Archive for the ‘Speech’ Category
Competitive SOB
Sunday, September 29th, 2002This was my fifth speech in the Competent Toastmaster series. It was originally given in 2002.
So, some people would tell you I am a competitive SOB.
In my defense, however, I had no choice in the matter. It is how I was reared.
I was not a pampered child. While playing Chutes and Ladders or Go Fish, my parents never let up. I did not win. Later, as we advanced to games like Hearts and Bridge, I was thumped. It never ocurred to me to question my losses. It was a running joke that I would not win anything. Years later when I brought this up, my folks were quite unapologetic. “Didn’t it make the winning all the sweeter since you had earned it?” they asked.
I think it did.
I recall vividly sitting in my fourth grade classroom. I very much enjoyed my teacher, Mr. McCarty. He was my first male teacher and I liked his style. But at age nine, I was not the man you see today. I was quiet and shy. I did my work and I kept myself in line. I was not the trouble-maker I would become. That is what makes this story so interesting. During a geography lesson, somehow Mr. McCarty told us that he didn’t expect that children our age would be able to name all 50 states. Outraged, I proudly answered the challenge by declaring that indeed I could. I was invited back to the classroom during my recess time. There I sat whence my teacher came over, deposited a blank map of the United States before me and said, “Let’s see.” Ten minutes later he came back and peered at me. I was scratching my head and had a determined look upon my brow. He picked up the paper, smiled at me, and asked if I knew the one that was not filled in. I explained I did, but had drawn a blank. “Alabama,” was all he said. Damn! I knew that.
This competitiveness is really just down-to-earth determination. It manifests itself in many ways.
I was in Bermuda. I had gone to visit my then girlfriend along with a buddy of mine. We were there for two weeks. During the first couple days, my girlfriend and I ended our long relationship. Yet there was still plenty of time remaining in this vacation. One day we were out at an island and we decided this might be a good time to learn how to scuba dive. The girl was a dive instructor. So we all put on the gear, learned a bit about the equipment, and got wet. I was experiencing some trouble getting down. You see, as I would learn later, I am very bouyant. Some people are just that way. It takes extra lead and many years of experience for me to get underwater easily. Anyhow, back to that first time, as I was scrambling to “sink”, she grabbed my wet suit and dragged me under. If you have never had the displeasure of that event, let me inform you that it is awful! Like one might expect, I panicked. Out of the water I went, venting the entire time. “What kind of instructor would do that to a student?” I yelled. I tore myself out of the gear and vowed not to go back in.
Yet, once I got back to the States and re-located back to New Jersey, the first significant post-break-up activity I did was learn how to dive. I had ended that relationship having not only failed in the romance, but also in the sport. Although she would never know of my accomplishment, for me it was necessary to conquer my fear of diving and learn this skill that had been such a public humiliation.
And even this speech is a step towards resolving an issue. Ever since I stammered in a public speaking event in sixth grade, I have avoided the lectern whenever I could. Yet, knowing I had something to prove, if only to myself, I joined Toastmasters for my improvement.
Mr. Toastmaster.
Being a Good Citizen
Tuesday, September 17th, 2002This was my sixth speech in the Competent Toastmaster series. It was originally given in 2002.
In the early 1980s, Joe Piscopo built his career at the expense of New Jersey with his Saturday Night Live skit “I’m from Joisey. Are you from Joisey? What exit?”.The armpit of America was the battle cry across the land.The Sopranos, a fictional cable television show, has again given New Jersey a sour taste in others’ minds. We apparently are nothing more than a bunch of mobsters here.Yet, it is hard to fault those who pick upon us when we elect folks who do so little for us and so much to reinforce the stereotypes.Robert Torricelli, now the senior senator from the Garden State, was severely admonished for breaking Senate ethics rules. He was found to have accepted gifts from a man who is currently in jail for funneling money illegally to Toricelli’s campaign in 1996. Toricelli stated before the probe on 16 January 1999, “I think there is a concern about the dignity of the Senate.”Indeed, Senator, there is.The dignity of the Senate and our fair state is at stake. This is not a late-night comedy skit or concern over a television show. This is real life. Torricelli’s problems reflect upon all of us.There was a time when the senator was on all the Sunday morning talk shows and at the Capitol’s microphones sounding off about impeachment. We should have known then.
The admonishment from his peers is telling. It says plenty that our senator cannot keep the appearance of impropriety from splashing the front pages. Toricelli has no reasonable explanation for the Rolex, the suits, and the quick money made on that IPO at his buddy’s bank. He has brought shame upon us.
James Madison wrote, “It is a misfortune incident to republican government . . . that those who administer it may forget their obligations to their constituents, and prove unfaithful to their important trust.”
