La, la la la

Yup, say it…..

La, la la la   La , la la la

Being hard of hearing and loving music just has me tickled all over.

This is from a music video by LMFAO.   I like listening to it but, I do not like to watch the video.  Go figure.  Check it out, at the end of this post, ya’ll. (not the original video, but a lyric video..you can check out the original on MTV or on YouTube.)

Ahh, ok….what has life got in store for me these days?

The other day I was driving down a less traveled state highway to work, early in the morning.  It was still dark out.  It was drizzling.  A pick up approached going the opposite direction.  At the very last minute I saw a SKUNK!  Oh SHIT! I said to myself and tried to slow down but, could not avoid it due to the pick up.  I could hear a thump.  Definitely hit it.

On this very stretch of the highway, I had hit a skunk two years ago.  The same stretch!  I probably killed the same member of that skunk family too.

Shortly after that, I was like whoa!  A BIG hawk flew low and if I had not slowed down from that skunk, I’d have hit the bird.  It brought back memories…..

Fifteen years ago, I drove on the same stretch of highway and saw a BIG bird and tried to slow down but hit the bird anyway. I cried.  My headlight was shattered.  My mechanic asked me if I had hit the Big Bird.

That was weird…..I’m going to have to really keep an eye out for things closely now.

I don’t know about all of you, but, I always brake for animals whenever I can.  I know I killed two skunks and one big hawk in my lifetime.   I cried when I hit the bird.  The skunks, I did not. Chipmunks, however have been real quick on their feets usually and yes, I brake for them too.  There’s plenty of them where I live.

Yes, I could smell this skunk odor all the way to work that morning.  Guilty expression plastered on my face as I passed many motorists on the major freeway from whence I had got on from the state highway.  People are looking at me or rather, my truck in a funny way.  Am I being paranoid or is there a skunk tail flipping in the wind attached to my truck rear end, I had wondered.

When I got home after work, my pit bull immediately sniffed the back of my truck and shot me a proud look.  My smokey grey cat did the same.  He actually thinks I’m reciprocating from last week when he killed a chipmunk and placed it at the foot of my vehicle. No no no!  I tell him, do not kill chipmunks!  “It’s not like that, Smokey”, I told him. I do not reciprocate in that manner.  Yes, I do talk to my animals, don’t you?

Finally, I asked my son to check the underside of my truck to make sure there’s no remnants of that skunk I ran over earlier that day.  He looked my way and smirked, and I said, “thank you!”

What a relief.

This is definitely a warning to watch out for deers in the coming months.

Here’s LMFAO, La La La…..  These guys create party music of some sort and they don’t take themselves seriously either.  If you party, be sure to play one of their songs. 

Revival

Hey ya’ll….

Been a while since I’ve posted anything. I killed Candy, or so that was the idea.  However, I left the site open since it would have been a shame to kill all that post into oblivion, never to be seen again.  When I trash things, they’re gone and never to be seen again.  Never existed.

But, I missed blogging.  I could have created a new site, which I probably have already done more than once.  But, nothing materialized much from that, I kept thinking about Candy.  I hate Candy and I love Candy.  Ugh.  Love/Hate thing is enticing.

I don’t care if anyone reads my post.  I write because I like to write.  I ain’t no great writer either.  I write cuz I like to, simple as that.

My long hiatus has done a lot for me.  It enabled me to think through so many things.  Both online and in the real world.  My life is pretty complicated.  Always have been. I think I have inched up more towards some sort of awakening, a revival of some sort where I know exactly what I must do in order to reach that semblance of stability in my life.  Can you say “empty nest”?   Yea!  I know some people probably think that only a horrible mom would say something like that.  Not true, I assure you.  I am the most loving and compassionate person.  It is just that older kids are a pain in the butt these days.  They’re cute when they’re babies and toddlers.  I love my kids.  I’ve done my part, and so, it’s time for them to fly away and create their own existence.  Taught them, did my job. 

Most recently, I discovered I need to purge or stand firm with toxic people that I either live with or have encountered. That was a wake up call and possibly the reason why my fire lit up again with Candy.

My blog will be going through some revisions. I will no longer add links without anyone’s permission.  If you like my blog and want me to add you to my blogroll, ask.  I will review your blog and if I like it, I will add only if you reciprocate.

In the meantime, here’s Day N Nite……  

Phone Talk

The past few days I wasn’t able to catch any ‘On Demand’ movies on my cable channel. I don’t know about some of you, but my cable has this ‘On Demand’ which is one or more premium channels that they offer that is scheduled, or there are more movies available free of charge where you can choose from their premium line ups. What’s really cool about that is that you can stop, rewind, fast-forward, just as if you’re watching a movie on DVD. So, this is the part where I love my cable service since I would be able to choose whatever movie I wanted to watch whenever and if there were interruptions, no problem! I get to be able to re-wind. Or maybe, I’d be like WTF?!!! Did I see what I thought it was??!! Rewind! Pause. *OH!* play. Whatever.

So, these past two days, I get this error message and thought WTF?! I’m pissed. I’m paying money for my cable service and I expect it to work all the time. So, day three, I said FTS! And dialed my Cable Company. I hate calling them, it’s not because I’m hard of hearing. Mostly, it’s because I never get a LIVE person. However, I must say, with my low frequency hearing loss, it helps that these automated and phone borgs usually are females and I hear them just fine.

First I get this automated voice that tells me to press 1 if I wanted to pay my bill, 2 if I wanted cable support. Ahh, I’m glad, I didn’t have to listen to anymore of that shit.

I press 2.

Then, I got this phone bot. I don’t know exactly what they’re called. Supposedly they’re some sort of phoneborgs or something like that. This is how it went:

Phoneborg: Please state the problem you’re having with your cable service.

Me: On Demand

Phoneborg: Thank you. Did you say you are having problems with On Demand, is that correct?

Me: Yes.

Phoneborg: Are you having a problem with placing an order?

Me: No.

Phoneborg: OIC. Ok. Were you watching a movie and it stopped in the middle of showing and would not play again?

Me: No.

Phoneborg: OIC. Would you like to speak to a customer support?

Me: YES! Live Person, yes! please!

Ahh, I almost freaked. Used to be in the past, I’d be saying, “I’d like to speak to a real live person, if you don’t mind!” And, I’d get this response: “I’m sorry, I do not understand your request. Let’s try this again. What kind of cable problem are you having?” And, as you can see, it only got me real frustrated. So, this time, I decided to play along and see where it went. Turns out, it was only about four questions before the phoneborg realizes it, or was programmed to realize that it wasn’t going anywhere! Awesome. I guess it pays to be calm and patience, heh?

This time around, I get this LIVE male voice, why do they have to be males? But, this male voice sounded sexy, so, that wasn’t too bad.

Well, it turns out that last weekend as I unplugged the cable box, I never let it upload completely when it was plugged back into the socket before I had messed around with the channels.

So, tonight I was watching The Talented Mr. Ripley and came away from the movie in, oh! How do I say it? It wasn’t the kind of movie that had me all warmed up. It was a pretty good movie, I’d say this Tom is quite talented. I never bothered to watch that movie when it came out on DVD. It is the kind of movie that could wait. There’s some that you can’t wait and then there are some that you can.

Speaking of movies….

Wolverine is out in the theaters now and I’ve gotten so much good reviews on it from a few people, I know, that have already seen it. I guess I’ll have to put it on my list of movies to catch along with Watchmen and it’s ever changing and glow in the dark knob.

Oh, BTW, if you didn’t know. There’s a way to bypass these automated and/or phoneborgs by pressing zero, most of the time.

Hey! Say! It’s Friday all over again! I love Fridays!

Have a great weekend!

The Swine Fuss

So, the numbers have rose. Turns out there’s really only 7 confirmed death in Mexico (the numbers are rising a bit every time I check the latest.) and 159, or something or the other,suspected death related to this unswine flu. It’s not supposed to be called swine because it’s not swine, it’s as simple as that. So, I’m a gonna call it the Mexican Flu only because it supposedly started there. H1N1 sounds too technical for me.

So, The latest in the news announcing Wisconsin having two confirmed probable case in Milwaukee and one suspect case in central Wisconsin. Four schools in Chicago area have closed down as well as two in Milwaukee and I live within a 300 mile radius within both cities. I’ve been reading up a lot on this and have come to a conclusion. The conclusion is that the media is all hyped up. I think this flu is being hyped up only because it is a new variant that has never been seen in a group of the already four existing virus that are out there.

That’s my guess. Here’s why. I think many people have already contracted that particular flu and that for many, it was mild. I’ve seen SO many people being sick with the flu at work, and have heard about it in my community (I live in a small town and word gets around.)  The doctors weren’t alarmed because their patients were not sick enough to be tested the past several months. In fact, I think my daughter had it and that it was a mild case too. I mean, she had all the symptoms of a flu that resembles this Mexican or rather a typical flu and the doctor assumed it was just a late season seasonal flu so he didn’t bother to test it and that was like two weeks ago.  Right now my kid is getting better but, still has a mild case of cough. This co-worker of mine was coughing, or rather barking a lot at work. In fact, I thought there was a dog in the building and that we were on a drug search drill.

And then there was a tidbit in the news locally that tells people not to bother to call the health department to report any symptoms that they may have in the past two weeks or prior since they’re only interested in current case.  This pretty much tells me the numbers are all messed up.  Pretty typical.  That’s how our Government operates.  On top of it, one has to wonder what else is going on.  A diversion of sorts or is it the real thing?  Then again, I’m betting it is the real thing, and is nothing to get all ado about it.

The bottom line is that USA is more equipped to deal with these things than other countries like Mexico. We have better technology and doctors are more likely to give out Tamiflu when faced with a patient that exhibits severe case of a flu like symptoms.  Even now, there’s another hype by the media scaring people with a theory that there’s fear that this virus could mutate and become some sort of Monster that will shrink Mankind into population levels during the time when our parents were babies.  Mark my words, this is all a hype. Either that or the Government is lying to us all.

If I’m wrong, shit happens. 

In the meantime, just eat right, drink right, and continue your hedonist ritual that will only enhance your immune system.

That’s my verdict as of this moment.

It’s all a hype, trust me.

Have a great week!

Do We Have a Pandemic on our Hands?

I tend to be pretty observant of anything that tends to be out of place around me.  Before I had heard of this Mexican Swine Flu, I was already piqued with the late season flu going around.  Especially in the past three weeks.  It happens, I told myself.  For all I know, the incidents of late season flu is just that:  late season seasonal flu.  Nothing more.  But, instincts tell me to be aware and to be vigilant, strangely so, this time around.

So far, at least three person I know have been sick for the past two weeks.  Not sick enough to be bed ridden completely nor at death’s door, but, just that the flu like symptoms have not been shaken free yet.  All the symptoms are that of a flu and the intensity of at least one of the symptoms seems to be dominant.  I’m no nurse, nary a doctor.  I am not an expert in health related field, except only in the role of being a mom.  Mother’s instincts is what I have. Normally, I tend to pshaw things and not make a big deal of it.  But this one has me wary.

Wary, simply because of the DNA strain of the Mexican Swine Flu.  The one factor that has me worried is the fact that this strain includes a combination of the swine, bird, Aisian, and European, all in one.  Something that has never been seen before.

This particular strain appears to affect healthy young people more who normally tend to have healthier immune system than the very young children and the elderly.  Typically, the young and mid adults, tend to shake the flu off without much ado.  But, death was at their door for many in Mexico. The majority of the cases are occurring in adults between 25 and 44 years of age.

This Mexican Swine Flu has the same symptoms as seasonal flu which includes fever, lethargy, lack of appetite,coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Logically, many people that get the flu, do not always go to their doctor or even bother to visit their clinic or hospitals. Most people ride it out.  With that in mind, how many actual cases of this Mexican Swine Flu are there out there?  With intense media coverage, we can now be sure to see the numbers rise.  As CDC said, it is too late to contain it.  Already, confirmed cases have been reported in Texas, California and Kansas, additionally, possibly New York.  Already we have many college students returning or have returned back from Mexico from spring break.  Many families have their spring breaks in Mexico.

One blogger – underthehill dot wordpress dot com blogged about this and he came across a blogger at europebusines dot blogspot dot com

that theorized that this could be a biological warfare based on several factors, one of which are the strains involved.  Both sites has some interesting links that are worth checking out.  I’m kind of skeptical that it could be biological warfare, however, I’m mindful of ‘never say never’.

CDC officials described the virus as having a unique combination of gene segments not seen before in people or pigs. The bug contains human virus, avian virus from North America and pig viruses from North America, Europe and Asia. It may be completely new, or it may have been around for a while and was only detected now through improved testing and surveillance, CDC officials said.

Normally I’d hear things about certain things going around and usually you’d see a pattern of symptoms and you know, it’s something obvious that is going around. But, this time, I’m noticing a similar yet strange pattern.  It was something that had me piqued thus, it was something I couldn’t ignore.  I just hope it’s all nothing.

But to be on the safe side and to be vigilant, as one commenter stated in one of the news article about this Swine Flu, that if anyone were to suspect that they have the flu, they’d be smart not to go to the doctor’s office or even the clinics or the hospital for obvious reasons.  These places are  a hotbed for spreading the flu.  However, I’m not suggesting one do that or that one shouldn’t.  Personally, I’d call the doctor rather than going into an office full of sick people who might have this particular strain.

One other commenter even suggested that people start buying and storing canned foods and water.  One should also start preparing for anything and have good supply of blankets, flashlights, batteries, and whatever it is to be able to survive being isolated if needed.

I’m not sure what I will do at this point as far as preparing ahead of time, but, I’m definitely keeping a close eye on this one.

Be safe.

Whodunits, XY Egos -and- Chauffeuring

This is just a rant page. I had expected to do a lot of reading and finish up my third series of Twilight, which is by the way titled “Eclipse.”

Twilight, pretty much covers what one male reader of mine said perfectly,

“First time they see each other, boom!  Love!  Age, race, sex – who cares, lighting still strikes!”

Coming from a guy, it’s amazing to hear something like that, I guess. I dunno. I do wonder, how discussions about books end up with both sexes when it comes to love, sex and hmmm, cars, for example.

New Moon brings complexity to Bella’s life. Like, for example, when someone you love suddenly disappears out of self-lessness, the pain is so great that It could render the person zombie-like.  Then, there’s more complexity with the wolves and a creepy coven and more!

Eclipse covers the danger surrounding Bella. Bella invites danger unintentionally, not to mention, also bringing danger to the people she loves.  Can one be self-less yet selfish, ah, but of course. With love, that’s possible.  I’m just two chapters away.  Every time I opened up the book, I got interrupted.  Damn!  Anyhow, I will write a full review later and I hope to be able pull it off, the review, that is.

So, here’s the rant!  I had to make an hour round trip twice today. I headed out to do some errand in a not too distant city and went shopping among other things.  Plan changed, the husband decided he wanted in on this trip.  The check light came on which only made our whole trip uneventful since I had to deal with a panic stricken husband who wouldn’t hear any of the theory I may have that may be true.  “I read the whole manual.” I told him.  “I’m pretty sure it’s because you forgot to screw and lock that gas cap.”  Male egos usually don’t put up with anything that gives them the idea that they’re at fault. I don’t know if this is a guy thing for every guy, but, It was kind of irritating when one would NOT even consider that even a gal could be right, ya know?   So, we go back and forth with him thinking I’m some bimbo that knows nothing about cars.  We ended up at a dealer where we bough our vehicle which happened to be on the way.  And, sure enough, this mechanic told him exactly what I said.  So much for not acknowledging that even the wifey does know her shit.  So, I was more than happy to drop him off at one of his buddies house so I can take a break from all that.

