tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8374007723610494608..comments2024-03-28T06:54:54.038-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: John Wayne cop film / SAT 7-9-11 / Bellatrix's constellation / Media inits since 1970 / Aster relative / Deadening agent / Radially symmetric creatureRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76760737835136703102011-08-14T23:00:43.595-04:002011-08-14T23:00:43.595-04:00@apostro'phe carla michaels 2:01 AM
Opening a...@apostro'phe carla michaels 2:01 AM<br /><br />Opening acts for the Sex Pistols in SF were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(band)" rel="nofollow">The Avengers</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nuns" rel="nofollow">The Nuns</a> (band members listed in these links, maybe you spot a familiar name)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11190209604085580752011-08-14T21:57:44.882-04:002011-08-14T21:57:44.882-04:00Hate to be one to OPPUGN RP's difficulty ratin...Hate to be one to OPPUGN RP's difficulty rating, but I thought this one was a bear. Still, there's a great deal of satisfaction that comes when such a puzzle starts to break open. Only crossworders laugh out loud at how cleverly we've been fooled by someone's deception. I thought a sporty ensemble would be fashion related, so I wanted TENNISWEAR or GOLFATTIRE either of which fits. (if you buy the right size I suppose) @Anon 11:13 AM- Loved your comment's. (sorry, couldn't resist.) you have a great sense of humor.! <br /> -Kevin in TexasKevin in Texashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343598589627702720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84551289060670401192011-08-14T11:33:00.086-04:002011-08-14T11:33:00.086-04:00My two wheat back pennies on googling: yeah, it...My two wheat back pennies on googling: yeah, it's cheating. It's cheating yourself out of the opportunity to discover other ways of solving crosswords besides just knowing the answers . "Learning is good," as someone said in justification. So learn to work your own way out of the rough spots, to reason your way through it as best you can. Then, <i>after you finish</i>, go ahead and google all you want to learn the words you didn't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75181838401068606762011-08-14T11:14:36.727-04:002011-08-14T11:14:36.727-04:00I just read THE LONG GOODBYE a couple of weeks ago...I just read THE LONG GOODBYE a couple of weeks ago so it was the answer I was looking for at 43a from the start. Didn't have much to go on in the way of crosses though, so I didn't commit until later.<br /><br />The first letter I filled in was the plural S at the end of 18a, and off that I got APOSTROPHE. Which is ironic, because the ever-increasing tendency of people to use an APOSTROPHE before a plural S, like in SEX PISTOL'S AND BRASS TACK'S is one of my major ANNOYANCES<br /><br />54a was NAHing at me forever and what I wanted (what I really really wanted) at 28d was some sports related answer, so it took me a long time to see SPICE GIRLS. <br /><br />I can't even pronounce SEA ANEMENEMONE much less spell it; reversed the M and second N at the very end because ANNI looked more plausible than AmNI.<br /><br />I liked that the two stadiums/teams were situated in their geographically correct corners<br /><br />Briefly considered penny but knew it would have to have been clued differently.<br /><br />And I got SBARRO entirely from the crosses. Never heard of it. Location check on their web site puts all the ones withing 50 miles of me in malls, which I avoid like the plague. And on those unfortunate occasions when I do find myself in a mall, I'm not looking for food. I'm looking for a way out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74325518799690347922011-08-14T11:13:30.593-04:002011-08-14T11:13:30.593-04:00I just read THE LONG GOODBYE a couple of weeks ago...I just read THE LONG GOODBYE a couple of weeks ago so it was the answer I was looking for at 43a from the start. Didn't have much to go on in the way of crosses though, so I didn't commit until later.<br /><br />First letter I filled in was the plural S at the end of 18a, and off that I got APOSTROPHE. Which is ironic, because the ever-increasing tendency of people to use an APOSTROPHE before a plural S, like in SEX PISTOL'S AND BRASS TACK'S is one of my major ANNOYANCES<br /><br />54a was NAHing at me forever and what I wanted (what I really really wanted) at 28d was some sports related answer, so it took me a long time to see SPICE GIRLS. <br /><br />I can't even pronounce SEA ANEMENEMONE much less spell it; reversed the M and second N at the very end because ANNI looked more plausible than AmNI.