Wednesday, June 17, 2015

To save Rex Parker the trouble of approving my comment I am going to post the link to the puzzle report here. If you scroll down to the end all answer/clues are listed so you can create your own category. I suspect that M&A will be able to do something interesting with this.
Posted by at

199 comments:

  1. r.alphbunkerJune 17, 2015 at 5:14 AM

    Hello

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bob KerfuffleJune 17, 2015 at 6:30 AM

    @r.alph -- Starting a new string with reference to the previous: In answer to your question in one of your comments (spoiler for anyone who hasn't done it yet):

    Not necessarily.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Masked and AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    @BobK: Goat Busters is "almost themed", as @r.alph pointed out.

    The runtz have attempted to improve 11-A and 13-D clues in "Jurassic Whirled", so that they will have a chance in the clue contest. New, improved runtpuz version:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15902&id2=669

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  4. r.alphbunkerJune 17, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    How about 11A {Variation of 4D}. The new 13D works for me.

    @BobK GEOG! That would have been difficult for me to get rid of!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Masked and AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    @r,alph: Really needs a nice, nasty cryptic-style clue at 11-A in "Jurassic Whirled". It'll grow on U, with time.

    "GEOG" is excellent; makes me almost wanna re-do the grid.

    While @r.alph is real high on the "Goat Busters" runtpuz, seems like a golden opportunity to unload some stuff like this puppy...

    "Emergency Rhinos" - 7x7 themeless (really):

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15909&id2=266

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 17, 2015 at 12:32 PM

      "Emergency Rhinos" - 2:11, no cheats.

      Completely straightforward! The only ?? clue I solved as a straight clue; only after I was finished did I appreciate the delicious ??ness of it.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODk2MDI0NTY5MzA4ODg0

      Thanks.

      Delete
  6. r.alphbunkerJune 17, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    Emergency Rhinos
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTY3NTg0NDU3NzMxNjQ5OQ
    What is the role of "Emergency" here?

    ReplyDelete
  7. r.alphbunkerJune 17, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    @BobK DADTOBE! Great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. r.alphbunkerJune 18, 2015 at 5:15 AM

    @M&A, @BobK
    There have been 4019 clues in the runt puzzles to date. They are listed here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com/contest.html

    What I propose is that we pick a couple of favorites in each of the following categories and post them here.
    1. Best 2 letter clue
    2. Best 3 letter clue
    3. Best clue with more than 3 letters.
    4. Most desperate clue
    5. Best ?? clue

    Any other categories?

    I will then collect the nominations and release them to the world for their opinion. A random drawing will select winners of those who participate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 7:12 AM

      OK. Category 4 will be feisty to navigate.

      Here's a few more…

      "Stumpy Stumper: Sweaty Sudoku" - 7x7 themeless:

      http://www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15925&id2=27

      M&A

      Delete
    2. Bob KerfuffleJune 18, 2015 at 8:21 AM

      "Sweaty Sudoku" - 5:16, no cheats.

      What a beautiful grid!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzI2MzI2NDY0MDc5MzU5NQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
    3. Bob KerfuffleJune 18, 2015 at 8:24 AM

      @r.alph - I'm not ignoring you, but, Oh, my!, 4000+ entries! I'm supposed to getting ready for my trip. I may not have a chance to get to all that before I leave!

      Delete
  9. r.alphbunkerJune 18, 2015 at 8:31 AM

    Sweaty Suduko
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODE5MzkyNDY0MTM1ODM0OQ
    Nice to see Shirley Temple's first husband mentioned in the grid.
    @BobK No hurry. I will make a pass through getting rid of things like
    TA: {Prof's supporter}

    ReplyDelete
  10. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 10:32 AM

    @BobK: Thanx back. The runtz really eat it up, when someone calls em beautiful. This puppy liked it even more than a bellyrub.

    @r.alph: Agree with BobK. Such a solemn responsibility will call for a snoot full of thoughtful, careful rummaging and rampaging. Cannot be rushed.
    har. "Best chemical element clue" category would really beat all.
    Bet U wouldn'ta been so quick to yank poor old TA's clue, if it hadda been {Herniated prof's support?}. snort.

    Shirley Temple. I'll drink to that. What the heck does Cesium have to do with anything? Enjoyed the chemical info, tho.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  11. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    p.s.
    @r.alph: Yer accidental misspell of "suduko" has inspired a whole new M&A runtpuz idea: SuDucko! day-um. So many runtz ideaz, so little time…

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  12. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    p.p.s.s.

    "Emergency Rhinos" stampede of author commentary, here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjIwNzk4NDY1MDg4MDgxNA

    M&A

    SuDucko. wow...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    p.p.p.s.s.s

    @r.alph: PuzEatinSpouse informs me that some sorta gala festival is currently goin on in Fairfield. Runtpuz tournament, no doubt…?

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  14. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    And another thing…

    "Sweaty SuDucko's" lively author repartee…

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjMzOTcwNDY1Mzc3OTU1MA

    M&A

    While I'm here, hard to resist
    Top Ten Runtpuz Clue Categories…
    1. Best U-plug Clue
    2. Best Phone Number Left in a Clue
    3. Best 1.5? Clue
    4. Worst 1.5? Clue
    5. Best Clue Longing for Scarlett Johannson
    6. Best Cinnamon Roll in a Supporting Roll Clue
    7. Most Utterly Confusing Clue
    8. Most Senile Clue
    9. Most Grammatically Challenged Clue
    10. Clue Most Likely To Succeed

    ReplyDelete
  15. r.alphbunkerJune 18, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    http://puzzlecrowd.com/chemistry.html
    Lists all 118 elements. 16 are checked which means they have appeared in runt puzzle clued as an atomic element. 43 are marked by an asterisk which means they have appeared in some runtpuz grid but for some reason the clue did not reference the atomic table. Curiously 16 + 43 = 59 which is half of 118.

    ReplyDelete
  16. r.alphbunkerJune 18, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    Cinnamon rolls have been mentioned in only 20 of the 4019 clues.
    How about a puzzle where every clue mentions cinnamon roll?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 2:21 PM

      @r.alph: Only 16 element symbols, so far? Probably has felt like a solid 100, to runtpuz solvers, by now, tho.

      An all-U-can-clue cinnamon roll challenge?! I'm in…!

      M&A

      Delete
  17. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    We interrupt our regularly scheduled runtpuzs, to bring you the following special event…

    "Cinnamon Rolls Are Forever" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15942&id2=393

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 18, 2015 at 7:27 PM

      " . . . Are Forever" -- 4:10.

