The FOFC Enigma Puzzle #4

[enigma]

Dear FOFC,

The last few puzzles have been hard work, so I decided to take the afternoon off. Let me tell you how my day went.

Wanted to listen to a David Clayton-Thomas CD, but I only had time to read the label, which was six parts long. Then I decided to buy an old Nina Blackwood album instead.

I called my secretary and had her send over copies of some papers I needed, but she forgot to unfasten them and broke the machine. I ended up at the zoo, where my guide was this big burly Scotsman who wouldn't shut up about how great his son was. You'd think he was King or something, but I suspect he just married well. Anyway, we saw some of the exhibits. Most were fine, but the big cat pen was empty. "Shoulda been here earlier in the mornin'," my guide said. I could just barely see movement at the back, behind some trees.

As we walked, I got to know my guide. His name was Steve, and he asked if I knew where cyclones come from. Up ahead, Steve pointed out this guy hanging around a bunch of women. "Name's Christopher," said my kilted friend. "He's a real Don Juan...yeah, he's living the life." Anyway, after the trip, I came home and turned on the TV and watched a little Sesame Street. I loved that TV show - I don't know who my favorite character was, either Bert or...

...but I digress. You people must think me an awful bore. Besides, I understand that I need to come up with some sort of rhyme game to titillate you. Very well.

I actually spent my day somewhere other than the zoo. I can tell you this:

Nixon wasn't there,
Hoover wasn't invited;
Dishonest Abe's wife was,
Musically delighted.

To guess my password, tell me where I spent my day.

Sincerely,
The Enigma

[Pumpy Tudors]

People are coming up with these things way too quickly. Something's up.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

People are coming up with these things way too quickly. Something's up.

And thus, we have an Enigma #5.

[Maple Leafs]

Does that mean this has been solved?

[QuikSand]

Bump, with same question as Maple Leafs. I don't want to invest time and effort if it's already over...

[enigma]

It appears as though if Enigma #4 HAS been solved, the winner has not chosen to update the password, since the password is still #4's answer.

I suspect that Buccaneer's "Enigma #5" referred to Pumpy Tudors's comment that he thought some shenanigans might be going on because Enigma #3 was up for only a few hours and that after I solved it (by immediately recognizing that Delta-V meant 'acceleration'), I got Enigma #4 up in about 30 minutes, to which I'd like to say a) I'd actually begun thinking about it during Enigma #1, and b) I didn't polish it as much as it could be polished. There are two ways to solve the puzzle, and getting one clue will probably break open the others in a matter of minutes.

I'll let it go if someone wishes to take a crack at it, but if nobody's interested in this particular puzzle, I can get a replacement going soon.

The Enigma

[Maple Leafs]

I'm interested, I just assumed it has been solved when people started talking about #5.

[QuikSand]

Well, I'll contribute - for what it's worth. David Clayton Thomas was lead singer for Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and I'm figuring the first reference is to their album with a six-word title, "Child is Father to the Man."

From this, there are a number of possible near-connections, including William Wordsworth, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and the Beach Boys.

Do with that what you will...


edit - seems that album predates the appearance of DC-T with the band, so this might just be a big red herring after all.

[SplitPersonality1]

FWIW. I came up with the same info as Quik. The only thing I have to add in that Nina Blackwood was one of the original VJs on MTV, but as far as I can tell, she has never recorded an album.

The "Steve" could be Steve Morse from the band Kansas (he did ask about cyclones) but I am not sure how that fits in.

[henry296]

could the six parts be 6 syllables.

[Maple Leafs]

Thomas also had an album called "You've Made Me So Very Happy".

"Bert and ..." would seem to lead to Ernie.

Cyclones usually start over tropical seas.

[QuikSand]

Nina Blackwood does a radio show focusing on (surprise) 80s music -- that could be the clue there.

Man, I have very little from all this... haven't spent a lot of time, but I've read it though four or five times, and I get no bells going off anywhere.

[QuikSand]

Most were fine, but the big cat pen was empty. "Shoulda been here earlier in the mornin'," my guide said. I could just barely see movement at the back, behind some trees.

This segment seems very deliberate... like it's trying to suggest a particular phrase. Most riddles/puzzles use synonyms a lot... so I'm thinking that we're talking about:

lion?
tiger?
panther? cheetah? puma?
hidden? concealed?
forest? jungle?

