Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the carpet they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light. We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...
I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

Unknown Author

Meeting Notes - 18 December 2008

Fellow Toastmasters:

The meeting today was lead by yours truly. Don graced us with Speech 4 which he titled "The Super Power of Social Proof." In it, he explored the various means by which we, as social beings, influence and are influenced.

Speech two was an impromptu speech. Gary filled in for Linda, who was pulled away at the last moment. Gary delivered an uplifting speech about finding love and acceptance amidst family and faith.

The illustrious Dan Pratt provided the word of the day, "Indolent", and lead a stout storytelling round of table topics.

Our guest today was Shaw engineer Christina Nowarita. Christina hails from the East bloc and Poland specifically. It was a special treat to have her among us.

Included herein is a Christmas poem I thought you might enjoy. Roles for the upcoming meetings are shown below.

As we close out the year let me say as President, 2008 was great. Membership continues to flourish. We draw speakers from all walks of life and all experience levels. Meetings are healthy, happy and fun. We continue to meet the ever present challenges of educating ourselves and each other.

Every journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step. The roles we take in meetings are the small steps we all take to becoming accomplished speakers. I have watched everyone grow as orators. It is a pleasure. Thanks to your support I too continue to grow as a member and as a leader. Toastmasters is truly a "win-win".

January 8, 2008
Toastmaster - Eric
Word of the Day - Open
Speaker 1 - Julie
Speaker 2 - Linda
General Evaluator
Dan - Evaluator
Don Lyman - Evaluator
Table Topics - Connie



Jan 15
Speaker 1 - Carolyn
Speaker 2 - Don Lindgren

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Mike
Pres.

Meeting Notes - 11 December 2008

It's the week of Pearl Habor Day, so let's review President Roosevelt's Infamy Speech from a Toastmaster's perspective.

• At just six and a half minutes it would fit perfectly into a typical Toastmaster's speech.
• Roosevelt captures our attention with his first sentence: "yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."
• He imparts a strong emotional impact and inspires twice as many people to volunteer for service than Woodrow Wilson's speech for WWI
• He uses short sentences and groupings of three: "Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger."
• Roosevelt uses rhetorical devices. It's poetic how he lists the Japanese attacks.

Dave kicked off our speeches with an informative speech on sales persuasion. He recruited Dan to role play in order to demonstrate how it works. Connie gave a very entertaining speech about a family road trip to the Texas Panhandle involving calf fries, skunks, and practical jokes with snakes.

Julie hit us with some tough situational questions for Table Topics. Jason won best table topic speaker by adroitly handling the "What would you do if..." problem.

Linda brought the word of the day: indelible - 1. making marks that cannot be erased, 2. that cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed.

Our last meeting of 2008 will include:

• Toastmaster: Mike Angel
• Speaker: Linda Holm
  
• Speaker: Don Lyman
  
• General Evaluator: Gary Fuller

Our first meeting of 2009 will feature:

• Speaker: Julie Williams
  
• Speaker: Cindy Castilow
  

Meeting Notes - 4 December 2008

The Holiday Season is in full swing. That means much partying and roistering about.

The Triskelion Toastmaster's meeting on the 4th was no exception. We were all treated to speeches by Mike Angel and Brendan McMillan. Mike gave an advanced speech on how to be a Distinguished Toastmaster. Brendan gave his Ice-Breaker speech. Both speeches were very enjoyable and well presented.

The theme of the evening was "Holiday Parties" and Table Topics followed on that thread. Our members acquitted themselves well in answering question such as: "How do you politely decline a Holiday Party invitation from your boss?"; Or, "How do you include people of various religious traditions?; Or, "How do you handle a situation where your bosses wife is a little too friendly with you? The answers were clever, enlightening, and entertaining.

Up next week we have a near full slate of speaking engagements and a few openings for others to step into:

Toastmaster: Don Lyman
General Evaluator: Deron White

Word of the Day: Linda Holm

Speakers:
Dave Trzupek
Connie Pshigoda

Evaluators:
Mike Angel
TBD

Table Topics: Julie Williams

Ah Counter/Grammarian: Dan Pratt
Timer: TBD