#deafestival

I went to an Occupy event a couple of weeks ago, and I was surprised at how well-attended it was. There had to be at least a thousand people, and it looked uncharacteristically professional with a whole of bunch of tents. 

I walked up to someone standing by the information table and asked where the classes were being held. "I'm sorry, I'm deaf," she said and signed. 

Whoops, what are the odds I would approach someone that can't hear to ask for directions? I decided to see if I could locate the classes or a familiar face myself. As I wandered, I passed by multiple people using sign language. Hmm, Occupy must have done some successful outreach to the deaf community, I thought.

Then I noticed a large sign for "DEAFestival". Drug Enforcement Agency? Is this a blatant attempt to scare the Occupiers away? Only after I saw more people signing to each other did it hit me. Not DEA Festival. DEAF-estival! Geez, they might not have their hearing, but they've got one up on me who seems to be lacking his brain.

today was pretty awesome. the deafestival really just brought my spirits up and my mind off so much. everyone was so nice and passionate about asl. the songs, poems, everything. i would love the opportunity to go deaf for a month or so. just to see a life in a different perspective, i guess. :)

these two bestfriends, team cada, were performing a song and interpreting it in asl and it was just the cutest. they won of course. 

bob hitlerman was there, some creepy sign language video dude who dressed up as every character in his videos. he was a judge and it was just weird because...well hes weird, period.

SO EXCITED!!!