Today I went to the Kickoff 2005 at the OSC. I will document our team's progress on here if you want. It is my first year doing this, and I am really looking forward to it!
For those of you who don't know what FIRST Robotics is, here is a brief overview. FIRST Robotics is a competition in which High School students comepte in. We build robots to do the task that is assigned to us at the kickoff, which I was at today. We have six weeks to build the aforesaid robot, which is a real crunch.
This is what the website says:
quote: The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, multinational competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience—and a lot of fun. In 2004 the competition will reach more than 20,000 students on over 900 teams in 27 competitions. Our teams come from Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Great Britain, and almost every U.S. state. The competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events, the result of lots of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, project timelines, and deadlines.
Colleges, universities, corporations, businesses, and individuals provide scholarships to our participants. Involved engineers experience again many of the reasons they chose engineering as a profession, and the companies they work for contribute to the community while they prepare and create their future workforce. The competition shows students that the technological fields hold many opportunities and that the basic concepts of science, math, engineering, and invention are exciting and interesting.
The challenge this year is a lot less complex than last year, probably because of complaints from rookie teams that it was too hard. This year, on each playing "team" there are three team's robots competing together. There are two teams, red and blue. There is a rectangular playing field with six tetrahedric goals around the perimiter, one in each corner and one in the centre of each side. there is also a big goal, which is a skeletal tetrahedron on top of a square, in the middle. The goal of the game is to get smaller skeletal tetras, which are placed on random positions on the field, either in the big goals (1pt) or on top of them (2 pts). If you get a "row" diagonally, or across, at the end of the game, you get 10 extra points. If all three of the robots on your team are behind a line on your end of tyhe field at the endo of the game, you get another 10 points. The catches? 30-second autonomous mode at the beginning- no human controls. You don;t know who you are competing with/against until the day of the tournament. the six weeks.
All in all, this promises to be an exciting six weeks! If you would like me to keep you posted on developments as they happen, please let me know!
[ April 22, 2005, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Ooh, I did that one year when I was in high school. Good luck to your team! Remember that you don't necessarily have to win the matches; my team went to the national competition because we won a design award.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
*Is insanely jealous*
I love robotics, curse you! ^_^
I didn't even hear of this competition. Oh well, I'll just go back to my current robot. *twidles around with it.*
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yeah, our team came in second for the reagional Chairman's Award last year and has gotten the Judge's award all the years that we competed! So we're really going for it this year!
Why oh why did I forget to mention THAT!!
[ January 08, 2005, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Good luck! Have fun soldering Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I just finished reading a Discover article on this very topic. Break a leg! Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I was a sponsor of our FIRST team a couple of years ago.
It doesn't really have much to do with robotics, but it is a great way to introduce people to the field of engineering. I had heard of engineering as a high schooler, but there was nothing like this around to make me realize how interesting/exciting/fun it can be. If there had, my life may very well have taken a different course.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
My school has a FIRST team, a bunch of my friends are on it...
Have fun! (my school's team website is here)
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I just noticed this:
quote: at the OSC
I ment the Ontario Science Centre, if there was any confusion Posted by Insanity Plea (Member # 2053) on :
Very awesome, good luck! I wish my school had one when I was in HS. Satyagraha
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Huh. I reckon my school's team must have been there too, then.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
My boyfriend went to that today. He's on the Purdue Advisors team this year. Last year we were both on our high school rookie team. It was a lot of fun. I love just watching the matches (I don't do any engineering). Our team was really weird, though, at its largest we had 22 people including advisors and teachers. The team Purdue sponsors has more than 22 advisors! I think that's more normal though.
Do you know what regionals you're going to yet?
I always thought you were a college student. Are you really a high school student?
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
blacwolve: Yes, I am a high school student. Grade 10, to be exact.
We are going to the Greater Toronto area regionals.
