Can you tap dance?

Last week while at breakfast with a colleague, he told me a story about how when he was much younger, starting out in the business world, he went on an interview where the interviewer asked him at the end of their meeting, "Before we part, I'll need to take to my supervisor your answer to this very important question. Can you tap dance?"

I laughed. Who couldn't understand what she meant by that? Can you tap dance? Can you juggle flaming torches? Can you pull rabbits out of hats?

Well, last night I had to put on my own tap shoes. I went to an event for work where I was treated like a VIP. That's rare for me. I've gone to some cool events and parties but have rarely been a 'special' person. But I was last night when the organizer of the event put me at his table - Table #1 right next to a VIP of a different sort = a Very Important Politician. Host of the event really values the organization for which I work and so, extended that value to me. Very kind.

Any way, after all the speakers were done, the host began going through a list of people whom he called to the stage to thank with a plaque - you know, one of those weird hand-shaking, plaque holding photo ops. After my neighbor in the seat next to me sat down to tell me how it was unexpected for him to receive that, I heard my name being called. "From XYZ, I'd like to thank A...."

Okkaaayyy... so I walked up there and to my horror he whispers "Say a few words. Please."

Hang on, first let me put on my tap shoes.

A: "Well, this is an unexpected honor....." I yapped on. In front of 200 people. I have to say that I was pretty good at pulling things out of thin air last night and I'm normally NOT! I normally suck at improv. And I usually prepare for any speaking engagement as if I were preparing to meet my maker on Judgment Day. Quite intensely.

I sat down and asked my neighbor, "How'd I sound?"

Neighbor: "Like you already knew you were going to speak."

I guess I've got rhythm.