ag⋅gre⋅ga⋅tion
[ag-ri-gey-shuhn]
1. a group or mass of distinct or varied things, persons, etc.: an aggregation of complainants.
2. collection into an unorganized whole.

I decided to aggregate my rants, comments, favorite post and all those other items into a simple blog.

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Saint Anthony


My mom today, upon seeing me looking for something frantically asks me what's wrong.. "I can't seem to find a dvd I borrowed from through library". So she says to me, repeat this three times "saint Anthony I ask for your help in finding the baby Einstein dvd". Knowing my mom she would not let me walk away without having complied with her "suggested course of action" so I did so.. about fifteen mins later I found through dvd as Hayden apparently stashed it in a rubbermaid tote. When I was about to leave for errands, I couldn't find my wallet. So I thought to try again... what was through line? "Hey Tony where's my wallet"! Sure enough in yesterdays pants.....


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Oh geez



I was once that young? This was taken my senior year and its hard to believe where we all are now..

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

First Android post


Well, just an update. I've downloaded a new app from the Android market called Blogaway, hopefully this will allow me to create good postings that my readers are accustomed too.


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Update:

In regards to popular opinion, my blog is not dead! it's hibernating!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Where art thou?

For my Readers,

My apologies, This month and next are and will be extremely busy times. Due to my lay off and eventual realization that Arizona job market does not exist any longer. We're moving to Massachusetts where I was born and raise. So with this I'm sure you can understand things are hectic.

I promise I will have lots to blog about when I return...



PS Diana got a smoking hot haircut !

Enjoy the weekend:
Joey

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

If Your Gonna Be Unprofessional, At Least Do It Right!

     I normally don't do venting on my blog unless something really yanks my chain. Especially when it come back to haunt me. However in this case I figure I can rant in a way that the party remains unnamed.

     3 months ago I applied for a job at A social service agency in New England. This agency I've had known for a while through various people and were voted one of the top in the state to work for. So I applied through their website. It was "cold" application meaning just like handing your application to a manager at McDonald's maybe they'll look at it and maybe they won't. Maybe they'll have a position open for you maybe they won't .These cold applications are my least favorites. As a Job Coach for two years I know there is perhaps a 30% chance they'll call you back unless you really have a stellar resume that fits their needs.
     Boy, was I excited when within two days they contacted me to set up an interview. We exchange a few email and seemed like they had two positions open, Either one I'm well qualified for.  I was gonna be in town for the week so it worked out perfect. Having their own agency sign language interpreter! BONUS! So we set up for Tuesday morning. A week before the scheduled date the HR rep who I'll name Becky e-mails me to say, "our interpreter would not be available so I will contact our community interpreters and try to schedule again. I informed her I was available any time that week. She said she would let me know that night. A day goes by and no response. So Thursday comes and I email her asking her to forgo the interpreters and try just meeting one on one since I'm proficient in lipreading. No response.
     A week passes. I email her again to tell her I was still interested and that perhaps we could do a phone interview. No response.

Today! I received an email from Becky 2 whole months later..  I'm sorry for the delay our needs had changed at the time we were emailing and we currently have nothing available.

I kind of wished they had not responded. That they did not want me at all, I would not be sitting here typing this, instead spending my time doing something meaningful such as finishing my taxes.

If this "Becky" should read this, please use it as a learning tool!

Now, Readers. how would you handle a situation like this.
A) let it be,
B) contact the supervisor and log a complaint
C) write back and thank her for responding however withdraw your application.

Enjoy,

Joey

Thursday, February 25, 2010

DEAF GAMERS WANTED:

 So after many Google searches. I've only come across  deafgamers.com. this is a cool little site which sadly seems to only focus on the the subject of captioning and subtitling in games. A novel approach. How about expanding as a place for gamers to hook up and join clans and such?

I beginning to become addict to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Especially the multiplayer part. I was a huge fan of Doom and Quake online multiplayers first person shooters in the past so naturally I assimilated.  Now I'm looking for Deaf and Hearing people to join me on Playstation 3.. If your rockin it! bring your "A" Game, watch out for the headshot though!


Get your Portable ID!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Music in the heart of the matter.

This is a response to Drew who posted a video on his site "In My Lingo:" that I wanted to share with you all.



Let me first begin by defining Music n. an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony,and color.