Okay, so today was our first of many meetings. We basically brainstormed ideas for our robot, and tidied up the robot room at my school. We have some good ideas, I think. Since we didn't get our Chairman's Award application in on time, we are going for one of the other awards, probably the Xerox design or the Judge's Award. Last year we won the best costumes, so we are hoping for that again too!
CAUTION: GIRL WITH WRENCH!!!
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Desdemona, that totally rocks. You get cooler every second.
I'm so very glad you made your way to Hatrack. You must update us on a regular basis!
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
What Sara said Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
So, yesterday I was at school from 8:10 until eight. Like, that's twelve hours. Robotics was only 4 hours- 4 til 8. We got Subway sandwiches for dinner and kept on brainstorming. I made a friend, Shyra. We worked on designing one part of the robot. We worked hard, and will probably get a scale model done by friday at the latest. I probably will spend over 100 hours at school doing robotics. I wish I was getting paid for that!
Here is a picture of me in our awsome costume! we also have flyswatters (SWAT is our team name, if I haven't said that already) that we carry around. And don't mind my dazed expression or the glint of my braces, please. And I am not really as fat as that picture makes me look- my kilt always bulges there 'cause i roll it.
And plus I am also on our school hockey team- so even on the Wednesdays that I gat off from Robotics, we have paractice. But to-day we had a game and we won 10-0 Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
*grins* right before we had to ship the robot last year the guys on our team were working on it for 46 hours straight! They were kicked out of the shop, so they brought the robot to our physics teacher's room and worked on it in there. A bunch of the rest of us went in during lunch and treated it like a show.
*muses* That was the only time in my life I've ever been tempted to say, "Good Times, good times" */muses*
I love your shirts. I designed ours last year. I'll post this and go off looking for a picture. They were pretty simple, though, I don't know anything about designing things on computers, I just knew more than anyone else.
You're really pretty, too. But please take that in a very nonstalkerish coming from a heterosexual female sort of way. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
apparently last year the team was at the school for like three days and two nights... they slept in the staff room. I'm a bit scared now imagine waking up to your teacher looking at you in the face...
It tenmds to be a bit of a show at our school too... our robot room has two glass walls... onw into the ELC and one into a hallway. It's like an aquarium.
:makes silly fish faces and noises:
Thanks for the compliment! I'm flattered.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:Desdemona
quote: Desmodena
For a second I thought you were someone else Desdemona..........someone I know from VBS........but your names are different...........my bad Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
And stop mucking up my Robotics thread. grrrrrrrr. :bites off steve's head:
[ January 12, 2005, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
*sighs* I have a ton of pictures from robot, but none that give you a good look a the shirt. Ah well
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
put one or two up anyways... it's always fun to see how intense everyone is!
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Actually, they were taken during the Indiana Invitational this summer, so everyone's really laid back. Most of them are of two of the members who were dating, actually. I'll try to find some from the actual competition, I think my boyfriend or one of the other guys on the team might have some.
Just out of curiosity, did I mention that other than our teacher I was the only girl on the team?
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:I even know what you look like.
Have you been stalking me????
Desma........check your e-mail.......NOW!!!!
I sent you a message so look all over till you find it. And now I have to go fall asleep at my desk while studying for a test!
[ January 12, 2005, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: SteveRogers ]
Posted by Heffaji (Member # 3669) on :
All I have to add to this conversation is that my high school won the championship in 2003. Well, that and a link to their website
[ January 12, 2005, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: Heffaji ]
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
blacwolve: our team is ALL girls. We're the only all-girl's team in the whole competition.
This is because I go to an all-girls school. It is not becasue we are sexist.
go you! girls ROCK!
Steve: Will do
Heffaji: nice! good for you! of course, that's no what first is all about, silly.
Posted by Heffaji (Member # 3669) on :
It would mean something if I had anything to do with it beyond being friends with some of the people of the team back then, but I'll take what I can get and exploit it as far as possible.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Desma- Check your e-mail and reply! So I know that you got it.........ok?
