Karen's ActivEyes Blog

10.02.10 

Audio Book Reading.

Do you enjoy reading?  I do.  Well, that’s how I still refer to it, but actually it is listening to Audio Books.

My first experience was via the RNIB Listening Books.  Remember those great big devices? Bigger than an old style video recorder, with large flick knobs and a length of cable only about two feet long that had to reach an electrical wall socket?  And those cassettes!!?  As big as video tapes.  Good grief. Lol.   And it didn’t come with headphones, so everybody had to listen!!  I later found out you had to buy the headphones, surely I could have been informed of that at the outset?

I was so excited when my helpful Rehab Worker told me about the service after I was explaining that I was giving up on large print books from the local library, as I could no longer tolerate the effort and energy needed to decipher the print, plus the selection was tedious, being in the main Mills and Boon type romances, or Westerns.  But my excitement was short lived once the player arrived, and even more so when I got my first Audio Book, something about the experiences of a mans travels on foot through India.  The second was not much better being a similar thing but about a long train journey.  Oh dear, great reads I had during my sighted years were but a faint, and highly desired, memory.  I am a biker, for Goodness sake, or words to that effect, and I go camping in a small tent secured to the back rack and panniers for my essentials.  Where the heck am I going to pack this talking monstrosity along with its cable and big video sized tape on my bike, correction, my partner’s bike, now with me as a pillion and said tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, four pairs of knickers and deodorant.  AND!!  Where the heck am I supposed to obtain the electricity supply?  Come to think of it, how do I take my book to my local park?  Am I supposed to find a three-mile extension cable somewhere and hope no other poor soul trips over it on their outing across my route?  Dear God!!   And how big is my bedside cabinet supposed to be to accommodate it?   Am I supposed to lug it back downstairs for an afternoon read?  To get it into that accessible socket behind my settee that the cable does not quite reach, else I will be sitting on top of the sideboard cos that’s where my other sockets are placed?    Does the RNIB not know I am blind?  And do they not know that I am was only 35 and not interested in the trials and tribulations of a fantastic gun fight at the pigeon ranch?  Whatever happened to that form that was filled in for me, and sent to them, stating my age, gender and reading preferences?

I enlightened my Rehab Worker with my frustrations yet again.  It seems I was continually solving one problem to create another.  She then suggested another company, a Charity this time, Calibre, who produced books on cassette tapes suitable for something like a Walkman.    

http://www.calibre.org.uk/

This time I did not get so excited, but to my surprise, they had a wide and varied selection of genres, even the ones I preferred - gruesome horrors - and I set about choosing some books with the help of Beloved.  

I have not looked back, after joining Calibre, and I cannot thank them enough, tho it takes practice to learn to read by Audio.  Sorry RNIB, but that player was so not me. 

I do use RNIB now tho, I love the navigation features of the DAISY Disks, bookmarks, move back or forwards one sentence, paragraph or chapter, but still find their current players cumbersome. My present one is a Plextalk, and not very transportable in my opinion, but a minor improvement on my previous Victor Reader Classic.   I find the Plextalk heavy to carry around, therefore I cannot take it on the bus nor take it camping as I have no electricity supply.  It is supposed to work off the mains for 22 hours, but I have never been able to make one last more than 5.  After killing my first two Victor Readers, I was advised by RNIB to leave my replacement permanently plugged into the mains, even when not in use, as it cannot re-charge itself after long periods of not being plugged in.  Have you been told that?

My preferences have changed over the years, I read less horror and gruesome, more true life drama, romance, historical novels, art and history.  I joined RNIB Bookclubs, which has introduced new genres that I would have not contemplated otherwise. 

http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/copingwithsightloss/talksupport/telephonebookclubs/Pages/telephone_book_clubs.aspx#H2Heading1

I have enjoyed this, now being on my third bookclub, although I would prefer to get out and meet to discuss a book over a cup of tea, but I find the local libraries that run book clubs are either unfamiliar to me, and I do not have the confidence to go on my own, else too far away or at a time not suitable for me. And I fear, they would not be able to come up with the book the group were reading in audio format at the relevant time.  Or maybe I am being a bit sceptical, putting the service down with no prior experience, but you get that way when many services state they conform to the DDA, promise this, that and the other, and then fail, inexcusably.  

