In the weeks before the Sakura festival this year, I got an email from a UA student that was working with journalism students at the I Promise school. She said they were working on a story about the Sakura festival and asked if I would be interested in being interviewed.
I, of course, said yes. We traded emails back and forth to get things set up with the day and time – and I offered to bring some paper to do a demo. I got the time off work and went over to the school a few minutes away from campus. I checked in at the office and waited – I was early because I’m always early.
One of the UA students collected me and took me over to the media room. They had four I Promise students and they got a camera and microphone set up. The kids each had questions for me and it was more about the festival than my part. I had submitted questions which they didn’t use and ended up winging it.
Thank you, Student Toastmasters.
Once we got through the questions we set up at a table and I made some origami – narrating as I went along and telling some stories. The kids were really fascinated and were delighted when they each got something.
The UA student thanked me as she walked me out and said it may be a few weeks before they will have the final video. My part may end up mostly on the cutting room floor since it will only be a 4 minute video, but I think I did a good thing and made a positive contribution.
One funny side note. The school had a metal detector at the entrance and when I stepped through I set it off. Could have been my belt, my rings or watch, or even the metal collar stays in my shirt. Or more likely my keys. I started to step back through to try to de-metal myself, but the security guard stopped me and said I didn’t have to. I was in a nice shirt and tie, nice dress pants and shoes, and I was wearing my UA nametag. I guess I looked either official enough or more likely non-threatening enough that I didn’t need much scrutiny.
So, there’s my latest 15 – or really less than 4 – minutes of fame. I’ll share the video link with my boss – since he gave me the time off to do this – and maybe on social media if I’m not too embarrassed.