A bit of levity for the day
Today in my Business Communication class I had a research paper due. I finished that around midnight last night. I don't expect any problems with that paper.
But after I finished that paper, I started on the speech that I needed to give in the same class today. Everyone in the class needed to give a 3 minute speech in support of a real or imaginary charity. I was near the end, so there were 18 people ahead of me, and everyone did a serious speech supporting for example, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, local animal shelter, etc....
By the time I gave my speech, the mood in the room was way down (think 18 songs into an Ose filk). I think I saw some people looking at the window as a way out. It made me glad that I decided to have a little fun with it:
"Hi, my name is fuzzyvanman and I appreciate the chance to speak to you.
75% of society las little problem dealing with numbers on a daily basis. However, the other 40% of us need a little help. Today, I'd like to speak up for a cause which I feel is important, but rarely taken seriously. The Society for the Numerically Challenged helps those of us who, for one reason or another, can't understand numbers.
Numerically challenged people can have real problems in social situations. Not having a grasp of Numeric Sign Language could quickly turn a positive situation into a negative one. Consider the difficulties of not knowing the difference between showing someone a digit and flipping someone the bird.
Everyone knows what career paths are open to the numerically gifted: accountant or scientist. But did you ever stop to think about those who are numerically challenged? What can they do for a living? The Society for the Numerically Challenged trains those who can't add for themselves for a new career.
Graduates from their number training course have gone on to find jobs as fast-food drive-through cashiers, Florida election officials, even members of Congress.
Let me get right to the point (the decimal point that is). A modest donation to the Society for the Numerically Challenged could help hundreds, if not dozens of people.
Thank you for your time."
It could have been better, as I waited until the last minute so it was in my opinion a lot weaker than it could have been. And I know that it was short on time.
As the grade on this speech depended only on participation (10 points if you gave a speech) I wasn't too woried about polish on it, though I had enough trouble with it that I need to put more time into the next one.
At the end of class, everyone voted for their favorite speech, the winner getting 5 extra credit points.
I won! Woo Hoo - Go me!
It was even planned: I specifically picked a light topic in an effort to get the class vote.
This gives me a +5 in that class (5 points better than perfect for the class)
But after I finished that paper, I started on the speech that I needed to give in the same class today. Everyone in the class needed to give a 3 minute speech in support of a real or imaginary charity. I was near the end, so there were 18 people ahead of me, and everyone did a serious speech supporting for example, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, local animal shelter, etc....
By the time I gave my speech, the mood in the room was way down (think 18 songs into an Ose filk). I think I saw some people looking at the window as a way out. It made me glad that I decided to have a little fun with it:
"Hi, my name is fuzzyvanman and I appreciate the chance to speak to you.
75% of society las little problem dealing with numbers on a daily basis. However, the other 40% of us need a little help. Today, I'd like to speak up for a cause which I feel is important, but rarely taken seriously. The Society for the Numerically Challenged helps those of us who, for one reason or another, can't understand numbers.
Numerically challenged people can have real problems in social situations. Not having a grasp of Numeric Sign Language could quickly turn a positive situation into a negative one. Consider the difficulties of not knowing the difference between showing someone a digit and flipping someone the bird.
Everyone knows what career paths are open to the numerically gifted: accountant or scientist. But did you ever stop to think about those who are numerically challenged? What can they do for a living? The Society for the Numerically Challenged trains those who can't add for themselves for a new career.
Graduates from their number training course have gone on to find jobs as fast-food drive-through cashiers, Florida election officials, even members of Congress.
Let me get right to the point (the decimal point that is). A modest donation to the Society for the Numerically Challenged could help hundreds, if not dozens of people.
Thank you for your time."
It could have been better, as I waited until the last minute so it was in my opinion a lot weaker than it could have been. And I know that it was short on time.
As the grade on this speech depended only on participation (10 points if you gave a speech) I wasn't too woried about polish on it, though I had enough trouble with it that I need to put more time into the next one.
At the end of class, everyone voted for their favorite speech, the winner getting 5 extra credit points.
I won! Woo Hoo - Go me!
It was even planned: I specifically picked a light topic in an effort to get the class vote.
This gives me a +5 in that class (5 points better than perfect for the class)