Aside to M&A: Thanks. As I've mentioned in the past, I do NYT Xwds when the wind blows a copy of the paper my way. So I had just finished the 1/6/18 Times puzzle, and reading the comments, tonight, and was on my way to bed (it's 11:30 here on the East Coast) when this runt popped up. So I had just read your comments on the extent and constraints of the Universe (can this puzzle have arisen from those thoughts?) and wanted to share just how close to home that hit, the old "You must be reading my mind.) (Of course, it's late, and there was that Cuba Libre.) Good Night!
Now here's another cosmic mystery -- I can't find M&A's post for "Universe Containers"! I did it, and I didn't make it up, so where has it gone? A flash of quantum instability???
Thanks for the Rodney Dangerfield clue in a recent puzzle. Runtpuzzes don't get no respect either. One of his one-liners: "I told my dentist that my teeth were turning yellow. He recommended that I get a tan tie"
@M&A - Just doing some random reading (and I swear not at all influenced by @Teedmn's comment above), I came across something new to me, though possibly not new to you, which you might find of interest by Googling
@r.alph: yep. Sir Rodney would make a superb patron saint of runtpuzs. I must say I feel the runtz do get some nice respect, from the likes of U five fairly regular test-solvers. Thanx! Wonder how many other solvers chew away on some of them, masked & anonymous-like?
@Teedmn: RUGOSE. Primo. Needs to get runt-atized, some fine day.
@Bob K. - Wow a whole runtpuz theme! f-UNK-y.
As punishment for y'all's continued faithful patronage…
"Lost In Spacing" - 15x15 Sunday-sized 45 min. themed:
@Bob K. - Mucho thanx for yer kinds words, re: the "Lost In Spacing" giant runtpuz. As it happens, I just today mailed in a crossword submission to the Shortzmeister, that I thought might have a slightly even better chance of gettin picked. A Forever stamp well-spent, the M&A hopes…
Was at Westport today, got my certificate for finishing three puzzles correctly. Not as easy as in the past - only 29 out of about 150 did that - third puzzle was a real biter. Fourth puzzle, for the big money, was also a toughie. First place winner Jeff Schwartz (I believe) and second place Jesse Lansner finished literally within one second of each other (and when I say literally, I mean literally), while last year's champ Glen Ryan finished more than a minute behind.
You'll have the chance to do all four puzzles, as they will be in the Times in the next two weeks.
Otherwise, nice venue, great people, a fun afternoon. Cocktails and dinner after with Dave Eckert, Marion Strauss, Jesse L, Glen R, Eric Maddy, John Verrel et ux, others.
@BobK. - Thanx back at U, for your update on the Westport tourney. They should start the event out with a runtpuz, maybe [**not** the "Blender" one, tho!]. Would help get the crowd a-buzzin. Congratz on yer excellent tourney performance!! I'm impressed.
Today's (2/5/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #1 at Westport. Easy-peasy, gentle intro, really nothing to say about it. (Just surprised, looked at Rex's blog, no one seems to have mentioned this yet.)
Today's (2/6/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #2 at Westport, as Dave Eckert (imsdave) notes at Rex's blog. Just a bit more challenging than #1, particularly because of the new-to-everyone word that Dave mentions. But most of the post-solve chatter supposed, incorrectly as it turns out, that Rex would hate this one, in part because the theme really is kind of weak, and because of that odd word, but mostly because in the past it has seemed Rex simply hates Bruce Haight.
I finished the puzzle in something like a panic attack, because of the great frequency of a particular letter. Writing in pencil, using block letter capitals, I became more and more concerned that my D's and O's might be indistinguishable. Apparently the judges knew what I meant!
Today's (2/8/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #4 at Westport, the one the three top place finishers did on the big boards on stage.
Everyone got a copy of the puzzle, but I just watched instead of trying to do it myself as they worked on stage. Good thing, because when I did it at home, it was a real struggle! Especially 33A, which even after I filled it from crosses, I had to Google to be sure it was a real thing. (And, like Rex, I had even seen the movie!)
But imagine trying to do this on stage with the clock ticking and 200 people watching!
