The Man in the Back

I am attending - not conducting - some workshops today.

Rather than being "on," I can be "off."

Rather than holding the attention of a group, I just need to hold my own.

I can sit in the last row and shuffle back to the coffee and sweet rolls whenever the mood strikes.

And the mood will strike.

I can be indifferent to the clock and to eye contact and pacing. I won't need to take questions or re-word various points or cite examples to bolster generalizations.

During the breaks, I can hobnob with my fellow wizards.

It will be a holiday.

But I will need to listen.

Intensely.