h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Topics - urrrgh - it really depends on the topic being asked. What usually works is some sort of delaying tactic while you fish around for a hook or handle to talk about. I actually don't know how I do it at all. Most of the time the idea just comes to me when I am standing up with all eyes focused on me. Sometimes I sit down thinking - wow, how did I manage to speak about that subject so eloquently? Topics can be a lot of fun though - despite everything its one of the most enjoyable parts of Toastmasters.

Mmm, I was given one on the Grand Canyon yesterday - a subject I know sod all about and I wondered aloud what I knew, and then thought of Evel Kneevil (sp?) jumping over on his motorcycle and Houdini tightrope walking across it. One of the evaluator's comments was to think of a good close near the beginning. There was no way on earth I could do that - I was floundering for ideas for content, never mind the close. I suppose it only comes through practice. Sounds as if this is a subject you're good at, Woodpigeon!

There's a small footnote somewhere in the H2G2 entry that tells you how long I have been involved with Toastmasters!

I guess I'm used to it by now, but I still find replying to a topic I haven't the least bit of interest in or knowledge about very tough. And I don't ever think about a close or anything like that - I'm too busy gasping for a handle to be doing that!

Oh, I don't have to look, I think I can remember - didn't you say it took you over 10 years to get your CTM, Woodpigeon? You obviously have great perseverence.

I think it was about 16 years! To tell the truth I was with 3 different clubs and I took a few long absences from Toastmasters during that time. In terms of my Toastmaster's career it was around 6 years, so it's not too bad I guess.

Well, it was mostly because of your Toastmasters entry that I looked more seriously at it and I think I was one of the catalysts for the Greenwich club. I'm looking at getting a club account for them at the moment. Roy had already mentioned it as a good place to get presentation training. I don't want to settle for being reasonable (which is what I think I am at the moment) - I want to be a really great speaker. That *will* take time and practice.

You bet. A colleague in my club has the videos of the World Championship contestants last year. Apparently it's mind-blowing stuff.

I remember the round I saw last year. I was really surprised how theatrical the speeches were! For me, moving around the speaking area will be challenging, as I was taught to stand still. I was told on Tuesday that I'll have to unlearn this. I was also taught to use my voice to do the work and not my arms. I did quite well on that score during my Icebreaker, but I had to consciously use them better.

I've been asked to be a judge at a competition at TubeTalk on Monday! I've also agreed to do my number two speech, which I think I'll call 'Slower, Deeper, More Regular' ... no, it's not what you're thinking - it's about breath and breathing.

Well done! Best of luck with the next speech. Keep 'em guessing!

I won the area competition a few nights ago with my evaluation of a very humourous speech about men and make-up. Unfortunately I won't be going further because I will be flying out to the US on the day of the next contest. Oh, well, it shows I can use my Peer Review skills in more forums than H2G2!

Oh, well done! What happens now? Does the second person get through in your stead?

Men and make-up? As in Eddie Izzard?

I've not been very active in Peer Review just recently. Too much going on in RL.

As for my next speech - I've still a lot of leg-work to do, but I've got a good opening! Now all it needs is a good close and some stuff in the middle. Oh, did I tell you that I was told I was a bit 'rooted' in my Icebreaker, and that in my table topic last week, I made an effort to move around (I was given the topic of finding a new royal breed of dog to replace the corgi - I thought of Camilla and chose the saluki, which brought laughter) and was commended on it, so there's an improvement in just one session.

"Now all it needs is a good close and some stuff in the middle. " - oh I know that one!

Make-up and men - yes, sort of - the speech was about learning about the arts of make-up for males - exfoliation, lipstick etc. It was hilarious! I told the speaker that he would need an armed escort to get him out of the room, which went down well.

Two people go forward, so in my case it will be No. 2 and No. 3. Ah well, always next year.

You never know, next year you might win the evaluation *and* one of the substantive speeches!

Sounds as if your evaluation was as entertaining as the original speech! The one thing which has always tickled me since I heard about them is prosthetic chest muscles - similar to breast implants in women (I don't think it would disguise the fat on top, to be honest, and even if men had the fat sucked away, if they didn't alter their lifestyles, it would be back before long!).

