I'm sorry, say that again...

Pinch an inch...

2011-09-02T03:50:00.000-07:00

As I begin my latest rant, I promise not to be one of those misty eyed "why me, I just wanna thin" blog posts.

The reason being, I am at fault and to blame for my current weight. Not Dave Thomas not Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben, most certainly not those malasadas from the Feast. I alone chose to friend them to "break bread" with them. In this day of Facebook. It's only fitting they consider themselves unfriended.

240 pounds... That is what I weigh!.. I'm posting it for all to see.. What the hell you see most of it when you see me anyways. It is not my heaviest weight which I hold that number in my head as my mantra to never again approach. This week We began the biggest change. and I hope to keep the ball rolling with the school year approaching next week.

Sept 2, 2012: I will revisit this post. I will weigh within 200 to 210lbs! I will be actively exercising everyday.. I will post before and after pictures then.. Failure is not an option!

Thirty Three...

2011-07-02T04:58:00.000-07:00

My goodness! The sound of that number is both frightening and charming at the same time. I'm gonna be 33! In just two days from this post. I was thinking yesterday if I could ever write a letter to my 17 year old self who was fresh off graduation and ready to take on the world, what would I tell him?

College party is not time well spent
Stay away from Dining Commons! No seriously Run away!
Credit cards don't pay themselves!
Marrying your HS sweetheart is not a guaranteed thing

Ah the list could go on for pages.
I think the one thing I wish I could throttle my old self and say what the hell are you doing to yourself is my weight. Before college I never struggled with weight. I was a consistent 189 pounds mostly due to wrestling. The aforementioned Dining Commons with its food reminiscence of an all you can eat buffet at KFC did away with this. I'm working hard at trying to get at least to the 200 mark. Not just for my looks so Diana could be proud"er" but because I want to be around another 66 years! when my son is 67 and I can make him take me to bingo!

In the great blue room

2011-05-01T05:49:00.001-07:00

4:06am that's what time I woke up, the downside to being 2600 miles west and a 3 hour time zone difference, but you know what? Wouldn't trade for anything. It's 5:23am and I'm standing outside at sunrise in shorts and a tank, barefoot! In a short time the hustle and bustle will begin. At the moment its just me my Droid, a cup of folgers (prefer New England Coffee Roasters meh) and the soon to grace my day sunrise. Why did we leave here? Why did we uproot and move? Because we had to to survive financially.Someday opportunity will present itself when God decides its time. We're listening intently. My friends I don't want you to misunderstand. When your in the right environment, your soul is happy. I love Mass, I am a New Englander by birth but my soul has been found in the desert. In a few short moments another one of God's glorious sunrise will cast its warm rays... and I will have my eyes will open wide taking it all in. A new day will begin for each of us. Mine will be a little "warmer" and brighter.

At long last: A home of our own

2011-04-17T03:23:00.000-07:00

After searching months for a place to call home we have finally completed the quest.. We're about to move into a two bedroom in Fairhaven. Many of you know know its the quiet little town that I was raised in.

I promise this will be updated with photos as right now its just an empty shell of an apartment.

The apartment itself is a little dated (1960's) but considering what we saw in comparasion it may as well have been built yesterday! The city of New Bedford as much as I love, has far too many apartments in dire need of repairs. The one's we liked had lead paint. the ones we hated, looked like meth labs. Those saddened me because there is such potential throughout the city.

Our little place is in a multiunit building just about 60 feet away from the firestation. Brand new stove and fridge and decent air conditioner awaits us. small parcel of grass for our boy to frolic and close close to shopping.

Eh this is gonna be good ! :)

Joey

Apocalypse

2011-03-19T03:53:00.000-07:00

Earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorism, governments turning on the people (I MEAN YOU WISCONSIN), pestilence, global warming and on and on...

How is a Parent supposed to raise their child in a positive manner when the thoughts of all these hangs on your head? My brother along time ago before he had a child of his own.. had a conversation with me in the manner that follows:

Joey: so Jimmy you gonna have kids some day?

Jimmy: what? and bring kids into the fucked up world? Why should they have to suffer?

Joey: meh...

For the longest time I agreed with him. Then on June 20th 2009 that train of thought on the rail of pessimism crashed.

