Theme: Jump the Q - The Q (k) sound is dropped from each QU (kw) starting familiar phrases/name.
17A. Drones losing their pep?: WILTING BEES. Quilting Bee. "Losing their pep" = WILTING.
23A. Train former senator Dole to do without?: WEAN ELIZABETH. Queen Elizabeth. "Train to do without" = WEAN. Elizabeth Dole served as North Carolina's Senator from 2003 to 2009.
33A. The first indication that I had one too many last night?: WAKING IN MY BOOTS. Quaking in My Boots. Conjured up such a vivid drunken image.
48. Earp in a stage show?: WYATT ON THE SET. Quiet on the Set. Wyatt Earp is the O.K. figure who appears in our puzzle often.
56. Skater Katarina enjoying a Camel?: WITT SMOKING. Quit Smoking. Katarina Witt is a German figure skater. Unknown to me.
Today's Dan Naddor Index (non-theme entries with 6 or more letters) is 22, the highest since I started tracking. Four of the Down answers intersect three theme answers. Neat.
Quite a scrabbly puzzle too, with two J's, 1 Z and four K's.
How was your solving experience today? When did you cotton on to the theme?
Across:
1. Tubular chocolate snack: HOHO. The Hostess snack. Sweet start for our Santa Argyle.
5. Like secret rituals: ARCANE
11. Tube top: CAP. Of course I was thinking of the shirt Tube Top.
16. Actor Vigoda: ABE. Still alive.
19. a.k.a., in corporate-speak: DBA (Doing Business As)
20. Kenan's comedy partner: KEL. Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel". I simply forgot.
21. Baltic capital: RIGA. Capital of Latvia. "European capital" would be a tougher clue, with 5 possibilities (Rome, Riga, Oslo, Kiev & Bern) as mentioned by Rich Norris last time.
22. __-Z: high-performance Camaro: IROC. I just remember it as I rock.
28. More than fortunate: BLESSED. Thought the answer might be an ER ending word.
30. Grandeur: MAJESTY. Liked this fresh fill.
31. Brand of bubbly: MOET. Moet & Chandon champagne.
40. Tongue and liver: MEATS. Organs too, of course.
41. Genetic molecules: RNAS. Always have to wobble between RNA/DNA.
42. As you like it: TO TASTE. Good play on "As You Like It".
45. Lydian king known for his wealth: CROESUS (KREE-suh
s). No idea. How did he obtain his wealth? I could only think of the golden touch king Midas.
50. Man or Mull: ISLE. Alliteration.
52. Shad delicacy: ROE. Have you tried Ikura (salmon roe)?
55. Pontiac muscle car: GTO. And BMW (28D. Mercedes rival). Car Talk.
60. Grant, e.g.: Abbr.: GEN. D'oh, Ulysses S. Grant. I was thinking of the research money grant.
61. Do the Wright thing?: AVIATE. Nice play on "Do the right thing". And SSS (39D. Frying sound).
62. Swedish furniture chain: IKEA. I've yet to try their food.
63. Sentence units: Abbr.: YRS. Prison sentences.
65. One with a list: DEAN. Dean's List. Great clue.
Down:
1. Peddle: HAWK
2. Theater award: OBIE. Given by The Village Voice. The intersecting ABET (14A: Support, in a criminal way) prevented me from considering TONY.
3. College hazing period: HELL WEEK. New term to me. We don't have hazing ritual in China.
4. 1940s Giants manager Mel: OTT. Man, I did not know he managed the Giants. Always thought of him as a player.
5. When many shops open: AT NINE
6. Fixed: RIGGED. As an election. I was in the "Repaired" direction.
7. Conspiracy: CABAL. Same root with cabala.
9. Dundee denial: NAE. Another alliteration.
11. Elite training squads: CADRES
12. "Who's on First?" straight man: ABBOTT. Abbott and Costello.
13. "Great!": PEACHY
18. Nest egg components, for short: IRAS
22. Start of a rule that keeps you from spelling weirdly?: I BEFORE E. Nailed it.
24. Ballpark figure: ESTIMATE. Nice to have the complete word. We see EST too often.
25. Mosque VIP: IMAMS. The Somalian supermodel is IMAN (David Bowie's wife).
26. Madcap: ZANY
27. "This is __ for Superman!": A JOB. I really don't remember seeing a more scrabblier Dan Naddor puzzle, do you?
29. Mauna __: LOA. Or Kea. Mauna is "Mountain".
32. Brain and spinal cord: Abbr.: CNS (Central Nervous System). Not a familiar abbreviation to me.
35. Cat, south of the border: GATO. I wonder why they named Los Gatos so. Lots of cats there?
36. Santa Monica-to-Jacksonville rte. I-TEN
37. Picketing: ON STRIKE
38. 19th Greek letter: TAU. Greek T. No way I can remember the exact order of all those 24 letters in Greek alphabet.
42. Aptly named mod model: TWIGGY. Because of her thin build.
43. Pearl harborer: OYSTER. Another great clue. "Pearl producer" would be boring. Loved Ben Affleck's "Pearl Harbor".
44. Raptor's grabbers: TALONS
45. Pure: CHASTE
46. Chewed (out): REAMED
47. __ buco: OSSO. Italian for "bone".
49. Golden Horde member: TATAR. Genghis Khan divided his Mongol Empire into various color Hordes (Blue, White, etc).
53. Military service designation: ONE A
54. New York cardinal: EGAN. Cardinal Egan was succeeded by Archbishop Timothy Dolan earlier this year.
58. Actress Carrere: TIA. I forgot. Recognized her face when I googled. She is of Filipino descent. Born in Honolulu.
59. Tease: KID. Wrote down RIB first.
Do read Don Gagliardo's replies to the questions raised at the Comments section yesterday. Don will have completed a Monday to Sunday LAT circle when his Sunday puzzle is published next time.
Answer grid.
C.C.
17A. Drones losing their pep?: WILTING BEES. Quilting Bee. "Losing their pep" = WILTING.
23A. Train former senator Dole to do without?: WEAN ELIZABETH. Queen Elizabeth. "Train to do without" = WEAN. Elizabeth Dole served as North Carolina's Senator from 2003 to 2009.
33A. The first indication that I had one too many last night?: WAKING IN MY BOOTS. Quaking in My Boots. Conjured up such a vivid drunken image.
48. Earp in a stage show?: WYATT ON THE SET. Quiet on the Set. Wyatt Earp is the O.K. figure who appears in our puzzle often.
56. Skater Katarina enjoying a Camel?: WITT SMOKING. Quit Smoking. Katarina Witt is a German figure skater. Unknown to me.
Today's Dan Naddor Index (non-theme entries with 6 or more letters) is 22, the highest since I started tracking. Four of the Down answers intersect three theme answers. Neat.
Quite a scrabbly puzzle too, with two J's, 1 Z and four K's.
How was your solving experience today? When did you cotton on to the theme?
