Preparing for a Trip

The dogs have been anxiously following me around all evening. I sit down on the couch to try to use my iPad and Maggie is in my lap, whining and licking my face.

It is my own fault. I am sending out the OMG! OMG! Vibe. I am getting myself overwhelmed, and the dogs are going along for the ride.

Getting into the mindset

I thought I was in good shape to send myself off for the "Old Blind Chick Takes on Manhattan" tour. That was before I had 2 clients have crises when I should have been packing.

Trying to relax

Then I decided to take yoga on Zoom. It wasn’t there. I called The Y to have someone tell the instructor to admit me. Easy task; right?

What? Am I speaking English? I said 3 times that the Zoom was not on. I would love to be there in person, but I cannot be. I try to be positive and do things the way that will work and get me at least part of my goal. If I do my part, what is so hard about doing yours?

Keeping calm

Ok. Calm down. People don’t get the aggravation that can come with seemingly constantly being thwarted by simple things just because you don’t see well. And especially, strong-bodied 19-year-olds manning gym desks don’t get it.

I suspect having to jump through the hoops I sometimes have to jump through is not in his experience. You cannot understand what you have not experienced.

E-tickets

And speaking of things not being in people’s experiences, using e-tickets for the Lion King is not in mine. I downloaded the ticket... or at least I tried. There was a lot of writing and much of it was gray letters on a white background. Obviously, the web designer never learned the lesson about visual impairment and contrast.

Why don’t they teach this stuff in design school?!? I remind myself I am not the only old, computer-incompetent sort going to this play. If I cannot get someone to help me at the hotel. I will get someone to help me at the theater. Panicking about this is not going to help.

Packing

Besides, that is way down the line of my worries. Instead I should probably worry about other things. Did I pack my photo identification and my COVID vaccination card? Where is my credit card... for the 17th time. What about getting to the convenience store that passes for a bus station. Will the bus come? WHERE IS MY PHONE??????

And while I am talking about packing, does anyone remember what you are supposed to wear to the theater? Or a high school reunion. Or just somewhere that is not hanging around the house or going to Walmart? My lack of social competence since the pandemic is amazing.

No backing out

OK, so I am panicking a little... a lot. I have not been to Manhattan in about 6 years and I have never gone alone and I have NEVER gone as a VIP (visually-impaired person). Trepidation is to be expected; right?

But that does not mean I am backing out. I am going to sit here, take deep breaths and let the dogs lick my face. Tomorrow I go on an adventure.