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Gush From A Stationary Geek

Published 30/11/2011 by Amy

It’s been a good day, a Mac package was waiting patiently for me when I eventually got out of bed, it’s a big mistake having the iPad charging under it because it means, instead of getting up, washed, dressed and breakfasted before checking my mails and texts like I expect a civilized person does. I merely fall out of bed, grab the iPad, get back into bed and check mails, or in the case of this morning, watched about 5 youtube videos from a new beauty guru I subscribed too, yeah. so Mac had to wait but it was worth it. I pretty much gush/explain/babble about it up there ^

Also.. I managed to grab some stationary essentials I needed to get myself organized with all my blog ideas and schedules and the planned youtube videos… I’m so used to having stickies and Microsoft Office on Apple Mac is just.. so superior to the windows version I just miss it so much. I’ve splurged on a nice A5ish stripey week view planner, like my old school ones really with plenty of green stickit’s for easy marking.

So now I’m all wrapped up because it’s blinking freezing out there, it’s too wet for snow but it’s definitely icy cold enough for it. Apparently M in Canada has it, not fair. Mum’s cooking a roast for dinner tonight. I cannot remember the last time I had a roast anything, so looking forward to that, especially the roast potatoes. I am such a carb junky – it needs to stop. Chicken is practically the only meat I eat really. I basically live of veg soup and veggie fingers. It’s not like I went out of my way  to be a vegetarian I just never really liked the smell or the taste of meat, which was really maddening for my dad who is a fully trained butcher. I really want to become a vegan in 2012 and stick at it but my parents aren’t really that pleased, they can’t exactly stop me but they think I’m a fussy enough eater anyway.

I knitted my first squares ‘on the diagonal’ last night. I’ve wanted to make a blanket/throw for years now but been stuck in a rut making hats and scarves not really a rut because I love choosing the wool and making patterns up as I go along. I really only know how to cast on and off, knit garter stitch and stockinette. I can rib and do basket patterns but that takes more effort and I get tired really quickly. It wasn’t as complicated as I expected it to be, knitting on the diagonal I mean.. I did get a bit confuddled with casting off but I sorted it and I made 3 squares last night, 4” practice ones. At the moment I only have dk wool and I prefer chunky knit so.. it looks like a trip to NA is in order to get some chunky.. I really love the King Cole Twisted but bulk is not an option on a budget.

I’m a geek when it comes to stationary, organizing and being creative with ideas so I am really hyper looking at my carrier bag full of goodies. Can’t wait to get started plotting and planning mwhahahaha.

Best leave you all for now. I hope you’ve had a calm day.

xx

That wasn’t quite how I planned it!

Published 09/11/2011 by Amy

Today I was supposed to be meeting up with my best friends for a Birthday Treat day out in Exeter. However, Ellie was still feeling a bit under the weather and I didn’t want to risk any accidents so we had to cancel our plans. Although my dad did drop me off for a few minutes at the bus station so that I could give my huge gift bag of Christmas and Anniversary presents to them all and they gave me some beautiful flowers and some Birthday/Christmas pressies.

When I got home I decided to open my Birthday presents on camera and put it on youtube so that the guys could feel they were there with me. I know my Birthday isn’t until Saturday but I’m a grown up and I’ll say when I open my goodies!! by the way I absolutely adore the green wrapping paper :) .

I love, love, love the cards I will keep them in my treasure box :)

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

Published 05/11/2011 by Amy
Evening all, hope you’re all enjoying the fresher, cooler air and the stunning autumnal colours. This is my favourite time of year. The bright red leavess and digging the trusty woolen scarf out and the hope and whispers of snow.

I’ve been baking some chocolate cupcakes in my little yellow lit kitchen while listening to the bangs and fizzes in the background. Ellie was with me lying under the table. She doesn’t seem to be as agitated as she was last year but I think it’s because it’s still quite early and the loud bangs aren’t that close by. Also I just keep talking to her, not specifically to distract her, it’s just an extension of me talking to myself really, but having the excuse that Ellie is in the room with me and she of course, naturally understands and agrees with everything I’m telling her so therefore I’m not insane.