I probably spend a good two hour shopping and window shopping and people watching.  I got the fourth series too!  Breaking Dawn.  Whoo!

Finally, I dutifully picked up my husband who’s disappointed the team he was watching on TV lost.

Then as soon as I got home, I had to deal with whodunits.  Do whodunits really exist, or are they just a figment of our imagination?   I had bought something that was for everyone and since my other kid wasn’t home, I made sure there was one left for her.  Everyone acknowledged it and then because I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning, I also got up very early too, I decided to take a nap.  By the time I woke up, my kid calls, asking me to pick her up.  I checked to make sure there’s one of that stuff out for her, but it was gone!  So, I asked suspect number one if he took it, “nope!”  he says,  suspect number two said “Not me” and suspect number 3 said “Not I.”  At that point,  I’m like, what? whodunit bandit struck again?  “This is bullshit,” I said to myself.  Then, I made a comment off handly, noting that perhaps I should move out and live on my own, so I don’t have to deal with whodunits anymore.  “You wouldn’t do that.” they say.  “I know the person doesn’t exists, okay?,” I tell them.

And then, I went to get my other kid and did a bit of an errand to get her a replacement of the same item that the whodunit stole.  Drove back home, did a bit of a chore here and there.  Checked out some stuffs online, goofed off with the dogs, pampered the cats,  and then as I was just about to open and finish up that two chapters of Eclipse I had left to read, I get a phone call from my other kid begging me to drive him out to this town I just went to earlier today since he was supposed to help his friend out tomorrow.  He had just hung out at the town bar and didn’t want to drive.  That’s another hour of driving and I was like, “Aww, I just got back, not too long ago.”  He was begging and promised he’d give me some gas money. “It’s not the gas money,” I tell him.  “I’m tired.”  Finally, he said, “Mom, we’d have fun!”  I’m like “ok, ok, fine.”  I went and got him and headed out of town.  So, I’m ranting about all of the above, but with additional details that isn’t for anyone’s eyes or ears. He was laughing. I was telling him what I thought of the situation and all.  By the time I got to the Whodunits, He was laughing so hard.  Male egos and whodunits are the two things that can drive a woman crazy.  So, we had fun.  We did. We listened to some music and danced to it.    It was great talking to my oldest kid and it kind of made things all better.  Sometimes, ya just gotta let it all out, rant and then, it’s all irrelevant and then, all’s good.

So, anyway, it’s late.  Jimmy Jack Corn and I don’t care, OK?

I’m gonna finish up Eclipse right NOW and then, I’m gonna start reading breaking dawn when the dawn breaks.

Day N Nite by Kid Cudi vs Krookers with lyrics

Meu Twilight

Tall trees and evergreen shooting up high, surrounding a Gothic castle. The sky was overcast, the sun had just went down, yet, the moon shone so bright.  I’m standing in a clearing, the castle was to the right of where I stood, surrounded by the trees. I see a boy about my age. He and I meet. We talk, we laugh and play. And, it was love. Then the next thing I knew, he tells me he’s a vampire and I tell him that I don’t care. The longings so intense, yearnings to just be with him.

Well, that was a dream I had when I was a kid. Speaking of dreams, currently, I rarely dream which translates into a fact that I just don’t remember my dreams these days.  I probably have mentioned every now and then that I was always boy crazy. So, it would be typical that I would have dreamed of nothing but boys back then.  I don’t know if I still do, I don’t remember my dreams.

Anyhow, I never forgot that dream. Somehow, it kind of tells me at the time, that my soul mate is out there somewhere, someone dark and serious, yet funny and compassionate. I don’t know why the vampire. But, I guess it was “every little girl’s dream” Maybe not “every” little girls out there do, but…..with Twilight being a popular up coming sequel among little girls, teens and even beyond, that’s a lot of hungry girls of all ages, out there.

Anyhow, I got to watch Twilight. And, I really liked the movie a lot. I know exactly what she’s feeling. I’ve felt that in my dreams. How weird is that??

Vampires, for some reason, are intriguing.  See, vampires supposedly have lived for eons.  They came from an era where chivalry rules.  Usually male vampires have this virtue about them that speaks of honor and courtly love.  Can you say dreamy?  Perhaps guys should take note of that, if they really want to lure their dream girl to their arms.

I tend to like to watch the movie first before reading the book since usually the movie doesn’t show everything that’s in the book, as we all know. Yet, there have been times where I tend to read the book first. Since there’s a sequel to Twilight out there, I’m going to put John Grisham aside for a bit and start reading Twilight and beyond.

Going Deaf : Go Green ~ Try Aeroponics : Be Mellow

As some of you know, I’ve written a post on that before. A reader send me a link to a story about Marijuana. I figured since it’s back in the news with such ferver, I might as well dance this dance, again.

∞

Again, we’re seeing marijuana taking it’s hold in in the news quite a lot, lately. This does not sit well with conservative Republicans, unfortunately. You’d think maybe, these conservatives Republicans need to take a puff so they they can chill out and get mellow, ya know? Don’t get me wrong, I like conservatives just as much as I like liberals, I do think we need a little bit of both in our Country.

∞

It just so happens these conservatives tend to blasts the liberal hippies and blame our Country’s misery on them green herbs that does wonders for many people. I happen to know someone who was once a hard-core pot-head. One day, he got convinced by some union guy he was working with, that it was cool to be a hard-core republican. Then! he didn’t smoke pot anymore. He turned into the biggest A-hole anyone has ever seen.  My friends and I tend to joke around with him a lot, we’d tell him, Hey! You used to be so Mellow, but now you’re nothing but a crabby fellow. I do feel sorry for him.  He doesn’t smile anymore.

∞

Speaking of wonders, I came across a message board in Marijuana.com where this hard of hearing guy was raving on and on about how he could hear more with such clarity after taking two hits of this green stuff. Scientists, for years, have disputed this claim and have repeatedly stated that there is *NO* proof scientifically that smoking marijuana improves one’s hearing. It doesn’t improves one’s hearing as the guy would point out. It does give him the ability to hear for the duration of his buzz. If this deaf guy says he can hear with so much clarity, who’s to argue with that? Scientists are usually in cahoots with the  Pharmaceutical companies and,  Pharmaceutical companies do NOT want anyone to know of any natural remedies or cures. Greed does weird things to people.

Last summer, I met an old friend who loves to smoke these wonderful green herbs and as he and I was talking about his new cochlear implant. He was relating how smoking herbs enhances his C.I. He has worn hearing aids for the most part of his life and smoking marijuana has always enhances the sounds in his ear, but, he said the weed just blew his mind away with the sounds coming from his Cochlear Implant. It was all he could talk about all night and before I left, he made me promise him two things. One, I’d get a C.I. and when I do, Two, I’d meet up with him at Schwagstock down in Missouri. I’ll be damn if my friend made that comment in that message board! I’ll have to try to remember to ask him the next time I see him.

∞

It’s not to say that marijuana is legal and allowed at Schwagstock.  It isn’t.  But, it isn’t legal or allowed anywhere in the Country either, and people still manage to toke some here and there as usual.  Soon, just maybe, soon marijuana will be allowed and if it does get legalized for medicinal purposes, the doctors are going to be swamped with many new patients.

∞

Just last week, the DEA announced that they’re not going to be raiding medical marijuana joints anymore. For Stoners, it’s a milestone. Obama is supporting this and believes the Feds shouldn’t be messin’ around with State’s law. Yeah, considering where our President grew up, Hawaii has been known for their awesome herbs. People grow them pretty much anywhere, suspended from a tree, on lavas, and just about anywhere you can you can think of.

Historically, Marijuana has had it’s up and down within the law and culture in America. Often than not, the War On Drugs have been proven to be nothing but a waste of American’s precious dollars.  All of these news came as a result of years of experts trying to make their point that marijuana does have medical benefits.

∞

And on top of that, Obama is from a generation that has had plenty of exposure to these lovely green delicacy.

∞

Think of how much money the States could recoup from allowing Marijuana to be smoked freely and without persecution. It’s definitely a win-win for everyone. It would be a sight to see more and more mellowed people, less road rage and less alcohol ravaged souls. Heck, people could be pulling themselves out of this bad economy by growing and selling their own stash.  Hydroponic makes it easier put big bucks back into the economy.

Capitalism by way of green herbs just makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

If you’re still not convinced,  Hey!  500 Economist can’t be wrong!

What do I know? I don’t puff ‘em nor do I inhale, I just support my friends who do.  And, for them, it makes them smile and when they smile, I smile.

If you get bored, you might want to practice your lingo while you’re waiting for legalization to happen or even try Aeroponics! How cool is that!

~ Sweets to the sweet:  Adios!~

Here’s AC/DC – “You Shook Me All Night Long”

Wanting ~ Hoping ~ Wishing

I was reading a post that Miss Kat’s mom posted where she asked her daughter, Miss Kat:

“When you grow up big like Mommy and Daddy, and you grow a baby in your tummy”  “and that baby is born, do you want your baby to be Deaf like you, or hearing like Mommy and Daddy?” She answered “Deaf”.

Upon reading another post by MKChaikof, where she talked about sharing the news of her daughter, Jessica’s deafness to Rachel when she brought Jessica home from the hospital, to which Rachel said

“I was hoping my little sister would be deaf like me.”

Then I read with interest where Paula Rosenthal, from Hearing Exchange had this to say:

“I wouldn’t (and didn’t) wish that I had a deaf child so she could be like me.”

Want…..Hope……Wish……

Miss Kat is a very young child and her wanting a deaf child (obviously she’s still young and her views may change as she gets older, maybe not.) is pretty typical as you can see, similarly, Rachel at one pointed hoped for a deaf sister so she would have someone she could relate too.  I think it’s pretty normal.  It’s no different than a little boy wishing for a brother.

Once, my son came home and related the following conversation he had with his friends.  At the time he was dating a girl, who’s parents are deaf.  This girl’s family had deaf gene just as my son does.  Apparently conversation ensued among their friends about what if they had kids, what are their chance for having deaf kids?  My son and his girlfriend made a comment that they didn’t care whether they would have a deaf child or not.  It’s not like they’re wishing for it.  They knew they both carried the deaf gene and that if they ever had kid(s) together, the chance of them having deaf kids would be probable.  They were OK with it.  Some of their friends thought it was AWFUL.  “How can you guys be OK with it? They had asked.  Others thought it wasn’t something to get upset about.  My son and his girlfriend said they would know what to do and they would not have grieved.  Others that have no experience with deafness said they would grieve because they thought being deaf was awful.  For most of them, it was the idea of missing out on music and fluid communication.  Clearly our perspective based on our personal experience in deafness shapes how we view the outcomes that occurs in our life.

I have had people asking me the same thing every time I got pregnant with a child.  People asked me what if you have a deaf child?  My response was always the same, “I’d be OK with it.”  I wouldn’t wish for one, but if I had one, I’d be happy and If my child was hearing, I’d be happy.  As long as the child is healthy, that is all that matters.  However, having a deaf child would have been awesome too, it’s because it is something I can relate to. No way is it something I want, wish or hope for.  It’s God’s will. If I was meant to have a deaf children, so be it.  As fate would have it, I was not blessed with deaf children and I’m OK, in fact, I am a bit grateful considering all the controversy that are out there. 

It’s not the same as one really going out of their way to ensure that they have a deaf child.  I know of deaf people who actually go on a quest when searching for their potential life mate.  Some actually make sure that the person they’re with has a deaf gene.  For them, they find it easier to have a deaf child.  Yet, are they wrong to really wish for a deaf child?  I find it quite disturbing to a point, ONLY if the deaf parents actually grieved when they have a hearing child.  There is definitely something wrong with that picture.  Or is that normal? Considering most hearing people with no knowledge or experience, DO grieve when they find out their child is deaf.

For a child to say that they want, wish, or hope for someone to be like them shows the need for one to be able to find someone to relate to. Someone who is like them.

I do not find that to be offensive.

What I find pretty ‘out there’ is the fact that some deaf people will gasp in horror when they find out a deaf couple has a hearing child.  There were a good number of stories related to me that usually goes like this:   A deaf parent of deaf children telling another deaf parent that they are ‘So sorry that their children are not Deaf.”   That comment does throw most deaf parents with hearing child off.  So, all in all, there are deaf extremist who really get upset if their kids are NOT deaf and there are hearing parents who are extremely upset if their child are deaf, both are so much more alike than not.

Simply put, it does make life easier for a parent if the child is like them.  It’s hard to compare deaf to other disabilities,  Deafness is drastically different from any disability,  There isn’t much of a limitation other than the ability to hear which can be dealt with in so many ways.

There also seems to be different regional outlook on this issue among the culturally deaf population.

My family which I was raised with, are a culturally deaf family and even then, my sister related an experience she found disturbing (as did I) when she was asked by a few of her college friend that resided out in the DC area,  if her children are deaf.  She said, no, they’re all hearing.  The response was “What?!, Oh, I am so sorry!” followed by “All of my children are deaf, we are blessed!”   My sister related to me that she felt like perhaps she wasn’t highly revered due to the fact that she ‘failed’ to have deaf children.  She tells her friends that her children are all healthy and that she would not have been any more or less happier with either result.  Turns out many culturally deaf people out on the east coast views the ability to have deaf children equals success for a deaf couple.

This brings out a question I had in my mind.  Where’s the love?  Are there deaf people who carry deaf genes actually go out searching for a mate who carries a deaf gene?  Does love not get into the equation?  I posted that question to my other half who laughed and said, sure there had to be love.  I’m wondering, tho.  It has been said that for the culturally deaf crowd, one would be highly revered had one given birth to deaf kids.  Now, that is what I would consider going too far.

For many deaf parents, having a deaf child means ease in communication, no different from a hearing parent who wish for their deaf child to hear for the very same reason.

For some reason, I just do not see the logic in comparing deafness with other disabling condition such as being crippled and blind.  Deafness seems to be the lessor of all disability and apparently is the only disability, other than dwarfism, that has a cultural component.  But, as such, cultures do die out with changes. For anyone to try to throw in the argument “you wouldn’t want to wish for a crippled child.”  just does not compare equivcally with being deaf, with me.

All my kids are hearing.  When posing that very question to them.  2/3 of them responded that they would prefer to have hearing kids, in fact, they HOPE they would not have a deaf child. And out of that 2/3, they also said if they did have a deaf child, they would deal with it.  Out of the 2/3, only half of them said they would consider a Cochlear Implant.  Music is the number one reason why they felt would be the reason they would feel bad if their child is deaf.   1/3 said they didn’t care, as long as the child is healthy.  What’s also strange is the same half of the 2/3 who would implant their child, didn’t want me to get an implant.  Weird, eh?

Controversy over this issue will continue to present itself as more and more countries start to look at the ethical aspects of creating a designer baby, including a deaf child.  I think we should keep it simple, and let the natural process or higher divinity do what it does best, provide us with a child we were meant to have without wishing for something.  I want my children to have more than I had.  Any flaws I have, I wouldn’t wish on my child.  We have ears and ears are meant to hear, so why wish for something that isn’t working the way it was intend to?

