"Mixed Together" August 2, 2024

[ELSavage]

Maybe the heat and humidity are just melting my brain, but I've had a bad run with metas this week.

I'm so far at sea, I don't even know if I have the grid done correctly, which definitely takes the wind out of the sails. If it takes that much work to get the grid done, what hope is there for figuring out the meta? A clear reminder that I'm still just a duffer in this league of extraordinary gentlepersons.

I'm in the boat with Whimsy; the comments make it clear that without divine intervention, I'm going to have to take a pass on this one.

That said, I did follow one rabbit hole, and actually got to an answer, but it clearly can't be right since I was stretching things the whole way and nobody would describe it as a satisfying click.
I've got another approach on the burner that I'm sure is going to turn out to be just another bizarre coincidence (I seem to be good at finding those), so I don't know if I can take the time to chase it down.

(I find myself wishing this was the puzzle we had to work on at the New England Muggle Gathering.)

[Bob cruise director]

Good Saturday morning muggles

First we have the Golden Rabbit Hole Award Winner @benchen71. The announcement by @The XWord Rabbit was worthy of Oscar night. And @benchen71 acceptance was equally worthy

The Rabbit's Award Announcement

Ben's acceptance speech

A couple of times the issue of recording the zoom calls has come up. Primarily we don't record them because we don't want to change the fun and spontaneous discussion that goes on.

Now back to Mike's clever meta. He has had similar constructions in the past - not often but equally clever. And challenging.

So far we have 8 on the ship and 87 on the shore.

On the ship are

copperriver
otlaolap
dancedad17
Katiedid
Momo
Collegetowngirl
ELSavage
whimsy

And making their way to the shore (some like myself with help, lots of help) are

schmidzy
MikeyG
Cindy
MatthewL
darth
Peter
oldjudge
Cap'n Rick
Meg
Jim and Anita
Don and Cynthia
woozy
boharr
Glyn
Beth T
ky-mike
sjm
CptnCodon
David Wi
ajk
michaelm
D B Miller
elvanya
DavyGravy
Flying_Burrito
Anita
DelanQ
flepper
Steveb
Joepickett
HeadinHome
RDaleHall
DCBilly
Wescovington
Al
Kay
Schmeel
benchen71
mattythewsjpuzzler
JeanneC
Bill
docison
Ergcat
MajorDomoTom
BrennerTJ
Googly
DebbieC
Wendy
Les
streroto
Chris
Barnhart6
TeamDoubleTow
Acarl
minimuggle
Joe R
Mme
Jace54
pjc
olev
newbymar and brothers
Heidi
Al Laubenstein
Fred
Greta1234
Don and Lisa
lbray
Franky_T
Craven_Mug_Craver
Mikey and puzzle buddy Jane
BigPear
chocoholic
straffin
Cruise Director
Lyman
Jayboy1
Cindy N
Jeremy
Nlobb
meowmiao71
dudeski
scooby
Mike H
joe
scrabbler
Birdbrain
Laurab

The writeup on Monday should be interesting.

Now back to the USA men's basketball game

[JaneGummy]

Finally on shore but I needed a huge shove. Very clever, I never would have figured it out on my own.

[The XWord Rabbit]

The XWord Rabbit has yet to hear from two prize-winning finalists -- Garth and M and M.
If you know these Muggles, he would appreciate your giving them a nudge.
He needs their addresses.

[PapZ]

May I please humbly ask for a little nudge? Thank you.

[Kas]

Oof. I've got nothing.

Actually, that's incorrect: I have lots and lots of rabbits, and the little nutters are digging trenches for as far as the eye can see.

*So* *Many* *Rabbits*

(Sigh.)

[DrTom]

ASHORE!!

In the midst of sending up a flare, I wrote down all of the things I had done to no avail. During that I said, "Hey I didn't try THAT!" so I did. I ran into the Wendy/Joe hurdle but had enough that I knew what to look for.

I can imagine how that might have been put together, but I cannot image doing it. It would range from the "Oh, that was easy!" (doubtful) to the "I quit, I'm never making another meta again!!!! (likely).

Oh, and as long as we are announcing milestones, there is another woman who deserves a combat medal; 40 years ago tomorrow Mrs. DrTom made the mistake of her life and said yes in front of too many people to back out of it! We are going to Amelia Island to a posh hotel to celebrate this week-end....just in time for the storm to come through, the weather report is for storms, a lot of rain, and bolts of lightning; so pretty much a testament to her life for the past 40 years.

[EVJ]

Ashore!

[HunterX]

Kids and I just finished our (delayed) weekly session for the puzzle. Too much time gabbing before starting the puzzle, so we only got as far as testing a few shallow rabbit holes. Meaning we are with Isaac. Well, they went to their separate ship's lounges. We'll use the ship's intercom (text) to throw promising ideas about over the next day and a half.

(And dad, here, will try to show those young whippersnappers that he's still sharp and not ready to be sent to "the home" quite yet.)

(So if I reach out and ask for a hint, don't tell them I did!)

[HunterX]

On shore!

Right after posting the above, I thought of something to try. Hell of a construction! And a great "Ah HA!" moment!

(Take that, kids. Who's the smart one now?)

[Beleaguered Castle]

Not looking good for me! If I haven't seen it by now, I rarely see it at all. I just might have the record for the world's deepest rabbit hole. Way past Wonderland.

Wallowing in my black and tan...

[LadyBird]

We are ashore! A possible metanism came to Mr. LadyBird while he was out cyCLIng this morning. We just now had a chance to sit down and talk about diFFerent possibilities--and his idea worked. Definitely on the beach and not some marshy SWAle. We wiLL have some sort of cocktail later--our challenge is to find a recipe using the quince syrup that has been dOWn in the basement for at least a decade (probably longer).

[Bobj]

Have an answer, but I had to work at it again and again. Not sure if it's correct.

[Bob cruise director]

@Bobj

Bob - this is one where if you are not 100% sure, you probably need to work on it some more.

[Bobj]

@Bobj

Bob - this is one where if you are not 100% sure, you probably need to work on it some more.

I get that from reading all the other posts -- so I guess I'm back to the drawing board -- and need a nudge.

And.. thanks to a nudge I see the answer. I was way on the wrong path -- even down a hole.

[Doug C]

I think I know what maybe I should do but not committed to it. Staying on the boat this weekend.

[jimbo1]

Ashore
Thanks to help and perseverance on an all digital platform.
Printer ordered .

[woozy]

You know. The correct answer looks like a red herring until you do it all the way.

I'm really curious about this alternate answer and if it's the same one for all.

[Dickie_Dunn]

Count me ashore! Very neat one. My first idea ended up being the correct one but didn't have time to roll up my sleeves and go to work on it until now. I suppose I deserve a victory scotch, three fingers perhaps.

[eagle1279]

Ashore. Stared for a long time with no ideas of where to even begin, then tried something crazy and voilà! Amazing.