Christian Cieri, Illustrator
I’ve made a grave error. During Winter Break, I went for an annual eye checkup and was given the option to pick out new glasses. I decided on a spiffy-looking pair of Ray-Bans. Fair enough, right?
Well, the next question the lady asked me threw me for a loop. She suggested that instead of the normal lenses that I usually get, I should consider transitions lenses for a few bucks extra. After some pondering, I decided that the investment would be worthwhile.
This is where I committed the error. When I returned to school, I awaited their arrival for several days, until the time came when I received that glorious “WITS Notification” email.
I raced down to Todd Union from Phase right before the mail closed and I picked up my package. I didn’t hesitate to try the glasses on. I was elated, but was curious as to how the transition lenses would work. After that, I went back to my room and stared at my bed light for about an hour or so. This didn’t work. Apparently, the transitions lenses only react to ultraviolet rays and not fluorescent lights. Morning came, the sun was out, and I was ready to finally have my first transition lenses experience.
At first, I didn’t notice that the lenses were making the transition. However, after a few more minutes, magic happened. What were at one time ordinary glasses were now full-blown shades. Now I wondered how they would react once I went inside.
I approached the back entrance to Rush Rhees Library in good spirits. I was extremely satisfied with the decision to upgrade to transitions lenses. I walked through the tunnels and noticed that they were not changing back. I walked into class and the lenses were still sunglasses.
This was troubling. With normal glasses, it is easy to tell that they are transitions. However, the glasses I purchased looked like sunglasses. Essentially, what I’m trying to get at is that I looked like a complete and utter jerk. I didn’t want to give off that vibe. So now, whenever I walk to class, I put my glasses away and attempt to make it to class without running into things. I’m basically blind.
This is when I realized that I would rather look like a blind man with tinted glasses than actually not be able to see.
Chiodo is a member of
the class of 2017.