There is a big difference, also, in accepting what you know might be inevitable and what one would do,  such as going to such  great lengths to create something that was not meant to be.

Had my child wanted, hoped, or wished for a sibling or a future child to be just like them, I’d think it was cute.

Children tend to view life in simple terms and for them, to be able to have a sibling just like them, is normal.  For adults, we have all kinds.  Our true self reveals itself to the world.  It reflects who we are and our selfish or unselfish desires.

Sly & The Family Stone – Everyday People

Sometimes I’m right then I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my songs
A butcher, a banker, a drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I’m in
I am everyday people

There is a blue one who can’t accept
The green one for living with
a black ones tryin’ to be a skinny one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby

Ooh sha sha
We gotta live together

I am no better and neither are you
We’re all the same whatever we do
You love me you hate me
You know me and then
Still can’t figure out the bag I’m in
I am everyday people

There is a new man
That doesn’t like the short man
For being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on scooby dooby dooby

Ooh sha sha
We got to live together

There is a yellow one that won’t
Accept the black one
That won’t accept the red one
That won’t accept the white one

Different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and
Scooby dooby dooby
Ooh sha sha
I am everyday people

It’s Complicated

When Avril Lavigne’s ‘Complicated’ came out several years ago, I liked the song, I also liked that girl because she reminded me of what I was like when I was a teen, nary a care in the world and didn’t care what people thought of her. And, she hung out with guys and was sort of a Tom Boy, just like I did back then.  She also dressed frickin’ weird, like I used to. Only I didn’t skateboard. Had skateboarding been the thing back then when I was a teen, you can be sure I’d be out there skateboarding.  It was the thing to do back then, only it wasn’t the thing to do in Chi-Town in my old neighborhood.   I did the rollerskating bit every weekend with my friends at the roller rink. Everytime I see my skates hangin’ on the side wall in my garage, these warm fuzzy memories floods back. Yup, I still have my skates.

I didn’t have deaf friends to hang out with after school or even on the weekends.  After school and on the weekends, the only friends I hung out with are the ones I grew up with in my neighborhood.  All of my deaf and hard of hearing friends didn’t live nearby.  Besides, they weren’t too comfortable hangin’ out with my friends from my neighborhood.  My neighborhood friends knew how to fingerspell cuz I taught them and they find it very useful when they’re grounded.  We all could fingerspell through the windows of their bedroom until the parents found out we could still communicate!  So, yeah, it’s pretty complicated. I don’t have an answer for why my deaf and hard of hearing friends weren’t cool with hanging out with my hearing friends.  As much as I tried to get them to hang out with us all, they chose not to, much to the dismay of my guy friends.  They thought it would be cool to date some of my deaf and/or hard of hearing friends.  I never dated any of my guy friends, mostly cuz I grew up with them and knew them since I was a toddler.  They tried, but, ya know, it’s complicated.  I saw many of my guy friends like a brother and yeah, they weren’t too happy about it.

When I grew my boobs at around 12 years old, one guy friend asked me if we could date. I said “No.”

“Why?”

“Cuz, I’ve known you like all my life!”

“Aww, comon Candy, pulease?!  You’ve never kissed a guy before right?”

“Yup”

“Why don’t we kiss and see where it goes.”

“Umm, I don’t think so.”

“Please Candy?”

“Umm, OKAY.”

We kissed and then! he put his hands on my pubescent boobs!

“What are you doing!”  I yelled.

“Everyone does that Candy!”  “Candy, just relax and let me put my hands on your boobs.” he said, ever so smoothly.

“Uh uh, no! it’s fucking complicated!”

I told the guy to stop cuz no sparks came and it didn’t feel right. I’ve known this guy since I was two years old. So, he was disappointed.  As this guy and I got older, we’d laugh about that experience.  He’s sweet, but he’s like a brother to me.  Every guy I knew from the neighborhood couldn’t get me to go steady with them.  Yeah, it’s complicated. Usually, I’d prefer to go out with a guy that I didn’t grow up with, ya know?

There was ONE guy in my neighborhood (who didn’t hung out with my crowd) whom I had a crush over, big time!  Everyone knew it.  My friends would see that guy and yell, “Hey Tony!  Candy likes ya!”  And, I’d be horrified, I’d take a peek at the guy, and he’d look my way and smile, showing his awesome dimples and I’d smile back at him and my friends would be like, “Whoa!  Tony and Candy sittin’ in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G…..”  And, I’d be like, oh come guys!  That’s so JUVIE!   We’d all laugh.  What happened to Tony and I?   That’s a story for another day….It’s complicated.

Once, my friends and I went to a movie theater to watch a skateboarding movie. I don’t think it was a box hit, it was definitely a B movie of sorts.  But, after watching that movie, I was pretty down that none of the guys I knew in my neighborhood was into skateboarding. I definitely fell for a few guys in that movie, these long hairs and the way they dressed and how they just did all that cool moves just gets my tummy all complicated.  I still get the butterflies when I see skateboarders.  Don’t ask me why.  It’s one reason why I don’t bother to go by the skateboard park near my house. I’m afraid I might do something stupid.  You see, my youngest son has lots of friends that are skateboarders and BMX riders and they hang out at the skate park.  Imagine how horrified my son would have been.  Many of his skateboarder/BMX friends (whom are a lot older than he) flirts with me and I have had to put them in line…..guess that is a story for another day.  Anyway, back to ‘complicated.’

Complicated seems to be the word these days.  A month ago, I met one of my son’s friend who asked about my oldest boy and how he was doing.  He asked if my oldest was still with Baby and I told him that they weren’t together but they are keeping in touch with each other, told him it’s complicated.  The guy nodded, and said yea, relationships are complicated.  Yup, I told him, “tell me about it!”  He laughed and I laughed.  Relationships are complicated.  I should know. I’ve been with my guy for eons and through the rollercoaster ride of my life, it’s still complicated but we’ve probably been together a lot longer than any of our friends’ relationships. My guy is my best friend and he always will be.  Even if everything is cool and smooth, relationships are complicated in good times and bad.  But, I’m glad my son is back with his Baby, you see, they just made a song together and they’re trying to make a go of it and doing a great job so far! So, it is complicated.

Relationships are complicated.  They just are.  Just because it’s complicated does not mean it’s bad.  There’s no way for a relationship to be the ultimate, awesome, and true unless you have been down the complicated route.  If a relationship was never complicated, then the relationship sucks.  Not meant to be.   Same goes with friendships, it’s gotta be complicated or there really isn’t a true friendship.  Any friendship or relationship, whether they’re platonic or intense *has* to be complicated before you know it is potentially real.

Complicated doesn’t mean fake.  So, if the relationship or friendship has a fake intent, then it isn’t complicated.  Some people are ‘friends’ with some people just to keep their enemies close, that isn’t complicated, that’s fake and that something I started to realize not too long ago.  I never keep my enemies close to me, but apparently there are people out there that do.  What I thought was complicated turned out to be fake. I don’t bother with enemies, heck, I don’t think I have any.

So, yea, life is fucking complicated, eh?

If a relationship or friendship wasn’t complicated, then it was never meant to be.  If it’s complicated, then it’s worth hanging on to.

Life is complicated, that’s why there’s never a dull moment.

Complicated.  Gotta love that word!

In the meantime, I’m gonna try skateboarding, even though it’s complicated. Who knows, I might fall into Tony Hawk’s arm trying some shit ass move and create more complications in my life.  (yea, he’s been to the Skate Park in my town for the Grand Opening Ceremony.  Heck, he helped created the Skate Park design.)  So, yeah, when word gets around that Tony Hawk is comin’ to town again, you can be sure I’d be out there showing him some of my moves.  So, now, I gotta get busy and practice these cool moves.  Nevermind how old I am, I’m pretty good at learning anything fast and If I can still do cool moves with my rollerskates, I can sure do some cool moves with a skateboard, no? 

I’m a complicated person and my life is complicated and that only means one thing. I’m compassionate and full of passion for the true friends in my life and in life itself.

It’s complicated, eh?

In the meantime, while I’m practicing my moves, ya’ll have a great week!!!

Here’s Avril Lavigne – Complicated

Ideology of the DEAF

I just got done watching “re-defining D-E-A-F” which is located on this “MOS International” website.  There’s a lot of references to how deaf people were defined from centuries ago and how the definition had changed.  There were scenes where it appears to show an image that shows the world, that deaf people are not boring, dull, or dumb. But, that they are exciting, smart, and they can copulate too, except they can’t hear.  Surely the world knows deaf people do have sex, after all, there have been scenes in movies where deaf people have been making out. Don’t forget, there’s even deaf porn, too! And, don’t forget the “L word” as well.

Anyways, I guess that is what this blogger was referring to, selling via sex, sexy, attractiveness, etc. But, it is not the meat of the production.

I think the message of “Re-Defining D-E-A-F” is probably a good film for those deaf people who are video bloggers over at DVTV.

First off, IDEOLOGY is a perception on the world based on assumptions which is/are learned. Or, a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society

Perception created through ideology changes representation.

Representation, Actually refers to how we represent ourselves as deaf people. How we or the media, for example, influence the perception that the world has about deaf people. For example, look at all the films done on deaf individuals. Or, look at the historical references to deaf people by philosophers and doctors. Over centuries, we know how deaf people were labeled. The words used was not positive. Such as, we’re boring, dull, dumb, etc and the need to change perception to sexy, smart, etc.

Basically, Ryan stressed that one way to represent ourselves as we move on with technology is to take advantage of the media. Especially with Internet as it is. Media via Internet is cheap.

Many references were used throughout the film. One such reference was Stuart Hall. A book was written by him ” Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices.” He also wrote many other books relating to culture and representation. He has a theory that visual image changes American culture and the power of media as a medium.

So, we are deaf. We have access to media. We might not like how the media has represent the deaf community. The best way to change perception on deaf people is to change the Ideology.

Now, here comes the meaty part.

First off, we know sex sells. We know dressing up sexy sells. We know guys are more likely to buy a product if a sexy girl is standing next to a COOL car. We know girls are more likely to buy a product when some guy on the commercial starts kissing the girl’s neck because he likes the smell of a perfume.

But, I believe Ryan was talking about cheap Internet media. How we make videos online and to share it with the world. It wasn’t clear if he meant we all should be making films online or if it was more of our own personal videos that we make for DVTV.

Nevertheless, Let’s look at DVTV. As a culturally deaf HOH person, my first impressions when I saw several videos on DVTV was not exactly good. But, then I reasoned with myself that it is just like You Tube where there are many videos made by many people and not all of them are cool. For example, there was this guy that was crying and screaming “Leave Brit alone!” and then there’s this stupid “3 girls and a cup” or was it “two guys and a cup” or was it “3 guys and a truck?” Either way, I have not seen that video, but since people were saying it made them vomit, who the heck wants to watch something like that?

And then, one wonders about who would succeed in defining deaf people, as a commenter stated in this blogger’s post that, “The upcoming and future generations of deaf children will define the deaf community for themselves, not according to older traditions or culture unfortunately.” Who would eventually better represent deaf people, if anything at all?

The mainstream community does not need to change their ideology, they do not need to be represented other than what they always have, especially if they are a white person.

So, DVTV video bloggers, you all have a BIG job to do, that is, if I understood Ryan’s intentions. Whatever you do on DVTV with your video, you are telling the world “This is how deaf people are.” So, if you guys are behaving like kids and if the perception you are showing the world makes people think less of you, you are the cause of what the world thinks of you. You need to feed into the needs of the world’s fetishness in order to create an ideology that you are no different from them in order to show that deaf people are/should be represented no less than the world. Or something like that…..

Before you start making a video to put online, especially DVTV and perhaps Deafread, ask yourself this: How will I represent the deaf culture with this finished product?

Not everyone feels the need to change ideology in order to create the perception that the world has of a person or a group of people.  As for me, I feel that the perception the world has of me is good because I am a person first and foremost before I am anything else.  I take care of me since my people can’t do a good job of representing me.

Video subtitled song by NAS “I Know I can” created by ErlendSkavelem over at You Tube.

Election Climaxes and the Afterglow

On November 5, 2008, a day after a historic election promising, defining moment of change…..

It’s probably too soon to see changes. But, one would think, maybe just a wee bit of noticeable change, ya know, like the moment after an orgasm. Let’s take a look at one example of how people of this nation go on with their life as if nothing has changed….

On a plane, up in the sky somewhere, a 45 year old female started to get disruptive and when she could not behave, the flight attendant had no choice but to restrain her with duct tape until they could reached their emergency landing site in North Carolina. She’s probably a McCain supporter, drowning her in her drinks, the day after.

On my drive to work, I see a sign saying: NO, Obama, Keep Your Change!
Nah, I don’t think so, I think he wants to spread the wealth…..

As for Palin, the back-stabbing among so called alliances continues, as media across the country have reported on McCain’s aides declaring “Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast,”

There was even reports of Palin greeting the aides in just towels and nothing more!

Geesh, knife stabbings are ugly.

It’s been a crazy week for me and a crazy Friday too!

I was dead tired Tuesday, after crunching numbers all day. I didn’t think I’d have the energy to go online or even watch the results of the Election. I had to go online to check my emails, and couldn’t resist hanging out at the Green Couch. As hilarious as it was, who would have thought that we’d be talking about contractions and pregnant chads. As the evening went on, and the blues started to gain ground, I wasn’t tired anymore! Whoo! It was unbelievable! At 10:00 it was announced Obama won! And as I watched the TV showing the crowds in Chicago at Grant Park going WILD! It was Awesome! I would have LOVED to be there, but, I had to work the next day. My kid was suggesting we drive out there. She knew how much I loved hanging out in Downtown Chicago and by the lake too. I was so proud to be a native Chi Girl that nite.  Chicago was my hometown, I was born and raised there ~ It was my playground.

Years from now, if someone asks me what I did on November 4, 2008. I can look back and say that I had the most awesome time hangin out with Paotie and his Green Couch crowd! You all ROCK!

What a week!

TGIF!

here’s a  subtitled music video of Aerosmith “Crazy” made by Gringsoju over at You Tube.  Lyrics are below.

Breast Cancer Awareness and other stuffs….

I just found out, today, a classmate of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, thankfully it was the most common kind and is easily cured.  She still has to go through chemo and all that.

And just as soon as I found out, I checked out her website.  Signed up.  Signed her guest book entry, wishing her all the best.

Hours later, I got a call from that organization which sponsors these free webpages for cancer victims, which happens to be a local breast cancer foundation that assists people with the financial portion of their care.  As they explained, they are continuing their efforts to raise money for women who do not have health insurance, thus, they not only run this campaign during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness, but also all year long.

Turns out that the majority of woman do not get their mammograms because they do not have health insurance.  Apparently the percentage of women who was not aware they had breast cancer, is pretty high, over 40% and by the time their condition got worst, it was too late to treat them and many have died.  I was asked if I was willing to make a one time contribution and the money would assists these woman who do NOT have health insurance. The thought that many do not have it and being fortunate to have one myself, I said sure.  In spite of the fact that I won’t be able to take advantage of itemizing my donation,  it gave me a good feeling knowing that I helped someone.  Having no health insurance sucks.

Getting that call was also a reminder to myself to get my mammogram done. I was supposed to have it done 9 months ago, but I kept procrastinating to make an appointment.  No one likes getting a mammogram, but, one should not forgo it.   A few minute of uncomfortable pressure may be well worth your time.  Catching breast cancer in its early stage means getting treated early and beating cancer.

