Cubing @ 50

Cubing @ 50

If you were to ask my wife or kids, and they would tell you I have become addicted to cubing. And it really was not anything I expected. I remember when the first Rubik’s Cube came out when I was released worldwide in 1980. And back then as kids we often solved it by popping it apart and putting it back together. And later I saw friends try and remove the stickers and put it back solved. With a dual form of dyslexia that affects both coordination and fine motor skills I never really expected to be able to solve these puzzles.

Then in 2020 there was covid 19 and social distancing, lockdown, … Fortunately working in IT I was able to transition to working from home. My son had several cubes and had always liked them but could not solve them. He had 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, the Void, and a few variations on the 3x3. I had tried learning a few times over the years via books or videos. But now I figured it was time to learn and at least help him get to solving the 3x3. 

I stumbled across the videos from JPerm, and had quick success. I used his videos and learned how to solve the 

2x2

3x3

4x4

Within a week I had taught my youngest two children, ages 9 and 12, at the time, the 2x2, 3x3, and 3x3 Pyraminx. And I was doing the 5x5. Soon we each had our own set. My wife was the next to learn and was happy to stop at the 3x3 and 2x2. Then my oldest at 13, wanted to learn. And she is getting fast. She can do from 2x2 to 5x5 now. And we have races. She wants to compete once events start happening again.

On my work desk I have:

2x2 to 9x9, 3x3 and 4x4 Pyraminx, a 2x2x3 and 2x3x3. And my latest addition is the Skewb. (since writing this I have added the Double Skewb, Square-1, 3x3 Twisty, a Fisher Cube, an Axis Cube, and a Windmill Cube.)

On my bedside Table I have Carbon fiber 2x2 to 5x5s. 

And on my personal desk I have 3x3 to 5x5.

I love working with a nice fresh new Carbon Fiber cube, but once the stickers start getting jagged, I do not enjoy it as much. My cubes are mostly QiYi which I love but they do not yet make really large cubes. My 8x8 and 9x9 are both YuXin. My kids think I should stop, but I really have my eye on 11x11 and 13x13 but waiting to see if they come down in price. My youngest daughter loves the QiYi Jelly Cubes, and my son prefers the Cyclone Boys cubes.

If you are in Canada the best prices, I can find are from Cubing Out Loud. Their prices and service are amazing. Not counting the larger cubes I already have a half dozen items on a wish list.

Now I know I will never be competition fast. But I love solving cubes. I do the ones on my bedside table and most of the ones on my desk at least once a day. Sometimes when working through IT problems I just pick up and play with a cube, either mixing and mixing it, or solving it over and over again. I love that it is something the whole family enjoys. So I would encourage you, if you have always wanted to learn but never have, give JPerm’s videos a try and if you become addicted consider purchasing from Cubing Out Loud. JPerm has a video comparing older and younger cubers, that is well worth checking out. Because if I can do it, I am certain you can as well.

(My oldest daughters and inje for when we compete. we do one set then switch.)

Note: I am not an affiliate or sponsored by Cubing Out Loud, I was just really impressed by their service, the prices, and that they are Canadian. And since writing this I have added a Double Skewb and a Square-1.