Presentation is everything. Big plate, little food. It's the Californian way. And it's currently my way as well, as I prepare to talk for nine hours over the next couple months. I have to open my mouth and speak intelligently for three hours at a conference in Dallas. Then, a couple weeks later, I have to open my mouth and speak intelligently for six hours at a conference in Illinois.These are big plates. And right now there isn't a whole lot of meat on them. The panic is starting to set in, which is probably a good thing because it may actually motivate me to do something. But wow, I have a lot of work ahead of me.
In equally mundane news, I am struggling with spatial relationships today. Rounding the corner between my bedroom and the bathroom at 6:00 this morning I misjudged the turn and slammed my toe into the wall. Now it's a bloody, swollen mess. An hour and a half later at work, I actually walked into a wall, much to the delight of my co-workers. Anything for a laugh. I'd like to tell you it was intentional. I can't type worth shit today, either.
Andy, is the Dallas thing for Trinity? Can you give more info on what that is all about? You have blog readers and Paste readers in the Dallas area, and if you serve that dessert, we just might show up to hear you!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Trinity Arts Conference (http://www.trinityartsconference.com/). I can't comment on what the other presenters will be doing. The theme of the conference is "Change," so I'll be speaking on music as an agent of change, particularly the pokes and prods that music can provide to make us less self-absorbed human beings.
ReplyDeleteI think yoga would help you with the spatial challenges. Sign up for a five-week class, then get a few Rodney Yee or Suzanne Deason videos.
ReplyDeleteFor the speeches-- you can get a big sheet of white paper and start "clustering" or building a "mind map". (Make a cloud with the central word/idea, and branch out, with lines to related clouds. I think Gabrielle Rico championed this idea, for left-brain thinkers.) Then siphon into an outline.
That is what I would do. More linear thinkers might start with an outline, but lose potential ideas with structuring too earl.