I think I'm a little nuts.

I'd have to be goofy to go to the St. Paul Pioneer Press office at midnight to get a newspaper that contains a clue to lead me to a small, plastic medallion. But here I am, trying to find the thing again this year.

The clue in today's paper was the eighth one, and as far as I know, no one's found it yet. I figure the three-clue hunt last year got the clue writer miffed, so the clues will be harder than ever this year. Great, just great. Way to go, medallion finder from last year. Ruin it for everyone by going too fast.

I'm having a ball.

Clue nos. 1-4 could've pointed to any public property in Ramsey County. Clue nos. 5-7 left my head a little foggy. It was Clue No. 8 that brought all of the other clues together. I'm guessing that someone might find the medallion today or tomorrow.

My friend Chuck first looked at a clue last night, with me. I read him today's clue, and from then on, he wouldn't stop noodling -- as in using his noodle -- with me. By the time we were too cold to look anymore, it was 2 a.m.

We're sure we were close to the medallion. Sure as sugar. Just like I think every year.