Tuesday, December 11, 2007

PIZZED harldy describes it.....

As you all know I am a BIG fan of Darren Hayes, yes even during his Savage Garden days. Well I posted a comment on a you tube page that said - all I would've wanted for my birthday back in November is for Darren to Come to Little Rock, AR so I could see him perform live and possibly get the chance to meet him face to face. Well I wanted to see if anything had cumulated on his 2008 national tour of the United States yet. (for the record - theres nothing set in stone other than they will begin in March or April). I scroll down through some copied blog entries from his myspace page and on one of them it reads exactly this:
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Still Beautiful
Category: Music
Woke up in Little Rock.
Sang for some folks in radio.
Flew to Memphis.
Watched a storm from the the departure gates.
Flew to St Louis.
Now I'm getting ready for bed.
Life is still beautiful.


the next one down offers even more sinful evidence:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Little Rock little boy big world
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Music

I was in Phoenix Arizona this morning.
I was in Dallas Texas at 10 am.
I'm in Little Rock Arkansas tonight.
I'll be in St Louis tomorrow.
I'll be Chicago tomorrow night.
It's busy.
When I'm this busy I think a lot about the human condition.
..... [last part cut out as its not pertinent to the overall post]

I was so incredibly mad that my favorite of all favorites was a mere hour and a half from here and yet nothing I could do about it and looking back there's nothing I could've done about it other that maybe tuned into the radio at the time of his airing. It was on a Wednesday, I have to be at work at the wee hours of the morning at 5:30. (I often find myself crawling out of bed at 4:30 sometimes earlier, and crawling back into bed around 10:30- midnight. Once I have been known to have stayed up for nearly two days straight through. So it all depends.

Anyway he was in Little Rock, actually touched Little Rock, and to be quite honest and blunt - I dont even like Little Rock. The I-40 is a nightmare in its self with the construction.

I would go to Little Rock to see Darren perform at one of the clubs. I would be forever grateful and deeply appreciated if we were allowed to meet face to face. Im not a teeny bopper type thats in love with his first single 'Truly Madly Deeply' (while it is a touching song, its not my favorite) I prefer his experimental stuff, especially his latest album 'This Delicate Thing We've Made'. He's really grown alot, he's experimented, he's done an incredible amount of work to put out a solid album that doesnt sound like the American pop trash thats overplayed on American radio stations. This is good stuff, I agree with alot of his lyrics. On Neverland it hit home for me. I dont know if this was Darren's experience growing up, but even if it isnt, he's got an incredible view of it.

His 'Building A Time Machine' shares alot of my feelings for the things Ive done and what Ive regretted.

Someone anyone - if youve got connections, know how and what not - I would very much like to know if Darren will be returning to Little Rock for a performance, and two how I would be able to obtain tickets and possibly VIP passes as I would love to meet him in a relaxed comfortable setting and get to know him for him.

Peace Chow and Love,
-C

Saturday, November 3, 2007

All Things Considered: Deaf Culture

So this disscussion was brought up at AD.com and it is a very interesting one to say the least. Being born deaf and having felt suppressed by the hearing world as if I were incapable of controlling my own fate.

The questions brought up were:
When was Deaf Culture discovered?

When was is declared a 'Culture'?

By whom?

Why?

Was it conjured for political reasons?

And if so, what are the political objectives?

Well for one there are no easy answers for these questions. To just get started, we'd have to look at the term culture itself.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines culture as follows:
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This cul·ture (kŭl'chər) Pronunciation Key
n.

The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.
These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population: Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty.
These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture.
The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.

So looking at Deaf Culture to define it we have to look at the shared attitudes, traits, and expression by those that are deaf. We know what Japanese culture is, we all know what Hispanic culture is and we are easily able to distinguish between the two.

But deafness knows no certain boundary. Deafness happens in all cultures whether it be American, European, Asian, Latino or any other ethnicity. It goes beyond languages used and what skin color a person has as well as beyond sexual orientation, political affiliation and religion.

So lets look at Deafness:
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This deaf (děf) Pronunciation Key
adj. deaf·er, deaf·est

Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.
Deaf Of or relating to the Deaf or their culture.
Unwilling or refusing to listen; heedless: was deaf to our objections.

n. (used with a pl. verb)

Deaf people considered as a group. Used with the.
Deaf The community of deaf people who use American Sign Language as a primary means of communication. Used with the.


The only problem I see with this definition is that many people outside the deaf don't understand that there are varying degrees of deafness, and that not all deaf people use sign language and the fact there is more than one signed language.

But lets see how they define Deaf Culture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_culture <---Wiki entry

Deaf culture has always been around even before the 1988 DPN Protest at Gallaudet University, during this protest which was broadcast on national news - this was the first time that many Americans realized that deaf people were not stupid nor incapable of controlling their own lives. I remember a friend telling me that they had family members astonished that a deaf person could hotwire a bus and flatten its tires to block a roadway.

This is also the year my parents had me transferred from a special school to a mainstream school. I did not realize until a few days ago but I have yet asked my parents if the news of the Gallaudet protests influenced their decision to mainstream me into public schools. Until I know for sure I cannot say one way or another. I started Kindergarten in the 1989-1990 school year - have very vague memories of the special school but I do remember being taken to the Baptist church parking lot where mom had to meet a bus that would bus me to Ola everyday. The driver was Miss Melba a very sweet and kind lady whom I will never forget.

The DPN protests were extremely well organized and was paralleled to the Civil Rights Movement.

The protests were over the fact that the Nationan's Deaf University was not headed by a deaf person and 17 chairpersons were hearing with only 4 deaf members. This started when Jerry Lee resigned in 1987. The deaf students were ready to have a deaf president running their university. Students supporting the selection of a deaf president participated in a rally on May 1. Gally alumnus John Yeh advertised the rally with flyers that read:
It's time! In 1842, a Roman Catholic became president of the University of Notre Dame. In 1875, a woman became president of Wellesley College. In 1886, a Jew became president of Yeshiva University. In 1926, a Black person became president of Howard University. AND in 1988, the Gallaudet University presidency belongs to a DEAF person.

The selection commitee hired the only hearing applicant above the other deaf, but very qualified deaf applicants including I. King Jordan and Harvey Corson. The hearing person that was hired had no sign language knowledge and was ill-aware of deaf needs. This sparked the eight day Deaf President Now Protests that took place over eight days from May 6-13.

There were 4 demands the students wanted fullfilled:
1. That a deaf president be named immediately
2. The resignation of JaneBassett Spilman over a comment that "deaf are not yet ready to function in a hearing society."
3. The board of trustees that had 17 hearing members and only 4 deaf be reconstituted so that the majority were deaf members.
4. That there be no reprisals.