While the definition itself is vague according to www.dictionary.com, I want to take into point the final two descriptions. "harmony and color" Music can be found many more forms then just sound. 

In my opinion if a Deaf person enjoys music he will pursue to listen to it, Turning up the volume, putting their leg or other body party closer to the speaker (this changes the acoustic sound into physical sound). some deaf people perceive music through the visual sound. When I saw your video *WHICH I LOVE!!! Thanks for sharing!!* I did not have my hearing-aids in. I simply watched the beautiful playing of the violin and I could feel the music within. My best friend Shannon, who is profoundly Deaf, is a bassist in a heavy metal band. Much like our antagonist violinist he faced early struggles and setbacks having to prove himself to his band mates.

I want to show you another video. i play this video often to myself for relaxation. Try "listening" to it with the sound off (if you do normally use the sound)



Now ask yourself what did you feel, could you sense the music was in flow with her movements?

Enjoy,

Joey

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Trench Warfare

I have to say that lately I've been seeing a disturbing trend effecting our Deaf community. It's probably not all that new however it's taken on a new life due to the popularity of Vlogs. I'm gonna express what I feel is just my opinion as I refuse to take sides on because I feel it's a cultural equivalent of Deaf on Deaf violence.

With the onset of HR 3101 bill being pushed to pass, the formation of Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) and the National Association for the Deaf's (NAD) strive to reach new and youthful audiences. it has created a type of warfare much like gangs. Everyone wants a piece of the streets.Everyone wants to be the next leader in a movement they compare the the Gallaudet University "Deaf President Now" movement.

Enough already people! We have a chance in front of us to catch up where we're 10 years behind! How many people still have TTY/TTD ? I'm guessing maybe 5 of my readers still actively use it (according to Deafread I get about 100+ per post). How many of you surf Youtube? I bet nearly ALL OF YOU used it from one point or another. Thankfully Google is working on technology to eventually caption all Youtube videos. Now that's a national recognized brand. Your local news station has 100's of video's posted on-line at any given moment. With all certainty not one of them is captioned!

Why am I ranting? Well a certain Vlogger DeafASLVlogs whom's page I frequent just egged herself. Literally to make a point towards NAD including the words "I am a person with a disability"  She made some good points and even had me thinking, This was until Jeff Rosen from SNAP!VRS who serves as general council and is deeply regarded in the Deaf community got into a bit of a flaming war on her website over he comments towards NAD.

Stop the train! let me off!
Here we are, two important people who are making an impact in our community wasting their time fighting over the words of NAD which yes clearly could have chosen better lingo to use. Meanwhile we're struggling to get Republicans in favor of HR 3101. We all need to make a concious effort to put down our cultural guns and get this bill passed. If we don't we're gonna continue to be set back 10 years.

Taxi!

Joey

Friday, February 19, 2010

Its friday!

Whooo! It's Friday!  

Gonna celebrate the lovely Francesca's birthday tonight at Kabuki. A guy's gotta get his iron, vitamins and mercury in the form of sushi. Maybe even a Sake Bomber or two.
for the weekend, I thought I'd share with you guys an awesome video a friend had posted on Facebook for the the movie "See What I'm Saying" written and directed by Hilari Scarl. The video is written for the film by the rock band Powder..
    




Enjoy!

Joey

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Looking back and forward

Note: I apologize for falling behind, been such a busy month and I love hearing my readers say "get to it" :)

     I've been thinking lately, maybe even dreaming about our pending move to Massachusetts. I've been fortunate to have lived there most of my life. Why did I move, it's simple. I believe everyone should live their lives outside of what their accustomed to at times. If I never lived in Rochester, NY I would never have known that there are places that consider 3 feet of snow on the ground to be "a light dusting". If I never lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa I would never had known whats its like to run naked through a corn field (AND I STILL DON'T) but I do know what it's like to have fresh harvest food and meat coming basically from your backyard. Arizona, my present home. has giving me two things I will cherish, A network of friends who for the most part are not flakes and do care about each other. And an focus on a career that I want to pursue. Before AZ I would say "I'll take what ever job comes my way". While I'm currently unemployed and still would follow this I'm aware that I need to get myself back into college. I ain't the young punk I was back then and now fully ready to try college again. Here's some photographic proof.

