FIRST: Funny how it comes up in conversation

[galewind]

Okay, so I'm finding it exceedingly funny how FIRST is still managing to creep up into places in my life that I would normally not expect it to.

This weekend, I was chaperoning a Computer Science competition at The College of New Jersey, and I sat and talked with a few AP Compsci teachers about various CS issues. One of the teachers also commented that they taught robotics, but had never heard of FIRST! So I spent about 5 minutes straight talking about the competition, the spirit of first, the advantages, costs, etc, and basically became a walking FIRST advertisement.

Later in the day, I was having a reunion with some friends in the form of a LAN party. As I brought my computer down into the basement, I saw someone watching clips from the Chesapeake (sp?) regional on their own PC. I was thinking "Wow, more people getting involved with FIRST!" He was saying "oh, yeah, this is our robot, blah blah blah". I asked him what team he was from, and he said 365 (MOE). Afterward, I felt really stupid not recognizing it by his bright green hair. There were three MOE's there, all in all.

So now I'm finding that every facet of my life is being tainted by FIRST. It's a rare occurence anymore that something FIRST-related doesn't surface over the course of the day. Being a rookie, I'm finding this a bit overwhelming, but exciting at the same time. Are you all finding that FIRST permeates your life as well?

My biggest task right now is to get the 20 cubic feet of boxes stacked at my desk (more boxes than desk) to their appropriate place before the rutgers regional in 1.5 weeks.

Sorry for the rant! See ya at the J&J! ^_^

[DaveO'B365]

who was it(from moe)? just curious... but yeah, i met loads of people at psu and i happened to see someone wearing a robbe shirt from 2 years ago and i was like, hey, i know that guy, i didn't know he was in first! then i wore my crew shirt from the chesapeake regional and some guy i was playing pool with was like 'i did that for 2 years, you're on moe?!' and some chick i knew walked into my room one day at the beginning of the fall semester and saw my jersey from MOEhawk on the wall, and was like 'i'll be back shortly' hehe it was funny to meet these people i'd least expect to be into robots. there's a guy across the hall from me who went to lansdale catholic, not on the team, but he knew what he was talking about. it also helps to wear that green crap, cause everyone knows they've seen it before... hehe it's cool

[srawls]

Indeed, FIRST always seems to pop up.

My barber asks me about the robot everytime I get a haircut. My doctor always checks on how we did at regionals. Anywhere I go, I always end up talking about FIRST

In Virginia we have to take the SOLs. For the writing part, I wrote about FIRST of course. I took a test to show my skills in computers to get out of this stupid multimedia course at my school, and at the end we were told to make an 8 minute power point presentation on anything we wanted. So of course I did FIRST. The procter seemed interested too. I wore my FIRST shirt one day, and some guy came up to me and said "hey, I used to be in that."

Next year I think I'll take a picture of the robot with me wherever I go, then I can get even more people interested in FIRST.

Stephen

[kristinL356]

I don't know if any of you have ever seen the show John Doe. It comes on Fox. But anyway, the John Doe website is all interactive & such, it even has this little part where you can check John's e-mail. Afew of the e-mails were from this little genius kid named Wesley who like to make robots & they mentioned FIRST & Dean Kamen. I thought it was pretty cool. 2 of my favorite things mixing. Later. Kristin

[evulish]

Everything deals with FIRST. I just had an odd FIRST experience today. I was doing some job shadowing for my senior project. I was running way behind (it's due on Friday)...so my dad set me up with an Ag Engineer who works in the same building. The ag engineer, two assistant-like people and I went out to survey some farm land. After we got there, the eng. brought up a pancake breakfast. I said that I was there and his one assistant asked if I was there with the robot. I said yes and he told me that he was involved with the team the first year it was around...this wasn't WATTNESS but rather the team that started WATTNESS. I was really amazed.

(Team history: The team 'The LITTLES' was located near us...some kids from local school districts wanted to be a part of the robotics team so they travelled to where the LITTLES met. After a while, it began to be too much of a drive so they put together their own team (WATTNESS) which consists of the local schools in our county.)

[Wayne C.]

[quote]Originally posted by galewind
[b]Okay, so I'm finding it exceedingly funny how FIRST is still managing to creep up into places in my life that I would normally not expect it to.


So now I'm finding that every facet of my life is being tainted by FIRST. It's a rare occurence anymore that something FIRST-related doesn't surface over the course of the day. Being a rookie, I'm finding this a bit overwhelming, but exciting at the same time. Are you all finding that FIRST permeates your life as well?

Gee Chris- sounds like you wish you just kept walking past that classroom that afternoon

My biggest task right now is to get the 20 cubic feet of boxes stacked at my desk (more boxes than desk) to their appropriate place before the rutgers regional in 1.5 weeks.
Just think- you add a robot and a heap of spare parts to that soon. And maybe a trophy....


BTW- nice purple monkey...

WC

[Stephanie]

i know exactly what you mean.

another team mate and i share the same orthodontist. he keeps up with the team's progress through the two of us. everytime i'm in there, i hear him telling the other patients "see that girl over there? she builds robots at school, and competes them. steph, tell [him/her] about robotics!" he and i also have a running joke. we tell his younger patients that i am a robot, and my braces are my circuitry. it's a little faulty, and i'm having problems with shorts, so i had to come get it fixed

also, a neighbor of ours brought some spinach from his garden when he introduced himself. my parents invited him to stay for dinner, and he and i ended up talking about robotics.

hehe

[galewind]

Originally posted by Wayne C.

Gee Chris- sounds like you wish you just kept walking past that classroom that afternoon

Nah, I wouldn't give it up, now. I admit it. I'm hooked.

My biggest task right now is to get the 20 cubic feet of boxes stacked at my desk (more boxes than desk) to their appropriate place before the rutgers regional in 1.5 weeks.


Just think- you add a robot and a heap of spare parts to that soon. And maybe a trophy....

You know, I *STILL* have no idea what we're going to do with it after everything's all said and done. I *DO* know that we're using it at the curriculum fair on April 9th, as well as during meetings and whatnot for the following year.. I ALSO know that we're giving 1089 totebags out to the board members at the board meeting tonight. Between faculty, staff, and administration, I managed to knock out 3 of the 15 boxes we had. Each box is 18" tall (cube). So I can now reach my chair at my desk. I still don't know how I'm going to get my desk drawer open. I wish I had pictures to show everyone how my stack of boxes is dominating my office. Where's my robot when I need it!!!? heh.