Decisions, decisions...presentation at OSH 2009

Diana

Diana

Final Approach
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Diana
EAA just mailed me a form to submit to again apply to give a forum presentation at OSH this year. Steingar, I assume you got one too. Ambivalent feelings have surfaced and I'm not sure if I want to do that again. On the one hand, it felt good to be more of a participant at the event as opposed to being an attendee, but on the other hand it was stressful and I felt more pressure to get there and it damped the fun factor of being there last year.

I've been going to OSH for a gazillion years, and every year the focus, goal, and/or mission has been different. This year I had planned to just relax and hang out with my friends, go flying with the Yak guys, and stay dry. Now I have to make a decision. Thoughts?
 
I have not yet received any form, but will be returning with my Origami extravaganza. With luck I'll have two books to shill instead of just one.
 
As Ken said, it appears you already have your answer. Go with your gut.

I've never actually met you, but from reading your posts here and the former 'yellow board', I have a feeling this next comment might be tough for you to comprehend: You don't need to feel obligated to do it for OTHER people. Now sit down and ponder that for a second. ;)

Now if you still feel the need to share your stories with the world, you can still do it, but do it under the wing of an airplane while sipping on a glass of a wine..... from a dixie cup, of course. :D
 
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Diana,
As you know I do a lot of instructing for various law enforcement agencies in the state. I started out doing it for fun and to pass on my experience. After a while it became a second job and I felt obligated to do the classes. The joy is gone and I am doing less and less instructing every year. (my choice) I would hate to see you get that same feeling about something you care and love so much. As Ken said, follow your heart and have fun with your friends.
 
I'm posting a duplicate response I made from the Purple Board this morning...

Diana, I hear you.

I appreciate you so much as a positive voice for GA and especially as a representative and role model for young pilots AND pilots of our gender. I am proud to have you as my friend and I appreciate THAT part best.

I understand your dilemma in being asked to participate in that way - my obligations at Oshkosh last summer got in the way of my getting to enjoy some of the people I went there to see. You know that.

I, too, am planning on a stress free AirVenture experience this year - but I know what will happen. Someone will ask me to do something - and I'll say yes. However, knowing how that all went last year will give me a better understanding of how I can avoid some of the disappointments.

I don't want to put any pressure on you...
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But I hope you choose to do a presentation. I think your presence - your example - your stories - all work to promote a very important part of general aviation.

I love that about you.
wink.gif


On the other hand, I will completely understand your decision to just go relax and have some fun...being "important" isn't as important as taking care of our souls...

I know you'll do what's right for you...
 
Diana,

Public speaking and presentations like this are stressful, a whole heck of a lot of work and in general very painful to do well.

I make commitments to present topics and agonize, work hard and hate the preparation. All the while swearing I will never agree to it again.

On the other hand, once they are together, I do enjoy presenting and answering questions. Well, at least when the audience enjoys it and learns something, I can remember a few rooms filled with deer in the headlights.

It's kind of like beating your head against the wall, it feels so good to be done with it, it's almost worth the pain and agony of doing it.

May I suggest you take the other recommendations and remove any obligation you may feel from the equations and simply ask yourself is it worth it to you and the people who will attend?

Joe
 
Areeda said:
Public speaking and presentations like this are stressful, a whole heck of a lot of work and in general very painful to do well.

I make commitments to present topics and agonize, work hard and hate the preparation. All the while swearing I will never agree to it again.

On the other hand, once they are together, I do enjoy presenting and answering questions. Well, at least when the audience enjoys it and learns something, I can remember a few rooms filled with deer in the headlights.

It's kind of like beating your head against the wall, it feels so good to be done with it, it's almost worth the pain and agony of doing it.
Click to expand...

Wow, you know JUST what I'm talking about, don't you. After the last one I told Tom if I ever said I'd do it again, just shoot me. I also told him that after the aerobatic contest. He asked me today if he should clean his gun. ;)

Areeda said:
May I suggest you take the other recommendations and remove any obligation you may feel from the equations and simply ask yourself is it worth it to you and the people who will attend?
Click to expand...
Interesting way to put that. :) I was just thinking today about the comments people made afterwords. One gentleman from Australia came up to me after the forum and said that, as a pilot from another country, he found it very interesting to see what a trip like that in this country involved.
 
4763E said:
Diana, I hear you.

I appreciate you so much as a positive voice for GA and especially as a representative and role model for young pilots AND pilots of our gender. I am proud to have you as my friend and I appreciate THAT part best.

I understand your dilemma in being asked to participate in that way - my obligations at Oshkosh last summer got in the way of my getting to enjoy some of the people I went there to see. You know that.

I, too, am planning on a stress free AirVenture experience this year - but I know what will happen. Someone will ask me to do something - and I'll say yes. However, knowing how that all went last year will give me a better understanding of how I can avoid some of the disappointments.

I don't want to put any pressure on you...
biggrin.gif
But I hope you choose to do a presentation. I think your presence - your example - your stories - all work to promote a very important part of general aviation.

I love that about you.
wink.gif



I know you'll do what's right for you...
Click to expand...

Thank you (again) Kim. :) You have such a nice way of sorting things out. I watched as you struggled with the same issues at OSH last year and hope you will be less stressed this year. :)
 
I felt more pressure to get there
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I can't help with the rest, but I would think that there should be no pressure to get there. It would seem that everyone from Tom P. on down would understand a no, or late show due to a conservative weather/mechanical decision.
 
Diane, Take a little time to make the decision, so that you think all of the areas through. I know these presentations are stressful. I give talks from time to time and people tell me that I am a natural at it. But, the truth is I spend a lot of sleepless nights getting ready to do one. I know where you are coming from so don't let others coerce you into something you really had rather not do.

Bob
 
Update, I did indeed have a letter from the EAA in my messy pile. Looks like I'm going to Oshkosh, since I told them I'd present.
 
I got mine - Podapalooza 2009 will happen, and I've even been thinking about maybe doing something else on my own. Hmmmm. :yes:
 
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