Photo shoot

I woke up quite late this morning. Had it not been that X2 called, I could have stayed in bed till lunch time. He informed me that the team has arrived at the Future Generation School, and they were waiting for instruction on where to setup the Studio & Lights. I didn't waste time. I immediately get dressed - without taking a bath - and proceed to the school.

I coordinate the matter with Ranie, the chief of SE Production, who gave us a nice place to setup our gears. Few hours later, we were all set and ready to shoot.

What we had today was a photo shoot session with the contestants of the search for Pop Icon 2009. SE Production called up few days ago and they were asking if we could provide photo session with the 15 candidates.

Well, after some few missteps, everything went fine. We finished the photoshoot at around 3pm.

* * * * *

Evening, I went to Kingdom Hospital to join my colleagues at Kubo. As the official photographer of the event, I saw a chance to meet new friends in there.

Well, I didn't get what I wanted. I did not meet new friends. Instead, I saw some old friends from Hammadi.

judgement

My colleagues meet me with greeting hands and congrulations. I saw TM Arnold and TM James who made fun of me saying "Ohh.. that's not prepared?". I just smiled, because I myself couldn't believe that I pulled this one nicely.

Minutes after the delivery of the speech, I felt so tired. The adrenalin rush has subsided and reality started to sink in. I sat on the floor and take a short nap. I was really tired.

Judgement time. "And the winner is... ?".

Nah... no need for drumbeats, I won and declared the PICPA Riyadh Toastmasters Club Champion for 2009 Intenational Speech Competition.

Hhehehhee... they all think I was ready! If they only knew.

speech time

Nope, you were wrong! Excitement was not the reason why I came very early to IPSR tonight. I was looking for my missing Media Com. I remember, TM Angel took out the green plastic bag containing the muli media and put it inside the meeting room. I want it back!

* * * * * * *

The contest proper started quite late. The participants were late, the judges were late, and majority of the audience came very late. Good thing, TM Jojo handled the flow of the program quite effectively, hence we were able to catch up with the timing.

Being the 5th contestant, I opted to stay outside and wait for my turn. I know that watching other contestants deliver their speeches would just add butterflies on my belly. That is not to mention the chance that it will distract my focus on memorizing my lines. Would you believe, I am still dependent on the bullet point of ideas of my speech?

* * * * * * *

I went to the lectern wearing shorts and t-shirt. I was carrying with me a toy car made of a tin-can. Took a pause after the contest master introduce me, then made drama salvo depicting an event in my childhood.

Then, I looked at the audience and greeted them. Call it magic, because after that moment when I saw enthusiasm in the eyes of the audience, all the hesitations and doubts that I had, simply vanished away. A felt a huge shower of confidence descended on me. It has given me energy to enjoy the speech.

Would you believe, I was no longer speaking to the audience based on what I have written? All I did was tell them a story about my life, my stages of growth, and the challenge ahead. In fact, I have only delivered 50% acuracy rate vs my written speech? The message was 100% intact, though. More than that, I delivered it in a simple and comprehensible words, that audience can easily follow.

I parted with the words:

I want to hear it fellow Toastmasters. Is that it? You will make me the best Toastmaster. Answer me Yes!

A thundering "Yes" echoed after my speech.

take off the clothes

I didn't have enough sleep last night. I finished the draft past 2am and I woke up at 7am. That's not 5 hours, actually, because I didn't count the two hours I stayed awake in bed trying to stop the rush of ideas in my head. Hohuummm...

I went to work this morning, but cancelled all my appointments and closed my office door the entire day. I spent the morning reviewing the draft that I made last night, and started memorizing the lines.

11:30am

I have successfully mock delivered my speech.

Happy and contented, I called up TM Richard and told him that I just finished my draft this morning and I am now practicing it.

"What else is new with you Nathan. You never memorize your speech, do you?".

Am I having a reputation that I don't prepare for my speeches? Tsk tsk tsk, bad!

