By Deborah Walker
Staff Writer - Clay Today
GREEN COVE SPRINGS Jun 19 /Clay Today/ --- When 44 year- old Andy Blakeslee learned he needed a new heart, he never thought that would eventually lead him to invent a new logic puzzle. Two years ago the Lake Asbury resident learned he had a rare disease called sarcoidosis and was put on a waiting list for seven-and-a-half months. The husband and father of four had plenty of time on his hands while he waited for a new heart. Even though he was unable to work because of his condition, he did not give up. Since the computer programmer did a lot of Sudoku puzzles during his time off, he began thinking about how to make the puzzle require more critical thinking skills, which would make it more challenging and fun. "It took a few weeks to come up with a way to make it work," Blakeslee said. "First I did it by hand and then once I figured it out, I wrote a program to generate it." He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida and a few years ago received a master's
degree from the University of Florida. Blakeslee's Wife, Cyndi, said the puzzles kept her husband positive during his long days at home and were a big help for him. "It gave him something to think about besides being sick," Cyndi said. "He was able to use his head when he couldn't use his body." Blakeslee called his new challenging invention the "Trizm" (TM) Puzzle," but wasn't able to fully begin the business until after his heart transplant. "I got the heart transplant on Oct. 26,2007," a date that is very special to him because it is also his wife's birthday, Blakeslee said. "I incorporated the business in December 2007 and had the book published in January 2008," Blakeslee said. "By February 2008, I had the full web site up." Harold. Hamm, a friend of Blakeslee for 15 years, also said the Trizm Puzzles helped him through his months of waiting for the transplant. It kept his mind off of his health and gave him an interest to look forward to. "It was a great escape for him," Hamm said. Hamm also said he does puzzles when he just needs to get his mind on something else. He loves playing the Trizm Puzzles because it requires a different set of thinking. "I find it very intriguing," Hamm said. A Trizm (TM) Puzzle is a number/ symbol- placing logic puzzle similar to Sudoku that uses triangles and colors insteiad of black and white boxes. The puzzle is similar to Sudoku, but since it doesn't have rows or columns, it's much harder, forcing players to think "outside the box." Also like Sudoku, a Trizm (TM) Puzzle will have only one solution. "It's even better than Sudoku because with Sudoku, you can come up with formulas," Blakeslee said. "Trizm is more challenging because you cannot just go through a formula. You have to think differently to solve the puzzles." Blakeslee said there are different versions for customers to choose that range from levels of difficulty, which make it fun to enjoy for all ages. He also has other variations in planning. "Some of my best customers are pilots," Blakeslee said. "Most people who love Sudoku, love this too." Currently, the Trizm Puzzle book can be found on any of the online bookstores such as Amazon.com for a cost of $16.95 plus shipping and handling. The puzzles are also available to play online at the company's web site at www.trizmpuzzle.com. Each weekday, a new puzzle of each type is published, with the lowest leyel of difficulty coming out on Mondays. The puzzles get progressively more difficult every day, with the Level E-Tragic Trizms coming out on Fridays. "I have gotten very positive feed- back from the people who have tried it," Blakeslee said. "Anybody that enjoys puzzles will like Trizm." Blakeslee never thought he would be developing a business from his experience of having a heart transplant, but he is appreciative for the bonus of developing a business and very appreciative for the successful medical services he received at the University of Florida, Shands Hospital. He was able to overcome that difficult time in his life by focusing hard on something, and not giving up hope. "It kept me busy," Blakeslee said. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help other people through the same mess. As the founder of the Trizm (TM) Puzzle Company, Blakeslee has committed to give 50 percent of the company's profits to charities supporting research into heart failure, organ transplants and Sarcoidosis. It is a chance for Blakeslee to give back by supporting the organizations that helped him. "As soon as we get enough, we are setting up an endowment for the School of Medicine at the University of Florida to help with the heart failure research," Blakeslee said. "Because Cardiac Sarcoidosis is such a rare condition, there is not a lot of research going into it." Blakeslee has been quite active since his heart transplant took place less than a year ago. He has very few physical limitations. Blakeslee currently works part time as a manager with the University of Florida. He has plans to return there fuIltime by August 2008. "I got a new kayak last month," Blakeslee said. "I'm doing great."
reprinted with permission from the Clay Today, June 19th, 2008.

May 27 05:22 AM US/Eastern

MIDDLEBURG, Fla., May 27 /PRNewswire/ --
As of Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, Trizm(TM) puzzles can now be played interactively on the Trizm Puzzle Company website at http://www.trizmpuzzle.com/puzzles. A Trizm(TM) Puzzle is a number/symbol-placing logic puzzle similar to Sudoku that uses triangles and vivid colors instead of black and white boxes. Trizm(TM) has similar rules to Sudoku, but since it has neither rows nor columns, it's much trickier, forcing players to think "outside the box." Also like Sudoku, a Trizm(TM) Puzzle will have only ONE solution. There are currently five different types of Trizm(TM) Puzzles to play, each with five different levels of Difficulty. Each weekday, a new puzzle of each type is published, with the lowest level of difficulty coming out on Mondays. Each day the puzzles get progressively more difficult, with the Level E - Tragic Trizms coming out on Fridays.

