Table Topics Contest Fondest and Silver Linings - a plethoric euphoric day at EarlyBirds!

 

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

An exciting Table Topics Contest at EarlyBirds brought a plethora of new perspectives.  Our beloved SAA, DTM Mary Helen, suffered a temporary bout of Psychosis Susceptibility Syndrome, but quickly recovered after a second cup of Java and getting those other voices to agree with her.

A couple of contestants experienced premature ejection from the Breakout Room but were nonetheless able to pretend innocence in front of the Judges. Hear ye! Hear ye! The Court's in session, the Court's in session- here comes the Judge! Here comes the Judge!  (First rap song by Shorty Long in 1968)

Our Contest Master, TM Aleta, and Chief Judge, TM Jim G., aided by his own SELF  and TM Chris as Tech Cohorts, got the contest under way.

The theme was "Now or Never" 

It's now or never

Come hold me tight

Kiss me my darlingw

Be mine tonight

Tomorrow will be too late

It's now or never

My love won't wait

Just like a willow

We would cry an ocean

If we lost true love

And sweet devotion

(sung to the tune of "It's Now Or Never", but I digress)...

We found out that 

* TM BeckyJo exercised her choice of Now or Never... and chose Never.  So there.  She Won Third Place Award.

* TM Marie waxed philosophical about "Regrets - I've had a few... but then again... too few too mention..."  (sung to the tune of My Way by Ol' Blue Eyes). She Won First Place Award.

* TM Jose declared that he is NOW, unequivocally, going to an Asian restaurant for lunch, smack in the middle of the Mediterranean Paradise known as Javea, Spain.

* I, Ana, definitely choose NEVER to engage in thrilling sports such as paragliding, jumping our of airplanes and the like.  Videomatography is where it's at for me.

* DTM Jim D. is laser-focused on travel, travel, travel after retirement.  The time is NOW!

* TM The Tom is a man of action and will take action to be involved in action-packed adventures for the duration of the next coffee break.

* TM Paolo will jump at the chance to do now that which can otherwise never be done.  The decision to move to Italy?  Wait for the Sequel Speech in a few more years.  He Won Second Place Award.

And along came our prepared speech by our newest Toastmaster, Terri M.  Based on a true story...

* After breaking a leg in the mountains of New Mexico, she made it home to Miami where an array of friends, neighbors, sons, acquaintances, bakers, butchers, grocers and strangers equipped her, transported her, fed her, entertained her and made sure she never missed her daily "CORTADITO" (Cuban Cafe Con Leche, which resuscitates the dead, according to Calle Ocho lore).  She Won Best Speaker Award (as well as new member fastest  to hop on the Pathways track).

* She was evaluated by TM Marie, who thoroughly enjoyed Terri's  motivational speech and has already signed up for a Cuban Cantina (weekly meal plan) to be delivered right to her door, including CORTADITO.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

PLETHORA, noun

A large or excess amount of something.

Example: Some EarlyBird members joyfully take on a plethora of roles for the successful completion of the agenda.

Here's the link to the recording: 

https://youtu.be/NTngZ_W2L0k

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Fallonette Thankyous, Together We Stand and a Tree-a-thon, a non-profligate morning at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Marie rocketed us into a grateful state of mind with topics for thank yous.  We realized that...

* TM The Tom preferred GE, made-in-the-USA lightbulbs but then China took over and he must change lightbulbs profligately.

* TM Jim G. went from novice to connoisseur of microbrewery beers thanks to a Brit friend who turned him on to the Funky Buddha.  He Won Best Table topics Award.

* Guest Millie waxed poetic about the pronouns of roses in this woke day and age.

* DTM Jim D. leaves Christmas decorations up to his other half, although in her absence he admitted that she sometimes goes a little profligate.

* TM Ricardo is thankful to even be alive, what with all the chaos and turmoil going on in oh so many fronts, but he still likes to be gifted strange, exotic chocolates.

* TM Aleta avoids profligation by avoiding FaceNook, a humongous time sucker if there was ever one.  It's about avoiding people we know but wish we didn't.

* TM Terri has learned to navigate through pesky Pop-Up Ads and has un-profligately learned the basics of Pathways.  Go Terri!