Richard and I stayed on the phone quite long. We didn't talk much about the speech but about persons and personalities of our friends. We both had good laught everytime we hit some one with cruel discriptions and jokes. That was bad I know, but we only talked about it just for fun. Besides, it was only between the two of us.

I don't know how the idea started, that I declared:

"Kung di jud ma-dah sa speech, mag hubo gud! (If I can't do it with the speech, then why not strip naked)?".

"Unsa na, Kung Fu Panda (What is that, Kung Fu Panda)?". he replied

A hefty laughter followed.

It was a joke, but that jest of stripping naked during the speech stuck on my mind. It made me rethink on the delivery of the speech. And when I saw a roman soldier graphics in a computer ads, I finally decided to deliver my speech not by stripping but putting on an armor.

1:45pm

I excused my self in the office and went home.

Quickly, I revised my draft and incoporated the concept of putting on an armor. But, instead of armor I used clothes to create segments on the timeline of my life.

In 15 minutes, I was ready with my final draft.

It was practice time.

eureka

"Diamonds are Forever... forever..", lyrics of the beautiful songs of Chaka Khan that I am listening right now.

* * * * *

10:05pm

"Hi TM Archie, you busy"? That was me calling Archie, asking help.

"How can I tell TM Jojo that I want to backout? I am not prepared and I have not even written a draft yet?"

"You should have told me earlier. I could write one for you", he replied

"I need an idea"

"Talk about your life, before and after Toastmasters. What is brought to you"

While talking to Archie, I noticed that the background song has changed. What caught my attention was the lines

"I remember when I was a little girl, I saw my house caught up in flames.... While shivering in my pajamas, I asked my self, Is that all there is in fire?"

Eureka! I saw the light! hahahahaha.

I readily said goodbye to Archie and starts making bullet points for my draft. I will use Archie's suggestion as the anchor of my speech, I will build up my story by recalling the event of my child hood, and then, subdivide it with an event that creates a segment of my lifeline.

My first lines goes like this:

I remember when I was a little boy, I grew up a close neighborhood of relatives. They all live a life in full, while we linger on the brink of poverty. Then I asked my father, ''Is that it, we will settle for a life like this''?

* * * * *

I was only planning to make a bullet points of ideas, then deliver the speech the Table Topics way. But the drizzle of ideas turns into thurnderstorms. It was flooding my brain and I know, I will drown if I will not release it in writing.

And after four long hourse, I made one draft.

It could have finished it earlier. But I wrote and re-wrote many lines that I could not feel, the words that I could hardly pronounce, and the complex paragraphs that I could not remember. In the end, I finished a draft that is straight forward and direct to the heart.

draft: last attempt

It's the last day! Either I make it today or declare default.

Seriously, I am still hoping for last minute rush of ideas. It is not my style to give up without a fight. How many times have I preached "better loose fighting, than running away"? Countless, I should say. And now, I'm quitting... hah! definitely not.

I saw TM Erick's yahoo messenger as online. I sent him a message that I am not prepared and I am planning to back out. You know what he responded? "Knowing you Nathan, I don't believe you will back out. Kaya mo yan" (You can do it)? Gee... that's adding more pressure, instead of consolation.

I also saw TM Arnold at the Potter's Haus during lunch. I told him that I am not ready, but he refused to beleive. Tsk tsk tsk, I guess I have used that line too often that I sound like I'm crying wolf. Why won't they believe that I am not? Huwaaaaaahhh.....

* * * * *

"Okay... fighter brain, do your move". Hehehe.. That sounds like Spongebob asking the pencil to start writing. Opss, you caught me. I was watching cartoons. Yeah, sure. I'll get back to my draft.

* * * * *

Desperate times calls for desperate help.

9:35pm

I called up TM James. I confide to him about my dilemna. Surprisingly, he believe in me. Infact, he was very helpful by providing several suggestions on what to write. "Speak of something close to your heart", he said. "Like girls, girls and more girls?", I replied playfully. We both laugh after that.