      Let the good times Roll!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQ0NDA5NDY4MDY5MzEzMA

      Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 7:53 PM

      @BobK: Impressive solve time, considering it probably takes at least half that time just to read the furshlugginer clues.

      M&A

      Delete
    3. Bob KerfuffleJune 18, 2015 at 8:07 PM

      Or maybe it was an advantage for once to be in the habit of not reading the entire clue in the first place!

      Delete
  18. Masked and AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 8:49 PM

    Actually, the 1-Down clue had a slight typo, saying to "see 1-Down". So, here is a corrected "Cinnamon Rolls Are Forever" runtpuz:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15944&id2=724

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  19. Masked and AnonymousJune 19, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    We now return U to our irregularly scheduled programming…

    "Non-Terminator: Genisys" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15952&id2=45

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 19, 2015 at 8:39 AM

      "Genisys" -- 6:57.

      Note to self: Be careful what you ask for - you might get it!

      Another genius puzzle. I had an incorrect solution and had to ask to be shown which one letter I had wrong, then got it myself.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzMxOTYzNDcyODE4ODc1NQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  20. r.alphbunkerJune 19, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Cinnamon Roll Stunt Runt
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzI0ODk5NDY3OTI0MTMxMg&password=CINNAMONBUN

    Non-Terminator: Genisys
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3NjI0NDc2NTEzMDg5Ng

    ReplyDelete
  21. Masked and AnonymousJune 19, 2015 at 8:05 PM

    "Elementary Particles" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15965&id2=751

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 20, 2015 at 3:09 AM

      "Elementary", indeed! -- 2:28

      Quite impressive, but an easy solve.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTcyMDc2NDc5NDgwNTIxOA

      Thanks.

      Delete
  22. r.alphbunkerJune 20, 2015 at 4:53 AM

    Elementary Particles
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTczMDQ0NDgwMTA2MDI2MQ
    Loved it even though I got stuck on 16A. Will tell George Barany about this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Masked and AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 7:33 AM

      day-um, @r.alph. If I knew U were gonna like this pup so much, woulda spent a little more time groomin it. I was more partial to the cinnamon roll one. Both of em have about as much clue verbiage as yer average NYTPuz, give or take a molecule of icing. The operatic passages should have been "composed by …", the implement mfgr. should have been "forged from …", yada.

      M&A
      "Better Solving Thru Chemistry"

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 7:44 AM

      p.s. re:RexWorld comments gallery…

      har. George Barany thought the "Elementary Particles" runt had "elegance". Well, there's a first. He sure is a nice fella, tho. Made all the the runts' day, over here at the shady runtz kennel.

      M&A

      Delete
  23. r.alphbunkerJune 20, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    @M&A
    http://www.informationweek.com/software/information-management/leap-second-clocks-in-on-june-30/d/d-id/1320850
    brought to mind your Bound For Glory (#109) puzzle which have I solved at least 300 times while debugging my program. It is the first puzzle I turn to when testing a new feature of the program.

    Would be cool if a runtpuz where theme answers leapt the second letter was up on June 30!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Masked and AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Chemical analysis of "Elementary Particles", here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjY1MjQwNDgyMDgyMzU0Nw

    M&A

    p.s.
    @r.alph: workin on the 30 June dealie.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Masked and AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    "Non-Terrninator" is Back, for a recap…

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzEzMDk5NDgyOTgyMzg1NQ

    M&A

    p.s.
    @r.alph: Finished that "Now Just Wait a Day-um…" runtpuz. Remind m&e, when we get closer to 30 June.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Masked and AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Nuclear Dishwashing" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=15986&id2=778

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 21, 2015 at 3:29 AM

      "Nuclear Dishwashing": 3:44, no cheats.

      Am not familiar with 4 D.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjYzMDk2NDg4MjQxNzE2Mg

      Thanks.

      Delete
  27. r.alphbunkerJune 21, 2015 at 5:07 AM

    "Nuclear Dishwashing"
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODMyNDExNDg4ODI3OTM0Mw
    @BobK 4D made me squirm also.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Masked and AnonymousJune 21, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Hey!-- Nice times, guys. Wish some more runtsolvers would post their experiences, now and then, too. Always interesting to know what folks liked or didn't like.

    Will eventually probably gear back on the frequency of runtz for a bit, while BobK is outta state in Mall Orca. M&A needs to study up for a class he is attending in July. Thanx.

    "Nuclear Dishwashing" decontamination chamber comments, here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTU4Nzk2NDkyMjUwOTE3OA

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  29. Masked and AnonymousJune 21, 2015 at 8:21 PM

    "Drop Me a Line When You're Coming Down" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16012&id2=73

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJune 22, 2015 at 3:25 AM

      "Drop Me a Line":

      Wow! and Wow! Took me almost nine minutes, and I had to ask for three critical letters, (so it counts as a DNF) but at least I finally saw what was going on after it was right there in my face. Yet another brilliant concept, beautifully executed.

      Thank you so much.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTkxMjYzNDk2ODQxMTc3Nw

      Delete
  30. r.alphbunkerJune 22, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Drop me a line
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTc5MTQ1NDk3NDkzNzMzNg

    ReplyDelete
  31. Masked and AnonymousJune 22, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    @r.alph: re: "Drop Me": Shoulda clued up 4-D as {Iridium, on the atomic scoreboard}. Everybody woulda been happy.

    M&A
    "Elementary, My Dear M&A Breath"

    ReplyDelete
  32. Masked and AnonymousJune 22, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    "Drop Me" gets down and analytical, here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc5MDU4NDk5NjMzMTk0Mg

    M&A

    p.s
    (Shoulda been W --> leaning N, btw.)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Masked and AnonymousJune 22, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Assume that @Bobk is heading out real soon for Mall Orca. Bon voyage, BobK.

    Just in case he can fit one more runt in, before setting sail…

    "Stumpy Stumper: Guardian of the Cinnamon Rolls" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16042&id2=145

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  34. r.alphbunkerJune 23, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    Guardian of the Cinnamon Rolls
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTk5MDg1NTA3MzU4NjAwNw
    I initially thought it was a cryptic because of "Guardian"

    ReplyDelete
  35. Masked and AnonymousJune 23, 2015 at 10:07 AM

    "Cinnamon Roll Guardian" re-collections:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzE3MTA2NTA3ODg4MzYzMQ

    M&A

    Good time for a rest from these barking little runtz. M&A shall return.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Masked and AnonymousJune 29, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    "Now Wait Just a Day-um …" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16237&id2=382

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  37. r.alphbunkerJune 30, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Now Wait just a Day-um
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc0MDA5NTY2NTMwNDk3Nw

    ReplyDelete
  38. Masked and AnonymousJune 30, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    "Now Wait Just a Day-um…" explanation from M&A:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTY5NDE1Njk1Nzk3NzEy

    I think this was a little too weird, even for the dude who requested it.
    Will try to do better, next second.
    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  39. r.alphbunkerJuly 2, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    M&A
    See
    http://puzzlecrowd.com/letterFrequencies.html
    for a comparison of letter frequencies in English with letter frequencies in Shortz era puzzles. U occurs slightly more frequently in English than in the puzzles.
    S occurs significantly more in the puzzles perhaps because of POC.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Masked and AnonymousJuly 2, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    Cool, @r.alph. U always have the most interesting stats. Thanx.