Along came our prepared speeches and we were in for 2 treats...

* TM Jose brought us up to date with the Current Chaos and Confusion proliferating in Spain thanks to a selfish, power-hungry, corrupt individual who is allied with soon-to-be-amnestied criminals and seccessionists.   The population has taken to the streets to demand a unified democratic Spain.  Together We Stand! is the motto, but corruption has penetrated the 3 branches of government and the outcome looks bleak.  *Note:  Breaking News:  The corrupt Pedro Sanchez has just been officially 'crowned'  as ongoing Dictatorial Ruler of Spain.  God help them!

* TM Pam's direct communication style almost caused a heart attack and several syncopes, which required a citrus-infused air diffuser to revive them. In order to reduce casualties, Pam has since changed her communication style from direct to semi-direct.    She Won Best Speaker Award.

As far as evaluations...

* TM Paolo praised TM Jose for his excellent narration skills sprinkled with humor and educational content.  He suggested reducing the history slides and increasing the pictures of protests with Spaniards eating paella while draped in the Spanish flag and being tear gassed by police.  He Won Best Evaluation Award.

* TM Terri loooved the Tree-A-Thon informative speech about her beloved state of Citrus Florida.  Up to now, she always thought Mangoes were the Florida Indigenous Fruit - who knew?

The Word of the Day was

PROFLIGATE, adjective

Spending money or using something wastefully and not wisely.

Example:  We EarlyBirds avoid being profligate by measuring and timing our words and our fillers.  Yes sireeee!

Dates to Remember:

NO MEETING NEXT WEEK, NOVEMBER 23, DUE TO THANKSGIVING.  GOBBLE GOBBLE.....  

Table Topics Club Contest:  November 30

Evaluation and International Speech Contest:  January 18 and January 25

Note for newer members:  International Speech contest consists of a (usually) motivational speech.  It does not mean the topic has to be international.  It simply means that the winner will go on to compete at Area, District, up the Toastmasters Ladder, till they reach the International Contest with members from everywhere.  Methinks.....

Here is the link to today's recording...

https://youtu.be/CxEwEtc0hj4

See you on November 30!  

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Generators, Canal Cruises and Cliches - no siree, no inertia for EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

TM Terri started us off with a beautiful Invocation in the Christian tradition.

TM Aleta juggled our morning inertia by starting us on loose but interwoven topics. We soon discovered that...

* TM Jose is still waiting for the governmental subsidy for solar batteries for power outages.  Keep those candles handy!

* I, Ana, saw my generator-acquisition husband transform from an idiot to a visionary in a matter of 24 hours before Wilma.

* TM Terri chickened out from getting a generator because many generator owners in South Florida end up six feet under from the emanations.

* TM Marie, essential employee, became even more essential during Wilma with the help of  handsome and essential military guys who gave her essential assistance.

* DTM Jim got a complete generator... right after Wilma.  That's why he's honing his timing skills in Toastmasters very often.

* TM Aleta has a generator in SW Pennsylvania but doesn't use it because she sleeps best in dark, quiet and secluded environments, while ignoring the falling 100-ft trees!

* TM Tom looks at the moon and the stars in awe and wonder while everyone frets during hurricanes.  He Won Best Table Topic Award.

Then we had 2 prepared speeches...

* TM Ricardo streamlined his Cruise de Midi speech, eliminated verbiage and added a map which helped us sail through 30 of the 64 locks in the canal.  Good job Ricardo!

* I, Ana, reviewed a few gazillion cliches and touched on some malaphors (wrong blend of cliches) - not to be confused with malapropism (wrong usage of a word or term).  Too many chefs in too many pies!  I Won Best Speaker Award.

As far as evaluations go....

* TM Paolo sailed the Midi Cruise himself "All Aboard"  "All Aboard" with Captain Ricardo.  Good inertia in motion!   He Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM The Tom enjoyed my speech but suggested I use Spanish cliches next time so I can roll the rrrrrs as I pronounce them.  That's his favorite!

The Word of the Day was

INERTIA, noun

To do nothing or remain unchanged

Example:  I lean forward in the car by inertia when the brakes are applied suddenly.  

