lat-puzz.com

by **WiZ** » Thu Dec 14, 2017 11:33 pm

Hi, team. Following the unexpected success of last year's thread (viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11433), I've had a word with the mods and we're going to repeat the experiment.

You are hereby invited to nominate your favourite puzzles from 2017, and submit them in this thread.

THE FORMAT

- In December, LTPFers are invited to submit the name and title (a hyperlink to the puzzle is useful and encouraged) of their favourite puzzles from this year.
- In 2018, any puzzle which was nominated more than once will be put in a final shortlist, and we will determine a consensus winner by vote.

THE GUIDELINES

- You must choose puzzles that were spoiled in 2017. Your favourite puzzle from this year might not yet have been spoiled. If you strongly suspect an active puzzle may turn out to be your favourite, you may hold off on submitting your nominations until it is.
- You may submit as many or as few of your favourites as you wish, although many of us have found 5 to be a useful number. If you have a "longlist", you may choose to submit this to the thread after the consensus vote stage (unless you want your less-favoured selections to be considered for round 2)
- You may rank the puzzles. This won't weight them any more heavily for consideration for round 2, but it's nice for forum users to see that their puzzle was someone's particular favourite
- You must provide the name of the puzzle and the host. You are not obliged to provide a hyperlink, but it is useful.
- You may choose multiple puzzles by the same host, or keep it to 1 per LTPFer if you'd prefer.
- You may not submit one of your own puzzles.
- You are not obligated to justify your choice or explain your criteria, but it can be nice for the hosts to see what they did especially well.

THE PRIZE

The satisfaction of winning.

What, you wanted more? There's not a lot we can offer you, really. Think of it as the Mastermind prize, minus the chair. I'm sure you have one already, anyway.

You are also entitled to have your puzzle title edited to say [PUZZEL OF THE YEAR 2017] after it.

THE PUZZLES

You can trawl through the solved puzzle archives if you wish, but I have assembled all 300-odd of this year's puzzles in a Word document (I remembered to include myself this year). You may order a copy by flicking me an e-mail at wellingtao at gmail period see oh em.

Good luck! Have fun!

by **Balin** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 12:58 am

I'd like to add one more point: We typically limit the nomination to classic-style puzzles only.

by **WiZ** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 1:47 am

True.

One other consideration: If you're planning to stick to one-puzzle-per-user, I should probably come clean and confess that Literally a Skeleton is my sockpuppet account.

Just on the off-chance you happened to like something by both of us.

by **Hobbsicle** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 3:58 am

This last revelation explains a lot. The universe is back in order now. Or at least that same sort of disorder it was in before.

by **peter365** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:32 am

Oh I'm kicking myself. I strongly suspected that 'Literally a Skeleton' was an existing forum member but was afraid to ask in case I was wrong.

by **Earnest** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:46 am

No waaaaaay......is like when they told me that Pokemon was all a dream of Ash.
Well philosophical dilemma...if I now start to confess that I'm a sockpuppet account of someone else, would you believe me?
Of course I'm not but I'm curious on the way in which one could suspect on the other...it could be tricky...I mean...one could base on the puzzle styles, on the nationalities maybe and on the hobbies...but you know...it could be also that there are actually two members in the forum actually chatting one to the other...
Sorry for the stupid digression xD

by **peter365** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 12:06 pm

I have a strong suspicion that two former members of this forum were one in the same person but I'm loathe to share my suspicions in case i'm being slanderous .

I'll just leave that here and run away!!

by **irishelk** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 12:16 pm

Shocking Christmas twist! My favorite kind! Lol no worries, I love Skeleton Guy.

I don't believe I've ever been two people at once, but I was (as most of you know) previously Gourami, and before that Eliot...I think there was another one in there somewhere. I'll have to check the archives to remember.

by **Balin** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 12:51 pm

Well, with all this shock and awe out of the way (didn't have a clue), I will start the nominations. I have a hunch there's going to be a wider variety of nominated puzzles this year.

My initial list had over 40 but I was able to cut it to a "short list" of 21; tried to pare it down to 5 but couldn't get past 7. So here are my initial 7 nominations, in order; I'll share the rest of the list of 21 later.

1. IrishElk - Clerks

2. LemonCurry - Public Channel Late-Night TV

3. WiZ - Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit.

4. IrishElk - Dear God

5. WiZ - Use your… no, too easy

6. Grip - Very Frank

7. Hobbsicle - How to Make a Good Impression

by **biograd** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:53 pm

I liked the "Ham Sandwich" puzzle, but it was rather silly.

by **WiZ** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:19 pm

As you so rightly say, IrishElk, it is Christmas.

by **irishelk** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:29 pm

Do you tell the truth at Christmas though? I find myself saying, "great to see you again!" "this is exactly what I wanted!" and "oh, yes, that red and green dress is lovely!" a lot more times than I mean it.

