"El Grande Finale, Part 2 of 2" - 15x15 themed (20.5 minute allotment):
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12911&id2=213
M&A
p.s. Additional note, on the Part 1 of 2 puz: See the March 20, 2005 Sunday NYTPuz, if U are able to. Some hack named Patrick Berry stole our puztheme idea. Weren't even a pangram. snort.
Congrats, Anyone who has "sucksessfully" completed the recent battery of ACPT Practice Runtpuzs (™). U rock. And, U will rule at the ACPTourney. Guaranteed (no refunds). All the best of luck, to each tourney contestant. Mean that, sincerely. Wish I was there.
@BobK has been designated class Valedictorian. Speech! Speech! (In English, please)
@r.alph has been designated Miss Congeniality, and also nominated for Sainthood (Order of the Runtz). He should take a well-deserved rest, for a runty little bit.
M&A will stop tryin to break things, and also take a bit of a rest. Talkin C-rolls, intervenously. The runt pen is currently empty, except for some nasty cleanup. Safe travels, all who are headed to Stamford.
Next week U might see a stray runt with muddy feet track across yer livin room rug. He is not target practice; just one of them plain vanilla regular puppies with a double-?? on its ass.
@r.alph: BTW, the clue {Opener for Santa's team?} = REIN makes pretty good sense, since he has a team of REINdeer. But, then, thinking like M&A may not be a goal most would shoot for.
(a) I did El Grande, Part 2, direct from the listing, for the very first time using r.alph's procedure to record my keystrokes, so you can see how I struggled through it. But in that program, I don't see my total time.
(b) Hey, you started a new thread and I didn't know it! My use of the blog obviously isn't correct.
@BobK Click on the last answer entered (in your case OKOK) and look below the grid and you will see the elapsed time when the answer was entered, 15:25 here.
I am glad I didn't think of STUMPER, it would have been hard to get rid of.
Just caught up with all the comments here -- I have been named Valedictorian -- and asked to give a speech!
Unaccustomed as I am ...
I never could have dreamed that I would be a Valedictorian for a third time: grammar school, high school, and now the august Academy of ACPT Practice Runtpuzs. I am not worthy . . .
[Exits rapidly, to cries of "Damn right, you're not!", loud booing, and the soft splat of rotten tomatoes on the stage.]
9:26, and enjoyed finishing correctly. But as usually a paper solver, I'm not sure how to feel about this particular "cheat": I almost gave up, but I had several whole words entered and asked for "reveal current word" a few times. In every case, I had the correct entry, so the program didn't give me any new letters, but it did give me assurance that I was on the right track, and gave me strength to carry on.
@BobK: Two things: * I prefer the term "research". * In your situation, I prefer the term "harmless research". ...Well, OK, three things: * The main thing is U enjoyed the sucker.
My final time shows 4:43, but the last thirty seconds or so were spent trying to enter a rebus. I swear I tried the correct entry, but maybe I just mis-typed the first time.
After I finished, I looked over the completed grid to see what a miracle of construction it actually is. Sorry I missed that aspect while solving!
@BobK: I know what U mean… one square won't let U type anything in, but if U request a "reveal word" it puts it in there for U. Weird little duck of an app.
This is good runtpuz to sneak in, while people are busy thinkin about goin to the ACPT, and all that good stuff. It came out pretty desperate and flaky. (But I like desperate & flaky.)
"Runtier Choices of the Stars" - 7x7 themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12996&id2=46
M&A "We will disavow all knowledge of this mission" Enjoy the tournament, everybody!
Runtier Choice of the Stars http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDM0MTcyNzM3MTg0MzI2Mg Great theme but what really stands out is the superb cluing.
BobK Good luck at the ACPT. Sometimes hotels have computers for guests to use.
@r.alph: "The Runt Book", by definition, should only contain one runt puzzle. (Could put a collection of "didn't tickle us enough" additional runts in an appendix, tho.)
@BobK: Enjoy yer ACPT experience. Even tho U are now a finely tuned runt machine, give the other big name contestants a break, now and then. Keep it fair.
Watch out for Feyer and Plotkin, tho. They also have crossed over into the twi-runt zone. Just sayin.
Yes. Have finished the first and third correctly. Messed up one answer on the second (a Joel Fagliano). It's like getting the first dent in a new car. The pressure is off.
Congrats to Dan Feyer on a sixth straight title. Not even the runtz could slow him down. Congrats to BobK, who I think vaulted up the standings over 10 slots, this year. Runt power! Congrats to Dr. Fill, or @55, as M&A likes to call him. Not a bad performance, considerin no runtz were included in his input stream. And special congrats to Roberta Strauss, the new @63!
Let's celebrate, by cracking open a bubbly lil offering…
(a) 3:53 on the Roman Holiday. Proves again, I should always read the title!
Thanks.
(b) Yes, my score is very close to r.alph's. And if his score gets added to the standings, my ranking will go down. You are definitely watching the right contestant (though not the one to bet on.)
(c) I believe I am prohibited from commenting directly on the puzzles at the ACPT, but I can say without giving anything away:
Four of them I finished flawlessly.
Number Five killed me. Didn't come close to finishing, didn't know the gimmick until I asked people afterward. Should have read the title (yeah, I read it cursorily) and rolled it around in my mouth a bit. Might have helped! Or maybe not.
I had two letters wrong in Puzzle Three. I had a severe case of a "faux-hold", to use lms's term. I had an answer which fit so perfectly It Just Couldn't Be Wrong, but it was. (Psst, r.alph: consider Urbana/Burbank.) And the cross which might have gotten me out of the trap as time was running out was a runt-worthy clue/answer from Merl Reagle.
But, oh, the horror, what cost me 190 points which could have pushed me up precious percentiles, on one of the easy puzzles I turned in a grid with a blank square. Not a Natick, not something difficult, but something I knew, which I thought I had entered, but didn't look at long enough to see I had left it blank.
(d) Despite all that, I finished where I usually do, had a good time, socialized with old friends, etc. And the finale was unbelievable, with Dan Feyer winning over Tyler Hinman by 1/2 second!
@BobK: Thanx for the interesting report from ACPT ground zero. And welcome back. Wow -- 1/2 second is a fairly runty margin of victory. But, hey -- a win's a win. Am intrigued by the Reagle runt-worthy clue/answer. Have always been a fan of Merl's puzs.
"Word that can precede..." http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3MDY3NzczMjg0NTgzNg
I am experimenting with a new rating system here. I have added "wow" and "boo" keys to the program's repertoire. The "wow" key is the / key and the "boo" key is the period. As I solve I use them to record my immediate impressions of the clue or answer without thinking about why too much.
In the playback, I mark each answer that I wowwed with a +, a booed answer with a -. An answer that elicited both a wow and a boo is marked with a ?. All other answers are unmarked. At the bottom of the page I summarize the results. E.G., for this puzzle +11, -0, ?1, ~10 = 22 which is shorthand for 11 wows, 0 boos, 1 ambivalent and 10 no comments for a total of 22 words.
