Looking back on my old high school days in VSDB -- I affectionately remembered the fun times in Darden Hall. This building was the mischevious boy's paradise -- it has plenty of secret places to hide. I'll leave this to your imagination.
Too bad, the building as of now is currently closed and neglected by the state of Virginia. (Psst! Who runs the state? Hearies, of course!)
However, I remembered the times where lots of high school boys used to yell all the time around the hearing houseparents. One time, I remembered Jerod telling Kenneth Hall to scream right behind the sweet houseparent, Ms. Edna Kiracofe.
Poor Edna -- she was going to die at the spot. She actually *jumped*, considering the fact that she is in her 70s!
Then us the deaf boys would roar with heavy fits of laughters. We'd shout at each other about almost everything -- even we'd try to imitate a bomb by screaming it out -- kinda corny if you think. My brother, Gary, is famous for being so fucking animated with gunfire. He is capable of making gunfire sounds, and how it hits a person -- how the victim reacted when the bullets pierced the body -- Gary is capable of imitating it in very realistic manner -- not even an interpreter can explain it to a cop if Gary tried to imitate something.
I thought of Edna and wondered whatever happened to her these days? Kevin Akens, ask Kim? Kathy? You know, Edna was the "liasion" between me and Todd, my first love in high school days -- I would tell Edna to call Todd to pick me up -- or just to talk with Todd. Edna always do it. It is impossible to hate Edna -- she is hearing. God forbid that I do like a hearing person! ;-)
Ahh. Now about Jake -- you know, Jake has been dead for more than two years, time flew so fast. I love Jake's cynical sense of humor -- we'd spend hours observing people, making fun of situations. Imitated things in life. We even created the super-heroes names associated with pornography like "Masturbator! Cummer! Orgasmic!" Ben & Dylan, care to add more to that? It was so hilarious. I sometimes missed Jake's company.
One time, Jake read something on the internet in a computer lab where I worked at Gallaudet, he kept on grimacing and laughing out loud -- his face red, his eyes with puffy tears. I was piqued with curiosity -- he said, "RT, I'm straight as they come but this one is so funny."
And when I read it, I could not contain my laughter -- it is still one of the best stuff I ever had seen in years. Each time, I thought of Jake, I thought of this article which was published by The Onion. Enjoy.
Cheers,
R-
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
No Solution for Deaf West Virginians 'Cuz They Ain't Important
For years, the needs of Deaf persons in West Virginia has been somewhat neglected. The deaf school in Romney has been declining. The quality of deaf education for the children at WVSDB is pretty dismal in comparison with Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick.
When I was at VSDB, we often joked about how dumb the WVSDBers can be.
One classic story that was told to us during the high school years by Mr. Byears. He said that one time, VSDB played the football game against WVSDB. VSDB was winning by more than 40 points ... Mr. Byears used to be a student at VSDB and played on the football team back then before getting the job as a houseparent at boys' dormitory.
Mr. Byears swore that during the huddle, the VSDB players agreed to tell WVSDB players what our next play would be (but they did not tell the truth) -- and WVSDB players fell for it and when it was time for a play, WVSDB ran the wrong defense and VSDB broke loose for a touchdown. The way Mr. Byears described the situation was hysterical. You could see and feel the roar of animalistic laughters out of boys in the dormitory when Mr. Byears animatedly made fun of WVSDB.
But was it their fault? Not really. It was hearing people who made the decisions FOR them. They sticked with the philosophy of Total Communication which is absurd idea to apply for Deaf Education. Total Communication, for years, had failed Deaf people in West Virginia.
The Total Communication policy means that each student has the right to get education through any means of communication. Do you truly think a teacher is capable of educating 10 deaf children who are oralists, ASL users, SEE users, SimCom et al at the same time? Impossible, right?
Today, the numbers of students at WVSDB is less than 100, I believe. The majority of deaf students are mainstreamed, lost in the system, thanks to the decisions by hearing people in the best interests of deaf students.
I knew of a person who worked with the state commission for deaf in West Virginia -- after two years, she left. Why? She said that the state is not interested in making changes, to make improvements in the quality of education and opportunities for deaf people in that state. The state is only interested in keeping her as a visible figure for others to see, "Oh, West Virginia has the commission! Wonderful!", but she never made a great deal of progess in harnessing the needs of Deaf persons in West Virginia.
And when I read the article by KipEsquire regarding the official language that West Virginia has pushed through -- they already made English the official language of the state, which means, the students at WVSDB will be marginalized for a long time. By endorsing English as the official language, it made sure that American Sign Language cannot be used as an educational tool to educate the students -- only English.
I know -- are we that surprised when it comes to West Virginia? Of course not.
R-
When I was at VSDB, we often joked about how dumb the WVSDBers can be.
One classic story that was told to us during the high school years by Mr. Byears. He said that one time, VSDB played the football game against WVSDB. VSDB was winning by more than 40 points ... Mr. Byears used to be a student at VSDB and played on the football team back then before getting the job as a houseparent at boys' dormitory.
