#674 - "Please Form Two Lines"

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
User avatar
subtly
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:07 pm

#21

Post by subtly »

Got it! Awaiting confirmation, but sure. My first week 5 solve without a nudge -- so... Thanks to those of you who have graciously given me nudges in past weeks, teaching me how to look and think and find...

==

Now confirmed.
===
Averting musical theatre emergencies since 1976.
User avatar
HeadinHome
Posts: 1067
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 9:06 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

#22

Post by HeadinHome »

I appear to be where many of the rest of you are: first step came so easily, I thought maybe it was mis-categorized as a week 5. But then... WHAT NEXT??

UPDATE:
WOW spent way too much time on a side trail because of Gaffney’s dastardly crafty ways. My initial step was right on, and my method for getting the next thing wasn’t too far off, but I fell into a trap Gaffney set I think on purpose (noticed something but couldn’t get it to fit into my misguided assumption). Once I got out of that snare (thanks to a helper reviewing my tactics and suggesting I look more broadly at something), it was a fun and quick wrap up. I shoulda known better, with my schoolin’. Duh.

Beam me up!
Last edited by HeadinHome on Sun May 02, 2021 1:20 am, edited 2 times in total.
The other Wendy. :roll:
minimuggle
Posts: 553
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:33 am

#23

Post by minimuggle »

Very happy to have gotten to the first step :) But I have a feeling I"ll be making quite a dent in the couch. Not yet sure where to go next but I'll enjoy the journey.
User avatar
ChrisKochmanski
Posts: 2157
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:51 pm
Location: Saline, Michigan

#24

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Beam me up!

I needed a nudge (read: group solve!) to get me out of some of my usual mucky muck and onto the inklings that might actually help to get me to the first step. From there, I was able to move fairly independently (just one more slight nudge) and methodically (it took about 20 minutes) to make my way to the finish.

Very cool puzzle!
Last edited by ChrisKochmanski on Sat May 01, 2021 10:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Hector
Posts: 1297
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:15 pm
Location: San Francisco
Contact:

#25

Post by Hector »

I have an answer that makes sense, but the the mechanism I use to get the last bit does not inspire confidence. It might at least count as an appealable alternate...
User avatar
ky-mike
Posts: 1942
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:22 pm
Location: Near Louisville Ky

#26

Post by ky-mike »

Hector wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:27 pm I have an answer that makes sense, but the the mechanism I use to get the last bit does not inspire confidence. It might at least count as an appealable alternate...
The meta answer makes perfect sense. Keep working on it.
User avatar
Hector
Posts: 1297
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:15 pm
Location: San Francisco
Contact:

#27

Post by Hector »

ky-mike wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:58 pm
Hector wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:27 pm I have an answer that makes sense...
The meta answer makes perfect sense. Keep working on it.
?

My answer does make perfect sense; that's not the concern. I'd rather risk being wrong than risk wasting a few extra days on a puzzle I've already solved. So I've submitted! Watch out; streak of 2 or so is on the line here.
Last edited by Hector on Sat May 01, 2021 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
RPardoe
Posts: 736
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:09 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#28

Post by RPardoe »

Solved (with a helpful nudge).
No doubt at all about the mechanism or the answer.
User avatar
ky-mike
Posts: 1942
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:22 pm
Location: Near Louisville Ky

#29

Post by ky-mike »

Hector wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 4:10 pm
ky-mike wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:58 pm
Hector wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:27 pm I have an answer that makes sense...
The meta answer makes perfect sense. Keep working on it.
?

My answer does make perfect sense; that's not the concern. I'd rather risk being wrong than risk wasting a few extra days on a puzzle I've already solved. So I've submitted! Watch out; streak of 2 or so is on the line here.
OK. Mechanism makes sense as well. Looks like another streak will start next week.
User avatar
Cinny
Posts: 805
Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:53 pm
Location: Minoa, NY
Contact:

#30

Post by Cinny »

Solved! Feels good after breaking my streak last week.
Cindy Heisler
User avatar
KayW
Moderator
Posts: 3127
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:10 am
Location: Chicago

#31

Post by KayW »

ky-mike wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 5:17 pm
Hector wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 4:10 pm
ky-mike wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 3:58 pm
The meta answer makes perfect sense. Keep working on it.
?

My answer does make perfect sense; that's not the concern. I'd rather risk being wrong than risk wasting a few extra days on a puzzle I've already solved. So I've submitted! Watch out; streak of 2 or so is on the line here.
OK. Mechanism makes sense as well. Looks like another streak will start next week.
Wow. That's VERY interesting. Maybe @Hector should plead his case to Matt? Matt's been known to accept alternate answers. In any case, I hope you'll share the gory details post-deadline.
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
User avatar
Hector
Posts: 1297
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:15 pm
Location: San Francisco
Contact:

#32

Post by Hector »

I did include the explanation in my comments, and I don't mind at all that Matt didn't accept it. After all, I was hesitant because didn't seem to me as definite as a normal Gaffney mechanism. I'll post it on Tuesday, though!
cisalope
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:52 am

#33

Post by cisalope »

I'm pretty sure I see the first step, and have an idea of what the next step is, but am stuck. Would someone be willing to hear me out and let me know whether I am on the right track?
User avatar
BrennerTJ
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:54 pm
Location: Chicago suburbs

#34

Post by BrennerTJ »

Made it to the finish line with expert guidance - without that would still be out in the fields chasing shiny objects. Very excellent.
-Tamara
User avatar
Dannyvee
Posts: 515
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:39 am
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA

#35

Post by Dannyvee »

Beamed up with nudge
(☑️Group solve)
Such a slog but quite satisfying in the end.
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
User avatar
MamaE
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue May 05, 2020 6:15 pm
Location: Maryland

#36

Post by MamaE »

I may have the first step.....possibly? Anyone willing to confer?
- Just puzzling it out here in Delmarva :D
minimuggle
Posts: 553
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:33 am

#37

Post by minimuggle »

This was a fantastic Meta. I am off the couch with a nudge that was very much appreciated. :D
User avatar
ajk
Posts: 925
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:22 pm
Location: Colorado

#38

Post by ajk »

Beam me up, thanks to a kindly nudge!
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
User avatar
Duane Suarez
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:32 pm
Location: Tennessee

#39

Post by Duane Suarez »

Can someone give me a slight nudge in the right direction?
Its only my 3rd week and I am lost.

Duane
"Barbecue Sauce"
-Ted Lasso
User avatar
ellgee
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 8:49 am

#40

Post by ellgee »

I would also really appreciate a nudge. I have a weekend's worth of scribbled notes but nothing that feels like the sure first step that others seem to have found.

Update: solved with a kind nudge that got me started down the right track. Whew!
Locked