I showed up at the atrium that had been set up to do my presentation CSI. It's a fun presentation for me to do, starting with me putting on my lab coat with the embroidered CSI and Dr. House on the chest. We look at a series of designs and analyze why they are not working. I switch between a power point presentation and the Pulse software to do walk through on the designs. The organizer of the show had some scrambling to do because the building isn't finished and the presentation room hasn't been constructed yet. They had created an atrium behind the black curtain that divided the empty area from the booth space of the trade show. It had been nicely arranged inside with carpet, tables, chairs, screen projector and podium. The walls were curtained and a nice effect had been created in a warehouse environment.

 When I showed up 15 minutes before I was to begin, the previous presenter was finished but still talking to some people. I patiently waited for him to clear out from the front of the area so I could lay claim to the projector and get set up. We exchanged pleasantries and then I realized I had a bigger job than expected. The projector and been pulled out from the front of the room, wiring with it, and replaced with the podium, a rather stationary podium. I tried to move it but discovered one of the wheels was not functioning and the other three had different direction ideas. This was a two man job. I went to the organizers to request Tech support but had little hope they would show up before I was suppose to start. Well thanks to the help of friends we were able to move the podium, haul out the projector from the back and get it plugged in. Then discovered the plug wasn't live and crawled around on the floor behind curtains to find somewhere else to plug into. Got power to my computer but discovered my hub wasn't playing nicely. OK, plan B. Since I cannot have software key, keyboard, and presentation on at the same time I would have to roll with the punches and do the presentation first and then do the walk through on the designs. Have to tell you at this point I was testing the antiperspirant.

I absolutely had to wear the mike and stand so the podium mike could pick me up as well because the sound was bad. Mikes make me very self conscious and I am always temped to get goofy and go into a Rock and Roll routine, to much Karaoke in my past. I was able to suppress the desire and conduct myself as a professional speaker. I did start late but just went long since it was the lunch break after. Only other hic up was I couldn't hear questions and had to get within 10 ft before I could hear over the ambient sounds. Tech support dashed to my rescue from the completely opposite end of the complex on their golf cart, outside in the -15 weather, however a couple of people with initiative were able to problem solve the situation before they arrived.

One of the attendees put it well when she said her New Years resolution is "No Stress" I like it, think I am going to borrow it when required. Feel free to borrow it to.

The Embroidery Dinosaur

Beverley Field