Today's (2/14/18) NY Times Xwd was #3 at Westport, 2/3/18. Not terribly difficult, but at least Rex rates it Medium, and I'm sure it was the reason there were relatively a lot fewer Perfect Completion certificates given out at Westport.
I finished in a reasonable time, and was surprised at how many people were still working away when I left the room. I had the feeling that there was a lot of trivia, i.e., PPP, as someone at Rex's calls it, but because puzzles aren't returned at Westport, I didn't have a chance to look back at it until today.
@BobK, moderation started Monday based on some very foul comments on Sunday. Rex says there is a team of volunteer moderators so there won't be the long delays like before. So far, the longest I've waited to see my comment is 5 minutes, and everyone is so lovey-dovey, it's almost TOO nice!
@r.alph: The use of "?" on the 4-Down clue is certainly debatable. M&A was kinda tryin to cast some doubt on what the actual subject of the clue was, a little bit. Was I bein too Upper Crusty?
BTW - "gets his money's worth, . . ." Let's see, considering what I have paid to date . . . I've gotten way, way more. Perhaps you should put up a tip jar. Hmmm, a thousand runts at ten cents a pop, comes to . . . OK, forget that I mentioned it.
BTW, something I just stumbled on in a Nature Conservancy newsletter:
Any interest in an UNGULATE sometimes called a GNU GOAT with some attachment to SICHUAN and BHUTAN, previously believed to be related to the MUSKOX? Google "takin".
I videotaped my solve of "Take Out" using a GoPro strapped to my head. This may have restricted blood flow to my brain which would have slowed me down. How is that for an excuse.
Here is the video: http://puzzlecrowd.com/gopro_runt.html It is 7+ minutes long.
@r.alph: Wow, cool solvequest techniques. U didn't throw anything or curse or even pound the table. Enjoyed the show. M&A oughta tape a runt constructioneerin session, sometime. Talk about yer table poundin ... M&A
"Runtpuz Cleaning Day" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY0NzI5NTgwNDIyNTM3Ng
"Spoors Bar" - 7x7 illustrated themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Spoors Bar" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc2OTI4NTgxNTEwNjcwNg
Thanks. (But please see my note.)
Based on @BobK.'s comments, I am updating the 4-D clue in "Spoors Bar". Also, took out an erroneous extra "s" in the 1-D clue.
ReplyDeleteRevised version …
"Spoors Bar" - 7x7 illustrated themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Spoors Bar" Brilliant construction, thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA3NjY3NTg3MDA4NTY5NQ
Scruffy Stumper: "Atomic Thesaurus" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Atomic Thesaurus" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTg4MTIxNTk0NjE5NjE1MA
Thanks.
"Atomic Thesaurus" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYzNTg5NTk1MDI1NjU5OQ
"Desperate Word Square #42" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #42" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjczNjg1NjAxNDY1Nzc2Ng
Thanks.
"Desperate Word Square #42"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc4MTI2NjAzMTI3NzExOA
Stumpy Stumper: "Frozen Luau" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Frozen Luau" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTU1MDcwNjEyMjYzMTgzNw
Thanks.
"Frozen Luau"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjMxMTgyNjExNjkxNzI1NQ
"In Short Order" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"In Short Order" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDYxNDMxNjE5NTA2NTM2Mw
"In Short Order" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjAwNTY2MTk1NjAzNzAx
Thanks
"Adverbage" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Adverbage" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU5ODA2NjI5MDQ1MjAzNQ
Thanks.
"Adverbage"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzkwMTI5NjMyMjk4NDc3Mw
"Universe Containers" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjExNzc0NjMzNTY2NDY3Ng
Aside to M&A: Thanks. As I've mentioned in the past, I do NYT Xwds when the wind blows a copy of the paper my way. So I had just finished the 1/6/18 Times puzzle, and reading the comments, tonight, and was on my way to bed (it's 11:30 here on the East Coast) when this runt popped up. So I had just read your comments on the extent and constraints of the Universe (can this puzzle have arisen from those thoughts?) and wanted to share just how close to home that hit, the old "You must be reading my mind.) (Of course, it's late, and there was that Cuba Libre.) Good Night!