I can't see how Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon could be relevant here, but it came to my mind and if it turns out to be useful, maybe someone can run with it.

[Shkspr]

Well, it looks like the final answer will be a place of some sort - a city, monument, or location of some sort, either named or general.

If I had to guess, the comment enigma made in #6 means that there are two "parts" to the puzzle. The letter is one part, with different lines making up different clues. The short verse at the bottom is completely different, which I'd guess means it's a different style of puzzle.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

lion?
tiger?
panther? cheetah? puma?

It seems to be hinting at a type of cat that only comes out in the morning. Anyone know enough to about animals to say if that fits?

(Probably a stretch here, but this question refers to big cats and the next one refers to the source of cyclones, which often come from the Bay of Bengal.)

[Buzzbee]

Originally Posted by enigma

...but I digress. You people must think me an awful bore. Besides, I understand that I need to come up with some sort of rhyme game to titillate you. Very well.

I actually spent my day somewhere other than the zoo. I can tell you this:

Nixon wasn't there,
Hoover wasn't invited;
Dishonest Abe's wife was,
Musically delighted.
To guess my password, tell me where I spent my day.

Sincerely,
The Enigma

Nixon wasn't there. Why? Because he was impeached? Hoover not invited. Another politcal reference, although could it be referring to Hoover as president, or as head of the FBI? Dishonest Abe. Is that a slight on Lincoln? Or is there a different Abe who was dishonest? Also, could these actually be non-political figures who just happen to share President's last names? A wife being musically delighted made me think of a concert or some event where there is music. Inauguration came to mind, but Nixon and Hoover would have been there for that.

Just some random thoughts hoping to stir the creative juices.

[Buccaneer]

Sorry to have been cryptic in my initial response. All I meant was that Pumpy thought something was up, thus an enigma.

[enigma]

I don't know if the puzzle I gave is too tough,
Or if my puzzle-making skills are just too rough.
Or just maybe nobody gives a crap
Of finding a way out of this trap.
But I shall see if I have a prayer
Of giving out hints in a way that's fair.
The first clue's the hardest, so I wouldn't pin
my hopes on guessing it 'till you win.
From nine to one the answers you score
get steadily easier - try clue number four.
I'll number them now, so that you can see
Which answers you think you can fit to a tee.
Decipher the clues, then find the links,
And you'll finally get the answer, methinks.


In the bottom stanza of my puzzle, you'll find a rhyme,
That solved directly, will save some time.
But if it will help solve the query much faster
Some hack called this Hoover a puppet master.
Lincoln was mentioned, though not the one you know,
Despite his marriage, he's been a one man show.
Instead of a melody, piercing the night,
Imagine a mother, in black and in white.

I don't want to be the one to let this thread go flat
So Thursday night, the password will become 'cat'.

Originally Posted by enigma

1. Wanted to listen to a David Clayton-Thomas CD, but I only had time to read the label, which was six parts long.

2. Then I decided to buy an old Nina Blackwood album instead.

3. I called my secretary and had her send over copies of some papers I needed, but she forgot to unfasten them and broke the machine.

4. I ended up at the zoo, where my guide was this big burly Scotsman who wouldn't shut up about how great his son was. You'd think he was King or something, but I suspect he just married well.

5. Anyway, we saw some of the exhibits. Most were fine, but the big cat pen was empty. "Shoulda been here earlier in the mornin'," my guide said. I could just barely see movement at the back, behind some trees.

6. [...] His name was Steve, and he asked if I knew where cyclones come from.

7. Up ahead, Steve pointed out this guy hanging around a bunch of women. "Name's Christopher," said my kilted friend. "He's a real Don Juan...

8. yeah, he's living the life."

9. Anyway, after the trip, I came home and turned on the TV and watched a little Sesame Street. I loved that TV show - I don't know who my favorite character was, either Bert or...

[Franklinnoble]

I dunno who owns the enigma account right now, but I have a feeling he read a lot of Dr. Seuss as a kid..

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by enigma

Lincoln was mentioned, though not the one you know

The initial clue referred to "Abe." This refers to Linclon, but not the one we know . . .

No clue.

[Sun Tzu]

I knew a guy in High School named Ernie. Ernie Federson.

