Puzzle Ninety-Three: Reach for the Stars (meta)

Cassette cover scan by Rene Walter.

Once you're done with this puzzle, take a moment to check out my AVCX Classic puzzle, published yesterday: "All-Around Incredible," and my article on Crossword Craze, a chronicle of notable moments in crossword history during the pivotal year of 1924, about Foster's Cross-Word Puzzles, a short-lived crossword variant.

The meta answer is something that might be in the stars for a star. PDF and .puz available through Crosshare below. The deadline is 12 PM EST, Thursday, December 12, 2024. 

Puzzle Ninety-Two: Thanks I Hate It (A Spooky Season Puzzle)

 

Before we get to the puzzle, let's talk about VOTING.

I am going to assume that puzzle solvers are sane, responsible people nd as a result are planning to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, or already have. (If you're a Trump voter, stop reading here. And I mean stop reading this blog for good. This isn't the place for you.)

I have worked as a volunteer doing voter protection, vote curing and poll observing since 2012. Here is important information for anyone who hasn't voted yet. State laws vary on these points, but these are general principles.

• CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION to make sure you are still registered, and confirm your assigned polling place, before heading to the polls. There have been all kinds of voter disenfranchisement schemes this year. If there's a problem, report it to your local Board of Elections ASAP. If you're not registered, see if your state has same-day registration.
• BRING APPROVED ID if you have it, and check the list of approved IDs beforehand if your state requires voter ID. Republicans in my state, North Carolina, have successfully instituted very restrictive voter ID laws beginning this year. Even if your state doesn't have voter ID laws, why not just bring it anyway? If you don't have the right ID and still need a voter ID card, contact your local BoE ASAP.
• VOTE EARLY IF YOU CAN to avoid unexpected lines and in case something goes wrong.
• VOTE THE WHOLE BALLOT because state supreme courts and state legislatures control things like who will have the right to bodily autonomy, and which states will have some semblance of fair elections. You would be shocked to learn how many people don't flip the ballot over.
• KNOW THAT THERE ARE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED in place even in restrictive states like NC. They include curbside voting and the ability to have someone else fill out your ballot for you, though this may require the involvement of a poll worker.
• CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT if necessary but DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT VOTING.

On to the puzzle. A little departure today, in the spirit of last December's puzzle suite. You will submit the four shorter answers via the Crosshare link below. Instructions (also posted on the Crosshare page):

The Crosshare page is just a way to submit answers to the PDF-only puzzle available at the Dropbox link below. You'll have the ability to submit the full meta answer once you enter the four shorter answers correctly. Please use the honor system and don't check / reveal on Crosshare unless you think you've got at least three of the answers, as solving the meta will be fairly trivial if you have all four correct four-letter answers.

Deadline is Wednesday, November 6 at 12 PM EST (to make sure there's no conflict with Election Day).

PDF link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4ziyxje86c5imjgrinhnb/LD92_ThanksIHateIt.pdf?rlkey=nimsqb9mdp890plom395pstf5&st=ssew2daj&dl=1 

Crosshare link: https://crosshare.org/crosswords/4YCBUHxgV1aPkzxhxWVs/thanks-i-hate-it

Many thanks to Crosscord members bolgat and Onefin for play-testing and providing helpful feedback.

Puzzle Ninety-One: Hangers-On (meta)

Heading out of town so rushing this one a little. Should have come out yesterday but such is life. The meta answer is an eight-letter word. Submissions due Friday, September 27 at 3 PM Eastern time. .puz and PDF available through Crosshare applet below. 

Puzzle Ninety: Paix Out

 

The first of two unpublished puzzles I handed out at Lollapuzzoola last year. Hope you enjoy.

EDIT: If you've downloaded the puzzle already you probably won't be back to this page, but I realized last night I've had a mistake in the clue for 1-Across since the birth of this puzzle. It's fixed now, but yeesh.

.puz / PDF

Built by Richard D. Allen with the online crossword generator from Amuse Labs

Puzzle Eighty-Nine: Well Would You Look at the Time (themeless)

 

I used to collect watches and still have a drawerful of Casios. These are the classic Casio AE 1200, probably the best, and best-looking, watch you can buy for around $20. Photo from the estimable watch blog The Time Bum.

Hey, it's another themeless. 68 words.

The Super Secret Meta Contest continues.

.puz / PDF

Created by Richard D. Allen using crossword creator by Amuse Labs

Puzzle Eighty-Eight: Super Secret Contest Meta

I hope you're all ready for something different this time around. 

I just released a new instrumental hip-hop EP on Bandcamp. That's where the challenge starts. See below.

Questions and Answers

How do I get access to the meta puzzle?

Download my new release at https://rickydollars.bandcamp.com/album/checkered-future

The bonus material consists of the puzzle and an extra audio track that contains hints to the answer. There are additional hints along the way.

Do I have to create a Bandcamp account?

No. But consider doing so, as it is home to great independent music of every imaginable genre.

Do I have to pay to download the files?

No. It’s pay-what-you-wish. It would be great if you contributed something, though. I haven't charged in the past for my meta puzzles even though constructing them is very labor-intensive, and this is the most labor-intensive puzzle to date. 

How do I submit my answer?

Send me an email to my personal email address (rchrdlln (at) gmail dot com) with the answer in the subject line. 

What’s the deadline?

The deadline is December 31, 2024. You’ve got more than enough time to ponder this one. I’m hoping additional solvers will come across it between now and the end of the year and I want them to have enough time to take a swing at it.

Is there a better prize than usual for this contest?

Yes. For the first time, two winners - the first correct answer and another randomly selected correct entry - will receive an actual Lexicon Devil mug, the meta world’s traditional contest prize.

Wait, this is all we get for an answer prompt?

Yes.

Are there clues in the other tracks?

Probably not, in the audio at least, but listen to them just to make sure. 

Is this whole thing just a ploy to get us to download your music?

Maybe? It’s an experiment in combining two creative endeavors I invest a lot of time and effort in.

Is it going to hurt your feelings if I hate this music?

Definitely not. It’s not for everyone.

Puzzle Eighty-Seven: List of Peasant Revolts (themeless)

 

New themeless with an unexpectedly literary bent. 

.puz / PDF

I have a new collection of 10 themelesses with easier clues on the Redstone Crosswords app, with another one on the way. Search for "Richard Allen" on the app to locate.

Look for a Universal puzzle from me in August. 

I'm working on a meta for next week with a multimedia component. I'm excited to see how it works out. Stay tuned.