Capital City Toastmasters

Theme: Bieber Fever!!!

Word of the Day: Anathema

Do you love Justin Bieber? Are you a Belieber? Like it or not, this young man is one of the most powerful forces on the planet — this baby-faced money-making monster, whose every move is followed by millions worldwide.  That’s right! Thanks to Toastmaster Amy, the club explored the phenomenon of Biebermania!!!

Table Topics Master Shane, gave us too much creepy information involving a meeting between Bieber and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, which lead to table topics from Vince, Walter, Shundreka, Laura, Linda #1 and #2.  We learned all about a secret crush, guilty pleasures and the desire to meet those you admire the most.

Brittani took us on a journey through DC using their public transit system.   She definitely didn’t think this was the way to become a super hero, as Genevieve suggested in an earlier speech.  After giving us tips to avoid the drunks and weirdos, she advocated that we were all BETTER OFF WALKING!   We all took her recommendation and WALKED right down the gin aisle of Twin Liquors with Robin, and it was so worth it!  This full-flavored speech left us wanting more – martinis & gin and tonic that is!

Ribbon Winners -

Best Table Topic: Walter

Best Speaker: Robin

Best Evaluator: Brendan

Most Enthusiastic: Amy

Humor: Brittani

The theme was “Bagels”.  Never before has a theme generated so much controversy, so much heated debate and ultimately violence and then tender reconciliation.  BAGELS!!!  You either love them or hate them or kinda okay with them or would eat one if there were no donuts available and there was fresh cream cheese or if someone brought them into work to share you might or might not have one if it was close to lunch or something.

Our Table Topic participants were totally into theme and it’s very obvious from the following quotes -

“In my dreams, I make out with Jabba the Hut.”

“I go good with any spread.”

“If stranded on an island with my only friend, I would eat that friend.”

“I go to work with last night’s puke in my hair.”

“As a virile young man, how can I carry these donuts when my hands are full?”

Amanda gave her ice breaker and told us how she loved growing up in Troy, TX and if it were up to her she would have stayed there for life but broken-hearted, she left that excitement .  Who would blow dry the sheep?  She has bigger things to worry about like unfortunate children.  Amanda gave a great speech to introduce herself to the club.  I weep for the wet sheep.

Laura gave a talk on how to talk.  That is, how to have a conversation with real people in social settings.  She provided great tips like exchange facts, talk about your opinions and wear revealing clothing that are a couple of sizes too small for you.  I added that last one.  She then demonstrated with Jennifer in a totally unrehearsed demo as if they were at a party.  The give and take provided a good example of her topic.  Additional tips – Ask open-ended questions, take risks and even prepare things to talk about.  Avoid personal topics such as your hemorrhoid flare up even if you’re itching to talk about it. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Ribbon winners (a number of members were disenfranchised and their votes were not counted so the actual winners are not known.)

Theme: Hair
Word of the Day: Um

Brian started the meeting by leading us in 30 seconds of reflection, prayer, silence, whatever we wanted, for all those involved and impacted by the wild fires.  We even learned how to close our eyes thanks to his example.

Toastmaster Keith jumped right into the meeting by discussing the HAIR theme.  His jokes fell flat as he spoke of his afro as a child then how he matured to the ‘Rachel’ in the 90’s. He wondered at the mystery of facial hair – why don’t women have it?  Why did his eyebrows have a sudden grow spurt?  Why do we look weird without eyebrows?

Wendy provided some great questions related to hair.  Robin said something about cutting his own hair but everyone was distracted by his early 80’s shorty shorts and camel toe. Carol talked about trying a new hair product and her hair falling out. Stuart convinced us he has the best hair in TMs without even trying to style it.  Maureen saw a local celebrity on TV who used to be a conservative politician and now has hippie hair.  If you ask Brian to go on the record, he prefers brunettes though a redhead stole his heart for nearly six weeks back in the day.

Amy jumped in at the last minute and gave a hilarious speech about bad customer service with numerous examples of rude, obnoxious, lazy, clueless and sometimes foreign accented people who provided less than acceptable service.  A very funny look at what Amy has had to deal with.

Chris gave an inspirational speech that used 9/11 as the backdrop to people persevering and even rising to great heights as a reaction to the traumatic event.  He then compared struggles that folks may be going through as their own personal 9/11’s and encouraged us to find the strength to overcome these life challenges.

Our Holy Duo – Stuart and Shane – evaluated and then blessed us all.  Amen.

Ribbon Winners

Table Topics – Carol/Brian (Carol won the arm wrestling match to break the tie)
Best Speaker – Chris
Best Evaluator – Shane
Most Enthusiastic – Carol
Best Humor – Amy

Amy took control of our small meeting. Our president has been in absentia for the last 2 weeks so we were in need of some deft and sure leadership which she definitely provided.  Corky stepped up as Toastmaster for the first time since I have been a member!  And he was full of excuses especially regarding the many speeding tickets he has talked his way out of.

Chris brought 16 plus questions as Table Topics Master and left your question up to fate as he asked each participant to select a number.  Bob spoke about what drove him batty.  Slow drivers in the fast lane! Shane would go back and meet Jesus if he could, specifically to ask for some clarifications on passages in the Bible (I think I would want a few too). Wendy went on vacation here in Austin when she attended a toga party recently. It sounded like a wild party with fire throwers unintentionally lighting themselves on fire. Katy’s worst subject in school was phys ed. We learned that she is not only intimidated by softball but also by the newest group exercise craze, ZUMBA. Our long lost member Maureen told us about the inspiring little girl on public television who sings like an angel.  I think she was talking about Jackie Evancho. I have seen her on Oprah. She is amazing!

Shundreka wowed us with her second speech from the competent communication manual titled “Just My Style.” Surprisingly she is an introvert, at least according to some of the personality assessments she has taken through her job. We also learned that she writes herself inspirational emails and watch true crime television program incessantly.  And she is completely comfortable with who she is.

Leif stepped up and gave an amazing impromptu speech. He introduced us to the idea of “faillessness” and challenged us to redefine our definition of success and failure.  We should cultivate an attitude of learning in our lives; as long as we are always learning we are moving a step closer to our goals.  Did you learn something today that made you better?  According to Heather he had a lot of Hutzpa and Cajones to give us such a great speech on the spot. I agree!

Awards:

Best Table Topics – Shane

Best Speaker – Shundreka

Best Evaluator – Steve

Most Enthusiasm – Carol

Best Use of Humor – Wendy