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.
DrTom wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 2:01 pm
Ashore, tough grid but a nice Meta. I even got my friend who usually thinks these are missives from hell (the Meta not the CW) involved and he saw some of the AHAs before I did so I may have him hooked (obviously this was one of those gateway metas).
No if someone can tell me if the MGWCC is difficult or not this week because I am new to them and solved a few of the free ones. I signed up, got the Friday "In the Mix" one and am floundering badly. Don't know if it is hard or if because I finally pulled the trigger and joined I am having "premature exasperation".
Yes, I'd say this week's MGWCC is harder than the usual week 1. And that seems to be the consensus on its board here. forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=314
I'm finally on shore! Yay!
It's really fun when it finally becomes clear. What's really frustrating is when, after I've solved the grid, I go to the Muggles blog and see 7 pages of "On shore!" And that's from THURSDAY! Just kidding.
Now I can concentrate on something else for awhile.
DrTom wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 2:01 pm
Ashore, tough grid but a nice Meta. I even got my friend who usually thinks these are missives from hell (the Meta not the CW) involved and he saw some of the AHAs before I did so I may have him hooked (obviously this was one of those gateway metas).
No if someone can tell me if the MGWCC is difficult or not this week because I am new to them and solved a few of the free ones. I signed up, got the Friday "In the Mix" one and am floundering badly. Don't know if it is hard or if because I finally pulled the trigger and joined I am having "premature exasperation".
On a par with this one DrTom. Maybe a bit harder than usual week 1 say 1.5. You’ll get it!!
I will put in on my list. Will have to track down a place that pours it.
As for Isaac, I had a bit of a hangover from his Martini last evening, especially with Kimo Kahoana warbling "Aloha Friday" in the lounge. But I got over it quickly enough to figure out the meta. Nicely fell into place. Hadn't noticed the constructor before.
Left Isaac a nice tip and paddled to shore. Heading to a restaurant tonight that unfortunately does not have a porter OR stout on the menu. It *is* a tiki bar, so that's a plus.
Last edited by Tom Shea on Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bob cruise director wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:42 am
Good Saturday morning muggles.
Again, a warm welcome to our contest creator, Joanne Sullivan.
And we have several new muggles from both the WSJ comments and here. A muggle welcome to jackindahl, alec, Lyle and edot.
We have 5 keeping Isaac company for now and a crowd of 122 on the shore. Tom S, jackindahl, Fishmagik, boharr and Diane are working to make their way to shore.
The shore party is (and I hope I have not missed anyone either in reading the comments or typing)
Leslie
Scott M
LesY
Frankie
damefox
Tmart
Meg
joequavis
Brian M
Al
Wendy
mark L
Jazzvibist
docison
steveb
joe
David K
geeteebee
Mike H
Jeremy
Julie O
Billkatz
streroto
ky-mike
higgysue
Anita
Moi
DBMiller
alan H
oldjudge
michaelm
hector
Laura M
Jim and Anita
Heidi
Eric P
Trey and Marion
Jeanrosz
spotter
Cindy
the Thurman8er
tim1217
MajorDomoTom
Bird Lives
Inca
Richard
Drysdale
martin
Tony S
elan
Tina
scooby
Beth A
Glyn
Cynthia J
Frank
Chris
Lacangah
Guy L
Jeffrey G
LittleGood
SusieG
Commodore
SewYOung
WBYonder
Saxerbrau
Michael S
Obie J
Barbara K
dplass
Ed S
Jacksull
burd
Jeff S
Rad26
Sean
Joe R
Tom Wi
JimJim
yourpalsal
Erik
anjhinz
Kay
ALS
Rita and George
Janet P
Homer
Deb F
Jennifer
Howardl
NuYear68
Debbie
Fred F
garry j
PaterLee
sharkicicles
Devil Bunny
NLobb
Janet
Natalie
Kris
Nalugirl
Jackie68
John W
alec
Mary CC
AnnP
Joedbee
Lyle
Juliet
Lucas
maprasad
MatthewB
OGuyDave
Ann
Kas
Scott L
edot
RDaleHall
CallMeShane
ImOnToo
and Maine Marge
Did the xword tonight and just solved the meta, took longer then expected even though I spotted part of the answer right away, I discarded it and looked for something else.
Just got to the grid this afternoon. 24D and 69A made me wince. The meta hasn't popped out so may follow the advice of a nap and a drink or a drink and a nap to see if that helps!
eagle1279 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 10:22 pm
Ashore, got the meta but still have a few holes in the grid.
Presumably, still eligible for The Mug even if I don't finish the grid by midnight Sunday ...
I think there's an Honor Code that would be relevant reading.
Bob - I've misplaced my copy, can you assist?
I finished the grid (a tough one as many have noted), but if there's an Honor Code that forbids consulting Mr. G or getting hints from other solvers, then I don't want to see it.
eagle1279 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 10:22 pm
Ashore, got the meta but still have a few holes in the grid.
Presumably, still eligible for The Mug even if I don't finish the grid by midnight Sunday ...
I think there's an Honor Code that would be relevant reading.
Bob - I've misplaced my copy, can you assist?
I finished the grid (a tough one as many have noted), but if there's an Honor Code that forbids consulting Mr. G or getting hints from other solvers, then I don't want to see it.
The only code is if you enjoyed yourself.
I have no problems using Mr. G or getting nudge if I am desperate. If the nudge becomes a push, I won't send in the answer. But that is a judgement call for each of us.
The shore is extremely crowded with 140 muggles on the shore and 3 keeping Isaac in business. Several people have jumped ship in the last day so Isaac appreciates his loyal crowd.
Hew to the shore since yesterday are:
Burak
tonyrobots
Doug M
DrTom
Susan G
diplomat
jag
pookie
rexthree
lusophile
HowardH
boharr
eagle1279
phofer
the Geoduck who was on the shore yesterday but since ducks are low, I did not see him
asechres
David R
and Tom Shea
Good luck winning the mug.
And stay safe, the coronavirus is nothing to fool around with especially for those of us over 60