as a rule, but I think this one is one of his best. Fantastic grid, fantastic entries, and soooo many could-be-this-could-be-that entries. (VENTNOR, anyone?)<BR/><BR/>And, since it's now Saturday, we know that today's puzzle wasn't mine (sorry, DQ) but I'll take a Byron Walden just as fast as I'll take a DQ.<BR/><BR/>MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16586178168307340142007-04-21T10:47:00.000-04:002007-04-21T10:47:00.000-04:00Q = 0Q = 0Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41389422689737497122007-04-21T10:26:00.000-04:002007-04-21T10:26:00.000-04:00A+(Just what were you taking for that head cold? I...A+<BR/><BR/>(Just what were you taking for that head cold? If it does that good for you, what might it do for DQ? The two of you are irresistable.) ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62216859784136855172007-04-21T01:09:00.000-04:002007-04-21T01:09:00.000-04:00Brilliant write-up, Rex!I remember well your Frak...Brilliant write-up, Rex!<BR/><BR/>I remember well your Frakkin' Toaster t-shirt. One just doesn't forget that kind of thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63012827973473717602007-04-21T00:55:00.000-04:002007-04-21T00:55:00.000-04:00Nice shirt...I can't wait until you design the RPD...Nice shirt...<BR/><BR/>I can't wait until you design the RPDTNYTCP shirts. As I recall, each of your guest bloggers will receive one ; )Linda Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15816794362786044423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-634553269609309042007-04-20T20:08:00.000-04:002007-04-20T20:08:00.000-04:00Oh my, there are Battlestar Galactica fans in this...Oh my, there are Battlestar Galactica fans in this blog? I once submitted a BG-related clue for VIPER but it didn't survive editing. That Centurion clue would be wicked and probably set records for hits on all the crossword blogs searching for the answer/explanation. But I'd like it!<BR/><BR/>Someone asked about the Jabberwocky clue, and as someone who didn't know the line the Jabberwocky reference in the clue was helpful to the extent that it made me figure the entry was not going to be a word I recognized. ('Tis true I might have been able to figure that out just based on some of the other words in the clue also.)mellocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10637828760951248690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2314676153156614512007-04-20T20:05:00.000-04:002007-04-20T20:05:00.000-04:00First to say -- 1D "should" have been "caterer" or...First to say -- 1D "should" have been "caterer" or "Bestman" (who as far as I know usually does the first toast)! <BR/><BR/>OK, so I was wrong. Boy did that mess up the NW. Yikes!<BR/><BR/>I got the NE first and then struggled with SE too!<BR/><BR/>Needed a little nudges of help here from Mr.G (not Dr. X!).<BR/><BR/>But, loved the puzzle. <BR/><BR/>Great write-up Rex. Very helpful!<BR/><BR/>I find I am getting more astute at solving the Friday/Saturday puzzles. I know last weeks' were a bit easier but, still getting better at F/S solving.<BR/><BR/>Love the blog~<BR/><BR/>Thanks DQ and RPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66899062546015394472007-04-20T20:00:00.000-04:002007-04-20T20:00:00.000-04:00So basically you're saying that Quarfoot, as the i...So basically you're saying that Quarfoot, as the inheritor of Wordsworth's aesthetic veracity, is a realist puzzle constructor...there's probably a paper to be written on just that topic.Jack Guignolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05226738666709754348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86406582184274904412007-04-20T17:30:00.000-04:002007-04-20T17:30:00.000-04:00Well now that you say that, my first suggestion wa...Well now that you say that, my first suggestion was going to be "Frakkin' __________" but then I realized there is some kind of breakfast table decorum thing going on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4885835776990896972007-04-20T17:23:00.000-04:002007-04-20T17:23:00.000-04:00Point taken. O how I'd love to see SKIN JOB in the...Point taken. <BR/><BR/>O how I'd love to see SKIN JOB in the grid.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49507896405654776982007-04-20T17:13:00.000-04:002007-04-20T17:13:00.000-04:00Even more obnoxious: Actually on Bat Gal, "toaste...Even more obnoxious: Actually on Bat Gal, "toaster" refers to just the non-humanoid Cylon models. So how about "Galactica's chromejob" or "Centurion (pejorative)."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31708226143152252112007-04-20T17:04:00.000-04:002007-04-20T17:04:00.000-04:00It is this blogger's obnoxious opinion that the pe...It is this blogger's obnoxious opinion that the perfect clue for TOASTER would be something like [Cylon, colloquially].<BR/><BR/>Of course you would have to watch "Battlestar Galactica" to have any clue what that clue means. <BR/><BR/>RPRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38140065184239670252007-04-20T16:54:00.000-04:002007-04-20T16:54:00.000-04:00Excellent commentary (and puzzle as well).I glad t...Excellent commentary (and puzzle as well).<BR/><BR/>I glad to see you've upped the comic book quotient. Excellent OMAC, WE3 and MOME references. You could have also added Airwave (a fairly obscure DC hero). I know of a Professor X and a Mr. X but I'm not sure if there has ever been a comic book Dr. X<BR/><BR/>Mome isn't as obscure as some may think. Disney's Alice in Wonderland used some of Jabberwocky in a song, the tune of which has been stuck in my head ever since I was traumatized by the film as a small child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49132651585215583182007-04-20T16:53:00.000-04:002007-04-20T16:53:00.000-04:00Who were the Tates? Larry and Louise, silly; it sa...Who were the Tates? Larry and Louise, silly; it says so right in the clue. :) ...Larry Tate was Darren's boss. <BR/>I also liked that TOASTER could just have well been clued as a wedding *gift*.