Well, it’s been a long time in the waiting. In 2005, Apple released the video iPod and began selling movies and television shows in their iTunes Store. Unfortunately, deaf people everywhere were locked out of one of this decade’s hottest gadgets because the iPod or the iTunes Store didn’t support closed-captioning. This was mystifying for…
Cued Speech: Your Unasked Questions Answered
Lately, there has been discussion about Cued Speech in the deaf blogosphere. I have refrained from commenting mostly because trying to explain the facts and correct the misinformation being perpetuated would have resulted in a blog-lengthy post. So, instead, I’m here to explain some major myths and facts. Before I delve into this blog, let…
Relay-Interruptus (Or, I Just Want a Damn Pizza!)
Ok. I am sufficiently fed up enough with relay services to write Yet Another Deaf Rant About the Relay. Let me paint a picture for you. MacWorld, San Francisco (a conference I’m currently attending). Hunger. Dinner time. The buzzing city all around me. Ah! Round Table Pizza (The Last Honest Pizza)– a delectable treat for…
Deaf Identity, Interrupted
One gem emerged from the deaf blogosphere blitz which arose during the May 2006 protests at Gallaudet University. It is Genie Gertz’s video succinctly explaining the complex concept of Deafhood in just a few minutes. When I saw it for the first time, it totally clicked for me. I memorized it and repeated the video to all…
Who’s On First?
Five years ago and half a world away, I was part of the cast of “Rustle of a Star,” an original play at NTID’s Panara Theatre. I was pleased to, along with my colleague, to re-enact the timeless Abbott and Costello routine, “Who’s On First?” A heavily condensed version follows: A: Who’s on first?C: That’s…
A Non-Gallaudetian Speaks Out
I was 10 years old during DPN. I have vague recollections of “the week the world heard Gallaudet.” I remember knowing that it was something important and something to be proud of, even though I didn’t fully understand what was happening. A deaf university president? Great! That’s a pretty nice “hero” to have when you…
Shame On You
Last night, Celia May Baldwin, the interim chair of the Board of Trustees, resigned from her position. In her letter, she cited that The presidential search and the controversy that has ensued have put an enormous strain and stress on me. I simply could not ignore the numerous aggressive threats I have received over the past weeks. Aggressive…
New York City Subway
Date:11/27/2005Location:4/5 toward Grand Central Station. Yes, you read that right. Today, my topic is not about Washington DC’s beloved (or not so beloved) Metro system. Instead, I will be writing about it’s wrinkled older brother—the New York City Subway. The folks in New York City opened their subway system in 1904. Back then, it was…