The eight day got so much national media attention that it is considered a critical change of direction for national deaf culture awareness as well as internationally where there is a deaf culture recognized not only in the states but also in Nordic countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Sweden as well as Canada that boasts a deaf culture centre.

For much of history the deaf were encouraged to blend in with the hearing world and to even hide their deafness. Alexander Grahamn Bell though a child of a deaf mother, was an audist and discouraged deaf people from being together fearing that sign language was not the best way to teach them the ways of the world.

Laurent Clerc pushed for sign language and that deaf individuals be grouped together to learn the deaf way - by sign language. And in 1817 founded the American School for the Deaf. In 1821 - it was relocated to its present location.

Whichever your viewpoint is on deaf education, I am firm that it should be based on the individual child and I dont even want to delve in Cochlear Implants.

The first implication of a Deaf Culture was on a tiny island in Massachussets known as Martha's Vinyard where there was a larger percentage of deaf people than elsewhere in the country. This was during the mid-to-late 1800s, after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet persuaded Laurent Clerc to return with him to the United States to start a deaf school. Through this deaf school and strong influences from Old French Sign Language and highly localized sign languages of the students that were being used ASL or American Sign Language came about and in the 1900s it became a widely accepted language in all states throughout the country.

The other questions such as by whom, and why will have to be answered in another part to what has become a series. But as I research and continue to write this may very well be a thought invoking journey.

Part Duex will follow soon.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Funny things I 'hear'.

So I was talking to some of my deaf friends online the other day and the topic of discussion turned to funny misunderstandings. Some of them were quite humorus, others just leave you with a good grin on your face.

So I will start with my own that I can remember over the years:
I was about nine or ten at the time; my mother and I were driving to my grandparents house for Sunday dinner when I noticed a new building in Belleville. So I asked my mother casually. "Mum, whats going in there?"

"Oh a Lesbian Appliance Store.."
"WHAT?!"
"Wha-at?"
"Did you just say Lesbian Appliance store?"
"WHAT?! I didnt say Lesbian Appliance, I said GIL-ES-PEE'S Appliance store!"

Another funny one of my own from a few years back:
I was about the same age, maybe younger when I was spending the night at my cousin's house when we were laying on the pallet of blankets in the floor in the dark when she whispered something in my ear and I said could you repeat that please I couldnt hear you over the fan. And she whispered again and I still couldnt hear her. Then I said - You dummy, no wonder I can't hear you! That's my broke ear!

I would share the funny ones from other people, but I want their permission first before posting as some may not want the stories repeated online too many times.

So if you're a reader and want to share your story and have it posted, feel free to email me at dr_vfib@hotmail.com or leave a comment in the comment box if you have a blogger account if not, just email me and I will get yours posted.

I will do a follow up on this post once I receive submissions. Send in your funny misunderstandings of what people have said to you, deaf, hh, or hearing.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Me, Myself, & I - Darren's new video and 2nd single from 'This Delicate Thing We've Made'

Yep its another Darren post complete with his new video which shows his fun and playful side, and for the dhh readers - I have the lyrics included. This song has a definite flashback feel. Enjoy!



I'm kinda reeling
A deja-vu feeling
We've been together
In another life

Got me extending
That network's ending
The future echoes
With your memory

Now darling, I don't know what the future will bring
But I am willing to sing 'til I drop
Now baby, I don't know how it happened to be
But when we met it was like future shock

Tell me what to do, me myself and I
It's gonna take a time machine
To get it right
And it's so cruel, I wanna take you home
I'm gonna speed those hands of time right up
So that I don't leave here all alone. Woo hoo!

The death of the romance
Thought there was no chance
Then you appeared right in front of me
I got to thinking
Loneliness sinking
I felt the cloudiness come over me

Now darling, I don't know what the future will hold
But I'm not willing to do as I'm told
Now baby, I don't care how it happened to be
But I know that my future's right in front of me

Tell me what to do, me myself and I
It's gonna take a time machine
To get it right
And it's so cruel, I wanna take you home
I'm gonna speed those sands of time right up
So that I don't leave here all alone. Woo hoo!

Did you ever get the feeling that the universe is leaning?
It's accelerating, it will never stop
Did you ever wonder if the number one divide by zero
Is infinity and if that's the case then what?
If imaginary numbers are abstractions of the real thing
Then could someone make the clock of time stop?
If we were always meant to be together like forever
Than it must have been a future shock

I don't know what the future will bring
But I am willing to sing 'til I drop...

What to do, me myself and I
It's gonna take a time machine
To get it right
And it's so cruel, I wanna take you home
I'm gonna speed those sands of time
Right up so that I don't leave here all alone

I don't know what the future will bring
But I am willing to sing 'til I drop [Gonna speed those sands of time right up]
Oh darling, I don't know how it happened to be
But when we met it was like future shock

What to do, me myself and I
It's gonna take a time machine
To get it right
And it's so cruel, I wanna take you home
I'm gonna speed those sands of time
Right up so that I don't leave here all alone

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Proper Priorities

So these days it seems as if everything is out of whack, not just the blood sugar, but I mean life in general. For one seems as if Ive been busted for playing games with God though I have been one to scream and curse at God for playing games with me in years past.

Today was just another talk, another walk, another go at the same boring life I've been living for too long. All I know is that right now there's a crack in the door and dammit I want more than what Ive got. I want to do more than I can.

Every morning it's the same thing: up at 4:30, get dressed, brush teeth, wash face, grab a smoke and head out the door to good ol' PJP (the initials for my company). Get there around 5 or so, sit and continue to smoke my lungs away while I clock in, get my lovely bonnet on and be on the line ready to go at 5:35 - I personally dont like to be any later I have this odd obsession with being either 10 minutes early or simply not show up at all. 2:15 pm Im done and out, but damn Im too zapped to do anything for the rest of the day regardless of how nice it may be and I feel guilty for that sometimes for not letting my DD play outside when all I want to do is sleep. Im in bed by 9:30 or 10, 10:30 the latest during th week, on weekends Im up 22-30 hours straight, goofing off, looking up deaf related articles or just plain reading books, newspapers and whatnot so I dont feel like Im disconnected from the world.

I understand that you should put God first and all else falls into place and how often we hear that in church, sometimes more often than we care to know, but Im sitting here wondering - why I, the one that can sign Amazing Grace in ASL, pray in ASL, and thank God in ASL can't seem to get it right with God. I mean, here I call myself 'Deaf Baptist', but am I really that or is simply a subconscious mockery of the denomination I say I am affiliated with - although I dont post strictly SBC links on here.

