Monday, June 21, 2010

Off-Day Grand Slam Puzzle #7: Jasmine and The Cub

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:

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:

  1. Figure out what the paths are. Jasmine literally provides clues in her 5th and 6th bubbles to figure this out.
  2. 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)).
  3. Figure out what to with the correct ones (listen to Jasmine's 7th bubble).
  4. Arrange the results.
  5. 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)

Current
Rank
Previous
Rank
Player
PCS Tour
Points
1
1
UBragg
513
2
3
Jason
450
3
2
Mr C
446
T-4
T-5
Drewdez
342
T-4
T-5
J Steve
342
6
7
Keven C
341
7
8
Mr F
327
8
4
QuadSevens
306
9
18
golem
253
10
15
Greg Finley
233

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:

Orel said...

I don't know the answer, but I did enjoy the video!

Nostradamus said...

Ok...

Josh S. said...

And anyone with YouTube blocked at work is boned.

MR.F said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ubragg said...

Totally stumped so far...

Nostradamus said...

Not quite stumped, but I have no idea how the pieces fit together.

Eric Karros said...

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

Kyle Baker said...

I don't have a color printer.

Nostradamus said...

I didn't bring any colored pencils.

rbnlaw said...

Answer sen. . .oh wait. No, I meant, "I haven't the slightest idea."

Eric Karros said...

I'll post a hint in next 30 mins...

Josh S. said...

Upon further review, the video works on my iPhone. I'm not sure others have that option, though.

Josh S. said...

Upon even further review, the font is illegible on the iPhone. I'll try the other video when I get back to my desk.

Nostradamus said...

Thought I was on to something, but it was a non-starter. Awaiting hint#1

Steve K said...

So much for me finishing first. I have YouTube, but have no idea...

Eric Karros said...

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.

Josh S. said...

The video made me a little sad.

Nostradamus said...

Hmm...

I don't think I'm missing any information, I'm just not grasping the meaning just yet.

Kyle Baker said...

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.

Josh S. said...

Sick Summer Camp Cartoon Porn is playing the second stage at Lollapalooza.

Kyle Baker said...

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.

Jason said...

SSCCP sold out with their last album. Scrambled Midnight Cinemax is way cooler.

Nostradamus said...

@dusty

So say we all.

On second thought, that's a pretty dumb statement for me to make about a puzzle, isn't it?

Josh S. said...

If I were to take a guess, I would say the answer is one of those four cities.

Eric Karros said...

will post 2nd hint shortly

Jason said...

Answer attempt sent.

Jason said...

Incorrect answer retracted.

MR.F said...

Since the song is not part of the puzzle, can I ask the question I deleted the first time:

Is that Axelle Red?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I hate these bears.

Eric Karros said...

@Mr F - oui!

Two more hints posted.

QuadSevens said...

Damn hint #2! Here I thought I was being slick by using Shazam on my iPhone to figure that out.

Eric Karros said...

Still no guesses? Ok, I'll post another hint shortly...

Eric Karros said...

2 more hints posted

Eric Karros said...

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?

QuadSevens said...

I'm staring blankly at the video as it plays over and over. Does that count as working on the puzzle?

Matt said...

Hail Mary of a guess sent

Greg Finley said...

I'm just gonna say the answer is Jose Lima again and call it a day.

Eric Karros said...

Okay, Hint #1 improved and Hint #6 added.

Josh S. said...

So, uh, Mr. C...whatcha got cookin' for July 1st?

Matt said...

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.

Kyle Baker said...

I long ago muted that infernal song.

Eric Karros said...

Just read your submission Matt, alas it is incorrect.

If you get the correct answer, you will know it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I still have nothing.

Greg Finley said...

I totally checked your other YouTube uploads to see if you uploaded the answer already.

MR.F said...

What is the name of that song?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Attempt sent.

Nostradamus said...

@MR. F

I think it is called Je t'attends.

Eric Karros said...

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.

Eric Karros said...

Ok more hints posted.

MR.F said...

Okay that was a useful hint. Still stuck, but no longer staring at the stars and looking for a pattern.

QuadSevens said...

I really hate all these characters.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I hate these damn bears.

Eric Karros said...

Hint #8 revised to be slightly more specific and thus hopefully more useful.

Josh S. said...

