Rubik's cube mastered!

You might claim using online help to solve the Rubik's cube is cheating. I would like to disagree. Even with a cheat sheet the cube it is quite a challenge to face. I'd call the cheat sheet the only way to remotely understand what's going on inside the cube's colorful mind. That is: pure mathematics! To solve it you need to understand it. People whose mind is leaning towards language rather than numbers (that would be me) definitely need a strategy and instructions to follow.

The genius whose explanations I'm trying to follow encourages the Rubik's fan to memorize 78 algorithms to achieve “expert level” and solve the cube within 60 seconds. It's good to have goals... My humble strategy is to take the cube one layer at a time. Genius doesn’t even bother to provide algorithms to pattern the initial cross, the heart piece of solving the cube. I'm sure he thinks “If you can't figure that out, you have no business reading my instructions”.

Left with the challenge I started to understand simple patterns. If white is here but needs to go there I have to turn the front, then the top layer, then back... I'm scribbling down my own algorithms before I forget them. I'm starting to understand the cube!

For more complicated maneuvers, such as permuting the last layer corners, I still rely on my cheat sheet for the algorithms. The real trick here is to hold the cube in the right way. Sounds simple but managed to mess me up big times at the beginning.

For everybody who knows the cube from his or her childhood days I can only encourage you to pick it up again, get online help and try again! You'll surely look at it with different eyes! Not to mention the great feeling of achievement once the last missing piece falls into place!

Strictly not recommended!

The double layered, indecisive, fact-evasive, and indirect language spoken (and written) in the Philippines is something to get used to. Reading between the lines becomes a second nature after a while.

The latest message which might need deciphering for the less experienced ear comes from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs). Due to increased volcanic activity at Taal Lake, Philvocs issued Alert Level 1.

Although there is no imminent eruption indicated, Philvocs reminds the general public "that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended."

What exactly does that mean? Settlement is not recommended on the island, but allowed? Or is it strictly prohibited? I guess the roughly 5,000 permanent settlers on the main crater are mulling over the same question... while charging tourists to hike the volcano.

What I read between the lines is the following: "We know you guys should get off this island for various reasons... But we don't have any means to enforce it! So would you please exit voluntarily?! Oh, and by the way, don't even think about moving your squatters to the mainland!"

Conti Running Day

My intention was not to join this year's Continental Running competition, I swear! But what can I say? Once I sniffed the wind of competition I couldn't help it but start running despite my broken arm. I had a title to defend, after all!

I managed to be the first to finish in the Women's Division A (age 20 to 30, take your guess) and take home the 1st Placer medal again!

The "Conti Running Day and Family Get Together" is an early-bird event! A 6am registration ensures a 7am start for the 3km run within the Light Industry & Science Park (LISP) in Calamba, south of Manila. That's the time when the temperature is more or less bearable!

Besides usual entertainment features - plenty of food and an ever crowded photo booth - this year's event surprised with an incredible marching band. Kids aged 7 to 12 from the nearby elementary school delighted the runners (and eaters) with a 20 minute dance and music performance. They even played the German Anthem on their xylophones. Wow! This alone was worth getting up at 5am on a Saturday morning!

Handicap (5) – Quality of Life

It's been 7 weeks to the day that I carry a piece of semi-permanent junk in my arm, also known as a "Cobra fixator". It's not a secret, I was very skeptical about switching from plaster cast to pins on my broken arm. The procedure seemed too invasive (holes drilled into my bone?), too risky (it's a surgery after all!), and simply not "necessary" (wouldn't plaster do?).

Struggling through the first days after the surgery (including an infection which could not be traced to the pins, known as pin-track infection) all my prejudices were confirmed. I was on a potpourri of painkillers, antibiotics, and paracetamol to simply get through the days and barely through the nights.

After 2 weeks the excruciating post-surgery pain as well as the 104+F / 40+C fever due to infection both had subsided.

From then on I considered my decision to "go pin" the best I've ever made! The quality of life is a thousand-fold better than carrying a cast! The beauty of the slick "Cobra" is it lets me move my joints! I can move my arm without holding it in an awkward position which leads to back pain. I can wiggle my fingers and even use them for typing and holding light things. I can move my wrist sideways (the "top pin" prevents the up and downward motion of my wrist). My finger strength is returning. My biceps however is shrinking... Oh well. I think rehab will be minimal. At least I hope so!

I agree, the look is something to get used to. My cobra is therefore hiding inside a bandage and only gets out during cleaning sessions.

One more week and she will be removed altogether. She is definitely not going into the trash! Right now, the ideas "key chain" and "wind chime" rank high in the ideas contest. Better / other ideas are still welcome!