For more information, visit: http://www.trizmpuzzle.com

About The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC

Founded in the fall of 2007, The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company is the brainchild of Andrew Blakeslee, a puzzle fanatic and creator of The Trizm(TM) Puzzle. A number/symbol-placing logic puzzle, Trizm(TM) is similar to Sudoku, but much more vibrant, colorful and addictive, leaving its players enthusiastic for more. The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC, has pledged to channel 50 percent of profits to various charitable organizations, particularly those focused on support and research related to heart failure, Sarcoidosis, transplants and organ donation. Contact: Andrew Blakeslee The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC 877.874.9648 x5000 andrewblakeslee@trizmpuzzle.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC

Released on PR Newswire Feb 26 02:52 AM US/Eastern

MIDDLEBURG, Fla., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Two years ago, Andrew Blakeslee, a husband and father of four, learned he had Cardiac Sarcoidosis, a rare, potentially fatal autoimmune disease that attacks the heart. When doctors told him he needed a heart transplant, Blakeslee joined the organ-recipient waiting list and rested - for seven-and-a-half long months.

To help pass the time, Blakeslee did a lot of Sudoku puzzles. He also spent hours thinking about how to support his family from home. In addition, he read a lot of books, including Tim Ferris' bestseller, "The 4-Hour Workweek" (Crown, 2007), which enlightened Blakeslee to take control of his situation, even if in a non-conventional way. Days later, he created the first and only Trizm(TM) Puzzle (http://www.trizmpuzzle.com) - and an entire business around it.

"My heart sure wasn't functioning well, but my mind was just fine," Blakeslee says. "So while waiting for a new heart, I thought about how to make a puzzle similar to Sudoku, but much more vibrant, challenging and fun. Trizm(TM) is that puzzle, and it's a highly addictive game, especially for Sudoku fans. What's more, I've just published the first-ever book of Trizms(TM), 'The Trouble With Trizms(TM),' and launched a website devoted to Trizms(TM)."

A Trizm(TM) Puzzle is a number/symbol-placing logic puzzle that uses triangles and vivid colors instead of Sudoku's black and white boxes. Trizm(TM) has similar rules to Sudoku, but since it has neither rows nor columns, it's much trickier, forcing players to think "outside the box." Also like Sudoku, a Trizm(TM) Puzzle fills in some of the blanks, leaving the player to figure out the rest. A Trizm(TM) Puzzle will have only ONE solution.

As the founder of The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC, Blakeslee has pledged to channel 50 percent of his puzzle profits to various charitable organizations, particularly those focused on support and research related to heart failure, Sarcoidosis, transplants and organ donation.

"I've been given a second chance at life," Blakeslee says. "Now it's my chance to give to back by supporting the organizations that helped me, and by working to improve the survival rates of those battling Cardiac Sarcoidosis. There's so much to be learned about this disease, and I truly hope my contribution makes a difference. Trizm(TM) customers think it's great that their 'playing' will make a difference, too. This reason alone should give Sudoku addicts the incentive to make the big switch and give Trizm(TM) a try."

For more information, visit: http://www.trizmpuzzle.com

About The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC

Founded in the fall of 2007, The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company is the brainchild of Andrew Blakeslee, a puzzle fanatic and creator of the The Trizm(TM) Puzzle. A number/symbol-placing logic puzzle, Trizm(TM) is similar to Sudoku, but much more vibrant, colorful and addictive, leaving its players enthusiastic for more. Contact: Andrew Blakeslee The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC 877.874.9648 x5000 andrewblakeslee@trizmpuzzle.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Trizm(TM) Puzzle Company, LLC

In response to feedback from the nascent TrizmNation, the "How To Trizm" instructions have been completely re-written (with lots of pictures!). Download a pdf version of the new chapter here: How To Trizm - New and Improved or check out the online version here

And here are a few easy puzzles to try out the new instructions ...

Some easy puzzles

The new Trizm Puzzle Company website launched on February 2nd, 2008. The new website features Daily Trizm Puzzles, with a new set of puzzles posted every weekday. The puzzles can be subscribed to via RSS feeds in your favorite reader. You can also subscribe to the Press Release feed to keep informed of new developments at the Trizm Puzzle Company such as new website features, new books, and other items of interest to Trizm Puzzle enthusiasts. There are also online discussion forums, cheat sheets, contact info, and much, much, more (ok, maybe just a little bit more ...)