Here's to 2013

I have developed a little habit of whimsically dubbing the new year every New Year's Eve while in review. Starting in 2009, when things were really uncertain in my life, I named the year, "The Year of the Plague." I hoped that 2010 would bring me some better luck.

Sure enough, it most certainly did. Such events would cause 2011 to be dubbed, "The Year of Rebirth." I had somehow crawled out of the total nadir of my existence.

Obligatory pictures of cartoon phoenixes representing rebirth

Still in my Sony DiscMan to this day!

Riding on this momentum, 2012 would become "The Year of Expansion."

and now, continuing on this trend, in summation of 2013, I dub thee "The Year of Discovery." Reminiscent of the Daft Punk album... or nearly equally as cool.

The end of the year... always a great time for observation and reflection. This was a pretty good year considering all the bad things that happened. In fact, there was that one time where I popped a tire on the highway and had it replaced... only to have the new one pop a few days later.

I hate tires.

... and teeth. I had more than one run in with the dentist.

I hate tires and teeth.

On to the summation of the year... This time, I would like to forgo mentioning any of the bad things. It is important to remember that while bad things do indeed happen, it is better to just accept them and move on.

Accept and move on.

Without further ado... and in no particular order...

In summation of 2013, Ian Bee...

• Got attacked by Super Munchers
• Started completed year two teaching unscathed
• Pulled off a miracle 2012-2013 FIRST Robotics season
• Climbed out of debt
• Got over a few months of anxiety
• Kept score at a lego robotics competition
• Made new friends
• Said goodbye to friends
• Enjoyed 100 different beers of summer (more or less...)
• Spent time on the Cape
• Made Converse sneakers a part of my formal dress
• Got into Doctor Who (You should too...)
• Didn't complete his memoirs...
• Won 100$ at Keno
• Gained a considerable amount of weight.
• Enjoyed many a day at "The Lake."
• Caught up on "The Big Bang Theory"
• Is still working on his time machine
• Went to Foxwoods in a full suit
• Did considerably well at the roulette table at Foxwoods
• Wore a full suit even when it was inappropriate
• Found out that I was, in fact, not losing my hair
• Tested my trivia skills
• Renewed my faith in humanity
• Started looking at houses
• Enjoyed the splendors of "Salary Life"
• Completed year 10 at Hannaford Supermarket
• Participated in the 10th Annual Christmas Classic
• Discovered that Michelob isn't a bad cheap beer
• Gained and lost super powers
• Hopes for a bright and adventurous 2014.

This is all I could come up with in one sitting mind you. 

I am hoping to kick off the new year right by posting new and interesting entries involving life, literature, craft beer, and bow ties. 

Odds are we're gonna be alright.

Adieu!

The 2013 WPI Regional : Part I

After more than six weeks of blood, sweat, and tears, FRC Team 4410 has finally entered the post-season. Our team was able to compete at the Regional Robotics Competition held annually at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. Aside from the fantastic pictures, and how immensely proud I am of the team and all of their accomplishments, the true reason for this post is to document the arduous, almost "action movie" story behind our journey to Worcester from our small town during a series of terrible snowstorms. That, along with the tenacity of both team members and their parents, is truly inspiring. Their story must be known.

Your 2013 Cyber Senators

Day 1 

 March 7th, 2013 - 5:00 a.m.

With impending fears of a snowstorm on all news stations, I left my house early bound for the school. Much to my elation, I found that not only were the roads clear of snow; it was actually not snowing at all! Driving on the highway was making me both anxious and nervous at the same time. I remember being on exit away from my destination when I received the phone call...

"Due to the projected weather forecast, school will be cancelled Thursday March 7th."

I had previously been in contact with a representative from our arranged transport to Worcester who stated clearly that if school was cancelled, due to their company's regulations, they would not be able to commit to the scheduled transportation. With the cancellation confirmed, I was unsure of how to proceed. I finally reached the school to find that the majority of the team there waiting for me. With much regret, I had to tell both students and parents that no transportation would be available and we would have to try for tomorrow. The sadness clearly present on their faces depressed me as I watched them drive away. It was at that point that one of the team members approached me...

"So what are we going to do?" 

I thought about it for a spell. The robot was bagged, tagged, and in the trunk of my car. I, also, had all of our tools, spare parts, and important paperwork in my back seat. While liability issues prohibited me from transporting students in my vehicle, I, finally, explained that I would make the journey myself and attempt to get the robot to our pit and get as much work done as I could and we would regroup Friday morning. After all, we could not be the only team that was having this problem. I would later discover that I was correct in this assumption. This student, however, had other plans. This would plan would soon go down in Mahar history as "Plan B."

