One thing that has always been on my bucket list is stand-up. I knew it was only a matter of time. Well, Tuesday was that time. Your first time is always tough - even without stage fright - but it was an easy crowd because most of them were friends that were kind enough to come out to support me!
Toastmasters humorous speech competitions are one thing - but I knew going into it that stand-up is a whole other beast. It went well - and I look forward to next time. Things will only improve with practice.
Stand-up should be on everyone's bucket list to try... it's like skydiving without the comfort of the backup parachute. Behold - I invoke the power of YouTube to make it as if you were there! The video is dark because the Blind Tiger is an environmentally friendly bar that eschews indoor lighting on principal.
WARNING: In the video a few profanities are used in the name of humor - but I was one of the cleanest acts of the night. Trust me.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Shazaam! Toastmasters Regional Competition Speech
There are certain places who's names are inseparable from conflict - Sparta, home of warriors - Armageddon, locale for the coming of the end times - and Cleveland Ohio, host city of the 2009 Region VI Toastmasters International Speech competition. Well, maybe Cleveland is known for a few other things. Like this Irish singer I know - he's huge out of town.
Having clawed my way over the competition at the district level (read: "after I had a spirited but amicable competition with friends") I advanced as the standard bearer for district 65 in the regional arena of competition. Enough battle visuals? Good because I'm running out of imagery without invoking jousting.
The below speech - "Shazaam" - earned me a hard won 3rd place at Regional. BTW, it is Toastmasters International for a reason - some of the toughest competition came from Canadians. It is humbling to be bested by someone for whom English is their second language. Although 28% of our vocabulary comes from French anyway, n'est-ce pas?
Having clawed my way over the competition at the district level (read: "after I had a spirited but amicable competition with friends") I advanced as the standard bearer for district 65 in the regional arena of competition. Enough battle visuals? Good because I'm running out of imagery without invoking jousting.
The below speech - "Shazaam" - earned me a hard won 3rd place at Regional. BTW, it is Toastmasters International for a reason - some of the toughest competition came from Canadians. It is humbling to be bested by someone for whom English is their second language. Although 28% of our vocabulary comes from French anyway, n'est-ce pas?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Meaning - Toastmasters District Competition Speech
One of the greatest things about participating in Toastmasters International (it is a speaking / leadership club - but you knew that) is the competitions that they hold. Speaking each week at your local club is one thing but participating in a contest - often against people you haven't heard before - is entirely another.
I've had a lot of fun competing - including at the 2009 Spring District 65 contest as seen below. Here are a few tips for success that I have compiled:
If all else fails, the shiny shoes will get you a long way. And remember: "Competition - it does the speaking good!" Although with milk's change in marketing plan, I should say "Got Contests?"
I've had a lot of fun competing - including at the 2009 Spring District 65 contest as seen below. Here are a few tips for success that I have compiled:
- Be in it for the fun, not the win
- Radiate love to the audience
- Speak like a human - not like you are reading literature out loud
- Wear shiny shoes
If all else fails, the shiny shoes will get you a long way. And remember: "Competition - it does the speaking good!" Although with milk's change in marketing plan, I should say "Got Contests?"
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