.
Thank you, MOL. I have been the target of unwarranted name-calling and over-personalization. One habitual rulebreaker, who chose to turn some of his bile in my direction, no longer posts here. (For newbies, I'm referring to some posts in April 2015. I think it was the 20th-23rd. If you read that, please notice that Deb doesn't tolerate nonsense, so if someone targets you, please don't stop commenting here without first making sure she knows there is a problem.)
MOL, I imagine there is general agreement regarding your enlightening posts as well. And Blue Moon's posts.
Since you were so kind, MOL, I want to share this with you. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/nyregion/elizabeth-new-jersey-bombs-go... (scroll down)
In the immortal words of Lt. Col. Henry Blake, "It's nice to be nice to the nice". It's also heartwarming to be appreciated for one's efforts. Thanks.
Blue Moon, Leapfinger's only problem with wordplay is that she comes up with multiple permutations whenever she looks at text. She's trilingual and possibly quinqualingual, so she'll also use unfamiliar alphabets here. She tends to be a peacemaker rather than an inciter.
The initials thing is just blog tradition. You may have seen us call John "JFC"; that's John From Chicago. I have no idea how he feels about that. I encouraged people to call me MTF, but long-timers call me MTFT as a reminder of my change in screen names. It's truly meaningless except maybe as a bonding ritual.
Thank you, MOL. I have been the target of unwarranted name-calling and over-personalization. One habitual rulebreaker, who chose to turn some of his bile in my direction, no longer posts here. (For newbies, I'm referring to some posts in April 2015. I think it was the 20th-23rd. If you read that, please notice that Deb doesn't tolerate nonsense, so if someone targets you, please don't stop commenting here without first making sure she knows there is a problem.)
MOL, I imagine there is general agreement regarding your enlightening posts as well. And Blue Moon's posts.
Since you were so kind, MOL, I want to share this with you. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/nyregion/elizabeth-new-jersey-bombs-go... (scroll down)
In the immortal words of Lt. Col. Henry Blake, "It's nice to be nice to the nice". It's also heartwarming to be appreciated for one's efforts. Thanks.
Blue Moon, Leapfinger's only problem with wordplay is that she comes up with multiple permutations whenever she looks at text. She's trilingual and possibly quinqualingual, so she'll also use unfamiliar alphabets here. She tends to be a peacemaker rather than an inciter.
The initials thing is just blog tradition. You may have seen us call John "JFC"; that's John From Chicago. I have no idea how he feels about that. I encouraged people to call me MTF, but long-timers call me MTFT as a reminder of my change in screen names. It's truly meaningless except maybe as a bonding ritual.
1
.
How utterly strange.
MOL mentioned me in her Reply to Blue Moon, so I drafted up a Reply to MOL's Reply. (Blue Moon: "MOL" = Mean Old Lady; but she's really not old.)
That Reply disappeared in midstream, so I cobbled together another one. Now it's its own thread. That was wholly unintended.
On the plus side, technology has made all of our lives easier.
How utterly strange.
MOL mentioned me in her Reply to Blue Moon, so I drafted up a Reply to MOL's Reply. (Blue Moon: "MOL" = Mean Old Lady; but she's really not old.)
That Reply disappeared in midstream, so I cobbled together another one. Now it's its own thread. That was wholly unintended.
On the plus side, technology has made all of our lives easier.
ALAS,, MTFTOBIN, you lie.
I think 69 is old by any measure. But I still *feel* young in my mind! LOL
I think 69 is old by any measure. But I still *feel* young in my mind! LOL
Message to Leapfinger:
Recently, I have encountered the following replies from you for two of my postings:
(Wed) Sept 13 (14) “Ask Me Anything”
**
Cool sign-off, Blue Moon! Abbreved, WEE Little Newbie LAD makes me think Willy Nilly, or at least Wily Nily.
Aren't going to abbrev "Blue Moon".
(Fri) Sept 22 (23) “One Making Waves”
**
Butt *Why*?
My understanding from the curator, Deb Amlen, is that personal attacks, and in particular name-calling, are not permitted here. I have to wonder aloud why it appears that you are allowed to get away with it.
Should you choose no longer to read my posts, I can assure you that at least one of us will be the happier for it.
Recently, I have encountered the following replies from you for two of my postings:
(Wed) Sept 13 (14) “Ask Me Anything”
**
Cool sign-off, Blue Moon! Abbreved, WEE Little Newbie LAD makes me think Willy Nilly, or at least Wily Nily.
Aren't going to abbrev "Blue Moon".
(Fri) Sept 22 (23) “One Making Waves”
**
Butt *Why*?
My understanding from the curator, Deb Amlen, is that personal attacks, and in particular name-calling, are not permitted here. I have to wonder aloud why it appears that you are allowed to get away with it.
Should you choose no longer to read my posts, I can assure you that at least one of us will be the happier for it.
1
I fear you are misinterpreting Leapy's characteristic playfulness with language for insults. I've never known her to be mean.
When I watched, or skimmed, the butter ram video, my reaction was, "that's a lot of work for something that's going to be torn apart." "Butt, why?" was a punny comment that made absolute sense to me and never struck me as a personal attack on you for posting it. I am glad you found it, got a laugh from it and from Leapy's comment and am sad that you were bothered.
Similarly, I saw nothing in Leapy noticing "willy nilly" in your signoff that was meant to be an insult. Even the "BM" coda was meant to be playful, I think, and not any sort of insult.
