"On Occasion" - December 10, 2021

[Mister Squawk]

Thick as a brick, I am. Sank like a stone. Walked to the beach on the sea floor.

[JennyByrd]

Solved and on the beach wishing for a peppermint hot cocoa

[MaineMarge]

Skipping out of the bar for awhile now to go to the ship’s beauty salon.
I’m seeing way too many of these

[SusieG]

My trick of asking my clueless husband for help hasn’t worked this week. I keep crawling down the same rabbit hole, but I don’t see the solution. Maybe another drink with Isaac will shake it loose.

[femullen]

Checking in from Isaac's, Cruise Director Bob. Step 1 makes it seem solvable, but I'm visiting grandkids near your place, so who knows if I'll get back to it. Count me at sea, but not lost.

[Plymouthrock]

A bit of nog, please, as I sink my toes deep in the sand.
Go heavy on the Elmer T.

[coffeefrog]

on shore

[Bob cruise director]

Ashore. It took a while. It shouldn't have. Once, long ago, I was hired to consult on a project where the other person hired for similar purposes was the guy who created an element of this meta.

You can explain that Tuesday night after Wendy talks about her cult friend getting sued.

[JJD]

Hmm…
I have found 8 letters, but there’s a distinct leporine odor here.
I hope Isaac didn’t give away my seat.

[Barney]

I was dragged to this, kicking and screaming all the way.

Not submitting. I never submit to WSJ meta unless it’s a solo solve.

Said “dragger” found it easy and fun. Could be.

[Bob cruise director]

Good Saturday morning muggles

As always, an interesting challenge presented by Mr. Shenk. To some it came quickly, and others are still rooting through rabbit holes.

As a result, we have 17 on the ship with Isaac and 116 on the shore.

For those on the ship, fear not, Isaac has plenty of screens, a fully stocked bar and they are allowing the patrons to make their own holiday specialties in the ship's kitchen.

On the ship are

MarkWoychick
EVJ
CPJohnson
copperriver
hoover
Tom S
minimuggle
pjc
ajk
Richard
GTIJohnny
Commodore
hunkra
femullen
MaineMarge
SusieG
James D

And on the shore are

docison
RPardoe
Mike H
Al
joe
Wendy
Beth A
Jordanian
Laura
Bill
Scott M
Kay
Joe R
darth
Larrry
Heidi
Peter
paige
mattythewsjpuzzler
David K
Jace54
oldjudge
Anita
dpl11
Amanda Hugginkiss
TeaJenny
Beth T
rjy
Meg
sharkicicles
woozy
Zach
dk letter
dplass
czeemuggle
Trey and Marion
Dannyvee
Jean
Omnibus
RDaleHall
boharr
Cindy
Fred
benchen71
Eric P
Tina
Moi
Shirley
dudeski
streroto
802puzzler
Dave C
NebFaninCA
BEACHEDWHALE
Toby
Tmart
Barbara K
TeamDoubleTow
Miki
DannyCincinatti
MikeM000
Beth C
Lube On
DrTom
Gman
ladybird
M and M
JeanneC
Chris
ZooAnimalsOnWheels
joes
Cindy N
Schmeel
Jeremy
Dow Jones
D B Miller
Lee-Ann
Dana Whiting
ky-mike
HeadinHome
mbryant
Mary F
John B
Katiedid
lbray
Zagman49
Josh
Hammertime
michaelm
BrennerTJ
auee89
hayburner
Bonnibel
Adajeo
chankins
Grover
cbarbee
sanmilton
b4alltime
meowmiao71
livpolfan
sf592000
JetStream
Doug M
Geezer Weezer
Bird Lives
JennyByrd
HunterX
Mister Squawk
Plymouth Rock
Jackie88
PQ63
MajorDomoTom
Ergcat
coffeefrog
barney

A couple of final things

The comments this week are especially worth reading - ranging from the humorous to the delicious. And on the zoom call on Tuesday, we will encourage Wendy and Bird Lives to tell us the backstories that they have referenced.

Lastly, I have been in contact with the WSJ technical folks about the issues in either solving the contest or submitting the answer electronically. I have referenced the comments this week both here and on the WSJ comments page as well as similar comments from previous weeks. For now, if you have issues, my suggestion is to take out the old-fashioned pencil/pen and paper. And your favorite drink to relieve any stress.

[lacangah]

Wowie zowie - what a difference a good night’s sleep makes! My wife and I are happily ashore.

Look forward to sharing (and hearing about) humdinger alternatives in an upcoming midnight hour.

Have a great weekend,

[ship4u]

On shore, thanks to a muggle friend putting my head on straight. Very clever one.

[LadyBird]

Muggledom is EVERYWHERE--you can't escape it, even in a quick trip to the grocery!

[ALS]

Ashore. A second look did the trick.

ALS

[HunterX]

Good Saturday morning muggles
[.....]
The comments this week are especially worth reading - ranging from the humorous to the delicious. And on the zoom call on Tuesday, we will encourage Wendy and Bird Lives to tell us the backstories that they have referenced.

I gotta knock off from work early one of these Tuesdays (don't believe it when people say all bankers work "bankers' hours") and join the zoom. Cult friends getting sued? Inventors of an element of the meta?

Maybe I need more interesting friends too.

[turbotron]

Frantically still treading water here.. It looks like my biggest win streak will not exceed two weeks.

[Susan Goldberg]

On shore!

[SReh26]

Heading to … the ship! Still working on the grid.

[Chantellebeal]

Yea!!! On shore. Somewhat challenging grid. Fun meta. I had to put this aside a couple of days, but things clicked over a cup of tea.