FWIW, the wily @r.alph was pretty much on the right trail, with his "Would Wee Fool You??" April Fool theme theory. Emphasis on the "wee" also, of course, in the puztitle's contribution.
I'm ba-a-ack. Whoa, I almost accidentally posted a near-impossible runtpuz, so hope U didn't try that thing. Here's one that I think is "normal", as runtz go…
@BobK. -- Wow, U are incredibly brave (and/or rash), to try that messed-up impossible "Over The Counter" runtpuz. Yer solve went sorta like I was afraid it would. Maybe I'll figure out how to disarm it a bit, get it to make more sense, and publish it for real on purpose someday…
The more ornery stumpy stumper runtz were all itchin to get into the ring with the test solvers and let the fur fly, after the "T-Rex" of the litter was sent packin, with its tail between its legs. Sooo … Here's a s.s. that was raised by the wolves ...
@BobK. - Mixed vibes on PUUMALA … has the primo vowel selection right outta the chute … but, is home to the dreaded Puumala Virus … yet, it also home to the nicely named Kukonharju Channel … on the other hand, its all the way over in Finland, and M&A doesn't do airplanes, since the airlines started beatin up on all their passengers …
Compromise solution: 7 letters long, so really needs to go into a runtpuz. Vacation destination: Negative.
@M&A Run T=Nuts is #945 which makes you even with BEQ. Amazing! I have updated the all-answers listing in the post. There are 1,193 new answers added since puzzle #801. @BobK has also contributed Puumala as the word of the day.
@r.alph: Allrighty, then… Let's get out the slide rule, here … 55 puzs to go. At 2 a week, that's 27.5 weeks, for the BEQmeister to hit 1000. Yikes. M&A needs to slow waaay the heck down, to make a race outta this. Maybe if I only construct 15x15 desperate word squares, for a while … ?
p.s. But, then again, as I've said before: It's sorta an Applesauce and Oranges comparison … BEQ: 15x15-sized, with sparingly-used desperation. Plus, he's buildin lots more big puzzles constantly, to sell all over tarnation. He even sells puzzle books. Crossword Fiend features him in their write-ups. M&A: 7x7-sized (less than 1/4 as big). Desperation is considered one of his few pluses. Sent one puz to Will Shortz three years ago, and ain't heard back since. Crossword Fiend would rather be poked in the eye with a sharp stick.
Looks like "Big Bumpy Bumpers" bumped the test solvers around pretty hard. M&A hesitates to introduce the follow-up "Bigger Bumpier Bumperers" to them anytime soon. Altho, they might find it simpler, having learned from the round 1 runt…
Here it is, then. Hope I'm not bein extra cruel, or somethin. (Don't mean to go all United Airlines on everyone's ass.)
Hey, the nice thing about even biter runtz, is: they're short, give their licks, and then move on … (Did I mention I gave U 15 min. to do this one?)
Bet y'all are really fired up to do this hairy little thing, by now.
Just wanted to stop by and bestow my heartfelt congratz to the runt test solvers, for their decidedly improved performances on "Bigger Bumpier Bumperers". It is clear that U all learned a lot, by sufferin through yer "Big Bumpy Bumpers" experience.
Originally, the "BIgger Bumpier Bumperers" one was the only bumper runt in the kennel. But it seemed impossibly hard. Sooo… its predecessor was then born into the litter, and the rest is Runt University history …
@BobK.: re: yer 12 min. question. Had noticed that sometimes test solvers would just barely go over the 10 min. limit, on Desperate Wotd Squares, so thought I'd try 12. Especially since test solvers are such smarties, and maybe other more bashful, occasional runt solvers could use a little extra time? [Even tho I'll probably never know if there *are* any other solvers like that.]
@Teedmn: yep. 20-A was one of them deals where U groan, when U finally get it. Admired the schlock flick reference, tho. Is "Lars G. Doubleday" one of them Stanley Newman aliases? [Sorta like "Marie Kelley" for "Really Mike" (Shenk), over at another puz paper.]
I put out another runt sooner than usual today, on account of everybody worked the late FriNight's offering much sooner than M&A expected.
