tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7848324038515891359..comments2024-03-29T10:20:16.377-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Dr. Larch's drug in Cider House Rules / WED 9-11-13 / Joyous Cosmology subj / Life-size likeness of Elvis maybe / Former Giant Robb / How many bootlegs are soldRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15193279250248872852013-10-16T20:38:19.536-04:002013-10-16T20:38:19.536-04:00Had UWASH/SWORD before UCONN/SCORE and APE forever...Had UWASH/SWORD before UCONN/SCORE and APE forever (PACTO sounded like a great blade brand). Otherwise OK but IMO not up to the usual Patrick Blindauer level of expertise.<br /><br />Interesting how a novel/movie like Peyton Place, innocuous by today's standards, could have been so controversial in the late '50's. I remember the book being passed around in high school as a really hot commodity. Even the Harper Valley P.T.A. hit song contained the line "well, this is just a little Peyton Place...". Everyone knew what it meant.<br /><br /><br /><br />Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2702193226549570142013-10-16T18:22:48.989-04:002013-10-16T18:22:48.989-04:00Maybe someone has mentioned this, but I have a pro...Maybe someone has mentioned this, but I have a problem with the clue "fragrance" for 56D "odor". I've always considered them at odds with one another.TAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64752049752833702332013-10-16T16:29:23.559-04:002013-10-16T16:29:23.559-04:00@SiS - it's probably a rhetorical question but...@SiS - it's probably a rhetorical question but I'll answer it anyway. I wasn't an extra but some of my classmates were (I think it was a shot of families exiting a church). (I'm sure you know that if I had been in the movie, you wouldn't have had to ask.)Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86806729868261853302013-10-16T15:27:08.869-04:002013-10-16T15:27:08.869-04:00LAPed up this puzz with one writeover: ApE (Swinge...LAPed up this puzz with one writeover: ApE (Swinger in the woods - jungle, whatever) before AXE.<br /><br />Got the WARM... to COLD... theme and shrugged.<br /><br />I need to have a @Spacecraft false start flag thrown on 41A. I just don't like those kind of clues. Wanted "aah."<br /><br />@Diri, were you an extra in PEYTON Place?<br /><br />Capcha: daydayI. A book publisher's start in business?Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31064534199159437352013-10-16T14:47:47.478-04:002013-10-16T14:47:47.478-04:00I finished without any major problems, had fun in ...I finished without any major problems, had fun in the process and - BONUS - saw the word puzzle at CARDBOARD and plugged COLD in the appropriate circle before I even arrived at the clue. (Patting self on back) Maybe it was the LAP dance that made me like it so much - or possible the LSD, who knows? "Houston, the Eagle has landed!" (Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969)<br /><br />And of course you already know that several scenes in the movie "Peyton Place" were filmed in my hometown, Belfast (on the Atlantic shore), Maine!Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75962729934101391542013-10-16T14:40:11.985-04:002013-10-16T14:40:11.985-04:00Liked it more than OFL and many posters did. @Acm...Liked it more than OFL and many posters did. @Acme said it better than I can; pointing out how clever it is on different levels.<br /><br />A MATERNITY WARD is now a Birthing Center. ETHER is from the same archaic terminology. I would have voted for umbilical CORD.<br /><br />@DMG PEYTON Place was indeed a naughty secret when it came out. Did not want anyone to see me reading it! I was newly married and my how it made me blush. It seems so tame now.