Why am I reading about Law?

Recently I have started reading books and web sites about the Australian Legal system. Why on earth are you doing this Charles? You have NEVER been interested in Law!

The Tortoise who Loved Science

When you were a child, did you read the fables of Aesop  -  moral tales featuring animals?

I’m going to tell you  the story about the Tortoise and the Hare .

A tortoise and a hare were arguing about who was the fastest. They decided to settle the matter with a race. The hare had such confidence in  his  natural ability for speed, that he didn’t worry about the race. He lay down by the side of the road and went to sleep.

Meanwhile,  the tortoise, aware of his slow movements, plodded along without stopping until he passed the sleeping hare and won the race.

How to Eat an Elephant

What is the biggest dream or goal you have right now?

Is it Getting fit, making a career change or becoming a master communicator?

But have you not started or have got stuck because these goals are so HUGE and OVERWHELMING? Even if you have started are you overwhelmed by what is required to FINISH?

Becoming an avid Reader

It was 1947 and an experimental rocket plane, the X1 was being dropped from a B29 bomber at 20,000 feet. The test pilot was Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier, and he told me about his experiences.

At first he had to get the nose of the rocket plane down to prevent stalling, but when that was done, he fired all four rocket chambers and climbed to 40,000 feet. The faster the plane approached the sound barrier, the smoother the ride.

Suddenly the Mach needle fluctuated and went off the scale – Chuck was flying supersonic!  In fact, he said it was as smooth as a baby’s bottom – Grandma could be up there sipping lemonade.

How to Talk to a Stranger

This article is based on a speech delivered on  December 4, 2006. The topic was inspired by Leil Lowndes book “How to Talk to Anyone – 92 little tricks for big success in relationships”.

As a child did you have the experience of being out somewhere with your mother when an unknown grown-up spoke to you and you continued talking? Your mother grabbed your hand, dragged you away and said “Don’t talk to strangers’”.

Take the Terror Out of a Talk

An educational session delivered on 6th November 2007

I remember my first experience of asking a girl out on a date. My heart was racing, palms sweaty, and knees trembling. I struggled to say the words I had so carefully rehearsed.

Sounds a bit like our first speeches doesn’t it? Nervous and possibly terrified. It is common for experienced speakers to get nervous as well as beginners.

Eat, Drink, Commute

This speech was delivered in a Humorous Speech Contest in  2005

Every day I’m seeing more and more people afflicted with mad cow disease. That’s right people are turning into cows …why? they are constantly chewing, chewing, chewing. Ladies and gentlemen, we have been invaded by the American invention of  chewing gum.

The Ride of your Life!

This speech was given at the Chatswood Early Risers Humorous Speech Contest on the 18th August 2009.

Who likes  Disneyland,  Dream World or Sydney’s own Luna Park?
The adrenalin rush of the rides, the noise noise and the crowds?

If this appeals to your sense of adventure,  but you can’t get to an  amusement  park – I have an alternative which is MUCH closer to home -  a train trip with City Rail. That’s right. City Rail offers you all these thrills for just the price of a train ticket.

One thing I have to say about amusement parks — they’re not cheap thrills. But wait till you buy your City Rail ticket – it’s not a cheap thrill either, unless you are student or a Senior.

So let me be your guide as I take you on an action filled adventure with City Rail.

Young Again – Humorous Speech Contest 2007

Speech given at the Area 34 Humorous Speech Competition 6th October 2007

I was driving to work the other day when I saw a bumper sticker on the car in front.

HIRE A TEENAGER WHILE THEY STILL KNOW EVERYTHING.

The more I thought about it, I realised that life can be exciting from a teenage viewpoint.

I took inspiration from the bumper sticker. Despite being a parent of two teenage girls and nearly half a century old, I started an experiment. From now on, I would think like a teenager and behave like a teenager.

Success Secrets of Christopher Columbus

A speech by Charles Cave given on 20th February 2008 to Chatswood Early Risers Toastmasters and the Area 34 International Speech Contest.

In fourteen ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

Imagine a ship. It is just before sunrise. Sailors are standing on deck, staring into a fog. As the sun rises, the fog lifts, revealing a single palm tree. The captain jumps down to the beach. His eyes are filled with tears of joy. After eight weeks at sea, he has finally reached land, and in doing so, achieved a lifelong dream.

This is a scene from the movie ‘1492 – Conquest of Paradise‘ which tells the story of Christopher Columbus. Released in 1992, it is an inspiring story of one man’s perseverance to realise his life dream.