tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5767026920863067992..comments2024-03-28T09:22:03.720-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Middleton who sang with Louis Armstrong / SUN 8-29-10 / Title dog in Inge play / Egyptian god of universe / Newswoman Logan / Gee in GlasgowRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86995854410102343982010-09-09T15:35:59.346-04:002010-09-09T15:35:59.346-04:00@Van55
Algy met a bear
The bear was bulgy
The bul...@Van55<br /><br />Algy met a bear<br />The bear was bulgy<br />The bulge was Algy<br /><br />--Ogden Nash<br /><br />Could not figure out the theme and why the answers to the themed clues were so mundane (kitty litter?) Now it all makes sense and seems pretty clever!Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293885078852273641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45682389066542286882010-09-06T04:40:16.562-04:002010-09-06T04:40:16.562-04:00Syndicated paper-pencil from the actual newspaper ...Syndicated paper-pencil from the actual newspaper here....the theme clues had no stars, no italics; nothing to indicate which were themes and which weren't. I tried to make some down answers fit the theme, once I figured it out, which completely messed things up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16346414364607189542010-09-05T23:27:25.443-04:002010-09-05T23:27:25.443-04:00This was a nice Sunday challenge, squeezed in betw...This was a nice Sunday challenge, squeezed in between a round of golf, barbecueing dinner and post dinner drinking on this holiday weekend. This was a nice cap to a nice day.<br /><br />Mr. Big should have been "bigger" than they were. What looks good on paper doesn't always work out that way in reality.impjbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311105934112373190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29450903530058707892010-08-30T00:14:56.537-04:002010-08-30T00:14:56.537-04:00Family effort here today. Started this afternoon ...Family effort here today. Started this afternoon while watching the finals of the U.S. Amateur golf thingy with non-puzzle husband, who googled names for me during commercials, and finished tonight watching the Emmys with my mother, with Rex on the computer screen, which I could glance at over my shoulder to confirm answers as I got them. Thanks, Rex! You are my personal hero of the day. And thanks for deleting the assholes, too.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00404995201196513974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22986895220891732072010-08-29T23:00:28.311-04:002010-08-29T23:00:28.311-04:00I had Ninth Planet. I did not get the theme until ...I had Ninth Planet. I did not get the theme until I read through all the clues. Since I did not write them in order, at first, I had to go through them all before I caught on. Overall, this was extremely challenging, more than most Sundays.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4987151682301773962010-08-29T22:30:10.374-04:002010-08-29T22:30:10.374-04:00I got the theme fairly early on but still wasn'...I got the theme fairly early on but still wasn't able to finish everything. I got stuck in the middle on the BENIGNI/PEALE/ATWT complex in the middle and on VELMA/VAC. A few too many cultural references that escaped me, though some googling would have finished it off for me.Paul in Deerfield Massnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62241282184981483052010-08-29T20:23:58.935-04:002010-08-29T20:23:58.935-04:00Thank goodness Rex rated this Medium-Challenging, ...Thank goodness Rex rated this Medium-Challenging, since I worked on it on & off all day long! I never got the theme until I got here. Getting the theme would've really helped! <br /><br />BOOED & POOHBAHS took me way too long, but I really liked them.<br /><br />Actually tried HI MOM before SIC EM - imagine a kid coming home from school to a burglar? (Shudder)<br /><br />@chefwen: we got DANSK dishes for our wedding, but we've since abandoned them for something lighter (I'm too clumsy for such heavy dishes).<br /><br />Just a few mistakes, but at least I finished!JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20633499584910896772010-08-29T19:42:01.661-04:002010-08-29T19:42:01.661-04:00Rex:
VELMA stumped me too for a while, but after I...Rex:<br />VELMA stumped me too for a while, but after I figured out that it had to be the answer, I found myself thinking of the singer in Chandler's "Farewell, My Lovely" -- wasn't her name Velma Valento? I wonder whether Chandler, consciously or not, got the name from this singer.<br /><br />I mention this because of your admiration for Chandler, though you seem to be more of a "Long Goodbye" guy.Mark Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07463881222804863326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70557852713128566802010-08-29T19:24:37.340-04:002010-08-29T19:24:37.340-04:00@Nancy in PA
The regular "Dead Tree Edition&...@Nancy in PA<br /><br />The regular "Dead Tree Edition" had the theme clues in italics - no stars.<br /><br />I would have expected the Digest would have been the same.<br /><br />P>G>We don't need no stinkin' starsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22560942405789798852010-08-29T19:12:56.449-04:002010-08-29T19:12:56.449-04:00Got the theme very early and started filling in th...Got the theme very early and started filling in the letters in the longish entries...am I the only one doing the Times Digest version with...NO STARS? So I was slowed down by not knowing exactly which entries were theme answers. But still fast and fun.Nancy in PAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65440889263948773142010-08-29T18:46:50.317-04:002010-08-29T18:46:50.317-04:00@Steve J
I do.
