(Ok, ok, Colleen, so I put the thread in the wrong forum....it was late and I was tired and sore, so sue me
)
Just like Lora and because of Lora, I got 2 totally different views of the competition. In the morning I coached for 237 just a bit (always a pleasure to do)....and then Lora told me that 177 needed her, so I took over her reffing job.
And boy, what a rush that was.
I have now come to the conclusion that somehow, someway, I want to ref a real FIRST-run competition. It was really cool being able to utilise something Ive never been able to do before: my knowledge of the rules. Ive never driven at a real FIRST competition (1st/last time was at WPI), and Ive never built or done strategy, so being able to look at a match and see exactly what was wrong with it or what was right with it was such a rush of pride to know that yes, I do know this game inside out.
As for Bash itself, it had its normal communication problems-charm that comes with the competiton....though I was upset that we couldn't color a yellow ball black (following Bash tradition). I also wish there was a better clarification of the rules, for instance: if ball/field destruction was ok, then it should have been said beforehand, so that we werent running for the FIRST rulebook as much. So basically, if youre gonna change the rules of the competition, please clarify it as much as you can.
There were also a couple of other things I did not like about the competition, but Im not in the mood for being any more cynical that I already have been.
I have to say, though...the venue was great...lots of parking, the gym was spacious though warm (but what gym isnt warm during a competition), the eating area was really close, easy access to the outside...it had it all. Decoration (including palm trees & the team posters) was also very well done.
My highlight: the team party...that was awesome, though I wish it was a little longer. Waterford is beautiful, and the party was a great idea. Definetley a great way to end a summer.
And no, I do not have the "Bash itch".....though I am really really sore
PS - thanks to everyone who put up with me as a "pain in the butt ref". I'm usually not that mean, really