M&A decided to also kick this new-born runt out of the pen early, becuz: 1. It is almost more one of them "Daring Runtpuz Experiment(™)" lab rats, than it is a purebred runt. 2. It is almost unfair. 3. But it can almost be done in 15 min. 4. Almost nobody would expect another runt this soon. (M&A admires the element of surprise.) 5. Is was almost sorta roughly reverse-inspired by the Universal Crossword clue of {Snob} for SNOB, as recently cited at the Rex Parker site. 6. It has some U's in it, and M&A wants to wipe that almost bad taste from the last runt out of his maw.
@BobK.-- U R welcome. I think we drove up to Jyllinge, sight unseen, during a 1983 roadtrip. Picked out the hotel at random, after we got there. Had a young dude named Lars G. somesuch as our gracious host, who checked us in and spoke English. He would take our patio beer orders, and as soon as he got off the patio, would start running to the kitchen. Think he was trying to wear several hats, at once. View from there was a beaut, and it never quite got dark at night (sun would just barely set, in June).
p.s. I've got this other experimental runt. (Extra-weirdball, like "Almost Alternative Clues", but yet entirely a different thing/theme.]
What M&A is soul-searchin about: Should I inflict these Frankenstein lab rat versions of runtz on U nice test solver folks? I usually don't ever inflict em on an unsuspectin Rex Parker Comments Gallery crowd, unless the lil runtzensteins happen to work out real good here, first. [I promise to always go out of my way to warn about biters, before unleashin them here, of course. And no more experiments in German cluin, @r.alph.]
Don't mean to be mean, but like to be "different" sometimes … M&A
Customary experimental 15 min. allotment has been imposed. Altho, M&A frankly has no earthly idea how easy/hard this puppy will end of bein. It's pretty different.
@M&A and anyone else who might enjoy -- I don't know if you do these puzzles routinely, but I think you might particularly like today's Wall Street Journal Contest Crossword by Marie Kelly (anagram of "Mike [Shenk] really").
Yoicks. If U ask me, Desperate Word Square #21's 4-Down clue/answer just ain't quite right in the head. Not sure what happened there, as M&A made that runtpuz a few weeks back.
Big Sorry, to early test solvers.
Fortunately, every desperate word square answer has another at least equally desperate clue, waitin in the wings. Revised "Desperate Word Square #21" version is below…
I recently saw the movie "The Promise," not because I have a particular interest in somewhat sappy movies about the Armenian genocide, but mainly because I see a lot of movies.
One of the small roles in the movie (important historically, but just a brief appearance in the film) was played by James Cromwell, one of the few actors I recognized. I like to joke that he was a sheep farmer who went on to invent Warp Drive, because the first time I became aware of Cromwell, though well into his career, was as the sheep farmer in the 1995 movie "Babe." At the time, I wondered if he was Australian or a Kiwi. He is quite thoroughly American. The next time I noticed him was when he played Dr. Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the warp drive, in "Star Trek: First Contact." But I was amused to learn, not recently, that his character name in "Babe," Arthur Hogget, is a play on the term for a particular age of sheep. Hogget and Teg share meanings in ways not completely clear to me.
p.s. Bred some really neat, raised-by-wolves runtz, during the day, today. Had to somehow resist the urge to let any of em out of the pen immediately/prematurely. So tryin to stay busy, by bloggin all over tarnation. Besides, mighty test solver @r.alph needs to catch up...
@BG1: Have a great vacation, bud. M&A is contemplation a loongish vacation, once he gets to the 1001 runtz mark. @r.alph: pleaz be sure and let m&e know, when I get to #999; have something kinda "small & special" writ-up, for runt#1000.
@r.alph: Comment count here will now = at least 199. Just sayin. Thanx.
"Would Wee Fool You??" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Would Wee Fool You??" Missed the theme.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk3MTE0MTEzNjc2MzI2MA
"Would Wee Fool You??" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTgxNTU2MTE0NTUzNzk5NA
Thanks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, the wily @r.alph was pretty much on the right trail, with his "Would Wee Fool You??" April Fool theme theory. Emphasis on the "wee" also, of course, in the puztitle's contribution.
ReplyDeleteM&A
p.s.
ReplyDeletePrimo clean solve time by the mighty @BobK. on "Would Wee Fool You??".
M&A had been afraid that runtpuz mighta been almost unsolvable.