<BR/>Ventnor was also the first thing I thought of, without even counting the letters. But I only scribbled it in faintly, and as soon as Les Troyens eliminated it, went looking for something else. <BR/>I also loved "Muffin, for one" (PET NAME).<BR/>Still wondering what RDs are <BR/>(or what RDS is). Oh. (This always happens. Must be the process of writing down the comment.) Roads. Clever. I was still thinking in terms of what you might include in a profile for an online dating Website. "If you're into RDs, don't bother!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76350880345041015682007-04-20T16:03:00.000-04:002007-04-20T16:03:00.000-04:00Rexy,Amazing post today. You truly are the king o...Rexy,<BR/><BR/>Amazing post today. You truly are the king of crossworld. A few thought about the puzz:<BR/><BR/>1) Some grids are very nice to fill and flow naturally - this, however, was not one of those. It was painful and endless. Just too many stacked 3x7s all over the place - especially those crossing the 3x10s.<BR/>2) In the SE, there was the tough choice of using MOME/MALORY or COME/CALORY. Mome is certainly not a pretty word (one usage in one line of literature!), but obscure variant spellings are even worse.<BR/>3) The original clue for FLUSHOT, which I thought probably wouldn't fly, was: "Prick at the office?" Damn that Sunday morning breakfast table thing.<BR/>4) The clue for 1-Down was surprising hard. Try and write a clue for TOASTER (the kitchen implement) that is creative and non-obvious. My submitted clue was the terrible "Cafeteria sight". I simply gave up and wrote that. It appears the wedding idea is the more natural way to clue the entry (in a Friday fashion), even though it is the more unnatural usage of the word.<BR/><BR/>Got my fingers crossed that tomorrow is a Nothnagel. That would be sick.<BR/><BR/>DQAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74192725929069231092007-04-20T15:37:00.000-04:002007-04-20T15:37:00.000-04:00The trap I fell into but eventually crawled out of...The trap I fell into but eventually crawled out of was "PIQUE" for CABAL, feeling pretty smug that I'd read (here) that DQ often uses Q words. Pretty hard to think of a southern university town beginning with Q..<BR/><BR/>Who were the Tates on Bewitched?<BR/><BR/>Trish in OPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4033191097643850452007-04-20T15:06:00.000-04:002007-04-20T15:06:00.000-04:00Luckily for me, I haven't seen a Monopoloy board i...Luckily for me, I haven't seen a Monopoloy board in ages, so VENTNOR never was an option for me. I ended up getting most of VERMONT from the crossers, threw VERMONT in, and thought, <I>"Hmmm...I don't remember a VERMONT Ave. in Monopoly, but it works."</I><BR/><BR/>Big "wow" value in today's puzzle and your cogent write up matched the feat. Bravo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92203284444639280482007-04-20T14:32:00.000-04:002007-04-20T14:32:00.000-04:00i agree with your criticism of "mus", could have b...i agree with your criticism of "mus", could have been clued a few different ways that all would have been more satisfying. Interesting that we all seemed to like ventnor with "ve" for the monopoly ave. Maybe ventnor was more unique and just stuck with us.klochnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15341584499632342798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73027289657363370072007-04-20T13:55:00.000-04:002007-04-20T13:55:00.000-04:00Echo all the "great blog today" comments. Do appr...Echo all the "great blog today" comments. Do appreciate all the effort you put into this!<BR/><BR/>Beatles answer could have been (and on my puzzle, was) TWO OF US or even GET BACK. Interestingly, with all of the various iterations of that album, I ME MINE wasn't even part of some of the earlier recordings, if you look at the history. <BR/><BR/>I was also screwed by having NUIT instead of SOIR for a long time which was exacerbated by having PLANNER for TOASTER. Well, you do have to plan a reception, don't you? <BR/><BR/>SMIDGEN was my favorite word of the day. Along with CRUX and CABAL. In general, I've come to realize that a DQ puzzle will be a capital experience! (I didn't know any of these people before the blog, just knew Will and that's it.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72019075977956731282007-04-20T13:29:00.000-04:002007-04-20T13:29:00.000-04:00Rex- You & DQ deserve each other. I've been readi...Rex- You & DQ deserve each other. I've been reading your blog for about 3 months & today's was the best, by far. I hope it has nothing to do with your being sick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28881266356815493752007-04-20T13:04:00.000-04:002007-04-20T13:04:00.000-04:00One other thing...was "("Jabberwocky" line)" reall...One other thing...was "("Jabberwocky" line)" really necessary? Either you know Jabberwocky and that line is instantly familiar to you or you don't, in which case, knowing that this line is from Jabberwocky doesn't really help, does it? And if you have to google it, you'll find it easily without the title. The clue just seems uncharacteristically and unnecessarily explicit. Why not also add "rhymes with foamy?" :]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87196328185285684372007-04-20T12:39:00.000-04:002007-04-20T12:39:00.000-04:00mmpo,I too had k-rations instead of c-rations and ...mmpo,<BR/><BR/>I too had k-rations instead of c-rations and digs instead of dons. Did not even understand how dons could be the answer until I read your comment and had my own aha moment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com