Deaf Dish - ASL vLog / Blog

As promised, here is a beautiful photo of Fab Eight! Thanks to Chris Hamilton for doing such an excellent job capturing the right moment and the amount of light falling on each individual. Everyone looks so glowing! It is a pleasure getting to know him. He appears to be a new promising deaf photographer! Kudos, Chris.

 Front: Julie Rems-Smario. Second Row: Teri Sentelle, Amy Cohen-Efron, & LaRonda Zupp. Back Row: Barb Digiovanni, Aidan Mack, Kristi Merriweather, & Anne Marie Baer

Let's check out his work at www.hamiltonphotographer.com.

More photos of DeafHope Tea Party, "Alice in the Cyberland" (click here)

This is belated post  . . .  should I have it posted right after my latest vlog on Zen story in ASL (7/2) before going to camping with the deaf folks in Oceanside, CA last week.

It is not too late!

Anyway . . .

Dear Deaf Dish readers,

I have decided to take a short break from v/blogging especially when it comes to helping someone launch her new v/blog site. I also have been really busy dealing with the children being home full time (they stay up late than its usual bedtime, no school), visiting certain places, camping, AND going back to work to teaching CAHSEE (CA HS Exit Exam) at CSDR summer school.

Remember, I am not a superwoman! :) 

I am certainly getting burnt out on everything, especially when it comes to web development, v/blogging, and commenting.

Not to mention, the blown out omni bulbs!

Do not worry, yes, I intend to post sporadically, even in the dark at best before hitting the road for East — our annual Cape Cod family vacation after completing the teaching assignment.

Yup. it's 3K miles each way (every year since we moved here in CA from MD, five years). My family and I will be celebrating Skye's graduation with our Right Coast folks in the metro DC area sometime in early Aug before being out to the Cape.

Okay! It's time to get going . . .

Be back soon! Dunno how long!? If someone throws in something controversial, I may be prompted to react to — sooner than planned. Who knows!

Until then, have a splendid HOT summer!  

Did not I mention two-way respect?

I never said we must OBEY elders.

I suggest we ought to respect elders by understanding their perspective — taking in theirs. It is really hard for them to feel us ( young people), because they are not “living” in our time. We do not have to learn and practice what they do. We just need to learn to listen and UNDERSTAND.

That way we can either agree or disagree.

Simply put, understanding does not mean we must follow or obey.

Young people and elders … it means the whole population! Duh!

Funny thing . . .

Every time I express my high level thoughts justifying something in ASL , I end up not being well received. A lot of misunderstandings. I notice whenever I share my deep thoughts, I tend to use ASL with its English grammar, and spell some certain big words. That makes me sign clumsily a little bit , AND many of you perceive them wrong.

Whenever I want to think beyond societal norms and ask simple questions, I must pause and think how do I express them — what audience, what language, and how should I deliver — to prevent great misunderstandings.

Often, I tell them however I feel like.

As I said on my previous blog, many of you either understand or misunderstand — of those who misunderstand, they often contribute toward the ambiance of misunderstanding. Sometimes they become deliberately antagonistic, however, they also can be unwitting at times.

Note: Look out for a new video post on a Zen Story in ASL!  

My Bill, who is also a blogger. He has an entry discussing deaf dolphin and her calf on his blog.

He became friggin' angry after reading the article on CNN.com. He wrote a response on his daybook. I thought you would be interested to read his blog entry.

Bill's entry, "Deaf Dolphin Kills Baby":

You must have read it. No? Between all the masturbatory blogging about Galluadet and Audism this and hearing people that . . .You must have seen it. No? Use your brain. Exchange the word "deaf" for "black, muslim or poor"

Translation. "Deaf people are poor parents"

So while you are blame blasting hearing people for your problems or sitting in a small circles watching your world come to an end, you should open your eyes and see the truth. Deaf people are no different from Jews, Tibetans or Native Indians.

Your culture is not appreciated by mainstream culture. If you do not defend it, you will perish. You sleep amongst the enemy. You dine with the devil.