[Buzzbee]

Originally Posted by enigma

I don't know if the puzzle I gave is too tough,
Or if my puzzle-making skills are just too rough.
Or just maybe nobody gives a crap
Of finding a way out of this trap.
But I shall see if I have a prayer
Of giving out hints in a way that's fair. (fairway)
The first clue's the hardest, so I wouldn't pin
my hopes on guessing it 'till you win.
From nine to one the answers you score
get steadily easier - try clue number four. (fore)
I'll number them now, so that you can see
Which answers you think you can fit to a tee.
Decipher the clues, then find the links,
And you'll finally get the answer, methinks.


In the bottom stanza of my puzzle, you'll find a rhyme,
That solved directly, will save some time.
But if it will help solve the query much faster
Some hack called this Hoover a puppet master.
Lincoln was mentioned, though not the one you know,
Despite his marriage, he's been a one man show.
Instead of a melody, piercing the night,
Imagine a mother, in black and in white.

I don't want to be the one to let this thread go flat
So Thursday night, the password will become 'cat'.

Seems like there are too many golf references to be a coincidence.

Also:

#2 - Nina Blackwood - VJ --> Vijay Singh

#3 - Fax machine? - Brad Faxson?

#5 - big cat - Tiger. behind some trees - Woods

#7 - Christopher - Don Juan - Wasn't it Don Juan Demarco - Chris DiMarco was in the playoff at the PGA Championship.

#9 - Bert and... - Could it be Ernie Els?

Also:

Imagine a mother, in black and in white - Whistler's mother? The PGA Championship was played at Whistling Straits.


I've tried passwords such as whistlingstraits,whistler,WhistlingStraits,VijaySingh,vijaysing to no avail. Perhaps this will serve as a light bulb for others and help us solve the puzzle.

[QuikSand]

Good stuff, Buzzbee... that's got to be the right lead.

[Franklinnoble]

Well, I tried wisconsin, kohler, pgatour, golfing, etc... no luck...

[bhlloy]

#4 - Big burly Scotsman being Colin Montgomerie maybe?

Maybe a tournament all these players have won?

EDIT - very tenous but #7 "living the life" made me think of Livin La Vida Loca, which gives us Ricky Martin. Could the golf player be Casey Martin?

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Buzzbee

Seems like there are too many golf references to be a coincidence.

Also:

#2 - Nina Blackwood - VJ --> Vijay Singh

#3 - Fax machine? - Brad Faxson?

#5 - big cat - Tiger. behind some trees - Woods

#7 - Christopher - Don Juan - Wasn't it Don Juan Demarco - Chris DiMarco was in the playoff at the PGA Championship.

#9 - Bert and... - Could it be Ernie Els?

Also:

Imagine a mother, in black and in white - Whistler's mother? The PGA Championship was played at Whistling Straits.


I've tried passwords such as whistlingstraits,whistler,WhistlingStraits,VijaySingh,vijaysing to no avail. Perhaps this will serve as a light bulb for others and help us solve the puzzle.

Guide named Steve...Tiger's caddie is named Steve Williams.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by enigma

6. [...] His name was Steve, and he asked if I knew where cyclones come from.

Steven Ames - tied for 9th at the PGA

cyclones...Iowa State is in Ames, IA...

[QuikSand]

"...living the life" might refer to the name Riley or Reilly ... is there a pro golfer with such a name?

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

lion?
tiger?
panther? cheetah? puma?
hidden? concealed?
forest? jungle?

I can't believe I put the above together, and never stumbled onto Tiger Woods.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

"...living the life" might refer to the name Riley or Reilly ... is there a pro golfer with such a name?

Chris Riley - tied for 4th at the PGA

[Franklinnoble]

I'm wondering if SkyDog is getting an alert for repeat failed logins for username: enigma.

[VPI97]

What I have:

1. Wanted to listen to a David Clayton-Thomas CD, but I only had time to read the label, which was six parts long.
2. Vijay Singh
3. Brad Faxon
4. Colin Montgomerie
5. Tiger Woods
6. Stephen Ames
7. Chris DiMarco
8. Chris Riley
9. Ernie Els

[Danny]

That guy deleted his message about all these guys being the winner of the same golf tournament

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by EagleEye11

That guy deleted his message about all these guys being the winner of the same golf tournament

Yup, he did.

He was insisting that it was Steve Elkington, not Ames... makes me think he had a red herring.

I'm thinking this is just something that is already "solved" but just hasn't been tried yet...

[bhlloy]

I think you are probably right and I am reaching on this one.

