The Travel Planner Friend Shares His Thoughts

Hello and welcome to the Wannaskan Almanac: “In Houston for 2023 FIRST Championship: Part Duo.”  Today is April 29th.

 
As you recall from last week's post, Kim described “The Travel Planner Friend” and all the talents that came in one package.  A lot of questions were received such as: “Who is this guy?”,  “Does he really exist?”, “Does he hire out?”, and of course the occasional denialist who said: “I don’t think he exists!”  So now “The Travel Planning Friend” will contribute to this week’s blog and will begin by answering two of the three questions.  

My wife and Kim met in 1997 and when my wife and I married in 2013, I was included in the deal.  Spending time with the Hrubys and watching their family grow has been a great experience!  There’s always something happening as the kids develop, graduate from grade school and high school, start college and move about the world in pursuit of their next milestone. They are a dynamic, creative, grounded family and I appreciate our continuing friendship being adopted for the week in Houston.

As Kim wrote last week, we all made plans to drive 1200 miles round trip through the center of the country from Warroad, MN to Houston,TX.  For the Hrubys, this trip would be from the absolute northern US border near Canada to the edge of the southern terminus of the continental US at the Gulf of Mexico.  One vehicle, 6 people, through five states in 3 days and this sentence is almost as long as the trip but makes the point that it’s a l-o-n-g way.  

Driving thousands of miles and many hours with a group of people provides the opportunity to observe things about everyone’s travel habits.  The young kids handled the trip really well and I was impressed.  Lucie would sleep, read her book, rock out with mom to Taylor Swift and never complained.  Antonin kept the conversation interesting with his thoughtful questions such as: “Hey, what would happen if a meteor and a comet collided with an underwater volcano?” Or “What would happen if a tornado and a hurricane came together…which would win?” Another example is: “How would history be changed if the Titanic did not hit an iceberg?”  Personally, I think these are thoughtful, challenging questions that deserve consideration since they combine weather, physical science, history plus the implications of “cause and effect.” As for the adults, we had Allison along and she travels well. She was always on time, gear packed, and didn't bring too much stuff.  I enjoyed my conversations with Rosta about the origins of the American Revolution as well as the impact of the Industrial Revolution in different countries (Britain, US and China).  We often get into those sorts of conversations that become seminars but that’s a good thing. Rosta & I did manage to solve some of the world's problems and better understand the rest of them.  As to Kim, well, not only does she keep the mood bright but she’s a good driver. In fact, while she was driving she said: “Hey, did I tell you that my dad used to race cars in Brainerd?" That helped to explain that while driving a full-sized Jeep Wagoneer with a v8, 6 passengers, gear to the gills, and generous speed limits; Kim is cool behind the wheel.  We’re “Hauling the Mail” over the highways and over the byways of middle America while Kim is channeling her dad, the racecar driver.  

As a robotics fan, I’m always learning a lot about the competition as well as its philosophy.  FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was started in 1989 by Dean Kamen as an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology. FIRST serves more than 1,000,000 young people, ages 6 to 18, with 3790 teams from 33 different countries.  Woodie Flowers co-created FIRST and introduced the phrase "gracious professionalism" which means that participants compete against each other but through the matches they will also form “Alliances” with each other.  They quickly learn that it’s better to treat each other well in order to get others to work with them throughout the multi-day event.  That approach does add a unique element to competition that you don’t see in all sports.  I’ve heard stories of teams helping each other repair their robots in the “pits'' and even providing spare parts.  Woodie inspired and supported FIRST for more than 30 years until his death in 2019.

(FIRST Competition in Houston - 2023)

Since it’s an international event, teams from Canada, Mexico, Israel, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia and others are represented.  I even got a button from the team from Taiwan.  Wow, and I thought I had a long journey to get here!  The young adults meet each other, compete, form alliances, and win & lose graciously.  Through robotics, they teach everyone how we can get along and cooperate with each other.  Rosta Hruby explained it to me this way:  Originally the young adults were supposed to be inspired by adults who would guide them and teach them how to work and compete together but now adults are inspired by the young adults.  At the 2023 FIRST Championship, one can’t help being impressed by the intensity, commitment, dedication, and work by the young adults, mentors and parents.

It’s often said that from the young adults involved in robotics, you can see tomorrow's entrepreneurs, inventors, and technology leaders.  In short, you can see the future as you watch the competition or walk around the pits where the teams prepare and repair their robots for the next competition.  I also saw much of the world come together, cooperate, compete and become friends.  One can look many places and be concerned about the future but during those times at FIRST, I felt hopeful and inspired.  These are the next leaders and they are showing all of us a possible and better future for the world.

As to the third question:  My wife is my agent so inquiries regarding my services need to be negotiated through her.