Nine letter word for brain teaser

During my last stint living at home, my parents did paper routes and routinely had several extra copies of the newspaper laying around. So, we'd each take a copy and work on the day's crossword puzzle. Mondays and Tuesdays, we could usually do individually, but by Thursday, it definitely became more of a cooperative effort. But it was always fun, and a shared experience that we bonded over. 

So you can imagine that it was a bit nostalgic when I wandered through the break room at work one day to find some staff members working on the day's crossword puzzle. I told my little tale of crossword togetherness, maybe helped with a phrase or two, and went on my way. But my little contributions here and there were enough to get an invite to the club. 

I now have copies of the crosswords on my desk when I arrive, and I know that around 11:00, there will be a crossword puzzle break going on. We brainstorm and swap answers and have that shared moment of crossword culture (it really is a culture. You pick up on trends, and groan at the awful puns in the clues and answers, and protest at bad clues). We each have our area of expertise, and I finally have people who can help me answer all the alcohol questions!* And I've only ever googled a clue once, (for a Friday puzzle) so we are pretty darn smart as a collective. 

I am the young'un of the group, so I'm always pretty pleased when I can hold my own. Not that it is really competitive, but I do like to see that despite my limited experience, I do alright. Mostly, I just enjoy the groupie-ness. It's funny, because we are all fairly different. Different ages, different backgrounds, etc. But there we are: the crossword puzzle crowd. It's the crossword puzzle bond, at it again. 

*I don't drink, so I never know the wine and booze clues. I have to fill them in by getting the other answers.

**Even when I google answers, I never use the cheater websites that say "crossword clue" in them. I always go to the source. So, I don't consider it cheating. I work for my answers. 

The wonders of Iceland

I have decided to become obsessed with Iceland.

I know, I know, most people don't actively choose to become obsessed with things. But better to choose your obsessions and be in control of them than not. Right? (sure, sure).

Anyway, Iceland. I watched this video a while ago, and it starts out with a brief blurb about Iceland. So of course, they are showing footage of Iceland the whole time. And it is GORGEOUS. Seriously, how do people not just flock to Iceland just to stand outside and see how beautiful it is?

I've actually joked about moving to Iceland as my plan B for a while. Originally, my plan B was to be Prime Minister of Italy, because I read somewhere that only a crazy person (I think they actually did use the phrase mentally ill) would want the job. Which, on the bright side meant that 1 in 4 Americans could have been candidates, if the depression statistics are right. (Having dealt with depression, I feel I can say that with impunity). But then Italy found someone to do the job, so I needed a new plan B. I heard that Iceland had a very low crime rate (insanely low) and I've heard that they are all more or less related (albeit distantly) so I figured they could probably use some fresh blood. And that was before I saw how beautiful the place is.

Then I read this book and learned that for the past few years (at least as of 2010), Iceland has been in the top rankings for places to live in terms of peace, safety, and well-being. What is not to love about this place? And, most of them speak English, so I wouldn't even have to worry about communicating. Although, how cool would it be to learn Icelandic? And, I just read somewhere that they don't have mosquitoes. Another site said they don't have a McDonald's. At all. Which is impressive. And kind of awesome. Although apparently they eat fermented shark, so maybe a McDonald's wouldn't be such a bad thing. I don't know. I've never tried any kind of shark, let alone fermented shark.

Mostly, though, how could a bunch of people living on an island of glaciers and volcanoes not be amazing? Statistically, I think it's improbable.*

I'm not saying I'm going to pack my bags and move there, but I have definitely added "Go to Iceland" to my list of things to do in my lifetime. And, if push comes to shove, I think it's a pretty darn awesome Plan B.

*It should be noted here that I never really studied statistics. But, I don't see why I can't make them up like everyone else. Or at least make the field work for me. Isn't that what statistics are for, ha ha?

Hope

The Magic Touch

Tell me you have had this experience (because if you haven't, I may have a problem). You are looking for something, or trying to do something, and you just can't figure it out. So, finally, you go get someone to help you, and they do the EXACT same thing you did, and all of a sudden it works or you find whatever. Problem solved. And you know that you did exactly what they did, but feel kind of silly anyway.

I had an experience just like that yesterday. I woke up and my laptop wouldn't turn on. No lights flashing to signify life, nothing. I remembered that the adapter had come unplugged on the cord, but I had plugged it in, so I didn't double check that, and I remembered seeing that it had been charging when I turned it off, so I didn't think the battery could be low. And I panicked. Buying a new computer is not in the financial cards. Of course, I couldn't get online to check and see if there was anything I could try because my computer wouldn't turn on and, no, I don't have five thousand devices connected to the internet, so I had no way of checking other than going to the library. I couldn't even look up places to call for advice, because we don't have a phone book. And no internet means no googling the yellow pages. (And people think I'm a Luddite for believing in having copies offline. It's just common sense!) Which meant catching a bus. And I needed to do that NOW to have time to get a new computer should it come to that. I considered my options and decided I'd better take care of it ASAP. So, I found a place, (within walking distance of the library, yay!) took it in, and the wonderful repair person said, "Oh, your adapter just wasn't connected all the way." And while I did feel a bit embarrassed, mostly I felt this overwhelming sense of relief. Honestly, I had been so panicked. I could have spent hours trying to figure out that that was the problem, and just for a rational set of eyes and saving myself the stress, it was so worth it to have someone else look at it and tell me I'm an idiot. So much better than hearing someone say, "Your computer is dead. Buy a new one." Give me 'idiot' any day. (More expensive to my pride, easier on my wallet. I'm good with that).

Anyway, it reminds me of the good old days of working for the nametag company. The laser engraver would get misaligned, and I'd do everything I was supposed to, but it wouldn't work. My boss, he'd come over, do exactly the same thing, and ta-da! Worked fine. He had the magic touch. I'd actually go over and say, "I need you to come glare at the engraver and get it working again" because I knew no matter what I did, I'd never get it working again. But, when the scale got off in shipping, I was the one with the magic finger. I would show my co-worker exactly what to do and he would do it, and it wouldn't work. But it always worked for me. The scale just knew not to mess with me. And he was always embarrassed, but I totally understood because of the laser engraver situation. (We should all be worried. Machines that respond to certain people? They are becoming sentient. First step to them taking over the world).

So, to all the people who solve my silly problems and think "You're an idiot!!!", well, you're probably right. But I do have my own brand of intelligent idiocy. And if you ever need a second pair of eyes to help you feel like an idiot, feel free to borrow mine. They are very non-judgmental.