"Counting Calories" - December 20, 2019

[DaveWa]

As a side note, this week I was wondering if we have muggles from all 50 states (and DC). In looking through what I have, I could confirm muggles in all states except: Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah and Washington state.

I am sure that I have missed muggles from these states but let me know.

As a side note, we have muggles in Ontario and Switzerland. Not sure if there are any other countries that people live in.

Nebraska reporting in. Although I spend most weekends at sea with Isaac!

[DaveKennison]

Did the puzzle this afternoon. Had no idea about the meta until just now, but ... I’m ashore!

And I’m in Colorado.

[billkatz]

I ma safely ashore. Now if I can just get the MGWCC before we leave to go skiing Saturday morning.

[Joe Ross]

And thank you SO MUCH for that earworm Joe Ross Now my brain has no choice but to follow your example...

You're welcome, Kay! Consider it an early present, please, cuz y'ain't gittin'nother one, neither.

Planting the counter earworn worked. Drifted off to sleep to a sprightly tune, lazing down an international river, dreamed of the answer mechanism, and awoke with the pop rock, new wave music of 1986 & 1987 Grammy winners in my head.

Very cool construction, سيد, استاذ senyor Herr κύριος sinjoro señor jauna مامان monsieur Maighstir श्री जी साहब साहिब úr պարոն tuan bapak herra signore 氏 さん 様 씨 님 미스터 dominus encik tuan انچيق, توان meneer herr hastiin sénher pan senhor domn мистер gospodin sannori sennore segnore segnori господин pán gospod herr นาย пан صاحب janob אדון, אדוני Gaffney!

To muggles near, far, and everywhere, the happiest holidays and new year.

[tim1217]

Little did I realize when I re-wrote the poem, that the second part of the first line would be prophetic for me this week! Totally 20A. Can’t even see where to start (though I have been down several rabbit holes).

[Orsys]

Found the grid a bit tricky. But nice construction. Done and done.

[Bob cruise director]

‘Twas the week before Christmas, the meta a struggle
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Muggle;
The grid was completed with the utmost care,
In hopes that an AHA would soon be there.

The Muggles were nestled all sung in their beds,
While visions of coffee mugs danced in their heads;
And mamma with her pencil, and I with my Google,
Had just settled down, our brains to noodle.

When over on the Forum there arose such chatter,
I sprang from my La-Z-Boy to read the matter;
Away to my desk I flew like a sprite,
Tore open the laptop and logged onto the site.

The blue light emanating from my MacBook screen,
Gave the hope of insights yet to be seen;
When what did I see with all my brain’s deductor’s,
But a miniature puzzle, and eight tiny constructors.

With a little old editor, so lively and frank,
I knew in a moment it must be Mike Shenk;
More rapid than rabbits his constructors they came,
And he sorted, and rearranged, and called them by name.

‘Now Berry! Now, Gordon! Now, Shenk and Gaffney!
On, (TBA)! on Muller! on Kelly and McClary!
From within cyberspace we yelled out the call,
Now puzzle us! puzzle us! puzzle us all!

Go frustrated Muggles to Isaac’s bar with resolve,
When they meet with tough metas they cannot solve;
And then in a twinkling we think we see the beach,
But the rabbits and their holes keep it well out of reach.

As I was about to give up and post the fact,
A lightbulb went off and my hope was intact;
Then up to the grid-top the constructors they flew,
With a bag full of metas - and Mike Shenk too!

He leapt from the screen within the hue of blues,
And his clothes were all tarnished with letters and clues;
A bundle of metas he had flung on his back,
And he looked a bit devilish waiting to attack.

His eyes how they sparkled, but I a bit leery,
His metas I knew, often made me weary;
His droll sense of humor, was apparent at first,
And the sly grin on his face made me fear the worst.

The stump of a pencil was held tight by his ear,
And the scribblings, erasures and worksheets were near;
He had broad knowledge and skills that can’t be denied,
That made me nervous and dreadful, to that I will not lie.

