My Toastmasters Club hosted its second open house event this past week. We had two guest speakers, Olena Rodena from Apotex Toastmasters, and Elliott Katz of Thornhill Toastmasters, author of the book Being the Strong Man a Woman Wants".
We had a sold out crowd and Elena a scientist at Apotex explained the chemical effects of smiling and how it positively effects our immune system and improves that of the person you smile at. She concluded five majour reasons to smile, from making you look successful, to being young etc. Bottom line is smile often, and smile much. It is good for you and the people you are in contact with!
Elliott Katz gave a quick overview of his latest book now published in 15 languages around the world. With industrialization, most boys have grown up with out the influence of a father on how to deal with women. It is not a Canadian thing where we develop those sensitive metrosexual guys. It is a world wide wide thing. Bottom line, women like men who make decisions and take responsibility. Next time you are on a date, choose the location you want to take her to and decide on the seating once you get there!
Happy adventures
The Adventure Guy
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Toastmasters International Speech Contest
One of the most underrated personal development organizations in the world is Toastmasters International. This organization is totally impressive. It has an international follwoing of over 250,000 talented speakers, working on their craft. They deliver powerful life changing messages to help improve the lives of their membership and friends.
This weekend I had the privilege of attending the spring conference, and receive speech coaching from World Champion Daryl Lacroix. I then had the opportunity to watch the International speech contest. I was brought to tears by two speakers. The first speaker told the story of Nick who pushed his handicapped son through the Boston Marathon and the Hawaiin Iron man contest. However, it was his message of overcoming obstacles in life that made the point powerful. If one overweight father could push, carry and swim with his 120 lb handicapped son, then what can we all do to overcome obstacles in our path. We can do anything!
The second speech was about Demosthenes. A ancient Greek orator who it was said, when people would here him speak - they would march. Words create action. This story was about finding your purpose, and find your voice. The story about a child from a divorced home, on his way to becoming a troubled youth, meets a teacher who believes in him, prays for him and mentors him to a better life. This young boy devotes his life to sharing the art of mentoring to others, because it impacted him so much. What life changing event can you share with your associates to help them lead a better life?
The winner of the competition was Dave Matoc, a middle aged man wearing tights, puffy tail, bunny ears and bow tie. He explained that we must get out of our comfort zone and take risks to achieve in life. His dress code displayed the risk he was prepared to take to get others to follow his lead. However, what touched his heart and the audience was his pin from his kids that said he was the all star speaker and number 1 dad.
Toastmasters is a valuable component to make our communities better for people to learn and share about their lessons in life. Join a club today.
The open house at my club Downsview Toastmasters is Wedenesday April 22 at 12:00 Bldg A 1201 Wilson Ave Toronto Ontario. Join us for a great event. We will hear Elliott Katz speak about his book "Being The Strong Man a Woman Wants" and Olena Rodina speaking about the power of a smile.
Happy Adventures
The Adventure Guy
This weekend I had the privilege of attending the spring conference, and receive speech coaching from World Champion Daryl Lacroix. I then had the opportunity to watch the International speech contest. I was brought to tears by two speakers. The first speaker told the story of Nick who pushed his handicapped son through the Boston Marathon and the Hawaiin Iron man contest. However, it was his message of overcoming obstacles in life that made the point powerful. If one overweight father could push, carry and swim with his 120 lb handicapped son, then what can we all do to overcome obstacles in our path. We can do anything!
The second speech was about Demosthenes. A ancient Greek orator who it was said, when people would here him speak - they would march. Words create action. This story was about finding your purpose, and find your voice. The story about a child from a divorced home, on his way to becoming a troubled youth, meets a teacher who believes in him, prays for him and mentors him to a better life. This young boy devotes his life to sharing the art of mentoring to others, because it impacted him so much. What life changing event can you share with your associates to help them lead a better life?
The winner of the competition was Dave Matoc, a middle aged man wearing tights, puffy tail, bunny ears and bow tie. He explained that we must get out of our comfort zone and take risks to achieve in life. His dress code displayed the risk he was prepared to take to get others to follow his lead. However, what touched his heart and the audience was his pin from his kids that said he was the all star speaker and number 1 dad.
