Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Lockdown and the months of invisible dish soap (self.Blind)
submitted by MostlyBlindGamer
I'm VI and have been shopping for groceries online for about two years now. It solved the classic problem of everything I've ever wanted being "over there" and having to use my phone to check prices and whatnot.
Well, this year w lot of people discovered the joys of buying groceries without leaving their homes, as a result of that tiny little pathogen that turned a lot of lives upside down.
It didn't change my habits, mind you, but my orders started getting delayed and products that weren't in stock were replaced by their equivalents.
I use a regular yellow sponge for washing the dishes and for optimal contrast use apple scented - which is to say green - dish soap.
Can you guess what happened? My delicious apple scented dish soap got replaced by disgusting lemon! I like lemons just fine, but lemon scented products are just as yellow as my sponges, making them virtually invisible.
Well, I used the new one and made a point to hedge my bets for next time. On the following order, I picked two different bottles of lusciously green dish soap - from two different brands! I got you. There's no way both will be out of stock.
Turns out the expression is true - life does find a way. I got two bottles of depressingly yellow dish soap from those two different brands.
Of course, since I'm price conscious, these were economy size, extra large, super concentrated and on sale.
This is the story of how for several months I got used to washing the dishes while in practice and for this task alone, thankfully, being a little more blind.
...
So, does anybody have any other slightly comical minor frustrations to share?
Well, this year w lot of people discovered the joys of buying groceries without leaving their homes, as a result of that tiny little pathogen that turned a lot of lives upside down.
It didn't change my habits, mind you, but my orders started getting delayed and products that weren't in stock were replaced by their equivalents.
I use a regular yellow sponge for washing the dishes and for optimal contrast use apple scented - which is to say green - dish soap.
Can you guess what happened? My delicious apple scented dish soap got replaced by disgusting lemon! I like lemons just fine, but lemon scented products are just as yellow as my sponges, making them virtually invisible.
Well, I used the new one and made a point to hedge my bets for next time. On the following order, I picked two different bottles of lusciously green dish soap - from two different brands! I got you. There's no way both will be out of stock.
Turns out the expression is true - life does find a way. I got two bottles of depressingly yellow dish soap from those two different brands.
Of course, since I'm price conscious, these were economy size, extra large, super concentrated and on sale.
This is the story of how for several months I got used to washing the dishes while in practice and for this task alone, thankfully, being a little more blind.
...
So, does anybody have any other slightly comical minor frustrations to share?
jedimindfulnesstrick 30 points 2y ago
I have a white desk for optimal contrast, it was a fantastic idea. Anything I put on it is as visible as possible because it's against a white background.
Except paper.
Kinda forgot paper was a thing.
Except paper.
Kinda forgot paper was a thing.
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 5 points 2y ago
That's amazing.
I've spent half my life trying to get paper to not be a thing, but prior still insist on printing things out.
I've spent half my life trying to get paper to not be a thing, but prior still insist on printing things out.
[deleted] 20 points 2y ago
Ours has been going on for years:
My VI husband insists on a black phone case (because manly) for his black phone. He then puts the black phone down with his black-cased magnifier on top of it on one of our many pieces of espresso/ebony colored furniture.
The most common phrase in our house: "Where'd I put my phone?"
I"m like, at least put it face up so ONE of us can see a reflection or something!
My VI husband insists on a black phone case (because manly) for his black phone. He then puts the black phone down with his black-cased magnifier on top of it on one of our many pieces of espresso/ebony colored furniture.
The most common phrase in our house: "Where'd I put my phone?"
I"m like, at least put it face up so ONE of us can see a reflection or something!
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 9 points 2y ago
At least it looks great!
For a while my partner and I had nearly identical phones with the same case model. That was fun.
For a while my partner and I had nearly identical phones with the same case model. That was fun.
goldstarling 7 points 2y ago
My boyfriend does this! Puts his black phone down on his black bedding next to my black phone. So now I have a green phone case!
RatorLP 2 points 2y ago
what kind of phone does he have? if it's an iPhone, i'd highly recommend investing in an apple watch, even if its an older model (i have the series 3). The apple watch has a function to ping your iPhone, which means the LED will flash very bright and it plays a sound like a bell. It's really helpful!
TK_Sleepytime 14 points 2y ago
I requested a magnifying glass at work for when I need to proofread hard copies before signing. They got me an awesome magnifier.... With a clear handle and frame. Took me two weeks to notice it had arrived and was on my desk. Handle is wrapped in green tape now.
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 6 points 2y ago
That's a pretty good solution. Bit of a form over function issue, originally.
SeptemberJoy 10 points 2y ago
Happened years ago. I spent a few minutes trying to coax my dark brown cat out from under my desk. I finally realized I'd been calling my boots.
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Well, don't leave us hanging, did the boots move?
SeptemberJoy 2 points 2y ago
Maybe! But it might have been the nystagmus...
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Ah, I get that a lot too.
RatorLP 3 points 2y ago
happens to me a lot too, even though I'm not VI. most people do these things, many just don't want to admit it afterwards haha
[deleted] 10 points 2y ago
[deleted]
RatorLP 4 points 2y ago
just do it, knowing a bit better what your rooms look like is definitely worth it!
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Go for it! Don't forget the edges where the ceiling meets the walls - there is often an interesting shape to the transition.
[deleted] 6 points 2y ago
[deleted]
NonstopBus 3 points 2y ago
I had this same issue when at work. We all have the same Mac laptops and after a few months of me walking off with different peoples macs I finally was gifted a hard shell case that’s bright orange from my boss. Bonus cause I can put stickers on the case now without worrying about ruining the computer! 10/10 case recommend!
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Oh, that one's tough. A lot of people like to sticker bomb they're MacBooks. This seems like as good a reason as any to do just that.
FavoriteNumberIs121 2 points 2y ago
(Not what you asked for but...) This post is now a month old and you mentioned "for several months I got used to..." so I'm guessing you're near the end of your unfortunately colored soap stash. However in case you're not, or someone else happens into a similar situation, maybe soap dyes would help? I couldn't find anything specific to dish soap, but there are plenty of soap dyes available for hobbyists.
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I've thankfully exhausted it, yes.
Nonetheless that's very interesting. Definitely something to keep in mind should something like this happen again.
Nonetheless that's very interesting. Definitely something to keep in mind should something like this happen again.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Well I think I am going insane. Buses are buses and trains are trains. Who knows what is on there and who is on there and what germs are around. And what homeless guy is on there. Well I use to be very independent and did everything and went everywhere. But because of the virus I am just here........ not really active. Can’t go anywhere because I don’t want to catch the virus and rides are not always reliable and they can refuse to take me places people around here try to be controlling. So I go crazy a bit. Only if I could see and drive or something. But as a blind person it’s difficult and as a blind person you touch around.
So I am going insane. Haha! A bit bored haha!
So I am going insane. Haha! A bit bored haha!
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yeah, tough times right now. I haven't gone out in ages, let alone on my own.
I try to stay busy and to keep in touch with friends and family and to be social online.
I try to stay busy and to keep in touch with friends and family and to be social online.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
That’s my tactic yes. I am the keep going type always something to do. Type thing.
Winnmark 2 points 2y ago
This was a good read, thank you.
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thanks! It was fun to write.
meoverhere 2 points 2y ago
You can get blue sponges
MostlyBlindGamer [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I just might! As long as I can find them on sale.
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