Here's the link to the recording:

https://youtu.be/VbxrnpMriyg

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Fwd: Great topics, Google in London, Part I and Part II - no phubbing at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Friends and Guests,

TM Tom started us off with a deep, heartfelt invocation.

TM Jose got us thinking with great Table Topics.  As we soon learned...

* TM Marie spends her day playing with Silly Putty to improve her mobility and to be able to do The Camino.

* DTM Jim D. forces himself to be inquisitive because his friends who are not end up 6 ft under after a year of retirement.

* TM Aleta agreed that yes, yes, yes, she lies without even saying a word and will spend the rest of today thinking about it.

* TM BeckyJo stated unequivocally that WHEN IS TUESDAY, the day of action, come ready to go, Monday is a slump, Wednesday is a hump, Thursday is the peak, Friday is weekend anticipation.  The rest is phubbing, no more, no less. She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* I, Ana, smile about a lot of things because I'm gifted with finding the humor in the absurdities of daily life.

* TM Pam would like high schoolers to read anything as we are facing a completely illiterate next generation.  What was she talking about anyway???

* TM Terri dons a Thanksgiving-themed orange leg cast, an orange knee scooter, lounges like Cleopatra and wears orange garbage bags to shower. That's different for sure!

Along came the impromptu prepared speeches - thank you, Geeks, for bailing us out today!

* TM Chris, PES (Product Expert Summiter) introduced us to a real-life Siri.  Now we're waiting to meet Alexa for Seniors, who responds to any similar name - Adessa, Annetta, Coretta, Axeta, Loretta, Alphonsa.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM Jim G., London Tour Guide par excellence, toured us through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and its tenants, pubs that served gringos haddock and french fries, and took us on the London Eye with a champagne flute while reciting Churchill quotes. Quintessential London!!

As far as evaluations are concerned...

* TM Randolph is signing up, as we speak, to become a Product Expert for LonCroogle and take the hop-on hop-off bus wherever the next summit is.

* TM Pam praised TM Jim G. for his calm demeanor while missing the wild parties at the summit.  Raise the vocal passion or join Madame Tussaud's!!  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM Tom evaluated TM Pam's evaluation and sincerely commended her for not phubbing the audience during the rendition.

The Word of the Day was

PHUBBING, noun

Ignoring who you're with and giving your undivided attention to your phone.

Example:  Phubbing has become an art form for the masses.  To think Iphones did not even exist 15 years ago!!

Here is a link to the recording:

https://youtu.be/mjXXkUoJUkI

Here is a link to the Geeks' summit photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PHadcMgb8CxLTUKfA

See you next week, phubbers!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Brief Topics, Cruising the Midi Canal and Finally Getting Warmed Up - an anecdotal/antidotal morning at Early Birds!

Dear Members, Friends and Guests,

In honor of our late DTM Kip, TM Pam did a Universalist Unitarian Halloweenish invocation that got us right in the mood.

DTM Mary Helen is preparing us for upcoming contests by providing us with 2-word topics.  We found out that..

* TM Marie loves so-called holiday savings, recently on Prime Day her husband stocked up on grass-fed, prime t-bones to be cooked with some obscure kitchen utensils I have not heard of before.

* I, Ana, have experienced a few second chances and have more than likely missed quite a few, but I'm on alert for future ones to come.

* TM Emmanuel is keenly aware that time starts ticking the minute we exit Mom's womb and is determined not to miss a minute of it!  He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Jose consults Saint Google (officially canonized in Spain) to make a tortilla, to walk The Camino, and he originally thought the name was dumb.  Who would have thunk??  Spanish citizens are ready to revolt at the prospect of a St. Google taxation without representation.

* TM Randolph is trying to teach his daughter to press the dishwasher button after loading.  (Note: daughter is pushing 30, but she's making progress).

* TM BeckyJo gets helpful tips from crime movies, and exerts gentle pressure on a victim's elbow or hand fingers to make them compliant.  She's losing patience so straight marching orders are best.

* TM Paolo recalls his first time as a Table Topic speaker, an unforgettable disaster that motivated him to become an accomplished adrenalin-filled impromptu speaker.

* TM The Tom asks "What? What?" when asked to remind someone of something.  Who can remember anything anymore??

