tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post3263076844356918833..comments2024-01-25T10:14:06.567-08:00Comments on L.A. Crossword Confidential: FRIDAY, October 23, 2009 — Merle BakerOrangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-81035773923441131452009-10-24T10:02:40.326-07:002009-10-24T10:02:40.326-07:00Clueless...I was absolutely clueless with this the...Clueless...I was absolutely clueless with this theme. Even after I finished it, I could not make the connection between piglatin and leaving out "ix." Sigh. Thank God for this blog, where I can finally fill in the holes in my brain!choirwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313061449653927397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-64563232247205910452009-10-23T20:49:37.885-07:002009-10-23T20:49:37.885-07:00@Split I - You made my day. Everyone loves nona. I...@Split I - You made my day. Everyone loves nona. I actually loved my mother-in-law, Natalie, who died a couple years ago at 94. Sicilian from Bagheria, a suburb of Palermo.<br /><br />@Burner 10 - was it awful? Are you young? It looks like they may be right this time about H1N1 being like the 1918, killing the young because their immune systems overreacted. Apollinaire died of it and he was a big strapping fellow. Also Edmond Rostand, Egon Schiele (has appeared in our crosswords), Max Weber, and the Fatima witnesses. The second wave (will we have one?) was worse, and the flu should have been called the Kansas flu. A younger guy who insisted on visiting caught it from my g'pa and died.Sfinginoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-39284023299478942122009-10-23T20:10:05.596-07:002009-10-23T20:10:05.596-07:00One of the best LAT puzzles I have done in a long ...One of the best LAT puzzles I have done in a long time! <br /><br />There were two references to Idaho, and even though I lived in Boise for two years, I only know about Gonzaga because of a basketball-playing nephew.<br /><br />Loved "Sideways"! Haven't had Merlot since I saw it (not).machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-813157506608284222009-10-23T20:03:44.495-07:002009-10-23T20:03:44.495-07:00Hooray! I got swined on Tues, fever broke this mor...Hooray! I got swined on Tues, fever broke this morning and all day at home with no headache to noodle through this happy puzzle. Have been unable to post, but sign me on for most of the sentiments expressed today.Burner10noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-90322449767586892222009-10-23T19:41:14.011-07:002009-10-23T19:41:14.011-07:00Sfingi -- your posts are consistently wonderful an...Sfingi -- your posts are consistently wonderful and funny -- but double ZZ in Italian can veer toward 'ts' or 'tz' depending on locality. Both are considered correct. One grandmother says it one way and one of the others pronounces it differently, but they never fail to communicate with each other, compete for best insalata mista, or to complain about my bad accent. They really should have their own TV show.<br /><br />This d@~n phone has no spell check, so forgive me for any bad typing errors.split infinitivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-90150329309667754702009-10-23T18:49:58.763-07:002009-10-23T18:49:58.763-07:00though I finished, and Googled only to verify a co...though I finished, and Googled only to verify a couple of things, I'm still having theme problems. Same problem as @Bohica - I knew what Baker was trying to do with DONQUOTE, but couldn't create sentences with IX stuck in for all of them. "Swinging" was not a '60s word.<br /><br />I thought I was the notable 1969 bride, and still married (to the same guy). Some said Chapman should have aimed a little to the side of Lennon.<br /><br />Never heard of LOMPOC, EMI, the "The Polo Grounds, EVAN Hunter."<br /><br />St. Luigi Gonzaga, 16th century Jesuit who died of plague while caring for sufferers (not savorers. Check out funny asksistermarymartha.blogspot.com<br /><br />I know how much some hate using "re" or "un" at the begining and "er" at the end of verbs. How about unsavorer or resavorer to really get us to clench our teeth.<br /><br />@Wayne - finally figured out BTW - too bad for youse guys! I thought it was Booker T Washington. <br /><br />@Joon - BTW - in Italian, double z indicates the sound "tz" (think pizza); so I'd have to go with pizaz, or you (I) might feel pressed to say pitzatz.Sfinginoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-89828718512871487952009-10-23T18:26:37.979-07:002009-10-23T18:26:37.979-07:00Uh oh, "turn of phrase" was what I meant...Uh oh, "turn of phrase" was what I meant. I am not very good at typing on someone else's mobile phone.split infinitivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-14987377669895527442009-10-23T18:21:41.525-07:002009-10-23T18:21:41.525-07:00Rex.
