Captain America: The First Avenger Hero Elements Make for Great Movie By Art Byrd

It’s the summer of superhero movies. Some have succeeded, such as Thor; others, such as Green Lantern, have not. Now comes Captain America: The First Avenger.  

1979 saw two Captain America TV movies that weren’t very good. Now 32 years later, Captain America is back --and it’s about time.

This version has all the elements of a good hero story: a just cause (World War II), a likable hero in Captain America, a really evil villain in Red Skull, and a cute girl.

Chris Evans, who plays Captain America/Steve Rogers, is not new to the superhero genre as he played Johnny Storm/Human Torch in the Fantastic Four series. Evans is a great casting choice because he’s both good looking and a believable good guy.

The storyline starts as WW II is in full swing. Rogers is scrawny, sickly man who wants to enlist in the Army to do his part, but he’s rejected many times. On one more attempt, Rodger catches the eyes of Dr. Erskine, a former German scientist played wonderfully by Stanley Tucci. He gets Rogers into the Army to the take part in the super-solider experiment.

Meanwhile, a Nazi officer, Schmidt, leading a covert group called Hydra, is plotting against the world behind Hitler’s back. Schmidt, played by Hugo Weaving, is in possession of an ultra-blue ray gun that can dissolve matter.

Schmidt was the first person to be injected by Dr. Erskine with the serum for the super-solider program, but the experiment went wrong, turning him into the Red Skull.

Captain America: The First Avenger takes its time to tell the story of how Captain America goes from a wartime figure representing war bonds to a full avenger. The storyline starts in the 1940s. The movie set design and props make you feel like you’re transported back to the 40s. Special effects were top-notch as everything seems so real.

Hollywood buzz has it that Captain America’s uniform was a thorn in the side of those bringing the story to the big screen. But the uniform design was very cool and looked appropriate. The shield was awesome.

In every superhero movie there is a love interest, and Captain America’s is Peggy Carter, played by actress Hayley Atwell. She is very good and strong and didn’t play a caricature of a damsel in distress.

The movie boasts a great supporting cast with Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips, Neil McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Tony’s father.

Superhero movie dialogue is always corny, but Captain America has great comedic lines. One example: Captain America is about to leap onto something, leans down to kiss Peggy, then looks at the Colonel who says “I am not going to kiss you.”

Captain America: The First Avenger was fun with great humor, lots of great action and a good storyline. There is a reason to stay after the credits, as footage from next summer’s Avengers movie is shown.  Captain America: The First Avenger will make you feel good about being in a seat at the theater.

Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts

Cowboys & Aliens Adopts Old Premise, Adds Something Original By Art Byrd

The concept for Cowboys & Aliens is both different and not-so-different from other invading aliens movies. What makes this movie unusual is its Western setting. The cowboys know nothing about technology or aliens; all they have are guns to fight invaders sporting laser weapons and spaceships with long cables that abduct people.

Cowboys & Aliens is a good mix or mash up (A Glee TV Series term) of two genres: a slow Western and a punched-up Action/Science-Fiction movie.

Jack Lonergram, played by Daniel Craig (Casino Royale), wakes up in the desert with no memory of who he is or where he has been, but he’s wearing a strange bracelet on his wrist.

After an encounter with some would-be robbers who he kills, Jack takes their money, clothes, horse and dog and heads to a nearby town.

In town, Jack keeps getting into trouble. He assaults Percy, the son of a cattle rancher Woodrow Dolarhyde, played by Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark).

The sheriff discovers Jack is a hard man to bring down, but he’s finally apprehended after Ella, played by Olivia Wilde, gives him a blow to the head with something hard. Jack is taken into custody along with Percy, who accidentally shot a deputy.

I have to say that it was refreshing to see Harrison Ford as a mean and unsympathetic character. He was very good. Woodrow and his posse ride into town to take Percy back. As soon as they arrive, the alien ships begin their attack. Jack escapes and the bracelet he’s wearing comes to life. He starts shooting down the alien ships, but not before people have been abducted -- including Percy.

Woodrow and Jack must now work together to rescue the kidnapped. Cowboys & Aliens take its time to tell the story, but the Western picks up speed as the Sci-Fi action comes into play.