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Without Much of a Fight" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Without Much of a Fight" put up a bit of a fight! Nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQxNjIyMTIyMzQ2NzE1NA
"Without Much of a Fight" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTA0NTA0MTIyODcxMTExMA
Thanks
"Desperate Word Square #19" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperation Word Square #19" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTAxNTYyMTMxMDgyODg4OQ
"Desperate Word Square #19" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODM5MjY1MTMxNjA1MTY0Mg
Thanks
"Dropping Trou" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Dropping Trou" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTA2MDMyMTM1NDc4NDQwNA
"Dropping Trou" --
ReplyDeleteSeems unfair in a way that @Teedmn did so much better than I did, as she so often does, yet her ACPT score winds up being the same as mine! --
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzcyNDAxMzU4NDcwNDI4
Thanks.
You came in ahead of me at the ACPT by a healthy margin, @Bobk :-). Just think what @r.alph would do at the ACPT - he'd kick both of us in the trou!
DeleteThis is sorta a combo inspired by the third runtpuz challenge topic, and also yesterday's NYTPuz…
ReplyDelete"Press Briefing" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
Sorry, I didn't see yesterday's NYTXwd (Resist Normalization!) --
ReplyDelete"Press Briefing" --
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU2NjMwMTQwNTQ5MTY2OA
Thanks
"Press Briefing" Unlike for @r.alph, this was anything but brief. Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYxMjMyMTQzOTQ3OTkwNA
Stumpy Stumper: "Slippery Slope" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Slippery Slope" too slippery for me but very nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzA3NTYzMTQ4MDM1NjEzMw
"Slippery Slope" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjIzMDk2MTQ4NTUyMzkwNg
Thanks.
"Stuck in the Middle with You" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Stuck in the Middle With You" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODAxMDU4MTU2OTQwMjU5MA
"Stuck in the Middle with You" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjAyMjQyMTU3MzY5MDgwMQ
Thanks
@Teedmn: U rule, on yer "Stuck in the Middle with You" solvequest. Primo job! [by Stealers Wheel -- not Bob Dylan, as I had pre-research suspected.]
ReplyDeleteM&A
I can never remember the name of that band; I just remember that the lead vocalist is Gerry Rafferty of Baker Street fame.
DeleteStumpy Stumper: "Like Shakespeare" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Like Shakespeare"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE5MjAwMTY1OTczNzg1Mw
Hey, gang, ROOT, ROOT, ROOT for the home team!
ReplyDelete"Like Shakespeare" --
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDMxODkxNjcxNDg2NjEx
Thanks.
"M&A Face Lift" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
Tomorrow will be the last runtpuz for week or so, as the M&A's are goin on a road trip. (Thanx U for not cheering.) (And no refunds.)
"M&A Face Lift" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTkzNDk1MTc0Nzc1NjcxMg
Thanks, and bon voyage.
"M&A Face Lift" Have a safe road trip. No cheers here :-(. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTk5ODExMTc1MjMwNzkzOA
Stumpy Stumper: "Burp Rhymer" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Burp Rhymer" Thanks for the bonus Runt!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzM1MTAyMTgyNzk5NDUzMQ
"Burp Rhymer" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzEzOTMzMTgzMzk0OTE4MA
Thanks, and Gute Reise!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm ba-a-ack. Whoa, I almost accidentally posted a near-impossible runtpuz, so hope U didn't try that thing. Here's one that I think is "normal", as runtz go…
ReplyDelete"Born That Way" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Over The Counter" Had to try; you know, the old attraction of the "Wet Paint" sign! --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk5MjAwMjI5MjAyMTU0MQ
Thanks, sincerely.
@BobK. -- Wow, U are incredibly brave (and/or rash), to try that messed-up impossible "Over The Counter" runtpuz. Yer solve went sorta like I was afraid it would. Maybe I'll figure out how to disarm it a bit, get it to make more sense, and publish it for real on purpose someday…
DeleteM&A
"Born That Way" -- Nice one, though I didn't go gaga over it. --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjIxMTIwMjI5MjYzOTA2OQ
Thanks.
"Born That Way" Welcome back, M&A.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTc1NDgyMzY0MTM4MDcz
Stumpy Stumper: "Bubble Bubble" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Bubble Bubble" Not too much trouble.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTgwNDAzMjQzNjIxOTYxMQ
"Bubble Bubble" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM4NDc5MjQzNzkzMDEzOA
Shades of "Lord of the Flies"! Thanks.
"Square Nots" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
@M&A
ReplyDeleteSent a reply to M&A c/o Tulsa, OK. Did you get it yet?
@r.alph: Ain't been forwarded to m&e, yet. But lookin forward to it.
