Gift giving ideas.

G'day Everyone!

You know, the Christmas season is upon us again. It's at a time when our family members go out and try to buy something that we could all practically use. We're deaf or hard of hearing out there, right? Why buy something for us like clothes, ties, and knickknacks that are bound to end up in a shelf on dust? here's some ideas today.

Ok.. you got my permission to pass around my web page here to your family members if you want. Let me put down GIFT IDEAS that a deaf/hard of hearing could really use. If you have any other ideas that should be put here, e-mail me.

Gift Ideas that a deaf/ hard of hearing person could use:

1. A new alarm clock. (we do need something!).
2. offer to pay new ear molds (expensive)
3. offer to pay for hearing aid repairs. more rarely, offer to help pay for new hearing aid.
4. hearing aid batteries (at least buy it by the box!).
5. some of us could use a side kick. (if we can afford it).
6. if we wear glasses, offer us at least a vision check up, glasses repairs, etc.
7. don't give us cell phones.. give us a side kick! a good one. pay a month or a two for the service.
8. shorts, underwear, socks.


that's the extent of my ideas. I would like to hear other ideas and suggestions from you if you can think of any. We need practical gifts. Something that we can use every day of our lives
instead of gathering dust some where in our closets.
Me, I'm giving practical gifts to my family that can use every day in their lives.

So I hope you make it a good Christmas shopping this year. Buy what you can afford. Spend wisely. These are hard times. Let's hope we make things practical this year instead of wasteful.

Semper FI.

Welcome to the start of the Christmas Season!

G'day everyone!

It's "Dark Friday" day. (black Friday, but I find that ugly to say). It's also the start of the Christmas Season. I hope your Thanksgiving was good. But, still am watching the news about the mumbai, India situation. Very ugly things going on. Who in hell would go to great lengths to organize this and sending people, innocent people, to their deaths for WHAT reason? Something that this world may never know.

However, if you do go out shopping during this holiday season, remember to keep your homes and cars locked. Be aware of your surroundings. There are criminals who will try to take advantage of people who seem distracted. Even deaf people as well. So please be watchful around you at all times.

Last night, my sisters and I went to the movies. They wanted to see "twilight". urgh. I went straight to BOND, James Bond 007. I saw the movie: Quantum of Solace oo7. The movie does start out nearly connected to the previous "Casino Royale". But there's so much action happening at a fast pace, some times too fast! I felt like my eyes needed to be in an eye brace (similar to a neck brace). It was just so much to take in! But the movie became disjointed and the plot was SLOPPY. Not a very STRONG BOND movie! Out of 5 stars.. I give it just a 1/2 star. Because of the overkill in all the actions. I recommend you read the book as well as wait for the DVD to come out later in closed caption. Actually, wait for the open captioned film to come out.

Well, Today is the day Christmas lights go up on my house to start the season. We'll decorate early and have it done before the snows fly again. So I hope many of you will stay warm at this time of the year.

Also, when you go shopping, if you got a little extra money to spare, drop a buck or a two in the Salvation Army kettle this year. Just the same, donate a can or a two to the food bank/soup kitchens. This is a time of the year in which many people need help from people who are still able to work in this economic world.

So, enjoy your Friday. Many of you are relaxing at home because you are off from a day of work. Ahh.. the joy of 3 day weekends ooh ooh.. since yesterday was THURSDAY that's a 4 day weekend. I'm jealous of one friend of mine. He took Wednesday as a vacation day and had a 5 day weekend! (laughing). I feel good for him. Whatever you are planning for tonight, make it a wonderful time.

Till next post, Semper Fi!

Thanksgiving 2008

Dear Friends and Readers of the Deaf Sherlock:

I bid you a grand G'day to you. I hope each and every one of you will enjoy this Thanksgiving 2008. However, it is a SOMBER day of Thanksgiving 2008. I have spent the morning at a church praying for many of the victims of the mumbai, India massacre.

Terrorists have only one goal in their minds: To create FEAR, CHAOS, and TRY TO RULE A NATION WITH AN IRON FIST. But these terrorists are willing to lose their lives in order to promote someone within their organization to rule in their precise outcome that they have planned.

But God will frustrate them. They do think they are doing God's work, but NOT! When every terrorist dies, they will learn a lot about what HELL is, The final JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, and their ultimate end in the LAKE OF FIRE!! That is the very end of every terrorist person on earth. Even for an insane Muslim terrorist.

At this point of time, a lot of places are on high alert now. Even here in our nation. For you, my dear friends and readers, I ask that you exercise caution for a while in your surroundings.

Today is Thanksgiving. Please give God praise and thanks for your family and friends, and enemies that you have. Wait, Sherlock, you said "enemies"! So I did. I mean that in a way that I show respect to them in this holiday season.

Be thinking in prayer for many of the victims in Mumbai, India. There will come a day when a terrorist might not have ever a chance to have a day in court and go directly to the death penalty. It may just happen one day. When that does, it will be justice is SWIFT and Fast.