Across:
1. Tubular chocolate snack: HOHO. The Hostess snack. Sweet start for our Santa Argyle.
5. Like secret rituals: ARCANE
11. Tube top: CAP. Of course I was thinking of the shirt Tube Top.
16. Actor Vigoda: ABE. Still alive.
19. a.k.a., in corporate-speak: DBA (Doing Business As)
20. Kenan's comedy partner: KEL. Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel". I simply forgot.
21. Baltic capital: RIGA. Capital of Latvia. "European capital" would be a tougher clue, with 5 possibilities (Rome, Riga, Oslo, Kiev & Bern) as mentioned by Rich Norris last time.
22. __-Z: high-performance Camaro: IROC. I just remember it as I rock.
28. More than fortunate: BLESSED. Thought the answer might be an ER ending word.
30. Grandeur: MAJESTY. Liked this fresh fill.
31. Brand of bubbly: MOET. Moet & Chandon champagne.
40. Tongue and liver: MEATS. Organs too, of course.
41. Genetic molecules: RNAS. Always have to wobble between RNA/DNA.
42. As you like it: TO TASTE. Good play on "As You Like It".
45. Lydian king known for his wealth: CROESUS (KREE-suh
s). No idea. How did he obtain his wealth? I could only think of the golden touch king Midas. 50. Man or Mull: ISLE. Alliteration.
52. Shad delicacy: ROE. Have you tried Ikura (salmon roe)?
55. Pontiac muscle car: GTO. And BMW (28D. Mercedes rival). Car Talk.
60. Grant, e.g.: Abbr.: GEN. D'oh, Ulysses S. Grant. I was thinking of the research money grant.
61. Do the Wright thing?: AVIATE. Nice play on "Do the right thing". And SSS (39D. Frying sound).
62. Swedish furniture chain: IKEA. I've yet to try their food.
63. Sentence units: Abbr.: YRS. Prison sentences.
65. One with a list: DEAN. Dean's List. Great clue.
Down:
1. Peddle: HAWK
2. Theater award: OBIE. Given by The Village Voice. The intersecting ABET (14A: Support, in a criminal way) prevented me from considering TONY.
3. College hazing period: HELL WEEK. New term to me. We don't have hazing ritual in China.
4. 1940s Giants manager Mel: OTT. Man, I did not know he managed the Giants. Always thought of him as a player.
5. When many shops open: AT NINE
6. Fixed: RIGGED. As an election. I was in the "Repaired" direction.
7. Conspiracy: CABAL. Same root with cabala.
9. Dundee denial: NAE. Another alliteration.
11. Elite training squads: CADRES
12. "Who's on First?" straight man: ABBOTT. Abbott and Costello.
13. "Great!": PEACHY
18. Nest egg components, for short: IRAS
22. Start of a rule that keeps you from spelling weirdly?: I BEFORE E. Nailed it.
24. Ballpark figure: ESTIMATE. Nice to have the complete word. We see EST too often.
25. Mosque VIP: IMAMS. The Somalian supermodel is IMAN (David Bowie's wife).
26. Madcap: ZANY
27. "This is __ for Superman!": A JOB. I really don't remember seeing a more scrabblier Dan Naddor puzzle, do you?
29. Mauna __: LOA. Or Kea. Mauna is "Mountain".
32. Brain and spinal cord: Abbr.: CNS (Central Nervous System). Not a familiar abbreviation to me.
35. Cat, south of the border: GATO. I wonder why they named Los Gatos so. Lots of cats there?
36. Santa Monica-to-Jacksonville rte. I-TEN
37. Picketing: ON STRIKE
38. 19th Greek letter: TAU. Greek T. No way I can remember the exact order of all those 24 letters in Greek alphabet.
42. Aptly named mod model: TWIGGY. Because of her thin build.
43. Pearl harborer: OYSTER. Another great clue. "Pearl producer" would be boring. Loved Ben Affleck's "Pearl Harbor".
44. Raptor's grabbers: TALONS
45. Pure: CHASTE
46. Chewed (out): REAMED
47. __ buco: OSSO. Italian for "bone".
49. Golden Horde member: TATAR. Genghis Khan divided his Mongol Empire into various color Hordes (Blue, White, etc).
53. Military service designation: ONE A
54. New York cardinal: EGAN. Cardinal Egan was succeeded by Archbishop Timothy Dolan earlier this year.
58. Actress Carrere: TIA. I forgot. Recognized her face when I googled. She is of Filipino descent. Born in Honolulu.
59. Tease: KID. Wrote down RIB first.
Do read Don Gagliardo's replies to the questions raised at the Comments section yesterday. Don will have completed a Monday to Sunday LAT circle when his Sunday puzzle is published next time.
Answer grid.
C.C.
81 comments:
Good Morning All,
Another fine puzzle this week. I've enjoyed the upping of the difficulty. Haven't been able to post much due to work. Football season ends this weekend also so hopefully will be able to jump back in. I have lurked a bit. Hope all who are ill are recovering.
I actually got the theme which helped tremendously. Never have heard of IKEA but got it with fills.
Gotta run. Have a great day!
I really like salmon roe. My wife turned me onto it on one of our many trips to NYC.
Ho, ho, ho, everbody(got to get into practice),
The treat package states Ho Hos ® but there are always multples in the package, so the singular Ho Ho is correct.
I did the whole thing without googling! Well, sort of: I had ARCANE and CABAL spelt as ARKANE and KABAL and I had TAU spelt as TAO until I realized CREOLUS looked better than CREOLOS. I also wanted ROLO for HOHO and that slowed me down at first. I was thinking of choocolate candy and not chocolate cake.
Martin
A week featuring many of our favorite constructors, thanks Rich.
There is an expression rich as Croesus which I have not heard in 40 years.
For a Friday this was pretty easy.
I thought of the other tube top also. And personally, I like Little Debbie Swiss Round Cakes better than HoHo's.
Martin, if you have CREOLUS you have something else wrong besides the TAO versus TAU. The answer is CROESUS.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great Friday and an excellent Halloween. Happy Ghosting!
DrDad:
Right, CROELUS. It was an unknown for me but I got it from the perps.
As long as I am on my second post, I'll let everybody know the solution to my failed attempt at making a crossword puzzle (that I posted on my own blog).
Across
20. Audition: CASTING CALL
26. Black forest: CHOCOLATE CAKE
34. Money maker: CASH COW
38. Massachusetts destination: CAPE COD
42. Playing the fool in school: CLASS CLOWNING
52. Overseas calling requirement: COUNTRY CODE
Down
1. Mexican destination: CANCUN
7. Boo: CAT CALL
41. Ear: CORN COB
45. African fly and a hint to this puzzle's theme: TSE TSE
Yes, the theme was CC. In retrospect, I could have had CROSSWORD CORNER as the theme fill spanning the centre of the puzzle as it's 15 letters long.
Maybe some real crossword constructor can do a puzzle with a TSE TSE = CC theme seeing as how TSE TSE is such a common fill in crosswords.
