[Carolyn Duncan]

Ok you three, take a time out. Nothing that you are talking about has anything to do with the topic at hand. The thread was revived for pick up lines. Perhaps each of you should take the time and use your energy to look up the threads which are titled "Why did you join First?" I believe there was even a QotW regarding this topic. But just in case you don't feel like looking it up, here's a hint: Not everyone joined FIRST because they want to be an engineer, I sure as anything don't I just wanted to play with Legos and got sucked into the greatness of the program. MarkF, let me offer you some advice, of course you can totally ignore me if you like, everyone has a different feeling about the program. it means something different to everyone. For some people the magnitude of what can and is done does not hit until they go to their first competition, I have seen it happen. As a mentor last year I had the opportunity to sit back and watch the students who worked and the ones who didn't, trust me the adults see who does the work and who doesn't. Your efforts will not go unnoticed, that also means that your attitude is also going to be noted. If other people have to expend too much energy defending themselves to you they don't have the ability to devote the proper attention to the project. Perhaps if you try to work with those people who aren't there for what you consider the right reasons, you will learn that you may be a better teacher or you will make a more positive impact on the adults who are watching.
M, you have been around in FIRST for awhile, you know that it is your job to mentor, not egg on such conversations. Help Mark understand and see more than just one side of things. It's not the best idea to be stubborn in every situation. You said it yourself, open up. That doesn't mean just listening to what other people say and understanding that they have their opinions too, but don't word your posts as if they are from a dictator's speach. You are very open minded about certain things, in order to be true to that it has to be about everything, not just what you chose to be open about. Mentor, guide, water the flowers but do not over feed.
Cory, it is ok to have strong feelings about things but don't forget that sometimes you have to contain them. It is ok to share but to an extent, don't jump on a person, it only makes things worse. If you feel yourself getting too hyped up finish typing what you feel needs to be said and then delete it and start over. It can be a bad idea to post when emotions are high. A good rule of thumb is if a thread becomes centered around a select few posters stop posting. It ill quickly go off topic. Don't forget that you can consult posters who have been around awhile before you hit that button that says submit. I have asked people to read something before I post it in order to see how it is taken by another person. Things don't come out the way they are supposed to sometimes.
At this point the only thing I ask is that you have read this and do not post a reply in the thread. Show the rest of the posters and readers that you have taken the time to read and are doing something rather than just saying something about the way this thread went. At least give me that courtesy. I'm sorry to sound so condescending, but lets face it; sometimes we don't know what we are capable of unless we are told. Sometimes that hurts but a little sting is better than a big rejection. With that I vote to lock this thread.