    Here's an old runtpuz, that might have some sort of redeeming feature (in theory).
    "In The Fun-E's" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16284&id2=704

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  41. r.alphbunkerJuly 3, 2015 at 5:19 AM

    M&A
    Had the thought that any puzzle could, in principle, be converted to an "I miss you" theme. Just find all words that could have a U inserted in them to form another word. For instance ARA would become AURA. ARA would appear in the grid but would be clued for AURA, e.g. {Heavenly light?}

    Here is the list of all U-mappable words in Shortz-era puzzles
    http://puzzlecrowd.com/uresults.html
    The words came from Matt Ginsberg's word list which contains a lot of dreck (crUd?)

    Will do the "In The Fun-Es" puzzle later this morning

    ReplyDelete
  42. r.alphbunkerJuly 3, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    Fun-E puzzle
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjcyMzM2NTk0MzgwODkxNA

    ReplyDelete
  43. Masked and AnonymousJuly 3, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    "Fun-E" author's comments…

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDE5MDkxNTk1NDgwMDIxOA

    M&A

    p.s.
    **spoiler alert**
    Occurs to M&A, that there was one more Un-Fun-E entry, that he failed to point out in the writeup. (The one r.alph had a Fairfield story about.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 4, 2015 at 2:20 PM

      Extra Spoiler Alert:

      Regarding the clue, "Degrees like what BobK recently awarded to r.alph? [thereby confusing M&A]"

      I had to look it up. On 6/6/15, the diagonal of the grid was "HIRALPH". and referred to as an Easter Egg. I was jokingly saying that r.alph had earned his EE degree, meaning Easter Egg. Sorry if I upset propriety. ;>)

      Delete
  44. Bob KerfuffleJuly 4, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    "Guardian of the Cinnamon Rolls": 12:01

    I'm baaack!

    Sorry I missed this one before leaving. Today I will try to work my way back to the present. I almost gave up on this one, but stuck with it, used no cheats, and was happy to finish successfully.

    Thanks.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk2NzUyNjA0MDEwOTAyNw

    ReplyDelete
  45. Bob KerfuffleJuly 4, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    "Now Wait . . . ": 14:45.

    I should have waited until I recovered, but I would have struggled with this in any case!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzU2MTcyNjA0MTYyMDc1MQ

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Bob KerfuffleJuly 4, 2015 at 1:49 PM

    Did the "Fun - E" puzzle:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODIwNzI1NjA0Mjg3Nzc4Nw

    Starting to feel a bit groggy now.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Masked and AnonymousJuly 4, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    Welcome home, @BobK.
    Three runtz in succession would definitely tend to be a bit hypnotic.

    Happy Independence Day, to all runtpuz solvers. Runtz are big, on the whole independence concept.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  48. Masked and AnonymousJuly 4, 2015 at 9:31 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Do Not Touch" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16313&id2=170

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 5, 2015 at 2:26 AM

      "Do Not Touch" : 4:07

      Would I have done better if I had kept hands off until I was awake? I doubt it.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc1NzE2MDg4MjM3MDk1

      Thanks.

      Delete
  49. Masked and AnonymousJuly 6, 2015 at 6:18 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Runty & Piste" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16346&id2=180

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 6, 2015 at 6:32 PM

      "Runty & Piste": 5:06

      Never quite figured out if the title has great significance.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjI1MzUwNjIzMjU0Nzg0MA

      Thanks.

      Delete
  50. r.alphbunkerJuly 7, 2015 at 4:04 AM

    "Do not touch"
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTEyNTE5NjI2NTU2OTgzOQ

    Runty & Piste
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?
    id=MTY2MzM0NjI2NzAyNjE2Nw
    Piste is a pun on pissed?

    ReplyDelete
  51. Masked and AnonymousJuly 7, 2015 at 8:15 AM

    No editorial comment was intended on piste. Just thought it was a primo word. Pronounced peest, I think.
    The Stumpy Stumper titles have gotten so desperate for variety, they simply borrow words of interest from the clues. Usually at least one word from the Acrosses and one from the Downs. They could borrow from the grid entries, but that'd be kinda like a major spoiler.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 7, 2015 at 8:48 AM

      As a sometime skier, especially in younger days, I would follow the better athletes when they left the trail and skied "off piste." Even with your correctly rendered pronunciation as above, the punning opportunities were irresistible.

      Delete
  52. Masked and AnonymousJuly 7, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    "Soducko" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16366&id2=483

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  53. Bob KerfuffleJuly 7, 2015 at 8:12 PM

    "Soducko": 8:01, but had to ask to find a couple of wrong letters, though not what the right ones were..

    Totally don't understand this one; await explanation.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM0NDQ3NjMyNDk3MzMxMQ

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Masked and AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    yo. Our internet was down, most of the day. That's what we get, for tryin to hitch a free ride with the NYSE computer network. har.

    @BobK: Here is an author's accounting of that "Soducko" runtpuz:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzk0NzI2NDA1MjAxNTM0

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  55. r.alphbunkerJuly 8, 2015 at 7:11 PM

    Soducko
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTEzOTI1NjQwNzI4MDQyNg

    ReplyDelete
  56. Bob KerfuffleJuly 8, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    "Soducko" -- Surprised I seem to be the only one who knew 16 A right off the bat, from having been a tourist in Bangkok for a few days.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Masked and AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 7:42 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Guns N' Romans" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16388&id2=234

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 9, 2015 at 3:16 AM

      "G&R": 2:42, no cheats.

      Very straightforward. Were it not for the contempt for POCs, the far SE square could go with no other changes from black to "S", leaving only two black squares in the grid.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ1MTM4NjQzNjc0NTM5Nw

      Thanks.

