I just gave my talk on “Inaugurations and Installations: Presidents’ First Days on the Job” to New Hampshire Mensa. I love being on stage: there’s an adrenaline rush to it. Even doing it remotely, there’s a taste of that rush, but it’s muted. Sure, like everyone, I miss seeing people, going out, doing things outside the house, travel, everything we’ll be doing once we get the pandemic under control. But talking to a room full of people, feeding off their energy and interest, bantering with them during the question-and-answer session, the small-group conversations afterward, and the relaxation after I’m done, sometimes with a meal or a drink or just socializing… I think that’s the part I’m missing the most.
Thanks for giving me the taste, New Hampshire Mensa and those of you who were in my virtual audience.
And everyone else: I’m available if your group is looking for a speaker.
For those who asked, here are the links to my two latest versions of the book on presidential inaugural speeches:
The Complete Book of Presidential Inaugural Speeches, from George Washington to Joe Biden
Ian Randal Strock 