* DTM Jim D.'s most frequent plea is "Forgive me! Forgive me!" - it's much easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission - motion is usually NOT granted.

* TM Pam and her husband mark their glass door to the garage with dry erase markers and then cannot even figure out who, out of the two, wrote it or what for.  One example is "ANTS".  Huh????

We were in for two outstanding prepared speeches.

* TM Ricardo delighted us with an educational speech about his trip with his sisters down the MIdi Canal, built by Louis XIV, who took 2 baths in his life and was surprisingly NOT decapitated - no one could get close enough to him with the smell.  He used great visuals of the canal views.  More to come!

* TM Aleta recited the Cremation of Sam McGee, who from Tennessee had the not-so-great idea to go gold prospecting in the Yukon, where he happily welcomed being cremated in a warm furnace instead of spending one more second in the freezing cold.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

As far as evaluations go...

* TM Paolo thoroughly enjoyed TM Ricardo's educational speech and is currently booking a canal cruise by gondola in Italy. He's already got the Captain's hat as a prop.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM Randolph marvels at TM Aleta's capacity to make such great eye contact by looking straight at the camera.

The Words of the Day were

ANECDOTE, noun

A short or amusing story about a real person or incident.

ANTIDOTE, noun

A medicine taken or given to counteract a poison

Example:   A good anecdote about a headless mouse is the best antidote against  early morning somnolence.   It awakens your senses IPSO FACTO (look it up in Saint Google)

Our dates for Evaluations/Table Topics and THE OTHER contest (following today's theme, I can't remember contest of what) have been set for November 30 and December 14.

Stay tuned and get more dry erase markers for murky Notes To Self.

Here's the link to the recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YecKkM7yBU

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Fwd: Meeting link

Logical Fallacies, Centering Prayer and Watercolors - a morning of alacrity at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Friends and Guests:

Recap done a posteriori - based on experience gleamed from the impeccable recording.

TM Aleta started us off with an invocation that irrefutably demonstrated that kids are as bratty today as they were in the times of Socrates (470-399 BC (before computers). Ahhhh.  some things just never change!

TM The Tom did a Sequel of a Logical Fallacies deck of cards.  We found out that...

* TM Ricardo's favorite movie is Bambi, which to him symbolizes Ad Hominem, pure and simple.

* DTM Mary Helen abhors to quoque - attacking opponents by criticizing them.  What cheap shots.  That's because she's not a politician...

* TM Aleta's profession makes her adroit with persuasive influence and leads her to presentation mastery with unequivocal engaging humor and there you go! She's completed all 11 Pathways, pretty much.  She Won Best Evaluator Award. 

* TM Chris is convinced that social media appeals to our emotions (it's all about the likes) and 200 hours of video are uploaded every minute to YouTruuuube. Get a handle, people!

* DTM Jim D. has good anecdotal practices and disarms opponents with storytelling rather than confusing them with boring statistics.  It really works!

* TM Jim very smartly accepts that begging the question is futile in spousal circular arguments.   One person is invariable right, and the other is the husband.  

Along came prepared speeches....

* TM Marie suggested we use silence to find out what God is doing within us, make a steady commitment to stillness and keep returning to your sacred word...   "A Man's Reach is Further Than His Grasp - Or What's a Heaven For?"

* TM Pam was able to share the screen with us of the results of her watercolor hobby, and we were keenly aware that in her watercolor world, pelicans eat dandelions in a field of magnolias all because of the extra salt of the earth.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

As far as evaluations go...

* Returning TM Paolo was impressed with TM Marie's message of seeking the presence of God but her speech would have more spiritual breath and depth if given in Italian... or at least in Latin.  Per secula seculorum!  Ite, missa est.

* TM Terri praised TM Pam for her audience awareness, her comfort level, and inspiring us to persist with alacrity in sharing screens while the pelicans eat Florida Pink Shrimp.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

ALACRITY, noun

Brisk and cheerful readiness

Example:  Let's all brush up on our Latin with alacrity, people!  Get your Trosetta Strome out of that closet, NOW!

Here is the link for the recording: 

https://youtube.com/live/1OoI6EJ2Z_A

See you next week!

