If you're not tomthedog, this post will likely be of little interest to you, but HaloScan wouldn't let me post it as a comment in his other journal. I could have posted in as comment in his LiveJournal, I suppose, but this way, if anyone other than him is interested, they'll be able to read them. Anyway, the rejected comment:

Here are a few reviews of Merv Griifin's Crosswords from people in the puzzling community:

• Amy Reynaldo
• Tyler Hinman - day 1 (click next entry for reviews of subsequent episodes)
• Trip Payne

Hinman and Payne are both constructors and three-time American Crossword Puzzle Tournament champions; Reynaldo won the B division in 2005 and placed in the top twenty of the A division the next two years.

My feelings: I agree that puzzles edited by Timothy Parker are often poorly clued, but most of the examples Hinman cited didn't particularly bother me; and yes, OBOLS is a terrible fill word.

Actually, while I'm on the subject, I may as well point out that Thursday's puzzle in the New York Times was outstanding. It was a fresh spin on a tired theme, with a gimmick I've only rarely seen. ( Collapse )

Ten items labeled as "food porn" by the Center for Science in the Public Interest:

1. Mrs. Fields Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Icing
2. Burger King Chicken Club
3. McDonald's Steak, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
4. Adams Body Smarts Yogurt Berry Crunch Bars
5. Hardee's Thickburger
6. Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce
7. Arby's Market Fresh Roast Beef and Swiss sandwich
8. Tostitos Chips & Cheese Dip Snack Kit
9. Boston Market Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Home Style Meal
10. Taco Bell Mucho Grande Nachos

Today's list is for angelchicken, who wanted to see cinnamon rolls. Man, if cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing are porn, then call me Larry Flynt.

From The Book of Duchess:

Heart-whole, I started to beseech
That she would be my lady sweet.
I swore to her with heartfelt heat
My steadfast duty firm and true,
And love that would be always new.
To guard her honour evermore,
And serve no other, then I swore
To do my best. I promised this:
"For yours is all that ever there is,
My sweetheart. Barring dreams untrue,
I shall never be false to you,
As sure as God's intents prevail!"

And when I thus had told my tale,
God knows, my love and pain and awe
She seemed to think not worth a straw.
To tell it briefly as it is,
Her answer was most truly this:
I cannot perfectly convey
Exactly what she had to say:
The gist of it was simply "No"
And nothing more.

Geoffrey Chaucer