UM...

In a few, um, recent interviews on TV and, um, radio I have heard a proliferation of, um, what's called, um, speech static, fillers, and once, um, you start hearing it and are tuned into it, it grates the ears! You stop listening to the message and cringe at every filler.

Public speaking tops the list as one of people's greatest fears. As a former speech teacher (a course I loved), there were ten areas I focused on, one of which was speech static. If students listened and took to heart what I tried to make them aware of, I would dare to say, anyone who took the course emerged as a better, more confident speaker. One key concept I taught is to speak about what you know; know about what you speak.

Maybe I should offer a speech improvement course for adults. It is sorely needed.

Any takers?

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"There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave." Dale Carnegie.

NO SEAT FOR YOU!

So, I just saw a picture online of an old Howard Johnson's (HoJo's) restaurant at Cleveland Circle in Boston's Brighton area, and it brought forth a rush of memories.

I remember that was a favorite place to go after dates or nights out with friends. 

I also remember one Friday night when my friend and I went for a late-night bite, and they bit us! It was just the two of us, and we got in line which came out the front door. When our turn came, we said, "Two, please."

The guy at the door said he couldn't seat us because we were just two guys; we didn't have dates. My bestie said they couldn't do that - it was discrimination (he since went on to become a lawyer). We politely tried to argue the merits of our case, but it was to no avail. 

We found a pay phone and called the HoJo's up the road in Brookline (next town over) and asked if they had the same policy. They didn't, so off we went where we were graciously welcomed.

Today, there would a request on Facebook to boycott the place, bad reviews online, and maybe a bombing (just kidding about the last one there). 

LORD OF THE FLIES

Thinking it may be time to reread Lord of the Flies by William Golding. 

At first read, it's about a bunch of schoolboys, survivors of a shot down airplane during wartime, marooned on a desert island and their attempts to organize and survive. 

A look a little deeper reveals today! Major themes of the book include the tension between groupthink and individuality, between rational and emotional reactions, and between morality and immorality. More specifically: Civilization vs. Savagery, Loss of Innocence, the Struggle to Build a Civilization, the Dangers of Mob Mentality, and the Inherent Evil of Man. You know, like these past few years in America, the Ralphs vs. the Jacks.

Why education? It lets you see what the point of the book is.