I'm Back!!

I know I haven't posted anything in a really long time, but I have a good excuse, really I do! Over the past year, while I was an Area Governor with Toastmasters, I kept a blog for my area. Also, I was filling a lot of roles in my home club - VP Education (the most time consuming) and Immediate Past President. Plus I was filling in as VP Public Relations, since we didn't have anyone for that role.

But that's behind me now. I don't expect to be as busy as Division Governor - no blog, no clubs to visit on a "regular" basis. I really should get back to this blog, if only to keep my creative writing skills up, if this can be called creative!

Have you ever sat back and reflected on your life? Wished you had a chance to do something over? That's where my head's been at lately. No regrets though - every journey in life has brought me to this moment - all the good, all the bad, all of it. But, what if we did just one thing different? How would that affect where we are today? What if I'd never joined Toastmasters or never moved to Keswick, or married someone different? What if I'd changed just one thing. Would I still be who I am today? Who knows, but it's interesting to think about.

I don't have anything special to rant about today - nobody's pissed me off... yet. It's been a funny kind of day - the heat has driven up my blood pressure and I've felt "out of it" for most of the day. Good thing what I'm currently working on is drudgery, not requiring creativity or much thought. Whoever heard of a release announcement that's over 600 pages, anyway? Well, I don't make the decisions, I just do as I'm told by the person who signs the cheques.

I was looking forward to my favorite show - Big Bang Theory, which is on every Monday night. Just my luck though, it's a rerun tonight. Good excuse to write in my blog and to go to bed early.

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

Metro Supermarkets

Well, this is my blog for ranting ... and today I feel like ranting!

A couple of months ago, I purchased Swedish Style Meatballs from the Metro store in Stouffville (formerly A&P). There was a small piece of bone in one of the meatballs and when I bit it, it chipped my molar.

I let the company know, and even sent them the small fragment of bone. The meatballs are made by Rosina Foods, so Metro assumed no responsibility for them. Rosina's insurance company phoned me but said they didn't get the "foreign object" from Rosina - so I guess that means nothing will be done by them.

Metro meanwhile sent me a $20 gift certificate (wow! I can put that towards the $1000 crown I had to get!). The funny part is - their own store refused to accept the gift certificate!

I had no love for the Great Atlantic and Pacific company (A&P), so I was happy when Metro entered the Ontario market. Not so happy now. What a crappy company that does not stand behind their products. Do not be misled - the Irresistibles brand from Metro is not even CLOSE to the quality of President's Choice from the Loblaws stores. So far, besides the disastrous meatballs, I've bought fruit that spoiled the day after I bought it, yogurt that was two weeks past the due date and strawberries that had mold in the middle of the package that I couldn't see. Lesson learned - avoid these stores. Metro owns Food Basics, Loews, and Metro stores. Plus a few other stores that aren't in Ontario yet.

I recommend they take the $20 they "almost" gave me and put it towards buying better quality products. And I recommend that nobody shops at this inferior quality store!

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

My Toastmasters Journey

I didn't realize how long it had been since I have spoken of Toastmasters. Yes... I'm still in Toastmasters!!! After my wonderful year of President of my club (www.simcoeshores.ca), I've taken on the role of Area Governor for area 14.

It's busy... probably busier than I expected, but then so was being President, and I can't describe all that I learned in that year. Now I'm learning how to manage projects, delegate, and plan. I just know when this year is over, I'll be amazed at how much I've learned.

I've got good clubs in my area too, and as is the Toastmasters' way, they're very helpful when I need them. I exist to serve them, to offer advice, to give support, and do whatever I can to help each of them be successful. I love visiting other clubs as well.

And conferences... there have been conferences! The last one was at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, and I went by myself. I couldn't have done that two years ago!

I'm trying hard to keep up writing and giving my speeches. I sense they're changing as well; including more of the skills that Toastmasters teaches us.

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.