Okay, TM James was right. I need to write about something close to my heart. But I already thought of that yesterday. I need to see the trail, the path, the road, the highway!!!!!

draft: 5th attempt

"Forget work today! I need to write my draft", I declared!

Indeed, I only worked for an hour in the morning, preparing automated scripts and then execute-and-forget them in system. Hah! That should be enough to cover up my "busy-mode" pretenses today. Should anyone bugs me, I could simply reply "I'm busy, I'm doing maintenance for the system". What a good alibi, isn't it? Well, unless my boss declares "That is not your job, that's the task of your subordinates", then I'll be safe.

* * * * *

I spent the rest of the morning browing the Web hoping to pick up idea on what to write for my draft. I look on the speeches of previous world champions, but I find most of it unfit for my style and personality. I also read several famous speeches of known personality, but then again, I felt that it is not me. It lacks the personal touch of the speech. Frustrated, I dump the idea of sourcing out the Internet for my International Speech.

What is it that I want?, I asked myselft.

I guess I was looking for something that I don't need to write and memorize. I want something that I can easily speak by picking up the story straight from my memories. Something that can power me up and spark up the natural me, by just sharing an event in my life.

6:45pm

Finally, I have an idea. I will share a part of my life and build a piece worthy for International Speeches. The question is... how do I start?

Hungry, I went out of the office and headed towards home. I was wishing that the comfort of my room would spark some ideas on how to build this draft.

10:45pm

Would you believe, that after reading and re-reading all my previous six speeches, I am still facing a blank wall? I have an idea, yes, but how do I start. More precisely, where do I start?

Huhuhu... I am really in deep shit right now.

Time to throw in the towel. Huwaaaahhh....

draft: 4th attempt

Work in the office was unusually heavy today.

We haven't resolve the issue at the KK Airport and the MOI Sites, and my boss is like an itchy fungus that keeps on knocking on my office asking for status update. Basically, I cancelled out all my other task just to put priority on this mess.

Silently I asked myself, "who started this, by the way?" Then smiled when I answered back myself " - Ah... they did, that is why they need me".

* * * * *

I went home at 8:45pm; tired, hungry and sleepy. I want to take a nap, but I still have a draft to make. So I forced myself infront of the computer and stared once more at the empty page for over an hour. Over an hour? Yes, I was just typing gibberish words, paragraphs but in reality, I have not done anything yet!

I think, I have to say goodbye to my international speech. At this stage, with only two days before competition time, I doubt, if I could write one.

"Ahh... I'll try again tomorrow", I exclaimed before jumping to bed.

draft: 3rd attempt

7:30pm

I woke up and took a light dinner. Finally, I have recovered and my mind is now cool and sane. Edwin, my housemate , was smiling when I went out of my room. He heard about what happened this afternoon with me and Benjie. With Ate Girlie, they all agreed that Benjie deserves that. They also said, that Benjie finally met someone whom he cannot bully in the neighborhood.

10:30pm

Staring at my laptop, I open up a word processor with the intention of making a draft for my International Speech. I started by browsing my Ice Breaker speech which I delivered a year ago. I thought of revising it and making it a bit formal.

Thirty minutes passed, still, there was nothing in my draft. All I have written was "I remember it vividly... ". The exact first line of my 1st speech.

I tried once more. This time, I opened up my 2nd speech - the Master of Fate speech. Work on it for another sixty minutes, only to give up because there was nothing in my head. I have no clear objectives, I have no plot, and I lack the creative desire to spark an explosion of ideas.

Frustrated, I gave up writing the draft. Instead, I opened up old pictures and start post-processing it.

hot head

It was past 11am when we decided to pack up and head towards home. Everyone was tired and hungry too. Well, I was no exception. I just want to go home, eat lunch, and sleep. I even zoom ahead of the pack.

* * * * *

I passed by at the RIS to check what was the happening at the badminton today. I was also hoping there was food - I was really hungry - but got dismayed to found none. No choice, I went to the canteen and contend myself with noodles and soup. Well, that was better than nothing.