Over time I will calibrate what this means but I suspect that the above numbers indicate that I like the puzzle a lot.
After I solved, I decided to promote several unmarked answers to wows when I realized what M&A was up to.
Please check the comment on AK. If you think it is wrong, then paste www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13121&id2=486 back into the fetch box, change the comment and upload the solution again.
I have thought for a long time that it would be nice to add a feature to my program that would test the solver on the clues without showing the grid. All they would be told is how many letters are in the answer. The solver could enter more than one answer, e.g. {Buddy} - PAL, MAC, BRO and be scored correct if one of them was correct. The more answers that you get correct the easier the puzzle. Maybe when I implement this you could give us another easy puzzle so I can see if I could get 100 on the test.
10:03 (I mean, what's a little extra zero among friends?) At least, no cheats. Would have helped if I knew anything more about Megadeath than having heard the name.
Actually I have come to appreciate the puzzle as the day wore on. I have always like the way you use recycle letters in circles to fill out an answer. Instead of using a partial you just find the letters that you need in circles. This puzzle using unchecked squares in the same way plus throws in some Krozellian grid art.
This weekend I am going to restructure my program so that it can handle a puzzle containing only unchecked squares where some of them contain rebuses within circles. I have an idea for a runtpuz that meets these criteria.
@BobK: Thank U for staring. Might put Sunday's runtpuz out here, a might early. Has one of them metarunt elements to it.
"Enjoy" these lil guys while U can. Pretty soon M&A will have to take a long hiatus, due to an exxxtended cross-country road trip (no Iowa or New Jersey roads will be disturbed). May park a couple runtz in the garage, when the time comes, for r.alph to dole out, to avoid total withdrawal shock. Otherwise, look at it as a lovely holiday.
9:22 to get the chimes to ring, but even allowing for a bit of caviar, I only get up to four of the desiderata. What am I missing? (But don't tell me too soon if it constitutes a spoiler.)
@BobK: yep. I double-checked. There's six of the lil jewels. Maybe after r.alph does his thing, I'll post one of them constructioneer analysis dealies on it.
A Mystery or Two" for U http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjEwMTI5ODI0ODAzNjQ0NQ
I am glad that I had an opportunity to look at the puzzle many times as I was trying to understand the bug. It is Joycean in its complexity. It did not help that I wrote in several plausible wrong answers at the beginning.
There is a saying in software engineering that you always throw the first version of a program away. This program is long overdue for that. With the hindsight provided by over 200 runt puzzles I see ways to greatly simplify the program. Simple means fewer bugs. This will be a good thing for me to do while you are on your roadtrip. I implemented a temporary fix to get the commentary to work.
There is a quirk in xwordinfo where it only checks the first letter of a rebus and ignores the rest. I capitalized on this here http://puzzlecrowd.com/egg.png to find seven more eggs.
You can avoid crashing my program with rebuses if you only enter the first word of the rebus in the file you upload. This will be unnecessary in the new version of the program which should be ready when you get back from your road trip.
This runt sorta poses the important question: "When is one ? in a clue not enough?" And probably also: "At what point do U have one too many clues with ?'s in yer runtpuz?". har.
@BobK: One of those puzs where I just started out with a grid design, then dreamt up a theme to go with it. And a few minutes later the whole thing ended up being a lot more challenging than I had intended. An awful lot of themers here, for a runt solver to take on in one sitting.
There Is No I in Runt Puzzle http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzU4MDMzODU0MzQwMjIyMA
These are at opposite ends of the runt puz spectrum. The Stumpy Steamroller one relied on really difficult and obscure cluing whereas the other was very creative and fun to solve with a very nice theme.
@BobK: No big significance to the Roman Numeral dealy. Just always like to use one, for august members of the PuzTheme Hall of Fame series. Gives things a bit more class, rather than using BEQ's great "Ten Bullshit Themes" approach.
@r.alph: Can't believe that this runt hid the theme from a smartypants like U, for that long. Hard to add much to yer excellent color commentary on it, but I tried …
Disclaimer: This runt didn't turn out all that successful, if U ask me. And that ain't sayin much, if U is a runtpuz. But, hey -- worth a shot. As always, Refunds Ain't Us.
@BobK: That puts a heckuva lotta pressure on the deconstruction notes. I mean, shoot -- the puz already had both despicable and desperate in its title, plus a long disclaimer dealy. Will wait for r.alph to do his thing; sometimes he dreams up a whole big defense that M&A hadn't even imagined. In any case, gives M&A more time to make somethin up . . .
M&A
p.s. Put in a request to @muse, to chip in a coupla runtz, while M&A is outta town. Surely this here "Despicably Desperate" runtpuz will point out to her, how much M&A is in need of a long rest. Yeah, that's the ticket ...
I am mighty impressed with the "Stumpiest O. T. Litter" solve times. Some minor **spoilers**, below.
Even more impressed with the sub-ten-second gets of {Didn't just cut the cheese}. Thought that the mental images alone would freeze the average solver in their tracks for at least 30 seconds. I never know.
Screeching Halter http://localhost:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI1OTE0ODg5Mjc1NTU4Ng Meaning that I went through this so fast that stopping at the end produced a screech?
BTW, r.alph, how is "desperation" defined in your analysis? It doesn't seem to be the last letter I got correct, nor the one I changed the greatest number of times.
(Sorry if I missed the explanation when you first introduced the program.)
@BobK The desperation index of a square is defined to be the number of times the square received focus but did not contain the correct letter. It is an attempt to do poor-man's eye tracking. I tend to have a high average desperation index because I move around a lot.
@M&A Oops. I did those puzzles on the development version of the program which runs on my machine. It just happened to be open because I was working on it this weekend.
Screeching Halter was done in 1:50 and appropriately the last answer entered was an enthusiastic YES.
Had to work harder on Hybrids and finished in 4:50. Not many people would see what you saw in the zebra/pond scum hybrid.
@r.alph: Shows what M&A knows. I feared it'd be near impossible to solve, and y'all wouldn't like it much. 1:50 on Screeching Halter is insane. I thought surely the bottom crossing at the N (as in Natick) of the old Greek weight would bring folks flying thru an otherwise easy runtpuz to a screeching halt. [sigh] Wrong again, M&A breath …
Thanks. I missed that 13D was an inclusive or. The last time I got so excited about the education potential of a puzzle was http://www.brendanemmettquigley.com/2010/04/crossword-219-a-contest.html
@r.alph: Cool. Runtz would be a neat tool, if teaching Crossword Constructioneering. Nice size on which to get the hang of it. Plus a treasure trove of do's & don't's.
One more M&A runtpuz will go out on the airwaves tonight. Then a long hiatus. Punctuated slightly by a small litter of newborns, currently yelping their fool tails off, in search of attention, over in the parking garage. Plus anything runty that other nice volunteers put out here, to help compensate.
Ow contrair, @r.alph: M&A took extra special pains, to make sure he was exactly EIGHT letters short of a pangram, for this particular spin-off runt. These nuances are important.
And, re: yer commentary file: I would never **dream** of callin @63 that.