                    Circa 1997                     
Credit M. Bonaventura

Circa 2007

Circa 1997
Credit M. Bonaventura

Circa 2008

Circa 1982 (est*)
 

Circa 2009
 
As you can see, I have grown up and I have an inherient desire to support my wonderful lady and beautiful child. 

Enjoy,

Joey










Sunday, February 7, 2010

Three things I'm thanksful for,

Here's just three things I'm thankful this morning,
1) Maxwell House South Pacific Blend: This is coffee for those who cannot tolerate the robustness of inferior coffee say "Chock Ful O' Nuts" and the strength of a fresh ground bag of Starbucks "Sumatra" blend.  It has a smooth flavor and with a little half-n-half and one half a package of Sweet-n-low it's all good!

2) The "Stop and Pour" feature on my coffee maker. Seriously the genius who thought of this deserves a spot in the hall of fame! We all know Americans are impatient folks. Well especially when it takes 6 long minutes to brew our coffee. It's perfection when you can pour your first cup while the rest is finishing up.

3) A sleeping child: It's nice to have a little time to catch up on your blog, even if it's categorized as a rant. I have a little time to post before the day officially begins and my lil' monkeypants wants to rule the kingdom :)

Today is Superbowl Sunday, My prediction? Saints 36 Colts 27
Please have fun and drive safely !!

Enjoy
Joey

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Something to share

So everyone, I'm not slacking away from my blog. certainly not! I've been working on several things lately, One of course being a stay at home Daddy with a 7 month old who has a fascination with my laptop. Two I'm testing ways to step a new Vlog. Whats a Vlog? its a video journal similar to how a Blog is a written Journal. I'm testing different camera and upload options so look for this soon!

In the mean time, I want thank @gfinish for sharing (several times) with us this amazingly funny video. If your not following him on Twitter already! He's a wealth of good knowledge! I know some of you may not fully get it but the video touches on so many of the issues facing our Video Relay Systems in the Deaf community these days and yeah the iPad lacks a camera! Because it's gone viral among the Deaf community I'm sure you've seen it but I thought I'd post it anyways :)

Enjoy!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

getting creative:

A fellow blogger recently posted a great post on what we do with our hearing aids here. Some people think outside the beige box! While I'm not the bravest artist and paint all over mine with day glow colors. I'd take a moment to present my artistic vision of what hearing aids should have! (blackberry camera so sorry for poor quality)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Die Hard: with a Venegance!

Call me paranoid, but the timing of my virus couldn't have been worse. I finally hitting my stride on the HR-3101 issue and suddenly I'm shut off from the net. They can't silence me!

All kidding aside, let's get serious for a moment
 Mr Szoka of the Los Angeles Times! I salute you not only did you story here show you delved into a topic your probably not qualified to write about. Your own newspaper proved our point! on the front page of the January 27th online edition there was a video of a bomb scare  

In this day an age of technology and terrorism, this is an absolute vital piece of information to a citizen, especially late breaking and up to the minute. Now Mr Szoka please proceed to turn off the volume or cover your ears and watch the video and then report how much information you successfully obtained from it.

Information is worthless if it cannot be conveyed across channels. We Deaf citizens simply lack audio channels. Our point is not to force companies to foot the bill or to drag down business. I gave huge compliments to Google Auto-Captioning of youtube videos on my twitter feed. Interestingly enough if you did your homework, Ken Harrenstien the lead engineer behind Google's Auto-Caption is in fact Deaf himself. I wonder how long we would have had to wait for this technology if we had not taking matters into our own hands?

I don't mean to sound militant. but here's another cold hard fact!

Netflix!
According to Tech Crunch blog post

Netflix ended the fourth quarter with approximately 12,268,000 total subscribers, a 10 percent jump compared to end of the third quarter of 2009. Net subscriber change in the quarter was an increase of 510,000 for the third quarter of 2009.
The company earned $30.9 million, or 56 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. That compared to $22.7 million, 38 cents per share, in the same period of 2008.
The title of the post? "Nearly Half Of Netflix Subscribers Now Watch Streams Online"

That's super, cool,  awesome if your hearing! You see, Netflix doesn't provide captioning and or subtitles that are actually already on the commonly rented DVD. They claim it's difficult to produce, furthermore it's due out this year after much protest from the Deaf community.

