CALL ME SNAKE

A friend asked me to give a short humorous talk at a science conference in Boston last night. I said yes to help him out but had my doubts about the whole thing. First, I’m feeling incredibly busy with other things — a book plus several other big writing projects — and wasn’t sure how I’d find the time to prepare adequately. Second, I hadn’t done a speech before a large crowd in quite awhile, maybe about 15 years, and that had never been my strong suit. In fact, I remember giving talks when I  was in my 20s when I had terrible stage fright and wasn’t sure if I could get through it. I also remember participating in a televised debate about nuclear power (I took the “anti” side) when I was only 21 or so and did a terrible job. A famous physicist asked the research organization I worked for at the time why they ever picked me to represent them in this show which was taped before a large audience and broadcast on one of the network channels.

So I had these doubts, but as time went by I sensed it was too late to back out. Plus I told myself, these sorts of things are good experience and you should push yourself, even when it’s a bit uncomfortable. Well the big night finally arrived and, after my usual handball game, I forced myself to bicycle into Boston and face the music. I couldn’t tell you how it came off, but quite a few people did laugh. Afterwards, I felt relieved and glad I’d given it a shot. If and when another opportunity like this comes my way, I hope I’ll greet it with less apprehension and more enthusiasm.

The fact is, chances like that don’t come too often for people like me. It’s usually better to take advantage of them and hope something good comes of it.