When I reach home, I saw this neighbor named Benjie taking up three slots in the parking space of our villa. I was quite offended because he is hogging more than half of our park area. I don't know what comes into my head - sleep deprivation perhaps - I park my car in front of one of his three cars. He sneered at me and said "Oi, dun ka muna mag park (Hey, you park out there)". I just look at him and said "Hay naku Benjie, alin ba sa tatlong kotse mo ang gagamitin mo? (Hus, which one of your three cars will you use today?"). He started yelling at me and was grumbling some vindictives. I looked back at him and shouted back "Ang yabang mo Benjie, at sinabi ka na hindi maganda sa akin. Wag mong sabihin sa iba, sabihin mo sa harap ko" (You're boast to much, and you said something bad behind my back. Don't gossip it to others, say it infront of me)".

He was flaming with anger and his eyes were dilated. He was ready to attack. So I took my stance and got ready to fight. In my calculation, this guy may be taller and bigger, but I can surely beat him with ease. I may be rusty, but a black-belter will always have the instincts to fight even after 20 years without practice.

However, his flare fissles out!

He conceeded and said "Tama na! (Enough)". Sensing no immediate threat, I lower my guard and look around. I saw, his wife watching us behind one of the cars. I thought, it is not a gentleman of me, if beat her husband infront of her. There are other times, for sure. Hence, I decided to stand down too.

I slowly went back to my car, and park it away from them. Without mincing a word, I went inside the villa and took my needed rest.

Hah! I was so hot headed today.

katutubo in action

After taking some hot noodles and cleaning up our camp site, we moved towards the great plains on the pleateau across the canyon. It was shooting time, and not only the photographers were eager beaver to display their wares, the models were already set to pose.

Indeed when we reached the spot, my colleagues wasted no time in setting up their strobist gears. Then they gently set our model Joanne between the strobes and gave her instructions. Oning and Merci on the other hand, took our model Kat on the opposite side facing the barren plains. While the other model Leilani, stayed in my Car with photographer DJ and Bambi.

It was amusing to watch them from afar. I could see Robert giving "complex" instruction to Joanne, while Merci (in black jacket) was busy asking Kat to roll over the sand. Heheheh... Here's how it look likes.

good morning ... Edge

Have you ever wonder what it's like to sleep in the desert and watch its sunrise the day after? It's a beautiful experience.

I woke up early and start moving around while the rest of the team were still asleep. I wanted to catch the sunrise so I climb on the nearby hill. Though it was steep, I persisted and made it.

I reach the peak just in time when the sun appeared full in the horizon. I readily took few shoots at the rising sun, and then waited for several more minutes before taking pictures of the landscape. What caught my attention was the pastel-blue hue in the horizon which was a beautiful blend to the golden-chrome hue of the rocks and sand on the ground. See picture below.

I also took several pictures of the Huraymilla Canyons. I tried experimenting on HDR technique and when done, shifted to DRI technique. I found DRI difficult as this was my time to explore such style. The result was beautiful, nevertheless.

Hey... visit my new site at Flick http://www.flickr.com/photos/sons_of_jorge/

the edge

3:05pm

My colleagues in Kubo Photography Club were already waiting for me at the Hyper Panda Takassusi. I was late - an hour late - but I was forgiven because I advised them, in advance, that I have some important rush at the office.

Oning, the team leader immediately gave us a briefing on the timing, driving speed, and destination points. The main objective was: we should reach the Huraymilla plateau also known as The Edge of the World before sunset.

The two SUVs went ahead, while I made a U-turn to pick up another model at the Riyadh Military Hospital. I thought, I will just pick her up... but gee... I waited for an hour at the gate. Trying to hide my disappointment, I still smiled and treated her nicely. Hah! If only I am not a gentleman, I really love to spank her in the butt!

I know I lost precious hours so I tried to make up by speeding up more than my average. I was running at 140kph along the Khurais Road and when I entered the Gasim Road, I zoomed to 170kph. That was fast, I know, but I was confident that my SUV Tecla (Hyundai Tucson) will not fail me plus the road is clear, wide and in superb grading.

