Letting loose on what annoys us most

A relaxed Table Topics Session at last week’s Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting was thrown on its head by one very simple question - What annoys you most?

It didn’t really matter that the respondent, Mary Buckley, gave calm advice about “letting it go”, the genie was out of the bottle. There is something about people’s behavior when they sit in the driver’s seat and turn on the ignition that raises the hackles of others. Speakeasy members spoke at length and with passion about inconsiderate motorists who take up Disabled Driver spaces, Sunday drivers on a Monday morning, tailgating and SUV drivers.

But, after so much heat, there was light - candle light - as Bridie O’Connell reminisced about Christmas past when decorations did not appear until December and the symbol of the season was the simple candle.

Jillian Harris spoke about her imaginery book launch on her book on fine wines. The issue of epitaphs elicited several responses - 2I haven’t gone away, you know!” But the group were graced with one contributor who spoke profoundly about a family member who is terminally ill and is having “that conversation” about the end of life and an acceptance of mortality.

Epitaphs featured in one of the prepared speeches as Pat Sexton spoke on the life and artistry of Leonard Cohen, entitled “Laughing Lenny - an appreciation”. The speech dealt with the multiple ironies in Cohen’s extraordinary career which had a spectacular final act as he returned to touring at the age of 74 to be greeted by adoring audiences the world over. His epitaph could well be drawn from his most famous song - “Hallelujah”, which has been covered over 300 times. It reads - “Even though it all went wrong, I stand before the Lord of Song, with nothing on my tongue except Hallelujah”.

Verna Byrne spoke on art of a different kind with a beautiful speech on the the turbulent life and times of Vincent Van Gogh. “From Sunflowers to Starry Night” chronicled his many failures in life as an art-dealer, language teacher and preacher before he took up his paint brushes at the age of 27. Despite chronic mental illness, he painted over 2,000 art works in his ten years as a painter. It is deeply ironic that the most famous Dutch Painter sold just one painting during his life.

Theresa O’Reilly presented ‘Pathways”, a talk on the new Toastmasters Education Programme. With great enthusiasm, she highlighted the advantages of the new Programme and exhorted members and guests to “give it a go”. Where do speakers get ideas for speeches?

Noel O’Connor provided some wonderful suggestions in his presentation - “Selecting a topic”. The best ideas are based on our experiences. Be receptive to ideas that are all around us and, most importantly of all, keep a notebook handy “to write it down”.

At the meeting’s conclusion, the General Evaluator paid tribute to the Toastmaster of the Evening, Don McSweeney and to the Topicsmaster, Marie Lynes for their contributions to a hugely entertaining and informative meeting. Awards were presented to Theresa O’Reilly - Best Speaker, Kieran Butler- Best Evaluator and Bridie O’Connell - Best Topic.

At the next meeting, the Annual Schools Public Speaking Competition takes place. ST are delighted to welcome participants from a range of schools in the North Cork area and it promises to be a wonderful occasion. As always, guests are very welcome. The meetings takes place on Thursday, November 29 at 8pm in the Hibernian Hotel.