Life and Random Thinking

I don’t even like talking to you on the phone !! (watch the clip)

Posted on January 28, 2011 by dfolstad58

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.

CITY SLICKERS !

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.

Posted in FAVORITE POSTS - A Few of them ♥, food, Uncategorized | Tagged Humour, MOVIECLIPS, telephone | Leave a comment

Why Blog?

Posted on January 28, 2011 by dfolstad58

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

Posted in Thinking Out loud | Leave a comment

Inspiration

Posted on January 21, 2011 by dfolstad58

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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.

Posted in Toastmasters | Tagged Toastmaster | Leave a comment

Special Events – Toastmaster Style

Posted on January 21, 2011 by dfolstad58

Image by slworking2 via Flickr

One of the challenges for me as VP Education in our Club, and there are a few!, is to keep meetings fresh and interesting. Our meetings are an hour a week and this year has brought some new ideas that we have been pleased to export to other clubs in our area. Right now I am sharing two ideas with YOU!

One idea we had at Christmas for a special meeting was called “Christmas Court.” We held a court with a judge, a bailiff, witnesses and the Grinch was charged with stealing Santa’s sleigh. Only the meeting planner knew the whole idea, there were even hecklers for the witnesses and a surprise confession to spare the Grinch. The confession was very emotional and deserved an Oscar. A very interesting meeting and a great opportunity for our Club (no. 641259) to invite guests and have enjoy a special theme for stretching our boundaries.

Valentine’s Day is coming up now and here is the idea presently being planned for a special meeting. It will be an Vegas wedding and the list of characters will be secret until the big day in February.

The February Wedding event will be fun. There is so much opportunity for people with roles to be creative. A good meeting for guests and Toastmasters includes laughter and fun by all. You can imagine the different speaking roles you could add into the situation of a wedding. In these special events, people have roles but no one has a “script” but they usually have some information that is provided. You need to provide multiple speaking roles just like a regular meeting.

Thank heavens I have Club members with imagination and willingness to plan and hold these special events!

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Five Man Electrical Band – Everywhere a Sign

Posted on January 18, 2011 by dfolstad58

I wonder if everyone has songs buried in their subconscious.

A little bump, a phrase in a conversation and a song springs into my mind – all the way through the cobwebs. ♥

A song that really represents for me the Seventies is this song from the 1974 called “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band.

[Verse 3]
And the sign said, “Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray”
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all, I didn’t have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, “Thank you, Lord, for thinkin’ ’bout me. I’m alive and doin’ fine.”
Wooo!

Of course that song brought back a memory.

When I was young, my family tented and at one campground my family met a young man who traveled in his VW camper.

That old VW camper of his was hand painted on the outside to his whimsical sense of style. It had bright yellow bumpers, hand-made bumper stickers with sayings like ” Insured by Mafia Mutual” and a really cool sounding “AH-WOOGA” horn. (sorry no photo).

He used to visit my parents now and then. I still remember him picking me up from high school and giving me a ride home and playing that aw-wooga horn.

Flower power, peace signs, that was the Seventies !

Even if YOU missed the 70’s – you may like the message of the Five Man Electrical Band.

Peace OUT !

For me, this song “Signs” will always make think of that VW bus and those bright yellow bumpers.

*******************************************************************************

Posted in music related | Tagged Signs | 5 Comments

What does “Sage” mean?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by dfolstad58

Image via Wikipedia

Sage is a word that has several meanings, but in this context for the May 2011 – District 21 Toastmasters Spring Conference in Osoyoos, BC; it has a dual application. One of which is the plant that I envisage to be similar to the tumbleweeds you can sashay through on the grounds at Spirit Ridge, in the desert environment of Osoyoos, BC. The dual meaning, that I am personally drawn to, is also the wisdom aspect for the word “Sage”. Sage means “wisdom” and “sage advice” is the VERY BEST ADVICE and you should follow it.

We all receive and give advice during our lives. A wise, sage man told me that the day will come when I will look back and I will reflect on my life. Everyone does. He said you will wish that you took more chances. He said you will wish you took more opportunities. You will wish you spent more time with the people who really mean the most to you.

I look ahead to the May 2011 Toastmasters conference in Osoyoos, BC because of the “sage” advice I was given. I will venture out of my bubble for those few days and make new friends, meet new people, get out of my rut and have a great time. I will go back to work the following week and know I did not miss an opportunity. So here is some “Sage” advice for you. If you live in Canada, if you live in BC, if you live in the Okanagan, if you live in Washington USA ~ give yourself a fun experience, space is limited; book today.

I hope I see AND meet you there.

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