Heir to the Throne

What do you get for a Princess who has - well, in our case - very little?
I am glad you asked! I ran across the site Sisters4.com today and I just had to share it with you right away. This site was started by a friend of mine from college and her sisters.
I have not had a chance to look all over the site yet but one look at this onesie is enough to know their business is going to be a huge success.

Sisters4 -Baby and toddler reviews, podcasts, forum and exclusive custom onesies

Spread the Word

Have you joined the "anti-revolution" yet?
http://lastamericanblogger.blogspot.com/2008/12/candidate-for-sale.html

Quantum Leap Convention

The Leap Back 2009: A Quantum Leap Convention

There are the details. Please attend for me. I cannot go because that is just days before the baby is due. Bring me back something fun!

Cuddle Time!

for "Gary, Unmarried" fans

Do they know that "penultimate" means "next to last"?

Netflix: Philip K. Dick: The Penultimate Truth

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." - The Princess Bride

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Great stuff! Check 'em out if you haven't already at http://www.trans-siberian.com/

Four keys to great public speaking

I can't count the number of times I have been asked, "What are your top four keys to great public speaking?" That is unless you count zero as a number. :)
Here they are in no particular order:

1. Structure
   You hear this all the time and yet some people still refuse to follow it: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Your Introduction should clearly state what your speech is going to be about. Your Body should clearly state what your speech is about. Your Conclusion should clearly state what your speech was about. Get it? Future, Present, Past. Your audience is expecting this, so give it to them because without an audience you're just talking to yourself.


2. Visuals - Show don't tell
   Images stay longer in our memories than words. Try to evoke as many images as possible to illustrate your points. Action verbs are much better illustrators than adjectives. Try this exercise after you've written out your speech: take a highlighter and mark every passive verb (especially "be" verbs: is, are, was, were, be, been, etc.) then go back through and see if you can re-work each sentence to increase the action and eliminate the passive verbs. If you're not sure, ask yourself who or what is doing the action and who or what is the beneficiary of the action.


3. Vocal chords
   Some of the things that can dry out your vocal chords and/or make it difficult to speak (and therefore should be avoided, at least before speaking): tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, some medications, toothpaste, and mouthwash. I am not saying you shouldn't have minty fresh breath, just try not to wait until right before your speech to practice good oral hygiene. Also make sure to bring a bottle of water at room temperature. I know you like your water cold, but you want to warm up your vocal chords, not cool them down. It is important to carry your own water because you cannot guarantee it will be available when you speak (see Preparation.) I was speaking to a group of 5th graders once when I was hit by a severe case of cotton mouth brought on by a prescription medication. I had to put the entire presentation on hold for several minutes while we located some water so I could continue. You probably can guess how hard it was to regain the attention of those children once I was ready to continue.


4. Preparation
   Rehearse your speech several times. If you have a video camera, record yourself. Get a spouse, parent, friend, cat, whatever - to watch. Practice in front of a mirror if you have to. Do whatever it takes so that the least of your worries is what you are going to say. Then make sure to arrive extra early before your audience. If you are using any electronics or other special equipment, test them out. Check the room lights and the seating arrangements. As Sun Tzu said, "The victorious warrior wins first and then goes into battle." If you prepare well you will have a successful speech before you even speak your first word.

Obviously this is the tip of the iceberg. For more thorough direction there are three options I recommend:

• Toastmasters International is a respected organization with a long history. This is the best training you can get for relatively little money. You can visit local area clubs for free to see what they are about before you join. If you are in the Chicago area check out my club. Otherwise find a local club in your area.
• If you are looking for a faster solution, I am available for one on one coaching. You can email me to work out the details. Chicago based coaching is preferred, though we may be able to make arrangements in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or St. Louis.
• For the least expensive option, self study, check out the Instant Speaking Success program.

Pumpkin Day

Good Morning Joe

A hot cuppa helps melt hearts? | Oddly Enough | Reuters

"..simply clutching a warm cup of coffee can bring on a flood of warm feelings..."

This explains a lot, really.

What's up Marky Mark?

Hey Wahlberg! Ever since that woman at the DMV thought I was you I have eagerly anticipated every movie you have made. I think "Good Vibrations" was a great dance tune and it makes me smile every time I hear it.
Christy told me the other day that you don't acknowledge that part of your life. And now I hear you are pissed off at Andy Samberg for what I thought was a hilarious sketch on the funniest SNL of the season.
What's up Marky Mark? I would think you could afford (wink, wink) to have more of a sense of humor about life. If you think it sucks that bad I might be willing to trade...

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Now playing: Tommy Shaw - What Do You Want From Life
via FoxyTunes

FOUR WAY FREE ANNOUNCEMENT

I received this email on Sunday:

-----Original Message-----
From: fourwayfreelist-bounces@fourwayfree.com [mailto:fourwayfreelist-bounces@fourwayfree.com] On Behalf Of 4wf
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 10:51 AM
Subject: FourWayFree hittin' the road again...

FOUR WAY FREE ANNOUNCEMENT

Hi friends/family/foes,

So FourWayFree is heading out for a quick jaunt through the middle of the country... specifically Denver and Northglenn CO, Calmar IA, and Chicago IL.
So if you are out there, or know someone who is, Please invite some people out to our shows! Here are the dates:

TUESDAY OCT 14:
Northglenn, Colorado
Borders Books @ 4:00pm
All Ages, Free
241 W 104th Ave
Northglenn, CO 80203

Denver, Colorado
The Walnut Room @ 9:30pm
21 & Over, $8.00
3131 Walnut Street
Denver, CO 80205

THURSDAY OCT 16:
Calmar, Iowa
Northeast Iowa Community College @ 11:30am All Ages, Free
1625 Hwy 150
Calmar, IA 52132

FRIDAY OCT 17:
Chicago, Illinois
Borders Books @ 3:00pm
All Ages, Free
6103 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659

Goose Island Wrigleyville Brew Pub @ 10:00pm
21 & Over, $5.00
3535 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640

We're excited to head back out on this little tour! We'll have Jeff running our regular blog so you can keep tabs on our adventures if you like over at www.myspace.com/fourwayfree.

Thanks,
FourWayFree

questions? comments? visit us at www.fourwayfree.com or www.myspace.com/fourwayfree
"for once in my life, I have someone who needs me!" - stevie wonder

_______________________________________________
FourWayFreeList mailing list
http://list.fourwayfree.com/mailman/listinfo/fourwayfreelist
www.fourwayfree.com

Check out the new poll --->

Please leave your comments below...

email address deactive

Please note as of this morning the email address brian_t_wolf@sbcglobal.net is inactive. If you do not have an alternate address to contact me please let me know via Facebook or LinkedIn or else call me.

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Now playing: Maroon 5 - Wake Up Call
via FoxyTunes

Mildly amusing

1. Meet Republicrat Nominee Sean Masterson

Contact

You can email me at: