"First and Foremost" - August 16, 2019

A place to discuss the weekly Wall Street Journal Crossword Puzzle Contest, starting every Thursday around 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Please do not post any answers or hints before the contest deadline which is midnight Sunday Eastern time.
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BarbaraK
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#161

Post by BarbaraK »

Cindy wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 10:36 pm
BarbaraK wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:50 pm
Cindy wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:30 pm Lolla was great fun! And impressive solving!!
How did you do? I was thinking about my muggle friends there and trying to send good vibes your way all day.
Number 15 in the rookie division, all first timers. And number 61 in a division of solvers who have never placed in the top 20% of a tournament.
Nice! Congratulations!
a3jay
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Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:00 pm

#162

Post by a3jay »

On shore, with many of the same thoughts others have expressed.
bobbydeee
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Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2019 12:24 pm

#163

Post by bobbydeee »

On shore...I agree with many of you that this one seemed too easy, but I'm running with it. It's a nice day for a run on the beach, anyway.
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Deb F
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Location: Hilton Head Island

#164

Post by Deb F »

I vote for mugs for the talented song writing Muggles!!! Come on, Mike. Pull some strings.
juliet
Posts: 119
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:11 pm

#165

Post by juliet »

I had my shore pass on Thursday, but waited until last night to use it, thinking there might be more to the meta than what I found: one, clear answer that came too easily to inspire confidence. I'm looking forward to the official answer, and the post-puzzle discussion.
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lusophile
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#166

Post by lusophile »

Submitted the obvious. Probably on a sandbar. I've been wrong or pageanted too many times to be more than 75% confident, but what else can I do
JimmyJam
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#167

Post by JimmyJam »

On shore
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Bob cruise director
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#168

Post by Bob cruise director »

Happy Sunday muggles

First a warm welcome to Y Esch our newest Muggle on the WSJ page

We have 5 on the ship, most of which have an answer that they will submit before the stroke of midnight and 125 on the shore

Arriving on the shore are
Susan G
Ed S
Jud
Jacksull
Fred F
Ann P
Dennis
Colin
Ann
Y Esch
Juliet
bobbydeee
a3jay
Jimmyjam
and lusophile


Sorry for those I missed yesterday and if anyone is on the shore but not counted, let me know

Good luck winning the mug. Long odds again this week
Bob Stevens
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#169

Post by 31 Down »

Deb F wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2019 10:44 am I vote for mugs for the talented song writing Muggles!!! Come on, Mike. Pull some strings.
Having seen posted pic of the incredibly precious prize mug, doubt that WSJ can afford more than a mug per week.

But the brilliantly misguided erudition posted every week here never cease to amaze and really deserves recognition. Maybe we should create annual awards, The Muggies! ie:

Deepest Rabbit Hole
Best Incorrect Answer
Best Original Verse
Best Mangled Adaptation of a Song
Trippiest Explanation

Of course, Bob and Brian have already qualified for Honorary Lifetime Achievement Muggies.
Thomas W (since there's already a Tom W)
FrancesY
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:54 am

#170

Post by FrancesY »

Had dinner last night with a friend who's also addicted to these puzzles. I commented that it was too easy this week. She questioned the "noted politician" hint. Well it quickly became apparent that we had submitted two different answers.
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FrankieHeck
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#171

Post by FrankieHeck »

FrancesY wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:36 pm Had dinner last night with a friend who's also addicted to these puzzles. I commented that it was too easy this week. She questioned the "noted politician" hint. Well it quickly became apparent that we had submitted two different answers.
Should be some interesting discussion after the deadline! My Dad has only successfully done one other of these metas, but he did tell me he turned in an answer for this one. And it was the same as mine. Not sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign.
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Janet P
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#172

Post by Janet P »

Well, after the storms we had during the night I think the thyme in Maine Marge's garden will be doing fine. I have enjoyed the extra time with Isaac this weekend as he has perfected the dryness of my martini. One final Bloody Mary for the long trip to the beach...
Like so many others I eagerly await the post-mortems tomorrow.
Good luck to all on winning the mug!

