Takes me a longer to do crosswords than before. I enjoy them but get a bit frustrated with creators who use fuzzy spelling, or made words, or twisted applications, or who expect one to place several letters, or numbers, or symbols in a box . Also, since I retired 20+ years ago, I find my knowledge of current events, politicians, music idols, and social trends has been reduced, so puzzles since 2005, say, are more difficult for me. On the other hand, I seem to have stashed enough information left over from the years before to eventually winkle out most of the answers. Never leave blanks, but it just takes longer.
The 2006 documentary film Wordplay is “an in-depth look at The New York Times’ long-time crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz and his loyal fan base.” It’s got some of the absolutely best on-screen graphics I’ve seen in a movie (which it needed to have, given the info density of the subject matter).
I recognize that (for a wonder) today’s “Frazz” isn’t about running, but “In the Bleachers” is, and it’s considerably more insightful about running in general: https://www.gocomics.com/inthebleachers/2020/03/24
Frazz17 hrs · There’s a nice little couplet at the fore of every good editor’s mind:“If in doubt, leave it out.”
It’s a pity that there’s no synonym for leaving something out that rhymes with bellicose, grandiose, morose, verbose and, of course, gross. Or maybe it’s not a pity. If it’s any of those things, most readers will edit it out, and the ones who don’t will probably put it in if it’s not there.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
Since the advent of web-search engines, crosswords have become much less of a challenge. Or more of one, to force yourself not to cheat.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member over 4 years ago
The argument would be much strengthened if anyone was requiring Mrs. Olsen to do crosswords.
sandpiper over 4 years ago
Takes me a longer to do crosswords than before. I enjoy them but get a bit frustrated with creators who use fuzzy spelling, or made words, or twisted applications, or who expect one to place several letters, or numbers, or symbols in a box . Also, since I retired 20+ years ago, I find my knowledge of current events, politicians, music idols, and social trends has been reduced, so puzzles since 2005, say, are more difficult for me. On the other hand, I seem to have stashed enough information left over from the years before to eventually winkle out most of the answers. Never leave blanks, but it just takes longer.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 4 years ago
The 2006 documentary film Wordplay is “an in-depth look at The New York Times’ long-time crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz and his loyal fan base.” It’s got some of the absolutely best on-screen graphics I’ve seen in a movie (which it needed to have, given the info density of the subject matter).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492506/
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 4 years ago
I recognize that (for a wonder) today’s “Frazz” isn’t about running, but “In the Bleachers” is, and it’s considerably more insightful about running in general: https://www.gocomics.com/inthebleachers/2020/03/24
Stephen Gilberg over 4 years ago
The first panel seems oddly gratuitous for this comic.
Joliet Jake over 4 years ago
I once attempted the Sunday LA Times crossword. Took me four days, but I finished it!
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
Jef Mallett’s Blog Posts.
Frazz17 hrs · There’s a nice little couplet at the fore of every good editor’s mind:“If in doubt, leave it out.”
It’s a pity that there’s no synonym for leaving something out that rhymes with bellicose, grandiose, morose, verbose and, of course, gross. Or maybe it’s not a pity. If it’s any of those things, most readers will edit it out, and the ones who don’t will probably put it in if it’s not there.
Or so I s’pose.
FrankTAW about 1 year ago
If there are enough names of people (and organizations) that I don’t recognize, including cross-clues I don’t recognize, I will look some up.