A self-challenge

I can't help but notice I do have this innate thing about always trying something new; innovating, and testing myself.

I sometimes think it's a curse.  It means I can never stand still, and any notion of a holiday which consists of just laying upon a beach is banished to the far reaches of fantasy.  But, on the whole, I'm glad of it. 

I think it makes life more interesting.  Indeed, what's this great game of existence for if not to explore as much of the thing as you can?

I raise the thought in this blog, because last week I did a talk to a business breakfast group in East Devon (quick aside - thanks for all being so welcoming and kind, by the way), and decided I'd try something new, just to see if I could do it.

When I give a talk, I usually note down a few key points that I want to mention and chat around them.  But on this occasion, I thought I'd put the notes aside and see if I could just talk for half an hour, without referring to them.

It was a little nerve-jangling at a couple of points, when I found myself wondering what the bloody hell (if you'll excuse the phrase) to say next, but I think it mostly worked.  And it was a very interesting experience, forcing myself to think on my feet and talk, whilst at the same time working out what was going to come next.

For a man, that's taking multi-tasking to a nigh unprecedented level.  It certainly gave me a buzz and allowed me to think I'd tried something new.   Which ticked a big Hall box in the list of life.

I'm currently working on the next talk, for the Chudleigh Literary Festival, on Wednesday (July 18th), and may try the trick again... but then again may not.  I suspect it'll depend on how big the audience is, and how confident I'm feeling. 

If you're coming along, I'll leave it to you to judge how it goes! There are details of the festival on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html   It looks like a great event, and a real tribute to the community to set it up, so do please support it if you can.

Finally then, another favourite Hall song, and today I choose one of my top Beatles tunes. It's Don't Let Me Down, because of the sentiment, the soulfulness of the vocals, and no doubt the sentiment the poor people at Chudleigh will now be suffering after this blog.