@M & A Rechecking my figures I see that I counted two letters twice so the puzzle really is EIGHT letters short of a pangram. Did you really plan this?
Stumpy Stumbling Blocks http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjMzMzQ1OTEwOTA2NjczOA Straightforward as far as runts go. Re: new feature. Not sure how useful it is. May be more useful to show how many correct letters appeared in fixed intervals.
Another brilliant puzzle; the themers are each perfect in their own way! And with reference to the previous puzzle! Did you actually construct this just this afternoon?
**Hidden Word Theme and Butterfly Effect spoilers**
@r.alph: I decided to do the Ultimate hidden word theme here, where the hidden word is either totally unfindable, or the individual solver finds something unique to their sensibilities. Sorry, if that went too far for U.
There are some letters that are bilaterally symmetric, when comparing their upper and lower halves. (BCDEHIKOX.) The Butterfly Effect runt uses only those letters in its grid. Inspired by the last couple of NYTPuzs.
yep. Total J unction. SW was tough to (credibly) fill.
re: Hidden Word theme: yep2. My hope was everyone would come up with their own "hidden" visions, during their solve. "Hidden in THINAIR" kinda sums it up.
May U feel no urgency as U set off on your trip, no doubt to Utah, in your U-Haul, strumming your ukulele, enjoying the unparallelled beauty of the USA.
Runty road trip http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODcxMTQ0OTI3Mjk5MzczNQ Nice theme. Have a good trip to wherever it is that you are going. Have you signed up for Mars One?
"Double Take" 6:35. Darn good puzzle! Lots of fun, and reminds me that I was going to ask, why do I try to rush through these runts as if my time was important?
r.alph - 4A - I didn't know this but Googled after I finished: The comic strip character Alley Oop lives in a place called Moo!
12 D - I take MEAD to be short for "meadow", or "lea."
In my case, I only asked if the solution was correct, but did not ask to be shown which letters were wrong; the latter I would have considered a "cheat,"
@BobK: Only change to the runtpuz was adding the word "four" in the 10-Across clue. Momma was ok with getting home; we did stop along the way for a very nice dinner at a Le Madeline restaurant, which gave her a long-stemmed rose as a freebie.
Welcome back! I am on a bit of a road trip myself. My wife and I are in England tending to her aging aunt and then will visit London and Paris before returning to the states.
While you were gone wordsmith featured duoliteral words (http://wordsmith.org/words/os.html)
There was also a puzzle with the clue Road _ _ _ _ and I wrote in TRIP which was wrong. I don't remember what the correct answer was.
ACPT Practice - Moments of Desperation.
ReplyDelete"El Grande Finale, Part 2 of 2" - 15x15 themed (20.5 minute allotment):
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12911&id2=213
M&A
p.s. Additional note, on the Part 1 of 2 puz: See the March 20, 2005 Sunday NYTPuz, if U are able to. Some hack named Patrick Berry stole our puztheme idea. Weren't even a pangram. snort.
ACPT Practice, Final Note.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Anyone who has "sucksessfully" completed the recent battery of ACPT Practice Runtpuzs (™). U rock. And, U will rule at the ACPTourney. Guaranteed (no refunds). All the best of luck, to each tourney contestant. Mean that, sincerely. Wish I was there.
@BobK has been designated class Valedictorian. Speech! Speech! (In English, please)
@r.alph has been designated Miss Congeniality, and also nominated for Sainthood (Order of the Runtz). He should take a well-deserved rest, for a runty little bit.
M&A will stop tryin to break things, and also take a bit of a rest. Talkin C-rolls, intervenously. The runt pen is currently empty, except for some nasty cleanup. Safe travels, all who are headed to Stamford.
Next week U might see a stray runt with muddy feet track across yer livin room rug. He is not target practice; just one of them plain vanilla regular puppies with a double-?? on its ass.
Well, there's yer rodeo.
M&A
El Grande 2 of 2
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzgwNDM3MDU1MjAxODA3
** El Grande Finale 1 of 2 spoiler alert **
ReplyDelete@r.alph: BTW, the clue {Opener for Santa's team?} = REIN makes
pretty good sense, since he has a team of REINdeer.
But, then, thinking like M&A may not be a goal most would shoot for.
M&A
(a) I did El Grande, Part 2, direct from the listing, for the very first time using r.alph's procedure to record my keystrokes, so you can see how I struggled through it. But in that program, I don't see my total time.
ReplyDelete(b) Hey, you started a new thread and I didn't know it! My use of the blog obviously isn't correct.
Sorry, not used to this, forgot to give the address for my solution:
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzk2NzA2NzEyMzU2NzgzNA (scriplet)
@BobK
ReplyDeleteClick on the last answer entered (in your case OKOK) and look below the grid and you will see the elapsed time when the answer was entered, 15:25 here.
I am glad I didn't think of STUMPER, it would have been hard to get rid of.
Thanks, r.alph.
DeleteAnd thanks, M&A.
Whoa!
ReplyDeleteJust caught up with all the comments here -- I have been named Valedictorian -- and asked to give a speech!
Unaccustomed as I am ...
I never could have dreamed that I would be a Valedictorian for a third time: grammar school, high school, and now the august Academy of ACPT Practice Runtpuzs. I am not worthy . . .
[Exits rapidly, to cries of "Damn right, you're not!", loud booing, and the soft splat of rotten tomatoes on the stage.]
Here it is. The final puzzle. BobK vs r.alph at the beautiful New Haven Motel 6.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/CompareSolutions?p1=Mzk2NzA2NzEyMzU2NzgzNA:BobK&p2=MzgwNDM3MDU1MjAxODA3:Ralph
LOL!
DeleteDon't know if I should be sad or happy that I hadn't started using your app earlier and enabled similar comparisons on other puzzles.
Thanks.
Schtupendous!
DeleteM&A
"Stumpy Runt Withdrawal Remedy (Rx)" - 7x7 pick of the litter:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12956&id2=322
Take as long as U want, solving it. Just enjoy, if possible.
M&A
9:26, and enjoyed finishing correctly. But as usually a paper solver, I'm not sure how to feel about this particular "cheat": I almost gave up, but I had several whole words entered and asked for "reveal current word" a few times. In every case, I had the correct entry, so the program didn't give me any new letters, but it did give me assurance that I was on the right track, and gave me strength to carry on.
ReplyDeleteEh, I cheated, I guess.
Thanks.
@BobK: Two things:
Delete* I prefer the term "research".
* In your situation, I prefer the term "harmless research".
...Well, OK, three things:
* The main thing is U enjoyed the sucker.
U R most welcome,
M&A
"Stumpy Termite Rodeo" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12975&id2=19
M&A
9:03.
DeleteA struggle.
What can I say? Anything but 1 A.
Thx.
"Dude Descending Staircase, For Two" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12986&id2=277
M&A
p.s.
Had no earthly intention of makin a runtpuz today, but fate forced my hand. Plus, a second puz, for @BobK to get well on.
My final time shows 4:43, but the last thirty seconds or so were spent trying to enter a rebus. I swear I tried the correct entry, but maybe I just mis-typed the first time.
