Too many ummm’s and ammm’s?

In general, I am told, my writing skills are pretty good, well, except maybe for my less than perfect gasp of proper punctuation and rules of English grammar, but I digress…

I gave a speech at my cousin’s wedding, and I spoke so fast that only maybe the 3 people directly in front of me, and my family who had already heard the speech laughed at the considerably lame jokes within, everyone else just kinda smiled and tried not to look too concerned at the hijabi speaking in a language they were not sure they understood (yes, it was English!). I generally do not mind public speaking, and I am actually pretty comfortable when I meet people for the first time, but I tend to have a bit of, what someone in my past termed, “verbal diarrhea”, whereby I start speaking very fast and then don’t shut up!

Anyways, I noticed that when I do podcasts, interviews, and especially when I am recording tutorials, I tend to say “ummm” and “ammm” a lot, so you know, that in addition to the aforementioned speech impediment made me decide to take action, and I attended a meeting of the local Toastmasters club.

Last week was my first time, you remember when I met the teacher who said I seemed like a fun person, well, in spite of my funk, I was being my usual self and laughing way too much at pretty much nothing, with some of the other people that were there also new. I think that it seems really interesting and beneficial so far (yes, from the one meeting that I’ve been to!), but I will keep you informed as to how it goes, and maybe I’ll record my first speech for you to critique!

Or not…

Anyone else is a member of Toastmasters?