While breast cancer does not run in my family, it can still happen.

This post is a reminder to all of you to get your mammograms done.

If you do not have health insurance, there are resources out there that ensures that EVERY woman has a mammogram.

Please check them out and spread the news.

• Begin by contacting the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information about how to get free mammograms, Pap smears, and treatment. (deaf/hoh people should use relay call, either via  tty, online or video phone and ask them to call the number above.)
• Call your local Social Services Department. You may be eligible for Medicaid or other programs for low-income women.
• Call your local Public Health Department to find out about local health care programs.
• Many hospitals run free clinics where they provide medical care at no or low cost.
• Contact the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

You can also contact the organizations above to find out how to help, if you wish to.

Last year a co-worker had breast cancer, had her lymph nodes removed, underwent chemo and radiation therapy. Since she was menopausal, she took estrogen.  And, since estrogen can increase the risk of breast cancer, she had to stop taking it and took something else.  She ended up with severe pain in her shoulders and required more medical treatment.  Chemo and radiation can just create more problems than you started out with.  As I was talking with her, I kind of suggested she look into natural healing route.  Because, from my experience based on family and friends conversation, most medicine creates more side effects, thus, more medical problems than you ever started out with.

If a doctor prescribes medicine for me, my first step would be to do a lot of research on the meds before I even get them filled.  And, if I did not like the side effects that a particular med might produce, I would normally call the doctor and tell him that I can’t take that medicine.  I have had my doctor getting a bit irritated when I question them.  Eventually after expressing my views that science is not exact and that many articles encourage patients to ask questions and expect detailed explanation of any medicines or procedures being done, It was at that moment that the doctor and I have a clear understanding.  You will be surprised to find some doctors expecting their patients to not ask questions and to take their word as if God has spoken.  Some doctors feel insulted when patients questons their decisions. It is your body and you have every right to deny a procedure or ask for a second opinion.

I have gone to an organic store that sells all kinds of natural remedies such as herbs and supplements, and have bought a few for preventive measures.   I am NOT saying that you should not see your doctor or should not take medicine that your doctor prescribes for you.  I’m just cautioning you not to take your doctor’s word as if he/she is a God.  Science is not always absolute.  Even a previous doctor I had, once told me so.  So, I do check out some herbs and supplements and take them even if I don’t have any health issues.  Most organic stores have labels on the  bottles that will tell you what it is for, such as better lung function, high blood pressure, etc.  You’ll find many many of the food we eat now days are not as nutritious as it used to be.  We’re lacking some things and taking vitamins and supplements helps replace what you lack.  Herbs also provides healing power for certain ills.

And, with everyone taking antibiotics too often, it is over prescribed to a point where it is not helping many people the way it was intended to in the first place.   This is pretty scary.  This site here, tells you when you should be taking them and when you should not.  Also, what you can do to help your situation without taking antibiotics.

I have a friend who lives in Hawaii and swears by Wheat Grass juices.  He even mailed out some seeds for me to grow!  I would have to get a juicer to do that. I have not planted it yet!   But, the more older we all get, sometimes we have to deal with things we do not want to.  Too often I have seen people getting worst when they are prescribed too many medicines.  And, it has happened to those close to me.

Most organic food stores have books on site that will tell you which stuffs would work for whatever ails you.  I have tried colon cleansing once and I did not have the flu that winter.  I’m not totally into this natural remedies fully, but dabbing into it somewhat.  I hope to learn more about all these and maybe share it with ya’ll someday too! 

In the several years that I’ve worked with the same company, I have lost too many co-workers to cancer, mostly liver cancer and they’re gone pretty fast.  Two had brain cancer and there were many breast cancers too.  Breast cancer seems to have a better rate for survival than the others that I have mentioned.  As sad as it is, we need to be vigilant with our health and perhaps look to natural remedies to keep many of the toxins out of our bodies that are causing these cancerous cells to mutate crazily.

So, if any of you are into this type of natural remedy approach, I’d like to hear more about it too.

In the meantime, make sure you get your mammograms done.  If you’re a guy reading this, make sure your significant others have theirs as well.  I was told, even guys should have it done, especially if it runs in the family.  Don’t ask me how they do it….I have no clue. 

Here’s a song sung by various female artists, “Just Stand Up”  Was originally sung at a “Just Stand Up To Cancer” telethon Sept 5, 2008 and was released as a single on September 30, 2008.

The video was made with subtitles and submitted by alwyn089 over at You Tube.

These are the days : Crazy Cats to the rescue

There’s this video going around showing Proposition 8 proponents getting real ugly at a protest with an elderly lady, getting up close to her face, screaming and almost trampling over this poor old lady by none other than the queer mob out in Palms Springs, CA.

Apparently there was this protest going on about Prop. 8 and the old lady decided to show up with a big cross. They ripped the cross from her and stomped on it!

I don’t know, but this lady had every right to do what she did and the Gay proponents had every right to protest.  Yet, I am quite disturbed to see them trampling over an old lady, infringing on her right to speak freely.  That’s so immature, these protesters need to grow up.

You can read the rest of the story here.

The site also shows a video of the ugly scene. Sorry, no captions.  The video is about 3 minute long and you could see things starting to go south just around 2:27 or so.

Why are the oppressed, usually the oppressor?

There’s no place like home, says Dorothy.  That was then.

Nebraska passed a Safe Haven law that was supposed to protect newborns whose mothers abandon them.  The law was passed in mid-September of this year, and to date, 30th ‘child’ have been abandoned.  Of the 30 children, the majority are teens!

Legislators have screwed up by not defining the ‘child’ portion of that law.

Parents of other states desperate to dump their teens have driven out to Nebraska.  I dunno, but, I wonder if the parents are trying to teach their teens something.  Something like, there’s no place like home?

On a lighter note….

Don’t you hate it when you’re in an airport security checkpoint line and see people in front of you who obviously had not flown in eons, or worst yet, families with LOTS of kids!!  You know, you’re gonna be waiting for a while and you’re freaking out thinking that you might miss your flight!!!

Worry no more!  Airports are going to offer a family security lane specifically for families and inexperience fliers to take all the time they need in getting through the security checkpoint.  For a while, approximately 48 airport were part of a pilot to test the family concept.  TSA announced that, by November 20th, ALL airport will have a family lane security checkpoint.

Life in the fast lane coming soon in an airport near you!

Every now and then, we all need a little help from our friends.  So, I’m giving a little help to my friend.  There’s a lot more going on with the Illini, ya know.  I’m bringing it on…

Illibuck series, Buckeye vs Ilini will play for the coveted Illibuck, a turtle that has since passed on but continues in a wooden form.  Let’s hope Juice Williams provides all the juice that Fighting Illini need for this game!  *Takes a swig of Turtle Juice from a shot glass*   

And, finally, as crazy as things are in our world.  Check out Captioned Cats video, it’s sure to put ‘CRAZY” in an enlightening perspective, somewhat.

Caption Cats provided to you by Patchofmoths over at You Tube.

Update on Breast Cancer Post~

I received some information in the mail today regarding Breast Cancer Relief Foundation and want to share it with you all.

This webpage covers their mission to ensure every American women has their screening done.  So, click on it if you are needing help with your screenings.

The organization also helps out many women in the third world countries.

Here’s the stats:

• Every three minutes an American is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• One women in seven who lives to age 85 will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55.
• Seventy percent of all breast cancers are found through self-exams.  Not all lumps are detectable by touch.
• Eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous.

Email them at: requests@breastcancerrelief.org for more information.

Toll Free Information: (800) 921-2022

On a lighter note, Full Moon is up for today, beware of crazy people, animals and/or events!

But, for me, Fridays are the craziest, full moon or not….and as you all know, I try to do a Friday post, so be on the lookout for it~

Until then…hang in there…

Doing Deaf Differently ~ Re-inventing and Re-defining Differently

Doing Deaf Differently.  Hear Indiana coined it up for their conference, DBC Indiana rallied because of it.

This is not to put down, disagree, what have you’s on either organization.  Rather, this is to explore each view and mission.

Exploring doing deaf differently with different perspective might, for some, connotes the term pessimistically and for others optimistically.  We can actually take that word and make it work for both and all.  In other words, the term doing deaf differently can be interpreted in more than one way.

It does not have to be taken negatively context wise, it could just simply be a ‘new direction.’

It can allow you to expand yourself in new and creative ways, perhaps.

It can challenge your assumptions, for example, many things which you may have taken for granted may turn out to be incorrect.  It may, in fact surprise you.  It may, open new possibilities.

Since you go “out of the box”, things which are normally not in your radar may now come to life. You may find that some of these new things are very interesting and useful.

Hear Indiana hosted their annual education conference and went with the theme “Building Partnerships” and in their press release headline, Hear Indiana is ‘Doing Deaf Differently’ in the 21st century.  An excerpt of their press release states:

“It truly is amazing how far we’ve come. It wasn’t that long ago that some cultures relegated the deaf to mental institutions because they didn’t know what to do with people who had this disability. Today, modern technology and oral deaf education allow deaf and hard of hearing people to hear, speak, and communicate with their family, friends, and co-workers. That means that a child born today with hearing loss can grow up as part of the hearing world. We truly are doing deaf differently in the 21st century.”

DBC feels “doing deaf differently” is a statement of disrespect towards the deaf community and creates unnecessary division among parents and professionals.  By spreading false idea that is created or implemented by mostly hearing people without any input from the Bilingual deaf community (those who are fluent in both ASL and English, both spoken and written.)

According to DBC Indiana, DBC strongly recommends that AG Bell and Auditory Verbal Therapy includes ASL as the foundation for early language acquisition, especially for those who have the capacity to learn speech and lip reading.  It will, according to their experts, enable them to do this at a more accelerated rate with this approach.

DBC has a plan to reach out to hearing parents of deaf children which was recently drafted up at a roundtable retreat among several deaf community members.  The plan to reach out and disseminate information can be seen here.

What would make us do things differently?  Changes.  Changes makes us re-think how we can adapt to the differences.  We have technology that is constantly changing and improving over time.  Keeping abreast of technology means for some parents, they see hope, an improvement.  The video shown here is an example of how some would do deaf differently.  I watched the video and let me tell you, it was heart warming seeing that kid got a joy out of listening to music and singing.  It may be hard for those who have never heard to understand that.

On the other hand, kids who utilize ASL as their primary language are adapting to the world around them with much ease, with technology as well.  We now have text phones, Instant Messaging, Video Phones, captioned TV, captioned movies at the theater and yet more improved technology on the way to make our lives less restricting.  Deaf kids are not as isolated as they used to be. Years ago, none of that were in existence, but, with technology, even those that are deaf and bilingual are doing deaf differently.

More state run schools for the deaf are encouraging their students to take classes at a local public school.  This enables the kids to be able to be less restrictive in their environment and allows these kids to have full potential to show that they’re just no less different as their hearing peers.

It’s not to say that when one does deaf  differently than the others, that one is better than the others, but, rather that one could be doing differently than the others only to bring out the best of each differences.

We all can do deaf differently in our own way that meets our own expectations, Thus, doing differently works for each of us, in a different way.

It appears that we’re now in an era of re-defining things, re-inventing things and doing things differently, only because we want the BEST!  And, again we all interpret ‘best’ differently too!   I like different, don’t you?!

Point being, we’re all different and we go with different flow and being different is as different does. We all can do deaf differently.

I actually think both camps can do it differently too and be able to accept the differences as long as we know what’s out there. We choose differently. I’m not here to argue or debate to the point of saying what’s right and what’s wrong. There isn’t a right or wrong here. So, discuss among yourself, if you wish. Keep it cordial. Remember, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t bother.

~~~

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Take the time to, not take things in life for granted. Be thankful for what you have, how little they might be. For, these little things do mean a LOT to many that do not have ‘em.

Here’s Linkin Park “Somewhere I Belong” video subtitled by FalcOn over at You Tube dot com.

¡Yo No Quiero! Taco Bell!….iNo Mas! American Dream!

I guess Taco Bell got tired of Dinky and Gidget and was hoping to get 50 Cent to change his name to 79 Cent or some Cent of his choice in order to promote Taco Bell. 50 cent was pissed that Taco Bell would have the cojones to ask him something like that. And to that, he says ¡NO quiere Taco Bell! Yikes! What were they thinking??? 50 cent ain’t no Chihuahua! He da man!

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Somewhere in Ohio, in a town named Anna, where a Honda Plant is located. A particular bar in Anna has it’s people saying that America should not be bailing out the Auto Plant. The reason being, appears to be that the plant employees are doing ok.  Since the bar is making money off these plant employees could only mean one of two things. One being, they have money. Two being, they’re drowning out their worries at a bar. But, this bar owner says we should not be bailing em out. I live near an Auto plant and my neighbors says times are tough. They’re closing several lines. There might not be jobs for many. The plant might have to close cuz no one is buying vehicles in these times. Hmm…I don’t know what to believe. But, one thing for sure, I wish the bars around Wall Street would tell us exactly what we should be doing. Imagine if a bartender that worked in Wall Street telling us that he overheard something and that because Wall Street F**Ked up, we shouldn’t be bailing them out. 700 billions dollars later. See any difference? Perhaps them New Yorkers are just minding their own business whereas Anna, Ohioans are making it their business!

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If anything, Americans should not despair with the economy as it is. America is no longer considered a place where one can achieve the “American Dream.” Studies have shown that at the end of 2007, more Mexicans have gone back home than Mexicans entering USA. They’re guessing the continued exodus will continue into 2008 and beyond. What this might mean for many Americans is that there should be jobs available if they lose theirs. Would you flip burgers? Clean houses? or even work in strawberry fields if you had to? When it comes to putting food on the table for your family, one sometimes should take what they can. After all, they don’t have anywhere to go, and unlike the Mexicans, they can’t go home. They’re home. What this also means is that Americans have lost sight of what it means to work and achieve the American dream. Greed seems to have taken over and it appears that greed only resulted in one good thing for the Americans, it made the illegal’s run back home. But, it also created a lot of spoiled workers who thinks it would be beneath themselves to get a job flippin burgers. Great Job, America!

Looking for ways to make money by writing a book? You might learn a thing or two from Joe the Plumber who has decided to become Joe the Writer. He signed up with a lesser known publishing house in order to “Spread the wealth.” Good news for all of you, you have four years to plan ahead and make yourself famous so you can write a book! Not only that! You can purchase “Freedom Membership” by going to ’secure our dream dot com’ and it will give you a restricted access to his forum and also! get an autographed copy of his new book called “Joe The Plumber, Fighting For The American Dream.” Maybe you’ll learn something by reading it, and maybe not, maybe you’ll just end up wishing you had just stuck with a Dummy copy of DIY plumbing.

~~~~~~~~~~

And finally, Because it’s Friday, I like to get freaky! Let my hair down, kick it up and have a good time! 50 Cent is one rapper I like to listen to from time to time…guys? Let’s partay!

Music Video “Window Shopper” subtitled by subvideos4u over at you tube dot com.

Thanksgiving Ain’t Over till I say it’s over

I hope you all had a grrreat turkey day. I did. I was able to spend time with family and friends. Which was AWESOME. And!!! All day I kept getting funny text messages and emails from friends as it relates to Turkey Day! First time in my life, I’ve played beer pong, we’re all taking a break and I thought to just post this one from one of many emails I got which I wanted to share with ya all…for some reason, it kind of reminded me of the latest happenings in the deaf blogosphere! Haha! yeah! Let’s put the bad guy in a freezer! haha!