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
*bump*
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I just got back from Robotics. ick. I am totally brain-drained right now. So I'm going to sleeeeeeep. Darn all the piles of homework that I have. I'll do it on the bus tomorrow morning.
When I get on it at 6:40 in the morning. And spend over an hour and a half on the stupid thing.
But meeting was cancelled for tomorrow, so that means that I get to sleeeeeeeep.
As I shall do now.
caution: tired girl with wrench.
[ January 13, 2005, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yay! I get to bump this again!
So, I have been meeting regularly, but haven't bothered to bother you by bumping this thread again. But today, we actually got started on building. !
As well, I have been elected to help create the website. Any tips for Dreamweaver? I have never used it before, and am being counted on to create a really good website from scratch!
But, life is good. I have no time to do anything, and I have decided that I most definatly will have huge mark drops in the next 5 weeks. Oh well.
Caution: Girl With Wrench On Tetra (that I built!!)
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I have lost my boyfriend to robot.
I'm really starting to wish I knew anything about building a robot, because not only is my boyfriend on the team all but two of my friends are too. I'm living on a robot schedule and I'm not even in it!
*ponders randomly hanging out at robot meetings until someone gives her something to do*
*is too lazy*
I hope you don't mind me posting in this thread so much even though I don't have much to say. I really enjoyed robot when I did it, and when I post I feel like I'm doing it a little again. It's hard with the guys because they never really talk about the experience of robot, they just talk about the mechanics of it.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
time to bump this thread once again! it's good to have an audience...
So, today was the first meeting that I had been to since last Tuesday. I was sick, okay! I only missed 7 1/2 hours of work...
but really, nothing much was diffrent that I'm working on. We have our chassis built, and it's close to operational. I'm working on the drmth (secret-code encrypted so that none of you know and to make me feel special), and almost nothing had been done on them. Because of the PVC piping. Stupid PVC. Here is the saga: first, we decided to use 1/2' PVC conduit piping. We had small pieces for the trusses (tresses? Struts?), but we didn't have any long enough for the frame. We bought some, but it turned out that it was 3/4" piping, not 1/2". That was annoying, but it was only a minor inconvenience. We then asked a teacher to go buy us some rigid PVC conduit piping in 4 5' lengths. She comes back with 1/2" PVC plumbing pipe. Not conduit. these are flexible. NOT a good thing. nope, not at all. apparently, Home Depot doesn't sell 1/2 inch conduit PVC piping. then where did we get the stuff that we already had? We don't have a long enough piece to use for the frame.
Other than that, we are doing well. Laura, a friend of mine is almost done the electronics, our chassis should be working by tomorrow, and the drmth should be done soon. If we get some PVC piping.
Hey. At least we can change out of uniform for meetings now
blacwolve, I highly reccomend hanging around the meetings and getting something to do. It's so much fun!
Caution: Girl With Wrench Mad At Home Depot!!!
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
um, I know that nobody is probably actually reading this, but i like to get my thoughts down somewhere.
So, the things that i was working on got scrapped. We were almost done them, too. I had worked with them from their beginning, desingning them and everything. And now they're gone. I actually started crying. Like, full-out bawling. Which really isn't a good thing. I also left my laptop and digital camera in the Robot Room last night. Which wasn't a good thing, but nobody took them, so I just got them this morning.
Funny story: So, today I had math last period. I hate math class, especially the teacher, so I said that I was on bus, which meant I got to leave 10 mins early. That was all fine and dandy, so then I go to robotics. The supervising teacher had to go and get some materials, so they got a teacher to come and watch us. guess who that was? My math teacher. After I had skipped 10 mins of class. I actually went and hid in the robot room under a counter for an hour, while filing a piece of metal and listening to music on my laptop. I was COVERED in sawdust afterwards, but at least I didn't get in trouble:D.
So, there is your new update, for those of you who are actually reading this.
CAUTION: Girl with wrench proud of being in the second-nerdiest club in school:D
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
My brother-in-law is on the robotics team at his school. Last year they went all the way to the national competition.
