06/14/05 Geospeakers Meeting Summary

Welcome to new members Mary Caroline Mattly, Liz Streckert, Sharon Metzler, and Daniel Malmon!!!!! We're glad to have you aboard.

We began with the illustrious, talented and very handsome Shane filling in for our missing President Ann, and rocking the meeting to an open (like a hurricane.) Shane then yielded the floor, albeit reluctantly as he is rather a windbag, to Lauri Kanerva who led us in a charge through the topic of "Commencement!!!!!" and the rest of the goings on for the day.

First, there was Gretchen's humorous speech about driving a stick shift, which went over very well ("Stick Shift", #2 Humorously Speaking Advanced Manual, Leave 'em with a Smile). We learned that Gretchen much prefers manual to automatic transmissions in her automobiles, which makes her very much European. I want to be European too! However, I argue with any society that advocates me doing more work, and thus I will stick to my automatic. Err, something like that.  She also mentioned an early model of a push button car that she absolutely hated. I would probably have liked such a thing. Oh well. We also learned that Gretchen favors Volkswagens, but that they once offended her by implying that women could only drive automatic cars. Let me just say that I have ridden with women in automatic cars (Volkswagens even), and though I would not generalize about the driving abilities of all women everywhere, I would say that that point is debatable. Regardless, my own philosophy is that if you buy me a Ferrari, then I will learn stick, otherwise no dice.

We then had the spur-of-the-moment speech given by Neil (old C&L manual #8 Add Impact), entitled "Knot remembering". (And for those of you who may be new to the club, this is by no means a typical example of what goes on and is expected of you. Even I, the great and illustrious Shane, couldn't make up a 5-7 minute speech on the spot. (Granted Neil gave this one before, but still!) He taught us how to tie knots. I was 12 til I could tie my shoes and even that was with the aid of Velcro. Kudos to Neil for a very impressive job today explaining the difference between uncool granny knots and the ever-useful noose. The Force was clearly with him.

Carol, all dressed up in a royal blue graduation gown, led us through the Table Topics. (In fact, I didn't see her take the gown off, so she may still be wearing it.) The topic was "Commencement!!!!!" as I said before. Were you paying attention? Mitch described a friend who walked the grand aisle with a bicycle and took out a few people along the way. Daniel has thus far thought that each ceremony would be his last, but so far has been wrong. Cynthia remains childlike in many ways but has become jaded and is about to give up on the world. Imelda (also performing her inaugural role as Timer) told us about how she got sick on her big day. Mary Caroline needs to talk longer and use the word "inaugurate" (according to her) but she's very proud of her SF State diploma hanging on her wall. Liz's mom wants her to move back to Wisconsin even though she followed a boy out here to CA. (Wisconsin may have cheese, but California has the happy cows, so you know...) Sharon claims that no one famous was ever in any of her classes, so I submit that the famous one will turn out to be her. Fran recalled four friends who have since gone in different directions, but there is one who remains in touch as a grandchild-picture-sharing buddy. And last but not least, Stephanie regaled us with a tale of her recent jury duty wherein the judge dismissed a potential juror because they had to attend a kindergarten graduation. Is it me, or do we prop these kids up a little too much these days?

Anywho, Fran has Most Eloquent, Stephanie Most Interesting, and Mitch Most Humorous. I, myself, have never won most eloquent so I shall attempt to speak only in a fine British accent from now on until I win. Jolly good then.

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