I give director Jon Favreau (Iron Man) credit for taking on a story like this – giving the same old aliens-attack- Earth premise an original storyline.

Craig has the coolness and intensity that makes him come off like an old-time cowboy hero. Wilde’s Ella has a very interesting alien twist with her character -- possibly the reason that she looks beautiful in the dusty Wild West.

Cowboys & Aliens’ creatures are ugly. Hopefully the next aliens that invade theaters will bring a fashion stylist. Cool looking aliens would be a plus.

The movie had great stunts, high-powered action and okay special effects. I’m glad the movie title was Cowboys & Aliens instead of Cowboys vs. Aliens, which could have been a different outcome.

Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts

How To Be Out Of Business in 365 Days By Art Byrd

This is will be Art’s 8th speech.

It is Project 4-The Professional Seminar from The Professional Speaker Manual.

Part of the Advanced Communications Series.

His seminar presentation will be 10-15 minutes.

The title is
“ How To Be Out of Business in 365 days.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, Art Byrd

Good evening.

How to be out of business in 365 days is a harsh title for a presentation. Most of you are owners, soon-to-be owners and managers of a business, service or product.

My title is Consumer Observer. I go into businesses and watch how they treat customers or the consumer.

Was the employee polite or hostile towards the customer? Did the customer looked satisfied or disgruntled with the service or product they received or didn’t?

To be fair, I will go back to the same businesses 2 to 3 times to see if there's a pattern.

For many businesses, there is a pattern to them. And the customer can sense it, good or bad.

 (Pulling money out)
In my pocket, I have 5 $100,000 bills. I would like to give five of you $100,000 toward your business.

(Give the money to the audience members)

Ladies and gentlemen, you will lose my $500,000 and be out of business in 365 days. If your business, service or product doesn't have a super customer/consumer service approach.

You may be thinking, we do care about the customer, we treat them right.


Do you send them thank you notes? Call them personally to see if there's anything else you can do for them. You know their names by their 3rd or 4th trip to your store, receiving or doing business with your company.

If you answered “no” to any of those questions. You're not doing super consumer service.

I am a good predictor. I can predict if a business will keep going or be out of business in 365 days. In fact, I am very good at it. My record over two years has been 3 serve out of 4. There were locally owned businesses. The other two implemented super customers service.

Paper Route
I got my 1st experience on how important good customers service is with my paper route. In Ohio, winters can be hard. With deep snow, I thought it was my duty to make sure that everyone got their paper every day.

During the winter, a lot of people sealed their outside windows with plastic. Also, some sealed their front door with plastic.

 One afternoon that had heavy snowfall, I had put a paper in an outside mailbox at a door on the front porch of a house.

As I was going up the street. I noticed a woman coming from the back door of the house. She was wearing a coat wrapped tight underneath I can tell she was wearing a thin housecoat. She had on untied boots. The woman went to the front porch and got the paper and slowly struggled to get back to the backdoor as the cold wind kicked up.

On collecting day where we get the money for the papers. I said to the woman, “ I saw you getting the paper from the front door.” I asked her “would you like me to put the paper in the back door. She said “would you do that?” I said sure, I'm already outside.

I thought others may like the paper somewhere they get to it easier during the winter. So I began asking other customers where would they like the paper.

At that time, the price of a paper subscription was a $1.10. Some customers gave me a $1.25 which was a 15 cent tip. So after asking customers where they would like the paper put. I noticed that I was receiving a $1.50  from the customers I had asked about putting the paper in a different place.

I didn't do it for the extra tips but because it made life easier for my customers.

Here is a mantra or saying I would like you to remember. If there's nothing else you take from this presentation. Take this with you. They comes from David J Schwartz in his book “The Magic of Thinking Big.” He wrote ”plant service and harvest money.”

Let me say that again” plant service and harvest money.”

According to the 2010 Customer Experience Impact Report (CEI).
It states 80% of consumers stop doing business with the company as result of a negative experience.

During economic downturn, customers think more about how they spend their money. 55% of customers become a customer of the business or service because of their great customer service reputation.

Another interesting fact from the report. 85% of consumers say they would be willing to pay more over the standard price in order to ensure a superior customer experience.