For him, it's a class with credit, though. (He's in the Science/Technology Magnet.)
Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
I've read the whole thing thus far! Keep up the good work! Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
thanks Alucard and KQ!
I just realised that I haven't said how much fun I'm having. I always laugh so hard at Robotics, and it has probably been some of the most fun weeks of my life so far. If I complain a lot here, it's because I take the happy times for granted. I love all the people there, and am really really happy that I joined. And sad that half the team will be gone next year.
I have some new photos up, if anybody would like to take a look!
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
Its all for not if you don't use to robot for evil, at least a little bit.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Oh, I have, I have. I used the 10' long PVC pipe to prop open the ceiling of the school to crawl around like Bean did. I then realised that the ceiling would not hold me. NOT smart.
I did it anyways, and almost fell through. It was kinda boring up there. and dusty.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy you get wackier and wackier as time goes on....but seeing as you are active here and now.....go post on VBS instead of keeping all of us over there waiting................please hurry.....we miss you Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Okay, another installment, because something GREAT happened today. Like, really, really great. I got informed that the things that I am working on are back in business! They are alive and then i had to redo all the markings. Oh well. Shyra will drill them Monday. After I was finished the markings, I helped Kate and Samina build another goal and another tetra. We then went out to the garage at the school to get out our 2002 robot, MilDREAD 2 so that we could get some pneumatics off of it. After that, my hands were FROZEN after carrying a metal robot that had been outside for 2 years through -8 degree weather. And then carrying it (100 llbs) up the stairs. All in a day's work. We then, while listening to We Didn't Start the Fire over and over and over and over, mounted the finished electronics board on the chassis. it was a productive and happy day.
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Wrestling with Zip Ties!
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
New photos from yesterday are up!
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Another happening, another bump. I hope you don't mind.
Well, nothing really happened. Well, some things did, but nothing important. I've been having issues with life in general recently, and have been taking them out on some of my friends. So everybody hates me now.
Today, I got kicked off of the project I was working on and reassigned to the arm. I was kinda sad, seeing as I had worked with my project from the planning stage. But what are you going to do? I'm glad that I don't have Robotics tomorrow. I couldn't take another day in a row of it.
Well, that's it for today.
CAUTION: Girl with Wrench With Issues
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I really think that I'm going to quit. Although Ms. Moore won't let me.
I'm having issues with people on the team. Samina just randomly picks up my laptop and starts usong it. I mean, come ON! who does that? I mean , I'd be okay with it if she asked before hand, but she doesn't, and that's what really bugs me. The other person who is REALLY REALLY driving me crazy os Shyra. OUR wings have turned inot HER wings. Now it's "Kate, go work on the arm in the robot room" when she is outside, joking with Samina when they work on my wings. I co-designed them. I marked them. i should at least have some part in how they're built!
She has been making snide comments. We have always play-insulted each other, but now she is deadly serious about what she says about me.
The worst thing is, she doesn't even realise that she's doing it. I am honestly ready to kill her.
I am human; I have feelings too. I love Robotics, but if this is how it's going to be, I'd rather not be there.
Wow. That was one large whine.
P.S. What I did today was build another small scoring tetra. entirely useless, since it broke.
[ February 10, 2005, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
You need foam sabers and a duel.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Forget foam sabers. We always settled things with death ball. Death ball is where you get an empty can, board with a rusty nail, broken toy, whatever, and find an alley between two walls. Mark two lines; there are two goalies. The goal is to get the object past the goalie and goal line to score as many times as possible in ten minutes. Only rule: no one can touch the object with their hands except the goalie. Kicking, biting, ripping clothes, all fair game. Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Um, if your robot needs any advice....
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yes, afr, it needs some advice on how to build itself in 2 weeks!
