It never ceases to amaze me how “out of the blue” I will have a song arrive on my mind. What tills the mind and causes the furrows to unleash an old memory?
Are you a toe-tapper? Do you smile and hum to songs that spring to mind? Does music brighten your outlook?
I hope to hear your comments and experiences!
Okay, you did it! You checked the website for the “Sages In the Desert” toastmasters conference May 6, 7 and 8, 2011 at the beautiful destination, Osoyoos.
You are the frugal sort, who likes to save money so you purchased right away. Now you can anticipate the event and encourage your pals to join also. Good thinking! You can bring some friends PLUS make some new friends.
After you went to the District21 Toastmasters website and paid ~ you went back to the Sages in the Desert website. Of course you did because you wanted to volunteer! A click and email later you let the sargeant-of- arms know how you would like to join in. By volunteering you are part of the success of the conference and you only need donate a hour ~You are needed but it is also part of the fun and conference experience!
*psst – I will tell you a small secret. I volunteer at Penticton Ironman race nearly every year. Why give a couple hours of my time?? – it is FUN! I am part of the race, I am a hero to the athletes and they have trained for years so I want to support them.
That is why you should be a volunteer at “Sages In the Desert“. The conference is a weekend, but it is the product of a year of planning. Interesting FACT – You will actually enhance the event for yourself by volunteering. Be a hero to the organizers, and feel good yourself by making your own personal contribution to the weekend’s success.
Toastmaster Club success is the exactly the same – The success of the Club is the success of EVERYONE in the Club doing their part. We all know this from experience. This is not a small thing ~ it is a big BIG thing. Volunteers are crucial – many hands make light work ~ remember (smile).
Don’t forget to volunteer, please!
Now you have paid for the weekend, and volunteered in advance.
Thank you !!! Invite your friends to volunteer with you and anticipate a memorable weekend!
But don’t forget your homework assignment. eh?
Osoyoos in May is a beautiful place to be. This spring conference is an opportunity to have a great time with like-minded people. This spring conference is an opportunity to be inspired and return to your own Club with new contacts, a fresh experience, and exciting ideas to share.
Winter is long and cold, the spring conference in Osoyoos will warm you up with smiles, and sunshine.
WHERE? WHEN?
District 21 of Toastmasters is holding a spring conference in the south Okanagan. Really! A spring conference in the Okanagan in May, 2011. The title of the conference is “Sages In the Desert” The tip of the Sonora desert, about 5 hours from the rain and clouds of the Lower Mainland in BC, this location will be sublime in May. as my friends in jolly ol’ England say “that’s Quality!”
The location for your conference is the spa resort, Spirit Ridge! Check it all out ~ it even includes an on-site winery – Nk’Mip Cellars. { that native word is pronounced in-ka-meep} Sample Qwam Qwmt (“achieving excellence”) wines at Nk’mip Cellars, North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery. After sipping, you could learn about rattlesnakes and hear pow wow drumming at the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre.
DID SOMEONE MENTION WINE?
Not only is there a winery on site, but I checked and there is a fuddle duddle amount of wineries just up the road from Osoyoos.
On my way home from the District 21 Toastmasters Spring Conference , I am going to stop at theBurrowing Owl Estate Winery (about 15 minutes drive from Osoyoos) for some toasting refresher lessons plus wine and cheese. I just love, absolutely LOVE supporting local economy! But that’s me, self-sacrificing to the core!
This is Toastmaster’s training I can get used to! SUNSHINE, LOCATION, and WEEKEND HOLIDAY with entertainment, and DELICIOUS food!
WILL I HAVE FUN?
Are you a newbie? That is “someone who has never been to a Toastmaster’s conference”. Perfect! Whether it is a restaurant I would like to try, or holiday destination I’ve never visited before ~ what I do is ask someone else who has been there and done that. YOU ARE IN LUCK! I was a newbie up until November 2010 so this is just my Numero Two Toastmasters Conference I will be attending in May, 2011.
Obviously it was fun, relaxing, motivating and refreshing or I would not be doing it again so soon.
WILL I ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE?
If you like to talk to interesting people, laugh often, and enjoy good food YOU WILL HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND, Osoyoos Toastmasters conference – May, 2011.
Give yourself a mini holiday in May 2011 in the sunshine. You deserve a break after a cold winter. If you live already in the Okanagan valley ~ well then there is just no excuse not to go to conference like this almost on your front door ! This one is designed especially for you, and you………….and YOU!
Cover of As Good As It Gets
The trouble with most “funny” movies is they rely on a sight gag. A sight gag is funny once, maybe occasionally twice. The humorous movies I really enjoy are the ones with a great dialogue.
The movie “As good as it gets” is one of those movies that has a fabulous, well-written script that always strikes a nerve……my funny bone that is. Funny, Funny, chuckle, chuckle movie! It even has a romantic ending where two people find each other despite the bumps along the way.
Another movie that I really enjoy particularly the first of the series. So many hilarious lines in that movie and yet it also has a message to the viewer.
Remember those lines?
Kill anybody today Curly? Day ain’t over yet!
or when Billy was helping with the calf being born?
(shakes his finger) This wasn’t in the brochure!
Enjoy this scene from a sequel to the original.
This series should be in every library.
Why Blog? I blog because of the challenge in creating something that I hope someone else can relate to and enjoy. I hope that someone else can identify to or appreciate one of my blogs.
I subscribe to a few blogs for the same reason. These writers are taking the time to poke and stimulate my mind. I comment on their blog entries to let them know they have succeeded.
Blog content is ubiquitous. I have enjoyed Napoleon’s apartments at the Louvre in a blog.
I have learned about Kno – ebooks for textbooks. Entertainment, or edu -tainment – you can find it in a blog.
I don’t imagine my prose is better than anyone else but how can I improve unless I practice?
Music, books, exercise, current events or whatever ~ blogging is an electronic journal inviting your comment or subscription. I hope you find a blogger or two that you enjoy!
Go big or go home. Because it’s true. What do you have to lose? Eliza Dushku
Astronomers and photographers love the light and shadow of winter for beautiful pictures.
Often in speeches we in toastmasters are challenged to be inspiring. We don’t have a camera but we must paint a picture that is dramatic, magnetic, and memorable. Thankfully we are in an atmosphere where we are able to hone that ability to create and present speeches.
What speeches have challenged you or even do you remember more than a month later?
One speech I heard and clasped to my heart had a simple message. It was about attitude, and being thankful. I heard that speech and the message pierced me. I could not recount it to you but the message has lingered. Many times I have been reminded to count my blessings before relenting to negative thoughts.
In giving speeches I have talked about Toastmaster challenges, what it is like for someone to be waiting for an organ transplant (what a powerful speech that was, and in practicing my wife Sue inspired me on to end the speech so everyone was hanging on edge waiting for more), and other personal topics. I have talked about my first date with my wife, the interesting life of W.C. Fields and even recited ” The ballad of Cow Patti!”
In life and in toastmasters – seek to be inspired; and to inspire others. Your life and toastmasters dividends will be many. I think that toastmasters is a real opportunity to serve and be served. Take advantage of both to really achieve.
Life and Random Thinking 