tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post1813648018296951988..comments2024-03-27T18:57:50.424-07:00Comments on Blaine's Puzzle Blog: NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 21): What?! Same Puzzle as Last Week?Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-37269418531174574332008-12-28T01:49:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:49:00.000-08:00Dave, the city has lots of letters, lots of syllab...Dave, the city has lots of letters, lots of syllables. Keep looking. Don't lose heart. As in heartland...carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06326278670265938424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-91897278447392637142008-12-28T00:07:00.000-08:002008-12-28T00:07:00.000-08:00To recap the puzzles posted here:Dave's Puzzle #1:...To recap the puzzles posted here:<BR/><BR/><B>Dave's Puzzle #1:</B><BR/>Name a famous city with nine letters. After you change the first letter, you will have a four letter country and a five letter city. Hint: the original city isn't in the U.S.<BR/><BR/><B>Ben's Puzzle:</B><BR/>Take an American city. Remove the last letter. You should be left with the name of a country and the name of a foreign city, reading left to right. The foreign city will be spelled as the people of that nation spell it.<BR/><BR/><B>Dave's Puzzle #2:</B><BR/>There is a six letter American city. Change the fifth letter to the letter preceding it in the alphabet (i.e., if it's a p, change it to an o). When read backwards, the word is a type of cat.<BR/><BR/>Dave, a belated Merry Christmas, quite a holy... night.<BR/>Ben, I had to look through ~500 names until I found the right city.Blainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-59780542107986963442008-12-27T23:21:00.000-08:002008-12-27T23:21:00.000-08:00I must be blind. I went through the list three ti...I must be blind. I went through the list three times on the website that you mentioned, Carl, but couldn't find the answer. <BR/><BR/>Does it rhyme with Gotham or Metropolis?<BR/><BR/>Find an American city. Change the fifth letter to the letter preceding it in the alphabet (i.e., change it to an o if the fifth letter is a p). When read backwards, the resulting word is a type of cat.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359746462038374457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-257385475729318792008-12-27T22:22:00.000-08:002008-12-27T22:22:00.000-08:00Finally I got it. The city and country have nothi...Finally I got it. The city and country have nothing in common.<BR/><BR/>By the way, as of 5:30pm PST, tomorrow's puzzle was posted on npr.org. It's way too easy. Perhaps next year's puzzles will be better.Lorenzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08116815111532628378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-553233576473575362008-12-27T19:53:00.000-08:002008-12-27T19:53:00.000-08:00Natasha, everybody's gotta do what they're good at...Natasha, everybody's gotta do what they're good at; I'm good at confusing you. Anyway, since there are so many posts since Ben posted this, I'll copy and paste:<BR/><BR/>Take an American city. Remove the last letter. You should be left with the name of a country and the name of a foreign city, reading left to right. The foreign city will be spelled as the people of that nation spell it.<BR/><BR/>What is the American city?carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06326278670265938424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-55906589310962271942008-12-27T19:46:00.000-08:002008-12-27T19:46:00.000-08:00Carl,I am confused. Can you tell me what puzzle yo...Carl,<BR/>I am confused. Can you tell me what puzzle your last message refers to? tksNatashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139505187498448200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-8914630625251177712008-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:002008-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:00Some amazing coincidences happening here (insert T...Some amazing coincidences happening here (insert Twilight Zone theme...). I had no idea, for one thing, that Robert Duvall's restaurant was Italian, and it never occurred to me that all the talk of Italian restaurants was meant to be hints to Ben's puzzle. So when I mentioned Tutta Bella, I all but gave the puzzle away.<BR/><BR/>So, Dave, since you apparently are about as clued in as me (I got the puzzle pretty quickly when I looked up a list of American cities; I'll give you a good link at the end of this), and you could really benefit from a very helpful hint, I'll try for a modicum of "obfuscation" and say that the name of the city ends with the sound of a famous fictional city featured in DC comics.