Martin
Good Morning All!
Hope this AM finds everyone feeling better.
Dan's puzzles are my favorites. He didn't disappoint today. I was able to complete the bottom of the puzzle first. Got Wittsmoking quite early, but it took me a while to catch on to the theme, other than each clue starting with "W". Took me a little longer on top. Wanted nine am instead of at nine. I thought most shops open at 10AM. What time does your shop open Dennis? Some fun words, cabal, arcane, Tatar, blessed. Very fresh.
CC - college hazings (which take place mainly in fraternities)have a bad reputation here as some have been very dangerous causing deaths. Many colleges have outlawed them.
A good Friday to all and go easy on the toilet paper!!!
Well, this was NAMING NADDOR at his worst. We had names throughout: biological, candy, champagne, cars, geographic, sport figures, actors, comedians, roads, college activity related (unknown to anyone not of this country), historic, political. Did I forget any? That's 12 kinds that I counted. Not a fun puzzle for me.
Didn't get the missing Qs in the theme, and only g'ed CROESUS to finish, but personally, I feel that using so many proper nouns is a copout.
Katarina Witt grew up and trained in Chemnitz, where my son's in-laws live. I've been to the rink where she had learned to skate.
Morning all -
What a great week of puzzles! No Hell Week here. Really enjoyed today's puzzle - thanks Dan for a nice start to a fu weekend. Favorite clues were Tube top (somehow tube of toothpaste came to mind easily, so I got cap early) and Pearl harborer.
True to form, I made it through the acrosses and still had a mostly blank puzzle. Had better luck with the downs, and really got traction in the SE corner. Wittsmoking came easily, which made the theme click, so I made my way back up and put it all together.
I did have a couple dohs... Had to come to CC to get Hoho, which unlocked the NW corner for me. I can't believe (I before E) I needed help for Hoho - it used to be one of my favorite lunchbox treats. Loved to carefully eat off the thin outer layer of chocolate, unroll the cake, lick off the frosting, and then finish the cake. The hoho equivalent of enjoying an Oreo.
Zoe's home from school today with a fever, husband was home from work yesterday. I'm doing my best to steer clear of their germs; my hands are so dry from frequent washing that my fingertips should be cracking off about midday...
Hopefully Zoe recovers for tomorrow's festivities. Fortunately her preschool trick or treat parade at the Senior Center and then through the "downtown" businesses was yesterday, so she's had one outing in her costume. And more importantly with her Elmo candy basket, which seemed to work just fine. Halloween has got to be the suckiest time for kids to be sick - from their point of view anyway.
Hope everyone stays or gets well.
Doug Peterson tomorrow? Wonderful Crossword Corner Blog week.
With all due respect, Kazie, your comments are way out of line. It's a Friday puzzle, so it's supposed to be hard. And to the contrary, everyone in this country has heard of HELLWEEK except, alas, you. Part of the solving fun should be to incorporate terms and yes, names, from modern culture. So don't call my work a "copout" -- I go to great lengths to entertain the troops, the vast majority of whom seem to enjoy my results.
The bottom line is this: if you don't like culture and can't stomach names, then don't do my puzzles. Period. And if you do, quit complaining in this blog. You're only embarrassing yourself.
Make that a fun weekend - fu weekend takes on completely different meaning...
Dan,
I was just amazed at the sheer number of different kinds of names you used. I have done some of your puzzles which were much more enjoyable. Maybe using the term "copout" was a bit over the top, and I apologize. But we all come from different backgrounds, and I have never attended an American university, or belonged to a fraternity or sorority anywhere, as is the experience of many other solvers here, I'm sure. My DH didn't even guess it when I asked him what a hazing WEEK was called, despite having spent 5 years at the UW-Madison. (Maybe it didn't help that I at first had ROLO for the unknown HOHO, and I told him the first letter would be L).
But the reason we all come here is to share our opinions. Sorry you didn't like mine.
Dan Naddor,
With all due respect, I did not know HELL WEEK either. And I was not embarrassed, nor should Kazie be. She was merely stating her personal opinion on your puzzle this morning and she's entitled to it. She did not hide her pleasure when your puzzle delighted her last time. The comments from our Peanut Gallery might not always be correct, but each counted and valued.
Hi Dan,
Hope you also focus on the many wonderful comments you get on this blog. There have been many so far today!
I, for one, love your work.
Morning all,
Late start this a.m. Slept in after watching the Phillies last night. So sad. I must agree with many of you that the puzzles recently have been great. Creative cluing, fun themes, and a slight increase in the difficulty level. I didn’t get the theme until the second theme entry, wean elizabeth. Hope I can remember Croesus, but doubt it. Thanks Lemonade for the info on Croesus, trying to put it in my memory bank. Around our neck of the woods, we are great fans of Tastykakes which are far better than Ho Ho’s or Little Debbie products. We mail some of them to our son in Texas who really misses them.
Actually went Christmas shopping yesterday trying to get in the Ho Ho spirit. Actually bought some new garland from the Flower Warehouse down in Blue Ball, near Intercourse in Lancaster Co., PA. Just love that area of PA. The countryside is so beautiful and the horse and buggies just add to the whole ambiance.
Well wishes to everyone under the weather.
I'm Canadian and I didn't know the term HELL WEEK. It was easy enough to figure out from the perps (once you knew that the cylindrical chococlate was HOHO and not ROLO) but it wasn't a gimme. And, no, I didn't feel embarrassed either.
Frankly, names make the puzzle's difficulty more subjective: you either know the names or you don't and if you do then the puzzle is easy. If you don't then it's real hammer.
Martin
Good morning, gang. Hopefully I'm just about over whatever this was; it's not been a fun ride.
It's been a great puzzle week, and today's just continued that string; a good, challenging puzzle, and the blog comments reflect that.
I have to admit, as much as I admire you, Dan, I was shocked and angered to see your attack on Kazie for expressing her views. Number one, if you're going to present work for public digestion, you sure as hell better be able to roll with any criticism and be somewhat thick-skinned. Number two, we have a number of posters here who aren't from this country originally and aren't as up to speed on American culture as the rest of us. Number three, and I bit my tongue on this originally, referring to us as the "peanut gallery" is extremely condescending and totally unnecessary.
I'm sure Kazie regrets using the word 'copout', but her points reflect her opinion, and are certainly as valid as any others on this blog. You owe her, and the rest of the peanut gallery, an apology, and I hope you're man enough to do that.
OY VEY! This was tough I got all but 6 letters I used the solve puzzle to fill in the last letters.
I forgot about Liddy Dole I was thinking of her husband who was a Kansas Senator from 1969 until 1996. I liked when Norm McDonald did skits on SNL as Bob Dole.
Bob Dole
Rolling Stones with Keith Richards on vocals from the HBO original Series The Sopranos.
Thru & Thru
Good Morning All, I see some disagreement going on already. That's always interesting and adds to the discussion.