Sometimes I feel like if I put too much emphasis on church, Im missing out on incredible moments with my daughter. Im not the same Bible Thumping Babe I was 10 years ago - Im the cynical jaded baptist that believes in a God and a Savior and has given my soul to Him, but I have my doubts that God is going to do anything with me. Im just a speck, a dot, another ant marching along. Heck Im a single mom college drop out that works in a chicken plant and can never seem to get it right with anything.

Why? Because again as mentioned in a previous post - there is still one part of my life that I haven't given completely over to him, partly because Im not ready to and the other because if I let go of this I feel that Ive lost part of myself in the process. But then I have said that if losing myself means becoming a part of God, then I know Im becoming something beautiful too. So what's the hold up? Its a missing prayer and a longing for something I can never have.

I know as a single parent you are going in ten directions at once and it's difficult to decide what comes when although others may not completely agree.

I was asked today what I wanted to do with my life within reason - I said I honestly could not think of what. Im just lost at sea at the moment. If I am incredibly smart, how can one make such incredibly stupid decisions time after time?

With enough pounding myself down - I have a friend that has lifted me up more times than I can possibly count - chewed me out when I needed it most and ignored me when I needed to learn to stand alone. Well now that friend is in need. I want to return the favor but not sure how. I have been praying that God would open the door for me in that area and present a way for me to help. I understand what they are going through. It's rough, it's hard and all you want to do is walk away. I just want to let this friend know Im here I still care and Ive never stopped despite things I might have said and done. Jealousy causes us to do amazingly stupid things. You dont have to hide those feelings inside. Like a true human being - I stay with my friends beyond the fair weather.

So priorties are shifting as the world changes and sometimes its hard to keep up.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

The MSSD Incident

So some of you may have already heard about the MSSD incident where 7 students attacked another student and marked him with KKK and Nazi symbols. For those of you that don't know here is a CNN.com newslink:
The MSSD Incident

What bothers me most about this incident is not just the racist attitudes and hate crimes, but the fact there seems to be a double standard going on here through out the deaf community.

It is bad enough that people put down deafies just because we can't hear. Often I found myself labelled as deaf and dumb as a child and throughout my school years. When hearing people offend us we stand together as a strong group and say enough is enough.

It is bad enough that in the general world population people will commit crimes against another person just because they are black, gay, a woman, or if their religious beliefs are different.

But in the deaf community, I see double standards. We share our stories about being put down and shoved around by the hearing world, but amongst ourselves we find that we oppose Deaf homosexuals, Deaf blacks, Deaf women, and Deafies whose religious beliefs may be different from our own.

It is not right to be put down, and it is not right to put down others, but it is mind boggling to me when I see someone who's been put down so much, start to put down others. To me, it shows a lack of character. There's no need to go to a lower level to make yourself feel better. Surely one can rise above that and say to themselves, " I am not stooping the level of namecalling and hate crimes ". Sometimes the bigger person is the one that ignores the bullies and moves on with their lives and helps others deal with their issues in a healthy manner.

As for the student I hope he is OK, and I hope the other 7 have realized their mistake, use it as a learning moment in their lives and realize that everyone is the same, no one is better than anyone.

Monday, September 24, 2007

The struggles within

So Ive been having an internal struggle with myself for a number of years, but just now finally realizing this isnt something I can't accomplish on my own nor is it something I am willing to openly share with the world, for my own privacy's sake I wont disclose exactly what it is. Now before you go making assumptions I will assure you it is not drugs nor alcohol, nor is any child including my own in any danger.

You see church is a wonderful cover up for any number of fleshen sins that can be hidden from plain view. Something just beneath one's skin and fighting to come out. Sometimes I have thought about coming right out with my personal problem and somehow in the process liberate myself. Only problem is, liberty often comes with a cost. For now Im not willing to pay that cost.

So today I took up Jamie's call to come ask for help - only I did not go directly to him. Not that I dont like him I just feel that if I were to disclose it to him, I would lose a friend - and honestly friends are few and far between for me. So I talked to Tim, again I never disclosed not feeling right to share with the world. So I asked for some outside prayer and maybe perhaps one extra prayer will help, or maybe not.

I will say this much I have a bizarre problem which makes me even more uncomfortable discussing it openly with anyone, even behind closed doors. OK so 2 people, maybe 3 already know but for now its not spread too far, and I like it that way.

ANd because of this problem I am very reluctant to have a close relationship with anyone. So I guess it's a "push them away before they push me away" sort of mechanism. Bad thoughts enter my mind at night, while listening to music and whatnot and its hard to escape, its wrong and I know its wrong. Im holding on to something I can't have. Sometimes I just tell myself just once more then Im done, but then I change my mind again and say no more whatsoever.

Sometimes I think my dress, my personality and whatnot gives it away - but maybe it doesnt and Im just overly self-conscious.

And in another self-conscious aspect - Ive realized Im much too round and unshapely for anyone to love me and see me beyond the fat. Maybe Im doing this for the wrong reasons maybe Im not but Im now officially on a mission to lose weight, albeit in a healthy manner which could prove to be too slow going for my short patience span. How do I plan to lose it? Very simple equation really- a woman needs 2,000 calories a day for healty living. Right now Im consuming an average of 2,500 -3,000 daily, way more than I need. Now I simply cut back my calories to around 2,000 plus or minus 100 extra calories - so basically for phase 1 of this diet no more than 2,100 calories a day max, but if I go over one day then I need to cut back a little bit the next. Next more fruits and vegetables, less junk. When I fix a plate of something at least half of the meal should be fruits and vegetables. The other half is split into quarter of meat and dairy. And overall staying away from sweets.
Finally, up the activity level. I already stand on my feet eight hours a day, but Im not doing physically demanding work that causes me to break out in a sweat. I have no goals other than to lose weight and get healthy looking again which in turn makes me more desireable. No one really likes to hang out with a fat person, much less see them as a potential mate. I know I dont - and its very hypocritical of me to do so knowing that Im fat too. Does this mean when I get skinny will I make fun of fat people? Absolutely not, but if they want to lose weight then I would be more than happy to encourage them along the way and tell them to stick with it, the smaller jeans will come.

So those are my two struggles - the thoughts and desires I need to do away with and the weight issues.

Friday, September 21, 2007

AWANA what?