All right, after long and painful winnowing, here's my five:

[CoffeeBean] A Simple Question

[Hobbsicle] Nightmare on Oak Street

[WiZ] Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit.

[RedWine] Cold cold heart

[Balin] Not "bopping someone with a fruitcake"

And [Admin] Helpfullness as an honorable mention, definitely one of the best this year--but I don't think pros should be able to win our amateur competition. :lol:

by **WiZ** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:00 pm

No particular order. Aimed for a top 5, but couldn't decide which of Balin's or IrishElk's I liked more.

Peter - Filling the Post Post:
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11632

Hobbsicle - Catch-21
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11682&p=50885

IrishElk - Cat People
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11453&p=45240

IrishElk - Dear God
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11622&p=51753

Balin - Expelli-almost
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11808&p=53611

Balin - Bright and Early
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11904&p=56659

SurfingPikachu - Rapturous Intent
http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11824

Also - Peter and Hobbsicle, did you get the e-mail I sent you?
Also also, speaking of the professionals, Paul, when's your next book coming out? Remarkable was like 3 years ago mang

by **Hobbsicle** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:03 am

I enjoyed reading back through the puzzles (thanks for the list, WiZ). Total of 7, but I kept it at one per person, except there is one for WiZ and Literally_a_Skeleton. Couldn't manage to rank them. This process is tough. But I guess that's the case with most "best of" lists. Great puzzles this year, all.

[Doriana] Sisters
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11613

[peter365] Filling the Post Post
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11632

[IrishElk] Clerks
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11577

[LemonCurry] Public Channel Late-Night TV
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11645

[WiZ] Albert Ross Soupe
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11691

[☠] Crypt-o-currency?
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11716

[GalFisk] Public frenemy #1
http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/v ... =6&t=11723

[Balin] Expelli-almost
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11808

by **biograd** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:15 am

I looked through the solved puzzles, and I both second "Crypt O Currency" and "Albert Ross Soupe", and also nominate "A funny thing happened in Latvia..."
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11667

by **peter365** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:08 am

I've had a long think about this and I've come up with my top 4 (most people go 3 or 5 , but I'm an awkward Irishman!). These are in order of preference so Lemoncurry gets my vote.

Lemoncurry - Public Channel Late Night TV http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11645

IrishElk - Clerks http://www.lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11577

WiZ - Schizophonic http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11653

Balin - Here Goes Nothing Kid Icarus http://lateralpuzzles.com/puzzles/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11831

by **WiZ** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:55 pm

I'm looking at these nominations, nodding to myself and thinking 'Yeah, that was a good one, too'. Great to see the diversity this year, as Balin alluded to. We had fewer puzzles hosted this year than last year, but the standard is evidently very high.

by **LemonCurry** » Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:31 pm

Merry belated Christmas everyone,
Here‘s my nominees:

[WiZ] Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit
[WiZ] Use your...no, too easy
[Skeleton] Crypt-o-Currency?
[IrishElk] Clerks
[Hobbsicle] 20% is the new 15%
[Hobbsicle] Nightmare on Oak Street

by **Balin** » Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:47 pm

I'm keeping a running tally of votes, Last year, 24 puzzles were nominated during the first run. We've passed that total already. (We've also passed the number of puzzles with multiple nominations.)

by **Balin** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 3:54 pm

And as it is now 2018, it's time for the second round of voting. Of the 25 puzzles nominated in the first round, 10 received multiple votes and are thus our Nominees for Puzzel of the Year 2017.

Four nominations:
[IrishElk] Clerks

Three nominations:
[LemonCurry] Public Channel Late-Night TV
[WiZerally a Skeleton] Crypt-o-currency?
[WiZ] Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit.

Two nominations:
[Balin] Expelli-almost
[Hobbiscle] Nightmare on Oak Street
[IrishElk] Dear God
[peter365] Filling the Post Post
[WiZ] Albert Ross Soupe
[WiZ] Use your... no, too easy

by **LemonCurry** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:57 am

OK, let's start then.
Germany (or at least Rhineland-Palatinate) casts its vote to [IrishElk] Clerks .

by **WiZ** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:39 pm

The Honourable Member for Middle Earth casts his conscience vote for IrishElk's 'Dear God'.

