| A successful start... |
[Jul. 9th, 2009|09:06 pm] |
So last year (June - June) I was an Area Governor for Toastmasters, which means I oversaw six clubs, checked up on the progress of their members, quality of their meetings, etc. There's one club which has been... a club on paper for a couple years. Clearly dying, even down to ONE genuine active member.
Richfield Legion Toastmasters. When I first came to find them at their published location I couldn't even find them. They stopped meeting for the summer because nobody was interested in continuing.
Well over the course of the year we had one or two more people, but it really looked to be dead. We discussed formally closing the club, but gave a (brief) shot at a new theme instead, as "speaking in character".
I was miffed, because it was my idea and the club gave it a chance for exactly ONE meeting before deciding it wasn't their thing. BUT, they gave up on that idea and immediately four people were there, discussing how we could make OUR club grow and succeed.
Fast forward to July. RIGHT after my year as Area Governor ends, I sign on as club coach, with the goal of bringing this club to Distinguished status within another year. Distinguished means the club has earned certain points, by exhibiting growth in membership, educational credits earned by members, administrative reports produced on time, etc. And y'know what?
We're already showing success in that goal!
This month alone, we have three new members who are active in the club (I count myself, as I'll be formally joining the club now that I'm on paper as a mentor - formality things), and two more regular guests who're likely to join soon. And tonight we had TWO MORE guests who appeared engaged and excited.
AND - buy-in from the American Legion who hosts us. This club was founded by the Legion fifty years ago as a place for their officers and active members to develop speaking and management skills. And you'll remember, when I walked into the Legion Hall a year ago, they didn't know there was a club on site. Well I emailed all the officers of the club and auxiliary who were listed on the website, inviting them to a discussion of how our club might serve their organization's needs, and vice-versa. Tonight the Legion's vice president showed up for our meeting! I was so delighted, and hope to see him again.
Now if I could only get Bruce (my old high school teacher, whom I see at that legion hall every few weeks) to join us... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 9th, 2009|08:40 am] |
"You're not deaf, you just can't hear. I don't like labels."
Yeah, well it's my ear, and it's deaf. piss off. |
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| speaking of fresh veggies pending... |
[Jul. 5th, 2009|04:10 pm] |
Several of my tomato flowers have mated, and the plant little green oval-shaped bulges where they stood. Delightful.
And there's a /female/ pumpkin flower blooming! So now let's watch and see if it pollinates and brings us a punkin! |
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| ...and a garden update |
[Jul. 4th, 2009|10:28 am] |
It's all beautiful. Potato plants are thriving, corn is past my knee with only a /few/ rabbit bites, pumpkin still blooming weekly and sprawling wide. Lettuce has been abundant and the tomatoes and beans are all in full bloom. Haven't seen any blooms on the squash yet. When does that tend to bloom and fruit?
I also found out that I have a blackberry bush back behind the lilacs and by my garage. Harvested about a cup of berries last night, which will probably be eaten with ice cream. |
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| Game with the boy |
[Jul. 4th, 2009|09:54 am] |
So yesterday I happened upon four tickets to the evening Twins v. Tigers game.
Couldn't find anybody else to go, as I found them on /very/ short notice, so the boy and I went alone. What a great game it was! Sadly, the Twins lost, but only after one HELL of a fight!
Our opening pitcher /really/ blew it. By inning four we were behind 7-2. And he gave up those seven runs on only SIX hits. But by the 8th inning it was 8-8; The Twins made an incredible rally.
Then the fun began. Game continued through inning SIXTEEN, during which the tigers scored three runs, the Twins failed to catch up, scoring only one run themselves.
INCREDIBLE game to watch. It's interesting also, when the game stretches so late, how you can see the players are tiring. One batter actually fouled an 86-mph fastball into his own crotch in the 12th inning - He spent some time hunched over while jumping and hollering.
Boy and I had a good dad-and-son night out. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 3rd, 2009|03:09 pm] |
Who's free tonight?
I have four tickets to tonight's 7pm Twins game. Two of them will be used by me and Wesley.
Who else wants to come with. Call me at 612-636-5648 |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 23rd, 2009|05:08 pm] |
So. It'll be awhile before I see the vidjo.
How did James do on Jeopardy? |
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| Rob |
[Jun. 22nd, 2009|08:04 pm] |
Rob, let me just say, to get it out of my system, that I am /really/ angry with you right now. But I hope by all I know is holy that you've found peace.
The memorial was beautiful. His masonic brothers presented their memorial, then we all shared our part. Got to hear many sides of Rob, from his parents, from his friends, from people he'd pissed off, from every angle of his life.
Beautiful soul, Rob.
Now cut it out so I can buy you a beer, ya asshole.
Seriously, I never knew anyone who could make people feel joy like you did. I remember trying to bitch at you about a breakup. I was /pissed/. You gave me a lot of "uh huh". "yeah". "okay". and then wrapped it up with "here, kill this", handing me a game controller. Go Rob.
Now cut it out. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 21st, 2009|09:54 pm] |
Hey - does anyone local (to the twin cities) have a workable recording medium for their television?