<br /><br />I liked that the two stadiums/teams were situated in their geographically correct corners<br /><br />Briefly considered penny but knew it would have to have been clued differently.<br /><br />And I got SBARRO entirely from the crosses. Never heard of it. Location check on their web site puts all the ones withing 50 miles of me in malls, which I avoid like the plague. And on those unfortunate occasions when I do find myself in a mall, I'm not looking for food. I'm looking for a way out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62023882169425695262011-08-14T00:53:25.740-04:002011-08-14T00:53:25.740-04:00I do, of course acknowledge Mr. Safire's autho...I do, of course acknowledge Mr. Safire's authorship of "Nattering<br />...etc." Sorry for any feather-ruffling. I tend to couple it with Agnew because of his devastating delivery. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5723497608336200152011-08-13T21:31:22.877-04:002011-08-13T21:31:22.877-04:00@Anonymous, 9:17 PM - Since you single it out as &...@Anonymous, 9:17 PM - Since you single it out as "One lone bright spot," I should point out that, as most crossword people know, I was the actual author of "nattering nabobs of negativism."William Safirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12317921105470335722011-08-13T21:17:10.270-04:002011-08-13T21:17:10.270-04:00Wow, I could not be farther away from RP today. EA...Wow, I could not be farther away from RP today. EASY-medium?? No way! I slogged (now have the very definition of the word: today's puzzle) through every line! It was like hard labor. The S and B gave me SBARRO, which is definitely NOT an "east-coast" chain. There's one in the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas here, for starters. And anyway, they do a pretty good pizza, and I don't quite understand all the bad-mouthing. Maybe a bit pricey, is all.<br /> Well, that led me to, of course, PIZZACRUST, so I was a while getting out of the NW--what with that crappy "Qu'ran part" clue. I've seen these clues before, like SILENT-whatever, and I'm not impressed; I think it's a cheap shot. Constructors ought to be above that sort of thing.<br /> More to OPPUGN (lie to me and tell me you have ever or will ever use that word): GULL for "sucker."<br />Lucy--or anybody--you got some 'splainin' to do on that one. BTW: ONENESS? Really? Where do you get this stuff? Oh for a puzzle in a language that actually gets USED!! URBS? Who says URBS? NOBODY!<br /> Strange thing is, the item that gave most of you fits was no problem for me. As we know, UNC-Charlotte is in the Atlantic-10 conference; the only way to abbreviate ("conf.") that is with ATEN. What's the big deal? But it leads to yet another of those never-EVER-EVER-used words, ECOTONE. Come on, guys. Next thing you know, we'll be perusing lists for the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee, 5% of which anybody has ever heard of.<br /> One lone bright spot: the reminder of Agnew's sparkling speechification "NATTERing nabobs of negativism." I did enjoy that, but otherwise? Just a succession of ANNOYANCES.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5273637194338345532011-07-10T18:42:59.121-04:002011-07-10T18:42:59.121-04:00We're in Deer Isle, ME, for a week of vacation...We're in Deer Isle, ME, for a week of vacation; I did this puzzle, slowly, in the car while driving up yesterday (or rather, down,since this is Down East). Really enjoyable - so many cool misdirection, probably ear worm was the last of those to fall.<br /><br />I got SQ MI right away, but didn't know MCQ, so tried all kinds of variants, e.g. S.MIL.<br /><br /><br />Got PIZZA _____ and thought of those revolving lights they put on delivery vehicles, so it took me a long time to see DOUGH.<br /><br />ECOzONE couldn't be right (it's not a transitional area), but it was hard to avoid as all the letters but one fell into place. I had to look up ECOTONE before I could believe it. Still, the AzEN conference is awesome - e teams sit cross-legged, facing each other, and try to move the ball with their minds.