Area Speech Contest

The Toastmasters area speech contest is tomorrow night. I think I'm ready. I didn't practice my speech at all this weekend--didn't even think about it--and this helped.  I felt fresh and rejuvenated when I said it for the first time today.  And I'm at the point now where the more I practice the more I'm missing slight nuances which is usually a good sign I've got it down and need to stop.  I'll run through it maybe 2 times tomorrow and then just let it go. I'm not planning on using notes this time, so let's hope the blank out doesn't occur again!

No progress on the bathroom, other than I added another coat of red paint today.  One more and I think I'll have it. I called the contractor last week and asked for a return phone call to install hardware on the cabinets.  Nothing. No word on the replacement sink and when that might be in.  Just a vast wasteland of silence...

So be it. I've got other matters to occupy my time.  I'm doing a book signing next Monday night at a speed dating service and I want to come up with a catchy sign for my table which will be situated near the entrance to the room. Something like, "Men leave you, women wear you down, but cats are forever." Only much less cheesy than that.  If anyone has good ideas, please post here or e-mail me.

I lined up the event through a guy in my Triad Networks group who organizes the event. I went home that night and told Blair, "I won't be in until late on Monday, April 3rd. I've got a speed-dating event to go to."  He wished me luck and told me to pick someone good.

Funny guy.  

My Speech: A Qualified Success

I had early inklings my speech today would not go as planned. First was the fact I couldn't seem to memorize it.  Let me clarify that I never memorize a speech word for word. But I always know where I'm heading and one sentence always flows logically to the next for me.  But practicing this speech, I couldn't keep my transitions straight.  Plus, I switched to a new ending this morning and was trying to make sure I remembered how to segue into that.

So I give my speech and almost from the word go, I blow it. Blow it as in I wasn't delivering the speech I had prepared.  I was delivering the lines, but the order was all wrong.  I was thinking ahead, trying to remember what came next instead of paying attention to what I was saying. Then I got to a place and did something I have never done before in a speech...I blanked.  

That's right.  Just a vast whiteness inside my mind.  It wasn't so much I couldn't remember the words as it was I had messed myself up by going out of order with my thoughts.  So when I got to near the end of speech--ha ha--I had already delivered that section. What to do? My mind went blank.

I did exactly what I teach my public speaking students to do...I turned around and calmly walked back to the podium, glanced at my notes to get a bearing, then continued. (Thank God I had my notes.  I haven't brought notes to the podium for a speech in over two years. But a little voice inside me whispered "just in case."  Hooray for tiny little voices. And hooray for me for listening to it).

Overall, the pause wasn't tragic.  It was still a decent speech. And oddly, I find myself almost elated.  I'm thrilled I could mess up that bad and still pull off that good a speech.  If I had panicked, it could have been a disaster. So that Toastmaster's training has paid off. It's like I tell my students--you'll know you messed up or skipped a major section, but your audience doesn't know what you have planned and they'll never know the difference. 

I got good feedback and advice from the group for the next contest, which is March 28th. "More emotion" is what I was told. (Ha.  Vulcans don't do emotion).  I feel better about my speech content and topic, which I was doubting.  Everyone agreed it was a good match for the contest. Now I just need to restructure my speech so that it flows for me and is easier to remember.

I'm just so pleased.  Normally I'd be gnashing my teeth and mentally berating myself for the goof, but I feel good about the experience.   Toastmasters--I strongly recommend the group to anyone who thinks they can't do public speaking.

International Speech Contest

I'm competing this Wednesday at club level in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest.  Or rather, I was competing. I received an e-mail this weekend from our V.P. of Education and it seems I am the only one giving a speech.  Our V.P. of Education was supposed to compete, but he hasn't been able to find the time to pull together and practice a speech. And another woman was going to compete but she just found out she's ineligible as she hasn't yet given 6 speeches out of the basic manual.  So it's just me speaking.  

 I only just pulled together a speech yesterday afternoon and am going to spend time today and tomorrow practicing it.  I don't think it's one of my better speeches.  Topics for the International Speech Contest tend to use less humor and focus on "big" topics--personal issues, politics, overcoming obstacles, etc. I'm speaking on a personal issue but I'm not a huge one for letting my feelings show through, so I'm a little worried my serious topic will be delivered in too "upbeat" a tempo and confuse the audience.

Since I "win" at club level, I'll be competing next at area or district level.  I can never keep them straight. But the competition goes on to state, then national, then International, as the title implies. I'd be pleased to make it one more round after club level.  But as I said, I'm not sure my speech is up to par and I don't have a strong inclination to fix it.  At least not yet. I'm sure I'll tinker with it after our club competition and people have a chance to give me feedback.

It's going to be tough sticking to my work today.  It's beautiful outside and I've opened the windows to let in the fresh air.  I've got a lot of work to get to in the next 2 days though, so I really can't afford to waste much time.  I might sneak out for a 15-minute walk at lunch and if it's still nice when Blair gets home, perhaps we'll walk then as well.

Meanwhile, it's time to practice that speech.

No Time to Say Hello-Goodbye, I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late!

Feeling a bit like the White Rabbit these days. I logged in here to essentially say that I have no time to blog. (Who am I kidding?? There's always time to blog...).  LOTS of projects going on, but first, the good news.

THE TILE GUY IS FINISHED.  We have shower. It's beautiful. I'm very happy with the work. Now if I can just get those darn countertops in.  Plus, now that the tile is done, we can call the door guy to come measure for the shower door and plumber guy can install the fixtures. Frankly, my greatest joy is knowing that soon I can get in there and clean.  You can feel the grit under your feet every time you walk in the bathroom and a haze of dust is everywhere.  I'm looking forward to some time spent with Windex and Charlie's Soap.

As for projects, I've got several.  As I think I mentioned, this is "speaking week." I gave my Toastmasters speech yesterday, which went very well. There was also a speech given by a newer member that was hysterically funny.  It was great to see someone who was nervous about speaking just hit one out of the ballpark. 

My stomach hurt from laughing yesterday.  My Triad Networks group is filled with wanna-be stand-up comedians and I end up wiping laughter tears from my eyes each week.  I love those meetings.  (Although I must learn to stop drinking the coffee.  I usually drink decaf and they only serve regular. Yesterday I had 2 cups and felt jittery and nauseous for the rest of the day).

Tonight I'm giving a 20-minute dinner talk at a Networking group in Greensboro.  It's a group I haven't been to before, so that will be fun. But I need to spend time today polishing my material.

Then Saturday I'm teaching a 3-hour intro to public speaking class.  Same thing as with networking. I've taught the class a million times, but it's been awhile since the last one and I need to find time to make handouts and brush up on my material/delivery.  

This Friday, Blair and I are headed to Fayetteville. My niece has a "family day" at her school and they're allowed to  invite relatives. We thought we'd surprise her by showing up.  Should be fun, but that's a much needed work day lost.

I'm in high spirits though.  Spring weather has arrived (for the moment anyway) and the days are  sunny and warm with a light breeze.  It's the kind of weather that even if you only step outdoors momentarily, it brings a smile to your face. Warmer days are near at hand.

Now, on to those speeches.