DeleteAfter I finished, I looked over the completed grid to see what a miracle of construction it actually is. Sorry I missed that aspect while solving!
Thx.
@BobK: I know what U mean… one square won't let U type anything in, but if U request a "reveal word" it puts it in there for U. Weird little duck of an app.
DeleteM&A
Stumpy Termite Rodeo
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzEwNjk0NzMzNDc0NDA1MQ
Hee haw!
Dude Descending Staircase, For Two
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU2NTYzNzMzNzE4NjQ0NQ
Very nice theme!
A few constructioneer comments, for the "Descending Dude" runtpuz…
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzk3NjEyNzM0NDE2MDA1Ng
M&A
This is good runtpuz to sneak in, while people are busy thinkin about goin to the ACPT, and all that good stuff. It came out pretty desperate and flaky. (But I like desperate & flaky.)
ReplyDelete"Runtier Choices of the Stars" - 7x7 themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=12996&id2=46
M&A
"We will disavow all knowledge of this mission"
Enjoy the tournament, everybody!
4:58.
DeleteBrilliant puzzle, as always.
Spent the most time at the cross of 4A and 5D, though it was quite clear after I ran the alphabet!
(Since my only portal to the internets is my desktop computer, I will be totally offline for the ACPT weekend.)
Thanks, CUL8R.
Runtier Choice of the Stars
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDM0MTcyNzM3MTg0MzI2Mg
Great theme but what really stands out is the superb cluing.
BobK
Good luck at the ACPT. Sometimes hotels have computers for guests to use.
Great commentary. Loved "?? immunity" This is what I have in mind for the runt book
ReplyDelete@r.alph - Re: The answer to which your response was, "What else?" My first entry there was MANAGER. The old "different wheelhouses"!
Delete@r.alph: "The Runt Book", by definition, should only contain one runt puzzle. (Could put a collection of "didn't tickle us enough" additional runts in an appendix, tho.)
Delete@BobK: Enjoy yer ACPT experience. Even tho U are now a finely tuned runt machine, give the other big name contestants a break, now and then. Keep it fair.
Watch out for Feyer and Plotkin, tho. They also have crossed over into the twi-runt zone. Just sayin.
M&A
"Runtier Choices of the Stars" constructioneer commentary…
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjI4MzAwNzM5MDQ1OTY1Mg
M&A
M & A
ReplyDeleteAre you doing the online ACPT?
@r.alph: I considered it, but … no. Doing house painting, instead.
DeleteAs I recall, U are doing it, yes?
M&A
Yes. Have finished the first and third correctly. Messed up one answer on the second (a Joel Fagliano). It's like getting the first dent in a new car. The pressure is off.
ReplyDeleteM & A
ReplyDeleteThere is a gift awaiting you in the parking garage.
@r.alph: Wow. Superthanx!
DeleteM&A
Congrats to Dan Feyer on a sixth straight title. Not even the runtz could slow him down.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to BobK, who I think vaulted up the standings over 10 slots, this year. Runt power!
Congrats to Dr. Fill, or @55, as M&A likes to call him. Not a bad performance, considerin no runtz were included in his input stream.
And special congrats to Roberta Strauss, the new @63!
Let's celebrate, by cracking open a bubbly lil offering…
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13078&id2=825
M&A
Another present dropped off at the parking garage.
ReplyDeleteI am curious if my 8660 was near BobK.
@r.alph: Thanx, again!
DeleteI'll let BobK comment on his won score, if he wishes to; but, if I've been watching the right contestant, U two are pretty darn close.
M&A
p.s.
Delete"own"; not "won"
(a) 3:53 on the Roman Holiday. Proves again, I should always read the title!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
(b) Yes, my score is very close to r.alph's. And if his score gets added to the standings, my ranking will go down. You are definitely watching the right contestant (though not the one to bet on.)
(c) I believe I am prohibited from commenting directly on the puzzles at the ACPT, but I can say without giving anything away:
Four of them I finished flawlessly.
Number Five killed me. Didn't come close to finishing, didn't know the gimmick until I asked people afterward. Should have read the title (yeah, I read it cursorily) and rolled it around in my mouth a bit. Might have helped! Or maybe not.
I had two letters wrong in Puzzle Three. I had a severe case of a "faux-hold", to use lms's term. I had an answer which fit so perfectly It Just Couldn't Be Wrong, but it was. (Psst, r.alph: consider Urbana/Burbank.) And the cross which might have gotten me out of the trap as time was running out was a runt-worthy clue/answer from Merl Reagle.
But, oh, the horror, what cost me 190 points which could have pushed me up precious percentiles, on one of the easy puzzles I turned in a grid with a blank square. Not a Natick, not something difficult, but something I knew, which I thought I had entered, but didn't look at long enough to see I had left it blank.
(d) Despite all that, I finished where I usually do, had a good time, socialized with old friends, etc. And the finale was unbelievable, with Dan Feyer winning over Tyler Hinman by 1/2 second!
@BobK: Thanx for the interesting report from ACPT ground zero. And welcome back.
DeleteWow -- 1/2 second is a fairly runty margin of victory. But, hey -- a win's a win.
Am intrigued by the Reagle runt-worthy clue/answer. Have always been a fan of Merl's puzs.
PuzTheme Hall of Fame, Runt Division:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13087&id2=753
Sleep well,
M&A
8:56! But now I can sleep.
DeleteIt occurs to me that r.alph could share the Merl Reagle clue with you via the "parking garage" without leaking any state secrets.
Thx.
Roman Holiday
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg0MTg2NzY4NDU5NjI1MQ
The non-random column was brilliant!
Please check the parking garage
"Pstumpology" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13091&id2=414
M&A
2:41, based only on straightforward clues.
DeleteWhen finished, looked at the theme. Hard to believe all of those work; can't imagine what a third of them are, but I'll take your word for it!
Thx.
Holy new beez! Impressive time, @BobK.
DeleteWill try to give U more of a challenge, next time.
M&A
"Word that can precede..."
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3MDY3NzczMjg0NTgzNg
I am experimenting with a new rating system here. I have added "wow" and "boo" keys to the program's repertoire. The "wow" key is the / key and the "boo" key is the period. As I solve I use them to record my immediate impressions of the clue or answer without thinking about why too much.
In the playback, I mark each answer that I wowwed with a +, a booed answer with a -. An answer that elicited both a wow and a boo is marked with a ?. All other answers are unmarked. At the bottom of the page I summarize the results. E.G., for this puzzle
+11, -0, ?1, ~10 = 22 which is shorthand for 11 wows, 0 boos, 1 ambivalent and 10 no comments for a total of 22 words.
Over time I will calibrate what this means but I suspect that the above numbers indicate that I like the puzzle a lot.
After I solved, I decided to promote several unmarked answers to wows when I realized what M&A was up to.
@r.alph: Your "Please Advise on Theme Answers Count" advisor:
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODEzNTU1NzczNzcyMjE3MA
M&A
Pstumpology
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjkzODM2NzczNjA0ODU3Ng
@BobK
2:41? That's Feyeresque!