Last summer, I discovered Playaway, not sure if you have heard of them.  

http://www.playawaydigital.co.uk/shop/faq.cfm

I think they are great and have had a couple for my bike holidays.  Tiny little players,  - ooohh, I can pack more knickers, socks and some soap into them panniers now!!  Not much bigger than a credit card, a bit fatter perhaps, that operates on a battery.  You just plug in your headphones and press play.  It starts where you last stopped.  But that’s about it for navigation, other than rewind and fast forward, very basic, but enough if you can suss and manage the buttons.   They are available in Birmingham Central Library on their shelves, and I have been advised Wolverhampton Home Library Service has a limited availability. Currently Wordsley Library has a pilot.  You will need a sighted person to help you choose the book, as it is the same as choosing a CD or DVD from a store.  

Happy reading.

Karen.

X

29.01.10

The Birds. 

You may remember from my last blog that I stated the snow was preventing me from going out.  Well, the good side of that is I have had reasonable time to spend watching the antics of my garden birds from my front room and bedroom windows.  I find them rather amusing.  And, as I have recently found out the dates for this years RSPB Garden Birdwatch, 30th and 31st January 2010, I thought I would let you know about it. 

Its aim is to gain information on the types and locality of birds, to note those thriving or declining.   It takes any hour you choose to observe and count birds during the relevant dates; birds that actually land in your garden are the ones to count, and then a bit of time to complete your results online.  This web address contains links to instructions and bird guides.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

You can join in by post providing you ring them in advance on 01767 693 690 for a survey form and instructions. 

I helped put out a few crumbs for the birds with my Nan as a child.  At that time, I suppose I did not really think about it.  But now, with so many declining and dying species, I feel it is important to support them if we can.  Regularly I put out dried mealworms, various 

bird seeds, seeds grown from my summer sunflowers, fat balls, fat cakes, bread, stale cake or biscuits, chopped up apples and pears, and fresh water.  This winter I tried dried earth worms, but they do not seem so enticed by those.  I also have a range of plants that encourage insects and birds, the birds getting a double whammy there!  And the little darlings also help keep my slugs under control, as does my hedgehog when not hibernating, and my toad.

As a result I have been rewarded with many species of birds.  This year I have a Fieldfare that visits my holly tree several times a day, taking the succulent crimson berries up to ten at a time – there will soon be none left!  I have a Wagtail too, he started visiting the week before Christmas, and I also get Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Magpies and the dreaded Wood Pigeon.  I say dreaded because they are so big and boisterous, they frighten off the smaller birds.  But I do allow them to stay late afternoon to finish off any seed that is left, after all, they are amongst the natural food chain for other predators, such as my local Sparrowhawk.  

As Spring arrives, I will be getting baby Starlings, several at a time, some still completely brown, some developing adult white spots.  They are real cute to watch as they stand and squawk impatiently for the parent to feed them.  And if the Blue Tits decide to set up home in a neighbours nest box again this year, the parents will be making several daily visits to my bird table.  They must do fifty miles a day, back and forth, back and forth, a quick blur of blue and yellow as they zoom around

I think the park and feeding the ducks on its lake also started an interest in me to observe birds wherever I went.  I particularly liked water birds, swans, ducks and those you see wading on the beach.  When I was able to ride my motorbike, I often took myself off for the day, with my small set of 10 X 8 magnification binoculars, a packed sandwich and hot, black tea in a kiddies Snoopy unbreakable flask.  It had to be unbreakable with all the jostling it got under my bungies to secure it to my pillion seat.  Oh yes, and my sunhat, I can’t cope without a hat in the sun!  I could just find a nice spot, anywhere I fancied, and sit for hours, observing any water or land birds, hearing their tuneful conversation or squawking ruckus, and at the same time, admiring the elegance and age of surrounding trees, any floating cottonwool clouds against the tones of blue, grey, red or pink sky, having a peaceful day to myself, away from the day to day life of the office and the home.