*screams*
okay, we have 2 weeks. Our electronics are sparking, popping and smoking. Which I take is a bad sign. They set off a fire alarm on Tuesday. Our arm is a wood prototype. Metalworking hasn't started yet for it. The wings are done, but we need an extra in case one breaks. So I'm working on that with Steph and Lo. The chassis moves, but we need a bigger gear ratio to make it turn. We have some help coming from a really good team, Rick Hansen, tomorrow to fix our electronics and help with the programming. If this is what it's like this year, I shudder to think what it will be like next year with all of our leaders graduated. I'll whip 'em into shape.
But this year presents a more immediate problem. Such as the fact that we NEED to finish soon. Plus, I have 2 ISU's due next week which I haven't started. And I am having huge laptop problems. But that's okay, because Robotics is worth it! It's FUN!!!
CAUTION: Happy Girl With Wrench Stressed Beyond Belief!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy you're hyperventilating.....take deep breaths......aah screw it.....*reaches out and grabs defibulator and puts it on Dessy's forehead screaming clear and administering an electric shock* Feel any better now? Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
OMG!
You're in FIRST Robotics, too? That's so cool! I'm in my second year.
The only reason I didn't see this thread sooner, is because I haven't been on hatrack much lately, due to being at meetings all the time.
[ February 12, 2005, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: Eruve Nandiriel ]
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yeah... I just got home from meeting. I was there until 11:00 last night, and then today I left home at 8:30 and got home just now. I'm tired.
Nice to know there are other FIRST people out there! Feel free to hijack my thread with your experiences!
CAUTION: Girl Without Wrench (cause it's being thrown across the room!)
EDIT: oh btw, are you on the Chief Delphi Forums?
[ February 12, 2005, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Yeah, I'm on the forums, but I've only posted about twice.
I would have stayed later at today's meeting (there's still a TON to do!), but I had to come home to babysit. So far we haven't had to pull any all-nighters...yet...
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Hey Eruve, what regionals are you going to?
w00t! 2 pages!
EDIT: I just looked at the date, and instead of thinking about Valentine's day tomorrow, I thought: "Oh <insert profanity here>... 6 days until the website is due..."
The robots are taking over!!!!
[ February 13, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
We're going to Palmetto and Peachtree. We wanted to go to Nat's, but we couldn't pay at the time, so we have to earn our way there.
But right now, I'm exhausted. I just spent all afternoon/evening at a meeting, with everyone grabbing their heads and saying "Oh no...that won't work...that needs to be fixed..." it was a while before they actually started *doing* something. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yeah. So. I just got home from a meeting. I have a huge History ISU due tomorrow that I haven;t started. Life is hectic. But I love it.
Today, we managed to (somewhat) get the arm working.. we're jsut going to test the pneumatics systems tomorow (when I skip class, AGAIN.)
Meeting tomorrow will be just as late, or later. Chassis cover is being built tomorrow, wings will be mounted.
I can't WAIT to see the robot done. Oh wow. And then competition.
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Using Our Brand-Spankin' New Metal Saw Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I want to know who's brilliant idea it was to have the build season overlap Valentine's Day.
Then I would like to have a nice little talk with them.
Afterall, if engineers don't manage to procreate, where do they expect to get new engineers from. I think this should be taken into account.
Not that I was planning to do any procreating today. Doing things to cut down on the romantic possibilities for male engineers doesn't seem like a good idea, though. I mean, for a group that known for not being romantic Valentine's is one of the few things that's hard to mess up: flowers, chocolate, time. You can be the least romantic person in the world and still not mess that up.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- You seem to be under a lot of stress. Have you been getting plenty of fresh air and excersize lately? Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
blacwolve...there is no such thing as Valentine's Day for robotics people. Not that I mind.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Steve.. are you JOKING? Have you READ this thread?
I'm at meeting now... supposed to be working on the website. I have never used Dreamweaver before. I am quickly learning.
Our arm worked today I worked the pneumatics.
but it won't lift a tetra yet
But it's fun.
And I kind of forgot about V-day... Thanks to our Robot.