Now here's another cosmic mystery -- I can't find M&A's post for "Universe Containers"! I did it, and I didn't make it up, so where has it gone? A flash of quantum instability???
ReplyDelete@BobK. - yep. Done posted it. A black hole got it. [That sucks.]
ReplyDeleteHere it is again…
Stumpy Stumper: "Universe Containers" - 7x7 themeless:
**gruntz**
Kinda cool, postin it after someone has already solved it, tho.
M&A
Early tonight, due to schlock flick moviefest.
ReplyDelete"Cognitive Test" - 7x7 illustrated 12-min. themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Cognitive Test" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzgxMjA1NjQwMDgyMzg0OA
Thanks.
"(Partial) Shutdown" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"(Partial) Shutdown" - -
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjYwNjEwNjQ4Mzk1NTI3NA
Thanks.
"Universe Containers" The universe is not on my side today.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTI4MDU4NjQ5NzYwMzQ2OA
"Cognitive Test"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU4ODU1NjUwMjA1ODUxNg
"(Partial) Shutdown" I think I need to take the "cognitive test".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU3NzkyNjU0OTcxMjQ1Mg
"Food Chain" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Food Chain" Go Vikes, I mean....dang.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE0MTc4NjYyNjkyNDAyNQ
"Food Chain" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk5OTQ2NjMzOTcxNjMw
Thanks.
Stumpy Stumper: "Cheap Hangman" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Cheap Hangman" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI4MDk5NjY3NjI3NDE2NQ
Thanks.
"Cheap Hangman"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM1NDU2NjcxNDExNDQ5MA
https://news.slashdot.org/story/18/01/22/2242235/facebook-announces-that-it-has-invented-a-new-unit-of-time
ReplyDeleteFlicks are not as precious as nanoseconds because when you waste a flick you are wasting 1.41723356 nanoseconds.
@r.alph: Cool info. In other news … I have watched a few schlock flicks in my day, where a large-ish bundle of nanosecs got wasted, tho.
DeleteM&A
"Full Employment" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Full Employment" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODY0Mjg0NjgyMzgwMjI0Ng
Thank Youse.
Runtpuz in Hades recap for solution to: "Full Employment".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjEzMTUyNjgyNTA2NzgwOQ
M&A
"Full Employment" I don't think I had even half-employment of my brain. Ouch.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDE5OTc2ODM0OTkzNDQ4
Hopefully M&A gets a "mulligan", after that last bitingly decadent runtpuz …?
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "Pizza Hair" - 7x7 themeless:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Pizza Hair" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTE5NDg1NjkxNTEwNDIyMw
Thanks.
"Pizza Hair" Doesn't sound appetizing.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTUxOTI2OTI3OTczNTgz
Thanks for the Rodney Dangerfield clue in a recent puzzle. Runtpuzzes don't get no respect either. One of his one-liners: "I told my dentist that my teeth were turning yellow. He recommended that I get a tan tie"
ReplyDelete"I tell ya with my old man, I never got any respect. He told me, Never take candy from strangers, unless they offered me a ride." --Rodney D.
ReplyDeleteM&A
And his mother? She thought him so ugly that she fed him with a slingshot.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you say that we make him the patron saint of runtpuzzes? I will put his picture in every post.
New possible Runt word: RUGOSE
ReplyDelete@M&A - Just doing some random reading (and I swear not at all influenced by @Teedmn's comment above), I came across something new to me, though possibly not new to you, which you might find of interest by Googling
ReplyDelete"FNU LNU MNU UNK".
Y'all folks is nutz. har
ReplyDeleteWelcome to …
"Runt Country" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Country" - -
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTcyNDY4NzA2NTgxMDM5Ng
Thanks
@r.alph: yep. Sir Rodney would make a superb patron saint of runtpuzs.
ReplyDeleteI must say I feel the runtz do get some nice respect, from the likes of U five fairly regular test-solvers. Thanx! Wonder how many other solvers chew away on some of them, masked & anonymous-like?
@Teedmn: RUGOSE. Primo. Needs to get runt-atized, some fine day.
@Bob K. - Wow a whole runtpuz theme! f-UNK-y.