Ana

Creativitas Scriptor

Link to the recording

https://youtu.be/NTngZ_W2L0k

Cognitive bias, A Killer Project and On The Road for Turkey Time - it's all in the giving at EarlyBirds

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

After a thoughtful invocation and a humorous pre- Halloween trifecta of jokes, TM The Tom launched us in Table Topics about Cognitive Bias, bequeathed to him by our late DTM Kip.

We were to discover that...

* TM Terri has an ingroup bias to one of her groups, where members understand parenting crazy offspring and even find humor in it.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Pam bought a typewriter B.S. (Before Selectrix) and was suffering from sunk cost bias, or giving up the $5 it cost you because today its cost is negative $100.

* TM Randolph experiences bystander effect out of not knowing, not from indifference, and thinks it's best left that way.

* TM Marie believes in the placebo effect because after all, it's all about attitude and centering prayer.

* DTM Mary Helen's mind is made up so please don't confuse her with the facts.  She suffers from acute confirmation bias.

We then moved on to (2) outstanding prepared speeches...

* Soon-to-be-officially crowned DTM Aleta definitely went through the wringer succumbing to her weakness for volunteering.  Her murder mystery party with casino involved resulted in a near-real-life murder, three downed dealers and croupiers and a hefty fund collection for a worthy cause.  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* DTM Jim D. and his HOG did 50,000 motorcycle miles to alphabetical Florida city (except X which is vacant) and presented photographic evidence to quality.  The HOG raised over $4000 for underprivileged families.  

As far as evaluations go...

* TM Marie commended DTM Aleta for turning into Kenny Rogers' The Gambler and knowing when to fold 'em, and when to hold 'em   She Won Best Evaluator Award.

* TM Chris praised DTM Jim for showing us a little bit of crazy indeed and his good use of slides.  A formal petition is under way in Tallahassee  to rename Yeehaw Junction,  Zeehaw Junction East.

As TM Pam pointed out, today's prepared speeches showed that the public speaking and leadership skills we acquire in Toastmasters are applied to worthy causes in our communities.

The Word of the Day was

LIE, verb or noun

Be or assume a horizontal resting position

As a noun: the way, direction or position in which something lies.

Example:  He was getting familiar with the lie of the streets.  

This word caused a chronic state of confusion in the group, between lay, lie, lied, laid.  TM Chris is working on a syllabus for a 40 minute workshop.  More will be revealed, and that is not a lie.

The link to the recording will be forthcoming.

See you next week!

Ana I.

Recap Writer

Pondering, What Does That Button Do and Communication Styles - aficionado morning at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

We were led in a thought-provoking invocation by TM The Tom about listening rather than talking.

First-time Table Topics Master Jose had us thinking even deeper... We soon found out that...

* TM Jim G., like his fellow adult males around the planet, trembles in fear at the sound of 4 words from his wife "We need to talk".  It led to 25 years of married bliss.

* TM The Tom thinks what he believes is right but recognizes that others may not be in agreement.

* TM Marie chops onions vigorously and continuously to keep her tear ducts duly irrigated.  She Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM BeckyJo differentiates living - grabbing life - versus existing - no joie de vivre, no raison d'etre, and other Frenchisms - while bending down to tie your shoes.

* TM Pam gets lost in reading books but lives versus exists by devouring boxes upon boxes of chocolates.  La visible difference!!

* I, Ana, believe that it's best to try and fail than never to try at all - one of the many childhood myths I had to unlearn.

* TM Aleta's best years were her mid thirties, when she stayed out of trouble but managed to have fun, fun, fun!!

Along came the prepared speeches...

* TM Chris reminded us that life began in 2007, with the advent of the first I-Phone.  You can talk on it, play solitaire, share location, track your wandering husband, and fulfill a stalker's delight.  The trick is to STAY CURIOUS, friends!  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* A posthumous video of DTM Kip's speech was shown where he evolved from a dictatorial communication style in 2018 to a mellow, supportive, non-analytical style in 2021.  It worked much better to inspire EArlyBirds to do Pathways!  He Won Best Posthumous Speaker Award.

Regarding evaluations...

* TM Pam reminisced about the scary early days of computers and praised TM Chris for modeling excellent TM behavior.  Pam is poised to become DTM -Don't Time Me - in the blink of an eye.