<br /><br />Can't get the paper up here, and I'm on vacation anyway -- should be back the 17th.jberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169065390875378077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65113281102761548442011-07-10T11:35:12.334-04:002011-07-10T11:35:12.334-04:00Not a theme, true, but extra points for all the do...Not a theme, true, but extra points for all the double letter constructions. I count a dozen - brasstacks, seaanemone, etc. Neat.Prepjpwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15748885756743491236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13827337588026780382011-07-09T20:26:03.866-04:002011-07-09T20:26:03.866-04:00@quilter1 yummm home-made bread!!!@quilter1 yummm home-made bread!!!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39929220143940086312011-07-09T19:25:42.895-04:002011-07-09T19:25:42.895-04:00@JaxinLA: get well soon. We will be back the first...@JaxinLA: get well soon. We will be back the first week in August and I'd like to meet. I have your number. Do you know Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock?<br /><br />My granddaughter just ate three slices of honey cracked wheat bread warm from the oven. Love that little gal.quilter1https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569747169212018177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86234843546525399022011-07-09T18:25:10.271-04:002011-07-09T18:25:10.271-04:00@Anon 2:46 pm:
The problem is not that you haven&...@Anon 2:46 pm:<br /><br />The problem is not that you haven't spent enough time in NYC (where I have never actually seen a Sbarro's) but that you haven't spent enough time in the food courts of shopping malls. You will find a Sbarro's in the food courts of probably 80% of the sizable malls in the country ... and if any exist outside of malls, I haven't seen them.<br /><br />@I Skip: Glad I wasn't the only CEILING FAN guy.Matthew G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07957320012395569238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46346555755143245522011-07-09T18:05:18.080-04:002011-07-09T18:05:18.080-04:00Too tired last night, so didi it this afternoon.To...Too tired last night, so didi it this afternoon.Took me way too long, but did finish. Hands up for CEILING FAN. Pleased with myself for remembering dynasty between Han and T'ang w/ no crosses.Had whole east side pretty fast, w/ west still spinning madly. Acre and Sq mi were gimmes. But did try daisy before oxeye. <br /><br /> Knew Sbarro bec. of news item in 90's maybe about an outpost of that chain in Jerusalem being hit by a terror incident. But I'm allergic to pizza anyway. Thought there was a US coin w/ wheat stalks, but couldn't remember altho only penny would have fit. Apostrophe was clever, tho wanted a ?.<br /><br />Liked Julia part of Julie and Julia, but forgot writer director. Also had kg before oz, which ruined ceiling fan anyway. Tried Sand dollar before sea anemone, eggs before ekg's. A private jet is not necessarily a perk; some people have so much extra cash they just buy them. Never heard of ecotone, but there are some other -tone words, and besides AZen could hardly be right for 46A. Tune for earworm my last entry.I skip M-Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41528705828183273552011-07-09T18:04:24.705-04:002011-07-09T18:04:24.705-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 7/30/2009 post 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 5:52, 6:52, 0.86, 5%, Easy (5th lowest median solve time of 106 Mondays)<br />Tue 8:54, 8:55, 1.00, 56%, Medium<br />Wed 10:31, 11:52, 0.89, 27%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 25:10, 19:07, 1.32, 93%, Challenging (9th highest median solve time of 108 Thursdays)<br />Fri 28:47, 25:53, 1.11, 74%, Medium-Challenging<br />Sat 28:40, 30:15, 0.95, 37%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:19, 3:40, 0.91, 12%, Easy<br />Tue 4:53, 4:35, 1.07, 72%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 5:21, 5:51, 0.91, 32%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 13:46, 9:16, 1.49, 96%, Challenging (5th highest median solve time of 108 Thursdays)<br />Fri 16:12, 12:48, 1.27, 88%, Challenging<br />Sat 16:55, 17:12, 0.98, 48%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90326825474245885382011-07-09T17:17:07.228-04:002011-07-09T17:17:07.228-04:00Blech. Finished with an error: ECOZONE. Perfectl...Blech. Finished with an error: ECOZONE. Perfectly sensible if ATEN and AZEN look equally reasonable, which they do to me.Kerrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86870811634809531372011-07-09T16:52:05.904-04:002011-07-09T16:52:05.904-04:00One man's meat is another man's poison. Th...One man's meat is another man's poison. This is the worst puzzle<br />I have ever had the dipleasure<br />of attempting. Even after copying<br />about half of the answers from<br />Rex, I had great difficulty<br />finishing. And even then I had<br />no satisfaction. Some of the clues<br />were as far out in left field as<br />possible. I could go on, but I have<br />probably gone far enough to have Rex remove this comment.