Coming Soon

[Schipperke]

I think I know it now. I'm pretty sure.

Do you?  I hope your confidence is not misplaced, Corey.  It would be nice if at least one person gets the answer!  And isn't just guessing but actually figuring out the clues.  Because the clues are really quite logical and I'm sure when you get the explanation you'll realize that, as I've been saying, the answer was there in front of you all along.

This is, of course, your second clue.  I've been thinking about this and discussing with Pam and Samoht, and I think what I'm going to do is give you the answer to the clues before I go to bed tonight.  The actual event won't arrive until Friday, of course, but by the end of today I think you'll have had enough suspense and time to formulate your deductions/guesses about what's coming. 

Schip, you are a little devil.  I'm sure.

And now, I'll leave you with this emoticon, testimony to my devilish nature - .

[Beezy]

I see the clue! Oh my, I think I know what it is! But not saying anything. 

[Esther1981]

It's still as clear as mud to me. I can't spot the first OR second clue! What's wrong with me?? 

[bubbles]

I think I have a feeling what's going on. I'll continue to decipher, but knowing me, I'll be one hundred miles away form the true answer. I'll put the date on a big post-it note tonight!

[amyrose]

I really can't see anything at all, not even the second clue. But I have a sinking feeling that when this mystery is revealed I will be saying 'Duh! Of course! How could I be so dense?'

[Trip]

The first clue got me thinking, but the second one isn't apparent to me. The wait isn't too long now, though.

[bubbles]

After re-reading all the clues, I'm pretty sure I have solved the case. I won't say anymore, just in case I spoil it. In my head the clues all point the same way.

[Niana]

Yup, this is all TOTALLY going over my head, too... I'm just going to wait for the reveal and the *doh moment. *Taps foot impatiently*

[EllaTheTaco]

Where are the clues?

I can't wait until tomorrow! I'm waking up extra early to see what it is

[Schipperke]

Samoht designed this and by rights, he should be posting it.  But it's late where he lives so I'm glad to be able to present the second banner.  The background is becoming lighter, lighter, to reveal - what is it revealing? 

[Seabody]

It's Friday in NZ, can I know now?

I've got a vague idea of what the clues could point to, but it's not quite making sense to me yet.

[JessieJJJ]

It looks like a pillow fight?

[Esther1981]

It looks like fuzzy, hmm. Fuzzy yeah! That's it! Hehe I have no clue?

[Schipperke]

It's Friday in NZ, can I know now?

Well, since you ask so nicely - yes.   

First, I'd like to tell you why Raia's post was so important: 

Darn you for being so amusingly cryptic. 

What's important about that post is that, knowingly or not, Raia identified the type of clues I was using.  Cryptic crossword puzzles use a variety of clues.  One type of clue, the type used here, has the answer hidden or embedded in other words.  Remember me saying the answer was right there in front of you?  I meant that quite literally. 

The first clue said,

I'm really quite disappointed that nobody wants to do my laundry as I have a lot of dirty towels, sheets and pillowcases. 

  There were a few red herrings there, but the important part - the clue - was in the word "pillowcases"

Then the second clue said,

And now, I'll leave you with this emoticon, testimony to my devilish nature - .

The clue there was in the words "emoticon, testimony"

Put those two clues together and you will see that the answer is "CAS Contest."  Yes, that's right - tomorrow the forum's brand-new Create-a-Sim Contest will be unveiled!  We're very excited about it, and I hope you will be too.  We've never had a CAS contest before and it's been a lot of fun getting the first one ready for you.  It'll be posted tomorrow morning (my time).

And now you can finally see the wonderful banner Samoht made for the contests:

[Esther1981]

What exactly is a CAS contest? I know CAS is Create-A-Sim, so I guess I'm wondering how can someone judge CAS? Hm guess I'll wait til tomorrow to find out!