tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post3548926565319081487..comments2024-01-25T10:14:06.567-08:00Comments on L.A. Crossword Confidential: SATURDAY, October 10, 2009—Brad WilberOrangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-35488698732435352592009-10-12T21:19:40.051-07:002009-10-12T21:19:40.051-07:00@Parsan 9:10 - You stated that the kicker who made...@Parsan 9:10 - You stated that the kicker who made the field goal and the SQUIB KICK during the final seconds of the Cal-Stanford game was the actor Mark Harmon of NCIS. This is certainly not true. They are two completely different people who happen to have a share a first and last name. Interestingly enough, the actor Mark Harmon was the starting quarterback for UCLA 10 years earlier. Small world.<br /><br />@Orange - I personally believe that negativity leads toward hatred and nothing better. I love this blog and I appreciate the effort to return the LAT crossword to its former glory, but you can't deny the negative overtone in the posts during the last few weeks. It seems a bit ridiculous to be complaining about something so insignificant as a free crossword puzzle when millions, if not billions, of people don't even get to eat let alone enjoy a crossword puzzle. Let's all think of a positive way we can bring about change to our beloved puzzles without a negative attitude, and let's all try to do a little something each day to help those more unfortunate, the ones with real problems.<br /><br />God bless! :)cheezguytynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-65737818545709180912009-10-12T19:54:51.606-07:002009-10-12T19:54:51.606-07:00Ipso Dixit.
Been away for a few days. Missed thi...Ipso Dixit.<br /><br />Been away for a few days. Missed this blog. Just catching up!<br />Saw the Honk Festival in Cambridge, MA! Pretty phantasmagoric and chimeral.....put that in your crossword and smoke it! The puzzle is a means to the blog! Thanks O,GP and RP for continuing this!ddbmcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-44449144115011510942009-10-12T05:59:48.959-07:002009-10-12T05:59:48.959-07:00IPSO ? - the other day there was a clue, I think ...IPSO ? - the other day there was a clue, I think it was 'accusation without evidence' but answer was NOT Facto. anybody remember ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-2993865379702694552009-10-11T00:10:01.537-07:002009-10-11T00:10:01.537-07:00Late log-in due to weekend family obligations, but...Late log-in due to weekend family obligations, but enjoyed reading today's commentary after working the Saturday puzzle. Not much to add here except my own gratitude for the experts' dedication, patience and kind encouragement. If you will continue the blog a little longer, I promise to write a request to the LA Times to reinstate its former CW policy of gradually increasing difficulty. Deal?Djinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186522517570518730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-58509151291861618742009-10-10T22:49:42.514-07:002009-10-10T22:49:42.514-07:00@Orange, that's my point exactly. The blog e...@Orange, that's my point exactly. The blog exists because you and PG and Rex make it so, just like Phil and Tiger (and VJ and Ernie,FWIW) make 'good golf' so.<br /><br />Can one not clap for a nice shot, guitar riff, or a virtuoso (sp?) performance, without being able to reproduce it oneself? How big a society of sore losers have we become? (I won't watch the early exits on Amer.Idol for that very reason - why do they think they don't suck when they clearly do? AH yes, we know why: entitlement ....)<br /><br />A person is *NOT* entitled to solve a puzzle, bake a perfect cake, ace an exam, or get the sweet performance review. You gotta werk for it ....<br /><br />Or if I'm wrong, well, I'm owed a lot of stuff.<br /><br />BTW puzzle constructors RULE - and I won't allow any argument here - and puzzle critics rule DOUBLE, cuz they disagree, intelligently, with the above. <br /><br />That's how it works, right?GLowenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-20529618575150086962009-10-10T19:32:48.805-07:002009-10-10T19:32:48.805-07:00@Hazel: it's not your comment, that is just fi...@Hazel: it's not your comment, that is just fine, it's your opinion and we may even agree with it. It's the "whatever"machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-23975576596746832242009-10-10T19:06:39.650-07:002009-10-10T19:06:39.650-07:00@mac & @Johnsnever - Sorry to have annoyed you...@mac & @Johnsnever - Sorry to have annoyed you both with my opinion, I guess. My comment didn't really seem that annoying when I was writing it. Maybe I didn't communicate clearly - so I'll try again.