"In Formation, Please" - December 9, 2022

[Tom Shea]

Oh my gosh, I finally got it.

I'm going to say that was probably one of the hardest ones I've ever seen in four years.

.... okay maybe that's not true. But after all the people saying it was easy, someone has to say it was hard. And it was dang hard.

... And, no, there was no "There it was" moment. I had to pursue seek and try *everything* many times and when I saw what eventually turned out to be it I had to knead and work it with great effort it pull it out.

That makes me feel a bit better. No complaints though as I have an ocean view from my room at Mauna Kea and all the MaiTais I could ever want.

Mele Kalikimaka!

[Bonnibel]

At last I have redeemed myself. On shore with nary a moment to spare.

I can see why some have used the verboten E word however this turned out to be a challenge for me.

Now I can really enjoy the first MaiTai of the day!

Aloha!

[SusieG]

I haven’t solved this. I waited until Sunday morning to start and I just can’t make sense of it. I think I know what I’m supposed to do, but it doesn’t spell anything that fits the clue. Good luck to the solvers!

[Wendy Walker]

My final report for the weekend. Don’t forget about the Last Call Zoom meetup at 8 tonight (Eastern time). All are welcome!
Two more Muggles solved after the Friday call: ReB and DCBilly.
Still on the ship are Guy, ErikThor, ColinM, SusieG, and cbarbee (huge congrats on that adorable new grandchild!).
Joining the shore crew: ACarl (with a broken right arm, no less), Bob Cruise Director, Bonnibel, Bread-girl,Call Me Shane, Cheekumbaldy (way to recruit your son!), Collegetowngirl, CopperRiver, Dapperdan, DannyWalter,Dot, EVJ, Fogway, iBlinked,ImOnToo, JJD, Kwyjibo, MaineMarge, MikeyG, Mrmd, Olivia, Richard, RichA2, Secret Adversary, Steroto, Trey and Marion, WDunbar, and Woozy.

[hcbirker]

Oh my gosh, I finally got it.

I'm going to say that was probably one of the hardest ones I've ever seen in four years.

.... okay maybe that's not true. But after all the people saying it was easy, someone has to say it was hard. And it was dang hard.

... And, no, there was no "There it was" moment. I had to pursue seek and try *everything* many times and when I saw what eventually turned out to be it I had to knead and work it with great effort it pull it out.

That makes me feel a bit better. No complaints though as I have an ocean view from my room at Mauna Kea and all the MaiTais I could ever want.

Love the Mauna Kea! Enjoy!

[cbarbee002]

Okay, have NOT solved the WSJ meta, but I have been a bit busy with grandchild #3 (first granddaughter). Meet lovely Thea!

Beautiful!! We are also expecting a new little Thea on December 20. My kids are pronouncing it THAY-A. How are your kids pronouncing her name?

That would be the "correct" (Greek) way - - so hoping that's what sticks!

[Ben B]

On shore! Fun trip to Atlanta this weekend and happily now on shore.

[Onaquest]

On shore. Penny dropped en route back from visiting Tim’s nonagenarian parents in South Georgia. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in the Summer . Fabulous.

[Al Sisti]

On the beach. The cabana boy is watching the Great British Bake-off on Netflix, but he’ll be happy to bring you whatever libation you desire.

Love that show. My favorite was the episode with the cast of "Derry Girls."

[cheryl w]

On shore. Liked it!

[Colin]

World Cup - what a year!
England out - crying in beer.
Ale please Isaac - cheers!

[scott]

Needed a nudge from the zoom room to get to shore.

[meowmiao71]

On shore!

Ironically enough, since yesterday I was on the beach in St. Lucia and now I am decidedly nowhere near an actual shore.

[arecibo]

Railing-leaners, PM for nudge. I rate the puzzle 4/5 for ingeniousness. Confounding, twice over! And yet the marked-up construction is one of the prettiest.

[woozy]

So... has there been a such I dichotomy in the past between those who found it easy and those who found it hard?

[31 Down]

So... has there been a such I dichotomy in the past between those who found it easy and those who found it hard?

Easy to be hard...

[PhantomPhan]

On shore. Better late than never.

[flyingMoose]

So... has there been a such I dichotomy in the past between those who found it easy and those who found it hard?

Easy to be hard...

Sometimes I think "easy" and "hard" should be banned. Easy for me to say.

[Joe Ross]

[Joe Ross]