Toastmasters is a valuable component to make our communities better for people to learn and share about their lessons in life. Join a club today.
The open house at my club Downsview Toastmasters is Wedenesday April 22 at 12:00 Bldg A 1201 Wilson Ave Toronto Ontario. Join us for a great event. We will hear Elliott Katz speak about his book "Being The Strong Man a Woman Wants" and Olena Rodina speaking about the power of a smile.
Happy Adventures
The Adventure Guy
Monday, April 13, 2009
Live Music in Toronto Junction
I had the opportunity to be invited to check out a band at a very hip urban social bar scene called Dakota's Tavern. It is located on Ossington north of Dundas W. near the Junction and Parkdale of Toronto. Years ago this was a scary place to travel, as a retail leasing agent I was very aware of the neighborhood clientele and economy. Nonetheless, I had the opportunity to check out a band call "The Beauties" who were a very hip combination of country and western and rock band that got the interesting crowd, singing and sharing in the energy. They had a very good chorus that went " Ain't no body gonna love you like the Devil do" very appropriate lyrics as we were there on Easter Sunday.
Toronto is alive with talent and cool rhythm, as some hidden musicians in the crowd got up to do a tune with the band, wearing side burns and wool jacket reminiscent of Springsteen but in a more clean Canadian way.
If you are out on a Sunday night I totally recommend you check out the Beauties at Dakota's Tavern on Ossington. One caveat, you goota wait at least for the second set. The first set is just a warm up.
Happy Adventures,
The Adventure Guy
Toronto is alive with talent and cool rhythm, as some hidden musicians in the crowd got up to do a tune with the band, wearing side burns and wool jacket reminiscent of Springsteen but in a more clean Canadian way.
If you are out on a Sunday night I totally recommend you check out the Beauties at Dakota's Tavern on Ossington. One caveat, you goota wait at least for the second set. The first set is just a warm up.
Happy Adventures,
The Adventure Guy
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Cycling Paths of Toronto 1 - Thornhill to the Beaches
The cycling paths of Toronto are one of the greatest assets of this big city. Where else can you ride from the northern most tip of an urban area to the southernmost point and back and 90% of the time be on cycling paths without those dangerous cars! Today I did my standard Beaches of Toronto ride. This trip starts at the Longos Plaza ( Bayview and John, Thornhill) and catches the Don Trail off of Laureleaf and Steeles and follows it down to Sheppard and Leslie. From here you have to cross east of Leslie and ride to the east of the North York General Hospital where the path continues down to Lesmill. Here you ride south to York Mills and Leslie and then south to Lawrence and hop on the trail again at Edwards Gardens. Keep following the trail south and then east to Victoria Park. Go south on Vic Park all the way down to Queen Street and check out the action on the strip. I particularly like the deals at Ends at the beaches. Every week there is some other great closeout deal. The owner is always around and very proud of his empire, and rightly so. After a stop at Pizza Nova, get back to the trails and head along the waterfront over to Cherry Street. Cycle past the Docks and get back onto the Don trail as you go north over the Gardiner expressway. The trail is clear again and this will wind north all the way back to Edwards Gardens. On my way north I take a different path and head along Banbury Circle and then onto the Bayview park system that ends at Bayview and York Mills. Be careful along Bayview as cyclists have been hit in this high traffic high speed area. Head north (stay on the sidewalk to be safe) up to Bayview Village, and then keep going north. There is a nice downhill at the end of Bayview so get back on the road and enjoy the speed. A good end of the trip is the Starbucks and the Longos Plaza at Bayview and Laureleaf where we started. For an extra bonus buy a fresh Montreal Bagel from Bagel Nash. Almost as good as the real thing from Montreal. Can you guess where I am from? These are even better as they come in whole wheat or regurlar style. Extremely delicious either way.
This trip is about 69 kms and should take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Great route for summer rides as there is shade and generally well treed.
Have a great cycling season.
The Adventure Guy
This trip is about 69 kms and should take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Great route for summer rides as there is shade and generally well treed.
Have a great cycling season.
The Adventure Guy
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