This is not exactly the first time our next speaker, Laura McHarrie has completed an icebreaker. The first one was the second ever meeting of Casterbridge Speakers in April 2008. She was tempted to dust off that speech and do it again until she realised that the subject whilst clever, no longer brought her joy. Icebreaker Speech no 2 was the first on the new Pathways programme, that one was also clever but – again without joy! So we are going for third time lucky – with her speech entitled Golden Years please welcome Laura McHarrie.

Golden Years

I chose the Engaging Humour Pathway in September, just before I had my hand operated on, before the clocks changed before the virus reared its ugly head again, and well before Christmas was cancelled.  

Whilst I have a sense of humour, I am not what I’d call a naturally funny person.  Still I’m always up for a challenge.  But boy it’s been tough, tough! tough! tough! coming up with something funny to say in this icebreaker.

Mr President, my fellow Toastmasters … Instead …  I have chosen to talk about three defining moments in my teens that really make me … the me I am.

My English teacher chose me to read the lead role of Portia in A Merchant of Venice.  

It was a huge surprise … nay shock, I had never considered I had the confidence nor a voice for reading.  

Maybe I had a certain maturity, clarity even, probably got that from my dad.

I’ve been told I was a chip of the old block. Being the spitting image of your dad isn’t really what a 14 year old girly geek wants to hear, 

However, I found I loved the theatre, drama and literature –  I wouldn’t call myself a Diva mind –  I can never  remember my lines – any lines;  – errr where was I?  

Oh yes ….I am now the Chair at AsOne theatre company.   It gives me a wonderful opportunity to take a glimpse at the life that goes on behind the scenes, and … in some way tread the boards.

When I was 15, I had my second defining moment.  I went to see The Elephant Man … whilst my friends from school were swooning over Prince and Jacko – I found Bowie.  First through the theatre and then through his music.   

Over the years, I have collected all Bowie’s albums in one format or another – and quite often I’ll include a track on my Song Lyric Sunday blog.  

I chose “Golden Years” this week …  whilst I may struggle to be funny I do get irony.  Not sure how many of my myriad readers do – that’s myriad readers  – all two of them … my mum and … my sister! 

My third and final defining moment was when I learnt how to move to music.  It was in a nightclub called Bunters – yep really!  Bunters was where all us Northern Soul vinyl junkies met up. 

There was a posh night club in Guildford, called Cinderella’s but that was either for disco posers or … for pulling.  It wasn’t for us … the really serious dancers.

For many years, I lived with two husbands (not at the same time you understand) – they had four left feet between them, so I didn’t get out dancing very often.   

Luckily, that joy returned when I met Dave 10 years ago and together we discovered the magic of modern jive.  

It’s been so tough missing out on our weekly jig last year, we can’t wait for the dancehalls to reopen.

Well there you have it, my journey from a bit of a geek to mod rock chick now in her – Autumn years.  I really tried to fit Atricity into my speech … and almost failed!  

I have however, managed to talk for 5 minutes without mentioning work, diabetes or cars this time, instead just the arts that bring absolute joy into my life.

Published by TheHiddenEdge

I love words - they communicate so much or so little depending on how you use them. Come and explore my thoughts with me in this, my learning journal. View all posts by TheHiddenEdge