AWANAs
What in Zues' rear end is AWANAs you ask? Sounds like some sort of cheesy children's camp doesnt it? Well you're right about the cheesy part if you are an adult, but if your'e three it's a blast. Not to mention a free snack that mommy doesnt have to pay for. Well OK, the real reason for AWANAs is to teach young children the importance of Bible study, verse memorization (ok Im not all gung-ho about the verse memory for youngsters (3&4 year olds), but thats just me. Not only that they get to hang out with friends from school, and to make new friends with those that dont go to their school or daycare. To me it's all good fun and I get to act my shoe size rather than my age for a short while. Anybody that knows me, knows that Im just a big kid at heart. Ive been known to play with my daughters tinker toys or Lincoln logs sets. (Yes I did say that and yes they are still in production.)
So whay capitalize AWANAs, doesnt sound all that important - well no not in the great scheme of things AWANAs itself isnt all that important, but its good to go. AWANAs is actually an acronymn. Write this down if your'e absolutely particular:
Approved
Workmen
Are
Not
Ashamed.
Now if you look down the left sand side of those previous four lines you have AWANAs spelled vertically. Im not sure what scripture it relates directly to but Im betting its somewhere in the New Testament. AWANAs has three sub-goups or clubs. Cubbies, Sparks, and Truth & Training. Cubbies is for the youngest set - the three and four year olds, the next one up is Sparks, those are for those that are entering school - Kindergarten up to 3rd grade I believe, but someone who knows what they are talking about can leave a correction for me under the comments for this specific entry or leave me an email at dr_vfib{at}hotmail.com.
Truth and & Training is for what I call upper-elementary or at least that is what they called when I was stil in school. Its for grades 4-6th I believe, but nowadays they integrate 6th grade into middle school. Beyond 6th grade is the Youth Group but we'll get into that in a few years when Maddie gets there.
Now your'e probably sitting there thinking - yeah this is knock-off Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts wannabe club that instead of teaching children something useful, they shove Bible verses down their throats and the kids are expected to recite them from memory. Well, you're sort of right and mostly wrong.
Yes AWANAs is somewhat of a knock off of Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, but as far as structure, lessons taught and what not - it bears very little resemblence to those afore mentioned Scouting clubs.
Here they teach kids lessons such as making right choices, having morals, and whatnot. It also gives the kids some time to go over the classic Bible stories that we've all heard at some point or another, but maybe we dont have all the details down. I know I dont. I didn't exactly grow up in the church, and I admit its a little embarrassing to have these stories referred to in the lesson or storytime but not able to answer for the details of the story. For instance, the story of David and Goliath. OK we all know the story and there's some science in that story that seems to give it some credibility. But as for specific details such as knowing that this David is the boy King David that is the son of Solomon (or maybe he's the father of Solomon, either way there is a Father-Son relationship to Solomon somehow). But back to my main point is - these kids get repeated exposure to the stories, and the lessons they present. Not only do they get the details, they get to keep the lesson that they learned from it as with David and Goliath, the lesson of that story is anything is possible through faith and believing you can do it (although to Miss_P that lesson does have its limits :wink: ) You dont have to be big, strong, or powerful to bring down a bully. You can use your head to do so.
Making right choices and having your morals about you, these are foundations towards building a better childhood, better relationships, and hopefully these lessons will stay with these kids for rest of their life if their home life is consistent with what they learn at AWANAs as well as at Scouts, school, or anywhere else for that matter. This is the main point of AWANAs. Laying the foundation for a brighter future.
To find out what really happens at AWANAs see below. Oh yeah, there is a 56K warning - I have included a short video along with the pictures, so if you have a slow internet connection this may take a while to load, if not, scroll down mates!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Sunday, September 16, 2007

You have to be deaf to understand:

You Have to be deaf to understand the deaf
What is it like to "hear" a hand?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be a small child,
In a school, in a room void of sound --
With a teacher who talks and talks and talks;
And then when she does come around to you,
She expects you to know what she's said?
You have to be deaf to understand.

Or the teacher thinks that to make you smart,
You must first learn how to talk with your voice;
So mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face
For hours and hours without patience or end,
Until out comes a faint resembling sound?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be curious,
To thirst for knowledge you can call your own,
With an inner desire that's set on fire --
And you ask a brother, sister, or friend
Who looks in answer and says, "Never Mind"?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What it is like in a corner to stand,
Though there's nothing you've done really wrong,
Other than try to make use of your hands
To a silent peer to communicate
A thought that comes to your mind all at once?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be shouted at
When one thinks that will help you to hear;
Or misunderstand the words of a friend
Who is trying to make a joke clear,
And you don't get the point because he's failed?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be laughed in the face
When you try to repeat what is said;
Just to make sure that you've understood,
And you find that the words were misread --
And you want to cry out, "Please help me, friend"?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to have to depend
Upon one who can hear to phone a friend;
Or place a call to a business firm
And be forced to share what's personal, and,
Then find that your message wasn't made clear?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be deaf and alone
In the company of those who can hear --
And you only guess as you go along,
For no one's there with a helping hand,
As you try to keep up with words and song?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like on the road of life
To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth --
And speaks out a line at a rapid pace;
And you can't understand the look in his face
Because it is new and you're lost in the race?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to comprehend
Some nimble fingers that paint the scene,
And make you smile and feel serene,
With the "spoken word" of the moving hand
That makes you part of the word at large?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to "hear" a hand?
Yes, you have to be deaf to understand.

Written at 1971 by Willard J. Madsen, professor of journalism at Gallaudet University.

_________________

What is it like to be deaf?

"What is it like to be deaf?"
People have asked me.
Deaf? Oh, hmm... how do I explain that?
Simple: I can't hear.

No, wait... it is much more than that.
It is similar to a goldfish in a bowl,
Always observing things going on.
People talking at all times.
It is like a man on his own island
Among foreigners.

Isolation is no stranger to me.
Relatives say hi and bye
But I sit for 5 hours among them
Taking great pleasure at amusing babies
Or being amused by TV.
Reading books, resting, helping out with food.

Natural curiosity perks up
Upon seeing great laughter, crying, anger.
Inquiring only to meet with a "Never mind" or
"Oh, it's not important".
Getting a summarized statement
Of the whole day.

I'm supposed to smile to show my happiness.
Little do they know how truly miserable I am.
People are in control of language usage,
I am at loss and really uncomfortable!

Always feeling like an outsider
Among the hearing people,
Even though it was not their intention.

Always assuming that I am part of them
By my physical presence, not understanding
The importance of communication.

Facing the choice between Deaf Event weekend
or a family reunion.
Facing the choice between the family commitment
And Deaf friends.
I must make the choices constantly,
Any wonder why I choose Deaf friends???

