When People Know Your Name

If someone you've never met walks up to you and calls you by name, do not be concerned. This person is likely a stalker. That's ok. You want people to stalk you. It means they've heard of you. And that means you're doing your job.

My first year, there were numerous people who I was convinced were celebrities, and they were. I recently spoke to one of them and felt kind of nervous, even though we had met before. However, I did not ask for an autograph. That would be weird. After all, I already have one.

I'm sort of kind of getting to that stage where kids I've never met or even seen somehow know me. Let me tell you people, that is exciting. I really try to get to know them too, because I like those people. I don't think I am or will ever be at "Fan Club Status" like the kids that I admire (that would be weird) but apparently people like me too. Cool.

Now, you may be thinking: Duh, Chandler, of course people know my name. We wear nametags.

...yea, I kind of didn't think of that until now. Huh.

Well, as much as I love nametags, it's more fun to assume that people would know my name without them. I suggest you go ahead and assume that too. Makes you feel kinda famous and extraspecial.

You're homeschooled. You're famous and extraspecial.

Timing- Felicity Lorenz

(Please welcome the lovely Felicity Lorenz back to the podium umm... blog. She's back with another awesome Guest Post!)

Timers have an easy job. All you have to do is press a couple buttons, hold up some finger signals, and reset for every speech. I mean, c’mon, how hard is pressing buttons compared to giving a 10 minute speech and getting judged on it?!

Oh, you would be so, so wrong.

This season, I decided to time some debate rounds. …It’s much more difficult than it appears. For example, in one LD round, I accidentally hit the ‘Stop’ button during a cross-examination. Another time, I realized I hadn’t pressed the ‘Start’ button – I realized this during the speech. In a TP round, I started the prep time, but was told that I was giving prep time to the wrong team! Sometimes, I even forgot to do hand signals. I eventually got better, but it made me appreciate my timers, who do their job correctly.

But you know what? Timing is fun! It makes you feel like you’re a part of the round. The speakers really try to engage you (mostly because they’re watching for hand signals…). 

The best part, of course, is when you give 10 seconds left. All the sudden, the speaker is speeding-as-fast-as-he-can-because-he-has-five-more-arguments-he-has-to-go-through-and-every-word-seems-to-be-actually-one-word-like-this-because-of-his-speed-which-goes-as-fast-as-the-speed-of-liiiiiiiiiight! 

My other favorite signal isn’t really a signal at all – the nodding of the head. See, the speaker is usually looking at you; thus, he catches this nodding. So, when you start to nod, he starts to speak fast. Except, now he’s-passionately-speeding-because-you-agree-and-that’s-awesome-and-maybe-that-means-the-judge-is-agreeing-too-and-oh-my-gosh-apparently-what-he’s-saying-is-awesome-yaaaaaaaaaaay! 

Those two signals are like, the magical signals.

So, next time you have nothing to do during a round, volunteer to time. You will realize it’s more difficult than it appears. You will definitely appreciate your kid timers, who seem to understand the system more than you do. However, it’s truly entertaining.

You’re homeschooled, and you – TIME’S UP! Sorry…

That Look From Your Partner That Says, "We Got This."

I was at debate camp. Another round of the practice competition was soon to begin. We sat waiting for the judge. I was organizing my pens and paper or whatever at the table and my debate partner was sitting next to me. The affirmative team was doing their prep thing when I heard giggles erupting from their side of the room. I have no idea what those girls where giggling about, just that they were. Loudly. My partner turned to me with an overly exaggerated expression that said, "What's wrong with them?" I leaned over and whispered, "Kids these days..." He grinned with a grin that said, (you guessed it) "We got this."

We got this round. We can so do this. We can win.

And after a couple of rather humbling debates, it was great to feel that way. Especially when we did win that round.

It hurts to lose. It hurts to walk into a round feeling like you'll have no idea what's going on or how to respond and then walk out with your suspicions confirmed. It hurts to stutteringly stumble through speech after speech while wondering why you wanted to do debate in the first place. But somehow it's worth it. It's worth it not only for the moments when everything is in your favor, those moments when you feel like you finally have control, those moments when you can confidently give the kid next to you a knowing smile. Sure those moments are awesome, but they kind of point to something bigger: someday, you'll be grateful for your wins and your losses because they made you a better person.

But we all know that winning is particularly cool.

You're homeschooled. You can do this.

Wearing Pajamas When Doing School

Today is one of those days. I slept in today, and eventually climbed down the ladder out of my bed, tried not to step on the books and clothes on the floor, and sat down at my computer with a bowl of cereal. Today is one of those Saturdays where I have homework to do as well as other chores. Hey, I've been busy. That's why I'm still wearing pajamas at 3:30.

The fact that you can wear PJs to school when it's not "Pajama Day" is a huge plus for homeschooling. Pajamas are way more comfortable and often more fun. And sometimes, you're just tired and don't want to put on normal clothes. That's ok, my friend. Be proud of it.

Here's the thing: no one who sees you at home cares what you look like. So why dress up? Why not wear PJs all the time? Only this year, one of my online classes is actually a video conference, so I have to put on real clothes for that. Yea.

You're homeschooled.... zzzzZZzZzzz...

Calling People By Their Last Names

Last week or so, I had a weird dream. What's particularly odd is that I didn't realize it was a dream until very recently when I decided I wanted to write this post and I thought, Oh! I have a great story for that. Then I realized that that story never really happened. I decided to tell it anyway.
(By the way, if I'm just crazy and it wasn't a dream and you're like, "Umm, Chandler, that wasn't a dream. I was there." then please, don't tell anyone.)

So anyway. In my dream I was at some... place with a lot of homeschoolers. Everyone was calling everyone by their last names. And I commented to someone how ridiculous it is to call a homeschooler by his last name when there are a ton of his little siblings in the room who will also respond.

Yea, that was my story. The intro was longer. That's pretty pathetic.

REGARDLESS, the point still stands. Lots of people like to call lots of people by their last names. At first I noticed it with this one kid, then my debate coach, and then everyone. I don't know why. Even I have almost picked up this habit a couple of times. Almost. And again, the last name thing can get confusing because there are probably a bunch of people with the same name.

Maybe because homeschoolers are so un-cool, we feel like we have to make up for it somehow and calling people by their last names is supposedly cool? I don't know. I don't think if anyone called me "Lasch" their awesomeness would increase or anything. I really don't get you people.

You're homeschooled, and I should call you _(insert your last name here.)
Hopefully I pronounced it correctly.

Demonstrating for Novices

Let's face it: the new kids are easily impressed. And with good reason. This speech and debate thing is probably new to them. If they're half as clueless as I was in my novice year, they'll be blown away by a two minute impromptu. Even if it only has one point. And that point is George Washington. I know my club is a big fan of demonstrating for novices at our annual summer day camp. I was blown away when I saw my first DI, apologetics, OO, and impromptu. The fact that I still remember them and that that was over two years ago should confirm that.

Most of us love an audience. I know I do. Novices are the best audience you can have. They'll laugh. They'll cry. They'll be so astounded they won't know what to do with themselves. Awesome, right? I mean, you may not want a novice for a timer, but other than that, sure.

Yesterday I did a new DI for my coach. Some new kids and parents watched. It was fun. I hoped they liked it and weren't scared or something. They probably were. That's ok.

You're homeschooled, and you obviously know how it's done.