(after changing his mind a dozen bloody times)

by **peter365** » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:37 am

I'm going to stick with Lemoncurry's 'Public Channel Late Night TV It's really lateral and phrased very much in the classic mode.

by **Balin** » Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:33 pm

(I made a slight error - there were 26 puzzles nominated in the first count, not 25. Doesn't affect the second round though.)

I also cast my ballot for Clerks.

by **Hobbsicle** » Fri Jan 05, 2018 3:20 am

Tough choice. These are great. I think Public Channel Late Night TV gets my vote.

by **Earnest** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:26 am

So who is the winner? I'm with Clerks

by **Balin** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:32 pm

Last year polls were closed at the start of February. This year... I'm not sure, but someone updated the title to say "LAST CALL FOR VOTES," so I'm sure it will be soon.

by **GalFisk** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:34 pm

I liked Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit. Reminiscent of the classic Albatross and touching in a sad way.

by **biograd** » Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:29 pm

I also vote for Clerks.

by **peter365** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:05 am

I amended the title to encourage a few more votes .

Since we arrived at a list of nominations here's how the votes stand:

Clerks - 4
Public Channel Late Night TV - 2
Dear God - 1
Occupation , Nope Just Here for a Visit - 1

I'm happy to have the 31st January as the final day for voting and have amended the title accordingly.

by **invisiblemimsy** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:10 am

I vote for Public Channel Late Night TV.

by **Balin** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:03 pm

It is now February 1, and the polls have officially closed.

With four votes in both the first and second rounds, it is my pleasure to announce that Clerks is our 2017 Puzzel of the Year. Congratulations to IrishElk, and thanks to all puzzlers for making 2017 an active and fun year on the forum.

Here is the list of 26 nominated puzzles (ordered by first nomination):

[IrishElk] Clerks
[LemonCurry] Public Channel Late-Night TV
[WiZ] Occupation? Nope, just here for a visit.
[IrishElk] Dear God
[WiZ] Use your… no, too easy
[Grip] Very Frank
[Hobbsicle] How to Make a Good Impression
[WiZ] Must... have... three... active... puzzles...
[CoffeeBean] A Simple Question
[Hobbsicle] Nightmare on Oak Street
[RedWine] Cold cold heart
[Balin] Not "bopping someone with a fruitcake"
[peter365] Filling the Post Post
[Hobbsicle] Catch-21
[IrishElk] Cat People
[Balin] Expelli-almost
[Balin] Bright and early
[SurfingPikachu] Rapturous Intent
[Doriana] Sisters
[WiZ] Albert Ross Soupe
[☠] Crypt-o-currency?
[GalFisk] Public frenemy #1
[WiZ] A funny thing happened in Latvia...
[WiZ] Schizophonic
[Balin] Here goes nothin', Kid Icarus
[Hobbsicle] 20% is the new 15%

As with last year, I'd like to add four puzzles from my short list to bump it up to an even 30.

[Solong] It's the spirit that counts
[Grouffe] Vertigo
[JenBurdoo] A man rides into town on Friday...
[WiZ] Livid (my choice for best puzzel title of the year)

Once again, happy 2018.

by **GalFisk** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 3:32 pm

Grats IrishElk!

by **peter365** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 3:59 pm

Congatulations to IrishElk , it really was a great puzzle and well done to everyone who contributed in 2017. We may be small in numbers but lack nothing in quality.

Looking forward to our 2018 thread.

by **Earnest** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:32 pm

Congrats IrishElk and again, very proud and honoured of being part of the ship with you

by **WiZ** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 7:31 pm

Congratulations, IrishElk, well-deserved. You've had an excellent year. And great job, LemonCurry, on a close second. Thank you and well done to all our other nominees; the standard was very high in 2017, and it's great to see so many different names among the favourites.

On a personal note, I'm also pleased that 'Occupation' seemed to be your favourite among the ones I posted. It was my favourite, too.

Since we've got another nice 30, I'll go and update our 'best of' .docx. After next year, we'll hit 90, which is roughly the number of puzzles that feature in Paul's books. At this point, I might start thinking about categorising the puzzles by difficulty/theme.

Edit: Just noticed, Balin, that your top 4 were the top 4 puzzles, in order (with a third-equal). As goes Balin, so goes the nation...

by **irishelk** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 5:06 pm

Well I'm honored*! There were an amazing number of very strong puzzles this year. Everybody pat yourselves on the back.

*(To avoid confusion for non-Americans: "honoured!")

by **Hobbsicle** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:01 am

Congrats, irishelk, and solid list.