Come here, you 10 super sexy participation points.

Eric Karros said...

Ok, major hint added.

Fred's Brim said...

haha this has turned into a little league grand slam

Nostradamus said...

Ok, I am not feeling adequate.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

question sent...

Eric Karros said...

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)

Jason said...

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...

Eric Karros said...

ok, will hold off on hinting for at least an hour

Dusto_Magnifico said...

progress update request sent.

Greg Finley said...

Hint #10: The answer is a city in Norway, beginning with the letter ___.

Matt said...

Hint # 10: It rhymes with ______

Loney Fan said...

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

Eric Karros said...

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...

Nostradamus said...

EK, I really have no clue yet. Sadly.

Loney Fan said...

This one looked too hard so I decided to pass. That was my best attempt at more than comment points.

Eric Karros said...

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.

Matt said...

Question sent

Eric Karros said...

@Loney Fan - that's what she said.

@Matt - reply sent.

ubragg said...

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...

MR.F said...

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.

Josh S. said...

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.

Fred's Brim said...

color me impressed with the Loney Fan chicanery!

Eric Karros said...

Hint #10 posted

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This reminds me of how confused I was when I saw The Fugitive for the first time.

Keven C said...

Am I a coward for never touching The Cub series of puzzles? Probably. But from the looks of things, I made the right call.

Eric Karros said...

Hint #11 posted

Nostradamus said...

Tentative answer sent.

Nostradamus said...

Feeling a little more confident in that answer now.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

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.

rbnlaw said...

11 hints? And Mr. C thought his puzzle was a stumper.

MR.F said...

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.

Matt said...

@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?

Nostradamus said...

I'm all tingly with anticipation.

Eric Karros said...

Matt, the point is moot...because Mr C is in!!

1. Mr C

So yes folks, its possible!

Nostradamus said...

VICTORY LAP!

Josh S. said...

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.

Josh S. said...

And Jason could still feasibly steal the whole thing too.

Nostradamus said...

I'd ubragg solves, he's guaranteed the top slot.

Kyle Baker said...

Can you just do a video with some cartoon bears humping in a tent?

Josh S. said...

KB, isn't that the plot of Avatar?

Kyle Baker said...

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").

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm just going to wait for the answer tomorrow so I can bang my head against the wall.

Eric Karros said...

10 hrs in and still only 1 correct answer...I'm gonna have to post another hint (sorry Mr C).

Eric Karros said...

Ok, hint #10 upgraded and addendumed.

Nostradamus said...

What is the current low # for solvers, anyway?

Jason said...

Answer sent.

Jason said...

And 100.

Eric Karros said...

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.

Eric Karros said...

@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.

Jason said...

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.

Jason said...

@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...

Eric Karros said...

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.

Eric Karros said...

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.

Jason said...

Four non-UBragg solvers drops my odds of finishing second from about 0.02% to about -5% (my math seems a little off there).

MR.F said...

Back home. Now I can spend the rest of the night staring at this puzzle.

Nostradamus said...

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.

ubragg said...

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...

Kyle Baker said...

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.

Nostradamus said...

Over-under on how long it takes him?

Jason said...

@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.

Eric Karros said...

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.

Jason said...

Or the time it rained my your wedding day.

Nostradamus said...

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.

ubragg said...

Half hour in, still no breakthrough...

Eric Karros said...

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...

Nostradamus said...

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.

Kyle Baker said...

That is a sweet case, and one could probably hide their weed in there.

Eric Karros said...

@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!

MR.F said...

Progress? I dunno. I'm soooo tired. And still pretty meh.

MR.F said...

And uh... cartoon porn? Huh?

ubragg said...

A swing and drive to deep right field... way back... she is gone! (answer sent :))

Nostradamus said...

Nicely done. That's why he makes the big bucks.

ubragg said...

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...)

Nostradamus said...

I'm not about to give up the chase.

drewdez said...

Solution fail. Aaarrrggghhh, 1:30 AM, must go to sleep.

MR.F said...

Things are looking bleak.

Jason said...

@EK:
I want YouTube to know /
That I'm happy for you /
I wish nothing but the best for Yahoo?

MR.F said...

I want to sleep.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

how about a hint from one of the solvers?

Greg Finley said...

Wake up, you lazy West Coasters! I'm dying to know the answer!