I've noted before that social media differ from real personal contact in not allowing the winks, smiles and other gestures that accompany speech to come through. We forget how important those grace notes are in conveying meaning. It's easy to forget that, both when posting and when reading, especially when relatively new to a group.
Please stay around and that goes for Leapy as well, of course.
When I watched, or skimmed, the butter ram video, my reaction was, "that's a lot of work for something that's going to be torn apart." "Butt, why?" was a punny comment that made absolute sense to me and never struck me as a personal attack on you for posting it. I am glad you found it, got a laugh from it and from Leapy's comment and am sad that you were bothered.
Similarly, I saw nothing in Leapy noticing "willy nilly" in your signoff that was meant to be an insult. Even the "BM" coda was meant to be playful, I think, and not any sort of insult.
I've noted before that social media differ from real personal contact in not allowing the winks, smiles and other gestures that accompany speech to come through. We forget how important those grace notes are in conveying meaning. It's easy to forget that, both when posting and when reading, especially when relatively new to a group.
Please stay around and that goes for Leapy as well, of course.
5
MTF Tobin, I think most of us enjoy your postings, and it's not unusual for the more gifted among us to riff on things if inspired.
What Martin said.
What Martin said.
2
I agree with Martin, Blue.
I think most of us are delighted to have you here. I know that I have replied to you several times, always with the best of intentions, and I hope that that is how my words were read.
I also have known Leapy on this forum for a long time. As Martin says, she delights in Wordplayfulness. I won't presume to speak for her, but I've never known her to be cruel.
I think most of us are delighted to have you here. I know that I have replied to you several times, always with the best of intentions, and I hope that that is how my words were read.
I also have known Leapy on this forum for a long time. As Martin says, she delights in Wordplayfulness. I won't presume to speak for her, but I've never known her to be cruel.
2
Like many others, I had the following at first:
PALAVER (SEMINAR)
PULLEDNOPUNCHES/LAIDDOWNTHELINE (LAIDITONTHELINE)
AURORAE (STARMAP)
POZOLES (PAELLAS)
Nice puzzle!
PALAVER (SEMINAR)
PULLEDNOPUNCHES/LAIDDOWNTHELINE (LAIDITONTHELINE)
AURORAE (STARMAP)
POZOLES (PAELLAS)
Nice puzzle!
1
Hi Blue Moon,
Thanks for sharing your four "at firsts" as others have been sharing theirs. I'm one of the TVA before REA, but also a bit of SNOW before HAIL. One question, though: you wrote "Like many others, I had the following at first," but I did not see anyone, much less many others, post any of "your four" here. Did I miss some posts, or did I just misconstrue the intended meaning of your words (as I believe you have misconstrued the meaning of the words of another poster)?
Regards.
Thanks for sharing your four "at firsts" as others have been sharing theirs. I'm one of the TVA before REA, but also a bit of SNOW before HAIL. One question, though: you wrote "Like many others, I had the following at first," but I did not see anyone, much less many others, post any of "your four" here. Did I miss some posts, or did I just misconstrue the intended meaning of your words (as I believe you have misconstrued the meaning of the words of another poster)?
Regards.
3
.
Barry A.,
There may have been some deletions after Blue Moon read Comments.
Barry A.,
There may have been some deletions after Blue Moon read Comments.
Very enjoyable tough puzzle that seemed to take a long time as I struggled through it and especially in the upper right half, but which took only one minute more than Friday's. I knew "dumb as dirt" and "old as the hills" but not "old as dirt" (or "dumb as the hills," for that matter).
If the Olympic flame is ETERNAL, how come someone needs to light it every four years? I think GOSH-DARN is several levels less harsh than that word they be usin' to clue it. .JPG before .PDF, but no other electronic erasures — very unusual. Got the clever clue "Shakes" for LOSES purely from crossings. Not certain exactly why a TOTEM is a head. Nice to see both PIZZA MARGHERITA and MALALA YOUSEFZAI in the puzzle!
If the Olympic flame is ETERNAL, how come someone needs to light it every four years? I think GOSH-DARN is several levels less harsh than that word they be usin' to clue it. .JPG before .PDF, but no other electronic erasures — very unusual. Got the clever clue "Shakes" for LOSES purely from crossings. Not certain exactly why a TOTEM is a head. Nice to see both PIZZA MARGHERITA and MALALA YOUSEFZAI in the puzzle!
Oops, make that YOUSAFZAI.
Hand up for never having heard of OLD AS dirt. The hills, as you said, and Methusela.
Perhaps the hills mentioned are made of dirt, as opposes those that might be made of rock or sand.
Perhaps the hills mentioned are made of dirt, as opposes those that might be made of rock or sand.
They keep the Olympic flame in Greece, I believe. Every Olympics it travels to the competition site.
My busy social schedule this week concludes with Weird Al Yankovic in concert tonight at Radio City Music Hall, so I tackled the puzzle earlier than usual for a Saturday.
Good tough challenge from Mary Lou. Started in the SE with MEHTA and MAHRE, but I also had VROOM @29D for a while. In fact, the NE sat largely empty after the rest of the grid was filled in. MALALA was the easy part of 17A; her last name was a square-by-square battle. The clue for SCULPTOR was just wicked, and I finally got to the finish thanks to a slice of PIZZAMARGHERITA.
