December 19 2011

Stormathon Stars

index It was big. It was full-on brilliant. And boosted by a truckload of esprit de corps. So thanks to all players for your stamina and teamwork, though here at the pointy end we need one winner. The cluey soul will win How To Master The Times Crossword by Tim Moorey.

Before I declare the results, a plaudit to Gidget for owning Leg 4. “Her” coup was complete on scoring the highest tally for two words:

IMAGINARY: I’m confused again and really edgy beyond belief

MAQUETTE: After first movie, Rosanna gives up right to model

Exquisite stuff – a fine way to finish the run home. Now for the mystery clues, and these were savage to distinguish. Ultimately, it came down to leanings, or inklings, or the knife-edge of fairness. The winners of each word:

Faced with MARTYR, three of the 12 had fun with long-suffering spouses and the ‘marry’ mix-in. (Interesting to see the increase in overlaps with a closed workshop.) But the best:

MARTYR: His sacrifice works in my favour ultimately (SK)

COMBAT was tough, as SK conjured an &lit extraordinaire (Tomb cause!?), and Sam dazzled with a deft fusion – smear (COAT) campaign (definition) – but for surface elán and seaproof construction, the best:

COMBAT: Groom at hostile engagement (Boniface)

PLAGUE had lots of ague allusions, a few Prague and plaque switches (all sound), though I couldn’t resist the Kenneth Grahame gorgeousness of:

PLAGUE: Badger gives Ratty a leg up (Shark Bikkies)

Last was ARGUED, where RK took an extraordinary tack. See if you can follow her assemblage here:

ARGUED: Took issue with a biased rugby journalist

It’s a giddy idea, with the letters of RUB mixed, BY journalist. Though I hemmed and hawed over biased as a signpost. Other options sprang to mind – sloppy, bent, roving…. See how I agonised? Truly I did. Coz in the end my bias favoured another zinger:

ARGUED: Fought off urge – present wrapped! (Sam)

Neat, comic and flukily seasonal. Well done all of you. Leaving me the task to unwrap the final result, which remains in the air, as I still don’t know who’s entirely whom in this hall of mirrors. So I shall lay down the maths below, as you know best who you are. If you sense your tally is the highest, let me know, as you scored the book.

Leg 1 – Mozzie (3 points), Jim Maxwell (2), Air Con (1)
Leg 2 – Gidget (3), G&T (2), Budgie Smuggler (1)
Leg 3 – G&T (3), Mozzie (3), Gidget (1)
Leg 4 – Gidget (3)

MARTYR: SK (3)
COMBAT: Boniface (3), SK (2), Sam (1)
PLAGUE: Shark (3)
ARGUED: Sam (3), RK (2)

If we have a tie, we may have our maiden clue-off. Whatever happens, a rousing huzzah to every Dabbler in the scrimmage. The Stormathon felt a suitable finale to a big year. While the blog will be open during the silly season, with some puzzles and distractions slated to appear, plus the drop-in Salon should you be passing, the Storms will take pause till latish January. Even puzzle junkies need a spell – and that means all of us.

PS – if your aggregate seems lofty, let me know here. And once we figure out the top pooch, please forward your address through the EMAIL button for our late Christmas prezzie.

Comments

Criseyde — 19 December at 07:53AM

Congrats to the winners and all who lasted the distance. Love the mystery four, especially Sam's Christmas wrap. Thanks DA. Seasons greetings everyone.

SK — 19 December at 08:18AM

Thanks DA for a fun and addictive stormathon, and for your dedication to this site in a year where you've had more than enough on your plate. Really appreciate the investment of your time, encouragement and expertise.

And congrats to all players, not just for this storm but for a fun year of ideas, banter, and group therapy. Many great ideas and smile moments. Best wishes for the hols and looking forward to more fun in the new year.

I had a sex-change op for summer and was Gidget for the past 2 weeks.

Em the budgie — 19 December at 08:19AM

Congrats to all who participated, and especially to those with impressive vote counts. Looking forward to the grand unmasking.

And, of course, thanks to DA! This was super duper levels of fun.

Happy holidays to everyone.

RK — 19 December at 08:37AM

Congratulations SK. I think you've blitzed it. I suddenly twigged that you were Gidget with your CHAD clue. Your MARTYR is sublime too.

I woz moz.

Thanks again DA for such a rollicking storm, and thanks to everyone for entering into the spirit of it with such gusto.

Sam — 19 December at 08:38AM

Well done all - quite the marathon - one I would have fallen over in if not for the solving and setting nous of other DAbblers! Echo your thoughts SK - thanks DA for providing a great forum for wordplay, and taking the time to encourage our efforts. Already looking forward to next year - but in the meantime might have to dip into the festive spirits - G&T.

RobT — 19 December at 09:51AM

Thanks for all the ingeniousnessness this Summer. It has made my current experiences with a new boss and with an insolvent builder second order issues.

Some of these clues are mind blowing. I am in impressing company. Why did I ever think Em was The Gidget?

DA kept good order throughout. It must be tempting to have not waded in to scoop the pool (mixed metaphor intended).

Regards,
RobT - the biscuity one (thanks DA for the epithet)

JD — 19 December at 09:56AM

And so it ends. Congratulations all round, especially to the Gidget/SK combo. As always SK presents seemingly simple clues which fall into place perfectly. Bravo! The standard overall was excellent, and I think all participants should be pleased with their efforts. As always, much gratitude to DA.
I can be quiet now that the most intense heat has passed. - Cicada.

Boniface — 19 December at 10:38AM

Aerogard = Boniface.

Although it took me a while to hit paydirt with COMBAT, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Thanks to DA for the quiz. Well done to all, and a Merry Christmas.

AC or A/C — 19 December at 11:00AM

Yes, my actual initials are the same as air conditioning. Perhaps my presence in this forum was a bit too green for people to discern the difference.

All I can say is it has been a tough summer hazing, but this little cyber space is special. I look forward to further lexical enrichment in the future, perhaps one day reaching the heights of the giants of this blog.

Congrats on a whirlwind Stormathon to all.

Criseyde — 19 December at 11:05AM

Gidget/SK has the wow factor.
Hope DA and all DAbblers have a well-earned break and a wonderful 2012. Thankyou for putting on such a fantastic party.
I was Barbie but ran out of gas.

LR — 20 December at 10:55PM

Great storm - even with an alias, SK still reigns supreme! Well done!