      Delete
  58. r.alphbunkerJuly 9, 2015 at 4:33 AM

    Guns and Romans
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTI3MjQ3NjQ0MTI2ODM0Mg

    ReplyDelete
  59. Masked and AnonymousJuly 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    Author's notes for "Guns N' Romans":

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjY3Mjk5NjQ2MjY5MTE2Nw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 9, 2015 at 4:49 PM

      @M&A _ Regarding your Overall comments on G&R: I'm hoping we remain BFFs, and I'm not at the top of my game right now anyway (darn those margaritas) but you might want to take a second look at the date you entered.

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJuly 9, 2015 at 5:14 PM

      @BobK. har. What razor sharp precision -- exactly one month off, on the NYTPuz date reference, in that comment! This pales, however, in comparison with the new innovations in desperation, coming in the next runtpuz …

      M&A

      Delete
  60. Masked and AnonymousJuly 9, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Innovatively Desperate" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16414&id2=529

    M&A
    "Desperation Is The Father of Invention"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 10, 2015 at 3:02 AM

      "Father of Invention": 3:51. Not so desperate.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTg0NTY4NjUyMjQ5NDg3NQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  61. Masked and AnonymousJuly 10, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    "-LIVE- in Stereo" - 7x7 kinda themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16431&id2=895

    Put this guy out there half a day early, cuz:
    1. Always get excited, when a puz has lots of the circles in it.
    2. Got stuff to do, this evening.
    3. NYTPuz neglected to have a theme, today (10th of JULY)
    4. Last puz was "not so desperate" enough, according to a BFF.
    5. Like to move em out of the runt pen early, if they show signs of mange.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 10, 2015 at 11:20 AM

      "In Stereo": 5:38.

      When will I ever learn to pay attention to the title of the puzzle????

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTE5MTI3NjU1MjI1MjA4Mg

      Thanks.

      Delete
  62. Masked and AnonymousJuly 10, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    "-LIVE- in Stereo" recap by the runtstructioneer:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc5NjcyNjU4NTg3NjI3OA

    M&A

    Probably too soon, to publish another runtpuz here, tonight. Y'all don't wanna hurt yerselves, overdoin it! M&A does wonder, tho, if Crossword Fiend Gal is actually enough of addict, to even work on these things…

    M&A
    "U Will Thank Me, in the Morning"

    ReplyDelete
  63. r.alphbunkerJuly 11, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    Innovatively desperate
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc0NTIyNjYyOTU4NjUyNA

    Live in Stereo
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDAwOTIyNjYzMDM1NTI5OQ

    @BobK I thought the brilliant use of the circles was a brilliant invention inspired by desperation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 11, 2015 at 7:06 PM

      I thought I posted this once before, but now I can't find it:

      For the sake of the millions of youngsters who slavishly follow this blog, here is the true story of the derivation of the name "Ruthenium:"

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthenium

      Delete
  64. Masked and AnonymousJuly 11, 2015 at 12:46 PM

    Not sure if anyone actually noticed the special unusual feature of the whole "Live in Stereo" grid…
    I slave and slave, but where does it get m&e?… (sputter)

    Anyhoo, next one…

    "Stumpy Stumper: Chicken Scoreboard" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16454&id2=253

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 11, 2015 at 6:52 PM

      "Chicken Scoreboard" -- Day at the beach -- dinner (scallops ala Thai) --- vodka collins, pinot grigio -- couldn't solve it on my own. (Asked for incorrect letters, but ultimately guessed correct ones.)

      And, yes, I totally failed to appreciate the beauty of "Live in Stereo."

      But as always, thanks.

      Delete
  65. r.alphbunkerJuly 11, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    I missed the achievement of LIVE in Stereo. The theme is not homeopathic at all! Have you ever tried a Marching Bands puzzle? BEQ is pushing them now.

    ReplyDelete
  66. r.alphbunkerJuly 11, 2015 at 1:47 PM

    I missed the achievement of LIVE in Stereo. The theme is not homeopathic at all! Have you ever tried a Marching Bands puzzle? BEQ is pushing them now.

    ReplyDelete
  67. r.alphbunkerJuly 11, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    Chicken Scoreboard
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU2MzA0NjY0NzYwMzYxOA

    ReplyDelete
  68. Masked and AnonymousJuly 11, 2015 at 2:52 PM

    @r.alph:
    *** spoiler alerts, galore***
    It may have been the "Live in Stereo" runtpuz's own fault, that nobody suspected what it was really up to. I tried to give a hint, using the imbedded circled letters, but maybe that just focused solvers' attention too much on just the circled part.
    Alas, runtstructioneering is a very tricky business. One should not try this, at home.

    The [drench in pith] aside in that one "Chicken Scoreboard" clue was just M&A desperately searching for a new way to say [:Abbr.] M&A intends to continue his ignoble search for the perfect substitution. This is becuz runtpuzs, by their very runtiness, end up with so many day-um abbrs., that something simply Has to be done about it. Glad U liked the M&A solution for RM (Mr. spelled backwards, btw -- but see how M&A is trying to eschew the obvious Abbr:-related cluing, on that puppy?) TBC.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 11, 2015 at 6:59 PM

      D'oh! (Headslap!) Oh, yeah, I get it now -- pith-iness! I get it, the third or fourth time around. Brilliant!

      Delete
  69. Bob KerfuffleJuly 11, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    Oops! Forgot to post link to my "Chicken Scoreboard" solve.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzEyNzAyNjY2NTY1OTEyNQ

    ReplyDelete
  70. Masked and AnonymousJuly 11, 2015 at 9:39 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Spoiler Alert" - 7x7 Unique Solving Experience [We'd ask for yer money back, if we was U]:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16461&id2=968

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 12, 2015 at 3:00 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Spoiler Alert" -- 8:50, but no cheats. Still don't get the first half of the (eventual) clue for 3 D.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE4OTc2NjY5NDk0MDg5OQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  71. Masked and AnonymousJuly 13, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Spoiler Alert" autopsy by the runtstructioneer:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTA0NjMyNjgxMDEyNzIzMw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  72. Masked and AnonymousJuly 13, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    M&A has done some research on the cluing for cryptics in The Guardian. Geez, Louise! I have been too easy…

    "Galaxy of the Guardian III" - 7x7 variety meats:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16490&id2=317

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 13, 2015 at 2:53 PM

      "Galaxy of the Guardian III" --

      Gave it twenty minutes before cheating. (Don't expect to do genuine cryptic like this with any speed, and am not surprised to fail to finish.)

      At the end of 20 min, had everything except 6A and 7D, and when I first asked, everything I did have was correct. Had to ask for three letters before I could fill in the rest. A very worthy cryptic.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDcxNjc4NjgyNDA5NDc0NA

      Thanks.

