When the Day and BrexiTrump Were Like a Box of Chocolates

An unexpected gift

I had been looking to an evening of light relief, great speeches and a bit of participation, after what had been a mainly planning and administration day with co-director Jane. My toastmaster's club, Huntingdonshire Speakers was at a new venue but the familiar welcoming faces were there. Toastmasters is all about not just practicing speaking but giving constructive feedback and generally participating in any event. I'd taken the role of an Evaluator, this time for the impromptu section of the evening, called Tabletopics. I had no inkling of what would happen at the end of the evening

At the start of the meeting, we have a member giving us a short inspiration out of their experience. Unfortunately, tonight's inspiration was taken ill, so our compere, TOE or Toastmaster Of the Evening Michael Gaadt, invited a volunteer to either speak. I volunteered, and talked about the inventor of aquariums and Sicilian visitor turned scientist, Jeanne Villepreux-Power, back in the 1830's (see 'UK Deporting Grandmother, and Marine Argonauts', diary entry). My amnesia with names immediately set in, but as the story unfolded of how she did not take events or situations at their word but actually made discoveries by finding out out for herself, I first remembered her surname and then her first name, Phew! I sat down relieved when finished.

Nikki was the Tabletopics Master for today, her first time in this role, and she came up with a novel idea. One after the other, she gave six volunteers a challenge. For example, you are stuck in a lift with a screaming child, or your car breaks down whilst you are en route to a job interview. Each speaker had also chosen a card giving them a Power they were to use to resolve the solution, from energy, to a smile, to happiness. You have to talk for up to two minutes after being given a topic - it really challenges you as you have to react in the moment. Practice like this helps you deal with the unexpected. 

As part of my evaluation, I highlighted the different strategies that I had seen the speakers use. There was taking a sideways leap; going from energetically tackling a problem to using green energy; reliving a similar personal experience to the problem, and your solution; over-exaggerated blagging your way out of the problem; to making the audience laugh. I kept to time and again sat down relieved things had gone fairly well.

Near the end of the evening is a time for recognition and awards - Best Tabletopic Speaker, completing a manual, taking part in a competition, for example. 

I was caught totally unprepared when TOE Michael awarded me the giant box of chocolates for my contributions today. I was rendered speechless! It is something that I will remember.

The good news continued when I came back in time for the 10 o'clock News. Yes!! The House of Lords had voted for an amendment to the Brexit Bill, to give EU residents currently in the UK the right to stay here after Brexit. The overriding argument was that people's lives were not political playthings, that common decency demanded they were treated fairly. The motion was carried by over 100 votes and included Conservative peers supporting it. It was a choice for humanity and against the attitudes of Them and Us. (Much to the incomprehension of Lord Tebbit "Somehow or other we seem to be thinking of nothing but the rights of foreigners,")

Yes, the amendment can still be overturned when the bill passes back to the House of Commons, but this decision will at least be memorable. A principled stand was taken.

President Trump gave a great speech to Congress, a big, big speech. There was a vision of a united America, a chance to seize the moment. There big vague plans: the major investment in infrastructure; the cutting of taxes; more support for the military. The bogeymen and their impending doom were also mentioned:  Obamacare would be repealed and the drug barons, criminals and rapists on the other side of The Border would be blocked by a big, big wall. There were tears as heroes were remembered. I didn't watch the whole speech but I am sure that at some points the angels in the audience stood up and spread their wings in exaltation, there were after all a lot of silent beings clothed in white waiting in readiness for the right moment.

We saw a new Trump, a real President Trump, and the world will surely now become a better place. I certainly hope so.