Comments on: The Twelve Cryptograms of Christmas

By: Constantine Markides

Constantine Markides — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:19:03 +0000

Now I’m trying to decipher what you thought Tess was *hintness*ing at…

As for the days of idleness, I’m not sure if they’ll ever come to an end. After the pressure cooker of the second half of 2009, everything that follows inevitably bears an element of indolence. Not that I’ve got a problem with that. Like Kierkegaard said, “Far from idleness being the root of all evil, it is rather the only true good.”

I’m really enjoying the mental image of one of your colleagues reading those eleven pieces of paper by your work computer…

By: littlestar

littlestar — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:47:37 +0000

Yay! I did it! (c:

I found all twelve – unless there’s anything else hidden in there, Host? (glares)

Unfortunately, on my initial reading, I was so shocked, I misunderstood Tess’ Round Two *hintness*es as something else entirely…sorry, Tess.

I know I’m a little slooooow, but I just got back from holidays…which unfortunately means I’m back at work. Blah. I may *ahem* have spent a few idle moments at work this afternoon decoding the first eleven puzzles…

…which reminds me, I left the bits of paper with the eleven solutions on it next to my work computer. If anyone gets in to work before me and finds it, they’re bound to think I’ve finally lost it. Oh dear (c:

I worked out the twelfth tonight. Thanks Fido for helping me out. I always liked that cryptic mutt.

Host, I hope you’re enjoying your days of idleness! (but, having said that, I’m looking forward to your next post – no pressure or anything…)

By: Eros

Eros — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:21:20 +0000

I must confess, I didn’t get the round 12 one, I total skipped it. Lol that’s what I get for doing them so early in the morning. But they all do work. It was almost A Beautiful Mind-ish thing there for a minute when the Round 1 sentences all went up. ButI stopped myself and said if it was important I would find out at the end. *kicks self in ass* “Code name Eros” I love it. I think that gives me an idea… no lol.

Love,
Eros

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:11:53 +0000

Good to see you posting again! And this sounds like a lot of fun. I’m buoyed by the comment from Eros saying he’s already solved them. Hooray for possible puzzles! Now I just need a spare morning.

By: annasbones

annasbones — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:01:44 +0000

No, but Helen Hunt is two words.. although that would have been even weirder.

PS: I can’t figure out the last challenge! I will try again after dinner..

By: Constantine Markides

Constantine Markides — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:49:09 +0000

If you had figured any of those out from the very beginning, you’d have a future as a Secret Service cryptographer (code name: Eros). That would have been very A Beautiful Mind-ish. Of course, it does take a feverish mind to do them all at 3am…

I’m glad to see they all checked through. I was too tired (or I should say ‘idle’) last night to go through and confirm that the words were in the right order and that I hadn’t made any errors along the way. Now it should make sense why some of the opening sentences seemed a bit strange (like for example when littlestar asked Utah why she included “The Hunt for Gollum” as a possible movie seeing that Jacob didn’t strike her as a Lord of the Rings fan. I had to get the word “hunt” in there somehow and, unfortunately, “manhunt” isn’t two words…)

By: Eros

Eros — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:15:32 +0000

Ok I got them all. Way to tax the brain at 3am! I can’t believe I didn’t see these before. Even if I can’t decode something like these cryptograms on a first read throw, my subconscious tells me it’s there. The only one I had even a hint of was the round 1 one. And that I didn’t get until you told us the key. Good work and thanks for the Christmas puzzles.

Can’t wait to see the new videos.

Love,
Eros

Ps. So glad that quite time is over! lol

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:39:11 +0000

OK – will give it a go again – given I’ll also be in a slightly more functional frame of mind as well.

As for that small boy – you and he should be sleep buddies. We’re forever up long after bed time here – sleep time is the most flexible of the concepts in our household and one in which Dylan drags out as long as possible. I’ll simply just say hello – that will make his day.

By: Constantine Markides

Constantine Markides — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:31:14 +0000

Thanks, Jodi, for braving the void and breaking the silence. This website was returning to its former black hole-like state. As far as a cypher buddy, I don’t think you’ll need one. If you try the README directions again (which have been amended to simplify the process), you’ll get it in a few minutes.

If you see that small boy, tell him that the time over here is “time to sleep!” I’ve got a couple of things for him, although it’s better you don’t tell him until I actually make it to the post office… I’ll keep you posted on that.

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:09:49 +0000

Good to see your writing in this space – it has been quiet and I have to admit missing the thousand emails downloaded into my inbox every day.

I couldn’t decipher the first code. I have talents for many things but codes, cypher, word games, riddles etc are something totally beyond me.

But I will have a go? Does any one need a cypher buddy? I could do with some mentoring.

Looking forward to the next two “4ths” for the videos and I know a small boy who will be pretty darn excited also. He was just asking me today on the way home from the movies what time it was where you lived.

Welcome back