XWord Muggles Forum

Welcome to Muggle Meta Monday...

G'day from Australia! My name is Ben (benchen71 on this site and on YouTube, where I post low-fi music videos, theological spoken word pieces, and the occasional unusual time signature edit). This is now my fourth meta puzzle, but I've got a bunch more all ready to go. As a result, I've started up Metas On A Tuesday, or MOAT for short. (Note that there won't be a MOAT this week, but look for your next chance to storm the castle on the 21st of Sept.) Hope you enjoy puzzles with the occasional Australianism thrown in to keep you on your toes!

In life, we all face choices of various kinds. I trust that you will be able to navigate the choices in this puzzle and arrive at the meta answer, which is the title of a Harry Styles song.

PM me with your submissions or submit on Crosshare. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.

Complete online at Crosshare

or download the file of your choice:

MMM Choices PDF

MMM Choices PUZ

MMM Choices XLXS

Nudges are available here.

The solution is available here.

Thank you, Ben!

You've given us MOAT, MMM, & MMMM in one!

Off the couch! Liked this one.

I have been wondering if I am starting to lose it after missing so many this year here and WSJ and MGWCC. But this one was right up my alley (even though I had to look up the songs since I have never listened to Harry Styles).

I didn't get last weeks, not knowing there were 12 tasks of Hercules. I don't do the MMMM anymore since it has too many obscure songs in it and I don't listen to much music - don't have Spotify or any other streaming music account.

Pretty sure I’m OTC. Need to submit. Are people sleeping right now in Melbourne? This is the first Benchen71 puzzle that didn’t kick my butt! Thanks.
Edit: confirmed. I think he woke up, had some breakfast and checked his PM's.

🛋 and confirmed on Crosshare. Solved quickly which is certainly not the case of other puzzles by Ben. I thought it was a really clever idea.

Nice one, Ben. I don't know much about Harry Styles but I was surprised how many of his songs I recognized (only from hearing them at the gym, mind you)!

Solved & submitted (and confirmed on Crosshare)

Off the couch! I don't know anything about Harry Styles, either, and I don't have streaming music (Spotify etc.), but my go-to reference for "what's that song/band/album name?" is allmusic.com .

I don't know anything about Harry Styles either, but Crosshare has confirmed that I am off the couch.

I have left the lounge!

OTC and confirmed via Crosshare. Thanks Ben!

A vacant settee!

I liked the method — and the message!

Good one, Ben!

Sports trivia: The brother of 33A just died in August at age 78, of pancreatic cancer.

submitted. Clever!

Off the couch!

Off the couch -- confirmed on Crosshare.

I got the right answer (confirmed at Crosshare), but I think I took a shortcut and missed all the scenery. So this might be an incredibly clever and well-constructed puzzle, but I wouldn't know. What I do know is that it was yet another reminder of how peripheral to popular culture I am. The only thing that came to mind with the prompt "Harry Styles" were the obvious puns. Who?

Another reminder: I walked through Central Park this evening and all along the roadway on the east side, people were lined up, sitting on the low wood railing or standing. And by "people" I mean White girls between the ages of 13 and 23 often wearing something pink, plus a few others. So I asked what the line was for. "Machine Gun Kelly."
Raise your hand if you have any idea.

Well done everyone who has submitted either via PM or on Crosshare. Definitely go on YouTube and check the song out. It's actually a really good song, with a fun cameo!

Sleeper sofa less in Seattle. (As of tomorrow -- West Coast trip to see kids) Fun puzzle, Ben! - and I echo @ChrisKochmanski's sentiments.

Off the lounge, mate. I'll have me a bikkie and hope my answer is fair dinkum.