So, today I ask God to give you and your family a blessing of Thanksgiving. From my table to yours, I wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving 2008!

Your friend always,
Sherlock Steve.

Turkeys Screaming, Food Banks, etc.

G'day Everyone!

Just about everywhere in the country side farms, the turkeys are screaming for their life. Well, they're not screaming, but *GOBBLE* for their lives. I've had an opportunity years ago to know a friend of mine who ran a turkey farm in New York. There was a place, not far from Rochester, NY. I had a chance to tour the farm, select a turkey (I took a nice tom), and then watch the process of how they *beheaded* him. Turkeys do die pretty quickly. The time from slaughter to wrapping is pretty fast. But it's interesting work. Right now these bird are trying to escape being the next meal on the tables from the holiday of this week to the last hour of the New Year day. They won't be able to run far. Poor birds. But then again, that's life.
Besides, if they were very pretty birds, they would have known to smart themselves up and hope to be picked to get a Presidential Pardon on the White House lawn. It's Bush's last days and the question is.. will he pardon two turkeys again? He might not be able to do so in the face of economics. Better that he take these birds and have a feast rather than PARDON them.

Meanwhile, if you are going out shopping for your thanksgiving stuff this week, I have to put out a plea on behalf of the soup kitchens, food banks, and Seniors Meals on Wheels. This is a time of a year in the economic crisis where homeless families and elderly people depend the kindness of working people in sharing food. Especially between now and the New Year. So, when you go food shopping, please buy non-perishable food that can be given to the food banks, soup kitchens, and the Seniors Meals on Wheels. Your donation can be a true holiday blessing to the less fortunate. Remember to give God thanks that you can buy food in this economic crisis.

Do you remember Ted Haggard? A preacher that was caught in a sex and drug scandal and he got fired from his job as a pastor? Well, a news article on the AOL news said that he was back as a "Christian Businessman". I was bitterly laughing and mocking him. Ted Haggard should have stayed under a rock and out of sight. He won't be able to hold another religious job, other than what he is doing. If he gets fired again, well, God gets the Glory and not Ted Haggard. Pastors, who get fired from their job, know better to lay low and not cause God any more trouble.

I have heard from several people, who getting camping gears together, to get ready to pitch a *CAMP* at their local store to be prepared for "DARK FRIDAY". In some places, some stores plan to open at MIDNIGHT to be one of the first stores to start the holiday sales. But the question is, will people BUY things they need or don't need in this state of Economics Crisis?
My advice this year: Buy practical things that people can use this coming year. This is better than some *GAG* gift out there. (note: I'm well known in my family for my infamous *GAG* gifts).
So happy shopping.

Well, I'm about to start cooking soon as my family will be coming home for the holidays. So I'll be helping my mom in the kitchen where she'll teach me a few things. Ahh, the precious days.
So I hope you all will have a safe time of cooking for Thanksgiving.

till next post: Semper FI.

One week to "Dark" Friday.

G'day Everyone.

Well, here it is. One week to "dark" Friday. That's the official day of Christmas Shopping season. I was passing the local strip mall near my home, while I was on my way to visit a friend for the weekend, when I noticed the stores were in the middle of outside decorations. Some were setting up security fences in getting ready for the annual Christmas shopping season. Some times it gets a bit crazy on the day after thanksgiving. But, other times, it's not.

This year? Will there be a HUGE crowd that will come in and BUY stuff they want for Christmas or will it just WIMP out? I think it may be the latter this year. Less crowds but more looking for stores that honor paying for gifts on LAY AWAYS. I wish them LOTS of LUCK of Fortune to find those type of stores that will hold something for payments.

I'm spending time with an old friend this weekend at a church function that I want to be attending to. I think it will be a good weekend. But it was rather a chance to have some time to talk to my friend since I haven't seen him in ages. So why am I doing this blog? Laughing, but I'm also fixing his computer a bit too. :-)

It's also snowing in many places. Ski resorts are shouting for joy that ski season has opened. So are some places that are opening areas for tube and sledding. *whoo!* Wipe out season has begun! The question begs : how many of you will break your arms, legs, or body? (not keeping count here.. that's yours).

For some of you, I hope you will consider spending Thanksgiving with your family and taking time to give thanks to God for many reasons that you can think of. If you are single and alone, spend some time with your best friend this year. This is a time that it's not a time to be alone but to share in faith and friendship.

I wish I was counting one week to deer hunting season for myself. Bucktail hunting season begins next week. ahh.. venison. That is what I love to hunt for. Yumm. Well, maybe one day I will have a chance to go hunting with a cabin group.

Don't forget to watch TV tomorrow. PSU vs Michigan State at 3:30pm. Either on ABC or ESPN. Check your local listings. It will be a BIG game! *WHOO*. Hopefully PSU will win.

Till next time.. SEMPER FI!

Bailout the "poor" automakers?

G'day Everyone.

Today is a rant post. If you don't want to hear a rant, come back later.