      Delete
  73. Masked and AnonymousJuly 13, 2015 at 9:16 PM

    We now return U to your regularly scheduled runtpuzs…

    "Stumpy Stumper: Herb-Rich Rhodium" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16494&id2=977

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 14, 2015 at 3:33 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Herb-Rich Rhodium" -- 2:44

      Would have been faster if I had waited until I was awake, maybe.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjAwNTUzNjg2OTgzODgzMg

      Thanks.

      Delete
  74. Masked and AnonymousJuly 14, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    "Galaxy of the Guardian III" runtstructioneer autopsy:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDM5MjE1Njg5NjU0MzU1OA

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 14, 2015 at 12:19 PM

      12/2 = 6 :>)

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJuly 14, 2015 at 1:07 PM

      har.
      Gentleman's half.
      Plus, writin out 7/12 in that clue woulda given too much away…

      M&A
      "A Desperate Answer for Everything"

      Delete
  75. Masked and AnonymousJuly 14, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    "Open Season on Weejects" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16517&id2=335

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 3:21 AM

      "Open Season on Weejects" -- 3:59

      Runtpuz lust overcomes lethargy.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzI5MTgxNjk1NTU4MTI4Mw

      Thanks.

      Delete
  76. Masked and AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    Since @r.alph evidently hasn't solved "Galaxy of the Guardian III" yet, here is an improved version, based on @BobK.'s input on the 6-A clue:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16527&id2=987

    Where is @r.alph, btw? Sure missin his daily runtpuz analysises. Spouse and I usually pop up some popcorn, kick back and watch em roll…

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 8:05 AM

      Spoiler alert - for M&A's eyes only:

      ;>) Sorry, same problem. This is way too far-fetched, but how about,

      "Sixteenth in a series is evenly Albion scrollin'"?

      Delete
    2. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 8:08 AM

      Spoiler again:

      On second thought, no reason that couldn't be

      "Sixteenth in a series is evenly Albion scrolling."

      Delete
    3. Masked and AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM

      @BobK, otherwise **Spoiler Alert**

      Half of MYLINEARCOLUMN would be any 7 sample letters, right? Day-um, Bob K., what's the matter with it?!! I await yer reply with bated M&A breath…

      M&A

      Delete
    4. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 12:18 PM

      Sincere apologies. You are right, of course. Apparently I am so lacking in MALEEGO that I failed to count "my" as part of the words under consideration.

      I keep massaging *my* offering: How about: "Albion scrolling evenly creates sixteenth in a series"? (Those cryptic clues really are addictive.)

      Delete
  77. r.alphbunkerJuly 15, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    Speed solver's nightmare.
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjU1NTI4Njk3OTIyNzk1Mg

    Cryptic
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODIyMDgzNjk4MTI0NzUxNw

    Herb-rich Rhodium
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjUzNzQ2Njk4MjI2NjQxNQ

    Open Season on Weejects
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzYwMDk2OTgzMzAxMzM0

    Whew! All caught up.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    (Off-Topic for Runtpuz):

    @r.alph -- At the end of last year I did a puzzle from George Barany's site titled "Enigma Variations (CONTEST)". I see it has your name on it also.

    I filled out the grid, but I never had a ghost of a chance of solving the meta of the puzzle. Way over my head.

    I have never seen an explanation of what the meta answer to this puzzle was, or how one would derive it. (George's usual *midrash* seems to remain silent.) Could you direct me to any further information?

    Thanks.

    Bob K

    ReplyDelete
  79. Masked and AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    Welcome back, @r.alph!
    One of yer write-ups reminded me of that "loacle" typo still in the "Galaxy of the Guardian III" runtpuz. So, here is the re-corrected "undoable" version, for yer library:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16528&id2=711

    The new version stands by "my" corrected 6-A clue, even tho I really think the last clue version that @BobK came up with is primo to the point of being definitive!

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  80. r.alphbunkerJuly 15, 2015 at 1:13 PM

    @BobK
    The meta answer was LABORIOUSLY
    The 5 eleven letter answers were:
    SAXOPHONIST
    CYBERNETICS
    CUMBERBATCH
    NEWSCASTING
    MUSCLE CRAMP
    Notice that in all of them the 4th letter is the same as the 7th letter and the 1st letter is the same as the 10th letter. LABORIOUSLY fits that pattern also. Most people who got it guessed that the meta answer was an adverb and hence ended in LY which meant that it began with L. Entering the query l????????ly in onelook.com produced a short list and LABORIOUSLY was the only one whose 4th and 7th letters were the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 15, 2015 at 1:22 PM

      Thank you, r.alph!

      Guaranteed, I never would have solved that! Obviously there are people who did, but their minds work far differently from mine. But now I can stop wondering!

      Delete
  81. Masked and AnonymousJuly 15, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    "Stumpy Steps and Straightaways" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16531&id2=647

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 16, 2015 at 3:36 AM

      "Stumpy Steps and Straightaways" -- 9:08. One silly mistake, had to ask to be shown which letter it was to complete.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM3Mjc5NzA0Mjc2MTE5Ng

      Thanks.

      Delete
  82. r.alphbunkerJuly 16, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    Stumpy Steps and Straightaways
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjUyMzY5NzA2MTUyNjUxOA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 16, 2015 at 9:06 AM

      @r.alph -- My take on your comment re: 8A is that STET means "put back in something that was indicated to be taken out," so it is necessarily a correction of a previously made correction.

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJuly 16, 2015 at 11:06 AM

      @BobK.: yep. Didn't say anything in my ru(nt)structioneer rebuttal, because I had already butted in, before @r.alph wrote up his STETS comment. Actually, I looked, and the NYTPuz has used prexactly that same clue for STET, before. They think like m&e. (Bad sign, for them.)

      M&A

      Delete
  83. Masked and AnonymousJuly 16, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    Rustructioneer's rebuttal, a la "Steps and Straightaways"…

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzU3MDU3MDYxODI5MDAz

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  84. Masked and AnonymousJuly 16, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    "Roll Over, Beethoven" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16550&id2=344

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 16, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      "Roll Over, Beethoven" -- 6:17

      Aren't I a good boy? Good boy!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzI4NTQ0NzEwMjQ2OTI1NQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  85. Masked and AnonymousJuly 17, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    "Size Matters" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16561&id2=720

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 17, 2015 at 4:46 PM

      "Size Matters" -- Yeah, my brain is kind of small, but even though 8:40, no cheats!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQyNzA4NzE3NjYyNDU4Nw

      Thanks.