<BR/><BR/>Here's that link:<BR/><BR/>http://www.americantimezones.com/cgi-bin/atz.cgi?Action=List<BR/><BR/>And remember, as you go down the list, that the only thing you're doing to the city name is removing the last letter.carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06326278670265938424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-60048263650609992342008-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:002008-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00Oh man, now you really want me to serve it up for ...Oh man, now you really want me to serve it up for you.<BR/><BR/>How many letters in the American city? A lot!<BR/><BR/>- Other BenBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00600537639204656778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-51877530770479754382008-12-27T13:46:00.000-08:002008-12-27T13:46:00.000-08:00Ben and Carl, now I'm really confused. Robert Duv...Ben and Carl, now I'm really confused. Robert Duvall has a restaurant called "Rail Stop" in The Plains, Virginia. It's an Italian restaurant and you mention pizza places in your post, Ben, so I assume that the answer is somehow related to pizza or Italy. You also mention that you "dished" out four clues, so the answer is somehow food related. Is that correct? How many letters in the American city?Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359746462038374457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-7019737584273649612008-12-27T11:49:00.000-08:002008-12-27T11:49:00.000-08:00Ben, I guess that's what all the talk about pizza ...Ben, I guess that's what all the talk about pizza was for... I guess I inadvertently revealed part of the answer to your puzzle in my plug for a local eatery earlier.<BR/><BR/>Anyone else try the Crossword Blaine created for us?<BR/><BR/>Weather update, Seattle: it's in the forties and snow is melting so fast it's fascinating to watch. Already about 20% of what was on my truck when I got up.carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06326278670265938424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-40319744299277338022008-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:002008-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:00So I've dished four clues to my puzzle and it appe...So I've dished four clues to my puzzle and it appears that two have solved it, if I'm reading between the lines correctly. Anyone else still in need?<BR/><BR/>- Other BenBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00600537639204656778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-9837350292471899262008-12-27T01:44:00.000-08:002008-12-27T01:44:00.000-08:00Geri and Carl and Other Ben (OB1 ? ;-) . . . thank...Geri and Carl and Other Ben (OB1 ? ;-) . . . thank you all for having this discussion about " Number of doctors?" because I also couldn't figure out the connection. It was fun to read Merl's explanation!Joe Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115545643638113334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-37700832496708003212008-12-26T14:45:00.000-08:002008-12-26T14:45:00.000-08:00Hugh, I don't understand your post.Ben, great job ...Hugh, I don't understand your post.<BR/><BR/>Ben, great job in getting the venerable Mr. Reagle to elucidate the clue. I still haven't figured out your puzzle.<BR/><BR/>Natasha, that was quick! Maybe because the answer is seasonal. No, I'm not from the Bay Area. I live in Eugene.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359746462038374457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-42422885072401060022008-12-26T10:42:00.000-08:002008-12-26T10:42:00.000-08:00Dave,I just solved your other puzzle too. Time: 1...Dave,<BR/>I just solved your other puzzle too. Time: 1 minute. Clever puzzle.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139505187498448200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-73702839400287019012008-12-26T10:37:00.000-08:002008-12-26T10:37:00.000-08:00I received an email back (!) from Sir Merl Reagle ...I received an email back (!) from Sir Merl Reagle himself, lord of Cruciverbalists:<BR/><BR/># # #<BR/><BR/>dear ben,<BR/> <BR/>that TEN clue is a reference to the expression often heard in commercials, "nine out of ten doctors ...", but as soon as i saw it in print i had a "what the heck was i thinking?" moment. i changed it to "Easy multiplier" on my master version and i actually got some papers to run the corrected version, since they hadn't gone to press yet. i guess it's also possible that i was in the middle of the clue and got interrupted, like, it was gonna be "number of doctors cited in tv commercials" and the phone rang or something. hard to know now, but i'm just gonna chalk it up to one of those screwy things that seemed like a good idea at the time!