I gave my number two speech yesterday, 'Deeper, Slower, More Regular' - about breath and breathing. My evaluations were good and I was told that I had improved dramatically from the first speech. Funnily enough, Roy thought that I was more relaxed (and less theatrical) the first time. I was more or less bang on time too - 7 minutes 2 seconds. I had some lovely feedback, particularly about the message itself as well as my opening and use of pauses (the longest one was a bit nervewracking). I was reminded why pauses work so well - the audience is dying to hear what you have to say next - it needs the gap filled, so that whatever you say goes in that bit more deeply.

I'm a bit torn what to talk about next - I had thought of something about the power of language 'It's only words!', but then again, it might be good to go with something entirely different. Mind you - they'll expect me to be even better! Not sure what to do for the best.

Seriously, that is a great achievement. Well done.

Did you use notes, or had you it rehearsed?

What is the aim of speech number 3? My 3rd speech was a disaster. I picked the wrong subject and suffered for it. Whatever you do, stick closely to a subject you have a heightened interest in.

Thanks, Woodpigeon. I didn't use notes (athough I was a bit worried about forgetting bits of my speech) and I changed the order of what I was saying. I had used a mind map to prepare for it. I don't like practising, although I did do some practising in the bath and in the car on the way there. Interestingly, little thought that I was talking to him, so he asked me questions about it. I think the end result was better with the change of order. I told of the benefits before talking about the feature - now that seems to ring a bell in sales terms. And I managed to bring in the word of the evening 'sustainable', which I was pleased about. Of course, the beauty of breathwork is that it's free and you can do it anytime - and it's therefore sustainable.

If I do go with 'It's only words!' for my number 3 speech, it is certainly something I'm fairly passionate about. How we're influenced by other people's words, for good or ill, and how we in turn can influence other people and how great damage can be done unkowlingly to children by thoughtless unkind words.

Well done on not using notes for a Stage 2 speech. That's really superb!

I must check out mind maps a bit more. I have personal evidence they work, but I've never used them. I find rehearsing speeches the most laborious part of the whole process and I'm still very worried when I stand up that I am going to forget my lines.

I almost gave my first speech without notes. I had my speech on cards snd put it on a stand, then didn't look at them. Mind you, for my Icebreaker I was talking about me - a subject I know rather well.

You can get some really neat mind maps - I use MindManager, which I like a lot. You can link it to another programme - ResultsManager to track actions. It helps me to organise my thoughts and it's easier than doing it on paper - it automatically readjusts as the map grows or is edited. Practising - mmm - I know I have to do it, but I don't really enjoy it. The good thing is that I know if I screw up, I'm in a safe atmosphere. Was I happy when I sat down after my speech? No - I knew it could have been better, although I was happy about the comments - they were very kind.

I've changed my mind about what will be my next speech - I've decided on 'Celebrating the Crone' - singing the praises of getting older. When I was at school, I took part in a debating competition, arguing against the motion 'If you haven't made it by the time you're 40, you never will' and I used my mum as an example. She's now 81, still has mostly dark hair and does the splits daily. She learned shorthand and typing from age 37 and passed her driving test in her 70s.

Long may you continue in her footsteps!

That sounds like a great topic. Particularly apt for Toastmasters where there are a lot of older people showing us every day that you are only as young as you feel.

I've been away now from Ireland since Monday so I'm seriously looking forward to getting back home. My two youngest nippers have just started walking on their own so I feel I'm missing out!

My nine year old has been acting as Timer's Assistant (holding up the cards - green, yellow, orange/not really red) during the meetings and on the last one, he was given a slot on the Table Topics, and he spoke for 32 seconds on 'what am I afraid of?' - he told us all he was afraid of the dark. Are your two nippers twins, as they're both starting to walk?

Have you had a great holiday?

Mum is one of those paradoxes - in some ways, deeply inspirational, in others, narrow and closed. She eats very healthily and exercises regularly (I think her dark hair is a result of taking molasses daily - she used to dye her hair in her fifties, now she doesn't have to), so she has remained very supple.