I was able to catch up with the rest of the pack just few kilometers inside the entrance of the Al Oyaynah rough road. We all stopped for few minutes to shoot the sunset, then moved toward the plateau.

Our timing did not work as planned. Driving at rugged road at pitch black night was treacherous, hence we all agreed to slow down at less than 40kph. It is better be safe than sorry.

Finally, we reached our destination at around 8pm.

draft: 2nd attempt

I went home late last night, just to gather and prepare the raw data that I need. And this morning, I reported to office at 7:20am. I was very early, come to think, it is our weekend. I immediately dive onto the raw data and made several analysis for our work.

Believe me, I finished the job in a total of 27 hours what my predecessor took a year to complete. *wink* *wink* hehehehehe... Seriously, it was actually easy because I have done this before... a hundred times over. What's 18 years of work experience for, right?

12:15pm

Now... the draft!

I started staring at my computer screen and begin typing pointless words and paragraphs. I erase the draft, and start over again.

01:32am

First line: "Good evening fellow Toastmasters"

Second line ".... .... .... "

Can you see? I've been staring at my computer for over an hour and yet, I've written nothing. I guess, my mind was just tired. I need a rest to make it work! Besides, I have to leave at 2:30pm to meet up my fellow photographers at Hyper Panda.

draft: 1st attempt

Okay... it's time. I have to start making a draft for my piece in the International Speech Competition. And today, Wednesday should be a good time to do it! After making the weekly reports earlier, I should have enough extra time to sit down and write.

Hah! Wishful thinking.

Dr Khelbi, the big boss, talked to me this morning and asked if I could solve the issues in MOI Site, Civil Affairs, Passports and the King Khalid Airport... within today! Whaaat???? In one day? Of course, I said no! But he would not take that as an answer. He suggested that I could use the weekends as allowance, but not a day more than that.

Great! I could now kiss good bye to my draft!

advice from my mentor

Still reeling from that unexpected victory, I felt so "kind" tonight that I volunteer to drive TM Willy and TM Ramed to their place. TM Erick came with us... and that made the conversations during the drive... very very lively. Knowing Erick, huh! surely there's no dull moments.

Along the way, I confide with my mentor TM Ramed that I was surprised that I have beaten TM Roi. I acknowledge that TM Roi was not 100% at his best that night. He was suffering from fever and he was actually shivering while waiting for his turn. If it was not the case, I doubt if I could get my prize.

TM Ramed, the ever good motivator, just smiled and said "you can do better than that". He further gave suggestion on how to improve my evaluation. The points he raised where: not to dwell on the content of the speech but rather on the presentation and delivery; although I analyze the structure of the speech, I should have asked if the selection of the style was effective for the speech purpose; and lastly, I should have touched on whether the objective of the speech was accomplished.

Wheew!!! that was straight and truthful. I will surely, listen to that advice.

I also confided with TM Ramed that I am still not set on what to deliver for my International Speech. He suggested on talking about what's close to my heart, my experiences, and what I do. When I told him that I am planning of revising my Ice Breaker, he smiled and replied that some good International Speeches were actually Ice Breakers too.

verdict

I was the last evaluator, contestant #4.

While waiting for my turn outside, I teased TM Roi that I was only fighting for 3rd because the 1st and 2nd place were already reserved for him and for TM Erik. We both laughed when he responded "there's no 3rd place".

Well... when the results come out, I was honestly surprised when my name was called as the 2nd place. Seriously? I was wishing for 1st place (I am pathetic, am I?). TM Erick the 1st place.

Nevertheless, weeeeeee.... I won, 2nd place!

the evaluation

* * * * * * *

And how did I evaluate him?

I draw a lady with long hair, beautiful face, trim lined shoulders and well shaped arms, very sleek waistline, but with fat-bottom and short legs.

