Those magic changes grease Change is a constant in life. It is the only thing that remains consistent. It is through change that progress is made, and new opportunities arise. While change can be daunting and uncomfortable, it is often necessary for personal and professional growth. Change is like magic in many ways. It has the power to transform our lives and push us out of our comfort zones.
In Episode 9, they went up against Whiplash and scored themselves another Judges' decision, and the match was a back-and-forth battle that was super exciting to watch.
There were impressive counters, intelligent robot control, and overall awesome maneuvering from both teams, but it was Witch Doctor who eventually earned the win. Andrea and Mike Gellatly co-hosted Tale of the Tape After Show alongside Team HyperShock, discussing each episode after it airs and often bringing fellow competitors onto the show as special guests.
It has the power to transform our lives and push us out of our comfort zones. Just like a magician performing a trick, change can be unexpected and surprising. It can catch us off guard and challenge our perceptions of what is possible.
‘Witch Doctors’ Flex Skills on BattleBots
Most witch doctors believe in healing, but this Witch Doctor, designed by a team that includes two alumni, will be bent on maiming, scorching, and annihilating other robots.
By Barbara Gutierrez [email protected] 06-23-2016
Folktales tell us that most witch doctors believe in healing. But this Witch Doctor is bent on maiming, scorching, and annihilating anything in its path.
| Standing over their robots are, from left, Witch Doctor teammates Paul Grata, Jennifer Villa, Andrea Suarez, and Michael Gellatly. |
Designed by a team that includes two University of Miami alumni, Witch Doctor is a 220-pound robot, which, with its flame-throwing sidekick, Shaman, will try to destroy other robotic competitors in the second season of ABC’s BattleBots.
During the course of the season, which premiered June 23, 48 robots will fight in grueling three-minute matches, but only one will ultimately triumph.
Andrea Suarez, B.S., M.S. ’11, and Michael Gellatly, B.S. ’06, are banking on their robotic duo emerging victorious when they compete during the June 30 show.
“Our strategy is a little unusual because we decided to meet the 250-pound weight limit with two robots instead of one,” said Suarez. “Witch Doctor weighs 220 pounds and has a weapon that spins vertically, while Shaman only weighs 30 pounds and uses a large flamethrower to attack its opponents.”
Witch Doctor participated in the first season of BattleBots and made it to the quarterfinals, where it faced the most-feared robot of all: Tombstone.
Although Witch Doctor and his human handlers lost, they inflicted the most damage to Tombstone in season one.
Suarez and Gellatly met when she was in high school at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, and he was at UM. At the time, she was competing in high school tournaments with light robots weighing a mere one and two pounds, and he was about to become president of the UM Robotics Team.
When they connected again at UM, they fine-tuned their skills as students in UM’s College of Engineering. Using steel, titanium, and aluminum, they were building electric robots “at a different level,” said Suarez.
“UM gave us the classes and the ability to refine what we knew and then apply it,” she said. “We had resources that we did not have before.”
Working with engineering graduate students and supportive faculty encouraged them to persevere, Gellatly recalls.
“Some people were critical of dueling robots,” said Gellatly. “But we knew that, although we were not saving lives, we were learning valuable engineering lessons.”
The friends continued to compete locally and nationally in college-level robotics competitions, later joining friends Paul Grata and Jennifer Villa to create the Witch Doctor team in 2010. Dressed in top hats and sporting skulls and bones, the team chose its name to appeal to children.
“We wanted to make sure that we drew in kids,” said Suarez. “We wanted children to be attracted to engineering without knowing that they were learning about engineering.”
Their strategy seems to be working. Later this year, the company Hexbug will debut a Witch Doctor toy. And in their day jobs, Suarez and Gellatly are actually enhancing, if not saving, lives. They both work in research and development at Zimmer Biomet, developing implants for traumatic injuries.
Magic changes grease the wheels of progress. They shake up the status quo and invite us to think differently. They encourage us to question our beliefs and assumptions, and to embrace new ideas and perspectives. With each magic change, we have the opportunity to learn and grow, to become better versions of ourselves. Magic changes also inspire us to dream big and aim high. They remind us that anything is possible if we are willing to take risks and step outside of our comfort zones. Change pushes us to push ourselves, to strive for greatness and achieve things we never thought possible. However, magic changes can also be difficult and challenging. They can disrupt our routines and force us to adapt to new circumstances. They can be uncomfortable and unsettling, causing us to question ourselves and our abilities. But it is in these moments of discomfort and uncertainty that true growth occurs. It is through these magic changes that we learn resilience and develop the strength to overcome any obstacles that come our way. In conclusion, those magic changes grease the wheels of progress and pave the way for personal and professional growth. They remind us that change is necessary and should be embraced, rather than feared. They challenge us to step outside of our comfort zones and strive for greatness. So let us welcome those magic changes with open arms and embrace the opportunities that they bring..
Reviews for "The Magic Within: How Grease Can Transform Our World"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy "Those magic changes grease". The songs felt flat and unmemorable, and the storyline lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I was disappointed with this production and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Those magic changes grease" to be a complete waste of time. The acting was subpar, with the cast seeming disinterested and lacking energy. The plot was predictable, and the dialogue was cheesy and unoriginal. I had high hopes for this show, but it failed to deliver on every level. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Those magic changes grease" was a major letdown. The musical numbers were lackluster, and the choreography was unimpressive. The costumes and set design felt cheap and didn't add anything to the overall experience. The pacing of the show was also uneven, with scenes feeling rushed or dragged out. I had been looking forward to seeing this production, but it fell short of my expectations.
4. David - 1 star - I found "Those magic changes grease" to be a completely forgettable musical. The songs were forgettable, and the performances lacked passion. The storyline was cliché and offered nothing new or fresh. Overall, I was disappointed with this production and would not recommend it to others. Save your money and see a better show.