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45277575166920310492013-10-16T14:08:31.200-04:002013-10-16T14:08:31.200-04:00For me this was more like a Monday puzzle. Never h...For me this was more like a Monday puzzle. Never heard of Mr. Nen, but remember NEHI well. Hello Radar!<br /><br />@jberg: Your comments on PEYTON Place are well taken. When I went to borrow it from the library in Pasadena, the grey lady behind the desk tsk-tsked that that wasn't the sort of book that a young girl (I was 24) like me should be reading. Wonder what she would have thought of the stuff the 10 year olds are reading these days!DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17390147714124456052013-10-16T11:46:57.756-04:002013-10-16T11:46:57.756-04:00@RayJ: Thanks for providing Mr. ELS with a playing...@RayJ: Thanks for providing Mr. ELS with a playing partner; I never noticed the LEE/TREVI cross till you pointed it out. This gives rise to a whole theme, "Positive names:"<br /><br />Golfer Lee TREVIYES<br />Book 'em DAYES<br />PLAYES, Texas<br />Japanese Olympic city NAGAYES<br /><br />etc. OK, my mind admits to a bleedover from yesterday's blog that featured the complete lyrics to "Accentuate the Positive."<br /><br />Anyway, can I get PARTI of this puzzle ONDVD? Double-ugh. So ugly it pulls the hankie. Call it "unnecessary roughness." I've seen word ladders as stand=-alone entries in corners and such, but as circled portions of long answers it leaves me ATAD meh. It is noteworthy, I guess, that the bookend phrases are interchangeable: one can be either -BLOODED or -HEARTED at both temperatures; but really, as has been said, that doesn't seem to be enough for Mr. B.<br /><br />Oh, that reminds me. I've seen ATEAM three times this week, all clued as a generic varsity. Folks, there is, was, and will be only one A-TEAM: Hannibal, Face, B.A., and the inimitable Howlin' Mad Murdock. I'll thank you not to infringe on their uniqueness.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76025353145145897022013-09-12T13:12:46.073-04:002013-09-12T13:12:46.073-04:00@retired_chemist:
You're right. Endo=within ...@retired_chemist:<br /> You're right. Endo=within plus<br />thermic=with heat. I was lazy. When I saw the definition I was looking for I stopped looking.ANON Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24422300762350832052013-09-11T20:43:22.492-04:002013-09-11T20:43:22.492-04:00@ ANON B - yours is the first definition in my dic...@ ANON B - yours is the first definition in my dictionary, but WARMBLOODED is the second. it's legit.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39132395545334541692013-09-11T20:36:46.927-04:002013-09-11T20:36:46.927-04:00Can someone please explain
endothermic=warm bloode...Can someone please explain<br />endothermic=warm blooded?<br /> The dictionary and my chemical experience say endothermic refers<br />to reactions that absorb heat.<br /> If you react two chemicals and<br />the reaction produces heat, it's<br />an exothermic reaction.If it's<br />endothermic the medium gets cold.ANON Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82105752774521024132013-09-11T20:31:46.341-04:002013-09-11T20:31:46.341-04:00@jburgs 4:06 PM: Liked your story.
This puzzle w...@jburgs 4:06 PM: Liked your story.<br /><br />This puzzle wasn't terribly easy for me! <br /><br />Had a lovely day with @mac & Justice at my house and sightseeing around UConn.<br /><br />Looking forward to bringing Justice to the next ACPT with me!JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72456824193079301712013-09-11T18:25:59.665-04:002013-09-11T18:25:59.665-04:00OOps! Make that WARMBLOODED to COLDHEARTED...