Earlier today we went for a free run, decided to not go out of town in the car like we usually do for a free run in the forest or a park that we all enjoy. Instead we just walked up to the golf course at the back of my town. It was a really nice walk, the air was fresh and Ellie was pleased to be out of the house after our prolonged house bound state, because of deliveries and her still being a bit poorly and not knowing if it was safe to take her out. It’s been almost a week now and she’s still not right so I’m giving her till Monday and then it’s off to the vets.

We met a few little dogs on the golf course and Ellie and a black lab had a game of chase which Ellie loves to play. I like to hear her run but I’m not to fond of the crashing in to me part. It doesn’t take much to knock me over! On the way back up the hill we met a sweet little kitty. We were all surprised that it came up to Ellie and had a good sniff, then casually walked past her and rubbed up against me and let me stroke her head and chin. Super soft, turtle shell with bits of white and tabby mixed in. Looked a lot like my Tilly Kitty who I lost a couple of years ago from old age, she was 13/14, a rescue cat.

I’m really getting into baking, well it’s something on a small scale that I’ve liked going since I left school. But I keep finding so may interesting recipes that I want to try. I enjoy baking bread and cookies, now I want to branch out into cupcakes and little things like that. I thought it would be a nice idea if I take a batch a long with me every time I do a talk or something. Make some every week and pop into the local groups around town so that I can meet new people, and everyone loves to see Ellie even though she’s not a PAT dog. I could also take a few over and visit my grandparents as an extra going out adventure. QVC had a special deal on a 45 piece cup cake set that included everything you needed, silicon reusable cup cake cases, a box to keep all the stuff in, plus you can use the same box/carry case that your store it all in to put your cup cakes or whatever in when your done and take them out nice and safe. I ordered that and looking forward to making fairy cakes and cup cakes for Christmas and in the new year.

When I was younger and had more sight we would go to firework displays in the local area. I loved the atmosphere I still couldn’t really see the elaborate displays but I could hear them all right and it was just that nice family tradition of all getting together in a group, wrapped up warm, out in the dark with a bonfire smell wafting through amongst the fizzes and pops. I can’t remember the last time I went to a firework display but it always brings fond memories back at this time of year. I love the smell of bonfires even during the day, mid afternoon, just magical.

You may or may not have noticed that I’ve done a bit of re-arranging in my navigation. I’ve also added the labels/categories. It took me quite a while last night trying to figure it all out and organize it gave myself a migraine in the process but I’m happyish with the result. It doesn’t look like much now and obviously, I’ve got way more ‘keywords’ and stuff that I put in my posts so that search engines can find related posts and things. But I just wanted to display a few categories I felt that really picked out the parts of my blog I want to concentrate on. Also.. I can have a quick look at the categories and that will give me inspiration to write a more specific post. I feel since starting my youtube channel that I’ve been focusing on that a lot more, to just build it up and I haven’t neglected my blog but I feel that I haven’t really put a lot of concentration into it and explaining things which is what I really want to do here. This is my main thing, the videos are just an aid for when what I want to say would take to long to read and it’s just easier to say it. My blog is for elaboration and more ‘in depth’ stuff, so yeah. Sorry that was probably a bit boring and you didn’t really need to know that or really care but that’s where I’m coming from. I feel like I’m coming back to my blog now after launching my youtube channel and now I can settle down in the new year and focus on specific posts about my life, my experience, how I live a day to day life encompassing all aspects of interest and normality with a visual impairment.

I can smell the cup cakes now, so ready to take them out, wait for them to cool and ice them. Yummy!!

Have a great Guy Fawks night and weekend, stay safe, keep warm.

MAC and Flip

Published 01/11/2011 by Amy
I know it seems like every day I am buying something new. I admit that it even feels like I’ve bought and received so many super things lately!I tend to spend in spits and spurts. Spending  a lot in a short amount of time, on others as well as myself and then go quiet and save with just my rent and phone bill going out. So this has just been one of the spurts. I usually go a bit mad around the holidays and my birthday and spend the rest of the year just saving and paying rent.