Here's how I deliver the evaluation:

{long hair}

The speech was beautiful as it easily connects to the audience because it talks about the pain and joy of love - something that everyone could empathize.

{beautiful face}

The introduction was powerful because you show us the face of the speech, what it feels when someone laments.

{trim line shoulders, and well shaped arms}

The speech was delivered into two classical approach of Progression, that is talking about past-present-future. You set the story in the past of the two characters and then progresses into the present, and then finally the future where the lamentation occurs. You also added the Contrast-Comparison style wherein you compare the characters and made a contrast on how the character progresses in time.

{very sleek waistline}

As for your STGOs

Though you delivered a beautiful speech, I was waiting for something else. Something that could make me cry. Maybe, the body was just too slim thus you trim too much meat in it.

{fat-bottom and short legs}

Furthermore, you also put too much details on the past and present part of the story/speech. I find the conclusion rather wanting. I really like to hear more on "beautiful moment" and then add more on the finale.

cramming

5:24pm

Hehehe... finally, the tidal waves of work subsided! The 'gods' in my workplace stopped stirring the ocean of problems! They must be tired, I guess.

With no seconds wasted, I sat on my desk, turn on the computer and lit the three 22" LCD monitors. Like clockwork, I made a draft on one monitor, Google for tips on the Toastmasters International Web site on the 2nd monitor, and Yahoo-Search for other resources on the 3rd monitor.

Hehehe... sounds like high tech, eh? Nah, it's not. I call it cramming! And I know, I am a good one.

Well... I finally made my final draft at around 7:12pm. Just in time when TM Gerry called up for a pick-up at the Dr Cafe. Hmmm, didn't I tell you that I belong to the Transport Committee? Wehehehe...

kill me, please

I am not prepared!

With the competition just few hours away, I was already thinking of making excuses not to attend tonight's Speech Evaluation Competition. I called James around lunch time, poking him with jest that I am backing out of the competition. Of course, knowing James, he easily got irritated... which I readily rectified by saying I was just kidding. But he didn't know, I was actually serious of backing out of the competition.

Oh my! If only my work load had been lighter and my deadline were movable, I could have at least browse the Internet and search for tips. And to make it worse, my boss just asked me to oversee an Sev 1 issue at the Airport.

Huwaaahhhh!!!! could somebody just kill me!

two meetings

I went out early today. I was meeting my cousing Johnis, who would hand me my Media Com multi-media system. I also want to gave gifts and money that she can carry on her vacation this coming 18th of the month.

I also had an appointment with TM Arnold that evening - we're suppose to buy trophies.

That made it two appointments at the same time. Hah! I set up two conflicting schedules. What what I thinking?

To solve the problem, I decided to meet both of them at the Potter's Haus. Not only that I can meet them, we can have dinner, too.

thinking of joining...

It was suppose to be just an idea and not really an intention, but the wishful thinking of joining in the two upcoming Toastmasters Club Level competitions: the Evaluation and the International Speech became real. Previously, I wanted to join but butterflies and cicadas on my belly always eats up my courage.

But tonight, a slip-on-the-tongue put me on the hotspot.

James, our VP-for-Education called up to ask for feedback on my last meeting's bobo as the Toastmaster of the Evening. The conversation, though cordial and sweet in tune, was confrontational in words. And my haste to end up the conversation, unwittingly, said yes to all the question he slapped on me. Only to realize later, that I confirmed that I will be joining the two competitions next week.

Hah! That's it! I'll be walking the path of my wish... hahahaha. What a nice dilemma that I got into.

After six months

That's right. It's been six months... over six months to be exact, since I last delivered a speech in Toastmasters. If I am not mistaken, I made that speech during our Induction Party last July 24th, 2008.

Then, there was a long lull.

Why did I stop writing speeches? I don't know! It just slip in my mind. I was not that busy at work. My photography activity was also on the slide. And my "extra" activities were also on hold. So what made me stop?

Duh! I guess, I played too much badminton!

Hahahaha... and the sad part.. I didn't improve. Wehehehehehe