XWord Muggles Forum

M.Gritz wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:30 pm Hi all,
I'll likely be more of a lurker, especially as I have a strict first-in-first-out policy for my puzzle backlog. I've been solving NYT puzzles for 16 years and other sources for 3 now, and probably have about a 20% hit rate on metas. Currently based in North Carolina horse and golf country, but spent most of my 20s in Washington, DC. I manage a daily newsletter at https://crosswordlinks.substack.com/ that attempts to compile each day's crosswords and related puzzles for solvers, with an emphasis on independent constructors.

Meg wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:54 pm Welcome Matt. I’m already a subscriber to your newsletter.

C=64 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:21 am Hi, I'm Morgan in PDX, originally from NH/VT. I loved Games magazine as a kid. I have been kinda-speed-solving Thu/Fri/Sat NYT crosswords for a few years but never looked at the WSJ until last week. I'll stick with a tricky puzzle if it's interesting, but I don't care about streaks and won't obsess over solving a meta puzzle if I'm not making headway. I'm happy to fill in the grid and move on.

I teach algebra part-time at a handful of community colleges and have been learning Icelandic, Danish, and Swedish for fun, although I realized that the time I spend on crosswords has sometimes interfered with my language studies.

That's all for now. I'll just leave this here: http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=838

halseymac wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 11:05 am Hi Bob and All!

I live in North Carolina and was happy to see my Tarheel state get a mention in this week's puzzle. Fairly new to this, but definitely hooked and still learning. Record so far is, 4 of 9 on the metas. Hoping to improve. Solves are sweet!! Misses...not so much.

Best,

Mac

ricky wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:12 pm Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a few months. I just submitted my WSJ answer for the week and figured now was as good a time as any to join.

Imagine my surprise to see how many other recent registrants are fellow Tar Heels! I live west of Chapel Hill.

I am a writer and longtime trivia obsessive who has been speed-solving crosswords for a little under 2 years and constructing puzzles for about a year. I really enjoy puzzle contests -- I have been doing the NPR Sunday Puzzle for years -- so when I discovered the WSJ contest I was all over it. If I can hold off on doing the contest puzzle until the variety puzzle comes out, I print them out and solve them back to back on Saturday or Sunday morning. I currently get the meta right mmmaybe 1/3 of the time...

SpicyMcFatburger wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:09 am Evening all! Mid-thirties HS principal and former English teacher here. I got turned onto the WSJ Crossword Contest last night by a friend asking for help. I joined this board earlier tonight after finding out about it from an article on the WSJ crosswords.

Unfortunately, I solved the meta with my friend at about 11:58pm, right before the answer was posted, so I was stuck ashore. Now, due to my addiction to crosswords, I think I'll stick around for a while.

SpicyMcFatburger wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:09 am Evening all! Mid-thirties HS principal and former English teacher here. I got turned onto the WSJ Crossword Contest last night by a friend asking for help. I joined this board earlier tonight after finding out about it from an article on the WSJ crosswords.

Unfortunately, I solved the meta with my friend at about 11:58pm, right before the answer was posted, so I was stuck ashore. Now, due to my addiction to crosswords, I think I'll stick around for a while.

Bob cruise director wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 9:25 am

SpicyMcFatburger wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:09 am Evening all! Mid-thirties HS principal and former English teacher here. I got turned onto the WSJ Crossword Contest last night by a friend asking for help. I joined this board earlier tonight after finding out about it from an article on the WSJ crosswords.

Unfortunately, I solved the meta with my friend at about 11:58pm, right before the answer was posted, so I was stuck ashore. Now, due to my addiction to crosswords, I think I'll stick around for a while.

Great to have you.

Let us know if you have any questions. The blog is great for suggestions and background on a lot of our comments.

In what school are you a principal?

whimsy wrote: ↑Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:55 pm Hello All --

I'm Claudia from Hopkinton MA and I just played along (well with others, I hope) for the first time.

I'm a recently retired early childhood educator and I like laughing; books and libraries; traveling when possible -- in in alternative timeline my husband and I would have been returning from Lithuania today; riding my bike -- purple with a wicker basket, no spandex-wearing required or even allowed; and various types of puzzles as long as they involve shapes or words and not numbers.

Some friends remark that I have a quirky sense of humor and whimsical taste, hence my alter ego.

Happy to have met up with the group!

MileHighSolver wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:16 am Hi everyone - been posting on the forum for a few weeks now but never formally introduced myself.

My name is Nate, I’m 39, and I live about 10 miles north of downtown Denver in suburbia. I’m a proud husband and father of my 8 month old son. I started crosswords when I was 18 after a knee surgery. Been doing them and variety puzzles ever since. I usually wait to do them later at night as a way to “rest” my mind from my job. I subscribed to the Journal in November when my son was born. Didn’t understand metas at first but picked up on them quick. My wife could tell you how proud I get when I solve one on Thursday, and also how frustrated I get on Sundays if I have to throw in the towel. I’m happy I joined this forum but I’ll be even happier once I finally win a mug!