Page 91 - MY STORY

I duly prepared my lantern slides (yep, 3” x 4” glass

slides), and reviewed my presentation content over and
over and over and over ad nauseam. I’m sure drivers
observing me from their cars thought I was nuts since I

never stopped talking to myself. The auditorium was large
and filled with a couple of hundred people. I was
scheduled for the third day of the symposium. I closely

observed each and every speaker in those first two days,
noting that some presenters were skilled, smooth, knew
their subject well, and answered the Q&A confidently

after the presentation.

Others were really poor and read their paper word for
word and appeared pretty shaky in front of the critical
audience. I realized that I really knew my stuff and
should have no problem with the Q&A, but I was really

frightened at the aspect of standing up and presenting my
work.

When I was called, on that fateful third day, I gave my
slides to the projectionist, stood at the podium and began

to talk. Like before, knees shook, and voice trembled for
about the first three minutes. Suddenly, and I have no
explanation for this, the knees stopped vibrating, my voice