You read my paranoid mind. In addition to forgetting to submit, I imagine both my wifi and my phone self-destructing at 11:55 ET Wednesday. I've already scheduled a "backup" email submission at 11:57 ET (hoping this very lapsed former math major did the time zone math right for once!) and plan to set an alarm on my phone. And now I imagine the Russians hacking gmail servers that morning just to thwart my submission. (Because of course THAT's the worst possible repercussion of such a hack )
#685 - "Get Out Your Wite-Out"
- KayW
- Moderator
- Posts: 4021
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:10 am
- Location: Chicago
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:56 pm
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- Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2020 3:53 pm
Whew, beam me up!
Such a classic Gaffney puzzle, IMHO. Honestly, I've gotten terrible at solving Mike Shenk because I've been too pre-programmed by Matt's brain with puzzles like this. He's like an animal in the forest with his own unique footprints – hard to uncover sometimes, but unmistakeable and fun to track when you do.
And speaking of forest animals, I swear he runs these through a Rabbit Hole Machine of some sort because I was WAAAYY down in one with a leap I thought would take me to the end. Had to stop, go back and follow the trail as laid out, and it took me to a different place entirely. Loved it!
Such a classic Gaffney puzzle, IMHO. Honestly, I've gotten terrible at solving Mike Shenk because I've been too pre-programmed by Matt's brain with puzzles like this. He's like an animal in the forest with his own unique footprints – hard to uncover sometimes, but unmistakeable and fun to track when you do.
And speaking of forest animals, I swear he runs these through a Rabbit Hole Machine of some sort because I was WAAAYY down in one with a leap I thought would take me to the end. Had to stop, go back and follow the trail as laid out, and it took me to a different place entirely. Loved it!
- auee89
- Posts: 1239
- Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:55 am
- Location: Indiana
Beam me up! (EDIT: confirmed)
Almost sent a PM for a nudge after seeing the first step, but put down the puzzle for a couple of hours and then it clicked. Fun one and happy to solve this one solo after help on the Gaffney WSJ puzzle. On to the MMM!
Almost sent a PM for a nudge after seeing the first step, but put down the puzzle for a couple of hours and then it clicked. Fun one and happy to solve this one solo after help on the Gaffney WSJ puzzle. On to the MMM!
Last edited by auee89 on Mon Jul 19, 2021 5:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Kevin
- ReB
- Posts: 702
- Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 9:34 pm
- Location: East Tennessee
This was one where I kept chipping away at the puzzle, with moments of enlightenment intermixed with head scratches, until everything fell into place. A rare week three solve for me.
- lbray53
- Posts: 1332
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 8:34 am
- Location: Elkhorn, WI
Beam me up. I needed a little help extracting myself from a deep rabbit hole of my own making. It made little sense in retrospect.
I may have gotten this one months ago because I used to try something with every puzzle that always proved fruitless. Well, until now! Too bad I gave up on it.
I may have gotten this one months ago because I used to try something with every puzzle that always proved fruitless. Well, until now! Too bad I gave up on it.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
- ajk
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:22 pm
- Location: Colorado
LOL, OK this is a new one. After days of struggle, finally cave and send a PM asking about nudge prospects. Shortly thereafter (before the PM is read, let alone replied to), inspiration strikes, and 10 min later, hey presto (technically awaiting confirmation, but pretty confident-- UPDATE: confirmed!). Need a term for PM enlightenment
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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- HeadinHome
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 9:06 am
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Fun one! Wish this one had fallen on a week when I could do it right when it came out… might have been on page 1. We just got back from a trip this afternoon… sat down with it after unpacking & starting laundry, did the grid, fell asleep (big exercise & eating weekend zzzz) and then woke up & solved the meta.
I found the mechanism pretty quickly in one place, but scrambled for the rest until I realized something that I assume others mentioned they also had missed for a while, which made it much easier!
Beam me up!
I found the mechanism pretty quickly in one place, but scrambled for the rest until I realized something that I assume others mentioned they also had missed for a while, which made it much easier!
Beam me up!
The other Wendy.
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This happens to me too. My theory is that once we ask for help and know help is coming, it releases some of the stress in the brain and thinking becomes clearer. This theory, which to say is mine, is mine.ajk wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 6:28 pm LOL, OK this is a new one. After days of struggle, finally cave and send a PM asking about nudge prospects. Shortly thereafter (before the PM is read, let alone replied to), inspiration strikes, and 10 min later, hey presto (technically awaiting confirmation, but pretty confident-- UPDATE: confirmed!). Need a term for PM enlightenment
- MikeM000
- Posts: 579
- Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:31 am
- Location: Metro Detroit
Awaiting beamage.... nice when the "come back later and stare at it again" strategy works twice (no pun intended) in one weekend.... curious to see what others felt they missed along the way.
Edit: 167!
Edit: 167!
Last edited by MikeM000 on Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
- joequavis
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:29 pm
- Location: Windsor, Colorado
Phew, that took many "second looks" but finally got it. Great aha moment here.
- ricky
- Posts: 472
- Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2020 3:47 pm
- Contact:
I was coming here to ask for a nudge until the thread reminded me that I have until tomorrow. I have a bad feeling that this one involves a trick I haven't seen before. I'll keep at it for now.
If you're already done, or want a change of pace, there are still 3 hours to go before the deadline on my most recent meta contest. Link in signature file below.
If you're already done, or want a change of pace, there are still 3 hours to go before the deadline on my most recent meta contest. Link in signature file below.
Check out the meta challenge at Lexicon Devil
Latest puzzle: "Start the Day Off Right," June 27, 2024
Deadline: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 12 pm EST
Latest puzzle: "Start the Day Off Right," June 27, 2024
Deadline: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 12 pm EST
- rexthree
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:49 pm
in search of post-enlightenment. keep coming back to it but no aha moment yet.
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- Posts: 416
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:56 pm
Thus ends my 29-week streak of solo solves, probably my longest ever.
- Joe Ross
- Moderator
- Posts: 5497
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 4:46 am
- Location: Cincinnati
The deadline is noon ET, tomorrow.
Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024
PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
- hcbirker
- Posts: 2221
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- Location: Studio City, CA
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- Posts: 416
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I know, but yesterday I finally decided I had spent way too much time on this already and asked for a hint. At least I can get back to my life now.
- FrankieHeck
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:57 pm
- Location: West Virginia
I *finally* got this one almost immediately after taking my first ever sip of Red Bull. (We won some in a drawing at a bar.) If I start buying/drinking that crap, I'm going to blame Matt.
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- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:34 pm
Kudos once again to DrTom for a gentle nudge - he got me off a track that would have wasted more time than I care to think about and aimed me in the right direction. Not confirmed yet, but can’t see how my answer could be wrong.
If you see that I’ve completed the MGWCC meta, feel free to DM me and I’ll help you out - nudges, confirmations of paths, etc.