Speech 7: Research Your Topic. The seventh speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is meant to help me address the importance of backing up my arguments with evidence, and touches on the types of evidence to use. Earlier this year, video game publisher Electronic Arts announced Battlefield V, the 12th game in the Battlefield…

I recently wrote about how I’m learning to spend despite being a pinch-penny. That article sounds breezy, but it’s taken me a long time to get to that point. And there’s still one area of finances that is really tough for me: investing. In my mind, investing equals big risk — and risks freak me…

I’m not a spender. When given the opportunity, I’ll squeeze a quarter until George Washington squeaks. However, in the last few years, I’ve discovered several not-so-cheap (and some downright expensive) things that are worth parting with my money for. I don’t think of these things as “splurges” — they have been necessary to preserving my…

Speech 6: Vocal Variety. The sixth speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is meant to guide me to add life to my voice with variations in pitch, pace, power, and pauses. Good afternoon everyone. I have a secret. I may look all gussied up and citified, but in reality I am the descendent…of rednecks….

I like getting shit done. As the quintessential Type A overachiever, nothing makes me happier than writing a list and mowing through every item so I can mark it complete. On the other hand, I’m so detail-oriented that thinking big-picture is really tough. This year I wanted to be strategic about what ended up on…