Public Speaking and the Human Response

I've never really been afraid of public speaking. I've done my share of talks in church (esp. on the mish) and have done plenty of singing in front of large groups, so I'm not scared to get up in front of people.

But this month I've committed to do 2 hours' worth of public speaking in one specific day. What am I doing to myself? It's one thing to sing a few songs with other people on stage, or give a 10 minute talk you've meticulously prepared; but another to commit to teaching 2 different hourlong classes at a tech fair, where you're supposed to be the expert and be interactive during this whole time.

This is going to be interesting; certainly a unique challenge for me. And I had better prepare the heck out of this thing so I don't go looking like more of an idiot than I may currently look like.

I'm teaching a class on the iPhone, and a class on Blackberrys (Not spelled blackberries in this case, since it is a brand name and not an actual berry). I'm comfortable with both types of phones, but I guess my nightmare is that I will have some jerk ask a dumb question that I can't answer, thus throwing me off my whole expert groove.

However, if I pull this off, maybe I will look like a total Tony Robbins and be asked by other attendees to go teach other classes. Maybe I can start getting paid to speak in front of crowds.

Yeah right. But it's neat to think about. It is interesting to look back at the last few months and see how I've really expanded my roots in attempt to find a direction for my life. The whole blogging thing is a recent development that will help me develop teaching and writing skills, and who knows--maybe I'll find a niche I like in public speaking. I love that I'm finding other avenues to pursue and experiment with. So yeah, I'm a little nervous. But I by no means will go into this unprepared.

Anything to get me out of this whole retail energy drain I am currently in.

I did not escape

Alas, unlike my sister, I did not escape geekdom from growing up with my brothers. I was just thinking how Lottie kind of looks like a ferengi with her hair all worn away on the top and sides, but that ring of red around the back. And then I had to see the geek quiz that Steph took. She is only 11% geek. I, unfortunately, am a lot more geek than that.


53% Geek

Created by OnePlusYou

Yummy

The other day, Brad told me I was beautiful. "What does this have to do with brussel sprouts?" you ask. I will tell you. My response to being called beautiful was to cry and say I felt fat, not beautiful. Wow, having a baby will change a girl!

So, my new fitness goal, since I'm not so much with the working out, is to plan meals for a week, healthy meals, and stick to it. This way I can shop for what we need, and not let things go to waste. This started last night.

On Monday, I found a bunch of healthy recipes I thought sounded good and easy. I printed them all out with the intention of going shopping on the way home from work. That didn't happen. But I did go shopping last night on the way home - but had left my recipes at home. So, I improvised. I thought about what sounded good. And brussel sprouts sounded sooo good!

Well, it turns out that last night was the first time Brad had ever had brussel sprouts. I know, I'm unlike any other person out there... as a kid, I loved them. And I still do. I eagerly watched his face as he took his first bite. His response? "They're not my favorite. But they're not terrible." However, the look on his face was that he leaned a little more towards the terrible side than the good. Maybe if I make them enough, I can convince him of how yummy they are!

Must see:

Anybody who is a fan of Joss Whedon needs to see this. In the same vein as the musical episode of Buffy, Dr. Horrible is a musical joy to watch. They are releasing an act every other day. Today marks the release of Act II. And with Neil Patrick Harris taking the lead as "a low-rent super-villain" it can't be bad at all. In fact, it's quite good. Go check it out before the free viewing period ends on July 20th. Then download it on iTunes as so many people already have, making it first place in both the ‘Top TV Episodes’ AND the ‘Top TV Seasons’.

Frowny Face Contest

On Sunday, Brad took a picture of Lottie, and told me it was the saddest face ever. I had to disagree, since I had seen the picture that Stephanie took on Saturday. After seeing Steph's, brad conceded the frowny face contest.

Brad's entry...

And the winner is...