tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8945260939526161111..comments2024-03-28T06:44:48.044-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: SUNDAY, Mar. 22, 2009 - J Pahk/M Matera (Eponymous Dr Alzheimer / Having only forepart visible beast in heraldry / Typeface imitative of handwriting)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24690814622399854422010-11-17T15:44:16.167-05:002010-11-17T15:44:16.167-05:00Erm, am I the only person who doesn't get #14 ...Erm, am I the only person who doesn't get #14 Down, Killer APP?? What does it mean? Something mysterious to do with cell phones? Hey, I grew up with five-digit phone numbers you gave to an operator; my mother's first phone was one her uncles and dad and granddads strung along the barbed wire pasture fence in Eastern Colorado. I'm not a true Luddite, but I have a feeling that by the time I'm in the Old Crossword Puzzle Solvers' Home, I'll be one by default.Octoberprairiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09158957624460912848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23692350649103479372009-04-01T04:45:00.000-04:002009-04-01T04:45:00.000-04:00I forget how I discovered this wonderful blog, it ...I forget <I>how</I> I discovered this wonderful blog, it was some time last summer, all that matters is that I enjoy the NYT Sunday Crossword so much more knowing that solving it is just half the fun, the other half comes from reading your review and all the comments that follow. <I>Incidentally, I get the puzzle the following Saturday in my local paper.</I><BR/><BR/>So, after lurking for nearly a year I've decided to finally jump in, even though this particular puzzle ranks pretty low on my list.<BR/><BR/>This one just felt awkward, as if put together by committee. Specifically, there seemed to be a lack of consistency in how the clues were formulated. For example, clues 19A, 86D and 118D gave some indication the answers were not English words, yet 7D did not and the answer was in Latin. Similarly, clues 56A, 17D and 49D hinted that the answers were abbreviations, but 39A and 101A gave no such indication even though the answers clearly contained abbreviations.<BR/><BR/>As for the theme, I just couldn't figure it out, in fact, I thought it was another Windsor Star misprint (which has happened more than once resulting in considerable frustration) until I checked in here today... for me it was not so much an AHA moment, more of an AYE AYE AYE!<BR/><BR/>Rex, thanks for providing such an entertaining read!gourmandehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00197533054698150360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4696431309786038972009-03-29T15:33:00.000-04:002009-03-29T15:33:00.000-04:00I wanted drab/beson or even besom in the top left....I wanted drab/beson or even besom in the top left. Even though I had already entered Mt Etna. It wasn't until I erased that entire square and started filling again that I finally got over it. That was last part to fall. <BR/><BR/>This was a tough slog from start to finish. Which isn't always a bad thing. We are completely covered in ash from Mt Redoubt's repeated eruptions, so indoor activities are preferred if not required.<BR/><BR/>Love the blog, Rex, and the rest of the usual suspects posts. You always manage to make sense of the senseless.Jan Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08709096924012665773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2702490777195571972009-03-29T15:26:00.000-04:002009-03-29T15:26:00.000-04:00One week later -- Maybe I missed it on the read th...One week later -- Maybe I missed it on the read through, but I just don't get "harried" being rode. A couple of dictionaries that I checked describe "harried" as an adjective. "Rode" seems to be a verb. Since I wasn't aware of the Ronde font, couldn't come up with for harried and couldn't pull id est out, I blew that section. The other problem area was "EINS" and "SHUTE". My German is weak to nonexistent so I went with EINE and EHUTE. Looked good at the time since I didn't know SHUTE. Other than spending too much time on the puzzle, I was pleased to get most of it without Mr. Google.boardbtrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80664928250487420472009-03-27T08:58:00.000-04:002009-03-27T08:58:00.000-04:00@wsrhodes,Thanks for the kind comment. Love love l...@wsrhodes,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the kind comment. Love love love new commenters.<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62032259198352511472009-03-27T08:50:00.000-04:002009-03-27T08:50:00.000-04:00Just discovered this WONDERFUL blog! My wife and ...Just discovered this WONDERFUL blog! My wife and I do the puzzle over the course of a few evenings. During the week the puzzles are quick snacks, but we like to savor the one on Sunday.