After my coffee visit, it was off to the Cranberry Area Municipal Building for the Division Brilliant Tall Tales and International Speech Contest. I got there with plenty of time to spare. I almost slept in but luckily woke up and clock read 7:30am. I quickly got dressed and was out the door just after 8. For the first time in a while, I drove the PA Turnpike from Irwin to Cranberry. I didn’t really have to as I usually run US 30 to the Parkway (I-376) or take the turnpike one exit to Monroeville. I wanted my Convive visit to be worthwhile though so I took the quickest way there. It turned out I could taken my usual route.
We had a nice turnout and there was plenty of help to go around at the contest. When you have a great team available to assist, your contest is going to go well. The clubs represented at yesterday’s contest included Erie Insurance, Earlybirds, Cranberry High Noon, Cranberry Area, and North Hills. The Tall Tales speakers had us laughing and the International contest speakers gave uplifting speeches. I now know of two District 13 speakers who have podcasts.
I wasn’t my best on Saturday, still fighting off a cold. Plus, to make matters worse, my left ear popped somewhere between Allegheny Valley and Butler Valley. It does this when I travel US 30 going towards Jennerstown atop the Laurel Ridge. Despite the minor nuisances of coughing and not hearing well, I still heard the speakers pretty clear from my seat in the back of the room.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to believe what you see on social media highlight reels is all it’s cracked up to be. Influencers and others struggle just as much as we do and are just as human.
In Wednesday’s speech at my Greensburg club meeting, I will be talking about contest season. I will be emphasizing the more recent years. Before COVID in 2019, during in 2020 and 2021, and after from 2022 on.
While serving as a contest official, I learned a couple new tricks yesterday. Folding the paper gives you a clean slate as does writing the contestants’ names in the reverse order. The chief judge was prepared and she had a great team to boot. Even if I’ve helped out in 30 previous contests, I always pay attention so I can learn something new. I ran into one of my friends at the contest who was at previous TLI’s and conferences. She was the one with the cute Michael Kors tote. Since the last conference, I bought one too and she complemented the nice shade of pink. I’m learning not to expect compliments all the time and to be pleasantly surprised when I do get them. Also, if I like something that’s all that matters. Yesterday was like St. Patrick’s Day with parades going on. I wore my green in honor of the holiday, and because I root for the Philadelphia Eagles (Fly Eagles Fly), plus it’s one of the colors of my Alma mater (Go Rock).
We made runtime at the contest, ending at 1:53pm. Soon after, all the attendees were on their way home. Some of them had a long commute back to Erie. Others were local. I stopped for a quick lunch. While I could have gone somewhere in the Cranberry area, I took my time and settled on Chick-Fil-A this time around. Another missed Panera opportunity. If you’re asking why, I made this the running gag for the last two weeks. We’re trying to find a good spot in Blairsville for lunch on Saturday. I’ll get my Panera opportunity before the meeting on Wednesday when I eat at the mall.
This Saturday I’ll be attending the division contest. That opens up the possibility of a division sweep next week if I make it to Division D’s contest on March 29 in Downtown Pittsburgh. I’ve done well this year with contest attendance and didn’t expect to be off for the first two weeks. But it’s been a nice treat nevertheless. While my schedule may work on my favor, I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out.
Finally, I registered for Spring Conference and look forward to seeing everyone on April 26.
Stylish 🍒 