April 1, 2009

The Big Room

Okay, so here's where I'm be speaking in the morning, as seen from the back of the room.

The room is so big that the screen behind me will display my big fat head, just so the people in the back can say "Wow, he's not so easy on the eyes, is he?"

(Click on the photo so you can see it in detail. That's Schuyler and me, goofing around at the podium while everyone else is trying to work.)

I'm not paralyzed with anxiety or anything, but yeah, this gargantuan room is a little daunting. I keep thinking of the giant underground hall in Lord of the Rings, as if that giant fire monster is going to show up halfway through and start trashing the place.

I'm looking forward to speaking in it, though. Well, perhaps after I read through my speech again, just one more time.

See you on the other side...

14 comments:

Krissy said...

Wow! That's quite a room! I'm sure you'll have every one of the people in that room hanging on your every word though! Good luck!

jano said...

Hope it goes well! I have done 650 at a go and I saw an acting coach for a run-through - she recommended having a go at the podium beforehand so you get a body memory of where you will be speaking, so you have the right idea.

Jim Howard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jim Howard said...

If you see a pretty girl in red running shorts carrying a silver hammer, DUCK!

Alice Fraggle said...

Good luck!
I have a question, and I don't mean it to be rude/mean. How does Schuyler do with missing school for your book signings and what not? Obviously you don't take her out of school for no reason, I just wondered if it effects her internal schedule at all. (wow, that sounds incredibly condescending and mean but I really don't mean it like that - I have no kids of my own so for all I know an 'internal schedule' is just a load of poop. :))
By the way... I think Schuyler is adorable and she looks like such a fun young lady. :)

Daveat said...

Good Lord that is big!! Good Luck I hope your words engage people to think outside the box or you could break out in song something from Lauri Berkner or Steve Songs!

Anonymous said...

I've already heard that it went swimmingly well!

Suzanne said...

Hope things went well yesterday! If I can escape work at a reasonable time today, I'll head to Book People and see if I can catch up with you there :).

Suzanne said...

It was great to meet you & Schuyler at Book People. The request for a hug was awesome :). Made my day!

I'm totally geeking over my new career path right now!

Greg said...

Yikes. Hope it went well!

Suzanne said...

Speaking of "geeking" over my new career path, I just got back from the convention and my techie brain is drooling (ew...sorry...bad imagery) over the current and up & coming developments in AAC devices.

I've had very little exposure to them, but seeing Schuyler with hers and then all of the different types and uses for them at the con has been awesome. I think that might be a good mix of my IT background & my fascination with neuro/cog speech-language disorders.

So, hooray for possibilities!! If I end up going in the direction, you and Schuyler will be partially responsible! Either way, know you've both made an impact!:)

Meredith said...

As an attending SLP (specializing in AAC) I can say you did extremely well in the big room. I enjoyed meeting Schuyler at Book People as well. I go there every time I visit Austin. Thanks so much for spreading your message.

Kyla said...

Wow! I think the biggest group I've spoken in front of was about 200...man, that room is BIG!

Dana S. Whitney said...

Bravo. On your persistence, speech and parenting. I hope you don't mind that I gave your name and book information to LaMarque at specialneedskidsdirectory.com. I hope you and other parents get the help AND hope you need.