Project 365 - 7/365

This was our alliance for the playoffs. We finished second overall, losing on a controversial non-penalty in the first overtime match of the finals. Given how poorly we did at the San Jose contest a couple weeks earlier, second felt pretty good.

Kate and I both had a lot of fun with FIRST. We were mentors for the Carmel High School team (2035 - the Robo Rockin' Bots!). We're already scheming how to do things better for next year. Wiring boot camp!

This is our coach, Paul McFarlin, on the field as the arena sings "Happy Birthday" to him. His birth was, of course, on April Fool's Day.

Project 365 - 6/365

The playing field at FIRST/Sacramento. We're the red robot in the far right corner. During qualification, we were pretty successful at pushing balls into the goal and at hanging. We were seeded 5th overall after qualifications.

Project 365 - 5/365

Our robot in the pits at FIRST/Sacramento on Tuesday (3/30). I forget exactly what we were puzzling over this time. Probably the kicker again, since it never really kicked the way we hoped it would.

4/365 - Solar Power Cat

As best we can tell, Danger is apparently solar powered.

I seem to remember learning in biology class that cold-blooded animals need to spend a lot of time being immobile in the sun to warm their blood back up. I also remember being taught that all mammals are warm-blooded. So either Danger is actually a fuzzy lizard, or I have discovered a cold-blooded mammal. I would like my Nobel Prize now.

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4/365 As best we can tell, Danger is apparently solar powered. I seem to remember learning in biology class that cold-blooded animals need to spend a lot of time being immobile in the sun to warm their blood back up. I also remember being taught that all mammals are warm-blooded. So either Danger is actually a fuzzy lizard, or I have discovered a cold-blooded mammal. I would like my Nobel Prize now.

3/365 - This is how robots begin.

I'm building a robot for this year's Make Magazine Robot Build. It's supposed to be a "Coasterbot," meaning that the body and chassis are made out of CDs or DVDs. These are all the parts. Over the next couple weeks they'll hopefully turn into an interesting robot. I won't reveal my plans just yet, though!

2/365

Sorry I missed yesterday. I took a picture, but didn't have time to post it.

Kate and I went hiking in the area yesterday. We live on the former Fort Ord, and we came across an abandoned recreation area. This blue bird (we don't know what it is) was just chillin' on top of an old sign.

Project 365 - 1/365

Inspired by several friends of mine who have already started, I'm going to attempt this "Project 365" thing. The idea is to take a picture a day for an entire year. Yesterday was my 35th birthday, so I decided to start today and document my 36th year. I figured I should start and end with a self-portrait (though I promise there won't be 365 pictures of me). In the end, I went for the easier option and had Kate take my picture. We'll see where the rest of the year takes us.

I'm not a photographer, and know nothing formal about it, so it'll also be interesting to see what I learn about it along the way. Fortunately, the scenery around here, the time I have, and the changes we'll have in the coming year should yield a rich series of possibilities.




1/365 - This is at my favorite lunch spot. We haven't found a ton of good lunch spots around here, but this one is pretty good. I felt like I should have a picture of me to start the project, since many of you haven't seen me for a while. Technically, Kate took this one, but we both thought it was pretty good.

As a bonus, notice the bottle of root beer I had with lunch. Kickin' it old school. People's Court style.