I agree with David Locklear 100% on this observation:
The evening program started, and it became obvious that the lovely Miss Ellie Watson, had done a wonderful job organizing this event. I was impressed. It appears what this event needed all along was a charismatic, enthusiastic young caver to liven up the place. I made sure to find Ellie and tell her in person before I hit the road what a bang-up job she had done, and I'm sure I wasn't alone in doing so. Let me add that this was my first time as a presenter at the Convention, and that everyone should try that out. Giving the presentation was fun for me (I kept it intentionally light), but even if you present seriously on a serious topic, you will find that the questions after the presentation and all the other feedback that you get through the rest of convention makes it well worth your time. And its a great way to get motivated to bring together that that project information you've been sitting on for years, tie up loose ends on a project, or even get started on something that would make a good paper. And it's always good for those like me who started life as very shy to force yourself to speak in public on any topic. My career has made that necessary for me, and I hated it at first (and I'm sure it showed) but I made myself do it, and I'm glad I did. I still have good days and bad days in terms of nerves, But you get the same sensation when the dread goes away that you do after making it up over a hairy lip on an entrance pit that you've dreading facing on the way out since you went into the cave. Roger Moore
