My extremely creative AD+ Secret Santa put together a puzzle themed around the Fourth of July. My first package contained the book "The Fault of our Stars" signed by author John Green, an awesome gift because I collect signed books. Also in that package was a $2 bill and a note explaining the game. I would be receiving more gifts in the mail, each of which would be a clue. The clues would form a 6 character password to unlock a final gift. The key for the clues was the artwork on the back of the $2 bill depicting the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. The next package to arrive was the CD "There's No Leaving Now" by The Tallest Man on Earth. I had never heard of the artist until I received it, but it ended up being right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoy listening to the CD. The final package was the DVD "District 9" which I hadn't seen. I watched it with my brother and we both loved it!

Somewhere along the way I was sent a password protected zip file to download. Once I received all three clues, I began to try to decode the clues and solve the password. I had several different theories that I tried. When they didn't work, I would bounce them off my Secret Santa to determine if I was close. I figured that the clues may refer to figures in the photo and that the password would be their initials. This was somewhat close but not correct. I also thought that perhaps the password consisted of the postal code of the colonies that the figures represented. This was also incorrect. With the help of some hints, I was able to determine that the book referred to John Hancock (signed book and Hancock is obviously famous for his signature), the CD to the tallest man in the artwork which is Thomas Jefferson (CD artist is "The Tallest Man on Earth"), and the movie "District 9" referred to Elbridge Gerry (District 9 is about creating borders, and Gerry is the namesake of "gerrymandering", the process of drawing congressional districts to establish a political advantage due to demographics within a region). The password ended up being the number that referred to each man in the diagram of the artwork which I found on Wikipedia. Inside the zip file were lots of goodies including and iTunes gift card, audio book, music, and presidential artwork.

My Secret Santa did an amazing job stalking me and determining that I am very interested in American Politics. I am amazed that she was able to create such a fun game for me to play. I felt like Ben Gates in the National Treasure movies. Thank you so much Secret Santa for such a satisfying experience!