70s rock group ORLEANS had a bit of a country influence, despite hailing from New York. (Group leader John Hall later served as a US congressman from 2007-2011.) Their biggest hit was the sprightly "Still The One" from 1976:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5aMMRes2u4
Good tough challenge from Mary Lou. Started in the SE with MEHTA and MAHRE, but I also had VROOM @29D for a while. In fact, the NE sat largely empty after the rest of the grid was filled in. MALALA was the easy part of 17A; her last name was a square-by-square battle. The clue for SCULPTOR was just wicked, and I finally got to the finish thanks to a slice of PIZZAMARGHERITA.
70s rock group ORLEANS had a bit of a country influence, despite hailing from New York. (Group leader John Hall later served as a US congressman from 2007-2011.) Their biggest hit was the sprightly "Still The One" from 1976:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5aMMRes2u4
1
I was assuming you'd be in Central Park for the Global Citizen Festival today, Jimbo.
Or are you doing both?
Or are you doing both?
2
No, DL, just Weird Al tonight. My third rock concert in 7 days.
Jimbo, you go to rock concerts more than I read murder mysteries.
And that's goin' some.
And that's goin' some.
1
Whew, that was a wonderful workout, great long entries, wide range of subjects. Loved the clues for SCULPTOR, LIE and SIRI. I knew MALALA but had no idea of her last name - but knew all the crosses that provided it, so I learned something.
It's great hearing lately from new solvers who have been helped by Deb's Tricky Clues department. Refreshing to have new people commenting.
Rich, where are you? I did go back to Friday's comments and saw your very helpful post spelling out what I had missed. Thank you very much.
John, didn't you just get back from a vacation in Maine? And you're off again? Have a great time.
Like Deadline I thought ELIDING for skipping sounds, but TRALALA did make sense to me too. Like others I also had TVA for a long time.
If you're lurking there Mac Knight, here's thinking of you and hoping for good news.
It's great hearing lately from new solvers who have been helped by Deb's Tricky Clues department. Refreshing to have new people commenting.
Rich, where are you? I did go back to Friday's comments and saw your very helpful post spelling out what I had missed. Thank you very much.
John, didn't you just get back from a vacation in Maine? And you're off again? Have a great time.
Like Deadline I thought ELIDING for skipping sounds, but TRALALA did make sense to me too. Like others I also had TVA for a long time.
If you're lurking there Mac Knight, here's thinking of you and hoping for good news.
5
Hi Viv. Sorry. I know that's two (maybe three?) weeks in a row that I've forgotten. A lot of family stuff lately; sometimes you're reminded that you never entirely stop being parents.
I'll really try to get back on my game.
I'll really try to get back on my game.
I'm very happy to say that after about 1 year and 3/4 of solving (or trying to!) daily, I completed my first Satuday puzzle with no help from Google or checking for errors. I never thought this would be a possibility! Thanks to Deb for all the tips on learning how to getting better at solving over time and to blog posters for their comments as well!
11
Congratulations, Stephanie.
Now you're ready to start helping the newbies!
Now you're ready to start helping the newbies!
2
Happily, Deadline!
Martin, in one of my rare feats I did this puzzle without any help from Ms. Check and without any error. The last letter to go was the A in REA (which for a long time was TVA). So I gave myself a 10. Today we pack, tomorrow we travel and Monday we sunbathe by the pool or ocean. Have a great week everyone!
1
Quite an honor.
Have a good trip, wherever you're going.
Have a good trip, wherever you're going.
26 hits today. Due to the circumstance of a short blog curtailed at both ends, maybe your reveal should come with Sunday's puzzle as well.
Stick to parallel. If uneven, more likely to fall down.
Just right for a Saturday. MEHTA gave me a place to Zubin to the puzzle.
2
"Ladder" was the entry point for me. Good puzzle! My second-ever Saturday success.
3
Opened the puzzle and saw four intersecting 15s. Be still my heart! What a wonderful way to start the weekend. (And now I'm all jazzed about what we might expect from the Sunday.)
I loved seeing the name of that remarkable little girl, now young woman, but I confess I had never even tried to remember how to spell it. I had enough trouble remembering how to pronounce it. Maybe I'll do better now.
First real toeholds came from other proper names--ANAIS and MEHTA. LEM Stanislaw rings a bell, but I've never read his work.
I wanted LOAFERS for the easy shoes. I think of STEP-INS as what women's panties were called during the 1920s or '30s. I'm thinking I get that from Thorne Smith.
Wanted ELIDING for [Skipping sounds], and I still don't understand that as a clue for TRA-LA-LA.
Thought of a gun before a beer at 5D. Shame on me.
Read the comments only in little pieces, because I was watching the dedication of the new Museum of African American History and Culture. It was magnificent, especially the incredibly moving and inspiring speeches by John Lewis and President Obama. Tears inevitable at the ringing of the Freedom Bell.
"CBS This Morning" did its whole show from there a few days ago, and it looks just amazing, from the exhibits to the architecture. I don't travel (basically won't go anywhere I can't get to on a Manhattan bus), but I may have to make an exception and get down to D.C.
I loved seeing the name of that remarkable little girl, now young woman, but I confess I had never even tried to remember how to spell it. I had enough trouble remembering how to pronounce it. Maybe I'll do better now.
First real toeholds came from other proper names--ANAIS and MEHTA. LEM Stanislaw rings a bell, but I've never read his work.
