#699 - “Nothing Will Change”

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
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Dannyvee
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Location: Jamaica Plain, MA

#21

Post by Dannyvee »

Beam me up!
Reprinted the grid and saw the mechanism right away.
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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ChrisKochmanski
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Location: Saline, Michigan

#22

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Al Sisti wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:35 am I am absolutely kicking myself over this one. I had the trick within an hour, and spent the next two days trying to take it another step further.
I sometimes find myself there too. “Is there more to this … ?” Especially with a Gaffney.
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ky-mike
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Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:22 pm
Location: Near Louisville Ky

#23

Post by ky-mike »

Beam me up!
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MikeyG
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#24

Post by MikeyG »

I got lucky with PERISCOPES in that my random chain of "Could this work?" happened to pan out. I'm with Matt on that - one of my faves of the year.

But then I'm staring at this for an hour, and I'm like, "What?" and then finally grokked it. Even when you know it's a Week 3, in the moments when you're struggling, it might as well be a Week 10!
Less cross words, more crosswords.

Solve my latest "Pun of a Kind" Meta!: 113. Where's the Rest?
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BarbaraK
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Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:37 pm
Location: Virginia

#25

Post by BarbaraK »

Now that's more like a week 3 puzzle. Once I quit looking for what I was expecting to find and instead noticed what was actually there, I felt myself start to dematerialize. Still in the transporter buffer, but quite confident I'll be on the ship with the next update.

Curiously enough, the reason I knew something was an article I read about someone who's not in the puzzle but I was reminded of by something that is. (How's that for cryptic? I'll clarify Tuesday if I remember.)
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Bob cruise director
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Location: Any golf course within 500 miles of Littleton MA

#26

Post by Bob cruise director »

Got it with a lot of teamwork from our most northerly muggle and a nudge from another. At least one of the key elements was very far out of my area of expertise.
Bob Stevens
Cruise Director
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Wendy Walker
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Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:44 pm
Location: Unionville, PA

#27

Post by Wendy Walker »

BarbaraK wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:05 pm
Curiously enough, the reason I knew something was an article I read about someone who's not in the puzzle but I was reminded of by something that is. (How's that for cryptic? I'll clarify Tuesday if I remember.)
I can't wait to hear this explanation, Barbara!
Good luck, fellow Muggles!
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cbarbee002
Posts: 633
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:02 pm
Location: Philly Area

#28

Post by cbarbee002 »

Think I'm on to it. Will find out in the a.m. . . . . . . zzzzzzzzzzz
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MamaE
Posts: 334
Joined: Tue May 05, 2020 6:15 pm
Location: Maryland

#29

Post by MamaE »

It finally clicked! Excellent puzzle and I loved this meta mechanism!
- Just puzzling it out here in Delmarva :D
MaineMarge
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Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:57 pm

#30

Post by MaineMarge »

16148005-C25B-480B-9625-7996128932EB.jpeg
I appreciated this cloud as I beamed up last night.
Northerly Muggle here who’s grateful to have a solving buddy smarter than I am.
Waaay fun and interesting meta after we got settled into it.
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cbarbee002
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Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:02 pm
Location: Philly Area

#31

Post by cbarbee002 »

Okay, got it. Fun indeed.
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Orsys
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#32

Post by Orsys »

Done. Enjoyed this.
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DrTom
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#33

Post by DrTom »

Well the light finally went on and power to the transporter room was restored. I do not have confirmation but I feel VERY confident of my answer. This was again an inspired construction and meta. I don't know why it awes me every time but it does.

Preparing to beam up, hope it is to the right ship. Confirmed #178, about right where I usually land
Old Kirk newkirk.jpg
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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hcbirker
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Location: Studio City, CA

#34

Post by hcbirker »

Been busy all weekend and won’t have time until tomorrow to look at this one. Wish me luck. I quick perusal is not yielding anything. Oh well, no streak to break anyway.
Heidi
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ajk
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Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:22 pm
Location: Colorado

#35

Post by ajk »

Picked a good one to have it jump out quickly, as I have very little time this week. Started on the right path almost instantly, and probably took about 10 minutes total after finishing the grid. Almost never happens to me, but glad it did this week. :)
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
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lbray53
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Location: Elkhorn, WI

#36

Post by lbray53 »

Beam me up. Thanks to some navigational assistance. Two things eluded me even after I figured out the mechanism. I have four pages of rabbit hole notes and three printed grids. The most ever I think.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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Cinny
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#37

Post by Cinny »

Beamed up. Figured out the mechanism, but then took a small detour. Needed a nudge to get back on track.
Cindy Heisler
Schmeel
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Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:38 pm

#38

Post by Schmeel »

Beam me up!
Cow
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Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:11 pm

#39

Post by Cow »

One part of the answer made me 10D, and this time it's really true!
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Guffman
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Location: Prairie Village, Kansas

#40

Post by Guffman »

There was no "AHA" moment with this one.
There was, however, lots of "OH, LORD, I'M GOING OUT OF MY MIND" moments.
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