Please see my updated comment on 14D
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3MDY3NzczMjg0NTgzNg
"Runt - Roh!" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13121&id2=486
M&A
4:46.
DeleteHilarious!
Thx.
Here is my tale of Roh.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzE2OTgyNzgxMTg5MzY0Mw
Elizabeth Gorski just released her 200th Crossword Nation puzzle. M & A is at 202. Next stop is Barry Bond's 762.
Runt puz couture:
ReplyDeletehttp://crosswordtournament.com/2015/photos/saturday/images/DFC_2452.jpg
@r.alph: har. Looks like yer "Runt - Roh" 16-A villain had his title on the wrong side, to boot.
ReplyDeletere: photo - Runt - robe!
M&A
"Runt - roh!" constructioneer commentary:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU1MTQ4Nzg1MTAxNDI1MQ
M&A
Please check the comment on AK. If you think it is wrong, then paste www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13121&id2=486 back into the fetch box, change the comment and upload the solution again.
ReplyDelete@r.alph: Whoopsie. See yer point.
DeleteNew version of my "Runt - roh!" commentary:
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU1MTQ4Nzg1MTAxNDI1MQ
M&A
"Do-It-Yourself April Fool" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13152&id2=165
M&A
2:18 !!! Wow !!!*
Delete*April Fool! Actually 14:04, after using "reveal current word" a couple of times, at least once getting a correction.
Thx.
@BobK: M&A's new challenge: construct a runtpuz that
ReplyDeleteBobK can solve in 2:18, max.
M&A
Looking back quickly, I see I did the Stumpy Stomper in 2:38. May have to settle for that!
Delete@BobK,
ReplyDeleteYou got me!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTIxMzk0NzkwNjM2ODM4MA
With 5 U's this puzzle was U-HEAVY.
However, the following runt beats it with 6 U's
140. Weejectomy 15x15
B these 7x7's also have 5 U's
173. Stumpy Stomp Act
189. Almost Vwllss (chllngng)
FYI, NYT with most U's 20
http://puzzlecrowd.com/puzzles/Jun0808.puz
I believe Bob Klahn once did a 15x15 crossword with over 50 U's. It took the I Fink U Freeky Award (™) that year. Primo.
DeleteMost runtz that do not have any U's are made in the shape of a U (or upside-down U), as compensation, btw.
M&A
@BobK, and other speed demons…
ReplyDelete"Under 2:18 Kerfuffle" Mission 1 - 7x7 mostly themeless:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13184&id2=568
U can do this, @BobK! (Take a deep breath, before U start.)
This ain't one of them April Fool deals, btw.
M&A
1:03. No fooling. That's about as fast as I can type.
DeleteAnd you have a runt you can re-sell to My Weekly Reader.
Thanks, I think.
@BobK: Congrats, dude!
DeleteWould be a world runt record, but Dan Feyer once demolished a runtpuz in just under one minute, as I recall.
M&A
1:18
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU1NjE4NzkzNjQ2NjMzNg
I have thought for a long time that it would be nice to add a feature to my program that would test the solver on the clues without showing the grid. All they would be told is how many letters are in the answer. The solver could enter more than one answer, e.g. {Buddy} - PAL, MAC, BRO and be scored correct if one of them was correct. The more answers that you get correct the easier the puzzle. Maybe when I implement this you could give us another easy puzzle so I can see if I could get 100 on the test.
"Stumpy Stupefier" - 7x7 themeless. (Not recommended for solvers that like to be done in 1:03):
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13196&id2=550
M&A
Ha!
Delete10:03 (I mean, what's a little extra zero among friends?) At least, no cheats. Would have helped if I knew anything more about Megadeath than having heard the name.
Thx.
Stumpy Stupifier
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzcwOTMyNzk4NjY2MTg3OQ
@1:03 meets Megadeath.
ReplyDeletePretty decent solve time, there, @r.alph.
M&A
M&A
ReplyDeleteSee parking garage for something "Just For Youse"
"A Mystery or Two" for U - 7x7 themed near-nonsense:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13218&id2=302
M&A
Twelve and a half minutes of effort, but can't claim a victory:
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetPuzzle?url=puzzle206.json
Sorry, obviously I did something wrong. It was a very ugly solve in any case.
Delete@BobK
ReplyDeleteSame experience as you. And you didn't do anything wrong. The rebus following an unchecked square did my program in. Will fix it this weekend.
How mysterious… ?
ReplyDeleteM&A
Actually I have come to appreciate the puzzle as the day wore on. I have always like the way you use recycle letters in circles to fill out an answer. Instead of using a partial you just find the letters that you need in circles. This puzzle using unchecked squares in the same way plus throws in some Krozellian grid art.
ReplyDeleteThis weekend I am going to restructure my program so that it can handle a puzzle containing only unchecked squares where some of them contain rebuses within circles. I have an idea for a runtpuz that meets these criteria.
"N Is For Natick" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13249&id2=981
M&A
LOL!
Delete5:44, no cheats. But a lot of "stare time"!
Thx.
@BobK: Thank U for staring.
ReplyDeleteMight put Sunday's runtpuz out here, a might early. Has one of them metarunt elements to it.
"Enjoy" these lil guys while U can. Pretty soon M&A will have to take a long hiatus, due to an exxxtended cross-country road trip (no Iowa or New Jersey roads will be disturbed). May park a couple runtz in the garage, when the time comes, for r.alph to dole out, to avoid total withdrawal shock.
Otherwise, look at it as a lovely holiday.
M&A
"Easter Egg Rhunt": 7x7 kinda themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13284&id2=320
M&A
"Happy Easter, Y'All"
9:22 to get the chimes to ring, but even allowing for a bit of caviar, I only get up to four of the desiderata. What am I missing? (But don't tell me too soon if it constitutes a spoiler.)
DeleteThx.
@BobK: yep. I double-checked. There's six of the lil jewels. Maybe after r.alph does his thing, I'll post one of them constructioneer analysis dealies on it.
DeleteBut, in the meantime: U Can Do This Meta Sucker!
M&A
A Mystery or Two" for U
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjEwMTI5ODI0ODAzNjQ0NQ
I am glad that I had an opportunity to look at the puzzle many times as I was trying to understand the bug. It is Joycean in its complexity. It did not help that I wrote in several plausible wrong answers at the beginning.
There is a saying in software engineering that you always throw the first version of a program away. This program is long overdue for that. With the hindsight provided by over 200 runt puzzles I see ways to greatly simplify the program. Simple means fewer bugs. This will be a good thing for me to do while you are on your roadtrip. I implemented a temporary fix to get the commentary to work.
N is for Natick
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzgwMzc2ODI1MjU1MTA0MA
N is for nice puzzle.
Easter Egg Rhunt
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzU4ODE4MjU2MTIwMjE5 (scriplet)
See message for the seven eggs that I found.
What Meta Sucker?
There is a quirk in xwordinfo where it only checks the first letter of a rebus and ignores the rest. I capitalized on this here http://puzzlecrowd.com/egg.png to find seven more eggs.
