Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....

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Posted by Jessica Boucher at 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.



Ok, everyone knows that there are certain things you need to do before you go to a regional (make buttons/cheering thingys, pack your cart, get permission slips together, etc.)

But what do you personally do to get ready for the regional?

This includes listening to music, wearing certain things, etc....

Me? All last week I wore all my non-my-team realted t-shirts, including my volunteer shirts.

Good luck, everyone!
-Jessica B, #237

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Posted by Tim Baird at 02/27/2001 7:22 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



I like to listen to some FIRST music that I don't normally listen to, ex. anything by venga boys, republica, crush, no ricky martin, then the classics like eye of the tiger, play that funky music white boy and lowrider. That way, I'll be into the swing of things and FIRSTmode before even getting to my first regional of the year.
Works for me, give it a try,
Tim

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Posted by Deej- T190 at 02/27/2001 9:05 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompeii, from Mass Academy and WPI.


In Reply to: Re: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Tim Baird on 02/27/2001 7:22 AM EST:



I normally like to take a few finals in classes just before I go to regionals. For some reason my life seems complete after I have taken them. In case you can't tell, the sarcasm can be cut with a knife. Really, I honestly start to think about how comp is going to go, work on strategy and listen to FIRST related music really loud to get the entire effect going.

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Posted by Becky Allen at 02/27/2001 6:00 PM EST


Other on team #356, The Enigma, from North Little Rock High School and Pulaski Academy and UALR/BEI/Controlled Automation/Hendrix College.


In Reply to: Re: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Deej- T190 on 02/27/2001 9:05 AM EST:



Well, I can't be sarcastic here. I really am going to be taking finals the week before I go to a regional. Boy oh boy, I can't wait. FIRST will be my vacation. Woohoo...! I can't wait to hear "Barbie Girl".
Becky


: I normally like to take a few finals in classes just before I go to regionals. For some reason my life seems complete after I have taken them. In case you can't tell, the sarcasm can be cut with a knife. Really, I honestly start to think about how comp is going to go, work on strategy and listen to FIRST related music really loud to get the entire effect going.

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Posted by Patrick Dingle at 02/27/2001 10:04 AM EST


Coach on team #639, Red B^2, from Ithaca High School and Cornell University.


In Reply to: Re: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Tim Baird on 02/27/2001 7:22 AM EST:



Speaking of FIRST music... someone should make an official FIRST CD.

Patrick, who proceeds to make a FIRST folder in his Music folder.


: I like to listen to some FIRST music that I don't normally listen to, ex. anything by venga boys, republica, crush, no ricky martin, then the classics like eye of the tiger, play that funky music white boy and lowrider. That way, I'll be into the swing of things and FIRSTmode before even getting to my first regional of the year.
: Works for me, give it a try,
: Tim

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Posted by EddieMcD at 02/27/2001 7:44 PM EST


Student on team #121, Islanders, from Middletown High School and NUWC.


In Reply to: Re: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Tim Baird on 02/27/2001 7:22 AM EST:



Eye of the Tiger works. That gets me ready for any type of competition.

On the road to the comp., I actually listen to wrestling themes (it's weird, but it keeps me focused).

I get my shirt ready for careful pin placement. As you can see by my photo up top, I didn't do too well last year. Turned my shirt from an L to a 3XL. I'll probably get a vest this year.

I'll prepare for any special tasks I might have. This year, I'll be practicing my shooting motion.

Also, I purposely get no sleep before a competition. I also eat rather light until after we go back to the hotel. Food hinders performance for whatever job you do. Water and the occasional cup of Coke work.

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Posted by Lora Knepper at 02/27/2001 8:08 PM EST


Other on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Rochester Institute of Technology / Edison Tech HS and Alstom and Fiber Technologies.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



*boots up Winamp at volumes that the neighbors prolly don't like .... change playlist to "FIRST Music"*

*Grabs a few pins from her best friends teams and wears them on her backpack from 1 week before NE to 1 week post national*

*Throws the cans of Freez-It she's been hoarding into the backpack for teams in need*

*cycles through FIRST shirts...team and non-team....takes about 2 weeks*

*harrasses anyone within IM or earshot about FIRST...no wait, that's all the time ;o) *

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Posted by Erin at 02/28/2001 7:52 AM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: FIRST Music...shirts....Freez-It stockpile packed ;o)
Posted by Lora Knepper on 02/27/2001 8:08 PM EST:



man, they really dont like those things going through the metal detector. gave me a nice big attitude 2 times they did in 99!