“And he who gives a child a treat Makes joy-bells ring in Heaven's street, And he who gives a child a home Builds palaces in Kingdom come, And she who gives a baby birth Brings Saviour Christ again to Earth.” John Masefield

Bring a precious child onto earth.. Isn't about adding one more human.. It's about adding a new POSSIBILITY.. This child may find a cure for cancer. This child may become a leader, an artist perhaps. but we don't really know our place on earth until the time comes. It's just the way it is and should be!

But don't worry too much. It just add wrinkles to our already flawed selves.

I know we're gonna do everything to give Hayden a chance to make the world a better place..

God would want it this way..

Amen....

2011-03-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

I still thank the big man upstairs everyday for this beautiful little man! and the gorgeous woman who helped!!

The Interview

2011-02-23T04:03:00.000-08:00

The day has arrived. After a month of correspondence I am going in today to establish what may be the first step of my teaching career. I applied for a grant a month ago that will allow me to complete my requirements in less then 4 years free!!!!!

The snag.. I'm officially a vendor of the city and not a defacto employee of the school. However I have stated many times over that I am doing the exact same job as a paraprofessional as they call it but without the benefits or union membership that normally is entailed. Believe me this is not by choice!

So with my big boy pants I will do my best to impress.. to practice I'm gonna answer some standard questions below..

1) what is your greatest strength:
Patience, is my greatest strength. From my years of working with all different people of different abilities both young and old I've learned we proceed at our own pace. That all things happen over time and usually most successfully when prodded along in a positive manner.
2) Your greatest weakness:
This is a skill I'm working hard on, Organization which to me includes time management will sometimes get the best of me. Not to say I misplace things but rather I would have a pile of papers on the desk that may detract me from teaching because I'm looking for a particular paper. In my work as a paraprofessional I've attempted to circumvent this problem using an organizer.
3) How do you handle classroom discipline?:
This is always a hot topic. I have worked for years with students with emotional and behavioural issues I find words "lease restrictive technique" often rings true in my head. If a student constantly speaks out (of turn or without asking) I would bring myself to them and acknowledge that they have something to say but remind them the appropriate way to have thier view heard (i.e raise hands). If a more serious offense occurs such as pushing or cheating I would ask to speak privately with the student. I address the student age appropriate if they are say middle school I would address them as young adults. If they are in elementry I would remind myself to try to get to their eye level. I beleive that communiciation is more effective when you connect this way. Good communication with students leads to more effective and thus lesser need for disciplinarly actions.
4) What color is your parachute?:
What the Hell? what kind of new age dumb-ass prove-nothing question is that?

and its Blue!

have a good one,
Joey

The $20 Breakfast Burrito

2011-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

Rib-eye Steak, sweet potato casserole and shrimp

Last night I was the luckiest guy in the South Coast... Diana decided to treat me to an early anniversary/Valentine dinner at none other then Ruth Chris steakhouse in downtown Providence.. For those of you who have not had the pleasure. This is the epitome of steaks and fine dining.

(scroll down after cleaning up the drool)

We had a wonderful tlme just enjoying it all.
The food delicious, the companionship perfect! The take home bag a mystery
What would you do with half of the most delicious ribeye steak you have ever eaten? I made a breakfast burrito to rival all breakfast burritos!

All the ingredients to a $20 dollar breakfast burrito


Viola!

Blogger for Android

2011-02-03T15:55:00.001-08:00

I'm kinda Stoked... Android getting some official Blogger love.. hopefully I ll be able to post more often since I hardly ever use the computer any more.. unfortunately spelling will suffer at times...

The Next Stage in the Evolution of Joseph

2011-01-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

This is likely to be filed in the RANT bin, that of course is entirely optional.

Like the stages of evolution of modern man (i.e Neanderthal, Cromagnon etc) I too have stages. This is how I've come to define myself somewhat.

Infancy: I pooped in diapers. Need I explain more?
Childhood: I struggled for a sense of Identity. Deaf culture was nonexistent and a foreign concept.
Adolescent: Struggles continued, bad hair in most school photos and Girls become new found foreign concept.
Young Adult/College: Identity found, however various tools of college involving funnels and kegs come into play literally pissing away any value.
Adult hood: Yearning for meaningful existence begins, reproduction (having a son!) accelerates said desire.

I am now 32 years old have found my calling, If only I listened to you Miss Brown!
I'm heading back to school to pursue my bachelors and eventually my masters in Education.

