Hmm. I presented for 60 students in a class on globalization at UMass today. I pressed a wrong button at the beginning and shut the computer down. Amidst some mumbling, grumbling and ad-libs of the start of the slideshow that wasn’t running, I got the darn thing restarted. Then part way through the video segment, a PC Tuneup box popped up. I clicked on Cancel and the computer froze. And would not restart. So I wung it without visuals. And did fine! (according to my friend the professor). This gave me additional confidence for future presentations.

Q&A gives me no problems at all. I can focus on one issue at a time, without having to keep track of the logical progression of ideas and without having to remember what I have said or not said. And I know the material cold.

Then this evening I presented for a sympathetic crowd of 6, including a friend who is a reporter for a (very) small local news outlet. As I was speaking I noticed that some of my remarks might be offensive to folks with high net worth. So I clarified and inadvertently insulted those at the other end of the income spectrum. Ah well. Trip and learn. I’m working on a new slide for this too. On balance, the talk was quite good.