tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post5364894750115688080..comments2024-01-25T10:14:06.567-08:00Comments on L.A. Crossword Confidential: FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2009 — Jack McInturffOrangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-39441974330041603392009-12-05T07:50:54.691-08:002009-12-05T07:50:54.691-08:00Again (again) the issue is context. Yes, a "t...Again (again) the issue is context. Yes, a "tickle" is a sensation when referring to, say, a tickle in your throat. But I'm still waiting to hear someone use it, as a noun, to refer to the sensation of being amused. "That joke gave me a tickle?" ... that's the very best I can do, and that's not good.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-28776726894768986502009-12-04T23:13:12.429-08:002009-12-04T23:13:12.429-08:00Ah yes, the CALI cartel of the 70's and 80'...Ah yes, the CALI cartel of the 70's and 80's. <br /><br />The Orejuela brothers earned their initial "operating capital" by kidnapping and holding for ransom, rich foreign kids visiting Colombia ($700,000). They themselves were among the wealthy of Cali, originally called the "Cali Gentlemen". <br /><br />They started out distributing pot, but that was too large and bulky to ship, and with the profit margin low and growing season long, moved on to cocaine (see kids? marijuana does lead to harder drugs). <br /><br />I'm sure that during the 70's I'd contributed a good deal of money towards the group; not only through purchases, but also in efforts to stop them (taxes). That makes me a "two time loser".<br /><br />Could really use that money in this recession!Bohicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338679493627934067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-47810728834704726462009-12-04T20:52:07.295-08:002009-12-04T20:52:07.295-08:00RP--
A tickle is "a tickling sensation."...RP--<br />A tickle is "a tickling sensation." A sensation is a "physical feeling resulting from stimulation." How is this not a reaction?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-41109042341600947002009-12-04T19:57:36.213-08:002009-12-04T19:57:36.213-08:00I liked this puzzle, but it was odd in that the to...I liked this puzzle, but it was odd in that the top half was easy to me, the bottom much harder. You have all chewed it apart already. I agree with Rex's write-up.<br /><br />@Hutch: welcome, I don't think I have seen your name before. My hearing is excellent.<br /><br />No food today other than John's flavored coffee (ack) and a jelly bismarck(?)...machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-43043172421330676492009-12-04T19:40:07.677-08:002009-12-04T19:40:07.677-08:00@crazycatlady Thank you :) I built him last year d...@crazycatlady Thank you :) I built him last year during Portland's Arctic Blast '08.Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427378278653572523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-36062731975656014732009-12-04T19:39:27.269-08:002009-12-04T19:39:27.269-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427378278653572523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-58956843966392073752009-12-04T18:46:37.432-08:002009-12-04T18:46:37.432-08:00Solving was kind of a 'blind date' process...Solving was kind of a 'blind date' process: 1) 'Hello, yes, so nice to meet you!' 2) [thought] Uh oh, we're not on the same wavelength. Or same planet. 3) 'Bye, see you around' and 4) [sigh of relief]. <br /><br />OK puzzle, yep, but the RP write up and comments here are much more interesting. Best 'wacky' theme answer was FREQUENT FLICKER. 'Pen pals' stood out, too. 'Jersey groups' seemed to call for 'mobs' but they wouldn't fit. Yikes, CLK, LXI were hard on the brain and the eyes. 'Limoges' cued without reference to porcelain and tied to RENOIR was superCALIfragilistic etc. I miss ALDA and West Wing -- he's done some interesting PBS shows on the human brain. Guy knows how to talk to scientists, too --who knew!?split infinitivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-52785250726904371172009-12-04T18:43:27.434-08:002009-12-04T18:43:27.434-08:00A GRAND PUZZLE SINCE I NEEDED NO HELP[ I DO NOT CO...A GRAND PUZZLE SINCE I NEEDED NO HELP[ I DO NOT COUNT MY 1946 WEBSTERS COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY WHICH IS SO ARCHAIC HALF OF ENGLISH IS NOT THERE].I HAD TROUBLE WITH THREE AND THUMP.PUZZLE CONSTRUCTORS SEEM TO BE INSANE AND RATIONAL AT THE SME TIME! QUITE A FEAT REALLY!!HUTCHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14722150630533336199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-39463727206161536232009-12-04T17:44:29.910-08:002009-12-04T17:44:29.910-08:00Took me a long time to finish this one. Northwest ...Took me a long time to finish this one. Northwest was biggest problem, so had to work up.