It always amazes me the things that make me nervous.

If you want me to give a speech to a large crowd…I get a little nervous.

If I’m talking in front of the City Commission…I’m not nervous at all.

But…

Ask me to call one of the Commissioners on the phone and my voice gets shaky, I stumble over my words and my stomach is in knots.

Even though I no longer work for the City, I’m still helping finish up one of my projects. We will present the results and ask that the Commission approve the next step at the Commission Work Session in December. It’s kind of a complicated thing so I thought it would be best to talk to each of the Commissioners privately prior to the meeting. I’ve already spoken to one Commissioner, my father-in-law, who agreed that talking to the others would be a good thing.

Today, I had to force myself to go down the list and call each of the Commissioners. It about did me in.

When I did get one of them on the phone, I found myself stumbling over my words and that my voice was shaky.

What gives?

I know why I’m not nervous speaking at Commission meetings, it’s because I know my stuff. I also know that if I present it clearly and thoroughly, there will be very few questions asked. But, I guess speaking to a Commissioner on the phone and in person…it just feels different. It’s more personal and their position of power makes me nervous.

It’s funny because a City Commissioner is the most basic of all elected officials…well the School Board may be the lowest level…but you get my point. I wonder how I would respond if I had to talk to a U.S. Senator or Congressman or…the President….

I do have a railroad story about the time I had to meet with a U.S. Congresswoman…but given the frosty reception my last railroad post received….I’m not sure I will share it with you…

Eh, I’ll probably do it anyway.