I have to come down on the side of the name answers (not going to use the word "fills"). I noticed that Don Gagliardo used a lot of them yesterday, as did Barry Silk on Wednesday. I like a lot of names. Actors, novelists, titles, poets, etc. are fun for me, although some geographical names stump me and I am usually blinded by science.
I liked today's puzzle for a lot of the same reasons Kazie didn't. That being said, she is certainly entitled to her opinions on this blog. In stating those opinions she didn't embarrass herself in any way. Any individual puzzle is not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
HELL WEEK, MAJESTY, I BEFORE E, CROESUS, ON STRIKE and AVIATE were great fill (Ha, I've learned a new term!) and I loved the theme. Maybe that was because I caught it early and went on to enter W at the start of the other theme answers and looked for substitute "QU" pronunciations.
Dennis, I admit you're right. I apologize to Kazie and the rest of you if you found my comments today offensive. Lord knows, 99% of the feedback you've all given me over the past year has been glowing and encouraging. The word "Copout" just set me off, as I take great pride in doing just the opposite, not only in crossword puzzles but in all aspects of my life.
And I never meant any derision when I used "Peanut Gallery" in a post from a month ago. But if it bothered you, Dennis -- and I have a good deal of respect for the balance and integrity of your posts -- and apparently others, then I apologize for a poor choice of words.
Going forward I will try to do a better job of biting my sharp tongue. The last thing I want to do is cause hostility with what should be an enjoyable pastime.
Hi gang -
Very much enjoyed today's puzzle.
Lots of clever clues - fav was "start of a rule that keeps you from spelling weirdly?"
Dan - I was going to say what Dennis said, but he did it better, and with, perhaps, a bit more tact. So I'll simply say, "second."
Cheers!
JzB the suddenly restrained trombonist
Dan -
Your post got in while I was writing, and I did not see your gracious apology until after the fact.
So, I'll apologize for piling on. Lo siento.
I'm also blessed with a sharp tongue, and well understand the challenges it can present.
Let's all remember we're friends here, and for all our splendid diversity, we are united with a common interest.
Cheers!
Jzb the interested trombonist
This was a great puzzle - a little more time consuming but not extremely difficult. I always enjoy Dan's puzzles. At the risk of incurring the wrath of Dan I have to say the only little glitch for me was Katarina Witt. In all the years of watching her skate I've always heard her name pronounced Vitt not Witt as it is spelled. I believe she is German. So if C. C. is correct on the theme, this entry missed the mark.
Good Morning, CC and Friends. (It is still morning where I live). Oy, I feel like I've walked into a snake pit this morning. The tenor seems a bit more caustic that usual.
I thought this was a fun, but challenging, puzzle for me. I got WILTING BEES early on, so know to exchange the QU for a W. That didn't mean the rest came easy to me.
I'm almost embarrassed to admit, that I forgot ELIZABETH was a senator. Tried for the life of me to get Bob or Robert in the response.
I found a lot of misleading, but fun clues, including:
Tube Top: CAP
Sentence Units: YRS
and my favorite: Ballpark Figure: ESTIMATE. (thought that might be something to do with World Series.)
I also got a laugh filling in: I BEFORE E (and on that note, I'll leave you with an I before E quote):
QOD (or should I write WOD): An egotist is a person of low taste ~ more interested in himself than in me. ~ Ambrose Bierce
Dan, after checking the time line, I understand.
I am humbled and warmed by the support given me here this morning. I too am cursed with a sharp tongue and over-speedy reactions at times, so fully understand, and accept Dan's apology, as I hope he did mine.
My tongue (and typed words) has/have gotten me into hot water more than once. In fact, once here with Dennis, over a comment I made on Vietnam. So I really do appreciate those who have commented, and any who might later in the day.
Dan: Like Jazzbumpa, I, too, was writing my comment when your apology came through. I liked your puzzle, and didn't have any problem with the names and cultural references.
I would note, however, that by becoming putting your crosswords out for the public, you become, in effect, a "public figure." As such, you have to brace yourself for the negative comments as well as the positive. Unless the negatives are a personal attack, just suck it up and move on. Been there, done that.
Joyce,
In Dan's defense, I have heard WITT given the English pronunciation more often than the Germsn V sound in English speaking areas. You are correct, her home town of Chemnitz is in Saxony, part of the former East Germany.
Now I've used up four posts, so I'll shut up for a while.
C.C. asked "How was your solving experience today? When did you cotton on to the theme?"
Interesting you should ask. I started in the upper-left and struggled. I had about six answers filled in but I was unsure of most of them. So I turned on red-letter help. Everything was correct! (At first I had rush week instead of hell week but the crosses set me straight.) Even more surprising is that I had no red letters the entire rest of the puzzle. Yeah for me! I figured out the theme after the second one (Wean Elizabeth). All in all, this week was perfect for me with challenging, clever puzzles and all were doable (very important for me).
Anyway, since C.C. asked, that was my experience.
Morning.
Joyce, "W" in German is pronounced
as "V". Kazie will correct me if I am wrong.
Rarely pay attention to the themes.
eddyB
Good puzzle this morning. It went fairly quickly, although I did quit in the middle to have breakfast.
Didn't have a problem with the clues, but usually the only ones that I have problems with are pop culture clues.
Got the "Q" reference right away, so the theme clues were easy. I did try for a while to shoehorn "Bob" or "Robert" into 23A. I didn't forget Libby, just thought it would be Bob.
The only thing that gave me real trouble was the Santa Monica to Jacksonvile Rte. I wanted "east" and that messed up several things for a while.
Hellweek was a given for me; I've heard the term often.
Love the more difficult puzzles.
Hi C.C. & gang, another great and challenging Friday puzzle from Dan Naddor. I think that we finished ~1/2 of it before my wife left for work.
Before she left she got the "wilting" vs. "quilting" bees but I never really understood the theme until I got here, C.C. you're the best one for that I think.
Here's probably more that you want to know about the History of Hazing
"This is probably the most comprehensive, yet brief, history of hazing, I have read on the net. It's from the Kappa Sigma ideabank http://www.kappasigma.org/ideabank/historyhazing.html"
Good morning, everyone.
C.C., when I got WILTING BEE, I immediately knew what the theme was and was able to use that to solve the other theme answers with no difficulty. That's a change for me -- I usually have only a vague sense of the theme, but this one just jumped right out at me.
Katarina WITT was a gimmee -- saw her at Worlds in Cincinnati.
KEL came from fill. Don't know them.
IKEA meatballs are pretty good. Nice to have for a party.
Poor TWIGGY is so thin it hurts to even see a picture of her.
Raise my hand for RIB.
Wow, a bit of a dust-up today. Sounds like everything's settled down. It's sometimes tough when one of your "buttons" is pushed to hold your counsel.
@joyce, I will have to disagree with your pronunciation of WITT -- I've heard it both ways.