That blows the super service door wide open.

Now after the suggestions I present to you. You may be thinking I can’t afford that. In using the old adage, you cannot afford not to. If you're not willing to do super service. I guarantee you someone else will.

In this presentation, I'm going to concentrate on 3 business, service and product areas that we all can relate to because in some way because we have use them. 
Auto sales and repair, food services like restaurants and walk-in stores.

Auto
Most of us have cars. And we have to deal with getting them repaired. Repairs are way of life. But what happens when you get your car back after the repair. It basically looks the same with the white paper left on the floor.

How do you feel? I just got back the old saying car.

Friends-Dirty Car
I had a friend whose car was serviced. It was so dirty afterwards she had to call the shop to have the car cleaned. She had to drive back to the shop. Her time loss, plus the frustration that she had to endure. The shop should've known the car look terrible. But they did nothing about it.

75% of consumers that had a negative experience with the business or service told others about it.
How did I find out about the story. I wasn't at the shop with her.

Friends-BMW
Now I have another friend who has a BMW. The story is different. Each time, her car is serviced. They wash and vacuum the car. After the repairs and the wash, the car feels brand-new that is the feeling BMW wants their customers to have. With service like that. What will be that person’s next car purchase.

I let you answer that.

What does it cost to make the customers experience with your business, service or product special.

For your auto repair shop....
Hire someone to wash and vacuum cars after repairs at your shop. Pay a little more than minimum wage.

Make sure the customer feels extra special.

Counter Stare Down
I learned about service working at a fast food restaurant with the golden arches. We were trained to say “may I help you” and to polite. Nowadays what I've experienced going into some fast food restaurants and coming up to the counter and the person stares at me in the eyes and says nothing.
It felt like a Clint Eastwood Western where we are facing off with each other (music comes up). The staring continues. Finally one of us gives up usually it's me because I'm hungry.

The whole situation felt hostile. Is it a place I would like to go back to.

Front Liners
This employee was a front liner. That means they are the first contact that the customer has with your business, service or product. It is your job as a owner and manager to make sure they are giving good service.

Color and Size
I seen front line people treat certain customers different because of their skin color or size.  You need to make sure your employees are trained to see everyone equal or green. Green in as in money.

When a person of color or a certain size goes into their wallet.
They do not put out a black, brown, or pale or heavy dollar. The dollar is green and worth something. They should be treated as green.

It doesn't take much time to talk to employee on how important good service is and give suggestions to improve.

It comes down to training but it comes down to observing.

Train and retrain your employee to give good service.

Walk in-
Walk in business are usually at stores. There is an advantage, you didn't have to go after the customer. They walk in freely on their own will.

They are looking to buy. They should be treated extra special.
Have you ever walked into a store, looking for something. People who work at the store walked by you and never ask you if you need assistance.

Greeter
One home improvement store I went to on a Saturday morning. Right at the entrance there was a woman from the store she greeted me and asked if I was looking for anything. I told her what I needed. She knew the store and directed me to the exact place I needed to go. I was out of the store in less than 5 min.

Store Map
One suggestion for the stores is to provide a map when the customer comes in. The greeter person at the door could circle or draw a line to where the customer want to go. At the register, the customer could give the cashier the map and they could recycle it in a recycling bin. Making the company green.

Saving the customers time can be a super service for them.

Give the customers directions for spending in your store

As I said before I'm a predictor of some businesses that will be out of business in 365 days.





BBQ Place
I love barbecue. Years ago, I can go to a Ribfest and rate ribs.

A few years ago a new barbecue place opened on one of the main streets in the city. This barbecue place was a little different, they had a grill outside which they cooked the ribs. This was unique.

One evening I went to the place to order a rib dinner with sides. order. I saw them get my ribs. Yum. That feeling went to huh.

As the person went to the cooler and grabbed a macaroni and cheese and baked beans. As he came up to the counter, I asked him doesn't those side come warm.  And with a straight face, he told me you can heat them up at home.

I gave this place 365 days to stay in business. That night I was there. The parking lot was full of cars.

In the coming weeks, there are few cars there. With the grill still there.

A few weeks later, no cars. The grill was still there. Another week, the store was dark. The grill was still there but not cooking ribs.

