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It looks like my plan is coming together at last. My meeting with my newly assigned counselor went pretty much as expected -- once it got started that is. All I have to do now is get this paperwork done and we can get the ball rolling.

I mentioned last week that I had an appointment at the local DVR office. It turns out that by the time I wrote those words, I had already missed that appointment. While that made for a slightly awkward initial visit and necessitated a second trip to the office, it was a productive day despite the botched logistics.

I went outside and started the car and let it warm up while I brushed off the 3 or 4 inches of snow that fell overnight. We've been getting snow regularly now, but only a few inches at a time. The car started easy, so I know that it wasn't too awfully cold this Friday morning in January; My bare hands told me that it was cold enough.

My appointment was at 8:30 and I wanted to be a little early. Julie dropped me off about quarter after the hour, and then went about her day, leaving me to take a cab home when I finished. After checking in at the reception desk I waited alone in the lobby. I didn't have to wait long though. My counselor, John, came out to get me. I had worked with John before when I lost my job with Graebel Van Lines in 1988. Neither he nor the offices has changed a bit. It's as though the last 10 years never happened and I was back in 1988 all over again. Back to the old drawing board, I guess.

But alas, the meeting was going to have to wait a few more hours. We got our wires crossed and he had been expecting me the previous week! John, of course, thought I stood him up. From now on I will be sure to verify the date as well as the day of the week. He was on his way out and he offered to drop me off at home. John is also blind and therefor has a driver. On the way, John and I decided that they would come back and pick me up again later that afternoon when he would be returning to the office. And so, about 6 and a half hours later we were back where we started.

The meeting itself went amazingly well. I explained my situation and what I thought I needed, and he agreed. He explained the eligibility requirements and the steps we need to follow, and it appears, as I anticipated, that I am indeed eligible. Over the next couple of months I will be undergoing an evaluation to determine my needs with respect to blindness-related skills, and to assess my vocational needs, I will be taking some interest and aptitude tests. All of these tests, along with some counseling, with the goal at this time being: choose a career path -- nothing new to regular readers of this column.

And speaking of regular readers: my Sister, Lisa, finally got wired! Nice to know that another member of the family will be reading. Her son (my nephew), Brian, has also established email contact with me, and has shown an interest in "mudding; perhaps Kevin and I will have another playmate in our virtual playground.

I am a day late in posting this installment. If, in the meantime, you came looking for a new story, I apologize for the delay, and promise to be on time next week.