http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/ Most popular, free public forum for the deaf and hard of hearing. Come share your thoughts and opinions on deaf related topics and issues. en Wed, 22 May 2013 08:14:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.alldeaf.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/ http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/394-expect-unexpected.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:31:15 GMT Merriam-Webster Online]]> It has been a very interesting 3 weeks or so since I wrote my last blog entry.

At the time, I mentioned the fact that my bipolar was beginning to stabilize.

Unfortunately, that was not the case like I thought. I had a very difficult 2 weeks and spent some time IP because of it, but I'm doing much better now. I think we've found the right med combo and I'm hoping that it will help keep my rapid cycling under better control.

On top of the issues I've had with bipolar, I've also been dealing with dizziness whenever I wear my CIs. It seems that whenever I hear certain frequencies, it causes severe dizziness.

After this problem started back in January, I saw my CI audiologist to find out what she could do to help. After performing a hearing test that consisted of beep tones, she quickly learned which high frequencies caused my dizziness. All of those corresponding electrodes (6 on one CI and 6 on the other) were turned off. The volume level of all frequencies were also turned down several notches.

After this was done, one of the first things I noticed was how much better I could hear. High frequencies no longer sounded off-key or one or two octaves above or below where they should be.

...and then it happened. More dizziness.

I'm currently in the process of scheduling an appointment with my audiologist for possible reprogramming.

After looking at the way my dizziness started, it seems that it all culminated back in January when I began a new medication.

I'm hoping the new med won't be responsible because it means that I may have to lower the dosage by 10mg or switch to an entirely different med altogether. The med in question happens to be one of four that I take for my bipolar disorder. If I need to change meds, it will mean yet another game of "wait and see" to find out how well the new med starts working and if it addresses my rapid cycling (where my moods change every hour or every minute) at all. Rapid cycling is difficult to treat, but when the appropriate meds are used, it can be controlled.

I'm thinking about having my psychiatrist confer with my audiologist. Perhaps they can put their heads together and find the real cause behind my dizziness.

Please keep your fingers crossed that we are able to pinpoint the problem because as of now, I'm unable to wear my CIs unless I keep the sensitivity control turned down very low.

Since this blog entry is pretty lengthy, I think I'll close for now with a Word of the Day.

Thanks for reading! I know I've been a stranger lately, but I hope you will check back on a regular basis to find out what else is happening in my life.

The Word of the Day for February 22, 2009 is:
exorbitant • \ig-ZOR-buh-tunt\ • adjective
1 : not coming within the scope of the law
*2 : exceeding the customary or appropriate limits in intensity, quality, amount, or size

Example Sentence:
I asked what the rent was for the apartment, and my jaw dropped open when they quoted me an exorbitant sum.

Did you know?
The first use of "exorbitant" in English was "wandering or deviating from the normal or ordinary course." That sense is now archaic, but it provides a hint as to the origins of "exorbitant": the word derives from Late Latin "exorbitans," the present participle of the verb "exorbitare," meaning "to deviate." "Exorbitare" in turn was formed by combining the prefix "ex-," meaning "out of," with the noun "orbita," meaning "track of a wheel" or "rut." ("Orbita" itself traces back to "orbis," the Latin word for "disk" or "hoop.") In the 15th century "exorbitant" came to refer to something which fell outside of the normal or intended scope of the law. Eventually, it developed an extended sense as a synonym of "excessive."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

Merriam-Webster Online ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/394-expect-unexpected.html http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/373-back-business-blogging.html Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:20:33 GMT Hello everyone, Since my bipolar is beginning to stabilize, I will be resuming my blog entries as of tomorrow. Stay tuned! Hello everyone,

Since my bipolar is beginning to stabilize, I will be resuming my blog entries as of tomorrow.

Stay tuned! ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/373-back-business-blogging.html http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/370-vacation-back-soon.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:27:43 GMT The past several days have been a struggle for me due to my bipolar disorder, so I plan to take a brief hiatus from writing. I will write a complete blog entry as soon as I feel well enough to do so.

In the meantime, here is today's quote of the day:

"I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it." -- Terry Pratchett ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/370-vacation-back-soon.html http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/367-laughter-best-medicine.html Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:10:21 GMT Jokes ---------------------------------------------- Today's Quote of the Day: "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." -- James Joyce]]> For my blog entry today, I thought I'd post some of my favorite jokes. Enjoy!

Q: How many doctors does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: Three. One to find a bulb specialist, one to refer an installation specialist and another to bill it all to Medicare.
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A foreign language teacher was explaining to her class that, unlike their English counterparts, French nouns are grammatically designated as masculine or feminine.

Things like ‘chalk’ or ‘pencil’ she described, would have a gender association although in English these words were neutral. Confused, one student raised his hand and asked, “What gender is a computer?”

The French teacher wasn’t sure which gender it was, so she divided the class into two groups and asked them to decide if a computer should be masculine or feminine. One group was comprised of the women in the class and the other of men. Both groups were asked to give four reasons for their recommendation.

The group of women concluded that computers should be referred to in masculine gender because:

1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.

2. They have a lot of data but are still clueless.

3. They are supposed to help you solve your problems, but half the time they ARE the problem.

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer, you could have had a better model.

