Welcome to Season III's first Grand Slam Puzzle! We once again return to the continuing saga of the Cub. For those who missed the first three chapters from PCS Season II, here's a referesher:
Chapter 1: The Bear, the Bear, and the Owl and Solution.
Chapter 2: The Cub Revisited and Solution.
Chapter 3: Norway or Bust! and Solution.
So, Chapter 4 picks up with The Cub and Jasmine on their journey towards Norway...
And in case any of you are facing Youtube work blockage, here's an alt version from yahoo video (it's the exact same video...this is not part of the puzzle). This might be blocked too, but hopefully this may help a few:
Hint #1 (8:45am PT): Be sure to watch the video through to the end...and watch the skies closely.
Hint #2 (10:00am PT): The song is not part of the puzzle, though I thought it fit in nicely.
Hint #3 (10:00am PT): The conversation among the characters is critical and in some cases should be taken literally.
Hint #4 & #5 (11:08am PT): Jasmine in particular speaks literally. And note that in Hint #3 I used the word 'among' instead of 'between.'
Hint #6 (11:42am PT): Jasmine's 5th through 8th conversation bubbles are particularly important (and literal).
Hint #7 (12:48pm PT): The appearance and/or pattern of the stars in the sky is irrelevant. The appearance of other things in the sky is not.
Hint #8 (12:53pm PT): For those who haven't already, I'd jot down the conversation. Many of the bubbles are important in terms of their mechanical content, while Jasmine's 5th thru 8th bubbles (and to some extent her 4th) are important in terms of understanding how said mechanical content is important.
Hint #9 (1:55pm PT): Here are general steps to solving the puzzle. You will note Jasmine is very helpful if cryptic:
- Figure out what the paths are. Jasmine literally provides clues in her 5th and 6th bubbles to figure this out.
- Pick the correct ones (Jasmine tells you where this info comes from in her 8th bubble (Hint #10 is in reference to this step too)).
- Figure out what to with the correct ones (listen to Jasmine's 7th bubble).
- Arrange the results.
- Submit answer.
Hint #10 (3:31pm PT): The Bear's every word - in fact every bit of every word - is important (yes, the Bear takes part in the conversation, if you haven't discovered that yet). Another hint coming in 30ish mins...
Hint #11 (3:44pm PT): If you transcribe the full conversation among the three characters, you won't need anything else (i.e., you can stop watching the surely-by-now-maddeningly-annoying-video). And you can ignore punctuation and capitalization.
Solution: here.
Just for reference, I'll post the latest PCS Standings as well:
(600 possible points)
Rank |
Rank |
Player | Points |
UBragg | |||
Jason | |||
Mr C | |||
Drewdez | |||
J Steve | |||
Keven C | |||
Mr F | |||
QuadSevens | |||
golem | |||
Greg Finley |
Others receiving votes: matt 230, nicholas 224, josh s 223, llcooll 220, mlasf 220, dusty baker 220, dunkhawk 189, steve dittmore 184, curious gene 170, dusto magnifico 140, loney fan 123, lauro 123, berkowit28 120, wicks 104, jose 100, the trite fantastic 100, bryan 100, bwrightson 91, rbnlaw 80, midnight drive 60, neeebs 55, danielle 50, erin 30, karina 20, fred's brim 10.
Puzzle Rules: The answer to the puzzle is one of four Norwegian cities: Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, or Oslo. Comment freely in the thread, but if you have the solution, please don't give it away to everyone in the comments section. Instead, do the following:
- Email us with the name of the city, along with your reasoning (answers arrived at via luck or the wrong reasoning, even if correct, count for participation credit only). And please include your screen name somewhere in the email; and
- Post a comment simply saying you have emailed your solution attempt. I may not be able to reply to your original email promptly, so please be patient and check back on the comment thread for the latest news; I may confirm correct answers there.
- And remember, as a Grand Slam Puzzle this one's worth 120 points!.
