#653 - "Camouflage"

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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hcbirker
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#21

Post by hcbirker »

Beam me up!
Heidi
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Bird Lives
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#22

Post by Bird Lives »

This one was so easy that I was considering submitting a smart-ass answer, but then I wanted to have one of those little "10" square next to my name eventually. So Prussia, Assyria, Cappodocia, etc. -- that's now all a bygone idea.
Jay
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Thurman8er
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#23

Post by Thurman8er »

Energize.
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KayW
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#24

Post by KayW »

Done and done. Yay for an easy and fun week one!
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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HeadinHome
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#25

Post by HeadinHome »

Just joined last month (first puzzle was Missing Pieces, followed by a week 5, so of course I haven’t succeeded yet). On this one I saw some .. things.. right away that strongly suggested an answer (it seems obvious), but I feel like I should also see a confirmation to really be sure. ?? In other words, no “OHHH.. aha.. that’s clever” moment. Is that normal on a week one?

To submit or not to submit... 🤔
The other Wendy. :roll:
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MikeM000
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#26

Post by MikeM000 »

HeadinHome wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:44 pm Just joined last month (first puzzle was Missing Pieces, followed by a week 5, so of course I haven’t succeeded yet). On this one I saw some .. things.. right away that strongly suggested an answer (it seems obvious), but I feel like I should also see a confirmation to really be sure. ?? In other words, no “OHHH.. aha.. that’s clever” moment. Is that normal on a week one?

To submit or not to submit... 🤔
I was in the exact same spot about 6 months ago. I joined on a week 4, didn't get it, then on the following week 1 there were 5 theme answers that all had SOS initials, and I didn't submit because I looked for *something more*.

Submit today's equivalent of "SOS" and you'll get on the board. That is what a week 1 (normally) is.
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Jacksull
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#27

Post by Jacksull »

HeadinHome wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:44 pm Just joined last month (first puzzle was Missing Pieces, followed by a week 5, so of course I haven’t succeeded yet). On this one I saw some .. things.. right away that strongly suggested an answer (it seems obvious), but I feel like I should also see a confirmation to really be sure. ?? In other words, no “OHHH.. aha.. that’s clever” moment. Is that normal on a week one?

To submit or not to submit... 🤔
The best advice I can provide is this: don’t overthink week ones and week twos. They are usually straightforward. Expect multiple steps, twists and tricks in week three, four, five. Of course, there will be exceptions.
Jack Sullivan
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Jeremy Smith
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#28

Post by Jeremy Smith »

HeadinHome wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:44 pm Just joined last month (first puzzle was Missing Pieces, followed by a week 5, so of course I haven’t succeeded yet). On this one I saw some .. things.. right away that strongly suggested an answer (it seems obvious), but I feel like I should also see a confirmation to really be sure. ?? In other words, no “OHHH.. aha.. that’s clever” moment. Is that normal on a week one?

To submit or not to submit... 🤔
...and....you got it!!! Congrats!
higgysue
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#29

Post by higgysue »

Beam me up.
Dave C
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#30

Post by Dave C »

Beam me up.
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lbray53
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#31

Post by lbray53 »

I am a beamer! I thought themer clues were clever.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
MatthewB
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#32

Post by MatthewB »

Beam me up...
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cbarbee002
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#33

Post by cbarbee002 »

Beam me up. Had trouble with parts of the grid, but once done, the meta was easily reached. A perfect week 1.
dudeski
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#34

Post by dudeski »

Beam me up
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DrTom
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#35

Post by DrTom »

After one very small diversion down a teensy tiny rabbit hole I quickly extracted myself. Yes after weeks of having to decode the writings on the monolith, the ease of this one (Meta, not the grid necessarily) was a smooth ride home. I commiserate with HeadInHome because joining with the previous two weeks as your intro must have seemed like a "why did I do this"? Then getting this rather straightforward "AHA" (but AHA all the same) must have been a "What???". HeadInHome head to the WSJ one as well, also a rather quick solve and helps to build your "maybe this is not so bad". In the meantime I believe I can reliably feel:
BEAM ME UP.jpg
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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#36

Post by DrTom »

HeadinHome wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:44 pm Just joined last month (first puzzle was Missing Pieces, followed by a week 5, so of course I haven’t succeeded yet). On this one I saw some .. things.. right away that strongly suggested an answer (it seems obvious), but I feel like I should also see a confirmation to really be sure. ?? In other words, no “OHHH.. aha.. that’s clever” moment. Is that normal on a week one?

To submit or not to submit... 🤔
Glad you submitted, sorry you had to start your META run with two triathalons but glad you are here!
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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Joe Ross
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#37

Post by Joe Ross »

DrTom wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:25 am Image
That is some excellent artwork, my friend!
Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024

PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
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𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
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DrTom
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#38

Post by DrTom »

Joe Ross wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:52 am
DrTom wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:25 am Image
That is some excellent artwork, my friend!
I KNEW you would appreciate it, I think I may keep it for those odd occasions when I do manage to solve.

Thank you sir!

I am not to be left alone with photo editing software.
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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TMart
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#39

Post by TMart »

DrTom wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:25 am
BEAM ME UP.jpg

Happy to see you’re not wearing a red shirt - that guy never makes it out alive!
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Streroto
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#40

Post by Streroto »

Rare for me to get it before grid even half done. Beam me up!

Stay well all
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