http://articles.puzzleandgamegifts.com/rss.xml A blog about puzzleandgamegifts.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.puzzleandgamegifts.com/?a=36013 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>I'm a crossword puzzle junkie, descended from a long line of family members with the same addiction. My parents would spend Sunday mornings, doing ones in various newspapers and my dad bought me my first crossword puzzle book when I was in the first grade.<br /><br />Recently, some buddies and I decided to take a trip to Miami, Florida. Our intentions were to get some sun and hopefully attract the attention of beautiful women lying on the beach. As we boarded the plane, some of my companions had bought their laptops, while others had bought music to listen to. I was armed with a bunch of crossword puzzle books. As we settled into our seats, one of my friends started looking decidedly nervous. I asked him what was wrong and he confessed that he had a fear of flying. Naturally some of our friends suggested drinking heavily. I told him that this was a bad idea, since a nervous attitude can equal a nervous stomach. The last thing he needed to worsen the situation was lots of alcohol. <br /><br />To take his mind off of worrying, I handed him one of my crossword puzzle books. Our buddies sitting across from us laughed at that idea, but I told them that the only reason they were chuckling is because they lacked the vocabulary to do them. I then issued a challenge that I would give $20 to whoever could complete the most crossword puzzles by the time we landed. I also included the requirement that they had to pay for all of my drinks, if I was the winner. Few men can resist a challenge and since I didn't have enough books to hand out, I divided them in half and gave one to each of my friends. <br /><br />We all began working on our crossword puzzles and my friends began asking each other for advice on word choices. I started to protest, but decided that since they were beginners, I would let it slide. By the time we landed, they were still desperately scrawling out their answers. <br /><br />We got out of the plane and went to retrieve our bags. Two of my friends kept working on the puzzles while they were walking. I had completed my half and used the time to take in the surroundings and admire the ladies who had dressed for warm weather. I was asked to extend the contest to the end of the trip to the hotel. I agreed and we piled into the shuttle. They kept working while I took in the palm trees and colorful buildings. When we reached the hotel, I was surprised at how many puzzles they had completed. Still, I was the winner and would now be able to spend my money on souvenirs instead of the drinks they were forced to pay for.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as puzzle gifts at <a href="http://www.puzzleandgamegifts.com/">http://www.puzzleandgamegifts.com</a></p> 2006-10-06T22:42-04:00 http://articles.puzzleandgamegifts.com/?a=36012 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>When we were children, me, my brother and sister would sit in the family room and do jigsaw puzzles. I don't want to say exactly how old I am, (my mainly salt and little pepper beard gives a good indication), but back then there was no such thing as cable television. There were only 4 channels that were hard to get, even though you tried positioning the antenna a thousand different ways. You had to be able to make your own entertainment and our family's favorite was jigsaw puzzles. <br /><br />My brother and I would make a contest of it, while my sister would calmly find the pieces and fit them into the puzzle. She always completed more of the puzzle than we did, but that didn't stop us from proclaiming that we had done the most to complete the puzzle.<br /><br />Now, instead of buying puzzles at the store, I put them together online. I have to tell you, of all the advanced technology out there, the ones that have been put into puzzle games amaze me the most. These are interactive puzzles that allow you to drag the pieces around the screen to form it. It may sound boring, but nothing could be farther from the truth. <br /><br />My favorite game site, Big Fish Games, has puzzles that come to life as they take shape. There's one particular game that uses the ocean as a background. You start putting the puzzle together and as the fish shapes are completed, they take on life and begin moving about the screen. Way too cool, as my son would say. Somehow, they've managed to give the puzzles a 3D effect, which makes them even more beautiful when they are completed. The details are so fine, that you feel like you are actually in the room shown in the puzzle.<br /><br />Another of my favorite puzzles blends objects into the picture and you have to find them all in a certain amount of time. Some of the objects are easy to locate, but others are so well hidden, it's hard to locate them. You can get hints to their location and I am always shocked that I didn't see them earlier, since they appear to have been &quot;hidden&quot; in plain view. These games are excellent to sharpen your observation skills and provide exercise for your mind. Body fitness is given tons of attention, but little is given to how to keep your mind in shape. Puzzle games are a great way to do this and provide a lot of entertainment at the same time.<br /><br />If you really want to get on a mental treadmill, try the games that make you find the differences in pictures. It might seem easy, but it isn't. This weekend my sister is coming for dinner and I'm going to introduce her to these games. Finally, after all of these years, I think I may actually best her at a puzzle.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as puzzle gifts at <a href="http://www.puzzleandgamegifts.com/">http://www.puzzleandgamegifts.com</a></p> 2006-10-06T22:39-04:00