I’m fairly certain I’ve mentioned my absolute dread of public speaking. I often get nauseated, sweaty, and light-headed. I hate it. HATE IT! (I have done more karaoke in my life than should be legal, but anyone can sing badly in front of strangers when there’s enough gin.)
So. As you know, I joined toastmasters in June to work on this. I gave my first planned speech in August. I was so nervous! I had nightmares the night before about people booing me & throwing rotten tomatoes (it was kind of like that scene from the Princess Bride). The speech went well. I am funny, y’all (thanks for the spelling help Melissa!). AND, I didn’t even need any liquid courage (unlike with karaoke).
ANYWAYS. I kept at it. I did the impromptu Table Topics speeches. I filled a number of roles at meetings. And then, yesterday, I did speech #2. And I wasn’t (that) nervous. I had an outline that I’d been thinking about for a few weeks, and then I wrote up the text of the speech a couple of days before. I practiced a few dozen times (made the architect listen to me more than he wanted to, I suspect). And you know what?
It went well. (Again, I am amusing.)
And even more?
I liked it. I like telling stories (big shock, right?). This is so much better than high school speech class, which, after all, sucks (am I right?).
I am looking forward to my third speech. Now – I will fully admit that part of this is the desire to finish all ten speeches and get a certificate (I am very gold-star oriented) that says I am a competent communicator. But part of it that I actually enjoy entertaining people.
I know this is weird, but I am proud of me. A year ago, I would’ve said that public speaking was right up there in my top five fears (along with flying and being eaten by mutant garden spiders). I faced that fear. And I conquered it. And now, I’m going to gather my ragtag band of old appliances & go to the city! Or, perhaps schedule speech #3 and start thinking about entering a Toast contest. Whichever seems to make more sense at the time.
When I went out on my quest to find you the best, the prettiest, the most awesome shoes on the internets, I was shocked – SHOCKED – to see that there are now links to “the first peeks at the new spring shoes.” And, of course, by shocked, I mean ecstatic.
BUT- we are not quite ready for spring yet. There will be no spring shoesday p0rn until 2011. Today, in the spirit of the holidays (go YULE!), we have holiday party shoes.
I also wanted to share with you some stocking stuffer ideas from Neiman Marcus – in case you had a bit of cash to spend on a stocking stuffer. Let me know if you need my address!
FIRST – the stuffers. So affordable!
Dior Flat Cannage Pouch - only $400!
Who among us doesn’t need a great case for their iPhone? And, by great, I mean this:
Dolce & Gabbana Chain-Strap iPhone Case (only $545!)
Hmmm…I hope my Droid fits in that!
No idea what to get that pill popping fancy-pants lady in your life? Look no further:
Judith Leiber Rabbit Pill Box (only $695!)
No shoesday stocking stuffer posting would be complete if I didn’t suggest stuffing her stocking (dirty!) with a pair of shoes. And these are practical. I’ve seen similar things at places like Nordstrom Rack & thought about picking up a pair. I’m so glad I waited, though. I’m sure I’ll find these in my stocking come Christmas Day!
Sue London Foldable Ballerina Flat - only $179!
And now, for those holiday shoes. I’ll admit, I didn’t look so much for affordable on these. They were all so pretty! But, they are (mostly) kind of expensive for shoes that don’t get a lot of wear. You should just be glad I’m not actually picturing the $525 (on sale! it’s a bargain!) shoes that are trimmed in “genuine goat fur.”
You all (or, since I’m headed to Georgia at the end of the week “Y’All [do I capitalize the A?]) know I’ve been craving purple shoes. These are so delightfully purple AND they have a festive bow AND they are satin – so, you know, practical for the rainy Pacific NW:
BP. 'Ambrosia' Pump
These are so pretty! And sparkly! And kate spade-y! And flat! (for my poor, abused feet.) However, there is also a higher version, in case you haven’t recently had foot surgery.
kate spade new york 'nell' glitter flat
How freaking adorable are these? So pretty & shiny & red. With a bow (apparently, I’m all about the bows today). They are a wee bit expensive, though. *sigh*
Valentino Bow Trim d'Orsay Pump
These are a bit more affordable, and almost as cute:
J. Reneé 'Gabriele' Pump
I love these. So pretty & elegant. That touch of red (bow!) is just gorgeous.
kate spade new york 'guest' slingback pump
And finally, shoes near & dear to my own heart. By which I mean, some day, with god as my witness, I will own a pair of Louboutins. These are actually almost affordable. I mean, they’re less than my laptop! And much, much sparklier.
Christian Louboutin Pigalle Glittered Pump
So – happy shopping, my shoe lovers! Have a great Yule and/or Christmas (or Boxing Day, or whatever – Hannukah is over, so I missed the boat on that one…).
We’ll be back with the first peek at the spring lines on January 4! (Of course, there will be other non-shoe content between now & then…)
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t continue gazing at my own navel, looking for more fluff. I feel like the questions were all the same. So, instead of just admitting that I wasn’t doing it & moving on to blog about the stuff I normally blog about, I decided to avoid.
Which (please forgive a last bit of navel gazing here), is actually a huge problem I need to work on.
When something seems unpleasant, even if the unpleasantness will last only a moment, I tend to avoid. Until the problem completely grows & expands & is no longer a tiny bandage that needs to be ripped off, but is now a nasty, scabby wound (at least in my imagination) that will require surgical intervention. (Sorry about the gross analogy – my foot hurts today).
SO – anyways – I am going to not reverb anymore. Unless something completely catches my eye. Which, since I think in the first half of the month I gazed at every last bit of lint in my navel, seems unlikely.
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In good news – I completed week 1, day 1 of the couch to 5K program, and although I was a wee bit sore after, it wasn’t so bad.
Tomorrow will be shoesday & then the latest brew review will be posted this week as well.
Also tomorrow? Solstice. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy for it – I am ready for some lengthening days, people!
So – back to normal around here!
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