Here goes:

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird’s mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to “clean up” the bird’s vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arms and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.” John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, “May I ask what the turkey did”?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

LOL yeah, what did the turkey do? haha! hilarious!

GOOD TIMES! GREAT VIBRATIONS!

Okie…gotta go!

Yearning for a Sucsexfully Stress Free Holiday?

With the holidays around the corner, along with that, comes stress from shopping; figuring out what to buy for whom; making sure your food list is complete; and oh!, the maddening road raged peoples….

Speaking of road rage over the holidays! Let me share an incident I witnessed a few Christmas shopping season ago. Over lunch hour at work, I decided I had to run over to Best Buy to get a DVD that was on sale and also, to get a couple of DVDs, XBox games, and music CDs for my family members. I dreaded driving through what was locally known as the Holiday Crash Alley which was a main thoroughfare in a Suburb that I worked near by.   Lo and Behold, the Crash Alley claimed no victim that day. However, in the crowded parking lot of Best Buy, as I searched for an empty spot, there was a car in front of me that was waiting on a parking spot that is being pulled out by a driver. I waited patiently for that driver to pull out so the old geezer and his daughter in a car in front of me would be able to pull in, which would give me the opportunity to scan for the next available spot. Just as we both were waiting, a teen aged girl in a car coming in from another direction pulled up and as soon as the driver pulled out of her spot, this teen “stole” the spot from the guy in front of me. I thought, Uh Oh. Then, in the next split second, my jaws dropped. What happened was the old geezer in front of me must have been so incensed, he rammed his car into the back of the teenager’s vehicle as she pulled into the recently vacant spot.

Then! He got out of the car and said “You stole my parking spot!” with so much rage!

The teen aged girl had this horror stricken look on her face and said “WTF?!!!!”

The daughter of the old geezer who rammed the lady’s car was like, “Dad! Why did you do what you just did?!” Then she proceeded to apologize to the teen and all the while admonishing her dad.

Every shopper that was outside of Best Buy at that very moment just stood still. It was as if someone had a remote control and stopped everyone in their tracks. Jaws were dropped as low as their feet. Finally, I thought to myself “This is BULLSHIT!!”  I then, backed out before the cops came and miraculously found a spot. I had only 30 min left to shop, Damn!

You all might do well to remind yourselves not to practice road rage in the parking lot over the holidays. The last thing you want is to come face to face with an old geezer who may ram your vehicle if you stole his parking spot. This is a true story, mind you.

So, how does one get rid of stress over the holidays? Easy! There’s many ways to do it. But, the best stress buster of all time is SEX. That’s right. Sex. We all might do well if we apply this theory and, I promise you, you will be sucsexfully stress free!

Sex is better than binging on alcohol. It’s better than smoking dope.

I’m just saying, there ARE ways!  or whateva~   

Anyway, there are many OTHER ways to relieve stress besides sex.  I was just being humorous.   I recently discovered “sucsexful” and found the word very intriguing.  Truth is, sex does relieve stress, and so does humor!  ;o)

Also, working out; cross country skiing; snowboarding; taking your dog out for a walk; reading a good book; taking a long bubble bath; going for a swim at your local pool; helping out at the animal shelter; helping a friend in need; etc. etc. etc.

Have a sucsexfully stress free holiday, ya’ll!!

Different kind of sex~

Twenty Five Stress Relievers~

What kind of sex do you have~

99 Ways To Relieve Stress~

Stuffs to try~

17 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress

*****For starters, I’ve joined my local aquatic center, quit smoking, started my holiday baking routine, and have scanned my local cross country ski trails.  Start making your own list, do something worthwhile for yourself this holiday season and de-stress your life, while you’re at it!   Until then, I might be around, and I might not (that is, unless some blog bug gets me) until after the Holidays…..Happy Holidays to ya’ll!!  Stay safe and warm!  See ya all, next year~

Rihanna – “Sell Me Candy” lyric music video by Thyzkhmaigirl over at you tube dot com.

Ancient Green and a Blue World~

For a long time, Americans have always had a stereotype when it comes to someone with a gun.  You had the cowboys who hee haw their way into town with guns.  Hunters going for the kill to feed their families.  Law enforcement officers with their pride and joy, to serve and protect.  Americans get shiftier eyed when approached by anyone from all directions by individuals who are black, yellow, or brown.  Pretty soon, shifty eyes are going to be bestowed upon the elderly and the disabled.  You see, they have made a gun specifically for these people.  What is even more scarier is that, it can be touted as a stress reliever.  Elderly with amnesia might mistake this palm pistol for this stress relieving ball and start shooting everyone at a Bingo!  And get this!, it is covered under Medicare!

Researchers have discovered ancient marijuana buried with a Yuezhi.  You see, these ancient Caucasian people are from Xinjiang province and according to experts, it was a common practice to bury something that they can use in their afterlife.  You see, Yuezhi’s are very ancient!  We’re talking about 2700 years ago!!   And since this news was first printed in the Journal of Experimental Botany, who’s to say that them researchers are not capitalizing on getting stoned!  After all, you see, it’s not everyday that a researcher would come upon a stash left behind by a Yuezhi!

From the looks of this article in Newsweek, America is looking for ways to deal with stress in their life.  Nielsen Online reports that one in four office employees accessed pornography during the workday.  If you work in an office that employs 200 people, this means at least 50 people in your office checks out internet porn!.  If you know it isn’t you, and if you know for sure it isn’t the colleague behind you, it could be one of the two other colleague next to you!  Try to be discreet when popping your head above your cubical as you ponder which one of your colleague is doing it.

For some couples they made a vow, “for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.”  Others delete “for richer or poorer” and replaces “till death do us part” with “till you’re broke.”   Historically divorce rates are high in troubled times, for example, during the 1997 recession, there was a 17% spike in divorce rate.  However, when comparing our current recession/divorce rate with the great depression years/divorce rates, the severity is comparable, thus people are not getting divorced in these times.  Many married couple end up staying together unhappily because they can’t afford all that goes with getting a divorce.  What makes this all so ironic is because they can’t afford to get a divorce, the thought of living with their spouse which they cannot stand, has prompted many to seek counseling to learn to live with their “other half,” and are spending a fortune on counseling!

Doing Christmas differently is an idea which more people are considering these days.  Seriously!  Normally the holidays brings in a lot of traditional stuffs. But, doing non-traditional stuffs over the holiday just means a new tradition is born.  Or maybe not.  Theoretically, one could do Christmas differently year after year.  Such as going on a vacation alone without your family,   Do something upside-down, such as hanging your Christmas Tree in that fashion will create more room for your home.  Do something different for someone less fortunate than you.  Handing out jackets and blankets to the homeless will guarantee you the best warmth you’ll ever experience, beats being in front of the fireplace, too.

Here’s a subtitled music video “I’m Blue” by Eiffel 65 created by Tomyruler over at you tube dot com.

‘Twas the days before Christmas….

‘Twas the days before Christmas, all’s calm.  ‘Tis probably the whitest Christmas I’ve had in a long time.  I look forward to spending it with my family, and most of all, I look forward to seeing the reaction from my dogs and cats when they get a present from me. (My kid is going to literally kill me when she reads this.    I do love my kids, yet…)  [Another thing to blog about one day] I just get a kick out of seeing how my pets get so much joy over such simple presents.  This post is a present to all of my readers.   “Merry Christmas!” – “Happy Hanukkah! – “Happy Kwanzaa!” – “Feliz Navidad!” – “Buon Natale!” – “Happy Holidays!”

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Here is a story, “Grandpa’s Story”, author unknown.

Grandpa decided that shopping for Christmas presents had become too difficult. All his grandchildren had everything they needed, so he decided to send them each a cheque.

On each card he wrote:

‘Happy Christmas, Grandpa’

P.S. ‘Buy your own present!’

While Grandpa enjoyed he family festivities, he thought that his grandchildren were just slightly distant.  It preyed on his mind into the year.  Then one day he was sorting out his study and under a pile of magazines, he found a little pile of cheques for his grandchildren.  He had completely forgotten to put them in with the Christmas cards.

