"This, That, and The Other Thing" - April 23, 2021

[fuggedabowdit]

Ashore with a submission - hoping the tide doesn;t carry me back out to sea!!

[Beth Tyrpin]

I got a late start and I’m tired. I’m going to be mature and think on this one tomorrow. I really like what got me to where I’m pausing. Hope I like it on Monday.

[lacangah]

Our daughter went to school today for the first time in 13 months. It was touching to hear her describe her day; I won’t take this for granted for a long time. This has nothing to do with the puzzle, but I thought I would share. Hope you all are on your way towards reclaiming your lives and less 25A these days.

And ashore with about the same certainty as most of you

Cheers,

[DannyWalter]

So. . . I definitely got the mechanism. I'm starting to learn how to look around. Staring at the results for a while, I came up with a phrase that certainly fits. If I'm right I'm 5 out of 7, this being clearly the most difficult one I have solved.

Feeling very self-satisfied, at least until I find out I was ridiculously wrong!

Any James Ellroy fans here? I just started with The Black Dahlia, about halfway through. It's a page turner.

[seahawks_seashanty]

Ashore - the puzzle-solving high is real! Could try and look for further confirmation, but choosing to go into the weekend with confidence. Cheers, everyone!

[Homer Buckle]

This is one puzzle where I went down a bunny hole, but that helped me solve it! Ashore!

[Dow Jones]

Ashore. I only see one possible answer. Maybe it's an "age" thing.

[Bonnibel]

Ashore, it was fun one! Saw 2 possible answers but found a couple of sign posts confirming one over the other. Thanks Matt!

[meowmiao71]

Definitely one of the toughest puzzles in recent memory! I was about to give up when something clicked. I'm not 100% certain but maybe...80%? Enough to submit, anyway!

[jimmyd]

Fun puzzle with a nice click... thanks, Matt!

[Joepickett]

I know I'm close but....
Can I swim over and mark my spot on the beach with a towel?

Ok I think I have it but cannot confirm it.
I'm swimming over to the beach anyway.

[minimuggle]

Yikes, after a 6 week streak I think this one may do me in. So many possibilities. I have an eye doc appointment this morning that I'm nervous about so I have printed out the puzzle and will focus on it to take my mind off the tests. As always I am beyond impressed by all of you.

[mflaminio]

On shore! Good one. Now for Friday’s with Matt!

[steveb]

Joining the slightly uneasy crowd on the beach. If my answer is right, this is my 200th solve overall and my 19th in a row, setting a new personal best. Alas, I am also quite confident that it will once again be my 0th mug.

[KscX]

On the ship and getting close to diving in for a swim...

[Annabelle]

Solved the grid, but no idea for the meta yet. "Four word phrase" doesn't narrow it down very much, does it? Early days yet, hope to see you on the beach before Sunday night!

[hunkra]

DAD5D817-7CCD-4857-94E8-8BA50C9D16B9.jpegOh look! Page 4! I’m on the beach. Margarita in hand. Personal services. @Bob cruise director ...... care to weigh in?

Yes! The key phrase being "Personal Services." Like.... picking up my dry cleaning, paying those bills and folding my laundry, while I try to work on this impossible meta. [Please people, get your minds out of the gutter ]

ps. LAS

[RDaleHall]

On the shore with a confident answer. After doing my common "Gaffney Gulp" upon seeing the puzzle author --- his puzzles always seem to require that one extra connection in my brain --- a really challenging but fun run through the grid and on to the conclusion. This is one of those that keeps me coming back every week. I also have some sort of 10 -20ish streak going here, but would have to double back to count... And fear that the actual counting will just be a jinx for not getting the next one. Next stop: Coronas and Limes at The Hangout.

[ky-mike]

DAD5D817-7CCD-4857-94E8-8BA50C9D16B9.jpegOh look! Page 4! I’m on the beach. Margarita in hand. Personal services. @Bob cruise director ...... care to weigh in?

Next time we need to raise funds for website maintenance, maybe we could design a muggle T-shirt and sell it for a few $ above cost. I am certain that we have quite a few clever designers on the forum who could contribute to a great design.

[ky-mike]

Can’t wait to get home and start the puzzle. Errands today made for a delayed start.

On shore. Took a look this morning. Saw this and that and the other thing that I think I need for the answer. Could only come up with one possible answer, but will think on it some more before submitting.