I wanted LOAFERS for the easy shoes. I think of STEP-INS as what women's panties were called during the 1920s or '30s. I'm thinking I get that from Thorne Smith.
Wanted ELIDING for [Skipping sounds], and I still don't understand that as a clue for TRA-LA-LA.
Thought of a gun before a beer at 5D. Shame on me.
Read the comments only in little pieces, because I was watching the dedication of the new Museum of African American History and Culture. It was magnificent, especially the incredibly moving and inspiring speeches by John Lewis and President Obama. Tears inevitable at the ringing of the Freedom Bell.
"CBS This Morning" did its whole show from there a few days ago, and it looks just amazing, from the exhibits to the architecture. I don't travel (basically won't go anywhere I can't get to on a Manhattan bus), but I may have to make an exception and get down to D.C.
2
D/L -- Skipping as in the physical activity. Sounds as in sounds you make while skipping.
I did think of the physical activity, but I still don't get it.
I don't remember making any kinds of sounds while skipping. Granted, last time I did it was quite a while ago.
Of course, we did have chants while jumping rope, which I think some people call "skipping" rope. But I think they were rhymes or counting or something like that, not TRA-LA-LA.
We also skipped along the sidewalk onto chalked-out sections when playing hopscotch, but I think what we mostly said was "oops."
I don't remember making any kinds of sounds while skipping. Granted, last time I did it was quite a while ago.
Of course, we did have chants while jumping rope, which I think some people call "skipping" rope. But I think they were rhymes or counting or something like that, not TRA-LA-LA.
We also skipped along the sidewalk onto chalked-out sections when playing hopscotch, but I think what we mostly said was "oops."
Honestly, DL, I think it was what 'Crossword Guys' thought of as rope-skipping phrases (or whatever)....much like what such guys think of as 'stuffing for quilts.' They simply failed to check with a large population of Others.
I will try to state my one major criticism of this otherwise enjoyable puzzle as objectively as possible. I firmly believe that if you are going to put something like MALALAYOUSAFAZAI in a puzzle, you owe it to your solvers to make certain EVERY cross is an non-proper, ENGLISH word. For those of us without humanities degrees, ANAIS is not a gimmee, but simply a vowel guessing game. Is it MALALO? MALALU? MALALI? How would you know? And REA. Again, unless you happen to already know that one, why couldn't it just as easily end in an O for "Organization", instead of A for "Administration"? How would I know that MALALA is an actual name, but MALOLO isn't? Maybe it is! So to repeat, if you're going to use a proper name like MALALAYOUSAFZAI, in my opinion there should be no crossing it with ANOTHER non-English proper name, and no use of arbitrary 3-letter organizations.
Other than that mess, I found the puzzle tough, but solvabl
Other than that mess, I found the puzzle tough, but solvabl
Sorry, didn't mean to include that last line.
1
.
While I can't blame someone for being irritated about Naticks [proper noun with unknown letters because the crossing words that would yield such letters are known to less than 25% of the solving community], I think a recommendation is in order:
Presuming you are of age (we've had 16-year-olds posting here), check out the works of ANAIS Nin. And even if you don't do that, memorize NIN for puzzles. She hung out with a lot of talented people, and wrote about them. If you prefer film, see "Henry and June". (Warning: NSFW; possibly NC-17.) The Henry is Henry Miller.
While I can't blame someone for being irritated about Naticks [proper noun with unknown letters because the crossing words that would yield such letters are known to less than 25% of the solving community], I think a recommendation is in order:
Presuming you are of age (we've had 16-year-olds posting here), check out the works of ANAIS Nin. And even if you don't do that, memorize NIN for puzzles. She hung out with a lot of talented people, and wrote about them. If you prefer film, see "Henry and June". (Warning: NSFW; possibly NC-17.) The Henry is Henry Miller.
Had the comments been enabled last night, I would have written then that this was one of the easier Saturday puzzles and that I finished it pretty quickly. Still it was fun.
1
Finally, Saturday comments are open! So I'll repost what I put on Friday's blog...
Raise your hand if you could spell MALALA YOUSAFZAI correctly without looking it up.
.
.
.
Liar.
Raise your hand if you could spell MALALA YOUSAFZAI correctly without looking it up.
.
.
.
Liar.
5
I spelled it correctly without looking it up.
I had to get all the crosses, but I didn't look it up!
I had to get all the crosses, but I didn't look it up!
2
Got my Saturday fix -- toughness, aha's, and learnings in a puzzle with the feel of quality: Low on junk, and lots of plusses.
* Two favorite clues: SIRI, LIE.
* Three favorite answers: ALL_KIDDING_ASIDE, CODE_RED, THRUM.
* I learned "firedog".
* For some reason I love the cross of CODE_RED and GOSH_DARN.
* I absolutely love the symmetrical SLIPPER/STEP_INS.
This is what I pay the big bucks for. Thank you greatly, MLG!
* Two favorite clues: SIRI, LIE.
* Three favorite answers: ALL_KIDDING_ASIDE, CODE_RED, THRUM.
* I learned "firedog".
* For some reason I love the cross of CODE_RED and GOSH_DARN.
* I absolutely love the symmetrical SLIPPER/STEP_INS.
This is what I pay the big bucks for. Thank you greatly, MLG!
2
.
Re SLIPPER/STEP_INS:
I know there are STEP_INS that aren't SLIPPERs.
But aren't all SLIPPERs STEP_INS/SLIP_ONS? Possible duplication ...