<BR/>We pretty much agree with everything people have written about this puzzle (the good AND the bad), but would like to add our 2 cents:<BR/>The clue for 59A: stripe was really bad. Even when we started to work in the answer (sort), it was quite a stretch.Wayne Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08975494462560583334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86527993532934434772009-03-24T23:15:00.000-04:002009-03-24T23:15:00.000-04:00I'm two days late on this because I was away over ...I'm two days late on this because I was away over the weekend. Still, I wanted to say that I liked this puzzle than most of you. Challenging for a Sunday, but possible with lots of interesting fill and a good theme. It took me a while, but I got it all right, even the mysterious Lee A. Aker (or is it Lee Aaker -- I'll have to google this...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48997239277903349012009-03-24T08:45:00.000-04:002009-03-24T08:45:00.000-04:00I also missed the theme, even after completing it ...I also missed the theme, even after completing it and staring at the answers, which is why I came to your blog for enlightenment! I may have been misled by the fact that in the International Herald Tribune the puzzle was printed without a line on the right side, so I was trying very hard to see that as part of the theme (closing the deal vs. open-ended grid?). Must have just been a printing error, though.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050749288339988725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23058488140150233872009-03-23T14:26:00.000-04:002009-03-23T14:26:00.000-04:00The question on question marks from Sunday. Shoul...The question on question marks from Sunday. <BR/>Shouldn't 60 D: Brave activity (BASEBALL) have a quesiton mark to indicate it's punny, ironic solution???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1346669023356713052009-03-23T12:26:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:26:00.000-04:00So funny how different people find different thing...So funny how different people find different things hard. I got stuck on so many of them but KUDO and UNIT were gimmes! A second is a unit of time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53590789445056217312009-03-23T09:48:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:48:00.000-04:00Unlike most of you, I LOVED this puzzle. It's got ...Unlike most of you, I LOVED this puzzle. It's got a broad range of cultural knowledge, and interesting rare entries. It really tests you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21622663301616865812009-03-22T23:23:00.000-04:002009-03-22T23:23:00.000-04:00@Buster: The clue for DINETTESET is incorrect. I...@Buster: The clue for DINETTESET is incorrect. It might be a prize during the Showcase, however the Showcase Showdown is when the big wheel is spun, and there are no prizes (other than cash).SethChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10366779434998553927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29148946264402465262009-03-22T23:17:00.000-04:002009-03-22T23:17:00.000-04:00"Can You Top This" was a TV show...First run in th..."Can You Top This" was a TV show...<BR/><BR/>First run in the 50s, then reprised in the 70s with Morey Amsterdam as the host.<BR/><BR/>I agree though - poorly clued.<BR/>-Paul in DC-Paul Horanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468124252604919885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43639437151230762492009-03-22T23:06:00.000-04:002009-03-22T23:06:00.000-04:00I don't mind justifying KUDO as a joke (hence the ...I don't mind justifying KUDO as a joke (hence the question mark), but I agree that it can't be justified as a real word. Who knows from 200 years? but now it is an illiteracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47986752874662755612009-03-22T22:46:00.000-04:002009-03-22T22:46:00.000-04:00Nasty ugly mean puzzle. I'm thinking of getting a...Nasty ugly mean puzzle. I'm thinking of getting a dog just so I can kick it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88299983893149757822009-03-22T21:48:00.000-04:002009-03-22T21:48:00.000-04:00@Ben: correction, my apologies. The Tate Britain n...@Ben: correction, my apologies. The Tate Britain now only shows British art. Mondrian is in the collections of the Tate Modern and the Tate Liverpool.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37720788020144777922009-03-22T21:05:00.000-04:002009-03-22T21:05:00.000-04:00P.S.:@Ben: I think you would find the Mondrians on...P.S.:<BR/>@Ben: I think you would find the Mondrians on the South bank, in the Tate Britain, rather than across the water.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7681577869000147412009-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:002009-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:00This is artichoke central:@foodie: totally agree, ...This is artichoke central:<BR/>@foodie: totally agree, the bottom is where it's at. The best part.