A few weeks passed as I drove by the grill was gone.

It didn't take 365 days for them to be out of business it took 302 days.

So remember:
1) make sure the customer feels extra special.

2) make sure your employees, your front liners treat every customer the same, no matter of color or size because everyone is green. Green as in money.

3) give the customer directions for spending in your store

There are so many other ways to help your financial bottom line. If not, you will find yourself at the bottom (out of business). You have to become more service oriented.

For those that I gave the $100,000 bills to. Please hold them up.
(Taking the money)

Don't forget to use the mantra: plant service and harvest money.
Because if you don't, the consumer will vote with their dollars. This money that should be yours will go into your competitor’s pocket.

I guarantee you you'll be out of business in 365 days.

Delivered Aug 8th 2011 at Toastmaters 408 meeting.

Super 8 Is Throwback to 70s with Lots of Destruction By Art Byrd

I remember when my dad gave me a Super 8 camera. I filmed around the neighborhood, the houses, my mom’s rosebushes and the streets. I know the excitement having the Super 8 camera.

Super 8, the latest movie from J.J Abrams, shows the fun of being a kid shooting a real movie on Super 8 film. Of course, as in all movies, there has to be a twist. Super 8 has a huge twist with a monster we don't see until later --like the movie Cloverfield. I like that element of the monster being hidden for some time.

The storyline is simple: a group of middle school kids are making a zombie film during their summer vacation.

Super 8 was filmed in Weirton, West Virginia. The movie is set in 1979.

One night, the kids sneak out to film scenes at a train station. During the filming, a truck goes head-to-head with the train on the tracks. In the huge accident something escapes. We’re not sure what it is, but it is big.

Super 8 has a few back stories: young Joe Lamb, played by Joel Courtney, has lost his mother in a tragic work accident at a steel mill. His dad, Deputy Jackson Lamb, is played by Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights). Father and son are on shaky terms with each other.

Joe is a makeup artist and model builder, working on a short film with his friend, Charles, played by Riley Griffiths. Another of the crew is Alice, played by Elle Fanning. She is acting in the short and is Joe’s secret crush.

The movie has many layers going on: loss of a loved one, crushes, shaky relationships, suspense and lots of destruction. The special effects are amazing, especially when the train crashes and later when the town is under attack.

Super 8 has a believable plot but there are gaps. The writing is good as a lot of dialogue is snappy and original.

There will be comparisons to such movies as Goonies and ET. The style is like Steven Spielberg’s, who was a producer on the film. Super 8 has a 70s feel of a suspense/monster movie and it’s better seen on the big screen.

Getting Back My Mojo by Art Byrd

Have you ever had a bad hour?
A bad day?
A bad week?

How do you get through it?
Me, I've had a strange six months.

In January, I got into a car accident going to the math lab at YSU. My fault.

Later in March, I had a mental breakdown during the exam and got a disappointing grade on a math exam. As I was walking outside looking at my notes.  I studied I walk into a sign. A speed limit sign. I got in my car and thought I didn't get injured. But I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that I had a huge scar on my head.

Toastmasters
Moments later, I would be at Toastmasters meeting. And everybody noticed my scar. I'm somewhat private. And there I was in public and scarred.

Mojo
With these things happening I felt something was slipping away.

I realized that I was losing my mojo.

Do many of you know what mojo is?

Mojo means finding the magic and in what we do. To lose your mojo refers “to loss of inspiration or creative genius; a loss of that special spark.” And that was how I was feeling.

Fellow Toastmasters and honored guests. I want my mojo back.


According to answers.com, the word “mojo” has been around almost 100 years. One source says sites is use as early as 1926.

Movies-Austin Powers
In movies the term “mojo” was used in one of the Austin Powers movies starring Mike Myers is referred to it is a combination of all the right stuff that makes a man successful.

And isn't that what we all want a successful life.


A Friend
I have a friend who I hadn't seen or heard from for while. I sent him an e-mail. I got a reply from him saying he was having lack of motivation.

I, too. was feeling the same way. This friend is strong and his mojo will be back.

Even the strongest most powerful sexy confident people lose their mojo.

