Blog For November 5th 2008

By Robert Yuen

Bonfire Night at Riverside Communicators burst into life when Gray Standen, President, opened the meeting with a sparkling declaration of her excitement at having a new US President. She lit up the audience with the announcement of the Riverside Christmas Cracker Auction scheduled for the not-too-distant 10th December to raise funds for the Club. Members were asked to donate a service or an item for the auction, and were given a stern warning not to off-load the horrible vase from last Christmas!

The affable Sue Kennedy was Toastmaster for the evening and she predicted an enthralling session for every Guy and gal with the news that there were prepared speeches from 2 Advanced speakers. Timekeeper was Elizabeth Poole and Grammarian was Claudia Cronjaeger who proposed “intriguing” as the word of the day.

Prepared Speeches

Firing himself up first was Jim McCluskey who asked the question “Am I Being Watched?” The audience burned with excitement as he explained his experience with the Guy with the unusual T-shirt from Sainsburys (or was it MI5?), the old lady and the transport cop. Little did they know that Jim was the one that was armed and dangerous!

Dorothea Stuart rocketed to the audience’s attention by advising them to “Slow Down” …. when speaking. Words, she said in her highly informative speech, are elastic – some can be said quickly, others have to be said nice and slowly.

Evaluations

Andrew Klimaytys complimented Jim on the change of character in his story and his clear voice. Pamela Smith praised Dorothea on her open body language and her braveness in using volunteers from the audience. Topics Evaluator was Andrea Blackie.

Table Topics

Topicsmaster Andrew Dias celebrated the feeling of change and hope from the US elections by using it as the common theme for his catherine wheel of topics: father, son and man (guest Gary Jenkins), mother, wife and woman (Claudia Cronjaeger), Africa (Jim McCluskey, being French (Robert Yuen), being a black man (guest Julio Aguilar-Milan), Osama Bin Laden (guest Rosemary), Christmas (Sue Kennedy), 4 years time (Tony), Indian British Prime Minister (Dorothea Stuart), and Sarah Palin (Andrew Klimaytys).

Awards

Top of the pile was Gary Jenkins for best Table Topics answer and Fewest Ums and Ahs, while best Evaluator went to the fiery Andrea.

Remember to complete your Donation Form for the Riverside Christmas Cracker Auction and return to Gray Standen.