As punishment for y'all's continued faithful patronage…
"Lost In Spacing" - 15x15 Sunday-sized 45 min. themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Lost In Spacing" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDgwMzAzNzA5MTExMzY2MQ
Thanks.
@Bob K. - Mucho thanx for yer kinds words, re: the "Lost In Spacing" giant runtpuz. As it happens, I just today mailed in a crossword submission to the Shortzmeister, that I thought might have a slightly even better chance of gettin picked. A Forever stamp well-spent, the M&A hopes…
ReplyDeleteM&A
"Mulligan Stew" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Mulligan Stew" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTMxNDQyNzI1MzY4MTY5Mg
Thanks (want to say more but will try to avoid a spoiler!)
"Runt Country"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDk1ODgzNzI4OTk1MzU1Mw
"Lost in Spacing" Nice puzzle!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQyMDg2NzI5MjI1NTc1Mg
"Mulligan Stew" Tasty!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM0MTM1NzMzODU4MTI3OA
"Pangram Madness" - 7x7 with a hint of theme:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Pangram Madness" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzQwNDY3NDExMzYzODgx
Thanks!
"Pangram Madness" Very nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQzMzI5NzQ0ODQ0ODM3OA
"Voice Overs" - 7x7 15 min. themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Voice Overs" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU5Njk3NzUyMjI3ODc2NA
Thanks. Verba virumque cano . . .
"Voice Overs"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODA4NTMwNzUyOTc3OTQ1Mw
And it's "moo-cow" easy to see why this comic strip made me think of M&A (you have to look at the Feb 1 2018 offering).
Stumpy Stumper: "Stable Genius" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Stable Genius" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTAzMTkwNzU4OTkxMjI3Mw
Thanks.
"Stable Genius" Nice, thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzEwODI0NzYxMzMwMTE5Mw
"Blender" - 7x7 12 min. themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Blender". Scratching my head...
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjcxNjIwNzY4NzI3MzM2MA
@Teedmn: yep. U R right. Needs a little somethin extra.
ReplyDeleteRevised, improved version:
"Blender" - 7x7 12 min. themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
Revised, improved version:
ReplyDelete"Blender" --
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQzMzcxNzcxMjQ3NTc1OA
Coming in late, thought I would try the revised version, but apparently I was still too early!
ReplyDeleteWas at Westport today, got my certificate for finishing three puzzles correctly. Not as easy as in the past - only 29 out of about 150 did that - third puzzle was a real biter.
Fourth puzzle, for the big money, was also a toughie. First place winner Jeff Schwartz (I believe) and second place Jesse Lansner finished literally within one second of each other (and when I say literally, I mean literally), while last year's champ Glen Ryan finished more than a minute behind.
You'll have the chance to do all four puzzles, as they will be in the Times in the next two weeks.
Otherwise, nice venue, great people, a fun afternoon. Cocktails and dinner after with Dave Eckert, Marion Strauss, Jesse L, Glen R, Eric Maddy, John Verrel et ux, others.
@BobK, congrats on a successful tourney. I'm glad to hear we'll get a crack at the puzzles.
ReplyDeletep.s.
ReplyDeleteI put out a recap message here last night on "Blender", but The Blorg was evidently so upset by the while thing, that it pulled it off.
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Runt Jump" - 7x7 themeless, but plowing some new runt ground:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Jump" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzQyMjg3NzY3ODM5MTky
Thanks.
@BobK. - Thanx back at U, for your update on the Westport tourney. They should start the event out with a runtpuz, maybe [**not** the "Blender" one, tho!]. Would help get the crowd a-buzzin.
DeleteCongratz on yer excellent tourney performance!! I'm impressed.
M&A
Super Bowl halftime performance by The Runtz:
ReplyDelete"Everybody's Faves" - 7x7 12 min. sorta themed biter:
**gruntz**
M&A
Runtpuz genial recap for solution to "Stable Genius".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQ0MjAyNzc4NDEyODcyOA
M&A
WARNING: Sample "Blender" runtpuz solver feedback:
ReplyDelete"Totally lost. Gave up. Read M&A Explanation. Still totally lost."
