Just a Number - January 2022

[Leslie]

I submitted the “official” alternate solution, which I actually think goes beautifully with the theme and prompt. But the path to get there was a bit convoluted. Now that I found the true solution (with a helpful nudge) I can’t believe I didn’t see it right away. So simple, but it does help to have the relevant knowledge.

[Dannyvee]

On the board!

[Cindy N]

Had the "alternate" answer first. Then went back and figured out the intended answer.

[iggystan]

On the board. (Another muggling while walking insight.)

[sharkicicles]

Thanks to those of you who PMed me about the alternate solution. It turns out that @rjy and I came up with the same alternate alternate. In fact, I think you could make the case that the alternate alternate is stronger than the alternate for reasons I can elaborate on after the deadline.

Hm. So could there be an alternate alternate alternate answer, which is stronger than the alternate answer, but not quite as strong as the alternate alternate answer?

[lbray53]

On the board. But after reading through this thread, I am not sure which answer I came up with.

[ajk]

Checking back in with this contest after a year or two off. Had nothing for a day or so and then thought of the answer in the shower.

I presume I have the intended answer. Given how long it took me to come up with that one, the alternate answer (let alone the alternate alternate) might be a challenge indeed.

[mattythewsjpuzzler]

Solved. (What do we say here akin to "ashore"?) I too was one of the set of folks who did not possess "key" knowledge but managed to figure it out. My advice, without giving away too much I hope, is re-read Pete's thoughts on metas from his site here https://pmxwords.com/2022-metas-mega-metas/

Hope that helps!

mattyx

[rjy]

And just now figured out what probably is the correct answer… he accepts both

So evidently they sent it to the review officials in New York and accepted my alternate alternate (…I think the web servers tired of my incessant page refresh requests and relented)

Will be interested to see Pete’s - and other’s - commentary on all of this

[JennyByrd]

After solving the WSJ and MGWCC earlier than usual, i tried this one. I’m on the board, but don’t know whether I submitted the primary solution or the alternate! I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

[jimmyd]

This was 100 percent no doubter for me, curious to see this alternate answer going around

[Bird Lives]

It's comforting to know that some solvers younger than me (i.e., just about everyone) also needed Google.
I don't listen to much current stuff. But I certainly had heard of the things that were necessary for the answer, but I imagine that a lot of people got it at first glance. If it took me this long for the obvious answer, I'm sure I'd have no chance at the alternate.

[MikeM000]

Solved. (What do we say here akin to "ashore"?)

I've tried to no avail to make "dropped a dime in the jukebox" a thing. The monthly-ness of this puzzle may make a solving catchphrase more difficult?

[BarbaraK]

Solved. (What do we say here akin to "ashore"?)

I've tried to no avail to make "dropped a dime in the jukebox" a thing. The monthly-ness of this puzzle may make a solving catchphrase more difficult?

I think you're right. I like your idea. I dropped the dime this month. But I'll probably forget that by the time the next puzzle comes out.

[Tom Wilson]

Sheesh, I almost forgot that it was time for Pete's January puzzle. Lucky for me that I remembered, as January may be the only one I solve all year.

[BarbaraK]

I was totally on Pete's wavelength this month. At noon Tuesday, I saw the title, thought of the expression, "Age is just a number," remembered all the crossword clues I've come across about Adele's albums being named for her age, and thought I bet she's the answer; I should go ahead and submit that right now.

But then, since I'm a big giant gutless coward, I didn't. Waited until I had time to actually fill in the grid and see all those ages/album titles in there.

So what is the alternate answer @Joe Ross and others came up with?

[m5rammy]

OK, so what are the Alternate, and Alternate-Alternate?

[Joe Ross]

So what is the alternate answer @Joe Ross and others came up with?

[benchen71]

I'm seriously disappointed I didn't get this one. No excuse really, other than I just didn't connect the numbers to "age", despite the puzzle's title.

OK, I've thought of an excuse: I was rather distracted by having a guest puzzle on MGWCC this weekend!

[jimmyd]

That is a legit alternate answer… glad everyone got credit!