* First time Evaluator TM Terri admired DTM Kip's exercise in introspection and it was a great learning experience for her.  She Won Best Evaluator Award.  Good job, Terri!

The Word of the Day was

AFICIONADO, noun

A devotee who likes or knows a lot about a subject.

Example:  Bulls are definitely not bullfight aficionados.

The link to the recording will be provided later on.

PS In this glitchy technological day, my GMail's underlining capability has disappeared into the void.  

See you next week,

Ana I.

Recap Aficionado

Various Topics, New Projects and Procrastination - we reached our Zenith this morning at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

We were delighted to be visited by our Area Director, TM Tim, who was immediately voluntold to be our Grammarian and did a superb job!

He also announced that there will be an Officers Meeting this coming Saturday September 30 at 3 pm.  Plan to be there!  More details to follow.

First time Table Topics Master TM Emmanuel led us on thought-provoking topics, some of them accompanied by visual aids.  Great job, Manny!  We were to discover that...

* I, Ana, would plant chrysanthemums, bouganvillae and perennials - if only I could grow a green thumb first to replace my biological purple thumb.

* DTM Jim D. almost bought a real horse for his young daughter but when he realized horses only have ONE Horsepower, he went for a Harley Davidson instead.

* TM Jose's scariest movies were The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby and Black Friday Part 1.  Now audiovisual effects in regular movies are scary enough for him! He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM The Tom believes CALIF stands for Come And Live In Florida, and he likes everything about Florida except unmentionable storm systems.

* TM Chris is partly responsible for the antitrust movement because she cannot refrain from shopping -and returning- stuff on Amazon.  It's just so easy!

* TM Marie, on the other hand, prefers to shop in person, experience the mall, chat with the clerks, try on 50 pairs of shoes and find the ones that fit her ever-growing feet.   Different strokes for different folks!

Along came prepared speeches...

* TM Pam has undertaken a new hobby/project to combat her non-finisher condition.  Her watercolor paints and a bit of salt turn her magnolias into flamingos and dandelions into zebras.  The sky's the limit!  She Won Best Speaker Award.

* TM BeckyJo gave us an Easy Guide to Procrastination: tv series, move to the paradise Someday Isle, do mundane tasks, snooze the clock and show up last minute to improvise your speech.  Impressive!

As far as evaluations...

* TM Jim G. greatly enjoyed TM Pam's new hobby, her vocal variety, her polifacetic nature, and volunteered to evaluate her again at the end of October although he will be traveling in Iceland. Nothing stops a TM evaluator!

* TM The Tom was totally impressed by TM BeckyJo's genuine authenticity and pointed out that he is the King of Procrastination to her role as Queen.  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

ZENITH, noun

The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

Example: The above definition is true, except when referring to our parents' Zenith TVs and radios back in the 50s.  Not quite!!

See you next week!

Ana

Recap Writer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5LJrJNPAwY,

A benevolent morning at Earlybirds

Dear members,

We are all wishing both Ana Illsen and Terry Montealegre speedy recoveries from their respective surgeries. We had several vacancies this morning, but with a large dose of benevolence and a few cloned members, here's how it went ... please be benevolent when I butcher this as I try to channel Ana's humor - Chris

We welcomed Carmine Tuozzo from Corpus Christi to our meeting, but he had the good sense to leave before we called on him for Table Topics. Good to see you Carmine - come back any time! Also joining us as a guest/past member was Terry Scheckwitz. We promised to keep them on the maillist in hopes of seeing them again.

In a newly minted segment called "An Educational Minute" TM Chris vowed to help us all navigat pathways and she succeeded in making her point (over many minutes) that it is confusing by getting totally lost.

Then TM Chris led us in Table Topics continuing on the theme of the 60s. We learned that

• TM Aleta listened to Creedence Clearwater Revival whenever she needed to find the bathroom - she won best Table Topics
• TM Randolph had to make up stuff about the British Invasion and the war of the bands
• TM BeckyJo remembers exactly where she was when Kennedy was shot. 
• TM Tom Quinn also remembers exactly where BeckyJo was when Kennedy was shot
• TM Terry Sheckwitz saw with her own eyes when a man walked on the moon, contrary to those that think it was a video created by Artificial Intelligence

Then came the prepared speeches:

• TM Marie Rock crawled her way out of the covid era to teach us how to crawl into our own silent space to counteract the noise all around us
• TM Jim Guld showed us how to tame an unruly audience as he showed us how Toastmasters taught Lionel Messi to be a leader. He won Best Speaker

For Evaluations

• TM Chris thought Marie was being very brave to stand up for the camera after crawling to get there. She won Best Evaluator
• TM Randolph wanted to see Jim's face as he slayed the unruly mob while giving a serious speech.

