Friday, August 28, 2009

Movies without subtitles

I am still really useless at watching movies without subtitles.

My boyfriend is all excited because he has all these downloaded movies that we can watch (via the laptop) on our new TV. None of these movies have subtitles and I watched a couple last night and although I can follow the storyline, I pretty much miss everything they say.

Watching movies without understanding them is very boring.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Cords

I just read over my last post about fraying cords. I believe they have made them better and my new cord hasn't needed to be replaced for over a year!

I've also read (skimmed, really) "Rebuilt : how becoming part computer made me more human" by Michael Chorst and I've wondered if anyone would publish a book if I wrote about my experience ;)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Dating a deaf person

This is fabulous... someone deaf has joined the dating game again after years of marriage to a hearing person. The story is quite interesting because when hearing males find out she's deaf, they run a mile and I'm always afraid that will happen to me. But she's written some great tips which I'll copy and paste here.

Here is the original link with the story

How to Date Deaf People: (written by Dawn)

*If you meet a deaf person and you want to talk, let the person know by waving “Hi” or write a note to give to her or him.

*When you want to say something; Have a pen and paper to communicate with them so he or she can understand.

*If you invite a deaf person out out on a date, please face your date, to make it easier to read lips, and use the pen and paper when you don’t understand. Also, listen to what he or she has to say.

*If you have cell phone with you, don’t answer it unless you warn your date first [Dr. Romance says this is true of any date, not just a deaf person.] Understand that a deaf person probably can’t tell what you’re saying when you’re talking into a cell phone, so it’s polite to let your date know why you’re answering the phone and what the call is about (for example, it’s work calling, or someone who is ill. Non-essential calls can wait.)

*If you take this date to a party, introduce your date and let them know that she or he is deaf. Sometimes, people knew some sign language — you never know.

*If the other person is talking and your date doesn’t understand, help him or her stay in the conversation by briefly explaining the gist of the conversation.

*It’s helpful and kind to ask your date how to say some words in sign language. Your date will be impressed that you are willing to learn to communicate with them in their own language.

*Phone calls are easy — text messaging always works. Even when you’re on a date, texting something on your phone and handing it to your date will work if you don’t think you’re understood.

*If you’re going to the movies, ask in advance if there are closed captions for the hearing impaired.

*Remember your date can’t read your lips in a darkened theater. This is a good place to use texting — you can just hand your date your phone.

*If you want to be able to talk, it’s better to take your date out to mini golf, a nice small cafe or the park.

*Understand that American Sign is a different language, with different grammar, so don’t be offended if your date is sometimes hard to understand. As with any different language, it takes a little patience. You’ll get used to it after a while.

*I encourage you to learn sign language. Classes are fun, and you’ll impress your friends.

*Your date will be happy to answer questions if you ask.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Fraying cord

So my audiologist mails me a warranty card explaining that the frayed cord is only covered for one year. This warranty card is different to the one they gave me originally, which does not mention anything about cords and just tells me it's covered for 3 years.

RUBBBISSSH.

So I email cochlear with a scanned copy of MY warranty and they still tell me it's not covered for 3 years like it says!! ARRRGHH.
Now at dinner on Monday with the family, both Dad and Garth said I should demand replacements if my warranty says 3 years.

I chickened out a bit, it's easier for them to refuse me on email so I asked Dad (he said I demanded) that he ring and prove this point. Dad didn't even get to the warranty bit, the girl on the phone said it was a common problem and would send me out TWO replacements! WHOO!! $500 of free stuff!
Apparently they've worked out what makes the cord fray and are doing something about it.

So that covers me until my 3 year warranty runs out *sigh*

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Fraying cords

My CI cord is fraying AGAIN. I go through 2 of these a year. I just emailed my audiologist who tells me I'm now out of warranty (I think I still have a year to go) so I have to order it direct through Cochlear Ltd and the cord is $235!!!! And I need 2 a year!!! PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Captioning

Someone asked me why wasn't my CI activation video captioned. I was a bit stunned, why hadn't I thought of it earlier!!

A fellow CI-blogger has written instructions on how it can be done so now it's just finding the time to do it.

I do love coming across other people who leave comments about their CI success :)

Friday, November 2, 2007

Mobile phone

Someone called me on my mobile yesterday, someone I don't know very well. I thought I struggled, he thought I did fine but I have a feeling that he was being nice :P
But later I rang a friend who I understood perfectly... but I was so taken aback by the greeting "Nikki!" instead of hello, hahaha. I need more practice with it, so much stuff completely throws me out!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Music

I am SO pleased to recently discover I am learning song lyrics from just listening to the song, rather than my usual trick of having the lyrics up as it plays on media player!! WHOOOO, go CI!!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Mobile phones!

Short version:
I have a Next G phone! Now everyone can call me!! YAAAY FOR USING A MOBILE!
(oh yeah, i have video calling now too)

Long version:
Went to the shops... there are 3 phone shops right next to each other... for all the complaints you hear about Telstra, it was the only full shop.
I waited 45 minutes to be served, thats how busy they were!

So when I finally got served, I had to explain I have the CI so I needed a NextG phone and I'd like to test it out to see if it worked. The guy was very young so I expected a bit of attitude or confusion at the least but he seemed to know exactly what I meant and pulled out a handset for me, set it up and told me to go outside the shops where he called and spoke to me and asked about interference. I tried 2 phones but sticking with the Nokia (mmm nokia).

And he was very helpful about plans because I explained I had no idea what my call usage was going to be, not using voice calls before and asked if it would be a problem to change... so he's got me some sort of deal where I can interchange plans with no problems if my call usage is high!

What a great helpful guy, I might write a letter :P

So I have called Mum, Garth (who said "is that it? thats why you've called, to say you can hear on the phone?") and Dane! YAAAY. I have to try and speak normally and not yell into it, haha

Point of this entry:
YAAAY PHONE CALLS!!!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Behind my back

The other day, Dane was giving me crap and said something behind my back. He actually acted surprised when I turned around and hit him, he even said "Oh thats right, she can hear now" HAHA.