"First and Foremost" - August 16, 2019

[Bob cruise director]

For Dr. Tom and others with multiple answers - with apologies to Mary McGreggor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFB1yytGLRA

There are times when a muggle has to say what’s on her mind
Even though she knows how much it’s gonna hurt
Before I send in my guess to Mr. Miller, let me tell you, I love metas
Let me hold the mug and say these words as gently as I can

There’s been another guess that I’ve needed and I’ve loved
But that does not mean I love you less
And my guess can’t possess me and it knows it never will
There’s just this empty place inside of me that only a mug can fill

Torn between two guesses, feelin’ like a fool
Guessin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules
Torn between two guesses, feelin’ like a fool
Guessin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules

Guess one musn’t think you’ve failed me
Just because there’s another guess
You were the first real guess I had this week
And all the things I ever guessed
I swear they are still are true
For no other guess can have the part of me I gave to you

Torn between two guesses, feelin’ like a fool
Guessin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules
Torn between two guesses, feelin’ like a fool
Guessin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules

[Joe Ross]

Bob: You are the best!

Is there such a thing as a reverse pageant? Not being able to ignore the themed answers, I have submitted "the obvious". I'm on a shore, anyway, feeling like a fool.

Looking forward to all post mortems.

[BarbaraK]

That’s fabulous, Bob!

[SewYoung]

That’s fabulous, Bob!

Ditto!! Perfect!!

[Jacksull]

Inspired by the song, I submitted my guesses to WSJ and MGWCC.

Got confirmation from Matt and hoping for the best from WSJ.

[DrTom]

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

[SewYoung]

Great Dr. Tom; this one's perfect, too.

[Meg]

Bob, I sang along and laughed and laughed! I just loved "You were the first real guess I had this week." Too funny!

[EdStrong]

Ashore, hopefully my first and foremost answer is the right one.

[Bob cruise director]

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!!!!

[Colin]

On shore, feeling totally inadequate in the song ‘writing’ department, but happy listening to the tiki bar music. If anyone near the front of this long line for the bar could order me a mojito....?
Pleased to get this in and earn myself a free Sunday!

[AnnP]

So much songwriting talent in this forum!
Bob, I think you were distracted from counting me on shore.

[31 Down]

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:

Earth control to Dr. Tom

That was Major!

[Cindy]

Lolla was great fun! And impressive solving!!

[BethA]

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!

[BarbaraK]

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.

[Dennis]

On shore and have submitted, what I think, is a defendable answer.

[Bob cruise director]

So much songwriting talent in this forum!
Bob, I think you were distracted from counting me on shore.

Ann
Sorry about that. I was so interested in your reference to Ocham's Razor that I totally forgot to enter you in my shore list.

You are now officially on shore and there is a cold drink waiting for you at the tiki bar

[Cindy]

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.

[Ann]

I, too, am torn but am going with what I think is the answer.