I'll be one of the growing trend of 30 somethings heading back to the classroom. Kids and all hopefully leaving the funnels and kegs behind..

Wish me luck!

Joey

Saint Anthony

2010-07-08T12:29:00.001-07:00

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.....

Oh geez

2010-06-30T05:11:00.001-07:00

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

First Android post

2010-06-22T04:00:00.001-07:00

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.

Update:

2010-06-03T04:04:00.001-07:00

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

Where art thou?

2010-03-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-03-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

     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

DEAF GAMERS WANTED:

2010-02-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

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!

Music in the heart of the matter.

2010-02-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

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

Trench Warfare

2010-02-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

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

Its friday!

2010-02-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

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

Looking back and forward

2010-02-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

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

Three things I'm thanksful for,

2010-02-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

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

Something to share

2010-02-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

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!

getting creative:

2010-01-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

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)

Die Hard: with a Venegance!

2010-01-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

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

Proof of Democracy! Re: HR3101

2010-01-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

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

employment

2010-01-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

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

Smells like victory,

2010-01-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

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

Decisions...

2010-01-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

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

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

2010-01-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

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

CODA Brothers: Naturally Signing 1

2010-01-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

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

HR-3101 Help the cause!

2010-01-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T05:20:00.000-08:00

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~

EnCompass Photography: Support your local small Deaf-friendly business

2010-01-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

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

With my head spun around.

2010-01-06T05:58:00.000-08:00

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

Person of the Month January 2010

2010-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

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!

Planet Green: Solar Powered Hearing Aid Brings Jobs....

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

Solar Ear

Mr Weinstein! I Salute you....

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

Open Letter to NickJR

2010-01-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

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)

New Year, New Job?

2010-01-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

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

The End and the Beginning

2009-12-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

Wow today marks the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.
The end of the previous decade and the beginning of the new.

I certainly hope I've not taken for granted all that I've been blessed with this decade. Shelter, food, employment, friendship, relationships, monkeypants those all come to mind.

for the next decade, I get to see my child grow, by the end of the decade he'll be riding bikes around the block, sleep overs and hopefully girls will still be gross to him. By the end of the decade. I hope to have done the best I could always as a Dad to him, and as a partner to Diana. I'm not gonna make any resolutions. Just abide by the good news, and strive to do my best everyday for the next 3650 days. I made a video recently looking back at 2009, many of you have seen it on Facebook but perhaps not all.

I wish each and everyone of my readers and blogger friends the most blessed and happy New Decade...

Joey

So you think you can sign?

2009-12-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

So you swear your kid is a prodigy, 6 month old and the little monkey is babbling that sounds like a goose with a mouthful of peanut butter..

I'm excited to see how Hayden turns out in his early language development. You see when we talk with him, 95 Percent of the time (I forget occasionally) we use both American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken english, We react to his babbling and/or hand movements accordingly.

I can say at 6+ month I'm positive he understands quiet a bit of what we're saying, and when he babbles he's holding out his arms and fingers moving as if signing (so cute!)

ASL and Babies, is so fascinating to me not only because of my own obvious "UNBIASED" opinion (hello I'm Deaf) Teaching ASL to babies blossomed into mainstream in about 2001 with the book Baby Sign and at the time I worked in a bookstore. Weekly I would have customers come in and ask me to show them where to find the subject. I often would reply back in English and ASL, much to their surprise...

Parents. I have seen the positives, there are no negitives, teach your babies the basics of ASL (milk, mama dada, etc) and the benefits are endless!

Merry Christmas,

2009-12-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Being a new Dad has it perks, the first year especially is so exciting going through all the holidays. Hayden was born in June so it means at thanksgiving he was nearly five month old. new Christmas, he's 6 month, the perfect time if you ask me. Every time we pass our christmas tree his eyes are just filled with wonder and fasciniation.

It's a blessing to see him grow and his world expand through it all. We're also lucky to have so much family with us this holidays (most of the time). Christmas with my family has always been a big hoopla. I love it still and so happy with the ornaments that Diana and I created..

Today will be a bit nuts. Tomorrow more so, but remember the true meanings behind Christmas, first and most importantly the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. Hope for peace on earth, and family together.

