The Trivial Ain't So Trivial Anymore

December 5, 2007 at 2:35 AM

I walk a dog named Alfed in a town called Alfed in exchange for violin lessons. Well this is how my story begins...

Yesterday, I ran to walk Alfred the dog in Alfred the town. The sun waved an indistinct goodbye and goodnight behind gray clouds and the ground hid under blankets of unblemished snow (as it still is today). The wind slapped me with cold air. Partly, my fault since I wore peddle pushers which exposed half of my legs. I kept glancing down at them to see if the uncovered part had become frost bitten, yet. But they were okay, even if a little numb. I exited Alfred University, traveling down a steep hill, or sliding down the hill is a better word. Main street was alive with slow, impatient cars queuing in the inclement weather. I smiled at the traffic, reflecting back on my home town of Los Angeles, laughing at the thought of seeing its manifestation in the tiny town and on the slender streets of Alfred.

Of course, the snow, the traffic all should have been a sign as to what would happen next, but I am no highly analytical, genius detective who could put such trivial things together while such a large picture surrounds me. I stood across from the becoming, small white house in which Alfred the Dog resided. The cars kept coming. Agitation creased on my forehead when no car would stop to let me pass. Finally, a cute van (I view all vehicles as cute, big animals) screeched to a stand still as if it had been debating whether to let me through and had come to the decision at the very last moment. Recovering from a moment of shock that a car had actually stopped for me on that inhospitable day, I jumped into the street, when suddenly one of the lenses in my glasses popped out and found comfort in the lowest depths of the snow. Because I was in the middle of the street and the hesitant driver waited for me to pass, I could not take on the impossible task of getting-on-all-fours and fishing for it. So, I waved a polite thank you to the confused driver and walked a forlorn distance to the other-side of the street. Seconds before, I never would have thought I would be yearning to be back on the other side of the side-walks.

I started up the driveway to Alfred's house when a headache came over me. I took off my half-lazy glasses and the world became a snowy blur.

Amazingly, I made it to Miller Performing Arts center where we were to have one last rehearsal for the semester. That night, my conductor had me stand as she introduced me as the new concertmaster. I then said (my first words as concertmaster), "[John Doe] can you give the woodwinds an A please?" I was staring at [Mary Jane] the string bassist on the opposite side of the room. Some ignorant blokes laughed at my mishap. I squinched, trying to make out the image of the perpetrators.

After each section tuned, we began to play. The first piece was "Pirates of the Carribean, Jack the Pirate." I played e-f-g in eigth notes while my stand partner played the correct version of d-e-f in triplets. And the same happened in 007 and Phantom of the Opera. When the rehearsal finished, my conductor approached me and asked, "You will have your glasses next semester, right?"

Since then it has been a fight. I do not walk at night. I taught one of my more zealous students today whose mother drove through the snow just because her daughter did not want to miss lessons. Of course, the dear girl enjoyed our lesson since I missed more notes than she did and played with a Godzilla of a posture, leaning so close to the sheet music on the stand that my nose touched it. "Oh just play yourself," I yelled, admitting defeat. She giggled and played delightfully.

I then tried to practice after she left. Since my hearing is more acute, I hated my sound. And the fact that I could not see my music further frustrated me so I gave up. I walked across to the dining hall where I had special assistance in picking out food and ice cream, which I needed for depression, "Which one is chocolate?!" I asked my humble aide.

Well, here I am typing at the computer, my nose two centimeters from the monitor. I will have to practice tomorrow! I can not let this partial blindness stop me. I think I will talk to the engineer students tomorrow about braille encoded violins.

I will not be able to get an extra pair for another couple of weeks!

Finals are next week!! Then I go home to my beautiful puppy.

Little Fatty. Her Name is Xhera.

So, all is good. Thanks!

Jazzy

From Sydney Menees
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:02 AM

The cuteness is blinding!

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:09 AM

Greetings,
you might be surprised to find your eyesight actually improves from not wearing glasses. There is also a distinct correlation between stress and lack of focus. If you take a moment to relax and breather deeply (through the nose) what wa sout of focus often becomes surpruisinlgy clear.
You can also buy very cheap pinhole glasses they look like weird sunglasse swhich may help you stay away from the computer screen at the very least.
Dont know why your violin sounds badwhen you cant see. If anything it should improve as visual input uses a lot of brain power.
Maybe you should do mor epractice not less. Incidentally, the cocnertmistres sshould know the works backwards before appearing in front of ones peers. Its a tough job but everything that follows goes so much smoother.;)
Cheers,
Buri

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:09 AM

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:50 AM

I know, Buri. I was just so frustrated, I did not want to practice, because I am human. But I promise I will make up for it tomorrow.

However, the orchestra tuned successfully. And we were sightreading! Considering I could not see too well, I think I did okay.
Thanks, you made me make myself feel better.

My mom said the same thing about not wearing glasses. I probably will see pretty good by the time I get home next week.

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:53 AM

Oh, it was the first time we received the music. My conductor gave me the sheet music to take home over winter break, so that I can come back knowing it like the back of my hand.

From Drew Lecher
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:07 AM

I agree with Buri and realize you were sightreading, but stick with little "Fatty" and you can't go wrong:-)
Have a wonderful Christmas!

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:14 AM

Thank you, Drew!

(I was not "sight" reading, I was blind reading.) It was funny to me.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:21 AM

can`t your dog learn to be a `seeing music dog` and bite your leg with the correct rythm and notes or something?

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:34 AM

Why can't you get another pair for a couple of weeks? The store from which you bought the glasses should be able to get you new glasses or a new lens for your old glasses ASAP. If not, you can have your optometrist send the prescription to another optometrist or optician closer to the place where you live. The new pair can usually be made within a few hours. I have been in a situation similar to yours briefly. I was surprised, and you will be too, at how quickly your brain adapts to using only one eye. It may help to put a patch over your lens-less eye, if you don't mind looking like a pirate. Really, do whatever it takes to get new glasses ASAP.

From Drew Lecher
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:54 AM

Is that like blind reading the blind?

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 6:58 AM

Thanks, Pauline. I have tried the pirate method but it is annoying and kind of hurts because the glass pokes into my eye. My family just moved to New York and there was this big halloballoo about Health Insurance. We just finally received the appropriate insurance and I will meet my new optometrist over the winter break. Just a week and a half to go.

Buri, that just might work...

Drew, I seriously can not see the notes unless they are 2 centimeters away from my face. So, yes the blind reading is blind, if that is what you meant. I was mostly playing by ear and catching notes when I could make out what they were! My stand partner, associate concertmistress, complimented me on it. So it must have not been a total disaster. And even though I could not play every part, I looked at the conductor and was able to give cues perfectly. We always came in on the right places even if "I" came in with the wrong note.

I am up late studying Japanese, just in case anyone is wondering... :0)

From Jasmine Reese
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 7:06 AM

Drew I read your comment again... :o)))

From Drew Lecher
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 9:37 AM

I see you see:-)))))

From E. Smith
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 4:27 PM

I just want to validate that what happened with your glasses in the snow was rotten bad luck and the kind of thing that makes one want to start weeping in the middle of the street! You seem to be handling the whole thing with aplomb. But of course there are many sorts of opthalmologic needs and issues and while it might work for some to stop using their glasses, to strengthen eyesight, that certainly isn't the case for everyone. I hope you get your glasses back soon!

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

The Trivial Ain't So Trivial Anymore

Subscribe

Laurie's Books