Technology in 2013.

It seems that with every year that goes by, technology changes more and more quickly and it is difficult to be on top of all of the changes.  Yesterday, I had a miraculous technology experience.  I have been using a computer since the late 1980s.  Before that, I used a typewriter.  I learned to touch type in grade 4.  being totally blind, the actual typing was not the problem.  The problem was the proofreading of the typing.  I could not read anything I wrote.  Also, the ribbon sometimes ran out on the typewriter and I would not know it.  I typed a whole exam in university that was blank.  With the advent of the computer, I was able to proof read using screen reading software which reads what I type and what is on my screen.  But, I have been a Braille user since I was in grade 1.  I wanted to use Braille on my computer.  Yesterday, I took my braille display and paired it with my mac computer.  Suddenly I was reading, writing, and editing in Braille.  This makes editing much much easier for me and much more of a pleasure too.  Thank you Apple and thank you Humanware for the braille note.

The great adventure of putting on dog boots.

I admit it! I put boots on my guide dog in the winter. It isn't to make a fashion statement. She is cute enough all by herself. So shiny and black and full of personality. I put them on to protect the paws against road salt and other chemicals. Yesterday, I took all 4 boots out and called her to me. Usually she bounces about and it is easy to hear her collar. She started over in usual fashion, sniffed the boots on the floor, and disappeared. It turned out she had not gone far. A few feet. But she was being very quiet just standing there. I called her. She moved slowly a pace or two forward and got within reach. She sighed. I heard it. One boot on. Kibble treat. Next boot she tucked her front paw up close to her body but we got it on. treat. Then she resigned herself to the back feet being handled. Once they were on she dashed down our stairs and stood impatiently by the front door. wanting me to hurry up and get my own boots on. If she had to have boots on, let's go out and get on with it.

Happy world braille day.

Happy world braille day. Hard to believe in some ways that over 200 years ago, a blind man named Louis Braille invented Braille. A system of 6 dots which helps blind people to read with their hands. Even though technology has evolved and I can use a smart phone, a computer, a light detecter app, a scanner with software to read printed materials, GPS apps and programs, get audio books. I still love braille the most. How happy I was to be able to pair my braille display with my I devices and to be writing and reading this blog in braille. I firmly believe that all blind kids should learn braille. It is vitally important keeps us more literate and working and besides you can read braille in bed at night under the covers and not get told to stop reading your book. thank you Louis Braille.

promotion for my one woman show in Ottawa

I am very excited to present my full evening, one woman, storytelling show "Flying in the dark" at the NAC Fourth stage on Thursday January 17 at 7:30.

Tickets are $20 with student and senior discounts and can be purchased through ticket master or at the NAC box office.

Without a great audience, storytelling is not the same.

I really hope that you can come.

For those of you who heard the show last year, the second half has been reworked and is quite different.  So come again and enjoy this new version.

Thank you to all of you for your continued and ongoing support.

Thanks to two women productions and Caitlyn Paxson for your help with creation.

Thanks also to the CAnada Council for the arts for providing the grant to make the creation of this show possible.

If you are unable to come but wish to see the show, I would be happy to discuss house concerts or other performances.

If you wish to contact me about this, please do so at 

kimjkilpatrick@gmail.com

Here is the little blurb about the show.

Kim Kilpatrick

Jan 17 - Flying in the Dark – Kim Kilpatrick

So, she was born blind!  For those of us who are sighted, Kim would seem to be hemmed in by dark.  But that's not how she sees it. For her, the darkness is no barrier - it's the refusal of others to acknowledge her competence that weights her down.  Laughter, language, and relish for living have freed her - that and her trusty guide dogs!  Join us for a story of gentle adventure to send you chuckling into the night.

Question from an avid blog reader. Do I like fireworks?

Someone asked me yesterday that reads this blog all of the time if I like fireworks.
No not really. I don't hate them but find them dull. The noises are the same after a while and I can't see, well, can't see the fireworks so it is a bit boring for me!
Last year, while working on my one woman show, the women from two women productions and I got talking about fireworks! They were trying to describe them to me. What they did. How they moved. What they were like.
If any of you wonderful describers care to try this, I'd be happy to know your thoughts.
Happy new year to all and may 2013 be wonderful. Thank you as always for reading my blog.

Sorry for what?

Yesterday, we went briefly to the mall so that I could get some pants hemmed and fixed. I don't like braving the boxing day crowds that much but we did it anyway. I left my guide dog home as it was so crowded and went sighted guide. I went into the change room and put on my new pants, came out and stood on the step so that the woman could see them. She pinned them up and then asked me to turn sideways to see the mirror. I was not sure if that meant she wanted me to see the mirror or if she wanted to see it. I turned sideways anyway. The length felt good to me so when she asked if that was okay, I said yes. then as I reached for the wall ! touch it and orient myself, I think she finally realized I was blind. She said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." This happens a lot. It got me thinking. She probably was embarrassed for telling me about the mirror. Yes, but I find those things funny and refreshing actually. Was she sorry I was blind? Not sure! Was she sorry she didn't realize I was blind? Not sure. She had given me good service and was very nice and respectful so I saw no problem.

Snow and kindness

We have had a lot of snow here. It is still coming down. Early this morning, I put on coat and boots and took the guide dog out. Winter travel can be somewhat challenging. When it is snowing, it muffles sounds. Cars sound quieter. People's footsteps are quieter. there is something peaceful about that but it can be challenging too. Also, banks of snow at driveways and corners make it challenging to move about. We had taken a short walk and I was coming back home when I met someone I don't know well but have chatted with before. She said how great my dog was and that she was watching closely as we walked and looking back at me to make sure I was okay. I'm not sure that was what she was doing actually. She probably was but she might have also been saying, "Hurry up. Let's get inside." then, she passed me a dog biscuit and said she knew she could not feed or interact with my dog in harness but she wanted her to have it. Snow, kindness, christmas spirit. What could be better than that?