I received TWO awards, but in a sardonic way!

Last Friday, at my current employer's holiday party, the executive director announced me as Employee of the Year. A moment later, I received a call from another company that confirmed State of Texas' approval of my being hired. Then, at that moment, the same director announced me as one of the three employees in recognition of 10 years outstanding service. Everybody turned to me while I was on my cell. Nobody had an idea at that moment that I have accepted a job with another company. I stood up again to walk to the stage to receive another award. My boss and some of my co-workers came to me and stated that they were so proud and happy for me. These awards put me into a bit of dilemma. I thanked them very much, and by the way, I turned my resignation letter in to my boss afterwards on the same day. That was a bit amuzing to me in a sardonic way, but I was comfortable with my decision to proceed with a job change.

My last day with the current employer, Legacy Community Health Services, is January 12, 2007, which is four days after my 11th anniversary with the employer as a database coordinator. My start date with my new company, Communication Access Ability Group is January 15th as a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Regional Specialist.

That's a huge change for me...................Wish me luck.

Thanks for listening.

-Brian

The 2006 Champion Race Tournament in London!

There is an end of year tournament called the 2006 Champion Race Tournament. The event will be in London, England, February 2nd-4th, 2007. According to GLTA (Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association), in the final standings of GLTA Men's D Doubles, I am the number two player in the world(as I completed eight tournaments throughout this year, - only six points behind the number one player, and 39 points ahead of the number three player). The number one player is my regular doubles partner, Kevin, who completed 13 doubles tournaments this year. Congratulations to him! By end of this year, the top eight players in each divison are qualified for the 2006 GLTA Champion Race Tournament. I just got invited by GLTA's executive board to participate in this tournament, and I immediately accepted it. Hoorrrrraaay! In fact, I have never been to Europe before. I am so excited!! I just learned that two of the top eight players in my division is from Italy, and they have confirmed to participate in the tournament. How exciting! I can not wait to go to London and to meet new people from Europe!

Thank you guys for listening.

- Dancing Bull

Dallas Cowboys 17, New Orleans Saints 42

I hate to tell you guys, but the Saints took over a free-spirit land of Wild Wild West. We now are under the Saints' theocratic rule. No more individual freedom...how sad! Well, congratulations to the Saints and their fans.

Hey hey hey, guys! Look what the BrettCajun said about the Cowboys!!!!!

He said the New Orleans Saints will destroy Dallas Cowboys this Sunday!! Hell no, Brett, the entire Universe would love to see the hypocrite Saints disthorned by the Wild Wild West 'boys in the land of my own childhood!! The medicine man from the Wild Wild West predicts that:


Dallas Cowboys 34






New Orleans Saints 13



Otherwise, the Saints fan will be fed with two rotten bagels by the Cowboys fan in their next tennis rematch!!!!!


Go Cowboys Go!!!!

(In Tennis termology, a bagel means zero like 6-0)

What a powerful blend of the past and the present in Big D!!

Originally, my parents wanted to see me on November 17-19 weekend in Dallas since it was a long overdue, but I had a pre-commitment as a duty of the president of a local organization named Astro Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf. I decided to visit them over the first weekend of this month instead. Brett, my tennis buddy, and I became friends fast after the HouTex 26 tournament last month, and we both would like to play tennis together again soon. Once Brett and I learned that we both were coming to Big D over the same weekend, what a coincidence, we agreed to play a rematch in tennis as well as meeting up at a bar over the weekend.

A few days before that weekend, Brett asked me to meet at Jr's Friday night. This got my senses flooded from the past (see Jr's part). However, I promised my loving folks that I'd join them for dinner that evening.

The Wednesday before that weekend, I got an invitation from my Dallasite friend, Eduardo, whom I have known since 1995, for his partner Rungsit's surprise birthday party (I know my other Dallasite friend Rungsit since 1988). So my schedule for that weekend ended up being so booked. I knew that many of my old friends would be there, and I decided to surprise them by showing up at the party without letting them know about my plan of returning to Dallas.

