MGWCC #755 - “What a Character” by Mike Graczyk

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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Joe Ross
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MGWCC #755 - “What a Character” by Mike Graczyk

#1

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #755 — Friday, November 18th, 2022 — “What a Character” by Mike Graczyk

GUEST CONSTRUCTOR: MIKE GRACZYK


Image


Mike Graczyk is a math tutor from the Chicagoland area. When he’s not solving metas, making metas, or thinking up another groaner (he never meta puzzle he didn’t like), he enjoys cats, coffee, his beloved Cubbies, reading, logic problems, smooth jazz, spending time with friends and family, speaking about his hobbies in the third person, cats, and repeating himself.

And you can find Mike’s meta-blog here:

https://punofakind.blogspot.com/

(and here!)

And now, let’s see what he’s got for us this week…

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is what you might be if you solve it.


Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.


WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY CROSSWORD CONTEST?:
MGWCC is available only to subscribers at my Patreon page.
A subscription costs $3/month.
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docison
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#2

Post by docison »

Submitted - and now I wait for the first board update...

ETA: #2 on the board between Paolo and Jangler. Well then!
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Dannyvee
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#3

Post by Dannyvee »

Beamed! And cracked the top ten for the first time in a while.
Nice work, MikeG!
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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KayW
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#4

Post by KayW »

:alien: :flying_saucer: Well done @MikeyG
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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woozy
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#5

Post by woozy »

That was a really clever idea!

.... I wonder what it was.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
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whimsy
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#6

Post by whimsy »

Yay, Mikey! (Even though I don't partake of the MGWCC.)
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woozy
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#7

Post by woozy »

I never read the blurbs and so I'm working away at the puzzle and get to 26A and think "Hey! He stole that from Mike G!"... anyway.... congratulations, Mike G. Excellent puzzle. (Hopefully I'll solve it eventually).
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
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MajordomoTom
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#8

Post by MajordomoTom »

also admiring the grid and wondering what to do next ...
"Lots of planets have a North", the Ninth Doctor.
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Cindy
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#9

Post by Cindy »

Well done!
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mattythewsjpuzzler
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#10

Post by mattythewsjpuzzler »

Super puzzle!
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Katiedid
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#11

Post by Katiedid »

Fun grid! I think I see something, but haven't figured out what to do next. Several ideas didn't work out.

EDIT: One of those ideas was the right one after all. Beamed up!
Last edited by Katiedid on Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Wendy Walker
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#12

Post by Wendy Walker »

Such a satisfying solve! Perfect Week 3!
Good luck, fellow Muggles!
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ky-mike
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#13

Post by ky-mike »

Wow. Challenging. Frustrating. Fun.

I agree with Wendy - Perfect week 3 meta.
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Joe Ross
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#14

Post by Joe Ross »

Beamed at 36. Joe Ross 🔟 11/18 - 13:31

Very well done, @MikeyG!
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markhr
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#15

Post by markhr »

Excellent job, Mikey. Enjoyed this one.
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Bird Lives
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#16

Post by Bird Lives »

I started filling in the grid in .puz, which does not post the prompt and tends to hide other above-the-line info.
.
puz.jpg
.
Somewhere in the NE corner I found myself thinking, "Gee, Matt has loosened up. Some of his clues sound a lot like MikeyG."

And it turns out, his last name has other letters. And his face has a lower half. Who knew?
Jay
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woozy
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#17

Post by woozy »

Oh... well, just submitted a 72% answer.

Fingers crossed because ..... 72%......

Edit: Welp.... nope.

I know what the trick is. Just not how to use it.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
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Laura M
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#18

Post by Laura M »

Beamed up, #60! Impressive guest turn by @MikeyG!
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DrTom
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#19

Post by DrTom »

To all those who know what the trick is but not how to use it...I am just one step behind you :( :(
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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woozy
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#20

Post by woozy »

DrTom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 4:28 pm To all those who know what the trick is but not how to use it...I am just one step behind you :( :(
Unless you submitted, you are not. *sniff-sniff*. I am way behind you and always shall be... *sob*

Argh, I am *sooooo* kicking myself. Annoyingly I had my doubts but... always listen to those doubts.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
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