Thursday, May 5, 2011

Forgetting an Impromptu Example and Remembering It at the Last Second

At a tournament earlier this year, I was finishing up my second point of an impromptu speech when I realized that I could not for the life of me remember my next example. I gave a "moving onto my third point" and then quickly made something up. I talked about that for about two sentences when the real third point came back to me and I transitioned into that. None of the judges said anything about it on the ballots,  except one who labeled my thinkfast point as a subpoint, so that was really great. Forgetting an impromptu example and then remembering it at the last second is a lot of fun, but it can be quite stressful.

I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm really competitive. My goal this year was to win a speech event. At the first competition of the year, I was in finals in one event: novice impromptu. I thought, ok, well this is it. I really really want to win now. She & Him's cover of "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" is playing in my head as I make my way over to the room in the gym where I'm listed as the first speaker. I make sure all of the judges and timer and are there and ready, and then I'm handed a big yellow envelople and the prep-time begins.

I begin to pull out the contents of the envelope. I catch the word "BINGO" and my mind automatically begins forming a speech on luck when I realize that there isn't anything else in the enevelope but there is more on the card. I see that it is a Roadtrip Bingo card and all of the bingo items have been punched out except three. I pick "Flat Tire" and away I go.

I come up with two examples and have my third by the time the one minute mark rolls around. The timer soon informs me that I have thirty seconds left. I smile and nod at him and then realize something: I completely forgot my third example. This is the most important and most stressful impromptu speech I've ever given and I'm pressuring myself to win and I CAN'T REMEMBER MY THIRD POINT? I started to wrack my brain for another when, right in the nick of time, I remember it. -sigh of relief- I glance at the timer, which I can read from where I'm sitting. Ten seconds left. Naturally, I immediately forget the third point again. And I panic inside again. The timer goes off. I stand up slowly. I make my way over to the center of the room. I ask if the judges are ready. I hope that they aren't, but they are. I ask if the timer is ready, and he is too. I take a deep breath and I'm about to start speaking when suddenly: I remember my third point. In fact, I remember all of my points. That speech was one of the best I've ever given. Yay!

You're homeschooled, and you like... I forgot.

4 comments:

  1. Carey VandewalleMay 5, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    ...and you did win. And we're so proud of you, Chandler. :) At least, I think so. I forgot.

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  2. You forgot if you're proud?

    Jusstt kidding. Yes, I did win. The stress was worth it. :D

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  3. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA.

    ReplyDelete