ReplyDeleteYou can avoid crashing my program with rebuses if you only enter the first word of the rebus in the file you upload. This will be unnecessary in the new version of the program which should be ready when you get back from your road trip.
List of constructioneer excuses and lame justifications, for "Easter Egg Rhunt":
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg5NjA2ODI2Mzc4MDYyMQ
M&A
@r.alph: M&ASpouse has a "secret family recipe" for the cinnamon rolls, btw. Nothin else comes remotely close...
The second or third time through I found the second ROE, but I am not imaginative enough to have caught GOAD. Super!
DeleteIn case anyone needs an extra post-Easter dinner dessert…
ReplyDelete"Stumpy Spring Chicken" 7x7 themeless (altho, this would be a great title for a themed runtpuz, also…):
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13308&id2=402
Enjoy, with a tasty snifter of port.
M&A
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTIwMzE4MjcwNjk2MDI2
ReplyDeleteBetween Easter and taxes, I just got around to the latest runt, so I tried again with r.alph's program:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQ4MTM1ODM0OTE3OTkzNw
But I have to go back to see what my time was!
3:42. Not too bad for me.
ReplyDeleteThx.
Runtpuzs: "Harder to understand, but more fun than doing taxes."
ReplyDeleteConstructioneer commentary for "Stumpy Spring Chicken":
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODE2NzY4MzU0NTg0MTM5
M&A
This one might not be pretty…
ReplyDelete"Stumpy Steamrolling" - 7x7 themeless, no mercy:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13341&id2=411
M&A
Was really hoping for a clean solve, but only after asking to see incorrect letters, of which I had three at that point, did I finish in 19:05.
DeleteTook me an extra minute to understand the ones I had not gotten, but, as usual, all made sense eventually.
Thanks.
@BobK: Wow. Way to hang in there.
DeleteThis runt sorta poses the important question: "When is one ? in a clue not enough?" And probably also: "At what point do U have one too many clues with ?'s in yer runtpuz?". har.
M&A
"There's No I in Runt Puzzle" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13363&id2=45
M&A
Aaargh! Only after asking for incorrect letters, of which I had three, all in the last two acrosses, finished after 12:02.
DeleteVery efficient at removing ego from solving!
Thx.
@BobK: One of those puzs where I just started out with a grid design, then dreamt up a theme to go with it. And a few minutes later the whole thing ended up being a lot more challenging than I had intended. An awful lot of themers here, for a runt solver to take on in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteM&A
Stumpy Steamrolling
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTEzOTU3ODU0MjI3OTQ4NQ
There Is No I in Runt Puzzle
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzU4MDMzODU0MzQwMjIyMA
These are at opposite ends of the runt puz spectrum. The Stumpy Steamroller one relied on really difficult and obscure cluing whereas the other was very creative and fun to solve with a very nice theme.
"Stumpy Solvathon" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13387&id2=127
Hopefully this one might be a tad easier than the last two?
M&A
7:56.
DeleteHere's my solve:
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODcwMDI4ODU4ODUzMzE1MQ
Thx.
Stumpy Solvathon
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzI2MjczODU4MDQwMjc2Mw
You are continuing to do cutting edge work with circles!
Artist's reflections on the "Stumpy Solvathon" runt:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM1NjkyODU5MDU5MzYzMw
Solve times were much better. Am relieved.
M&A
PuzTheme Hall of Fame, Runt Division.
ReplyDelete"Add Some Letters Theme … Variation MMDCLIX" - themed 7x7:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13406&id2=824
M&A
7:27.
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzc5MjE1ODY3NTU3MzMwNw
Before I started, I tried to divine the significance of the Roman numeral, and failed.
Thx.
Add some letters theme:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk5OTQzODY2ODAxOTYxNA
Good one.
re:"Add Some Letters Theme, Variation #2659" …
ReplyDelete@BobK: No big significance to the Roman Numeral dealy. Just always like to use one, for august members of the PuzTheme Hall of Fame series. Gives things a bit more class, rather than using BEQ's great "Ten Bullshit Themes" approach.
@r.alph: Can't believe that this runt hid the theme from a smartypants like U, for that long. Hard to add much to yer excellent color commentary on it, but I tried …
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTY4NTU4NjgxODI4NDUz
M&A
p.s.
Less than a week, til we leave on our 3+ week trip. So, savor these last few scruffy lil gridlets ...
While I'm here …
ReplyDeleteDisclaimer: This runt didn't turn out all that successful, if U ask me. And that ain't sayin much, if U is a runtpuz. But, hey -- worth a shot. As always, Refunds Ain't Us.
"Despicably Desperate Me" - 7x7 loosely themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13430&id2=788
M&A
Huh?
DeleteHaven't figured this one out yet.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTQ1ODMxODY5NTk4OTkxOA
Thx.
Nope, no luck.
DeleteI await constructioneer's deconstruction.
@BobK: That puts a heckuva lotta pressure on the deconstruction notes. I mean, shoot -- the puz already had both despicable and desperate in its title, plus a long disclaimer dealy. Will wait for r.alph to do his thing; sometimes he dreams up a whole big defense that M&A hadn't even imagined. In any case, gives M&A more time to make somethin up . . .
DeleteM&A
p.s. Put in a request to @muse, to chip in a coupla runtz, while M&A is outta town. Surely this here "Despicably Desperate" runtpuz will point out to her, how much M&A is in need of a long rest.
Yeah, that's the ticket ...
Despicably Desperate Me
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDMzMTg1ODY5Nzg0MDE5Mg
Puzzle demonstrates that practically any phrase can be a revealer if you try hard enough.
Despicably desperate set of runtpuz excuses, here:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzIyMzYwODczMDkzMjU0Mg
M&A
"Stumpiest of the Litter" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13437&id2=503
M&A
3:11. Very straightforward, easier than most. Thx.
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzgwMTIxODc0ODU3MzgxMQ
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjYwNjYxODc1NDY2NjU1MQ
ReplyDeleteA change-up to keep us on our toes.
I am mighty impressed with the "Stumpiest O. T. Litter" solve times.
ReplyDeleteSome minor **spoilers**, below.
Even more impressed with the sub-ten-second gets of {Didn't just cut the cheese}. Thought that the mental images alone would freeze the average solver in their tracks for at least 30 seconds. I never know.
M&A
"Stumpiest O. T. Litter" lame constructioneer excuses for bein too day-um easy:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTE5Nzk2ODc3NTIzNjExOQ
M&A
In respect for the Duncan yo-yo, here is a flipsider to the last easy runt. [snarl]
ReplyDelete"Screeching Halter" - 7x7 themeless and schizoid:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13450&id2=209
M&A
2:30.
DeleteSome high-toned words there!
Thx.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDQzNjIyODc3NjE4MDkxNw
@BobK: 2:30?!? U. cannot. be. serious!
DeleteThis one had been designed to start rollin real fast, and then sloooow way doooown. U didn't hardly blink a U-know-what-Down.
Very well solved.
M&A
Master, you can observe that I achieved oneness with the puzzle . . . which cost me dearly in nanoseconds!
