1 Down – ‘Hazard – A guess, perhaps (2, 2, 4, 6)'.
Through long, albeit remote association I have become familiar with the ‘cryptic’ cross word puzzle - Mama was a great fan and would often (in desperation) drag all and sundry into the tortured world of solving ‘the clues’. But, I noted over the years that those who indulge in solving the cryptic clues rarely – if ever – stray far from their ‘puzzle-setter’ of choice. For example when the Rev John Graham, better known to his legion fans as Araucaria passed away, the effect on ‘The Guardian’ and his legion of fans was remarkable. It seems that once the ‘code’ has been cracked then there is a chance that the entire puzzle may be solved; which explains why the ‘fans’ rarely attempt to resolve the puzzles set by other compilers. I mention this in passing as a prelude to attempting to resolve the puzzles set yesterday by Aleck in his word duel with the committee. One does need to study and be familiar with the byzantine word patterns to make any sense whatsoever of the cryptic clues on offer.
Here’s one – 14 Down - “As transparent as need be” (2, 4, 1, 6). Another at 8 across ‘Hazard defines as risk’ (3, 1, 4, 2). The Aleck cryptic offerings are in the same class as the legendary 'Poetical scene has surprisingly chaste Lord Archer vegetating (3, 3, 8, 12)’ for driving folk nuts.
The liberties taken with language, the latitude gifted for escape ploys, the scale of wriggle room on offer is breath taking. Almost every sentence uttered is so nebulous and confusing – to those who prefer straight answers – and confounding to those who may seek to legally challenge the ‘clues’ offered as to beggar the imagination.
Take the word ‘Hazard; for example: the WA government provide an adequate definition - HERE – which does not conflict with the WIKI offering. Read ‘em, then have another listen the ‘Aleck’ application.
Fawcett is onto the game but, wisely, prefers to treat it exactly for what it is; refusing to be drawn into the cryptic games – arguing for ‘good sense’ by stating that all the levers at government disposal should be used to manage and control the ‘risk’. It is a whole different mind set; using all the tools to control and mitigate risk while allowing freedom to grow an industry; not a cryptic remark in sight. Wide screen vision as opposed to the narrow, restricted, self serving bottom of the silo view presented by our safety agencies. Provided the rest of the committee ‘get it’ it seems that the control parameters for the ‘drone’ population will be taken out of the hands of those who prefer to talk in riddles and placed into the hands of men of good will and responsibility. Well done the committee, Bravo.
One small puzzle has been resolved though – the urge to wear Hi-viz ‘yellow’. It’s quite Freudian really – Canaries are bright yellow and they love to sing. Was Hood issuing a warning ? – “we will sing”. Gods alone what the tune he would sing could sound like; probably 'sound like cell doors slamming (3.4.2,7)'.
Aye well; it’s all a puzzle, deep, dark and cryptic, beyond my feeble powers, but the tote board line for the Senators went up a couple of points last evening. Any more of that and I’ll have to shorten the odds. Never a cross word when I do that.
Toot - toot.
Through long, albeit remote association I have become familiar with the ‘cryptic’ cross word puzzle - Mama was a great fan and would often (in desperation) drag all and sundry into the tortured world of solving ‘the clues’. But, I noted over the years that those who indulge in solving the cryptic clues rarely – if ever – stray far from their ‘puzzle-setter’ of choice. For example when the Rev John Graham, better known to his legion fans as Araucaria passed away, the effect on ‘The Guardian’ and his legion of fans was remarkable. It seems that once the ‘code’ has been cracked then there is a chance that the entire puzzle may be solved; which explains why the ‘fans’ rarely attempt to resolve the puzzles set by other compilers. I mention this in passing as a prelude to attempting to resolve the puzzles set yesterday by Aleck in his word duel with the committee. One does need to study and be familiar with the byzantine word patterns to make any sense whatsoever of the cryptic clues on offer.
Here’s one – 14 Down - “As transparent as need be” (2, 4, 1, 6). Another at 8 across ‘Hazard defines as risk’ (3, 1, 4, 2). The Aleck cryptic offerings are in the same class as the legendary 'Poetical scene has surprisingly chaste Lord Archer vegetating (3, 3, 8, 12)’ for driving folk nuts.
The liberties taken with language, the latitude gifted for escape ploys, the scale of wriggle room on offer is breath taking. Almost every sentence uttered is so nebulous and confusing – to those who prefer straight answers – and confounding to those who may seek to legally challenge the ‘clues’ offered as to beggar the imagination.
Take the word ‘Hazard; for example: the WA government provide an adequate definition - HERE – which does not conflict with the WIKI offering. Read ‘em, then have another listen the ‘Aleck’ application.
Fawcett is onto the game but, wisely, prefers to treat it exactly for what it is; refusing to be drawn into the cryptic games – arguing for ‘good sense’ by stating that all the levers at government disposal should be used to manage and control the ‘risk’. It is a whole different mind set; using all the tools to control and mitigate risk while allowing freedom to grow an industry; not a cryptic remark in sight. Wide screen vision as opposed to the narrow, restricted, self serving bottom of the silo view presented by our safety agencies. Provided the rest of the committee ‘get it’ it seems that the control parameters for the ‘drone’ population will be taken out of the hands of those who prefer to talk in riddles and placed into the hands of men of good will and responsibility. Well done the committee, Bravo.
One small puzzle has been resolved though – the urge to wear Hi-viz ‘yellow’. It’s quite Freudian really – Canaries are bright yellow and they love to sing. Was Hood issuing a warning ? – “we will sing”. Gods alone what the tune he would sing could sound like; probably 'sound like cell doors slamming (3.4.2,7)'.
Aye well; it’s all a puzzle, deep, dark and cryptic, beyond my feeble powers, but the tote board line for the Senators went up a couple of points last evening. Any more of that and I’ll have to shorten the odds. Never a cross word when I do that.
Toot - toot.