Dan, a most gracious apology, which I'm sure is readily accepted by all. Thank you for restoring my respect for you. Those of us with quick tempers know all too well how easy it is to respond without thinking; I've certainly gotten myself in trouble here for the same transgression.
As I said, I've always had the utmost admiration for your work; keep up the outstanding puzzles.
Crockett, ditto on 'Witt'.
Hello to all!
A very nice reasonably difficult Friday puzzle. I cannot imagine the mess if I did it on paper, though. With persistence and no cheats I was thrilled to have it pass muster!
Many of us (if not all) who are educated, native American and OLD remember "rich as Croesus." Some still use it among themselves!
Shoulder gets worse daily. Cannot wait for operation! (My orthopod has been out of town.)
Good work again, Dan, CC.
Good afternoon everyone.
I was ready to leap in and also second Dennis' reprimand to Dan as well as Jazzbumpa's. But Dan did post a most welcome and well-done apology.
That's what makes this such an interesting blog.
I did not do well, as I never figured out the theme answers. And I was panhellenic rush chair at U. of Illinois and never heard of hell-week. Not knowing about hohos didn't help. Thank heavens for this blog.
Cheers
hypatia 1, I had adhesions surgically removed because of a frozen shoulder. It was an amazing relief. And absolutely no recurrence. So I'm sure you'll do well.
Dennis, glad you're feeling better.
Dan @ 10:05am, very classy.
I think it is reasonable to expect a bit of sensitivity on the part of constructors when their puzzles are criticized here. I would imagine these puzzles are like their "babies" that they have labored over for hours and hours, and no one likes to have their children picked on. That being said, this is a forum for solvers to share their gripes and frustrations, so any constructor that wanders in here should be ready to take the good (which it is, mostly) with the bad. I was pleased to see the congenial resolution of the earlier frustrations. Classy group!
I, for one, like the clues that allude to names, but then I'm kind of a pop culture junkie. I think if we're going to beg for more difficult puzzles we're going to have to deal with references to celebrities.
Now, on a lighter side, since Jeanne brought up the Phillies and Tastykakes in the same comment: Dennis might remember a Phillies giveaway game in the late 70's sponsored by Tastykakes. It was TUBETOP night where all the ladies received tubetops with the Tastykake slogan printed on the front, which was something like "All the Good Things Wrapped Up in One". I don't know how many women actually wore those things, but for me, the visual imagery was hilarious.
Well, good thing I was working or I might have been caught up in the maelstrom, and said something to offend everyone. Hey, why should I let time stop me. I think KZ, you do raise two interesting points, aside from the negativity in your first post; (1) who are the target audience for LA Times Crossword Puzzles; and (2) what is reasonable knowledge, and what is too obscure.
I would think you would have to agree the puzzles are written for English speaking people who have a familiarity with American culture, which also requires some international knowledge. This is as opposed to international expertise with a soupcon of American lore. I am amazed at the skill many of you not native Americans have developed, but you have to expect you are at a disadvantage in most cases, and once in a while are given a softball (another all American concept) because of your having lived all over the world. To complain that a puzzle is harder for you is not a fair complaint because the puzzles have to be designed for a general audience.
As far using proper names, there will always be obscure clues, whether they are someone's name, or a truly obscure word like ERS, for which the clue has been BITTER VETCH (which was apparently Will Weng's favorite word), anywaay, it is inherent in creating a puzzle to have some clues which require extra knowledge. No one expects you, or I to know every proper name; I certainly was completely unfamiliar with TYCHO BRAHE, yesterday, though I have learned about SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT. Hopefully, I have learned about TYCHO BRAHE; since I find it fun to learn. I enjoy these proper names, and often end up reading three or four articles on the new person, place or thing. It is why I am here, not to impress you all that I can solve in 2:22, but to use my brain and learn.
Your words were harsh, the reaction was wrong, and I am glad the apologies are given, but I personally believe new words and people are why we are here. IMO (H?)
SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT .
I found this puzzle to be most enjoyable. I too caught on to the theme fairly wickly when I got wilting bees and Wyatt on the set. Learned or re-remembered a couple of words with secret rituals “arcane” and conspiracy “cabal”. I did have to hit the g-spot for Croesus. I also typed in DNAs instead of RNAs but “I before E” took care of that.
I have had Ikea’s Swedish meatballs and they are okay, just not as good as mine :) I really don’t like to shop there as it’s like trying to get out of a maze to leave the place.
Dennis, good to see you back. Now where are the Bees, Carol, and Lois?
Now there is a puzzle I would like to see, TASTYCAKES, the central word and KRIMPETS, KANDY KAKES and
KREAMIES worked into the answer grid. You could also include Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum novels, which feature these products. Or maybe, I just need to go eat.....-
Hello again.
Just a few more comments before leaving to play cards.
Anyone who doesn't think Katarina is "Smoken" should check out her Playboy photos. I remembered them and when she won her Gold Medal.
We had Hell Week on our campus. There is nothing like having a drunken Pledge Master giving out whacks with the leather strap.
I thought today's puzzle was fairly easy. I did it last night while watching TV.
The A in wean needs to be an E for
Queen to work.
Off to play cards. EddyB
I liked Schrodinger's Cat #2 too...
I've had many a conversation with Dan and I can guarantee you that he loves this site and enjoys all the folks here. I think he may have been a little stunned to see his work called a "copout", "Not... fun...", and most stinging of all, "Dan Naddor at his worst"
I'm thinking this is Naddor at his best. Which he always is.
Favorite fill (C.C.- never "fills")
MAJESTY, PEACHY, TWIGGY, HELL WEEK.
And nominated for the fill Hall of Fame, I BEFORE E.
Jerome at his worst... truly-
You can find A SITAR in TIARAS.
CHASTE CHEATS. How can that be?
Ogres EAT TOTS TO TASTE.
You're BLESSED when not BEDLESS.
My OSSO BUCO is SO SO.
If you can only afford ONE SKIRT, NO TRIKES, NOR KITES, and your NIKES ROT, go ON STRIKE!
I always enjoy Dan Naddor puzzles and this one was no exception! All of the puzzles this week were enjoyable. Jerome, you always make me laugh, how that mind works!! I agree with everyones favorites so don't have anything special to add. I had to LOL @ Jeannes reference to the Flower Warehouse! Was that tongue in cheek or am I just a bad girl? You guys are great!
Robin, methinks you’ll fit in just fine here. I didn’t even catch the reference of Blue Ball and Intercourse, PA. LMAO! Those town leaders at the time sure had a sense of humor! It’s been a while since I posted a recipe and now have a hankering for Swedish meatballs. Here’s my take on them:
2 slice of white bread cubed up and soaked in ¼ cup of milk
3 tbspn butter
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 tspn salt
3/4lb ground chuck
3/4lb ground pork
2 egg yolks
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
½ tspn pepper
¼ tspn allspice
¼ tspn freshly ground nutmeg
Saute the onion in one tblsn of butter until translucent
Combine all of the above ingredients (except the remaining butter) in a large mixing bowl.
