Puzzle #33- Bonus Round!

January 24, 2019 Brian Gondek 1

This week, I’m introducing bonus elements to puzzles!  Every once in a while, I’ll add a little bit extra to a riddle, either connecting the riddle to some kind of outside reference or extra layer of challenge.  It may be fair, it may be unfair- it’s a complete grab bag!  The bonus might literally be unsolvable without advanced knowledge of Morse Code and classical literature…  Or it may be kind of easy.  Either way, it doesn’t hurt to guess.

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January Project Update – Final Design

January 24, 2019 Brian Gondek 0

I’ve been somewhat quiet lately despite not traveling all that much in early 2019.  I’m still feeling good about the twelve projects in twelve months goal for this year, and I’m more than excited ever about my January project.  The final delivery might be a bit later than Jan 31, but I can kick off the February project while waiting for the finished items. Christina and I have finalized our design for the January item, and while I want to keep it a little bit of a secret, I’m also eager to tell everyone.  The January product will be my […]

Puzzle #32: A Simple Trick

January 20, 2019 Brian Gondek 0

Ten days left in January, and there’s still a lot of work to do to get the first product of the year out the door.  Given the time constraints for starting mid January, my hope is to at least have the order submitted for production by January 31st.  In the meantime, here’s a new puzzle!

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2019 Goal: The Twelve Labors

January 17, 2019 Brian Gondek 0

The first few weeks of 2019 have been rough.  I’ve been focused nearly around the clock on a project for work, and any free time I’ve had has quickly been scooped up by other responsibilities.  I haven’t traveled anywhere since the trip to St. Joseph, Michigan (over a month ago), and it’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a local escape room.  I’ve been getting stir crazy.

Puzzle #31: Outside Knowledge

January 10, 2019 Brian Gondek 2

It’s always tough to determine how much outside knowledge is fair for a puzzle.  Is it fair game to have a puzzle that connects to a calendar?  Roman numerals?  Pi?

Puzzle #30: Busy Times

January 3, 2019 Brian Gondek 0

I have to open off with a serious congratulations to Scott S., who solve last week’s puzzle almost immediately after I posted it.  I was afraid the puzzle might be a little unfair, but Scott didn’t seem to mind!  With a recent holiday in the books, today’s puzzle is holiday themed.

Tigard, OR: Stumptown Escape Games – Oregon Files and Seance

December 30, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

June 9, 2018 – Tigard, Oregon was the last stop on a trip that started in Anchorage, Alaska.  This was easily the longest trip I took in 2018 (the only one more than a week), but it was also a candidate for most memorable.  Stumptown Escape Games was a fitting endcap for the trip, leaving me with some great memories and a wish to return to try the other rooms.

Puzzle #29: Numeric Crux

December 29, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

A lot of my recent numeric puzzles have been tied to outside relationships of things typically associated with numbers.  Today I wanted to go back to having one that dealt purely with numbers & mathematics.  This time, if you hate mathematics, you should probably steer clear!

Tacoma, WA: Freighthouse Station Escape – HH Holmes

December 26, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

June 8, 2018 – The Celebrity Millennium dumped my family and me off in Vancouver, and after a hike across Vancouver and an eventful Greyhound bus ride (a story for another time, titled “Poodunit”), I arrived in Seattle.  My plan was to grab a rental car in Seattle and catch an escape room south of the city, and Tacoma seemed like a great candidate.