"Balloon drop" is a stunning turn o...Rex.<br />"Balloon drop" is a stunning turn or phrase, Both Ann Meara and Uma Thurman (or their signatory proxies) really do respond to email. I was amazed. I can just barely get distant cousins to reply but some celebrities do write back.<br /><br />You realize that the first half of your pen name is X-Ray in Pig Latin, right?<br /><br />Very glad to see a tougher puzzle today. Mr. Norris must be be happy to restart doing what he is so good at. Took some doing but we solved it without harming innocent bystanders or using online help. A few too many place names, maybe, but very few complaints!split infinitivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-5109102726427947832009-10-23T16:19:12.208-07:002009-10-23T16:19:12.208-07:00PS Forget to mention that Emo Philips is playing ...PS Forget to mention that Emo Philips is playing a comedy club in my neighborhood this weekend. Yes! Emo Philips of crossword fame!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08341231728699840926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-85413460806562769032009-10-23T16:18:08.186-07:002009-10-23T16:18:08.186-07:00Am I the only one who uses "go figure" m...Am I the only one who uses "go figure" more in an ironic sense (instead of "Duh" or "Imagine that") rather than meaning "I don't get it?" For example, you tell me your child loves candy -- I respond "Huh, go figure." The clotheshorse says she was out shopping? "Go figure."Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08341231728699840926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-963380564767531972009-10-23T15:33:32.512-07:002009-10-23T15:33:32.512-07:00I have had a subscription to the L.A. Times since ...I have had a subscription to the L.A. Times since I first moved out here in 1989. Today was weird because I did not receive my paper. Apparently, the L.A. Times has struck a deal with the Orange County Register in which the same delivery person will now deliver both papers to their respective subscribers. Well, they screwed up today and gave me the O.C. Register. I was very irritated as you can imagine. So, I remember you all talking about how you go on line to do the puzzle so I tried it. It was odd at first but I got used to it & actually liked that it told me when I was wrong. BTW, I don't normally time myself when doing the puzzles but the online version does. It took me 46 minutes to do it. I told you I was slow. We attempted to subscribe to the online version but the paper gave us a better deal. They seem not to want people to go to the online version which would be fine for me - I'd like to save some trees. BTW, the O.C. Register is BORING!, but it has 3 crossword puzzles.Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165259499917393643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-19990828819824605092009-10-23T14:38:50.073-07:002009-10-23T14:38:50.073-07:00We should not be surprised if this Saturday's ...We should not be surprised if this Saturday's puzzle is on the easy side, or if next week's puzzles are. Editor Rich Norris told me we'd see the changes in November, so there may be some "aw, man, too easy" puzzles in the interim.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-75895749422582270242009-10-23T14:32:02.718-07:002009-10-23T14:32:02.718-07:00Great puzzle. I'll be interested to see tomorr...Great puzzle. I'll be interested to see tomorrow's themeless entry now that the difficulty level has bee raised somewhat.wilschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03802249288894232148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-14421753433830526032009-10-23T13:03:47.566-07:002009-10-23T13:03:47.566-07:00great write-up and super puzzle; thank you LAT and...great write-up and super puzzle; thank you LAT and please keep up the fine work<br /><br />Only now, after reading RP's write-up and comments like ddbmc and @bohica;s above, do I really "get" the theme and realize just how clever it is...answers with IX taken out!; wow, a lot of thought and creativity went into this construction--<br /><br />Elsewhere: loved LOMPOC (locale in W.C. Fields' classic "The Bank Dick"); GOFIGURE (an expression I've actually had to use in court on rare occasion when at an absolute loss for words; it always get a healthy response), EPICURES; GONZAGA; ASTRAY; CAISSONS...thanks LAT and RPCharles Boglenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-36086974723148433592009-10-23T12:28:19.744-07:002009-10-23T12:28:19.744-07:00@Anony12:09 - MISTERFIT is a health nut (Mr. Fit),...@Anony12:09 - MISTERFIT is a health nut (Mr. Fit), which replaces Mister Fixit (which is a real phrase) by having the IX taken out.<br /><br />I would like to think that in the great majority of cases, there wasn't sneering going on, just an honest appreciation for a variation in solving difficulty through the week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-86492437739709058342009-10-23T12:27:05.035-07:002009-10-23T12:27:05.035-07:00Thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle, even though I didn...Thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle, even though I didn't get the theme until the reveal answer. I new it was a "missing letters" theme at DONQUOTE, but couldn't figure what was missing from the others. Even then I couldn't put the ix in NONTAPES (until I came here) Doh!<br /><br />Loved the eight letter answers in the SW (except SAVORERS). I always thought it was wailed on too. Now I have a picture in my mind of Jonah smitin' him some Philistines with an orca!<br /><br />Thanks for the nice write-up Rex, you were almost pleasant, I haven't heard you glow this much in like forever it seems.<br /><br />Thanks also to Merle Baker, Rich Norris and the LAT editors.<br /><br />I think a ticker-tape parade is in order!Bohicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338679493627934067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-18724574481430849102009-10-23T12:12:28.072-07:002009-10-23T12:12:28.072-07:00@PARSAN
