Could This Be Magic? Magic is a concept that has fascinated humans for centuries. It conjures up thoughts of spells, wizards, and enchantment, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. But is magic purely the stuff of fairy tales, or could it exist in our own world? There are those who believe that magic is a real force, capable of influencing the world around us. They point to unexplained phenomena, miraculous events, and ancient traditions as evidence of its existence. These individuals often practice various forms of magic themselves, using rituals, spells, and incantations to tap into this hidden power. Others view magic as nothing more than illusion and trickery.

Intimidating yellowjackets and copyright legality: The surprising history of UR’s latest mascot

In 2015, the UR Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team wanted to make merchandise using an original design they created of Rocky — a design which can only truly be described accurately as “badass”. But once UR found out about “Ricky the Honeybee,” the Baja team was told not to use it at all. Why? Because the orientation of Rocky is actually really important.

In 2008, UR decided to change the school’s mascot from URBee to what we know today as Rocky. At least 3,400 members of the UR community agreed that URBee was too cute for UR Athletics, and the new mascot needed to be “intimidating” and have an edge.

URBee gave the following parting statement : “I didn’t have the name. I didn’t have the looks. I didn’t even have the fingers for downs and quarters. But I had heart, and I wore it on my sleeve each and every day. I like to think that counts for something.”

That same year, our beloved Rocky made their stunning debut during a basketball game.

But Rocky has a doppelganger: Meet Buzz , Georgia Institute of Technology’s mascot, who debuted in 1980. Buzz is also a yellowjacket. Buzz is also a very intimidating yellowjacket. To some, Buzz may look very similar to UR’s own intimidating yellowjacket, Rocky.

Rocky’s design is based heavily on UR’s own history with the insects. The yellowjacket mascot was first introduced in the 1920s and went through several variations until landing at the current iteration.

Georgia Institute of Technology was involved in the 2008 redesign process of Rocky, but the details of UR and Georgia Institute of Technology’s agreement are not publically available. There is an agreement between the schools that allows the bees to coexist.

Comparing the two, there are some clear distinctions. The orientation of Rocky and Buzz is different. Rocky will almost always be forward-facing, and must always have the “R” on its chest. UR’s official guidelines on custom Rocky designs is to treat Rocky like a paper doll according to the UR Identity Guide .

Georgia Tech has been in mascot rumbles in the past. In 2017, the town of Damascus in Maryland wanted to paint their high school mascot, the Swarmin’ Hornets, on their water tower to celebrate the town’s high school football team. The town raised the money to get their own intimidating hornet on the water tower until Georgia Institute of Technology stepped in and shut it down.

In years prior, Georgia Tech had requested that the Damascus High School change their mascot to not be so similar to Buzz, and a licensing agreement was signed. The agreement did not include a painting of the hornet on the water tower, which Georgia Tech was quick to point out.

In 1988, Georgia Tech filed a copyright infringement suit against a minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City called the Buzz, and who also had an intimidating yellowjacket as their mascot. The Salt Lake City baseball team lost the lawsuit, and had to pay Georgia Tech $600,000 dollars .

The team’s lawyer, Gregory D. Phillips, commented on the suit to the Chronicle of Higher Education .

“Georgia Tech might think their mascot is famous, [but] no one here has ever heard of them,” he said. “No one ever showed up at a game out here expecting to see a Georgia Tech game, and no one ever showed up out there looking to go to a Salt Lake Buzz game.”

The non-public agreement between UR and Georgia Institute of Technology seems to have prevented a “bumble” between the two universities.

Rocky and Buzz do have their differences as intimidating yellowjackets, but it can be difficult to differentiate which yellowjackets UR departments, clubs, and organizations can use. The UR Identity guide has been made to help navigate the UR yellowjacket identity and mascot world of intimidating yellowjackets.

The UR Baja SAE team is not the only group to accidentally venture into the confusion of what Rocky imagery can be used. When the Campus Times was creating our newspaper-themed Rocky design, we ran into the cut and paste game of intimidating yellowjackets, too. If you were to go to the bottom floor of Meliora Hall at the moment, you might find this sign:

An image of Buzz found in Meloria Hall. Melanie Earle, Features Editor

Look a little off? That’s actually Buzz. That yellowjacket goes against the UR Identity Guidelines, and is not Rocky.

Rocky’s image has been carefully curated to not bug the other intimidating yellowjackets, which is why UR’s so protective of the way it looks.

What URBee lacked in intimidation in 2008, he at least made up for in heart and copyright legality.

Buzzkill: Why Georgia Tech is deflating a Maryland high school’s spirit

Math teacher Rob Hyman has been part of a seven-year effort to get the Damascus High School mascot, a hornet, painted on the water tower overlooking the football field. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Add to your saved stories

Victor Furnells and Rob Hyman thought they were this close.

