Liz Andra Shaw

Journey into the Creative Mind of a Writing Reader

Tag Archives: video

Game On!

March 12th, 2013
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District 3 2012 International Speech Contest Winner Liz Shaw

It’s that time again. International Speech Contest time. Winning at District last year and going to the semifinals was quite a ride, but now I’m just another hopeful contestant.

I’ve won all 3 of my club contests. I’ve hogged the spotlight at Twilite Toastmasters for 3 years now, so I decided to let the alternate, Scott Hall, go to area.

A brand new Toastmaster, Kristen Gay, started smack talking with me over a month before the Maverick contest. She wasn’t at all intimidated by going up against me in the club contest, and she did a fabulous job. I decided to honor her spunk and skill by letting her go to area for Maverick.

Both Scott and Kristen represented the clubs well by taking 2nd place.

I’m representing Think Tank Toastmasters this year. Think Tank is an advanced club that requires you have achieved your Distinguished Toastmasters award to belong. There are some might fine speakers in this club! My alternate, David Hodesh, has already competed in an area contest for a different club and won. Third place winner, Debby Waugh, has already competed in an area contest for a different club and won as well. So…. no pressure on me to win mine! LOL

The V3 area contest is on Thursday March 14 at Unity of Phoenix. (directions) The contest begins at 6 pm, but come at 5:30 pm for the food. I’d love to see you there!

Here’s a video of last year’s winning speech just to tempt you to come out to see what I’m up to this year.

Will I see you at area?

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I Love Words!

January 26th, 2013
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Words.
I love words.

Lots and lots of words.

Fancy words, everyday words, words no one has ever heard of, words that are fun to say, and ugly sounding words. I love them all.

I love lots and lots of words.

I love using lots and lots of words.

What I don’t love is limitations on words.

My 5 to 7 minute speeches for Toastmasters used to run 1,200 to 1,600 words. Then I learned that my audience needs spaces between words so that they can digest and react to the words.

Now my 5 to 7 minute speeches are only 600 to 800 words.  That’s a 50% unemployment rate for words, which can’t be good for the word economy.

Here’s even worse news for words: 6 times a year, I have to give a 2 minute speech to the District 3 Executive Council. Two minutes.

There is an 1,100 word document describing what I need to cover in those 2 minutes.

Forget giving the audience time to digest and react. This is the moment for me to speak faster than is humanly possible because at 2 minutes I get clapped down.

There is nothing more humiliating than being clapped down. Trust me.

Two minutes. That’s less than 300 words. And about 80 words are a standard greeting and closing that are required.

Am I even capable of saying anything in 200 words?

If I talk really quickly, I can actually get in about 320 words plus the greeting and closing. If I burn rubber. If I’m really fast. FedEx guy fast.

I’m going to do it! For the love of words!

Picture provided by Nina J. G.

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The Cuteness Bowl 2013: Puppies vs. Kittens

January 18th, 2013
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We had a little fun outside the litter box at Toastmasters this week. I’m playing Team Kittens in The Cuteness Bowl, and that’s my friend, DJ McMurray playing Team Puppies. This performance is part prepared speech and part improv. I hope you’ll find it all fun!

Which team did you cheer for?

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Liz Andra Shaw

Journey into the Creative Mind of a Writing Reader