“Holiday Gripes” Meeting Recap – 10/3/08

Albert picked the theme “Holiday Gripes” for our first meeting in December. (What happened, Albert? Did you have a rough Thanksgiving?) So we totally avoided the spirit of the season but had a great meeting.

Let’s get the gripes out first. We hate holiday music before Thanksgiving, coupons that don’t apply to already discounted items, the waste of wrapping paper, Christmas cards sent with only the sender’s signature, traveling, and the obligatory work luncheon. Did I forget any we identified? Feel free to lodge a complaint against the club secretary if so. And then QUIT YOUR GRIPING. It’s the holiday season – the best time of the year. We should be cheerful and merry dadgummit.

So anyway, Ania stepped in on short notice and did an awesome job as Table Topics Master. How do we change Santa’s lifestyle so he’ll live longer? Rey made clear that men don’t change. How did the holiday tradition of trampling people in stores begin? Stuart somehow artfully explained that it goes back to the days of the Pilgrims who got away from being trampled themselves and became the tramplers. How would you react if you woke up as an elf? Corky ranted that Christmas is all baloney but would be happy to wake up as Ania who could do lots of trampling in her 6 inch platform shoes. What would you do if you found Santa stuck in your chimney? Wendy revealed her real identity as a carpenter and brick layer and explained that she would tear things down, get him out and rebuild in minutes. Finally, what will Lora be getting Ania for Christmas? What every girl wants – a makeover. Fun topics. Fun answers. The vote for best Table Topic was tough!

Then on to speeches. Keith, our District 55 Tall Tales Champion and all around great guy, hit another ginormous milestone during the meeting. After six years in Toastmasters, he delivered his tenth speech and finished his Competent Communication manual for the FIRST time. Now, we love Keith, and normally we want everyone to follow in his massive footsteps, but in this one way alone, let’s not all be like Keith. Six years, huh?

Given all the time he had to prepare, we were not surprised that Keith delivered a wonderful speech on the power of humor and encouraged us all to exercise our humor muscles by finding what’s funny in each situation. Then, Patrick told us about his experience chairing the recent Division K Contest. Somehow in the midst of it, he managed to take credit for Keith’s Tall Tales win. Patrick, were you even at the District 55 contest? I didn’t think so…

Amy, Maureen and Wendy evaluated. Maria, Susana and Stephen also acted as role players. Thanks to all.

Things to remember? Look for reasons to laugh, even boring subjects can be fun, put effort towards organizing any speech, and try to use the word “festoon” sometime this week.

Best Table Topic: Stuart
Best Speaker: Keith
Best Evaluator: Wendy
Best Humor: Keith
Most Enthusiastic: Wendy

Next up, Rey is toastmaster this week. We have a packed lineup of speakers for the next two meetings, and we’re contemplating a New Year’s Eve meeting as well. You won’t want to miss any of it.