You have until midnight PT tonight to submit your answer. Solution will be posted tomorrow. Good luck!
*New to SoSG's PCS Puzzle Series? Here's how it works. Join the fun, all are welcome!
133 comments:
I don't know the answer, but I did enjoy the video!
Ok...
And anyone with YouTube blocked at work is boned.
Totally stumped so far...
Not quite stumped, but I have no idea how the pieces fit together.
yeah I was afraid of youtube blockage...I'm gonna post an alternate yahoo video version, could be blocked as well but hopefully it may help a few
I don't have a color printer.
I didn't bring any colored pencils.
Answer sen. . .oh wait. No, I meant, "I haven't the slightest idea."
I'll post a hint in next 30 mins...
Upon further review, the video works on my iPhone. I'm not sure others have that option, though.
Upon even further review, the font is illegible on the iPhone. I'll try the other video when I get back to my desk.
Thought I was on to something, but it was a non-starter. Awaiting hint#1
So much for me finishing first. I have YouTube, but have no idea...
Generic-sounding hint posted, but I think it may be helpful.
I'll try to post a more specific hint if nobody gets it in next hour or two.
The video made me a little sad.
Hmm...
I don't think I'm missing any information, I'm just not grasping the meaning just yet.
For some reason I keep wanting to see the two characters start hooking up, like some sick summer camp cartoon porn. I need to go get coffee and breakfast then reconsider this puzzle.
Sick Summer Camp Cartoon Porn is playing the second stage at Lollapalooza.
Mr C said "I don't think I'm missing any information, I'm just not grasping the meaning just yet."
That's pretty much my life, summed up.
SSCCP sold out with their last album. Scrambled Midnight Cinemax is way cooler.
@dusty
So say we all.
On second thought, that's a pretty dumb statement for me to make about a puzzle, isn't it?
If I were to take a guess, I would say the answer is one of those four cities.
will post 2nd hint shortly
Answer attempt sent.
Incorrect answer retracted.
Since the song is not part of the puzzle, can I ask the question I deleted the first time:
Is that Axelle Red?
I hate these bears.
@Mr F - oui!
Two more hints posted.
Damn hint #2! Here I thought I was being slick by using Shazam on my iPhone to figure that out.
Still no guesses? Ok, I'll post another hint shortly...
2 more hints posted
Well there's been only 1 guess which was quickly retracted.
Should I post another, clearer hint, or give you more time? Is anyone even working on it still?
I'm staring blankly at the video as it plays over and over. Does that count as working on the puzzle?
Hail Mary of a guess sent
I'm just gonna say the answer is Jose Lima again and call it a day.
Okay, Hint #1 improved and Hint #6 added.
So, uh, Mr. C...whatcha got cookin' for July 1st?
Since a new hint came up, I'll take that to mean I'm still off.
Also, EK, does Don't Stop Believing Guy being one of the next videos on YouTube have something to do with it? If not, I feel it should.
I long ago muted that infernal song.
Just read your submission Matt, alas it is incorrect.
If you get the correct answer, you will know it.
I still have nothing.
I totally checked your other YouTube uploads to see if you uploaded the answer already.
What is the name of that song?
Attempt sent.
@MR. F
I think it is called Je t'attends.
Greg - I keep them private until puzzle-time for resourceful trickerators like yourself.
No, not correct MLASF.
Not even UBragg has attempted an answer. I'll post another hint shortly.
Ok more hints posted.
Okay that was a useful hint. Still stuck, but no longer staring at the stars and looking for a pattern.
I really hate all these characters.
I hate these damn bears.
Hint #8 revised to be slightly more specific and thus hopefully more useful.
Come here, you 10 super sexy participation points.
Ok, major hint added.
haha this has turned into a little league grand slam
Ok, I am not feeling adequate.
question sent...
Wow, it seems this one is difficult. But I guess though that increases the slim chance someone can usurp either UBragg for 1st or Jason/Mr C for 2nd.
Should I post another major hint?