Since joining youtube I’ve discovered all sorts of really cute and vintage type shops, as well as having the world of make up opened up to me. I’ve been enjoying the newness and funess of life again, I think we all need to do that. We can get bogged down with routine and that’s fine but we all need a pick me up so this has been my kind of pick me up month and treated myself and spoilt my friends and family this holiday period!

I’ve never bought anything from MAC before, I knew it was pricey and high end but I’ve never really been all that interested in it. But I am a convert, at least where Lipstick is concerned. Other than powder foundation that’s pretty much all I invest in make up wise. So here is my first MAC lipstick, it’s a gorgeous light pink. I love it, love it, love it!! so creamy and moisturizing, stays on and glides on great with or without balm underneath. It’s called Chatterbox and the number is A61. I’ve also been hearing a lot about eye brow care and stuff from the Beauty Guru’s. Well to be honest I don’t do anything with my eye brows, maybe I would do more make up and stuff if I could see to enjoy it but there you go, can’t have everything. When I heard of eye brow gel or mascara type thing just to brush them and keep them neat, I loved the idea! doesn’t sound like much work to add into your daily routine so I’m trying out the MAC eye brow clear set too.

I ummed and erred about this next purchase for months. I thought they were great but didn’t really know how I’d get on with it. I wanted to be able to vlog while I was out working with Ellie and maybe if the picture was clear enough I could actually see the world around me on the computer screen, like I used to with photographs. I had diddly squat knowledge when it came to camcorders or whether a digital camera would be good enough. I trawled through lots of reviews and different websites, even asked my geeky practically bro in law who’s great with gadgets. I’d heard a lot about Flip and watched videos on youtube. It seemed like a reliable make, high reviews, bit expensive though. Till I found this baby for under £30 on eBay BNIB :) . So I thought, why not, go for it, if it doesn’t work out, someone can have a nice Christmas present on Ebay, we usually put tonnes of stuff on Ebay at this time of year anyway. I tested it out today, while I was walking to the supermarket with Ellie and my mum. Took some interesting footage of my feet, must remember to hold the camcorder up! Looking forward to using it when I have my birthday hang out with my besties in Exeter in a few days. I love making memories.
This is the Jazz Flip DV150 Digital Camcorder. It takes video and stills, has an easy upload and share to Facebook and Youtube. It’s resolution for videos is 640×480. It takes 1GB and 2GB SD cards, you get 60 mins of high quality record with 2GB, card and batteries weren’t included but I already had a 2GB SD card and plenty of double A’s about the house. The pop out USB is super easy to use also.
PLUS I love the RED.

I had a single cross ring from Regal Rose but it was one size fits all and it was huge, so I went back to find something else and found a double cross ring and it fits perfectly. I think it helps having it on two fingers.

I noticed this large cross necklace the first time I was on Regal Rose but I didn’t know if I would like the stuff when I bought for the first time. But I absolutely love their stuff, it’s great quality, fast delivery, great customer service, pretty supereme packaging so of course I keep coming back!! I picked this up and love it as much as the ring.

Meanwhile, I’m in Sainsburys wondering how I got into the Candle isle because I’m sure I was aiming for the kitchen aisle and on the shelf next to where Ellie stops to tell me my lace is undone there are these pretty photo frames. 5 x 7 my favourite size photo, other than laminated A4 that is! I have tonnes of photos of Ellie on the computer waiting to be printed of and framed. This one will sit at the other end of my book shelf, I have one the same size with a religious painting in it.

It’s getting cold and dark now and Ellie is pooped, curled up on her bed. I need to finish replying to emails and then help my mum prep the church hall for the Wednesday Lunches. 

Take Care y’all x 

HAUL Video

Published 27/10/2011 by Amy

I had some free time this afternoon so after kind of complaining about not being able to edit my videos in my help vlog video the day before, (about the vlogbrothers 5 points to vlogging success and the issues I had with them) I decided to give WMM a go. I have to be honest and say I still do prefer iMovie and Macs in general, but as the cash flow doesn’t encompass that, freebies from windows will suffice till I marry a millionaire.