Re SLIPPER/STEP_INS:
I know there are STEP_INS that aren't SLIPPERs.
But aren't all SLIPPERs STEP_INS/SLIP_ONS? Possible duplication ...
1
When a clue like 46a in today's puzzle includes my screen name, I feel it's incumbent upon me to write in and comment. Either this was this a little easier than usual than usual for a Saturday or my solving skills at improving. I hope it's the LADDER.
My only lookup was to confirm that I had spelled Malala's last name correctly. I got MALALA right away, was pretty sure her last name was YOUSAFsomething, and got the last threee letters with crosses. The Y helped turn on a light bulb for PSYCHO, the other music-related clue in the puzzle (unless you include TRALALA, which I don't).
I solved the other three 15-letter monsters in clockwise order, and got that wonderful little adrenaline rush with each one. That's why I love the Saturday puzzles!
I was puzzled by the "Bull Run victors" clue since there were two battles there and in my dim (and incorrect) memory I thought each side won one. REBS fit better than anything I could think of for the Union army even though the clue didn't seem to suggest a nickname and I knew the South had at least won one of them, so I went with that. It turned out useful to give me SEMINAR and ORBITAL.
I also remember that the Bull Run battles are also called the Battles of Manassas and that one name is preferred by the South and the other by the North, but a quick Wikipedia search didn't confirm that. Does anyone know anything about that?
My only lookup was to confirm that I had spelled Malala's last name correctly. I got MALALA right away, was pretty sure her last name was YOUSAFsomething, and got the last threee letters with crosses. The Y helped turn on a light bulb for PSYCHO, the other music-related clue in the puzzle (unless you include TRALALA, which I don't).
I solved the other three 15-letter monsters in clockwise order, and got that wonderful little adrenaline rush with each one. That's why I love the Saturday puzzles!
I was puzzled by the "Bull Run victors" clue since there were two battles there and in my dim (and incorrect) memory I thought each side won one. REBS fit better than anything I could think of for the Union army even though the clue didn't seem to suggest a nickname and I knew the South had at least won one of them, so I went with that. It turned out useful to give me SEMINAR and ORBITAL.
I also remember that the Bull Run battles are also called the Battles of Manassas and that one name is preferred by the South and the other by the North, but a quick Wikipedia search didn't confirm that. Does anyone know anything about that?
1
The South tended to name battles after towns (Manassas or Sharpsburg, for example), while the North tended to name them from rivers or streams (such as Bull Run or Antietam Creek). But that wasn't always the case. Both sides referred to the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg (among others) by the names of towns, and Chickamauga (among others?) by the name of a creek.
2
.
Alan J's got it correct.
I just wanted to defend the South's acceptance of "Gettysburg" as a battle name. If there's a river around there, it wasn't the object of fighting (contrast Antietam Creek, where great masses of men died contesting a short footbridge).
By the old warrior-gentleman's code that the victor earns the right to name the battle, it seems to me that the REBs won Manassas and lost Bull Run. But I've only ever seen the 2 referred to as either Battles of Manassas or Battles of Bull Run.
My mother was born in Murfreesboro, TN. There was one major battle there (named in the manner described by Alan J.) but a few skirmishes. I long ago opted not to try memorizing the names.
Alan J's got it correct.
I just wanted to defend the South's acceptance of "Gettysburg" as a battle name. If there's a river around there, it wasn't the object of fighting (contrast Antietam Creek, where great masses of men died contesting a short footbridge).
By the old warrior-gentleman's code that the victor earns the right to name the battle, it seems to me that the REBs won Manassas and lost Bull Run. But I've only ever seen the 2 referred to as either Battles of Manassas or Battles of Bull Run.
My mother was born in Murfreesboro, TN. There was one major battle there (named in the manner described by Alan J.) but a few skirmishes. I long ago opted not to try memorizing the names.
A Saturday-worthy treat. Tough, but doable. Great debut entry for Ms. YOUSAFZAI, a name highly deserving of our learning how to spell.
My wheelhouse yielded up PSYCHO as a gimme, Hitchcock fan as I am. Here are the opening credits, in which Bernard Hermann's incisive "overture" for string orchestra, along with Saul Bass's broken horizontals in the graphic design, set the scene for the unsettled madness which will ensue.
https://youtu.be/NggorGo6LEg
For fans who like insightful film analysis, here is an intriguing discussion about how Hitchcock manipulates the audience in PSYCHO, particularly how he manages to change our sympathies from one character to another. (Warning: SPOILERS for those who've never seen the film. It's worth seeing the film first, and this later.)
https://youtu.be/xm-9E275D9c
My wheelhouse yielded up PSYCHO as a gimme, Hitchcock fan as I am. Here are the opening credits, in which Bernard Hermann's incisive "overture" for string orchestra, along with Saul Bass's broken horizontals in the graphic design, set the scene for the unsettled madness which will ensue.
https://youtu.be/NggorGo6LEg
For fans who like insightful film analysis, here is an intriguing discussion about how Hitchcock manipulates the audience in PSYCHO, particularly how he manages to change our sympathies from one character to another. (Warning: SPOILERS for those who've never seen the film. It's worth seeing the film first, and this later.)
https://youtu.be/xm-9E275D9c
1
Sorry. I misspelled Herrmann. Two R's, two N's. Another name worthy of spelling correctly.
.
Herrmann was a maestro of scoring films!