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Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

~~~~~~~

Christmas Caper -

Katrina lost her handbag in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping in Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

A small boy found it and he returned to her. Looking in her purse, Katrina reasoned, ‘Hmmm…. that’s strange.  When I lost my bag there was a 20 dollar bill in it. Now there are four 5 dollar bills.’

The boy quickly replied with a charming smile and in a Chicago accent, ‘Dat’s right, ma’am. Da last time I found a lady’s purse, she don’t have no change for a reward.’

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***A MOVIE suggestion:  Twelve Dogs of Christmas   That is a cool movie to watch!

Stay warm and safe~  See ya next year.

Let It Snow!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!……

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted our area would get the worst snow fall compared to last year. I’ve been hearing that pretty much since late summer.  As much of a skeptic as I am, I didn’t believe it. I was warned by my neighbors, co-workers, etc. They all know I hate the cold. I was told this year, we should be expecting at least 150 inches of total snow fall. ‘What about the temperature?’ I asked. No one knew. But, snow? They knew.

Since before Thanksgiving, we have been getting one snow after another! It’s amazing! We are expecting at least a foot of snow which is supposed to end sometime today! And, to top it off, they are predicting Thunder Snow!  Freaky Friday!  *Post script:  We got over a foot!!  Amazing!  Time to go Cross-country Skiing, Built a snowman, Make a forte or Snow Angels!!!

Here’s some snow that made the news over the years!

The great Chicago snow of 1967 paralyzed the city. My parents told the story so many times. Snow totaled  23 inches and many people who went to work or school had to either stay put, or abandoned their vehicles and walk home. Chicago was paralyzed. Side streets were not drivable, neither was most thoroughfares. My parents told me, on our block, the men shoveled out the streets while the women served coffees and sandwiches. Kids played among the wall of snow on the sidewalk.

The Christmas Eve Blizzard of 1982 in Denver, Colorado changed the city in so many ways that are still felt to this day. If the blizzard had never happened, Stapleton Airport would still exist. The whole city was pretty much paralyzed. I was there. On Christmas Eve, my friends and I decided we had to go to the store to get stuffs we need for Christmas. We all had decided to stay in Denver, rather than go home for the holidays. Denver had 25 inches of snow. The airport closed for 33 hours. People were stranded in airports, malls, what have you. More than 450 vehicles were stalled on I25 between Colorado Springs and Denver! On Christmas morning, we all stared outside (from our tenth floor apartment) in awe. We could see nary a vehicle driving outside, save for one or two 4×4’s. People were hauling presents on a sled to and fro.  And, I was there! That blizzard will forever be stuck in my mind.

My personal second unforgettable experience with snow was on November 27, 1995. I grew up in Chicago and never had experienced whiteouts. I had lived out in a rural area that is about an hour outside the city limits. It was also the first time I have ever seen and heard  Thunder Snow! I had just been in a minor accident where a Blazer hit my vehicle and spun me out.  A witness who happened to be the State Accident Investigator was behind me, thankfully and was able to corroborate my side of the story. My vehicle was drivable, but both headlights were broken. It took me a total of 4 hours to get home where it would normally take me 1 hour. Snow/ice stuck to my windshield blades and I had to frequently pulled off to the side to SCRAPE the snow/ice off my wipers since it kept building up. The snow was of a heavy, wet variety. I had pulled into a gas station hoping they had bulbs for my headlight. And,they did, it was the last one left! I drove home with one head light and somehow, miraculously got home safety. We had gotten 10 inches of snow and to this day, I don’t know how I managed to survive several whiteouts. As a result of that experience, I refuse to drive out in the country when conditions predicts whiteouts. It’s like that Tom Cruise movie where he had to overcome the smoke from an accident ahead of him, hoping against hope that he would not hit any car as he sped through the smoke. Scary, indeed. I also could not see the road at all since snow was piling up so fast. I had to rely on road markers such as mail boxes, signage, utility poles to make sure I am on the right side of the road and I am not going off road!

Do check out this video, which  shows a cool dog that is having the time of his life!  Amazing video!

Until then….stay warm and stay safe!

Good Tidings Brings Cheer…

Good Tidings brings cheer, even in ‘down times’.

This blogger is pretty well known for being a procrastinator when it comes to shopping for Christmas. There has been enough years where I actually shopped on Christmas Eve. I’ve gotten better over the years, since most stores are closed early on Christmas Eve.

Today, I had to drop my kid off at her best friends house at a nearby metropolitan area which is a good 30 minute drive from my house. I was more than happy to do that. You see, if you have a teenage daughter, you would welcome a break every now and then. Teenage girls are way different than boys. Something for me to blog about some day, I guess. Since she will be gone for at least a few days, this is heaven for me, especially during the holiday season where I am definitely on the go!  Especially now that it is snowing lots, I’m outside a lot having fun with snow.  And, only females knows that there is never, ever enough time in a day to do it all, holiday or not.  And, even though I’m busy and wanted to take a long break from blogging over the holiday, it just so happens that I found my niche! Blogging is a good break, it keeps me sane.

So, anyway…I thought, hey, I could go shopping! And I did! I went armed with a scratch off coupon I got in the mail from this major department store that offered 15, 20 or 30% off, depending on what you got from this mailing. I scratched mine off and whoo! 30% off! What luck! Or is that just a marketing ploy?  I wondered. I have never gotten the higher percentage scratch off before. At the mall, I was lucky enough to find a parking spot, but that meant, I’d have to walk through the food court in the mall and around the bend to get to this anchor store. I hate malls! I was surprised to see Christmas stuffs going for 65 to 75% off! Normally this time of the year, wrapping papers are at least 50% off. Many items in the store were around 50 to 65% off. Everything was marked down! For real! And!, I had an additional 30% off on top of it if I used the store’s charge card. I just LOVE to be able to buy stuffs at such a good deal. I managed to finish my shopping in less than two hours and saved at least 200 bucks! Many of the stuffs I bought ended up being anywhere from 80 to 95% off and this is in a major well known middle class department store. I kid you not! I did not buy MORE because I saved! That takes discipline, let me tell ya that! All I have left to do is buy items to stuff in stockings and get some disposable credit cards. How easy can it get? I love it. I love recessions, don’t ya?

And, I have consumers to thank for. Because everyone is saying they’re cutting back this year, and because everyone didn’t shop early, hence, the stores got nervous and marked down a lot of things earlier than normal.

And, speaking of holiday shopping, What makes it all so bearable for me every year is the fact that I was able to avoid the fanatical crowds by only going to one ‘Anchor store’ and to try to avoid the mall. This year, I barely had my foot in the mall for more than five minutes. I do not over do my Christmas shopping nor preparations for the holidays, never have and never will. But, I’m big on baking cookies and finding good deals. This year, we’re cutting back as are pretty much the whole country, I suppose. Keeping things simple does wonders. I mean, after all, when all is said and done, you don’t want to feel like you’ve done a lot and gotten nothing out of it.  You know the feeling, you slave in the kitchen for hours, for a big holiday dinner and in mere minutes, it’s gone!!!  That feeling.

Speaking of deals, last year when Christmas was over, I purchased lots of gift wraps at 90% off.  This is a tradition I might continue as long as I have kids at home, and I’ll explain why.

People may not realize that buying stuffs off season or right after the season is over is going to amount to much. Trust me, they do!

You see, my house tend to be the ‘Christmas Wrap Central’ every year. For some reason, my kids’ friends stops by with loads of presents and asks me “Do you have wrapping paper I can use?”

“yeah….” I’d responded.

“I didn’t have enough money to buy some.” They’d say.

“Oh, we have plenty! Help yourself” I’d say.

After I bring out loads of Christmas wrap, scissors, tape, marker and tags. Usually these kids would try so hard to wrap something. And, I’d walk by, smiling at them..marveling at the generosity these kids have in buying presents for their loved ones.

“Umm….Candy?!”

“Yeah?”

“I hate to bother you, but, do you think you can wrap it up for me? I can’t seem to get it to wrap up pretty.” They’d say.

“Oh, yeah, my mom wraps dem presents like a pro!” my kid would say.

“Ahh, ok…sure….” I would end up saying.

And, it happens year after year. You’d think by now I’d be smart and start my own wrapping business, eh? Not. I really do not have time for that. Now, I always wondered how is it that I always ended up doing it anyhow.

That is my present to these kids. Doing a good deed. That’s why they call it “Good Tidings” over the holidays where you actually do good deeds for others. What goes around comes around. I hope these kids learn to do good for others as well.

And on top of all that, more snow is headin’ our way!  Tonight.  Plus, we’re also getting a storm in a few days (before or on Christmas) that will rival the one we just had that dumped 12+ inches of snow!  Here’s Frosty The Snowman video sung by Ron Pope with lyrics.

Stay warm and safe, ya’ll!

Pothole Monsters

Holy Cow!

I’m a true flatlander, I suppose.  Couldn’t be helped.  I mean, ’tis just how it happens, just so happens I was born in the flatlands.  But, I do not live there anymore, ya know?  Yet, something deep inside me always makes me do a double take whenever anyone talks about ‘em.

Someone commented in one of the local paper’s comment section online saying..

“Potholes are one of two ways that the state of Illinois uses to slow speeders down. The other way is putting a toll booth up every 20 feet. Crazy flatlanders. lol”

Well, this cheesehead must have not been down to Illinois in a while, cuz, this cheesehead would have known that there’s no toll booth every 20 feet for a while since they did away with a lot and came up with this “open road” tolling and are using I-Pass instead.

Duh.

Cheeseheads.

Cheeseheads came up with the term “flatlanders” and they also came up with the term “cheeseheads.”

Duh.

I went down there, not expecting to play a game whilst driving, ya know?  But, GEESH!   HOLY SHIT!

I felt like I was playing some road game and the wheel of my car was a controller of some sorts and while ‘playing’ this game, my daughter keeps changing the CDs and I’m listening to all kinds of music while I play this “Dodge the POTHOLE monster” game.  Kind of reminded me of “Top Gun” where the guys are flying fighter jets while rock music is blaring, makes the adrenaline pumps harder and harder, thus, your chance of beating the game just gets better!

No time to enjoy the scenery and no time to really have a nice mother and daughter chat, which, of course was just dandy with her since she’d rather keep herself busy changing the CDs in this awesome stereo system I have in my vehicle.   We’re talking three hours of madness, playing a game I do NOT want to play.  But, I didn’t really have much of a choice.  The game towards my designation was to do it in the fog! And, on the way back it was nicer, the sun was out.

Incidentally,  you cannot always rely on the vehicle in front of you.  And, you’d have to be careful lest the vehicle in front of you gets stopped real hard by some pothole monster.  I have this strategy.  I stay one and a half car lengths behind and I keep one eye on the road all the time and the other eye darting back and forth between the two side view mirrors and the rear view mirror.  All while trying so hard to pay attention to the lights. For some reason, the potholes were more important than the lights.  It might not make any sense, but for some reason, it does somehow.  It does.

On the way down I saw one car’s axle messed up real bad, and three cars that had to have a new tire.  On the way back, I witnessed another five!

I think I won the game this time around.

And, like many games, you don’t need to hear.  You just need brains, good fine gross motor skills and the sense to move fast!  Like George Bush did with the shoe.

Pot hole monsters are the shits, I tell ya!  They’re BIG!  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  I can see why one axle blew and why many cars didn’t have wheels anymore.

Usually you see them appear and you have no choice but to play the game, sort of a ‘do or die’ thing, in the spring time.  As mother nature would have it, some parts of the Midwest, or let’s say upper Midwest and central states were socked with weird weather. Indiana had a high of 63 degrees, Illinois had an high of 53 degrees and Wisconsin had a high of 50 degrees.  Instead of snow, we got rain, thunderstorms, fog and pot hole monsters to deal with!

At least I saw some greens, and green made me smile.  At least, I got some ’spring’ in the midst of the winter.  And, that made me warm and it made me smile.

In the meantime, the pothole monsters are not gone yet!  Be prepared to play a game or two, soon.  And, for the record, there are pothole monsters in cheeseheadland as well.  I’m sure there are in many areas, but, probably more so in bigger cities.  Only a flatlander would know that.

LYRICS:

Revvin’ up your engine
Listen to her howlin’ roar
Metal under tension
Beggin’ you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone
Headin’ into twilight
Spreadin’ out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin’ off the deck
And shovin’ into overdrive
Highway to the Danger Zone
I’ll take you
Right into the Danger Zone
You’ll never say hello to you
Until you get it on the red line overload
You’ll never know what you can do
Until you get it up as high as you can go
Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity
Highway to the Danger Zone
Gonna take you
Right into the Danger Zone
Highway to the Danger Zone

Bye Rat, Hello Ox

Here we go again…

Celebrating the end of a year and welcoming the new year.

So, who gets to celebrate New Years first? Apparently Christmas Island gets to celebrate the New Years first, ending with Pago Pago.

For those of you big on New Years Eve, there’s a history behind it if you care.

For me, it’s just another day in a year, a new number and a hope that humans are not behaving stupidly to destroy the world as we know it.

I mean, after all, life is what you make of it.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

The Ultimate Love~

You love the animals (cats and dogs) more than me!

That is what my teenager tells me at times.

That’s not true, I’d tell her.

It may look that way, but, you can’t judge love by the cover and besides there’s all kinds of degrees of love one has for everyone/everything.

My husband agrees with her, he thinks I love my animals more than him.  My son doesn’t give a care about this issue.  He thinks his dad and sister are nuts.  He knows I love him more than my animals and he’s right in a way.  See, even my animals compete for attention, likewise my kids compete and as always, the husband competes too.  For anyone that knows what it was like before having kids, all the attention a wife or a girlfriend has is always on the husband or a boyfriend.  Then comes kids and attention is divided.  That’s how it usually goes, or maybe a little different variation here and there.  Every relationship/family dynamics are different.  But, in the end, it’s always the same.  Somebody is competing for attention, especially if there is ‘other’ people/animal that comes into the equation.

Once I had a T-shirt in high school that said “The more men I meet, the more I like my cat” and I still had the same T-shirt during the first year I got married, much to my husband’s dismay.  At the time, I got a kick out of eliciting reactions from people when they saw my T-shirt.  Truth is, I have always been boy crazy, so the T-shirt didn’t mean Jack to me, it was partly true and partly not.  He’d look at my T-shirt and sneer at me.   He wasn’t crazy about cats.  But, he did say that once he had hitchhiked and found a kitty who followed him and he ended up finishing his trip with the kitty and gave it to his old girlfriend.  It took a lot of convincing on my part to him, to agree to having a cat in our home.  Finally, he relented, but sneered at cats.  Yet, after time passed, you’ll find him petting them. He has learned to love them as I do (I think, I hope so.)  He still thinks I love my cats more than him.

And if you have wondered, no, that T-shirt has never come in between my conquest to get a guy to like me back in the day.  It says alot about T-shirts with slogans that are out there.

Don’t believe everything you read.

But, it did intimidate some guys, unfortunately.  However, not anyone I desperately wanted to hook up with, tho.    It was an excellent benchmark, tells the guy that if they’re interested, they are gonna have to put up with cats, too.

My daughter on the other hand, demands full attention 24/7.  She talks non-stop.  I’m pretty carefree most of the time and do not like to listen to drama, especially teen girl’s drama. When she talks, I’m not supposed to lay my eyes on my cat, nor pet them, or hold them.  And, when I do, she gets real upset and tells me that I should never have had kids because I love my animals more.  I would respond in shock and horror and tell her that was the most meanest thing she could say about her mom!

It took me a long time to digest that comment coming from her.  I asked my husband what he thought about her comment.  His response:  “You do love your animals more than you love people.”   And, ya know what?  It’s true to *some* degree.  I’m not gonna lie.  But, one can’t and shouldn’t compare the two.  People and animals are different, in so many respects.

Not only that, but, also people and animals are so much different from each other in the fact that pets APPRECIATE you more and expects less from you compared to humans.  They give unconditional love and demand nothing else but the basics such as food, water and walks.  They don’t give you grief.  That is, until the day they conk out.  See, unconditional love is the ULTIMATE love, one could ever hope for.  It’s not to say that people don’t have this ability to give unconditional love, for them, sometimes it takes time to get to that level, it’s pretty rare for it to just happen at the onset.  For pets, it’s there, pretty much from the start.

Studies have shown that having pets is very beneficial to your health.  So, if you get married and/or have kids, you HAVE to have pets. Otherwise, you’d go insane.

Look at any old maid and old bachelors out there, most of them look way younger than their age and most of them have better health compared to married people and people with kids who do not have pets.   (personal observation, here)

So, if you balance your life with people and animals, it’s a win-win for all.

The more people I meet, the more I love my cats.  How can one not love them like crazy?  They’re so cute and cuddly.  I just melt completely when I am around my cats (and dogs!)

Victoria Beckham Lyrics : Unconditional Love

You could give me diamonds
You could give me pearls
Give me all the fast cars
In the world
But there is only one thing
And it’s bigger than the sea
The only thing that matters
Is what you’ve given me

And I say

When I see the bright lights in your eyes
Feel like a bird that’s just learned to fly
From now until the end of time
I’m glad you came into my life
My gift sent from above
Unconditional love

You take me as I am
Not who I’m dressed up to be
Looking at you tells me
The best things in life are free
You’re the blessing that I treasure
With heart so true
No one ever touched me
The way that you do

And I say

When I see the bright lights in your eyes
Feel like a bird that’s just learned to fly
From now until the end of time
I’m glad you came into my life
My gift sent from above
Unconditional love

With your innocence you opened up my heart
I knew that I would love you right from the very start
You turned my life around showed me a better way
Thoughts of you will always make me have a brighter day
When I’m by your side it helps to see me through
Can’t express all the happiness when I’m with you
A gift from up above the one I’m dreaming of
I’ll always cherish you my unconditional love

When I see the bright lights in your eyes
Feel like a bird that’s just learned to fly
From now until the end of time
I’m glad you came into my life (I’m glad you came into my life)
My gift sent from above
Unconditional love

Gift sent from above
Unconditional love
Gift sent from above
Unconditional love

My unconditional love

Impulse Noise – Boom! Boom!

