Okay, Speaking Can Be Like, Hard. You Know?

I gave a 30-minute speech on Wednesday to my Toastmaster's group.  The speech was the "stock" speech I deliver at job clubs and business luncheons in the area with tips for being a more successful speaker. 

Overall, I was pleased with how the speech went and how it was received.  However, it was pointed out that while I have excellent control over not saying "um" or "ah," I do have the verbal tic of saying "Okay" and "You know?"

I knew I had these so it's no great surprise.  Still, it was a little bit like having cold water throw on me to have someone else point out my flaws.  But everything for a reason.  I have 4 months to get these tics under control until I present at NSA University.  So I've asked Blair to help me and point out every time I say "okay" or "you know," even in casual conversation. 

"Do I get to throw things at you when you do it?" he asked.

Yes, he's a joy to live with.

But this is an alert for family and friends as well.  Yell or blow a whistle at me or something every time you hear me say "Okay" and "You know."  I'm thinking of setting up a charity jar and putting a dollar in it every time I mess up.  I am loath to part with money so perhaps that will do the trick.

You know?

Outline Approved (Whew!)

Received an e-mail yesterday evening that my outline for the cat book was approved and "they loved it."  Thank you, God!  A few minor revisions, but nothing major.  She didn't set a new deadline so I've self-imposed one on myself--revisions to first three chapters completed by this Friday, remaining three chapters completed and submitted by next Friday.  And I'm sure there will be tweaking and revisions after that. 

The past few days I've been working on other projects - I completed a draft of an article due in October, bid on a few jobs on Guru, sent out some queries, etc.  And I was surprised at how much I missed  working on the cat book, stress and all.  I really enjoy focusing on one big project.  That's part of the reason I'm stressing about doing a stellar job on this book.  One, I want anything with my name on it to be quality, but also because they put out a number of these type books and I'd love to work on another one. 

I did land a new Guru assignment.  I will now be writing articles on....bankruptcy.  I know, what a hoot!  Me, who can't add 2+2 without using a combination of fingers and a calculator.  But there's a a company that helps people straighten out their credit and they're launching a magazine for the "average Joe" on how to have good credit, tips for avoiding bad credit, what bankruptcy is, how it affects you, etc.

I applied for the job because in my former position at the Women's Resource Center we held workshops on credit counseling and I'd seen the toll bad credit could take on a person's life and just overall attitude.  So I applied, thinking I could write the touchy-feely articles.  Instead, I've been assigned to explain the new bankruptcy laws coming out in October!  I spent most of yesterday reading about bankruptcy and it's much more interesting than I ever would have thought.  I never before really knew the difference between a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filing. 

And these new laws are scary. For example, if you file, your expenses aren't based on actual prices but rather on pre-determined "allowable expense" limits.  So if you live in an area where the price of housing has skyrocketed and your mortgage or rent payment is higher than the "allowable expense," too bad for you. (Don't I sound at least a little bit like I know what I'm talking about?)

Anyway, my last two new assignments are for writing about cars and bankruptcy.  Soon I'll be writing PR for Republicans and my transformation to the Dark Side will be complete.

Decorating Diaries - Update

Lest you think the master bedroom/bath do-over has been shoved aside, I will enlighten you with updates.

The decorator called a few days ago to say our curtains would be in on Wednesday (tomorrow) BUT the rods to hang them from were on back order and may be another two weeks.  My question now to myself is why I allowed myself to be convinced to order rods? Since when did I become too good for Target?

The bedding will be another two weeks as well.  VERY excited to see that final project.  We however, need to get on the ball and order new sheets.  Right now we're on cheap green sheets that have never really fit the bed.  We have a double pillowtop mattress and queen sheets are too small and king are too big.  We went with queen but every time we roll over we can feel the elastic on the bedcover give another quarter inch.

I have promised myself good  sheets.  High thread count sheets.  Oprah-like sheets.  I have no idea where one goes to obtain such sheets, but I want to buy them soon.  It would be a major letdown to put the beautiful new coverings on my bed and then slip into icky old ugly green sheets beneath.

As far as the bathroom....I think we're regressing.  We've gone from high-end designer look to a "Look, let's just let Lowe's do it" mentality.  I tried to talk Blair into holding off another year as we've got a few other things we're paying off right now, but he says (and I know I'll agree with him come December) he doesn't want to live through another winter of ice-cold floors.  It really is about 10 degrees colder in our bathroom in the winter than in the rest of the house.  I'm just not looking forward to contractors and dirt and scheduling gone awry.  But this too shall end.

So that's all there is.  I'll let you know when the damn curtain rods come in. =)

Invitation to Speak....

Here's my exciting news I mentioned in an earlier post.  I've been asked to speak as a faculty member for the National Speakers Association (NSA) winter meeting at Loes Ventana Canyon Resort in Arizona.   The event is being billed as "NSA University" and has 4 tracks members chose may choose from: branding, marketing, performance, writing.  I'll be on the writing track along with two other faculty members and the three of us are responsible for 14 hours of class time including panel discussions, small group interactions, writing practice, pre-program assignments, etc.  It's an all expense paid trip plus they'll buy 100 copies of my book, and I can sell more copies in the bookstore. 

NSA is big time.  One of my long-term goals is to be eligible to join their group.  These are people who more often than not are making a living from their public speaking practice.  One way to become eligible for membership is to have earned $25,000 in the last year from speaking appearances. (Um, gee, I haven't earned that, but I was given a free lunch at my last speaking appearance.  Would that count??)

I am nervous about speaking in front of professional speakers, but not overly so--at least not yet.  We'll see how I'm doing in January.  I look on this as a "practice what you preach" opportunity.  I'm forever telling my students, "Audiences don't care about perfect. Audiences care about real."  And "Be yourself. Do the best you can.  Giving a not-so-great speech is not the end of the world."

Good advice.  But of course, I also want to kick-ass. =)  The Dean of our writing program is working on curriculum that we'll then refine.  I  am SO excited.  This is a fantastic networking opportunity.  I can't wait to see what comes of it.