An old college chum of mine, one James Erwin, is a contestant on Jeopardy, to be aired this Tuesday at 4:30 on NBC (locally channel 11). I really wanna watch his show, but I have nothing to record with. Could I beg one of my friends to cut me a VHS, DVD or electronic copy of the show? I'd be most grateful. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 20th, 2009|07:30 am] |
Happy Father's Day, gentlemen!
I hope your families are being good to you this weekend. |
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| Every meal an act of reverence... |
[Jun. 17th, 2009|12:15 pm] |
Y'know that ex, or that one-time friend, the guy with whom you have really unhealthy relationship patterns? You really /like/ them on many levels, and every now and then you get to thinking you'd like to have them back around...
You start spending time together and it's an immediate joy, but then before long it becomes apparent that they're still unhealthy and unpleasant in all the ways you remember, and it's just not going to change between you. Right?
Heck, I've /been/ that guy to a couple people who read my LJ.
Well for me, that guy is ground-beef-based fast food. Yesterday was a prime example. I was walking past Taco John's and convinced myself it'd been too long since I'd had a gigantic cheese-encrusted burrito from them. Shelled out my money, sat down, ate the whole thing with great savor...
And before I'd stood up to leave the table, I felt the orange grease in my gut and knew my body would not be happy with me for many reasons, immediate and lasting.
Note to self: Stick to food that's a healthy friend. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 15th, 2009|05:19 pm] |
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How do you define "blasphemy"? |
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| Composting |
[Jun. 13th, 2009|08:11 pm] |
Hey Dawn and I are building a compost in our back yard, for my garden. I have plenty of "brown" compost from leaves, grass clippings, twigs, etc... but I'd like a bit more "green", from kitchen veggies.
Several of you on my LJ are people at whose home I occasionally have dinner. Y'know, after circle, or just socially. Those of you who don't have gardens, IF YOU REMEMBER, when I'm coming over, I'd really appreciate a "doggy bag" of the rinds, roots, grounds, or whatever clippings from our meal don't make it to the plate.
They'll go to good use! |
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| Cabaret! |
[Jun. 7th, 2009|08:57 pm] |
So tonight University Baptist Church had a Cabaret, in part to raise funds for the pastor and a couple others to visit a sister congregation in South America.
I came, as an opportunity to get to know these folks a bit better. It was a lot of fun... got to hear various musical and poetic works by and recited by folks in the congregation. The program did also include the phrase "open mike" to invite anyone else to join in.
You all know what that means.
I sang.
I introduced myself in part stating that I hadn't asked to be part of the program because I'm terribly shy - and then said "Y'all clearly don't know me very well yet, because that was a punch line." I then sang for them Elderly Woman Behind The Counter At A Small Town, by Eddie Vedder. It went well.
They also had a silent auction of various thingos. SOMEBODY in this congregation is quite a talented photographer. I wish I'd taken the time to note the name. There was also decidedly nrommy food. :)
Oh! And in conversation it came up that the woman beside whom I was sitting was my brother's second-grade teacher. When I realized, my reaction was "Oh you're THAT Harriet! Hello!" Dork. :)
Was a good night. Unfortunately I now have experienced mild pressure to join their choir, which rehearses on an evening I have other obligations! |
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| Taking words in silly unintended literal ways |
[Jun. 5th, 2009|02:05 pm] |
Coworker is promoted to an assignment at another site. We had a nice going away party for her, and she sent an email of thanks to the team, including the phrase "You are all tremendous!"
It's been two days, and I still can't get the image of thirty-foot giant people running the Emergency Assistance and Shelter teams. We'd have to crouch a lot with these low ceilings. |
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| Bookshelf |
[Jun. 1st, 2009|08:51 pm] |
What spiritual/religious/philosophical books are "must reads", in your mind?
I'm fishing for books to go read and ponder. From various perspectives. New, old, classic, traditional, pop, intellectual...
So what are a few books that present ideas, morals, ritual structure, social considerations or whatnot that I really shouldn't miss out on? |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 30th, 2009|10:50 pm] |
So now I'm a priest.
Thanks for everything, folks! |
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| Amused |
[May. 30th, 2009|06:39 am] |
For the past two and a half weeks, I have received daily e-mails from Minneapolis Public Schools to warn me my son's school lunch account will run out of money the 2nd week of June.
Yep.
I planned it that way, thanks folks. |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 29th, 2009|09:58 am] |
Something tells me I won't be sleeping a lot tonight.
Oh. And I'm now certified Advanced Communicator - Bronze, by Toastmasters International. Sadly I probably won't make the end-of-year deadline on the Competent Leader award. |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 27th, 2009|12:55 am] |
and a garden update!
I have onions sprouting like NOBODY's business. A few corn sprouts are making their way up. The pumpkin is standing tall and happy; Beans are CLEARLY going to need thinned. Three heads of lettuce have started in their little baby leafy ways.
My two flower pots of various herbs aren't going anywhere yet. I hope I didn't drown them.
Tomatos are doing alright. I'll have to remember to put the cages in tomorrow morning.
There are some TEEEEEEENY little leaves popping up that Dawn tells me are my squash, and the eggplant and green pepper are still growin' nicely.
I'm lookin' forward to mmmm. Oh, and I warned my neighbor to please not spray weed killer when my beans start crawling all over our shared fence. He said no problem, but he couldn't guarantee his mower would spare anything that grew over into his yard. :) |
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