It's crazy to think that just last week I got back from the Odyssey of the Mind World comp. 2015 in Lansing Michigan. Where does the time go??
Those five days were such a blast.
I judged Long Term for Div. II (middle-school), problem 5 (performance) "Silent Movie." Along with needing to include a silent movie in the 8 minute skit, subtitles included, the teams had to have a director character, a villain who commits three acts of villainy, a movie critic, a movie trailer for a coming attraction (which can have sound), and a team created instrument.
As a musician I really enjoyed seeing all the instruments the 65 teams created. There were many drums, shakers, and PVC like instruments, but different fun takes on each. One team took the PVC xylophone idea and added tubes and water, so that when you blew into the tube a different pitch would sound. Another team took the xylophone keys and connected them to a vertical wooden board with a ramp; they dropped a ball down the ramp and timed it perfectly so the xylophone keys played "three-blind-mice." Really fun.
Then there was another team who took the team created instrument to a whole new level. They used a body current to cue different, originally created synthesized music loops. The skit had an animal theme (the lion and giraffe were gorgeous), and the musical instrument was made to look like a food stand. Behind the stand the DJ wore special shoes that grounded the current, and then when he touched metal (Hershey Kisses, some pennies, aluminum foil under a water bottle) the current was completed, and that cued the different sound/music loops, which was cued up on a computer. After each performance the judges get to talk to the kids and ask questions about the items we're scoring, and when we looked at this particular instrument we got to create a body current link while holding hands. I was the final link in the chain and got to touch the Penny on the table causing the music to turn on, touch it again and it turned off. I did the same with the Hershey's Kiss, touching it to turn the music loop on and off. Super cool.
At the end of Day 4, technically the third and last judging day, there's a closing ceremony where awards are given. My friend works with the Spontaneous team, Spont, aka short term, is another element in the competition worth up to 100 points and deals with problem solving improvisation. Long Term is worth up to 200 points. I had dinner with some of the spont people, and then we walked from the Marriott to closing ceremonies.
Those whole three days I couldn't understand why the spont people never took the bus to campus, choosing to walk instead. Boy, was I missing out!!! The walk was so beautiful, going through a park and seeing older architectural buildings. And the light was absolutely gorgeous, deep golds casting long shadows.
Day 5: I had to get up early to catch the early bus to the Detroit airport. 2 hour drive. And my friend Lauren and I got to the airport with a full three hours to spare. (taking the later bus would have gotten us there 30 minutes before boarding.)
We had lunch at a Texas Stake restaurant, and the burgers were so juicy!! It was nice being able to relax and not stress.
Somehow my seat got messed up and I sat by this guy who was super stressed out. When we got our beverages he asked for a Sprite, and then quickly got a small bottle of liquor out of his bag to pour it into his glass, causing him to sleep the rest of the way.
I'm sad 2015 Odyssey is over, except for a wrap-up planning meeting this weekend. Next years Performance problem is going to be really cute.
Divisions I, II, III & IV The team's problem is to create and present a humorous performance depicting problem solving from the perspective of three different animals. The animals will help a stranger, help each other, and solve a problem that threatens the survival of all animals. During the performance, the animals will sing and dance. They will also show curiosity, sympathy, frustration, and joy.
Cost limit: $125 USD.
Until next year!!!
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