Public speaking. That's it. That's what is giving me nightmares. I shouldn't be afraid of this at all, but I am completely sick over it.
I have to present a research paper that I wrote to a group of students forced into attending (who aren't going to be listening), some faculty who I know (and it means the world to me that they don't think I am a nimrod), and a few wonderful friends who are showing up to make sure I don't fall on my face alone. This is what I want to do with my life and I think I am more terrified of failing at it for that reason than I am afraid of speaking in front of people.

I know I should be going over the paper, and I have. I have picked it apart, cut it down, made it a little more audience friendly (simplified it)....but right now I am going through my closet like a 14 year old before a date.

Geez....nothing. I've got nothing.

I have to find something that looks stunning - without looking like I am trying to look stunning, young - without looking like I am trying to look young, smart, witty, confident....you get the idea.

I have every possible combination of outfits on my bed right now. The kids are helping.

Me: "How does this look?"

Youngest: some mumbling....he's playing Gamecube and cannot be disturbed.

Oldest: "Ummm...Mom....I don't want to hurt your feeling or anything, but you look kind of like a geeky teenager. And are you going to cover your legs a little more?"

Back to the drawing board.