Once, I did a very stupid thing. I jumped (or dropped) off the first story of a building, fancying myself a badass. Instead, I proved myself to be a dumbass because I dislocated two metatarsals in my left foot. I registered with Disability Services at my uni, something I never thought myself doing. But then, there you go.
The semester after I spent the semester on crutches, I was invited to join a student organisation that made life easier for disabled students on campus. "Why not?" I said to myself. It was for a good cause. Last year, Disability Services told us that Dan Keplinger was coming to our campus in February.
Us (the student org) had the job of doing most of the advertising. I set up a facebook group page and our administrator linked her event page to it. As I expected, not a lot of people showed up. Dan, interpreted through his wife Dena, said that small groups were best. It allowed them to be more personal with small groups.
This is a video he put up on his profile page on Disaboom - sort of a social networking site for disabled people.
It's funny how we end up doing things we never saw ourselves doing. All because of a dumbass decision, I met an amazing man, and an even more amazing artist. I do, however, discourage the audience from jumping off buildings.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!
Stranger: James, are you there?
You: Anna?
Stranger: JAMES?
You: Anna that you?
Stranger: OH JAMES! *runs up and hugs you*
You: Hey how are you
Stranger: Oh, james I'm wonderful now that your here..Where have you been all these years??
You: Traveling. I went on walkabout
You: I haven't been feeling myself
Stranger: Why didn't you tell me?
Stranger: Well?
You: Well I Mean
You: How'd you respond?
You: I don't know how to tell that to someone
Stranger: Oh *looks down* I see.
You: Sorry , love
You: I didn't find myself still
You: So it was for naught
Stranger: *sits down* Oh..
You: Enough about me. I've been selfish after all. How've you been all this time?
Stranger: Well..I've spent my time looking for you.
You: Dammit, please don't make me feel guilty
You: I've had so much of that in the past you know
Stranger: I know james..I know..*crosses arms*
You: Look, enough about me, what's new with you. How is your family? Still talk to them or...
Stranger: Mother Passed away a month ago...
You: Shit...
You: I'm sorry to hear that
Stranger: Oh Its Fine, She was sick..It was her time.
You: I suppose. I haven't spoken to my family since I left
You: I told them I was leaving, just not where
You: I didn't know where either
You: How is Thomas?
Stranger: Thomas? Oh..Same old Tom *rolls eyes*
You: Seriously? Thought he'd be off doing something new
You: Well, do you still feel the same about what's his face?
You: Markus I think
Stranger: Oh, Him? *looks down* No..Not at all.
You: Heh why what happened
You: You two even moved in and there was news about engagement
You: No, I shouldn't pry
Stranger: He slept with my sister..
You: What?
Stranger: Got her..well..Pregnat..Then Walked out on her.
You: Wait, Come on...He didn't seem like the type. He was going to become a bloody missionary!
Stranger: Thats what he wanted you to think.
You: Just another jerk?
Stranger: *sighs* Yes,
You: I do need to ask just because you haven't left my mind:
You: Are you still bitter towards me?
Stranger: *looks up* ...no.
Stranger: No, I'm not.
You: Well thank God. I think I'm finally able to move on. You ate me up onside you know that right?
Stranger: I did? *raises eyebrow*
You: Come on, Anna, You know more than anyone that my outside is just a shell. I don't let things just roll off of me
You: I do care, even though no one sees it
Stranger: *smiles* oh, i never would have guessed.
You: Is that sarcasm?
Stranger: No James, I really didn't know.
You: If you met me now, maybe you'd Ｓｅｅ it. My eyes have a kindness to them.Ｔｈｅｙ’ｒｅ ｎｏｔ ｊｕｓｔ ｍａｒｂｌｅｓ ａｎｙｍｏｒｅ
Stranger: *looks down and smiles*
You: Ｓｏ Ｉ’ｍ ｔｈｉｎｋｉｎｇ ｗｅ ｃａｎ ｓｔａｒｔ ｏｖｅｒ． Ｙｏｕ’ｄ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｈａｔ ｒｉｇｈｔ？
You: Ｙｏｕ’ｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ ｃｈａｎｇｅｓ ａｎｄ Ｉ’ｄ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｔｈｅ ｎｅｗ ｙｏｕ
Stranger: Excuse me James? I-i can't really understand you.
You: I'm thinking we can start over
You: Sorry my font is weird. I've got the language bar on love
Stranger: *eyes widen* Oh. *smiles and slightly blushes*
You: yes, i'm still studying japanese
You: i can hold a conversation now
Stranger: Thats good to hear james.
You: But, um, yes, start over
You: Youd like that right?
Stranger: Well...Yes..yes i would. *smiles*
You: Then I can rest easy tonight
You: You arent sleepy now?
Stranger: No I'm not. Why?
You: I guess i assume everyone is as tired as i am
Stranger: *chuckles*
You: I'm sorry, I have to go
Stranger: Alright.
You: See you soon~
Stranger: Goodbye, james.
You have disconnected.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Forgive me for being bashful, it's just how I am. I'm concerned for the both of us, you know.
But I regret that you'll never know that, for a space of two minutes, you were one of the most precious things in my mind and in my eyes. The chatter of the restaurant meant nothing; a boy gazed at you with longing eyes. I wonder did you notice. It doesn't matter I suppose. I doubt you'll think about me anymore, but you will linger in my mind at least for the rest of the day, and all the regret and all the wonder attached to you. Pretty and slender, dressed in your simple black uniform. It was best that I saw you this way, so that I could focus on the softness of your face, the soft brown in your eyes, and the odd but cute way the tip of your nose was formed.
Our interaction consisted of nothing but the exchange of plastic cards, cordial thank you's and nods. It left me wanting more - so much more. It's always like that: never enough.
If only you'd granted me one day to know you better, one day to hold your hand for just one time. At least, then, there wouldn't be regret.
But I regret that you'll never know that, for a space of two minutes, you were one of the most precious things in my mind and in my eyes. The chatter of the restaurant meant nothing; a boy gazed at you with longing eyes. I wonder did you notice. It doesn't matter I suppose. I doubt you'll think about me anymore, but you will linger in my mind at least for the rest of the day, and all the regret and all the wonder attached to you. Pretty and slender, dressed in your simple black uniform. It was best that I saw you this way, so that I could focus on the softness of your face, the soft brown in your eyes, and the odd but cute way the tip of your nose was formed.
Our interaction consisted of nothing but the exchange of plastic cards, cordial thank you's and nods. It left me wanting more - so much more. It's always like that: never enough.
If only you'd granted me one day to know you better, one day to hold your hand for just one time. At least, then, there wouldn't be regret.