Form meatballs a little smaller than a golf ball and cook on all sides in a large frying pan.
Remove them from the frying pan and put in the oven to keep warm.
Sauce:
¼ cup flour
3 cups beef broth
¼ cup heavy cream
Add the flour to the pan you fried the meatballs in and brown 1 to 2 min. Gradually whisk in the beef broth and add the heavy cream whisking to your desired thickness.
Pour over meatballs and enjoy! I usually eat these over egg noodles.
12:16 today. I don't do as well on the "name-centric" puzzles (unless the names involve geography), but I did manage to slog through this one. I got the theme with WAKING IN MY BOOTS.
I, too, had ROLO instead of HO HO, making the NW corner a tough one for me. (Initially had RUSH WEEK and KEL was unknown so a slog it was.) Do they still have HELL WEEK? I guess I thought that hazing had been outlawed nearly everywhere (certainly it has been around here).
I second Jerome's nomination of I BEFORE E to the "fill hall of fame". That is masterful!
This week has set a pretty high standard for LAT puzzles (or maybe we're all just happy to see livelier puzzles?). Let's hope that trend continues.
c.c.: ikura is one of my favorites (I like uni the best), but my wife has gone vegetarian so no more sushi bars for me sob.
Jeannie- you're an angel on my shoulder. I was actually cluing a puzzle before I took a break and happened upon your recipe. I now know how to clue ABBA.
eddyB- QWEAN works perfectly. So does QWITT, even with two T's. It's the sound of the new phrase that matters.
BOO!!!
Hope I didn't scare ya!
Ah cursed spite that I'm the one to set things right.
To Dan and Kasie and all who commented - you're ALL right. And you're ALL wrong. Remember, I am the one who is ALWAYS right so you can bet that what I just said was correct.
If you try to create a puzzle that satisfies everybody, rest assured that half of them will be dissatisfied. It cannot be done.
All the apologies were rightfully sent and rightfully accepted. Kudos to all.
I thought today's puzzle was delightful. I've enjoyed all of the c/w's this week. Our editor and constructors deserve a round of applause. Clap, clap, clap.
I must be off
Great puzzle today, Dan. Loved theme you "queued" up for us this time. Just wish you had fit in an "x" somewhere in the solution(or did I miss it?), which would have made it a pangrammatic lipogram, and with the inferred "q", a genuine pangram. So close!
Clear Ayes, per your note to me a couple of days ago: kind of an added bonus when constructors pull off such things, eh?
Kazie: FWIW, I thought your analysis of the puzzle today more insightful than inciteful. I hope Dan takes your comments as constructive feedback (and I'm betting he will) rather than dismissing them outright.
Best,
PanGraham/anon-hp
AAIIEEEEEEAH!
Hope I didn't scare ya.
A skeleton walked into a bar and said to the bartender, "Give me a beer and a mop".
Yesterday I bought a haunted chicken. I asked the butcher for a poultry-giest.
That skeleton wouldn't cross the road because he had no guts.
A vampire went into a bar and ordered a "Blood Lite".
When you go out "trick or treating" tomorrow, be sure one of you goes as a fire-person with a fire extinguisher. With the candles in those pumpkins and windy evenings, it's easy to catch your costumes on fire.
Look both ways when you cross the street.
If there's blood on the welcome mat, don't ring the doorbell. People are being murdered and their bodies sold to med. schools.
After "trick or treating" take all your goodies to the local hospital to have it x-rayed and tested for poison. (It's covered in your Medicare Plan P (for paranoid).).
Be careful driving home because the cops have "Drunk Driver" check-points and although you may not have been drinking, it'll take hours to get through them.
And drive safely. Some of those drunk drivers may have by-passed those check-points.
But most of all - HAVE FUN!!!!!
BTW. I met Frankenstein's monster's best buddy today. His name is Butthead. I asked him how they got so close. He told me, "We were the only two people in the world who had nuts in our neck".
Any of you cute ladies need a good "goblin?"
IMBO
I thoroughly enjoyed today's puzzle. Loved the clever theme! The first theme answer I got was WEAN ELIZABETH and from then on it was smooth sailing.
Names are often my bane, but as long as two unknowns don't cross, I generally can get them from the perps. Like Lemonade714, I consider it part of the learning process to learn new names, words, or phrases.
Overall favorite clue was 22D for I BEFORE E. Made me LOL!
@Jeannie--Thanks for the Swedish Meatball recipe. They sound yummy, though rich. All my Swedish friends do love their heavy cream!
I really enjoyed this puzzle and found it to be easier than expected. I was two-thirds of the way throught the puzzle, top to bottom, before I recognized the theme. It was when I filled in "WYATT ON THE SET" that the light bulb went on! And thank heavens it did as I would have had real problems with 56A, never having heard of Katrina Witt.
When I was a kid, HOHOs were my favorite splurge. It was something I could seldom afford which made it even more special. I wonder if I would still enjoy them? My food tastes have changed so much over the years.
Is tongue considered to be an organ? And having asked that question, I had to look up a defintion of "organ". One web site states "An organ is a structure that contains at least two different types of tissue functioning together for a common purpose." The same web site listed the major organs of the digestive system to be "Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines." Wikipedia does not list the tongue in its list of organs. So may I assume it is not an organ?
One more Halloween poem to welcome the goblins. (Hiya, Buckeye!)
Haunted House
There's a house upon the hilltop
We will not go inside
For that is where the witches live,
Where ghosts and goblins hide.
Tonight they have their party,
All the lights are burning bright,
But oh we will not go inside
The haunted house tonight.
The demons there are whirling
And the spirits swirl about.
They sing their songs to Halloween.
"Come join the fun," they shout.
But we do not want to go there
So we run with all our might
And oh we will not go inside
The haunted house tonight.
- Jack Prelutsky
The commenter that Dan attacked at the "Crossword Confidential" blog (called him my "sycophant") is still waiting for his gracious apology (alas...).
rp
I came to the blog before we started the puzzle just to find out what the theme was. If I had not done that, I would probably never have got it. Missing sounds is not my favorite puzzle type and I don't keep up with personnel from the entertainment world. I'm one of the few people who prefers names from mythology or the Bible. That being said, we did finish without any googling thanks to perp help.
I've really enjoyed the selections this week.
Doesltinink, my dictionary says, "the tongue is an important organ in the ingestion of food," etc.
Dot
Names are tricky.
Brett Farve's name is French. Shouldn't it be pronounced Fav-RAY and not FARVE? Of course, he pronounces it like Farve.
Scarlet Johansen's name is Germanic. Shouldn't it be pronounced YO-hansen and not JO-hansen? I assume she pronounces it like JO-hansen because that's what I always hear.
