DAY 9,000: Sharpen your pencil

You’ll find yourself in times of transition, waiting for news: for an update, a prognosis, a signal of hope. Drink a cup of coffee and work on a crossword puzzle. The coffee will help you stay awake, and the crossword will keep your brain occupied. Do the Sunday New York Times puzzle only if you will be waiting for more than twenty-four hours and are unfazed by failure.