"It's That Time Again" December 30, 2022

[KscX]

Happy new year, all of you Muggles. If there was a solvers convention in 2023… who would the speakers be? Would there be swag, and vendors? Live solving contests? Obviously, there would be a bar. I love the possibilities and daydreaming of New Year’s Day.

[Steve_S]

I'm ashore - Busy weekend, so didn't get a chance to work on it 'til late Saturday. Got the meta first thing Sunday morning - it's going to be a very crowded beach this week! Nice end of the year puzzle.

[mangine]

On shore! Here’s to spending more time on the beach in 2023

[SewYoung]

2nd day in, still nothing. Feeling pretty dumb sitting alone in the lounge. Thankfully Isaac doesn't judge. He's offering me comfort (Southern, that is). Not quite ready to raise the white flag yet. Sleep on it tonight and see what the morrow brings! Much respect to all you solvers who get these so quickly!

Happy and safe New Years to all of you!

If you're still there, you are not alone. I am right there with you. Have looked at it off and on all weekend and can't even come up with anything that connects the five theme entries, much less a clue that makes a fitting sixth.

[RDaleHall]

Late start this week but on shore. Had to read the instructions (even out loud) to make sure I was solving for the right meta solution. Thanks to all the posts here encouraging the focus on what to look for! Wishing all a terrific 2023.

[SewYoung]

Well, Duh! Finally got it with a nudge from the Sunday evening Last Call Zoom. Should have seen it much earlier.

[Cindy N]

Happy New Year everyone. Completely forgot to come and post, but safely ashore long ago.

[Bob cruise director]

Good evening muggles. Our final count is one keeping Isaac company this week and 210 on the shore.

Good luck to all winning the mug

[mrmd]

Too late to be included in the count, but on shore nonetheless! Sending 2023 greetings from Hardy's Bay, NSW!

[JerryF]

Ashore, finally.

[Joe Ross]

[Grover]

One little glitch in that grid - it's not YOUAREARLY, it's YOUREEARLY!

[PQ63]

And 46A should be IRA.

[DrTom]

Good Friday morning muggles. A lot of traffic getting muggles to shore with more to come. We have 135 on the shore and 3 on the ship.

And for @DrTom I have one question - what am I supposed to do with "well" in your comment #142 (note the modification by the good doctor)

Now a public service announcement for all my muggle friends in the south especially @DrTom and @Meg and her cabana boy where it has been abnormally cold - think of the poor wild animals outside your door looking for a place to warm up.



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You bringing in the bears Bob?

Oh. and if it is this guy, let him stay out:

Furthermore, be careful around these, they are not dead, just "resting"

[Berto]

And 46A should be IRA.

And it should be ADIOS not ADIEU!

With that, I bid you good bye!

And Happy New Year!!

[Relic]

47D should be ashram not ushaam.

Not meaning to be a sore loser but in my opinion the AR to complete "year" comes from Ash ram, which is why I submitted the clue for 47D placid retreat as my solution.

Seriously?

I guess I've been pageanted. Not amused.

[SHIWUTONG]

I arrived at the right answer of Au Revoir, but never even saw the Five Theme Entries referenced in the contest answer instructions or even the HAPPY NEW YE.., Normally, I would explain my logic at arriving at the correct answer, but because there seems little chance of actually winning a mug even with a right answer, I no longer feel compelled to express how I was able to arrive at the right answer while also expressing a sentiment of the need to give it back. So for now, all I feel compelled to say is TATA! (Oh, and Happy New Year!)

[Dow Jones]

Not meaning to be a sore loser but in my opinion the AR to complete "year" comes from Ash ram, which is why I submitted the clue for 47D placid retreat as my solution.

Seriously?

I guess I've been pageanted. Not amused.

The answer prompt said to find the two-word "clue entry" (not a "grid entry"). "Au revoir" was the only "clue entry" that had the initial letters "AR".

[woozy]

Not meaning to be a sore loser but in my opinion the AR to complete "year" comes from Ash ram, which is why I submitted the clue for 47D placid retreat as my solution.

Seriously?

I guess I've been pageanted. Not amused.

The answer prompt said to find the two-word "clue entry" (not a "grid entry"). "Au revoir" was the only "clue entry" that had the initial letters "AR".

That'd have been really nice... but .... 1) Ashram is a single word and 2) the prompt was pretty explicit that it is a clue and distinctly specifies "(clue, not grid entry)".

I would say you've been pageanted. But you've been something....

I arrived at the right answer of Au Revoir, but never even saw the Five Theme Entries referenced in the contest answer instructions or even the HAPPY NEW YE.., Normally, I would explain my logic at arriving at the correct answer, but because there seems little chance of actually winning a mug even with a right answer, I no longer feel compelled to express how I was able to arrive at the right answer while also expressing a sentiment of the need to give it back. So for now, all I feel compelled to say is TATA! (Oh, and Happy New Year!)

I'm impressed but... how could you do a meta and not look at the prompt (??????)! Or (to a much less degree) the theme answers beginning with with asterisks.

Still, I love your attitude!

[Joe Ross]

Apologies for the many mistakes in the reveal grid!

I "solved" the asterisked Theme Entries with essential cross entries, which, combined with the conveniently placed clue & entry at 70A, gave me the meta answer.

The remaining 4/5ths was hurried backfill. I was tempted to post the grid unfilled and as it stood upon grokking the meta. Could've. Should've? Didn't.

Happy New Year, muggles!