Why Rubiks?

Until my current deployment to Afghanistan, I'd only ever tried to get one side of the cube, as quickly as I could, and only once did I get even two sides at the same time. I had a breakthrough to the next step while I was out here, and there was someone willing to show me the remaining steps to solve the 3x3x3 cube. Once I got the hang of that one, I moved up to a 5x5x5, and learned a couple of new tricks for the larger cubes. I taught myself the 7x7x7, and then started making designs to give a bit of a challenge. Here, for those who wish to take the time to view, are the results. Enjoy! :)

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Peace

this one was a challenge from one of the other Marines I've been working with, and is my first design that isn't completely (horizontally, vertically, & diagonally) symmetrical.  It actually came together easier than I'd expected it to, and it's one of my two or three favorite designs so far. (originally solved on 24 July 2011)



Ringed Diamonds

I did this one on the spur of a moment...I think it came out kinda cool. (originally solved on 23 July 2011)



Crushed Corners

I like how this one came out, sorta like a box with the corners crushed in...yet another very different design with only small changes from some of my previous ones. (originally solved on 22 July 2011)



Friday, July 29, 2011

Departing Strike-fighters

another design with no real purpose beyond passing the time and seeing what making small changes to the layout would look like as a whole. (originally solved on 22 July 2011)



Heavy 'Bells

another modification of my "Loaded Dumbbells" design...it was a slow day at work, and an easy modification. (originally solved on 21 July 2011)



Dueling Strike-fighters

changed a little of the outer ring from my "Loaded Dumbbells" design, just to see what happened. (originally solved on 21 July 2011)



Loaded Dumbbells

similar to my "Crossed Dumbbells" design, but doubled the edges. (originally solved on 21 July 2011)



Atari

this just reminded me of old Atari-era video game graphics, though not for any game in particular. (originally solved on 21 July 2011)



Thursday, July 28, 2011

Interlocked

though it's hard to tell with two-dimensional sides, the intent was for this to be interlocked links.  regardless, it was still fun to work out. (originally solved on 16 July 2011)



Window Panes

another quick design, comparatively, passing the time on a slow shift. (originally solved on 16 July 2011)



Little Checkered

I got bored, but didn't have much time, so I worked a quick, little checkerboard with solid sides. (originally solved on 15 July 2011)



Bloomin'

a little design I like because it seems to me to be a bit of an inverse fractal.  (originally solved on 14 July 2011)



Thursday, July 14, 2011

Crossed Dumbbells

another victim of my tweaking phase...I really like symmetry. :) (originally solved on 13 July 2011)



Crossed Axles

I wasn't really sure what to name this one...I came up with the design as I was messing around with changing small parts from previous designs to see how different they looked once completed. (originally solved on 13 July 2011)



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Dogfighting Delta-wings

I figured this one looked like 4 stealth bombers converging on each other (& yes, I'm well aware that bombers wouldn't be in a dogfight) :)...a simple, fun design. (originally solved on 12 July 2011)



Fleeing Fishes

I didn't begin with a purpose for this one, but as I finished with it, I realized that it looked like a bunch of goldfish swimming away from the center. :) (originally solved on 11 July 2011)



Monday, July 11, 2011

Dodecahedron Adventures

it took me a bit of time once I got this on the 9th...a couple of hours off and on toward the end of that shift, and a few more hours on a quiet Sunday shift to get half of the sides.  I'm pretty sure it'll only get tougher from here :)