Great things about being blind. Listening to things at top speed.

On my ipod, I have the speech rate set to %100 so I can listen to things quickly.
Last night, I was going over stories for a performance today. Listening to the text of the stories.
I could skim quickly through to find what I needed.
Then, I listened to the recording of myself too.
It too, I sped up.
Like speed reading I guess. Speed listening and it really works.

Great things about being blind. The feel of material.

I've been shopping for clothes recently. To find something new when I perform my one woman storytelling show in a few weeks. My mom and her good friend are great clothes shoppers and love it. I let them find bargains and clothes that look good on me. But, I can't wear something I don't like the feel of ever ever ever. It could be the best looking thing but if the material feels awful to me, I won't wear it no matter what. I feel terrible in it. I've always liked soft, smooth feeling material. Velvety things, suade or very soft leather, soft cotton or wool. I don't like scratchy material or fake feeling material at all. When I go in a clothing store, I feel all along the racks and find clothes I like the feel of first. Then, I ask what they look like. Tomorrow, a story when this went very wrong.

story creation. Mulling it over.

I've come to realize as I work on my one woman show, that there are all kinds of activities in the creation process. The crazy frantic writing and recording. The research. the editing and re-recording. In storytelling you have no notes. It is just you and the story. Then, there is the mulling. absorbing things. Thinking things through. I used to think I was being lazy or procrastinating when I was doing this. but it is equally important to the process. After some part of the creation, to step back and think things through. Allow other ideas to come forward.

Great things about being blind. Helpful construction worker.

The weather here is beautiful. Wonderful fall weather with lots of sun. yesterday, while out running errands, we came across construction. I've probably said this here before. Construction is hard and confusing for me. the loud noises make me lose my sense of direction sometimes and I can't hear what else is going on around me. Like other traffic. Sometimes the sites are not well barricaded and I get into the midst of a gravely mess. Guide dogs help with all of this but it still can be tricky. when I heard the noises ahead, I thought about going another way. I sometimes do this. I slowed down and listened. The machines stopped. I approached. The worker described to me in great detail what was going on, how far the construction lasted, how long they would probably be there. What a great help it was. He also didn't turn the machines back on until I had crossed the intersection and was further up the next block. Thank you whoever you are.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Several upcoming storytelling performances.

I have several upcoming storytelling performances. this saturday November 5 I am telling at the children's festival in Ottawa at library and archives Canada from 3-4. Stories of friendship for kids 8 and up and adults. Admission is free.
Storytelling with my one woman show, for details see
www.2wp.ca
and look for flying in the dark.
Storytelling on the NAC Fourth stage for the christmas show 500 years of christmas.
December 15.
I'm always available to do school shows, shows for adults and seniors, and house concerts. To find out more, please contact me.

Great things about being blind. More halloween.

there were a few great things about trick or treating as a kid who was blind. I could wear any kind of mask or face covering and not worry that I couldn't see. I would get candy in my bag and wouldn't know what anyof it was until I got home and surprised myself by feeling it and smelling it and finding out. I could trick or treat in the dark with no problems and no getting lost.

Great things about being blind. Halloween adventure.

We didn't get to give out much candy last night. But, when the bell rang and the little kids came, it reminded me of a halloween adventure I had. I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. We were going all together around. A bunch of kids. We came out of one house after going in one door and out another. I knew we had been walking up hill but suddenly we seemed to be walking slightly downhill. I told the others we were going the wrong way. We were supposed to be going slightly up hill and we were going slightly downhill. They said no we weren't going the wrong way. We got to a house and rang the bell. The woman said, "What are you doing back here again? We've already given you candy." I was right. They had gotten turned around after coming out of the house. I was so proud of myself. It was dark. I knew where we were better than the others. they checked with me after that.