"Backup Plan"

A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
User avatar
Al Sisti
Posts: 2037
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:28 pm
Location: Whitesboro NY

"Backup Plan"

#1

Post by Al Sisti »

Good morning Muggles, and welcome to Muggle Meta Monday! Special thanks to Dr. Tom for his debut meta last week… hope to see more from him.

This week’s puzzle is called “Backup Plan,” probably around a Week 3 rating. Please PM me your solution by 4 PM on Sunday, and this week, I’m going to try to give at least one or two snapshots of a leaderboard during the week. Feel free to PM me for nudges, but try to stick with it for a couple days first. If nothing else, Nudge Wednesday occurs on… uh, Wednesday this week.

Backup Plan.pdf

Backup Plan.puz

The answer to this meta is what you'll be when you've solved it. Good luck!
User avatar
Cindy
Posts: 1248
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:39 pm
Location: Matthews

#2

Post by Cindy »

Solved!
User avatar
Joe Ross
Moderator
Posts: 5001
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 4:46 am
Location: Cincinnati

#3

Post by Joe Ross »

Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024

PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
User avatar
Meg
Posts: 2137
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:41 pm
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

#4

Post by Meg »

I have solved every little bit of this meta!
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
User avatar
TMart
Posts: 816
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:13 am
Location: Malvern, PA

#5

Post by TMart »

Off the couch! Great meta, Al - thanks!
User avatar
boharr
Moderator
Posts: 3183
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 8:57 am
Location: Westchester, NY

#6

Post by boharr »

Off the couch. Thanks, Al.
User avatar
oldjudge
Posts: 1624
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:16 am
Location: Pasadena, CA

#7

Post by oldjudge »

I knew the answer an hour ago but I couldn’t find something that was really annoying me. Really a great puzzle, Al—thanks for taking the time to do it.
User avatar
boharr
Moderator
Posts: 3183
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 8:57 am
Location: Westchester, NY

#8

Post by boharr »

oldjudge wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:20 pm I knew the answer an hour ago but I couldn’t find something that was really annoying me. Really a great puzzle, Al—thanks for taking the time to do it.
I bet it was the same something that was annoying me.
User avatar
Al Sisti
Posts: 2037
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:28 pm
Location: Whitesboro NY

#9

Post by Al Sisti »

boharr wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:36 pm
oldjudge wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:20 pm I knew the answer an hour ago but I couldn’t find something that was really annoying me. Really a great puzzle, Al—thanks for taking the time to do it.
I bet it was the same something that was annoying me.
...and me.
User avatar
ChrisKochmanski
Posts: 2158
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:51 pm
Location: Saline, Michigan

#10

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Off the couch!

Awaiting Al's confirmation because, yes, there was one thing in particular that vexed me for some time. Probably the same as for others.

Fun puzzle!

EDIT: Confirmed!
User avatar
Cindy
Posts: 1248
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:39 pm
Location: Matthews

#11

Post by Cindy »

That last little bit was a doozy!
User avatar
Hector
Posts: 1297
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:15 pm
Location: San Francisco
Contact:

#12

Post by Hector »

Same experience here. I THINK I see the missing thing, but it's definitely not a firm click, at least yet.

Edit: oh, it's 100%. There was information I didn't know, and so I was on the wrong track. Google TTR.

Really liked the grid and cluing. Thanks, Al!
User avatar
Al Sisti
Posts: 2037
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:28 pm
Location: Whitesboro NY

#13

Post by Al Sisti »

Hector wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:21 pm Same experience here. I THINK I see the missing thing, but it's definitely not a firm click, at least yet.

Edit: oh, it's 100%. There was information I didn't know, and so I was on the wrong track. Google TTR.

Really liked the grid and cluing. Thanks, Al!
Thanks... oh yeah, and Googling is definitely allowed for the...missing thing. At least it was when I wrote it!
LesY
Posts: 678
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:21 pm

#14

Post by LesY »

Excellent puzzle, Al! I particularly enjoyed that doozy of a...missing thing...think doing lots of cryptics recently may have helped.

If asked to provide a review quote for your future book of metas I would simply say: “Wonderfully diabolical!”
User avatar
Al Sisti
Posts: 2037
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:28 pm
Location: Whitesboro NY

#15

Post by Al Sisti »

LesY wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:43 pm Excellent puzzle, Al! I particularly enjoyed that doozy of a...missing thing...think doing lots of cryptics recently may have helped.

If asked to provide a review quote for your future book of metas I would simply say: “Wonderfully diabolical!”
Thanks!

Signed, Diabolic-Al
User avatar
Beth Tyrpin
Posts: 512
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 5:11 pm

#16

Post by Beth Tyrpin »

🛋
Tom Wilson
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:07 pm
Location: South Williamsport, PA

#17

Post by Tom Wilson »

Off the couch and on to the (shorter) week ahead. Some devilishly (and unsurprisingly) clever clues from one of our resident Meta Mavens; 21A and 5D were particular faves, along with all those that reflect the constructor's vast musical playlist. You make hard work look so effortless, Al!
User avatar
MarkL
Posts: 385
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:44 am
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

#18

Post by MarkL »

Teetering on the edge, awaiting confirmation.

{ Confirmed - with a chuckle to share after the reveal }
'tis... A lovely day for a Guinness!
User avatar
C=64
Posts: 684
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:29 pm
Location: PDX

#19

Post by C=64 »

Solved. I checked with Al last night and he gave me credit for solving even though I can't see how to get the final part of the answer.
User avatar
Meg
Posts: 2137
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:41 pm
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

#20

Post by Meg »

C=64 wrote: Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:51 am Solved. I checked with Al last night and he gave me credit for solving even though I can't see how to get the final part of the answer.
PM me if you’d like a last part nudge. It’s genius!
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
Post Reply