Many small eating establishments ...@Steve J<br /><br />I do.<br /><br />Many small eating establishments that only have house wines serve them in liter & 1/2 liter carafes (think neighborhood pizza and bbq joints).<br /><br />Not every place can afford a wine list/cellar.<br /><br />.../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85667473141714591202010-08-29T18:29:36.759-04:002010-08-29T18:29:36.759-04:00Very much a slog for me, even with picking up the ...Very much a slog for me, even with picking up the theme pretty early (although, I never would have gathered the theme if I hadn't checked the puzzle's title). The theme did help me cover a lot of ground, but not enough to save me from several areas. <br /><br />I found Northern California brutal (and find using the gerund form "skipping" to clue OMISSION to be dirty pool). I could not remember BENGINI's name to save my life, had BAH for "Derisive call" (what the hell is YAH?), and I read "Protuberant" as "Protuberance," with BULGE leaving me with the nonsensical CECLECARS for 84D. <br /><br />Lastly, I'm left wondering who orders wine by the LITER?Steve Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185067739452052656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32714736206516584082010-08-29T17:27:46.129-04:002010-08-29T17:27:46.129-04:00Oh, and I almost forgot: if there's ever a dar...Oh, and I almost forgot: if there's ever a darts variant question again, try CRICKET or FIVEOHONE (FIVEOONE? FIVEHUNDREDANDONE?). AROUNDTHECLOCK is not even close in popularity, as far as I know.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76773203380353894852010-08-29T17:24:30.851-04:002010-08-29T17:24:30.851-04:00Yeah, getting ARMYBRAT/CARBONDATING quickly made t...Yeah, getting ARMYBRAT/CARBONDATING quickly made the rest of the puzzle fall pretty easily, although EXHAUSTFANS took me forever for some reason.<br /><br />My one gripe is that BULGY/ULM/IGA crossing. BULGY could have also been BUMPY or BULKY (although the latter would have been a bit off), and IGA means absolutely nothing to me, and I'm always a bit shaky on short European placenames. So I figured I had that wrong until checking Rex's grid.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29993644573866021442010-08-29T15:24:00.938-04:002010-08-29T15:24:00.938-04:00I started last night on across lite and slogged a ...I started last night on across lite and slogged a bit through the fill, not understanding the themes at all. Had filled in a bout a half a dozen answers and had to put it aside to meet some friends for dinner. This morning I picked it back up, but hardcopy version and theme just clicked. The puzzle title, theme clues italicized rather than asterisked. Then reading Army Brat next to Carbon Dating it Just Made Sense.<br /><br />Then I decided to ignore the fill altogether and just tackle the themes, which I managed to do pretty well w/o any crosses. That made the puzzle a lot more fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89255358338759935342010-08-29T15:13:06.174-04:002010-08-29T15:13:06.174-04:00@shamik - the reason this week is remarkable is th...@shamik - the reason this week is remarkable is that that NEVER happens to me! Never got his meta last week. So as long as you had 51 other members on your team to cover the rest of the year, you would be golden!nanpillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548473809500612699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51776085375090829742010-08-29T14:36:20.851-04:002010-08-29T14:36:20.851-04:00I can thank Solve Against the Clock for blowing up...I can thank Solve Against the Clock for blowing up my grid so that I had to retype everything - which made the theme immediately/finally come into focus which allowed me to change ninthplanet (even tried tenthplanet) to OUTERPLANET which allowed me to finish the puzzle. <br /><br />Loved seeing the drama queen/king The Nature Boy!! Wooooo!<br /><br />Quintessential Sunday puzzle for me.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41715574391930004582010-08-29T14:29:36.659-04:002010-08-29T14:29:36.659-04:00Similar to @ChefWen, got the theme about half way ...Similar to @ChefWen, got the theme about half way thru. Having the theme made the West much easier. My little bit of errancy was having ringcountING, as in tree rings, instead of CARBONDATING.<br /><br />Trying to relate REVERIE to woolgathering, I Googled and, sure enough, they are both about daydreaming.<br /><br />I think of AMON RA as the Egyptian sun god, but universe works, (given a few crosses).