Lucy Liu's name is, I assume, written in Pinyin so that would mean her name should be pronounced LYO and not LYEW although I've never heard her ever refered to as "Lucy Lyo". I've also heard the names Wang, Tang and Ang pronounced with the short a as in man and not the short a as in father: Wang is actually pronounced the same way as Wong.
I remember once on the Tonight Show Jay Leno once introduced Celine Dion as SEE-line Dion. He then asked her how to pronounce her name and she said it was pronounced SAY-line Dion. She probably wouldn't have mentioned it if he didn't ask. I think she probably would have said something if anybody tried to pronounce Dion as one syllable, the way somebody recently tried to pronounce Dior.
So, yeah, of course Witt is pronounced Vitt. And Volkswagon is pronounced Volksvagon. And Caesar should be pronounced the same way as Kaiser. Whatever.
Martin
Late today, but since this a such a stellar collection of constructors...I thought that this might might the Trick puzzle I mentioned yesterday, but it eventually all came together, not without a bit struggle at the top which produced any number of AHA moments when I realized that the word wasn't difficult at all. Caught the theme fairly quickly and even though I started confidently with ROLO I realized that nothing started RAW_ which switched me to HAWK and HELL WEEK as I had the WEEK part. CADRES was the last fill and I am sorry Kazie that you didn't enjoy the puzzle and I too have problems with obscure names such as that bimonthly journal yesterday(?), but if you take out all the names it leaves a very weak list of possibilities. OTOH I have never been able to figure out all the convolutions of the British puzzles with anangrams and dropped letters.
I felt this was a most carefully designed puzzle as the places I might have gotten stuck had enough perps to fill everything in and that is my own personal standard for a well=designed puzzle...not trying to start anything up again...just very late in posting.
So good to see you Buckeye...and Jeannie, I think you are becomming the Rachel Ray or Giada of our blog.
Rex, I think we'd all appreciate it if you didn't post links to your blog here when you refuse to acknowledge the existence of ours there. Thank you.
Jerome, I am glad that my Swedish meatball recipe inspired your cluing. Any way to include Jeannie in that puzzle you are working on?
WM, I will take your comment as a compliment. If I had to pick one of those cooks it would have to be Giada.
@Rex Parker, funny you would post today as you hardly ever post. I also find it distasteful that you ask for money to run your blog. I also think you have a massive ego and it's pretty crummy that you don't link C.C.'s blog on your site (except for her interview of course, which was more me, me, me) when she has taken the time to link your site.
Dan, I think your apology was spot on and a class act. I also enjoy your puzzles even though I usually have to hit the g-spot at least once for a name I don't know.
Hello All--I've had to come back to the puzzle several times as I had a busy day and couldn't complete it all in one sitting.
I did enjoy the puzzle and, of course, names are my bane. But I just Googled Kenan's comedy partner and New York Cardinal. Some of the other names I knew and some I was able to get with the perps and fills. I feel that looking up things like the names today just add to my knowledge and maybe next time I'll remember them without having to get help.
So, an ejoyable puzzle, even after I had Rolo and Rib for NW and SE corners. It took a while to right those mistakes, but managed in the end. When I saw Dan Naddor's name on this CW, I knew it would be a little more difficult, but isn't that what we've been asking for?
Buckeye, I LOL at both of your posts. You've done it again, and I do enjoy the humor.
Hell weeks have been banned in our area as there were too many injuries and even deaths as a result of the hazing.
C.C. I looked up the origin of Los Gatos, and it was named after the Spanish Land grant of the same name. There are two enormous cat sculptures (Leo and Leona) which guard the entrance to a private home next to The Cats Restaurant. They have become quite famous and a landmark Icon for Los Gatos.
Well, it seems I picked a bad day to take good advice. Today was a work day for the Irish, so I avoided reading the blog till the puzzle arrived and I had time to sit down and do it. Damn!
Here in Kentucky we like to watch the horses run and throw down a couple of dollars picking a winner, but it is very uncool to beat dead ones, so I'll try not to repeat any previous comments.
So what have we learned today, grasshoppers? That Kazie doesn't like proper names in her xword? We already knew that. That she can be a little blunt? We suspected that. That one of our favorite constructors can be a little thin-skinned? We knew that, too, after he jumped Martin's ass not long ago.
What I think we learned is that Kazie can be gracious when she has a little time to reflect. (You might notice, RP, that she apologized first.) we also learned Dan is not only a damn good constructor, but a standup guy, too. Yes, he was reprimanded by C.C. And Dennis (and others), but that usually serves to make most ABs* angrier and more defensive. In other words, after a little "ado" erupted, civility, which is the hallmark of this blog and a reflection of the character and personality of its developer, once again reigned.
On a personal note, as I have said many times I do not and have not for a long time watch TV. So any TV related clue after 1973 is usually unknown to me. But I knew Tycho Brahe, so I figure that it evens out. I usually (at least since the "old" puzzles ceased, do not complain much about the puzzle. I just do it, or if I can't, quit and wait till the next one.
That said, I have always considered the presence of the constructors here a mixed blessing. It certainly gives the blog recognition and credibility which is well deserved. But criticism of the puzzle by the participants is part of the deal, and constructors should know and accept that, especially when they also get regular compliments and praise.
I need to confess to a little whoring. RP's link to his blog and Dennis' response (which I second) moved me to take a look over there for the first time ever. OK, been there, done that, ain't buying the T-shirt. Maybe it isn't fair to make a judgement on one visit, but theain difference I notice is this: No arrogant bastards here, present company excepted.
A few messages, and I'm done.
WM: Got it. Thanks.
Jeannie: Have a tasty weekend.
ClearAyes: Love those poems.
Jerome: those damned anagrams are like an accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look, but you can't help it.
Robin: Anytime I see the words "bad girl", I think of my first ex-wife. Just kidding. What I really think of is my favorite Mae West quote: "When I'm good I'm very good, and when
I'm bad, I'm better". So whichever you are, stick around.
Well, I think there's a little too much resentment shown for Rex Parker's not returning the favor of a link back here. But I respect the show of brand loyalty, C.C. and crew have certainly earned it.
As I see things, a return link or even recognition doesn't appear to have been a condition of C.C. linking to Rex's site. If it was really a problem with C.C., she of course has always had the option of pulling his site link here. Perhaps it's even possible for her to block direct links from his site as well if she so pleases. But I suspect C.C. has seen some benefit in reaching out to the greater community of crossword blogging characters, one that has included R.P., even if he has not yet reciprocated. Maybe he never will...
Jeannie: Personally I have little problem with a content provider asking for donations to help offset the costs of running their website. Like C.C., they are dedicating a certain amount of time and money to the venture, so why not ask visitors to chip in a bit if they like what they see? Many of these content providers that enrich our lives could no doubt could use the help.
I can understand how Rex's personal blogging style might rub one the wrong way, but a certain amount of self promotion in a blog writer should be expected.
Just my too sense.
Best,
PanGraham/ anon-hp
P.S.
Good post, Windover!