-erin

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Posted by EddieMcD at 02/28/2001 4:49 PM EST


Student on team #121, Islanders, from Middletown High School and NUWC.


In Reply to: about the buttons...
Posted by Erin on 02/28/2001 7:52 AM EST:



Erin, I never had a problem at the airport with my shirt. And I have a lot more buttons than the average FIRST person. Take a look at my pic.

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Posted by Lora Knepper at 02/28/2001 5:39 PM EST


Other on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Rochester Institute of Technology / Edison Tech HS and Alstom and Fiber Technologies.


In Reply to: about the buttons...
Posted by Erin on 02/28/2001 7:52 AM EST:



Erin,

Last year I made the mistake of putting them all on my hat and forgetting they were there when we were getting on the plane in FL....then it took me a minute to remember I had 5lbs of aluminum on my head and that's why the stupid thing went off! ;o)

~ lora

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Posted by Michael "Special K" Krass at 02/28/2001 6:54 PM EST


Other on team #271, Mechanical Marauders, from Bay Shore High School and Verizon.


In Reply to: lol....short story
Posted by Lora Knepper on 02/28/2001 5:39 PM EST:



: Erin,

: Last year I made the mistake of putting them all on my hat and forgetting they were there when we were getting on the plane in FL....then it took me a minute to remember I had 5lbs of aluminum on my head and that's why the stupid thing went off! ;o)

: ~ lora

That's nothing. . .

Last year, I found myself trying to explain to the attendant at the airport check-in counter why I had a 20 pound box of nuts and bolts as my carry-on luggage. Then, when we went through the metal detector, we had to open the whole thing up and show the nice people that keep my plane from blowing up what was inside. It turned out that all the xray picked up was a huge mass of metal.

Then, they made me place the box in my overhead compartment, so if we hit any turbulence, it was sure to fall out and kill me.

~ Michael ~

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Posted by Deej- T190 at 02/28/2001 11:36 PM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompeii, from Mass Academy and WPI.


In Reply to: Re: lol....short story
Posted by Michael on 02/28/2001 6:54 PM EST:



in 99, our head engineer nick on team 42 had a drill, a hammer, and about 30lbs of metal rods in his carry on luggage going to florida. weird thing was they never asked any questions.........go figure

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Posted by Michael "Special K" Krass at 03/01/2001 8:44 AM EST


Other on team #271, Mechanical Marauders, from Bay Shore High School and Verizon.


In Reply to: Re: lol....short story
Posted by Deej- T190 on 02/28/2001 11:36 PM EST:



: in 99, our head engineer nick on team 42 had a drill, a hammer, and about 30lbs of metal rods in his carry on luggage going to florida. weird thing was they never asked any questions.........go figure

We had a cordless drill with us as well. We had to check it, though, as they wouldn't allow it on the plane, no matter how many times we assured them that we did not want an overhead compartment as a souvenir.

~ Michael ~

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Posted by Anton Abaya at 03/04/2001 10:37 PM EST


Coach on team #419, Rambots, from UMass Boston / BC High and WHO NEEDS SPONSORS WHEN YOU HAVE DETERMINATION!.


In Reply to: Re: lol....short story
Posted by Michael on 03/01/2001 8:44 AM EST:



$@#$@#$@#$@# ninnies.

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Posted by Nate Smith at 03/02/2001 3:53 PM EST


Other on team #66, Frostbite, from Willow Run High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Re: lol....short story
Posted by Deej- T190 on 02/28/2001 11:36 PM EST:



: in 99, our head engineer nick on team 42 had a drill, a hammer, and about 30lbs of metal rods in his carry on luggage going to florida. weird thing was they never asked any questions.........go figure

They stopped me last year because of some allen wrenches I had in my carry-on...

Nate

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Posted by EddieMcD at 02/28/2001 4:48 PM EST


Student on team #121, Islanders, from Middletown High School and NUWC.


In Reply to: FIRST Music...shirts....Freez-It stockpile packed ;o)
Posted by Lora Knepper on 02/27/2001 8:08 PM EST:



Oh great. Considering you harrass anyone within an IM of FIRST normally, before a regional, it's gonna be bad.

I think I'll put up my away message. j/k :P

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Posted by Matt Ryan at 02/27/2001 8:11 PM EST


Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



Listening to the "1812 Overture" over and over and over and over and, well, you get the idea.

And also wanting to play card games all the time.

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Posted by Joe Johnson at 02/27/2001 8:15 PM EST


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



My most important prep for the regionals is not to
throw up every time I think about the upcoming competition.

Even after six years and 5 regional championship
trophies I get myself all in knots thinking about what
we have missed or what we should have designed better
or build better or stonger or faster, etc.

