Word Puzzle 4

Clue Stories:

1. Since I had to peer review a bunch of research papers, I decided to go to office early so I can work in peace. I was already irritable by the time I reached office as there was unusually dense traffic along the way, perhaps due to some accident. I picked up the first paper from a stack on my desk.

“Silicon current amplifier for microampere current levels”, I shrugged my shoulders and decided to go get a cup of coffee. This was clearly shaping to be “one of those” days.

2. As I was finally concentrating on the task at hand, some odd-looking bird landed in my window. It was a crow. Barring the unmistakable caw, he didn’t much look like one. Annoyed by the incessant crowing I got up and shooed him away.

3. As it was approaching noon, I decided to walk over to the cafeteria to grab lunch. As I hurried down the aisle to beat the rush, someone tapped me on my shoulder and said, “yo! bro”, mid-eastern accent, I thought to myself as I turned. It was Ali, years ago we were in grad school together.

4. It was great catching up with Ali over lunch, but now had to head back to work, as the pile on my desk still looked untouched. Next paper, “Analysis on nitrogen HFC shows that D1-His332 is bound to the sole Mn(III) ion in the low spin state…”, The heavy lunch and the boring task at hand were conspiring as my eyelids were getting heavy.

5. As I forced myself to continue, for some reason I remembered Julie. Years ago, she used to work here. I think in PR. Owls and Roosters was her favorite after work hangout. I had met her there for the first time.

6. She once had invited all of us to a couple’s party. Though this was clearly stated in her invitation, Mike had shown up stag, National Enquirer in one hand, he had made a dramatic entry and motioning to the paper he had declared that world was coming to an end. Crazy guy, always melodramatic, I reminisced.

7. Waking up from my stupor, I noticed my boss was at the door. When it comes to corporate leadership, he was a total pro, vision and strategy were his forte. Though, he lacked execution skills, he had risen quickly through the ranks.

8. He had written a book on his experience with leadership. In his book he had paid a great tribute to his detractors for helping him become more determined.

9. He had another side to him, he loved fast cars, owned a Camaro. On edge frequently due to his stressful job, he sought solace in driving fast.

10. I looked up at my stack again, on to the next one. “Multiplexor bit antinode optimizer”, wow can the day get any duller? I thought to myself.

11. Heard a loud screeching of tires coming from the parking lot in front of the building. Saw a newbie driver trying to maintain traction. I remembered, long ago, Ali had taught me driving when we were still in grad school.

Trying to learn how to drive, on a snowy road was not an ideal way to go and I had struggled at first. But then, Ali had explained that I should not resort to much braking, as it could incur tailspin, which no one wants.

12. To distract myself, I thought ahead to the evening. Ali and I were going to checkout this new Aussie pub that had opened recently around the corner. They were known for creative promotions and today was “Wombat Tuesdays” which usually attracted a young, eye pleasing crowd. Should be an interesting evening, I thought to myself.

13. Last time I was in that neighborhood, I recalled, I had parked in this shady lot. As it turned out it wasn’t safe, often antennas were broken by miscreants. I better use valet parking tonight.

14. I looked at the Aussie pub’s website, one of my favorite local band, “width of the rainbow” was going to perform tonight. This day could yet turn out to be alright, I hoped.

15. Ali was going to bring his old college flame, NC. Over the years most of us had forgotten her real name, Nancy Chapman from North Carolina or NC from NC. I remembered vividly how she could keep up with any dude when it came to downing brews and had often embarrassed some self-proclaimed guzzlers of our time