Mr. Byears swore that during the huddle, the VSDB players agreed to tell WVSDB players what our next play would be (but they did not tell the truth) -- and WVSDB players fell for it and when it was time for a play, WVSDB ran the wrong defense and VSDB broke loose for a touchdown. The way Mr. Byears described the situation was hysterical. You could see and feel the roar of animalistic laughters out of boys in the dormitory when Mr. Byears animatedly made fun of WVSDB.
But was it their fault? Not really. It was hearing people who made the decisions FOR them. They sticked with the philosophy of Total Communication which is absurd idea to apply for Deaf Education. Total Communication, for years, had failed Deaf people in West Virginia.
The Total Communication policy means that each student has the right to get education through any means of communication. Do you truly think a teacher is capable of educating 10 deaf children who are oralists, ASL users, SEE users, SimCom et al at the same time? Impossible, right?
Today, the numbers of students at WVSDB is less than 100, I believe. The majority of deaf students are mainstreamed, lost in the system, thanks to the decisions by hearing people in the best interests of deaf students.
I knew of a person who worked with the state commission for deaf in West Virginia -- after two years, she left. Why? She said that the state is not interested in making changes, to make improvements in the quality of education and opportunities for deaf people in that state. The state is only interested in keeping her as a visible figure for others to see, "Oh, West Virginia has the commission! Wonderful!", but she never made a great deal of progess in harnessing the needs of Deaf persons in West Virginia.
And when I read the article by KipEsquire regarding the official language that West Virginia has pushed through -- they already made English the official language of the state, which means, the students at WVSDB will be marginalized for a long time. By endorsing English as the official language, it made sure that American Sign Language cannot be used as an educational tool to educate the students -- only English.
I know -- are we that surprised when it comes to West Virginia? Of course not.
R-
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Ulf Returns To The Spotlight
Another Reason To Bash Conservatives, Republicans & Xians
Few tidbits today:
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Republican-Texas) is Conservative pig who attempted to pressure the Congress to do something to keep Terri Schiavo alive. Now the reports are coming out that there may be ethics violations by DeLay. He was already admonished by the House Ethics Committee three times in the past. Apparently, the House Ethics Committee is too weak to do a thing about DeLay.
Another Senator Rick Santorum (Republican-Pennsylvania) who is Conservative and Christian, he urged DeLay to come forward and be clean with the press about his ethics. Well, a new report is coming out that Rick Santorum used Terri Schiavo's struggles to raise $250,000 for his future campaigns. He used the politics associated with Terri Schiavo to enrich himself in the process.
Well, when Senator Santorum did this, he did the exact thing that the GOP Memo which the staff of Senator Mel Martinez (Republican-Florida) urged the Republicans and Conservatives to use Terri Schiavo as a political wedge against the Democrats which was exposed to the press. Senator Mel Martinez quietly fired his staffer who wrote the Terri Schiavo Memo.
In Columbus, Ohio -- the Red State -- a disabled girl was punched and sexually assaulted by high school boys in high school auditorium as dozens of students WATCHED!
In New York, remember the GOP Convention which Mayor Bloomberg proudly boasted that they arrested 1,607 protesters last August? Well, 91% of the charges were dismissed with some stern words for the NYPD's unprofessionalism.
In Las Vegas, the FBI used the Patriot Act to stop lapdancing. Think about this -- did the Patriot Act helps us to catch the Al Qaeda terrorists or thwart the plots? In fact, the answer is *zero*.
In Rohnert Park, Calif: Tim Beuler is the president of "Conservative Club" at Rancho Cotate High School and he organized the anti-gay protest about the Day of Silence -- the whole purpose of the Day of Silence is to raise the awareness that bullying towards anyone else (be it gay or not) is inappropriate. These ridiculous retards decided to set up its own Day of Truth to encourage the bullying and bashings. Fine with me. AT least, it makes them look bad. Too bad, Tim Beuler is cute homophobic to start with. No, make it an ignorant bigot.
And last, this Xian nut thinks women should not have the right to *vote*.
See? All the more reasons to bash them.
R-
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Republican-Texas) is Conservative pig who attempted to pressure the Congress to do something to keep Terri Schiavo alive. Now the reports are coming out that there may be ethics violations by DeLay. He was already admonished by the House Ethics Committee three times in the past. Apparently, the House Ethics Committee is too weak to do a thing about DeLay.
Another Senator Rick Santorum (Republican-Pennsylvania) who is Conservative and Christian, he urged DeLay to come forward and be clean with the press about his ethics. Well, a new report is coming out that Rick Santorum used Terri Schiavo's struggles to raise $250,000 for his future campaigns. He used the politics associated with Terri Schiavo to enrich himself in the process.