I did not tell anyone about my little hobby then, it was a bit of me time and relaxation, not serious at all. Birdwatchers can be considered a bit eccentric and I was not brave enough to be labelled, but when I met Dearly Beloved, and we started going on rides out, I just sort of pointed out some birds here and there.  It turned out he had a great interest in Birds of Prey, suppose I should have realised really, him having a bespoke painted image of a Hobby on his motorbike tank.  So now, together, we watch various birds over the period of a year, and organise some of our holidays and outings around them and other wildlife.  We get to visit some great places with fantastic walks - Mull for Sea Eagles, Seals, Otters and Deer, Norfolk for Pink Footed Geese, Avocet and Marsh Harrier, Rhayader and Elan Valley for Red Kites, Slimbridge and Sandwell Valley for Wetland Birds, to name but a few.

I have to use a telescope now, I cannot see down both sides of a binocular at the same time. My right eye does not focus much, and I have learned to restrict how long I look with my left, else I will have no focusing vision at all for the next bird.  I have the telescope on a tripod which allows the image to be stable, and very often, Dearly Beloved will find the bird for me, positioning and focusing the telescope, and then explain to me exactly what to look for when I look down it.  Sometimes it can be very frustrating, either I can’t find the bird at all, or it has moved.  But we have fun and lots of laughs along the way

In the house I leave the window open to hear calls and songs, and use a small monacle to spot them, hoping the neighbours truly believe I am bird watching!!!   

Go on, throw a crust or an apple core out, you might be surprised at who comes to eat it.

Karen.

 14.01.09

Hello Again

We were going on a Winter Walk yesterday, Wednesday 13th January.  And although there has been lots of winter, we have not been on a walk!  I am a bit fed up now, of all this wretched snow.  And, no, I DO NOT think it is wonderful.  I have never been very fond of snow and like it even less since losing my eyesight.

Unfortunately, it seems other Activeyes events had to be cancelled recently too.  The pictures last Thursday, the swimming group, and the new gym session starting  Tuesday.  What a disappointment.  And I bet the gardening group down on the allotment has not been able to do much digging.  At least the weeds won’t be growing!!

I have not been out of my home on my own since 22nd December, due to the wretched stuff. And I seem to remember having a taxi that day due to some residue snow.  When I have gone out since then, it has been only for essential trips, shopping or medical appointments, and only then with a trusty escort.   I have been forced to cancel several non-urgent medical appointments as I have not had anybody to escort me, and that is not good with the current waiting lists for re-booking of appointments.  

Consequently, I am now running out of cleaning, cos that is what us women do in the house apparently.  The oven is very sparkly, the bathroom tiles gleaming, not one single cat hair on the carpets, or so I think in my head, and woe betide anybody who tells me otherwise cos they’ll be given the relevant cleaning equipment.  And, no, thankyou, I do not wish to come and do yours!!  Definitely not. Thanks for asking but I think I deserve a well-earned rest.  Now, where’s that sherry left over from Christmas? Dum te dum.  Hoooow, maybe I’ll clean out this cupboard tomorrow, see what else I can find lurking.  ‘Tis the time of year for de-cluttering apparently.   I’ve already done some of that too.  Got dearly beloved to go in the loft and get some boxes down that have been up there since we moved here six years ago.  Needless to say, most of it is going to charity when the snow lets me out, the rest already being filed in the bin.  

I don’t go out much on my own – aarrr.   I sit here with a glass of sherry or two and my headphones, listening to, often swearing at, my Zoomtext, hoping somebody, anybody, has sent me an email.  When I do venture out, it is only to local venues and on routes that I am fairly certain of, and only in the daylight hours.  During the build up to Christmas, November, December time, I avoid going out unless I absolutely have to as I cannot cope with the crowded buses, streets and shops.  I am not an avid shopper anyway, I do my main grocery shopping online (oh yes, there’s that essential Zoomtext person again) and get it delivered these days, but I do like to browse the shops during the January sales, usually during the second week or so, when the mass panic for sale item buying has quietened off.  Mmmm - Browse, well that’s what it’s called. For me it is squinting through me magnifier (extremely beneficial aid, answer to all my problems according to those in authority!), guessing the size and price on the label once I have felt the product rigorously to decide what it is, and like it enough to contemplate buying it.  Now, aren’t you glad I get my groceries online?  But if this snow continues, as it appears to be doing, the January sales will be well and truly over, as we will be heading towards February.  The last few Februarys we have had some snow too.  Oh, doom and gloom.  I am sorry if I am spoiling your fun but going out in it absolutely petrifies me.  I find not being able to determine the footpaths and street furniture in the first place bad enough without having a covering of snow that your rollerball white cane refuses to roll in, so then you start dipping it around, tapping from side to side and end up looking like a windscreen wiper.   Not fun in my opinion.  So when are us Activieyesers going to get out do you think?

