h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My local astronomy club has started something new - members giving talks of their own in between the main monthly meetings where we have a guest speaker. I attended the first last month and it was so successful that another has been scheduled for tonight. I have bitten the bullet and signed up - my talk is going to be on the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy website - you may have heard of it I'm taking along my Douglas Adams "Wish You Were Here" book as it has a lovely photo of our founder on the cover. And my copy of the Earth Edition book. I might mention that it's up for sale on Amazon while I have a captive audience. Photos, via a "flash drive" (get me!) of Jeremiah Horrocks' church which I visited in 2011, will enhance it (if the technology works). Wish me luck for my first-ever public speaking role!

Enjoy every minute!

<BB<

You'll do great. Enjoy yourself!

The first rule of public speaking is "know your subject" - and you certainly fulfil that criterion. Remember we are all with you!

The second rule is "picture everybody naked"

I'm not recommending it, though. Tried it once. Couldn't stop laughing.

Either way I know you'll do fine

Knock em dead babe xx

I wish you luck for your first-ever public speaking role!

Public speaking is fun! And you'll do well.

TRiG.

I did! I kept to my topic, and my finale was showing the open book with my Jeremiah Horrocks photo at his bio, and saying how proud I was - I had got quite warm while talking and I knew my Dad was with me and suddenly "and my Dad would be proud too" came out of my mouth. I got a round of applause from the dozen-or so audience and there was only one question about Jeremiah Horrocks' house, whether it was open to the public or not, I couldn't answer as I didn't go there, we just went round the church (by appointment).

Three people showed interest in The Book - Sarah even took details of the title and said she was definitely going to order it

well done you!

thank you sweetheart

I knew you'd be great!

GB I will be thinking about you at this special time. Sending my warmest wishes and good luck thoughts on your first talk, that it will be received very well and will be very successful.

Congratulations GB in your very successful first talk.

Congratulations! Well done indeed - great idea for a talk, and glad it was so well received

I find it rather nerve-wracking giving a talk, even to a friendly group - I did some presentations at uni which were OK, but I did a talk for a local society a couple of years ago and was nervous so I finished speaking more quickly than expected. I had items on the front table for people to look at, though, and everyone enjoyed having more time to study the items in more detail after having heard the talk, so it worked out well

Superb finale for your talk indeed

Congratulations, GB !

Big congrats from me as well!

And from me of course

Thanks for your support everyone. I was also showing off The Book at my extended family Boxing Day party, and promoting it, hopefully this is where some Christmas money will be spent