August 30th, 2006:

• Deaf culture presentation: Prior to the show, Tina gave a great presentation on the Hard of Hearing/ D(d)eaf cultures. Surprisingly, much of the information she gave was very familiar to me. I remembered much from a presentation I had put together while I was working on my masters. However, she created a very thoughtful activity. She placed various small items in cups, and then covered them. Our job was to shake the cups and attempt to match them up while people clapped and talked loudly. This was to simulate the difficulties in hearing encountered by the hard of hearing population. We didn’t do too badly, but it was certainly a challenge.
• I’ve heard the hypothetical question before, but I often wonder, which of my senses would I chose to lose if I had to: my sight or my vision? It’s a really tough call. I don’t think I have an answer as I’m rather fond of both. I’m very fortunate to have both.
• Show tonight went well, though it had a few quirks. I finally managed to get my suspenders fastened to my shirt (since the first show, at least one if not both have come flying off while performing Go Daddy Oh). Instead, I somehow misplaced my tie! Thankfully, my brain was in gear for once and I was able to get a message to the other swing dancers, on the other side of the stage, to have one of them take his tie for balance (thanks Carlos for relaying the message). I didn’t get a note from the staff that it looked bad, so it must have worked out alright.
• (The last picture cracks me up. Apparently there were some people with big egos who had performed there before us)