It’s hard to believe but we are at the halfway point of the year already. So much has happened so far in 2023 and we still have six months to go. While I reviewed the first five months of the year in my “41 so Far” blog post, let’s take a look back on some of the things that shaped the month of June. After that, we will take a look ahead into the month of July, which starts tomorrow.
Pride Month
June 1 marked the beginning of Pride Month. For me, this month helps me to celebrate those near and dear to me who are part of the LGBTQIA+ movement. Over the last year, I’ve become a huge fan of the Netflix series Queer Eye and just wrapped up the seventh season last week. The experts who make up the Fab Five continue to impress me and while it’s hard for me to pick a favorite, they’re all good in their own way.
Some of my friends also took part in Pride Month festivities, including my old co-workers as well as a friend of my sister’s. I wish I would have taken part in the festivities (either with Ashley and Maura, or with Rob, Sara, and Kit). Due to my work schedule, it would have been hard to find time. Also, I once again let the opinions of others tell me that I need to move away from this lifestyle.
The critics and voices in my head told me “You Can’t.” I told them, “WATCH ME”. Even though Brogan and Donald wished me a happy Pride Month, I just wasn’t feeling it on June 1. To add insult to injury, the personal attacks on Dylan Mulvaney and how wokeism is destroying our country affected me personally and I fell into depression. But, just as my journey was about to come crashing down, it came right back up and just in time too.
Summer TLI/COT
The other two highlights of June are Toastmasters-related. This past Saturday was Summer TLI. TLI is short for Toastmasters Leadership Institute, or Club Officer Training. Our chair and her team put together a great program. We learned a lot about the things important to Toastmasters, including how to do our roles effectively.
The biggest takeaways from this recent TLI were the benefits of using LinkedIn and MeetUp, which I used to find the event CHN Toastmasters was holding for their tenth anniversary. Also, the importance of the Club Success Plan, Moments of Truth, and the Distinguished Club program were highlighted by our immediate past and future District Director. We’re still digging out from the COVID-19 pandemic, but for me my Toastmasters Spirit is burning once again.
I’ll highlight my Toastmasters journey in my speech on Wednesday night, including going through the motions the last few years.
Happy Tenth Anniversary, Cranberry High Noon!
Monday, I attended the tenth anniversary celebration for the Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters. It was originally going to be held outside but moved indoors due to the threat of rain. Smart move. In attendance were two thirds of our District Trio, as well as the Division B Director and Area Director. We met Toastmasters past and present who belonged to Cranberry High Noon at one point. We learned of all the members who served as President of the club, and celebrated those who won awards and the club itself for achieving Presidents’ Distinguished honors.
As always, I made plans for future visits in September and am going to try for a November/December visit.
Coming Back Every Time
Just as I thought my days of dressing non-traditionally were done and over with for good, it all came right back to me. Just like when Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk prayed to God to take away his gay, I wanted to have my nontraditional style taken away from me. Even though I was a pioneer and an inspiration and icon to people, I was trying to do it to please my parents and other people.
Then I picked out a nice outfit for last Saturday’s TLI and chose one of my Coach purses (the blue, hardly-ever used one that I’ll take to meetings). I also wore my leopard scarf.
My style wowed Dana Mitnik, who introduced me (by my nickname) to Cassie, incoming Divison B Director. He encouraged me to keep being true to myself and encouraged me in breaking down boundaries.
We will take a look ahead to July and what it has to offer, later this weekend.
Stylish 🍒 