As to hard-to-spell names of Nobel Peace Prize winners, anyone aggrieved by MALALA's name may want to check out the birth name of Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta).
Herrmann was a maestro of scoring films!
As to hard-to-spell names of Nobel Peace Prize winners, anyone aggrieved by MALALA's name may want to check out the birth name of Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta).
Continuing from my last post, some of the things I've learned from reading comments and Deb's column include things like trying to pay attention to word construction. Some times I can predict if a letter is more likely a vowel due to some of the letters I might have filled in around it. Also, looking at how the word is clued can be helpful, is it a plural - might end in "s"; a comparative - might end in "er" or "est"; clued in the past - might end in "ed". In yesterday's puzzle e.g., the clue for 14A suggested that the answer ended in"ING" which I entered at the end though I didn't know the final answer was WOMANIZING. The "G" helped me come up with the answer for 15D GOPRO. Even with this progress I still have lots to learn as evidenced by my total incomprehension on the clue for 62A Jazz combo. Jeez, I thought, once I looked up the answer - what was that term for a smack on the forehead we had a while back?
Another technique I find helpful - especially with the longer, Sunday puzzles - is when I get stuck in an area and nothing seems to be working I erase anything I'm not very confident about and start over. Much easier done on the electronic platforms in which I solve than paper, I know. It almost always breaks the log jam and I'm on my way again. YMMV. Enjoy your weekend!
Another technique I find helpful - especially with the longer, Sunday puzzles - is when I get stuck in an area and nothing seems to be working I erase anything I'm not very confident about and start over. Much easier done on the electronic platforms in which I solve than paper, I know. It almost always breaks the log jam and I'm on my way again. YMMV. Enjoy your weekend!
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Joe, you reminded me that I'd meant to comment that I found Rich's hints useful and yours as well. I also think you are the person who told me how to enlarge the print in the comments. I thanked you at the time but never saw your name again. Anyway I'm am extremely grateful as it works perfectly.
Deb, I would have found your hints quite useful when I first started doing the puzzles, so I hope the newbies do as well.
Deb, I would have found your hints quite useful when I first started doing the puzzles, so I hope the newbies do as well.
3
Thanks, Suejean! Glad you found the print tip useful. I'm an infrequent poster and I recently changed my account name so that might be why. Cheers!
1
I too began the day reading yesterdays comments and am inspired to post after reading RIA’s post on his solving experience and Deb’s request for feedback. I’ve probably said some of these things before as Just_Joe so I hope you will please forgive any repetition. If you’re not interested in reading about my solving experience then move along - nothing to see here.
I used to only solve M-W puzzles but then a veteran solver encouraged me to try Thursdays so I did and after a while - with a few lookups here and there - I began to get better needing fewer and fewer visits to Dr. Google. with my improved skills I started trying Fridays with little success until I discovered an interesting technique. I would go through the pixel across and down and after getting maybe one or two of the shorter words but not being able to build off of them I started reading Deb’s column and then go back to the puzzle and usually finish it.
After about a month or so I found after my first passes that I no longer needed to read Deb’s column to finish - I could pretty much do it on my own. Now, after almost a year, I’m solving every day and thoroughly enjoying myself and of course always reading Deb’s column and almost always the great comments section.
I’ve learned a lot form you all and wanted to express my gratitude. Thanks!
As for what I've learned, it will have to be another post as I'm quickly running out of space here.
I used to only solve M-W puzzles but then a veteran solver encouraged me to try Thursdays so I did and after a while - with a few lookups here and there - I began to get better needing fewer and fewer visits to Dr. Google. with my improved skills I started trying Fridays with little success until I discovered an interesting technique. I would go through the pixel across and down and after getting maybe one or two of the shorter words but not being able to build off of them I started reading Deb’s column and then go back to the puzzle and usually finish it.
After about a month or so I found after my first passes that I no longer needed to read Deb’s column to finish - I could pretty much do it on my own. Now, after almost a year, I’m solving every day and thoroughly enjoying myself and of course always reading Deb’s column and almost always the great comments section.
I’ve learned a lot form you all and wanted to express my gratitude. Thanks!
As for what I've learned, it will have to be another post as I'm quickly running out of space here.
8
Thanks so much for posting that, Joe.
It's very interesting to see how people tackle projects, and learning how to do XWPs is a project. (I think I started doing them in utero, and don't really remember how I learned.)
It's very interesting to see how people tackle projects, and learning how to do XWPs is a project. (I think I started doing them in utero, and don't really remember how I learned.)
2
Thanks DL. Glad to have something interesting to post! I think I caught the crossword bug from my Mom who used to order the Sunday NYT paper just so she could do the puzzle, back in the day before all the gadgets appeared. Not sure how she would feel about solving on an iPad....
DL, you must have had a very accommodating mother.
One of the few Saturday puzzles I manage to finish Friday night and I can't get on to crow. Eesh. But a good one, except for the THRUM which sounded more like something from guitar strings than an engine.
1
I liked THRUM and got it quite quickly since I had MEHTA and PURGED.
I've heard references to engines "THRUMming along."
I've heard references to engines "THRUMming along."
Wags — I think of the cool word THRUM as the sound of fingers, er, drumming on a table. But not so much the sound of an engine.
I was pretty happy to have my engine THRob.
How do the emus feel about "Frickin'"?
This is a test.
This is a test.
1
I'd say the emus are frickin' fickle.