There's gotta be a way to make that day-um puzzle reasonably solvable … It was based on what I thought was a fairly straightforward food prep idea …
I've got to think …
M&A
"Runtpuz Food Biter Services with a Snarl"
"Everybody's Faves" - -
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTMzMTcwNzc5MzM3MzU4MQ
Thanks!
"Runt Jump" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQzNDA4NzgzODI2MjM4NQ
Today's (2/5/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #1 at Westport. Easy-peasy, gentle intro, really nothing to say about it. (Just surprised, looked at Rex's blog, no one seems to have mentioned this yet.)
ReplyDelete"Everybody's Faves". At least I knew mine...
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDQ5NzA5Nzg4Mjk0NjU4Nw
Today's (2/6/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #2 at Westport, as Dave Eckert (imsdave) notes at Rex's blog. Just a bit more challenging than #1, particularly because of the new-to-everyone word that Dave mentions. But most of the post-solve chatter supposed, incorrectly as it turns out, that Rex would hate this one, in part because the theme really is kind of weak, and because of that odd word, but mostly because in the past it has seemed Rex simply hates Bruce Haight.
ReplyDeleteI finished the puzzle in something like a panic attack, because of the great frequency of a particular letter. Writing in pencil, using block letter capitals, I became more and more concerned that my D's and O's might be indistinguishable. Apparently the judges knew what I meant!
"Geezer's Call" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Geezer's Call" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzMwNTQ3Nzk0MDc0NTc1NQ
Thanks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "Flatfish Comic-Con" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Flatfish Comic-Con" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTAyODcwODAyMDM2MzM5OA
Thanks.
"Flatfish Comic Con" Nice, thanks!
ReplyDeleteToday's (2/8/18) NY Times Xwd was Puzzle #4 at Westport, the one the three top place finishers did on the big boards on stage.
ReplyDeleteEveryone got a copy of the puzzle, but I just watched instead of trying to do it myself as they worked on stage. Good thing, because when I did it at home, it was a real struggle! Especially 33A, which even after I filled it from crosses, I had to Google to be sure it was a real thing. (And, like Rex, I had even seen the movie!)
But imagine trying to do this on stage with the clock ticking and 200 people watching!
"Desperate Word Square #43" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #43" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQyMTAwODEzNzI2ODEwOQ
Thanks.
"Desperate Word Square #43" Fun, thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk5NTYxODE4MzM1MzIzNQ
"Oscar-Nominated Redactions" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Oscar-Nominated Redactions" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk0NjA4ODE5Mzg0MTkzMw
Thanks.
"T-Rump Parade" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"T-Rump Parade" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjY0MzQ0ODI4MjMzMTA1OA
T-hanks!
"Oscar-Nominated Redactions" Oops.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTA2Mjc2ODI4OTk5MTQzMA
"T-Rump Parade" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjAxOTQzODI5MDY1MTcxMA
Stumpy Stumper: "Portmanteau Pulp" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Portmanteau Pulp" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDYxMTgzNjI5MDkyMTA
Thanks.
"Portmanteau Pulp" Nice grid!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjA1MDcwODQ0NTM1NzQxOQ
"All of the Runtiest" - 7x7 themed-est:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"All of the Runtiest" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDAyNjM4NDQ5MDQyMDM2
Thanks.
"All of the Runtiest"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQ3ODU3ODUzMTUzNzU0OQ
"Crazy 4U" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Crazy 4U" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU1NjA2ODUzNzE0ODgyMA
Thanks.
PS -- really 111 Comments?
Today's (2/14/18) NY Times Xwd was #3 at Westport, 2/3/18. Not terribly difficult, but at least Rex rates it Medium, and I'm sure it was the reason there were relatively a lot fewer Perfect Completion certificates given out at Westport.
ReplyDeleteI finished in a reasonable time, and was surprised at how many people were still working away when I left the room. I had the feeling that there was a lot of trivia, i.e., PPP, as someone at Rex's calls it, but because puzzles aren't returned at Westport, I didn't have a chance to look back at it until today.
Coming back to say, Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteAlso, just went to leave a comment at Rex's, see he has Comment Moderation again. How long has this been going on?
@BobK. -- Moderation has been back at Rex's for just a couple days.
