Another Funny Story for Erin

[archiver]

Posted by Lora Knepper.

Student on team #69, HYPER (Helping Youth Pursue Engineering & Robotics), from Quincy Public Schools and The Gillette Company.

Posted on 2/28/2000 3:25 PM MST



Ok...I thought about this one for a while and although it makes me look like an idiot (no comments on that please!), I figured it was too funny to let go....

It was 1998, Ladder Logic, and I was a freshman and a driver for my team. Orlando was a blast, and along with my teammates, we were having the time of our lives. In the first day of qualifying rounds, we were doing well considering we were back on the rookie level due to a new sponsor. Myself and my co-driver and human player were getting restless from a full day in the pits, and we had about two hours to kill before the next match. Our coaches gave us permission to burn off some energy in Epcot, provided we were back well before our next match. We left, and headed into the park, splitting up. I along with a teammate not under the driving crew restrictions went to a ride on the far side of Epcot.

I honestly can't remember what it was called, but it was hosted by Ellen DeGeneris(sp?) and Bill Nye the Science Guy. It was a journey back to the time of the dinosaurs, and really cool. The line outside, and the ride itself was longer than either of us expected, and soon we found ourselves stuck on the ride, and my time was up! Panic set in, as I could see my life fading if I missed that match. I bolted from Epcot, running full speed through Disney as soon as the ride ended.

Out of breath and gasping for air, I flew back to the pits......to find our bot and my team gone. Now, adrenaline was REALLY kicking in, and I ran from one stage to another, looking for our bot. I've never covered so much distance so quickly in my life. I finally found them on stage, and on deck. I had to climb through a potted plant to get to the machine, and my coach was understandably giving me a look that could kill. I drove my best, and we won that match, but I knew that I would be dead on entrance to the pits.

Back in our area, I was cornered by my coach, as he attemped to find out why I was so late. All I could remember was the large animatronic dinosaur that at one point crosses in front of the ride's cars, and so I blurted out, 'There was a dinosaur in the road!' I thought my team was going to die laughing, even my coach. Even to this day, when I venture away from the team, I promise not to let the dinosaurs get in the way again...and I haven't been back on that ride since! )

Ok, I spilled my dirt...now how about the rest of you??

Lora