150 Um’s and Ah’s

Summary

The text is a humorous reflection on the challenge of delivering a 15-minute speech without filler words, preparation, or boring topics.

Abstract

The author of the text humorously grapples with the daunting task of delivering an impromptu 15-minute speech. They express the difficulty of speaking without the use of filler words like "um" and "ah," especially without preparation or a structured outline. The author humorously considers and dismisses various potential topics, such as politics, religion, bicycle cranks, and fairy bread toast, as either too controversial or too mundane. Despite having done public speaking in college, the author equates the experience to the difficulty of thermodynamics. The piece concludes with the author realizing they can speak about themselves, suggesting they'll charge a fee for future speeches, and ends with a shout-out to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 and "The Brain is a Noodle."

Opinions

Public speaking without preparation is likened to a difficult and undesirable task, akin to speaking for an entire week or dealing with complex subjects like thermodynamics.
The author views common speech fillers like "um" and "ah" as detrimental to the quality of a presentation.
There is a comedic frustration expressed over the struggle to find a suitable topic for the speech, with the author humorously suggesting absurd subjects.
The author seems to have a self-deprecating view of their public speaking abilities, yet they find empowerment in the realization that they can speak about themselves.
The mention of a fee for speaking suggests the author now values their speaking ability and is willing to capitalize on it.
The text ends with a positive note, acknowledging and appreciating the work of Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 and the publication "The Brain is a Noodle."

#ThemeOfTheWeek

Fifteen minutes A long time to speak Without um’s and ah’s Might as well be a week

No structure or outline No time to prep This presentation I’ll have to schlep

Politics or Religion Those topics won’t do I’d sleep myself And I’d bore you

Bicycle cranks Fairy bread toast Any of these Could I possibly boast

I still come up short How hard can this be Timing my speech The stopwatch says ‘3’

Brad Pitt Pig roast spit Running out of ideas Public speaking is difficult shit

Did this in college Yet doesn’t ring a bell Compared to thermodynamics Public speaking is hell

Fifteen minutes Words are cheap I should be able to do this In my sleep

Out of topics More than enough said Think it’s time To put this one to bed

Public speaking I should charge a fee 150 words done I’ll talk about me!

SHORTFORM PROMPT

150 Um’s and Ah’s

#ThemeOfTheWeek

What’s one topic you can do a 15-minute presentation about without any preparation?

Sunny Side Updates with TBIN — week 31!