Crazy Time

I'm down to the wire.

We leave Sunday for the annual trip to paradise -- Costa Rica and to be more specific, Aguila de Osa at Drake Bay on the Pacific coast side.

So you know that I am going crazy.

Tonight I paid bills and will do banking tomorrow.

I have my BNI sub for next week and have sent her my commercial. (Thanks, Ellen Critchley.)

Tomorrow is a full day with the first item on the agenda that I am being interviewed by Troy Neff on his radio program at 7:45. Since I don't listen to my radio in my car, I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't tell you the station. I hope I'll get an electronic file so I can post it on the blog. I just looked on the web and the call letters are WCWA 1230

I have Ellen to thank for all this as she is doing some PR work right now for us to get the word out about International Networking Week. Thanks, again, Ellen.

Lot's of appointments tomorrow and then at the end of the day I have an appointment with the Ohio Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to see if they will help me pay for my new fashion accessories.

What, do you say that could be?

Well, after struggling with my hearing loss for two years, the doc finally said that it was time. I am delighted because I am tired of asking people to repeat themselves or just to keeping quiet and not understanding what was said.

I am so happy about this that I could shout from the rooftop!

I'll keep ya posted on how purdy they are!

And if you think this isn't about networking, you're wrong. Not being able to hear is a detriment to networking especially in a crowded setting.

Any comments????

Say That Again

Okay, here it is.

I am hard of hearing.

I have been struggling with this for about two years now. Every time I see the specialist, he says that I am not yet ready for a hearing aid. But I think I am. (I'm not going to get one of those ugly flesh-colored ones either, no sireey, I'm going for the pretty ones!)

With the everlasting cold I seem to have right now, my hearing is even more affected.

As a result I have a very important message today.

Ready?

If you want others to hear what you have to say, especially we who are hearing-challenged, project your voice. If a microphone is offered, use it. If you are making a comment or asking a question from the audience, please stand to do so. That helps to get more umph behind your voice.

During this past week, I missed out entirely on the presentation of the main speaker at a chamber luncheon, (there was a microphone available, but it was not adjusted properly) and at our Leadership Toledo gathering where we were reporting on our morning group visits, many times I could not hear the presentation and 100% of the time I could not hear the comments or questions. (There is nothing more frustrating than to not hear a comment, but then to have the speaker say, "Yes, that is a perfect example of what I was talking about.")

I know, I know, your remedy is for me to sit in the front row and yes, that would help. But as a speaker, I know that my job is to project to the people in the back row. If they can hear my talk without reading my lips, then I have achieved my goal.

As a group leader, encourage the above. Some people don't like to talk into a microphone because they've not done it before, but as a leader, I feel it is your job to set the "tone" of the event. Most don't think to stand when making a comment, but will do so if told.

Huh? What'd you say?