I am an Addict

It is time I came clean about something to all my loyal readers.

 All three of you.

I am an addict.

Yep, I can't live without my daily fix.

Of Sudoku.

This presents serious problems when one is stranded -- okay, not stranded, but melodrama doesn't cost extra -- in a nation where Sudoku is difficult to come by.

Serious problems. But not insurmountable.

To all thee heroin addicts I can relate. We are a brotherhood of which there is no known cure.

Until now.

The Internet age brings me relief.

I present to you my twelve step program. Okay nine steps, and one hot tip. (Windows users only.)

1. Visit websudoku.com

2. Choose from your desired strength.

3. Activate your favorite screen capture program. I use the free, nifty (and vasectomy-friendly!) Windows Snipping Tool.

3. Using the Snipping tool, highlight the puzzle box.

4. Save to your computer.

5. Use this creative naming convention and save as type .JPG

6. Repeat using sequential numbering until your addiction forces you to curtail the activity. (My initial goal is always 100. Sadly, my addiction typically begs me to stop around the 50 mark.)

7. It's time to print your precious goodies! Right-click on each file and choose Print.

8. In the Print Pictures dialog box that ensues, make sure that the "Fit picture to frame" box is unchecked.

9. Print and repeat.

HOT TIP: Zip to recycle your files for printing again at a later date.

I Love It When I Hear These Three Things

I'm not really sure when it happened.

Last year?

Five years ago?

Maybe it was 1986. (I doubt it though. I was a very late maturer. Ahem. I am.)

Anyway, I can't quite remember.

But this happened.

I began to appreciate and admire when people admitted their failings.

I realized this the other day when I was spending some time with a couple of BECA students here in Nicaragua.

One of them tried very hard to answer a question, and eventually made something up. They thought it better to take a wild stab at it than admit that they really didn't have the foggiest idea.

(His wrong answer almost led us into a lagoon, but that is another story.)

I suggested that sometimes it is better to say "I don't know."

Him and his buddy marvelled at the concept, like it was some kind of Einsteinian revelation.

The funny thing is that I'm positive I used to think that way too. And, like I say -- I don't know exactly when -- I changed my tune.

I find myself attracted to the people who unreservedly offer any of the following:

1. I was wrong.
2. I don't know.
3. I'm sorry.

[Honour roll: "You're right." "I have no idea." "I screwed up."]

In closing, allow me to turn the tables and make mention of one of my least favorite: "I am a humble person." Fodder for another blog, I suppose . . .

Picture of my Spanking New Blackberry . . .

. . . pouch. [laughing hard]

Well, I find this funny.

My Main Man

I've been grumbling quite a bit lately.

It's time to take a moment to appreciate some of the good things BECA has going for it. And it has many.

But one thing stands out from all the others. By a long way.

Antonio Rodriguez.

He's anointed Executive Director of BECA Nicaragua, but, more than that, he's my main man here in Nicaragua.

He's been with me for more than two years now doing everything from chopping grass with a machete alongside students to making strategic plans for our future.

Moreoever, the poor guy has to put up with listening to all my crazy ideas. Worse yet, he has to implement some of them. [jajajaja] (And there have been some doozies!)

And he always does so with such grace, with such aplomb. He never complains. He just gets the job done.

I tell people his hiring was a curse. Why?

I thought all future employees would be like him. 

Antonio Rodriguez, with "Becados" Jhelem and Martha, Matagalpa, September 2011

The future of BECA Nicaragua is in great hands.