"Three by Three" - November 5, 2021

[sphorning]

One of my favorite grids to date! Struggling with the meta. I do see one coincidence. Not sure what to do with it. Maybe an Irish coffee from Isaac will help. Jameson, please, with real whipped cream.

[JJD]

I’m about to ask Isaac for a shot of something for my Sunday morning coffee. I can’t find anything to paddle towards after a single stroke.

[hunkra]

Bob the cruise director quote:
"Next before we get onto any dart throwing, the subject of teaming, collaboration, hints, nudges and such has been discussed a lot over the years. How you solve the meta and with whom (Wendy is it whom or who?) is a very personal decision. Some prefer to solve solo and some prefer to collaborate. And as you may have seen from the comments, do not confuse solving, being on shore and sending in an answer to the WSJ. This is a judgement call for each of us so just enjoy the moment."
You all may consider this dart throwing. So be it.
I commented quite awhile ago about "nudges". On that particular week it seemed like every other post was asking for a "nudge"
This week, on page 2, on Friday MORNING (post#29) a group solve via Zoom was in the works.
Then by Friday afternoon (post #73)..."a dozen relieved and thirsty Muggles will be heading his way after an amazingly productive and fun Zoom Group Solve!"
So, will the Muggle Group Zoom meeting be next Thursday @ 1:01p.m. EST?
After we solve the puzzle we can all share what we're getting for Christmas, after we've re-wrapped them and put them back under the tree of course.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to their way of solving and whether to ask for or give nudges. We are after all not competing for a million dollars, a lung, a kidney or the right to represent our City, State, Country.

Solving the meta is fun to be sure, but the Muggle community, and by that I don't just mean the forum I mean the people, is such a fun, intelligent and downright funny group that meeting on Tuesdays, working on a puzzle together, collaborating to get an appearance by Isaac, or to honor one of the site admins far surpasses any tangible object. I do not look on this as a contest, and I'd bet that none of the people who solved in the group submitted for the mug. The prize WAS the collaboration and as long as we don't blurt out the answer on the forum and ruin anyone's fun then what is the harm?

I understand purists, I do. For much of my life I was one and often a disgruntled one because I missed some of the fun of those who were willing to try something different. I must also admit that I probably chastised those who weren't doing it the right way (i.e. mine). I regret that because it served me no benefit and probably either hurt or annoyed others.

If you wish to solve alone, I accept your particular choice and will not launch into a diatribe about how you are missing a good deal of the fun of a community of VERY smart, clever and amusing people. But remember that is your choice, not ours and if there is a Muggle Zoom called for Thursday at 12:02 I'll be there. The past year or so has brought little distraction and levity, and most of what there was came from this forum and these people. If it is all the same to you I will continue to enjoy that,

I'm 100% in agreement with you Dr. Tom. As someone who often has work shifts on the weekends (yes... even on Sundays) I often have to squeeze my meta solving in when I can. And people do have lives (family visits, important commitments) other than connecting with the fantastic community here. *When* we solve is the least important thing... basking in the joy of my muggle community the *most* important.

[JJD]

If anyone ashore is around, I’d appreciate a little help. I want to ask about a couple rabbit holes. Thanks

[TMart]

On shore. Finally getting around to the week's metas. Still haven't spent enough time on Pete Muller's.

[Barney]

I forgot -- Daylight Savings Time. Great. Another hour to agonize over a meta I'm never going to get.

Knowing it took 13 muggle geniuses to figure this out together has saved me from further bothering with it.

[sharkicicles]

I joined the zoom call the other day, but Actual Work® got in the way so I didn't actually catch any of the solve. Now I'm kinda curious.

[Ergcat]

Got back from Cabo very late last night ( early Sunday morning?) after 3 flights !!! First flight we were put on the wrong plane until a sharp baggage handler noticed something amiss!
Anyway, even with all that flight time staring at the puzzle, I am still lost at sea! May never get to the beach this week but at least I have wonderful memories of the beach 🏖 in Cabo to sustain me!
Calling my daughter and fellow muggle Regfish7 later to see if we can see our way to meta enlightenment!!

[Hamrock]

LAS. I know some like nudges and others don't. But agree with Dr. Tom that the fun is trying to solve and when you are lost a nudge at least gives your brain a chance to partake in the journey. I just wonder why couldn't ,especially at this late stage(sun), some nudge or clue be shared to all? Not a major hint but a look here? Just thinking ...

[CPJohnson]

LAS. I know some like nudges and others don't. But agree with Dr. Tom that the fun is trying to solve and when you are lost a nudge at least gives your brain a chance to partake in the journey. I just wonder why couldn't ,especially at this late stage(sun), some nudge or clue be shared to all? Not a major hint but a look here? Just thinking ...

I think this is not done because some people don't want ANY help, and it is hard to un-see what you've read. Just pick a muggle or two who say they've solved and send a PM. If you don't hear back pretty soon, pick a couple more.

[CaptainVideo]

I really wanted to get this one all by my discrete self but alas I'm stumped! A minimal nudge would be much appreciated. Or should I PM someone individually?

[ship4u]

I really wanted to get this one all by my discrete self but alas I'm stumped! A minimal nudge would be much appreciated. Or should I PM someone individually?

pm'd you

[JJD]

I forgot -- Daylight Savings Time. Great. Another hour to agonize over a meta I'm never going to get.

Knowing it took 13 muggle geniuses to figure this out together has saved me from further bothering with it.

Yeah, based on the nudges (and more) that I’ve gotten so far, this one is simply beyond my capabilities.

[Hidden in 3D]

Lost At Sea! And it looks like being otherwise occupied for the last few days might have been a blessing in disguise. Although that Friday Zoom session sounds like quite an event. Based on what I have found since I started the puzzle this morning, I'm sure I would have been a non-contributor, but thoroughly enjoyed seeing/hearing great minds at work. Bravo, everyone! And I have to say that attending an out-of-state wedding yesterday was much more pleasant than banging my head against the wall.

[Nlobb]

Ashore

[Katiedid]

Making no headway on this one. I'm still working on MMMM. Maybe I'll ask for a tiny nudge later.

[Colin]

Isaac said he has a good 2000 St. Émilion in the cellar, but he’s run out of cheese with all these people here. It will have to be a bag of chips then please. Gonna be here a while… you cannot hurry a good wine.

[Flying_Burrito]

Glad that I did not waste too much time on this one. Completed the grid this morning and happy to report that I will stay on the ship with what looks to be a fine group of mugglers watching the sunset from the bridge. The meta is not going to happen this week as it's above my IQ grade.

[HunterX]

Making no headway on this one. I'm still working on MMMM. Maybe I'll ask for a tiny nudge later.

I'm where you are. Concentrating on this one for the moment, as I care more about the glory, praise, and fame that ensue to those who gain possession of the coveted Holy Grail of meta puzzles, the WSJ mug.

But, unlike last week when I had 4 pages of the rabbit holes I'd gone down, I've got almost nothing on this one.

[otlaolap]

Safely aboard the ship riding out the impenetrable fogstorm.