My rant for today: The so called "Poor" auto makers. The big 3: Ford, GM, and Chevy car makers are PLEADING with Congress for "Bailout Money".

I was amazed that our auto makers had the balls to do this. But, after years of making cars that helps to *PROFIT* the oil industry, and then when economic hardship hits EVERYONE, these 3 that are the RICHEST companies in the world, along with a STRONG UNION that has had a chance over the years of killing their GOLDEN GOOSE (that's the automakers).

The UAW union has given their workers a number of years to have the *highest pay rates and best benefits that they could get* out of the auto makers. Now, the GOLDEN GOOSE (the big 3 auto makers) are dying. UAW union is now trying to plead to congress to SAVE the big 3.

IMHO: Let them die!! The auto makers have done nothing in planning for their financial future. They have given up MONEY to their workers as much as the unions have demanded for it. Now it's time for the Unions, who's *PROFIT* making days are drying up, to help their *OWN* workers to find jobs for them that are so desperately needed. Should we let car makers from another nation to provide economic, gas saving, and miles per gallon (above 45 mpg), to help our nation? YES.

Get this CNN news report: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/19/autos.ceo.jets/index.html
These Big 3 auto makers flew on PRIVATE JETS to the meeting with Congress. *What does that say?* WE'RE STILL MAKING A *PROFIT*.

My response and advice to Congress: DENY THE BIG 3 AUTO MAKERS BAILOUT MONEY! Let their company DIE. We could stand to have NEW auto makers to come in USA and make new cars that become a better way to drive on our roads.

If these Big 3 Auto Makers don't control their workers in the unions, then DO ONE MASSIVE LAY-OFF and CLOSE THEIR DAMN DOORS and then start hire the average FREE UNION WORKERS that will work for average pay per hours with basic health benefits.

To the UAW Union. You murdered the *GOLDEN GOOSE* ! Blood is on your hands. So go cry in your beer. Economic depressions are here now. Get your act together. You got workers that need jobs. Go help them for God's sake.

NO semper fi cuz I'm so angry at Unions.

Jobfair, boil pit, and back to winter.

G'day Everyone.

Well, I'm home again. It's been a nice trip to DC. Saw the ASL Expo, and enjoyed a quiet Sunday.

But, this past Monday's (11/17) Disability Career Fair shows a lot of important stuff that goes on in the disabled community. As many of the people that attended to many booths, I was amazed at the moderate crowd of people. Even I was more amazed that a few HEARING people, who were not disabled, managed to get into the fair by LYING their way in. They looked a LOT desperate for a job. I watched one employer that took that poor lying SOB down to a level that made the poor desperate seeker look mentally retarded instead being physically disabled. He left the place red faced. How many normal hearing job seekers take to realize that this day is for DISABLED people to try a chance for work? We're all in an economic ditch here. That's where we are equal.

I meet many people: old friends, new friends, all of us looking for work. Some have told me that they're looking to change jobs due to various reasons. I can understand those very much. Common reasons when I asked why? 1. stress levels. 2. pay rates. I feel bad for them. But wished them the best of luck in the job hunt.

One woman, I won't name who, was talking to me and she said (after I handed her my business card), that I looked like I "stand out in the crowd and must be very popular with a lot of friends". That was the one moment that I had to pull her out of the job fair, sat down with her, and had a long 15 minutes of laughs that was one of the best I've ever heard in years. I was amazed that this "pick-up" line was used on me for the first time in my life. But, I managed to recover and thank her for that. Though I try NOT to stand out. I'm more made for the theater stage (which is where I should be with Tom Neville. ). But having a lot of friends? Well, let me say this. I do have a SMALL LOYAL group of friends in my life. I'm very thankful to have them. But those of who I knew back in High School, NTID, and Gallaudet were friends, but not the kind of friends that want to know me AFTER school days. So that's life. But I did thank her very much. I asked her to keep in touch via e-mail and who knows.. maybe something good will happen for me down the road. But, I wouldn't surprise me if she didn't.

So, going back to the job fair, I managed to meet some several employers who were interested in me. One actually pointed out that I had a glaring omission on my work history. *Red faced time* But that's ok. Simple mistakes can be corrected. I'm hope to talk to this employer on the 'net as well.

I went to one both of the former company I worked for before. It was more of a *professional respect call*. But, the staffer and I both knew that the company won't help me. Life goes on. That's the way things happen. I am looking for a better opportunity in this life. I believe good things will happen soon.

