catsittingstill (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
catsittingstill) wrote2007-04-22 03:35 pm
catsittingstill) wrote2007-04-22 03:35 pm
Really, I just buy it for the articles
I went to the First Baptist Church in Knoxville this morning.
(Oh, sorry, maybe I should have warned you first. You didn't get any of your drink on the keyboard, I hope?)
No, church, especially a Baptist church, wouldn't normally be my thing (I do go to the Unitarian church now and then). But this was different--this was a school field trip for my ASL class. The FBC has a church service for the Deaf that's conducted entirely in ASL.
It was very cool. Before the service people were talking with each other in sign, their hands flickering so fast that it was hard to make out any of the words I knew. But I went over and tried to talk with people a little, and when they slowed down for me, I could make out most of what they said.
The service itself was easier in some ways, because the people addressing the crowd made an extra effort to sign big, the way you might speak more clearly when you're speaking to a group. But it was harder too, because there was always someone translating into English. Sometimes this helped me understand, obviously. But imagine trying to understand someone speaking French while someone else, trying to be helpful, simultaneously whispers the English translation to you. It was hard for me to concentrate on receiving the sign language while the English was continually "tugging my sleeve," so to speak. Maybe next time I'll bring ear plugs.
Yes, I think there will be a next time. I really want to learn to understand this stuff. If that means I have to go to church, so be it. This time I was riding along with someone else, so I couldn't linger to chat after the service. Next time I think I will drive myself so I can stay and chat and maybe get some more practice with ASL one-on-one without a translator.
In other news, the eagerly anticipated vest with all the pockets arrived last Monday. I was talking to Donald (my friend in Iraq) on the phone when it came, and I suspect much of the remainder of my end of the conversation was a little distracted by the sounds of velcro ripping and zippers zipping and "hmm, no, the mimmoth won't fit in that pocket, sorry Ozymandyas."
I haven't taken photos of the vest yet, but such will follow soon. I also got a catalog (cast-off from a friend who didn't want it) about Wednesday, that I was glancing through idly until my gaze was arrested by the "Zambezi Twill Jacket." Now those of you who look through the Skymall catalog for diversion on long plane flights may have seen this jacket--it's cut like a suit jacket, but looser, of tough-looking khaki fabric with leather trim and lots of interior pockets. I admit it--I have a thing for pockets. I have coveted this jacket since I first laid eyes on it years ago, but have always been put off by the fact that it costs about 160$. It occurred to me this week that maybe it (or something like it but cheaper) would be on sale somewhere if I looked for it online. I found one--for 40$. I ordered it. It's on the way and should arrive on Tuesday. If it fits (it was a men's large--which is fine if it means tall and not so great if it means wide). But at 25% of the normal price I figured I'd take the chance. I can return it if it really doesn't fit.
Kip and I went out Saturday and got 1) electrical conversion dohickeys so we can recharge cameras and mp3 players without letting the magic smoke out by exposing them to Ireland's 240 V electricity. 2) Good walking shoes for Kip 3) a bag for Kip to keep his important papers in (consent forms for him to authorize medical treatment if one of the students, looking the wrong way, steps out in front of a bus, for instance). 4) a rain jacket for Kip 5) maps of Ireland. 6) another photon microlight for me as I can't figure out where mine have gone. 6)Tech wash and associated wash-in waterproofing compound for waterproofing the living daylights out of our raincoats. Did I mention that I'm expecting it to rain in Ireland? And 7) a neck wallet for Kip that lets him hide his money and passport under his shirt. For some reason he did not want to use my "Girl Genius" ID holder.
Things I still need--wash in waterproofing for cotton if the Zambezi twill jacket fits. Extra memory chip for camera--I presently have enough memory for about 300 pictures--pitifully inadequate for a two week trip to Ireland. An inflatable pillow so I don't have to deal with any down pillows (I think I'm allergic). Excuse me--Amazon? Do you have a minute?
(Oh, sorry, maybe I should have warned you first. You didn't get any of your drink on the keyboard, I hope?)
No, church, especially a Baptist church, wouldn't normally be my thing (I do go to the Unitarian church now and then). But this was different--this was a school field trip for my ASL class. The FBC has a church service for the Deaf that's conducted entirely in ASL.
It was very cool. Before the service people were talking with each other in sign, their hands flickering so fast that it was hard to make out any of the words I knew. But I went over and tried to talk with people a little, and when they slowed down for me, I could make out most of what they said.
The service itself was easier in some ways, because the people addressing the crowd made an extra effort to sign big, the way you might speak more clearly when you're speaking to a group. But it was harder too, because there was always someone translating into English. Sometimes this helped me understand, obviously. But imagine trying to understand someone speaking French while someone else, trying to be helpful, simultaneously whispers the English translation to you. It was hard for me to concentrate on receiving the sign language while the English was continually "tugging my sleeve," so to speak. Maybe next time I'll bring ear plugs.
