Crossword solvers are clever. Yes, I mean you.
When I mentioned that a very special guest would be announcing the upcoming New York Times Crossword Blog, I didn't expect anyone would figure out who that guest would be. I think the first two guesses were both Garson Hampfield, which turns out to be correct. I'll try never to underestimate my audience again.
Of course by now the cat's out of the bag but the name of the blog and the new URL are a closely-held secret which I'll let Mr. Hampfield reveal. Here's a hint to that, which I now fully expect you to get. The Times had to do a special deal with a movie company to get permission.
If you haven't yet met Garson, you should start with his brilliant debut video here.
Then check out the new announcement video here.
But of course....
Posted by: KarmaSartre | September 17, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Wait...you are not actually appearing in the NYT? Oh well, I wish you well in your new Starbuck's location.
BTW, your face looks familiar.
Posted by: PhillySolver | September 17, 2008 at 07:50 PM
You have outdone yourself! Bravo, and bravo to Michael Charles again as well!
When do we start?! Wordplay - the blog - is bound to be fun!
Posted by: PondGirl | September 17, 2008 at 08:23 PM
that's a good name for a crossword blog.
Posted by: joon | September 17, 2008 at 08:58 PM
I love this stuff!
Posted by: Leonard | September 17, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Can someone tell me how to get past the login page?
Posted by: KarmaSartre | September 18, 2008 at 07:42 AM
The new blog is still under development. Don't worry, I'll make sure everyone knows when it's open to the public.
Posted by: JimH | September 18, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Anyone looking for entertainment while awaiting Jim Horne's new blog might check out yet another animated short by Michael Charles. At seawaterbliss.com, scroll down to the link for "An unsuccessful job application." Very tongue in cheek.
As an alternative, there's always thumb twiddling...
Posted by: PondGirl | September 18, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Myles, I agree with your sentiments; "Waiting for JimH" is not a play I'd like to be in! We've tried being patient. Shall we descend upon him (or, rather, e-scend) and request a word or two?
Let's pepper him with e-mail pleas until he returns. What say?
Posted by: PondGirl | September 24, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Rumor has it that the rebirth is scheduled for October.
Posted by: KarmaSartre | September 24, 2008 at 08:56 PM
PondGirl, anyone with the nom “PondGirl” is probably someone I’d follow anywhere. But it’s okay; JimH is doing inscrutable but no doubt excellent things with magical potions called ASP.NET 3.5 and LINQ, so I guess we can play quietly among ourselves. Shall we discuss how KarmaSartre came up with that handle? Is this the spin a funny philosophy major would put on Kama Sutra, or is there something more to it?
Anyway, I'm pretty sure KS is right about the timing. I think I heard someone say they'd heard mid-October.
Posted by: Myles | September 25, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Myles: FYI, I nearly chose SwampThing, so watch out!
Seriously, though, you are right - JimH, in his wisdom, is doing exactly what he needs to be doing right now. And I have no idea what you said after that, but I trust that it will make for a better Crossword Forum experience in the long run.
Regarding our friend Karma - I know a Canadian girl named Karma, but I think KarmaS is a guy. All else is a mystery.
Posted by: PondGirl | September 25, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Aaiiee, from PondGirl to SwampThing! Well, as long as you stay hydrated, dear.
Meanwhile, another gem from Barry Silk, who seems to have lost his middle initial, at least on the Across Lite version. Terrific Friday puzzle, with a bunch of nice 15s, Scrabbly fill, and not a clunker in the bunch. Great puzzle, Barry!
Posted by: Myles | September 25, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Myles, as you're an anagram devotee, I figured you had KarmaSartre pegged as originating with the Washington budget analyst, the Earmark Tsar (just as PondGirl comes from the king of engine tuners, Lord Ping).
Posted by: KarmaSartre | September 25, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Actually, Karm, I seem to be conflating you and PondGirl in my fevered brain. Your handle leapt to mind when PondGirl told me she’d almost been SwampThing, because that would have made her a Starker Mama. But then I settled down. Given her love of liquid, now I just think of her—fondly, of course—as Long Drip.
Posted by: Myles | September 25, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I agree on the puzzle: 5 15-letter answers, all excellent. Great effort by Mr. Silk.
Posted by: KarmaSartre | September 25, 2008 at 10:54 PM
You people are insane! A nice bit of hilarity to start the day!
And now to tackle the puzzle.
Posted by: PondGirl | September 26, 2008 at 05:57 AM
Like I said, October.....
Posted by: KarmaSartre | October 02, 2008 at 06:29 AM
You were right, KS. Did you happen to catch the JimH interview on the “Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords” blog a few days ago? I only tuned in because Ennie posted about it, I think maybe on the NYT Forum. The interview is
here. I hope that link works, but if not you can just go to their blog (listed in the left column here under “Crossword Blogs”) and
scroll down to where it says “Fill Me In #026: Now with sprinkles of smarterness!” and click on the little Audio MP3 podcast icon thingie. It’s a long, charming, interesting interview that also reveals the fate of XwordInfo. Good job!
Posted by: Myles | October 02, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Thanks Myles. The link did work. Where else does one learn these things? This old, dead blog is still a bit of what she used to be.
Sounds like we'll be getting Free Cell with the new one whether Will knows it or not..
Posted by: KarmaSartre | October 03, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Thanks for posting the link to the interview, Myles. Ryan and Brian are a lot of fun and they tell me they plan to do many more interviews. It will be a kick to hear crossword insiders tell their stories in their own voices.
I'm furiously working away at getting the new blog ready to go and there will be a big announcement here when the date finally gets nailed down.
Posted by: JimH | October 03, 2008 at 09:32 AM
You may also like to try out this new puzzle Suduro which is a fun, elegant new variation on Sudoku, combining the challenges of Sudoku and Kakuro puzzles. I loved it and recommend it thoroughly. You may find that site on http://www.suduro.com/
Thanks and regards
Fahd Mirza
http://www.suduro.com/
Posted by: Fahd Mirza | October 11, 2008 at 07:52 AM