First Post of 2012
It’s been a while since I last posted anything here. There’s a lot to cover, and I’m short on time, so I’ll do my best to be quick.
Several editions of my Blind Man Walking column have been posted at The Blind Post Online Classified News. The most recent one was just posted yesterday.
I was recently on an episode of End Of Line, A great geek podcast hosted by Joe Steinkamp and Ricky Enger. It is not the most recent episode, so here’s a direct link..
I’ll be on Serospectives tonight at 6:00 Pacific/9:00 Eastern. Click here to listen live or catch the podcast if you happen to miss it.
I’m also writing a bunch of more new music. I’ll post samples when I have them.
That’s about it. For now, know that I appreciate all the emails and comments.
Much love,
Joshua
Guide Dog Chronicles – Increasing Confidence
Each day I work with Hobbs, I become increasingly more confident and relaxed. The tension in my neck is lessening, and I am finding my outlook more positive and optimistic. Oh, the wonders of working with a guide dog!
I realize that not everyone reading this may be interested in obtaining a guide dog, or even need one, for that matter. That said, I hope that these posts about my experiences as a dog handler help you to understand the blessing a guide dog can be for those of us who choose to work with one. The posts I’m making from the San Rafael, California campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind are often at the end of my day, and are consequently often less elegantly worded than my column at The Blind Post. Still, I hope there is something of interest for you here. If all this guide dog talk is driving you batty, then skip all the postings that begin with Guide Dog Chronicles.
I still haven’t gotten an answer on whether I’ll be able to record audio from one of my routes tomorrow. If everything goes well, you’ll be able to hear me working with Hobbs by tomorrow night. Just remember, it’s been several months since I’ve last worked with a guide dog, and I’m working on fixing some bad habits. GDB has also adjusted some of their approach to guide dog training, and a lot of that is new for me. What you hear tomorrow will not be reflective of a solid guide dog team. It will be audio of a student on a route with his guide dog, occasionally getting feedback from a guide dog instructor.
Guide Dog Chronicles – Lost Entry
Apparently I am so tired, after this very long yet rewarding day, that I accidentally deleted my most recent entry before posting it. I’ll do my best to post something in the morning to make it up to you. If everything goes well, you’ll get to updates tomorrow.
-Joshua
Guide Dog Chronicles – 1st Day With New Guide Dog
I said goodbye to my last guide, Hale, on February 5, but I didn’t know it would be the last time I would see him. I thought Guide Dogs for the Blind vets were going to run some tests on him, and he’d come back after his hip was treated. It turned out that Hale had a benign tumor on his spine, that was able to be removed, but which prevented him from being able to continue guide work. The last I heard, Hale was living out his days with his puppy raisers in Bakersfield.
Today, after a seemingly endless period as a cane user, I met my new guide, a male black lab named Hobbs. Two interesting things about Hobbs. 1. My favorite newspaper comic strip as a kid was Calvin and Hobbs. 2. Hobbs’s dad is named Samuel. My dad is also named Samuel.
Hobbs is quite affectionate without being overly so. He also responds extremely well to basic commands. We haven’t gone for a route just yet. Guide work starts tomorrow morning for me and my fellow retrains.
I’m going to attempt to post an update every day while I’m here. If yu don’t want to wait a whole day, I’ll be posting occasional updates on Twitter. My Twitter handle is @ServantWarrior
September Edition of “Blind Man Walking”
This is a quick note to let you know that my “Blind Man Walking” column at The Blind Post is back on. YOu can read the most recent “Blind Man Walking” article, along with previous articles, by clicking here.
The Blind Post is a great web site, especially if you have something you’d like to sell, that you think other blind people may be interested in, or if you are a blind person who would like to purchase one of these treasures. Of course, I’m a bit biased, as my mother runs the site. Please check it out, and tell Lori, a.k.a. Food Lady, that her son Joshua sent you. The direct url for the site is:
Posted in Personal Growth, Updates, writing
Tagged blind, depression, rielief, writing
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July Edition of Blind Man Walking
The July edition of my Blind Man Walking column at The Blind Post is now out. In fact, it’s been out for nearly two weeks, but I’ve neglected to promote it. Apologies to you and my mother, Lori Motis, who is the owner and editor of The Blind Post
I would like to be better at promoting projects, both great and small. I have a few more things coming soon, so that’ll give you a chance to see how well I do.
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Some Changes Coming
As I try to delicately walk the line behind creative martial artist musician rock star guy and tech consultant/trainer and businessman, I’ll be modifying the site somewhat. I’m not exactly sure what that means beyond more content being posted here. Perhaps it means a separate site for consulting and AT training, but I’m not sure. You can be rest assured all of my posts to the site will accurately reflect who I am. I make no apologies for my opinions. I post what interests me, and what I believe will be of interest and benefit to others.
Until I post again…
Much love,
Joshua
June Edition of Blind Man Walking
The June edition of the Blind Post is now out, and that means another edition of my “Blind Man Walking” column. To read the June issue of The Blind Post, visit:
www.theblindpost.com
Blind Man Walking at The Blind Post
The May edition of my Blind Man Walking Column will be posted at www.theblindpost.com tomorrow. In the Meantime, please check out all the cool stuff on the site, including my column from previous months. I think my mom has done a fantastic job with her site. Of course, I’m a little biased.