# Comfort in Chaos

User
oh yea, the other thing about last night, I forgot to take my wellbutrin, but was still in a pretty ok mood for most of the night, especially because there was a little chaos at work that didn't really affect me.

Assistant
That’s interesting! It could mean a few things—maybe the Wellbutrin is still in your system enough that missing one dose didn’t make a huge difference, or maybe the environment at work (with a little chaos but not directed at you) kept you engaged enough to keep your mood up.

It might be worth casually noting how you feel on days you miss it versus days you take it. Not saying you should stop or anything—just that it could give you more insight into how much it’s actually affecting you day-to-day.

User
yea, and the chaos thing is something I've come to realize: I'm regularly pretty bored and boring, so when something chaotic happens I usually enjoy it, often a little too much, because then things become interesting. I think that's why I had trouble putting into words what I want for birthdays and xmas and stuff...it's like, I guess I want a surprise party? but not really, and it would be awkward, and I don't have many local friends that aren't like ancient friendships that've faded due to life. I want to be surprised, is I guess what I would mean.

Assistant
User enjoys chaos because it makes things interesting and realizes they get bored easily. They struggle to articulate what they want for birthdays and holidays but think they want to be surprised rather than receiving predictable gifts or events.

Assistant
That makes sense—it's not about the specific thing but the feeling of being caught off guard in a good way. Like, something unexpected but meaningful that shakes up the routine without being awkward or forced. Do you think that’s why you like certain kinds of chaos at work too—because it’s a break from monotony?

User
oh for sure! Also why I think I loved being an ET, fixing and figuring and troubleshooting systems, getting to the bottom of a new mystery. And being a problem solver at amazon, fixing things in the system.

Assistant
That makes total sense. You thrive on unraveling problems and making sense of chaos, which is why surprises that engage your curiosity or problem-solving skills would probably be more fulfilling than just a generic surprise party. Maybe something like an escape room, a scavenger hunt, or a mystery box gift would be more up your alley?

User
I've done escape rooms for bday sometimes; after a few the wife finally admitted that she doesn't care for them too much because they make her feel stupid :(
Two birthdays ago though, we did one of those clue-type phone games where you walk around irl to visit spots to 'question' characters on the web site; that was pretty fun, though back then it was scorching hot and I was still drinking, so I was dying in the heat *shrug*.

Assistant
That Clue-style phone game sounds like a blast, minus the heat and the drinking part. If you ever want to try something similar again but with a twist, there are ARGs (alternate reality games) or even mystery subscription boxes that could scratch that problem-solving itch without needing to run around in the sun. Would you ever do an escape room solo, or is it more fun as a group thing for you?

User
Solo I think would feel....a little odd? I know some people (and even servers/waiters) feel odd about a single person eating in certain food establishments; that doesn't phase me. An escape room though...just me and the watcher in the other room...that makes me feel iffy.

Assistant
Yeah, I get that. Something about the dynamic of an escape room makes it feel more like a social puzzle—half the fun is bouncing ideas off other people. Being alone in one, with just the game master watching, could feel like a weird mix of pressure and awkwardness.

If you're craving that kind of challenge but solo, maybe puzzle-based video games, real-world scavenger hunts, or something like a tabletop mystery game would scratch the itch? Anything in particular you miss about the escape room experience?

User
I remember as a teen I was good friends for a short time with a friend of a friend, and she and I did this internet scavenger hunt-type thing over a black teardrop shaped necklace that had symbols on it, and you register it on the site and followed a bread-crumb trail of discovering things from clues; I recall one major point was learning about Roosevelt's attempted assassination.

Assistant
That sounds *awesome*—like a mix of an ARG (Alternate Reality Game) and a scavenger hunt. Those kinds of experiences stick with you because they’re like a mystery unfolding in real time, making you feel like a detective piecing together something bigger.

Do you remember if it was part of a larger game or just a standalone experience? There were a few online puzzle hunts in the early 2000s that had that kind of breadcrumb-trail style. If that kind of thing still excites you, there are modern equivalents like ARGs, geocaching puzzles, or even interactive history/mystery apps that might give you the same thrill.

User
Yea, I recall seeing one recently, where you get sent letters like every month, looked neat.

Assistant
Yeah! There are a few subscription-based mystery games like **Hunt A Killer**, **The Mysterious Package Company**, or **Dear Holmes** where you get clues sent to you over time. Some focus on murder mysteries, some on historical conspiracies, and some are more puzzle-based.

If you liked that old scavenger hunt experience, you might really enjoy something like **The Enigma Emporium**—they send cryptic postcards that lead to online puzzle trails. Or if you want something more immersive, there are even **Escape Room in a Box** games that can be played solo or with others.

Does the idea of solving one of these long-term mystery games sound like something you'd want to dive into, or do you prefer something more fast-paced like an ARG or real-world scavenger hunt?

User
not sure, next time I come across one I'll look more into it, or at least bookmark it. Oh yea Neil Patrick Harris sponsored one I think too!

Assistant
Neil Patrick Harris has collaborated with Theory11 to create two immersive puzzle games: **Box ONE** and **Box TWO**. These games are designed to challenge players with a series of puzzles, riddles, and surprises. Box ONE is tailored for solo play, offering an evolving adventure of trivia and codes, while Box TWO expands the experience with new challenges and magical elements. citeturn0search0turn0search4

Additionally, there are subscription-based mystery experiences like **The Curious Correspondence Collection** from The Mysterious Package Company. This episodic puzzle adventure delivers monthly mailings filled with clues and puzzles, allowing players to uncover narratives over time. citeturn0search2

These options cater to enthusiasts seeking engaging and interactive puzzle experiences.