"Look Inside" - April, 3, 2020

[Bob cruise director]

Not to spout too many platitudes but one of the constants is "what is the constructor trying to get me to do with the title"

I appreciate the advice and that is how I always start. I just think Shenk gives crappy directions. At least with Gaffney I can at least sorta figure out what he wants us to do even if I can't solve it. Whit Shenk even when I see the solution I'm like - I NEVER had a chance.

They have different styles in creating metas that you have to get used to. Hang in there. It will come.

[Meg]

OK!! I’m on the beach! I certainly wouldn’t call it a typical Shenk meta trick. Well done, Mike!

[Scott M]

Grid fell without issues, but I've chased three bunnies so far with nothing to show for it. Will keep plugging...

[ky-mike]

Ashore. Time for a bourbon or margarita before taking on tomorrow’s puzzle.

Haha... you accidentally typed "or"... haha!

Actually had both to celebrate.

[bigmelr1180]

for the love of Pete can someone help me on the side? I don't even know where to start with this puzzle! I am new to metas and I am just not getting it.

[Alan H]

Done. Great puzzle. 100%’er which is preferable to last week when I had the answer on Thursday but spent 3 days convincing myself it wasn’t right.

[Tina]

On shore! Fun one.

[billkatz]

I'm at the bar, still quite lost. Staring at my sheet of paper...

[edot]

Ashore! Lots of fun with this one. If anyone is really struggling, feel free to PM me for a gentle nudge

No better way to start the weekend with a completed meta!

Have a safe and healthy (stay at home) weekend everyone!!

[MarkL]

Grid done, but Isaacizing. Going to have to print working grid #2 and keep at it. Cheers!

[Jeremy Smith]

Oh, my goodness—there it is! On the beach. Amazing construction. One of my favorites this year. Thank you, Marie.

[oldjudge]

Ashore finally. It’s been a while since we had a puzzle like this. Last time I saw the method right away-I’m regressing.

[FKelly]

Got it, but almost got swallowed by this whale on my way to shore. A real whopper of a fish story to tell at the tiki bar. Wait, ... what's that? I still have to go to Nineveh? Ummmh, perhaps you may have mistaken me for someone else? Their name begins with J.
It's time we had a little talk … about responsibility. Wait a sec ... come back here. The illuminati conspiracy have been suggesting that you may have some of that infectious contagious Alzheimers and are no longer a benevolent Providence but have been regressing to your maleficent, diabolical OTestament ways. I've read ... that you are often swayed by the satan, an angelic member of your heavenly court and obedient servant. Now, ... Mr. G ..., lets get to the point. In this increasingly litigious society, don't you think it would be a good idea to assign your Adversary, obstructor aka satan to roaming on a moon of Saturn, and walking up and down on IT, instead of the earth?
Mr. G, … ever since COVID-19 has gone viral all the illiterate libraries have shut down. Why, even the university basketball tournament is visiting the underworld. We need something to do, other than use as many ten (10) letter words as humanly possible. This is extremely MONOTONOUS!!!
To made a long folktale short, the WSJ Puzzle Contest is a meritorious endeavor, worthy of your support and encouragement. Amen.

[MaineMarge]

Finally, some negative results - “Not a clue!”
“please help me!” . All those positives - “Ashore!” “🏖” were getting monotonous -not to mention, scary. Bob, count me as safely and obediently hunkered down inside my stateroom with a good supply of Isaac’s take out mimosas for comfort and inspiration.

[LittleGood]

I'm one of the 26As.

[sharkicicles]

It occurs to me that I have not solved a single MGWCC or WSJ since being locked in the house. Not sure if coincidence or cause.

[Bob cruise director]

Wow, you guys are fast! Has anyone solved and posted *before* Bob's puzzle description?

Probably not, because I use the description to open the puzzle topic. Being retired and sequestered, I open the puzzle as soon as it is posted on the WSJ page and then open a new topic with the title and date. That takes about 1 minute so the time on the topic is a minute or so later than when the puzzle gets posted.

Even Al is not that fast

[Bob cruise director]

Wow - I'm amazed at how fast so many people are getting it. I must just be a moron!

TPS
You are not a moron. I have a column on my spreadsheet which has an IF formula to select those who have over 90% right and have entered over 90% of the contests since we started the blog last April. If both are satisfied it prints "HOF". As you can guess there are a lot of HOF muggles who solve the metas very quickly.

So think of yourself as a rookie in NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL and these guys/ladies are the all stars. Don't be discouraged.

[Jamespower56]

Anyone want to have a private conversation about the meta. NOT to reveal it but to toss ideas back and forth. If so send me a private message.

[Bob cruise director]

Grid done, but Isaacizing. Going to have to print working grid #2 and keep at it. Cheers!

I just noticed your tag line. I wonder how many muggles are old enough to know where that comes from?