P.S. I am bowled over by the song lyrics shared this week ♫ ♪ :o
matthewmoravec
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Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:37 am

#173

Post by matthewmoravec »

Ashore, or more likely, on a floating garbage island :)
SueJ
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#174

Post by SueJ »

haven't yet submitted, torn between 2 answers....at least I've managed to get a couple of the last few metas correct but haven't had time to post. Really enjoyed the song lyrics. Such talented folks here!
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DrTom
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#175

Post by DrTom »

Bob cruise director wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:06 pm
DrTom wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 4:18 pm To our venerable cruise director - Thanks Bob, enjoyed it immensely. I suppose that, staying true to the artist, there HAS to be a morning after!

Now let me reply and this time with MY apologies to Joni Mitchell:

Rows and columns of answers here
And I’d scream curses in the air
And favored rabbit holes everywhere
I've looked at metas that way

But now they only block my fun
They confuse and vex near everyone
So many things I should have done
But metas got in my way

I've looked at answers from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's previous pageants I recall
I really don't know metas at all

Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As chances of a mug appeal
I've looked at solving that way

But then it's just another day
No mug is going to come my way
But I still care so I will stay
And not give my chance away

I've looked at metas from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's mug’s illusions I recall
I really don't know mugs at all
OUTSTANDING!!!!
Thanx and a tip o'the hat to you Bob, the innovator. You threw the pass I simply grabbed it and ran. (by the way it will be interesting to see how many of you recognize the "Thanx and a ....")
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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DrTom
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Location: Jacksonville, FL

#176

Post by DrTom »

BethA wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:32 pm
DrTom wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 4:18 pm To our venerable cruise director - Thanks Bob, enjoyed it immensely. I suppose that, staying true to the artist, there HAS to be a morning after!

Now let me reply and this time with MY apologies to Joni Mitchell:

Rows and columns of answers here
...
I really don't know mugs at all
Nice!

Were you doing the WSJ metas way back on Nov 3, 2017? If not, you might want to check it out!
Downloaded and printed out, I'll give it a go later, something to humble me before next Thursday evening, Thank you!
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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Bob cruise director
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Location: Any golf course within 500 miles of Littleton MA

#177

Post by Bob cruise director »

DrTom wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:41 pm
Bob cruise director wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:06 pm
DrTom wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 4:18 pm To our venerable cruise director - Thanks Bob, enjoyed it immensely. I suppose that, staying true to the artist, there HAS to be a morning after!

Now let me reply and this time with MY apologies to Joni Mitchell:

Rows and columns of answers here
And I’d scream curses in the air
And favored rabbit holes everywhere
I've looked at metas that way

But now they only block my fun
They confuse and vex near everyone
So many things I should have done
But metas got in my way

I've looked at answers from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's previous pageants I recall
I really don't know metas at all

Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As chances of a mug appeal
I've looked at solving that way

But then it's just another day
No mug is going to come my way
But I still care so I will stay
And not give my chance away

I've looked at metas from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's mug’s illusions I recall
I really don't know mugs at all
OUTSTANDING!!!!
Thanx and a tip o'the hat to you Bob, the innovator. You threw the pass I simply grabbed it and ran. (by the way it will be interesting to see how many of you recognize the "Thanx and a ....")
I remember it very well. Must be a sign of age
Bob Stevens
Cruise Director
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Richard
Posts: 348
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:06 pm

#178

Post by Richard »

I was on shore days ago but I guess forgot to post.

I use email to submit my guess so I can make sure I did submit.

I do see two answers but like one better.

Richard
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Bird Lives
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Contact:

#179

Post by Bird Lives »

Cindy wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 10:36 pm
BarbaraK wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:50 pm
Cindy wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:30 pm Lolla was great fun! And impressive solving!!
How did you do? I was thinking about my muggle friends there and trying to send good vibes your way all day.
Number 15 in the rookie division, all first timers. And number 61 in a division of solvers who have never placed in the top 20% of a tournament.
I was out of town, never registered. But my son happened to be visiting in NYC and one of his friends had entered the pairs division and still didn't have a partner, so . . . . They finished 12th.
Jay
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Bob cruise director
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Location: Any golf course within 500 miles of Littleton MA

#180

Post by Bob cruise director »

Our final count is 5 on the ship and 128 on the shore. Our latest arrivals are Janet P, Matthew L and Richard

Good luck to all in winning the mug.

It will be interesting to hear the stories of the people who had a dilemma or were sure that they had the right answer but they did not (quite possibly me)
Bob Stevens
Cruise Director
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