These moments of temporary Mojo loss can be attributed to a crisis or transitions such as loss of a loved one, lost romance, a health scare and other transforming experiences.

I feel that the lost of mojo is based on fear. Maybe, maybe you have felt fear in the sense of loss of who you are. Like being in quicksand when you are stuck and sinking.

Tyler Perry
Until about a week and a half ago, I still felt I didn't know where my mojo was. I was stuck and sinking.

Then I got an e-mail from Tyler Perry, the director of the popular movies, such as Madea goes to jail and various place.

Before he became famous; Perry had loss of mojo with failed plays to the point he was living in his car.

The e-mail was to his e-mail list which I'm a part of. The e-mail had a story.

 Tyler and a friend were climbing at the Grand Canyon and Mr. Perry said “at one point in climbing, I was over steep drop it was tied to a safety rope, while buddy safety rope was tied to me. It was my responsibility to help him up, since I was bigger and way more. I told him, I'll hold onto you to help you up but if you start to pull me over with you, I'm going to untie this rope.”

A few days later he thought about that moment. How many times we are tied to something that keeps us down. Yet, we won't not untie the rope. Mr. Perry said sometimes it's time to untie the rope.

Fear
Fear can tie you down. It did for me. They told you about not doing well on an algebra exam and getting scarred.

On a trigonometry final, I had a hard time on. I was sure I would get a failing grade in the class. So much so, the grades are posted online. And I didn't look for almost 5 weeks. I kept trying to find the right date look.

So I prepare myself for the impending bad news. I had figured out how I would retake the class. And all these plans are more backup plans. To find the right day to look at my grades.

On weekends, I would say await Monday. On Mondays, I don't want to go to Toastmasters upset.

On Tuesday, I would be too busy cleaning or writing to check. On Wednesday, I was working on my newsletter. And with bad news I'd be too upset to work.

On Thursday, I would be doing the final draft of the newsletter and didn't want to be upset.

On Friday, the corrections from Michelle, the newsletters editor would keep me busy. Then I would not check because I would be hanging out with my dad later that day and I didn't want to be upset.

Getting Grades
Even though, I thought I prepare myself for the worst. Then one day, I was soon sitting in front of the computer. I was at the YSU website. I got my strength for a moment.

With an unsteady hand on the mouse. I clicked on the grades icon. The screen changed. The grades appeared. I couldn't believe it. I had two classes: advanced algebra and trigonometry. I looked again. My heart jumped. I looked again. And saw two Bs.

At that moment, I felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted off of me. Finally, I had untied the rope.

I read getting your mojo back is just refueling your emotional tank. My tank was near empty. When I learned about my grades. It felt like a gas tank in my emotional tank moved to one fourth of a tank.

How you get your mojo to a full tank or at least three quarters?

Make a focused effort to change the way you think about yourself.
Example: instead of instead of thinking Dud think Stud. That is for the Guys.

Example: for the ladies–instead of thinking from the pink beautiful.

Tune out the noise, TV news and what others think you should do with your life.

Guard your mind–be around people who are encouraging not discouraging.

Don't neglect your emotions–emotions are part of human nature. The harder you try to hide a feeling the more the filling will dominate your life.

Go to the movies in a theater. I went to go see bad teacher and laugh with a theater full of people is a great way to feel great.
Part of having your mojo is feeling great.

The New Normal
There is something called the new normal. The sooner you realize that what you have in front of you is the new normal, the happier you will be. Wishing him praying for the old days to return we do nothing but drag you down.

Actor John Wayne said courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.

We all don't know our own strength sometimes. But we can know our own mojo.

Shoelaces
I bought this shoelace it's my favorite color aqua. I tighten knots on the shoelace. When I need to do something or have fear. I taken not out. And hopefully soon it would look like this.

Closing
As for any of you who needs get back their mojo or if your mojo is good. Remember there is one way of getting back or maintaining your mojo. And all you have to do is untie the rope.

Given at the Toastmasters 408 meeting. June 27, 2011

The Hangover Part II Will Have You Hung-Over with Laughter By Art Byrd

One of the best things to do is laugh, really laugh. Almost two years ago, the movie The Hangover crept into theaters. The audience laughter for the movie could be heard for blocks. I was part of that crowd.