I wanted to do a haul video, but I do find holding things in front of a camera, obviously a bit tricky and I know how irritating it can be when you are watching something out of focus. So I decided to do more of a slideshow video of my purchases and this is out it turned out. I had mum on hand to help me because I do get a bit frustrated but I’m glad I persevered and I may try and edit more videos!

Doro PhoneEasy 615

Published 24/10/2011 by Amy
Doro PhoneEasy 615 review and mini tutorial.

I’ve had my Doro PhoneEasy 615 for almost a week now and I’m very happy with my decision to move away from the Apple iPhone 3gs. The reason for me swapping was because I just needed to get back to a basic phone, one that just phones and texts without all the apps and internet distractions. The iPhone 3gs was fine for the whole time I had it, I used to VO or VoiceOver function on it and got along fine. I was just getting a bit annoyed with how slow the VO buffer seemed to be in conjunction with a refreshable braille display unit such as a BraillePen12. Anyone will tell you, if they know me that is, that I am the least patient person on the planet and I just wasn’t patient enough to wait for her to catch up, it made checking for mistakes a very long and slow process. VO on it’s own, perfect.

Now the Doro PhoneEasy 615 isn’t a smartphone but it is a smart phone. It has some really cool features such as ICE app which goes more in depth than just sticking ICE in front of your ‘need to contact in case of emergency nunbers’. It enables you to give more information such as name, age, height, weight, language, insurance, contact numbers, doctor’s number, allergies, medical information and blood type. The A, B, C keys are perfect for speed dial and the extra security button on the reverse is a great idea, especially for the elderly if they take a tumble or something, just a push of a button can call designated numbers down the list till someone picks up and activates the speed dial letting you get help asap. It’s also hearing aid complaint! with extra loud settings as well as a choice of 4 high contrast themes. White on Black, Black on White, Yellow on Black and Yellow on Blue. I watched a video review about it so it would save time with the manual and it paid off because I was using it straight out of the box and mum didn’t even have to pick the manual up!.

It came set up on White on Black which I prefer so I didn’t have to change anything except the text size, normal was fairly big to begin with but I prefer the large setting and it’s easily done. It has bluetooth and FM radio which is great, the ear phones, lanyard, mains charger and usb lead are provided in box. Colour choices are Black and Red. Black was the only one available from the RNIB website. The 3.2 mp camera is centralized, which always helps, the iPhones wasn’t and it isn’t on the iPad either which is just a plain nuisance. It’s a nice clear picture and makes taking pictures and setting them as contacts or wallpapers, fun. The flash and option for red eye reduction is good one for pet pics. At the moment Vodafone doesn’t have any picture message settings to send to me so I am unable to send pictures I take, but I can transfer them off to a computer using the USB lead and I could use the bluetooth option to send to a friend.

The text size is 26pt and nicely spaced for easy reading, the buttons are well contrasted and soft to the touch. I find I do have to press down quite hard to push the buttons, but I think it may just be because I’m used to touch screens that are highly sensitive. The choice of polyphonic ringtones are good there is something for everyone, it’s not all pop/rock or classical there’s a good mixture. I find the fact you can’t turn of the vibrate is a little downer, but you can shorten the length of it. I love the design of the stand up charger, it’s neat and compact, if you have the sound on it will beep when you put the phone into charge and when you take it out, it also flashes red, if you have it on silent, you will just see the light which changes to green when fully charged. The screen at the front displays the clock, but I haven’t discovered how to get it to last for more than a few seconds when you close the screen. The blue envelope is cool when you receive a message! I can’t read the name or the number that it displays when I receive a phone call but that is also a nice little touch if you have the sight to see it.

It took me awhile to figure out where the space was and it’s on ZERO other things will pop up but if you don’t select those it will space out for the next word. Star * is punctuation and Hash # switches from abc, ABC and 123.

When you flip the phone open the top left is ‘ok’ then you camera button in the middle, very easy one click to open the camera, another click on the same button to take a picture – that’s it!, top right is ‘back’.
Underneath that you have the green ‘pick up’ phone followed by the up and down arrow menu navigation buttons and the red ‘put down’ phone.
Underneath that you have A B C which can be used as speed dial, you can of course use the rest of 1-9 buttons as speed dials, but who seriously has that many speed dials? The message button follows that, it’s another quick key, like the camera key. One click and your in messages.