I get such great pleasure at the Deaf clubs,
Before I realize it, it is already 2:00 am,
Whereas I anxiously look at the clock
Every few minutes at the Family Reunion.

With Deaf people, I feel so normal,
Our communication flows back and forth.
Catch up with little trivials, our daily life,
Our frustration in the bigger world,
Seeking the mutual understanding,
Contented smiles and laughter are musical.
So magical to me,
So attuned to each other's feelings.

True happiness is so important.
I feel more at home with Deaf people
Of various color, religion, short or tall.
Than I do among my own hearing relatives.
And you wonder why?
Our language is common.
We understand each other.

Being at loss of control
Of the environment that is communication,
People panic and retreat to avoid
Deaf people like the plague.

But Deaf people are still human beings
With dreams, desires, and needs
To belong, just like everyone else.

--Dianne Kinnee (Switras)

Guest Vlog Entry





This is a guest Vlog entry by my friend Freaky Cat (not using real name for privacy reasons). Enjoy.



Transcript:
A man at the bar saw a beautiful woman so he went to her. He asked her, Can I buy you a drink? She said, no thanks! Alcohol's bad for my legs. He said Oh you mean your legs get swollen or what? She said no. Alcohol made my legs spread!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

What should I blog about? Im running out of things to blog about as I am trying to enter something new at least twice a week so you readers won't get bored. So if you have something that you see is blogworthy - send me a link and I will blog all about it. Some of my recent blog ideas have been:

Southern Baptist News - but who wants to read about musty old doctrines and types of thinking not well suited for the modern generation. Such as the witnessing tools that worked back in the 70s and 80s, are now ineffective due a shift in society.

Deaf news - but this seems to be something of a turn off for my hearing readers. They want to read something that relates to them and their world and something that interests them. This is a blog where I hope to bring the the hearing and deaf together and learn the only difference between the two groups is that the deaf can't hear.

Guest bloggers/Vloggers: Not sure who to ask to write a guest entry for this blog - its only 9 entries long and not that popular. I may add my blog to deafread.com sometime.

Sure the blog title says deaf baptist - but its not all about religion or the deaf congregation, its simply a small reflection of who I am and where Im coming from. Im not going to be a bible thumping militant nor a deaf power militant. Im not even remotely militant about any subject.

So this is your chance to give me some input as to what you would like to see on the blog.

You may contact me at dr_vfib[at]hotmail.com

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Deaf Football Players

In light of football season being started as of last week and the NFL season starts tomorrow on CBS - I thought it would be fitting to blog about deaf football players...


The first one is only a high schooler but is so good he is getting looked at by major universities such as Virginia Tech (The Hokies)- here is an article on the boy:
http://www.nbc4.com/news/14070315/detail.html

September 7, 2007 http://www.nbc4.com

WASHINGTON -- When Thomas Schaefer is on the football field, it's silent.

He can't hear the sound of hard hits, or the cheers from the crowd. Schaefer is deaf. The Robinson High School senior has lived with hearing impairment since birth.

But he said not hearing the noise on the field allows him to focus on the game he so passionately loves.

With the help of a hearing aid, Schaefer does have partial hearing in his right ear.

But he only wears the device when he's not playing because it gets uncomfortable during a game.

On the sidelines, Schaefer is a loud six foot three inch defensive end who is always jumping up and down and cheering on his teammates.

Schaefer, a two-year varsity starter and captain for the Robinson Rams, is so good that he's already received interest from several colleges, including Virginia Tech. The 18-year-old is thankful for the opportunity to play football.

Even though Schaefer is deaf, he's proving that with a disability, it's hard work and determination that makes him one of the most talented players on the football field.

And the other more known deaf football player: Martel Van Zant of OSU:


Here is a written transcript for the HH/Deaf readers out there







Deafness doesn't keep Cowboy cornerback from making big plays


By Michael Harris Daily O'Collegian
October 6, 2006

Stillwater, OK (CSTV U-WIRE) -- On any given Saturday between early September and late November, football stadiums across the nation erupt as teams tear onto their fields, fight songs blaring, to the thunderous approval of their fans.

Cheers and applause rain down from the stands, creating a din that is as much a part of the game as the ball itself, but for Oklahoma State cornerback Martel Van Zant, there is only silence.

Van Zant, who was born deaf after his mother contracted chicken pox during pregnancy, couldn't even hear the roar of the crowd after he caught the first interception off his career earlier this season, but he still feeds of its energy.

"Because of the noise and everything, I can feel the vibrations in my body," Van Zant said. "I can't hear the people, but I can see the people when they clap. I can see that, and it makes me get more motivated and play better."

Van Zant, a junior from Tyler, Texas, uses sign language to communicate to his interpreter, Allie Lee, who then relays his messages to teammates and coaches.

"I'm signing it and my interpreter is saying it, but they're my words," Van Zant said. "He's my mode of communication. If I didn't have an interpreter, I wouldn't have a clue as to what's going on."

Lee said he heard of Van Zant when he was being recruited out of high school and contacted Cowboy coaches about interpreting for Van Zant on the field.

"It's been a good learning experience," Lee said. "There are interpreters all over the U.S. in sports, but to be at this level is pretty interesting."

After becoming a starter on the Poke defense this season, Van Zant has tallied 11 tackles and an interception in OSU's four games.

Generally, Van Zant said, secondary coach Joe DeForest signals calls from the sideline with a kind of sign language "slang" and Lee communicates any audibles. Playing the game, Van Zant said, just comes naturally.

"It wasn't really hard to learn football because I'm deaf," Van Zant said. "I can go out and do whatever I want.

"Just because I'm deaf doesn't mean I'm not capable."

His resolve isn't going unnoticed.

A week ago, Van Zant was nominated for the FedEx Orange Bowl FWAA Courage Award - an award created by ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski that honors athletes who have displayed exemplary grit in the face of adversity.

Still, Van Zant said the obstacles he's overcome don't make him exceptional.

"It shows that anybody can do it - not just me," Van Zant said.

It's this kind of ethic that has made Van Zant a fan favorite. When Van Zant appeared on the Boone Pickens Stadium video board and signed "M-A-R-T-E-L" during his introduction before the Cowboys' season opener, he received the loudest ovation of any player, and his triumph over adversity has made him an inspiration to many.

"All these kids that look up to me as a role model," Van Zant said. "I've received letters from all these kids, and when I went to the state fair the other night, I met some deaf kids out there who recognized me from TV. I think it's pretty cool."

