wants to know of a funny or cute computer virus. Any suggestions?

James finally got his MSI Wind. Review posting later.

says good morning. Having coffee and then off to school.

going to bed now, good night <3

learning the in's and out's of ping.fm again. Testing 1 2 3...

All about Interpreters

So this post will be about interpreters. I've had some interesting encounters recently that I would like to share.

As some of you know, I recently was fitting fo rmy first hearing aid. I brought along my trusted friend and interpreter that goes to all of my appointments with medical. So we got there and got up to the receptionist.

This poor woman *laughs*. She must have been around 80. I signed and my interpreter spoke "Hello , my name is Dena, I'm here for my appointment". The woman was looking at me and in sign asked "Please again". I signed "you need to listen to the interpreter!" She spoke "I didn't catch all of what you were signing". I could have died, but it gets worse. I started explaining that's why I have an interpreter, so you can speak normally to me. She said well I didn't need an interpreter, she knew how to sign. *ouch!* The last straw was she had me fill out some paperwork, and she signed "please sign (as in ASL sign! lol) your name here". You had to have been there, it was quite a chuckle.

Educational interpreting is something I am just getting used to. This is the first year I am with interpreters for my classes. But is it just me or are they unaware that when I ask for no moithing of the words and less English word order and signs, it just confuses me more? I'm not sure one of my interpreters understands that. I've asked her politely during a break in class, but she still mouthes words like a fish. Yes, I understand English, but that doesn't mean I want my interpretation in English format. How do I politely tell her again to quit it?

That's it for now on that subject, but I'm sure I'll have plenty more to say in the comments. Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!

Tully's being bought

*Not Deaf news, sorry!*

I just open up the website for the Seattle PI, and they say that Tully's (a major coffee chain in Seattle, next to Starbucks and Seattle's Best) is being bought out. Here is the link

How do I feel? A little piece of me just died :( Well, the coffee addicted anyway. Growing up in the eye of the storm, seeing Starbucks florish, as well as many mom and pop coffee shops getting their stand. Living now in Illinois, we don't have Tully's. I miss their bitter bitter! coffee. So, it's going East Coast. I hope you guys like strong coffee *laughs* I guess it's okay though since we still have Starbucks to hold on to. Happy drinking!

I'm Loud?!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I have been busy with school and work life, but here is a sort of update and story.

I tend to be very self concious when it comes to my voice. I can speak so people assume I can speechread everything. Not so. Additionally, if I talk in class, they assume I can hear them. I have an interpreter for 2 out of 3 of my classes, so I'm in good hands. I sign and am free.

Friday and today, I've come into "disability awareness". People are looking at me strange when I talk, or even laugh. Is my laugh really THAT BAD?! Well, a friend of mine those two days told me I was too loud. Hmmm. So am I loud to hearing people or just loud in general? I'm not quite sure; I'm going to ask him later.

I've never really noticed the volume of my voice because I'm always trying hard to make it sound comprehensible. The interpreter cannot be with me 24/7, so I have to make due. It's good to have a pal though who's telling me I'm too loud. COming from another community college where Deaf, ASL students, and ITP students were normal, and just about any noise was no cause for alarm out of us.

I admire my friend. He said he's trying to keep people from staring. He seems to be strong in his mind, much mmore than I am. The pair of us though, we must be funny. He's in a wheelchair and I'm trying to talk to him. It makes me giggle how we must look :)

So, I'm loud? Turn your ears off!

CODA Brothers DVD!

Hello all, I just wanted to let you know that the CODA Brothers DVD has finally launched and is running at a reduced intro price of $29.95 until July 31st. There is 2 videos that are not available on YouTube, the set is expanded, and an interview about what is a CODA. Go HERE to buy.

Accessibility on the Internet

Hello all.  Today marks the last day that chairman Bill Gates sits in the hot seat at Microsoft.  Lots of journalists, enthusiasts, and writers have done extensive montages dedicated to BillyG, so I won't bore you with it all.

So today being the day, I figured http://www.microsoft.com would get in on the action as well.  They have, and right up on the first screen is an ad for a video montage about his early years and such.  Great! I thought.  Microsoft has always been great about having their online videos captioned if you have that option enabled in your computer settings.  So I clicked it and no captioning.

Hmmm.

Okay, maybe it's because I'm in Firefox, I mean FF3 DID just come out.  I'll try IE7. 

Still no captions.

ARGH!

Okay check the settings, setting are fine. 

I'm told on Microsoft's ENABLE page that "Our vision is to create innovative technology that is accessible to everyone and that adapts to each person's needs. Accessible technology eliminates barriers for people with disabilities and it enables individuals to take full advantage of their capabilities."  Well it sure doesn't look like the reigns will be handed down if THIS is considered accessible.  I demand that Microsoft transcribe all of the montage videos or caption them.  I'll say now that I am a beta tester for them and this does not make me happy one bit.  I've tested accessibility in products, but it seems some have been forgotten.  WE however will not be forgotten about.