On Friday afternoon, I drove up to Dallas by my lovable Toyota pickup as it took me four hours. Once I arrived at my folks' in a western surburb of Dallas (Irving, home of my favorite pro football team, Dallas Cowboys), my parents and I had a wonderful conversation. My loving father smiled and asked me a lot about my friend Mike from Philadelphia, whom I used to date for a couple of months this year. What a conversation!!!! We have never had a conversation like that before. (I introduced Mike to my father last September when he (my dad) invited us to a Texas A&M vs Louisiana Tech football game (my oldest nephew is an Aggie freshman)). My folks and I ended up playing our favorite playing card game called "GIN" as usual. After my mom won the game and she and my dad were heading to bed, I went to Round Up Saloon, one of my old favorite bars in Dallas, for a reunion with Brett. As I entered the bar, I was anxious to not only see him again, but also to meet his friends including other bloggers. While I was looking for my Louisianan tennis buddy, this place brought up my memories of 1980's (actually, every time I go there). This made me little sad because I remembered those ones whom I lost to AIDS two decades ago. Oh wait a minute...how ironic...I just realized that night was December 1st, World's AIDS Day. At this moment, Brett found me. That cheered me up instantly. As this charming cajun guy introduced me to his blog buddy, Mark, his partner Brian, and their friend Brad, their awesome friendliness made me feel welcomed. They were such sweethearts! As Brett gave me an address of Mark and Brian's party, their street name seemed very familiar. I'd find out then. Being with my friends of the present at the place of the past was so special.

On Saturday, as my caring folks and I went to their auto shop, we drove through DFW Airport, this got my senses flooded with my former employment and a plance wreck in late 1980's and early 1990's. (One plane got crashed only about 1/2 mile away from a building where I worked (I was there when that happened)..that was scary, but fortunately nobody was killed).

After we returned home from the auto shop, I went to pick up Brett for our rematch. Again, what a coincidence! I was right that the street name was familiar. The same court where he was staying over this past weekend (Mark and Brian's condo) was where my old friend and former deaf gay role model Philip, who now lives in Palm Springs, CA, used to live and threw a huge white party back in 1990. The same court!!!!! It felt so weird!!!!!..like I was hit so hard by deja vu!! I was NOT kidding!!!

As I took Brett to Samuell Park for our rematch, this also triggered my memories of Texas Open that took place two months. I won the Men's D Singles Consolation championship from there, and reuniting with my tennis buddies and making new buddies were totally enjoyable. Anyway, in the rematch, I noticed that the cajun guy had improved by winning the second set and having me almost choked. Congratulations to Brett! I was frustrated in the match against him for a first time. For more details, check out Brett's blog under Sandra Doe's OCD goes to Dallas. This reminds me of the great tennis buddies and rivals between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.....My record against the one who called me the MOFO in HouTex 26 improves, 2-0. Brett and I agreed to play again soon.