DeleteThanx for the update, tho.
M&A
"Square Nots" ==
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTM5NzE5MjUyNjQ3MjkwOQ
Thanks
"Square Nots" I wasn't quite tied into square knots by this!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ2MzY0MjU0NzQ3OTU3NA
Stumpy Stumper: "Frankenstein VW" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Frankenstein VW" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYxNzcxMjYwNTc4NjQwMw
"Frankenstein VW" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTE5NDU5MjYwODExNDI3MA
@M&A - Thanks.
@r.alph - Wow! Way to go! Less than 2 minutes!
The real deal this time, @BobK. I'd say U now have an advantage, but ain't so sure ...
ReplyDelete"Over The Counter" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Over The Counter" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjAxNzU5MjY4ODcxMzMxMQ
You know me too well! Thanks.
"Over the Counter" I need some over the counter drugs now :-). Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTAyMDcyMjY5MjEyODUwMw
yep. As M&A expected, the "Over The Counter" runt still had some bite left in it, even after many revisions. Better explain…
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz otc recap of solution for: "Over The Counter".
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk3MTQ5MjY5NzgyOTY3Ng
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Last-Place Applesauce" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Last Place Applesauce" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA1NDM5Mjc3ODUxOTg0NA
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc0NjIxMjc4NDM2NDYzMQ
ReplyDeleteOops! Hit the wrong button.
ReplyDelete"Last Place Applesauce" - Thanks.
"Desperate Word Square #22" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #22" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDgwNTE5MjgxOTQ5ODAyNA
Thanks
"Desperate Word Square #22". My desperation is showing. I bow to @BobK!.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzE1NDMyODI0NjM5OTYy
"Taking a Pitch" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Taking a Pitch" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc1MzQxMjkwNjQzMzY5Mw
Thanks
"Taking a Pitch" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTIzNjc3Mjk2NDY3ODUxMg
Stumpy Stumper: "T-Rex Bullpen" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"T-Rex Bullpen" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM2MDMxMzAzMjA3NjMyNg
Thanks
"T-Rex Bullpen" I don't think @BobK even looked at the down clues! Nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTY1MjcyMzAzOTI1Njc4Mw
Primo "T-Rex" solve times, all U test solvers. @Teedmn and @r.alph are spot-on, with their 11-A recap analyses, btw.
ReplyDeleteY'all sure are smarties.
M&A
The more ornery stumpy stumper runtz were all itchin to get into the ring with the test solvers and let the fur fly, after the "T-Rex" of the litter was sent packin, with its tail between its legs. Sooo … Here's a s.s. that was raised by the wolves ...
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "Wild Version" - 7x7 themeless:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Wild Version" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg3OTcxMzA2NzExNjAxOA
Thanks
"Wild Version" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjcxMTIxMzA4MjM0OTUxNQ
"Run T-Nuts" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Run T-Nuts" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzMxMjQxMzEzMTcxMDQxMg
Thanks.
P.S. to M&A - Planning your next vacation? Perhaps U would like to consider PUUMALA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puumala
@BobK. - Mixed vibes on PUUMALA … has the primo vowel selection right outta the chute … but, is home to the dreaded Puumala Virus … yet, it also home to the nicely named Kukonharju Channel … on the other hand, its all the way over in Finland, and M&A doesn't do airplanes, since the airlines started beatin up on all their passengers …
DeleteCompromise solution: 7 letters long, so really needs to go into a runtpuz. Vacation destination: Negative.
M&A
@M&A
ReplyDeleteRun T=Nuts is #945 which makes you even with BEQ. Amazing! I have updated the all-answers listing in the post. There are 1,193 new answers added since puzzle #801. @BobK has also contributed Puumala as the word of the day.
@r.alph:
DeleteAllrighty, then… Let's get out the slide rule, here … 55 puzs to go. At 2 a week, that's 27.5 weeks, for the BEQmeister to hit 1000. Yikes.
M&A needs to slow waaay the heck down, to make a race outta this. Maybe if I only construct 15x15 desperate word squares, for a while … ?
M&A
p.s.
DeleteBut, then again, as I've said before: It's sorta an Applesauce and Oranges comparison …
BEQ: 15x15-sized, with sparingly-used desperation. Plus, he's buildin lots more big puzzles constantly, to sell all over tarnation. He even sells puzzle books. Crossword Fiend features him in their write-ups.
