International Idioms, Fashionistas and Wild Obsessions - an emphatic morning at Early Birds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

First-time Table Topics Master, TM Maria, dazzled us with visual international idioms, most of which no one ever heard of!  We soon learned that...

* TM Jose dislikes cucumbers but sees himself as alternating between Cool Hand Luke and Raging Bull (a legend in his own mind).  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM BeckyJo became her best Eyetalian version and emphatically stated that with or without holes, we can always have donuts.  Cara mia!!

* TM Randolph was not too keen on breaking fast with an onion - unless it's sandwiched into a quarter pounder at his favorite burger shack.

* Guest Paula likes to slide in on a prawn sandwich as a voluntary responsible participant in the surfing contest of her life.

* TM Tom dislikes hair on his teeth but does not cease to be amazed by the Dutch and how they build cities underwater.

* TM Emmanuel can't wrap his throat around swallowing a camel, even a baby one.

* TM Chris would not tie a bear to anyone mostly because the bear would be unhappy.

* TM Marie is happily married to a gourmet cook but the downside is that all her cheeks are getting bigger and bigger.

Regarding prepared speeches....

* TM Astrid reminded us that dressing is symbolic and only those under 40 should attempt nude dressing in dopamine colors under the overall metaverse.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* I, Ana, recounted my love affair - NOT- with wild animals and my broken promises not to ever gossip again.

As far as evaluations go...

* TM Randolph was amazed at TM Astrid's speech, its subtleness, what lies beneath and her quest to deflect avatars.  He cautioned her to keep her distance from the camera.or face the risk of falling through zoom time.

* TM Chris thoroughly enjoyed my zany descriptions of the Wild Wild World of Montana Moose and Goose.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

EMPHATIC, adj.

Strong and clear without any possiblity for doubt.

Example:  Our self-introductions today were unfalteringly emphatic.

Here's the link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0dwHlK4r8

See you next week!

Ana

Recap Writer

Seclusion jubilation, Titan Toastmasters, Homebuying 101 and Amiguita, Drop Your Weapons - EarlyBird Zoomers

 

Dear Members, Guests and Friends:

 

DTM Jim D. stirred us awake with memories of seclusion while slowly re-emerging with jubilation:

 

• TM Joe has been vigorously doing pushups and situps but his 9-lb weight loss is a result of a professional haircut, aptly named HAIRVID-19. 
• Virtual reality has allowed TM Jim G. to synchronize Happy Hours with friends in other time zones – hey, it must be 5 o’clock somewhere – and besides, you just fall over anywhere in your house without any inconvenient driving, for Covid’s sake.  DUIs have significantly decreased with the advent of Zoom.
• Returning TM Ellen witnessed domestic violence from customers who went Postal at the Post Office – very apropos- and took it outside, the long line of customers following them  – forget shipping the package- to watch the unjubilant couple drive off with the wife sitting on the hood of the car.   Just goes to show the Post Office will always be the Post Office, quarantine or no quarantine.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.
• TM Aleta has lively conversations with her appliances, but she has some heated exchanges with her low bandwidth, unstable wifi computer that are not fit to print.  Beautiful flowers are a good tradeoff, though.
• Guest Terri has a stuffed pet which constantly reminds her she’s not alone.  After years of therapy, she  is considering getting a real pet soon.  Terri has reduced her Ahs by 50% since last week.  Go Terri!!
• TM BeckyJo pondered whether a hermit knows he’s actually in quarantine or not.  One of her friends – and we won’t mention any names – has inspired her to start a new 12-step program for Zoom addicts.
• If she only had the time…. TM Chris knows without the shadow of a doubt that there is simply never never never ever enough time, but that’s because Procrastination is her middle name.  More on that story, later… (pun intended).

 

Then came the prepared speeches…

 

• TM Jeff talked about how fortunate he is to have landed in EarlyBirds, a club that has structure and continuity.  As our incoming President, he is following in the steps of Titans, ie TM Carmine, and will lead the club to a hybrid, all- inclusive world of Denny’s skillets and geographically-challenged  Zoomers.
• TM Lisa compared selling/buying a home to riding a wave. She gave us very practical tips, namely depersonalize, detach, sniff for realtor selfishness, and concluded that just like the old adage “men are like buses, there will be another one in 10 minutes,” so are homes. She Won Best Speaker Award.
• TM Astrid transmitted peaceful thoughts and challenged us to let down our weapon of anger, which no longer serves us, to uncover our pain, sadness and confusion. She Won Most Improved Speaker Award.

 

We had great evaluations…

 

• TM Joe commended TM Jeff for a good speech and pointed out that the Rev Al Sharpton is shorter than he appears in our rearview mirror, so don’t count on him to reach up to high shelves.
• TM BeckyJo spoke on behalf of many of us by praising the cohesion and organization of TM Lisa’s speech. She didn’t have to remind herself to “Be Kind” because it was the opposite of a rambling speech. She Won Best Evaluator Award.
• DTM Mary Helen praised TM Astrid for the passion in her speech, her feelings were in plain sight for all to see, and her self-reflection and introspection shows a lot of jubilation (TM Carmine was in 7^th heaven with all the rhymes and alliterations).

 

An impromptu segment has been added to our meeting regarding Zoom Practical Tips.  Discussion ensued and no definitive conclusion was reached as to whether our camera presence ought to emulate TV anchorpeople or simply emulate British character actors on stage.  Both easy choices. More to follow.

 

The Word of the Day was

 

JUBILATION, noun

Feelings of great happiness

Ex. Queen Elizabeth II recently celebrated her Golden Jubilation (Jubilee?)

 

Please allow me to digress and ramble. In Spain, retirement is called Jubilacion (probable origin: jubilation one feels when retiring)

 

Here is the link to the YouTube recording, https://youtu.be/RxJEv1cobVA

 

See you next week!

 

Ana I.

Recap Writer