"Just Look at Yourself" - January 28, 2022

[bcarv]

New muggle here. I started 3 weeks ago. Struck out on the 3-pointers puzzle, but got the last two. I think I have a good start towards the answer, but I can' t put everything together. Can anyone give me a nudge?

[HunterX]

I feel so lame. I got steps 1 and 2 yesterday. Still not on the beach.

Don't feel so badly. Keep trying, and you should get it. I had step 1 shortly after starting the grid, and step 2 right after finishing it. Then... nothing. Then... over-complication. Trying to put square pegs into round holes and the like. Head slap this evening, finally. I've been blaming the visiting relatives, particularly the kids, because I REFUSE to blame the wine.

As Homer Simpson said (with my paraphrasing), "To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of [a meta-puzzle solver's] problems!"

[Susan Goldberg]

OK--with the assistance of my hero, Wendy Walker, made it to shore. Nice to see you all. Won't be submitting and darn glad to have gotten here.

Good luck, Muggles.

[escapeartist]

Wow, dragged to the beach, clothes in tatters!

Otherwise, good times with Isaac most of the weekend

[Bob cruise director]

Good evening muggles

First welcome to our newest muggles - OliviaL and bcarb

Our final count is 21 on the ship and 173 on the shore.

And congratulations to Rams and Bengals fans for making it to the Super Bowl.

With Isaac are
WSJosh
Debbie
Inca
bcarb

And making their way to shore are
mbryant
Tom S
iggystan
Lee-Ann
EVJ
sf592000
cinny
Jack
ALS
Ann
Fred
OGuyDave
OliviaL
Deb
HunterX
hunkra
Flying_Burrito

Good luck winning the coveted WSJ mug

[Cindy N]

Yikes, just realized I forgot to post - on shore since Friday.

[aaugusti]

Missed last week due to a sick 8 year old, then this week am teetering on the ropes due to the other 8 year old getting sick (twins and not COVID thankfully). Had to postpone their birthday party (grrrr). Could definitely use a late nudge to get to shore.

[RDaleHall]

Just sent in an answer that stems from the patterns, feels relevant, but also feels like half of a Hail Mary. But if the Bengals can come back from 18 down to win in OT, then the stars might be aligning with me on this one. Thanks to Evan Williams for helping me get through some grid staring in the final hours.

[skidly]

Dragged to shore at the last minute by W. Walker. Thanks!
Too tough for me this week so will not submit.

[Inca]

I didn't solve the meta this week but now that someone cleared the fuzzies from my brain and led me to see what I should have seen on my own, I think it's a really good meta.

[MajordomoTom]

Still drowning my sorrows with 28D.

[escapeartist]

I didn't solve the meta this week but now that someone cleared the fuzzies from my brain and led me to see what I should have seen on my own, I think it's a really good meta.

It was not an easy one to see. I stared at it all weekend before the "aha" moment.

*shakes fist at Gaffney*

[MajordomoTom]

It was tough.

I did not solve. But there appeared to be 5 body parts that worked with the five grid answers that then pointed to 5 other grid answers.

I stopped there. No clear further path, and certainly no path to something with 11 letters in it.

Not a spoiler, it's after the deadline.

[aaugusti]

Didn’t get it. Thanks eagle for the nudge. Just not happening for me this week. At least I went down with the ship.

[otlaolap]

12:08 AM EST and still no WSJ posting of the Monday puzzle (with the official answer to the Friday contest puzzle). My fingers are wearing down. Have I missed something?

Edit: I meant that the WSJ itself has yet to post its puzzle.

[MajordomoTom]

Joe must be under the snow somewhere.

[Laura M]

It was tough.

I did not solve. But there appeared to be 5 body parts that worked with the five grid answers that then pointed to 5 other grid answers.

I stopped there. No clear further path, and certainly no path to something with 11 letters in it.

Not a spoiler, it's after the deadline.

Very close! The five other answers in grid order spelled out NAVEL. The title suggests that you append GAZING.

Edit: Many apologies to @Joe Ross, I hope I wasn't too far out of line in posting the tl;dr answer before his official and expertly annotated one!

[MajordomoTom]

While we're waiting,

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... _eMo96VEoo

The Boston Yeti returns ...

[Joe Ross]

[MajordomoTom]

It was tough.

I did not solve. But there appeared to be 5 body parts that worked with the five grid answers that then pointed to 5 other grid answers.

I stopped there. No clear further path, and certainly no path to something with 11 letters in it.

Not a spoiler, it's after the deadline.

Very close! The five other answers in grid order spelled out NAVEL. The title suggests that you append GAZING.

I had SNOB instead of VAIN.