You’ll have to excuse Lynn for not posting today- she’s suffering from a severe case of DI-itis. It is a competition induced madness that hits her every year. During DI (Destination Imagination) season, we only hear crazed mutterings and fragments from her- strange things like the words, “Rube Goldberg Golfball Roller Coaster” (whatever that means!?!?!) From what I have been able to interpet, her little seven member creative problem solving team has once again built an amazing structure that can hold a ton of weight.
I, personally, love, love, love her DI fanaticism. Whenever she gets a new idea, she calls me (since she can’t tell her team members anything, ’cause she’s the coach and that’s interference, of course!) I seriously wait for the phone calls.
You see, you wouldn’t know it to look at me, but I am a DI fanatic as well. I have never actually participated in DI, but I am an ex-OM team member. (OM- Olympics of the Mind and then later, Odyssey of the Mind). I would be forcing/encouraging my own kiddos to participate and participating as a coach here in my own state, but alas, there are only a slim number of followers here, and I haven’t been able to contact anyone who actually has a team in my vicinity.
So, whenever Lynn calls to share her fun, I go sentimentally traipsing right down memory lane. I had so many laughs and good times with my own team members- building the sets, making costumes, vehicles, structures, writing skits, or whatever other ideas we needed to come up with.
Here’s a pic of my little 4th grade team. We totally lost all our points that year, didn’t even stay for the awards ceremony, but then won the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award and were blisfully happy with ourselves.
Stay with me, I’ve got one more picture. . .
This is my highschool team. Sadly, I don’t have a better picture. All I’ve got are blurry action shots and a heart full of really happy memories.
Oh, the good old days.
(moment of silence)
It probably took a lot of grit and determination for our coaches to put up with us. Looking back, I know it did! It often does take a lot of hard work for parents, coaches, and teachers to do something worthwhile for their children. But I am really grateful for the experiences that I had. . . it meant a lot to me then and still does now.
So when my sister calls me, I am gleeful. I am proud of her for doing this with her kids. I am crossing my fingers, hoping the stars are in alignment, and nothing goes wrong so that her team can win this year. And hopefully, not just win, but like me, make friendships, learn, grow, and have a wonderful, positive, life-shaping, mind-building adventure.
Good Luck DI’ers!!
