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.