ReplyDelete"Sure Things" - 15x15 Big-Hearted themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Crazy 4U" A message found on Valentine's Day or M&A's motto! Happy Valentine's to you all.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQ3MTAyODYxNjIzMDQ3OA
@BobK, moderation started Monday based on some very foul comments on Sunday. Rex says there is a team of volunteer moderators so there won't be the long delays like before. So far, the longest I've waited to see my comment is 5 minutes, and everyone is so lovey-dovey, it's almost TOO nice!
Regular-sized runtpuz fix:
ReplyDelete"Winging It" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Winging It" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzU0MTg0ODYyNzg3ODc0NQ
Thanks
"Sure Things" Fun, thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjY3MTQ3ODY1NDkxNTkyOA
"Winging It"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjMzNTYyODcwMTg2MDg4Nw
"Advanced Runt" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Advanced Runt" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDQ5NzQ5ODcxMTI5MzAwMA
Thanks.
"Advanced Runt" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTkyNjcwODc4Njg0NzM2NQ
@Teedmn: Yer interpretation of the 15-Down clue/answer is spot-on.
DeleteM&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Hardly Even Fair Clues" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Hardly Even Fair Clues" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzMzNjg3OTg1NjU5ODk
Thanks.
Runtpuz fairly hard recap of solution to: "Hardly Even Fair Clues".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzg4NTY1ODgwNzcyOTI1NA
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Overly Fair Clues" - 7x7 7 min. themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Overly Fair Clues" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTY5ODA4ODg4MDA0OTE0OA
Thx.
"Hardly Even Fair Clues"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg0Mjc1ODg4NjMxMTk5NA
"Overly Fair Clues" Well-titled, thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTk3NzA0ODg4ODAxOTUzNQ
"Pop Cuts" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Pop Cuts" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQyNzI5ODkwMDM3MzU0Mw
Thanks.
"Pop Cuts" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg4NTU0ODk3NjI3ODIwNw
"Five Stray Dogs" - 7x7 illustrated themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Five Stray Dogs" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTY4NDU4OTg0MjY1NDg2
Thanks!
Please ignore my comments regarding the five stray dogs. I just wasn't paying attention! (As usual.)
ReplyDelete"Five Stray Dogs" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQzMjI0OTA0Nzk5ODY5OA
"They Went Thataway" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"They Went Thataway" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE1OTc3OTA1Njg0NTUyNg
Another brilliant puzzle! Thanks.
"They Went Thataway"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM5NjMwOTEzNDczOTU3OA
Stumpy Stumper: "Sniveling Math Talk" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Respect for Once" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Sniveling Math Talk" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODY4OTkzOTE3NDk4OTA3Mw
Thanks.
"Respect for Once" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTA1OTc0OTE3NTY3Mzc3MQ
Oh, the big reveal! But it wouldn't have helped me a bit; looks like it came from a high school yearbook, viz-a-viz age of subject!
Thanks.
"Sniveling Math Talk"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njc4MDQ2OTIxOTA4MDQ4Mw
"State of the Union" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"State of the Union" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTA4MzY3OTI1MTEzMTExNw
Thanks.
"Respect for Once"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc5OTMzOTI2NDk4OTc5Ng
"State of the Union"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODkxNTc0OTMwNDc4MDI3Mw
"Remote Backup" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Remote Backup" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDUxMjE0OTM0ODk4MzY2NA
Thanks.
"Sounds Good, Looks Funky" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Sounds Good, Looks Funky" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc4NDM0OTQwMzI2MjM2Mw
Thanks.
"Remote Backup"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDU2OTYxOTQyNzM3Mzg1Ng
"Sounds Good, Looks Funky" Fun[ky]!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTU3OTU5NDgwMDI2NTg5
Stumpy Stumper: "Dja Vuxz" - 7x7 (biter?) themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Dja Vuxz" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTg0ODA5OTQ4OTQ1ODU3NA
Thanks.
Runtpuz vuxz-ed-up recap for solution to: "Dja Vuxz".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDE3Njk1OTQ5ODAxODE2OA
M&A
As per a request from the mighty @r.alph …
ReplyDelete"Sounds Good, Looks Funky II" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Sounds Good, Looks Funky II" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTIxMjEzOTUwOTk4MzA4Ng
Thanks.