Afterwards, I dropped my friend off the bus stop and rode on over to a friend's home for an overnite stay. Just too tired to take the drive back to PA. I hate driving in the dark. My friend, Waldo, had a hot tub as well. His was new and he said, "I want to go hot tubbing in the back yard with you tonight". I looked at Waldo and he looked like he had just stepped off the cliff. I asked him: "Are you insane? It's 30* outside and it is snowing a bit. We'd be lunatics out there". Never the less, he persisted. So I gave in and grabbed my swim shorts. Just look at two grown men, sitting in a hot tub that looks like an outdoor boiling pit in the cold winter November air. Steam was rising and it was an experience I won't forget. Cold air on my head/shoulders, warm hot water on the lower part of my body. It was amazing. Would I do this outside hot tub experience again? Uhh.. give me an outside building that has the hot tub with a privacy curtain and then we'll talk business. :-D

I finally got home in PA. It's cold here. But for my friends in NY and other parts of the nation, they said it's not only is cold, but it snowed. Ahh.. we're back to winter early. I was thinking that was going to happen early this year. Which means, soon I'll have to drag my snow blower out and start throwing snow again. One tweak of the engine and *EAT YER HEART OUT TIM ALLEN!* (cha-boom.. there goes a snow ball! whoops.. it just hit wilson's house! *run away!*)

Well, it's a week to dark Friday. That is the FIRST DAY of Christmas shopping. Malls and various places have already put up Christmas decorations and some have Santas coming in early. But, shopping for Christmas this year isn't going to be pretty. Economically, people are trying to save money in this challenge of a time of our lives. We're all not in the mood to celebrate Christmas. Even the retailers realize this.

But I would say that this should be our year that we should have Thanksgiving first and giving God praise that we've have many things to be Thankful for in our lives. So, whatever happens, be ready for a nice holiday season this year.

So, till next time. Semper FI.

Quiet Sunday.

G'day Everyone.

Well, it's wind, cold, and in some places SNOW!! ugh. Winter has come back to torture us. But ahh, I'm just chilling in the hotel as I'm close to downtown DC to be ready for the job fair tomorrow. I wanted to be down in DC because, rush hour on the tube (subway) can be a pain in the fanny of getting from one place to another. So I'm ready to get to the Disabled career fair at the Ronald Regan Building tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a good day.

Meanwhile, Big Cheers for Penn State University! They took back the game when it really mattered. Winning over Indiana University (which some say that school sucks) was a pretty much a shot in the arm for the PSU Nittany Lions. Now, next Saturday will be a BIG test. Will PSU beat Michigan State? That is the big question of the week. If PSU prepares well for this game, then it should be really interesting to see where we land for a bowl bid playoff.

Sorrow for the Bisons. I got texted that our Gallaudet University Bisons lost the final away game and we ended the season with a record 2 wins and 8 losses. It was a tough year for the team, especially for many seniors. Now it should be the time that our team to stay in shape and begin off season work outs.

Before I forget (again): Bison hail to Curtis Pride who joined the Bison staff a few weeks ago as a baseball coach. This should be a very interesting year to hear the bats get cracked as Bison Baseball slugs up a new season in the Spring 2009! Do your best Coach Pride! Make us BISON PROUD!

Finally, ASL Expo. Yesterday's attendance was not so much huge. A lot of things were going on in and around DC. But those who have the cars and the means to get there, did come to see the booths and greeting of many old friends and making new friends. It was WARM in the Show Arena Place. I couldn't wear my hat. But many people did come up to me and saw my ugly face. (laughing) but it was a lot of fun meeting people. Glad to have meet Tom Neville. For one thing.. Deal or No deal? *boring* Except the contestant did make her way down to the final two cases before she took the deal of $390! Her case had a portable viable VP ($99 value) while the last case held the $500. Good deal for her to take the money.

So, I'm going to tour around DC for a while and then sleep and be ready bright and early for the job fair. I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend.

Semper FI.

Gay Marriage? Defending GOP?

G'day Everyone.

A few people asked me a question of WHY I don't blog much about Gay Marriage? Answer is that I have a healthy respect for the Straight society at large. Right now, there is a *HUGE* battle going on.

I have made it clear to people that I support the choice for Gay/Lesbian unions which is more of a compromised point of saying you'll be loyal and dedicated for the partner of your choice while having all the benefits of domestic life. That is, having small and simple ceremonies in which nobody doesn't get upset about. The "marriage crowd " of Man and Woman can continue on as if nothing happened.

During the voting last week, the gay marriage got struck down in California, due to the support of the religious crowd. Then Connecticut has joined in giving the gay and lesbian people another avenue to get married. The battle will go on in other states. Will there ever be a compromise?

Sadly to say, 20 years ago, I wanted to be married. But thanks to an insane deaf pastor, who thought that his job would be in danger if I became married and replaced him. If I replaced him, he thought I would be allowing gay/lesbian community to join the deaf ministry. So he *under minded* my attempts to be married. Imagine to his shock and horror after he got fired that I told him what I thought of him. While he could not apologize for his actions (because it would have given me the legal right to go after him), I could tell that he felt deeply sorry for denying me something that was my life long dream of having a wife and kids.

To this day, I wonder more than enough if this former pastor is really sorry for the actions of hurting many people of our former deaf ministry. But we'll never know till we hit the judgement of Christ's seat one day. However, it should be a warning to every pastor of all faiths: your job is never that secure at all. If the congregation wants to replace you, they will replace you. But do something illegally to try to keep your job, you will get fired. You can run the risk of heading to jail for the rest of your life as well. My former deaf pastor ran that risk. Not only he did things illegally, he lucked out that the hearing church didn't want to put him in jail because they didn't want the bad public relations. But every church will survive a bad public relations fall out, as I told the senior pastor. If they have done what they were suppose to do, they would have been in a better position in life.

