The methodology discussion

[Choice]

Why are the magazines with Marie Osmond and Mariel Hemingway covers in the book?
Both names start with Marie; reference to Maritime or St. Mary's?
One with curly hair like image 1 and the other with forehead hair part like image 1.

[erexere]

Choice, while I'm into the idea that some clever hints might be introduced by such means, such an approach needs care. Which puzzle would be supplemented by this Marie hint? How is it distinctly compelling and not the result of cherry picking anything at random? If it's a strong enough lead in your opinion, maybe you could expand on the idea in the thread for the verse or image it participates.

Methodology-wise, lots of folks have dabbled in the idea that hints have been dispersed through out the book, but for the most part they often look purely coincidental, selected to fit a persons whimsical backyard approach, or not constrained or grounded with any assurance that the puzzle works that way.

For the record, I have reason to believe theres some effort to blend subject matter from the actual puzzle sites into book in all its parts but I also think Pierrard and JJP ornother writers were without specific knowledge for any of those details, making use of whatever raw mix of materials Byron might have supplied as filler to drive us crazy.

[Choice]

I'm influenced by the Prince Andrew/People magazine cover related to Image 11.
Marie & Mariel, there are 2 proposed locations for image 1; Maritime park and St. Mary's Square.
Also Geary/Magnum/Diana for image 1; Sutro Heights location.
These are most likely coincidences since the issue of magazines are from April and May of 82. For this to work he had to either follow a very narrow model dictated by the names on the covers in a short time til publishing date or he staged the issues after the cask burials just for one or two locations.
Just a correlation I tripped over. Maybe something or nothing.

[erexere]

Obviously it seems less probable that any afterthoughts to the basic groundwork and execution of the puzzles could be implemented just 5 months to publication. It's still possible some small nuances could've been rushed into it before print.

You have to have good reason to create a puzzle in that way.

One example where I think a pop culture reference made the cut is the Raiders of the Lost Ark influencing the Houston puzzle. The film was released in June of 1981. I think theres potential for other puzzles to have wacky influences, but it seems important to recognize the cultural connection and how something a out that links with the site.

[Choice]

Houston is an easy one. Like image 11, the image of the destination is in the base of the column next to the jewel. It's a lion with a round head inside of the mouth. number 52 is around the head to disguise it. BTW 52/30 is the coordinates of Persepolis in Persia.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=738&start=1220

[erexere]

Hmm...not a fan of the lion, but I SEE it as I might see any shape in a cloud. That 52 looks entirely possible. Could also just be a 5, or just a 2, or a "25", or a "five foot, 2 inches".

Choice, thank you for explaining more about your ideas when you can. I never tried to ignore you in the past, but a lot of you're stuff was unclear, distracting, or maybe just off-putting. I think many of my postings could be seen the same way. Obviously there's a reason behind anyone's topic selection, but it's not always easy to follow their line of thinking.

Lots of folks operate more on a visual push to find things in any place that "look like" something they are prioritizing in their approach. You're selected a lion for a reason? I'm thinking it is that water fountain that's been discussed on occasion. It sure is a "water spout". Hmm...

[Choice]

Well, similar to 'Feel at home', 'No lion fears' seem out of place til you go into the Persia connection to the image. It's very early 1980's and Iran's revolution just happened. Shah was overthrown and was replaced by Islamic Republic. Shah's flag had a lion in the middle of it. New Islamic flag has Allah in the middle, similar to the flat stone next to the fallen column.

[erexere]

Why cant more ideas spark joy? I like to ask myself "what would that Fair Folk do? Is there a clever reason for something somethings dont get overly complicated?

Boston was such that a single hint would give it away...like giving something away for free? A walk to first base? Maybe when Preiss said he had to hide in a pile of leaves, he was trying to drop a hint for a "mound".

[Choice]

In the early 80's this wouldn't be complicated at all. Everybody was talking about Iran hostage crises; for 444 days and then some. There were even rumors of Ronald Reagan committing treason by making a deal with ayatollah to keep the hostages till after election.

[WilliamTater]

Has anyone here ever used or has good advic e on how to use one of those T soil probes?
1/ Do you need the T or can a metal rod work just as good?
2. The Bulley? rods take core samples which of course i am not intrested in.
3. It would make sense that if the hole is three feet deep, the the top of the casque would be approx. 2 feet 4 inches?
4. Would using a hammer or even rubber head hammer help to drive the metal rod deepper?
5. Any advice would be most appreciated.

[Kang]

Has anyone here ever used or has good advic e on how to use one of those T soil probes?
1/ Do you need the T or can a metal rod work just as good?
2. The Bulley? rods take core samples which of course i am not intrested in.
3. It would make sense that if the hole is three feet deep, the the top of the casque would be approx. 2 feet 4 inches?
4. Would using a hammer or even rubber head hammer help to drive the metal rod deepper?
5. Any advice would be most appreciated.

1. The T gives you more leverage to push down. It takes a fair bit of pressure to drive the probe, likely in all but the loosest soil. Depends on your spot. Having the probe in your hands gives more feedback than tapping w hammer. Is target rock solid or does it have any give to it? etc..
2. The Bully does NOT take a core sample. It's a solid shaft. At least the one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-99203-Tstyle-48_inch/dp/B00KOMTJ7E/ref=sr_1_2?crid=UZ9CESN8RKO4&keywords=bully+soil+probe&qid=1575471931&sprefix=bully+soil+%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-2

I also have a core sample probe and have used. Expressly for the purpose of widening out the hole in order to endocam the target. Limited usefulness, but can rule out some targets to lessen the number of holes needed to dig to find out what you hit.

3. If I recall, plexi box height is about 6.5 inches. So about 2.5 feet if buried in a 3 foot hole.
4. Yes, I have used a hammer to (lightly) tap in stubborn soil. Caution: too much force might make detection difficult as you might go right through, especially if plexi/casque not intact. You certainly don't want to probe the right spot and not realize you hit it.
5. HIGHLY recommended:
-A post hole digger. The absolute fastest/least effort way to dig a 2-3 foot hole. (Something I found out way to late). About $30. Reco one with ruler on one of the handles. Easy to tell how deep you've gone, cause your brain always thinks your hole is/looks deeper than it actually is.
-A tarp to collect the dirt from a hole. Makes for easy hole refilling when the time comes. And keeps the site clean, no dirt gets left in the grass, etc. John Fraser did/will appreciate.

Good luck.

[WilliamTater]

[BINGO]

When attached to a standard T handle, this unit cuts a 3/4” hole with ease.
You simply twist the T handle and the cutting tip augers its way downward easily through most soil types. No pressure needed, no excessive force needed, no danger of breaking anything. The tip isn’t sharp, so no danger of drilling through a plastic box. (Unless you possess gorilla strength and brain capabilities.)

[burnstyle]

I got really excited about that tool and went to Amazon to buy one.

Cheapest one is $200.

[BINGO]

I got really excited about that tool and went to Amazon to buy one.

Cheapest one is $200.

Agreed. Mine was $305 but I use it for work too.
The tips cost around $40-60. Anyone with a welder could easily make the rest out of some cheap pipe/nuts/bolts. Honestly, the thing works great.