[stylist] Feedback request, General content: Minneapolis Bus
BDM
lists at braddunsemusic.com
Fri Apr 30 23:38:45 UTC 2010
Any and all feedback is appreciated. Target might be publications looking
for light hearted true stories. Content is rated G, general.
In professional songwriting evaluations some ask how one wants feedback.
Ranging from "Go easy on me" to "Give it to me straight I can take it". I
always opt for the latter with request to not leave out stuff they feel
works or they like. For any future evaluations/feedback here that's how
I'll assume its given provided its worth your spending memory real estate
haha.
Minneapolis Bus
Having been diagnosed with a retinal disease some years back. I had decided
to counteract the traumatic trick life had played and take a proactive
approach. Before I lost usable vision I sought out an adjustment to
blindness training center in Minneapolis Minnesota. This training center is
called Blindness Learning In New Dimensions or BLIND Inc. for short, and
was affectionately yet quite accurately, known as the "boot camp for blind
folks".
Though apprehensions existed in what life would mean as a blind person, I
looked forward to the challenge of learning skills that would enable me to
live life successfully independent.
Besides learning skills as white cane travel, cooking for a large group of
people, reading and writing Braille, and other daily life skills
accomplished strictly under blind folds , one final requirement must be met
using all of the mobility skills learned. In order to graduate a student
must solely complete what is known as a five mile "graduation walk". While
blindfolded students follow a list of Braille directions instructing them
to cross noisy intersections, direct them to specific park locations, cross
bridges; board certain buses and make their way back to the training center.
Upon successful return, a freedom bell is rung in their honor and as if a
congratulations button were pressed, peers and staff come applauding from
classrooms with smiles, hand shakes, and pats on the back as they share
victory over the test.
The day of my graduation walk turned out to be an unseasonably warm one,
and about three quarters of the way into my five mile graduation course, my
legs found great relief on the city transit portion of the test. On the
surprisingly quiet bus with nothing else to do but listen to the engine
roar and a buzzing fly next to me crashing its head into the window in
efforts to escape, my attention was occasionally given to the entrance and
exit of passengers at the stops.
At one particular stop my ear picked up on a huge group of young elementary
kids boarding and consuming every available seat, leaving teachers and a
few chivalrous passengers standing holding on to the grab bars. Excited
conversation assured me the kids were on an early morning field trip.
Sensing unusual activity at the front of the bus after the kids got on; I
curiously cheated by lifting my blindfold to find two gents were boarding
rather boisterously. Apparently they were still "having a night out";
unaware the sun had risen right along with their blood alcohol level. One
stared down the isle with concentrated beady eyes, pulled focus enough to
find the bus full, and stood up front droopily hugging the vertical grab
bar with both hands. The other fellow cockily swaggered about the bus
exploring for a seat, using passenger's shoulders like rails in bumper
bowling. The kid's chatter diminished as even they became aware of the
state these two gents were in. Mid way down the long isle and recognizing
the bus was full, the second fellow settled quietly to a staggered stance
next to a nervous teacher. Both stood quiet, as did the rest of the bus
with only the roar of the engine and squeak of the brakes for audible
entertainment.
Finally breaking the intense silence, the adventurous drunk swung his head
sideways staring at the teacher, head bobbing from the bumpy ride and
alcohol content. With half mast eyes he looked at the teacher and said
"Pardon me sir."
The Teacher nervously returned the look replying
"Yes?"
The inebriated man proceeded
"Do you know Jesus Christ?"
Wide eyed and perplexed at the source of the question, the teacher replied
"Why, ah, yes. I do."
The drunken man returned his bobbing head to a forward position slurring in
apparent amazement
"Well it sure is a small world isn't it?"
©2010 Brad Dunse
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