Dou...OOps! Make that WARMBLOODED to COLDHEARTED...<br />Doubly neat that they can be interchanged!!!<br /><br />Now on to donner with PuzzleSister...maybe we'll make up a puzzle that can be solved in 2018!<br /><br />Twin Citi-zens!!!! Don't forget it's not too late to see Will tomorrow night!!!! Wish I were there!acmenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39567094843435335722013-09-11T18:21:04.877-04:002013-09-11T18:21:04.877-04:00WOW, just goes to show what a genius Patrick is th...WOW, just goes to show what a genius Patrick is that people thought this was blah or workman-like or not up to standard!!!!<br /><br />That flabbergasts me!<br /><br />To be it was solid and to go from WARMHEARTED to COLDBLOODED in such short steps IS genius!!!<br /><br />And the long ones are SUPER fun...CARDBOARDCUTOUT and MATERNITYWARD are great fill...<br />and I love "Punchlines?" for OWS!!!!!!!<br /><br />(THo OWS is NOT good in Scrabble, no interjections are allowed S. An dI would have loved the JETT/JEM crossing)<br /><br />I'm with @Carola and @joho on this, not surprisingly!<br /><br />I have ZERO memory of being a consultant, nor being at Macs tho I do remember introducing them and having a wonderful dinner at some point a million years ago...so I'll have to read what Patrick said.<br />I enjoyed this from word one (1D that is...<br />who wouldn't love JAWS of life!!!!)<br /><br />Anyway, couldn't get to commenting till late today and am floored that this was not embraced.<br />It's not one of his Thursday mind twisters, it's a Wednesday.<br /><br />Just goes to show that my therapist is right that it's ALL about expectations bec this is one terrific little puzzle!<br />And EXCEEDED my expectations in the subtlety of the solidity of the theme.<br /><br />And as it's indeed going from WARM to COLD these days I'd say this puzzle's theme was AUGUST, with accent on the second syllable!<br /><br />Amore Cardboard Maternitynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64747317529569953452013-09-11T16:28:22.401-04:002013-09-11T16:28:22.401-04:00"OK puzzle but add me to the chorus of those ..."OK puzzle but add me to the chorus of those who think this is not up to Mr. Blindauer's usual standard."<br /><br />So said retired_chemist and I totally agree with his thought.<br /><br />Perhaps when editors sit on a puzzle for an inordinate length of time, as a courtesy to the constructor, (when they finally publish it), they should point out that they have been holding it for many years.<br />jackjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02699305265544975575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76347664948363392912013-09-11T16:06:35.816-04:002013-09-11T16:06:35.816-04:00Back in the 70's Kodak placed in stores a life...Back in the 70's Kodak placed in stores a life sized cardboard cutout of a pretty girl in a bikini holding a larger than life box of Kodak film. While driving through the Okanagan valley on vacation I came across a hitchhiker who stood on the side of the highway with one arm around the shoulder of such a cutout. He had covered the film box with a cardboard sign listing his destination of Vancouver. I picked him up and commented on his creativity. He let me know that he had never had such quick rides since bringing along this prop which folded up neatly in three to fit in his packjburgsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83259256461294286642013-09-11T15:37:56.482-04:002013-09-11T15:37:56.482-04:00Disagree with medium difficulty. Got this in less...Disagree with medium difficulty. Got this in less than 10 with only the across clues, which is my thing. Fairly rare for me to complete a Wednesday this way. Had to guess on former Giant Robb (Net? Ner? Neh?) but guessed right. Not even sure which Giants he played for. -skeptic 53Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35033133209012746642013-09-11T14:37:44.347-04:002013-09-11T14:37:44.347-04:00So pleased to sail ( slowly of course) through tod...So pleased to sail ( slowly of course) through today's with only one google and no erasures., A remedy for yesterday's embarrassment. Only delay was caused by the LETT, PARTI and ARTS cross.. I seldom see the theme until Rex tells me about it. Today was no exception.LaneBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75460468493417531812013-09-11T14:13:28.745-04:002013-09-11T14:13:28.745-04:00@Too Old:
I find it comforting that once in a gre...@Too Old:<br /><br />I find it comforting that once in a great while a West Coast Natick is part of the puzzle. Robb Nen was a household name in the SF Bay Area for many years. Atlantians should stay up later -- they're missing the best games.DigitalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620300502981292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12024314962173962672013-09-11T14:12:00.621-04:002013-09-11T14:12:00.621-04:00@r.alphbunker... Sorry to keep abotherin U...
