Expressing Myself

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*Note, I’m still learning Seesmic and there is no audio on this one - sorry!

This has been on my mind for a while now. I’m not really into music. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like listening, I know the words and I have a favorite band (Bon Jovi). I’m just not really into it. I’m more of a top 40 girl, since that is the most accessible music to me, it’s on the radio. I have maybe a dozen CDs, ok maybe two dozen due to my subscription to the BMG music club back in 1986, but that doesn’t count. I bought the Color Me Bad CD…see, I told you I’m not into music.

So I think of course it has to do with my upbringing in a Deaf household. There was no music, no emphasis on sound really. I find it very fascinating to read and learn about Deaf people that love music and are really into the lyrics and sound. Some of them are not hard of hearing, some of them are really really Deaf (I know I didn’t need the reallys there but it was for emphasis). I know some of them had hearing parents that were music professors or singers, but I’d love to learn more about everyone’s love of music. I’m curious, what factors brought you to be in love with music more than the average “me”?

How much is your love of music? Was music a part of your upbringing?

Coincedintally enough, as I ponder this topic for about a week, yesterday my husband (whom is Deaf) threw something at my son and I. He pointed out that music is distracting. While he complains the guys at work get distracted and don’t keep up I think he has a point. I know that sometimes when I am driving to find an address, I have to turn down the music in the car so I can concentrate. However, music does have a way of motivated to get stuff done.

And… just this morning, as I was listening to the news on the radio, they now have a study that links language with music and vice versa.

I’d love to hear all your stories, do you LOVE music? How did you come to love it? Do you LOVE silence? Is music distracting to you at times? Tell me!

My favorite sign is “cherish”. I think sign language is beautiful and first learned of this sign when my husband (boyfriend at the time) said “I-Cherish-You” Tell me what is your favorite sign? If you don’t know sign language, tell me your favorite word in English, French, German, whatever! Looking forward to your responses!

It’s almost here, I’m launching this blog with no stops in June. I have an amazing amount of interviews scheduled - both mini and featured interviews. I’ve also asked other Codas to blog their experiences, thoughts and perspectives…and I’m getting responses from all over the WORLD!

I love learning about other Codas both in far away places and right next door. Actually those in far away places end up feeling right next door. I can’t wait to learn about their coda experiences, another culture of Deaf people and possibly the stories of how they balanced the hearing and deaf worlds. Can you guess some of the countries that will be posting? I know some of you Codas might guess, but some will be surprised with at least one or two of those writing up a post.

So where in the world are these Codas from?

I have Skype and have joined a couple of chat boxes. In one of my business chats, we were discussing American Sign Language. One of the gals had asked if I’d seen this video. The Gratitude Campaign. I had not, I saw it as a youtube link. So while watching the video I was confused. What is this “thank you” sign? My curiosity led me to The Gratitude Campaign’s website, in which they explained the history of this sign.

I had already known that American Sign Language (ASL) had originated from French Sign Language. In ASL the sign for thank you is using one hand, putting the tips of your fingers on your mouth and moving your hand out forward in front of you. Like this. I can’t tell you how many times this gets botched by people just learning this sign. Don’t get me wrong I don’t demand new signers to be perfect but this one ends up being a sign out of the Sopranos, with the tips of the fingers scraping under the chin and out. Which isn’t very nice.

After seeing this video last week. Something stayed with me. I really wish the original sign had not been modified. This is a beautiful way to say “thank you from the bottom of my heart”. Yet another way to instill sign language into our community.

Here are additional ways to say thanks to our soldiers!

Xerox

A Million Thanks

I am sure there are more, just leave them in the comments section.

I’m still under-construction.

I’ve been working on the new website and the new layout of the blog. I gave myself some time (June) because I wanted it all to be perfect. I have changed theme three times. Since I am no code monkey, I have been altering the templates on my own. WHEW - it’s a good thing I’m able to figure out patterns and codes, otherwise I couldn’t have inserted my own logo, changed colors and edited the comments section. Still working on that. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated! The site is still a work in progress and I hope it won’t detour you from coming back. So hang in there because we are gonna have a fantastic plan for the coming year!

So what made me just post a blog without launching the site first? The buzz of all those bloggers talking about the SOBCon08. I was nearly going to go, but my daughter had a dance recital, and as a mom, there is no way I could justify missing out on her dances. However, next year, I’m planning on it. I know I would have had fun!

Since the attendees of the conference have been back, the blogs are a buzzin’ with all the fun they had, tips and pointers, food, sights and an all around great conference. I know I would have been welcomed by Karen Putz and Stephen Hopson. So I’ll be looking forward to next year’s event.

While I couldn’t make it to the conference, I enjoyed my daughter’s recital. She is 4 and she had two dances.

Her ballet song was Magic Tutu and I can’t remember her tap song title, but it went something like ~ I must practice everyday, if I don’t my tap shoes will run away.

She was so adorable. The girls would sing along to the song as they did their steps. She couldn’t see me in the back due to the lights. In one part of the song it said “STOP”. Since she had memorized the song, she knew this word was coming up. It was almost it’s own word in the song. My daughter brings up her hands to her waist and just about to… forming her arms and bringing her hands together… just about to sign.. but realizes she isn’t signing, she is singing. Her brain was telling her to sign the word STOP. It was so clear to me that she caught herself at the end.

After the recital, a bouquet of flowers was given to her and she felt like a star. Her face beamed with delight.

So until next year my blogger buddies, because these times are too precious to forfeit.