"Three-Pointers" - January 7, 2022 (MMXXII)

[Ben B]

Here was our path to solve this week:

I took the first crack at it, and noted the three 3-letter across answers that were all clued with quotations. These are 24, 44, and 45 across, as highlighted in yellow in Bob's paper. They just seemed to stand out in a way that I thought would be a good place to start. But many rabbit holes later I was no closer to solve. I showed it to my son and solving partner, who noted the three answers seem to form an arrowhead that points to the lower right quadrant in a diagonal. I thought it was pointing to 53D (ISEE) and took that as confirmation we were on to something! After studying over how "T-S-O" (square 52 diagonal) could be a basketball term, I finally saw the T-H-R-E-E starting in square 43 and we were off to the races. I would not have solved unless my son noted the "clue" of the diagonals from OHO, AAH, and AHA. I don't know if this was built in by Mike, but the constructors never cease to amaze nevertheless.

[Bob cruise director]

@Scott M

Same here

[whimsy]

@Scott M

Same here

Looks like Santa left something in a couple of good little boys' stockings....

[boharr]

[BarbaraK]

i cant decipher this, but i like the effort!
can you add the friday session to the calendar? also, are the noted meeting times in Eastern, Central, Mtn, or Pacific? (new member here) thanks!

As Bob mentioned, this has not been a routine thing.

But there's no reason it can't become one if people want to do it.

No idea how hard or easy this week's puzzle will be, but I can be in the zoom room at 5PM Eastern time on Friday to chat with any people who want to do a group solve. If I've already got it by then, I'll just listen as long as the non-solvers are making progress, and I'll answer questions or try to nudge a tiny bit if they're stuck. And if I haven't got it, I'll be happy to work on the group solve with you.

[LadyBird]

The cabana boy and his buddies overindulged a bit over the holidays!

[MaineMarge]

Congrats to this week's winner: Frank Kaplan of Atherton, Calif.

Congratulations Frank!

[tmk]

i cant decipher this, but i like the effort!
can you add the friday session to the calendar? also, are the noted meeting times in Eastern, Central, Mtn, or Pacific? (new member here) thanks!

As Bob mentioned, this has not been a routine thing.

But there's no reason it can't become one if people want to do it.

No idea how hard or easy this week's puzzle will be, but I can be in the zoom room at 5PM Eastern time on Friday to chat with any people who want to do a group solve. If I've already got it by then, I'll just listen as long as the non-solvers are making progress, and I'll answer questions or try to nudge a tiny bit if they're stuck. And if I haven't got it, I'll be happy to work on the group solve with you.

Awesome! See you there!

[katnahat]

Half solved with the Zoom. Still working on the other half like many others. Not giving up.

[Kas]

Oof. I really should have seen that…but so well constructed that I just have to give due credit, take the Kas 3, and console myself with a sasparilla and Isaac’s jokes, again.

You mean Kas 4, right?

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Or have you revised the scale?

Heh! Weighed on my own scale! (You are of course 100% correct!!)