"Had that poor baby dolphin had a white, Christian, hearing mother, it would have lived." That is the caption.

Deaf dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Black dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Jew dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Muslim dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Poor dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Immigrant dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Terrorist dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Lesbian dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies
Gay dolphin's 5-day-old calf dies

Think about it.

__________________________________ 

Teri's comment: Whoa! I never have seen him being horribly angry over an article –that fricking ignorant writer (and readers)! Umm….  Your opinion? 

Darn! Here I come out of my short hiatus – just for a few minutes as I am going to type away. It should take about five minutes!

After reading Robert Walker’s post, “Smart Deafies VS Dumbass Hearing”, that gave some heat to prompt me getting out of blog hibernation – AN ISSUE WITH DUMB-ASS HEARIES!

Okay, I seem to have some playtime … why?

No words from my professors yesterday and today – it seems they are overwhelmed with all of my submissions being sent in a single day! Yes, I completed one graduate course in a couple of hours, and the other one in a couple of days – that means I got only three more courses to study and complete the assignments. I should finish them away before the deadline in early April.  My goal is to complete all five courses before March 2nd despite its actual deadlines! (Do not ask me why!?!)

Stepping back . . .

Yes, I encountered plenty of dumb-ass ignorant hearies, too — having a lot of weird experiences dealing with them. I was (am) well known for using ASL with hearies all the time, even of those who did (do) not know how to read ASL! Many friends of mine, even my family members always avoided shopping with me, because they knew I would make such a big scene if a hearie behaved as the stupid fricking idiot person – especially of those hearies who could not read simple gestures such as “writing”, “painting”, “drinking” or even “eating”.  

It drives me crazy.  I consider these gestures as essential survival tools! For anyone who cannot comprehend simple gestures, they cannot function!

I always “sign” whenever they begin to speak asking whether I need assistance or not.  It works like a charm – not all the situations, really.

Some hearies become completely shocked when I first sign away.  Once I figure out they cannot grasp what I say, I always excuse them by putting a big contoured smile on my face, shaking my head, walking away, and putting up my hand to waving (only one hand, not both – gotcha?  as would I say “nevermind” in ASL or English).  Often they feel so stupid not understanding what I am saying – knowing that I am “laughing” at their idiocy. No, I do not do that all the time.  Again, it depends on what situation is.

Why did/do I do that???

It’s just a way to signify them some ideas of the language I acquire — like as if I come from another country – not as an idiot strutting and fretting not having any language development as a joker upon the stage before them – like pointing fingers at my ears!

Never point your fingers toward your ears!  Let's "ASL" with hearies — in every situation you encounter!

Signifying ASL!

Update (1/31): I realize this post is somewhat negative. That's not so me! I guess it's an issue of repression. I was so tired last night and typed away! But that's how I sometimes felt about those ignorant hearing people. At least I got it off of my chest — Thanks, Rob for bringing it up! 

Please remember this is a rant. 

Before I write about the very talented deaf artist, Rob F. Walker, I wanted to let you know that I am itching to do something different with my blog – specifically the style of writing/blogging.  

I know my style is very casual – nothing too fancy. Since I know I have diversified readers – many different educational backgrounds, I do not want to bore my readers with many decorated or inert vocabulary and rigid structure – let’s say flaccid. I want to keep posts simple and clear.

Here is a quote, “The finest language is mostly made up of simple unimposing words.” -George Eliot

Another quote from one of my favorite British writers: “Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite." - C.S. Lewis

Okay.  Let’s know more about this fellow, Robert!

