tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6091210643645261017..comments2024-03-28T08:50:03.524-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: TUESDAY, Sep. 15 2009 — Whacked old style / Singer who funded New York's Strawberry Fields memorial / Spherical home in tree / Rocker StefaniRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5958444243646316312009-10-20T10:38:15.984-04:002009-10-20T10:38:15.984-04:00Well, if 60 is the new 40, then 90 must be approxi...Well, if 60 is the new 40, then 90 must be approximately the new 65 so many of these senior constructors should be with us for years to come. And to that I say "great", the puzzles over the past two days have been among the best ever Monday & Tuesday challenges. To those who carp about content coming from before their prime, please remember that history did not begin with your birth.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57924409626151790172009-09-16T07:21:53.754-04:002009-09-16T07:21:53.754-04:00finally got my puzzle sometime during the night!!!...finally got my puzzle sometime during the night!!!! Just did it now with my wed morning coffee. Will buy the dead tree edition todaychefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43834132524639224682009-09-16T01:48:34.416-04:002009-09-16T01:48:34.416-04:00It's interesting that folks don't necessar...It's interesting that folks don't necessarily like entries that are similar to the theme answers but not actual theme answers...<br />Normally I worry about that...<br /><br />yet when Ashish added lots of water/sea images to our fishing puzzle last week, folks seemed to like the "milieu" it created (tho I fought against it initially, wrongly...)<br /><br />(Wait, is "wrongly" a word?)<br /><br />so I would think folks would love that the whole thing was wingy!<br /><br />I'm still on the fence if this strengthens a theme or dilutes it.<br /><br />I do think it's fair to talk about the ages, sex, backgrounds of the constructors bec it DOES influence the tone of a puzzle...we are not computers (tho, it does seem to be heading that way with the compiler stuff...) so it's fair game to say "this skews old"...it says as much about the solver as the constructor.<br /><br />It has shown there has been a deification of young boys or youth in general...but what else is new?<br /><br />SO in that spirit, pls flirt on, dk, it makes THIS old lady happy!<br />(Old flame?)<br />and it's very Euro...<br /><br />@anon 5:16pm<br />I'm sure Mrs dk is very secure in her pancake-ness!<br /><br />@Rex<br />That was fascinating seeing that clip of John/Yoko...made it easier to appreciate a bit more what she brought to her collaborations with John...<br />(tho I think there were better clues for her than "Singer"!!!)<br /><br />@Crosscan<br />Right on about the Paul McCartney line!!!!!!!!!!andrea ono michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24507691423284105212009-09-16T00:25:46.965-04:002009-09-16T00:25:46.965-04:00sanfranman: I am addicted to your tune,
I whistle ...sanfranman: I am addicted to your tune,<br />I whistle night and noon.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35104938835462563652009-09-15T23:44:36.184-04:002009-09-15T23:44:36.184-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> for an explanation. In a nutshell, the higher the ratio, the higher this week's median solve time is relative to the average for the corresponding day of the week.<br /><br />All solvers (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 8:16, 7:00, 1.18, 92%, Challenging<br />Tue 8:11, 8:25, 0.97, 46%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:14, 3:43, 1.14, 83%, Challenging<br />Tue 4:20, 4:21, 0.99, 53%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6636436622218125842009-09-15T23:08:10.751-04:002009-09-15T23:08:10.751-04:00The NYT blog ran a Q and A interview with a rookie...The NYT blog ran a Q and A interview with a rookie constructor on Sunday. Where are the Q and A interviews with these half-century authors, who've paid their dues? I'd rather see these older puzzlers published throughout the year, and treated with respect, as regular contributors,whose ages are irrelevant. The discussion has become age-centric, which is unfortunate. <br /><br />The NYT doesn't have similar "old folks weeks" for their columnists or reporters. This obsession with age (teens, half-century) seems to be a Crossword Dept. obsession only.Rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83082452268656733502009-09-15T22:48:34.136-04:002009-09-15T22:48:34.136-04:00@joho: The theme weeks aren't about "eith...