I agree about the formation of pig latin, ...@PARSAN<br />I agree about the formation of pig latin, and this puzzle breaks the sow's language. IXNAY is not NAY with an IX added, in pig latin, but is NIX with AY added. So I kept looking for how to add AY to the end of the theme answers. But the puzzle went well anyway, and was thoroughing enjoyable,JIMMIEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-41193564840023286762009-10-23T12:09:37.505-07:002009-10-23T12:09:37.505-07:00Reading this stuff is fun and educational most day...Reading this stuff is fun and educational most days. I'm one of the people you sneer at who liked the puzzles my paper had before the LA Times, but I get some of the stuff you find confusing--like 20's come from ATM's (all mine do) and yes, I know who Evan Hunter is. I don't understand all the excitement about themes but today I don't understand your explanation and that's a first! Somehow I am supposed to know that 17 across is Mister Fixit with the "ix" dropped, but why is Mr. Fixit a health nut? Help, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-1440769910488164562009-10-23T12:06:46.248-07:002009-10-23T12:06:46.248-07:00Oops! that would be "shenanigans."Oops! that would be "shenanigans."ddbmcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-90583208338444384552009-10-23T12:04:40.769-07:002009-10-23T12:04:40.769-07:00A "jug" of wine, a loaf of bread, the LA...A "jug" of wine, a loaf of bread, the LA Times CWP and this blog! What could be betta? <br /><br />I definitely felt some steam rising from my brain on this puzzle! Thanks to Rich, Merl, RP,PG and O,and the fellow commentators, for making this happen.<br /><br />Could not remember Gonzaga to save my life, (i googled...mea culpa! It was the ONLY one, I swear!!), but once I saw the name, I remembered coming across it while helping my boys do their college searches.<br /><br /> I liked the IXNAY theme and like @RP, puzzled over the "swinging s(ix)ties" for a minute. Loved "anoint", "Sahl" (he would do his clean act for the Ed Sullivan Show, as I remember-yet shannigans STILL occur at the Ed Sullivan Theater!); actually had a Llasa Apso once! (sniff!)Didn't know Tey or Hunter, but glad to make their acquaintances! <br /><br />Bug Chaser (Elmer) was cute-yesterday's clue was Bug (vex); Today, "pizza" was the answer, but yesterday "pizazz" was the clue (style); Today "DVD's?" (nontape), yesterday's: Video tape type (VHS). Just "non-tape" alone conjures up all thoughts of Nixon, Rose Mary Woods and the 18 1/2 minutes gap of tape...but I digress!<br /><br />@CrazyKat Lady, I hadn't heard of Lompoc, but loved the movie "Sideways." If you are a wine connoisseur, watch "Bottle Shock," another delightful wine lovers movie.<br /><br />On to the weekend puzzles! Viva la difference!ddbmcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-12442008520645794842009-10-23T11:10:38.220-07:002009-10-23T11:10:38.220-07:00I thought this weeks puzzles struck a pretty good ...I thought this weeks puzzles struck a pretty good balance between not-too-easy and not-too hard. Much better than previous weeks puzzles which were too easy.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14376277682993763836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-42429396331513060552009-10-23T11:04:49.618-07:002009-10-23T11:04:49.618-07:00@Jonhnsneverhome
I'm like totally into, you k...@Jonhnsneverhome<br /><br />I'm like totally into, you know, val speak. Except, gag me, I like live in the 909. Eeewww. That's soooo grodie. What ev...<br />Clueless in Claremont<br /><br />Good grasp of Ithig John! It's fun when you can say it really fast. Learned it in Jr. High School so teachers and parents couldn't understand what we were saying.CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-47004359466731618342009-10-23T10:35:28.325-07:002009-10-23T10:35:28.325-07:00I'm giving myself a dummy award today--kept tr...I'm giving myself a dummy award today--kept trying to see how the first syllables were in Pig Latin--the brain must have needed more coffee.<br /><br />Knew Gonzaga well--my institution of higher learning played them in basketball, and they always had strong teams.<br /><br />Astray always brings to mind the classic prayer of confession--"we have erred and strayed...like lost sheep."bluebellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07112978237190389791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-70875795000822438252009-10-23T10:23:18.220-07:002009-10-23T10:23:18.220-07:00@crazycatlady
OMG, gag me, I'm totally clueles...@crazycatlady<br />OMG, gag me, I'm totally clueless on Valspeak and ithigi ithigknow ithignoithigthing ithigaithigbout ithig.<br /><br />@Joon<br />this puzzzzle hazzz lotzzz of pizzzzazzz<br /><br />@all<br />inkthay i illway amscray eforebay i etgay ooedbayJOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-18352275776438200942009-10-23T10:16:22.717-07:002009-10-23T10:16:22.717-07:00orange, my dictionary has pizzazz (my preferred sp...orange, my dictionary has pizzazz (my preferred spelling), pizazz, <i>and</i> pizzaz. (but not pizaz.) i agree that pizazz > pizzaz, but pizzazz trumps all. any word that has more Zs than non-Zs = awesome.Joonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825085755390339668noreply@blogger.com