Completed Task: 41. Learn to solve a rubik’s cube.
Here is what it looked like at the start
I bought a rubik’s cube in January 2008, that’s how clearly aware I was that this task was going to take me awhile. I am not good with maths, formulas or anything that involves being able to see things backwards or from different angles and as I understood it – that’s all what solving a rubik’s cube is about.
Of course I mixed up all the colours straight away and spent days twisting and turning the coloured cube in a vain attempt that I might actually make some progress. I had people explain to me how to get one side of the cube solved but if more than one colour made it on the same side I knew clearly that it was down to luck and chance rather than any great skill.
All mixed up
And then one day in March I sat down with the determination to figure this thing out. I did a little research online about the different methods of solving it and then I tried and tried and tried. I made a cross on one side of the same colours, got the corners up (that took me ages to figure out) and then I turned it over to start on the next part. I messed it up, started again and somewhere in there things went right. Okay I had to look at my list of algorithms and turn the cube in the direction I needed to turn it to not mess it up but being able to do that was in itself a huge acomplishment for me!
And then I solved two lines and while holding my breath managed the third. Screaming and cheering I went and showed off my work of accomplishment to the nearest person to prove I had done it and then I just sat there and stared at it not wanting to move a single thing for fear I would mess it all up again.
I thought long and hard about how to provide picture evidence that I had completed the task, I even talked it over with a few people but we all agreed no matter what I provided someone would point out it wasn’t good enough – and I wasn’t going to film my two days of work. However, I have gone ahead and provided the photos that I have.
The Finished Project (I appear to have lost the mirror card to show off all the sides)
After I have finished looking at the completed cube I plan to mix it all up again and try it again with the aim at getting faster and better at solving it…because what a cool party trick that is!
If you have a rubiks cube and you want a little help (although it does still require thought) then have a look at these youtube videos. And don’t cheat by taking out all the pieces – that wouldn’t be any fun!
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My 101 List
In December 2007, while surfing the Internet, I came across a random 101 list. Firstly, from this 101 list I found out about a number of interesting ideas, websites and projects to take part in. Secondly I learned all about the world of 101 in 1001.
The Mission:
Complete 101 pre-set tasks in a period of 1001 days. See Day Zero for more information.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
I never did find that 101 list again but I am glad that I stumbled across it as I have gained a lot from it. As have my many friends and family members that have gone on to create their own 101 in 1001.
Below is my 101 list which started on January 1st 2008 and is set to finish on September 28th 2010.
1. Complete 101 list.
2. Learn Dutch well enough to pass the Dutch exams.
3. Complete my masters degree.
4. Complete the 50 Book Challenge.
5. Maintain a blog that people enjoy reading.
6. Complete Dream Director.
7. Make DVDs of my digital photos.
8. Scrapbook
9. Take a last minute city break.
10. See an Einaudi concert in Rome.
11. Go on a horseback riding holiday.
12. Learn about wine tasting.
13. Take a hot-air balloon ride.
14. Take a walk in the rain.
15. Sleep under the stars.
16. Learn to play a song on the piano.
17. Organise the basement.
18. Finish the guest room.
19. Explore every region of Holland.
20. Send a message in a bottle.
21. Visit all 7 continents.
22. Learn to touch type (officially).
23. Swim with dolphins.
24. Fly a kite.
25. Milk a cow.
26. See a monkey in the wild.
27. Make a photo album for a loved one.
28. Send a handwritten letter each month for at least a year.
29. Pick apples.
30. Make space cake.
31. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
32. Invest in the stock market.
33. Complete a 1000 piece puzzle.
34. Sponsor a child.
35. Raise money for charity.
36. Overcome a fear.
37. Stay overnight in a haunted location.
38. Write a book.
39. Go into a library, randomly select a book and read it.
40. Start my own strange holiday.
41. Learn to solve a rubiks cube.
42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
43. Participate in PostCrossing.
44. Add and update all my books in LibraryThing.
45. Learn my mobile phone number.
46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
47. Give a homeless person an Xmas gift.
48. Buy a stranger something from their Amazon wishlist.
49. Find my signature dish.
50. Celebrate my half birthday.
51. See the Northern Lights (again).
52. Do up the balcony.
53. Build up to drinking eight glasses of water a day.
54. Purchase and take care of a plant for downstairs.
55. Learn how to knit.
56. Work on my Chinese brush painting.
57. Cycle once a week (at least).
58. Organize (and keep it that way) the house.
59. Take more pictures.
60. Volunteer
61. Complete scuba diving training.
62. Attend a Tony Robbins Seminar.
63. Organize I-tunes music.
64. Make use of my BlueMountain.com membership.
65. Get Christmas and birthday gifts organised early.
66. Turn off the lights when not using them.
67. Recycle as much as possible.
68. Buy fruit and veg from the local farm rather than in the shop.
69. Take an open learning course.
70. Makeover my commute.
71. Eat my lunch outside.
72. Resolve OU complaint.
73. Take vitamins/minerals every day for a month (hopefully by then it will be a habit).
74. Do a DIY mask/facial once a week.
75. Complete Moodgym.
76. Complete a community challenge.
77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
78. Buy the wine of the month for a year, learn about the wine and appreciate drinking it.
79. Visit Vinopolis.
80. Go to Euro Disney.
81. Take a trip with The Adventure Company.
82. Visit all the zoos in the Netherlands.
83. Get healthy.
84. Deal with all post the moment it comes through the door.
85. Keep a wine journal.
86. Enter a photo competition.
87. Visit a monastery.
88. Try a new restaurant in Rotterdam.
89. Try pottery.
90. Throw a dinner party.
91. Try archery.
92. Go cave diving.
93. Make an art sculpture.
94. Go to a concert.
95. Learn to use photoshop.
96. Go have a top notch haircut.
97. Make a ship in a bottle.
98. View a property that is way out of my price range.
99. Visit a candle factory.
100. Try to break a strange world record.
101. Try glass blowing.
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Recent
- Completed Task: 46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
- Completed Task: 94. Go to a concert.
- Completed Task: 77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
- Completed Task: 41. Learn to solve a rubik’s cube.
- Completed Task: 6. Complete Dream Director.
- Completed Task: 42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
- Completed Task: 72. Resolve OU complaint
- Completed Task: 47. Give A Homeless Person An Xmas Gift.
- Completed Task: 95. Learn To Use Photoshop.
- Completed Task: 88. Try A New Restaurant In Rotterdam
- Completed Task: 84. Deal With All Post The Moment It Comes Through The Door.
- Completed Task: 70. Makeover My Commute.
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