Here’s an informal online dialogue between Robert and me (IM language – not using capitalizations and punctuations except for “I”:

Teri: congrats for becoming a blogger! (http://challymack.wordpress.com)
Rob: oh hey
Rob: heh . . . thanks . . . you saw my blog?
Teri:    not yet
Rob:    what you think of my post?
Teri: let me go there
Rob: ok
Teri: so much like mine showing a close up picture of a pair of eyes!!!
Rob: good
Teri: I like it! I always love close up photographs
Rob: yeah . . . I thought only eyes add a bit of mystery
Teri: right
Teri: funny . . . I was going to use that photo of you for my blog featuring you as a deaf artist
Rob: lol . . . go ahead
Teri: since you wrote a long bio and I don’t want to cut and paste so, I did think up some questions for an interview
Rob: too long? you can edit if you like
Teri: maybe we do an interview now?
Rob: sure . . . am free now
Teri: great . . . first, I want to say . . . I absolutely love the artwork you did for me . . . beautiful job!
Rob: good . . . glad you like it . . . it was fun doing it
Teri: I think you should go into business
Rob: doing digital portraits? not bad idea!
Teri: yes! I am sure everyone would love to own a masterpiece
Teri: go for it . . . I think you should if you have time
Teri: use my portrait as an example
Rob: can make time . . . if people want to send me photos (and checks)
Teri: pay you half in advance
Rob: would have to figure out what to charge . . . would depend on the picture and what they want I suppose
Rob: yes . . . that’s the way I usually do with commissioned art work (studio) half in advance and rest on delivery

Interview Questions (Serious stuff!!)

Teri:  okay . . .  let's ask you several questions . . . first question . . . where did you learn your art skill?
Rob: well . . . it was my first mode of communication with my family. they are hearing
Teri: right . . . I now remember . . . you had to doodle as a mean of communication
Rob: right I drew pictures of what I wanted or need to say and that got the message across
Teri: interesting
Rob: later I took art courses at the art center and in private lessons
Teri: what did they think of that mode of communication?
Rob: and in high school (hearing) . . . oh they thought it was a good tool to learn english with . . . draw a pic and they would write word above it . . . and teach me how to say it
Teri: interesting
Rob: I ended up being bilingual
Teri: like flash cards . . . showing images with words above or below?
Rob: heh . . . you could say that
Teri: interesting . . . what is your favorite style? favorite medium? I notice you use many different kinds of media such as clay, pencil, digital, painting, and etc.
Rob: I consider myself a contemporary artist and use watercolors, acrylics and clay sculptures and pencil
Teri: do you have a studio?? I am curious
Rob: yes I do . . . I run a studio in my loft where I live and use another studio at the art center where I do my clay sculptures
Teri: cool! is it expensive to be an artist? purchasing tools, materials, renting a studio, and etc??
Rob: as for expense . . . yes . . . it can be expensive
Teri:  go for digital art
Rob: always needing new paint . . .run out all the time
Rob: heh . . . I like digital art too . . .but I HAVE to do traditional studio work too. it’s in my blood
Teri: I see . . . so you are a true artist!
Rob: yup  . . .was doing that long before computers came along
Teri: if you have to make a choice what medium would you like to work with — only one medium!
Rob: hummmm . . . not easy
Teri: shall it be watercolors, acrylics, or sculptures?

Read the rest of this entry »

Darn, I could not sleep … apparently I had too much sleep from being bedridden throughout the day today.  So I browsed several blogs, few links here and there.  Some read, some skimmed, some clicked away, some commented.

Just away to kill my time.

After the wander in the deaf blogsphere, specifically the Deafread, I checked my blog to see how many posts had gone through there. I saw my latest post on the top and I was not too happy with the title. I told myself that I should rename that post to . . . "Life Imitates Art - A Mona Lisa Smile."

That was my original title, however, I thought it was somewhat egoistic so I changed it to " Life Imitates Art - I Found Myself Smiling . . .” instead of the former one, to be more . . . umm . . . humble.  

A second thought why?

Honest? It is the deaf world! In fact I always have to be cautious what I have to say. I am sure many of you feel the same way except Ridor (I truly admire him for being straight-from-the-shoulder).

Life Imitates . . . ? Art Imitates . . .? (pondering)

So, here’s my third thought. Frick whatever world am I in! Blog, Deaf, Hearing. Just title my posts any way I want! "Life Imitates Art - A Mona Lisa Smile." So be it. It is very clever one, really. 

Go above and beyond. 

