tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post5880733732877297330..comments2024-02-29T03:29:52.934-05:00Comments on A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago: Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02113168955236758821noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-75946707021932774082012-03-31T08:58:27.362-04:002012-03-31T08:58:27.362-04:00Really enjoyed your write-up, Professor Jeff, and ...Really enjoyed your write-up, Professor Jeff, and told my puzzly Facebook friends to come read it. IPlease introduce yourself next year! I'm usually in the Marriott lounge/bar area late in the evening during ACPT.<br /><br />In Puzzle 5, I saw that the words jumped diagonally a few rows but assumed the ANT bit was tunneling below the grid and never saw the letters diagonally in the grid. Luckily, there's no requirement that a solver actually grasp the theme in its entirety--just fill in the squares and hope for the best.<br /><br />The other day, I saw an "Euww" that made me wonder if anyone had IUOH Pei. It's not any less plausible to a non-Chinese speaker than E or W!Amy Reynaldonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-73507729019109080362012-03-26T14:37:41.404-04:002012-03-26T14:37:41.404-04:00Thanks for the write up form one of the judges. Thanks for the write up form one of the judges. PhillySolvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-34437245784188205652012-03-22T08:41:58.630-04:002012-03-22T08:41:58.630-04:00I am indeed a Fireball subscriber -- in fact, I...I am indeed a <a href="http://www.fireballcrossword.com/" rel="nofollow">Fireball</a> subscriber -- in fact, I've already told Peter that I credit Fireball for helping me improve my solving skills over the past few months. Highly recommended for those looking for really challenging puzzles!Professor Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-47727388744796954932012-03-22T00:23:59.678-04:002012-03-22T00:23:59.678-04:00Congratulations, Professor Jeff! Fantastic perform...Congratulations, Professor Jeff! Fantastic performance, and fantastic write up. I am so impressed!!<br /><br />(Frankly, I'd go to a puzzle tourney just to gaze at Will Shortz, on whom I've had a crush since I was 9 years old and got my first subscription to GAMES magazine.)Marshanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-52142379718129545192012-03-21T20:16:33.354-04:002012-03-21T20:16:33.354-04:00That was a really great write-up, Professor Jeff, ...That was a really great write-up, Professor Jeff, you really described exactly what it was like to solve those puzzles. I too was a victim of IEOH Ming Pei - I had seen it before, but the cross threw me off. I just have one question for you, that I have to ask since I was deputized by Peter Gordon at the tournament- are you a Fireball subscriber?klew archernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-17457013024178876122012-03-21T11:56:46.943-04:002012-03-21T11:56:46.943-04:00What a great read -- thanks Jeff! I love crosswor...What a great read -- thanks Jeff! I love crosswords, though I'm definitely not a competition-level solver.Aimeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-584530931316186522012-03-20T16:34:34.437-04:002012-03-20T16:34:34.437-04:00I just want to point out that Google automatically...I just want to point out that Google automatically corrects the search for "eew gross" to "eww gross," so you win the populist vote at least. <br /><br />Thanks for a wonderful read, Professor Jeff!Abbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-38274510518802334482012-03-20T14:54:35.345-04:002012-03-20T14:54:35.345-04:00Congrats, Professor Jeff!
This post was a great r...Congrats, Professor Jeff!<br /><br />This post was a great read -- thanks for sharing! (Although apparently I've been misspelling "eew" for years.)erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-57140977287591396342012-03-20T12:09:27.025-04:002012-03-20T12:09:27.025-04:00Zahn's pretty well-known because he wrote the ...Zahn's pretty well-known because he wrote the first "official/canon" Star Wars sequel novels which introduced a number of characters to the Expanded Universe (Mara Jade and Admiral Thrawn being the big two).Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-35449336591300045732012-03-20T10:51:58.000-04:002012-03-20T10:51:58.000-04:00Amy Reynaldo, author of that book, also runs the b...Amy Reynaldo, author of that book, also runs the blog <a href="http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/" rel="nofollow">Diary of a Crossword Fiend</a>, one of the best sites for crossword lovers.Professor Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-78529049249968489182012-03-20T11:46:24.198-04:002012-03-20T11:46:24.198-04:00One other great detail that I forgot to include re...One other great detail that I forgot to include regarding that brutal Puzzle #5: When Will Shortz had the answer keys printed up, he wanted to have the diagonal ANTs italicized, but a mixup at the printers led to a key with <i>only </i>the ANTs appearing in the grid, and everything else blank. So, before grading the contestants' work, the judges, including Patrick Blindauer himself, had to complete Puzzle #5 themselves. How hard was it? Patrick -- <i>the constructor of the puzzle</i> -- made two mistakes.Professor Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-84846784700579023622012-03-20T11:23:19.905-04:002012-03-20T11:23:19.905-04:00Thanks for the kind words, Dan, and congratulation...Thanks for the kind words, Dan, and congratulations on your stunning victory! I did briefly consider introducing myself over the weekend, but you seemed understandably preoccupied. And yes, the RUIZ/ZAHN crossing flummoxed me, too (RUIS/SAHN, maybe?), but Z ultimately seemed the best fit.