But when I heard about a sequel to The Hangover, I thought, “No way -- don’t mess up a good thing!” as most sequels do. The Hangover Part II was made very quickly; Filming finished earlier this year. The average sequel takes about two-and-half to three years to get into theaters.

There are similarities between The Hangover and The Hangover Part II but different twists. For instance, the characters are the same, but now the location is Bangkok, Thailand. Right there, the laughter can begin, because you know a cultural and language barrier is coming.

We catch up with the so-called Wolf pack: Doug, played by Justin Bartha (National Treasure movies); Phil, played by Bradley Cooper (Limitless); Stu, played by Ed Helms (The Office); and Alan, played by Zach Galifianakis  (Due Date). It’s now about a year-and-a-half after the Las Vegas excursion. Stu is getting married to Lauren, played by Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch, Samurai Girl). She is Asian and her family has arranged for her to be married in Thailand.

All of the Wolfpack except Alan are invited to go to the wedding. Stu doesn’t want Alan to come.

In a fun scene at IHOP where Stu is having a bachelor brunch instead of a bachelor party, he tells Doug and Phil that he is still haunted by the Las Vegas incident. After prodding by the other two, Stu reluctantly asked Alan to come to the wedding.

I will say that Ken Jeong is back as Mr. Chow. He is too funny, especially with that strange voice he uses. There is a monkey played by Crystal the Monkey (yes, the monkey has billing with the rest of the cast).  I can understand why because Crystal is hilarious and has human characteristics, especially with a cigarette, and it adds to the story line.

Phil was the calm one as he tried to deal with the cultural and language barriers. Stu/Ed Helms’ reactions were priceless as he couldn’t believe the same thing that happened in Vegas was happening again.

Galifianakis’ Alan has to go down as one of the strangest and funniest characters in movie history. His straight face while delivering dialogue added to the laughs because you couldn’t believe the stuff that he would say.

All in all, The Hangover Part II is as much fun as the first one was. As for which one is better, I don’t know. If you do see the movie, you and the rest of the audience will be hung over with laughter and feel good. That is a very cool way to see a movie.

edited by Michele Ristich Gatts

C’mon On Down, You Are The Next Contestant In Your Own Conversation. by Art Byrd

Here at Toastmasters, we work to speak in front of a group. But what happens, when we speak to someone one-on-one to have a conversation.

It seems we have a limited time to be interesting to that person or before someone interrupts the conversation, we are having.

Fellow Toastmasters and honored guests.

Sometimes having conversation with someone is like being on a contestant on a game show with the clock ticking.

Most of you talk with people during your daily encounters. In fact, you probably talked to someone during the break.

Did you have a good conversation or quick conversation because the Toastmaster clock was ticking T minus 5 min.

Conversations are considered two-way streets. It's give-and-take.

Most of conversational errors are committed not by those who talk too little by those who talk too much.

Actress Audrey Hepburn said her mother told her “I” in the conversation is boring.

Some people stay in conversations too long especially at parties or social events. Some try to turn the person into their new best friend. They continue to talk and bored the person.

I have a friend, some of you may have know of her. Her name is Susan Deleo, she used to work with me at Channel 21, the TV station. Susan is an excellent conversationalist. Because, she actually listens to you. She looks you in the eyes. Susan smiles and nods, then waits for pauses and then says something. She doesn't give a advice or a solution.

In fact, a conversation with Susan doesn't last that long because she allows you to make your point.

In the article, the Art of Conversation it states the virtues of a good conversationalist.
–Really listening
–looking at the person, paying attention
–not giving advice.

Oh one more thing, don't interrupt.

Definition of “interruption” is causes a disruption in a conversation or discussion, considered rude.

An interruption is my fear when I'm talking to someone in a social setting, a party, even here at Toastmasters.

There is one type of interruption than I have experienced it is called the” swoop.” This is when I'm talking to someone, I see and feel another person (a man) wanted to talk to the same person I'm talking to, who usually a woman.

The person will almost rock like of this. Then they will charge over and just start talking to the person and mentally moving me to the side. They have swooped me.

Their confidence level is high because they have done it before and no one has said anything. They just let them talk. No one says they are being rude.