It's my baby...
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Teaching Lessons on the Differences Between Screws, Bolts, Nails, Self-Tapping Screws and Nuts.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
What about their girlfriends?
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
If their girlfriends aren't involved in FIRST, then they're not worthy of it.
Another thing that bugs me: People who think that white is NOT an acceptable background colour for a website. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
They obviously haven't come to Hatrack. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- You should know more than anyone that I joke a lot. I mean you have spent quite awhile talking to me here and on VBS......so you should know that I enjoy a good laugh...........not at you though because then you would beat me with your wrench..........
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I was involved in robot last year. I was a disaster. The one time I tried to do anything I managed to completely screw it up and create 10 hours of extra work for the team.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Steve, Steve, Steve. I was joking, too.
Ooh! I just got home from meeting. And our arm doesn't work. It worked twice. Then it died. / didn't work any more. So, We'll work on it tomorrow. Until probably 11:00. Yay.
And blacwolve: I'm sure that's not the case. And plus, Robotics isn't all design and construction. You could be PR, Website, Fundraising, anything. I am all of those, plus the team gofer.
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Filming the Stupid Arm Only Working Twice. Gah!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- Aren't we just a pair of jokers? I need a whack on the head from your wrench. So whack away! Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Well, I found out we have to rebuild our robot this week, because it didn't work well enough.
But it's going to be a beast when we're done.
So I was at a meeting until midnight, and have to get over to the school around 4 today...we'll probably stay late again tonight. We're also planning a lock-in at the school this Friday. We figured we'd be there all night anyway, and be doing driver tryouts, so we might as well make it fun, too. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Fine I'll whack myself with a wrench.....be that way! Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Wow, I missed this thread the first few times. This sounds like a lot of fun and a great experience. I hope your arm starts working! It sucks when your robot is broken and you can't get it to do stuff. Our arm broke today(well our hand) and it has to be sent off for repair.
Good luck!
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
It's official. I am Team Captain next year.
Well, tonight I almost finished the website, and our arm design was revised, and it works now (kinda)
I was also told that I may be on the drive team. I'm not sure they know what they're doing.
I have made things up with everyone on my team... you've kind of got to, when you're in their company for however many hours a day!
I cannot express in words how much Robotics has done to me. It has changed my life in so many ways. I have made a lot of new friends, and it has put all the petty popularity struggles in my grade into perspective. I will miss it so much once it's over... It has decided me on a career path, engineering. I love it so much.
*whips wrench at Steve
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Driving Robot! (Watch Out!) Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
*yawn* I just got home from another meeting. We just about rebuild the robot in the past two days...except for electical.
Desdemona, FIRST inspired you to be an engineer, too? That's so cool. When I joined the team last year, I just wanted to help with T-shirts or buttons or something. But I got asked to help with something on the robot (because I was the only one with small enough hands to reach ), and one thing led to another, and I am blamed for building almost the whole robot. I wasn't going to go to college at all, because I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I thought it would be a waste of money. But now I've decided to go into Mechanical Engineering (and I've been accepted into Clemson...WOOT!). I really enjoy seeing something come from an idea to a competitive machene. Plus I really like the people, they respect me and like me for who I am, even when I didn't really know who I was yet. *wipes tear*
Anyway...I better get some sleep before the next meeting.
Oh, lol...a couple of the guys scared the crap outta me earlier. They all know I'm a bit gun-shy (especially since I was run over with a robot), so they mess with me just to see me jump sometimes. Well anyway, I was leaving the shop with one of the guys, when he said "Don't go in the hall...it's dangerous!", and he ducked back in the shop. I was like "Whatever, Travis", and I turned around to leave him. But when I turned around, the other guy was standing *right there* next to me, and I shouted "OH, GOD!" and jumped back about three feet into the wall. It was really scary, but pretty funny, too.
