Pre Kickoff "Bucket List"

[McGurky]

I have realized myself through this winter break rushing to get stuff done that I know I will not have time for in the coming weeks due to build season. So in addition to sleep and homework, I find myself wanting to get a kick start on planning things for other activities that I am involved with, such as boy scouts.

I am just curious if you guys have a "Bucket List" of sorts that you need to get done before kickoff, and what is on that list?

[skimoose]

Inventory hardware, COTS, and raw materials.

[IndySam]

Every year I design a new drive before kickoff and every year it's doesn't fit the game.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Every year I design a new drive before kickoff and every year it's doesn't fit the game.

If it makes you feel any better, you can always give them to me.


Get everything situated for sponsorship before the kickoff comes. Hopefully so we can attend a second regional.

[bearbot]

2849 been planning button and shirt designs,inventory,order our standard nuts and bolts, buy more stock alumium and other t-op secret item

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Every year I design a new drive before kickoff and every year it's doesn't fit the game.

Same. The pre-designs we've done have typically only served as imperfect mount points for prototype manipulators.

- Sleep
- Taxes (this year at least)
- Spend plenty of time with the girlfriend since there will be 45 consecutive days where she won't see much of me
- Review the supplier list, noting the least expensive sources for bearings, shaft collars, bolts, etc.
- Review the AndyMark website and memorize things like stock gear ratios, wheel sizes, hole sizes/patterns, etc. This gets easier each year since all that really has to be done is memorizing the brand new stuff.

[synth3tk]

- Making sure I have just-enough projects at work lined-up so that I don't have too few or too many.
- Getting everything ready for my trip to Canada during week 6 (hopefully my team will be doing well by then)
- Sleep
- Designing our 2011 t-shirts
- Preparing an informal "programming class" for some new students interested in programming this year.
- Sleep.

[Cyberphil]

I guess the biggest thing that I would say is to mentally prepare myself for the season. Figure out what is the best design for a past years game and see how well it might have preformed. Kind of like a mock build season of the mind (only because our team does not do to much off-season stuff).

Other than those:

-Sleep
-Learn Inventor
-Sleep
-Learn how to use a few machines better
-Maybe homework
-Sleep a bit more

[Karibou]

-Making sure that the rookies know what to expect at Kickoff/during build season
-Sleep
-Watching to see if packages of Mountain Dew/Energy drinks go on sale
-Think about the game hint
-Worrying about the upcoming season
-Locating all of my safety glasses and making sure that they're in the right places (school locker, purse, car)
-Hoping that I don't have any large upcoming projects

[rsisk]

Speaking of safety glasses, what is a good type to buy and where to buy them?

[lynca]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Speaking of safety glasses, what is a good type to buy and where to buy them?

We get ours in a bulk order from Safety Glasses USA

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/

[Wayne TenBrink]

- Go through the toolboxes, hardware, & material bins - restock as needed
- Gut out the 2010 robot (cRio, motors, gearboxes, etc.) -- very sad.
- Design drivetrain improvements that will probably be useless after Jan 8
- Spend time with my wife and 2 daughters who aren't into robots
- Pitch the manure out of the barn. Grind enough grain to get my 5 cattle through the next couple months (hobby farmer when not building robots)
- Take care of the honeydo jobs around the house that won't be a priority during build
- Pray that nobody gets hurt during build and I don't get sent out of town on business anytime soon.

[Bryan Herbst]

-Get caught up with my team, which I haven't seen since September
-Get ready for spring semester
-Sleep
-RELAX!

Relaxing is the biggest one. I have recently begun to run out of time for relaxation, and I sure miss it!

[lynca]

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

- Go through the toolboxes, hardware, & material bins - restock as needed.

I'm curious where people get their hardware and screws. We are going to try the Bolt Depot Assortment bins this year.
http://www.boltdepot.com/us-assortments.aspx

We will also be using Hansen Hobbies again this year for wires/electrical.
http://www.hansenhobbies.com/product...connectorkits/

Are there any other hardware websites and assortments that people suggest ?

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by JesseK

... Taxes (this year at least)

Oh! That's a good one to keep on the bucket list!

I have a baby quilt to make.
4 new books from Christmas to read.
Yikes! I need to take down the tree and put away all the Christmas decorations.

How many more days?!?