[Amber H.]

Some of us are not affiliated with teams because there simply are none close enough. Go look at the interactive map on the FIRST website and you will notice that there are no teams in the entire state of Utah.
I got on CD because it is one of the best resources available for getting to know the FIRST community and culture. I find it manditory to know a subject inside and out as much as possible before I write about it. I think it greatly improves the quality of a book if the author knows the subject better. You probably don't know this because you're new Mark, but I'm here and have contact with various FIRSTers because I am writing a young adult mystery novel based around a ficticious group of FIRST students (there's a serial killer in town and their mentor is the next victim if they don't stop it in time).

I have been thoroughly looking at everything to make sure it is accurate. I even downloaded the new manual and competition rules Saturday evening when I got back in town (You think this is bad; I spent four months just researching the Oakland hills fire of 1991 for the last book I wrote).

Sigh; what started out as a harmless novel has turned into an addiction. I (snif!) am a FIRST aholic!

Believe me, if I had a team to volunteer for, I'd be there.
Maybe next year when I am more settled here, I'll start one.