Delete"Hybrid" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13461&id2=584
M&A
3:46.
DeleteGood one as usual.
(BTW, did you construct today's NY Times Mag puzzle? Gimmick looks very familiar!)
Thx.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQxNTY0ODgzNjA2NTIyNw
Screeching Halter
ReplyDeletehttp://localhost:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI1OTE0ODg5Mjc1NTU4Ng
Meaning that I went through this so fast that stopping at the end produced a screech?
Hybrids
http://localhost:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM4ODk4ODkzODYwMjA1
Cute!
@r.alph: Couldn't find either of your files. The urls look suspiciously different from the usual?
DeleteM&A
This will probably be the penultimate runtpuz, before we head out. Already been delayed a bit by weather, tho, so … who knows?
ReplyDelete"Fictionary" - 7x7 themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13486&id2=272
M&A
8:31, but at least by the time I was done I had caught on to the theme.
DeleteThx.
Oops! Forgot:
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDMzNDI4OTIxOTkyMDY2
BTW, r.alph, how is "desperation" defined in your analysis? It doesn't seem to be the last letter I got correct, nor the one I changed the greatest number of times.
ReplyDelete(Sorry if I missed the explanation when you first introduced the program.)
Thx.
@BobK
ReplyDeleteThe desperation index of a square is defined to be the number of times the square received focus but did not contain the correct letter. It is an attempt to do poor-man's eye tracking. I tend to have a high average desperation index because I move around a lot.
@M&A
Oops. I did those puzzles on the development version of the program which runs on my machine. It just happened to be open because I was working on it this weekend.
Screeching Halter was done in 1:50 and appropriately the last answer entered was an enthusiastic YES.
Had to work harder on Hybrids and finished in 4:50. Not many people would see what you saw in the zebra/pond scum hybrid.
Fictionary
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk3NzMzODkyNzQ3MjM2Nw
IMHO one of the top 5 runts of all time. Loved it.
@r.alph: Shows what M&A knows. I feared it'd be near impossible to solve, and y'all wouldn't like it much.
ReplyDelete1:50 on Screeching Halter is insane. I thought surely the bottom crossing at the N (as in Natick) of the old Greek weight would bring folks flying thru an otherwise easy runtpuz to a screeching halt. [sigh] Wrong again, M&A breath …
M&A
Since @r.alph liked this one so much, here's some author reflections:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzc2Mzg4ODk0Mzc1MTc1MA
M&A
Thanks. I missed that 13D was an inclusive or. The last time I got so excited about the education potential of a puzzle was http://www.brendanemmettquigley.com/2010/04/crossword-219-a-contest.html
ReplyDelete@r.alph: Cool. Runtz would be a neat tool, if teaching Crossword Constructioneering. Nice size on which to get the hang of it. Plus
ReplyDeletea treasure trove of do's & don't's.
One more M&A runtpuz will go out on the airwaves tonight. Then a long hiatus.
Punctuated slightly by a small litter of newborns, currently yelping their fool
tails off, in search of attention, over in the parking garage. Plus anything runty that other nice volunteers put out here, to help compensate.
M&A
Well, hey -- weather delayed our trip start once again, so this may be the second penultimate runtpuz. Makes M&A feel sorta like he's been …
ReplyDelete"Firing Blanks" - 7x7 themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13522&id2=218
M&A
2:52.
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzg3ODc1OTAyMzIzNDQxNQ
Thx.
Nice solve time, @BobK.
DeleteM&A
Totally inspired by today's Rex Parker critique of the NYTPuz ...
ReplyDelete"Rock Bottom" - 7x7 sorta themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13544&id2=970
M&A
Rock Bottom - 3:10.
DeleteAlways happy when I don't have to change any letter I have entered!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzA1OTY1OTAzOTk4NTc4Mg
Thx.
Again, real nice time, @BobK.
DeleteAnd this runtpuz was designed to be "hard" at the bottom.
M&A
Rock Bottom
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM0NDAwOTAzOTA0Njk2OQ
Missed being a pangram by 6 letters.
Ow contrair, @r.alph:
DeleteM&A took extra special pains, to make sure he was exactly EIGHT letters short of a pangram, for this particular spin-off runt. These nuances are important.
And, re: yer commentary file: I would never **dream** of callin @63 that.
M&A
Firing Blanks
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzg1NTgwOTAzOTk5NDk2MQ
Not sure if Firing is meant to be related to the theme.
@r.alph: Nope, just fartin around.
DeleteM&A
A little inside-story on the "Firing Blanks" runt:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjg4NDQyOTA0Mjk3NDQ3Mg
M&A
@M & A
ReplyDeleteRechecking my figures I see that I counted two letters twice so the puzzle really is EIGHT letters short of a pangram. Did you really plan this?
@r.alph: Must admit, not really planned, until U mentioned it.
ReplyDelete"Stumpy Stumbling Blocks" - 7x7 themeless:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13549&id2=354
M&A
3:49.
DeleteMy main stumbling blocks: foreign languages.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTEzNjQ3OTEwNjg4NjUzMg
Hey! New features in r.alph's program!
Thx.
Stumpy Stumbling Blocks
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjMzMzQ1OTEwOTA2NjczOA
Straightforward as far as runts go.
Re: new feature. Not sure how useful it is. May be more useful to show how many correct letters appeared in fixed intervals.
The solve times submitted lately by Runtpuz Scholars lately are alarmingly minute.
ReplyDeleteThis stunt runt was inspired by the 14 and 15 April NYTPuzs. U might say they were highly runtspirational.
"Reflections on the Acrossword Butterfly Effect" - 7x7 treatise:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13570&id2=382
M&A
Well, here's a hefty solve time: 8:38.
ReplyDeleteFollow my struggles here:
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk4ODEwOTEyNjE4NDIyNg
But that doesn't show that I had to have the same incorrect letter revealed three times before I got it!
Thx.
@BobK: Slightly more suffering; good for U.
Deletep.s. (Possible **Spoiler**):
didode = B+.
bidode = C.
ridode = C-.
tidode = har.
M&A
I might have been a little misled by this.
DeleteYeah, I was afraid U might bring that up.
DeleteLet me make that "up" to U…
PuzTheme Hall of Fame, Runt Wing.
"Hidden Word Theme - Cynical Version" - 7x7 themed, in a sense:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13571&id2=988
M&A
"Leaving on Saturday, I Think"
You try to make something simple, that I couldn't possibly get wrong, but . . . 9:22.
Deletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTk3NDAzOTEzMDIxMjA1MQ
Another brilliant puzzle; the themers are each perfect in their own way! And with reference to the previous puzzle! Did you actually construct this just this afternoon?
Thx.
yep. Actually, made most of the grid this mornin, went to the store and gas station, clued it up this afternoon.
DeleteMan, that SW area really gave U fits. But, U no doubt luv a challenge . . .
M&A
Hidden word
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDE5ODQ3OTE0NDQ1NDc2OQ
Butterfly Effect
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjcxNjQ2OTE0NjMwMzA2Mg
I see absolutely no connection between the two puzzles.