The obligation, Sen. Torricelli, is to represent New Jersey and her citizens in a manner that commands trust. Federal investigations do nothing to instill trust.
Newsweek detailed a senator who pales in Madison’s description: tirades against other senators, jet-setting with the rich and famous, politics to enact personal revenge, and disturbingly similar politics from his college days.
In a time when our young are so in need of men and women to respect, it is unfortunate that New Jersey elected a man who is derelict in his responsibility.
The senator is now running for re-election. Regardless of one’s politics, Toricelli has done nothing to represent New Jersey well. He does not deserve to represent New Jerseyans for another six years.
Let us not forget our obligation to elect a senator who will make New Jersey proud. James Madison has set the bar for elected officials. Robert Toricelli does not measure up.
Geocaching
Monday, July 29th, 2002This was my fourth speech in the Competent Toastmaster series. It was originally given in 2002.
Stand at lectern with right hand raised as though it is clutching a GPS. Stare at this hand. Remain like that for three seconds.
Ask: Do you know what I am doing?
Remove GPS receiver from pocket, place it in clutched hand and ask again.
No? Well, you have seen the stance of a geocacher.
History
Geocaching is a relatively new game. In May of 2000, then-President Clinton actually did something that did not embarrass his country . . . he removed the GPS signal degradation from satellites. Until then, commercial-grade GPS receivers were highly inaccurate. Afterwards, anyone could spot his position to within feet. To celebrate this, a guy near Portland, OR hid a container with some goodies in it. He posted the coordinates to a newsgroup on the Internet. A few days later, a couple people reported finding the container. This is geocaching.
A cache is defined as a hiding place especially for concealing and preserving provisions or implements. Geo is added as the prefix for earth. Combining them we have geocaching: a hiding place on Earth. (show definition with the term highlighted)
It has not changed much since then, but it has become more organized.
Materials
Now a player logs onto a web site (geocaching.com), puts in his zip code, and searches for caches in his area. For each cache there are the coordinates, a description, a link to a mapping site�this will help you drive to the correct area, and a virtual log�where one posts his experience seeking this cache and posts photographs too.
To geocache all one needs is a GPS receiver and a connection to the Internet. GPS receivers begin at about $100. The local library provides Internet access for free (excepting the taxes you pay).
Unlike many games and hobbies, there is not much add-on spending. I recommend a compass (display compass) and spare batteries (show batteries), for if the batteries to your GPS die in the middle of the woods, it would be good to be able to get out again.
Model
So, to go geocaching one would log on, enter his zip code, print out (or write down) the coordinates to nearby caches, grab his GPS and compass, and head out. He would find the cache, come back home, and log his experience online for others to see.
It is that easy . . .
Real Life Experiences . . . or not.
The fun of the game is in the adventure. One would think that if you had the coordinates to a specific place and you went to that place, finding a container would be easy. It can be exilirating!
The first cache I sought found me on the wrong side of a lake. Another that was recently featured in the Atlantic City Press had me on the wrong side of the AC Expressway contemplating dodging across (I did not).
There was another one at Parvin State Park for which I hunted an hour for and did not find. I was disappointed and arrived home in shame. As I studied the description again, I realized that it was probably dangling from a tree. I went back later to the exact spot I had searched and looked up (look up) and there it was.
I have searched in a downpour in Bridgeton. (shiver)
I have tried to outrun mosquitoes at Jake�s Landing. (swat imaginary mosquito).
I found the supposed home of the Jersey Devil.
My wife and I rode our bikes for miles on our honeymoon in search of these little containers.
I have found caches in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida!
I have traversed almost every inch of Wharton State Forest for these little containers (display container). It is not what is inside of them—junk mainly. The idea is that if you take something, you leave something. Many folks do not participate in that, but rather sign the logbook that is in the cache.
Review
Log on, enter your zip code, write down the coordinates, seek the cache, wirte in the logbook at the cache (that documents that you have been there), log your find online for others to read.
Extending the Experience
There are other ways to extend the game. Someone needs to hide these things. That can be as exciting as seeking them. I have hidden just one of these thus far. But it is less than a mile from where we are right now.
Instead of hiding and seeking caches, some folks like to seek benchmarks. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has survey discs, marks, etc. all around to hunt. There over 50 of these within Vineland itself.
Some folks like the virtual experience. For this, coordinates will be posted for some interesting view (one I found was a house that looked like a cookie jar).
It is all about having a good time. Be forewarned, it is addicting. Pretty soon you will be participating on the discussion boards, figuring out how to link your video to your computer to share a humorous experience, making suggestions on where to hide these little boxes of goodies, etc.