M&A: 7x7-sized (less than 1/4 as big). Desperation is considered one of his few pluses. Sent one puz to Will Shortz three years ago, and ain't heard back since. Crossword Fiend would rather be poked in the eye with a sharp stick.
M&A
"Run T-Nuts" Anyone not doing Run-T puzzles is nuts! (Of course, the same charge can be made of thems as is doing RunTs!)
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njc4Nzg3MzE2ODE4MzIxNQ
"Big Bumpy Bumpers" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Big Bumpy Bumpers" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzEwNTQ5MzE3NDg2MDk2Mw
Thanks.
"Big Bumpy Bumpers"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjczOTExMzIxMDM3MDUzNA
Looks like "Big Bumpy Bumpers" bumped the test solvers around pretty hard. M&A hesitates to introduce the follow-up "Bigger Bumpier Bumperers" to them anytime soon. Altho, they might find it simpler, having learned from the round 1 runt…
ReplyDeleteHere it is, then. Hope I'm not bein extra cruel, or somethin. (Don't mean to go all United Airlines on everyone's ass.)
Hey, the nice thing about even biter runtz, is: they're short, give their licks, and then move on … (Did I mention I gave U 15 min. to do this one?)
Bet y'all are really fired up to do this hairy little thing, by now.
"Bigger Bumpier Bumperers" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Bigger Bumpier Bumperers" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM1ODI1MzIxNjg3MzYzNA
Thanks.
"Bigger Bumpier Bumperers" Nice job, @BobK!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzk3MjkzMjUzMDkxMTk3
Stumpy Stumper: "White House Hammer" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"White House Hammer" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTg0NDA4MzI5Njk2NDEyOA
"White House Hammer" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTk4NjEzMzMwNTcyMzczNA
Thanks.
Just wanted to stop by and bestow my heartfelt congratz to the runt test solvers, for their decidedly improved performances on "Bigger Bumpier Bumperers". It is clear that U all learned a lot, by sufferin through yer "Big Bumpy Bumpers" experience.
ReplyDeleteOriginally, the "BIgger Bumpier Bumperers" one was the only bumper runt in the kennel. But it seemed impossibly hard. Sooo… its predecessor was then born into the litter, and the rest is Runt University history …
M&A
"Yer Tough Luv Runstructioneer"
p.s.
ReplyDelete@BG1: DROWNEE. har
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #20" - 7x7 sorta themed, 12 minutes:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #20" I missed the sorta theme. Fun, thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM1NzgzMzM4NDE3OTM3Mw
@Teedmn: Desperate Word Squares' "sorta theme" is always that they have no black squares, but make up for it with their extra double-?? clues.
DeleteM&A Help Desk
"Desperate Word Square #20" -- Beautiful!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU4MTE1MzM4ODI4ODI2Mg
Thanks.
@BobK.: re: yer 12 min. question. Had noticed that sometimes test solvers would just barely go over the 10 min. limit, on Desperate Wotd Squares, so thought I'd try 12. Especially since test solvers are such smarties, and maybe other more bashful, occasional runt solvers could use a little extra time? [Even tho I'll probably never know if there *are* any other solvers like that.]
DeletePlus, a dozen makes M&A think of cinnamon rolls.
M&A Official Time Keeper's Desk
Stumpy Stumper: "Donkey Kong Bathtub" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Donkey Kong Bathtub"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzYyMTgyMzQyOTU2ODUzOQ
"Donkey Kong Bathtub" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE5MjM3MzQzMTMzNTE0OQ
Thanks.
"Oh! Oh! -- No U's!" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Oh! Oh! -- No U's!" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY1MTQzMzQ4NjkxNzM2MQ
Thanks
"Oh! Oh!--No U's!" @BobK, stellar job, with no writeovers. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAnd @M&A, if you do the Saturday Stumper today, I think 20A was taken right out of the Runt playbook, har.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODIxMzMyMzQ4ODEyODAwMQ
@Teedmn: yep. 20-A was one of them deals where U groan, when U finally get it. Admired the schlock flick reference, tho. Is "Lars G. Doubleday" one of them Stanley Newman aliases? [Sorta like "Marie Kelley" for "Really Mike" (Shenk), over at another puz paper.]
DeleteI put out another runt sooner than usual today, on account of everybody worked the late FriNight's offering much sooner than M&A expected.
