Deaf Dish - ASL vLog / Blog

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. 

Dear Deaf Dish Readers,

First, I wanted to thank my readers for adding me to the list of nominees for DeafRead Blog Awards. It's a great honor, considering the fierce competition , and short time I have been blogging since April 2006.  Many of the deaf blogs that didn’t make the final list were equally as good. Congratulations to all deaf v/bloggers out there for going down in deaf history — being part of the explosive expansion of deafblogland in the year 2006. Best of luck to all the nominees.

Second, I wanted to explain why I’ve been away for a while, for a lot of reasons, and it’s been good. I’m busy. Between working full time, carrying a full-load at graduate school (20 units), being a parent of ten children who go to school full time (four different schools), watching my sons play basketball and rugby, getting ready for my daughter's HS graduation (pictures, announcements, college), my husband having a new job, and doing some extracurricular jobs at CSDR (WSBC, website, etc), I barely have any time to do the daily chores of life. Because of this, I need to take a break from this blog, not because of SLC (could not have a week off from work to help DeafNation doing the photography field work — I am VERY disappointed, but it's for the best).

Finally, I want to tell other deaf v/bloggers the most important thing about v/blogging, is don’t let it rule your life. Yes it is good to post as often as possible but it isn’t the end of the world if you can’t!

I'll be back VERY soon, though!

Teri 

PS: Best of luck to the United States Winter Deaflympics Teams! 

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)
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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
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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.  

This morning I woke up and found myself being violently sick, and had to email my employer that I would not be at work today.  So I got out of my bed to get my laptop and launched a mail program. I noticed an email sent by the deaf artist, Robert Walker.

As I opened it, revealing a portrait art of me, my face lit up like a candle, a smile from ear to ear, awe in my eyes.

“Awesome!”

Pretty impressive? Definitely is it the best illustration of me ever!

Indeed, it did make feel a little bit better and strong enough to write. I wanted to thank him right away.

Here am I laying down with my laptop on my stomach  . . . 

Robert Walker Who? He is a frequent visitor of my blogsite and we exchange several comments and emails. He is one of my former students at Gallaudet. We recalled of many old Gallaudet days talking about my course, TFP 110 and how I flunked two students who were supposed to work with him on their TV project.  

From that point, he shares his art works from time to time, and I am always in awe (yes, I know I use it thrice) of his incredible talent. I admire one of his artworks, the one with children wearing hearing aids the most.  I intend to feature him as an deaf artist and show several artworks on my blog soon – after getting more information from him.

What made him decide to do a portrait of me? He saw my amateurishly produced pop art on my blog.  It was done very quickly – about 20 minutes. It was used as an example for my CSDR students to learn how to convert digital photographs into pop art or comic style images using Adobe Photoshop.  So he asked me to do a portrait of me using Adobe Illustrator which I don't have much experience. I gave him the access to my family website that would allow him find an image to do his work right.

And he surprised me!

He is already one of the deaf artists whom I admire the most!  It is not easy to develop techniques using Illustrator and other media! Wait ‘til you see his works especially the one on hearing aids. Awesome (fourth time, you know how we the deaf people tend to repeat — in ASL)!

Rob, not only are you a very talented artist, but also always so nice with your comments on my blog. Thank you for doing the wonderful art and being a loyal reader.

As an avid reader of Daily Inpsiration at Beliefnet, a light blub blinked in my head that prompted me to create a page where you will find a selection of inspiriational quotes or stories that I like, and may they apply to the deaf. The page will be updated as I come across new ones that provoke thoughts or warm my heart — making me think, smile, laugh, or cry. I hope to find quotes by deaf people — no matter what the issues are.

You are welcome to contribute to that page if you have a story, an article, or an insight that you think would fit.

The newest quotes or stories will be at the top of the page.

My very OWN quote:

"People always think pregnancy is like a disease or medical issue. No, it is much like an athletic event. Giving birth is the finish line. "   -Teri Sentelle

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Examples: 

"As long as there are deaf people on earth there will be signing."     -George Veditz

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you'll help them to become what they are capable of becoming."    -Goethe

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for."    -Epicurus

"Deaf people can do anything, but hear."    -I. Jordan King  (Do not start any flaming war, thanks)

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 Post away!