<BR/><BR/># # #<BR/><BR/>So there you go! If you've seen the "unkind donuts" scene in the movie Wordplay, you know how quickly his wheels are spinning.<BR/><BR/>- Other BenBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00600537639204656778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-7149640799837303352008-12-26T09:48:00.000-08:002008-12-26T09:48:00.000-08:00Am I the the one left standing in Dave's old versi...Am I the the one left standing in Dave's old version of "musical chairs?"hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16914509834442545746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-88325524306422361762008-12-26T09:41:00.000-08:002008-12-26T09:41:00.000-08:00Dave,Are you from the Bay Area? I live in Berkele...Dave,<BR/>Are you from the Bay Area? I live in Berkeley so am very familiar with Zachary's. The best pizza I ever had was in Indiana. They used better spices like oregano which doesn't seemed to be used anywhere.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139505187498448200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-86176001408994076392008-12-26T09:38:00.000-08:002008-12-26T09:38:00.000-08:00Dave,I solved it in about 5 minutes using the inte...Dave,<BR/>I solved it in about 5 minutes using the internet. I think it is a great puzzle.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139505187498448200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-89915218585923928942008-12-26T09:06:00.000-08:002008-12-26T09:06:00.000-08:00Natasha, you rock! How long did it take you to so...Natasha, you rock! How long did it take you to solve the puzzle?Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359746462038374457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-60714007075478000762008-12-26T08:39:00.000-08:002008-12-26T08:39:00.000-08:00Dave,On Christmas eve love old tunes.Dave,<BR/>On Christmas eve love old tunes.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139505187498448200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-81971874392547946172008-12-26T07:44:00.000-08:002008-12-26T07:44:00.000-08:00Yes, Virginia, there were indeed two clues hidden ...Yes, Virginia, there were indeed two clues hidden in my last post.<BR/><BR/>I've also written Mr. Reagle, letting him know about Blainesville, asking about "ten," and begging him to come clean. <BR/><BR/>The Honorable Mr. Reagle may soon be racing through this blog and I'm requesting that you all sit up straight and behave! (And put down that malt liquor, Samkizzle!)<BR/><BR/>- Other BenBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00600537639204656778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-16962616559094388692008-12-26T02:45:00.000-08:002008-12-26T02:45:00.000-08:00Carl, I could get nothing definitefrom your link (...Carl, I could get nothing definite<BR/>from your link (for which I thank<BR/>you) except that 10 doctors is <BR/>associated with Dr. Who. Wikipedia<BR/>has a page "Tenth Doctor" which<BR/>discusses the incarnations of the<BR/>original DOCTOR which now has<BR/>reached TEN. A chat with Merl<BR/>would be fun.gerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699362527317413011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-47095495821178310982008-12-26T02:09:00.000-08:002008-12-26T02:09:00.000-08:00Ben, Wed Dec 24 at 10:58 am youposted a puzzle in...Ben, Wed Dec 24 at 10:58 am you<BR/>posted a puzzle involving an<BR/>American city resulting in a<BR/>country and a foreign city by<BR/>removing its last letter. I<BR/>need some hints, please!gerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699362527317413011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-59395700633084564252008-12-26T01:31:00.000-08:002008-12-26T01:31:00.000-08:00Dave, Congratulations! You'vecreated another NPR ...Dave, Congratulations! You've<BR/>created another NPR candidate.<BR/>Don't be shy about submitting it.<BR/>It's a GOOD one.gerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699362527317413011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-91054300875029239282008-12-25T22:48:00.000-08:002008-12-25T22:48:00.000-08:00Ben, was there a clue hidden in your post? I was ...Ben, was there a clue hidden in your post? I was in the Bay Area over Thanksgiving and had pizza from Zachary's, which has won all sorts of awards. It was good, not great. The best pizza I've ever had is from Bay & Goodman's in Rochester, NY. It's on the corner of Bay and Goodman Streets. Even if it still exists, I'm sure that it's not as good as was when I lived there thirty years ago.<BR/><BR/>Natasha, drop me a clue so I know that we're thinking of the same city.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359746462038374457noreply@blogger.com