Imagine flying halfway around the world to deliver
a state-of-the-art lecture
at a global veterinary congress,
only to be jolted awake by a phone call
with just 15 minutes
to make it from hotel room to podium.
That’s exactly the wake-up call I got in Bangkok, where jet lag and the city’s vibrant energy nearly cost me one of the most important presentations of my career. Thankfully, I was still dressed for the occasion.
As a state-of-the-art speaker at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, this trip to Bangkok was a career highlight. An adventure in more ways than one. I had just flown in from California the day before, still wrestling with jet lag and the city's bustling rhythm. But the thrill of Thailand's capital was irresistible, and I found myself caught up in the energy, joining my veterinary school classmate Jean-Paul for a night out before my 8 a.m. lecture.
I got back to my hotel after midnight, figuring a few hours of sleep would be enough to recharge. Unfortunately, my jet-lagged body clock had other plans, and I failed to wake up to the alarm.
At the crack of dawn, I was jolted awake by a ringing phone. It was the chairman of my session.
“Where are you? The lecture starts in 15 minutes! We’re worried about you!”
In a daze, I answered, “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
For a split second, I panicked. How could I possibly dress and be at the conference hall, which was 10 minutes away across busy Bangkok streets, within 15 minutes?
Then, glancing down, I noticed something miraculous. I was still wearing my suit, tie loosened, shoes on. Apparently, I had returned to my hotel room and collapsed fully clothed on the bed. With a rush of relief and adrenaline, I realized I could make it to the lecture hall in under 10 minutes.
With no time to review my lecture, I arrived at the podium and handed the thumb drive (supposedly) containing my lecture to the technician. I was bleary-eyed but ready. What could possibly go wrong?
As the first slide appeared on two enormous screens, I was horrified to see I’d loaded the wrong slideshow.
The presentation on the program was titled
“Neuromuscular Disorders of Cats and Dogs.”
But the slide on the screen stated in bold letters
“Neuromuscular Disorders of Cats!”
With a quick mental adjustment, I carried on, weaving in dog references wherever I could. I hoped the audience wouldn’t notice my mistake.
Then came the questions. The first was blunt: “Why didn’t you show any pictures or movies of dogs?”
I paused, then replied, “Because I know how much Thai people love their feline companions and view cats as symbols of good fortune and happiness.”
My response was followed by a deafening silence. An eternity of “you could hear a pin drop” silence. Not a sound from the 500 people in the giant conference hall. Had I misspoken? What would happen now?
Then, just as all seemed lost, broad smiles, thunderous applause,
and a standing ovation.
I had been saved by a reference to an aspect of Thai culture!
In that moment I vowed never again to go out on the town the night before a lecture, and to double check that the presentation on the thumb drive matched the scheduled lecture title. On the biggest stage in the world, I had dodged a huge bullet. Lesson learned and (to this day) never forgotten.
That state-of-the-art presentation in Bangkok was
an experience I’ll never forget.
It reminded me of the resilience we can summon
when we need it most –
even under the most unexpected circumstances.
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