One time, I was talking to a woman I just met. I was enjoying talking to her it seems like she was enjoying talking to me. I felt my “spidey” sense tingling alerting me that someone is about to pounce and then in a spilt moment the person has swooped into our conversation. The person started taking over the conversation. Then, the woman said softly” excuse me, I was talking to Art and I would like to continue our conversation.”

The person was surprised and even shock that someone actually called him out on his rudeness. He slowly backed out and slithered away. That woman is forever imprinted in my heart. What a nice thing to do.

On Sunday, I experienced a swoop with my dad. After church, my dad and I were talking in the parking lot. I hadn't seen my dad in a week or so. So we were catching up. A man walked by and we said hello and he walked on. A few moments later, he came back and walked up to us. He swooped into our conversation and starting a new topic about his mother. I'll tell you how this turned out a little later.

There is one type of conversation interrupting I would like to discuss.

It's one that happens with in a conversation between two people. The person I am talking with tries to finish my sentence.

 Here to let me give you example: I will say  “I was in the grocery store in the fruit section to get some.. The person will to get carrots. I will say not carrots but oranges. I will say something else and he will again try to finish my sentence.

Our conversation takes three times longer and I get confused about what I am talking about up. Later on the person will have no idea what I said because they were not listening.It's like playing Jeopardy. Answer the question. If you do that to people you're talking to. Don't do it. It's annoying

As for the man who swooped me and my dad I let him talk for a moment. I could see my dad getting impatient and didn't want him to leave. I wanted to talk some more. So, I said politely said to the man. “It is not raining as it was before. I have a chance to talk with my dad who haven't seen in a week or so. I would really like to talk with him at this moment.” The man understood and said goodbye.

From that moment on, I refuse to be swooped on. I will speak up because I love having conversations with people. There two people here at Toastmasters I've had lunches and dinners with and I can recall what we talked about. We have had great conversations.

Esquire magazine says to be “an interesting person you have to be interested.”

That means not interrupting but listening, truly listening and paying attention.

Making a person feel better for having talk to you.That is the mark of a great conversation.

If you follow these guidelines for your conversations. Just maybe, you might not get that feeling that the clock is ticking like on a game show.    Mr. Toastmaster.


Delivered May 23, 2011 at the Toastmasters 408, Youngstown, Ohio

Thor Provides Strength, Stamina for Superhero Movie Marathon This Summer By Art Byrd

The Green Hornet kicked off the 2011 superhero movie marathon. There will be lots of superhero films this year, such as the Green Lantern, Captain America and Thor. Thor is setting a good pace for the marathon.

Thor is fairly well known to comic book geeks like me, but to the rest of the world he is part of the Avengers, a team of Marvel superheroes that includes Iron Man.

The “comic book hero movie” is the hardest genre next to comedy to do well.

Thor has the strength to win over audiences. Director Kenneth Branaugh, an actor with several director credits under his belt, starts the movie in present day. As scientist Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman) and she and her team, Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skargard: King Arthur, Ronin) and Darcy (Kat Denning: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), are researching in the desert by night, they come across a strange flash. In their van, they race to find out what it was and literally run into Thor, who is knocked on his back.

Thor is played by Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek).  In the comic book, Thor has a mythical look of a god with a handsome chiseled face and muscles. Hemsworth is perfectly cast as that. And of course, as Jane tries to find out who Thor is, there is an immediate attraction between the two.

In a flashback scene, we are told how Thor was sent Earth. Thor is heir to the throne of Asgard. His father is Odin, played by the one-and-only Anthony Hopkins.  Odin has maintained peace with the Frost Giants, who were major losers in a large scale war with Asgard, through diplomacy and by keeping a large bluestone that is important to the Frost Giants. Thor is arrogant and believes fighting is the way to win respect.

During a ceremony, the Frost Giants try to steal the bluestone back, but Odin’s security contains the situation. Thor deems robbery attempt a sign of disrespect and wants to visit the Frost Giants’ on their turf to confront them. Odin forbids Thor from retaliating. But…

Thor, his band of fighting friends and brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), set off for the Frost Giants’ area. Things don’t go well there, but Thor and his band are rescued by Odin. An outraged Odin banishes Thor to Earth and strips his powers.

