I’M not the sharpest tool in the box. What little sharpness I have is disappearing faster than a greyhound out the traps. To put things into context, I recently struggled to change the chain on my bike even though I’ve changed bike chains a number of times over the years. After accidentally smashing a chain connector tool and spending a number of hours trying to link the chain together, I eventually managed to fit it. I was proud of my achievement but my sense of achievement nose-dived when I put the bike to the test during a Saturday morning ride – where was that loud rubbing sound coming from? I decided to bring the bike to experts at the local bike shop. The diagnosis was swift – I’d fed the chain through the wrong loops! ‘Schoolboy error’ was the comment from the smiling bike mechanic.
My lack of sharpness showed its embarrassing face during the 80s when it seemed like almost everyone was doing the Rubik’s Cube. I watched some of the guys at school twist, study and twist again before shouting ‘Done it!’ or ‘Skill’ when all the colours matched-up on each side. The Rubik’s Cube craze was massive – homes, schools, public transport, workplaces – that unmistakable twisting of the cube sound was everywhere – the Rubik’s Cube gripped the nation!
In an attempt to join the clever crew (who were able to complete the whole cube), I began practicing at home. After twisting, studying and twisting again, my greatest achievement was completing one side of the cryptic cube. I began hating everything to do with the Rubik’s Cube – the clever people who’d effortlessly complete the whole cube, a completed cube innocently sitting on a desk (I saw this as a sign of boasting) and even the company who’d developed the cryptic cube – I hated them all! The 3×3 cube was one of the earliest benchmark highlighting my need for sharpening-up.
The Rubik’s cube proved to be too easy for many so the makers decided to develop the Rubik’s Revenge – the 4×4 version. It comes as no surprise that I didn’t even attempt this!
These days I love the look of the Rubik’s Cube – I love the nostalgic memories and the decoration it provides when sitting on a coffee table or mantelpiece. I’m considering buying one – it will be a decorative feature (to go with the typewriter and 70s cassette player) – I’m sure I’ll have the urge to twist, study and twist again… and cement my position as a blunt tool at the bottom of the toolbox!
Watch the TV advert by clicking the photo below:
I loved the rubik’s cube