Meanwhile, several people asked me if I still defend the GOP? At this point: No. While the losses suffered in the General Elections this year, it has become clear that chaos and disunity still remain in the GOP. One of the things that is most discussed is: McCain's pick of Sarah Palin. Palin was a bad choice. She was under a LONG cloud that settled over John McCain's attempt to win the election. Now that it's over for McCain, Palin is back home in Alaska. She has to face her own political fallout and fight for her future. Would she make it in 2012? Well, we got 4 years to find out.
I believe Hillary Clinton will be watching in the next 4 years too. I believe she will become a POWERFUL senator (as long as NY votes her in the office) and will make this run for President again and this time, she might SHOVE Obama off his Power Throne.

But overall, this election has tossed out many big name political people from their years of congress. Main thing: Democrats finally have control of EVERYTHING for the first time again.
However, we're still in an economic mess. Unless our Lame Duck Bushie boy does something to save his butt, the next 2 months are going to be in total judgement of him. Will it be a miracle if he gets Osama Bin Laden? I doubt it.

P.S. As the weekend comes in, football time. The Bisons are heading to Weasley for their final game this Saturday. Bisons are 2-7 for the season. Let's hope they can close it out with a win.

PSU plays the next to the last home game this weekend: Indiana. It will be on ABC TV. Next weekend: Final game: Michigan State. If PSU wants the rose bowl, expect to see them play hard in both games. Iowa should not have been a loss. It's the ref's fault as well as the QB's fault. Never again.

I'm going to be busy for the next few days. So if I'm near a computer, I'll blog something. But until then:

Semper Fi.

Back to normalism, Change.gov., McCain

G'day Everyone!

Today's post is a request for prayers. I have a family that is going through a time of grief and sadness. I ask that many of you pray in a unspoken request that the family be comforted by God.

While that's a sad situation, I'm happy to say that a long time friend of mine came back to me. We had a long talk and getting on the VP as well. So, patching things up saves a lot of things. We're just going to be taking things one at a time and work it out. You may say life is back to normalism right now. :-)

Meanwhile, do you want a job in the Obama administration? Then go to http://change.gov/ and click under jobs. You'll have to be patient for a response. Truth is, THOUSANDS of people are applying for a job in Obama's new administration.
As of the present time, lame duck Bushie boy is beginning his final days in office and has "promised" to make it a 'smooth' transition to the next administration. HA! We'll see how this "transition" goes. But one thing is clear: Obama will have a lot of problems on his hands caused by the Bushie/darth cheney team. Clearly 2009 will be an interesting year in our lives.

Now, another word on McCain of whom I'm disappointed. If John McCain had any sense of his own political life right now, it should be one word: Retirement. His attempted run for President has ended in disaster. Does that mean Palin is the future choice in her battle against Hillary Clinton? I don't think so. Palin will be fighting for her own political life as she turns back to being governor of Alaska and faces a host of problems. Just like Fookem and Bug describe of McCain :http://fookembug.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/john-mccain-was-a-chair-of-the-gallaudet-university-board-of-trustees/
McCain never had any hope with out the support of not only the Gallaudet University students and alumni, but the same goes for the NTID students and Alumni. If McCain had explained his own actions of his reasons for being on the Gallaudet Board of Trustees and his eventual departure, then he might have helped us to understand better about him. Instead, he had no support from us at all.
That was why I didn't want to get involved in my political party this year. Yes, the GOP suffered drastic losses in both local and state levels. Many of the GOP leaders are blaming their own members for voting across the political lines. (Hey, it's a free country here!). Some of the long time GOP members got booted out in various places. Maybe it will be a good time for FRESH faces and new ideas. That's how McCain not only lost, but Bushie boy has created this mess that lead to many people in the nation to vote for Obama.

As Bush prepares to fade into history, there is a good chance that Crawford, Texas could be the host home for the next PRESIDENTIAL Library.
As I told to Micah Brown, The GOP will be watching how Obama acts from the day he became President Elect to up to the next General Elections in 2012. Obama better be a real President who focuses on the national issues and not be so obsessed with clawing after Osama Bin Laden.

Sports: This week, PSU will be hosting the Indiana football team at home. Note: I was told that PSU fell to #8 in the BCS polls. PSU will have to face a week of prep for the final two games at home and see where it's bound for a bowl game.
The Gallaudet Bisons are on the way this weekend for a final football game at Wesley. The Bisons have closed out the home games with a win over Willamson Trade last Friday.

Don't forget; ASL EXPO this Saturday in Upper Marlboro, MD (check www.aslexpo.com for the exact site). lots of fun to happen.

enjoy your week! Semper FI!

PSU's Loss, Bison Win, and N.C C..PSAD gone.

G'day everyone!