[ February 17, 2005, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: Eruve Nandiriel ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Oh yeah...check out my team's website, Golden Strip Robotics Team 1319 . We regularly update it and add stuff, too.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- You can't whip someone with a wrench.....you have to whack someone with a wrench. Don't be silly! Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I feel really bad for being so complaining. Yesterday, Shyra did the sweetest thing.
First, a little bit of background. Last week, I was complaining about being the team 'gofer' because I was always being told "Kate, get this," "Kate, get that." I quote verbatim (somewhat) "I'm the team gofer" Samina: "No, you're the team b***h!" I know I kind of deserved it, and it was hilarious.
Yesterday, I was feeling really depressed, because of some issues. Shyra set everybody else to doing stuff, then took me out in the hall and asked me "Are you okay?" We had a long conversation,(including her talking about how I really wasn't the team b***h) that ended up with me in tears and Shyra hugging me. ((Shyra))
A funny story: Shyra calls everyone sweetheart, with some obvious exceptions (teachers and the like). Yesterday, she gave something to our teacher, Mr. McCuaig. And said "Here you go, sweetheart!" It was so funny. SO funny.
I have been at school since 9:00, and we are planning to stay until 12:30. w00t Robotics!!!
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench Tired of the Stupid Robot Room and Lost Parts!
EDIT: Our robot is coming along. We may get it functional tonight:D, and our new arm design works. Everything is coming together, and I am so proud!
[ February 19, 2005, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- I know you're probably tired but you should check out my landmark its really entertaining and probably none of it will suprise you any.....good luck with the robot! Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I also have a zip tie in my hair. And it's sticking out the top of my head. Hot, eh?
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I just saw the robot yesterday. It looks so good. I'm really surprised, it's much farther along than ours was last year at this time. And it's Gold!
Apparently they're starting to practice driving it and things today, which is pretty amazing. I wish I could go over and watch, but I'm pretty miserably sick.
I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about it, so I won't babble the way I want to. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
awww.. get better, blacwolve!
oh, and if anyone wants to look our new team website, which I made in 20 mins last night because I lost the files AGAIN! Here it is!
I'm not a nerd. I was just at school for 15 hours, building a robot on a Saturday. Nope. Not remotly nerdlike!
CAUTION: Nerdy Girl With Wrench!
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
You were at school for 15 hours? I was at a meeting for 23 hours (and I have a cold). Then I went home and slept like the dead. We're meeting all day today, and probably all night, too.
I might get to be one of the drivers this year, too. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Last night, I was sawing a piece of wood. And the saw slipped. Now, my nail is cut in half, and I have a huge cut down my thumb. It hurts.
Good luck, Eruve and blacwolve! We're almost done, and we're 3 llbs underweight!
Now, back to driver training. Not me, but the drivers. I'm probly on pit crew.
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Wow. Seriously cool. Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Desdemona, what competitions are you guys going to?
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
We're going to the Greater Toronto Regionals, and we were going to go to the Waterloo regionals, but our grads (half the team) are going to be in Cancun that week. So, we decided not to go.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Dessy- I think you need to get some more sleep........your being delusional.........j/k Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Okay. Good. *wipes forehead*
When I saw the title, I thought one of you was pregnant...
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Des, that would have been cool if we were at the same regionals. Well, good luck with your robot! I miss our already... *sniff*
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Good luck with yours too... I really miss ours already. If you truly think about how much thought, time, blood, swears, frustration and elation were put into that hunk of metal, then it really is a truly special thing. It isn't just a robot: it was life for six weeks.
What makes me really sad, however, is not the physical robot being shipped. It's that I probably will barely talk to my friends on the team anymore, since there are none in my grade. All of my really good friends (Samina, Kate, Shelly, Shyra, Aylish) are graduating this year, which means that I will probably never see them again. I'll really miss the chance to talk to them, and sort out my life while doing it. There is competition, but no more late meetings, no more jokes to laugh over for days, no more companionship of the greatest people that I've ever met. That is really what I miss the most.