Van Zant's deafness has had a positive impact on the lives of his teammates as well.

"At first I get picked on because I'm the deaf guy, of course, but that's fine," Van Zant said. "I understand - it's not anything mean. I'll take the ribbing, and I'll give it back, too. I like all my teammates and they're like my brothers now."

In fact, Van Zant said some of his teammates are trying their hands at sign language to better communicate with him.

"There's a lot of them that are taking the ASL [American Sign Language] class," Van Zant said. "A lot of them start out with the alphabet and the basics.

"I help them out with their homework and things like that."

Van Zant and the Cowboys return to action Saturday, when Oklahoma State travels to Kansas State. Kickoff is set for 2:35 p.m.

(C) 2006 Daily O'Collegian via CSTV U-WIRE

Now as you know Im not a DEAF POWER militant - but however Im out there to try and dispel some myths and mis-truths about the deaf and HH among the hearing. Yes there are certain jobs a deaf or HH person should not do due safety concerns but as far as living a life - the only thing we can't do is hear. It has to be a good attitude and a good outlook on life. Just because Im deaf does not entitle me to any special treatment, but I do have to make accomodations such as carrying pen and paper with me when I go to starbucks to have a coffee. At wal-mart I may come across as a rude customer, but I generally sign "thank you" to the cashier as they hand me my change back. Also I have a friend or my mom make phone calls for me if I am using a phone that doesnt have an adjustable volume control. Does it make me any less independent or less productive or even any less of a hard worker? I dont think so.

MY parents once believed that because I could not hear I should not participate in school sports, I went out in the8th grade against my parents wishes. By the end of the season I had learned the drills, and most of the plays. But I had to continually remind the coach that I am HH so whenever we were practcing I had to make sure he kept himself visible when he called out a new play, or if we changed from 5 pt gaurd to man-to-man defense. Some of my teamates did not like it but I was a benchwarmer so whats it to them anyway.

But my senior high coach had a very bad attitude towards my deafness and refused to work with me on it. I was not asking to be on first string, I was simply asking that hey could you please alert me when things change? I ended up not getting much practice, barely got to suit up and I ended up quitting and went to track and cross country full time. I ended up putting my good work ethic to good use and ended up doing fairly well. 2 state cross country meets, several 5K ribbons, and spring track season placement - yeah I could say I was fairly good but no scholarships.

Hopefully in January I'll make my re-debut into the running world again and run the no-name 5K in town. Im not going to flag my deafness around but I sure ain't going to feel ashamed of it.

On the field or off - deafness shouldn't stop you from doing what you love.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

The Heart of A Razorback

The cool crisp air signals a new beginning, a new era for the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas sports club. The Hogs Football Club has a top Heisman Trophy contender in their ranks, Darren McFadden. The Hogs have moved on from the Mitch Mustain era to usher in the McFadden Era. With Mitch Mustain removed from their ranks, Casey Dick once again steps up to the starting plate to possibly lead the hogs to a long - awaited SEC (Southeastern Conference) Championship.

Heres a 2007 Preview of our beloved Razorbacks....



Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Follow up to: ASL in the Mainstream...

Short Clip of Darren Hayes learning the sign language to Crash and Burn.

Who Would Have Thought? - Darren Hayes

This is not only a cool sound - the video is absolutely amazing! The animation is STUNNING!

EDIT: 9/1/07 - The animation was done by Richard Cullen - well done mate!



Lyrics:
Nobody told you that the heart is like a deep deep freeze
So many lies
So much of it broken
And nobody told you deep within a well so cavenous
That maybe I could shed some light on

Who would have thought it could be amazing?
Who would have thought the tiny courageous?
Who would have thought the love so belated
Could save me and bring me back to you?

And nobody told you the everyday's a silence that no one heard
A river swells and overwhelms you
And noboody told you deep within a heart so ravenous
That maybe I could spare a beat for

Who would have thought it could be amazing?
Who would have thought the tiny courageous?
Who would have thought the love so belated
Could save me and bring me back to you?

I had to find you
Had to let you know
That you aren't alone
We didn't make the rules
I had to find you
Had to get right back to you

Oh no,
I had to find you
Had to let you know
That you aren't alone
We didn't make the rules
I had to find you
Had to get right back to you
It's always been you

Now tell me,
Who would have thought it could be this amazing?
Now,
Who would have thought the tiny courageous?
Just tell me,
Who would have thought the love so belated
Could save me and bring me back to you?

For God's Grace IS Sufficient...

Just the other day in an un-named deaf discussion forum - there were two threads pertaining to spousal abuse and mistreatment in the physical sense as well as the emotional and mental sense. This seems to be coming to the forefront of my mind almost daily whether it is on Dr. Phil, on the internet or even in the news. As some of you may or may not know, after I seperated from my husband of 9 months - yes months - I lost my house and was stuck with bills illegitimately put in my name. In matter of 3 days I became homeless with an infant and thousands of dollars in debt. One of the members of this forum pointed out to me - that all of those things are just material things and if I wanted to place my self-value into those things I was going to continue to live an empty life and even though have not seen nor heard from my ex-husband in 4 years, I was still continuing to allow him to control my thoughts, actions, and decisions.

This morning it all seemed to come together during Brother Jamie's sermon which seemed to hit the nail directly on the head. The specific verse I am going to refer to is in Phillipians Chapter Three when Paul says, "For these things are rubbish," in reference to the worldly wealth that we strive to attain so that maybe our children and grandchildren may have an inheritance. Those things are great ideas as they provide for the future, but they are nothing, rubbish, refuse, and filth compared to the riches that God provides. So many times when we find our selves in hardships and financial struggles, we often believe that God is going to provide financially, when the truth is that God may provide for us in the relationships that we have, the grace of having hope in our lives knowing that we will live eternally. So often I find myself wondering if I just entered into the lottery, I could possibly win extraordinary amounts of money and that my financial worries and hardships would be solved for several years, often telling myself - it woud be OK if I tithed the 10% as recommended by the church. But the truth is, its greedy and Im trying to justify it any way possible.

You see I have realized that God has provided for me immeasurably in the last 4 years. When I thought I was homeless - I am reminded that I am seeking shelter in my parents home. When I feel that I am financially incapable, I am reminded that I have sought and found work. When I feel that I have come to the end of my road - God shows me a path to follow, where there are opportunities waiting to be fullfilled. I have put too much emphasis on the wrong things, prioritizing my life backwards. I am reminded of the illustration that a professor uses to show the fullfillness of ones life. First he fills a jar with sand representing the little things in life - hobbies, bills, and commitments. He asks the students if anything can be added, they reply no, the jar is full.
Next the professor fills another jar with pebbles representing the larger things in life such as school, work, and family. When he fills the jar, he again asks the students if the jar is full - they again reply yes, the jar is full - nothing else can be added. Next he fills a thrid jar with rocks, a thrid time he asks the students if the jar is full - they reply yes the jar is full. He asks them - are you sure? The students said they were sure. Then he demonstrated-
He added in the pebbles and they filled the gaps left by by the stones, the students looked on. They again said the jar was full - the professor demonstrated further -- he poured in sand which again filled the gaps left by the stones and pebbles. Then the professor announced - now the jar is full because we first put in the largest most important things first - God and family, then followed by lesser but still important things, such as school, work, and bills, then followed by less important things that we find joy in such as hobbies, commitments, and friends. So you see - that if we prioritize our lives correctly, putting God, faith, and family first and foremost, the other things in life will fall into place, then we realize our lives are TRULY full.

Jamie has often said "For Gods Grace is sufficient" I dont think I really understood the meaning of it until today when things finally came together in my mind. Gods grace is sufficient to see that I have provisions. My life is what I make it, I dont have to put my self worth into material things that I once thought were important - they are - but not nearly as important as they once were in my mind. I still have my self-respect in knowing that I am not out ruining other peoples lives for my own self gain. I am not out continually giving up my body for a little pleasure. I still have my daughter, and more importantly, I still have hope and faith in God that I will make it.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Proper Church Etiquette

Deaf or hearing - anyone will get a good kick out of this:

Saturday, August 18, 2007

RE: Hearing student in Deaf school.

This is in response to SeekGeo's vlog on YouTube.com. To get the initial part to this post please view his vlog below:

I hope you dont mind me posting your video here Geo!




So anyway I thought about his post and realized he made many good points.

1.) Why dont we allow 'exchange students' from American mainstream schools to spend a semester or a year enrolled in a deaf school, not mandatory but optional for those who are considering working with the Deaf as a career, whether it is Interpretation at public speaking events, or for Deaf students needing ASL interpretation at mainstream schools, a VRS/TTY Relay operator, or even Deaf ministries in churches.

2.) It will give students an exposure to a different way of life for someone who has a handicap - they cannot hear, so they must rely on a visual means of communication. This will also help people to realize just because you cannot hear does not mean that life is a silent confusing world. The Deaf can enjoy many things that hearing people do - including music. I myself often cannot hear the lyrics well enough in music to enjoy songs with words, so often I listen to techno, house, or what hearing people have termed as "video game music" (pshaw - whatever you can have fun with this - this is how I got in on the rave scene a few years back and enjoyed it.)

3.) There would be fewer stereotypes of what a deaf person is, or what they look like or how they act. So often I hear the term "deaf and dumb" and it really grinds my nerves. I grew up hearing this from my classmates, my brother, and often any boyfriend that my cousin had at the time. All during highschool I never dated. I was the odd one, the geek, whatever you want to call it. What these kids didnt understands was that I was not mentally deficient as they perceived, but rather I did not hear some things. People often do not realize that the person you could be talking to could very well be deaf. Not every deaf person signs, some grew up strictly oral for whatever reason their parents chose. There have been some successful deaf people, there are 2 deaf actresses in mainstream hollywood. Alexander Graham Bell grew up with a Deaf mother, and I should not even have to mention Helen Keller OR Beethoven, whom composed his most well known works at age 22-24 and was post-lingually deaf at age 3 or 4 if memory serves me right.

Even though these are excellent points that I agree very much with there are couple of things that are going to hinder a hearing student from enrolling in a deaf school.

1.) Deaf school enrollment is on the decline in light of student-on-student sexual assualts as well as teacher-on-student molestation. For sources on the subject click here for in-depth stories of a group of students at Seattle School for the Deaf:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/deafschool/
It is lengthy but engrossing and well worth the read.

2.) More and more students are being mainstreamed into hearing public schools that are having specialized programs to meet the students needs such as hiring an interpreter by the district, offering CART typist - someone that types the classroom conversation on to a laptop for the deaf student to follow in real time as it happens. Also many larger public schools as well as colleges and universities are offering ASL (American Sign Language) as a foreign language for students to full-fill a foreign language requirement in order to graduate. Currently UALR offers an ITP (Interpreter Training Program) for students who wish to work at the ASD (Arkansas School for the Deaf) or as interpreters for the deaf elsewhere in the state or wherever they may be qualified to take such a position.

3.) Safety concerns - would a hearing student be able to take advantage of a deaf student that could jeopardize their safety? Maybe, maybe not - but is the risk worth it to parents and educators alike?

I am however not stating that schools should be segregated by hearing and deaf, neither should classes. The real world is not segregated - hasnt been since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. You could be waiting in line at Wal-Mart behind someone who is deaf, but you would not know that. The car next to you on the interstate could be driven by someone who is deaf - there is nothing hindering someone who is deaf from driving, only the blind. The lady behind the jewelry counter at JC Penneys could be deaf - but how would you know? Like blindness there are also different degrees of deafness. Personally I am profoundly deaf in my right ear with a 65 db (Decibel) loss in my left ear. But you would not know that because I grew up orally, I have almost perfect speech and could easily pass as hearing. A friend of mine works as a CNA for the local hospital - she is deaf and requires hearing aids to hear well enough to do her job. But you would not know that because she too went to a mainstream school and she wears powerful BTE aids (Behind-the-ear hearing aids). Her speech is well enough that she often passes for hearing unless you noticed her aids.

Most deaf people that you meet will not tell you right off they are deaf, but they are not going to flaunt it every chance they get.
I still wish for a time for a hearing student to get the chance to spend a year at a Deaf school to learn about the deaf community - but unfortunately there are obstacles we (the deaf) have to overcome ourselves. We have to get the hearing world to take us seriously when we decide to do something that stereotypically we cant or shouldnt. It is sad today to think that some people will think or say something such as "Oh look that deaf boy wants to become a mechanic - but how will he communicate with his customers?"

or even something like this " Oh that daf girl has gotten married, I hope she can be a good wife to him because she cannot hear well."

I am for giving these same people the chance to REALLY get to know the deaf community and realize we are not just a bunch of nutcases that think we are entitled to the same rights as the hearing because we deaf. Actually we are for the most part. The only thing we cant or shouldnt do are jobs that actually do require hearing such as civil service jobs or the military.