"Let's go. I'll meet you there!"

With permission from his parents, it was entirely plausible for this student to follow behind me and drive himself to the competition. The plan was hatched, and we were off. I, however, needed time to regroup as well as call in some favors. I spent an hour in the school contacting teachers, other teams, and the reps at WPI of our status. I contacted Team 3623, in Leominster, Massachusetts, to check on their status. They were having similar difficulties and hatched a plan uncannily similar to our own. We agreed the best course of action was to get our robots to the competition and move on from there. 

Day 1 

 March 7th, 2013 - 9:00 a.m.

I made it a point to attempt to let the outside world know of our status as well through various mediums of social media. The support from friends, family, and other educators was incredible. I rode on this momentum and met my team member in Leominster to begin the journey to WPI.

      

Getting to WPI proved much easier than I had originally anticipated. The drive was pleasant and while the snow had picked up, it wasn't really affecting our commute. Arrival was at around 10:00 a.m. We were successful in dropping off our robot at the designated drop off point. Since we were ridiculously late, there were no other teams there to slow us down. Once this was complete, we made our way to the pit area. I remember our walk through the pit area quite vividly, this student and I, the only representatives of Team 4410 were catching glances from teams who had 20 or 30 times as many members in attendance. 

The task ahead of us was daunting. I had forgotten to mention that in addition to only having the two of us in attendance, the robot was also not finished. In fact, she was far from finished.

The state of S.O.P.H.I.E at arrival at WPI

I quickly started to panic. How on earth were we going to finish this robot? We were, after all, already close to four hours late and many other robots were already getting their final inspections. We both took a seat on the table provided to every team's pit and let out a collective sigh. It was at that point that I heard a voice.

"What's up Beeeeshaw?"

I turned my head to see another member of our team. She had arrived only minutes after we had with her parents and brother. Needless to say, it was difficult to maintain my composure as we had now more than doubled our team in a matter of a few seconds. It was also at this point, that other teams had started to notice our situation and reached out to us to offer assistance. Two teams in particular. Team 4557, The "Fullmetal Falcons" and Team 1251, The "TechTigers" offered several team members as well as spare parts and technical know-how. 

It was time to get to work on S.O.P.H.I.E... with a little help from friends.

Day 1 

 March 7th, 2013 - 5:00 p.m.

With the aid of more than ten teams, as well as members and parents of our own team, we were able to complete more work in that stretch of six hours, then we had in the last six weeks combined. I, honestly, have never seen anything like it before in my entire life. The night ended with us finally obtaining a passing inspection. In the matter of one day, Soph went from parts in a bag, to a robot ready for tomorrow's matches. 

It was a miracle day in every sense. The hard work, dedication, and tenacity of this team is nothing short of inspirational. We left Worcester at around 7:00 p.m. proud of what we had accomplished. We knew, of course, that the real fun/excitement/stress was only 12 hours away as tomorrow would be the start of the actual competition. 

Stay tuned for part two of this story. 

The Vacation Doldrums

As we are nearing the end of February vacation for millions of students and teachers across the country, I take time to reflect on what I got accomplished. Well, actually, more like what I did not get accomplished. I tend to get very restless when I am sitting around trying to relax. Due to this, I try my best to keep myself focused and busy. This vacation, was no exception to this rule. My actual vacation did not start until this past Wednesday as I spent upwards of ten hours each day prior at the place of my work finishing up the building of our robot.

Said robot, conveniently code-named "S.O.P.H.I.E" went through several revisions before going into a giant shipping bag that was the size of a Boston subway car. Our "more or less" finished design was not too shabby. Of course, we still have a lot of work to do before our exciting competition on March 8th. In this competition, we shall show every school in Massachusetts that we are not only badass robot designers, but that we look good doing it. Our team's slogan, after all, is "Bolts, Bots and Bow Ties"

Just as a side note, I prefer not to use the oxford comma. I shall create a creative rant for that in another post.

Anyway, once Soph made it into her bag, I immediately left the building and fled toward my hometown at top speed. The night concluded with a simple glass of tea and good conversation with friends and family.

The time off was not without it's fair share of events. I was able to travel to my favorite sushi restaurant and sample the delicacies off of their menu. My cousin and I, also partook of something new and interesting. We each had a single piece of Octopus placed on our plates. While looking not at all appetizing, we saved it to the end of our feast. When the time came, we each tried it at the same time. Subsequently we also spit it into our napkins at approximately the same time as well.

Octopi can be seen at the left and right. Never again. 

