I get it...I'll blog more

Over the last several weeks, several e-mailers have...in their own words...asked me the same question:  Why don't you blog as much as you used to?

I am well aware that my blog frequency has diminished significantly over the last several months.  So, I'll try to make a concerted effort to make more frequent entries.  The remainder of this blog posting will be to catch up on a number of things.

First, I received an informal update on LaShunda Rundles at a TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) at which I spoke last weekend.  The news was that she has some good days and some bad.  She isn't currently in the hospital, but she still has a ways to go on her road to recovery.  For now she is focusing on that, and taking pleasure in the simple things like being at home and cooking for her son.  Sounds like she's got her priorities straight, to me.  If you have been thinking about and praying for her...please keep it up.

Second, Angie and I flew to Connecticut for the Toastmasters convention on Wednesday.  We chose to not stay at the hotel where the convention is being held.  Instead, we are at a small hotel about 4 miles away from the site.  Part of the reason...quite honestly...is financial.  Our hotel costs less than half what the convention hotel would cost.  And given the fact that I have "an genetically acquired aggressively frugal streak" (read: I'm cheap), it makes more sense.  What we're saying will more than pay for our rental car while we're here.  The other reason is that it allows us to get away.  While I thoroughly enjoy the attention and appreciation that comes from being a World Champion of Public Speaking, it can be exhausting at times.  I feel like I always have to be "on".  No, that doesn't mean being fake; that's certainly not my style.  It means a new conversation begins every time you walk 10 feet, and it takes you 25 times as long to simply walk to the elevator.  Being in a different hotel gives us a place to unwind and recharge in relative anonymity.  If anything, that allows us to be of better value/service to the folks at the convention when we return tomorrow.

Concerning the convention, I served as a flag carrier in the opening ceremony.  For those who don't know, Toastmasters opens their conventions with a parade of flags from each of the countries in which Toastmasters operates.  Since not every country is represented by one of its citizens, volunteers carry those  flags.  I carried the Haitian flag.  It felt odd to not be carrying the U.S. flag, or even one of the flags of a country I have visited.  But maybe I'll have the chance to do that in future years.  It was interesting to see the faces of people.  I'm not sure they knew quite what to make of a WCPS carrying a flag.  Honestly, I hope it sends the message that there are many ways in which the World Champs volunteer and serve.

After the opening ceremony, we went to get something to eat. The only place we found open was Mystic Pizza II, which was only a couple of miles from our hotel.  Yeah, there was a movie about the place back in the 80's, but I didn't care.  We were starving!!!  Not only was it good...it was REALLY good, and it really hit the spot.

I've already had the chance to reconnect with many friends and acquaintences, after only being at the convention less than a day.  I really look forward to doing more of that in the next few days.  (Including a host of present and past leaders, I reconnected with WCPS colleagues Lance Miller, Darren  LaCroix, and Mark Brown.)  One of my focuses now when it comes to the conventions is leadership development.  Obviously, educational session on the topic of leadership are available.  It is also interesting what you can learn by watching leaders at various levels of the organization.  That is especially true when there are controversial issues to be dealt with.  This year's convention will have plenty of those things, ranging from candidates running from the floor to proposals that would  fundamentally change the way the organization is structured and operates.  Simply, there are plenty of examples of leadership, some good...and some...well, not so much.

One of my other focuses, obviously, is to be available for the contestants.  I don't chase anybody or push myself on them, but if any of the contestants seek my assistance, advice, or guidance, I will readily give it to them.  Simply, I am here for them.  I already have tentative appointments to meet with multiple contestants, and am really looking forward to it.  Having been through the process multiple times, I know how beneficial a calm, encouraging, and experienced voice can be. 

Sadly, I am also here to console contestants who did not advance past the interdistrict contest.  I am very proud of Mark Hunter.  He is a friend from Australia who competed with me in the WCPS in 2001, and made it to the finals again in 2007.  He won his interdistrict contest on Tuesday night, and has advanced to the Championship again.  He is a really good person, and I look forward to seeing his speech on Saturday.  Unfortunately, two other friends did not make it past the other interdistrict contest.  Doug Kruger and Donald Yee took 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the other contest.  They, too, are great people, and I hope they compete again in subsequent years.  I would like to see either or both of them join the ranks of my colleagues.

I will try to make a decent number of blog entries while I'm here at the convention.  I am certain that my entries won't be nearly as prolific or detailed as Angie's.  Since she has an iPhone and I won't get mine until February (yeah, I could get one right away...but I have chosen to practice discipline and delayed gratification), she will be Tweeting, Facebooking, and blogging throughout the convention as things happen.

Then again, my primary focus isn't on keeping the entire world abreast of the proceedings.  If you want to be completely in the know...COME TO THE NEXT CONVENTION!!!

Comments

[Colin]

Thanks for the update, Jim! I'll look forward to a review of Speakeasy.