<br /> Sorry Caleb You're too erudite for me.ANON Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40130068998144472562011-07-09T15:16:23.025-04:002011-07-09T15:16:23.025-04:00@Doc John--Definitions for "scan" includ...@Doc John--Definitions for "scan" include "to read or analyze verse according to the rules of meter and versification" and "to conform to the rules of meter and versification." (Retired English teacher trying to redeem herself for other stupidities today . . .)<br /><br />@ Masked and Anonymous--thanks for your help with STAPLE and kind comments. I prefer cinnamon rolls too.<br /><br />@shrub5--Oh, thank you! My ego is taking quite a beating; if I'd looked up "earworm" instead of "earwig," I wouldn't have had to ask at all. And now I'll have to change my name before I post again. Hanging my head further in shame.<br /><br />And I can't get "It's a Small World" to stop playing . . .600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48223744078236082612011-07-09T15:09:47.773-04:002011-07-09T15:09:47.773-04:00Will somebody please explain the POEM clue to me?Will somebody please explain the POEM clue to me?Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27884324374968243942011-07-09T15:05:57.296-04:002011-07-09T15:05:57.296-04:00Well I had ICENT for a while. Did three quarters ...Well I had ICENT for a while. Did three quarters of grid but could not get ANNOYANCES and SPICE GIRLS, so big blank space there. THELONGGOODBYE and SEXPISTOLS went in first which made me very happy only to trip later. Almost quit after Thursday and Friday so this was good for me. Have a good weekend.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91272762067054636612011-07-09T14:58:31.850-04:002011-07-09T14:58:31.850-04:00There are Sbarro locations in 46 states and 30 cou...There are Sbarro locations in 46 states and 30 countries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9162535704613050512011-07-09T14:46:39.484-04:002011-07-09T14:46:39.484-04:00What in God's name is SBARROS? I have never he...What in God's name is SBARROS? I have never heard of this in my fifty years. Is it "S. Barro's"? Or is it pronounced "Suhbarro's?" I guess to understand all the references in a NYT puzzle, one must be from NY. Sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12931072590750769692011-07-09T14:40:51.958-04:002011-07-09T14:40:51.958-04:00@27D was fun to discover because I was getting ver...@27D was fun to discover because I was getting very annoyed with the puzzle at that point, like, "What could possibly end in ...YANCES??"<br /><br />Despite numerous cultural gimmes, my favorite answer was DRUMROLL, PLEASE, so obvious once you've gotten it.<br /><br />Always glad to see Raymond Chandler fans... where is @Ulrich??<br /><br />Thumbs up on the Glen Matlock (pre-Sid Vicious) Sex Pistols. But it's too nice a day to spend it on Youtube.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Eric: [about being Vince's manager] You know what, I don't even have health insurance. <br />Ari Gold: Yeah, but I bet you had it over at Quiznos. <br />Eric: Sbarro's. And I had a business card. <br />Ari Gold: There you go.<br /><br />--EntourageStanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56194870948904961582011-07-09T14:34:56.723-04:002011-07-09T14:34:56.723-04:00@SharonAK,
I'm here everyday, and I love the c...@SharonAK,<br />I'm here everyday, and I love the commentary but only chime in occasionally. Highly recommend the pilgrimage to Black Rock City, a fantastic explosion of creativity and civility. Hope you can make it. <br />MarkCampesitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01852123189179333049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50287010072063294622011-07-09T14:25:22.227-04:002011-07-09T14:25:22.227-04:00OPPugn? is taht fair? snivel,snivel.I had IMPUGN a...OPPugn? is taht fair? snivel,snivel.I had IMPUGN and PENNY which was easy to fix not so much OOPUGN which I have never heard of.WE have SBARROS' here in SOuthern CALIf.My last letter was the "T" that replaced the "Z" that i withheld when I checked the CROSS and AZEN seemed less right than ECOTONE?syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.com