<br /><br />The LA Times puzzle policy is not something I care about. The fact that the puzzle is not as much fun as it used to be to me is just a fact of life, and one that doesn't particularly bother me. If that's annoying, then all I can say is - whatever!hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-29712393492833292442009-10-10T18:01:24.065-07:002009-10-10T18:01:24.065-07:00At least this was a better LAT puzzle week than th...At least this was a better LAT puzzle week than the last couple of them...<br /><br />I had never heard of the "squibkick", but I thought it had something to do with soccer English style because of the clue. A football boot is what they their shoes, cleats as we call them here. Got the word from crosses and hadn't heard it ever in either country.<br /><br />@Johnsnever....: I had to laugh when you mentioned that poll! I thought the same when I read the post. There's something off-hand about it, like: I don't care.<br /><br />@Dan Naddor: thank you for chiming in. I'm afraid you are right about this, and Johnsn.... confirms it. Too bad, since our son graduated from Columbia School of Journalism and can't find a job.......machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-18147807273524893552009-10-10T17:03:35.120-07:002009-10-10T17:03:35.120-07:00The main reason I do the LAT puzzle is to come thi...The main reason I do the LAT puzzle is to come this blog after solving it and peruse the musings of Orange, Puzzle Girl and Rex. I do other puzzles as well but this is the highlight of the day, even if it is Monday a good part of the week. Please don't give up the blog and leave me stranded.<br /><br />As for the puzzle, I thought it was better than the last few Saturdays with some fresh fill (SQUIBKICK, YOUROCK and SOHELPME all very clever and new) and decent cluing.<br /><br />A little tougher would be good but I won't complain any more. I did write an e-mail to the editor of our local paper (The News Tribune of Tacoma) and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply, so I'm not tilting at wind mills again. Whatever, at the end of the day, it is what it is.Bohicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-12947651765360335962009-10-10T16:02:12.685-07:002009-10-10T16:02:12.685-07:00@Orange - re: your 2:40 comments - i was thinking ...@Orange - re: your 2:40 comments - i was thinking just that when I wrote my earlier comment - that its very commendable that you guys have stuck with this blog, given the fact that the rules changed significantly after you started it. it seems like it would be v. challenging to continuously make the blog more interesting than the puzzle. And you guys do just that day after day. <br /><br />9 days out of 10 I can't find the first thing to say about the puzzle - which is not to criticize them. To me, they're just rather straightforward solving experiences. Period.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-9419642739766283512009-10-10T15:50:17.466-07:002009-10-10T15:50:17.466-07:00See? That's the thing, GLowe. We created the b...See? That's the thing, GLowe. We created the blog to do what Rex and I have done at our other blogs—help people build the skills to be able to master a Friday NYT. You could still hone your skills on other puzzles (and pick up reinforcement from Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle or Diary of a Crossword FIend), but the L.A. Times crossword is now doing diddly-squat towards improving anyone's skills beyond beginner/mid-range level.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-90500380364755886562009-10-10T15:40:39.243-07:002009-10-10T15:40:39.243-07:00"My puzzle is too hard ... my puzzle is too e..."My puzzle is too hard ... my puzzle is too easy ... my puzzle is juuusst right".<br /><br />I don't like 'entitlement thinking' very much - where someone demands to be successful in something, regardless of where the bar is. I've never solved a Friday NYT in my life, and although I might kvetch about it, I know that others do it all the time.<br /><br />I've never shot par in golf either, but I don;t write letters to the PGA to complain about the rules, traps, length, etc. The fact is that if I ever did shoot par, it would probably be on a shitty course that I couldn't be bothered to return to.<br /><br />The most comforting thing in solving that's happened, ever, was (Treedweller's Saturday guest blog I think)over on the Rex site a few months back. He's now my personal hero.GLowenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-44190259234001215792009-10-10T15:26:53.783-07:002009-10-10T15:26:53.783-07:00Rex, Puzzlegirl and Orange ... You all do a great ...Rex, Puzzlegirl and Orange ... You all do a great job at this Blog. It is informative, insightful to "us" average crossword solvers. And the clips are most amusing and enjoyable.