And with this I bid you farewell...

[Andy Grady]

Hi all,
Seeing that there have been many people asking me if I am indeed leaving FIRST, I figured that I would make it official and say my last few bits on the forum, where I have met many people and shared my ideas. So to answer the question of the many who have asked, why am I leaving? Well I have been around for 7 years, and in those 7 years many things have changed...to me, things are not the same anymore. I enjoyed competition when it was much smaller, and the games were more simplified. Also this year I sat up in the stands at the nationals and thought about my goals and accomplishments over the years, and realized that I have accomplished pretty much everything I wanted to do in FIRST and now its time to move on to accomplish something that I realize should take precidence over everything else in my life, I want my degree.
So with this, I give my last few thoughts...first of all I want to thank the teams I have been on, Gael Force and PARTS. These two teams are so different in style, but they share something in common, they each are composed of some of the most wonderful people I have ever known. Also a special thanks goes out to a team I feel like I have been a part of, CHAOS. You guys have really made these past few years alot of fun, its always a pleasure working with you. Finally, a big thanks goes out to everyone who I have met and/or conversed with on this board...you guys rule and made this game mean so much more to me than winning.
Of course what would a post from me be without some sort of strategic comment, so I just want to throw this out to the WPI people...congratulations...Battlecry 2 was the first competition I have ever been to, where I was totally stumped by the game, I still don't have it figured out! But the defense was great, and im glad to have been there.
Well all, it was a pleasure, and who knows where I will be popping up in the future. After all, as one of the great students at Clinton High wrote to me, you can take Andy out of FIRST, but you cant take FIRST out of Andy.

Peace,
Andy Grady

p.s. If anyone is looking for a play by play announcer for a competition in the New England area, drop me a line (hint hint Lori, if FIRST needs a regional announcer, I have references =) )