toastmaster world finals...

if you know my family, you know that my dad is a toastmaster. toastmasters is a huge organization of speaking clubs to help people develop and practice their public speaking. there are different "districts" and within each district, there are clubs. for example, district 21 is BC and within BC there are about 260 clubs. anyways, every year, they have a big speaking contest. my dad often enters. now, don't quote me because i'm not positive but i think these are the levels: you choose to enter with a 7 minute speech. if you win your club, you move onto the area contest (there are 52 areas in bc). if you win your area, you move onto division contest (there are 10 divisions in bc). if you win division, you move onto district (aka speaking against every division winner in bc). are you with me still? stay with me - i'm getting to a point. okay - if you win in the district, you move onto regionals. if you're that awesome that you're still winning, you move up to the semi-finals against people from all over the world now (which is 80 people competing in the semi-finals and they only pick NINE). and if you win there and you are one of the elite 9? you're in the finals. the WORLD FINALS. (okay, that's not the official name but you get the idea) was that a lot of work? yes! was that a lot of great speaking? heck yes! you know who is one of the nine that is in the WORLD FINAL? MY DAD! last night, he won with the semi-finals in Palm Desert, CA and we are SO excited for and proud of him! way to go, jamie!

now, if you're still reading, you must be wanting more details! well then, i guess i'll keep going!

jmac has been winning with the same speech. over and over, he has given this speech. he's practiced and rehearsed and speeched...wait, spoken...this fantasticly winning speech a thousand times. but for the finals? he needs a new speech. NEW! so as a well prepared oscar nominee writes a thank you speech just in case...my dad had a new speech prepared just in case. but it hasn't been given a thousand times and it hasn't been in any contests before. so today he is spending the day fine-tuning and practicing and rehearsing. if you could muster up some good thoughts, prayers, positive energy and send it on down to palm desert - do so.

he's going to the finals! (this site seems to be well updated to keep track here if you would like)