For ye die-hard golfers, especially those that prefers to tee off with titanium drivers, experts are saying golfers would do well to wear earplugs, since the ‘impulse noise’ or ‘boom boom’ of these drivers usually exceeds the decibels (db) of 110.  For those of you that don’t understand decibels, how much we hear falls into decibels and how much noise produced falls into decibels as well. 20 db hearing means you have normal hearing, but, this is a rarity for those who kiss fists Rock N Roll or those poor souls that were dragged by their very own hippie parents (in the 60’s – never ending concerts after concerts) which resulted in less than perfect hearing from all the sex, drugs and rock n roll lifestyle.  120 db makes you deaf.  Anywhere in between gives you the distinction to be considered hard-of-hearing.  Most people get by with a db of 20 to 40 which wouldn’t be noticeable, unless one has some sort of certain frequencies that are tone deaf. Any db noise that exceeds 110 db does damage to your ears, okay?

So far, there’s no real studies that shows incidents of ‘Golfer’s Ear’ in young players.  The only part of ’sex, drugs, and rock n roll’ that results in hearing loss is rock n roll and drugs.  We all know what certain drugs can do to your hearing, as evidenced by Rush Limbaugh and his addiction.  As it stands, sex is still safe and does no harm to your hearing, for the time being.  For those of you who are golf die-hard’s, try not to stick your fingers in your ears while attempting to tee off lest you throw off your swing and hit some gophers who are more likely to attack your balls out of anger.  For most guys, they’d rather loose their ears versus their balls.  There’s more. Beware what follows Boom Boom —— Splash!  Splash exceeds 110 db too. Be safe out there when Spring comes, ya hear?

In recent years, deaf people have started to form their own golf associations and have participated in their very own deaf tournaments (regional/national) and all.  For them, they might do well to get these drivers that goes boom boom since no effects of any ear related damage will affect them.  That is, until the British Open in 2009, where the experts are prepared to test the non-deaf golfers. After which they will determine if they need to make a decision on whether they might impose a ban on these titanium drivers.  Guys consider their drivers and balls an essential part of their being on the greens, it’s what makes them manly.  How the ban, if imposed, would change anything about golf remains to be seen.

Talking about golf is too early, I know.  But, hey!  It gives guys time to mull over the dangers associate with it. And, besides, them golf die-hard’s never stop dreaming of greens, tees, balls, and holes.

Journey – Any Way You Want It

Thou Doth Protest Too Much

Nice thing about America is the freedom to speak.  To be able to say what you want to your heart’s desire.

Lately, there have been so many protests all over, both, online and in the real world.

Historically, protests have been around since for as long as America came to be.

It used to be, back in the day,  ‘protest’ was always used along with the word “against” as in:  ‘We are protesting against the mistreatment of animals’.  Protests have evolved over the year and have been used as a movement of change.  The preposition, “against”,  is not used as frequently as it used to be, which indicates that the object of protest does not necessarily have to be in the form of “objection.”  As is seen in the movement of an organization that protests by promoting “pro-war.”  They are protesting, not the war itself, but,  for the war.  Protests seems to have evolved to become a group that serves to change public opinion.

For example, more recently - breast feeding pictures on Facebook (FB).   FB forbade pictures of that nature to be posted on members site.  Who’s willing to guess the number of people’s opinion on that subject have changed since this protest occurred?  I have read over 400 comments on several blog sites and newspaper articles on that very subject.  Quite an entertaining read and not only that, it broadens my mind a bit.  In spite of that, personal experience does weight heavily in the end for some.  For others it may be religion beliefs or something else.   An example would be that even though I believe that women should be able to breastfeed anywhere and in any manner they choose to such as exposing their breast instead of covering it up.  I had always covered up in public places, for a personal reason based on my experience.   Several mothers responded that it was better for the baby uncovered due to many factors.   And, as a personal perspective for me, I might choose not to expose my breast completely for a personal reason.  I did have an experience once when I went to a nudist beach out west with friends.  As I climbed up a rock structure that surrounded that beach, I came across a nerdy looking fellow with his pants down and jerking off while peeking down below where all the people on that beach was nude.  It was at that moment, that I decided, I wasn’t going to be an object for some creep.  Because of that experience, my views can weight heavily.  However, I might be okay with it at a nudist colony, where I know no one would behave as the nerdy fellow did on the rocks.

≈

Other protests can be unorganized, as such,  that there is no professionalism, nor ‘movement’ so to speak.  One example would be the protest that is currently going on in Deaf Video TV (DVTV.)   However, that very protest is also trying to change public opinion among it’s members.  It seems to be more of an anarchy than anything else.  Specifically, more of a personal issue that didn’t need to be laundered out.

I was out in Chicago last year for a wedding and upon killing time before the reception, my husband and I decided to check out certain parts of the LOOP.   I LOOOOVE Chicago, especially downtown. I loved it so much that once when I was 13, my best buddie and I decided we were going to run away and guess where we headed out to?  Just mere minutes away, to downtown Chicago and we hung out there, exploring the city.. When it got real late and dark, we were tired and hungry and decided we needed to hop on a bus and head back home.   We have never told our parents this (our parents thought we were at the other’s house.)  But, looking back, it was funny.  Of all the places we could have gone, the lure was our playground in downtown.  So, we checked out the area by the river and headed out to Michigan avenue and finally hung out at the Union Station before going to this reception by the Old Water Tower. We ran into several protests that was happening that day. One was a group that wanted to stop the war in Iraq. People of all ages, including kids were dressed up in tie-dyes, wore headbands, and carried signs. Vietnam Vets were among them. Truth be told, I have never, ever participated in any sort of protests and was fascinated watching them protesting!

≈

More recently, there is a protest movement that calls for solidarity with Israel, which is happening all over the nation. People are outraged over what is happening out in the Mideast. On the other side of that particular coin, there is this solidarity for Palestine. My gut feeling tells me this topic is going to be on the front page for most of 2009.

≈

There are lots of good readings on the history of protests in America, online.  Movements that are considered protests in music, for one.  The link to all that are within this paragraph.   With winter nights that tends to slip by slowly, the site is definitely a good read for these slow winter nights.

≈

Why do we protest? As this article showed, protesting increases the visibility of a cause, demonstrates power, promotes sense of solidarity, builds activists relationships, and the events itself energizes participants. Protesting helps a cause, or so they say.

Protesting is here to stay, it’s the American way~

Beastie Boys – Fight For Your Right

Brain Freeze : Gone to the Birds

Ya wanna know what freezing temperatures does to birds?  We’re not talking about the smart birds that have already migrated south.  Many wading birds remain in the cold part of the country.  Certain non-wading birds do not migrate south.  The other day, as I was driving out in the middle of nowhere, I came across black crows flapping erratically and I thought for a second that I would crash into one.  There were so many of them and they were acting quite nutty.

News all over the cold part of this world are reporting weather related bird frenzies.  Take for example, in Netherlands, the birds are scrambling to find a bit of a warmer cold area to escape the bitter cold.  And in England, the sea near the shores froze, which alarmed the Royal Society for the Protection of the Birds. They fear that these wading birds will take flight to escape the bitter cold, thus, using up their energy reserve which will make a difference between life or death for them.

Many other birds are flocking to search natural food sources in domestic gardens in England as well.  Heck, if rabbits and guinea pigs are dying outdoors, think of how these little birds will survive.

Ducks and other wading birds have been found to try to escape the ice in Lake Michigan and are escaping only so far in-land.  Apparently it is too late for them to fly anywhere warm or is it that they have bird brains or brain freeze not to know any better?

I don’t know too much about birds, other than we do feed birds.  This winter, however, we have not.  Now, I’m feeling so horrible.  Tomorrow I’m going to buy some cheap natural peanut butter and search for some pine cones in a nearby forest and cover these cones with peanut butter and then roll em in bird seeds and hang them from the tree.  We did that last year and saw LOTS of birds stopping by to feed.  Just because it’s freezing cold for us to be out, doesn’t make it right for us to forget the birds! I have been feeling horrible ever since I came across a picture in a local paper that showed ducks fleeing a nearby lake because the lake was getting iced over by the hour.  The birds go into a frenzy, especially the ducks and sea gulls.  They’re searching for open waters and their food source is in the water and nearby surrounding area.

This is definitely the first thing I’m going to do tomorrow.  My cats may not be amused, but, tough.  I’m gonna do it.  Save as much birds as I can, by making sure they have food source in my area.   Just pray that none of the local airplanes fly over my house.

Speaking of that.  Wow!  They say that US Airway that landed in the Hudson River was caused by birds that flew into the turbine of the engine.  At least, that is what some on-lookers claimed.  What would make the birds do something like that?  Is it because they’re naturally pea-brained or is it because they are suffering brain freeze?

I don’t know.

But, one thing I do know for sure is that ever since the low pressure system flew in my area last Friday, I have had really serious headaches.  And with the FREEZE for the past few days, my headaches have failed to subside.  It comes and goes with so much frenzy that resembles the birds out there.  As I type right now, I still have a headache, it feels a bit like brain freeze too!   I know it’s gonna slam back hard and then go away and come back as it did all week. I’ve tried everything over the counter and nothing works.  So, I called my doctor and he was kind enough to recommend migration.  Ahh, so we humans are not much different than birds after all.  I should have migrated south!  So, In the end, I realized I’m no better than these pea brained being, and ended up with a brain freeze.   Ugh!  At least, I’m on solid ground, and not in the air.

This weather is getting to me BIG time. I don’t know about all of you, but, I have just about had it.  Having a real bad pounding headache that comes and goes isn’t fun.  So, if any of you have any natural home remedy, please do tell!

In the meantime, all I can do is to dream, dream big of Summer.  Reminiscing  the HOT sun baking my skin, remember the warm sultry nights.  At least, that helps a bit, if not the brain freeze.

Stay warm and don’t forget to feed the birds!!!

Katy Perry – Hot ‘N’ Cold

Smooth Obama

America!

It’s time we stop dreaming and be deluded.

Time to watch and be on the defensive.

Time to be on our guard.

Ya know, at first when Obama started to campaign way in the beginning, I took no notice of him. It wasn’t because he was a Mulatto. It wasn’t because he’s black. It was because, he was an unknown to me. Even though I grew up in Chicago, I did not live there and had not for eons.  So….ergo, I didn’t know who he was.

After all’s said and done.

I realized, he’s SMOOOOOOOTH!

Yup, real smooth.

Reporters can say goodbye to raising their hands during a White House Press Conference.

Now, Obama thinks we need to change our Declaration of Independence.

What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives – from ideology and small thinking,prejudice and bigotry – an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels.

Come again?!

He said it was the reason he launched his campaign, two years ago.

Smooooooooth, indeed.

Oh well, I’ve always wondered if perhaps it was that, Americans didn’t have too much of a choice. We tend to vote  for the lessor of the two evils. But, wait a minute! Yeah, two major parties to choose from. However, the people tend to not give other parities equal consideration. Like, maybe the Independence, the Libertarians, etc. And, people tend to talk and not walk the talk. We complain and we do not do anything about it. Typical Americans. And, I did had a hard time at my end too. I didn’t want to vote. But, I ended up voting anyway. Please do not ask me who I voted for.

Enjoy your weekend!

*Update*

I was having a conversation with someone who is into politics and he tells me that we shouldn’t jump to conclusion.  He thinks Americans should wait and see.  After all, the “New Declaration of Independent” could simply be symbolic rather than actual.  We’ll see…..

Obama Inauguration : ISD-IL Tigers

Nine students from Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD-IL) will be attending Obama’s Inauguration January 20, 2009 as reported in Springfield, IL paper, State Journal Register. Twenty students and six staff members have made the trip to D.C. ISD officials tried to get tickets for all 26, but only 15 were available.

Springfield’s own TV-20 is accompanying the students.   Ben Handelman of TV 20 is twittering on his blog about this.

ISD (IL) are not the only students, deaf or otherwise, attending Obama’s swearing into being the 44th President of the United States.  Many students all over the country will be attending.  Many people from other countries are attending as well.

I for one, will have to work.  I will read about it and perhaps try to catch some re-run coverage during the evening news.  Temperature forecasts DC to be in the high 32 degrees with 10-15 mph northern winds.  Kind of chilly. I’m content to be warm in the confines of my office.  Another historic day, yet, just another day.  It is the first 100 days in Obama’s rule in the office of the president that will define the next four years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Be, or Not To Be ~

The other day as I drove to work, I saw what appeared to be a big fat blubber of a creature stumbling side to side as IT tried to move forward. You have to understand that it was barely dawn. Sun hadn’t risen from the sky yet. So, I’m thinking to myself “What the heck is that?!” upon coming closer, I realized it was a guy and I thought to myself, that is awesome! Here’s this guy getting a head start with his exercise regiment by going on a walk out in the country side, as cold as it was, I was impressed. So, I passed him, thinking good thoughts about exercising more when Spring springs forth. The next thing I saw blew me away in a daze! There on the side of the road was a garbage truck with the back end that appeared to have come loose, thus, all kinds of garbage had spilled out on the ground. Whoa, so that is why this guy was walking. The garbage disposal company was some five miles back. I was in a hurry to get to work, so I didn’t go back to help him out. I don’t think he would have been able to fit in my vehicle anyway. Then I kind of felt sorry for him and reprimanded myself for even thinking that thought.

Then, it occurred to me, there are the things we see that creates thoughts that make one judge.

I tend not to judge people, but, I do *notice* things that are different. Being deaf or hard of hearing, one tend not to get that kind of look from people from the onset. We’re not treated differently or looked at with pity nor are we subjected to this look where one might think that what we’re afflicted with is contagious. That is, until…once we sign, we are. Or, if I put my hair up in a pony tail/pig tail, showing my hearing aids, I get that look from people sometimes. Little kids staring doesn’t bother me. Big people staring annoys me. When I was little, my mom would sometimes take me downtown to shop at Marshall Fields. And, usually, I’d be staring at people. I love to observe people. Once, I saw an old lady with a rouge of red blush on her cheeks. It wasn’t a normal blush, but a circular blush in a perfect circle. The kind you normally find on clown’s face. I was intrigued. I looked at my mom and she was motioning with her eyes, trying to tell me not to stare. I looked at the old lady, back at my mom and looked at the old lady again and pointed at her cheeks. She grabbed my hands and hauled me out of there. When we got out of sight, she tried so hard not to laugh and then became stern and gave me this lecture to never point and stare at people again. And, then she gave me this lesson about not judging people from the cover, lest, karma bites back at me. She didn’t say “karma,” but, that was the message nevertheless.

But, as I got older, I became more less affected by what people think. I’d wear my hair up during the summer months and noticing other people staring at me. The best thing I can do is to look at them in the eye and smile. It does wonders. I’ve made some good friends that way. And, I’ve put people at ease. Sometimes people would ask questions. Sometimes I’d meet people who knew someone who had a deaf child. Sometimes, I’d meet people who would tell me that they know signs. Yet, I myself have made it a point not to stare at anyone that was different. I guess it was something deep inside of me that didn’t want to see the differences, but, rather to see us all as unique individual. Not wanting my judgment to be marred by some cover, I would much prefer to delve deeper into the content of a person.

I never saw myself as being different. Just me. And, had I been a person with a normal hearing, I’d still be me. Life’s experience defines us, but not what we lack.

Christina Aguilera – “Beautiful”

Let Us Begin : Ask What You Can Do….

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country…”

In the deaf community within the deaf cyberspace, individuals were inspired by a couple of bloggers who wanted to lessen the discord within the two major sites, Deaf Read and DVTV, by asking them to submit a blog or a vlog adopting the famous quote by JFK, by taking out the word “country” and replacing it with “deaf community.”

Many of us might remember the quote and most of us learned of the quote in school, since we were not even born when JFK was inaugurated and delivered that speech.

What JFK also said was “All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”

And so it shall be…

And I quote JFK “But, let us begin.”

America did not, after that speech, wondered what they have done for their country, but what they WILL do for their country.

What is it going to take to make the deaf community accommodate all the deaf?  To make the deaf community a better place?

For the deaf people that sign.  How about for the ones that do not.  Don’t forget the ones that prefer to use their hands and the ones that prefer to keep up with the technology.

And so it goes.  Let it begin!   Begin means forging ahead, starting now, without going back to state what we have done or what has been done, but, what we will do.

Will do.

Will do.

Will do.

Let us begin.

Here goes…..what can I do for the deaf community in which I have been part of since the day I was born is to be an activist and speak out for all deaf people regardless of their preference in language, methods, tools, and choices.  I will fight to ensure that all deaf people are respected for whatever path that they or their parents have chosen for them.  I will also support every deaf people’s needs regardless of the level of hearing they have with or without assisted devices or any technology and to make sure that their wish is “my command.”

Have a great week, ya’ll!!

*The contributions that was stated in many blogs and vlogs were awesome.  If we strive for ‘Unity’, we need to do more and not only that, we need to do better.  We also need to forge ahead and accept that no matter what, the new and old can co-exist.

“Walking On Sunshine” – Katrina And The Waves

I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I’m sure
And I just can’t wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now everytime I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down
Cause I just can’t wait till you write me you’re comin’ around

Now I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
And don’t it feel good
All right now
And don’t it feel good
Oh yeah

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it’s true
And I don’t wanna spend my whole life just a waitin’ for you
Now I don’t want you back for the weekend, not back for a day (no no no)
I said baby I just want you back and I want you to stay

I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
And don’t it feel good
All right now
And don’t it feel good
All right now

Walkin’ On Sunshine Walkin’ On Sunshine
I feel alive, I feel a love
I feel a love that’s really real
I feel alive, I feel a love
I feel a love that’s really real
I’m on sunshine baby (whoa, oh yeah)
I’m on sunshine baby (whoa)

I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
