I led my first tour at the Pima Air and Space Museum this morning. How’d it go? Pretty well, I think.
My friend Frank brought a group of 25 wedding guests to the museum this morning. It wasn’t an “official” tour with regular air museum guests … my first one of those is next Wednesday morning … but I led it as if it was: an hour inside the main hangar, guiding them to several historic and notable aircraft and talking about each, followed by an hour in our WWII hangars, talking about significant planes from that era.
I remembered most of the facts and figures my mentors have been stuffing into my noggin, but more importantly remembered the big picture stuff about the development of aviation. Most importantly, I remembered to stay on schedule. The guests seemed to enjoy it … and so did I.
This was a shakedown cruise. What did I learn? Well, talking for two straight hours makes me hoarse. Some of the docents use portable amplifiers and microphones. I thought they were pussies … now I don’t. I also understand why all the docents carry water bottles and will start doing the same. Other things I’ll need: a laser pointer, a pen, something to write on in case anyone asks a question I can’t answer right away. Things I got right the first time: wearing good shoes and comfortable clothes.
It was fun. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.
Hey, here’s what I learned trying to teach a statistical analysis program to a group of young, female, social work grad students: speak lowly with lots of pauses for questions. Oh, that and the fact that they were the rudest group of people I think I’ve ever run into do. I did metter with a conference hall full of angry child care providers. Of course, it probably helped that I started the discussion with, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” But, being that I still have that East Coast gene, I’ve had to learn to speak a lot more slowly. And pause a lot.
So, when do we get the video? And how come I can’t view your responses when I click on them? I’m sure this probably somse utterly obvious Facebook thing I still haven’t gotten the hang of. Help would be appreciated.
And congrats on the tour. Please be sure to video it. You know me, I’m interested in everything.