He was clever and sneaky - the most dangerous constructor alive,
And I said ‘Oh no what’s this, don’t tell me a KAS5?’;
Though a wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And gave us new puzzles; then turned with a jerk;
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up to the laptop he rose.

Once again on the screen, to his constructors gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like rockets or missiles;
But I heard him exclaim, ere he pixilated out of sight,
‘Happy Meta-Solving to all, and to all Muggles a good-night!’

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays my fellow Muggles!

I hope that someone at the WSJ printed this and taped it to Mike's screen at his desk.

[Carla]

As a side note, this week I was wondering if we have muggles from all 50 states (and DC). In looking through what I have, I could confirm muggles in all states except: Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah and Washington state.

I am sure that I have missed muggles from these states but let me know.

As a side note, we have muggles in Ontario and Switzerland. Not sure if there are any other countries that people live in.

Washington State present!

[Janet P]

Thought maybe doing the grid again in today's paper would help. Nope. And I can't even find any rabbit holes to explore!
Glad I have a long weekend to play with it

[Geoduck]

As a side note, this week I was wondering if we have muggles from all 50 states (and DC). In looking through what I have, I could confirm muggles in all states except: Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah and Washington state.

I am sure that I have missed muggles from these states but let me know.

After lurking for months, I'll join the online ranks. And represent Washington!

Being from a coastal state, I have plenty of shores to spend time on, but I am still trying to find my way to THIS shore...

Former resident of Friday Harbor here.

Living in Maine now.

[Hidden in 3D]

For some reason, I finished the grid quickly this morning, only checking with Mr. G on the proper spelling of one entry. (Compare this to last week when I barely had time to finish the grid before Sunday night's deadline and certainly never made it to the shore!) The crossword gods must have taken pity on me this weekend, knowing how much more present-wrapping, food-shopping, cookie-baking and overall food prep I still have to do. I am happy to report that after a satisfying AHA moment, I submitted my answer before enjoying my third cup of coffee.

Merry Christmas, Muggles!!

[SeanS]

Thought I was on shore a few times since joining the ship a few months ago but this is the first time I'm 100%... if anyone spies someone doing cartwheels around downtown Harrisburg PA, don't worry I'll calm down shortly.

[Julie O]

I am planning to spend the weekend with festivities both on the ship with Isaac and in real life. Will take quick glances at the puzzle, but don't anticipate I'll find my way to shore.

[Bob cruise director]

As a side note, this week I was wondering if we have muggles from all 50 states (and DC). In looking through what I have, I could confirm muggles in all states except: Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah and Washington state.

I am sure that I have missed muggles from these states but let me know.

After lurking for months, I'll join the online ranks. And represent Washington!

Being from a coastal state, I have plenty of shores to spend time on, but I am still trying to find my way to THIS shore...

Former resident of Friday Harbor here.

Living in Maine now.

In the 70's, my brother lived in Friday Harbor. The entire San Juan Islands are beautiful

[Bob cruise director]

Our Friday noon report has 13 muggles on the ship and 27 on the shore

And if you have not read tim1217's poem at the beginning, make sure you go there

And we have two new muggles this week - softie and higgysue - we welcome the to the clan

[Joe Ross]

We get words too teasing & words to fear
Many rabbit holes & guesses, "Oh, so near!"
There's much muggles do share
It is time we're aware
It's a meta we must solve

It's a meta we must solve
It's a meta we must solve
It's a meta we must solve
We must get to shore

There is just one grid, many google runs
And "A-HA!" means "Get off the ship!" to everyone
Then the sea will divide
Though the ocean seemed wide
It's a meta we just solved

It's a meta we just solved
It's a meta we just solved
And there's Guinness involved!
We just got to shore!

[MaineMarge]

Bad news: still 20A
Good news:
Isaac and I have lots of good company
The bar is well stocked with 18A
Big Christmas bash starts here at 6pm- looks like I’ll be attending

[Horsesense]

Ashore

[spotter]

I'm coming up empty so far. Just a bunch of red herrings and rose red tilapia. Pour me another please, Isaac.

[Doug C]

I have an answer, but seems very clumsy. Going to finish a drink (or two) with Isaac before setting out for the beach.