After the winner dropped Brett off, I was back with my Mommy and Daddy for a short time, before I went to Rungsit's birthday party. Eduardo, the party host, was the only one knew that I was coming, and he decided to keep it quiet. When I stepped in the party, the birthday guy was not there yet, but everybody else was surprised to see me. The party was so special because it consisted of a blend of my friends I know since 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000's like Haden whom I know since 1968, Rob since 1974, Bobbie Jo since 1977, and many others from each of 80s and 90s. In some ways , it was like a reunion. As the birthday guy came in, he surprisedly dropped his chin! It was so pleasant to see him that way. The party was full of flying hands. After I spent about four and half hours there, I then went to the Zeitzeuge couple's holiday party. Suddenly, it was opposite of the previous party. Except Mark, Brian, and Brad whom I just met a night before, I didn't know anybody. Mark came to greet me, and he said Brett left off to the bars with Adam and Brad for a dance. The next was his partner Brian who gave me a warm greeting. I embraced adventure and challenges as I enjoyed meeting new people, even if I didnt know anybody so I managed to meet several of their friendly guests. One of them was Scott, who knew sign language. We both ended up having an enjoyable conversation. It eventually drew other guests who claimed that they knew some sign language. I regret that I didn't either recall or get their names, but let me tell you guys what happened. Scott jokingly signed to me that one of these guests was a big slut as he (the guest) walked past us. We both laughed, but he came back to us and signed stating that he knew sign language so he understood what Scott was signing about him. Scott and I gasped. LOL Scott was such a nice guy so were other guests. I had a great time even it was a short time, and I was so glad that I went there. Thanks to Mark and Brian for the lovely invite. As I left the party, I went to a bar called S4, formerly Village Station, to meet Brett and his other friends including other bloggers whom I had not met yet. It was a very cold night, and it was a long line outside before I got into the bar. At that moment, I could not wait to get inside to get warm. As I finally stepped in, I looked around for the Cajun guy and his gang. As I approached Brett, his friends suddenly introduced themselves to me. Right away, I felt so welcomed. They were Adam (one of the bloggers), his partner Brad, and their friend Jeff (one of the bloggers as well). They were so warm-hearted. Adam filled me with his stories via my sidekick about his enjoyable visit to Gallaudet University and Helen Keller's grave. We ended up dancing together, and went to another bar TMC to continue dancing. Afterwards, we all went to Cafe Brazil. Before we all went home, I gave and received a warm hug from each of these good hearted guys. It was one of my most enjoyable moments over this past weekend.

Finally, what an awesome blend of the past and the present in Big D!! That weekend was one of the several most special weekends in Big D in my life.

Again, thank you, Brett, for squeezing your busy schedule to include me over your fast-paced weekend, tennis, our remarkable friendship, and the golden opportunity. Without this opportunity, my weekend would be a different story. Thank you, Eduardo, for our everlasting friendship and the invite. Again, thank you guys, Mark and Brian, for warmly welcoming me and the holiday invite. Thank you, Adam and Brad, for your friendliness and being comfortable with me even I was an "outsider".

- Dancing Bull

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ironically, while I was in Tampa, Florida for a tennis tournament last Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers played Dallas Cowboys in Dallas on the same day.


The Facts:


Dallas Cowboys have been my favorite professional football team since I was little. Sorry, Houston Texans fans.



I admire Tampa Bay Buccaneers' logo a lot.





When I first arrived at the tournament in Tampa, I realized that I did not bring my cap. So, I went to the nearby store to buy a cap with Tampa Bay Buccaneers' logo, which got my attention, on it. Dallas Cowboys won, and the score was 38-10. There was a home stadium of Tampa Bay Buccaneers across the street from where the tournament was held. The Dallas Cowboys fan won the doubles championship while wearing his Tampa Bay Bucs cap.



Way to go, the Cowboys!!!!

"See things differently" by John S., one of my warrior brothers.

There is something I would like to share with you guys about the Mankind Project weekend that I staffed over November 3-5, 2006. Here is the article "See Things Differently" written by John S., one of my warrior brothers as below:

"When I got home Sunday night after the November New Warrior Training Adventure, my wife asked me the usual question: “How was it?”

“Humbling” I told her.

Like all training weekends, there was magic happening everywhere at the training site. Among the staff, among the initiates, and around the circle.

But this weekend was different.

Among the 32 new initiates, 9 men were deaf or hard of hearing. Two staffers were deaf, and 4 were hearing men who served as interpreters.

Throughout the weekend, men who can hear saw a world of expressive communication most had never seen before. And the deaf and hard of hearing men experienced an acceptance ­– no, something more – an embracing love many had thought didn’t exist.

It was humbling. But it took a while to find that feeling. Like most of the other staffers on the weekend, I checked in with fear at the first staff meeting.

Actually, that fear began back in September. When I learned the weekend would include deaf men.

You know how it is. The Voice kicks in. “Oh, that’s going to be weird. Maybe I shouldn’t do it. I don’t know sign language. Everything’s going to be different. I might feel uncomfortable.”

I held on to that burden for weeks. Every few days I’d consider stepping off the weekend. I struggled with the fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear that I’d make mistakes. Fear that I’d be left out.

But.