This is what HR 3101 wants to guarantee us the creaters of the original ADA act of 1990 probably never imagined 6 million people watching movies on their computers.
Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires that apparatus that receives or plays back video programming and has a picture screen of any size be capable of decoding closed captioning, transmitting and delivering video description, and conveying emergency information.  (Source)
Earning 30 million dollars in one quarter, does adding closed captioning or subtitles to their streaming content qualify as an undue burden? 

Now Mr Szoka, Like you I can type a long winded rant. Unlike you I make sure my facts (if any!) makes sense and are not just industry centered!


Have a good one you all !

Joey

Monday, January 25, 2010

Proof of Democracy! Re: HR3101

I got something wonderful in my inbox today.. You may recall my blog post titled HR3101 Help the cause posted a few weeks ago. Well after a frustrating day dealing with a computer virus (look for a post on this subject soon) I received an email from the Honorable Barney Frank. I'm excited to share this with you as proof that if you contact your representives and share what you beleive in to them. They do take your concerns seriously. Now hopefully my readers will take similar actions I had with your representives in congress to get HR3101 passed and ensure future technology not ancient ones are accessable to all

January 25, 2010

Joseph Ponte

(address witheld)



Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me in support of H.R. 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, introduced by my colleague from Massachusetts Congressman Markey. I very much agree with you that the government should ensure all Americans are offered equal access to new communications and video technologies regardless of disability status. I have therefore contacted Congressman Markey's office in order have myself added as a cosponsor of this legislation, and you can be sure that as such I will be strongly supportive of its enactment by Congress.

Barney Frank

Thursday, January 21, 2010

employment

So I'm up this am, before everyone.. coffee in hand, baby monitor in other. Got me thinking about this new role of mine. Many of you know at the present time I'm not employed. Certainly not by choice, and definitely not my preference! This week marks my first week at a new job. One that does not pay but has amazing benefits. I've been hired at Casa de Ponte as a Progenitor in Residence. Say what? A stay at home dad...

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to spend all this time I've missed with my growing monkey pants. He's been amazing to watch grow, learn, and play. I have a thing about providing for my family. I've come to accept my current position temporarily because in many ways I am providing for my family.

I wonder if this is capable of being put on resume?

With regards,

Joey

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Smells like victory,

I'm a big fan of artist who continue to push Deafness into the mainstream through their skills and abilities. Talents such as Chuck Baird, Sean Forbes of D-PAN and of course the lovely Rosa Lee. They contribute immensely to awareness, acceptance and ultimately accessability.

I've been a fan of Marko Vuoriheimo AKA Signmark since I first heard his song "speakerbox" This amazing talent from Finland who is Deaf and signs his songs with voice from another rapper is amazing to watch. Now he released a new song "Smells like victory" if his work continues to evolve this good, indeed victory is sweet!



Enjoy the video

Joey

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Decisions...

Eh here we go.. Being a parent brings out soo much in you that you never know was there. Decisions, something that erks me sometimes. Not that I'm happy go luckly what-ever on a whim type of guy. Im pretty meticulous about things, sometimes borderline anal. But major life decisions are tough. I have a standing job offfer. It ain't much at first but eventually it could lead to something better. I could start almost immedietly. It's in MA. My current life is AZ, I would have to uproot my legs, pry my arms and heart off of the two single most important things in my life and wait till May for them to rejoin me. Do I wait? perhaps find a meaningless job somewhere or be stay at home monkeypant wrangler? I do like the idea of waiting and coming to our new life together.

Listen to me, hmmmm maybe somewhere in my heart my mind's made up?

to be continued....

Joey

Friday, January 15, 2010

Do babies dream of battery powered blinking loud beep-beep-boo-boo sounding sheep?

This one's for my Mom cuz she knew I would,

What do babies dream of? Hayden was sound asleep then suddenly Diana hears him loudly whining. Bounding up the stairs like a sprinter she see's him with a terrified look on his face and his eyes closed clutching his "blue bear".  Hayden has had night terrors before but none like this. She picked him up and gently soothed him back asleep in the living room. Then she placed him back in the crib. Moments later she bounded back downstairs to the bathroom. I thought I heard something but it stopped, Diana came out of the bathroom "Haydens crying!" Ohhh? so now Daddy bounds up the stairs. Sure enuff once again eyes closed, face in fright and clutching his blanket. So I picked him up and he began to wake a bit.

