A FIRST-a-holic Going Bonkers....

[Lora Knepper]

Hey everyone... well... first off a disclaimer of sorts... I wasn't sure what forum to put this under since it's going to be a lot of everything and nothing all in the same go So sorry if I messed up Brandon! I'm just a FIRSTer that's really beginning to miss the "6 weeks of Hell"

So I've effectively missed about 80% of the FIRST season at this point, and it's driving me up a wall! For those of ya that are used to seeing Massachusetts next to my name, yes.. two days ago I took a big leap and moved out on my own 900 miles southwest to beautiful Tennessee

I also have to say thanks to team 343, Metal In Motion for picking up a FIRST-a-holic in withdrawal. (Even though I'm working remote from Knoxville ) I'm still not sure how to contruibute to them as a Virtual Member, but I urge y'all to check out their homepage www.metalinmotion.com - they got something great going on there.

I hope everyone's bots are working (and weighing in at 130 or less! ) - and if I'm lucky, I may be at the VCU and/or NE regionals... *crossing fingers*

~ lora

PS - please note/remember that my AIM name changed! Rebel39SPT

[Leo M]

You certainly picked the right team to link up with. M-in-M is a great bunch, and we are definitely going to miss having them at VCU this year.

Say HI to Gil, and see you in Orlando.................

[Ken Leung]

Hey Lora, hope everything is going well... Metal in Motion is a great team, so I think you will have a great time with them. Make sure you show up at competition, maybe even National.

Yeah... seems like we are all growing up and going different directions... Kate stop doing 190, you going off to Tennessee, Jess concentrating in school, Steve helping with VA regional, Matt transfering to team GRR... I guess we aren't the old group of high school FIRST-a-holics anymore. But of course Anton and I are still doing this, and I still finding myself staying with my new team for an all nighter tonight. (What's wrong with us~!?!" Guess I will have to take the 5am train to go back to school tomorrow morning... AGAIN...

Hope to see you at competition.

[Lora Knepper]

Hey guys I was kinda surprised at how many views my rant got!

Hey Ken, if a group of the FIRST-a-holics feel like splitting a hotel room or some fun like that... I might have to work a little harder at getting to Orlando. Other than that, I'm not sure about Nats... it's still a decent drive from Tennessee (hush Pat, Though I am sadly going to miss that Greyhound this year!) - and once I find work here, things will probably get a bit sticky. But I'm still working at it!

Hopefully I'll see you at at least one competition...

~ lora

[Jessica Boucher]

Awwww.....Ken remembered to mention me!!

For all that dont know (or care )....I gave up aim for Lent...and I was even off of the forums for a good month or so.

Then I realized that I had missed most of the 6 weeks without giving it a second thought...until that point.

Things are in the works for Babson becoming involved in FIRST. It's hard, selling FIRST in a different way, not as training engineers, but as training business entrepreneurs. Because, in actuality, FIRST is also training students in accounting, marketing, public speaking and presentation skills, as well as giving them a heavy appreciation for technology and an ability to relate to professionals within technical fields such as Engineering and Information Systems.

I had a meeting with the Student Govt Association last nite to get a busload of Babsonites to the UTC regional...and that just may fly. They suggested eventually having a mini-competition just for college-sponsored teams...because, well, theyre competitive like that.

And yes, through all that, I am focusing on school. My business was the first to break even and we are now at $1000 in profit! It's still not too late to make a bulk order for your team for Nationals ::shameless plug::
http://simplyscrubs.babson.edu

In any case, if you guys want to reach me, or help out in this Babson deal, please let me know (jboucher@babson.edu)....I can always use the help.

Have a lovely shipping day!

-Jessica B