Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (46645)	2/10/2000 6:37:00 PM
From: Gauguin	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 71178

Coby, someone sent us an Isotonic Healthy Foundation Mattress Pad. I'm rolling it out right now. Stumpy has two comments: "The Isotonic Healthy Foundation Mattress Pad Box and Packing are really exceptional; once one learns to dominate them." and; "I do not like my name sung repeatedly to La Cuca Racha."

To: Ilaine who wrote (46645)	2/12/2000 12:29:00 PM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 71178

Please congratulate Ben!!!!!!!! That is wonderful!! I can tell how proud you are- and you should be! Did you tell us what he did his project on? Did I miss this? I hated Science Projects with a passion. And my poor children were on their own. Also the school placed limitations on the kids. Freshman year, in Honors Bio, they wouldn't let CW do what he wanted (what else--- computers) and said it had to be Bio--related. CW put it off until the week before and then frantically did one of those "what's in the pantry I can use- FAST" things. I think he soaked eggs in stuff- something totally unoriginal. And then the pictures he took as the eggs swelled or rotted or burst, didn't develop. Oh, it was awful. I really disagree with setting limitations on something extra like a Science Project. The next year, he was in an integrated Honors program, and they let him do what he wanted. He designed a computer language program (which he named after himself) that somehow simplified the required program code and steps-needed in a calculator-Heck I never knew what it was--but people said it was very original and good. He won and went on to Regionals and then on to the State competition in Austin. He was totally intimidated--- there were the most amazing exhibits. COmputer robots, and people wiring their home computers to other things in the house, and some really obscure stuff. His display was modest (what can you do clever and colorful with a calculator after all) and on the second day, someone stole the calculator. Luckily, calculators aren't hard to come by and he just reprogrammed it. The judges walk around and interview the kids, which CW, being pure salesman, enjoyed. He got all excited and told them how important his program was, yada, yada, and was already being used in Europe at some school (which was true, but slightly exaggerated). Anyway he took first in the state, which was very exciting. The reason he won, I believe, is because, as you said, it was untrodden territory; his project was original and required new applications. The judges were professors from UT and knew their stuff, which was good. Actually I have a point to all this- if I can remember it. Oh--- Nick and the electronics. When a child is really interested- almost obsessed with something- he will follow it through. Dig up all you can for him and let him choose--- I believe you would be wise to avoid the really academic stuff at this age. He will learn all that through school eventually- no rush. But it's those programs that allow him to explore and have hands on experience that are so valuable. Also we looked at a lot of those really expensive gifted programs at colleges and decided against them. I might be wrong about this, but what we found is that CW really did great on his own--- we bought anything he asked for--- we went through a lot of computers becuase we allowed him to take them apart. We bought any books, or materials, or tools he asked for. He hooked up with some computer geek professors at a local college who encouraged him and answered his questions. CW knows no boundaries. He was born like that-And we tried not to get in his way, which was really hard sometimes. I think that's the best gift you can give Ben and Nick. What they choose may not always look or sound like the "best" or most "elite" way to go in your eyes. (So many of these programs appeal to the elitist in us, the proud parent.) Sometimes it's really hard to not impose our own and society's ambitions and definitions of success on our children, I think. And to let them fail,too, without our help. I think you are a wonderful mother and probably know all this already, having been a gifted child yourself. The robotics program sounds great. The Stanford one sounds like a great deal of money to spend on something that can be obtained closer to home. You may have to spring for the Stanford name down the road, but at 14, you don't. CW went to two swim camps, one at Stanford, one at SMU. Guess which one was better. I better stop-- though I have a funny CW story--Ammo wants to print out a short story he stayed up all night writing. Oh dear. You see? THey go their own ways.