[nagdu] Over There

[Larry D Keeler]

Yah, and if you don't understand over there they think your dog does! Still 
can't get my wife to understand that "over there doesn't mean much".
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tami Jarvis via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: "Kristen" <kskristen at gmail.com>; "NAGDU Mailing List,the National 
Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Over There


> Oh, that is very good. I'm laughing, but may cry...
>
> I thought I had the spousal unit repaired and programmed to give 
> meaningful directions... But just yesterday, we went into a new 
> restaurant, where we got to pick our own table. So I had Mitzi follow him 
> until he stopped. There we stood, waiting for the nice, solid obstacle to 
> clear itself out of our way. "Well," he said impatiently at last, "you can 
> sit down over there."
>
> Which reminds me... I need to engage in some corrective spousal abuse now 
> that we're home. /lol/
>
> Tami
>
> On 06/05/2014 08:08 AM, Kristen via nagdu wrote:
>> I do not know who wrote this, but I bet we have all experienced the very
>> same thing. I found it on a Facebook group and thought it would be
>> appropriate here:
>>
>>   "Over There"
>>   As my guide dog Shadow and I stood in line at the checkout of the
>> River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a
>> simple question. "Where are the napkins please?"
>>   Her response was hurried, but sincere, "over there."
>>   Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch
>> the attention of a passer-by. "Please sir, can you tell me where I might
>> catch bus 63?"
>>   A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into the
>> cacophony of the early afternoon, "You can catch it, Over there."
>>   So many things reside over there -- napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens,
>> clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never ending
>> supply of important and indispensable items and locales all reside in
>> this place which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. I stand in
>> perplexed silence after learning that something is over there. It is a
>> place I have never been and have no hope of finding on my own.
>>   My guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators,
>> escalators, helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet
>> Pepsi display at Food Town; however, when I tell her to find "over
>> there", her little bottom hits the floor and a small whimper tells me
>> that she is as confused as I.
>>   We will not be going "over there" today. Over there has caused me abit
>> of vexation, a lot of confusion and, on occasion, made my heart race. I
>> have discovered that "over there" can be a dangerous place.
>>   One day while crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice
>> shout out a warning of a truck bearing down on me from over there.
>> Shadow artfully dodged the oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety
>> of the curb. Our hearts were both racing as we took a few moments to
>> compose ourselves.
>>   Close encounters with over there can be frightening experiences.
>> Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of,
>> "over there,", few have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration
>> of the mysterious place.
>>   One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the clerk
>> where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her voice, she
>> informed me that the aspirin was located, "over there."
>>   With a weary sigh, I decided that I would take the extra step that
>> would unravel the mystery, which had vexed my compatriots since the
>> beginning of time.
>>   Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at
>> the clerk, "Where," I asked, "is over there?" I imagined the girl's
>> shocked expression. I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks
>> with her fellows in the store. The silence grew palpable as they mulled
>> the possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land.
>> She had no choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over there!"
>>   I had won! Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless
>> anticipation. A victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on
>> the handle of Shadow's harness, we would soon be going over there!
>>   The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was made.
>> "That way," she said.
>> --
>> Kristen
>>
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>
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