Getting Lectured On Lecturing

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Wednesday - February 14, 2007

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Occasionally, I get asked to speak in front of various civic groups and organizations about my work here at MidWeek. I try to accommodate the requests when I can, but it’s all dependent on my work schedule. Besides, why anyone would want to hear me talk is beyond me.

The week before last, the Moanalua Senior Citizens Group asked if I would come out and speak to them at their meeting. I was hesitant because I figured speaking in front of retired professionals and world-wise people was going to be a tough gig.

On the drive over to their meeting, I was actually pretty nervous as they will probably be asking me all kinds of intellectual questions I probably won’t be able to answer. When I got there, it was just the opposite. They wanted to know what my wife looked like and how my mom was doing.

One woman, whom I pegged at somewhere between 50 and 70, was actually flirting with me by saying that I was better looking in person than in my photograph. It ended up being tons of fun and I had my picture taken with just about everyone there.

In contrast, on Friday of that same week, I was to give a talk to a Girl Scout troop at Hickam Air Force Base. I figured it would be easy talking to 9- and 10-year-old girls. I even brushed up on some of my magic tricks.

When I walked into the room, it was like I was facing a congressional hearing. These little girls were serious, and the questions they fired off were amazing. They asked things like why we particularly chose Wednesday and Friday to publish MidWeek.

They wanted to know where we got our newsprint from and what percentage of it was recycled. They came at me question after question. By the time I was done, I felt like I just took an SAT college entrance exam. All in all, I was thoroughly impressed by these Girl Scouts.

Last week, I was called to see if I would speak in front of a preschool. I declined. I figured I needed to get my master’s degree in journalism before answering any of their questions.