"What's up y'all. Okay, so the Midwest was le intersting. A lot of great bridges, but man, did we see some pain and agony as well. What was it, like 4 or 5 bridges couldn't stand the load? 2 collapsed: South Dakota State, and Lakehead, yes, the Thunderwolves will not be in the NSSBC for the first time in 10 years. Watch that friggin' torsion people, and truss buckling...it's shredding all non-hackers who don't pack the analytical gear to serve at the 2008 NSSBC...don't get too skimpy laterally!!! However, don't go overboard either unless you're playing the lightness card (Longhorns this could mean you - Hook 'em up at Gainesville). I reckon the Rules committee had this in mind after seeing last year's, uh, questionable lateral bracing scenarios, same, somewhat in 2006 and 2005...though loadings change.
Top 3 were as follows:
1. North Dakota State -- getting old guys, Fahrvegnügen, just be normal for a change and slack off like the rest of us engineering students who are too good at math, and too shitty at writing to warrant any other kind of degree...C's make degrees fellas...but in all seriousness, the Bison are young, and they showed enormous nerve and resolve having to follow the impressive run by the Cyclones. Great job guys (and gal?). Don't make me whip out the Sausage Factory award for you dudes in Gainesville! The two weeks of practice time really showed, great job working the assemblies. ;-)
2. Iowa State -- had a great time, no idea on the structual numbers, but they did incorporate a lot of doves in the Bridge (pleeeease credit Penn State todos, we stole it from them way back when) and the practice and preparation showed as they drew first blood on the Assembly Site. Very good showing following a pretty imprecise regional Purete de Acero in 2007. But...why paint it dark green flake? is it a Christmas thang?
3. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (no penalty for bad name woo hoo!) -- first in stiffness, but took a little bit too long on the assembly, but kudos for the huevos to not put any builders on the long side...YES, it is possible to assembly with 4 builders, but put some wingspans at barge, and detail your pier to truss/beam/pier-lat cnxns properly, if you want to see if it works...I'd suggest the ex-basketball playing Civils (or MechE's, don't be closed minded, it has always worked like Expelliarmus for us) in the program, or any freaks of nature (a.k.a. pain loving goths) who've survived the Braveheart rack.
No word on the rest of the finishings exactly, but UW-Platteville (still sporting the Wisconsin State Pen jumpsuits), SDSU, Lakehead, Minnesota State-Mankato and the host University of Iowa all failed load tests, either laterally or vertically...duh. The Fighting Sioux of The University of North Dakota did not fail, however, as they were quietly dubbed "El Puente Pequeño que Puede". UND had a very simple bridge, straight out of a statics text book, but the sucker held just fine, so good job there...unfortunately when you come to Davis to play us next fall on the gridiron, you well get your asses handed to you in all the ways that aren't pleasant. 14-2 in 2001 is still sticking in our craw, die Sioux die, just the white people, not the Native Americans, they're all cool with us. Good job though UND, it wasn't an easy load scenario.
Exact numbers won't be detailedd here, mainly, 'cause I quite frankly don't know them exactly, but NDSU and Iowa State put up good times, they'll be pretty fast come Nationals, but, thinking about it, with 2 barges in the mix, everybody with enough preparation and creativity will be able to get a good time -- maybe faster than you thought possible, so get crazy with the Cheez Whiz and get on that shizzle.
Top 10 Random thoughts on the trip to Iowa City:
1. Tighten that bolt NDSU...that's the stiffness problemo right there! Wtf "Professor"?
2. There's a prototypical Iowa Highway Patrolmen just outside of Iowa City waiting for a lifetime Hollywood gig as the essential crewcut, clearheaded IHP cop...74 in a 70? Dude, seriously...the warning wasn't worth yo time, especially with no visable ice on the road for 230 miles. Beeyatch! But seriously,...fark off and be glad I wasn't doing the typical 85 I'd do in Cali.
3. The California Aggies should've yelled Byaaaaaaaah! following their 2007 run.
4. Uhhhhh...it may be cheap to sleep in the rental car from midnight to 6 am in Iowa City...but not recommended, as my huevos are still recovering from frost bite, and not the kind from a cold hearted woman.
5. It's okay to talk to Californians, even if our society is a little bit completely upside down from the Midwest. We're just crazy on the outside...and don't mean no harm, 'cause we're country boys and girls at heart gettin' down on the Farm!!!
6. Iowa City has less cows and way more steakhouses than Davis...friggin' hippies!
7. Don't find yourself on a semi-broke streak and travel halfway across the country...only to find your flight to Cedar Rapids cancelled because of this thing called weather...
8. In the land of cute Asian, Polynesian, and Indian chicas here in Davis, it's refreshing to know that cute white chicks (non-psychos) are still in the mix...at least somewhere.
9. It's just a stupid Steel Bridge, don't be nervous, but please, prepare yourselves.
10. When in Iowa, stop by the Kum and Go. Chatsworth would be so proud!
(this list and blog entry was written under the power of Icehouse/King Cobra ---please pardon the Bush-Speak)."
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