Here's the link to the YouTube recording. 

See you next week,

Chris Guld - acting recap writer

EarlyBirds' 60th Anniversary Party / a quaint recap

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

Yes, the awaited day finally arrived!  All of us who were alive then and pretty much missed the Sixties gathered together in person and via Zoom to share our fuzzy recollections.  And, those of us on Zoom, we were there to watch those who were Chez Mary Helen and Jim's gobble down Jim G' s mysterious corned ham (which had some of us doing deep research) which originates in a teeny tiny pocket of the Eastern Seaboard, population 10 and 1 local diner); tortilla de patatas (tooorteeella de paaataataas for those of Anglo ascendancy), Manchego Cheese with Truffles flown in directly from Spain, healthy salads and other delicacies too abundant to mention here.  One thing became clear, once and for all:  When EarlyBirds celebrate together, food is a-plenty!!

Soxties' Attires abounded:  Chris and Jim in their best 60s garb - which we heard they still use frequently on lazy weekends); Pam in her Peter Pan blouse and Virgin Pin (a circle pin given by a guy to a girl in the 60s to show that they were dating. It was also a symbol of one's state of virginity.  The pin was worn on the left side which meant you hadn't "done" it yet.  When you "did it" (usually on the second date), you switched it to the right side.  Source: Google).  The puzzling part is that rumor has it that Grant gave Pam this pin just last week - and she wore it on her left side.  To quote one of Pam's favorite expressions:   Hummmm.....  Marie had a spouse-assisted inserted bandana and brought an upside down, inside out pineapple apricot berry torte which only requires 2 bowls for preparation.  Marie likes to "keep it simple"! Terri wore herself out with a hobbled run on a broken foot to the mega grocery store but still donned her 60s apparel with full makeup and became the self-proclaimed Table Topics Timer.  Go Terri!  And lastly, our Aleta came as quintessentially bubbly Aleta, with red Lolita sunglasses, a side braid, a Bolivian poncho and a backdrop of Woodstock, Southwestern Pennsylvania, no more and no less.  Throughout the party, she steadfastedly kept up with the food consumption of those at the Days'.

I may have missed a few but you get the idea.

And then came the (senior) moment of truth:

Table Topics Topic:" What Do The Sixties Mean To You?"  Here are some of the highlights...

* Pam's husband Grant went to college in the 60s and never left, until he retired in 2020 (according to Pam's mental records)...  Sort of like Hotel California...

* Terri and her bestie used to parade themselves on the Miami Beach boardwalk in a skimpy bikini and cut out shorts - without a Virgin Pin, because by then it was already the 70s.

* Marie grew up in an isolated stretch of land and when she got her driver license, she managed to run into the single solitary mailbox in 50 miles, again and again.  And never found signs of civilization anywhere.

* Aleta disobeyed her older (by 3 months) roommate's advice and went on an amazing LSD trip in LA where the music notes of Do You Know The Way To San Jose? floated in midair. More to follow when she sobers up...

* Mary Helen was a goody two shoes who yearned to graduate from hand-me-downs to buying her own sizes.  You've come a long way!!

* Barefoot BeckyJo tried to have us believe that all she did was swim, swim, swim in the Sixties.  Yeah, right!  

* Pam saw herself on the Hollywood Oscars stage and took the opportunity to  lecture us on the systemic racism of bla bla bla bla.  All to distract us from her Virgin Pin.  Let the record show that she defied the timing reminder, too.  Still a true hippy at heart! We love you Pam!

* Jenny felt right at home amidst her old EarlyBird friends after a brief lapse of 10 years (she knows because it's her dog's age) and reminisced about being crowned Queen (with a tiara and all) in her suburb's 1968 Green Asparagus Pageant.  Great to see you Jenny!