(You knew this was coming)

At the first staff meeting, I discovered I was wrong.

I cherish the mix of excitement and camaraderie that permeates NWTA staff meetings. Especially the first Monday meeting. When the men who have spent weeks getting the training organized come together for the first time. Men shift in their seats. Look around the circle. Clear their throats. Some laugh. Some hug. Men acknowledge others they know. And size up those they don’t.

This time, staff men talked about their uncertainty. Because of the deaf and hard of hearing men on the weekend, things would be different.

The weekend leaders shared their ideas about how the weekend might change. How would the deaf men get to the training site? How will music change during the weekend? How would we greet men as they arrived? How do we handle the communication in low light, or darkness?

It was clear there were a lot of unknowns. And that was good. There was an excitement among the staff that we’d be called on to improvise, be flexible, learn as we go. And that felt comfortable to me. As if it relieved the burden I’d carried about having to do everything right. If there were no rules, I couldn’t fail!

And then Greg G. kicked in. He introduced us to a deaf staff man, Brian D. I swear to the Universe, I felt a warm blanket of calm float over me as soon as Brian smiled and started signing to us. Man, what a presence he had. I was transfixed by his expressions, and the graceful choreography in his signing.

Greg and Brian led us into a process of beginning to understand the deaf and hard of hearing world. Each hearing staff man put in ear plugs and then we stood in the circle and tried to interact with each other without speaking. We fumbled, wandered, and waved our hands around trying to show an action or intention. It was a bit chaotic.

Afterwards, nearly every hearing man said he felt a lot of fear during the process. Some felt alone, some confused, and many felt angry.

I said I felt left out. Isolated. As though the deaf men knew more than I did. And Bob Beare expressed his feeling so well amid his tears when he said: “I knew I could take my earplugs out and stop my fear and confusion. These deaf and hard of hearing men can’t.”

I realized that feeling of isolation had floated around in my head in the weeks leading up to the training. Both for myself, and for the deaf men on the training. But as I let myself be in the moment more and more, I realized the dual nature if my expectation. I laughed at the irony. These guys had an extended communication that I could only vaguely touch. They talked with their hands, their faces, their entire bodies. My isolation quickly transformed into awe.

Communicating an idea between a speaking man, an interpreter, a signing man and back again takes much longer than communication between two speaking men, or two signing men. There was a lot of discussion among the leaders and interpreters about how to handle each step of the weekend with the deaf men.

The leaders embraced the idea of integrating all men in the group, rather than separating either deaf men or hearing men. As a staff member, I expected that integration might confuse people, but the opposite was true. I saw more emphasis on communication. And I realized how often we throw away words, or speak over each other so one man’s words are drowned by another’s. I became acutely aware of the limitations of spoken words, and the fluency of body language.

With both signing and speaking happening simultaneously, it seemed everyone paid more attention to meanings behind their words. The leaders were mindful of slowing down as they talked, looking at each man’s face, allowing their eye contact to linger a bit longer. It was a startling reminder of the power of non-verbal communication.

In fact, throughout the weekend, I often felt I learned more from watching the signing men than I did from listening to the speaking men. Many times I found myself staring in amazement as the interpreters worked. Or I’d be lost in a deaf man’s graceful, eloquent expression.

I know what a trip it is to close my eyes and let myself flow to the words and music during parts of the weekend. But I wanted to tell the hearing men to open their eyes and watch the interpreters instead!

I think what we all learned the most is that it wasn’t a weekend about deaf guys. It was a weekend that included deaf guys. We all learned new ways to stretch beyond our limitations, face our fears, embrace our strengths, and let go of the judgments we make about people we think we don’t understand.

I’ll be staffing an I-Group that includes signing men and speaking men. The I-Group leader told me one of his goals it to make it fun. I like that. I’m learning signs for all kinds of feelings and intentions. We’re brainstorming ideas for transforming what used to be spoken-word experiences into visual and sign-based experiences. It’s going to be a whole lot of fun, with plenty of imaginative learning for all of us.

And so, humbly, my journey continues."

John S.