"I See Right Through You" - October 30, 2020

[norrin2]

On shore. Too early in the morning for anything but Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin hot tea.

[Bob cruise director]

What a difference a week makes. Last week we had 57 on the shore by Sunday night. This morning we already have 59 on shore.

Mike, thanks for assuaging our bruised egos

[Joepickett]

Ashore. Did grid yesterday and woke up today to do meta. I'm sticking with that plan.

[boharr]

A very Shenk-like meta.

I often see posts like this. Or “typical Matt technique.” My trouble is that my feeble brain can’t remember which techniques are typical of whom. If someone has a beat on how the two differ on typical techniques and also has a couple of minutes to write them up, I’m sure a post in the hints for solving metas area of the forum would be welcome to many, especially newer muggles.

[BrianMac]

On shore! Fun and appropriate puzzle this weekend. Hopefully we don't get any trick-or-treaters this year (we are going to shout down the house and hide in the basement). It's currently snowing (!), so that should dissuade any would-be candy seekers.

[Dplass]

Well, this is embarrassing. I seem to be the only one so far who is willing to admit that I am not seeing the solution! Maybe my confidence is shot after last week. Hoping a drink and a sleep will bring ideas...

I have no idea either.

[Schmeel]

Ashore!
I forgot it's Halloween time. This puzzle is probably the only reference to Halloween I'll get. I don't really see it mentioned much in Israel.
One way or another - enjoy!

[TPS]

I often see posts like this. Or “typical Matt technique.” My trouble is that my feeble brain can’t remember which techniques are typical of whom. If someone has a beat on how the two differ on typical techniques and also has a couple of minutes to write them up, I’m sure a post in the hints for solving metas area of the forum would be welcome to many, especially newer muggles.

I only have a limited sample size but I’d say one thing is that Matt tends to be much more traditional theme answer focused from what I can tell with Mike being more open to things like his Checker and Chess puzzles and things like the KNEE BREECHES puzzle or CITY BLOCKS puzzle than Matt. That’s at least one thing I’ve noticed. Well that and that Matt tends to be more prone to using homophone and sound related puzzles.

[Wendy Walker]

What a difference a week makes.

I filled in the grid, pondered for a bit, and saw a possible mechanism. Got a piece of paper and jotted down the results at the top, leaving plenty of white space for further work, fully prepared for an arduous journey like last week's puzzle. Looked at what I'd written down and staring me in the face was the meta answer. We will be going out to a Vietnamese restaurant this weekend to celebrate our seventh anniversary (we've never had pho before, but Mark had a hankering to try it), and YAY! I will NOT have to bring the clipboard along!

[Bob cruise director]

A very Shenk-like meta.

I often see posts like this. Or “typical Matt technique.” My trouble is that my feeble brain can’t remember which techniques are typical of whom. If someone has a beat on how the two differ on typical techniques and also has a couple of minutes to write them up, I’m sure a post in the hints for solving metas area of the forum would be welcome to many, especially newer muggles.

My observation is that the solutions for Mike's metas are self contained within the grid, often with clues within the grid and don't require external knowledge.

Matt's can often require external knowledge like last week's meta and frequently have multiple steps. Matt has also used the clues, the shapes of the squares and anything else he can think of.

[hcbirker]

What a difference a week makes.

I filled in the grid, pondered for a bit, and saw a possible mechanism. Got a piece of paper and jotted down the results at the top, leaving plenty of white space for further work, fully prepared for an arduous journey like last week's puzzle. Looked at what I'd written down and staring me in the face was the meta answer. We will be going out to a Vietnamese restaurant this weekend to celebrate our seventh anniversary (we've never had pho before, but Mark had a hankering to try it), and YAY! I will NOT have to bring the clipboard along!

You'll love pho. I put extra basil in mine.

[Janet P]

Lost at sea again.
Why do they say it's easy
When I've not a clue?

[boharr]

Lost at sea again.
Why do they say it's easy
When I've not a clue?

People who solve ALWAYS say it's easy. Ignore them and stay with it.

[Janet]

Finished the grid last night. Today I'm taking a lunch break, thought I'd work on the meta. On shore, very cute idea for halloween.
Not saying it's easy, but I recognized a mechanism I'd seen before.

[whimsy]

Still no joy in the morning --
If anyone's looking for me, I'll be on the newly-christened Apophenia Deck in deep discussion with fellow passenger, Doctor Rorschach.

[Bob cruise director]

Our Friday report is a bit early but we have 7 on the ship and 63 on the shore

And just in case you are interested, this is what it looks like outside my window

[Richard]

Well, this is embarrassing. I seem to be the only one so far who is willing to admit that I am not seeing the solution! Maybe my confidence is shot after last week. Hoping a drink and a sleep will bring ideas...

I too am still on the ship.

Richard

[Homer Buckle]

Worked on the puzzle this morning, and am now safely ashore. Quite the relief after my debacle last week.

[PeterLeea1a]

I feel like I've lost my mojo the last few months. I used to get most, and now I seem to get few. LAS once again.

[EVJ]

I missed roll call but am on the ship.