Now this may come as a bit of a shock, but we have actually done something today! We went to the maths teacher's husband's teacher training college (and we have learnt her name now: Esther Kiruba, so she is relieved of the 'that maths teacher' label). At the college we talked with the students and stayed all day. We weren't allowed to talk about religion because it is a government college (rules – I don't know). The government also rules that the college can only have one hundred students (fifty in each year). All the students are our age and above, having finished their plus two's (A-levels). They are training to teach up to eighth standard (14 year-olds). You have to take a degree if you want to teach above this. We talked about the usual stuff, and I sang 'Jerusalem' for them.
At the moment I have got lots of mud on my left hand to stain my hand and nails red! It is done for festivals so I am using Christmas as an excuse. C. predictably didn't go for it, afraid of what they'd say at home. Esther put it on, and I have to leave it over night. It's a plant they use, probably Henna, ground up leaves mixed with mud. She is going to put some more on on Saturday so that my nails go really red! It is a deep red, and lasts until your nails grow out. I think I'll have to get it done again before I go back home.
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Now then, back to some more pontifications on The Life Of The C... He doesn't *see* things in the same way as me. I'm not surprised at this difference, but he simply doesn't appear to be aware of the world around him. Part of this is due to the fact that he can't see too well past about two metres (and never wears his glasses), but it's also just him. If I say Oh look at that bus, C. will look around him vaguely and generally be too late to see the huge decrepit old bus with its engine falling out that just drove past. Most people I know would have noticed. I am used to being able to say look at that without having to point and people know what I'm talking about (it's not really as psychic as it sounds, just simple connections).
This evening he watched me take out my paludrine (anti-malarials) and leave two on the table for him. Two minutes later, he took some out of the bottle! He either forgot or simply just didn't see. This incident struck me because I watched him watching me when I did it. I'm not experimenting on him, I just happened to notice. It's very strange for me and he does get offended when I talk about it, but that isn't that surprising because I get frustrated when people don't get me so I'm probably not the most tactful person in the world. At the Rev's house his doorbell is a light switch with a relief of a bell on it. When we visited today, I suggested ringing it (call me crazy). C. looked around and said what doorbell? (In case you're wondering, there is only one switch next to the door).
That one, I said, pointing.
That's a light switch, he said, and waited - no it isn't - oh – well it's by the door and it's got a picture of a bell on it. C. didn't hear this, so I repeated it louder and in the tone of 'that's the Gents, the door marked G-E-N-T-S'. He still didn't hear however, and went up to investigate. Oh, so it is – Yes, it's by the door and it's got a picture of a bell on it. Now I'd said it three times and I had his attention. He turned to me and said DON'T talk to me as if I'm stupid, David! Sorry, you're just deaf. If he had trusted me in the first place the doorbell wouldn't have become such an issue - it's a doorbell, for goodness' sake. It's simply an awareness thing, C. doesn't hear you talk unless he sees your mouth move. I have no idea what he thinks about, but it must be dam' important to use up so much of his brain power.
Now I know it looks like I'm trying to make out that I'm dead good and C. is self-absorbed, but it does show how different we are. Oh it was a brilliant idea of USPG's to put us together, a superb challenge of our psyche's sensibilities and self-control. Thanks a bundle. We are on completely different wavelengths and have to explain what we mean to each other all the time. I do think about what I say and if I use incorrect grammar I will correct it (comedic effect you see: look how stupid I am!), and C. will get completely lost. I also seem to have a very wide knowledge of books, films and plays and will use references in conversation that I think are famous, but C. has never heard of them. If I thought I was intellectual I would use this as the reason, but I don't want to be too self-appraising.
We are different, think differently and feel differently. I want to broaden my perceptional horizons (hippy talk!) and C. is happy with the way he is. This is the reason I read so much, watch so many films, like such a wide range of music. I don't want to feel that I've missed anything. I try to absorb everything and adapt, the EEP's awareness session has made me even more conscious of this. I like to think there's nothing I won't try once, apart from chicken hearts, fish eyes and sheep's brains!
I've got an actual real bona fide friend! In fact it's one I I thought I'd neglected and forgotten. Big John from Greenbelt festival! I had his phone number but but never phoned and he's taken the trouble to find my address! I feel really guilty now – and will have to write lots to make up for it. And C. didn't say anything – big surprise there! Maybe he was cross because his harem of friends haven't written for Two Whole Weeks!
But I'm just bitter. We went to see the 'bat tree' this afternoon – the hangout of hundreds of huge fruit bats. They're enormous and really sinister, just hanging there like the Count himself. I think some photos of them in flight might be in order.
The Rev. has got to write a report on us to send to USPG! We've asked for a copy, but he says it's confidential. I hope I can get one sometime though, it should be interesting.