On earth, Thor learns compassion through Jane and discovers things about the planet. We learn that Loki is Thor’s half-brother – his other half is Frost Giant. It seems weird but provides a different villain twist that is handled well.

The special effects were above good, but not great, and contribute to the storyline. The storyline explains a lot without being confusing.

I like cameos with characters from other movies; Thor has S.H.I.E.L.D agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) from Iron Man investigating Thor and his arrival on earth.

The cast with Hemsworth, Portman and Hopkins is amazing. There are comedic and heroic moments that make Thor stand out. Thor has some great moments involving his hammer.

I am not sure what Thor looks like in 3-D. I saw it in 2-D, and still Thor was bigger than life. But waiting to see it on the small screen will not do.
Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts

Bridesmaids Has Bridesmaids Has So Many Laughs You Won’t Make It Down The Aisle By Art Byrd

I didn't expect myself to go see Bridesmaids. Only one person could get me into a theater seat to see the movie, Kristen Wiig. She has always been amazing and funny on SNL, or Saturday Night Live.

Wiig has appeared in smaller roles in Knocked Up and Date Night. She is just funny in this movie. She brings a great ensemble cast, starting with real-life best friend and former SNL cast member, Maya Rudolph.

Wiig plays Annie, who is a rock bottom point in her life: She has a low paying job and is in a bad “no strings attached” relationship with Ted, played by Jon Hamm (Mad Men). Then, Lillian (Rudolph) announces she’s getting married and asks Annie to be her maid of honor. Even though Annie is broke and down on love, she makes an effort at the maid of honor duties, which become hilarious and strange.

Bridesmaids is hard to describe. On one hand, it could be considered a female version of The Hangover, and on the other hand, it could be compared to 1984's Bachelor Party with Tom Hanks. There is a lot of tasteless humor in the movie (hint, hint: food poisoning!).

Is it a “chick flick”? I say no. I did see lots of guys being led to theater seats by their ladies. Yet I heard the loudest laughter coming from the guys. Yep. Including me.

The movie was written by Wiig and her writing partner, Annie Mumolo, who was in the movie as a nervous passenger sitting next to Wiig on the plane. The movie's producer is Judd Apatow, known for Knocked Up, Super Bad and The 40-year-old Virgin.

One of the funniest moments in the movie is at Lillian’s engagement party. Annie is given the microphone to toast Lillian and her fiancé and offers something sweet and simple. Then she hands the mike over to Helen, played by Rose Byrne (Damages, Get him to the Greek), who has become really good friends with Lillian. 

Helen begins by saying how she and Lillian are best friends. Annie's face is priceless when she hears this. After Ellen finishes, Annie takes the microphone back to say something about her friendship with Lillian. Then Helen grabs the mike again. The scene becomes dueling toasts between them.

This sets up a bridal tug-of-war between Annie and Helen. Annie plans a simple trip to the country, but Helen gets the bridesmaids to agree on a trip to Las Vegas. On the plane to Vegas, Wiig shows her amazing comedic skills as she becomes high on pills -- given to her by Helen -- for flight anxiety. The results are too funny.

Later Annie is pulled over by Rhodes, a State Trooper, played by Chris O’ Dowd.  He is charming and treats Annie nice, something she is not used to, so she starts to mess things up with him.

The other bridesmaids present different kinds of funny, which turns into a great mix. Rita, played by Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno 911), is a stay-at-home mom who's looking to let her wild side come out; Becca, played by Ellie Kemper (The Office), is a newlywed and very naïve; The funniest one of them all is Megan, played by Melissa McCarthy (Mike and Molly), who doesn't mind being full-size and uses it to her advantage -- especially with a U.S. Air Marshall.

I like Annie's mother, played by the late Jill Clayburgh in one of her last roles. She was warm and supportive of Annie.

If you are a fan of the singing group Wilson Phillips, get ready for a great sing-a-long with their hit Hold On.

Bridesmaids is just a fun movie with sight gags, witty dialogue, touching friend moments and romance. After seeing the movie, you may not want to get married right away, but if you do plan to, at least invite Kristen Wiig.  

Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts