Yet another fun-filled foray into the adventure that is public speaking at Vox last week. And what a lot of fun we had!
Both ToastMaster, Fergal Rice, and TopicsMaster, yours truly, were disgracefully late (Rumours of quickies abounded that night but both members, looking rather hot and bothered, blamed all on the traffic). Jumping straight in, however, they tried to repair the tatters of their tarnished reputations. Luckily, all members jumped in too and the fun began.
Maria and Donal were thrown in at the deep end but swam to surface. Maria, as Donal’s dog Spot of 6 years, discovered she could finally speak and found the relationship to be somewhat one-sided. It was no fun being left alone all day and getting your dinner last. Donal, not a man to get excited, said she should have spoken up sooner.
Nora and Mark too were having difficulties as newly marrieds who had just run out of gas on a road trip. It had been Mark’s task to fill the tank but he innocently thought they were a team now. Nora quickly disabused him of that notion : “This is how this team works – you do what I say”. Her definition was, perhaps, the choice of all females. Mark’s solution – “A quickie?” – undoubtedly the choice of all males.
Rosie would agree with Nora that the only right way to do something is her way. Especially regarding dishwashers, where the incorrect placement of dirty cutlery should result in automatic expulsion from the human race. Other revelations on the night were that Andrea is bored by board games, Dan can’t get enough of The Wire, Fergal would like to star in Jersey Shore (!!!!) and go-getter Paul Murray longs to be exceptionally nice. (But he’ll tread on a few toes if he has to… )
Sharon won best topic for her reflection on ageing and Tony eloquently discussed how men can’t mature without suitable role models.
Donal O’Donnell must have had some great guys to look up to. His heart rendering recitation of “Untitled” by Anonymous didn’t leave a dry eye in the house. Dedicated to a secret “freckled” love, it was the release of years of pent-up pining for one who went unnamed. If only more men could be like him… they would stay single forever.
Sinead Perry’s Icebreaker was outstanding. Sinead joined Toastmasters so as not to give others third degree burns. After nearly scalding the head of Bank of Ireland with coffee once at a meeting, Sinead vowed to improve her confidence. She certainly succeeded. Her use of humour, language (“beheading Barbies”) and powerpoint slides dazzled us all. Sinead’s success left her on a high and the rest of us weeping softly into our pillows. How could anyone be so good from the get-go?
Jacinta’s dramatic striking of a match captured all our attention. The lighting of the match was a wonderful metaphor for the act of creativity. Creativity is always present, it simply needs a catalyst to create the spark that will catch fire. Like fire, creativity is contagious, and Jacinta’s own creative approach suited her subject. Jacinta peppered her speech with quotes from Picasso, Emmerson and others and it was an uplifting reminder that we are inherently creative.
Evaluations were excellent, particularly Rosie’s which was flawless in structure, style and content.
All went to bar afterwards except, interestingly, Donal and the “freckled” one. Maybe love unrequited was finally ignited through the power of public speaking? That’s the magic of Vox.
Fiona O’Meara