I admit, with a little bit of reluctance, I enjoy getting gifts. I don't mean that in a selfish way. After all, I work hard at giving to others. However, Wife and I usually spoil each other pretty good when Christmas comes around. Its a time to indulge a little in the things I normally would shun because of cost or practicality.
This year, when asked what I wanted, I couldn't really think of anything at all. I tried. But I was at somewhat of a loss. I couldn't come up with anything in particular.
Fortunately, Wife is horribly attentive to my needs as a person, and actually listens and remembers when I talk about things that interest me. So for Christmas, on of my stocking stuffers was a Rubik's Cube.
A brief history: The Cube was invented by Erno Rubik in 1974. Wanting a simple model to help explain three dimensional geometry, Erno invented one of the worlds best selling toys. The original name for it was "The Magic Cube." The ideal toy company later named "The Rubik's Cube" in 1980. If you made a single turn of one of the Cube's faces every second, it would take you 1,400 million years to work through all the possible configurations. The fastest time recorded for solving a Rubik's Cube is 8.27 seconds (now that is pretty darned fast).
I have done a little internet research, and there is a surprising amount of information about the Cube out there. Included in this information is the solution, and their seems to be many that are applicable and real. I however, will not be planning on using the solutions as a helper. I understand there is logic to the Cube. I understand there is actual mathematical algorithms that apply to the solution of the cube. These things are beyond me.
But the challenge, ah the challenge. That one I get.
So, I officially started my quest for the solution on December 26, 2008 at 1200 hours. I will be updating my blog with its own section on the side bar, to keep track of how long it actually takes me.
Let the quest begin.
I hate those things... I bought Taylor one last year on clearance after christmas and I seriously hate it... Eric can solve one side in just a few minutes, but he can't do more than one side at a time... It will take me a month just to solve one side and I remember as a kid giving up and taking it apart, just to restore it to it's original splendor. That's how I solve a rubik's... cheat! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine example your sister is....ha ha ha! She is promoting cheating, what is up with that??? J/K Anyhow, best of luck with the cube. I myself would not subject my pshyche to such madness. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I don't see these promised updates as to your progress. Is there progress? Or have you lost your mind?
ReplyDeleteI simply don't have the patience for things like that. I think I picked up one of those darn things a few times in junior or high school, but after a few turns put it down and said "feh!"
Hope this new year treats you and yours well.