The connection I saw was at 1D, Hidden Word, and 12 A, Butterfly Effect.
DeleteAlso, considered the Hidden Word themers as physical situations, considered broadly.
Could be wrong, of course.
**Hidden Word Theme and Butterfly Effect spoilers**
ReplyDelete@r.alph: I decided to do the Ultimate hidden word theme here, where the hidden
word is either totally unfindable, or the individual solver finds something unique to their sensibilities. Sorry, if that went too far for U.
There are some letters that are bilaterally symmetric, when comparing their upper and lower halves. (BCDEHIKOX.) The Butterfly Effect runt uses only those letters in its grid. Inspired by the last couple of NYTPuzs.
M&A
"Stumpy J.unctions" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=14575&id2=522
M&A
4:35.
DeleteBeautiful solid block of letters there, despite that stray Iraqi city eponym!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTk1OTc2OTE4MDIzNzczMQ
Thx.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ3NTYzOTE4MzgwODgwMw
ReplyDeleteNice jaywalk.
Re Hidden Word theme: The first time a crossword puzzle has been used as a Rorschach test.
yep. Total J unction. SW was tough to (credibly) fill.
Deletere: Hidden Word theme: yep2. My hope was everyone would come up with their own "hidden" visions, during their solve. "Hidden in THINAIR" kinda sums it up.
M&A
Another recently whipped-up runt that chases its own tail…
ReplyDeletePuzTheme Hall of Fame, Runty Annex.
"Shameless Pun Theme" - 7x7 themed:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=14587&id2=504
M&A
Shameless Pun Theme
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU4ODg4OTIwNzkyNzMyOQ
Puns are good.
"Shameless Pun" reflections by the responsible party:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU0ODY5OTIxMzU5ODA4NQ
M&A
"Stumpy J.unction" excuses and anecdotes:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI2NTc2OTIxNTExNjAxNA
M&A
Shameless Pun Theme: 2:03.
ReplyDeleteThat's as fast as I can type. And an interesting test of r.alph's latest feature, as it shows my "half-done" time as 1:01!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDUyMTIxOTIxNzkxNDE2MA
Thx.
@DynamiteBobK: Excellent!
ReplyDeleteM&A
"Runty Road Trip" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=14593&id2=495
See y'all in about 3 weeks!
@r.alph: Be sure to check the Parking Garage.
M&A
Runty Road Trip: 4:50.
ReplyDeleteMay U feel no urgency as U set off on your trip, no doubt to Utah, in your U-Haul, strumming your ukulele, enjoying the unparallelled beauty of the USA.
Thx for all the Runts!
Forgot again:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTAyMTA2OTI2NTgwOTAyMQ
Runty road trip
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODcxMTQ0OTI3Mjk5MzczNQ
Nice theme. Have a good trip to wherever it is that you are going. Have you signed up for Mars One?
M & A has left 6 puzzles to be released over the next two weeks:
ReplyDelete227 "Stumpy Stun Gun": www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13511&id2=960
Thank you, r.alph, and thanks to M&A.
Delete3:14 of unexpected fun (would have been quicker if I had realized I hadn't corrected 1 D correctly!):
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjczNzE1MTE4MTg4MTg
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQwODAxNjIxMjU4OTI
ReplyDelete@BobK I see that you got tricked by {N and N} also.
Next offering:
ReplyDelete228 "Stumpy Stumposaurus": www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13515&id2=621
My solution:
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?
id=MzI1MzgyMTQ5MzIxMjE4
"Stumpy Stumposaurus" -- 3:31.
DeleteSorry, I forgot and did it the old-fashioned way, so I can't post my solve.
Thanks, r.alph and M&A.
New runt
ReplyDelete229 "Double Take": www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13512&id2=567
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI5NDkwMjQ4NTI2NDEw
"Double Take" 6:35. Darn good puzzle! Lots of fun, and reminds me that I was going to ask, why do I try to rush through these runts as if my time was important?
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzM1MjI4MjU4MTYwNDEx
Thanks, r.alph and M&A.
230 "Pardon": www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13513&id2=291
ReplyDeleteNo use worrying about time for "Pardon": 12:24, but I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDoes it count as cheating if I asked if my solution was correct, was told that it wasn't, and went back and fixed it on my own?
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA1MDIwNDM3MjQwMDU5
Thanks, r.alph and M&A.
I did this while eating a cinnamon roll.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTA2Nzk3NDk0OTIxNTU5
I see that we both ended the same way. Do you understand the clue for 4A?
@BobK
Runts often require asking for incorrect letters to be highlighted. That is usually enough for me to figure out the correct letters on my own.
r.alph - 4A - I didn't know this but Googled after I finished: The comic strip character Alley Oop lives in a place called Moo!
Delete12 D - I take MEAD to be short for "meadow", or "lea."
In my case, I only asked if the solution was correct, but did not ask to be shown which letters were wrong; the latter I would have considered a "cheat,"
231 "Mergers & Acquisitions": www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=13514&id2=897
ReplyDeleteFound this one hard
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTcyMzMwNzAzODM3ODQy
"Mergers and Acquisitions" - 4:35.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I actually understood the gimmick fairly early, and it helped a lot in solving!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzc2OTI2NzM1MDM0NzU2
Thanks, M&A and r.alph.
r.alph - Some of my appliances are Amanas; the rest are GEs.
ReplyDelete@r.alph:
ReplyDeleteWe drove like maniacs and arrived back at home sweet home tonite. Put over 3800 day-um miles on the family jalopy.
Fortunately, U hadn't issued the "Ensiled" runtpuz yet, so I changed it just ever so slightly, to give solvers more of a fighting chance:
www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15057&id2=309
M&A
Welcome home, M&A! What did M&RS A think of driving like a maniac all day on Mothers' Day?
Delete7:15, with a bit of help: Had to ask which three letters were still wrong when I finished.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzExNjY2MTM1ODIwMzU4MQ
Thanks. Can't imagine being able to solve this one before the simplifying changes!
@BobK: Only change to the runtpuz was adding the word "four" in the 10-Across clue.
DeleteMomma was ok with getting home; we did stop along the way for a very nice dinner at a Le Madeline restaurant, which gave her a long-stemmed rose as a freebie.
M&A
"Stumpy Squeaker" - themeless 7x7:
ReplyDeletewww.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15076&id2=6
M&A
Welcome back! I am on a bit of a road trip myself. My wife and I are in England tending to her aging aunt and then will visit London and Paris before returning to the states.
ReplyDeleteWhile you were gone wordsmith featured duoliteral words (http://wordsmith.org/words/os.html)
There was also a puzzle with the clue Road _ _ _ _ and I wrote in TRIP which was wrong. I don't remember what the correct answer was.
Ensiled: Bravo!!
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?
id=NjE5NTAyMTQxNzgxMzgyMQ
"Stumpy Squeaker". Nice. Hope there are mo' like it.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzc3NDEwMTQxOTgwMjY3NQ
Since we are approaching 200 comments I will start a new post
ReplyDelete