"Use Your Head" January 12, 2024

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Ashore! H did the heavy lifting today, J was happy to be along for the ride. H will say that she got it only because we have seen many past ones with this method that she has never gotten before. H will have a Raspberry Lime Rickey, and J will have a Hot Cocoa.

[Grover]

Ashore. What will we do if the meta answer ever turns out to be "ASHORE?"

[BarbaraK]

Ashore. What will we do if the meta answer ever turns out to be "ASHORE?"

On May 19, 2017 the answer was BEACH. I wondered if someone might guess the answer just by noticing the one common word that the commenters never used.

[Secret Adversary]

Oh my goodness, I got it. I had even typed (and sent) a nudge request to a fellow muggle with all of my thoughts, and as so often happens, that brought me to my own solution.

[C=64]

Ashore in my mind but in an unusual icy snow and wind situation here in PDX.

I generally prefer Shenk puzzles because the hints are clearer, but I'm glad I stuck with this one.

[Susan Goldberg]

I’m so frustrated; so far two unsolved on the year. I’m fixated on one thing with this one, and it’s probably the wrong thing. Anyway, at sea for now!

[billkatz]

Safely on shore!

[Bonnibel]

Finally ashore. Hooray for me!

Solving this is just the confidence boost I needed.

Hot toddy please. Can we please build a bonfire on the beach?

[CPJohnson]

Ashore, with help.

[Bonnibel]

Ashore! (We think)... it doesn't have the elegance of other Gaffney puzzles, but it does appear to fit all the requirements.

In any event, need to look around to convince ourselves we're on the right beach (or if these are restless natives around us!)

Rita and George

I beg to differ. I think this puzzle is quite elegant. I wonder if you're ... missing something?

I'm not thrilled with a couple of pieces... although perhaps my English isn't up to par ---- awaiting Monday

I agree. It's an elegant puzzle. 100% confirmation.

[otlaolap]

Cluelessly lost at sea.

[whimsy]

On the Ship

@MikeyG, I'll raise you a few critters --

It's too bad mine are not there celebrating using their heads, but because I've gotten flattened by the WSJ for the last three weeks!
("Waiter, there's a hare in my pancake!")

[DrTom]

Well that was a frustrating day or two! Finally @HeadinHome put me straight, though it took her two tries. Very nice mechanism that I am mad I did not see, however in my defense I was "Elmer Fudding" at the time and I was NOWHERE near the intended prey.

So ashore but certainly not submitting.

Tom

[Schmeel]

Otherwise occupied this week. Just got to it now.
Ashore.

[MaineMarge]

Ashore with lots of help.
(Same thing I said last week…)
Hey! Works for me!

Dorothy putting her head to good use with her Easter bonnet here

[Fogway]

Thanks to Wendy W's nudge, I am ashore.

[Bob cruise director]

Good Sunday morning muggles

As a PSA and to keep muggles from jumping off the ship into the mouth of a shark, the metas over the past several months have been much harder than the long term averages. As a result, the submissions to the WSJ are down almost 30% from an 8 week average of 1700 last spring to an average of 1300 since October. Muggle percentages are somewhat higher than the WSJ numbers in solving percentages, partly, I believe, because of the options for cooperative solving and partly because the muggles tend to be more dedicated to solving metas. However, even there, our number on shore has dropped from a 6 week average of about 200 last summer to about 180 currently. A few gimmies in December and November boosted our shore averages but 2024 seems to be back to the longer term trend.

So if you are frustrated, it is not because you have lost your mojo or that your favorite football/basketball/hockey team is not doing well, it is because of the difficulty of the metas that Matt and Mike are throwing at us.

This week is among the hardest we have seen. So far we have 20 on the ship and 120 on the shore.

New to the ship since yesterday are

Commodore
Susan G
otlaolap
whimsy

And on the shore are

Schmeel
Rita and George
Bill
C=64
CPJohnson
Nlobb - who was basking in the sun yesterday but I missed her.
DrTom
H and J
Bonnibel
Secret Adversary
Acarl
Grover

And don't forget the 8 pm zoom Last Call tonight.

[Powers2020]

Onshore with a nudge. Thanks B! Won't be submitting...Good one, though!

[EVJ]

At sea. I’ve been here since Thursday. I kept hoping I would solve. Now that I’ve posted wish me luck for a post-post epiphany.

[JRS51]

Good Sunday morning muggles

As a PSA and to keep muggles from jumping off the ship into the mouth of a shark, the metas over the past several months have been much harder than the long term averages. As a result, the submissions to the WSJ are down almost 30% from an 8 week average of 1700 last spring to an average of 1300 since October. Muggle percentages are somewhat higher than the WSJ numbers in solving percentages, partly, I believe, because of the options for cooperative solving and partly because the muggles tend to be more dedicated to solving metas. However, even there, our number on shore has dropped from a 6 week average of about 200 last summer to about 180 currently. A few gimmies in December and November boosted our shore averages but 2024 seems to be back to the longer term trend.

So if you are frustrated, it is not because you have lost your mojo or that your favorite football/basketball/hockey team is not doing well, it is because of the difficulty of the metas that Matt and Mike are throwing at us.

This week is among the hardest we have seen. So far we have 20 on the ship and 120 on the shore.

Thanks for the encouragement! The statistics are interesting, and unfortunately my personal solving percentage is lower lately, matching your report.
But I continue to enjoy the challenge, and this forum, and I learn from the solutions and from the many fascinating/humorous accounts here!
As for this week, I am still at sea.