<br /><br />If other folks haven't seen Dan at work, check out <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/science/07profile.html" rel="nofollow">this 2010 feature from the Times</a>, complete with a video of him demolishing a Saturday puzzle.Professor Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-44519674508219047732012-03-20T11:09:20.281-04:002012-03-20T11:09:20.281-04:00Oh nuts!! I totally missed your post a couple mon...Oh nuts!! I totally missed your post a couple months ago, Jeff -- would have loved to meet you. I told Adam once that I'd like to do a guest post on the ACPT, but I have enough trouble getting something written for <a href="http://dandoesnotblog.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">my own site</a>. Excellent wrap-up, and I sympathize with your IEOH problem. I'm told that was the most common mistake in the entire tournament. (I thought it was also borderline unfair in Puzzle 5 where Pablo Picasso's middle name (RUIZ) crosses sci-fi writer Timothy (ZAHN) at the "Z", but at least that's the only letter that makes sense both ways...)<br /><br />Definitely would urge crossword fans to come to the ACPT! There's also a one-day, much less expensive, scruffier but no less fun, tournament in August in Manhattan: <a href="http://bemoresmarter.com/Lollapuzzoola_5.html" rel="nofollow">Lollapuzzoola</a>.Dan Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-3724280488204815992012-03-20T10:56:36.126-04:002012-03-20T10:56:36.126-04:00Have you read Herbert Resnikow's crossword myt...Have you read Herbert Resnikow's crossword myteries? You might really enjoy them (out of print, but fun). Adlainoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-225337589722947912012-03-20T10:53:00.064-04:002012-03-20T10:53:00.064-04:00I wonder if Magdalen Braden's Henry competed?I wonder if Magdalen Braden's Henry competed?Jim Bellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-26506073266323508952012-03-20T10:43:00.974-04:002012-03-20T10:43:00.974-04:00Mazel tov! Very very cool to come in third in Roo...Mazel tov! Very very cool to come in third in Rookies. And thanks so much for the detailed description.<br /><br />I've been reading this a little at a time (mostly when I'm passenger on a long drive). Should get back to it - very helpful and interesting for someone who likes crosswords but isn't at a higher level solving as yet.<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conquer-York-Times-Crossword-Puzzle/dp/0312365543/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1332254455&sr=8-30" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Conquer-York-Times-Crossword-Puzzle/dp/0312365543/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1332254455&sr=8-30</a>Genevievenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-82408207959206921042012-03-20T10:41:46.978-04:002012-03-20T10:41:46.978-04:00Congratulations on your great finish, Professor Je...Congratulations on your great finish, Professor Jeff! Thanks for sharing your story - this was such a fun post to read.Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-78207502637757101092012-03-20T10:38:24.335-04:002012-03-20T10:38:24.335-04:00That's awesome!That's awesome!Heather knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-56574308917661101642012-03-20T10:32:26.207-04:002012-03-20T10:32:26.207-04:00Congrats, Professor Jeff!
I'll probably never...Congrats, Professor Jeff!<br /><br />I'll probably never be good enough to compete at this level so I'll just live vicariously through you for this one.littleredyarnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-24385156433801634762012-03-20T10:24:04.194-04:002012-03-20T10:24:04.194-04:00Outstanding report, to go with the outstanding per...Outstanding report, to go with the outstanding performance. Great job!Adam C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-88850319338239321872012-03-20T09:48:44.743-04:002012-03-20T09:48:44.743-04:00Exactly! Thank you!Exactly! Thank you!Professor Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-77218814091821152132012-03-20T09:40:01.507-04:002012-03-20T09:40:01.507-04:00Congrats on what sounds like a great time. Thanks ...Congrats on what sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing with the class!Stephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-71453850229577177172012-03-20T08:50:39.492-04:002012-03-20T08:50:39.492-04:00I'm terrible at solving them, but I find the w...I'm terrible at solving them, but I find the whole crossword thing fascinating. Congratulations on such a strong finish your first time out. <br /><br />And you're right: It's totally eww more than eew.Wattsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-77245946793099340392012-03-20T08:48:16.614-04:002012-03-20T08:48:16.614-04:00Congratulations, and thank you for a great read.Congratulations, and thank you for a great read.Jenn.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953654.post-52468598043650170922012-03-20T08:13:36.873-04:002012-03-20T08:13:36.873-04:00Well done, Professor Jeff, well done!Well done, Professor Jeff, well done!The Pathetic Earthlingnoreply@blogger.com