Be ...@r.alphbunker... Sorry to keep abotherin U...<br /><br />Be sure and say YO! to The Shortzmeister for m&e, tonight out in there Iowa City. Lookin forward to a full report on the festivities, in the mornin. Thanx. Sorry I can't be there, but it's just outside the range of the M&Amobile. Plus, might not be able to get thru campus security, wearin the mask...<br /><br />M&AMore and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18977197865249482772013-09-11T13:49:25.286-04:002013-09-11T13:49:25.286-04:00Before I get to the puzzle, I will pause to rememb...Before I get to the puzzle, I will pause to remember and reflect.<br /><br />343<br /><br />I liked this puzzle with two exceptions. 1) Those vehicles at 54A were identified in the movie as alien spacecraft. 2) The fill is stale in some parts.<br /><br />Started with “A” think ACH at 41A, but paused and checked the Downs. Good thing.<br /><br />Needed to change APE to AXE when PACTO (filled in from downs) didn’t look right.<br /><br />How about a word ladder where the letter changes spell LADDER? Or has that been done?Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15869740216937315792013-09-11T13:18:27.702-04:002013-09-11T13:18:27.702-04:00OK puzzle but add me to the chorus of those who th...OK puzzle but add me to the chorus of those who think this is not up to Mr. Blindauer's usual standard.<br /><br />Word ladder helped a bit. <br /><br />Ocular in common parlance (i.e. a non-medical dictionary) means "of or connected with the eyes or vision), so the clue is fine.<br /><br />@ LMS - ETHER has a characteristic but not unpleasant ODOR. Nice catch.<br /><br />JAFAR and IKE were WTFs. Robb NEN, not.<br /><br />Thanks, Mr.B. Mo betta' though, please. (Urban Dictionary installs the apostrophe. Who knew?)retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86614666291980286082013-09-11T12:29:38.131-04:002013-09-11T12:29:38.131-04:00@r.alphbunker... Oh wow, dude. Nice word ladder an...@r.alphbunker... Oh wow, dude. Nice word ladder analysis. <br />How about an actual WORD ladder in a puz, sometime?<br /><br />As in:<br />WORD<br />CORD<br />WORD<br />WORE<br />WORD<br />WARD<br />WORD<br />LORD<br />WORD...<br /><br />zzz...zonk...snort...<br />huh?<br /><br />... oop. Sorry. har. Nodded off there, for a coupla minutes...<br /><br />M&AM and A alsonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72778183391677250462013-09-11T11:59:32.258-04:002013-09-11T11:59:32.258-04:00COOL.
pauer says that he made this puz before iPa...COOL.<br /><br />pauer says that he made this puz before iPads existed. Which is why we get IPODS, instead. Fortunately, the game of POOL had been invented. Anyhoo, fun solve. Plus it's got the circles, to drive 4-Oh to drink.<br /><br />Drives me nuts dept: Things about this puz that bugged me...<br />* JAFAR. Cannot remember this friggin name, no matter how often I see it. JAMAL? ...see? Forgot it already.<br />* "___ Place" clue. Wanted PAARRK.<br />* "Number of drummers drumming, in song" clue. Dude. Do they really sing "Dozen Drummers Drumming"? You do realize, this opens up a whole new Yuletide shtick:<br />A short rest wortha rings,<br />Little joe callin birds,<br />A crowd's French hens,<br />Deuce turtle doves...<br />And cosine of zero partridge in a pear tree.<br />(I leave the higher gifts as an exercise for the reader.)<br /><br />But I digress.<br />M&AMasked and Anonymo4Usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90641164045991933482013-09-11T11:33:05.973-04:002013-09-11T11:33:05.973-04:00Confidently wrote tree at 1D, follwed by right at ...Confidently wrote tree at 1D, follwed by right at 13A, did not know JAFAR, did not know FORTMYERS was a retirement community and so the NW was the last to fall with write-overs. But that said, I really enjoyed and appreciated this puzzle and having expected a struggle was happy to solve steadily until the end. Thank you, PB.quilter1https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569747169212018177noreply@blogger.com