<br />10D [ICES IN] I had seen before but had to fill all the crosses to get it this time.Clue always refers to ice storms. How about something with more pizazz like------Hooking at the rink - Any of you fellow hockey fans get it? ICE SIN .<br />Back to my knittingUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08489276606054673999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-81475738664758397642009-12-04T16:57:36.536-08:002009-12-04T16:57:36.536-08:00@Whitney - I just realized your avatar is a snowma...@Whitney - I just realized your avatar is a snowman with a mohawk! Awesome.CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-68942900163507468372009-12-04T16:23:09.359-08:002009-12-04T16:23:09.359-08:00@tinbeni and @sfingi captured my reactions nicely....@tinbeni and @sfingi captured my reactions nicely. Alas, though, I had to abandon the effort only a little more than half-way through due to personal rule: no googling for lat. First daily LAT puzzle I have't fiished in a while: good, they're definitely getting harder!Charles Boglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667976595355657752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-51371106647390880822009-12-04T15:19:16.166-08:002009-12-04T15:19:16.166-08:00@Bloggers
If you take out the CK from FREEKICKS, i...@Bloggers<br />If you take out the CK from FREEKICKS, it says FREEKIS. What the heck does that mean? I realize after reading the blog that it's not a part of the theme, but isn't that a little confusing for a constructor to throw that in?<br />At least if you remove the CK from ACK, it still makes A, a legit word. There's a big difference between a diversionary tactic and creating confusion. Shouldn't there be a construction rule against quasi-theme words?JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-85875421741079641892009-12-04T13:56:37.941-08:002009-12-04T13:56:37.941-08:00@ Orange: I Agr.@ Orange: I Agr.GLowenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-72919641072153866352009-12-04T13:06:48.227-08:002009-12-04T13:06:48.227-08:00@Orange So it's just another theme entry! Than...@Orange So it's just another theme entry! Thanks you! I guess I got thrown off because TACKLE, TICKLE, and PICKLE all end in CKLE :) I wasn't even paying any attention to the central FLICKER...Derp!Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427378278653572523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-26825916365676865322009-12-04T12:54:34.727-08:002009-12-04T12:54:34.727-08:00@Whitney, THREE CHECKERS is simply THREE CHEERS wi...@Whitney, THREE CHECKERS is simply THREE CHEERS with a CK inserted. It's not about "three CKs" being added because there are four other theme entries in the mix, not three. Also, CK is an abbrev for "check," not "checkers," and an insert-an-abbreviation-for-no-reason theme would be kinda lame.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-48292527320482588462009-12-04T12:15:27.872-08:002009-12-04T12:15:27.872-08:00@Rex - I ALWAYS read what you say, but couldn'...@Rex - I ALWAYS read what you say, but couldn't get beyond what I saw as similar usages for TACKLE/TICKLE. I see your point now - they all need to work as nouns. <br /><br />So, two of those checkers need to be fired because THREECHECKERS stands out as plural and.... On a positive note, FAIRYTALE can be considered 1 word (dictionary.com) - so now STOCKPILE has a friend....<br /><br />I think I'm just not a fan of the "wacky phrase" in general so I'm a bit ornery about the whole subject.<br /><br />Back to saving the world now.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-23675833679059381722009-12-04T11:08:07.747-08:002009-12-04T11:08:07.747-08:00Kudos to the powers that be for a late week challe...Kudos to the powers that be for a late week challenging puzzle. I guess I'm in the "be careful what you wish for" group, for I found it slow going. But like the tortoise plodded along, I made it by rethinking meanings - recount=TELL (not re-add votes), and by getting the theme after FAIRY TACKLE and FREQUENT FLICKER, it all fell into place. <br /><br />Nice to be reminded of Bill the Cat. Remember Pogo?