Well, it's been a DRAMATIC weekend. Friday was the DPHH night. Heard from friends having a wonderful blast. Then the Gallaudet University Bisons closed out the final home game with a win over Williamson Trade by a score of 40-6! Whoo hooo! Nice butt kicking there boys! Season record now at 2-7. Bisons head to Wesley for a ROAD TRIP (last one) for an end of the season game.

Earlier today, Saturday, I went to a meeting of the Northern Central PA Chapter for the PA Society of the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) (Williamsport, PA location). Many of the people, who showed up for the meeting, were mostly former members of the Lycoming Valley Association for the Deaf (LVAD). It was a good meeting. After an hour long discussion, it came down to the vote. The end finally came for Northern Central PA Chapter for PSAD to formally close it's organization. The reason is, just about everyone has moved on to other parts of PA and other things. It was a SAD moment in the Williamsport Deaf Community life here. Am I the only one left here? That depends. We all sat, shared some memories. Then took our leave.

This evening, it was shocking to watch the refs blow some calls in the hot game of the PSU vsIowa game. It was shocking to watch that clearly the refs where BIASED and they clearly controlled the action to insure the Iowa would win and PSU would fall. The dream of National Championship for JoePa has ended. But not the controversy. By tomorrow, the news will be everywhere. PSU may be 9-1 but should PSU get into a re-match game with Iowa in a bowl bid? I'd say watch out because that will be a very rough game then. Iowa had better run for cover. The outcome will NOT be good.

So, I've enjoyed some friends who've VP-ed me this week. I meet some old ones that I haven't seen in a long time. It was great chatting with them.

till next time..

Semper Fi.

Update: for anyone who wants information on the PA Society for the Advancement of the Deaf, please use the following link: http://www.psadweb.org/ thanks.

Scammers hitting DeafVP.com again/ Bisons/ PSU/ First Friday

G'day Everyone!

Lately, I have been hearing from my good friend Robert G, who writes in his blog, http://rsgeo007.blogspot.com/2008/11/nigerian-scam-targets-deaf-youngsters.html
of the latest attacks that are coming out from scammers that are hitting us via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). This time, they're targeting the younger less tech savvy kids who would gladly give out passwords and information to anyone they'd trust on the 'net. Only that they'd get burned real fast and find their lives screwed up faster than you can say "mom, dad, I think I'm in trouble now....".

Robert sent me info coming out of Live Journal.com area http://community.livejournal.com/deaf/760745.html
something you do have to read about.

This issue isn't alone to Robert and me. Do a little google search:
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&q=aim+scam+deaf&btnG=Search
and presto, you come up with many blogs and vlogs that are documenting the scammer's activities.

The entire deaf community must be on alert for these scammers on our instant messengers. We must be pro-active and protecting the younger deaf generation from these scammers. Because if we don't, the younger deaf generation will not have a chance to financially survive in the future of this country.

Ok! To my readers in DC metro area: Tonight may be DPHH nite. (whoo! big time fun night!) But, can I suggest something more fun if you take the pains to BUNDLE UP WARM and sit in the stands of HotchKiss Field at Gallaudet University? Tonight is the LAST HOME GAME for the GU BISONS to host Williamson Trade (old foe). The action begins at 7pm! So pull on your winter coat, grab a date, and come to GU and CHEER for the Bisons as you watch the Bisons first night-time football game on the NEW TURF field! GO BISONS!!

Meanwhile: Major college football action will happen tomorrow for Penn State University. As you know, they've been on a BYE week while Alabama and Texas Tech (Bob Wilson's team. grr.. I hate ya bob!) have moved into the #1 and #2 spots respectively. PSU is still #3. Can PSU defeat Iowa? We'll find out tomorrow at 3:30pm. Please check your local Cable Channel for ABC.

Well, it's First Friday. As I suggested there's the Bison football game. If not interested in that, then log on to www.dphh.com to find a dphh event near you. And you know what? We need more DPHH events in other major cities. Especially in Rochester, NY! Yes, you, my fellow NTID alumni in that area. Why not you set one up? Humm? :-)

For me, I may just kick back tonight by my outdoor fireplace and strum on my guitar and thinking of all my readers and friends on this last fall night before the winter sets in soon.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Semper FI.

Personal note / Obama Prez.

G'day Everyone.

Right now, I'm stepping lightly on my feet and my hands on the keyboard. Trying to stay active and busy as possible. But, it is not easy. I've just been through of what should have been a romantic weekend with a wonderful gay friend of mine. There was just one after another setbacks that kept tumbling down on me like a titanic disaster doing a tail spin. What I thought was going to happen was something that I had a vision of it long ago. That this wonderful person would let me down after 24 years of a great relationship/ friendship. I didn't think that this vision would actually come through. But it did!!
Last night, I had an e-mail that finally spelled out the stuff that had been brewing for so long from that person. My reaction was SWIFT. I dumped this wonderful guy that I had known for so long. No, I'm not going to give you his name just so that you can take him for yourself. I don't kiss and tell about it. But when someone doesn't appreciate me for going through all the trouble that I tried to make this a romantic weekend (and every other weekends) for that person, then why waste my time and his?