@joho: The theme weeks aren't about "either you've got it or you don't". These people have all "got it" -- if they didn't they wouldn't be published in the NYT. No, the theme weeks are about showcasing the almost-always-anonymous constructors who make this whole crossword thing possible. There are real people behind these crosswords and it's very rare that we get a chance to see them. You must admit there is tons of variation from puzzle to puzzle, and this variation is mostly caused by the variation between the people who create them. Theme weeks also give us a chance to witness the differences in people being reflected in the differences between the puzzles they create. And it is as interesting to compare and contrast the variation between theme weeks as it is to compare the variation between puzzles in the same theme week.enigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917195388590675386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9917739437888371342009-09-15T21:45:20.565-04:002009-09-15T21:45:20.565-04:00Forgot to mention: anybody else try "tended&q...Forgot to mention: anybody else try "tended" for 30A:MINDED? Fortunately 23D:SMOTE and 24D:NIGHTINGALE were not too hard...<br /><br />Thanks to my new peapod-mates(?) Mac and Glitch for your support!<br /><br />NDENoam D. Elkiesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41705783119852120352009-09-15T21:07:05.876-04:002009-09-15T21:07:05.876-04:00These last two days have brought me an insight-- m...These last two days have brought me an insight-- my chronological age notwithstanding, I'm immature puzzlewise...meaning these puzzles skew harder, not easier for me (isn't that a positive spin on it :) It may be because I started doing puzzles recently or because I didn't live here for the first couple of decades. Regardless, while I admired them they felt a bit less "familiar", and reminded me of when I first started solving a couple of years ago. <br /><br />It just goes to show that our solving skills are highly specialized and shaped by the exposure to a particular style of construction. The extreme of that is trying to do a British puzzle. <br /><br />@TwoPonies: "Do crosswords keep our brains young and adroit?" Absolutely! There is specific evidence to this effect : ) But there is also evidence for exercise and dancing contributing to healthy aging. My own view is that anything that keeps you active and brings you joy is great for your brain. And that would include the kidding around and social exchange on this blog. Brain fertilizer!foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24654840821641805992009-09-15T20:51:19.020-04:002009-09-15T20:51:19.020-04:00Hard for the young'uns, easy for the oldstress...Hard for the young'uns, easy for the oldstress/geezress/ogress. Which proves (to me) the content does have an influence on the outcome. But, I'm senior, not seasoned. The idea is to keep the mind agile.<br /><br />I'm all for using more German and Italian clues and fewer French! Prosit is actually Latin, an influence in the medieval university towns. Even some German names got the Latin treatment, with an -ius at the end.Sfinginoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6105156759697240492009-09-15T20:43:44.303-04:002009-09-15T20:43:44.303-04:00@mac
but "2 out of 3 ain't bad".
...@mac<br /><br />but "2 out of 3 ain't bad".<br /> (Meatloaf: Bat out of Hell)<br /><br /><br />.../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82303305061109656342009-09-15T20:36:41.567-04:002009-09-15T20:36:41.567-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Glitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67739119494285995672009-09-15T20:26:54.050-04:002009-09-15T20:26:54.050-04:00@Treedweller ... I agree with you. What's the ...@Treedweller ... I agree with you. What's the point of telling us how old the constructor is? What possible difference does it make in how the puzzle make it's mark on us? <br /><br />Why should we celebrate a 20 year old's week any differently from an 80 year old's week? <br /><br />Either you've got it or you don't. <br /><br />It's interesting to me that I loved the young bucks week (I don't believe any women were represented) and I love this week so far with the old folks. Give me a break, they are young at heart for sure. <br /><br />Either you know how to create a puzzle or you don't. Your age doesn't haven't anything to do with it. <br /><br />Crossword puzzling is ageless for those who create them and for those who solve them.johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29323622669087875962009-09-15T19:28:36.942-04:002009-09-15T19:28:36.942-04:00I have more to say about the conversation than the...I have more to say about the conversation than the puzzle (which is actually pretty common on a Tuesday). To me, it makes more sense for Rex to critique the puzzles as if they are no different from any given day. To treat them different because they are made by an old guy (or a young gal) is more patronizing than to say "You go, girl!" to an older constructor because she stuck it out so long. I say rate the puzzle before knowing the author.