<br /><br />CALI filled in and I thought of the Cali Cartel, a Colombian drug organization that supplied most of the cocaine to the US in decades past and was finally destroyed. The leader was extradited to this country and jailed. I guess someone else moved up and filled the void. <br /><br />Enjoyed the write-up Rex.Parsannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-60415750940911833872009-12-04T10:36:54.791-08:002009-12-04T10:36:54.791-08:00Interesting puzzle. I got confused by the ThreeChe...Interesting puzzle. I got confused by the ThreeCheckers entry b/c it didn't fit in with the rest of the theme, but I get it now. Three CK's. Sure. Maybe I'm missing something as to how CK's gets you CHECKERS...? Could it also be THREECLUCKERS or THREETRUCKERS?<br /><br />I've ALWAYS thought of SRO as Sold Right Out. It's always helped me get that particular answer. Standing Room Only does make sense, too :)<br /><br />Snow in Houston?! Crazy.Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427378278653572523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-44690057799178236022009-12-04T10:19:51.235-08:002009-12-04T10:19:51.235-08:00@hazel, read what I actually said about "tick...@hazel, read what I actually said about "tickle." As v. yes, as n., no. Nothing you say in your comment contradicts that. All the examples you use are verbal, and thus, yes, legit ... if that's what the clue was doing too (it's not).<br /><br />rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-47735137169646067472009-12-04T10:16:11.519-08:002009-12-04T10:16:11.519-08:00As a proud Luddite, I appreciated RP's call ou...As a proud Luddite, I appreciated RP's call out. Cell phones, PDA's, electronic books, bah! Luddites unite! <br /><br />Heh, I also work at a large web based company as a technologist so I guess I'm a fallen Luddite.<br /><br />I prefer solving my puzzles on paper versus electronically, just feels better to me.<br /><br />Good puzzle today. Only way I can justify the CERAMICTICKLE answer is by somehow warping the phrase "tickle ones fancy" into meaning "amusing" Reach at best on my part.<br /><br />Good write up today.Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14900988170432327664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-33381175810368705272009-12-04T10:11:04.591-08:002009-12-04T10:11:04.591-08:00Isn't FREEKICKS kind of a foul? since it also ...Isn't FREEKICKS kind of a foul? since it also has the CK? And ACK too, come to think of it? <br /><br />Also we get TICKLED about stuff all the time here in the SOUTH - sometimes we're even TICKLED PINK in response to [fill in the blank]. Seems like legit clue to me.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-48766258374958612982009-12-04T09:34:55.788-08:002009-12-04T09:34:55.788-08:00Oh and by the way - thanks to everyone for spaetzl...Oh and by the way - thanks to everyone for spaetzle advice yesterday. I am going to give it a try. I'll let you know how it turns out.CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-79131499663288315822009-12-04T09:29:20.026-08:002009-12-04T09:29:20.026-08:00Puzzle today took me three cups of gingerbread cof...Puzzle today took me three cups of gingerbread coffee to get through. I did get the theme right away for a change, although for a minute I thought it might be another ICK theme between FREQUENT FLICKER, CERAMICTICKLE,FREEKICKS and STOCK PICKLE. I think there was CALI Colombia in another puzzle this week. So I guess there is a city CALI and a river CALI. Will google later when I have time. Got Breakfast Companion BED right away as in B & B. Just guessed at SFC and didn't know ERIQ. But I did get SRO due to learning it on this blog somewhere in the past. Had no idea what ACK was. Now I know. All in all a nice challenging Friday puzzle and fun write up. Thanks!CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-32595443883624353782009-12-04T08:55:38.205-08:002009-12-04T08:55:38.205-08:00@John the bitextual - Omigod - never thought of th...@John the bitextual - Omigod - never thought of that. It's off the radar. We can't go to Bed and Breakfasts because they "might" have cats (hubster) - also, old bookstores, gardens, etc. unless I've cleared them.<br /><br />Remembered I had crockpickle before I figured out taking the CK out. Like in the old general stores. My great-grandfather had one in Marlboro, NY from which we got the stuff we donated to the Farmer's Museum when it opened, and the tobacco baseball card we sold for 8G (down payment for the car the Troll crashed). "One sees what one brings."Sfinginoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-69400584799676332292009-12-04T08:40:23.697-08:002009-12-04T08:40:23.697-08:00@Carol
Oh yeah, I forgot "and good rapport wi...@Carol<br />Oh yeah, I forgot "and good rapport with other puzzlers."JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.com