123. Easy as 1-2-3

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Hello hello! My Broncos had a swift exit from the playoffs, but I actually like the Bills, so I'm okay with that. Hoping for an eventual Bills-Lions Super Bowl to tide me over until spring training - it's just one month away!

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1. Puzzle #121 answer: THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE

Correct entries: 39 - we're vacillating between easy and hard this month!

Shortest explanation: A bit SAD, but you do have to get on my wavelength. Take the initial letter of any entry that has an odd length (either across or down). In standard top-down grid order, the letters spell THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE, with NOT EVEN alluding to ODD (which I am - stay weird, folks!).

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2. In reverse fashion, I thought this one might be challenging, but all of my test solvers grokked it and felt it would be a solid Level 3. Perfect! Thanks to Claudia, Jay, Kay, and Lydia!

Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful!

Mikey G

The answer to the meta is what you might say after finishing.