Greeting Cards
Last Updated on Sunday, 11 July 2010 03:10 Written by Daniel Cossack Sunday, 11 July 2010 03:08
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Feeling down?
Here are a few words to pick up your spirits. |
Who broadens the broad and whitens the white?
Who heartens the lot and mightens the might? When demure is the self like bonnie is the child, Who makes me laugh? Who makes me smile? You do. Get well. |
| Written by Daniel Cossack | ||
| My Father is … | F – Fast to acknowledge success.
A – Advanced in his love, mindful of everything that develops a child whatever the age. T – Teachable and teaching his children of this world, especially his own children H – Heavy on Hands-On-Help E – Ever present in thoughts and concerns. R – Ruthless in the moral leadership of how his family represents itself. My father is you! |
Written by Mary Berg
| Friendship | Friendship Friendship, is what we call buddy My buddy helps me go through good times My buddy hears me when I talk My buddy gives me a light to see through the dark My buddy is the person who cheers me across the finish line even when I am last At the end of the day my buddy has become my Best Friend That buddy is _________ |
Written by Barbara Barrientos
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How to Write Comedy – Family Stories
Last Updated on Tuesday, 6 July 2010 04:30 Written by Lanie Adamson Tuesday, 6 July 2010 04:12
I had mixed emotions after our youngest daughter’s wedding. On one hand, it went off almost entirely as planned. On the other hand, I expected to have some comedy material for an upcoming Toastmasters contest and was rather empty-handed.
The material was there. It just needed some creative editing. Here are the before and after versions of one story in “The Simple Wedding.” The talk was a hit.
The Ring Bearer – Before
The wedding took place outdoors in the late afternoon of a hot July day in the central coast of California. Fifteen minutes after the wedding was to start, the guests were seated in the hot sun and fanning themselves. Finally the wedding party lined up and the guitarist began to play. The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places on either side of a gazebo garlanded with roses. The ring bearer had had enough of waiting and he stomped his way down the red carpet. Then he ran to his mother, one of the bridesmaids.
The Ring Bearer – After
The after version shows the setup lines (S and S-2) and punch lines (P-1 and P-2), as described below.
S: It was an outdoor wedding on the hottest day in 10 years on the central California coast. Wood chairs were lined up in front of a large gazebo decorated with pink and white roses. The guests took their chairs and fanned themselves.
S: Fifteen minutes after the appointed time, the guitarist signaled the start of the wedding. The bridesmaids strode gracefully to the altar on the arms of the groomsmen. The minister and groom moved into their positions. Just like rehearsal.
S: The ring bearer, our 6-year-old grandson, wore a tuxedo and a scowl. His job was to ring a bell to announce the bride, but he was fed up from waiting.
S: He sulked and stomped all the way down the red carpet to the altar
P-1: Where he tripped over a bridesmaid.
S-2 : Fortunately, we didn’t have to worry about losing the rings.
P-2 : The bride and groom had tattoos.
My technique is to write down a story or a few lines from an event to capture it on paper, letting everything flow onto the paper without worrying about grammar, punctuation or spelling. I capture visual elements that bring the scene to life: weather (guests fanning themselves), location (central California coast) and mood (graceful bridesmaids, grumpy grandson). I save this version as source material and then “Save As” the spoken version.
I write out the spoken version in the setup and punch line format shown above, a technique I learned from professional comedian Steve Roye at www.killerstandup.com. It’s easy to read and memorize.
Next I concentrate on what will get laughs. It took several rewrites before the ring bearer tripped over the bridesmaid. When I had that image, I knew it was right.
And sometimes you don’t need to change a thing:
S: At the reception, it was time for the toast.
S: The Father of the Bride raised his glass and began: As we were preparing for this wedding, I asked a friend of mine – who had married off 5 daughters – for his advice.
P: He said: Show up, shut up and pay up!
©2010 Lanie Adamson. All rights reserved.
Learn MoreTalented Talkers Volunteer Time for 4th of July Parade
Last Updated on Tuesday, 6 July 2010 03:49 Written by mvarma Tuesday, 6 July 2010 09:25
The City of Lake Forest celebrated its 19th annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 3. rough Drafts Toastmasters Michael Varma and Lyle Wiedeman lent their talking talents as official parade announcers.
“The parade started promptly at 10:00 a.m. and ran smoothly,” said Varma. “There were some gaps in the procession – enough time for a few family-friendly Fourth of July trivia, jokes and riddles.”
Q: Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell?
A: Yeah, it cracked me up!
Q: What did one flag say to the other flag?
A: Nothing. It just waved!
An estimated 7,000 residents lined the 1.5-mile parade route. The parade, whose theme was “All American Spirit,” featured more than 100 entries including marching bands and drill teams, girl and boy scouts, little league champions, senior citizens’ groups, history buffs, car clubs, civic leaders, horses, clowns, fire engines, Sherriff’s teams, and military service units. More than 10,000 viewers tuned in to the Cox Cable TV broadcast of the event.
“I really enjoyed the parade,” said Wiedeman. “Everyone – participants and spectators alike – embraced the parade theme and showed their American spirit.”
The Rough Drafts meet the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Atria Woodbridge, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 1 Witherspooon Drive, Irvine CA 92604. For more information email info@roughdraftstm.com.
About Toastmasters
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches communication and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization currently has more than 252,000 members in 12,500 clubs in 106 countries. Since its founding 85 years ago, the organization has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.
