I missed the conversation between you two, so this post came as a pleasant surprise! I feel so lucky!

Generally, I just been reading the text, then I go back and reread, then I go back again. I figure maybe a little more will trickle in through the cracks that way. Not sure if it does, particularly when I'm unsure what's being implied with some of the terms. So yes, the puzzle-box metaphor is quite apt.

I'll be back later to chime in on the text itself.