"Build Your Brand" - May 8, 2020

[Tina]

On shore! I liked this one!

[FrankieHeck]

I think I'm on shore, and I liked this one a lot, too. I spent a little time going down a wrong path before I saw the light.

I also spent some time at our favorite bar tonight! The current situation isn't too bad out here in the hills, and outdoor dining areas were allowed to open this week with a bunch of new regulations. We threw caution to the wind and went for dinner and a couple beers. They weren't allowed to serve in their fishbowls..bottles and cans only...but it was a nice evening. Not looking so nice tomorrow. The mountains half an hour away are expecting 2 to 4 inches of snow tomorrow evening.

[elan]

I had a bit of time this evening, and so swam ashore (on a snowy night).

Hope you all are well!

[Laura M]

Whew! Glad to be on shore after a challenging swim! I loved this one even though it made me pull my hair out for a while.

[damefox]

Ashore. I predict fewer solvers than last week, but probably not the lowest we've ever seen.

[boharr]

Ashore. I predict fewer solvers than last week, but probably not the lowest we've ever seen.

A safe prediction I fear.

[edot]

Ashore! Excellent meta. Very satisfying solve!

On a side note, made some delicious homemade fried chicken this evening. Happy to 49 DOWN with anyone who wants some

[hcbirker]

I think I'm on shore, and I liked this one a lot, too. I spent a little time going down a wrong path before I saw the light.

I also spent some time at our favorite bar tonight! The current situation isn't too bad out here in the hills, and outdoor dining areas were allowed to open this week with a bunch of new regulations. We threw caution to the wind and went for dinner and a couple beers. They weren't allowed to serve in their fishbowls..bottles and cans only...but it was a nice evening. Not looking so nice tomorrow. The mountains half an hour away are expecting 2 to 4 inches of snow tomorrow evening.

And here it was almost 100 degrees!

[FrankieHeck]

And here it was almost 100 degrees!

Zoinks!

[Dplass]

I won't be able to work the puzzle until later this evening - so you'll all have to do w/o my moaning about not getting the meta fo a few hours!

As promised...I'm here to moan about not getting the meta! 90 minutes in - Not the faintest clue. Had an idea got nowhere, thought I saw something - it was nothing.

This is the first time in a long time I don't even have even the slightest idea what the methodology might be. I hope Issac is lonely because its going to be another long weekend!

I'm putting a coin in the juke box. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29RKnB7l7o

Same. The grid fell pretty easily but the meta is keeping its secrets.

[Miki]

Took a little longer than usual. But as usual, Matt Gaffney's brilliant mind makes our brains work just s little bit harder.

[oldjudge]

Finally ashore with a small nudge. Really an interesting fun puzzle once you see what is going on. Till then, very (11A)ing.

[burak]

Ashore. Something stuck out initially but didn't know what to make of it, somehow had a hunch that it was the key to the answer. After making it too difficult for myself for a while (biggest meta mistake: don't force an answer on the puzzle) I changed my perspective and voila, it was right there.

Brilliant, layered meta.

[oldjudge]

And here it was almost 100 degrees!

Zoinks!

Zionks indeed. The heat isn’t the main problem. The air quality is not just unhealthy, but very unhealthy. Today in the LA area was like a bad day in Beijing.

[maxdegeorge]

I don't know of this is allowed, but is there any way to find hints? My grandpa used to do this all the time and I want to continue the family legacy but I am so lost on the big answer

[BrianMac]

On shore after finally wrestling this one to the ground. Now I can KAS-3 around the house all weekend.

[Joe Ross]

On a side note, made some delicious homemade fried chicken this evening. Happy to 49 DOWN with anyone who wants some

I'm heading to edot's to replenish (& to sneak a peak at the grid...)!

As you can imagine, blood & blood products are in huge demand. Consider donating, please!

[Bob cruise director]

I don't know of this is allowed, but is there any way to find hints? My grandpa used to do this all the time and I want to continue the family legacy but I am so lost on the big answer

max
Some unofficial guidance on hints - which we call nudges

1) Make an attempt. Most won't give nudges until Saturday
2) Nudges are done in private messages. Usually asking for a nudge may be done here but you should get a private message from someone.
3) When you have made contact, explain all the paths you have taken (we call them rabbit holes). You may get responses that you are warm or not or general guidance.
4) Under Board Index/Come Aboard/FAQ Community - Solving Resources there are both suggestions for solving metas in general as well as all the past WSJ contests and their answers.
5) Most muggles who get more than a gentle nudge may claim that they are on shore (solved) although some also stay on the ship (counted as unsolved) but won't submit to the WSJ - however all this is a personal decision.

Good luck

p.s. this appears to be a toughie so there are a lot who are on the ship

[Bob cruise director]

On a side note, made some delicious homemade fried chicken this evening. Happy to 49 DOWN with anyone who wants some

I'm heading to edot's to replenish (& to sneak a peak at the grid...)!


20200508 JR Hoxworth.gif


As you can imagine, blood & blood products are in huge demand. Consider donating, please!

Our local hospitals have stopped drawing blood and the local organizations have minimized blood drives for now. When they open up again, I am sure they will welcome new blood.

[femullen]

Last week I at least saw the checkers (but didn't remember how a king moved). This week, nada.

I'm going to change my muggle handle to Seadog, because I used to spend a lot of time in ships, and it seems I'm fated to continue.