The Mentor Robots + Life + Blog Update

Hello everyone, Sorry I've been on a tad of a hiatus from the blog realm. Classes started, my brother's wedding, and a bunch of stressful stuff in between has kept me away. I will try my bring this blog back up from the grave once again. One special project that I would like to bring up is a side project I've been helping with for the past few months. My robotics teacher (Mr. Henry) called upon some of his loyal servants...I mean students and some professional mentors to help design two robots.

These robots are specifically designed to be teaching robots for new mentors arising in San Antonio. This will be very handy for demos, classes, or possibly for sponsor meetings. Most teams in San Antonio need their robots for the competition and because of the price of the equipment, they can be very hesitant when lending out their hunk of metal on wheels. So these will be very handy for many purposes. Mr. Henry has a few sponsorships already on hand so we are well on our way to building.

We started with an already built robot that students had built for a past game. Our first job was to tear it apart...WOOHOO!! We kept the chassis intact since it was just easier that way. Than we had to take apart the gear boxes, which my friend Rudy did since he is a pro, and took apart the wheels to take out some spacers that weren't needed. Anywho we have had 3 meetings so far and will continue till it is built.

I promise to document a little more than I have been and hopefully I can get some footage in photos or video before we get too far in the process. This will give me the experience I need since I plan on applying for the AmeriCorps VISTA Program with F.I.R.S.T., I'll explain more about that later, to help me be able to learn how to make a robot from the ground up.

I also need to ask if I can use some of the other mentors names on here as well, that wouldn't be good if I did and they weren't happy about it.

Anywho I will be adding a few more movie reviews, some posts about some work I'm doing in my classes, and a possible new blog dedicated to me reviewing TED Talks...maybe. I don't know yet. We will see...

STAY TUNED!

What are you going to try new for 30 days?

Yes folks, this is another TED Talk. At a 3:27, I didn't think this video would take out precious minutes out of someones day that they could have been on facebook reading about how sleepy someone is that moment...and responding about it.

Moving on, Matt Cutts is an Engineer at Google and gives an inspiring talk about goals. What are some things you have always wanted to do? Why not try them for 30 days? These are some questions he asks and I started to contemplate all the things that I have always wanted to do but haven't done for the multitude of excuses I've used.

Painting, learning a language, learning a martial art, actually keeping up with an exercise regiment, and try to get A's in my classes. Those are some short term goals that have long term potential but the time just never seems to be there. Instead of starting at one of these, I decided to try one that Matt Cutts did and take a picture a day for 30 days. The best part about this is I asked a very special person to join me on this 30 Day photo challenge to take pictures that we would like to show one another. Start off small, work your way up is what I'm doing.

Watch this tiny video and maybe try it out, whats it going to hurt you? You may end up gaining confidence and gaining a new skill or hobby.

GO TRY THINGS!!!

Women Nazi Health Plan

I apologize to anyone who might be offended. I found this clip from Colbert Report hilarious. I feel that everyone should believe in whatever they want to believe without having to throw it in people's faces or judge anyone on such things. I liked this clip though, made me giggle...

…if we give your daughters and granddaughters access to birth control they will instantly turn into wanting harlots with an insatiable sexual appetite, because you know women are always on the edge of nympho maniacal orgiastic abandon… -Stephen Colbert



Not my usual type of post, but I felt like sharing.

Fighting Animation!

So I was perusing the good old Youtube for some stop motion animation ideas for my class, and came across these two videos. I am a fighting/martial arts fanatic so I get a tad giddy when I find some awesome videos. My second phonotrope animation for my class was actually the move "Au Sem Mao" in Capoeira. Anywho, on to these spiffy yet cheesy videos I just so happened to stumble upon...hehe.

First up, Bruce Lee vs. Iron Man. This is sadly not even a real fight! Bruce Lee could kick any robot's behind! But neat to watch anyways...



What can go wrong with stick figures fighting??? Though I've seen most of these moves in various films, stick figures give that added touch.

Check out my blog on your smartphone!

Just download an app like ScanLife onto your smartphone, if you haven't already done so, and scan the code below! I've tried it and it works very well. Enjoy my blog on the go!! I will also post this on my contact page.

Music THingamabob

Music THingamabob, the H became capitalized when I was typing and thought it added a little something. Its a widget from this place called Mixpod that lets you find youtube videos and puts them in one convenient playlist for you, though its hard since most are covers because I think they can only put ones that don't have protections...gggrrrrrrrr! Anywho I decided not to post it on my blog front because I already have too much clutter and its a tad big and in the way. 

Here is a few of my favorite songs if you are interested in listening...

Supposedly you can learn about someone by the music they listen to so if you figure that out, let me know! That would be swell!



Music Playlist at MixPod.com


Also this is my 50TH POST...WOOHOO!!!

My Thoughts For Today

I wish I was anywhere but here, almost...

and tacos sound delicious right about now, yummmm

I am also quite excited since I will be going to Austin tomorrow and Saturday for robotics competitions, woohoo! I'm officially a mentor again!

Check this out! I'm so excited that many people from around the world have viewed this blog o'mine...THANK YOU PEOPLE OF THE WORLD FOR STOPPING BY!!