      Delete
  86. Masked and AnonymousJuly 17, 2015 at 8:27 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Peter, Paul and Peewee" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16565&id2=381

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 18, 2015 at 3:46 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Peter, Paul and Peewee" -- 5:09, no cheats.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgyNzE0NzIxNjE5NTY3OQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  87. Masked and AnonymousJuly 17, 2015 at 8:49 PM

    Runstructioneer comments for "Roll Over, Beethoven". And, yes, @BobK. Good boy.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjMwMzcxOTEyMDkzOTI

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  88. r.alphbunkerJuly 18, 2015 at 10:25 AM

    Roll Over, Beethoven
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUyNTMxNzIzNjY0NDAxMQ

    Size Matters
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODE0Mjc4NzIzODUxMDU2Ng

    Peter, Paul and Peewee
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzQ1Mzg2NzI0MDMzNDc0OQ

    ReplyDelete
  89. Masked and AnonymousJuly 18, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    "Size Matters" put into words:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTIyOTgzNzI0NDMzNTUzOQ

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  90. Masked and AnonymousJuly 18, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    "Peter, Paul and Peewee" long-awaited slippery (skink-like) explanation:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODc5MDY5NzI0NjM3MDE0MA

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  91. Bob KerfuffleJuly 18, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    Wow! My lower-class status is really showing today! Only someone like me would be aware of these things. :>)

    No offense, and I know it is totally wrong to say, "How could you not know that?", but there are two Wikipedia entries I must bring up:

    @r.alph - Never heard of "Dogs playing Poker"? My sainted mother had a tapestry version, which I still have, which at one time hung in our living room:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_Playing_Poker#Coolidge_paintings

    @M&A - No direct clue for "OC"? I never watched it, but who can forget this TV series:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_O.C.


    ?

    ReplyDelete
  92. Masked and AnonymousJuly 18, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Krozel-esque":

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16571&id2=372

    M&A

    p.s.
    @BobK.: yep. Knew I'd vaguely heard "O.C." used somewhere somehow. Never have seen that particular show, either, tho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 19, 2015 at 2:56 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Krozel-esque" -- 5:37. Lot of write-overs, but no cheats.

      Was expecting an irregular grid, from the title.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU4NDE3Mjk5NTg1OTE2

      Thanks.

      Delete
  93. r.alphbunkerJuly 19, 2015 at 4:11 AM

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzcwODYxNzMwNDEyMDI4Nw
    @BobJ I see that you didn't believe 1D either

    ReplyDelete
  94. Masked and AnonymousJuly 19, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Dang. Tough crowd of solvers today, both here and at RexWorld.
    Like the Shortzmeister always says … no refunds.

    Desperate to make atonements, M&A offers up this entertainin prose:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTgyNjI0NzMyODY0MTkzMw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  95. Masked and AnonymousJuly 19, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    Cruel and Unusual Dept.

    "Let It Slide": 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16581&id2=141

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 19, 2015 at 6:29 PM

      "Let It Slide": -- Had to ask for a whole lot of help before I got anywhere with this one!

      !http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTg0NTQ4NzM1NTU3MDgzOA

      Thanks.

      Delete
  96. r.alphbunkerJuly 19, 2015 at 7:59 PM

    Let it slide
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU2NDQwNzM1OTYzODM3OA

    ReplyDelete
  97. Masked and AnonymousJuly 19, 2015 at 9:03 PM

    With critical acclaim like this, M&A sees only one possible option…

    "Let It Slide Rides Again!" - 7x7 themed:

    http://www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16585&id2=802

    M&A

    p.s. I don't think this one will be nearly as cruel and unusual as the previous one. If I'm wrong, IOU dudes one really fun & easy runtpuz...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 20, 2015 at 3:52 AM

      "Let It Slide Rides Again!" -- 17:03

      I'll claim a solve on this one, even though I did ask to be shown which letter I had wrong (and it was only one.) Really tried to fight it down to a correct solution on my own, but no such luck. Only after I finished and looked over the complete grid did I understand the gimmick. But much easier than the previous!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzIxMzkzNzM4OTI3MzUzNw

      Thanks.

      Delete
  98. r.alphbunkerJuly 20, 2015 at 5:03 AM

    Let it slide rides again
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTEyMjI1NzM5Mzc2MjcwMw

    ReplyDelete
  99. Masked and AnonymousJuly 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    The field of battle is littered with runtpuz bodies this morning.
    "Let It Slide" war stories, from the construction company:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk0NTE0NzQyMjI3NTg1Mw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  100. Masked and AnonymousJuly 20, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    "Let It Slide Rides Again!" seems to have give folks at this here dog show their nerve back, at least a little. Here are my impressions on it:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc1MTkzNzQyMzk5ODc5Nw

    M&A

    p.s
    Will still try to offer up a "Speed Dreamin" runtpuz, as a needed change of pace, next. Thanx to everyone, for hangin in there, thru thick and thin. Awful nice of some people, to work on weirdballish puzs made by some anonymoUs old yahoo wearin a mask ...

    ReplyDelete
  101. Masked and AnonymousJuly 20, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    For Solvers Wishing to Beat Their All-Time Record (in a Good Way) Dept.

    "Speed Dreamin: Shaggy Word Nerd" - 7x7 eazy-e themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16598&id2=390

    M&A

    Try to avoid wasting valuable nanoseconds reading the clues, whenever possible.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 20, 2015 at 3:33 PM

      "Speed Dreamin: Shaggy Word Nerd" -- 4:43

      Not the high speed you were hoping for, but then, I may be hopeless.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjU3MDYzNzQzMTQ0OTc0OQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  102. r.alphbunkerJuly 20, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    Speed dreaming
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODE1MzQ3NDQ2MjM1NTk4

    @BobK
    VEL for 17A was pretty good.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Masked and AnonymousJuly 20, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Pretty good times on "Speed Dreamin", guys. This next runtpuz might be very easy. Or maybe it's kinda challenging. M&A feels strongly both ways.

    "Runty Quotations" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16606&id2=829

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 21, 2015 at 3:14 AM

      "Runty Quotations": -- 4:07, no cheats.

      Kinda half way between very easy and kinda challenging. (Would elicit rage from R.P.?)