Yes, I think there will be a next time. I really want to learn to understand this stuff. If that means I have to go to church, so be it. This time I was riding along with someone else, so I couldn't linger to chat after the service. Next time I think I will drive myself so I can stay and chat and maybe get some more practice with ASL one-on-one without a translator.
In other news, the eagerly anticipated vest with all the pockets arrived last Monday. I was talking to Donald (my friend in Iraq) on the phone when it came, and I suspect much of the remainder of my end of the conversation was a little distracted by the sounds of velcro ripping and zippers zipping and "hmm, no, the mimmoth won't fit in that pocket, sorry Ozymandyas."
I haven't taken photos of the vest yet, but such will follow soon. I also got a catalog (cast-off from a friend who didn't want it) about Wednesday, that I was glancing through idly until my gaze was arrested by the "Zambezi Twill Jacket." Now those of you who look through the Skymall catalog for diversion on long plane flights may have seen this jacket--it's cut like a suit jacket, but looser, of tough-looking khaki fabric with leather trim and lots of interior pockets. I admit it--I have a thing for pockets. I have coveted this jacket since I first laid eyes on it years ago, but have always been put off by the fact that it costs about 160$. It occurred to me this week that maybe it (or something like it but cheaper) would be on sale somewhere if I looked for it online. I found one--for 40$. I ordered it. It's on the way and should arrive on Tuesday. If it fits (it was a men's large--which is fine if it means tall and not so great if it means wide). But at 25% of the normal price I figured I'd take the chance. I can return it if it really doesn't fit.
Kip and I went out Saturday and got 1) electrical conversion dohickeys so we can recharge cameras and mp3 players without letting the magic smoke out by exposing them to Ireland's 240 V electricity. 2) Good walking shoes for Kip 3) a bag for Kip to keep his important papers in (consent forms for him to authorize medical treatment if one of the students, looking the wrong way, steps out in front of a bus, for instance). 4) a rain jacket for Kip 5) maps of Ireland. 6) another photon microlight for me as I can't figure out where mine have gone. 6)Tech wash and associated wash-in waterproofing compound for waterproofing the living daylights out of our raincoats. Did I mention that I'm expecting it to rain in Ireland? And 7) a neck wallet for Kip that lets him hide his money and passport under his shirt. For some reason he did not want to use my "Girl Genius" ID holder.
Things I still need--wash in waterproofing for cotton if the Zambezi twill jacket fits. Extra memory chip for camera--I presently have enough memory for about 300 pictures--pitifully inadequate for a two week trip to Ireland. An inflatable pillow so I don't have to deal with any down pillows (I think I'm allergic). Excuse me--Amazon? Do you have a minute?
no subject
It was supposed to be a trio with Brooke but she got 10% into the van and turned around and went back to bed. The flu is winning so far :(
Dr Filk would have joined us but he doesn't arrive for a couple more hours.
I hope your jacket fits well and you find inexpensive huge giglets of mem for your camera!
no subject
I'm sorry that Brooke is sick; I hope she feels better soon.
Thank you about your good wishes for my coat. I found a 1 GB XD chip for my camera at Amazon, which will hopefully be enough, with the 500 MB chip I already have, for even a trip to Ireland :-).
no subject
We are also looking into getting signed (no pun intended) up for ASL classes. D and T and I need to learn this as Ms T's hearing is already augmented by very strong, high end hearing aids and is getting progressively worse. We need to ensure that we can all clearly communicate before her hearing deteriorates to the point where it is absolutely necessary instead of handy.
no subject
Turns out they don't have ASL courses. Because it's "not a foreign language". Huh? I don't get it. Actually, now that he's pointed it out I wonder why it doesn't get offered in bigger high schools, too - since the theory behind forcing kids to take a language in school is that it makes the brain more flexible and introduces one to new and different cultures, and ASL is totally good for that.
no subject
There is a similar resistance to accepting ASL as a foreign language at Carson-Newman, though in this case I think the basis of the resistance is that accepted foreign languages are taught by the Foreign Language department, and ASL is taught by the Education department. Turfiness may be part of it but I suspect that in this college accepted foreign languages are taught with significantly more academic rigor than ASL, and people are reluctant to accept a "gut" like ASL as it is taught here in place of what should be a academically demanding course. The ASL class here is ... well, students were openly helping each other on the exams, and the teacher didn't seem to care at all. Several students in my class cannot recognize "How are you?" when I sign it to them. If they recognize it, they can't remember how to respond. We're nearly at the end of their second semester of ASL. Imagine a French student who couldn't answer "Comment allez vous?" with "Bien, merci" or "Comme ci, comme ca."
On the whole, I think it would be great if ASL were offered in high schools or even grade schools, especially schools where deaf children are being "mainstreamed" with hearing children. It's the fourth most common language in the US, after all.
no subject
I've really enjoyed learning sign language, and have gotten a surprising amount of use out of it.
no subject