XWord Muggles Forum

Some of these comments make me feel so... so... ancient.

Joe Ross wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 2:31 pm

Bob cruise director wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 11:56 am Keeping Isaac company is Joe Ross unless he slipped ashore and I missed it.

Bob, you do a great job of herding us muggles. Thank you!

I am ashore, tyvm. For two consecutive weeks, I've taken Inca's advice and re-solved the grid using my phone, with the meta immediately obvious. May I shout, "DOH!"?

With a nod to Deb F's Dewars, a salute to all muggles with a finger of Glenfiddich & a dram or two of branch water.

sláinte, Joe! Glad to have you on the beach. Knew you'd make it.

If this matters in establishing a new record, you can add my son Dom to the list. He struggled more than usual with this one, but got it without any real spoilers being given by dear old dad. I did mess with him, though: as he was about to give it up, I told him "When it comes to metas, you're the bomb, Dom!" While that didn't help him with the solving process, he realized in retrospect the significance of what I had texted him.

Once I saw the names in the grid I started to hear fragments of the song, but couldn't quite nail it down; also thought of You can Call me Al, and knew it was a Paul Simon song we were looking for. Once I got it, I couldn't stop it running through my head! And so it continues today.....
Fun puzzle and I liked the tie-in with the title. I did think that it would be a tough solve without being familiar with Simon.
Good luck to everyone for the mug, with what will certainly be long odds

I haven't posted anything here for a few months despite the fact that I have been submitting correct solutions to the weekly WSJCC metas on a timely basis (no mug yet) more often than not during that time frame. Since we are fast approaching a Muggles record, let it be known to Bob that I started this particular grid just before midnight my time on Thursday and submitted the correct answer within less than 10 minutes. Although this one was particularly easy for me (and apparently for almost everybody else), it doesn't detract from the enjoyment I had in tackling it and realizing the answer.

And my kid sister, Phyllis (who isn't a part of this Forum), called me yesterday to tell me that she had solved it too.

Stu Katz

Hey Bob! You missed me in your list! I solved it at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Meg wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:09 am The first song that popped into my head was "You can Call me Al". Maybe I was thinking of just names or maybe Al Sisti. Fortunately, I checked it out. It’s always a good idea to check out your meta before submitting. Everybody should check out Laura"s review on the Crossword Fiend.

Yes--that's now my favorite review on CrosswordFiend ever!

Anybody else distracted by the profusion of uncommon letters in the grid? I spent some time in that rabbit hole because I thought that zinc/jinx/izod/haze MUST have something to do with the meta...

For those not familiar with Crossword Fiend, here's the direct url to the wonderfully fun review of this puzzle by LauraB recommended by several muggles below:
https://crosswordfiend.com/2019/08/11/w ... ore-106051

Pre-grid, from the title, had Paul Simon in mind, along with Simple Simon Says, and the few songs with the lyric "let your back bone slip." Mid-grid, wondered if Ray Charles had that lyric in Shake a Tail Feather. Post-grid, winnowed out "JACK", " STAN", "ROY' & "GUS", but was still humming to Ray & didn't make the obvious connection. YouTubed Shake a Tail Feather a few (dozen) times and moved on to some other favorites. Re-gridded a day or two later & the answer smacked me in the face. It's been a weekend of pleasant earworms.

It was exciting to watch the forum to see if we'd have a new record. I love reading Bob's clever updates but am wondering if maybe there is a way to add a button or toggle feature to our posts or profiles for self-reporting our location (ship vs. shore), with the total numbers automatically tallied, and maybe a counter for each puzzle that shows the current standings.

juliet wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:12 pm It was exciting to watch the forum to see if we'd have a new record. I love reading Bob's clever updates but am wondering if maybe there is a way to add a button or toggle feature to our posts or profiles for self-reporting our location (ship vs. shore), with the total numbers automatically tallied, and maybe a counter for each puzzle that shows the current standings.

Brilliant! If possible, perhaps a rating (1-10?) for grid and meta difficulties as well. And the number of celebratory libations?

juliet wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:12 pm It was exciting to watch the forum to see if we'd have a new record. I love reading Bob's clever updates but am wondering if maybe there is a way to add a button or toggle feature to our posts or profiles for self-reporting our location (ship vs. shore), with the total numbers automatically tallied, and maybe a counter for each puzzle that shows the current standings.

An idea a 21D'er would love!

Hi I finally figured out how to register. I have been doing the WSJ Contest for a few months and got it right this week and the last 4 weeks. How do you add a picture? Good luck to all you Muggles!

I got lazy and entered the same answer as last week: FIVE GUYS, Jack, Stan, Roy, Gus, and Lee.

pookie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:57 pm Hi I finally figured out how to register. I have been doing the WSJ Contest for a few months and got it right this week and the last 4 weeks. How do you add a picture? Good luck to all you Muggles!

Pookie
Welcome aboard. To change your avatar (picture) go to your name in the upper right hand corner of every page. On the drop down menu select "Profile" . On the page that shows up, you will see "edit profile" to the right of your user name in the middle of the page. Click "edit Profile" and another screen will open. On the left side, you will see "edit avatar" where you can browse and upload your picture. Note that the limitations on the avatar are 20K and a size of 180 pixels by 180 pixels. If you have problems send me a private message and we will get you through it.

pookie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:57 pm Hi I finally figured out how to register. I have been doing the WSJ Contest for a few months and got it right this week and the last 4 weeks. How do you add a picture? Good luck to all you Muggles!

Is this the same Pookie who used to comment on Bill's LA Times Crossword? (Heidi)

Is this the same Pookie who used to comment on Bill's LA Times Crossword? (Heidi)
Yes, Heidi. Hello!
Politics ruined that blog for me. I do crosswords for enjoyment and like to see what other solvers thought of the puzzle, not to get a lecture. Do you still comment on Bill's blog?

OK, thanks Cruise Director Bob. I will try per your instructions. I still haven't figured out this format as to answer a reply, but I wanted to thank you for your help in posting an avatar. Wish me luck! Cue crickets while I figure this out.

pookie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:18 pm OK, thanks Cruise Director Bob. I will try per your instructions. I still haven't figured out this format as to answer a reply, but I wanted to thank you for your help in posting an avatar. Wish me luck! Cue crickets while I figure this out.

Good luck.

We have worked hard to keep this blog a politic free zone.

Wendy Walker wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:55 am Hey Bob! You missed me in your list! I solved it at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Wendy
Sorry about that. With us so close, I have to decide if I should count the late arrivers after I go to bed. I get up early on most Mondays to play golf so I miss anyone who posts after about 9 pm.