Someone asked why I just picked up a small Rubik's cube and then left it unsolved. Puzzled for a moment, I wondered if it was a rhetorical question. Not many people know what a Rubik's Cube is, let alone know how to solve it. Yet, this stranger assumed I could solve it. Well, he guessed right, sort of, because I actually could. What I didn't think was that I would be buying a real one a couple of days after.
For reasons I don't remember, the Rubik's Cube became popular in secondary school. It was the new hype yet only a few people were interested in it. I was one of them and then became obsessed with it, so much so that I walked everywhere solving it. I think I owned one then. Then I graduated and forgot about it... until now.
With more than a decade gone, I cannot solve a Rubik's Cube like I used to. The muscle memory is still present, however, as I discovered. I could still solve 40% of it by memory. But it was how I felt when I tried it again after so long that pulled me in on to something.
While I try to solve it, I am focused. Probably 100%, as I almost never think of anything else. Might sound counterintuitive, but it really is a way for me to "get out" and realign my focus. So after borrowing one for a few days and chilling with it, I bought one for myself.
This definitely looks like a toy to some people. To my surprise, in fact, many people don't even know it. But what it really is is a good form of mental exercise.
Relearning it has been "stretchy." Going through different algorithms for specific situations, flipping corners and edges, it sure feels like I just found an old ruby. Nowhere close to mastering it like a decade ago, but I'm steadily going anyway.
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I was also obsessed with Rubik's cube for several years and in that time I never thought to leave my Rubik's cube for a single day. My best timing was 23 seconds but now I don't solve it regularly and I just tried to solve it after seeing your post and it took 53 seconds to solve it. It's the result of not practicing it regularly.
I don't even remember my fastest time. 23 seconds is pretty smooth, even 53. Is it the same old Rubik's cube you've had all these years?
Only held this thing in my hand twice. First was when a friend gave it to me so she could run an impromptu race and the second was when I tried to solve it. As a wilful and very attention-deficit kid then, I lost interest in five minutes. Haven’t seen a Rubik’s Cube for decades until now.
Run an impromptu race? Was she going to be chased?
And carried amine. Lol. Definitely a top-tier toy for kids. It's boring for most.
It was a bet race for milk candy. The uncle would give a whole card of that stuff (can't believe that stuff was only 15 naira then) to the winner.
I only watched my mate use it back then and really it was a trend. The first time I tried using it, I realised it wasn't as simple as I thought and somehow lost interest.
Getting it again must have brought back memories from over a decade ago and I am sure, you felt good playing again. Enjoy the rest of your day Sir Olu.
It is tough to learn at first. Heck, frustrating sets in sometimes when I feel stuck. Spent money on it, so I'm not going to waste it. And it did bring back memories with my friends from back then, yes. They haven't held a Rubik's cube in years, too.
It might look like a toy at first as you said but definitely this is something I love to solve even though when I tried solving it at first it was difficult but I love how it makes my mind work but I got used to it and solve it under 1 minute
Impressive. Yes it does pose a challenge sometimes, but it gets easier. Ever tried the 4x4 cube?
I remember sometimes solving one my cousin had (it wasn't always that easy for me). But I never had one at home 😅. Dolls were my thing, hehe.
I hope you can solve yours completely again soon. It's very satisfying :3
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I'd never understand what it's like with dolls. Haha. Did you ever "talk" with them back then?
Heh maybe it doesn't have to much sense but for us is very funny haha 😆 we made a lot of stories in our heads with the dolls 💜
Hilarious yet such fun you had then
Greetings friends, first of all have a bucket of those was the best and came a time where they were noticed as all had one in his hand for the place to go, good times behind. I have one at home and since I disassembled it I have never been able to assemble it, there comes a point where I make a wrong move and everything is damaged. That's why the ruby cube is not for everyone hahaha.
Oh, yes. I used to do that - disassembling the cube - but I guess if you don't return it soon enough, like for years, you'll forget how to. haha
There's something fascinating about muscle memory, you will not forget total if you've done it long enough.
Hadn't ridden a bicycle in more than a decade when I picked one up last year yet it still felt like it was yesterday.
That's it, as though it was stored somewhere until needed.