Wrap-Up
I had always been enamored with GPS technology. In fact, my entire family had been. We used to speak about how wonderful it is to able to determine where you are on the planet. But really, what can you do with that knowledge? Now we know.
Remember: geocaching: it is hiking with a purpose.
Ed Wade Should Be Fired
Wednesday, May 1st, 2002This was my third speech in the Competent Toastmaster series. It was originally given in May 2002 at a Speech-a-Thon in Philadelphia, PA.
Ed Wade should be fired as the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mr. Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters, and honored guests.
It is easy to pick on a struggling baseball team. Here in Philadelphia, we have had a lot of practice. We have had just two winning seasons in the last 20. Yet, beyond the “piling on”, there is good reason for the call for Wade’s head.
Rolen
Wade has permitted his manager and a high-level advisor to publicly criticize Scott Rolen. That criticism has led the team’s star to state that he will not re-sign with the Phillies under any circumstances. The star has further pointed out that the team has not done enough to become a contender.
It is up to the general manager to put together a team capable of winning.
Let’s check Wade’s record.
Hitting Coaches
Wade has supplied his managers with three different hitting coaches (Hal McRae, Hebner, Gross) in three years. The team’s offense has not been productive during these three years. Is it the coaches or the players? If the players, then the GM has to take the fall.
Lee has regressed as a hitter. Rolen has not improved. Burrell strikes out at an alarming rate. Glanville has become a huge liability.
Ed Wade failed.
Schilling
Curt Schilling was traded on 26 July 2000 for Vincente Padilla, Travis Lee, Omar Daal, and Nelson Figueroa. Daal was so well thought of, we traded him for two minor league pitchers that were so marginal that Baseball America did not even rate them. They still eat up two spots on the 40-man roster of the Phils though. Nelson Figueroa was waived for nothing in return. Travis Lee has been so horrendous that the team has been working out its left fielder at first. Rumor around the league is that Lee has lost favor with the manager. Padilla may be the only bright spot of this trade. He struggled mightily last year. He has been effective thus far this year, but it may just be the effects of having pitched winter ball. Once he begins the second rotation around the league, hitters very well may catch up to him.
Think of this: had the Phils had Schilling’s 20 wins last season instead of the mediocracy we replaced him with, would we have been two games better? We missed the playoffs by two games.
Ed Wade failed.
Glanville
The absolute worst centerfielder in the majors, Doug Glanville, was re-upped this year at a cost to the payroll of $4 million. Wade complains about not being able to afford free agents. That $4 million could have gone towards more money to sign Aaron Sele. Instead we signed a man who had a negative impact on his team. His negative VORP (value of replacement player) indicates that a regular non-star replacement would have been an improvement to Glanville in the line-up. Mr. Wade does not understand how to value his players. Kenny Lofton was available and signed for one-fourth what Glanville did.
Ed Wade failed.
Eaton & Loewer
Two seasons ago Wade traded for Andy Ashby—a pitcher who was unsuccessful in his first stint at the Vet. For Ashby, Wade gave up three pitchers, two of them solid prospects (Adam Eaton and Carlton Loewer). Ashby lasted but a few months of walking opponents before Wade shipped him off to Atlanta for a former prospect that the Braves had soured on, Bruce Chen, and Jimmy Osting. Wade let Osting go later without compensation. For Chen, the Phils received two broken-down relievers: Dennis Cook and Turk Wendell.
So, for the two promising pitchers we had just two seasons ago, we now have injured Turk Wendell. That does not improve the team.
Ed Wade failed.
Minors
Remember, the homespun talent the Phillies have put on the field (Rolen, Burrell, Rollins, and Anderson) have not been Wade’s work. Lee Thomas and Mike Arbuckle have been responsible for these players.
Ed Wade failed.
New Park
The team seems to be on hold until the new ballpark is opened in 2004. Mr. Wade needs to take note . . . the fans are not attending your ballgames. Season ticket sales have plummeted. This team used to draw 3 million spectators a year. You’ll be lucky to get half that this year. A new park is not a guarantee for revenue—just look at Detroit and Milwaukee. The Phillies radio broadcast is now from a weak signal from Delaware. 1210 no longer wanted them on their station.
Ed Wade failed.
He failed to sign first round pick J.D. Drew who is now leading the Cardinals.
Wade failed when he signed Ricky Jordan to a two-year deal thus looking up a roster spot for a marginal bench player.
The GM failed to keep Reggie Taylor in favor of mediocre middle reliever Hector Mercado.
Ed Wade failed to bring up his prospects when his bullpen needed help. Instead, he relied upon aged pitchers who have never had particular success.
Ed Wade should be fired immediately. The Delaware Valley will be better for it.