M&A
M&A decided to also kick this new-born runt out of the pen early, becuz:
ReplyDelete1. It is almost more one of them "Daring Runtpuz Experiment(™)" lab rats, than it is a purebred runt.
2. It is almost unfair.
3. But it can almost be done in 15 min.
4. Almost nobody would expect another runt this soon. (M&A admires the element of surprise.)
5. Is was almost sorta roughly reverse-inspired by the Universal Crossword clue of {Snob} for SNOB, as recently cited at the Rex Parker site.
6. It has some U's in it, and M&A wants to wipe that almost bad taste from the last runt out of his maw.
"Almost Alternative Clues" - 7x7 almost themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
DeleteNote that this grid is **almost** symmetrical. M&A is almost real proud of that feature.
M&Also
"Almost Alternative Clues" -- {NO COMMENT}
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjMxNDk5MzQ5NjYyODM1NQ
Thanks
But I hope you have Googled Lars G. Doubleday to see who they are!
ReplyDelete@BobK. - Thanx for the Lars G. Doubleday update. Nice of U, right after what "Almost Alternative Clues" biter runt just did to U.
ReplyDeleteBTW: "Almost Alternative Clues" had a minor typo, in its 7-Down almost clue. Corrected version of the runtpuz is here:
**gruntz**
M&A
Aw, gee, if it hadn't have been for that typo, I would have wrapped it up in five minutes! ;>)
Delete"Almost Alternative Clues" I almost understand this.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk5NzU1MzUxNTI1NzYyMw
Never mind, I figured out what I couldn't figure out. Y
DeleteI hope I'm not giving too much away to say --
ReplyDelete@Teedmn - The MIT motto is "Mens et Manus" (Mind and Hand); the German saying is "Donner und Blitzen" (Thunder and Lightning).
@M&A - Is it possible that the clue for 3D should have a "c" where it has an "s", or would that be covered by the. "Almost" factor?
Re: Lars G Doubleday
ReplyDeleteIs an anagram of Douglas [Peterson] + Bradley [Wilbur]
Most runtpuz test solvers agree: Alternative clues suck.
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz almost exonerating recap for solution to: "Almost Alternative Clues".
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI2NDQzMzUxNzg2MzU1NQ
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Hotel Sofryd" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Hotel Sofryd" -- Thanks for the travel tip! --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODE3OTUzMzU3NTQ5MjM0Nw
@BobK.-- U R welcome. I think we drove up to Jyllinge, sight unseen, during a 1983 roadtrip. Picked out the hotel at random, after we got there. Had a young dude named Lars G. somesuch as our gracious host, who checked us in and spoke English. He would take our patio beer orders, and as soon as he got off the patio, would start running to the kitchen. Think he was trying to wear several hats, at once.
DeleteView from there was a beaut, and it never quite got dark at night (sun would just barely set, in June).
M&A
"Hotel Sofryd" Some weird lenses used for photographs at said hotel. Nice, thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzg3NTMzMzU4NTcxODEwOA
"Axis Maximus" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Axis Maximus" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk5NTA4MzY2NDM1MDUzMg
Thanks.
Runtpuz graph-ic recap for solution to: "Axis Maximus".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTExNTY0MzY3MjU1OTI0Mw
M&A
"Axis Maximus" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjY1NDkxMzY3NTQ0MTQ1Mw
Stumpy Stumper: "State of the Runt" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"State of the Runt" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQyNTkzNzQ3MjY4MjA2
Thanks.
@BobK. - yep. Toyed with a 10-D clue idea that had "road-kill" instead of "rabbit", tho…
DeleteM&A
p.s.
ReplyDeleteI've got this other experimental runt. (Extra-weirdball, like "Almost Alternative Clues", but yet entirely a different thing/theme.]
What M&A is soul-searchin about:
Should I inflict these Frankenstein lab rat versions of runtz on U nice test solver folks? I usually don't ever inflict em on an unsuspectin Rex Parker Comments Gallery crowd, unless the lil runtzensteins happen to work out real good here, first. [I promise to always go out of my way to warn about biters, before unleashin them here, of course. And no more experiments in German cluin, @r.alph.]
Don't mean to be mean, but like to be "different" sometimes …
M&A
"State of the Runt"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODk5MzAzMzc2NTYzODMwNQ
My vote is bring the biter on. The worst that can happen is we'll end up 10D.