Six weeks isn't enough time to be in the companionship of my teammates, my friends, the most wonderful group of girls I have ever met.
All my songs on my laptop remind me of Robot... we played them all over and over.
Hey Eruve/blacwolve, do either of you want to trade t-shirts/buttons? I know we'll have a lot left over!
Anyone else want one, too?
(pics will be up in a moment)
CAUTION: Girl With Wrench No More
EDITED to add more content
[ February 22, 2005, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: Desdemona ]
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I think I'll pass, thank you!
Edit: Unless you can get me one that says, "Caution: Guy with Wrench" because that shirt cracks me up!
[ February 22, 2005, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: SteveRogers ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
My team doesn't like to put out pictures of our robot before competitions, but another team posted this pic from a scrimmage last Saturday.
I usually don't get into T-shirt trading and stuff, but I like the whole "CAUTION: Girl With Wrench" thing. I'll see whether or not it's too late for me to get another team shirt, and I'll let you know, I might trade.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Nice bot... looks like you have 2 seperate arms for picking up tetras... looks like it would be quite a bit underweight, too.
Here is a new photobucket that I put up, with a lot of pictures in there. The button is on there, too. I still have to put up some more pictures from Sunday and Monday, so those will go up ASAP.
And I edited my last post, btw.
Eruve: I'd love a shirt of yours, but if there aren't any extras, don't sweat it. I'll send you one anyways, if you're still interested... we always have leftovers.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I can send you one of our buttons from last year and one of the teams from this year. I don't have any spare shirts, though.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I have a lot of extra buttons from our team, this year and last. Want to swap? E-mail's in the profile!
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I forgot to say that there's a password on that photobucket - bigbadbessie
CAUTION: Sad Girl Without Wrench Home Too Early
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
I miss meetings. Not so much the working on the robot part, but being with my friends. Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Our website just added some videos. There's one that has some highlights from last year, and one that's this year's build season.
I'm the girl in the long sleeved shirt, that's doing stuff in just about every other shot. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Good Luck at Peachtree, Eruve!!
28 days until the GTR!!!
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Aw, thanks.
I think there might be a live webcast of the competition, but I haven't found the sire for it yet.
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Watch for Golden Strip Robotics Team 1319, we'll be competing Friday and Saturday.
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Well, I just got back from Peachtree. We didn't do as well as I had expected in the qualifying matches (mostly because our partners kept scewing us over), but we got picked for 6th alliance. We were one of the final four alliances, and also won the Safety Award.
More details later, but for now...I'm exhausted, I'm going to bed... Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Yay Eruve! I watched Peachtree this afternoon, but didn't see your bot
I'm glad you had fun, and I can't wait 'til it's my turn!
25 days!!!!
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Good luck at your regional this weekend, Des! Have fun! Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
wish I was there
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
*sigh* Me too. Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
at least I can watch... I'm watchin curie at the moment.
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Oooh, we were in Curie last year. *sniff*
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
I want to be there SO BAD!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
My boss' son's school team won the local and the regional event (for them, the regional was Denver) but didn't have the funds to make it to Nationals, even though they qualified to go.
Otherwise, my boss would be there right now cheering on his kid.
Farmgirl
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Wow! Congrats to them (but it sucks not having enough funds to go... or just not organising it in time.) Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
We signed up early, and got on the list to go...but we didn't have the money at the time. So, we had to win something to get there. Needless to say we didn't.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
So we're really going for it this year!![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Break a leg! ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
imagine waking up to your teacher looking at you in the face... ![[Evil Laugh]](graemlins/evillaugh.gif)
![[Sleep]](graemlins/sleep.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Doing things to cut down on the romantic possibilities for male engineers doesn't seem like a good idea, though. I mean, for a group that known for not being romantic Valentine's is one of the few things that's hard to mess up: flowers, chocolate, time. You can be the least romantic person in the world and still not mess that up.
![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
They obviously haven't come to Hatrack. ![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
![[Evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)