Conflict...

I have a departmental presentation today. After obtaining a Masters degree and then another one, I still do not believe I have conquered the fear of public speaking. My natural instinct is to become as vague and aloof as possible. I have been told that I seem disinterested in my project. Well, it's not far from the bullseye semantically because I am disinterested in presenting about my project. A distinction with a difference. However, it is par for the course and a necessary skill for our 'trade' - the business of doing science and sharing it with all of your colleagues. Sigh. I do hope that today's presentation goes well so that I may board my plane to Tampa (more in a later post) with peace of mind. However, I seriously doubt that outcome since it is standard procedure to walk away with more questions (asked by the audience or in response to one of their inquiries). C'est la vie. I am grateful for these opportunities of practice before the GRAND presentation to display my thesis work (my blood, gut, and life for the past 5 years) for criticism and judgement by the world (or whomever decides to come to the open forum). Back to final lookover and then off to practice judgement day!