Customary experimental 15 min. allotment has been imposed. Altho, M&A frankly has no earthly idea how easy/hard this puppy will end of bein. It's pretty different.
ReplyDelete"Desperate Word Circles" - 7x7 sorta themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
Delete"end up bein" … not "end of bein".
M&Also
"Desperate Word Circles" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTQxMTAzODIyMzkwMTk4
Squeak-squeeeak - That's contented lab rat talk for "Thanks."
@M&A
ReplyDeleteAvant-Grid means never having to say you're sorry.
Thanx, @r.alph. yep. Avant-Grid means often havin to say "no refunds".
Delete@BobK. - Thanx. Glad to know this puppy squeaks by, ok. Have posted it at the Rex Parker Comment Gallery.
M&A
"Desperate Word Circles" Not even close to "end of bein'". Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU0NzYwMzg2NjYzMzEzNQ
"Anthem" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Anthem" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYwNTEwMzkxNzQ3NjkxNgThanks
"Anthem" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTY3NTUzMzk0MjEzOTg5Mg
Stumpy Stumper: "Dental Fricative" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Dental Fricative" == Got by by the skin of my teeth! --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTczNDc3Mzk1MTA2MTc2OA
Thanks
"Dental Fricative" A bit of fricative friction - nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjI5NTM5Mzk4ODc4NzEyMA
@M&A and anyone else who might enjoy -- I don't know if you do these puzzles routinely, but I think you might particularly like today's Wall Street Journal Contest Crossword by Marie Kelly (anagram of "Mike [Shenk] really").
ReplyDeletehttps://blogs.wsj.com/puzzle/2017/05/04/the-secret-word-crossword-contest-friday-may-5/
@BobK
ReplyDeleteNice! Will let you know if I win the mug.
@BobK. - That mug is as good as in my mitts. Whew glad I didn't go with my first solution on it , tho. [RANIRAN.]
ReplyDeleteMugged & Anonymo10Us
Friday WSJ - Pretty nice. Of course, the meta will remain a secret to me. @BobK, thanks for the tip.
ReplyDelete"Skip Everything … But the U's" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Skip Everything … But the U's" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODgzNDQ0MDY5OTIyNjc5
Thanks.
"Skip Everything....But the U's" Har!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc2OTg3NDA3NjY4ODUwNw
@BobK. - Amazin solvetime!
Delete@Teedmn - Nice erasures count!
M&A
And I had the coolest letter map ever :-).
Delete"Desperate Word Square #21" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #21" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDY1MzA2NDE1NTk2NDc5NQ
Thanks.
OK, I'll have to start committing this page to memory:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_sheep_husbandry#B.2C_C
Interesting. No terms that start with A? And HEFT possibly explains all the sheep running loose in Ireland. CHILVER, CALLIPYGE, fun!
Delete"Desperate Word Square #21"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU5ODk2NDE2NzI4ODA3OA
Yoicks.
ReplyDeleteIf U ask me, Desperate Word Square #21's 4-Down clue/answer just ain't quite right in the head. Not sure what happened there, as M&A made that runtpuz a few weeks back.
Big Sorry, to early test solvers.
Fortunately, every desperate word square answer has another at least equally desperate clue, waitin in the wings. Revised "Desperate Word Square #21" version is below…
**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
Will soon publish an apology make-up runt, to give the early test solvers a "better?" experience.
Spoiler alert:
DeleteNew 4D clue has possible conflict of interest with 5D. Though I know no one cares about conflicts of interests anymore :-).
@Teedmn: har. yep. Shoulda gone with "Headless (and endless) … " in the 4-D clue. That coulda been a real contender …
DeleteM&A
"Clueless in Desperation Land"
"Again and Again" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Again and Again" A bit tricky!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU4NjA1NDE3NzQwMzA0OQ
"Again and Again" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTY0MTY2NDE3OTY1NzU5Mw
Thanks.
(Spoiler for DWS #21)
ReplyDeleteI recently saw the movie "The Promise," not because I have a particular interest in somewhat sappy movies about the Armenian genocide, but mainly because I see a lot of movies.
One of the small roles in the movie (important historically, but just a brief appearance in the film) was played by James Cromwell, one of the few actors I recognized. I like to joke that he was a sheep farmer who went on to invent Warp Drive, because the first time I became aware of Cromwell, though well into his career, was as the sheep farmer in the 1995 movie "Babe." At the time, I wondered if he was Australian or a Kiwi. He is quite thoroughly American. The next time I noticed him was when he played Dr. Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the warp drive, in "Star Trek: First Contact." But I was amused to learn, not recently, that his character name in "Babe," Arthur Hogget, is a play on the term for a particular age of sheep. Hogget and Teg share meanings in ways not completely clear to me.