* Jose fondly remembered his double life as a long-haired hippy in his American High School in Madrid and his close encounters with the pesky, stuck-up, prude, virtuous, crew cut Spanish guardia civil (national police force).  Narrow escapes, too!

* I, Ana, after years of therapy, still cannot get over the fact that Top Hit American Pie was banned in Spain for being considered heretical and I had to clandestinely buy it at a high price in the black market ran by sons and daughters of the US military based in Spain.

* Jim D was gearing up to become a Harley rider and husband of Mary Helen, and he has successfully achieved his goals from the Sixties.

* Randolph was not even born in the Sixties but he affirmed that his Mom had a really really good time in the Sixties, so he proudly makes that his own experience!

* Jim G looked like still alive Willie Nelson and unequivocally stated that his long hippy hair is made of his own real hair from the Sixties.  We believe you, Jim!

* Chris reconfirmed what we already knew:  she was anti-everything in the Sixties, and now, wisdom and maturity have made her anti-protest.  Peace, sister!

* Victor got confused and thought we were giving prepared 15-20 minute speeches instead of 3-minute Table Topics.  Oops, he made a wrong turn somewhere and missed the real Prepared Speeches meeting!

Great party and a great time was had by all - hither and thither, there and yonder, beneath and beyond.  

Till next time!

Ana

Party Recap Writer

Then and Now, Now and Then, and Then and Now - a day of reminiscing at EarlyBirds!

Dear Members, Guests and Friends,

Newly inducted TM Terri led us on a beautiful invocation in the Christian tradition.

That started us off on a very special and unusual meeting, commemorating our Club's 60th anniversary!

TM Pam led us in Table Topics referring to THEN and NOW.  We soon found out that...

* Guest Miki is searching for a job in Kumamoto, Japan, and implored us to recite  "Hire Miki, Hire Miki" across the miles to help her find a great job!

* TM Terri 'fessed up that she was a goody two-shoes on the outside THEN, but she was trying different things and she was smoking funny things.  More will be revealed in future speeches!

* TM Marie missed a lot of special moments with loving people because she was too busy making grocery lists.  Now she orders online.

* TM Randolph was the dude who spoke to his firstborn in utero pre-birth and dressed up in a tux to make a good impression upon the baby's arrival. He Won Best Table Topics Award.

* TM Jim G. wistfully reminisced that music was better in the 60s and 70s - Steely Dan, The Eagles, Chicago, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the band before Wings.  A playlist is in the works for Saturday!

* TM Jose likes now better than then because he's retired and doing what he likes, and he appreciates the good use of G{S technology, which allows us to find our destination without those pesky printed maps.

We had two extraordinary speeches by 3 speakers today.  All of them said "Frankly my dear, I don't give a ..... " to the Timer and it was well worth it!

* TM Chris has been in TM since birth in a Club appropriately called the Alaska Gnomes and has finally gotten on the Pathways track to set a good example to the rest of us.  Just pick Dynamic Leadership and get on with it, people!

* DTM Mary Helen and TM Aleta, aka The EarlyBird In Its Infancy members, reminisced about our late founders, Virginia Hettinger, Neil McLaren and Kip Barkley - gone but not forgotten!  What it was like, then and now.  The Ahs were still counted and dinged. The camaraderie was present, and the Grand Slams were the icing on the skillet, if you will.  .  

We received the surprise visit of our one of early members, TM Carmine, zooming in from Texas and immediately putting the Timer on Standby Alert.  Great to see you, Carmine!

And then came the Evaluations...

* TM Randolph was awed by TM Chris's teaching skills while giving us a birdseye view from 1,000 ft above straight onto Pathways.

* TM Jim G. reminisced about his first days at Denny's, and did not give out his secret recipe for corned ham.  You must be present to eat!!  He Won Best Evaluator Award.

The Word of the Day was

HARBINGER, noun

An indication of things to come

Example:  The corned ham TM Jim G. is preparing is a harbinger that the party will be well attended!  

Have fun at the party!  Some of us will Zoom in - same login as the weekly one.

Here's the link to the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_u1S7FpJY4

See you soon!

Ana I.

Recap Writer