The jig is up

When I do a jigsaw puzzle, I, like a lot of people, do the edges first. I guess we find that it helps to give structure, plus it’s easier so we feel like we have accomplished something. It’s kind of funny though because a puzzle with just the edges done doesn’t actually look like much because very little of the picture can be seen just by looking at the edges.

For the inside of the puzzle, different strategies exist. Some people look for the patterned pieces because they find it easier to connect the lines and shapes. Others strive to create large cohesive blocks often focusing on areas of the same colour and then just seeing which pieces fit together. There is the edge-in approach which continues by finding the pieces that fit onto the already completed edges. I have also witnessed the trial-and-error random piece approach - this is often a slow and painstaking way to go. I’m sure there are others.

I guess I have jigsaw puzzles on the brain. In a funny way they remind me of life and the way we approach personal development. Of course, in both if there is even one piece missing, it can’t be complete even if we can pretty much see the entire picture.

Right now I am feeling kinda exhausted emoticon exhausted...
Musings on People and Myself that flowed from my brain at 10:19 pm Tuesday, Jul. 4, 2006

5 Comments »

Comment by Melissa

July 6, 2006 @ 3:26 pm

I myself am a firm adherent to a combination of patterened and then when pattern runs out using large cohesive blocks of colour. Trying to match shapes takes way too much time.

Comment by Mad Bull

July 6, 2006 @ 8:27 pm

Interesting comparison. Can’t say I like doing puzzles though… I think I may have done only one in my entire life!

Comment by bianca

July 6, 2006 @ 10:41 pm

Yeah, they’re not for everyone. :D I actually used to do quite a lot of them when I was younger, not so much now.

Comment by bashment

July 7, 2006 @ 12:50 pm

I actually don’t start with the edges. I grab any piece and look for its match and start to seed from there. I need to be able to expand in any direction. Starting at the edge forces me to contract inwards. I don’t know if it takes me longer8O

Comment by bassChocolate

July 12, 2006 @ 8:06 am

I think I do it like BB. My aim is to set a foundation anywhere I can, and just build on it. I’d have to think about whether or not I live my life like that as well. Should be interesting to find out.

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