T'was the night before Ship date

[SirLancelot]

Wow- that was lovely. Obviously you had a bit of time in your hands after the bustle of ship date and all. I'm still trying to get used to coming directly home after school every so often and eating with real silverware off of plates that one doesn't typically throw away. Pretty weird................

[Someone]

'twas the morn' OF THE SHIP date an all throught the shop, every creature was hurring, 'tho most looked ready to drop.

man. we finished at about 6am the morning of the ship date (only 4 of us lasted that long) and then had a nice hour long sleep (6:30-7:30) on campus before school started. pity us. (it came out real nice tho!)

[hipsterjr]

With 4 days till Christmas, I thought it'd be fun to bring this old thread back up.

T'was the night before kickoff, and all across the web, mice were scurrying, clicking on CD and usfirst. The hint threads were ablaze, as we all waited with egger delight for build season to begin, and Dave laughed at us with a picture of a banana and a Muhahahahahaha

[JaneYoung]

‘Twas the night before Kick Off and all through CD
The teams are a’puzzlin’ and Dave’s filled with glee.
The students are waiting for Kick Off’s reveal
In hopes that the 2008 game's a thrill.

The team members scratch their heads with the clues,
As visions of sensors and cameras start yet anew.
And grandmothers smile at the teams with delight
As knowledge and kindness are shared through the night.

And out of the KoP box may come news:
The dlavery offer of pun-ridden clues
Was indeed helpful for all who partook
Though he laughed and he giggled and his belly, it shook.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Is helping the northern teams wait with a glow
As hot cocoa and marshmallows diversify systems of
Thought – well yes and no.

The drivers are chomping to start world wide
In the quest for the robots that will bring home the prize.
When what to their wondering eyes should appear
The clues - they are good ones, the answers not near.

Now mentors! Now students! Now sponsors and all!
On teamwork! On FIRSTers! Let’s all have a ball!
To the Kick Off we go, to the game challenge, haste!
Not a moment to dally, not a moment to waste!

Not as leaves that before the hurricane fly,
When teams meet with challenge, they continue to strive.
No problem too large or too small overlooked
The teams are quite ready to build by the book.

They'll follow the rules, to the manual they'll go
When questions are asked and they just don’t know.
The FIRST Q&A is another great source
After teams have researched and studied, of course.

Our eyes, how they’ll twinkle and sparkle before
The six weeks’ build has them begging to snore.
Well, the nose snores that's true - but the eyes, they must close
In order to sleep or to rest or repose.

No grumbling, arguing, fighting allowed –
Remember that Gramma, we must make her proud.
Our mentors are waiting, our students are, too –
This Kick Off will rock, I can feel it, can’t you?

The punster, the jokester, the right jolly elf –
Is happy and waiting for Kick Off, himself.
The new animation is coming along
That is - if nothing, no nothing, goes awfully wrong.

Our hats off to FIRST and thanks, GDC!
For making the season just what it should be:
A season to recognize science, math, and more
Technology, education, and robots that score!

It’s time to anticipate what this all means
The magic and drama the challenge will bring.
Wishing all a good build and experience that’s great
Here’s to all of our teams and to FIRST 2008!

Borrowed from and with a nod to - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore

[Cynette]

Now if this doesn't put you in the holiday spirit you truly are a SCROOGE!!!

Just wonderful, Jane!

[ChuckDickerson]

Thanks Jane! You really made my day! That is absolutely hilarious!

Happy Holidays to all!

[synth3tk]

Jane, you have WAY too much time on your hands! Anyway, I enjoyed it.

Happy Holidays (including Game Hint Season)

[T3_1565]

wow...... that was crazy!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

[JaneYoung]

I'm being asked how long the poem took to draft (I still consider this a draft).

For me to write takes very little time. I printed off the original poem, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore (1779 - 1863), and then I looked at the different stanzas. Sometimes I used a similar beginning line, borrowing from the poet.

Writing can be very difficult for some and easy for others. I understand that, math and math-related topics are very hard for me. I am fascinated by and understand basic principles but things like symbolic logic pass beyond my comprehension.

So, I can understand people who find writing a chore or hard to do.

What's hard for me is the tweaking. I never stop tweaking anything I write, that is why at some point in the post cycle, it is a good thing that the typical poster cannot edit anymore. If I could, I would still be editing posts from 2 years ago.

This poem was about 15 minutes worth of write, the tweaking - on-going until I can't edit anymore.
Thanks for asking.
Jane

[hipsterjr]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I'm being asked how long the poem took to draft (I still consider this a draft).

For me to write takes very little time. I printed off the original poem, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore (1779 - 1863), and then I looked at the different stanzas. Sometimes I used a similar beginning line, borrowing from the poet.

Writing can be very difficult for some and easy for others. I understand that, math and math-related topics are very hard for me. I am fascinated by and understand basic principles but things like symbolic logic pass beyond my comprehension.

So, I can understand people who find writing a chore or hard to do.

What's hard for me is the tweaking. I never stop tweaking anything I write, that is why at some point in the post cycle, it is a good thing that the typical poster can not edit any more. If I could, I would still be editing posts from 2 years ago.

This poem was about 15 minutes worth of write, the tweaking - on-going until I can't edit anymore.
Thanks for asking.
Jane

Case and point. How many times have you edited this post?

[Libby K]

Jane, I would like to say, you are AMAZING.

[John Wanninger]

You've shown us again that inspiration comes in many delicious flavors - Thanks Jane!

[+()c|D]

I would like to say to all team members of all teams and their family's happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah's, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year. (if I left any out please let me know and I apologize)

Happy Holidays to all

[DotCom]

The poem was brilliant! I love it. =]

[ChuckDickerson]

Jane, you obviously are gifted with words. How are you with song lyrics? I say we nominate Jane to write the words to the next official FIRST theme song. Those FIRST 2 songs we were all asked to vote on back in 2006 were, well, sort of lame. I don’t think I have ever heard them since.