Book Review: 101 Puzzle Quizes

This book is very frustrating. Not because the puzzles are too easy or too difficult, but because many of the puzzles have multiple correct answers and only the author's intended answer is accepted. This shows a lack of attention to detail, or at least a lack of imagination.

For example: Puzzle number 25 shows three unfolded shapes made up of attached triangles and asks which does not belong. There are four correct answers.

Shape A is the only one where the triangles laid flat form a larger triangle.

Shape A is also the only one where one triangle is completely surrounded by other triangles.

Shape B is the only parallelogram.

Shape C, when folded, does not form a solid object. (the "correct" answer)

This lack of a singular correct answer is a shame because the book contains a nice variety of difficulty and puzzle types.

100 Words - Nuns and Lizards

Will I ever live up to the poetry of nuns and their dead lizards? Will Sears ever send me the back-ordered instruction manual for the lathe of my imagination? Did my fictional character really kill a woman in the real world in 1987? Will I always envy the mentally disfigured for their VIP status in the barroom of the doomed? The drunk I never became giving me the finger from behind iron bars. Charlie B. spits on my shoes and threatens to kill me but he is old and feeble and can not harm me. The fourth enemy wins again.

100 words - Blood

I feel it slipping away, becoming aware too late. Past the point of correctability. The numbers fall. Double digits when triple are required. The brain slows. The lightness invades the shoulders. The neck bobs. The sweat comes. Oh God, I'm sweating. I know what's happening. I know how to fix it, but some morbid need stops me. First I have to see just how close I am to falling over the edge. How many points above coma am I? Has the bungee cord snapped? Can I climb back out of the hole my body has dug? The failure of blood.

Book Review: Buddha in Blue Jeans

I love this book. I don't know if it will really help me to make meditation part of my life, but I feel like it will. It is short. It is simple. Both of the those can be both good and bad. I tend to be a bulk snob when it comes to information. The more information, and the more complex that information is, the more likely I am to trust in that information as truthful and useful. I have to throw those out for Buddha in Blue Jeans. My first reaction that it couldn't be this simple has been dissuaded by some rather successful meditation sessions. Of course I've had many more attempts than successes. I'm so used to trying to analyze and understand every thought that it's hard to trust and let go. But I'm trying, and every time I reread the book I get some new insight or trick to try.

Having said all that, I should state that if you are looking for a self-help book with lots of helpful hints and guidance, you may be disappointed. It leaves a lot up to the reader, which is the point, but still, some of us like being led by the leash into new experiences.

Bike Project Updates

Here's what I've been up to:

ebaby - Tried the Easton wheels but I don't think the low spoke count is compatible with a rider that weighs ten times what the bike weighs. The new rear gears make peddling easier but I need to adjust the limit screws on the rear derailleur to get access to all the gears.

MiniB - still trying to get the rear rim trued. I may have to break down and buy a truing stand. The sledgehammer just isn't accurate enough.

Glam Puss - I found a seat post that fits. I also finally gave in and admitted that the crunchy tires needed replacing. I'm watching some auctions on eBay for some new rubber.

Rocky - All that's left to get is a rear wheel/tube/tire and cassette. I've started assembling what I have. A rat bike all the way. What could be cooler than a Brooks saddle held together with duct tape?

Rolling Thunder - I finally found some brake pads cheap enough to suit my penny pinching. It should be ready for Craigslist in a week or so.

Parts - I found a pair of 700c bike rims on the street a couple nights ago. One is totally mangled and crunched beyond usability, but the other is a Mavic MA3 in great condition. It looks like someone used bolt cutters to remove the hub so it has 32 stubby spoke ends held on by the rim tape alone. Fortunately I have a set of black DT spokes and a brand new in box Shimano hub. My first from scratch wheel. Oh boy!