In Defense of Rich People

I saw this article for defending rich people. It's quite true.

In defense of rich people

Closing Thought

I gave the closing thought for the Rockridge Toastmasters tonight. To tell you the truth, it was tough. The topic was technology and I could not for the life of me figure out what to do with it.

At the start of the meeting, I realized that perhaps, I was to find a quote about technology. Ooops!

Well, time for the storyteller in me to branch out and make things up again. It always happens. With Toastmasters, I always change my speech at the last minute. It’s not really the best because the content will not be so smooth. But, what the hay? I might as well do it. It’s not like anyone is going to be fired from a job.

Tonight, I ended up mentioning a scene from Battlestar Galactica. Two Cylons (robots) are walking. They are discussing the human captives. One Cylon said “Did you see his weakness when we took away the woman?” The second Cylon replied “Yes, but he was so alive. I wonder what it is to feel that alive.”

I asked the Toastmasters if they in turn were alive or just going through the motions. Did they lust, desire, or want? Did they live?

Then, I mentioned that I evaluated a tenth speech for the Toastmasters group. It was a special evaluation because the member did her final speech for the competent communicator award. I pointed out the emotions of the first speech. The nerves. The ennui of the fifth speech when most people don’t make it. And the tenth speech in which the speaker will “Inspire the Audience.”

It takes someone about a year to go through the program. But at the end, the program transforms lives. Just like what I am trying to do with my life. From rags to riches!!!!

Toastmasters Experience.

I joined a second Toastmasters club two weeks ago. Today was the first time where I had to give table topics in two clubs. In Club 4422, it was pretty tough. The table topic master surprised everyone by creating a competition. In 4422, table topic is usually reserved for everyone to speak. It was highly unusual to make it into a club contest.

I did not do as well since the contestants decided that whatever the topic, we were going to speak about our favorite restaurants. I thought that I did reasonably well. I tied for first. The topic was "Money makes the world go round."

In the second TM group, I spoke again because the group likes to incorporate new members into the Table Topics. The topic was second chances. I spoke about how everyone wants second chances. It was amazing being in front of a larger group, a more serious group. I joined the Rockridge group because they were of a higher caliber than 4422. My wife said that if I wanted to become a millionaire, I had to go to another level. So, I went out of my comfort level and began my journey to multi-millionaire.

Toastmasters has definitely expanded the way in which I communicate. I try not to care as much when I speak to people. They will think what they want. I might as well not worry about them. I should worry about me.

Hopefully, I can get my bronze level communications program completed by Dec 2007. With 2 clubs, it should be more manageable.

Do you want to be noticed?

Well, this week was a good one at work. I should say that because of the sensitivity in American work culture, I sometimes refer to my job as a political campaign manager. This is just a total illusion. I really don't want to tell the whole wide world what I do fro the simple reason that someone can call my employer and make some illusion about me that can get me fired. So, a lot of my jobs are illusions.

At any rate, I am currently employed as a political campaign manager. The boss made a comment this week. She mentioned that she really enjoyed my summary report and that she sent it on up to the big wigs in Washington so that the candidate can see. The thing that she enjoyed the most was that I brought in the positive as well as the negative of the campaign.

Thank you Toastmasters!!!! I learned from Toastmasters to couch the critic with the good. People will accept it better.

Toastmasters International

In my quest to get into the multi-million dollar level, I have become a double member of Toastmasters.

My first TM group does not have as many advanced toastmasters. But I like it because they also need officers and I can fulfill my officer credentials. The second, I had to join because they have a lot more advanced members. They would help me out in doing the manual training for advanced speakers.

The wife told me that if I write the hundred thousand dollar book and joined the TM group, I would have the ability to sell the book to everyone. And, this is the book that everyone will want.

There are many books on financial investing. But not one of them tells you how to get started. Right now is the time for us to tell our story. After years of hard work and pain, we reached the milestone. Up next will be the Mt. Everest of our life.

The first million dollars is the hardest one to make.

Bill Gates' Commencement Speech

From Bill Gates:

1. Determine a goal.
2. Find the highest leverage approach.
3. Discover the ideal technology for that approach.
4. Make the smartest application of the technology that you already have.

Beware of what you Think

Stress can lead to fat.