A weekly meta crossword on the forum started by member Josh (aka madhatter5). These puzzles are often very creative with solving mechanisms out of the norm and skewing towards the more challenging. Puzzles are posted every Wednesday, and the solution appears the following Tuesday.
My turn to throw something into the kitty for madhatter's scholarship fund!
Our puzzle is Central Casting, and the answer to the meta is: With "The," a character in a well-known movie. (One that I'm 99.9% sure even @Bob cruise director knows!)
It's probably on the easier side of mid-range, now that with the help and approval of test solvers Cap'n Rick and madhatter, I've added a little more direction.
whimsy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:40 amCORRECTION
For the 70 ACROSS clue, let's substitute:
Acronym for West of England Nature Partnership.
That should do it!
Sorry about that.
Or "Former Stock Symbol for Quatzel Capital PLC".... (dare anyone to answer that without googling [or doing cross clues])
.... meanwhile.....
Utterly stuck. See something that must mean something but has nothing to do with title. See something else that strongly suggests a movie and character ... that can't possibly fit in the grid in any way shape or form. Got not a thing.
whimsy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:40 amCORRECTION
Or "Former Stock Symbol for Quatzel Capital PLC".... (dare anyone to answer that without googling [or doing cross clues])
I briefly thought of that!
But decided I'd go the simple route after messing folks up.
I had googled the entry and Siri's evil cousin provided me with the radio station after" helpfully" assuming that's what I wanted -- and I didn't notice the transposition. Maybe I can get away with this by claiming it's Appreciate Dyslexia Week or something.
whimsy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 8:15 am
Good morning all!
My turn to throw something into the kitty for madhatter's scholarship fund!
Our puzzle is Central Casting, and the answer to the meta is: With "The," a character in a well-known movie. (One that I'm 99.9% sure even @Bob cruise director knows!)
It's probably on the easier side of mid-range, now that with the help and approval of test solvers Cap'n Rick and madhatter, I've added a little more direction.
Weird I thought of the mechanism (sorta) earlier but couldn't get it to say anything. Randomly (educated) guessed answers and one actually worked. Retroactively figured out how and saw it was something I had considered.
Definite points for creativity!
But I figure I'm still missing the "trigger" to get us looking in the right place. It's probably there and I just to see it.
We are always happy to get to know other muggles and help in any way! PM's are always welcome. The next best thing to winning a mug is helping a fellow muggle win a mug!
Cat escaped before I could solve!
I was out and about and I tried to solve on my phone. After finishing the grid I accidentally revealed the answer on Crosshare. I'm all thumbs.
So I figured out the mechanism after seeing the answer.
Thanks @whimsy !
Cat's out after extensive Googling. (Who knew there were so many people named Larry and Roy?) Cleanly constructed puzzle (call letters aside) and good fun. It's also nice to be one of the locals a hand was waved at.
Bird Lives wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 5:19 pm
Cat's out after extensive Googling. (Who knew there were so many people named Larry and Roy?) Cleanly constructed puzzle (call letters aside) and good fun. It's also nice to be one of the locals a hand was waved at.
I told you not to google Larry the rodent!
(But I think I know who you mean by some others.)
Now all I have to do is find my way into the meta mechanism, which is proving elusive so far...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Cat out! (He hates plastic. I knew I should have chosen paper.)
Cute, but I needed a couple of nudges. I suspect that something, though I’m not sure what, could have pointed a bit more directly to the mechanism. But that might have made it too easy. Anyway, I enjoyed the experience, even with requiring nudges.
OK -- Let's hope third time's the charm when it comes to apologies.
For those solving with the PDF or PUZ and who thought a bit more direction would have been better, you were absolutely right1
I must have used older versions to make the links. I had updated Crosshare to emphasize a directional hint; this is how the New Clue
for 67 Across should read --
67A ______ the moon, which you might be when you figure out the key for solving the meta
Sorry for the extra effort some of you went through with that handicap! Good thing there are no fabulous cash prizes involved.
Many apologies!