<BR/>I like artichoke hearts, but only fresh or frozen, and typically they are tiny. The big chokes produce great bottoms, no hearts.<BR/>Hate any of it marinated, in jars or cans, just occasionally at a good Italian deli do I find a jar with artichokes on water and vinegar that is edible.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36444770213202353682009-03-22T20:09:00.000-04:002009-03-22T20:09:00.000-04:00Semper fi !!! @aric you are right. My husband is ...Semper fi !!! <BR/>@aric you are right. My husband is a marine and loves artichokes also the hearts, the bottoms the leaves etc<BR/><BR/>you are never an ex-marine. I should have caught thatchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31519118332687900792009-03-22T20:00:00.000-04:002009-03-22T20:00:00.000-04:00Foodie, yeah. Castroville, self-proclaimed is jus...Foodie, yeah. Castroville, self-proclaimed is just down the road twenty miles or so, but Brussels sprouts and strawberries are pretty major too. I recall when artichokes would only be around in their prime season (March and April) but now they're available year-round. Don't know how that came about, but I'm glad they are. I'll refrain from cooking and eating preferences.<BR/><BR/>CLONK, I thought this was a crummy puzzle as I was nearing the end. Even though I liked a bunch of the words and some of the Clues, I agree that too many were duds. Yes, "David" is NUDE but he isn't one really. OK, "x" is a VALU, but it's really "x" because it doesn't have one.<BR/><BR/>And not enough internal resonance either. A very subjective criticism, I know.fergushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056002311944010536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7460069327814390582009-03-22T19:39:00.000-04:002009-03-22T19:39:00.000-04:00What is wrong with me? This was the easiest Sunda...What is wrong with me? This was the easiest Sunday Puzzle in weeks for me. There have been quite a few this winter that I haven"t even finished. This one I blew right through. I am feeling more and more out of sync in this world..and things like this confirm that I really am out of sync. I almost want to cry.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145217364511761670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79782886413056289622009-03-22T19:24:00.000-04:002009-03-22T19:24:00.000-04:00@foodie ... thanks! I think you and I are dealing ...@foodie ... thanks! I think you and I are dealing with semantics here. The heart is the meaty delicious part with or without the fuzz. The fuzz is what I call the "choke!" I'll stop now or else we will be directed to the artichoke blog ....johohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708487230515532492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47226757562530462422009-03-22T18:19:00.000-04:002009-03-22T18:19:00.000-04:00I can usually get through a Sunday puzzle Google f...I can usually get through a Sunday puzzle Google free, but NOOOO way I could do this puzzle that way, too many obscure names for moi. Got the theme pretty early on after searching in vain for the spades and the clubs but after getting POKER I said aouw, now I get it.<BR/><BR/>Noticed that I could have posted last night but after spending much of the evening/night solving this puppy I was too tired to think. Massive amounts of white wine consumed whilst solving might have played in to that decision also.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79732056404216652572009-03-22T17:44:00.000-04:002009-03-22T17:44:00.000-04:00@joho, to me, artichoke hearts still have all the ...@joho, to me, artichoke hearts still have all the fuzz. When you scrape that, you have the bottom. Many salads use artichoke hearts from cans or jars and somehow the bottom is abbreviated... It all actually depends on the type of artichoke and what it's grown for...Good artichoke bottoms are nice and meaty and you can do wonderful things with them, including use them as the base for putting other goodies. I better stop though, or we will be directed to an artichoke blog : ) <BR/><BR/>Fergus, do I recall correctly that you live near the artichoke capital of the world?foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20716107921628020612009-03-22T17:25:00.000-04:002009-03-22T17:25:00.000-04:00Cluing it as "Second e.g." pretty much states it's...Cluing it as "Second e.g." pretty much states it's an example, as in second = unit [of time].<BR/><BR/>If clued as "Second _____", a phrase would be implied, thus "Second unit", as in film production and possibly sports.<BR/><BR/>The puzzle and most of the blog are not worth further comments.<BR/><BR/>.../GlitchGlitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940000404613329056noreply@blogger.com