This is only a test.
This is only a test.
No one answered my question about FU MANCHU either. Could it be that the emus can now recognize context?
Okay, if this is the test thread:
My grandma made butter balls. (It is now 12:16 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016.)
My grandma made butter balls. (It is now 12:16 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016.)
1
I figured I was probably in for a workout early on in this one. I knew exactly who 17a referred to, I just had no idea at all what her name was. I'm sure I read it at some point but I also knew I had never filed it away. It just wasn't in there. So that was a lot of letters that were going to have to come just from the crosses. I didn't get all of them. Had also never heard of PIZZAMARGHERITA, but was able to work that one out (at least both halves were familiar).
Actually had an unusually high number of toeholds early on with ANAIS, LEM, MAHRE, MEHTA (took me a while for that one) and guesses at GOSHDARN and ETERNAL. Should have been enough but I got hung up in a couple of places. Never heard of firedog and don't recall THRUM (especially related to engines). Forgot about dogs fetching SLIPPERS and was never close to getting SCULPTOR. I've forgotten the rest.
Still a very nice puzzle - 17a is my fault and if the puzzle did nothing else besides implanting that name in my brain, it was worthwhile.
I was a little struck by the grid layout, but didn't realize until I read the blog post that Mary Lou linked that it had such an unusually low black square count - tied with the lowest in the pre-Shortz era. I assume there must have been lower totals later on. I suppose I've seen references before to constructors starting with a grid pattern rather than some seed entries, but it's not the way I would have suspected that puzzles were constructed. Interesting.
Actually had an unusually high number of toeholds early on with ANAIS, LEM, MAHRE, MEHTA (took me a while for that one) and guesses at GOSHDARN and ETERNAL. Should have been enough but I got hung up in a couple of places. Never heard of firedog and don't recall THRUM (especially related to engines). Forgot about dogs fetching SLIPPERS and was never close to getting SCULPTOR. I've forgotten the rest.
Still a very nice puzzle - 17a is my fault and if the puzzle did nothing else besides implanting that name in my brain, it was worthwhile.
I was a little struck by the grid layout, but didn't realize until I read the blog post that Mary Lou linked that it had such an unusually low black square count - tied with the lowest in the pre-Shortz era. I assume there must have been lower totals later on. I suppose I've seen references before to constructors starting with a grid pattern rather than some seed entries, but it's not the way I would have suspected that puzzles were constructed. Interesting.
1
After my usual round of logins - I am here.
ANDIRON: How long might it take to recall a word common in any WASP household ((where some (Hi Sis!) even collect Firedogs)) - far too long.
We use Tannerite in our Thanksgiving Barbie Shoot. This year I scored a Barbie dream kitchen oven and you can guess where the big bang will come from. Anyway CORDITE came as a result of that bit.
New news for me was 17A. The name TICKLES some gray cells but sadly my neurotransmitters are on holiday.
THRUM was the only groaner.
Mary, thanks this one bounced from Monopoly to wine to fun food - felt like one of our Friday night family fun-fests from days of yore.
ANDIRON: How long might it take to recall a word common in any WASP household ((where some (Hi Sis!) even collect Firedogs)) - far too long.
We use Tannerite in our Thanksgiving Barbie Shoot. This year I scored a Barbie dream kitchen oven and you can guess where the big bang will come from. Anyway CORDITE came as a result of that bit.
New news for me was 17A. The name TICKLES some gray cells but sadly my neurotransmitters are on holiday.
THRUM was the only groaner.
Mary, thanks this one bounced from Monopoly to wine to fun food - felt like one of our Friday night family fun-fests from days of yore.
3
I like the idea of a Barbie shoot, if you're gonna have any kind of a shoot.
I had to look up Tannerite, and apparently it explodes. How about using something made of foam? Or even paint balls.
I had to look up Tannerite, and apparently it explodes. How about using something made of foam? Or even paint balls.
What? TWO comments is all? Someone asleep at the switch, or else the Emus have gotten very, very strict. Well, after a puzzle with the clue "Frickin', " I am not surprised.
I put in VROOM for the Engine sound, because Zubin MEHTA was my first entry, and that headache persisted until I could achieve a cure.
Thanks to Stanislav LEM (super writer, even if you don't love sci fi) and ANAIS Nin for helpful toe-holds.
Tried giving the TVA credit for generating electricity, but finally recalled the Rural Electrification project.
Have about half+ of the Saturday Stumper done. I just want to thank Brad Wilber for the clue at 52A: perfect!
I put in VROOM for the Engine sound, because Zubin MEHTA was my first entry, and that headache persisted until I could achieve a cure.
Thanks to Stanislav LEM (super writer, even if you don't love sci fi) and ANAIS Nin for helpful toe-holds.
Tried giving the TVA credit for generating electricity, but finally recalled the Rural Electrification project.
Have about half+ of the Saturday Stumper done. I just want to thank Brad Wilber for the clue at 52A: perfect!
1
LEM should have been a gimme, but I had LEV and thus "ventor".
Hand up for wanting TVA, but had REA in my mental maybe file because the V made me nervous.
Repost from an hour ago in the Friday comments...
I was hoping to find the Saturday comments working when I checked back nine hours later, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Guess I'm comment here.
1. Great puzzle (as I said last night). Good cluing, solid fill, enjoyable misdirects (clue for sculptor was my favorite). This one really LAID IT ON THE LINE. It is also the first time that I "knew" a 15-letter answer but needed the crosses to spell every single letter of it. Brava!