Bob "Easily Amused" Kerfuffle
@M&A - So, for your next vacation trip, how about a nice little village in Rwanda? Any little village, in fact:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Rwanda
@BobK. - Well, ok. We were kinda thinkin Utah, actually. Neither of us has ever been to there. Know any neat places, thereabouts?
DeleteM&A
Sorry, no. Just thought you might find "umudugudu" irresistible. ;>)
Delete@BobK. - Cool. A mighty challengin entry, to fit into a 7x7 runtpuz ...
DeleteM&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Packed a Punch" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
P.S. to my post from last Friday- A discussion of the WSJ contest puzzle and the meta is available at Diary of a Crossword Fiend.
ReplyDelete"Packed a Punch" Nice, thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjY5MDg0NDI0ODIxMjgyNA
"Packed a Punch" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzM2MjIyNDI1NDY3MzgzMQ
Thanks
"Runt with Atmosphere" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt with Atmosphere" - This packed a punch!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDk3MzkzNDMzMTE3MzgzOA
"Runt with Atmosphere" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzEzMzE3NDMzOTUwNTEwNQ
Thanks
"Runt Theme for Beginners" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Theme for Beginners" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjcwMDEwNDQxMzI3MTAwNg
Thanks
"Runt Theme for Beginners"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU1ODQyNDQxOTkzNTc3NQ
Stumpy Stumper: "Head Cases" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Head Cases" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTUzNTU2NDQ5OTkxNjI4OA
Thanks.
"Head Cases" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzY1NDQ2NDUwNzgxODgxMA
Runtpuz headcase recap for solution to: "Head Cases".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODg2MDUzNDUzODE0Njg0OA
M&A
p.s.
Bred some really neat, raised-by-wolves runtz, during the day, today. Had to somehow resist the urge to let any of em out of the pen immediately/prematurely. So tryin to stay busy, by bloggin all over tarnation. Besides, mighty test solver @r.alph needs to catch up...
"Runt Postcards" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Postcards" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTAwMzExNDU1NjkxNzYyNg
Thanks!
"Runt Postcards" Love the postcards! @BobK, I'm so impressed, what a toehold map!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM4NDg0NTkyOTMyOTkz
Stumpy Stumper: "Extra Filler" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Extra Filler" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTc3ODc4NDY0Mjk1MzQzOQ
Thanks
"Line Dances" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Line Dances" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTc1NTExNDc1ODY2NzI3OA
Thanks.
"Extra Filler" -
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjEyNDg0Nzc1MDI4NjQ0
"Line Dances" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzE5OTk4NDc5Nzg1NDMxOQ
Stumpy Stumper: "Fake News Toys" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Fake News Toys"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQ1MzYyNDg1MjQ4MTY2Ng
"Fake News Toys" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjAyNzk2NDg3MDc5Mzg1OA
Thanks
"Desperate Word Square #23" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #23" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTM5NzI2NDg5NzI1ODI0MQ
Thanks.
"Desperate Word Square #23"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk3NTYyNDk0MTM3NTYxMg
Really, really liked @kitshef's handed-in grid solution for "Desperate Word Square #23".
ReplyDeleteWas also totally fascinated by @BobK's solve: 3 of his first 5 gets were entries with double-?? clues!
Nice clean solvetime for @r.alph, btw. He is evidently now startin to think in M&A's precise wavelength; not a good sign, for him.
M&A
"That There Is So Rich!" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"That There Is So Rich!" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjIxNTI1NDk5MDAxMDQwNg
Thanks.
"That There Is So Rich!"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDEzMTIzNTAyMzQ0NDQyMw
@BG1: Have a great vacation, bud. M&A is contemplation a loongish vacation, once he gets to the 1001 runtz mark. @r.alph: pleaz be sure and let m&e know, when I get to #999; have something kinda "small & special" writ-up, for runt#1000.
ReplyDelete@r.alph: Comment count here will now = at least 199. Just sayin. Thanx.
M&A Multiple Counts Desk
New post started. "That There Is So Rich" is #972.
ReplyDelete