Wednesday, May 18, 2005

The Cube

I stole this from Amba at: http://ambivablog.typepad.com It is the May 13th post. I think it will be interesting to see how other people answer these questions, so please feel free to copy it and write your own answers. Please do NOT open the link to the key until after you have written your answers!

The Cube. Answer each question for yourself thoroughly before moving on to the next.

1.) Imagine a desert landscape. It's very simple . . . horizon, sand, sky, whatever you see when you think of a desert.

2.) In this desert there is . . . a cube!
What does the cube look like? What's it made of (if you know)? What color is it? How big? Is it sitting on the sand, or in some other position? How close or far away is it?

3.) In this desert there is also a ladder. Where is it (in relation to the cube)? What is it made of? What position is it in? Does it have many rungs? A few rungs?

4.) In this desert there now appears . . . a horse. Where is the horse? What color is it? What is it doing? Does it have on a saddle or bridle, or not?

5.) Now, somewhere in the desert there is a storm. What kind of storm is it? Where is it? And does it affect the cube, the ladder, the horse, or not?

6.) Finally, somewhere in the desert are flowers. Where are they (in relation to the cube, ladder, horse, storm)? What kind are they? Are they many or few? Scattered or clustered?

Amba says:
You're welcome to post your resultant visions in the Comments. (I've never met anyone who couldn't do this, even those who protest that they can't visualize. Everybody sees something, and everybody sees something completely different.)
And here's the Key, but don't read it until after you have written your asnwers!
Download the_key_to_the_cube
(Sorry 'bout the coding in there. It's still readable.)

My answers:

1. My desert landscape reveals mountains in the distance, with silhouettes of saguaro cactus piercing the sky. The sand is dry and windblown like the tumbleweeds, and it covers almost everything in view, except the large rocks clustered here and there. The sky is darkening; sunset is approaching and the sky is red-orange and pink.
2. The cube is a huge reddish rock, somewhat asymmetrical and angular. It juts out of the sand in the middle-distance, as though it has been pushed up by volcanic activity. It is not old, for the edges are sharp and new.
3. An odd looking ladder, handmade from saplings and tree branches is leaning up against the rock, with enough rungs to reach the top of the cube, if one dares to climb it.
4. A horse appears on the horizon, bound for the cube. He is a palomino, free as the wind, a wild thing bent on escape from I know not what.
5. An approaching storm gives the horse pause. Will he get to the shelter of the cube before the storm reaches him? Winds and rain pelt the cube, blowing the ladder down to the sand and burying it quickly.
6. The moisture brings small purple flowers forth as far as the eye can see; seemingly by magic they appear out of nowhere. The cacti also bloom, responding to the life-giving rain and raising their arms in thanks.

What were your answers? I have not opened the link to the key yet; after I do, I might have more to say.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

rubic's cube in the sand with nothing else around it. steel construction ladder not near the cube and also out of place. White horse walking along the beach with no saddle. A tornado of in the distance. yellow daisy like flowers up by the dunes where the horse went. answers? Have you ever done the cup in the forest...the tree, house, lake and mountain?

amba said...

Very lovely, kenju, very intriguing cube and ladder!

- amba

Weary Hag said...

Okay I did this ... Apparently, I'm a rather transparent person who allows others to lean on me, particularly my family. My lover keeps distance from me, though just the mere sight of him brings me great joy and comfort. I welcome the storm (life's challenges) and my flowers were scattered in clusters, but white and pure, and easily accessible (work and children).
I loved doing this Judy! Great post.

kenju said...

Thanks, WH. I enjoy these things too. Although after I read the key, I wondered what it means that my ladder (friends) was buried in the sand by the storm. I didn't see the storm as "trouble", as the key says, I saw it as life-giving moisture to the desert. I guess that's hopeful! LOL

Anonymous said...

1. My desert features a lush Oasis, rich green trees, flowing water, paradise in the middle of hot sands and warm winds and a scorching sun.

2. The cube is a 3 demensional structure of rich flowing silks and velvets like a tent. Vibrant rich jewel toned colors. It is near the center of the oasis but not exactly center, it is within steps of the pool of water.

3. The ladder is tall and sturdy, many rungs on which to climb. It is very near the cube leaning again tall dessert palms where it can be climbed to reach rich fruits, dates and coconuts all growing on the same trees.

4. The horse is a stallion. Its mane caught in the hot winds. It is a royal looking mount, free of all of mankinds trapping. No bridle, no saddle. Almost wild yet I know if I tried I could ride it. It would come to me and eat out of my hands. Trusting me.

5. The storm is dark on the horizon. Winds coming with it. Sand swirling. The cube and trees is the shelter for everything in its path. The ladder is amazingly not blown over, it remains leaning against the tree. The horse stands at the cube under the trees, its feet shifting, stomping, its eyes darting all around but it knows if it runs it cannot outrun the storm.

6. Of course flowers are all over the oasis. Lush green leaves are many sized with blossoms towering above and sprinkled among the leaves with beautiful fragrant scents floating on the air. Reds and yellows and purples and deep pinks the colors are like gems in the sea of green.

Ok. I am posting my answers and then I am going to look at the key. This was a nice exercise of my imagination. Thank you, Judy.

Ms Mac said...

