tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7198037886185263873..comments2024-03-28T22:34:29.905-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Caesar's first wife / SUN 3-25-12 / Old Soviet naval base site / Kentucky Derby Epsom Oaks for two / Interrupter of Dagwood's naps / Bud schoolgirl in Mystery Edwin DroodRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65316405123526828902012-04-01T15:53:16.921-04:002012-04-01T15:53:16.921-04:00What @Ulrich said - exactly!
The Andrea Doria was...What @Ulrich said - exactly!<br /><br />The Andrea Doria was a Shipwreck before it was a STEAMSHIP and Agent Gold was iRa before he did an about-face and became ARI, and Coach bIBBS ruined my otherwise perfect finish. <br /><br />And yes, @RedV - a STRAY is indeed a potential pet worthy of consideration!Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63599777548562463502012-04-01T15:34:10.179-04:002012-04-01T15:34:10.179-04:00@spacecraft: You got me! Good one! I counted the s...@spacecraft: You got me! Good one! I counted the squares before I realized you fooled me and no doubt many others who do the syndicated version a week late. Totally cancels out my satisfaction at fooling one of the family this morning with the old 'loop a rubber band around the kitchen sink sprayer switch so they get soaked when they turn on the faucet' ploy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39968049883457633212012-04-01T15:33:20.025-04:002012-04-01T15:33:20.025-04:00This is going to be quick. This Seattle Sunday is ...This is going to be quick. This Seattle Sunday is turning into golf weather, so...<br /><br />Mr. Berry's puzz was easy but fun for me. No UNBOSOMing necessary. Thought ETHANEATHENA (99A) was a hoot! All in all, a well-constructed Sunday piece.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75454650986817587482012-04-01T13:38:27.001-04:002012-04-01T13:38:27.001-04:00LOO and LATRINES. Classy! :)LOO and LATRINES. Classy! :)Hustonhttp://gentlyhewstone.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61533949727076063102012-04-01T10:46:11.483-04:002012-04-01T10:46:11.483-04:00P.S. Anybody else notice this was 21x19?P.S. Anybody else notice this was 21x19?Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72890470457087426402012-04-01T10:41:48.618-04:002012-04-01T10:41:48.618-04:00@octavian: when reading CADGE, think "mooch.&...@octavian: when reading CADGE, think "mooch." It's like Herb "borrowing" Dag's tools and still having them in his garage ten years later.<br /><br />Well, when I scanned the clue list to this one and hit on 50a, I recalled fondly David Gerrold's hilarious episode, played to the hilt by Shatner &Co. And the image of a BRITTLETRIBBLE just put me on the floor. "Who put the tribbles in the quadrotriticale? And what was in the grain that killed them?" "Why, Captain, they just got all too crowded in there and their fragile bodies broke into smithereens!" OMG I'm still ROFL!<br /><br />There, now, I have UNBOSOMed myself. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? I think I have a new "worst word ever" candidate. Sounds way too close to an operation you hope you never even have to think about. Please retire this abomination immediately.<br /><br />As to the puzzle itself: I was vaguely dissatisfied with the theme; the twin words are not palindromic, nor do they contain the same letters in the same amount. They're just...really, really...similar. For a bit thereI thought 108a might be PURSUES suppers; most monsters are prepetually hungry, it seems. But that was soon corrected. The SW caused a frown or two, with the expression FLATRACES perfectly acceptable but awkward. If horse racing consisted of half steeplechases and half flats, I could understand the term's use better. There is steeplechasing in the U.S., in Maryland. In fact, almost fifty years ago a jumping phenom named Jay Trump had such success there his owners took him across the pond to run in the Grand National in Liverpool, which is the Masters of steeplechase. I was stationed in England at the time, and the bookmaking fools ran him up to 25-1! I bought my first car off of that mistake.<br /><br />But I digress. Thanks to PB for a couple of very nice memories--but the puzz itself? Meh.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48475264647508000632012-03-31T19:30:14.553-04:002012-03-31T19:30:14.553-04:00I just loved the clue/answer at 37A: "Potenti...I just <b>loved</b> the clue/answer at 37A: "Potential pet"=STRAY. Right on, Patrick!!!<br /><br />I liked the puzzle; perhaps that just means that I am not quite as discerning as so many of you, but being easy to please has its rewards. Didn't <i>fully</i> understand the theme, but got it enough to have fun.