Every so often we consider those who struggle, how often do you go to a mall and you see Santa with a child on his lap? Have you ever considered if a child was Deaf, how would this child ask Santa what they wanted for Christmas? That's why I love these people in this video soo much.. I'm introducing a new segment

PERSON OF THE MONTH

Keith Wann (CODA)

Keith Wann Congradulations you are my very first POTM for Decemember, through your unselfishness and committment to the needs and rights of our children !

you can learn more about Keith Wann here
http://www.keithwann.com/

Merry Christmas everyone!

Parenting

2009-12-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

During the course of this blog, as I shape and mold the topics I want to write about. One clear topic that clearly has formed in my head is parenting. I know I may be new on the whole subject being the proud Papa of a 6 month old. So I will not go in depth about it or in any way criticize people's parenting skills. I certainly would not want to be on the other end of criticism. To start off this topic. I feel it is best to pay homage to the parents who have created who I am today. I grew up in a small town, values were the norm and my parents were excellent with them. My dad worked for UPS until his retirement. He currently still works part time as a van driver for a hospital. my Mom a former secretary and eventual housewife/craftaholic was active in our special needs system. Hell in my opinion she pretty much built the special needs system from the ground up. I still think my greatest advocate and teacher of advocacy is my mother.

My dad taught me that hard work, even if its not always what you want to do is vital, his bosses rode him constantly how to do this and that in terms of efficiency. Though he always took the time to properly care for his customers and often and christmas we "reaped" the rewards in form of gift baskets and cookies.

By far the single greatest value my parents taught us? On most given nights we will all come home from our respective whereabouts and sit around the dinner table and enjoy a meal that my mom would cook. We would have real conversations and they would listen and occasionally dispense with advice, warranted or not.
I feel today we have a lack of "Listening", We as families need to sit around a table for 30 minutes enjoy a meal and just listen. I know we don't live in a Brady bunch era, hell even the Simpson sat around the table from time to time. Perhaps if we started to act more like the Simpson our children will start opening themselves up. I hope that when I'm in my retirement and Diana and I enjoy visiting our children and grandchildren they will have absorbed the same values that my parents have passed on to me.

Sedona Arizona 2009
For my parents who I love with all my heart
Thank you!

Teamwork

2009-12-20T09:08:00.001-08:00

Woke up at 6 am this morning, 10 minutes ahead of the game (e.g.) Hayden. I'm getting good at this. While I still have my middle of the nite moments where I stumble out of bed, Hayden is the second best thing to happen to me. The first? why his mother of course!

Ah Diana, with you as someone said recently "we make a good team" even though you may be rooting for the Diamondbacks and I my beloved Soxs. For all those "middle of the nite stub my toe on the bed mutter a few choice word happenings" We always took turns there after allowing us some precious sleep to maintain our sanity. We do make a good team.

Now for further proof in concept. have you ever tried to change a diaper while simultaneously suctioning out the slimy contents of a child's runny nose? Teamwork! Have you ever, at Walmart loaded all the groceries while keeping the screeching monkey entertained longer enough to make it to the car without the stares of parents who think we must be torturing the kid? Chalk one up for teamwork!

Not that Hayden by any means is difficult. Time and time again we've been told "He's such an easy baby!, Oh he's so good always smiling". Our secret? Teamwork! We don't let him sit around
Long enough to get into his own devious self. Truth be told we love our little monkey pants with all our hearts. We put our collective efforts into making sure he's fed, happy and healthy. We make sure we as parents, our own needs and wants are met too.A date nite out or be it some time with my homeboys are a local brewpub or a ladies nite for her. These are all important parts of parenting that I feel is all to often overlooked. Thank you Dr Bill Cosby for showing me some of your secrets.

Now when the Red Sox and the Diamondbacks play each other in the world serious, Diana and I will figure it out then ;)

First

2009-12-18T18:38:00.000-08:00

Well, Once again another piece of technology I have assimiated. Another thing to take me away from my priorities? Perhaps, but I promise to post in moderation. Consider this first post my letter of intent.

To Whom It may concern:

I promise not to bore you with ill-conceived postings
I promise not to rant or rave, though I can be opinionated in my own rights
I promise only really stinking cute pictures of Hayden will be posted!
I promise to post often to appease my follows but not so much it takes away from my family

That being said, Future posts shall Abide by those commandments