I will feel a lot better (I hope) after the UTC
regional is behind us.

Joe J.

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Posted by Matt Ryan at 02/28/2001 7:01 AM EST


Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.


In Reply to: I try not to toss my cookies...
Posted by Joe Johnson on 02/27/2001 8:15 PM EST:



Until its time for the nationals...:D

: My most important prep for the regionals is not to
: throw up every time I think about the upcoming competition.

: Even after six years and 5 regional championship
: trophies I get myself all in knots thinking about what
: we have missed or what we should have designed better
: or build better or stonger or faster, etc.

: I will feel a lot better (I hope) after the UTC
: regional is behind us.

: Joe J.

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Posted by Josh at 02/27/2001 10:31 PM EST


Engineer on team #419, Rambots, from Wentworth Institute of Technology.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



I find myself listening to music like 24/7 now, and very loudy...oh wait...that is usually what i'm doing. I'm making a whole lotta cd's for the nationals...there's no way i can work without music.

Josh
Team 419
"Nature always sides with the hidden flaw"

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Posted by Erin at 02/28/2001 7:49 AM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



BESIDES breaking out the face paint, my collection of buttons (i have a lot. a lot. i am not kidding. 5 of each, i swear. and like 25 of gael force's.), and my chief delphi cape (yay rumble 99!)my collection of dog tags complete with legos and tags from back to 98, and my foldable chairs, and my old yo-yo's, and my old pictures (i have lots of those too), and after praying to the broken wheel (you wouldn't understand), and after making arrangements on where to meet all of my friends when i am taking a break, and after teaching all of the freshman what NOT to say to judges, and after making everyone VERY MAD THAT I BLURRED OUT THE ROBOT PIC....

than i may just be ready for regionals.

keep the dew away or i will be the one tossing my cookies.

-erin

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Posted by Nate Smith at 03/02/2001 3:55 PM EST


Other on team #66, Frostbite, from Willow Run High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: no more permission slips for me...
Posted by Erin on 02/28/2001 7:49 AM EST:



pictures (i have lots of those too), and after praying to the broken wheel (you wouldn't understand), and

you guys have a broken wheel too????!?!?!? ask me about ours some time...it's an interesting story that dates back to CDI 2000...needless to say, we always make sure what we're cutting to make smaller isn't hollow first now...

Nate

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Posted by colleen - T190 at 02/28/2001 11:59 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



:)

Well one final remains.. one group project..

Hair is dyed.. red this time ;-) (although I still prefer blue)...

I have my copy of Jim's license for good luck... my cobalt.. my titanium.. and of course FUTAD (my little green dog) for good luck...

...and all that remains is our little furry powerhouse...

:) see you tomorrow!
--colleen

p.s. Don't forget your SME cards!!

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Posted by Patrick Dingle at 02/28/2001 8:20 PM EST


Coach on team #639, Red B^2, from Ithaca High School and Cornell University.


In Reply to: Take finals.. dye hair... groom hamster...
Posted by colleen - T190 on 02/28/2001 11:59 AM EST:



Good luck team 190!!! I will be there Friday and Saturday to help cheer 190 on.

Goat! Goat! Goat! Goat!
Gom-pei! Gom-pei! Gom-pei! Gom-pie!

Patrick

: :)

: Well one final remains.. one group project..

: Hair is dyed.. red this time ;-) (although I still prefer blue)...

: I have my copy of Jim's license for good luck... my cobalt.. my titanium.. and of course FUTAD (my little green dog) for good luck...

: ...and all that remains is our little furry powerhouse...

: :) see you tomorrow!
: --colleen

: p.s. Don't forget your SME cards!!

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Posted by Mike Corliss at 02/28/2001 9:06 PM EST


Student on team #419, Rambots, from BC High and :(.


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



Before a regional i like to come home from vacation and discover that they have completely altered the robot on me and shipped it so i have no time to practice. it gets me pumped.

Mike "I Got A Monster In My Pants" Corliss

419-Rambots (booyeah)

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Posted by Hymnson at 03/03/2001 7:29 PM EST


Student on team #419, The Rambots, from Boston College High School and UMass Boston and Modern Assistance Programs, Inc..


In Reply to: Non-traditional prepping for the regional.....
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 02/27/2001 6:49 AM EST:



I'm definately gunna dye my hair red this year for FL...but before competitions I listen to the hottest, pumping, pulsating,most hyped up songs ever and I get completely stoked and I'm ready for ANYTHING!!!!!!! O YEA BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;p
And I couple more traditions but thats top secret...