1. An oasis, palm trees and a hotel surrounded by desert.
2. It's an aluminium frame with glass sides and it's tilted and spinning on it's corner.
3. It's a step ladder next to the oasis hotel pool thing.
4. In the distance, it's a dark colour. It's coming towards the scene with a man riding it.
5. A hurricane type thing way, way off in the distance
6. White flowers, scattered across the sand.

I just checked the key...... Very interesting!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to come back tomorrow when I'm not so sleepy to do this, but for now Michele sent me.

Thumper said...

Here via Michele's :)
Like terrilynn, I think I have to do this tomorrow...my brain is only firing on one cylinder tonight.

-E said...

There is sand for miles and miles. It has been blown into dunes with a crest along the top. It is during the sunset so the sky is painted with pink and orange and blue and purple.

There is a cube made out of white marble. It is 3x3x3. It is sitting about 50 feet in front of me on a flat spot in the sand.

On the right (in my perspective) is a little step ladder. It is metal with a blue plastic coating on the top. This step ladder is the same height as the cube and has two rungs if you count the top.

The horse is tall and brown. It has a long flowing black mane and tail. He is saddled and has a bridle with the reigns hanging in the sand. He's saddled with an English saddle. He is on the other side of the cube, facing me.

The storm is a sand storm taking place in the distance behind the horse, cube and ladder. But the wind is blowing the horse's mane and tail away from the cube. The reigns are also blowing in the wind. Behind the horse I can see the wind blowing the sand around and changing the appearance of the dunes.

The flowers are tulips. They are a bright purplish pink color with white edges about the petals. There are three of them. They are in the horse's mouth. Not being chewed, just held there. As if they are a gift for the phantom rider.

Dawn said...

I am here via Michele.......

I did a quick look over at the test and I am sure it will tell me some amazing things about myself. I am going to go back and take another look:)

Unknown said...

Hey I am here via Michelle's Blog,, gonna go read a bit of your site,, bye!

I'm at http://pineapplespost.com

Kimberly said...

Hi kenju, I'm here from Michele's M&G.

This looks like fun! I'll be back when I've finished answering the questions...

annie said...

OK so I interpret it?
1. I am at home
2. I am made of stainless steel
3. My friends lean on me
4. My lover is free and unfettered yet stays close to home
5. The storm stays in the distance
6. The flowers are wild and beautiful

All very true...interesting...

Anonymous said...

OK, going to do this when it's quiet around here.

Visiting from Michele's meet and greet!

Michele said...

This was fun and very interesting. Let me share:

1. My desert/world was endless, open, and soothing.
2. My cube/me was massive (oh no), solid, angular, tilted and floating above the ground.
3. My ladder/friends was very long, many rungs and reaching up into the sky towards the cube.
4. My horse/lover was free, unbridled and running towards the cube.
5. The storm/trouble filled the distant sky but created seem to be non-approaching.
6. The flowers/work were framing the desert, they were abundent and colourful.

How interesting! Now I must ponder why I am floating.

I loved your answers and I would certainly dare to climb your friendship ladder.

Kevin said...

Michele sent me, and I must warn you, my mind is a little twisted.

Here goes:

I see sand, sand and more sand. The cube is of the Rubik's variety, because everyone who gets stranded in the Sahara shouldn't be without one -- helps keep one's insanity in check. At least it does when it's not jammed full of sand. The ladder is barely sticking out of the sand, poking up from below, leading down through some sort of trap door. The horse is at the bottom of the mysterious compartment hidden under the trap door, but is not interested in helping me. How do I know this? I asked him, silly. The storm is a sand storm. Darn, I forgot my goggles. The flowers are made of polyester. I always keep polyester flowers in case I get stuck in the desert with a defective Rubik's cube along with a horse that won't run during a blinding sand storm that is in the process of burying me. The flowers are for my funeral, just in case I'm the only one there.

Paging Dr. Freud...

poopie said...

Small world huh? I've seen you around Hoss's and ended up here by way of Michele's. I'll be back!

-E said...

Back again through Michele :)

Anonymous said...

Wow... looks like I'm a Blue Sugar Cube! With lots of tall friends, my lover doesn't wear a saddle, and the storm is all around bu not effecting me in the slightest! This was pretty cool. Thanks for turning us on to it... Came tonight via Michele, but I'm usually here on my own!

True Jersey Girl said...

Here from Michele's Monday M&G. I'll be back to try this - too sleepy-eyed right now to envision anything but the insides of my eyelids!

Anonymous said...

Fun! I was struck by two things:

My horse was black and white. QuirkyGuy has salt and pepper hair.

My cube was extremely large, and red. My flowers were also large and red. Everyone says QuirkyBoy looks like me.

Got here via Michele!

Unknown said...

1) cube is square, 3 dimensional, levatating, surrounded by and orb of radiant light, glowing, earthly green in color, constantly rotating, the air around it is calm, silence is around, the cube dominates the sky

2) the horse is to my left, its reins lightly gripped in my hand, it silently gazes in awe at the cube, soft and gentle but towering over me in height and size

3)the ladder is far off to my right, its made of warped wood and twine, tall and rigid to the eye, but strong, its proped up against a small cliff

4) the storm clouds are wide, sweeping the sky in the distance, slowly but surely moving toward me eating away at the setting sky in its path, the clouds are heavy and thick

5) i see no flowers in my horizon, dirt, sand, cliffs, and silence surround me, the horse and I being the only living creatures for miles and the cube still amazing the two of us!