<br /><br />I quickly gave up on a 7th century date for the Elizabeth clue and confidently put down MLIII. For some strange reason, 1953 is indelibly etched in my mind, even though I was only 10 at the time.<br /><br />Like @Oscar, the STAKE/BIKE crossing was my last letter.<br /><br />Tx @OCF for the discussion about cyclecars.Rubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773241241484881566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84665041271375336762010-08-29T14:29:11.774-04:002010-08-29T14:29:11.774-04:00Something has to be wrong when I zoomed through th...Something has to be wrong when I zoomed through this one. I thought it was a snap! Go figure.edmcanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18432176765106022049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24836152056293502422010-08-29T14:23:00.486-04:002010-08-29T14:23:00.486-04:00I also discovered the theme late which helped with...I also discovered the theme late which helped with a final push to the finish.<br /><br />My least favorite answer was paddyfield but the issue goes beyond what was noted earlier. Paddy actually comes form the Malay/Indonesian word "padi" which means "rice which is still growing in the field". Thinking that the word paddy meant the field itself was an error on the part of foreigners. Malay actually has words defining rice at a variety of stages including "beras" rice in bags which has not been cooked and "nasi" rice which has been cooked. (think nasi goreng, fried rice)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30919267017426532562010-08-29T14:00:02.245-04:002010-08-29T14:00:02.245-04:00@nanpilla: You got Gaffney's meta in minutes? ...@nanpilla: You got Gaffney's meta in minutes? Wow! I want you on my team! If I had a team, of course.<br /><br />Thanks, Rex, for explaining the unknown theme. That's why i need Nanpilla on my team for metas. This one felt like a slog until my time turned out to be easy-medium at 19:16. Will always have a soft spot in my heart for Sundays as a time to have a larger grid, more clues and answers, coffee, relaxation and a theme. Not getting the theme made this puzzle a meh for me.Shamikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635283729322415150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42350434710864706452010-08-29T13:40:00.459-04:002010-08-29T13:40:00.459-04:00I usually have a pretty similar experience as Rex,...I usually have a pretty similar experience as Rex, agreeing with 80 - 90% of his observations and his solving experience. But today he captured 100% of my feelings about this puzzle. No need to add more, but will second his comments on Sex and the City. Sad to say, there are probably much worse shows out there, but at least they aren't as well known.PuzzleNutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45548174212886092932010-08-29T13:38:24.352-04:002010-08-29T13:38:24.352-04:00Put me in the camp of those who did not get the th...Put me in the camp of those who did not get the theme until coming here. Now that I see the theme I like the puzzle a lot more than I did during the solving. Very impressive construction.<br /><br />Completed the puzzle only because I guessed right at the triple Natick at 6A, 8D, 9D, 10D. For example, VELDA & DR BIG would have made as much sense to me.<br /><br />Didn't like BULGY, but it made CYCLECARS possible, so it was worth it.<br /><br />Don't like being pluralized (95A).<br /><br />Villanova Wildcats.Mel Ottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55949985763320606782010-08-29T13:28:34.295-04:002010-08-29T13:28:34.295-04:00Interesting. The HAIC enforces the "no assho...Interesting. The HAIC enforces the "no assholes" rule. :)<br /><br />I couldn,t get started up top so I went from the bottom up. Looking for an alphabet run, I sussed out the theme with YEARZERO and it was pretty easy sledding from there. Hated MLII. Counted 11 "cheater squares." Thought tha consecutive acrosses of MOAB, DANSK, NEALE and KENT were a tad obscure. Don't think OOMPH is interchangeable with "zip." Never heard of HSN. Is BULGY a word?<br /><br />Enjoyed the solve despite misgivings.Van55https://www.blogger.com/profile/15904942044695917615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77493194314289856242010-08-29T13:21:17.673-04:002010-08-29T13:21:17.673-04:00I am a medium-well solver at best. I was very sur...I am a medium-well solver at best. I was very surprised to read Rex's write up as well as the comments. I figured out the theme on carbon dating. From there I was able to get every starred clue with no crosses except for Winter X Games. <br />Interesting. <br />BTW‚ my name is Ric but I have zero notoriety to be clue-worthy. Maybe someday...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com