I’m walking on sunshine (whoa oh)
And don’t it feel good
(All Right Now)
And don’t it feel good
(I say it, I say it, I say it again, now)
And don’t it feel good
(All Right Now)
And don’t it feel good…

Gobbledygook of a Phrase?

As humans we all define things as we see it.

There isn’t really a right or wrong as long as it falls within a plausible definition or ideology.

I’ve come to realize that when it comes to disability, it has to do with what’s normal and what isn’t.

Defining normal, comes with it, its own defition as one would see it.

Just as much as linguistics would observe and come to it’s own definition, regardless of whether it is right or wrong. There really isn’t.

What you see is what you get, nevermind that not all sees it the same.

Special needs child.

A term I have started to see pop up quite often.

My parents never saw me as a special needs child. I never felt like one. Never saw or heard anyone refer to me as such.

But, I’m seeing this term popping up a lot among the hearing parents of a deaf child.

Quite interesting how perceptions come to be based on something that doesn’t really have any right or wrong answers.

I’m just glad that perception was never part of my life.

I’m special simply because there’s only one of me and I’m unique. Not because I have to wear a hearing aid.

Does how one percieve a child, define the child and his life?

Does, not being considered a special needs define the life itself to be normal or not?

Does, defining a life to be a special needs, deny the normalcy in and of itself?

Does, not defining something special needs, allows for more latitude in the perception of a person?

What do I know? I’m not a special needs person, yet I have needs. No more or less than every individual breathing the same air as I.

The point here is,  out of the gobbledygook comes a very clear thing:  you can’t always take a term for what it is.  I guess it depends on who’s wearing that glasses. 

Have a great week, ya’ll

Choices We Make

People are outraged over that California mom who gave birth to a set of Octuplet who now has a total of 14 kids and she is not working.  What we have here is a mom of 6 kids who KNEW she would have no way to support her kids, yet, went ahead to have  fertility treatments done.  She also knew Medi-cal (California medical card) would pay for it.  Is that  going too far? Talk about parents and their fundamental rights!  Word is that the babies would need medical care for most of their life.  Taxpayers end up supporting this mom and will continue to for years to come.  Now I understand some of the die-hard republicans and their view of “Why should I support you, when I had to support my family all on my own?”  One such die-hard Republican blogger made a big deal of it and this blogger’s rants did not register with me until the Octuplet story made the news.  It was then, that I finally understood.

Yet, there is another side of the coin that keeps me grounded.  Since we all are human, we are therefore imperfect, who are we to judge?

With that in mind, we probably should not judge parents of deaf or hard of hearing kids.    Truth is, every child is unique and parents should let the child lead the way.  Let them choose how they want to live their life.  And I think pretty much a lot of moms agreed to that at one of the blog discussions.

However, babies do not have the ability to lead the way, thus, parents of deaf and hard of hearing kids have to make decisions at the onset and most of them do look into a lot of resources out there and decide which direction to go into.  Most of these parents do have their child’s best interest in mind.  That much I have no doubt about.

The parents that I read about in Deaf Village and Deaf Read are pretty much well informed.  Nevermind, that some of them may have included the comfort level  in their decision making process along with informed decision.  It’s their right, after all, they are the ones that will be part of their child’s life for years, beyond their child’s 18th birthday.  Family relationships are usually forever.  Communication bonds family and extended families for years.

Many deaf and hard of hearing people do not have a great relationship with their hearing parents due to the lack of communication.  That being said, these parents do have their child’s best interest in mind because they not only looked at the present, but also beyond.

One other factor why hearing parents might consider non visual route may be just simply because there are more opportunity for kids that can hear and speak.  There are plenty of deaf and hard of hearing people who will acknowledge that if they could hear and speak, their life would be easier, employability-wise.  Not impossible, but easier.  While deaf people may find it hard to understand, it is what it is.

For many strong proponents of ASL/bi-bi, they fail to see that since Bi-Bi is fairly new, there are no concrete data nor studies that pinpoint for sure that ASL/Bi-Bi is the only option for every deaf babies to succeed in life.  Anyone that says that ASL/Bi-Bi is the ONLY option that all parents should make, are erroneous  since that information is not necessarily true for every deaf babies.

The information that a Cochlear Implant/Cued Speech/AVT/AO is the best option for all deaf babies, are also not true for every deaf babies.

For once, before anyone starts to rant about what one method will ONLY work, please show me citations/research studies/data that explicitly says that this one method is the ONLY method that works for every single deaf and hard of hearing kids in the world.  You are not going to find it, trust me.  It does not exist.

Many deaf parents of deaf children do not see these things the same way as many hearing parents of deaf children.

Out of all the commenters I have read, I was a bit surprised when MKChaikof mentioned on one of the several posts over at Jodi’s blog, typically, schools for the deaf as in residential schools, for the most part,  do not offer AVT training.  This is very surprising to me.  So, if these schools have audiologists and provide hearing aid services and/or hearing screenings, do they also provide speech therapy?  Why are not the hard of hearing kids provided with AVT, or more specifically why are NOT the deaf residential schools providing AVT for their C.I. students?  Is AVT strictly for those with cochlear implants?  I asked a family member to check out some of these things since he does have kids in a residential school for the deaf.  I even checked out some of the school for the deaf’s web pages and so far have not found any reference to AVT other than at least one school does provide outreach services, referring parents to workshops, seminars, etc and resources on AVT.

It seems very ironic that the proponents of ASL and Bi-Bi, especially this one particular organization that chants “Let deaf babies sign!” would demand it, yet, many deaf children with a cochlear implant that attends a state run school for the deaf do not have access to AVT at the school.  For the majority of the kids, they are not day students.  If, during my high school years, they had provided or offer speech therapy either during or after school hours for kids with hearing aids, you’d think they would currently offer AVT as well, for kids with a C.I. It would make more sense to me that the schools for the deaf would provide services that would meet the needs of ALL deaf kids, which should include AVT in addition to the rest of the services that are typically offered to deaf and hard of hearing kids.  I will admit I do not know too much about what each deaf school offers all of their students with a C.I.  I’m quite curious, please do bring it on.

As with many other things in life, we always have choices.  We choose a certain brand of clothing or food, for a reason.  We choose the kind of college we want to go to, for a reason.  We choose the kind of friends to hang out, for a reason.  We pick out a certain breed of dogs or cats, for  a reason.  We choose our mates, for a reason.  Parents choose whatever mode of communication/language, for a reason.

Just Dance – Lady Gaga

A time once treasured, is gone. A love once lost is found.

I miss the days when my kids were younger, I miss the days when I’d be baking stuffs for my kids to bring to school. Some tradition just stops because some bad apples decided to ruin things for the future generations. Used to be parents could bring to school, homemade treats for special occasions such as Valentines Day. Most schools, if not all, currently forbids home made snacks to be passed around to the kids at school. Apparently we live in a time where there are sick people who get a kick out of poisoning children. The thought that treats usually are made by the parents themselves, you’d not expect them to do such a thing since they’d be putting their own kid in harm’s way.

The one other thing I miss about Valentines day is making my own personal Valentines day box out of a shoe box and decorate it in pink, red, and white. When I was a kid, all the kids would bring their own decorated box to school. The teachers would have their own BIG decorated boxes just outside their classroom doors. The principal would have all the kids walk the halls to drop Valentine cards into boxes of friends from a different classroom. It was something I actually looked forward to from the start of the school year into February. This is a time once treasured that is gone.

When my son was around 9 years old, he was smitten badly with a pretty girl that lived in the same subdivision. He told me he was going to ask her to marry him. I thought it was the cutest thing. At the time I had a half carat diamond engagement ring that I never wore after I got married, because it was too big for my taste to be wearing them  day in and day out. I kept it in a safe place somewhere in my bedroom. A few days after Valentines day, I was doing some organizing and double checked my safe spot where I kept my ring. It was gone! The first thought came to my mind was that he had taken it and gave it to his so called girlfriend. I freaked out big time. Searched for him and found him in the family room, playing a video game. Asked him if he took my ring. He said, he didn’t. My mind was scrambling to think and I asked him what he had given his girlfriend for Valentines Day.  “I made a card for her.” (sweet) I asked again, imploring him to tell the truth. I even went so far and committed a white lie, told him that if he did, it was ok. He denied again. So, I panicked. I went on to ask everyone in the household if they went through the area where I had stored my ring. (I hated having to deal with some invisible person) if no one did, then who did?!  I wasn’t getting anywhere and as time went by, I was frantic with worry that I wouldn’t see my half a carat diamond ring ever again! What’s weird, is that I’m not big into rings, much less a half carat one, yet, that particular ring had a sentimental value to it more so that what it was worth. It was a ring that was in the family for who knows how many generation. I was supposed to pass it on to one of my kids when the time came. The next day when my son went out somewhere with his dad, I decided to go through everything in his room, he has always been a real neat kid, unlike my other kids. I was speechless when I saw my ring safety nestled between his shirts in a drawer. When he came back home, I told him we had to have a talk. I sat him down and told him that I found the ring. He looked sheepish and I went on to give him a piece of my mind about his lying (much to my relieve,he didn’t bring up MY white lie.) I asked him, if he had planned on giving the ring to his girlfriend. He said he did but had second thoughts and wasn’t ready to get married yet. Said, he was holding on to it until he was ready. hah! Talk about guys and cold feet! To this day, the whole family jokes about it. I still do not wear it and I do not keep it in the house anymore. It is in a much more safer place now.

Over the years, I’ve read so many Valentines Day story. Some of the most touching stories I have read about usually happens back in the day before I was born. One such story was about two teenagers who met and fell in love at a high school dance. Got engaged, but for some reason or another, they broke it off because “it did not work out.” Back in the day, people say things like “It didn’t’ work out” which usually translate into religion conflicts or perhaps one side or both sides of the family of the couple didn’t approve. The guy went on to serve his time in a war, met another girl and eventually got married and had kids. The girl met another guy, got married and had kids. Years later, both of their spouses died. This guy remembered his first true love and decided to try and find her, he somehow located her in the phone book and called her up. She was surprised and thrilled to get his call. He told her he just needed a friend to talk to. She told him she’d be his friend. Their friendship rekindled beyond that and they fell in love all over again. And, they eventually got married. Their love was as strong, if not more, as the day they first fell in love with each other. I find stories like these to be quite inspiring and happily after ever. Whatever reasons it didn’t work out, it took years before love sealed their fate once again. So, before saying it isn’t’ going to work, think twice before you give up on the prospect of a true love.

Happy Valentines Day to ya’ll!!

Lifehouse – You & Me

what day is it
and in what month
this clock never seemed so alive
I can’t keep up
and I can’t back down
I’ve been losing so much time

cause it’s you and me and all of the people
with nothing to do
nothing to lose
and it’s you and me and all of the people
and I don’t know why
I can’t keep my eyes off of you

all of the things that I want to say
just aren’t coming out right
I’m tripping inwards
you got my head spinning
I don’t know where to go from here

cause it’s you and me and all of the people
with nothing to do
nothing to prove
and it’s you and me and all of the people
and I don’t know why
I can’t keep my eyes off of you

there’s something about you now
I can’t quite figure out
everything she does is beautiful
everything she does is right

you and me and all of the people
with nothing to do
nothing to lose
and it’s you and me and all of the people
and I don’t know why
I can’t keep my eyes off of you

you and me and all of the people
with nothing to do
nothing to prove
and it’s you and me and all of the people
and I don’t know why
I can’t keep my eyes off of you

what day is it
and in what month
this clock never seemed so alive

Ooops…Here’s the title: FRED!

President Day means It’s a day off for me. Lucky people like me who either work for a school district, the post office, the government, the bank, or perhaps a patriotic company tends to get a day off like every Federal employee that are not essential to the operation of national security or whateva….

So, I had lots to do, went on the computer after sleeping in, checked my email, checked out a couple of blogs, made a late breakfast for the family that consisted of sausage links, scrambled eggs, english muffins and orange juice.  Then, I did some laundry, took a shower and went back on the computer for a bit.  Checked out my email again, and got several reminders from a friend or two to stop by their place so I can do their taxes for them. I managed to convince a few to do it themselves. It’s easy as pie! And, they called back, with a proud look on their face, telling me they did it! Yup, it’s easy for anyone to do it themselves. Of course, unless you need to itemize which you might be better off having your tax preparer do it for you. This year, it appears that you don’t need to itemize to take advantage of writing off some of your mortgage interest or something like that. I’d have to look it up to make sure property tax (It’s a one time thing.) So, anyway, that’s one shitty stuff I need to do – file my tax return, which I tend to procrastinate doing. But it’s gotta be done. I need my refund, so I can take up on this great vacation offer in Cancun!

As I was getting off the computer, my teenager daughter comes up behind me and said “Mom, you have to see this video on YouTube!” I’m like, yeah? So, I type up YouTube dot com and hit the enter button. She proceeded to tell me to type up ‘Fred Looses His Meds‘ and I did that, clicked on the video and of course it isn’t subtitled. But, I caught a lot of what the kid was saying. My other kid comes up cuz he heard it and was laughing, then the other one came out, and then the other one came out, and more came out and finally the oldest kid came out and started to laugh but shooked his head. Gawd! This is what is happening to our kids these days. A new culture of kids relying on meds because some quack makes a living deciding what’s normal and what isn’t. Honestly, I did laugh but I was sadder for the new generation. Again, it wasn’t subtitled. FYI, this kid has gotten so popular that he is going to be on Nickelodeon soon.

Since she thought it was so funny, I decided to tell her about this one blog I read today where the dad asked the mom whether their kid was going to school today, and the mom said, yes. Then she went on to say that, they are going to have to decide which tampon to buy, to which the dad replied, not to get the kind that has a string attached to it, lest the kid gets inflated. My teenage female kid looked at me with an expression that tells me she is NOT going to laugh at THAT one.  Ah, kids. Picky.

I still have a lot to do.  Stuffs on a typical day-off on a non-weekend usually consists of things like doing things that I tend to procrastinate and to go out on some short day trip.  The next time I have a day off, I’m going to Cancun!  Whoo!

Until then, enjoy your day!

The All American Rejects – “Gives  You Hell”

Obama Wants You

Kind of.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, or meet the definition of being disabled, then that’s you.

I received the following email from a friend. Apparently Obama’s making sure the stimulus dollars are benefiting the disabled population. Basically, any disabled person who has been re-hired or has gone back to work because of the economic recovery plan, should contact the Kareem Dale, you’ll find his email address embedded in the letter below.

_____________________________

Subject: Request from Disability Special Assistant at White House

Kareem Dale – Special Assistant for Disability Policy to President Obama is looking for any person with a disability who has gone back to work or been rehired as a result of the economic recovery plan. For example, some company starts hiring again as a result of money they are going to receive. He has asked that we disseminate his request to our various communities. He said this is important and time sensitive and will assist him in facilitating full inclusion of disability.

Please forward and respond to Kareem Dale directly.

Kareem Dale        kareemdale@sbcglobal.net

Thank you.

Johnette Hartnett

 

Johnette T. Hartnett, Ed.D.

Director of Research

Director Real Economic Impact Tour

National Disability Institute

1667 K Street, Suite 640, NW

Washington, DC 20006

jhartnett@ndi-inc.org

www.reitour.org

www.ndi-inc.org

_________________________

Big ISM in Cartoon

Thanks to my ‘other half’ who covers the News, History Channel, and Sports, like no other…., for alerting me to this latest shit.

Apparently people are enraged at this cartoon that was published in the New York Post showing a chimpanzee covered in bullets, shot by two white officers. What has gotten a lot of people even more enraged is that the Post’s editor dismissed people’s complaints as ‘baseless.’

Color of Change dot com has a petition where you can sign, and a sample letter where you can send to the New York Post which asks that the New York Post apologize and fire the editor.

I don’t know about you all, but, this resonates so much (for me) the extremists within the ASL deaf community. I can see them creating a carton of some robots and the ASL po-lice zapping and frying their insides to smithereens and the captions saying something like this: “They’ll have to find someone else to re-write changes in the history of Deaf people and ASL.”

Seriously, anyone that disses our President shouldn’t even be Americans. Regardless of who we voted for, we should stand behind and support our President.  If there’s anything you don’t agree with, take it up with your congressmen or congresswomen. Still not satisfied? Get involved in politics at any level. At least, then you’ll know, you tried and who knows, maybe it’ll end up in your favor.

Paula DeAnda featuring D.E.Y – ‘Walk Away’

Inappropriate Card Day

Have you ever wanted to send someone a card and imagine the recipient of that card saying WTF!?

Here’s your chance to partake in the Inappropriate Card Day on February 26.

Now, before you read on, you’d have to be humorously inclined….

I have been frequenting Humor dash Blogs dot com lately since I really needed a bad dose of humor to keep me sane in this crazy shit ass world.  Amazing stuffs I learned over there!  :)

This blogger explains how this day came to be and started a tradition. He thought, why not share this wealth of information and love with the world?  That seems to be the motto these days. Got windfall? Share the wealth. Got a great idea? share the wealth. Got milk? Share the wealth. You get what I’m getting?

Now, I know there’s some people I definitely cannot send such cards to, but there’s plenty others that I can. And, I ’so’ wish I could be there when he/she gets it. In fact, I hope someone sends it to me and make my day.

Be sure to send it to those that are humorously inclined, lest someone starts some incompetency proceeding against you. Inappropriate day doesn’t sound too bad. Might do the world a bit of good, perhaps?

Share the laughter.

Have a great week, ya’ll!!! Don’t forget ICD on February 26!!!!