WHEELZ PLZ

DUDE. DUDE. DUDE.

CHECK.


THIS.


OUT.


Aren't they amazing!? Those, right there, those beautiful things are the teaser pictures for the wheels our Robotics team has spent the last three weeks making. Even if the rest of our robot completely sucks, we will still have the most awesome wheels at competition. At least at regional. I'm not sure about the Atlanta game (internationals), as those will be the top robots in all of FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition).

Making the wheels has been way too much fun. For example, the other day Mike (one of our mentors) was playing with the wax we were using to duplicate molds, stuck his thumb in, and when we went to poor the molds he created a silicon recreation of his thumb - complete with fingerprint. He even dipped the end in the red rubber so it would look like it got chopped off bloody, and as the silicon is a light pink color and a semi-squishy, it's pretty convincing at a glance. It's pretty kick ass.

Besides our wheels, though... We're still behind. The chassis JUST got welded. As in, today. It's week five. Out of six. ...It's going to be close, to say the least.

Hanna Is Not a Boy's Name

...but it is in the webcomic of that title, which happens to be the most amazing thing I've read this month (Penta doesn't count, I read most of that in December and January).

The plot is good. While in concept it's normal, the characters are what take the story and really hitch it up to awesome. They are loveable. In a way that zombies and shitty vampires really shouldn't be, but manage to do, anyways. They'll capture you in a moment, I swear.

...and the art is just something else. Oh my God, I am in love with Trissa's art. It is in. Full. Color. Beautiful color. And the textures top it off sooo nicely. She puts attention to detail, and it's not just some generic Manga/Animoo stuck together. It sticks out. It's bold. It's beautiful.

What really tops it all off, though, is... the typography.

I know, that sounds lame. But it's not. Trissa doesn't treat the type as just words, she treats them as an extension of the art in which anything can happen, in which emotions can be conveyed. Everything else is great, sure... But the typography is what's transforming this comic from a simple piece to something truly out of this world. Every time I flip to a new page I am in awe.

Go read it. Now.
http://hanna.aftertorque.com/

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On another note, I had my first date tonight. :3 I had a fantaaastic time. <3

Cars

I'm not a car person. I don't talk cars. I don't understand cars. I couldn't tell you the engine from the transmission. I don't even know what a transmission is.

But I adore trucks. I looove large vehicles. The feeling you get driving and riding them is amazing, and the knowledge that you could crush that little Honda Civic like a bug is just awesome.

James' mom has a Hummer.

It can climb steep inclines. It's got huge wheels. The vibrations going over speed bumps are almost nonexistent. It has a Bose sterio system.

I'm pretty sure I salivated.

And then I remembered my brother saying we should trade in his truck for a fuel efficient car so I have something to drive. And nearly teared up.

Why does no one understand? Why is it I'm expected to drive some sort of "chic car"? Why aren't girls supposed to love trucks? Because the world's not effing fair, that's why.

Circle of Life

I retract my previous claim about screwing the Circle of Life.

Why?

Today my cousin Jacob died. He was a sweet kid, and special needs. He had never done anything to intentionally harm another person in his entire life. His life was one well spent.

Today my cousin, Nicky, had her baby.

It puts a lot into perspective.

Blarg

Ug. I am not in a blogging mood today.

There's lots I could rant about, but I don't really feel like talking.

One of the major highlights of my day has been aquiring Lemon Demon and Hallelujah for my new (suckish but at least it works) MP3 player. Jon's also given me permision to crack his iTunes, so Doctor Horrible shall be mine soon, too. I love my music.

I recieved an awesome group hug today at Robotics. It made me squeek, but still made me happy.

I need to figure out how to get some sleep this week without sleeping through first and second period constantly.

Brain. Not. Functioning.

I'm Mad at God Right Now

Fuck this "circle of life" crap. It still sucks when someone you know and love has to die.

It's not fair. It's not cool when an innocent kid who's never intentionally hurt anyone in his life, who is the sweetest person ever, gets the death sentance.

For what?

Why?

Because his body doesn't work quite right?

That's not fair.

The good people should get long lives. They shouldn't have to die young while our prisons are clogging up with people who are still alive and kicking but have no regret for what they've done (the other ones are okay. I don't mind if they're there thinking about themselves and changing and all that crap).

Hell. He deserves to live more then I do.

This isn't cool, God. This isn't cool.

But please, please don't let him be in pain.

Matt the Photographer

Matt randomly picked up the pink block of Styrofoam the camera was ducktaped to, fiddling objectively, as his hands felt empty without the normal professional style camera slung around his neck. He pointed the camera up at at Claire, as she was the one standing nearest, and twisted his head back to see the display on the netbook behind them. He jittered it around a few times, but to no avail.

"Aw. The camera's not working." He stated, a slight note of disappointment audible in his voice.

"As you have that pointed at my boobs right now," Claire responded with fake hostility, "It better not!"

Matt dropped the camera like a hot coal, blushing slightly, and the room burst out into laughter. The moment was made all the more hilarious, as Matt had been stating mere moments earlier that even if the rest of the team made constant sex jokes with no regard towards her, at the very least he respected Claire.

"We see what you do." Enmar laughed from the other side of the table, looking up from the robot.

"So that's your kind of photography!" James added a little bit too loudly.

Claire just rolled back on her stool, laughing and gasping for breath.

---

Best. Moment. Ever. I felt the need to share.
The exact words are slightly tweaked, as this happened over an hour ago and I can't remember them perfectly. But you get the general idea.