<br /><br />What I find is when one does the crossword puzzles daily, over a period of time they become less challenging because you learn the trick clues, arcane answers etc.<br /><br />Maybe the LAT has just hit a bump in the road. The last couple of months I seem to be able to complete almost every puzzle. Occasionally I need to check the Dictionary or maybe even Google something.<br /><br />So maybe they are easier. But then again ... maybe I have just gotten back into "Crosswordese Heaven."<br /><br />And the 3 of you ARE "at the top of the list" of those who do these contraptions.<br /><br />So keep up the good work, have a little more fun providing insight, find even more oblique/obtuse clips ... just know there are those of us who DO appreciate your efforts.<br /><br />2:34 pmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-24253444567952570422009-10-10T15:12:52.802-07:002009-10-10T15:12:52.802-07:00My goodness the BARBs have been flying today. My ...My goodness the BARBs have been flying today. My fellow bloggers you are not a bunch of WIMPs. Loved the squibkick video. I was excited to see Cal win. Go BEARS (not BEARMARKET). My brother played high school and college ball and spent 7 years in the NFL. Do you think I knew what a SQUIBKICK was? Nah...as a child, I taught myself to go into a parallel universe when football was being discussed or watched. Thanks to Dan Naddor for explaining what we all suspected. This blog is always interesting and informative, today even more so. Keep up the good work and Thanks to Orange, PG and Rex P.CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-51264926744157084652009-10-10T14:55:51.938-07:002009-10-10T14:55:51.938-07:00Ive heard the phrase "Knocked into a Cocked H...Ive heard the phrase "Knocked into a Cocked Hat" before. Is a Cocked Hat the same thing as a Tri-cornered Hat worn by the colonists??Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-60708400768132587722009-10-10T14:40:30.609-07:002009-10-10T14:40:30.609-07:00@Anonymous 2:34 (obviously not the same Anonymous ...@Anonymous 2:34 (obviously not the same Anonymous from the morning): Rex, PuzzleGirl, and I might well not have started this blog six months ago if the puzzles were this easy then—what would be the point? Who would need that much help? Who would be looking to improve their skills if they don't need to be able to tackle anything harder than a Tuesday or Wednesday NYT? The L.A. Times puzzle with the sliding scale of difficulty is the one we signed up to write about.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-54687195636664164512009-10-10T14:34:54.723-07:002009-10-10T14:34:54.723-07:00Generally I do the crossword while watching the mo...Generally I do the crossword while watching the morning news, having a cup of coffee, thinking about the new day. In pen and clipboard... not using a stopwatch ... or cyber site that indicates if I typed the correct letter.<br /><br />Crossword puzzels to me are just a fun eyeopening gentle mental stimulation.<br /><br />I like this site because of the "crosswordese" in the areas of arcane clues, repeating themes etc.<br /><br />What I do not understand is why all the "ratings" and "bitchings" about these puzzles.<br /><br />It is obvious the "tour-guides" are serious crossword champs. And so too are the "comment writers" and for some of us it was just a morning distraction.<br /><br />Today's was an interesting nice little puzzle ... I finished by the end of my second cup of coffee and there was not a time-limit penalty NOR a quick-finish prize.<br /><br />IT IS JUST A PUZZLE !!!<br /><br />Orange, nice write up.<br /><br />My only complaint was for the second day in a row there was the answer "baal" to a clue. A bit redundant on the part of the puzzle maker.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-70190060943687113232009-10-10T14:29:11.409-07:002009-10-10T14:29:11.409-07:00Bruce Springsteen had a song about "a scarlet...Bruce Springsteen had a song about "a scarlet cloak and a fine cocked hat" or something like that. Can't remember anything else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-35388744299807669222009-10-10T12:50:08.668-07:002009-10-10T12:50:08.668-07:00I enjoyed the puzzle today. It was a bit more dif...I enjoyed the puzzle today. It was a bit more difficult than recent Saturdays. Had to ask my husband for help with the squibkick, but no googles for me today! <br />I am wondering if a COCKEDHAT 12D is what my Marine son wore as part of his "brown" dress uniform? It is about the size of a business envelope and has a turned up brim. Seems like there was an insignia on one side like right above the eye. Must ask him and report back!