The Competition Committee

Posted by Anonymous On 12:23 AM

Cachinnatees... the time approaches. That's right: It's nearly time for the 4th Annual Baker Pumpkin Carving Competition! Last year was easily our best yet. In fact, last year was awesome by any standards.

Speaking of standards, we need some. Therefore all of you are going to compose the Competition Committee for the forthcoming competition. We have some rules that we need to go over. Last year there was a bit of controversy because the winning entry was carved using a prefab stencil. It was good, sure, but there was a sense that since no boundaries were provided, judging objectively might be very difficult.

And speaking of judging, last year's judge was Crackhead. While no one dislikes Crackhead, she is a bit short on pumpkin carving credentials.

So here are the first two proposals to put before you, the Competition Committee:

1. Shall we ban all stencils? Or shall the ban only extend to prefab stencils? What about stencils that are freehanded by the carver? If those are allowed, should the carver be forced to draw said stencil at the party or may he/she bring it along? What about a computer generated stencil by the carver that is not from a template? What says the committee regarding stencils?

2. Shall Crackhead continue as celebrity judge? Or shall we find a new judge? Should I make an attempt to provide another celebrity judge? Must the identity of the judge be known before the competition or must it be a surprise?

After these matters are decided we will examine the issues of objective judging criteria. Thank you for your consideration and willingness to serve on the committee.

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12 Cachinnations

  1. Red Said,

    I think for consistency standards, Crackhead should judge - hands down.

    As far as stencils are concerned, I think if they are original art, either computer generated or freehanded (which they could bring precompleted to the party) that's ok. However, perhaps there could be a separate category for these pumpkins? Maybe you could have 2 categories, stenciled and stencil free.

    Have fun - wish we could be there!

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  2. FancyPants Said,

    Why not have Bert and Ernie judge?

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  3. Anonymous Said,

    How would we know their decision? And besides, I've already come up with a sure-fire way to rig that judging scenario: just put food in the pumpkin and they'd be all over it. They're simple beasts, really.

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  4. The Cliff Said,

    I don't think it matters who the judge is...the championship is MINE!! I got ripped off last year, my Alico building was Fantabulous!!! This year i'm taking no prisoners!!!

    And Beffy is going to help too

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  5. Seth Ward Said,

    But what if B & E really like the taste of pumpkin? That would really throw the judging off, and if you put food inside, your plan might backfire as they might have refined snouts and don't mix their veggies and alpo.


    Don, the Alico was one of the coolest things I have EVER seen. You were robbed. Robbed I say.
    Bert and Ernie would have done you right.

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  6. FancyPants Said,

    By Cachinnating Jury, then? On site, of course, so as to not delay your judging process. Carved pumpkins must be creatively named by Carver. Every one votes on a piece of paper and votes go into a hat. Crackhead tallies the votes. Carver with the most votes wins.

    Don Boscoe would be carefully observed, of course, to make sure he enters only ONE vote, and not multiple votes for himself.

    Posted on 10/11/2007

     
  7. Fork Said,

    That's a good idea! Let the down-syndrome doggies decide!

    And let's not ALSO forget who won the first EVAR Cachinnating Carving Competition.

    My word verification is: pooyu

    Posted on 10/12/2007

     
  8. The Cliff Said,

    Thanks Seth

    My Vote is now that Seth Ward Become Head judge. Between him and the Russian Judge I might finally get my gold medal in figure skatin...wait wrong lifelong goal...sorry...


    I still vote for Seth, he seems really Smart!!

    Posted on 10/12/2007

     
  9. Anonymous Said,

    Eh, Fork: Pooyu! Don't you dare insult the great Bert and Ernie.

    Bastard.

    And if you're not here to defend your title then you shall soon be forgotten in the annals of the Pumpkin Carving Competition.

    Posted on 10/12/2007

     
  10. Douglas Said,

    My votes in reverse order.

    #2: Leave Crackhead as the judge. If she is truly not up to the job, the worst thing that happens is that it will make for more interesting conversations later on in life as you continue the debate about whose was better. Besides, mom's feelings are way more important than any pumpkin carver's feelings (i.e., her grown children's).

    #1: Only freehand stencils drawn at the party, if they are allowed at all.

    It is truly an honor to serve on this committee.

    MB

    Posted on 10/14/2007

     
  11. Sarah Jo Said,

    I see Don Boscoe is STILL jealous of my rookie pumpkin carving skills. I must say, despite the fact that I had a stencil last year, it was still a great challenge to capture the essence of the bard in detail, compared to the simple straight lines of Boscoe's Alico building.

    I shall issue a challenge to Don Boscoe. Perhaps I should do a long-distance video entry of my own pumpkin carving, drawing a free-hand stencil and carve it myself.

    But I agree with David and Red that there should be two separate categories, stencil or freehand, because not everyone is adept at drawing freehand.

    Let me know the date of the party.

    Posted on 10/14/2007

     
  12. Karen S Said,

    Wait, do I get to put this committee on my cv?

    I like the idea of separate categories for freehanded and stenciled carvings.

    Posted on 10/15/2007