For those of you who have not had the distinct pleasure of eating raw octopus, let me just say that it is quite an interesting experience. My piece in particular was all the more interesting with the added addition of a little sucker at the end of it. Needless to say it was the equivalent of attempting to bite through a shoe with a flavor that I cannot begin to describe. In closing, I rather enjoy little excursions such as the sushi adventure described above. It is true that a little variety is good for one's soul.

The rest of this week, however, has been classified as "particularly boring." This may be my restlessness taking center stage... As previously mentioned, I have a difficult time taking a step back and just relaxing. I always feel as though I may be missing something or that some form of work would be a better use of my time. Of course, now as we near the end of this less than grandiose vacation, I am feeling that I did not have enough time to relax. Perhaps I have some sort of complex... Hmm...

We are already past the 1/6th mark of 2013. The year shows no sign of slowing, or getting any less dull for that matter. I, of course, will continue to take things one day at a time with a particular emphasis on stopping to smell the roses every once in a while. It is true what they say... sometimes you will not understand the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. 

Speaking of memory... I hope everyone got a chance to see Google's new video for their new product Glass... If not, here it is! 

There is no question of a doubt that I will be getting one of these the day it comes out. Some people are afraid of change. Some people like to stick to the old ways of doing things. I, myself, still now of several people who mail out bill payments each month as opposed to completing such tasks via the internet. While there is nothing wrong with the old ways, I prefer to embrace the future. The future, of course, is now. Every moment shall now be captured, cherished  and stored.  People will be brought closer together than we would have thought possible. An interesting concept... albeit sort of creepy. It is necessary, however, in order for our species to become truly united. 

With that, I leave you with a few starting points.

1. Information on octopus sushi
   
2. CBS News article on Google Glass
   
3. Information on the 2013 FIRST Robotics Regional at WPI

This Beautiful Chaos

I realize that I keep promoting an eventual book review post... You just have to be patient. I, simply, just have no free time as of late. In fact, this post I feel will probably be abbreviated as well. With the upcoming end of the 2013 FIRST Robotics season only days away, I feel that a certain level of normalcy and regularity will return to my hectic life.

"Till all are one!"

At the end of our last season, I vowed to never undertake such a rigorous and unsupported task ever again. As we all know, however, once you get bit by the robot bug.... you never go back. It is like a bad robot girlfriend that I keep getting back together with. We did have a pretty successful, yet rocky season I will admit. In one year I was able to double the size of the team and create something that we can all very much be proud of. I seek not accolades for that is not the name of the game. I do this for the future of humanity.... that, and pizza.

I'm still not sure what all of this stuff does...

I often times find myself staring at the immense iTunes playlist on my computer. Sometimes I can just never find the right song. Right now I am stuck on a band from my youth... Something Corporate. The song, Konstantine, has been listened to over 100 times on this computer. Yet, I still know not the words to it.

A series of unfortunate events, while not directly entirely towards me, have occurred and will cause a significant ripple in the fabric of my day to day routine. On a side note, I do throughly enjoy beautiful chaos. Seemingly trivial things that people react to by running around with their arms flailing all about. It is just a bump in the road, as they say. This too... shall pass.

"It's always darkest before the dawn." my Uncle used to say that all the time. He was a wedding planner.

I do enjoy the eclectic nature of this post. Jumping from topic to topic... It reminds be of paisley. Not a paisley item, however. Just... paisley.

In closing, keep your stick on the ice!

Four Hours in Fourth Grade

Greetings and salutations,

The past few months have certainly been busy busy for me. My new job is a continuous stream of paperwork. I, now, feel as though I have mastered surfing waves of paperwork. If not mastered... then at least gotten used to.

The start of the new year also means the start of a new FIRST robotics season. My school returns for their Sophomore year in this program. While I do love robots and all... The sudden doubling in my hours in the work week has totally worn me out. While my diet of mainly avocados seems to have staved off any form of influenza, I have just recently recovered from an incredibly stubborn cold that reminded me of typhoid fever. This little bug totally incapacitated my usual calm persona and brought forth a snarly nasty boy with a constant red nose.

That... and some cough syrup?

Now that I have fully recovered, (for the most part) I figured that I had better start updating my blog that I had hyped up to much to the masses so many months ago. February will be the month of reviews. Within the next week, expect a book review on a novel that I have just recently finished. "Across the Universe" is part one of a dystopian trilogy. I eagerly await writing such a review!

Could not put this one down!

In conclusion, I am back. Remember that we are all in this together. I see great things in our future. Now for the obligatory picture of my new bow ties.

Huge sale at JcPenney