2. Re: SHIPS. My older daughter took a college history course called "U.S. History: the Cold War Era." I looked at the course description and said "Oh, current events." Whether WWII was in your U.S. (or World) History class or current events, I hope you remember that USS Arizona has been sitting on the bottom of Pearl Harbor since December 7, 1941. You might also remember that the Japanese surrender papers were signed in Tokyo Bay on the deck of USS Missouri. (And I don't think you need to be a military ship buff to know that both battleships were built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.)
I was hoping to find the Saturday comments working when I checked back nine hours later, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Guess I'm comment here.
1. Great puzzle (as I said last night). Good cluing, solid fill, enjoyable misdirects (clue for sculptor was my favorite). This one really LAID IT ON THE LINE. It is also the first time that I "knew" a 15-letter answer but needed the crosses to spell every single letter of it. Brava!
2. Re: SHIPS. My older daughter took a college history course called "U.S. History: the Cold War Era." I looked at the course description and said "Oh, current events." Whether WWII was in your U.S. (or World) History class or current events, I hope you remember that USS Arizona has been sitting on the bottom of Pearl Harbor since December 7, 1941. You might also remember that the Japanese surrender papers were signed in Tokyo Bay on the deck of USS Missouri. (And I don't think you need to be a military ship buff to know that both battleships were built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.)
2
American History class in HS didn't quite make it to WWII, and in fact World History wasn't much better. In college, ditto. I think the teachers/professors simply failed to pace themselves appropriately; for instance, I can still name major battles in the Revolutionary War (Fallen Timbers, Yorktown, blah blah)--pretty unnecessary!
I agree that the choice of SHIPS was poignant.
I agree that the choice of SHIPS was poignant.
1
My late father-in-law was present at the bombing of Pearl Harbor (on the Maryland) and in Tokyo Bay during the surrender (on the Iowa).
I've sometimes wondered if shipyards always delivered new ships with all the armaments installed, or if on occasion the navy preferred to do that themselves after the fact. I guess if that ever happened, they would have to include the notice: Batteries not included.
I've sometimes wondered if shipyards always delivered new ships with all the armaments installed, or if on occasion the navy preferred to do that themselves after the fact. I guess if that ever happened, they would have to include the notice: Batteries not included.
5
"Batteries not included on a ship" commented a salt.
So you did do it (so to speak), Deb
I can't seem get to the comments, but will start writing mine anyway.
I started the day by catching up with the Friday comments. Lots of interesting threads,( like the tennis one) cute panda pictures and advice from DL about flu shots. I do always get one, but will wait until I get back from California. My cold is already better.
Today's puzzle. I started right off with Margherita pizza and very pleased with that until nothing worked. I think it was the ZIN that put me right.
I was pretty sure that the young Noble prize winner was the courageous young Pakistani girl, but had no idea what her name was so that did need virtually all the crosses, but what a great entry!
As usual I enjoyed getting the nice long fills, almost like a theme, not so keen on sounds like the Engine sound as I can never get to grips with the spelling, but that is a small price to pay for a fine and interesting Saturday puzzle. I'd like to see more Saturdays from Mary Lou.
I can't seem get to the comments, but will start writing mine anyway.
I started the day by catching up with the Friday comments. Lots of interesting threads,( like the tennis one) cute panda pictures and advice from DL about flu shots. I do always get one, but will wait until I get back from California. My cold is already better.
Today's puzzle. I started right off with Margherita pizza and very pleased with that until nothing worked. I think it was the ZIN that put me right.
I was pretty sure that the young Noble prize winner was the courageous young Pakistani girl, but had no idea what her name was so that did need virtually all the crosses, but what a great entry!
As usual I enjoyed getting the nice long fills, almost like a theme, not so keen on sounds like the Engine sound as I can never get to grips with the spelling, but that is a small price to pay for a fine and interesting Saturday puzzle. I'd like to see more Saturdays from Mary Lou.
3
Sorry about that, everyone. I forgot to enable comments, but everything should be O.K. now.
Hey Deb,
{Stuff} happens...to all of us. A thought: Since emus watch everything we post, perhaps the Times could program one to notice and sound an alert when people use the words "Saturday puzzle" in the comments on the Friday puzzle.
{Stuff} happens...to all of us. A thought: Since emus watch everything we post, perhaps the Times could program one to notice and sound an alert when people use the words "Saturday puzzle" in the comments on the Friday puzzle.
You crack me up, Barry.
So, the default must be "No comment." So, the NYT is political after all!
Inspired by watching Nadia Comăneci outshine defending Olympic champion Olga Korbut on television at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Retton took up gymnastics.
In 1984, Retton suffered a knee injury when, forcing her to undergo an operation five weeks prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics. She recovered just in time for the Olympics in Los Angeles. In the competition, Retton was engaged in a close battle with Ecaterina Szabo of Romania for the all-around gold medal. Trailing Szabo (after uneven bars and balance beam) by 0.15 with two events to go, Retton scored perfect 10s on floor exercise and vault — the last event in an especially dramatic fashion. Retton won the all-around gold medal by 0.05 points, becoming the first American to receive the all-around gold medal. She also became the first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the individual all-around gold. For her performance, she was named Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportswoman of the Year". She appeared on a Wheaties box, and became the cereal's first official spokeswoman.