Eyes and Glasses
September 28th, 2007I started leaving my seat to walk towards the board when I was four. As I grew older, I had to walk further and further. By the time I was eight, I was going all the way to the board.
I can’t remember the times before that — what my sight was like before I became short-sighted. I like to imagine the world looked the way it does as I see it whenever I put on my glasses today — bright and colorful.
“You mean you can’t see that?” people with 20/20 vision ask me sometimes. Then they point to someone standing just a little distance away and ask the stupid question, “Can you see the guy standing over there?”
Of course I can — I’m not blind!
The world through my eyes is different. I squint to make out text not too far away — sometimes I have to close my right eye as my left is slightly better. Because I find it difficult to make out faces from afar, I recognize people by their other features — gait, complexion, figure, voice…even dressing. I make guesses when ordering at Wendy’s or McDonald’s because I can’t read the displays.
It’s not altogether a life of woe. Looking out of the window when driving past accidents, it is indeed a blessing not to be able to make out all the gore. Not joining the peculiar group of guys who peeked up girls’ skirts because I wouldn’t have seen a thing anyway — not unless I brought my face to within 30cm or less of the focus (and perhaps received a couple of slaps for my effort).
My glasses kept getting broken — I got them when I was quite young, and thought I looked ‘cool’ wearing them while playing football. More often than not I was without them while they got fixed, or replaced, and have pretty much gotten used to living without them.
Here’s to the bright, wonderful world I see with my glasses on — and to the many ‘evils’ I’m spared from seeing without them.
I’m still in and out. Work, school, more work. We’ll see what we can do about all that.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Hey man, hope you’re doing well. Take care…
September 28th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
OMG! someone who can relate. this is exactly what i’ve been going thru all my life. i’ve worn glasses since i was 7 (i’m now 27). and my vision just gets worse! i used to hide my glasses and break them so i wouldn’t have to wear them…they were embarrassing, esp. when i played basketball. thx for posting…i sympathize with you.
dara
digitalherstory.com
jasiri-blog.com
September 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
LOL at the guessing games when ordering at McDonalds. Life would be simpler to experience if we are spared the evils of human beings.
Its really nice how you could appreciate your short sightedness and see it as a tremendous blessing in disguise. To other people its like a disability that they complain and whine about all the time.
September 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
lol at thinking it cool to wear glasses while playing football.
to be honest with you, i have a thing for men with glasses… for some reason i still correlate glasses to smarts :-/ at one point, i even bought a pair of fake ones… but didn’t get any compliments, so i retired them. lol
September 30th, 2007 at 5:03 am
I love men with glasses, my MR. wears one and he looks sexy as hell with it. I missed u wen i was in 9ja, what have u been up to with ur intelligent self?
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:31 am
Coming from that perspective, short sighhtedness suddenly seemed sooo cool!
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:48 am
I cant relate to the post, I have never used glasses except for the occasional … (someone please fill that in, i got a block)
Anyway, uhmm, carry on. Ok.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
lol
Mr. Bright Eyes…
I used to wish I wore glasses. Now I thank God, he did not listen to me and make me do so.
i mean, to keep my shades on is torture. start to have a headache. the bridge of my nose starts to itch. etc
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:53 am
Love this post, especially the last line… great choice of words… bravo.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:23 am
Dude, I can relate. I actually can’t see that far off and I have to squint like Clint Eastwood. Always drives the missus mad. So now, I’m on a daily regime of carrots!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Can i say Thank God for contact lens and eventually Lasik….Being short sighted is a bother
October 11th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Y don’t u try lasik.. might be expensive but the result it amazing.. though cos u are used to having glasses,it may not be an issue with u
October 12th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I haven’t been here in a thousand years.
Azuka, whassup
How have you been?
October 13th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I had always thought that wearing glasses was cool.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Dearie, hope ur eyes get better. Don’t squint too much now…
October 17th, 2007 at 1:15 am
I feel your pain jare
i am in the same boat
October 28th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Wow… I never knew this! But, I must say that it’s good news to hear that someone else knows how I see the world, for I too am far-sighted. I am also color-blind; that throws a nice spin on things…
October 31st, 2007 at 3:29 pm
After reading ‘Eze goes to school’, I craved glasses but grew out of that desire after a while. Staring at computers for long periods does something to my vision now and I think I’m starting to lose the 20/20 thing where very small print is concerned but not enough to need glasses yet. You’ve done well.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Azuka
Have you tried seeing without your eyes and your glasses…remove your glasses and then close your eyes? You see a lot more clearly, you choose what to focus on and you see deep eithin your soul and spirit and that is the best.
People call it meditation…I am wary of the word…really there is a world of sight without our eyes but I am glad I have both eyes and glasses …most importantly I have the deep eyes of my soul.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:03 am
AZUKA, AZUKA, AZUKA How many time did I call you? Where are you? Where are you hidding.. u berra come and report to me sharp sharp…….hmmmmmmmmmm. hmmmmmmmmmmm.. hmmmmmmmmm how many times did I hmmmmmmmmmm?
How have you been hm?
November 18th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Lol, this is cool, an homage to your glasses and eyesight. I too am very grateful for my sight and all the amazing things I have seen and see everyday, and the fact that I can close my eyes when I might not want to see something!
December 18th, 2007 at 7:19 am
What’s wrong with u buddy? You’ve not been loading some stuff anymore.
December 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
It’s been eons since ur last post!
January 8th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Happy New Year….So arent u blogging anymore?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 am
its a new year oooo…. we rebuke writer’s block. Pls come back soon!
January 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Happy Nu year
*rolls eyes*
January 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Azuka, where on earth are you?
Are you still alive?
Happy new year
February 1st, 2008 at 7:17 am
I wore glasses too and it so wasn’t funny being asked if you could see ppl…
February 1st, 2008 at 9:49 am
started wearing glasses in ss3
i always thought i was normal
until i couldnt see a word on the black board!
i guess all my years of sitting with my nose touching the tv and computer screen took its toll!
evryone tells me
GET THEE CONTACTS!!
i will get them but ive always liked glasses
i have a ‘thing’ for cute people who were them
guys especially!
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Nice one. I like it.
Makes one actually…. think. Good.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
uhm,,,,,,,,great talent! I am quit impressed, Nigerians write so bueatifully well………….
Keep it up.