Everyone tells me she takes sensational photos

May 1, 2016 • Posted in blindness, careers/jobs for people who are blind, memoir writing, Uncategorized by

When I write about the older adults in the memoir classes I lead in Chicago, I never describe what the writers look like. Now you can find out for yourselves!

Our day at the opera: That's me, Sharon, Audrey, Wanda and Darlene Schweitzer.

Our day at the opera: That’s me, Sharon, Audrey, Wanda and Darlene.

Darlene Schweitzer, a writer in the “Me, Myself and I” class I lead in downtown Chicago, played around with something called Adobe Voice and came up with a 60-second photo collage of writers in that class. Darlene narrates her Please Make Dreams Come True collage, and even if, like me, you can’t see the photos, it’s worth linking to her Adobe Voice project just to hear her sweet accent.

Today is the last day to take a minute and vote for the “Me, Myself & I” writers in those photos to win the Lyric Opera of Chicago contest — voting ends at midnight tonight. We’ve been stuck at fifth place for the past week, and I’m afraid that’s probably where we’ll stay. Sigh.

Eyebrows up! The whole experience didn’t cost us a thing, four writers from class got VIP treatment from Lyric Opera staff the day Wanda and Audrey were filmed for the video that promotes memoir-writing, the contest inspired Darlene to learn to use adobe Voice, and it motivated me to finally, finally dip my toes into the Twitter world to tweet for votes.

Once I hit the “publish” button on this blog post, I’ll head over to ChicagoVoices and vote for “Me, Myself and I” one last time. You never know — maybe all the first-place Croatians will be celebrating May Day today and unable to make it to the site for last-minute voting!

Darlene Schweitzer On May 1, 2016 at 1:37 pm

Beth, you are so amazing! Thank you for your super sweet words. I have been campaigning all day!! I love your quote “eyebrows up” and I’m being optimistic. ? We can do this!!

bethfinke On May 1, 2016 at 8:52 pm

I hope you’re right, Darlene….

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Mary Kaye On May 1, 2016 at 2:08 pm

I just snuck in a vote before the deadline, Beth. Wish I could do it again tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow… mary kaye

On Sun, May 1, 2016 at 1:17 PM, Safe & Sound blog wrote:

> bethfinke posted: “When I write about the older adults in the memoir > classes I lead in Chicago, I never describe what the writers look like. Now > you can find out for yourselves! Darlene Schweitzer, a writer in the “Me, > Myself and I” class I lead in downtown Chicago, ” >

bethfinke On May 1, 2016 at 8:52 pm

Your votes should count double –you are an original member of “Me, Myself and I,” Mary!

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Sheila Welch On May 1, 2016 at 5:58 pm

Great photo! And I voted also. Best wishes to all the writers in your class, Beth.

bethfinke On May 1, 2016 at 8:52 pm

Thank you, Sheila. And thanks for voting.

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Mel Theobald On May 1, 2016 at 10:30 pm

To “Me, Myself and I”, best of luck to all of you. I just voted again and believe you are already winners, no matter what the outcome is. And all six ladies in the photo are terrific, but what is going on with Whitney’s glowing eyes? Some doggie version of “red eye” I guess. She looks absolutely cosmic.

Darlene On May 1, 2016 at 10:45 pm

That’s too cute! Actually the flash hit Whitney’s eyes right on. I tried to fix it but with no luck… They stayed cosmic like… ? The red eye doesn’t work in white eyes. Lol!! Thanks for your kind words and support.

Lee Parrish On May 2, 2016 at 9:23 am

My daughter, you are the best. You give so much of yourself to each and everyone that you come in contact with. You are genuine. Your love for this group of ladies coming shinning through every time you talk about them. I am just so proud that you are my first born beautiful baby that God so graciously gave to me.I am also proud that you have put such effort into your class, and I know they appreciate you being there. My love to you. Mom

bethfinke On May 2, 2016 at 9:41 am

Aha! You’re Darlene’s mother! I was *wondering* who this mysterious Lee Parrrish was.Thanks for all your vote s and for sharing the “Me, Myself and” story. And you are right — we all do love your daughter.

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Lee Parrish On May 2, 2016 at 9:25 am

Have had fun voting every day (missed one) . All your teams efforts were not in vain. Hope to meet them all one day.

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