The Georgia Dome ... in LEGO

Yes, you too can build the GeorgiaDome in lego...not to outdone by
workin LEGO pinball machine, the lifesize lego figure posing for pictures
on the bench, the lego playground complete with see-saws moving...
oh yea, on the far side of this GeorgiaDome there were Lego
window washers on a scaffolding moving up and down the side
of the building. You shoulda been there....

Ghosts of tournements and creatures past

The Rat, Lobster (background) and Alegator did not make the trip
to Atlanta (I hear they are looking for good a good home, maybe
in YOUR garage, maybe hanging from the rafters of FIRST HQ).
They deserve fond memories.

The fun never ends

Playing "slap" in the lobby

Lifesize LEGO pal

A lifesize lego pal (FIRST Founder Dean Kamen ? In a suit ???) was
lounging around in the FLL pit area.

Cadence for Legonauts

At the opening ceremonies a ?local high school band? played a drum
cadence while all the teams paraded past. Everyone had a blast.

Bling

There was an amazing amount of "bling", trinkets, team stuff, etc
from teams all over the world. And we came home with lots of it
(where will it all go ?)

The Green GLOOC

VA Licence Plate "LEGO"

Seen 40 miles north of Atlanta heading south Wednesday:
VA License Plate "LEGO" (who was that masked minivan driver ?)

----George Jones

Heading to Atlanta ?

Anyone heading to Atlanta ?

Closet Resolution

From: Darlene Pantaleo

Date: November 16, 2008 9:46:34 AM EST

To: fllteams at usfirst dot org

Subject: wonderful story

This is what it's all about folks: http://vitaljourney.org/2008/11/16/robotics-the-closet-conflict-resolution-and-the-journey-to-self-actualization/

This article was posted by one of the judges at the Maggie Walker FLL qualifier in Richmond, VA--the tournament that almost wasn't! Please see that this makes it to the website under the stories section as it's a keeper.

Darlene Pantaleo

VA FTC Affiliate Partner

www.vaftc.org

BotBrains08

Four years ago we went to the Stafford tournament. While we were trying to figure out where judging rooms were, worrying about making it to performance runs on time, etc. we kept running into this team with a big red paper mache Lobster...and tons of enthusiasm. Our kids thought that was cool that the next year, they made a Giant Carbon Nanotube as our mascot. Then at state the following three years we encountered a giant Rat, an Allegator, a ?GLOOOC?, and the same enthusiasm. Our teams cheered for each other and sometimes met in the hotel lobbies @ state to play games.

Their enthusiasm and spirit was infectious and a real inspiration. This year at regional we won the "Team Spirit" award. To me, as coach, that was one of the most meaningful achievements of the years we've been involved in FLL. Enthusiasm and "spirit" were not one of our teams strong suits, but watching the Lobster/rat/alegator/GLOOOCs stretched the team and made them grow.

Thanks, best wishes in Atlanta, and keep it up !

---George Jones

Welcome to the VaDCFLLAtlanta08 Blog

Go Green GLOOOCS !!!

The Green GLOOCS just finished an amazing 4 years in the VA
regional and state tournaments and will represent Virginia
at the FLL World Festival in Atlanta April 15-18:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/fll/content.aspx?id=766

Sally (GLOOCS Coach) told me that they went to Atlanta
two years ago when Team Tiki represented Virginia, and
it was an awesome experience (she said "I was glad I
was not a coach" [because of the fast pace]" :-))

We (some subset of the BotBrains) are considering going down
this year to support the GLOOOCS and experience the fun.

The GLOOCS may be "the winners" this year, but it is clear
that team by team, season by season there are amazing stories.
Things happen that are priceless. Kids learn. They have fun.
They grow.

We would like to collect pictures and stories from the VADCFLL
season that can be used in some way at World Festgival to
tell the stories of some of the Virgina teams this year.
Two years ago, I think ?Team Tiki made a collage of team
pictures on a banner?. I'd be open to suggestions for this year
(buttons with a link to the URL of this blog ?)

If you want to contribute, email stories and/or pictures
(one per team) to

eludom.vadcfllatlanta08@blogger.com

They will show up on this blog. Please do not send anything
that could be used to identify or locate the individual kids:
name, location, etc.

'08 was a great year. Thanks to all the tournament organizers,
referees, coaches and teams.

Go Green GLOOOCS !!!

---George Jones, Coach, BotBrains ('04-'08)