The connection I was making was that every player on that list appears to have placed in the top 3 at either the Buick open, the Buick challenge or the Buick invitational.

DiMarco has won the challenge (and hasn't done much else in his career), Montgomery tied for second the year Vijay won, Chris Riley tied for second this year (and has done very little else), Brad Faxon won in 99, Ernie has won the classic twice, Tiger of course has won a couple

But if it is Stephen Ames then the theory falls down. His top placing appears to be tied 45th. Elkington has won the challenge and would fit in with my theory.

Big reach I know, just trying to put some thoughts out there

EDIT - I have no idea how PGA golf tournaments work so if I am being dumb apologies

[Franklinnoble]

I think Mr. Enigma needs to throw us a frickin' bone here.

[Danny]

David Clayton-Thomas = Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas = Wendy Carlos http://www.wendycarlos.com/
Wendy Carlos = Carlos Ponce
Carlos Ponce = Sidney Ponson
Sidney Ponson = Sydney Australia
Sydney Australia = 2003 Australian PGA championship
2003 Australian PGA championship = tournament winner Peter Senior

[digamma]

Originally Posted by enigma

Wanted to listen to a David Clayton-Thomas CD, but I only had time to read the label, which was six parts long.

This could be Rich Beem. There was a book about him called Bud, Sweat and Tees, which sort of relates to Quik's reference above to Blood, Sweat and Tears.

Beem is, of course, a former PGA champion.

[digamma]

Moving to the final stanza:

Richard Hack wrote a book called "Puppet Master: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover."

Thank you Google.

[Buzzbee]

Why do I feel like the answer is biting me on the ass, but I'm too busy scratching my head to know it? Maybe I should scratch my ass instead.

[Buzzbee]

Originally Posted by digamma

Moving to the final stanza:

Richard Hack wrote a book called "Puppet Master: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover."

Thank you Google.

Yeah, but where does that get us, other than confirming that Hoover is J. Edgar, and not a vacuum cleaner?

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Buzzbee

Yeah, but where does that get us, other than confirming that Hoover is J. Edgar, and not a vacuum cleaner?

I'm not sure it gets us anywhere, other than to give us one of the pieces of the final stanza, the solving of which will "save some time."

[Raven Hawk]

I give up, but I'll tell everybody what I got so far:

All the Golfers are pointing us to the upcoming event on the PGA Tour: The Tahoe-Reno Open.

Cross that with Dishonest Abe's wife and you get: Janet Reno

Hoover = Republican - Not invited (Hoover Nat'l Inivitational a golf event)
Nixon = Republican - Not there (He's a republican, but there is a Nixon, NV if that has anything to do with anything)

Therefore . . .

Where would Republicans not go/be invited to and Janet Reno would?

A Democrat Event.

I remember seeing footage of Janet Reno getting the boogey out on the dance floor at the DNC.

I contest that the answer is the Democratic National Convention, however, I could not log in with the following:

democraticnationalconvention
democratnationalconvention
democratconvention
democraticconvention
boston
dnc

Therefore ignore everything I said, because I must be wrong. I just thought I'd throw out some food for thought.

Perhaps somebody else already figured it out and didn't notify us. Most likely, I'm wrong.

[Buzzbee]

Ryder Cup? DiMarco and Riley are recent additions due to their recent play, I believe. Not sure about Ames or Faxson, but I believe the others have participated.

Although the Whistler's Mother aspect leads me to believe it is related to this past weekends Championship.

[Buzzbee]

Tried Wisconsin, wisconsin, Kohler, and kohler. No dice.

[Maple Leafs]

Not that it helps us any, but...

Originally Posted by enigma

"Shoulda been here earlier in the mornin'," my guide said. I could just barely see movement at the back, behind some trees.

Now that we know this refers to Tiger, doesn't the above read like a really clever dig at the way Woods has been playing lately?

[VPI97]

Bah

[korme]

very good puzzle, the creator of this should get many riches

[enigma]

It is solved now. More fun if we knew who was creating these puzzles. Maybe we could create a separate item with a list of enigmae?

I'm deferring to the person whose work led me straight to the solution. No fair jumping in like that. So he'll be along shortly with a new puzzle. And maybe I'll get the next one legitimately.

[QuikSand]

I'd be interested in a full explanation... there are still gaps in what seemed iike a partial solution.