2-17-07:

Science Olympiad was my life for three years. The people. The competitions. The atmosphere. I can't think of anything more appealing. Even now that I'm no longer at Bearden Middle School I still love some of the people (all of the people - though I didn't know some of them until today). I went to their regional competition today which is always a sweep. I watched the B team's mission possible device fail unexpectedly. I watched Tor's balloon lauch glider sail for minutes. I watched the kids stress about single questions on tests and the shortest kids I've ever seen eat nearly 10 ice cream cones in a college cafeteria. I remember being the same way. And loving it more than any other moment in the world. Now I get my kicks watching them love the experiences. And bonding with old friends who will soon be watching as highschoolers themselves. And I honestly can't think of a better future for them to look forward to. I took lots of wonderful photos today. But this one - a classic - is really what it's all about. The rush of knocking out the competition with your vast knowledge of tower-building, oceanography, mapping, and aquifers.