In April, after seven years of campaigning and cajoling, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) had finally agreed to paint the mascot of their beloved Damascus Swarmin' Hornets atop the water tower that looms over this northern Montgomery County town of 15,000.

Furnells, 54, a sales executive with a national marketing company, saw the mascot project as a way to boost civic pride, honor the state champion high school football team and beautify what some residents have long regarded as an eyesore.

When WSSC said the hornet could be added this summer, during the first scheduled repainting for the 170-foot-tall tower since it went into service in 1990, Furnells offered to raise the extra $15,000 it would cost.

"Visitors coming to and through Damascus will easily recognize the water tower and immediately know they are in the proud town of Damascus, MD," Furnells wrote on GoFundMe.com after the agency said yes. Within a month, boosters had raised nearly all the money in small donations from Damascus residents.

Then came the buzzkill, in the form of Georgia Tech.

The Atlanta-based university so zealously protects the trademark integrity of its own mascot, a yellow jacket named Buzz, that alumni must fill out a "grave marker permission form" before the insect can join them in their eternal rest.

A couple of years ago, Georgia Tech insisted that Damascus modify the hornet on its uniforms and marketing material so that it didn’t look so much like Buzz.

The high school slapped a “D” on the bug’s chest and changed the color scheme from Georgia Tech’s black and yellow to yellow and green. Then Montgomery County Public Schools signed a licensing agreement with Georgia Tech that spelled out in granular detail where and how the mascot could appear, including on helmets, hallway signs and the school paper, the Buzz.

The water tower was not mentioned in the legal document, one of more than 400 such agreements that Georgia Tech has signed with high schools across the country.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Mascot - Modern Disc Mirrored Wall Sign

Others view magic as nothing more than illusion and trickery. They argue that any so-called magical phenomenon can be explained through scientific principles or sleight of hand. This perspective often dismisses the supernatural and emphasizes a more rational understanding of the world.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Mascot - Modern Disc Mirrored Wall Sign

Our Georgia Institute of Technology Modern Disc Mirror is perfect sign to show your school pride! With it's simple and modern design, our logo mirrors display the Georgia Tech logos in a style that fits any setting. Our high resolution digitally printed images provide clean and vibrant color. Made of mirrored acrylic with hi-impact styrene frames, our safe and lightweight mirrors are built to last. The Fan-Brand’s Modern Disc Mirror is ideal for your office, garage, fan cave, or game room. Whether purchasing as a gift for a recent grad, sports superfan, or for yourself, you can take satisfaction knowing you are buying a mirror that is officially licensed by the Yellow Jackets and made in the USA.

• Made of Heavy-Duty, Injection Molded Plastic
• High-Resolution, Digitally Printed Image Direct to Surface
• Safe, Lightweight Mirrored Acrylic
• Rigid, Durable Look & Feel
• Officially Licensed Product

• Dimensions: 17.5"L x 17.5"W x 0.5"D
• Automotive Grade, UV Stable Ink
• Ready to Hang, Mounting Hardware Included
• Easy to Clean
• Made in the USA

Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. While magic may not be as fantastical as it is portrayed in books and movies, there are moments in life that feel magical. These are the instances that defy explanation or logic, leaving us in awe of the mysteries of our universe. Think of a breathtaking sunset, a serendipitous meeting with a long-lost friend, or the feeling of love that can sweep us off our feet. These moments carry a sense of enchantment, a feeling that there is something more at play than can be seen or understood. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, it is natural to yearn for a touch of magic. We seek moments of transcendence, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and our spirits are lifted. And maybe, just maybe, these moments are the magic we seek. Ultimately, whether or not magic exists is a matter of personal belief. It is a subject that invites exploration and contemplation, challenging our understanding of the world. So the question remains: could this be magic? The answer may lie within ourselves, as we open our hearts and minds to the possibility of something beyond the ordinary..

Reviews for "The Magic of Dreams: Exploring the Meaning Behind Surreal Experiences"

1. Emma - 2/5 stars

I had high hopes for "Could this be magic" as it came highly recommended, but I was quite disappointed. The storyline lacked depth and felt like a rip-off of other fantasy novels I've read. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite simplistic, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found this book to be unoriginal and underwhelming.

2. Mark - 3/5 stars

I must admit, I was intrigued by the premise of "Could this be magic", but unfortunately, the execution fell flat. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed and unresolved. The plot twists were predictable, and the overall resolution felt forced and unsatisfying. While the concept had potential, the author failed to deliver a captivating and well-crafted story. It's a shame because with better development and a tighter plot, this book could have been truly magical.

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars

I struggled to get through "Could this be magic" and ended up forcing myself to finish it. The writing was excessively descriptive, bordering on tedious, and the dialogues were stilted and unnatural. The author seemed to prioritize setting the scene and describing every little detail over developing the characters and advancing the plot. As a result, I found myself disconnected from the story and uninterested in the fate of the protagonist. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.

The Magic of Cinema: How Special Effects Have Transformed the Film Industry