I got some close friends that are calling me on VP to make sure I'm ok. A few might take the trouble to come up and visit me for a while. So, while I'm not going to tell you much about my ex-friend, life just goes on.

Meanwhile, I am aware that Micah Brown has been jumping up and down a lot and feeling so happy that Obama has become President-Elect. The balance of power in the House and Senate (that is, congress) has shift very dramatically as people ousted many of the republicans OUT of Congress. Especially a number of incumbents have been forced out as well.
At last, the phone has gone silent. The daily computer generated calls of these political parties have ceased their din of 6 months. Now I say, let them deal with lawyers and the DO-NOT-CALL list. If they can pay a HEFTY FINE imposed by the States, that'll be something of a price they can pay.

How does Bush react to the loss of McCain's power? Tell you this: Bush realizes now that he's in trouble as a Lame Duck. *QUACK QUACK*. The last two months will feature his term wrapping up. Be prepared of hearing an announcement of a Bush Presidential Library being established in Crawford, Texas. That prolly will happen. How will these transitional days go? Any one's guess.

As the nation's Elections start to fade into the history books, we will most likely turn a new chapter on January 1st, 2009. At this point, enjoy whatever you are doing, for we may never be the same as we have been before.

Semper FI.

Election day (near aftermath)

G'day Everyone.

Well, I recovered enough to present myself to go and vote today. And vote I did. And damn if you know it, like Micah "Political boy" Brown warned me that lines would be LONG today. Guess what. No matter what polling place you go, it's the county election boards that haven't reviewed the past GENERAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR (2004) of just how big the turn out would be this year. This year, it's WAY OVERWHELMING numbers. The public anger is ASTONISHING. Everyone not only HATES Bush, but there is general hate for the Democrats and the Republicans. There have been some people that have bitterly complained that their phones have been computer called so many times that they've had to take their phones off the hook. I pity those who live by cell phone use that just can't be easy turned off as well.
I have called the do-no- call list services with all the political numbers that have called my home and I've been assured that they will go restlessly after several political organizations, that have violated the State's do-not-call list, very aggressively starting tomorrow. I feel bad for political organizations. I can understand their aggressive approach to GET_THE_VOTE_OUT there. But, when it's a do-not-call list, the penalties can all up after all the complaints are in. Will it be worth it? I doubt it. Hopefully after this historical election, they'll learn a lesson that it's not nice to mess with the voters aggressively.

In less than a few hours, we will start hearing on who wins state by state in this election. McCain or Obama or a 3rd person will win this Election today. Just hope there's no electronic voting fucks up or worse, electronic "CHADS" (only in Florida it could happen again).

While I was out on my romantic weekend, my friend and I visited the local malls. I often got told by some people "the mall wasn't like this yesterday. yet Halloween decorations were up then. Now they got the damn Christmas Decorations up already!". Sure enough, look about the area and you see wreaths, trees, Christmas lights, PA system playing Christmas songs, the whole kit-n-kabbole mantra.

Sigh, whatever happened to putting up Turkey and thanksgiving harvest decorations first? You know, back in the 1970s and 80s. I watched a local mall employees (who let me stick around for a time while I was a teenager) transform the mall from it's turkey stance to Christmas stance in just 48 hours. That is from the moment it's closed for Thanksgiving day to the first FRIDAY Christmas Shopping. You'd see this mall transformed into a pure Christmas decoration land. It was an amazing sight to see.
Presently, it gets started earlier and earlier. Soon I shudder to wonder, Christmas 24/7? Perish Forbid! Once a year is enough!

Anyhow.. turn on the TV set, kids.. History starts TONIGHT for this NEW CENTURY OF THIS USA NATION NOW!

Semper FI.

past weekend/ Election day/ Curtis Pride/ EST

G'day Everyone!

Ok, weekend's over. Yes, I'm drying my eyes out because my romantic weekend went *KABOOM*. It was just one disaster after another. I dare not say which hotel and restaurant has caused *most* of the disaster, but I am letting the complaint process to come to a conclusion of which I hope to have a favorable outcome. If hotels want to *PRICE GOUGE* (meaning raising their rates when they are not suppose to) on a certain holiday weekend (pumpkin weekend), then by all means, BITCH and BITCH HARD (which I've done that on the web pages of corporate offices already). Will another romantic weekend happen for me in the future? Only time will tell if I care to invest in it again.

After coming home yesterday, I had to take time to recompose myself before I've hit on this blog here and get ready for the big day of the year. Yes, folks. Today is ELECTION DAY. And if you haven't VOTED yet, THEN STOP READING HERE AND GET YOUR DAMN SELF OUT THE DOOR AND GO VOTE!
Today is HISTORY day. Today the nation makes it's choice of who will be the next president. But the greater question is, will it be a good process or is it already a done deal before we had our say? There's so many questions, I don't know where to begin for it. The latter part is, I'm not voting for McCain or Obama. Going to do WRITE-IN! Anyhow, as I say HISTORY IS CALLING, GO VOTE! Bush is now official LAME DUCK!