<br /><br />As to this one, I liked it okay. I think it is too hard for a Tuesday (and yesterday was too hard for a Monday). But I would prefer to make all Mon/Tu puzzles harder. Given the current structure, I think these were good, clean puzzles that were worth the effort. Today, I especially liked the varying length and placement of theme answers (some note the change from norm as a bad thing; I like shaking things up.) Thanks to WS and the constructors for some nice diversions. I look forward to the rest of the week.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12634227778469664442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76423609308065608362009-09-15T18:12:49.587-04:002009-09-15T18:12:49.587-04:00@Glitch: that would be a crowd...@Glitch: that would be a crowd...machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72915080227040047712009-09-15T17:58:32.722-04:002009-09-15T17:58:32.722-04:00@mac
Three peas in a pod we're not ;)
.../G...@mac<br /><br />Three peas in a pod we're not ;)<br /><br />.../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70440972353848866352009-09-15T17:25:13.212-04:002009-09-15T17:25:13.212-04:00@ret_chem:
Excellent, and very crossword-worthy.
...@ret_chem:<br /><br />Excellent, and very crossword-worthy.<br /><br />Three and ou(t)Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61643969004841452222009-09-15T17:16:49.376-04:002009-09-15T17:16:49.376-04:00@ Stan - Good GNUs. Nice. One more and I quit: TRU...@ Stan - Good GNUs. Nice. One more and I quit: TRU (Tony Award winning role for Robert Morse)retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28585261563511204652009-09-15T17:16:39.405-04:002009-09-15T17:16:39.405-04:00@ dk, You are a shameless flirt. Your wife makes y...@ dk, You are a shameless flirt. Your wife makes you blueberry pancakes in the wilderness and this is the thanks she gets?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73534849970052178442009-09-15T16:48:18.433-04:002009-09-15T16:48:18.433-04:00@Two Ponies
@Ulrich
Now that I think about it, Ulr...@Two Ponies<br />@Ulrich<br />Now that I think about it, Ulrich, you are right. They all used to say "Prost!" when they lifted their glasses.<br /><br />They all used to SING:<br /><br />"Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Gemütlichkeit"<br />(especially at The Treffpunkt in Chicago)fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89845000295011802492009-09-15T16:47:47.005-04:002009-09-15T16:47:47.005-04:00@Glitch: would you explain "(unusual in itsel...@Glitch: would you explain "(unusual in itself)", please?;-)machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64606722643724037802009-09-15T16:44:01.644-04:002009-09-15T16:44:01.644-04:00@ulrich, @flkink...thanks for explaining PROSIT. I...@ulrich, @flkink...thanks for explaining PROSIT. It's certainly a lot better-sounding than "bottom's up" or "cheers"; just hope someone will have a clue what I'm saying!Charles Boglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667976595355657752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5758138823010660572009-09-15T16:29:12.164-04:002009-09-15T16:29:12.164-04:00@retired_chemist:
Also, there's GNU. NU (Yid...@retired_chemist: <br /><br />Also, there's GNU. NU (Yiddish for 'sooooo?') is only two letters...Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61164406025034970912009-09-15T16:17:59.498-04:002009-09-15T16:17:59.498-04:00@ fikink, Thanks for the insight to Prosit. Puzzle...@ fikink, Thanks for the insight to Prosit. Puzzlemate will love it as he has been exploring his German roots lately.<br /><br />I have been doing some "archive" puzzle books from the NYT and have noticed how very dry the clues are. The puzzles we enjoy today are so much more playful. Some of the long time solvers and constructors might lend some insight. Is it due to the editors or are puzzles evolving on their own?Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06896743444873087885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5903777379549206982009-09-15T15:15:37.417-04:002009-09-15T15:15:37.417-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Tue 8:06, 8:24, 0.96, 45%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Tue 4:29, 4:22, 1.03, 63%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.com