(I replied, Dusto)
I vote for slowing down the hints so I can properly consider the first 9. Of course I have a vested interest in slowing everyone else down...
ok, will hold off on hinting for at least an hour
progress update request sent.
Hint #10: The answer is a city in Norway, beginning with the letter ___.
Hint # 10: It rhymes with ______
We have broken the seal with a correct answer. With no comment to even let us know the sent in an answer he sneaks by everyone:
1. Loney Fan
Hey Loney Fan, nice try!
^That is an imposter post, folks.
I wish it weren't, however...as I am hoping for a correct answer soon. But still none...
EK, I really have no clue yet. Sadly.
This one looked too hard so I decided to pass. That was my best attempt at more than comment points.
Ok, if Mr C is completely stumped, I better queue up another hint.
However I'll wait out the hintless hour I already committed to.
Question sent
@Loney Fan - that's what she said.
@Matt - reply sent.
I'm super busy at work until 7 or 8 tonight, but will try to get in under the gun after that. So far the hints seem somewhat consistent with the direction I was thinking, but nothing that really kicks off an a-ha yet...
I'm not completely out of ideas, but I don't know when I'll be able to really sit down and try them out.
I want to put money down on no one getting it, but if ubragg has any time at all to devote to the puzzle, that's a sucker bet.
color me impressed with the Loney Fan chicanery!
Hint #10 posted
This reminds me of how confused I was when I saw The Fugitive for the first time.
Am I a coward for never touching The Cub series of puzzles? Probably. But from the looks of things, I made the right call.
Hint #11 posted
Tentative answer sent.
Feeling a little more confident in that answer now.
Im gonna stick with the "I'm going with my answer regardless of what the real answer actually is" answer. Or in other words, the "I give up answer, because I just wanna shoot Jasmin in the head" answer.
11 hints? And Mr. C thought his puzzle was a stumper.
Jasmine is causing the cub way too many problems. They're having obvious communication issues if she won't tell him what city in Norway they should visit. My advice is for the cub to travel to any random city in Norway and then ditch her.
@EK, are you frustrated that no one has solved this yet or proud that you've been able to stump us all for so long?
I'm all tingly with anticipation.
Matt, the point is moot...because Mr C is in!!
1. Mr C
So yes folks, its possible!
VICTORY LAP!
ubragg is on the clock. He needs to solve it and hope for more than 53 points to hold the top spot.
Now I need to figure out the goal differential.
And Jason could still feasibly steal the whole thing too.
I'd ubragg solves, he's guaranteed the top slot.
Can you just do a video with some cartoon bears humping in a tent?
KB, isn't that the plot of Avatar?
Most usually don't use the words "plot" and "Avatar" in the same sentence (unless the sentence is "Avatar had the same plot as Pocahontas").
I'm just going to wait for the answer tomorrow so I can bang my head against the wall.
10 hrs in and still only 1 correct answer...I'm gonna have to post another hint (sorry Mr C).
Ok, hint #10 upgraded and addendumed.
What is the current low # for solvers, anyway?
Answer sent.
And 100.
Jason is in!:
1. Mr Customer
2. Jason
Is it mathematically possible for UBragg to be bumped to 3rd? Actually, I don't think so, unless tons of people solve.
@Mr C,
I think only one person (Quad) solved the second-ever SoSG puzzle. Of course that was back in the day with fewer puzzlers.
And only two people (counting Orel) solved the first-ever puzzle.
I take some solace in the fact that I had the right answer in my retracted attempt this morning even if my logic was wrong.
@EK - Maybe my math is wrong (which is likely since I'm still cross-eyed from the puzzle) but if at least one person other than UBragg solves and UBragg fails to solve (ha!), he would fall to 3rd.
Mr C. - 566 (1st, 120 points)
Jason - 530 (2nd of 3, 80 points)
UBragg - 523 (participation, 10 points)
I will now devise a way to flood UBragg's Internet connection with more spam than anyone thought possible...