<br />Good write up today! I really love the crosswordese lessons; unfortunately I often can't remember the lessons when they appear in a puzzle. Practice, practice, practice. . . .florida grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-64831654414439337922009-10-10T12:45:57.206-07:002009-10-10T12:45:57.206-07:00P.P.S. And why am I arguing with "Anonymous&q...P.P.S. And why am I arguing with "Anonymous"? You want your arguments to carry any weight, use a name.<br /><br />@Orange too too funny. Seriously why even visit this website let alone comment on it if you don't like what it's all about - good old fashioned criticism??? <br /><br />I really enjoyed this freestyle puzzle (my boyfriend was one of the coiners of that phrase, btw!). YOUROCK is wonderful. Even if it was a tad on the easy side, it was still fun and fresh. Interesting info about newspapers/crosswords and @Johnsneverhome makes a good point :)Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427378278653572523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-48015492179587412132009-10-10T12:10:27.729-07:002009-10-10T12:10:27.729-07:00I got a (squib) KICK out of this puzzle as well as...I got a (squib) KICK out of this puzzle as well as the entertaining write-up and comments. Never heard of COCKEDHAT per se, so I ended up with COCKERHAT! I put the R in because it looked like RMS could be the former Ger. currency (correct = DMS). Learned something new! Also new for me were SMOKE BUSH, ECK and GESSO. I see that BAAL (Jezebel's deity) showed up again; yesterday the clue was "false god."shrub5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09466867716773759568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-13676169159610833382009-10-10T11:59:36.427-07:002009-10-10T11:59:36.427-07:00Before we point fingers at the LAT, remember there...Before we point fingers at the LAT, remember there are 4 other fingers pointing at us.<br />Do we get our news from the newspaper or do we get it from CNN and Fox TV?<br />Do we write letters to the newspaper editorials, or do we blog and email?<br />Do we get our weather from Tom Skillings weather maps, or do we get it from The Weather Channel, or even from our laptop.<br />Do we place our want ads with the Tribune, or do we use Craig's List.<br />Do we shop from the newspaper inserts, or do we use Ebay.<br /><br />If we're really honest, we'd place the blame for the newspaper dilemma squarely on ourselves.<br />How can we expect them to just kowtow to us "elites?" The "Titanics" are sinking and we, the esoterics, are asking that the orchestra keeps playing!!!!<br /><br />Let's get real folks!<br /><br />...And I agree with Hazel, about rediecting our outrages to things of real importance in this world.JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-69328833488374072382009-10-10T11:32:53.363-07:002009-10-10T11:32:53.363-07:00Dan, thanks for your explanation of what's goi...Dan, thanks for your explanation of what's going on at the LAT. It's pretty much what I suspected... that there's more of them writing letters than us writing letters. We just have to bear with it, these are tough times for everyone and I can understand what the newspapers are going through. I retired early back in 1991 from Rockwell/Goss, the world leader in manufacturing huge web presses for the newspaper industry. Way back then I saw the handwriting on the wall and retired just before the company went out of business due to lack of orders from the major newspaper companies. We can't fault the LAT for their actions... we can wish all we want, but big businesses are in a real bind and Sam isn't bailing out newspapers yet, thank God. Before everyone pounces on me, I'm not sympathizing with the LAT, just telling it like it is.JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-9918166874965065942009-10-10T11:25:13.479-07:002009-10-10T11:25:13.479-07:00I, for one, after solving this one in an even shor...I, for one, after solving this one in an even shorter time than last Saturday's LAT puzzle, plan to spend some quality time watching tivo'd episodes of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?". Those kids are sooo smart!doc moreaunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-68036891520148446542009-10-10T11:18:05.485-07:002009-10-10T11:18:05.485-07:00@hazel
FYI:
10/7: “Whatever…” Takes Top Honors as ...@hazel<br />FYI:<br />10/7: “Whatever…” Takes Top Honors as Most Annoying in Marist Poll.<br /><br />http://maristpoll.marist.edu/107-whatever-takes-top-honors-as-most-annoying/JOHNSNEVERHOMEnoreply@blogger.com