invited as speaker

… but had to turn it down due to other commitments in penang during the weekend.

invited by whom? centre for independent journalism. (CIJ)
for what? the events they are organising this weekend in conjunction with world press freedom day on 3 may.

yes, CIJ is organising a day event at the annexe, central market, KL. (see the post above)

i was invited as a ‘blogger speaker’ for the event on 3 may, a forum on ‘towards ethical media’ and to speak on blogging and ethics. unfortunately, during this weekend, i am tied up with other appointments.  saturday, going on a ‘street walk’ – a project where we cook  meals, packed them and bring them out to the homeless people on the street (tell you about it later) and sunday to attend a fund-raising project meeting of the society of st vincent de paul (SSVP).

oh, beside the reason of being tied up,  another reason is that i was shocked at the thought of me being invited as a speaker since i’m  an unknown, not  popular blogger (unlike all those big names bloggers like haris ibrahim, rocky, susan loone). further i’m also basically a shy,  timid, quiet person who writes very well but cant talk well! thus i have a fear of public speaking! haha.

well, no doubt i had done ‘public speaking’ twice before but that was only for my church’s SSVP society (making a presentation) and it was for only 40 people or so and they all being church members, i’m used to their presence, thus the fear is not that (but still got 10% fear!).  this invitation to talk on blogging, will be in front of unknown people (and i estimate maybe about 100 or so) thus it sounds scary. oh and not forget the other speakers like jacqueline ann surin, are well known, at least a somebody, and me a nobody, to be alongside with a somebody, will scare me off too.

actually two years ago, i was once a speaker for a workshop organised by bk ong (of malvu and penang watch). the workshop was on ‘podcasting, blogging and CMS’ and ong invited me to speak on blogging… but it was a relatively easy topic, i.e. ‘how to start a blog’. the crowd is also not big – about 30 people only. you can read my report here and access my picture gallery here. you can bet at that time i was nervous like hell and stammered a lot!

anyway, i thank CIJ for their trust in me, in inviting me as a speaker. i wonder though who recommend me to them. maybe it was their ex executive director,, sonia randhawa, whom i got to know as a friend few years back when we were in the sangkancil group… or bob? i spy he is a member of CIJ. well, whoever it is, i felt honored and proud to be invited and again, i said THANK YOU to CIJ. well… hopefully next time… i can overcome my fear of public speaking and accept the invitation from any group (if there is one!).

note:  suppose to post this last night but my streamyx conncection went bonkers!