Jason - took a look at the standings (I put them in main post for reference) and yes I think you are correct.
Wow that would be something. But I wouldn't rule out a scenario in which UBragg solved it around 7:45am and is just creating drama for the fun of it.
Jason:
Actually, that isn't totally correct. I think 4 non-UBraggs would have to solve for him to drop to 3rd.
The bottom half of solvers, including the "middle" solver in the case of odd number of solvers, gets 50% points.
So with 3 solvers, the 2nd solver gets 60, not 80. So in that scenario you still wouldn't catch UBragg.
With 4 non-UBragg solvers, you would get 90 points (and the 3rd and 4th would get 60), so you would pass UBragg.
Four non-UBragg solvers drops my odds of finishing second from about 0.02% to about -5% (my math seems a little off there).
Back home. Now I can spend the rest of the night staring at this puzzle.
Regardless of outcome, there is sure to be some amount of irony in the loot, considering I don't have an iPhone and who signs the champ's paychecks.
Man, how exciting, I love the pressure. I've got some time to work on the puzzle now, four hours to sort this out... stay tuned...
I almost think we need a live video feed on UB so we can watch his progress. Frankly, I'm not even trying to solve the puzzle any more but instead concentrating on the intrigue surrounding the top.
Presumably, I could try harder. However, it's been a long day at work and I just want to watch cartoon porn.
Over-under on how long it takes him?
@Mr. C - I don't have an iPhone either. Could the prize slip to 4th place? Or does it become a carry over?
And I forgot who employed UBragg. I could probably walk next door and set up Dusty's web cam to watch the champ in progress.
Can we get a gamecast thing on UBraggs and Mr F's progress (the latter for Jason's sake)?
That indeed would be ironic, Mr C. Add to that the fact that you've in some senses now assumed thursday puzzles, and the appeal of both prize options is somewhat mitigated. Though this morning the SoSG braintrust discussed the limited appeal of the iphone case to non-iphone people...we may come up with alternatives, will keep you posted.
But that is ironic. Even more so than that time I really needed a fork but was surrounded by 10,000 spoons.
Or the time it rained my your wedding day.
EK's got me paranoid. I'm pretty sure that really ironic, not Alanis ironic. Crap, now I'm gonna have to sit down aNd think about it.
Half hour in, still no breakthrough...
Mr C, your example is really ironic, not Alanironic.
Jason, prizes don't slip past 2nd place...if anything we'll try to find an alt-prize for option 1 (but no promises). If you don't have an iphone, the case is still a pretty bomb way to carry a box of cigarettes.
Ok folks, I'm going to bed. Curious to see how the potential UBragg unseating drama sorted itself out when I get up tomorrow...
As for the swag, I'll gladly donate down if it falls to me. I do have couple of extra puzzles, if that's how it shakes out, too.
That is a sweet case, and one could probably hide their weed in there.
@Mr C,
How's this for irony: what if YouTube was blocked at UBragg's work so he had to revert to the Yahoo Video version of the puzzle?
Sing about that, Alanis!
Progress? I dunno. I'm soooo tired. And still pretty meh.
And uh... cartoon porn? Huh?
A swing and drive to deep right field... way back... she is gone! (answer sent :))
Nicely done. That's why he makes the big bucks.
It was certainly a lot of fun to have this kind of pressure on the grand slam puzzle. Thanks for putting the heat on, MC and Jason. I look forward to a great battle for the next part of the season!
Oddly enough EK, I do have an iphone that would enjoy wearing the beautiful case. (For the record, I use it as an ipod touch now that I've switched to android...)
I'm not about to give up the chase.
Solution fail. Aaarrrggghhh, 1:30 AM, must go to sleep.
Things are looking bleak.
@EK:
I want YouTube to know /
That I'm happy for you /
I wish nothing but the best for Yahoo?
I want to sleep.
how about a hint from one of the solvers?
Wake up, you lazy West Coasters! I'm dying to know the answer!
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