The first three words of its title are derived from a famous controversial quote and dialogue between two gentlemen, Vivian and Cyril in the essay, “The Decay of Lying” by an Irish writer, poet, and playwright, Oscar Wilde.  

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) 

His essay discusses the imagination (that’s his meaning of lying) being existed in society and art. It is really interesting especially the argument on how we perceive the nature.  There is a section that addresses how people see fog after observing an art done by impressionist painting London fog in a lovely way – viewing that picture and that created nature.

He believed that art must be above and beyond both nature and life since it can change our outlook.

Interesting? 

Here is a good example — Look at the portrait of me (the one Rob created).  It does create some kind of effects  — affecting your perception of what I may look like in person.  I may look better to you than to others who never see that artwork. 

I can go on forever descanting on his work – end up writing an e-book.  

Bill and I sometimes have a debate on this quote – the perspectives of society and art –even that morning before I posted my entry on Rob’s beautiful art.  

Anyway . . .

During my trip to Deafread, I refreshed the front page to see some new entries, my heart jumped when I first saw the very same title, "Life Imitates Art . . ." (the first three words) posted by Joey.  “What?” I exclaimed in sign mentally.  I actually thought that my title might inspire someone.  So I checked it out there.  Very excellent vlog!  That’s so Amy!

Amy Cohen Efron

Naturally, I had this burning question — how in the world did we come up with the same title (almost) on the very same day.  So I sent her an email and got her reply. Good enough some private emails sneaked into my inbox  –including from Joey, not to mention a somewhat negative comment left on my blog.

Here is an excerpt from Amy’s email – explaining how she came up with the title.  It is very interesting.  “A Behind-the-Scene” thing.

From: xxxx@xxx.com (Amy)
Subject:     Re: Hi hi hi ! From me… ABC
Date:     January 9, 2007 8:24:07 PM PST
To:       xxxxxxx@xxx.com (Teri), xxxxxxx@xxx.net (Joey)
—————————————————–
Oh lordy…  im cc'ing to Joey Baer if you don't mind…

I created this vlog last night with this topic because based on what I've seen between Ridor/Berke bashfest… and one of the commentors said about Rosie and Donald feud… and I thought  nah… its more of howard stern — and then I was thinking  this reminds me of the quote "life imitates art" so I did some research with Oscar Wilde and realized that the further I checked, Andy Warhol made that quote too differently!

It was taped yesterday at 6pm and done last night at 3am. I shared this vlog with joey baer because he wanted to host this on his vlog…  and i always have this topic on mind since Sunday.  We had our 'video-editing session'!   This might be the first of kind between Bay Area and Atlanta at 1:30 in the morning!   Amazing?  

This morning I saw your blog - and I said to myself,  oh MY GAWD   you thought of that too?  What a sychroncity!  I even read Mishka Zena's blog and my god it is so relevant!  It seems like everyone wants to MOVE on after this petty bashfest…  it is surprising!

The RipOff comment — u can attest that…  it is not because I stole from you –  I just felt that this reminds me of how Life is imitating ART!  OR ART imitates life?   it is becoming too entertaining and the line between what is entertainment or reality is becoming so blurred!

I love your blog - and the former student of yours art work really flattered you… u are blessed!

Hugs!
Amy
—————————

Is not it amazing that she and I often think alike!?! Resonare and Wilde’s Quote!?! Awesome!  Great minds think alike.  J

Mind-blogging! WHAT makes us share our thoughts with the world, alike?  Life? Art? Values? Beliefs? Truths?

That reminds me of a quote by one of my favorite Cubism artists, Pablo Picasso.  "We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth."

Wilde certainly leaves us many questions about beliefs, values, and desires — how we should interpret or model them.

One more great quote by Wilde: "Life is never fair…And perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not."     

Good night. This time I will force myself count sheep jumping over the fence.  How about counting how many time Wilde roll in his grave!

Written as is.

Next blog:  Rob F. Walker, A Featured Deaf Artist! 

Note to RipOff: Should Amy's email prove you that she did not copylift the title off of this blog.