What's going on with toasts?

 Remember toasts? The jovial raising of a glass, in tribute, in joy, in fellowship?

Defined as "drink to the health or honor of (someone or something) by raising one's glass together with others" or "an act of proposing a drink in honor of  or drinking in honor of someone or something."

So what the John H. Watson is up with these five minute lectures we're getting in place of proper toasts in Sherlockian circles these days? 

It's been happening for quite a while now. And I don't think it's because people don't know how to do the toasting part, as they tend to do it at the end, but the long road to get there often makes you forget that toasts are actually going on. It's almost like they are speakers who really would have liked to be on the main program and decided to commandeer the cocktail portion of the gathering to make up for their loss.

Eventually, it feels like we'll get to this . . .

"And now, Brad will give the toast to Queen Victoria!"

"Thank you, my gracious host. May I share my screen? Thank you again. Truly there is nothing I can say about that gracious lady that wasn't said in episode seven of  Victoria staring the excellent Jenna Coleman."

[Presses play. Much time passes as I let the whole episode play out.]

"Ah, Jenna. Some day you will be Judi Dench Queen Victoria. And now, my friends, let us raise our glasses to Queen Victoria, who was once really cute!"

The one person still on Zoom and awake: "Here here!"

See what happens when these things get out of hand? (By the way, I was secretly refilling my glass and just enjoying cocktails and watching Jenna Coleman, though honestly, I do prefer Karen Gillan in the Doctor Who companion ranks.) 

We need to re-learn what a toast is, people! Short, entertaining, maybe something that brings a tear to your eye as a proper tribute will do. A thing that was meant to be done in a pub! (Which might be part of the problem. Zoom just never gets properly pub-like.) Show your love, your enthusiasm, your frank honoring of the subject! (Or your embarrassing wedding reception style fumbling, that's often amusing and usually memorable.) 

Hmm. I think I need to start working on a toast or two. Or maybe . . . hmmm. 

While I ponder, here's an article from Brides magazine on wedding toasts. There is a certain couple we like to toast, after all.