Diana comes up, offers him a bottle. No go, rocks a bit, ok monkeypants in fully awake mode now. So we're discussing, what do babies dream of? Sour milk? Strangers?  it's an interesting topic! Eventually Hayden slept on the bed with us as he was too terrified to go back to his crib waking up each time we tried. he finally slept in his crib after multiple attempts in the middle of the nite.

What do you think babies dream of? leave a comment!

Joey

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

CODA Brothers: Naturally Signing 1

Everyonce in a while I come across something that just makes me laugh.. not only because its funny but you can relate to it in real life. To my hearing non-ASL fluent readers I apologize however I think if you watch it you can still get the gist of what is happening.

These two brothers Ben and Andy are CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) and have brought their unique perspective to the internet world. I thank them for that!



Enjoy,

Joey

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

HR-3101 Help the cause!

I recently sent an Email to Congressman Barney Frank, A fabulous congressman from my home state who I had the pleasure of interning for when I was a senior in High School. I urged him to support HR 3101, The Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009.


It took me 10 minutes to do this!
How? go here Write your Representive and simply type in the info, it will connect you with your appropriate district Congressional representive, copy my letter if you want but please remember we are the voice of the people regardless of our abilities!

Honorable Congressman Barney Frank,

I had the pleasure of my first internship as a high school senior back in summer of 1996 working your New Bedford office along side of Elsie Souza who has taught me many important lessons I still carry today.


I am writing to urge you to consider supporting the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101), and sponsoring the introduction of companion legislation bill for Senate. This bill is very important to me along with millions of Americans who depend on closed captions.


I think you can understand what it would feel like not to be able to watch a live internet broadcast because there was no sort of captioning present for me to read. Or perhaps download a rental from Netflix only to learn captioning that would otherwise be available on the dvd had been left out.

This is what we face today given the state of technology in our world. the Passing of HR 3101 would bring about the same sweeping changes that enabled Deaf people to enjoy the same rights as the original American with Disability Act passage in 1990 in which I was only 12 years old. I'm hoping with the passing of HR 3101 I can contribute to the next generation behind me.


Thank you for your time,

Joseph Ponte


 (address withheld)

Tips for traveling: with a Monkeypants

1) Variety is the spice of life..

Without variety you would grow bored quickly.. Now imagine your 6 month old with the attention span of a Golden retriever at a dog park. Bring several toys and remember not the loudest most obnoxious ones the kid owns.. The fellow sardines err passangers will thank you. Hint: buy one new toy.. The newness will keep your sanity an extra 3 minutes

2) Prepare prepare prepare...

At the spur of the moment would you just get up decide to go climb Mt Rushmore with your kid leaving all things behind? Didn't think so, while I laughed months ago at Diana's preparation rituals when the time approached it really did make things easier.. Prepare a list in advance. My mom, I used to think she was the queen of organization, had lists for camping in copies so every time we went just took a new sheet out and checked the equiptment off as she went. All hail the Queen and Princess.

3) Entertainment

My mom said to me once, Joey you are Hayden's favorite toy.. Still holds true. Try to keep your nerves in check. The calmer you are the calmer he'll be. I'm typing a draft of this while the monkey and Momma are sleeping..

3) Southwest

Bless them and their two baggage allowance! Hayden has his own suitcase I kid you not! Diana and I share one!

4) Make the most of family time.

After all your packed in the can for a couple hours (see referrence to passangers above). Chat, play a game peekaboo works great.. Its all good and fun till someone gets hungry!

5) Milk it!

beleive it or not, Stewardesses don't often get to see Monkeypants on planes, They are magnets for positive attention. Milk it for what it's worth, an extra bag of peanuts.. sure! an blanket to keep monkeypants from imaginary chills, sure! The only reward for them is a smile from monkey pants resulting in oooh-awwww effects.

Our flight was great, hope yours will be too

Happy traveling

~Joey~

Thursday, January 7, 2010

EnCompass Photography: Support your local small Deaf-friendly business

Yesterday late night, with much joy I received an email from Pamela Dancil of Encompass Photography. Based in the Scottsdale area, she (CODA) and her brother Jason Gervase (Deaf) together make up EnCompass Photography. We decided we wanted to have 6 month professional portraits done and had seen their amazing work!