I did do a quick video on youtube but I’ve taken some pictures here, step by step of how to change the text and the colour theme. As always if you have any question or queries you can email or leave a comment.

Exploding Head Syndrome

Published 29/09/2011 by Amy
Exploding Head Syndrome, Wikipedia describes it as a parasomnia condition that leaves the sufferer experiencing episodes of flashing light and explosions. People have also described hearing ringing, screams, static, voices and gunshots. 

I made a five minute video on the basics of EHS and a little about the experience I’ve had with it but I wanted to elaborate on it a little more here. 



I’ve experienced flashes of light that’s so bright it leaves you dazed with dots in your eyes and disorientates you. Mostly I hear voices, screams, static and gunshots. The voices usually start around 11pm and can go on till 5 in the morning. It sounds like someone is in the next room talking quietly so you can’t hear what they are saying exactly or even if it’s a guy or a girl talking, singing, even English or another language. It’s not distinguishable but it is there. Sometimes I’ve wondered if I’ve somehow slipped into another dimension, another world that I’ve somehow managed to slip through and sense other world conversations and spells. I find myself straining to hear what’s being said because you can’t ignore it or shut it out. You can’t sleep with it going on. The static annoys me more than voices, it’s as if it’s so silent that the silence is static. The silence is void of silence. 

This used to scare me as a child, especially the gun shots and screaming but it’s just something you have to get used to, you are not alone and even though there is no cure except a distraction. It’s nice to know that it is a medical condition and that you are not clinically insane. Which I have often wondered myself. 

The other thing I mention in my video, I’m not sure of the name but my ROVI told me after I explained it, that both are common in Visually Impaired people. The second thing is distorted images the brain tries to make sense of and can’t and leads your imagination to make things appear sinister. A 3 seat light coloured sofa in the early morning sun with a red throw over it can appear to be three headless humans greeting you for breakfast. 

No amount of getting close, if you’re not paralysed by fear or shock, or double takes, will help your brain find the information your eyes are incapable of seeing. As I got older I could control my imagination and had the ability to guess and reassure myself what something was or likely to be. As a child I did not and this can be an entirely other level to the usual childhood monsters under the bed. Being a medical show junky just makes this condition worse and listening to 9/11 documentaries has probably scarred me even more than a sighted person who can see the horrors, the imagination is a far more disturbing place

Youtube And Schtuff

Published 19/09/2011 by Amy
Woah… today has just been one of those long kind of frustrating weird days. I’ll be glad to dive under my duvet and hug my hot water bottle till it burns and fall asleep tonight.
But before I do that, I figured I should post my accomplishments on here today and share with whoever is out there, and if they care um yeah, ok, right. 

‘Helloooooo utuuuuube’.
I mentioned awhile ago that I was playing around with the idea of doing a series of videos on the topics of being blind, my experiences, and helpful tips and advice for sighted people interacting with blind people in day to day situations… I felt that sometimes I don’t really get what I mean across totally through text, I also tend to forget obvious things because I’m in a dreamworld thinking I am normal, therefore everyone just ‘gets’ me. So.. I’ve created a Youtube channel to accompany the blog posts and hopefully people will understand what I’m talking about. I had some issues with the syncing after uploading to youtube but I finally solved the problem. 

I’ve posted a quick video about the to do’s and not to do’s on guiding a blind person (especially across a road). But here is my very vague intro to why I’ve made a channel. 


I apologize profusely for the amount of um’s and fidgeting that I always complain about when others um and er on the tv.. 

Today I also checked out the new Sainsbury’s that’s recently been built near here, mid afternoon was a good time to go, it wasn’t to noisy or busy which always stresses me out even though Ellie thrives off of chaos. I got some peppers and brown rice for my stirfry for dinner tomorrow and my mum got me a cool red cardy that will go awesomely with my Be Beau black dress with the peter pan collar, thanks mum!.

Here is what I wore today.


Have a great week! 






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