There Goes Rhymin' Simon -- November 2021

[Wendy Walker]

It's the first Tuesday of the month ... and you know what that means!

[oldjudge]

So far it means seeing a first step but not a second step

[BarbaraK]

This note came with Pete’s email. It’s also on his website now. (Don’t know if it wasn’t there before or I just didn’t see it.)

This puzzle is the hardest of the year. In order to give more solvers a chance to get the meta, I will be offering a hint starting Friday, November 5, at noon ET (three days from now). To receive the hint, submit as you would normally, except with the answer “HINT PLEASE.” Hints will be emailed starting Friday at noon.

If you solve the meta after getting the hint, resubmit as you would normally. You will still get credit, but with fewer points, and you won’t be eligible for the monthly mug drawing.

Seems like a great idea. And with 4 solvers in 5 hours, I think a lot of us may be taking him up on it.

[Leslie]

Got first step while filling in grid. Thought “This isn’t so hard!” Then…nada.

[HunterX]

Yeah, I'm also seeing an obvious (I hope) first step, and second step. (Depending on how you break down steps.) But nothing after that so far.

[m5rammy]

Yeah, I'm also seeing an obvious (I hope) first step, and second step. (Depending on how you break down steps.) But nothing after that so far.

I concur. I have (what I call) 2 steps, but nowhere near enough for a guess yet

[Dannyvee]

I'm at the two steps but stuck stage as well.

If anyone would like to compare notes and brainstorm together, hit me up

[Leslie]

This puzzle is the hardest of the year. In order to give more solvers a chance to get the meta, I will be offering a hint starting Friday, November 5, at noon ET (three days from now). To receive the hint, submit as you would normally, except with the answer “HINT PLEASE.” Hints will be emailed starting Friday at noon.

If you solve the meta after getting the hint, resubmit as you would normally. You will still get credit, but with fewer points, and you won’t be eligible for the monthly mug drawing.

Seems like a great idea. And with 4 solvers in 5 hours, I think a lot of us may be taking him up on it.

The hint option sounds great, but I’m wondering how it will work. The first step of the meta (or first two steps, depending on how you count) isn’t particularly difficult. Assuming the hint is just to the first part of the meta process, it will be useless to those of us who are stuck at a later stage.

[hoover]

I'm standing on that first step with the rest of y'all, wondering who dynamited the rest of the staircase.

[Streroto]

I have 2 solid steps then nada. Have same concern about the hint.

[HunterX]

I submitted for the hint. Still getting no where. Had an idea for the next step but couldn't make it work.

[sharkicicles]

I submitted for the hint. Still getting no where. Had an idea for the next step but couldn't make it work.

Same here. Tough one.

[HunterX]

Fears realized. Can't say the hint helps much. There is one little bit of it that may be useful. But otherwise... I'm kinda where I was before I got it.

[Leslie]

Thanks, HunterX! I suspected the hint wouldn't be very helpful. I guess I'll just take another stab at finding the next stage on my own.

[sharkicicles]

Fears realized. Can't say the hint helps much. There is one little bit of it that may be useful. But otherwise... I'm kinda where I was before I got it.

…aaaaaand also the same.

[Dannyvee]

I got it (with the email hint)

Tough one but very gettable!

[HunterX]

I got it (with the email hint)

Tough one but very gettable!

Good to know. Though it's not helping me. The first third of the hint was easy before ever getting the hint. And the last third was what I was expecting to do anyway. It's the middle that I was struggling with before, and I'm not sure the hint is helping, though I've tried a couple new things based on it. Obviously I must not be getting what it's hinting at!

[spotter]

Out of curiosity, could somebody share with me via private message what the email hint was? I have already solved (spotter 11/03 3:54 PM) but I just have a desire to know what it is.

Edit: Thanks, now I know what it was. No need to send it.

[hayburner]

Got this one with the hint and like 4 people in a room together. Can't say I enjoyed it much

[BarbaraK]

I got it with the hint. Congrats to those who did it solo. I can see how someone could do that, but don't really think I would have figured it all out.

And for those still pondering to hint or not to hint, it was definitely worthwhile for me even though I had a solid start.

Looking forward to hearing the answer song. 70s is my vintage.