Public speaking can be scary!  We had over 1350 attendees for Ignite Boulder 11, and speaking in front of that many people is a trip!  Watching the video of my presentation, barely a trace of nervousness shows through. I felt happy, and full of goofy fun and confidence. 
I had just spent the day teaching Swiftwater Rescue to Sheriff Deputies with Boulder Emergency Squad, and was already buzzing from that.  By the time I got on stage I was absolutely bouncing with energy.  Part of this comes from being the focus …

There are 3 posts that I should write to do Ignite Boulder 5 justice: from a speaker’s perspective, from a viewer’s perspective, and from an organizer’s perspective.  However, this is not going to happen.  I leave for Spain tomorrow, and so I write the words that flow on the page.
 
 
I read over something I wrote after Ignite Boulder 4 three months ago and this caught my eye:
 
“I want to leave Ignite Boulder Five with my mind flying high, soaring on the intensity and passion of what I’ve just experienced.  You all …

Ignite (verb)-
1. to arouse or excite feelings and passions.
2. To set fire to.
 
14 fast-paced presentations.    
                          
                               20 slides.   
                          
                                               15 seconds per slide.
Every presentation is pre-selected by the audience for it’s hard-hitting passion, entertainment, and meaning.  The goal?  to ignite the audience! (no not set fire to you literal SOB…). 
July 2nd, Boulder Theater.  Come see what has inspired cities around the world, and Boulder 4 times already.  A growing community of agile-minded people get together to share ideas and motivate each other through a synergetic evening of fun.
Whatever level of involvement you …

Five minutes, twenty slides, a 440 person captive live audience, your big chance, ready? Sell it!   Uh… Sell what?  Your mom? Your brand for a non existent band? A dance routine?  Sexiness?
 
I stand for a few minutes watching the audience and speakers blending in a happy mix of friends as they make their exit.  The room becomes quiet as the film crew puts away gear… As sudden as the audience’s initial explosion of energy, the silence slams down, filling my lungs with the desire to whisper.   I wander up …