Resonating Numbers

Some numbers resonate, don't they? Welcome to another midnight writing session by yours truly.

For me, they were 13, 16, and 18, so far. Being that many years old just felt very right. I suppose I identified with the identity. Or maybe they just represented common stages of teenagership where larger change occurred.  Or maybe, they were periods of my life where I felt productive and accomplished, I'm not really sure. Although to be fair, now that I've thought about it for a while, that might be a big portion of why it feels right.

13... Thirteen... I was in Bozeman, in 7th grade. What happened that year? Well, that was the first year I joined Vex robotics. By then, I had had time to form friendships after moving there the year prior. I had my first technology related class, where I frequently finished work early to work on our robot instead. It felt special heading out of the classroom into the workshop next door to work on the robot by myself during class. I remember the cluttered workshop filled with wheeled carts (that my teacher loved), and power tools I've never seen anyone use. I remember setting up the first ever Montana State Vex Competition field and tables, playing, and ultimately winning (by default as we were the only middle school team in the state). While going to worlds didn't particularly feel deserved, traveling and using our ahem inspired cough robot to get 35th was pretty great. Flying out without parents, iPad mini 2nd gen in hand was a fun time. Pretty fond memories. A fitting resonant number.

16... Quite a different time indeed. Sophomore year at Bozeman high school, and all but given up on robotics. (In short: team problems, time problems, and a card I may have written that may have been regrettable (don't ask)) Instead, I was fully focused in on speech and debate. Specifically, Lincoln Douglas (Ethics) Debate. I absolutely loved it. A monstrous time hog, researching, writing, and practicing debate, but also great fun in competitions. And the competitions being remote due to COVID let me compete in an incredible number of competitions. It was super scary to get into, but well worth it. This was my second year, and I was an experienced novice debater (not varsity). I felt unstoppable - a debating machine. Any freshmen were easily steamrolled, and I only had a select few key debaters at other schools who were an even match with almost everyone better than me being in the varsity bracket. I remember that rivalry fondly. Seeing each other on the roster was always an "oh no" and "let's do this" kind of moment. I distinctly remember when I was at finals and they were my opponent. I was shivering before the round, partly from the cold AC and partly from the nervousness. That first place win was a sweet one indeed. If I had stayed in Bozeman, I would have become varsity, LD debate house captain, and a member of the speech and debate club leadership group. Although I sometimes wonder how the rest of my high school career would have panned out, alas it was not to be. Indeed, a resonant year.

18... Adulthood, Senior Year in Indiana, and my year to do whatever I wanted in high school. Didn't feel much like an adult, but it wasn't too shabby. Again, I had had a year to find friends and groups - and settle into them. Back at it in robotics too. FIRST was quite a step up in complexity and group size. I knew what I was doing, felt good at it, and was totally ready for the year ahead. There was a lot of uncertainty this year too of course (see literally all of the earlier blog posts) but things went to plan, and occasionally better than planned. Did our robotics team do great? Nah, but I had fun and felt at home. Traveling for competitions, writing hotfixes and last-minute auto code is what you live for as a FIRST lead programmer. Since this age just ended, my memories haven't yet filtered out and crystalized into nostalgic moments, so I'll keep it short. For sure a resonant age.

What about everything in between? 14?15?17? I mean, they weren't too bad. I didn't suffer a tragic accident or anything. Perhaps just transitional years to a better time. That seems to make more sense now that I've written this whole thing. Definitely some challenging times though, especially 17. A lot changed. Got through it though. That's what matters, right? Why focus on those years when the resonant numbers bounce around my head. 19's here now. Another big change year. Will this year be resonant? maybe the next one? I'll get there when I get there. Although, the end of the teenager years draws near now. Actually, now that the clock has rolled into the AM while I've been writing this, 355 days of teenagership are left. It's been a wild 6 years, here's to the seventh and last one. The twenties are so close now. It feels off. I don't feel 20 - although I suppose I've got a year left before that'll start conflicting with my actual age, so I'm good for now. If the last 6 years were so long, what will the next 10 look like? wild, wild things. Hopefully good things. Anyway, gotta sleep so I don't fall asleep in CS 193 tomorrow.

I haven't posted in a while. Hopefully the next one is sooner rather than later.