Going Loco Over Sudoku

June 26, 2007

My name is Zeng Lebron and I'm an addict. I've been sober for the last 9 hours, 15 minutes and 43 seconds. Only because I've just woken up from a full 9-hour sleep. But I don't know how much longer I could stay clean. My right hand is aching for the pencil. My left hand is reaching out for the eraser. And my feet, as if they have a mind of their own are dragging me to the shelf where I hide my Sudoku stash. My eyes! What's wrong with my eyes? All I could see are 9 by 9 grids! I must not panic. I can get through this. Now, take a deep breath, Zeng. Close your eyes. There. Inhale. Exhale. You're doing all right. Inhale. Exhale. Now count from 1 to 10 then open your eyes and everything will be ok. 1..., 2...., 3..., 4..., 5..., 6..., 7..., 8..., 9...., 9..., 9.... Why can't I get past 9?! What number comes after 9? I can't remember! I must put a stop to this! But I can't...I'm too weak...I gotta have my Sudoku fix or I will go crazy!

Just like any addict, I crave only the purest, the most unique, diabolic Sudoku that will give me the most exhilirating Sudoku high. Ah...nirvana. Personally though I prefer the original classic Sudoku over the many variants that have been cropping up: 3d-sudoku, monster sudoku, a 16 by 16 sudoku, etc. And I take my Sudoku the old-fashioned way: with a pencil and an eraser - my Sudoku paraphernalia. So I don't go much for the online, pc, pocket pc and nintendo version of the game. My pencil is my tooter. But when a Sudoku itch needs to be scratched right away, any Sudoku puzzle will do. Addicts can't be too choosy all the time.

My life has been this way for more than a year now. My day starts and ends with a Sudoku puzzle. To say that my life now revolves around solving Sudoku puzzles is not an exagerration. Since adolescence, my ultimate dream has always been to get locked up in a U.S. prison cell all by myself so I could read all the books I wanted to read in peace. That's until I picked up my very first Sudoku puzzle from a magazine stand. Although my ultimate dream is still to get locked up in a prison cell much like Paris Hilton's, it is not to read books but to solve Sudoku puzzles in peace. I leave you now with a Sudoku puzzle I came across with while surfing the net last night. I have already solved it. Too bad the solution is not unique. I was a bit disappointed. Oh well, addicts can't be choosers.