Review: Something to Crow About

[Erik]

Puzzle	Something to Crow About
Artist	Dee Rogers
Type	Teaser
Catalog Picture

This 3-sword teaser by Dee Rogers from 2002 features a wonderful mix of outstanding artwork well connected to the cutting style. The central theme is a crowing rooster surrounded by the rising sun.

Dee's use of vivid colors brings the theme to life. In my recent eight-teaser-puzzles-in-eight-hours marathon, from an artwork perspective this one really hit it off with me more than the others. Further, the rooster juxtaposed against the rising sun is gorgeous and presents ample puzzling challenges.

At 80 pieces, and with a somewhat easy to put together central rooster, the three-sword rating feels about right. That said, this puzzle hits a personal annoyance:

(Spoiler explanation is upside down and white-on-white note this uses unicode upside down characters courtesy, http://swizzy.frih.net/tools/49/flip)

sʞɔolɹǝʇuı ʎʇdɯǝ ǝɹɐ ǝɹǝɥʇ

Now to be clear, I do think that that annoyance should be fair game, my annoyance is that I want clear warning of it.

Given the bird theme and some high-level piece shape similarities might remind you of Dee Roger's 2008 puzzle, "Pheasantly Pleasing" (Rev). I preferred this one to Pheasantly Pleasing for what it's worth and think the two are different enough that even if you have one the other should be a welcome addition to the collection.

Anyhow, this is a great puzzle and probably a less noticed teaser puzzle which pleasantly does not fit the frame-teaser pieces mold and should be a fun challenge.

[Erik]

"Treasure Trove" is on my list despite having done but not owned, but aside, I've not bought yet partially since swapping is a waty to experience more

[David Minton]

Your review tempted me this get this one off the shelf again. I'd forgotten what a great little challenge it is! You're right, the rooster goes together very quickly, thanks largely to the different colours. However, the first yellow pieces were very slow going indeed. Things picked up nicely as I sped towards the finish, once the shape became clearer and the pieces left over became fewer. The lack of frame really does make a difference. Thanks for reminding me of this little gem!

Bryan, I hope you've managed to access my photo gallery. You'll find a finished pic of S2CA there. Spoilers aplenty of course for those of you who haven't puzzled this one.

Erik, just wondering, having puzzled quite a few puzzles belonging to others, have you ever ended up loving a particular puzzle so much you've gone and bought your own, even though it would no longer be a fresh challenge to you if you see what I mean? I assume you'd rather spend your hard earned on puzzles you haven't worked before. Just wondered if any had impressed you so much you just HAD to have your own version.

[Erik]

Bryan that would be awesome

[Bryan]

Really? I read your spoiler and I'm going to have to pull this one out of the closet tonight and do it again as I honestly don't remember that problem. Hmmm we should compare completed pics on this one as well Erik. Bringing the laptop home this weekend finally so I can upload a lot of completed puzzle reviews as well as pictures you and David requested!

[Erik]

Dave: Yes, S2CA is very reminiscent of When Nature Calls in many respects. My spoiler is there are open interlocks. Need to fix the tags/keywords.

[David Minton]

Great review Erik! This one kind of reminded me of When Nature Calls. The two have quite different artwork styles (I slightly prefer what I would call the more "polished" art style of S2CA), but the rising sun pieces reminded me of the sun and cloud pieces in WNC. Truth be told, I like both of those Dee Rogers puzzles. S2CA is a great little puzzle, not my favourate, but certainly a nice one to have in the collection, and one I come back to every now and then. As you pointed out, the bold colours and lack of frame helps it to stand out.

Unfortunately I'm PC-less for a few days, and surfing on my phone, so cannot see your spoiler. Can't for the life of me think what it could be. And, is it just me, or are the tags/keywords slightly puzzled?

Thanks as ever Erik - David

[Erik]

I'm generally open to puzzle swap-loans-returns.

[Nate]

Well, maybe I could be convinced to lend it to you...

[Erik]

Nate: haven't done, and you are correctly understanding my spoiler, however, I don't have a philosophical problem w/ it IF it is clear that it will happen. Hoping to get to Pull my Strings one of these days.

[Nate]

Erik, have you had a chance to do Pull My Strings? (I didn't see it on your list.) If not, that should be annoyance hell for you, if I am understanding your spoiler explanation correctly.