Forgetting About Robots

[baculpepper]

How do you forget about robots?

I cannot stop thinking about the outcome of the St. Louis regional. I am proud of our robot and how we preformed, but I am disappointed in knowing that the outcome possible could/should have been different.

So basically how should I forget about robots?

[Cory]

think about your next regional, or Nats if you are going to either.

Cory

[baculpepper]

Team 525 is going to nationals, which is a month away from today!!!

[DougHogg]

Originally posted by baculpepper
How do you forget about robots?

I cannot stop thinking about the outcome of the St. Louis regional. I am proud of our robot and how we preformed, but I am disappointed in knowing that the outcome possible could/should have been different.

So basically how should I forget about robots?

One way that I have found to handle competitions where it wasn't a total victory or perhaps was a disaster, is to start planning ahead toward the next match, competition, year, or even your career. After all, if you always won, that would be boring also. So now you know you have a real game, where you might lose. So try to figure out how you could do even better in the future. What was successful that you shouldn't change? What could perhaps be tweaked a bit to make it better, and what if anything should be totally changed? In other words, it isn't over. That was just the second round. We are going the full 15 rounds here. The adventure continues. It's like a formula-one race where you have only done a few laps. Maybe you skidded a bit and lost a few seconds on the last turn. How are you going to approach that corner the next time you come to it? Now share your realizations with someone else, because you now have knowledge that other people, especially rookies don't have. (I just read a great post from Jay Lundy who is a student on the Cheezy Poofs, Team 254, about how to avoid tipping. Hats off to you Jay, and many, many others, for using your experience to help other teams. I passed on the message about tipping to our whole team.) Ready? Go for it. Don't hold back. Go all out.

People in FIRST ARE lucky, because they are living a very creative adventure which just doesn't let up, and that is okay. Who wants to sit there watching TV and being a spectator anyway. When was the last time you heard of someone on their death bed talking about a great movie they saw? I think it far more likely to hear of their accomplishments, something they did to make things better. Well that's what FIRST is all about. Wow, we really are lucky! We've got something that is really worth caring about.

[Andrew]

I cannot stop thinking about the outcome of the St. Louis regional. I am proud of our robot and how we preformed, but I am disappointed in knowing that the outcome possible could/should have been different.

Every Boston Red Sox fan knows exactly how you feel (1986 world series, among others).

The Team 525, 16, 356 alliance felt like a dream come true. It just goes to show how tough it is and how many things have to go right in order to win a regional.

You guys have a great team and robot. Enjoy nationals!

[Joel Glidden]

I cannot stop thinking about the outcome of the St. Louis regional.

I am right with you. I can't seem to get past it. It's been costing me sleep since Saturday. I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished together, but I can't stop thinking about the first and last 3 seconds of that semi-final.

I just hope that we'll be as fortunate in Atlanta as we were in St. Louis. 525 and 16 were stellar alliance partners. Hopefully we can pull it off and get to see you guys again in Houston.

-Joel

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by baculpepper
How do you forget about robots?
I cannot stop thinking about the outcome of the St. Louis regional. I am proud of our robot and how we preformed, but I am disappointed in knowing that the outcome possible could/should have been different.
So basically how should I forget about robots?

For what seemed like months all my dreams involved robotics. Aughhh!

I don't think you'll forget about them by "should'ng" it away.

Sounds like you're grieving the outcome - it'll take how long it takes. Bit by bit I'll bet you'll start looking towards what you learned and what you'll do differently next time.

That's what we did after a terrible year last year. We've made huge strides in many arenas this year. Being so low last year provided the motivation to highs this year.

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by DougHogg
People in FIRST ARE lucky, because they are living a very creative adventure which just doesn't let up, and that is okay. Who wants to sit there watching TV and being a spectator anyway. When was the last time you heard of someone on their death bed talking about a great movie they saw? I think it far more likely to hear of their accomplishments, something they did to make things better. Well that's what FIRST is all about. Wow, we really are lucky! We've got something that is really worth caring about.

Love that!

We got our new tshirts that are still orange, but I guess the "new" orange was brighter cuz at the restaurant we often go to for breakfast with our shirts on, we got more attention than ever.

The guy across from me looked at us with envious admiring eyes "robotics, that's not a word you hear very often."

I've imagined in the future that when all I have are memories that some of my best memories will be about this team, these students, the uniqueness of being in robotics, the mentors, the people in FIRST, the school faculty that helped, all of our accomplishments (not the awards) in making good things happen.

[SkitzoSmurf]

It has been said that the average human uses only 10% of their brain. I think FIRST unknowingly has made people use the other 90% to think soley about robotics, lol. Another interesting little fact. Men think about women every 10 seconds, it seems like I now think of women every 10, and robots every 30. I think FIRST is one of the rare things in the world that completely changes you for the better. Not only that, but how could you forget a FIRST competition? Honestly. Think of all that goes on. If you think football is exciting, and then you show up to a regional or something, you are blwon away. EVERYONE has spirit, and everyone is so enthused with it, that they would rather build a robot for six weeks than sleep eat or drink, lol. So can you forget robotics? My theory points towards NO. Maybe if you really need it, we can have FAA, FIRST ADDICT ANONYMOUS. Wouldnt it be weird to have an acronym inside of another acromnym? Lol. Ok, I'm shutting up, just my 2 cents.

[T967]

these things Work! really! or maybe try worrying or thinking about the school project you've been putting on the back burner for a month? I know how 525 feels, we(967) just had started to do well when we lost our quarterfinal. Oh well we still have nationals!

baculpepper: Oh and Iowa needs some kind of match to settle bragging rights .

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by T967
these things Work! really!

*chuckle* Ok, in that spirit,

write on the bottom of your shoes the match, the regional, whatever and walk all over it to put it behind you.

[UCGL_Guy]

The shoe thing sounds good
Try remembering all the new friends from different places - afterall is said and done you will remember these friends a lot longer than the outcome of a match. Communicating on CD is good way also.
Keep plugging away - Life is way to short to dwell too long on the past.

KY
476
mentor

[AnimatorSarah]

I don't think it would be possible to forget about robotics. After putting so much effort into something for 6+ weeks you robot becomes a part of you. You start worrying when its broken or when autonomous is being tempermental after all your tests. Your robot is no longer just a robot, it takes on a personality all its own. I know robotics will take years to leave my mind. Unfortunately I have to go to college at the end of this year and won't be able to be on my team next year but you can bet that I will definately visit usfirst.org daily for the team updates and talk to those i know will still be on 378 next year and coach them from my dorm.

Anyway. Good luck to all teams in their next competition!

[Team238-aholic]

I've been out of high school for 3 years now, and i still can not stop thinking about robots...lol