Well, the next Activeyes event is Ice Skating at Telford Ice Rink.   So here’s hoping the snow will not still be keeping us in by then so those going can get there in their motor vehicles, failing that my Dad is an avid skier and I could ask him for his skies for you.   Mind you, he is rather protective over them.  

If you fancy joining in Ice Skating, or want info on any other events, don’t forget you can always call Tim for an update at the Beacon Centre on 01901 880111.  

Catch you next time, in the meantime, stay safe and warm.

Karen X

01.12.09

14 went to bowl,

Went to bowl an alley.

14 peeps, and one dog,

Went to bowl an alley.

(Hummed to the tune of one man went to mow).

However, I shall spare you the tedium of counting back down from fourteen to one, and one dog, by not creating fourteen verses for you to hum!!

So, as arranged, on Thursday 27th November 2009, we met at the AMF Bowling Alley in Bentley Bridge for 7pm, sat in some chairs and had a jolly good chin wag til everyone arrived.  It was good to catch up and meet everyone again.  Some of us sighted, some of us not, some of us couples, some of us singles, but we all fell in as a jolly band of Activeyes’ers as usual.

Then the Boss Man Tim stated it was time to go collect our shoes, so we all obediently trotted behind him – good little Activeyes’ers int we?? Yow cud tekuss enywea!  Bowling shoes on, and moving into our seating area facing our alley, Tim split us up into two teams of seven, and we took the respective seats.

The computer thingy that kept our score was set up by the staff.  And…  we were off!  Some of us had bowled before, some of us had not.  The dog thought she should aide her charge and tried to have a go along side him, but was marginally distracted by tickles from a kindly soul in the seating area until her charge returned, safe, to her relief. Phew!!  Her charge’s second bowl was not so traumatic for her, she knew he would be safe while she took a rest. After all, it was that Boss Man Person helping him, he should know what he is doing.  So she just observed this time.  Ooohh, what fun these balls are to watch.  Ears pricked, eyes darting, tail wagging.  And then they make a crashing noise when they fall off the runway taking some of those white sticky up things with them.  Tongue lollop, lick.  MMmm.  Strange creatures, these oohmans, what things they find to do.  Oh well, he doesn’t want the toilet yet, so I’ll just rest here a bit longer until I am needed.

As the game progressed, Boss Man Tim decided it must not be that hard for a blind person to do this hitting the skittles with a ball thing, as we all seemed to knock some down and score.  So, he acquired a scarf and donned it round his head, covering his eyes and was led to the end of the alley.  There he stood, poised for action, confident and proud, and rolled the ball.  It got well and truly stuck, wedged in the gutter, behind the bumpers that had been put up for us.  We all jeered and Tim removed the scarf and slunk away.  The ball remained there for the rest of the evening, as a reminder that he definitely needed more practice when wearing that scarf!

The sighted amongst us helped those who needed to be told where to aim their balls, and how many skittles had been knocked down, along with giving an update on the scores displayed on the screen.  It seems that I was one of the lower scorers, and was pleased that “the loser bought the drinks” idea was abandoned.  I would have been bankrupt!

And it got a bit silly when some men started showing off and bending over to throw their balls, backwards between their legs, of course.  Typical, boys have to play with their toys!

One game over, with us enjoying it so much, we had another go.  It was time for two of us to leave tho, at that point, and another two left about half hour later, so we are back to 14, 13, 12, 11, 10 peeps and one dog, now bowling an alley.  Groan!!!..  Sorry!  Just had to get that in somewhere!!

And finally, with the second game over, we all hastened back into our own shoes, gave the Boss Man our bowling fees to pay reception, said our goodbyes and headed in various directions over Wolverhampton to our cosy nests.

So once again, to all those who attended, it was great to see you, hope to catch you again soon, and to you that did not, why not come along and join us sometime.  

Regards

Karen

18.11.09

Who am I and why am I here?