"Dja Vuxz" Great title, referring to 9A in two different ways.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODUwMTk5OTU3MTAzMDc0Mw
"Sounds Good, Looks Funky II"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU2NzExOTU3MTg0MzEyNA
Stumpy Stumper: "Volunteer Walnut" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Volunteer Walnut" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDQ3MTk1OTU4MTIwMzE1MA
Thanks.
"Volunteer Walnut" Nice, thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODgyMDkyOTY1MDgzNDY3Nw
"Desperate Word Square #44" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #44" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQyNDE5OTY1ODc3Mjk1OQ
Thanks.
"Forks in the Road" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Forks in the Road" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzU4NDg4OTY4NDA4MDUxNg
Lots of fun! Thanks.
"Desperate Word Square #44"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODMxNTk4OTczNzIzOTc0Mw
"Upper Crusty" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Upper Crusty" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTA0MzMzOTc1NDUyNzE2Mg
Thanks a million! (Or is that insultingly low these days?)
@r.alph: The use of "?" on the 4-Down clue is certainly debatable. M&A was kinda tryin to cast some doubt on what the actual subject of the clue was, a little bit.
ReplyDeleteWas I bein too Upper Crusty?
M&A
"Forks In The Road" Tough one, nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTg5NDkwOTgyNjMxMzYyOQ
Stumpy Stumper: "Cheap Blizzard" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Cheap Blizzard" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzkwMjY5OTgzMDAzNTE2OQ
Thanks.
@BobK barely got a runt fix today, finishin in under 2 min., and all.
ReplyDeleteTo insure he gets his money's worth, will bring in reinforcements …
"Borderline Runty" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Borderline Runty" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQwMTcyOTg1MzE2MzAxNA
Thanks.
BTW - "gets his money's worth, . . ." Let's see, considering what I have paid to date . . . I've gotten way, way more. Perhaps you should put up a tip jar. Hmmm, a thousand runts at ten cents a pop, comes to . . . OK, forget that I mentioned it.
BTW, something I just stumbled on in a Nature Conservancy newsletter:
ReplyDeleteAny interest in an UNGULATE sometimes called a GNU GOAT with some attachment to SICHUAN and BHUTAN, previously believed to be related to the MUSKOX? Google "takin".
"Upper Crusty"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ1NzQ5OTg2NzM1NTExNg
"Cheap Blizzard" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjY1MTI0OTg2Nzg2OTI1Mw
"Borderline Runty"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTUxMTc3OTkwOTgwMTY1NA
"Runt Runs" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Runs" --http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQ0MjY1OTkxOTczNzQzNQ
ReplyDeleteThanks.
"Obscure-ish Emojis" - 7x7 illustrated themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Obscure-ish Emojis" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTQxMTgxOTk2MTQyMjY2MA
☹️Thanks
"Runt Runs"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDA3MjE3OTk5OTMzNzEwNw
@Teedmn--yep. 8-D clue word shoulda read "formerly", not "formally".
DeleteCorrected "Runt Runs" version is here:
"Runt Runs" - 7x7 unformally themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
Delete8-Across clue, not 8-Down one, that had the runt runs.
M&A
"Take Outs" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Take Outs" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODg4NjgxMzMwMzAxNzg
Thanks, but still . . . Huh?
"Obscure-ish Emojis" Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTE5MzA0MzM0MjU5OTU
"Take Outs" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTEyNzgzNDI4NjA3NA
I videotaped my solve of "Take Out" using a GoPro strapped to my head. This may have restricted blood flow to my brain which would have slowed me down. How is that for an excuse.
ReplyDeleteHere is the video: http://puzzlecrowd.com/gopro_runt.html
It is 7+ minutes long.
@r.alph, nice narration. I just wish I'd been able to see your grid better. Loved the alphabet run!
ReplyDelete@r.alph: Wow, cool solvequest techniques. U didn't throw anything or curse or even pound the table.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the show.
M&A oughta tape a runt constructioneerin session, sometime. Talk about yer table poundin ...
M&A