#708 - “Word for Word”

[woozy]

You ... converted a piano into a display case?

[stmv]

This was one where at first I had zero idea of what to do, and then ...very... slowly a few beams of light started creeping in, some vague sense of "that couldn't be a coincidence", more and more detail getting revealed, and then a sudden big bang of recognition and rush of accomplishment when the rabbit hole I was pursuing all day suddenly opened up into a glorious solution. I've submitted, probably too late for an update tonight, but as Majordomotom said, it's a 100 percenter when you see it, so I'll sleep well tonight.

[Joe Ross]

You ... converted a piano into a display case?

@MattGaffney might have, although it looks like a standard glass-front secretary desk. I simply posted the picture he previously had of his beautiful children on his website.

[woozy]

This was one where at first I had zero idea of what to do, and then ...very... slowly a few beams of light started creeping in, some vague sense of "that couldn't be a coincidence", more and more detail getting revealed, and then a sudden big bang of recognition and rush of accomplishment when the rabbit hole I was pursuing all day suddenly opened up into a glorious solution. I've submitted, probably too late for an update tonight, but as Majordomotom said, it's a 100 percenter when you see it, so I'll sleep well tonight.

I'm hoping it will be like that. But I'm not sure I have much time to work on it.

Can I use inability to concentrate because I'm thinking about metas as reason for jury duty dismissal?

(I guess I should be careful... I refuse to accept it as grounds for a divorce.)

[ajs0031]

I am pretty sure I have figured out the first step but having trouble from there. Anyone willing to give a hint?

[ky-mike]

Beam me up.

Excellent puzzle!

[KayW]

The second delay gave me a shot at the Holly Jolly badge. Submitted, feel it's 100%

EDIT: insta-confirmed

[MikeM000]

While I *see things* in here and think I might have a line on solving this, I just want to point out that maybe the sign of watching too much Simpsons over the past 32 years is that I immediately filled in a different character at 66-A who definitely could have said that line and whose voice in my head seems to match that style of complaint better than the correct answer....

[MikeyG]

The Simpsons quote made me laugh, and this is an excellent puzzle indeed! This was one where at first, I was like, "There's no way I'm getting this - what in the world am I supposed to do???" and then, "Ahhh, okay. OHHHHH."

Fun one - hope we're having a great holiday season!

Mikey G

[HunterX]

This was one where at first I had zero idea of what to do, and then ...very... slowly a few beams of light started creeping in, some vague sense of "that couldn't be a coincidence", more and more detail getting revealed, and then a sudden big bang of recognition and rush of accomplishment when the rabbit hole I was pursuing all day suddenly opened up into a glorious solution. I've submitted, probably too late for an update tonight, but as Majordomotom said, it's a 100 percenter when you see it, so I'll sleep well tonight.

Step 1: Zero idea - CHECK
Step 2: A few beams of light - CHECK
Step 3: Vague sense of "That couldn't be a coincidence" - CHECK
Step 4: More and more detail getting revealed - Ummm... Maybe?
Step 5: Sudden big bang of recognition and rush of accomplishment - I WISH!!!

[woozy]

Step 1: Zero idea - CHECK

Check.

Step 2: A few beams of light - CHECK

uh... not really.

Step 3: Vague sense of "That couldn't be a coincidence" - CHECK

wha? huh? NO!

......

Okay.... I've reached the stage of zero idea.... That's an accomplishment isn't it? It has to be if it is step 1, right? Otherwise it would be step 0.

So I'm 20% of the way there.

[HunterX]

Step 1: Zero idea - CHECK

Check.

Step 2: A few beams of light - CHECK

uh... not really.

Step 3: Vague sense of "That couldn't be a coincidence" - CHECK

wha? huh? NO!

......

Okay.... I've reached the stage of zero idea.... That's an accomplishment isn't it? It has to be if it is step 1, right? Otherwise it would be step 0.

So I'm 20% of the way there.

The problem is, I have often followed the following pattern:

Step 1: Zero idea - CHECK
Step 2: A few beams of light- CHECK
Step 3: Vague sense of "That couldn't be a coincidence" - CHECK
Step 4: More and more detail getting revealed - CHECK
Step 5: Waste hours searching for more detail - IT'S JUST GOTTA WORK....
Step 6: Nothing ever comes of it - WHY DID I EVER TRY THIS?
Step 7: Go back to Step 1 - I NEED A DRINK...
Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Schmeel]

I had a breakthrough.
Beam me up!

[patpatchica]

Step 1: Ah, I see what I need to use.
Step 2-10: None of those mechanisms are working.
Step 11: Huh, was Step 1 even correct?
Step 12: Vacuum for a while. No sudden epiphany.
Step 13: Post here and beg for a nudge.

Edit: Beamed up after helpful nudges. Of course, I was overthinking it. It was really rather straightforward.

[MikeM000]

Beamed at #142. I had a lot of ideas that were a few degrees off before I found the right one, plus my first one that turned out to just be a wild coincidence that went nowhere.

As was suggested last week, if no one minds I'll shoot to have a WSJ-12:01am-Monday-esque post in here at 12:01pm on Wednesday. Or is it Thursday this week? Whichever....

[hcbirker]

Finally! Beam me up! (not confirmed, but this is a 100%er)

[Wendy Walker]

Wow, that was a tough one indeed and a definite group solve. Thank you to my generous nudgers! Love our Muggle community.

[cisalope]

On the board. PM me if you need a nudge, and I'd be happy to help. Let me know what you've noticed so far!

[Jeremy Smith]

Awaiting beam-up. I’m not worried, though. 100% no doubt on my answer. I had the correct first step right away but, as usual, tried to take a more complicated route to the finish. Simplify! Simplify!

[HunterX]

Beamed up, with a nudge telling me I was on the right path. Phew!