While in High School I took physics. The professor was certainly what I would call a "Science Geek". Thick horn rimmed glasses with faded yellow lenses, a pocket protector, slicked back hair and an inability to communicate his passion for physics to a room full of pubescent students. In addition my teacher had tunnel vision, his visual field was limited, so he could only see what was directly in front of him. This made for interesting classroom dynamics because anyone outside of his field of vision had an advantage when it came to the passing of notes, cheating and talking in class. Needless to say this affliction was not an asset to his teaching.

The words "Tunnel Vision" came up in my home recently. My husband commented that I had "tunnel vision" in terms of all things blood type related. I was not particularly offended by what he said, but it did cause me to think about why he would say that.

Possibly it is because every one I meet I try and guess their blood type, from TV characters to my neighbors and coworkers. I will repeatedly say to my husband, "I think he is an O... or maybe a B". I know if he ate differently he would be able to run that marathon and actually build muscle tissue." (my husbands eyes roll lovingly and he smiles)

I recently saw some old friends that I hadn't seen for quite some time, I quickly rattled off all their blood types, they stood amazed that I remembered this detail about them. It is not that I want to remember, it seems I simply can't keep the information out of my head. If someone tells me a health complaint, in my mind I am trying to decide which GenoType they are, "must be a Gatherer if the thyroid is bothering him."
Or maybe he said I have tunnel vision because I study the lists of foods or maybe because I reread the books over and over, for tiny tidbits of information.
Or because I will wake him in the middle of the night with some dream that centered around the people I love having there lives changed by eating for their type.

I am not sure why he would accuse me of having tunnel vision but I don't mind at all.

My father in law came across my 1986 college graduation program while cleaning out some old papers. Seeing that program brought me back to seemingly endless days of studying and long sleepless nights worrying over exams. During my college years I never felt very smart so I was surprised to see Cum Laude next to my name. I had graduated with honors but some how I didn't remember that. What I do remember is being relieved to be finished with my formal education and never having to take a test again, or so I thought. That was until I learned I could become certified by the IFHI which requires, what else, a test. It has taken me a long time to decide to get this certification but my passion for all things blood type has not waned in over 10 years, and what better way to satisfy my enthusiasm but to become certified in what I believe.

The certification exam will be given at the Mini Conference in Crossville, Tennesee hosted by the Pleatau Eat Righter's. So in June I sent in my $150 and Larry Nesbit (BT 0) who spearheaded the group, registered me to take the test and emailed me the manual. The manual is a total of 80 pages, double sided, with text from top to bottom, no pictures, no graphs, just words. It's a little daunting but full of important information and reinforces some of what I already know from reading the Eat Right books. It also contains some new information and links to things in The Individualist for further study. For now I am sticking with just getting through the manual, reading it in small bits, and taking notes in the margins.

I am looking forward to the conference not just for the chance to become certified but also to be with a group of like minded people, those who share my same beliefs. As one member of the Chat Right Forum put it, "sane people".

One person I'm lookig forward to meeting is Larry Nesbit. Early in the spring I was privilaged to speak with him, his passion for all things Blood Type was very evident in our conversation. He has made it his mission to share his passion with others, so he holds classes on a regular basis and now has a thriving group of Blood Type followers in Crossville. What an amazing thing to take your passion, share it and watch peoples lives change.

My conversation with him centered around how I could start classes here on Long Island and, like Larry, share my passion. I thank him for encouraging me to put aside my trepidations and take the certification. A portion of the conference will be devoted to Larry and his persistance in helping people like me who want to get started teaching the BTD. This is one of the reasons I am attending this conference rather than the one in Arizona (although I may go to that one too).

I am looking forward to meeting you all and hope they have name tags that include our BT/GT and our chat room names, that way I will know who you are.