in my boss’ absense, i’ve been making a lot of out-of-my-pay-grade presentations. there’s a lot of cool people here who like me and ask me to make a lot of these presentations infront of important groups of people for my own professional good. and while i appreciate it, i get nervous as all hell in some of them. most of these vp level meetings at my company look just like tv commercials… a long rectangular desk with old balding men glaring at you. one of the keys i’ve found that worked out in the meeting i had this morning, is to try to connect with a vocal person who’s pretty senior in the meeting. if you can play to him a bit from the start, he’ll be loud and supportive through the rest of your presentation. the best thing is when people are having discussions about your presentation during your presentation, forcing you to pause. it gives me a chance to regroup my thoughts and shows they’re engaged. the worst presentation is when no one says anything… luckily the few times that that’s happened, the person that asked me to present in the meeting usually becomes the vocal, supportive person and get’s the ball rolling.

anyway, i’ve been anxious about this morning’s meeting all week. poor takako had to listen to my presentation 3 times last night, and i’m sure she didn’t understand a word of it (not that anyone outside the organization would’ve)… i kept laughing to myself while presenting this morning thinking of how she kept raising her hand with a question all excited like she had to use the restroom.

anyway, phew! the week’s almost over. one more class/test tonite, and then i can finally get some fucking sleep. yesterday i got into work early, worked a full day, went straight to school, then went to see taka in la, and had to wake up at 6a to be at work by 7a! i can’t wait until summer :)