<br /><br />Liked the clue for 80D "Can of Newcastle." Had I not had a cross, I would probably have plunked in ale.<br /><br />Had Tsk for TUT at 7D for awhile, which slowed me down. But I'm with the folks above who aren't aiming for speed. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it ;-)<br /><br />Had sNiTS for 4A ("Black cloud formers"). Hey, it works.<br /><br />Also liked 105D "Read but never post" for LURK. I'm sure that struck a nerve or bell or something with a lot of people! (And, yes, welcome @dd. And don't feel guilty! (unless that's what it takes to make you post))Red Valerianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04638265039015470938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27528065268754511582012-03-27T03:49:15.444-04:002012-03-27T03:49:15.444-04:00I've never seen Phoebe Cates, but also saw Dav...I've never seen Phoebe Cates, but also saw David Carr outside the NYT right after I saw "Page One." He's a smoker so that may explain why he's always outside. Later discovered we work on the same floor. Bill Cunningham of the wonderful "Bill Cunningham New York" documentary also works on this floor (just saw him today, in fact).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60483118795999576862012-03-26T21:27:26.084-04:002012-03-26T21:27:26.084-04:00Easiest Sunday I ever did.Easiest Sunday I ever did.frmrlrkrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69399364163140572452012-03-26T00:13:00.052-04:002012-03-26T00:13:00.052-04:00@Deb - Thx for Midnight Cowboy.
@The Bard - this ...@Deb - Thx for Midnight Cowboy.<br /><br />@The Bard - this princess mocks for mock fairly frequently! <br /><br />@dd - Congratulations on your transition from lurker to poster! Welcome. I lurked here for years, but finally waded right in and have never looked back. <br /><br />@John V - Congratulations on the new granddaughter. We are expecting our first in July. Can't wait.pknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41510990980348385472012-03-25T23:13:35.688-04:002012-03-25T23:13:35.688-04:00I too had a hard time to figure out the theme, and...I too had a hard time to figure out the theme, and the letter structure.<br />Liked the Hollywood answers the best : Phoebe CATES, Al PACINO, TRIBBLES, NOTORIOUS<br />funniest clue and answer : can of Newcastle : LOO<br />dumbest answer : UNBOSOM ????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41018658591727218172012-03-25T21:25:07.500-04:002012-03-25T21:25:07.500-04:00I meant SW corner.I meant SW corner.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46240470745074643432012-03-25T21:24:09.971-04:002012-03-25T21:24:09.971-04:00Finished with a mistake at 13a - had B SHARP inste...Finished with a mistake at 13a - had B SHARP instead of G. D'oh!<br /><br />Got the theme answers, but didn't quite get the theme until Rex explained it.<br /><br />I also own NOTORIOUS, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies - the final scene is a masterpiece.<br /><br />Liked DORSAL, BANDIED.<br /><br />NE & SE corners took me the longest.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21003392470009461402012-03-25T19:39:31.436-04:002012-03-25T19:39:31.436-04:00Rex, I know you do a "word of the day", ...Rex, I know you do a "word of the day", but have you ever thought about doing a "clue of the day" for your favorite cluing. I really liked "A flat equivalent" for G-Sharp, and there's always at least one little filler that makes you "a-ha!" with a little smile across your face. Would be interesting to see which ones you like.Katienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25965401866505816152012-03-25T19:30:51.604-04:002012-03-25T19:30:51.604-04:00@jaxlnLa Love gibbs. We stopped at Quantico on ou...@jaxlnLa Love gibbs. We stopped at Quantico on our way back to NC from Ct so I could say Hi!!!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15784395868195973452012-03-25T18:39:32.582-04:002012-03-25T18:39:32.582-04:00I can't quite understand the icy attitude to t...I can't quite understand the icy attitude to this puzzle. I had a lovely time. I sussed out the theme in relatively short order, realized the two kinds of switches required, and had a nice time filling in most of the theme answers with only a few crosses, <br /><br />It was not as fun as the conga line or others I could name, but the paired words made me sit back and admire a mind that notices such quirks of our language. My favorite: PURSUES PERSEUS.