We were more then satisfied! Not only is it so easy to work with someone who understands Sign Language but it reduces the stress level considerably.

Diana and I commend Pamela for her beautiful work and most certainly will return in the future.

Watch for more photos from EnCompass as I post them time to time. and be sure too check out their awesome website.

Happy Customer
Joey

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

With my head spun around.

Slightly off axis this morning, I decided to go completely off topic..
    It's funny I'm a New England bred son, you could say Yankee's and I'll hurl a couple explictives at you. I eat my clam chowder white and it's the only acceptable way. I love quahogs and if you don't know what they are your not from around here. Though people tell me I have no "Bawston" accent I do occasionally through the word "wicked" In my sentences.
  In my life leading up to know I've lived

Mass: It's home period!
Conn: Mom hated washing the soil off my pants something about "red clay". Too many Yankee fans
Rochester NY: Great place for family, no so great place for sunbathing. Very transient Deaf Community.
Iowa: Don't ask!
Phoenix AZ: My current home, great place for sunbathing not so great place for clam chowder

 Perhaps now that I'm without a job, not having much luck in my applications.. Being a firm believer in following where God guides me. It's time to return home?
That much remains to be seen,

Joey

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Person of the Month January 2010

As I promised, I plan to continue honoring people and or groups who make the world a better place for us in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Person of the Month
January 2010
Howard Weinstein of Solar Ear Inc 


There is no question, hearing aids an be expensive! I know my own BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids ran $1600 dollars for two. Now imagine your living in a country such as India or Botswana where that can mean a year's salary. Certainly puts better hearing out of reach for millions of people. 

Enter Solar Ear the brain child of Howard Weinstein. His company Solar Ear has managed to create an ground breaking product at a cost that nearly everyone can attain. A digital hearing aid that runs of a battery rechargable by solar power. the battery cost a mear $1 and last 2-3 years (being rechargable) the digital aid itself? about 100 dollars. 

The story is truly even more remarkable, as it brings jobs to Deaf and Hard of Hearing in developing countries. I strongly suggest you read this article to get an understanding how truly humanitarian Mr. Weinstein  is with this project! 


Solar Ear Website can be found here. Click on the American flag to turn text to english...


Mr Weinstein! I Salute you....

Special thanks to G. Lensbower (GFinish) for bringing this important article to my attention...




Saturday, January 2, 2010

Open Letter to NickJR

 This is a letter I sent via online form to NICK JR network, Hayden loves their programming but the inbetween shows have a lot of content not captioned. I would understand it if it was product commercials but it's usually network commercials and puzzle stuff that absolutely should be captioned. I will post any follow ups I get from the network.


Jan 2, 2010


 To Whom it May Concern,
     I am writing to you in both praise and suggestion regarding the content of your television network NickJR. I am the proud father of a 6 month old boy Hayden who has absolutely fallen in love with "Yo Gabba Gabba" and occasionally likes "The Wonder Pets". Your programming I feel is really top knotch and well thought out. My suggestion however follows.
    I myself am profoundly deaf in both ears. My son is hearing but in consideration of the future when we may watch shows together and he may ask me questions, If the said programming does not have closed captioning I cannot follow along. While Yo Gabba Gabba and Wonder Pets are broadcast captioned. your in between "commercial" programming with "Moose" as well as music videos ( I truly love Rachel Coleman's SigningTime!! More please!!!) "Moose" presents puzzles that Hayden just seems fascinated with. I'm not just doing this for myself but think of all the viewers you may have out there with deafness. Closed captioning also allows young and old alike to build their reading skills.
Thank you for your time

Sincerely,


Joseph Ponte
(Contact detail left out here)

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year, New Job?

          Some of my readers may already know, I was laid off by the State of Arizona recently. After nearly 3 year working at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf they decided that I was expendable in lieu of the fact my salary is not even paid by them (I am paid out of a contract with the state's Vocational Rehab) They still have not been able to explain this to me.
         Am I gonna cry? No, am I gonna whine? No, I took a deep breath ask for a steady hand in guidance from God and realized at this stage of my life it's time for me to go places. For me to obtain a career job, something that will support me and my new found family. It's a new year, a new decade, a new job! Now if only there was an automatic job-application filler-outer thingamajig

Happy New Job Year
Joey