Memento #9: 20th Century Puzzle Books

February 3, 2025 Brian Gondek 0

As part of a new year’s resolution, I challenged myself and others to spread the love of puzzles with a new generation, and this week, I found a reminder of why this challenge resonates with me so much. These logic problem magazines were a godsend on long car rides in my childhood, and I always love teasing out the solutions from elaborate puzzles like these.

New Year’s Resolution

January 25, 2025 Brian Gondek 0

What was your resolution in 2025? One I’m taking on, and I’d encourage you to consider, too, is to skill up someone else in some way. Friend, family member, total stranger… It’s a tremendously worthwhile challenge to encourage someone else to learn a new skill or approach.

Seven Seasons of Korean Game Shows

December 30, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

I’ve written previously about how much Netflix’s The Devil’s Plan rocked my world. Since watching this phenomenal Korean intellectual game show, I’ve gone on a pilgrimage of watching other cerebral Korean game shows, and I’ve been loving it. The Genius, Crime Scene, Time Hotel… I’ve watched more than seven seasons of content and can’t get enough.

Kissimmee, FL: Doldrick’s Escape – Crazy Train: The Ballad of Skeemin’ Plotz

December 23, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

On my recent trip to Florida, I got to play one of the newest TERPECA finalist escape rooms – Crazy Train: The Ballad of Skeemin’ Plotz at Doldrick’s Escape. The room is remarkable in many ways – the old timey cartoon aesthetic is unique among escape rooms, and the game hits all the right marks with aesthetic and puzzle variety. The most unique thing to me, though, and something that may go unnoticed among many escape room enthusiasts, is the level of craft invested to make an escape room that will delight players of all skill levels.

Florida Again!?!?!

December 12, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

My most recent travel post was from Florida in early November. In early December, I have another Florida trip to report on. Last time, we explored the eastern coast of Florida leading up to a Caribbean cruise. This time around, we flew out early for an event in Orlando. Different circumstances, but one big commonality- the Kennedy Space Center.

Cruising 2024

November 4, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

Cruises are one of my favorite forms of travel for many reasons. The forced disconnect is perhaps the biggest one- to be separated from the world at large for several days, allowing me to save up ideas and return to life as usual with renewed energy and strategy. A close second is how many opportunities for competitive challenges there are on cruise ships.

Out of This World Traveling

October 28, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

I usually recommend traveling without overcommitting to a specific schedule. Taking a trip on a set itinerary / path may feel reassuring up front, but a lot of my best vacation memories are from times we head into a situation with too little of a plan.

The Devil’s Plan- Greatest Gameshow Ever?

October 19, 2024 Brian Gondek 0

I stumbled across The Devil’s Plan on Netflx via the thumbnail depicting someone solving a tangram puzzle. That was enough for me to give it a shot, and boy did it surpass my expectations. The Korean game show has definitively captured my #1 spot in all of reality / game show history.