I see something in you! 2014 Champion speech

Ten years ago: Adventure!

What if you go to the train station or airport without knowing you'll take the train or plane?
What if you decide "why not take the one departing in a few minutes"?
I have dreamed wanted desired it for long time.

I did not take yet a plane, so that is still a dream in the mist so far, but ten years ago, at early age of 71

Ten years ago, I did take the first early morning train from Paris to London, after I dropped my son going for a professional meeting, instead of taking my car to go home, I went back and asked "how much if I take a ticket now for the train departing in ten minutes?"

They gave me a very cheep ticket, "last minute" and "senior" go now and return open.
I have not been in London at that time for about 30 or 35 years!
Arrived at Waterloo station, went to Trafalgar square.
At the station, they gave me the address of Manor House hotel, near Early Court: nice small cheep.


Here is the album of my 100+ photos I took rediscovering, discovering, England and London.

Of course, I did not know, less then three years later I will move and live in London.

A first time, again

Firebirds collective meet from all over the globe as you can see here

This night was a first time for me, again: given a speech, a story of beginning in Toastmasters club - at 2 am my London time. Of course, as you can see from this picture, we had Toastmasters from different part of the world. Our moderator from Australia. My Evaluator from Dubai. My Timer from Canada. The Toastmaster introducing my speech from Chicago. Soon, in the morning, the Firebirds meeting will begin and we will have members from even more places participating.

An image speaks better then words in this occasion I do believe.

How to Start a Speech

Humorous lecture by Conor Neil! start with sock is nr 2 start with a story is number 1: a personal story!
Of course.

Back on the saddle!

Focus on one thing helps a lot!

Also, we can learn from one domain y as here and apply to the other.

Yesterday, I went out again, at my Lewisham Toastmaster club and had given a 15 minutes speech abut my love affaire with Ralph Smedley, (TM founder) and how much I feel he would love what will come with the REP (Revitalised Education Program) in the future.

I got great feedback from the Area Director, present so my presentation for the Area COT will be improved and yes, I will add slides to it. Lot of work in perspective for the end of the month and the joy to meet together officers from 6 clubs.

Also, I will have my thee front teeth restored, well, a dentures on them by that time and by March too for my next comedy gig in Depford, near Greenwich University.

You are booked for a 7 min spot on the 15th of March at the BEE HAPPY COMEDY. You must bring a friend to perform. Please do not arrive without a PLUS 1 as it is awkward to have to say you cannot perform.

Address: http://www.thedukedeptford.com/  please be there at 7:30.

I already have another toastmaster who just finished David Jones class and begun gigging, coming with me, but I would appreciate any of you reading this, being with us too.

I hope, now that I have given, once and filmed, a 20 minute Standup Comedy in public I will be able to select the best material and make a 7 minute (nonstop laughing) gig at a club where the last time I was told "come back whenever you want".

For me, it seems that the new year begins now, and I was challenged by the President of Firebirds collective, advanced Toastmasters, to give speeches from all the projects from Ralph Smedley Basic Training manual: I am writing and rewriting the first one. Title: CROSSING Boarders or I did not know I will be seen as a "migrant." A sad story, but also a story of resilience. We can bounce back, we can find something in any situation life drops on us. Those were the ten years 18/28 of my life.

 I'll try to finish with humour and even add some of it in the middle. 

Inventiveness

Kim, from Australia, used a yellow lemon last week to signal the middle time for the speakers of Firebird Collective. As timekeeper, yesterday 20 December, I used Green and Red Apple, and a yellow... potatoes.  

Thus, keeping time become fun instead of pain. Creativity makes a meeting more entertaining.

Red on red : the apple won

Comparing delivery and audience: Julie 4 gigs

With almost the same words, from my ever first gig alone to 2 years later, so much difference.

1. Debut Julie Kertesz, November 2011.

Julie's StandUp at JesterJester from Julie Kertesz on Vimeo.

I did have three successful showcases before, after each of my workshop, but this was the first time, when I ventured out all alone to Jester Jesters at near Farington. To get courage, I gave myself a challenge: stay in the light shining to your eyes, instead of hiding (as I did at my last showcase) There were about 15 in the audience, not so easy when there are so few, plus mostly they were not really "audience" but other comedians waiting their tour and thinking about their own text. The pub is nice as were those who put us on the list or asked when we want to make our numero. (In fact there were only 3 women real "audience" at the time my performance come).
Compere telling jokes I hated, masked as Hitler.

Most of my lines did not change but I get a lot more laughter from them now. Delivery: oronly the audience? Confidence? Probably both.

2. Here is a month later, at Angel Comedy, with a great compere and audience a wonderful MC (see first minute) and better presence also (but still learning my lines...) stronger laughters.

Stand Up at Angel, Islington from Julie Kertesz on Vimeo.

3. My 30th gig at The Cavendish Arms​: always great audience and great MC. More experience in delivery. A lot stronger laughter with, almost, the same text. Plus my "famous" end, found at my 4th short comedy workshop.

4. 2 years later, was it the 77th gig? Cataract operations slowed down my pace of gigging, but my stage presence improved and I had a delightful audience and of the best MC too.