A Weekend

For this weekend now coming to a close, I made various plans which mostly were broken. Initially I was going to go to a recording of a benefit concert, but opted out when the person I knew indicated they would not be going. Then I saw that some other friends were going to see The Muppet Movie at the Hollywood Forever cemetery. We went to the place, only to be turned away for lack of capacity. There was some argument over whether this was a regular occurrence or whether the film in question was so very popular.

We ended up hitting a bar where another friend works. It was a fairly nice night, and I ended up spending less than I expected anyway. Today I recovered, but was in no condition to attend Mass. I intend to make up for it by going in the morning.

All in all, it was an outing which furthered the very positive feelings I've been having about the people I'm around and the professional prospects that I have.

Toastmasters Thursday

First, my recap of the meeting: Seldom does our agenda take on a unconventional shape. One time that it does is when new officers are installed in their positions, and that's how it came to be that things looked a little different on Thursday. Before getting to the meeting, our thanks must go out to the heroes who stepped up to fill roles where there was need. My notes indicate that Julia Baumgartner, Daniel Ferguson and Vernita Perkins volunteered for Ah Counter, General Evaluator, and Evaluator, and are to be applauded for their service.

The official start of the meeting began with our new president introducing the guests, of whom there were four( auguring well for the continued vibrancy of the club). From there, the meeting was turned over to this week’s Toastmaster, Samuel Wong. Samuel spoke of the great burst of energy that accompanies attendance of a club meeting, and seemed confident that this meeting would be no different. Indeed, the day’s two speeches fully lived up to his expectations and ours.

Toastmasters: The Coronation

Thursday was a big day for me in Toastmasters, as I participated in two events. During our regular club lunch meeting, I was installed as the club secretary, which felt good. It's another indication of the progress I've made and the regard my fellow members have for me (I think the world of them). Not a week seems to go by that someone doesn't suggest that I have a future in one field or another due to my humble contributions. I can only hope that one of them is right.

I'll be writing regular reports on meetings, among other duties. I will be posting the first one tomorrow. It, along with more such thoughts, will come tomorrow.

Our Favorite TV Family

During the time I was growing up, there were many sitcoms centered around families. It was a popular format, and the only numerous alternative to a man and his friends at a workplace. Perhaps the most popular family sitcom of the time was Married With Children. There was nothing terribly original about the framework of the show, but what was fairly new was the tone of the show. Whereas most such shows were filled with admirable characters and ultimately uplifting plots, Married With Children eschewed both.

While the Bundy family and the people orbiting around them often displayed a bare minimum of decency, we mainly saw the following: an uncharismatic, ill-tempered man of low class and economic standing- a man whose best days occurred during high school; a wife whose sole contribution to the household is her utter disdain for her husband and children; the two aforementioned children, fairly well-sketched versions of the unpopular, unathletic virginal son and the dim-witted, promiscuous daughter. Both children kept up a patter worthy of veteran insult comedians.

Tour De France

On Saturday, the first stage of the Tour De France was held- in Monaco. I always hate it when they leave France. Anyway... I never was especially into cycling, even as Lance Armstrong rose to dominate the biggest event in the sport. It's one of those sports that's tough to get into. Plenty of people like to ride, but don't really engage in domestic cycling events, putting cycling in the area of soccer here. It's too bad.

Back In The Saddle Again

It's been a while since I wrote, but I'm still here, and have plenty to say. Very shortly, I'll recap the key events in my life since my last post, as well as offer my long-delayed thoughts on Michael Jackson. That will lead quite nicely into the alarming rash of celebrity deaths of late. More besides that as well. Thanks for waiting!