As it happened (from my Journal archives)

February 27, 2002

9:59 pm - I've received some nice comments about the Auction puzzle, thank you. For what it's worth, I expect that about two puzzles a year on eBay will be Creatives, the rest Swirl Curls, Long Rounds or new styles.

Also to answer a question, all of my Whirlies are cut free form using a scroll saw - no templates, no lasers!

5:20 pm - One of my favorite pieces from the Feb eBay puzzle:

The piece suggests two superimposed flow-cut spirals - was not intentional. One of the whirly humps sprouted two "eyes" - one of the rare times second order manifestations has appeared on a puzzle piece.... or maybe third order? This piece is also pictured below, in the Whirlies picture, although one of the "eyes" is not very noticeable.

February 23, 2002

9:43 pm - The Seewald Calendar cuts quite well, I'm happy to say - put in about four hours of cutting. Creative, as usual, is taking longer to cut, and as I don't think I'm even 1/4 done, completion now looks like Monday. I plan to do a lot of cutting tomorrow. Puzzle already has four eggs and some nice whirlies. I'm projecting about 500 pieces for the puzzle.

The only additional information I can provide about the Enigmatic Observer is that apparently the question "Are you going to have any interesting pieces in this puzzle?" had nothing to do with a decision as to whether or not the Observer would show up. That decision is apparently based on whether or not there is anything of interest within the picture of the puzzle. Later when I was looking at the oil decanters on the table (within the puzzle's picture) I thought I sensed someone else looking at them too.

Designed two new figurals - new Star variants - for #231, the February 100 Puzzles Project Puzzle - the 17th of the planned 100. I decided not to design some "food figurals", although the wine bottle and glasses that were requested for the Parisian On the Tower, will make an encore appearance. I asked the Observer is she would show up in this puzzle and he answered with a question - Are you going to have any interesting pieces in this puzzle? I was a bit confused by the change in gender, but decide I better not press my luck by inquiring about it - after all, the Observer sometimes goes by the name of The Mysterious Enigmatic Observer - and although very learned and intelligent, appears to be rather shy or maybe secretive is a better word, not really sure as usual - I guess gender is to be another part of the mystery! I did hear several cats will be showing up.