Carnage!

The 2012 National Championships for members 

of the National Robotics League were held this weekend 

in Indianapolis. The league focuses on students, 

from middle school through college, and helps them form ties with 

industry groups who not only assist the students with materials to field

competitive teams, but make them aware of career paths available to them.

However, I was still surprised to see the young man above, 14 years old,

driving his high school's 'bot in the competition. Mayhem was involved. 

The arena was strewn with the limbs, parts and shards of metallic

flesh from the little machines, but each driver was focused on the battle,

coolly steering and "strategizing" for some advantage over

the competition.

The bouts, fast and vicious, are held in an enclosed arena made

of metal and plexiglass. They need to be, as sparks flew from the metallic 

hides of the combatants, 'bots were thrown into the roof of the cage, tumbling 

and shedding parts as they hit the arena's walls. They whirred, they growled,

they sawed, cut at and prodded each other. Mercilessly. 

Between bouts, the teams worked on their 'bots, diagnosing 

and repairing damage and shortcomings, all under the supervision 

of an adult coach, usually one their teachers from school. 

I was really glad to see several girls among the team members, 

one of whom was proud to be the person assigned to bring

her team's 'bot to the arena for its bout, smiling happily

for her teacher who was taking pictures in the bleachers.

See the shiny bits reflecting off the carapace of the 'bot on the left?

Those are scars, scratches, and gouges received in battle,

often from rivals like the 'bot on the right, which has just been 

upended and, unable to right itself, "shiny scars" won the day.

There is a referee assigned to the ring who retrieves the 'bots.

 He handles them with caution in the form of a long stick, 

which he uses to scoot the little machines 

to their owners, who know its features and weapons.

He then sweeps up stray 'bot parts and cleans 

the arena of metal shards. 

Each 'bot weighs no more than 15 pounds, but

is loaded with electronic gear and weapons that whir

at high speeds, spin at velocities so high you can hear

the spin, as well as the screeching of metal

as the 'bots come into contact with each other.

Sparks fly!

Trophies are awarded!

And the NRL's website is cool, witty and well-designed.

Mr. Bendo

Looking as though he's ready to drop the puck 

to start an ice hockey game, Mr. Bendo has stood 

sentry outside Ralph's Muffler & Brake Shop

on West 16th Street for over forty years.

Apparently, he is one of a set of triplets,

his siblings promoting Bendo muffler pipes

well into middle age, even as the shops have 

changed hands and names.

One is located atop a muffler shop in Chicago,

while the third is alive and well in

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

He is supposed to be holding a length of muffler 

tubing in his hands but over the years age and injury 

have forced changes in his arms, 

resulting in the odd  "Heil Dumbkoff" salute.

Several years ago, when he was taken down for repairs,

a mold was made and replacement limbs 

are stored for future use. 

Sunshine and Not So Much

This week has been a mixture of rain and sunshine.

The rivers and streams are bank full from the rainfall we've received.

This morning the sun found it had to compete with the clouds

that were moving over the city, alternately showing itself,

then being obscured by the overcast.

As I write type this, weather forecasts are for more of the same -

the runners participating in the 13.1-mile Mini Marathon

will be running in the rain. It is not an unpleasant experience, 

especially in the warmer temperatures that are also

anticipated. Saturday also will be the 138th running

of the Kentucky Derby, a race I've followed since I was about five.

Today, the Kentucky Oaks was won by Believe You Can,

ridden by Rosie Napravnik, now the first woman

to have won the Oaks as a jockey.

That race was delayed 45 minutes by rain and high winds,

but it turned into sunshine for Rosie.

Bumps

After yesterday's fog had settled down a bit, 

I like to imagine this is what happened to it - that it became

lovely crystalline ornaments on flowers and grasses.

I was walking across the lawn at the IMA 100 Acres 

when I saw what looked like a dried brown leaf 

in the grass. I stopped to take a look because 

the leaf looked as though it had legs.

My suspicions aroused, I stopped to check 

and found the leaf to be this brown toad.

Poor guy, he was doing such a good job 

of being a leaf that I'd almost squashed him

into his next life.

Two Can Play ...

Waiting for the Bus, 7:50 a.m., Wednesday May 1st

The fog-shrouded skyline yesterday morning took

the city back to a time long before there was

ever a "skyline." The only buildings likely to have

been peeping above the tree line were the church spires.

This morning, the buildings have dropped their

shrouds, retaining the gray, still blocking out

much of the sun. But the morning's

golden light still bends around the granite, still sneaks

between the limestone blocks, providing this

runner a well-lit path as he gets in one last run before

the Indy Mini-Marathon this coming Saturday. 

Waiting for the Bus, 7:50 a.m., Thursday May 2nd

Frilly and Pretty

While walking through the IMA grounds, I passed through Oldfields, 

the country manor and estate that had belonged to 

the Eli Lilly family. As I walked towards the house, along the Allee, 

I saw this white-flowered tree near the fountain.
I don't know what it is, but the delicate flowers are disarming.
giving the tree the appearance of being dressed in lace.

I thought that, if I had been getting married that day, 

I would have wanted to have the ceremony beside that tree.

Textured Tuesday: Hosta

There are hosta of various species planted all around 

the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

This one, whose name I do not recall,

has acquired an artistic temperment all its own,

looking as though it'd grown up to be

in an Edward Weston photograph.

All its ribs and curves reminded me of

Weston's studies of green peppers.

These pictures make me wish I'd spent 

more time playing with it, watching for 

more expressive lines as the shadows changed, 

emphasizing the plants' beautiful curves.

And here is a third in the series of benches 

designed by the Danish artist, Jeppe Hein, and placed 

at various sites around the 100 Acres lake.

There are fifteen benches in the series,

of which I saw five.