#630 - "A Number of Creatures"

[BrianMac]

The answer to the meta is a creature you've never seen.

The deadline will be extended until noon Wednesday.

[Joe Ross]

A sober Joe Ross

[Geoduck]

Grid is done but I sure can't find all the 75A!

[TMart]

Woohoo! On the board at #6, and before noon. That’s a first.

[damefox]

Dammit, submitted right after an update. I'm only 80% on my answer... we'll have to see.

Update: on the board! #18, pretty good for me on a Week 4.

[Al Sisti]

Yeah! My second straight top ten finish, and in week 3 and 4 at that. Softens the blow of being 125th in this week's WSJ. No. No, it doesn't.

[oldjudge]

I think I have it. I have submitted. Got it—doesn’t exactly seem like a week four.

[LesY]

[deleted post]

[Dplass]

I can't even get a toehold on the grid. Yay week 1 next week!

[Meg]

I think I have it. I have submitted. Got it—doesn’t exactly seem like a week four.

I’m pretty sure I have it. The reason it doesn’t seem like a week 4 to you is because you are getting really good at metas! The whole difficulty rating is very tenuous, imo. Which tunnel will I trip and fall into this week?? Most of the time it just feels like dumb luck.

[Streroto]

Grid straightforward. Meta not seeing it. Am confused by wording of 75A and wondering if 7D and 69A are meant as warnings or “words meant to deceive”.

Lots of time until Tuesday.

Stay well all

[oldjudge]

I think I have it. I have submitted. Got it—doesn’t exactly seem like a week four.

I’m pretty sure I have it. The reason it doesn’t seem like a week 4 to you is because you are getting really good at metas! The whole difficulty rating is very tenuous, imo. Which tunnel will I trip and fall into this week?? Most of the time it just feels like dumb luck.

You are very kind to say that but I still have a long way to go to catch up with expert solvers like you. What progress I have made I owe in large part to the advice that you have so generously provided.

[Meg]

I think I have it. I have submitted. Got it—doesn’t exactly seem like a week four.

I’m pretty sure I have it. The reason it doesn’t seem like a week 4 to you is because you are getting really good at metas! The whole difficulty rating is very tenuous, imo. Which tunnel will I trip and fall into this week?? Most of the time it just feels like dumb luck.

You are very kind to say that but I still have a long way to go to catch up with expert solvers like you. What progress I have made I owe in large part to the advice that you have so generously provided.

You out-humbled me. Perhaps we can both just say that we have some skill in this area.

[Amanda Hugginkiss]

Yeah! My second straight top ten finish, and in week 3 and 4 at that. Softens the blow of being 125th in this week's WSJ. No. No, it doesn't.

Hi Al, I’m wondering how to find out what number you are in the WSJ results. I’ve never seen a leaderboard. I always email my answer and it just goes into the void. Thank you!

[Al Sisti]

Yeah! My second straight top ten finish, and in week 3 and 4 at that. Softens the blow of being 125th in this week's WSJ. No. No, it doesn't.

Hi Al, I’m wondering how to find out what number you are in the WSJ results. I’ve never seen a leaderboard. I always email my answer and it just goes into the void. Thank you!

I just went to our illustrious Cruise Director's Saturday status post and counted down... and down... and down... until I saw my name/nom. So yeah, thanks for the reminder: Although I was 125th in the list of correct *Muggle* solvers, I was probably well into four digits in the list of all WSJ solvers.

[Tina]

Ugh. Right now seems like too many possibilities. I'm overwhelmed. Taking a break.

[tonyrobots]

Grid straightforward. Meta not seeing it. Am confused by wording of 75A and wondering if 7D and 69A are meant as warnings or “words meant to deceive”.

Lots of time until Tuesday.

Stay well all

69A?

[ChrisKochmanski]

Beam me up!

OK, I'm going to attempt a meta within the meta. This is for people who have correctly solved the puzzle. Everyone else should ignore. This is NOT A HINT; it won't help you -- and if you're already struggling, it could worsen your plight. Actually, I'm betting that most people who HAVE solved are also likely to be mystified by what I'm getting at here. So if you don't quickly come to an answer to my question, I recommend that you simply erase this post from your mind. It relates to a personal interest that possibly a few here share, but not likely many. Here goes ...

There's a reason that Matt's delay of this puzzle to today is particularly fitting. If you can think of the reason why, please feel free to PM me with your answer. Thanks to all for indulging me this!

[oldjudge]

Chris-I messaged you. If it is what I am thinking of, I heard it this morning. I wonder if it was a coincidence.

[KayW]

Grid straightforward. Meta not seeing it. Am confused by wording of 75A and wondering if 7D and 69A are meant as warnings or “words meant to deceive”.

Lots of time until Tuesday.

Stay well all

69A?

An entry you've never seen.