On the Sports side of things: First, the pleasure of telling you that Curtis Pride got hired for the Gallaudet University Baseball team : http://www.gallaudetathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/news/11032008Curtispridehiredascoach. My response for him: May there be Good Game days in the coming 2009 Baseball season for the GU Bisons!

Football: I was informed that our Bison Herd tried their best on the home field turf when they hosted Mount Ida. http://www.gallaudetathletics.com/sports/fball/2008-09/news/11012008fbvsmtida . It is a shame that the bison fell to Mount Ida by a score of 38-7.
The latest loss puts our team at 1-7 record.
This coming Friday night. Yes, I said FRIDAY NIGHT! The GU Bisons will host an old foe: Williamson Trade at 7 pm on the hotchkiss field. It'll be a friday night game under the lights. It's also the last Home Game of the season for the Bisons. So come out and enjoy the last home game. After the home game, the Bisons will travel on November 15th to Wesley for the final road game.
Recently, I found out this info during my trip: First of all, I was pleased that Texas FELL from the number ONE spot. Alabama didn't. *shocked* But then if you think my trip was bad, things have to be WORSE for Penn State University. PSU was ahead of winning 9 games before Texas Tech and Alabama won their 9th game. Guess what? BCS said: We grade Alabama as #1 and Texas Tech #2! Now any arm chair Quarterback would explode on Sunday and Monday mornings. Of course, I was *SHOCKED*. The Bowl College Series is so flawed, it is impossible to get a good read on which college should be playing for National Championship! God help the people in the BCS group. They're going to need to RUN for safety if things go from bad to worse this weekend.
The college football season is starting to wind down. PSU faces Iowa this weekend. Then has the last two Happy Valley, PA home games. If PSU is angry as they are, they'll WIN the last 3 games and PROVE the BCS is SO FLAWED. GO PSU GO!

And speaking of FLAWED time, if you haven't changed your clocks back one hour, chances are you've been working an hour ahead of everyone else. Time to kick your butt back to normal time.

Lastly, I wanted to share some of my personal dating experience:

First of all, don't tell anyone that you are going on a date with that someone "special". The chance is extremely high you are giving a JEALOUS friend an opening SHOT aimed at DESTROYING the entire weekend of your romance. Once that Jealous person hits your sidekick and your date's cell phone, the weekend is totally over for sure!
Any amount of apology won't help at all once this happens. Romance has FLOWN the coup. Good luck dealing with the jealous person.

Second: Cell phones and sidekicks, add them to the list of "No-No s" of bringing them with you during your romantic getaway. They should only be used to *CHECK FOR EMERGENCY MESSAGES*. Then put down and put away for the entire weekend. Leave the Cell phone and sidekicks alone. You need a *BREAK* from them for the weekend. They are there daily. A romantic getaway happens only a few times in your life. This is one of those moments.

Third: TV. Don't touch that TV remote in the room. If you do watch TV, limit to ONE HOUR or less. Remember, you are on a romance date, not TV la-la land. Focus on the person next to you! This is your time to have some personal fun with that person.

Fourth: This is your romantic weekend. It only takes one little thing to ruin it all to bits. Unfortunately, a lot of mistakes were made and yes, the weekend got ruined. *image of the burning Hindenburg blimp crashing to the ground*

Above all, it was personal disaster beyond personal disaster for me in all my romantic years. I am a mix of emotions for a while and wondering how I could have done things better. I've tried so hard to make this weekend *SPECIAL* for my friend and I.
You know, my friend didn't do any of the "planning" which I have done all of the logical planning, invested in time and energy, and was giving a lot of romance to my special friend. It's showing how much I love and care for that person. But, it only takes a few things to ruin it all over.
When my friend left, I felt lower than the worst person in the world that has tried everything. I took a sunday drive (slow drive, back roads) a different way home than I usually do. Does it mean that I'm facing the end of friendship with that person? Doubt it, but it puts a crimp on the future events.

If you are going on a date or going away for the weekend with someone, do yourself a favor: There's an OFF button on your cell phone and your side kick. PRESS IT! *POWER DOWN*. Then stick your devices in your car and lock it. Walk away from the car! Your are taking a break away from the rest of the deaf / hearing world.
Focus on your romance time. THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL TIME. You need it. So does the person you are with.
Don't worry. At the end of the special weekend, just power up and check your e-mails. Not only you are reconnected to the deaf / hearing world, you can then deal with all the other problems that pop up. much better. Remember, you have these devices every day. You have these
problems every day. But, Your time of special romance with that some one special? You don't get this every day. That's why there's a SPECIAL TIME and PLACE to be able to get away from the every day life and enjoy a little love and romance.

Until next post: Semper FI. and remember, VOTE today! If you don't vote today, you'll hate yourself the next day.