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQwNDI2NzQ3MzQ2Njg0MQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  104. r.alphbunkerJuly 21, 2015 at 4:16 AM

    Runty quotations
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQ1Nzg1NzQ3NzM1MDg4Mw

    ReplyDelete
  105. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    "Runty Quotations" memoir:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjI2ODgyNzQ4ODE1MDQzNg

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  106. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    p.s.
    ahar! Perfectomundo "Runty Quotations" clue for 13-D:
    {Questinia's new show on cable channel 13??}

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  107. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Move on over, Joe Krozel dude…

    "Crossing Over To The Dark Side" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16614&id2=150

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 21, 2015 at 5:03 PM

      "Crossing Over To The Dark Side" == 2:29.

      But wait . . . Top/Bottom symmetry!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource
      /GetSolution?id=MzQzMzk1NzUyMzI1NjA4

      Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Bob KerfuffleJuly 21, 2015 at 5:07 PM

      Sorry, had a typo, messed up the link to my solve.

      Delete
    3. Bob KerfuffleJuly 21, 2015 at 5:09 PM

      And here it is, if I'm lucky (and, oops, was 2:49, not 2:29):

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzQzMzk1NzUyMzI1NjA4Mg

      Delete
  108. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    @BobK.: Very impressive solve time! I was afraid "Crossing Over" might possibly be trouble brewin.

    Surely even Joe K. would be gung-ho for a puz with "weird-ass" symmetry. For "zero" symmetry, tho, see "Runty Quotations", above.

    Looks like M&A will be away from the runt kennel for a little over a week, starting Saturday. So y'all will get a well-deserved rest.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  109. r.alphbunkerJuly 21, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    Crossing over to the dark side
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTIyNTUxNzUyNjk5NTE2MA
    Quintessential runt. This puzzle belongs on a T-shirt!
    @BobK
    Good catch on the up/down mirror symmetry. This has been done only once in the Shortz era by Kevin Der (http://www.xwordinfo.com/crossword?date=4/15/2012)

    ReplyDelete
  110. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    Great "Dark Side" solve times, all around. U dudes are amazin. Glad U enjoyed it. Not sure what inspired this runtpuz … probably just M&A suspecting that solvers thought he'd gone to the "dark side", when he came up with the two
    "Let It Slide" runts.

    "Dark Side" commentary:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA5NjUxNzUzNDE2NzI0MA

    M&A
    "Where Do You Go, from the Dark Side?"

    ReplyDelete
  111. Masked and AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Pocatello Prom Dress" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16618&id2=811

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 22, 2015 at 3:16 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Pocatello Prom Dress" -- 4:46, no cheats.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzU4NzgyNzU1OTk3NTkyMg

      Thanks.

      Delete
  112. r.alphbunkerJuly 22, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    Pocatello Prom Dress
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzUzNDY2NzU5NTAwMzI4NQ

    ReplyDelete
  113. Masked and AnonymousJuly 22, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    "Designer Runt" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16633&id2=847

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 23, 2015 at 3:30 AM

      "Designer Runt" -- 4:13; had to be told I had two wrong squares, but fixed them on my own.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI4NDQzNzY0NzIwNTAxNg

      Thanks.

      Delete
  114. Masked and AnonymousJuly 23, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Why Is He Shouting?" - 7x7 themeless;
    Words:18, Blocks: 8, Avg Word Len: 4.56, Scrabble Avg: 1.56, Open squares: 16,
    Cheater squares: 6, Spans: 2, Freshness Factor (™): 73.2 (97.2 percentile),
    Not Missing: U:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16658&id2=535

    M&A
    "Stats Will Set U Free"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 23, 2015 at 1:27 PM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Why Is He Shouting?" -- TMI!!

      6:04, but no cheats.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTAwOTk4NzY4MzE0NDY3NA

      Thanks.

      Delete
  115. Masked and AnonymousJuly 23, 2015 at 9:04 PM

    "Son of a Stumpy Speedfest" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16677&id2=232

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  116. Bob KerfuffleJuly 24, 2015 at 3:30 AM

    "Son of a Stumpy Speedfest" -- 3:04, no cheats.

    Just can't make a puzzle that I will find a speedfest. See my note on 4 D:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzA0MDQ3NzczMzQwNzM1Ng

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 24, 2015 at 3:35 AM

      Wha? My comment didn't "take." What do I have to do to have my comments included in my analysis of my solve?

      Will expand later, but basically called for a "??."

      Delete
  117. r.alphbunkerJuly 24, 2015 at 5:16 AM

    Designer runt
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzYzMDAyNzczNzM1MjA1MA

    "Why is He Shouting"
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODc5ODA0NzczOTI1NjAzNA

    Son of a Stumpy Speedfest
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjU2MTM3NzQwMDI3Njcz

    @BobK
    You need to upload the solution again after adding comments. If you reopen the puzzle, your comments will still be there. Uploading will make them available for playback.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Bob KerfuffleJuly 24, 2015 at 7:34 AM

    Thank you, r.alph. I will try to remember that in the future. However, I may be missing something again, because it seems, unless I am missing something, I cannot re-open the "Upload Solution" button after having done it the first time; i.e., I can no longer add a comment.

    In any case (SPOILER) my comment was, "MS-->MR I thought this clue should have had a "??" because (A) MS could be a singular before she becomes a MRS, and (B) the plural of MR in my dictionary is MESSRS."

    ReplyDelete
  119. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    @r.alph: On "Designer Runt" one way to solve the meta. U get another solution, if you don't stop yer coloring at one…

    @BobK.: I wavered back and forth on awarding that singular Mrs. a double-?? clue. Showed the single-? clue to PuzEatinSpouse; she immediately said "Mr.?"
    So I stuck with singular-?. It's probably a 1.5-? clue.

    One more runtpuz tonight, then adios for a week, amigos.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  120. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Yo!
    Puttin this "bon voyager" runtpuz out on the blogspot now, but would sorta prefer no one work on it, until M&A is safely out of town…

    "Catch 22" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16691&id2=545

    M&A

    p.s. Keepin the runtpuz stats under control today, for @BobK.'s sake.

    p.p.s.s. Runtpuz has 49 squares.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleJuly 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM

      Must respect constructor's request to give him a chance to cross the state line, but I will make certain predictions:

      (1) Upon reading "Runtpuz has 49 squares," I will think this means 49 blank squares to be filled, and be unable to resist peeking.

      (2) I will be able to fill the grid in 4:58, with no cheats.

      (3) I will be inclined to say, "Another great theme! Beautiful!!"

      (4) I will post my solution at:

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM3NjMwNzc2MTU4MDI5OA

      (5) And as always, I will say, "Thanks, and hope your week off goes great."

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 11:52 AM

      har.
      Or, as the runtpuz psychiatrist would say, "Verrry interestink…"

      M&A

      Delete
  121. r.alphbunkerJuly 24, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    @M&A
    Have a great trip. I will update the list of M&A puzzles at runtpuz.org in your absence. Your total is now 307. Amazing productivity.

