To Be Bad

There are always many different ways how people would present their speech. They call this their 'style'. I'm having a competition up very soon. And I don't know, I'll do the best I can. I have practiced quite often. You know the script? Yeah, it's not some thing that's been conjured on the last second. It's been revised over and over again ever since it was made. Well who made it? Yours truly. When? Last year.

If I'm not mistaken, it's been like ten times since my script has been changed. Changed to become shorter, wittier, more interesting. I don't know about this business, really. It's now been finalized, put into battle, if you want to hear that as an exaggeration.

It is never an easy task to do a public speech. Some of you might know. You turn green on stage, get sweaty palms, knees shake, you stutter. That's something even I had to face. That's why they say impromptu is always easier. It is spontaneous after all. But really, it all depends on timing.

Four minutes of thinking, three minute presentation, it's okay.

One minute of thinking, four to five minute presentation, you die.

I had the latter in ISKL. Still lived through the tale.

That's not my main problem. The fixed speech is. Particularly the tension that actually builds up. I actually have a few techniques on how it MIGHT reduce the nervousness, like a friend doing stupid jokes to you before you go up on stage, really cracks you up and makes you more gleeful to start. I actually want to try that. That's why I'm bringing a joker nuthead of a friend with me on that day itself. I won't give you more into detail. Wait 'til the day comes. I'll put it all here, don't worry.

I actually feel pretty strained from this competition. Whether teacher says just do your best, in whatsoever competition that anyone takes part in, there is always the tension to win. Well, screw that. I'm gonna tell myself it doesn't matter. I go there simply just for one thing: To pass my message. But of course, my presentation is also very important. I have practiced, believe me, so many times, and I feel I still haven't perfected it yet. Most of the time nowadays I feel it's okay, it's just the tension before that I have to overcome. Dang it.

Indirectly, I also feel pressure, because last year's national champion was from my school. There is already a standard expected. No one expects me to be just like him, that's alright, but like I said, there is always a certain hidden point of tension in what we do when people achieve such great heights.

And that's where it came. Today. After I did my presentation on Monday, my teacher grabbed some comments from the other teachers. So then she came up to me and said, "Marc, I asked some of the teachers' comments and I agree on them to. Last time, Julius (the winner) had the 'mischief' in his speech. And maybe that's why people don't really get the jokes on your speech. Julius's mischief comes very naturally with him. But you have the goody-goody image, those typical, studious, nerdy image. But don't worry, I'm sure we'll work on that. (how to improve my character on the speech)"

What the bloody hell.

Studious, nerdy?

Of course, I'm not an apple polisher, or what you call a boot licker to teachers, but I have generally a positive image on teachers. They wouldn't say I'm the naughty type.

Obviously she doesn't know what I can do.

Obviously she hasn't seen my other side before.

Obviously she hasn't known what character I can make myself become.

You want mischief?

I'll give you mischief.

Even more than mischief.

Just watch me as I will show you how devious I can become when I talk.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009