The men, on the other hand, decided that computers should definitely be referred to in the feminine gender because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic.

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.

3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your pay check on accessories.
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These are actual answers on a McDonald’s application submitted by a 17 year old kid someplace in Florida. They actually hired him too. I think this kid’s gonna go far…

NAME: Greg Bulmash.

SEX: Not yet. Still waiting for the right person.

DESIRED POSITION: Company’s President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever’s available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn’t be applying here in the first place.

DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severance package. If that’s not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.

EDUCATION: Yes.

LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.

SALARY: Less than I’m worth.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.

REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.

HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.

PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they’re better suited to a more intimate environment.

MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 LBS?: Of what?

DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be “Do you have a car that runs?”

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing house Sweepstakes.

DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job no, on my breaks yes.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde super model who thinks I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I’d like to be doing that now.

DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Yes. Absolutely.

SIGN HERE: Aries.
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Q: What’s the longest sentence known to man?

A: I Do.
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A Random Thought:

Do you ever notice that when you’re driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot and everyone driving faster than you is a maniac?
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Recently a teacher, a garbage collector and a lawyer wound up together at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter informed them that in order to get into Heaven, they would each have to answer one question.

St. Peter addressed the teacher and asked, “What was the name of the ship that crashed into the iceberg? They just made a movie about it.”

The teacher answered quickly, “That would be the Titanic.” St. Peter let him through the gate.

St. Peter turned to the garbage man and, figuring Heaven didn’t *really* need all the odors that this guy would bring with him, decided to make the question a little harder: “How many people died on the ship?”

Fortunately for him, the trash man had just seen the movie. “1,228,” he answered.

“That’s right! You may enter.”

St. Peter then turned his attention to the lawyer… “Name them.”
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So you want a day off huh? Well, let’s just take a look at what you’re asking for, ok?

There are 365 days per year making that 52 weeks. You already have 2 days off per week leaving just 261 days available for work. Since you already spend 16 hours each day away from work you’ve used up 170 days leaving only 91 days left to work. You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee breaks which accounts for 23 days each year now leaving only 68 days available. With a 1 hour lunch break each day you used up another 46 days leaving only 22 days available for work. You normally spend 2 days per year on sick leave leaving you only 20 days per year available for work. We are off 5 holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days.

Look, we generously give 14 days vacation per year which leaves only 1 day available for work and I’ll be d*mned if you’re gonna take that day off!
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Love your Mamma, for she will give you the tools to build a successful life. Even though mother’s day is still months away, appericiating your mother is always in season. Here’s why…

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.

If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.

You better pray that will come out of the carpet.

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.

If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.

Because I said so, that’s why.

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.

If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.

Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.

7. My mother taught me IRONY.

Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.

Shut your mouth and eat your supper.

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.

Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.

You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.

This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.

If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.

I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

Stop acting like your father!

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.

There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.

Just wait until we get home.

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

You are going to get it when you get home!

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.

If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.

19. My mother taught me ESP.

Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.

When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.

If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.

You’re just like your father.

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.

Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.

When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.

One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!
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Jokes
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Today's Quote of the Day:

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."
-- James Joyce ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/367-laughter-best-medicine.html http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/364-history-has-been-made.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:29:30 GMT Earlier today my neighbor informed me via my TeleBraille about what was happening in regards to Barack Obama's inauguration.

Although I missed the swearing in ceremony due to the fact that I couldn't hear with my CIs, my neighbor was able to tell me about Obama's motorcade from the Capitol to the White House. Her description was so dramatic that it literally brought me to tears.

Just coming to the realization that a majority of Americans voted for our first African-American President is enough to make me feel overwhelmed because it shows just how far we've come as a nation ever since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Congratulations, America! Your voices have been heard and you have spoken for change.

Now let's sit back, relax and give Obama the opportunity to do what needs to be done in order to make America the great country it was meant to be.

To close, I will end with a poignant quote from President Barack Obama:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

"America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." -- President Barack Obama in his Inaugural Address, January 20th, 2009 ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/364-history-has-been-made.html http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/362-i-know-who-you.html Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:33:16 GMT Yes, you. You're an ADer who is interested in my blog -- or at the very least, the first entry. :giggle:

I hope you'll stick around because I promise to make my blog informative and never boring. I'll throw in a little humor and some controversial topics along the way to spice things up. I'm a history buff and a "political junkie," so don't be surprised if a few blog entries contain some political commentary.

Throughout my blog I will share my daily experiences as a totally deafblind person who is also living with bipolar I disorder.

At the closing of each entry, I will leave you with a contemplative or humorous quote to ponder.

Depending on what kind of a mood I'm in, I may even throw in an unusual "word of the day" or a joke to help lighten things up.

If any of you have suggestions as to how my blog can be improved, questions you'd like to ask me or topics you'd like to see discussed, please feel free to leave a comment.

Until the next blog entry, allow me to leave you with today's quote of the day in honor of our soon-to-be 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama:

"Recently, one of John’s top advisers told the Daily News that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain’s going to lose. So, tonight I’d like to talk about the economy.'' -- Barack Obama at the Al Smith Dinner on October 16, 2008 ]]> Hear Again http://www.alldeaf.com/blogs/hear-again/362-i-know-who-you.html