<br /><br />I still finished with an error, though, because I was too fast popping in B SHARP for the A Flat clue, and didn't know the football guy was GIBBS, not bIBBS. If the clue had been Harmon's NCIS role, I would have gotten it right off. Why is that show always playing on some cable channel at any given time?JaxInL.A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13792405579998093081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62466416962696752782012-03-25T18:27:10.207-04:002012-03-25T18:27:10.207-04:00Neat, clean and fast Sunday for me - got the trick...Neat, clean and fast Sunday for me - got the trick within two theme answers, although I have to admit to being happy enough with "almost anagram", didn't completely figure it out until after I was done. <br /><br />Muscat makes me think of grapes and sweetish wine, and also of nutmeg, nootmuskaat, one of my favorite spices.<br /><br />@dd: welcome.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33705908993410276552012-03-25T18:01:42.718-04:002012-03-25T18:01:42.718-04:00@Octavian of Odessa - Since the only "in the ...@Octavian of Odessa - Since the only "in the language" usage that comes to mind is to "cadge a cigarette," I suspect the use of CADGE implies borrowing with no intention of returning.Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10182741840791463282012-03-25T17:12:00.259-04:002012-03-25T17:12:00.259-04:00johnranta@1:53PM-
You wrote (in part), "one...johnranta@1:53PM- <br /><br />You wrote (in part), "one reason to mourn the end of the Cold War is the paucity of good, modern spy novels)."<br /><br />Suggest you check out Alex Berenson and/or Daniel Silva novels for excellent modern day spy thrillers.jackjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02699305265544975575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25564149574628302422012-03-25T16:52:50.277-04:002012-03-25T16:52:50.277-04:00@lawprof - My comment at 4:29 a.m. EDT was posted ...@lawprof - My comment at 4:29 a.m. EDT was posted at 10:29 HAST.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42712374971110722012012-03-25T16:22:21.050-04:002012-03-25T16:22:21.050-04:00@lawprof - I'm nocturnal. It was only 3:02 am...@lawprof - I'm nocturnal. It was only 3:02 am MDT when I posted, but I was up a couple ( okay, three) hours later than that last "night.". When Rex posts the blog in the morning instead of at midnight, I don't make it here until mid-afternoon when everything has been said so I often don't comment in those cases. ( And I'm just paranoid enough to have thought at one point shortly after moving up to prime-time that Rex was holding off posting until morning because he didn't like me commenting on the blog. I know, I know...as if he even notices!)Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16675331024091722316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76054196150055309922012-03-25T16:17:15.260-04:002012-03-25T16:17:15.260-04:00Yeah easy, as everyone says. At 40 minutes my fast...Yeah easy, as everyone says. At 40 minutes my fastest Sunday ever. I usually end up having to finish up Sundays on Monday in the men's room at the office. Was kinda fun though.<br />-Eejit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25291778678429124092012-03-25T16:16:58.370-04:002012-03-25T16:16:58.370-04:00@foodie: And in German, Muskat means "nutmeg&...@foodie: And in German, <i>Muskat</i> means "nutmeg"--must be b/c it was imported from there. And don't forget the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vpuFYQwZ5o" rel="nofollow">Muskrat Ramble</a> with the great Louis Armstrong.Ulrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02086202853174403008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65533959716165451912012-03-25T16:13:41.780-04:002012-03-25T16:13:41.780-04:00@Quilter1, I should have mentioned that the slop f...@Quilter1, I should have mentioned that the slop from the previous day's meals was less tomatoes. Pigs don't like tomatoes. <br /><br />The trick to sloppin' the hogs was to get it poured into the trough without any splashing back up on me and yet quickly enough so an overzealous pig didn't knock the slop bucket out of my hands.<br /><br />I used to say "Better than a pig loves slop" to describe liking something a whole lot. Don't use that expression as much anymore.Anoa Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185183023273883700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68397445015328880772012-03-25T16:08:08.741-04:002012-03-25T16:08:08.741-04:00Typically awesome Patrick Berry puzzle -- smooth a...Typically awesome Patrick Berry puzzle -- smooth and interesting all the way through. <br /><br />His puzzles are among the few that I solve from top left to top right, and then middle side to side and then bottom left to right, as they just seem to flow so well. With others I usually have to hop around.<br /><br />Unbosom is a fantastic word, showng the versatility of the English language. <br /><br /><b>Only thing I did not understand is why Borrow had quotes around it to clue CADGE. Can anyone explain that?</b>Octavian of Odessanoreply@blogger.com