    @BobK
    Will write up better instructions for runtpuz.org soon. Thanks for being a beta tester.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 3:06 PM

    Due to recent controversy, "Designer Runt" trumps up an explanation, here:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTAyOTQ3Nzc3NTQ2NDQzMA

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  123. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    FYI…
    Over at Diary of a Crossword Fiend today, Amy Renaldo, while commenting on the NYTPuz entry ANTINOVEL, proposes: "Do anticrosswords exist? Discuss."

    har. Exhibit A here might be "Let It Slide". Other choice anti-representatives abound, tho. Pretty sure these runtz must not be on her radar screen.

    Might be just as well!

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  124. Bob KerfuffleJuly 24, 2015 at 4:53 PM

    @M&A - Here's an odd coincidence, and maybe by this time you are on your way and won't see it for ten days:

    Just this afternoon, three weeks after returning from my vacation, I finished cleaning up most of my electronic backlog. One of the things I stumbled upon was this (rather well-disguised) shout-out to runtpuzzes in the blog of an aspiring constructress named Lena Webb:

    https://aimlesslythemeless.wordpress.com/author/lenawebb/

    (scroll down to the post for June 23, 2015.)

    Just when I was beginning to think that the population of Runtville was approximately three!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Masked and AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 9:43 PM

      @Bob K.: yep. Saw it before leaving.
      Cool. Population is approximately at least 4, off and on!
      Thanx.

      @r.alph: 307 runtz? Woof! -- that oughta add up to at least 5 or 6 Sunday NYT's. No wonder I need a vacation.

      M&A

      p.s.
      Y'all dream up lots new runtpuz theme ideas (or even just intriguingly weird puz titles), while M&A is gone. U know -- if U leave me on to own devices, U get the likes of "Let It Slide" or "Galaxy of the Guardian"! [Br-r-r-r.]
      Thanx again.

      Delete
  125. r.alphbunkerJuly 31, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    Catch 22
    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjU1NzQyODM1OTM0NTU2Mw

    I see that the runt puzzler, Lena Webb has made the big time over at Rex Parker.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Masked and AnonymousAugust 2, 2015 at 8:27 PM

    "Runtinental Divide Joke" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16865&id2=754

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  127. Bob KerfuffleAugust 3, 2015 at 2:52 AM

    "Runtinental Divide Joke" -- 3:00, no cheats.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODg3OTIxODU5NTA3OTM2MA

    Welcome back, indeed! What a two weeks it has been. No runtpuz to take my attention away from a little health crisis I have been having (Seems to be getting better now. You know the story: Without treatment, this could last seven days, but with the care of a competent doctor, you can be cured in one week.) And over at Rex's place, a new system installed to drive away the trolls who had just about convinced me to leave for good. Now if the other commenters can just get over saying, "Oh, how nice it is here!" for the seven-hundredth time.

    I'm hoping to get to Lollapuzzocho on Saturday if I am sufficiently recovered. Should I be looking for you there, M&A?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Masked and AnonymousAugust 3, 2015 at 7:53 AM

      Yer what hurts? (My doc always says that.)

      Have I been gone two weeks? Where'd that other week go? Learned how to apply the water colors to the water color paper. Did a fabulous work of art, featuring both Groot and his dog Gr-r-root. Also made one with blown bubbles and swirlin cobweb fiber stuff, which I called "Samurai Basket Weaver".

      Must check out that there new Rexiverse port of entry. If it keeps the riffraff out, M&A may be relegated to just commentin over here.

      Regretfully, our paths will not cross at Lollaspatchowhoosit.

      M&A

      Delete
  128. Masked and AnonymousAugust 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    "Catch 22" faint reminiscences, from a week (or two?) ago:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQ2NjQwODYyNDY1NjczMQ

    I applaud @r.alph's patience, in waiting on his solve of this one, until M&A was long since safely out of town.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  129. Masked and AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Green Goop" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16894&id2=103

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleAugust 4, 2015 at 8:35 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Green Goop" -- 3:28, no cheats.

      Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Bob KerfuffleAugust 4, 2015 at 8:37 AM

      Ooops! --

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODIxNTE5ODcwMjI4Mjk3Mw

      Delete
  130. Masked and AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    @BobK.: 3 flat and 3:28 are superb solve times. Congrats. But --- hardly the kind of runtpuz training U require, to get U Lollapuzlisticle-ready for that there competitive weekend tourney…

    "UNCCL" - 7x7 biter runt:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16907&id2=809

    M&A

    (No, the UNCCL does not just stand for "uncool".)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleAugust 4, 2015 at 11:33 AM

      "UNCCL" -- 11:30, no cheats but a lot of puzzlement.

      Yep, brought me back down to Earth!

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA5NzMxODcxMzA0NjkzNQ

      Thanks.

      Delete
  131. Masked and AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    @BobK.: Yeah, mighta overdone it slightly, on the challengingness, for "UNCCL".
    Take this practice runt for a walk, next time…

    "Toil and Trouble" - 7x7 themed:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16911&id2=470

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleAugust 4, 2015 at 2:02 PM

      "Toil and Trouble" -- 7:33, no cheats.

      And this was easier how? :>)

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTkyMjEzODcyMjAyNzk1MA

      Thanks

      Delete
    2. Masked and AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 2:14 PM

      It ain't! … Mainly, becuz M&A messed up on the verb tense of the 1-D clue! day-um. What can I say, BobK., except … no refunds!

      Anyhoo, here is the revised "Toil and Trouble" grid, for the rest of the test solvers:

      www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16916&id2=854

      M&A
      "Your What Hurts?"

      Delete
  132. Masked and AnonymousAugust 4, 2015 at 9:39 PM

    "Stumpy Stumper: Epitome of Strength" - 7x7 themeless:

    www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=16924&id2=176

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob KerfuffleAugust 5, 2015 at 3:27 AM

      "Stumpy Stumper: Epitome of Strength" -- 6:21, no cheats.

      http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQ4MDU3ODc3MDMyMjE3Mw

      Thanks.

      Delete
  133. Masked and AnonymousAugust 5, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    @BobK.: Decent solve time on the Stumper. Tho possibly slowed ever so slightly by injuries, U seem to be roundin nicely into tournament form.

    Where'd @r.alph go? Is he takin August off? I wanted to ask him about this puzzle report dealy. Also, this comment block is about to bubble over the 200 limit. Did his latest comments get moderated out of this blog? Concerns the M&A …

    M&A

    ReplyDelete

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