[sanddrag]

I don't know what made me think of it but I was just remembering at the LA regional last year, all the teams were so willing to give away parts, provide technical assistance, strategy tips, etc. You would just go up to the FIRST admin. table and ask them to announce over the PA what you need and within 5 mins five teams were at your pit with what you needed. It was like a race almost. The whole concept is brilliant. It also goes back to alliance picking as the more you help out, the better the chance you will be picked.

We also had a little fun with the PA announcements. The guy would say pretty much whatever we told him. One team got the idea of announcing "Team XYZ is asking for donations of any kind. If you have a donation please bring it to the front table." So, trying to be helpful, we scrounged up like $0.23, a paper clip, and a stick of gum and made the announcement "Team 696 is offering a donation of $0.23, a paper clip and a stick of gum." To my surprise, team XYZ graciously accepted the entirety of our donation. A couple teams also had the announcement made "Team ABC is searching for a group of cheerleaders. If you have any cheerleaders you are not currently using, please send them to team ABC's pit."

That was so great. I can't wait for the fun and giving to begin again. How many days are we down to now, 87, until kickoff?