[stylist] Feedback request, General content: Minneapolis Bus

[loristay]

Wonderful!
Lori
On Apr 30, 2010, at 7:38:45 PM, BDM <lists at braddunsemusic.com> wrote:

From:   BDM <lists at braddunsemusic.com>
Subject:    [stylist] Feedback request, General content: Minneapolis Bus
Date:   April 30, 2010 7:38:45 PM EDT
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
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
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site:
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>

stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for stylist:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/loristay%40aol.com