Re: how I have been "damaged" by FIRST
 

2004 - NEVER build a robot that can have a gave piece forcibly inserted into it by another robot.

2005 - My love of an aggressive 6wd.

2006 - Never do in hardware what you can do in software. Seriously, making a hardware PID controller was a huge time commitment. Still learned a ton though.

2007 - C does not have System.out.println()...

2008 -Driving to Atlanta after work = bad idea.

2009 - FRC fields should be carpet. This is not negotiable. (And STILL, nobody pushes Truck Town)

2010 - Low CG = Great demo tool for people. Being able to tip your robot backwards and STILL have it fall on its wheels is pretty impressive to people.

Re: how I have been "damaged" by FIRST
 

2010: Barraging my poor mother not only marching bands (oh yess, i'm a big fan) but different robots that blew the minds of everybody and how I'm excited for next year:D