Those are my closing thoughts - giving someone a chance to truly embrace the deaf culture would open many many doors for us, especially those in the employment sector where some employers deny us jobs simply because we cannot hear (not all employers are like this, but there are a few out there that have) and they give a different exscuse such as the position was already filled by someone who was more suited or qualified for the job.

Have a good weekend!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Forget YouTube when youve got GodTube! (sense the sarcasm)

Now I may be Southern and Baptist but that dont make me Southern Baptist and on top of all of that, I am not a fan of religious knockoffs of certain sites, brands, TV shows, etc. For one, it never works. Rule number one - dont copy - get something original going.

Now to my main point - GodTube. This is a ridiculous knockoff of YouTube.com for religious nut jobs that insist that everything they own must be from a Christian - based store, if it does not come from a LifeWay or other large Christian franchise it is of the Devil and must never ever be entered into or touched.

Now bfore you get all riled up and think - I thought you were a churchgoer, why are bashing Christians? Let me put it out there for ya - Im not bashing anyone except those that take Christianity too far to the point that it is no longer a religion but a cult and a way to control things that are beyond their control and to control others by luring them in with Godliness that is based on 99% works and very little faith.

Now I think this is mostly a knock-off YouTube (YT from here on out) that is to become the TBN of the internet. Who knows we may see our next Tammy Faye and Jim Baker come out of this GodTube (GT from here on out). Ive not watched any of the videos yet but from what I have seen alot of this stuff is Catholic based. Nuffin'wrong with that - God takes all kinds. But I hope they dont start putting up huge banners saying the more money you donate the more blessings you'll receive while we two pocket the cash for ourselves so we can go vacation in Cancun every summer while you still live your miserable life in a run down trashed out trailer in Holler County, Arkansas. Uh huh Jims in jail Tammy's dead - boy they retired well didnt they???

Like the Bakkers this will start off with good healthy intentions then they start getting distracted, then derailed, and finally off into the ditch and hanging precariously close to losing it all before they realize they've fed themselves the rope, they're hung and its over. Whoever the creators are of this GT need to remind themselvs daily no matter how popular the site is, it will never be mainstream, the money may be better than flipping burgers at McDonald's, but like the site, the money should not be for themselves but for Him.


Its amazingly odd how one can get lost in Church and end up leaving to save themselves. I did that. I got too involved, too close, and ended up losing myself in a negative way that caused me to pursue Godliness in an unhealthy way. Do I blame it entirely on the church? Absolutely not, but the magical thing about it all is that in all reality we have an understanding God that says - when we lose our caringness and generosity, He holds our hands and says He understands our pain. I do however blame it on the people that were mis-managing, and conducting themselves unbecoming of the Gospel that they took an oath to uphold. When this happens people are driven away from the church.

In my own conduct I know and understand that there are times that even I am unbecoming of a Christian that I say I am. I curse (as a matter of fact cursed in the house of God yesterday - oops - Jamie wont know....shhhhhhhhhhhh - it was accidental. Tim wil vouch for me, lol.

Back to my main point. We dont need to go out beating people over the heads with the Bible, we dont need to go around banging on peoples doors and the firt thing we ask are you a Christian? Personaly if you come to my house and I dont know who you are and you start preaching to me right off - it is a big turnoff, you'll have a red nose from the door being slammed in your face. I have done it once before, I would not be surprised if I did it again. What worked in the 70's and 80s no longer work. Religion and truth are relative in todays society. GodTube is another variation of this seems like. ou cant preach like you did 20 years ago and expect the same results is all Im saying. If you really want to reach out to the lost - be their friend first and foremost. If they show an interest in church, feed that interest but dont shove it in. If they are going through a rough patch - tell them you are thinking of them - but also pray for them as well. Dont just sit and pray for 20 years and expect something to happen, sometimes when you keep praying and praying and nothing happens -- thats God telling you to get off your fanny and actually do something useful.

Spend time with people OUTSIDE your comfort zone - eventually your zone actually EXPANDS and yor actions around these people and for these people will speak volumes of the person that you are. No witnessing required.

GodTube is a mockery of the Christian sub-culture that says we are too pure and holy for the world so we create our own fantasy world, so we can stay out of the real world. We dont watch secular news because its Devil fed. We dont buy secular books because they promote witch craft. We will continue to put the Mormon church under Cult Groups in our bookstores because we have our own view of what a person should or should not believe.

(Im personally not a Mormon nor do I agree with their doctrines, I do however have friends in the Mormon church and are actually quite levelheaded).

GT - is basically the TBN of the internet - flip through it without a second thought and you'll be better off without it - Christian or not.

http://www.godtube.com/search_result.php?PHPSESSID=6580251222d5cce83a1aabf3de51c479e386a71669&search_id=deaf&search_type=search_videos

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

ASL in the mainstream, ASL in the Christream....

OK so welcome to my new blog affectionately called Deaf Baptist. I am not a big blogger but if you see something noteworthy for deafread.com to pick up then, by all means send it up.

My first post is going to be about Darren Hayes and his video "Crash and Burn". Now before you think yeah all of that was make up and crack up his nose I can guarantee you that yes he was pale in real life because he has a long term virus that makes him well exhausted. He woke up the prior day with a fever well over 100 and feeling like he had been hit by a truck. So he was taken to a doctor and was ordered to cancel the taping of his visit to the Jay Leno show. Being the trooper that he is, he refused and the show went on. The next day was the taping for the video "Crash and Burn" and as you can see in his eyes he looks like he could crash and burn at any moment due to his ongoing illness.

The video itself was taped using alot of extras and Darren was only in a few clips. At the end of the video Darren completely stops singing the chorus and SIGNS it, wooho! (Lets hear it for ASL!) This is very moving for me in a sense that this is one of my favorite songs by far. Now before you ask - "But your deaf! how do you enjoy music?" I am actual Hard of Hearing or HH as its coded amongst the deaf. I can hear enough to enjoy music but I prefer music without words since I cant enjoy the lyrics anyhow. But Darrens voice is high enough that I can enjoy the lyric as it carries quie well over the music enough that I can hear. Now as for me I can sign as well and I am currently working on the ASL to Amazing Grace, I have already completed the ASL for "Here I am to Worship". I will give credit where credit is due, first to God and partly to Darren for giving me the idea - instead of having music to words - do just an instrumental and use signs instead. I think this will be very moving. Because everyone knows the words to Amazing grace - they will be able to follow the harmony and follow the signs.

Anyway back to the main part of this post -- the video clip of Darren Signing the chorus to Crash and Burn. Also if anyone knows where I can obtain a GIF clip of this please let me know it would be greatly appreciated.