PanGraham, all due respect, you haven't been privvy to some of the stuff that's gone on since the inception of this blog over a year and a half ago. Suffice to say, our comments are justified.
Jerome, I am going to drop the discussion since you will probably use the same arguement with QUYATT.
I will down-load the next puzzle in
2 1/2 hrs and forget about this one. I did get all of the W answeres so I really don't care what the theme was.
eddyB
Judging by the way the day has progressed, I'd be thinking I'd opened a can of worms if it weren't for the criticisms Dan had already got on Rex's blog before mine this morning. No wonder he was already off kilter when he saw mine.
Martin,
There are always going to be differences in the way international words and names get pronounced in different languages, and those of us who are fortunate enough to know more than our own language have to be tolerant of these anglicisms. I guess that's maybe what you were pointing out @6:55pm.
Volkswagen is pronounced Folksvagen in German and I was taught that Caesar was pronounced Keissar with ei like in Kaiser but sibilant "s" sound. Always wondered how they knew how the Romans pronounced it? And Favre wouldn't have that strong "ay" end sound unless it was accented.
@kazie, la confidential blog uses pacific time.
Rex Parker said... "The commenter that Dan attacked at the "Crossword Confidential" blog (called him my "sycophant") is still waiting for his gracious apology (alas...)."
Wow! I had no idea that some folks take crossword puzzles so seriously. Maybe I would be better off solving them rather than paying attention to the blogs about them.
Having only looked at Rex Parker's blog this first time, is this typical? Geez...
Well, you tried, PanGraham. Thanks.
Just sent a note to C.C. to ask what all this hostility about a missing link is about. No idea it was an issue. Astonishing bitterness. I do admire the loyalty, though.
I don't comment here on a regular basis because It's Not My Blog. I respect that it belongs to someone else. I wouldn't want some other blogger setting up shop in *my* Comments section on a routine basis. It's a simple matter of respect. Strange some of you don't understand that.
As for its being "distasteful" that I have a Donations box at my *NYT* puzzle blog (which is not the blog I mentioned in my earlier comment, but whatever), I don't even know where to begin with that. I would encourage C.C. to have the same thing — decent people would understand the time and effort she puts in to creating this forum, and would contribute some modest amount as acknowledgment and thanks. And those who didn't think she deserved it could ignore the box. Easy as pie. Plus, it would give "Jeannie" one more person to feel superior toward. Everybody wins.
Still no apology for the guy DN called a "sycophant." Guy didn't deserve that, even if he is a fan of a jerk like me.
rp
Pangraham, as I see it you are a regular at Rexs' blog and a newbie here. That is fine and I am one of the veterans here and have never been asked to donate a dime. I might give a recipe or two out here or there, a vote for a favorite painting, an encouraging word for someone down and out, and a DF comment when one is hanging out there waiting for the the bat. My opinions differ with many here. I think you would find that the majority of the people here consider me "family" and that is something you just can't find at Rex Parker's blog.
What we all have in common is that we all like to construct a crossword puzzle, but this blog is much more than that. Fit in, or don't. It's your choice.
Thank you everyone; I asked for more comments, more excitement and we certainly got there.
My final comment for this topic, and this day- I really appreciate the work every constructor puts in, for without them we would have no puzzles. I do not like every theme, every fill but I like doing puzzles. I come back even after doing one I did not care for very much. I also write on blog to express my opinion, and I think everyone, especially the combatants, needs to remember one thing about opinions- they can never be wrong, because they reflect merely what one person believes. If I say that Budweiser tastes like donkey pee, and you love Budweiser, you may tell me I am foolish, but not that I am wrong, because my taste is my taste. Kazie does not like proper names, I love them because they bring me down memory lane, or they expose me to something new; but not liking them is her right. Dan does not like criticism of the effort he outs ; this is his right. Each has to understand nobody pleases everybody all of the time. We have bloggers who have been married 60 years and love each other, but I am sure they did not always agree. Puzzles are not designed with Kazie in mind, but she has her right to say what she feels. Constructors have to accept not every at bat is a home run for everybody. Sometimes, our comments are sound, and appealing, suggesting alternative fills. Sometimes we just whine. Relax, this is supposed to be fun; where else can you see nice pictures, learn new words, get recipes, jokes and develop friendships across the land without leaving home.
Dan and Kazie we love you, relax, it is truly just a game.
Rex Parker,
Please let me know where I can find the puzzles that you have constructed.
MJ
drama queens galore today and wading through the recipes, puzzle solutions, poems and whining...to get to the bottom...took ages...tough living on the west coast! I enjoyed the clues, theme, and wordplay. let's hope for a scary theme tomorrow
miguel
BOO!!
Hope I scared ya!!
IMBO
RE:Plus, it would give "Jeannie" one more person to feel superior toward. Everybody wins. (Your quote Rex...)
Wow, a celeb like yourself decided to make me feel superior towards someone. Now I know why you aren't into constructing puzzles as that sentence made no sense.
I feel special, I helped Jerome with a clue, may barter my way into getting Jeannie into the grid, (hint); defended Dan and pissed you off in the long run. If I print your post and mail it with a SAE (crossword talk...self addressed envelope) would you be so kind to sign it and send it back to me? After all
I am the 44th Greatest Crossword Puzzle Solver In The Universe!
Taken from your site...hope it didn't cost me anything.
Rex: Indeed I did. But don't be quite so quick to thank me; who knows how this might end. I hope well, but it's up to you and C.C, maybe Dennis too.
Jeannie: To set the record straight, I've never posted a thing at Rex's site. I have however followed it on and off for some time, as I have with C.C's blog. I'm not as new here as you might think, probably because I only recently decided to go blue. You've been here longer though. Anyway, you're right in that there's very much a different vibe in C.C.s blog than Rex's. I come here myself for the more relaxed crossword related discussions, but like you, I enjoy the other stuff that pops up in here as well.
Re fitting in: Sometimes I will, other times I won't; it's the curse of the independent. If (I'm reading between the lines here) you found my earlier post offensive in some way, I'm sorry, it was not intended as such. It was just my take on some of the previous comments about Rex and his site; no more, no less. Peace.
Dennis: That there's been more stuff happening behind the scenes here goes without saying. Even so, C.C. is not without recourse and can address matters and move on if she wishes.
Looks like Rex has offered her an olive branch from his post above. Here's hoping you'll all be able to patch things up between yourselves.
Wishing you all a pleasant night. C.C. and the rest of you here too.
PanGraham /anon-hp
Just to close out the discussion - for Rex to say he had "no idea" that the missing link "was an issue" is at best disingenuous and at worst a flat-out lie. I wrote to him directly twice, once as a newbie on this blog and once later, asking why he wouldn't acknowledge C.C.'s blog, as she had done with his. Of course, no answer. Oh, and I'm not the only one who asked.
Anyway, I think we're all clear now on Rex's position vis-a-vis this blog and we can now return to our regular programming.
Testing--ignore post
presidents
Post a Comment