Uh...Okay

Here I am, sitting on an old folding chair, fidgeting, nervous, first time at one of these meetings. I'm not alone. There are a bunch of other guys here, too, some look like they just walked in off the street, a couple just off Wall Street, most though are just average joes, like me. A couple of them must be new here, too, 'cause they're looking around, like they're wondering what to do and when this meeting's gonna start or maybe -- most likely -- if they should just bolt, maybe hit the nearest ATM and even closer club.

Great. It's my turn. I walk up to the podium. Hands are sweating, a twitch starts up in my left eye, the mouth goes dry all of the sudden but not unexpected. Yeah, I frickin' hate public speaking. But we're all expected to, at one time or another.

"Hi. My name's John."