[Arille]

.. when you've already got a pre-set, 5 paragraph formulated answer to a non-competing person's question of: "FIRST Competition? Is there a Second one or something? What's that?" (I have answered that Q soo many times!)

.. when rather than finding quarters in your wallet to buy a late-night snack from the very few vending machines at school, you find hex nuts instead (and if you're special, sometimes even the lock ones with nylon inserts)

.. when you play 'jokes' on other classmates at school by talking to other team members like so: " Amanda, you totally kept the strippers all night to yourself. You have to learn how to share" "Yeah, I had the strippers. I'll go out and buy you your own for tonight."

.. when all of your people on speed dial on your cellphone are FIRST-related (machinist, other teams' contacts, mentors, etc.)

.. when your cellphone background consists at least two of the following: FIRST logo, red/blue innertubes, a rack (your homemade one or elsewhere), or your robot itself

.. (for electronics) when zip ties and electrical tape become your best friends

.. when you're schedule usually revolves around your robotics worktimes/practices, and not the other way around

.. when you whip out your own personal safety goggles from your backpack during Chemistry (or any other science) class for labs, instead of using your school's provided uncomfortable ones

.. when you're pulled out of your Shakespeare english class by your Team Leader, so that you guys can order the Bimba cylinders in the morning rather than after school, and receive them ASAP!!