Well, when Senator Santorum did this, he did the exact thing that the GOP Memo which the staff of Senator Mel Martinez (Republican-Florida) urged the Republicans and Conservatives to use Terri Schiavo as a political wedge against the Democrats which was exposed to the press. Senator Mel Martinez quietly fired his staffer who wrote the Terri Schiavo Memo.
In Columbus, Ohio -- the Red State -- a disabled girl was punched and sexually assaulted by high school boys in high school auditorium as dozens of students WATCHED!
In New York, remember the GOP Convention which Mayor Bloomberg proudly boasted that they arrested 1,607 protesters last August? Well, 91% of the charges were dismissed with some stern words for the NYPD's unprofessionalism.
In Las Vegas, the FBI used the Patriot Act to stop lapdancing. Think about this -- did the Patriot Act helps us to catch the Al Qaeda terrorists or thwart the plots? In fact, the answer is *zero*.
In Rohnert Park, Calif: Tim Beuler is the president of "Conservative Club" at Rancho Cotate High School and he organized the anti-gay protest about the Day of Silence -- the whole purpose of the Day of Silence is to raise the awareness that bullying towards anyone else (be it gay or not) is inappropriate. These ridiculous retards decided to set up its own Day of Truth to encourage the bullying and bashings. Fine with me. AT least, it makes them look bad. Too bad, Tim Beuler is cute homophobic to start with. No, make it an ignorant bigot.
And last, this Xian nut thinks women should not have the right to *vote*.
See? All the more reasons to bash them.
R-
Brown Bags vs. Plastic Bags
When I was a kid, I remember going to Safeway and A&P grocery store in Hopewell, Mom would order me and my siblings to carry the brown bags filled with groceries to our station wagon. God, it was such a struggle to keep the brown bag from tearing itself out.
Today, the plastic bags replaced the brown bags. You do not see much of brown bags anywhere else in New York unless for delis or so. And during the winter season, the trees became naked without these leaves, especially in New York.
What really annoyed me the most is seeing many plastic bags trapped in these trees. It is hideous. It made me wish that we go back to the brown bags so that we can have some trees without the plastic bags all over the limbs. Ugh.
Any opinion on seeing the plastic bags trapped itself in the limbs of trees?
R-
Today, the plastic bags replaced the brown bags. You do not see much of brown bags anywhere else in New York unless for delis or so. And during the winter season, the trees became naked without these leaves, especially in New York.
What really annoyed me the most is seeing many plastic bags trapped in these trees. It is hideous. It made me wish that we go back to the brown bags so that we can have some trees without the plastic bags all over the limbs. Ugh.
Any opinion on seeing the plastic bags trapped itself in the limbs of trees?
R-
Update With The Date -- Sort Of.
Took the subway and bus to Upper East Side to meet a gentleman that I became friends with. When I arrived at his apartment building, I was bit set back by the fact that it is luxury apartment. He lives on 34th floor with the stunning view of Midtown. Truly breathtaking.
Apparently, this person has friends in high places. We chatted about a lot of things and he cooked the dinner for both of us. Very delicious. He was very cordial, sweet and average guy.
I joked that I'd love to have an apartment like this. He said that he could check with his friends about it. I was bit flabbergasted and said that he does not have to. He smiled and shrugged me off.
We talked about this, that and there. He said he will check with his friends about getting me a job with better pay. That is one shitty thing about New York -- you have to have friends in high places to survive. You have to balance who you are as Deaf person and work with ... them out there.
But I was humbled when he said he wanted the best for me. He did not have to do that, but he wanted to. Truly nice man. After 3 hours of chatting and bullshitting, I departed.
I'm telling you guys, the luxury apartment where he lives makes me feel so inferior. Standing next to a dog in the elevator is something I'm not used to. Was afraid that it'd go berserk and bite me. Or piss on me.
I'd love to live in that building. If you throw a stone, it'll land in Central Park, figuratively.
Yes, I'd give anything to have an apartment like that.
Cheers,
R-
Apparently, this person has friends in high places. We chatted about a lot of things and he cooked the dinner for both of us. Very delicious. He was very cordial, sweet and average guy.
I joked that I'd love to have an apartment like this. He said that he could check with his friends about it. I was bit flabbergasted and said that he does not have to. He smiled and shrugged me off.
We talked about this, that and there. He said he will check with his friends about getting me a job with better pay. That is one shitty thing about New York -- you have to have friends in high places to survive. You have to balance who you are as Deaf person and work with ... them out there.
But I was humbled when he said he wanted the best for me. He did not have to do that, but he wanted to. Truly nice man. After 3 hours of chatting and bullshitting, I departed.
I'm telling you guys, the luxury apartment where he lives makes me feel so inferior. Standing next to a dog in the elevator is something I'm not used to. Was afraid that it'd go berserk and bite me. Or piss on me.
I'd love to live in that building. If you throw a stone, it'll land in Central Park, figuratively.
Yes, I'd give anything to have an apartment like that.
Cheers,
R-
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