THIS WEEK IN REFLECTION
Since the last two weeks were so busy, I got behind at Grab the Lapels. I worked on three papers for interpreting class. The first was a Demand-Control Schema, a concept originally developed by a cardiovascular doctor. He recognized that other people, the setting, and the situation create things he must pay attention to. They may not be “demanding,” but are demands. Controls are things about himself that he can manage. A very basic example is the doctor knows the hospital is colder than he wishes (demand), but he can wear layers (a control). Thus, my assignment was to choose a field of interpreting (I picked medical), examine two case studies, analyze the demands and controls for each, and then contact two interpreters who work in the medical setting and interview them about both case studies.
I also had a performance interpreting assignment. Though the professor likely meant plays and musicals, I watched a poetry reading on Zoom that had two interpreters and analyzed what they did differently from “straight” interpreting. Then, I interviewed one of the interpreters, who lives in San Francisco, making the three hour time difference challenging! She talked to me while driving to a play rehearsal (she also acts), and I could hear a siren the whole time. Either San Francisco has lots of emergencies, or I was interviewing this lovely lady while she was making a getaway. We weren’t required to interview the performance interpreter, but I was too curious. She went to Julliard for acting and performed in the prestigious National Theatre of the Deaf.
Lastly, I attended a professional development workshop because I had a paper due for that, too. Basically, what did we learn, what were our general observations, etc. The topic was ethics, which I mentioned last week, and in the paper I mostly write about another attendee with almost forty years of experience interpreting who definitely seemed like he did everything unethical in his power. Later, I realized this guy may have been contrary to provoke us to respond and think. Very tricksy… Sunday, Biscuit and Dad stopped in town on their way back home, so we spent Saturday night and Sunday morning together (hence the late Sunday Lowdown last week).
SO! In total, with all the hours of interviews and paper writing, with closing on the house and Nick doing the big interview, and later him driving to Pennsylvania for a bachelor party (he survived!), there was a lot going on. This week has been slower. After Nick got home late on Sunday, he left his suitcase by the door. No big deal, except Kitty equates suitcase with WHY EVERYBODY ABANDON MEEEE?? Then, on Monday Nick found our he did not get that job and was understandably upset, which Kitty also saw…
Tuesday, when I had planned to relax from all the meetings, paper writing, travelling, interviews, visiting, etc., Kitty was just too overwhelmed and threw up all over the apartment. I spent most of the day trying to calm her by sitting on the couch with her favorite blanket, and getting her to lay on me. Many uncomfortable hours were spent like this (I couldn’t move). It looks way more relaxing in photos to be sat upon for hours with a book.
Thursday, I was thinking about all your responses to the exercise post I shared recently. Every single one of us has some traumatic experience with exercise, and I felt blazing pissed. I typically do the same exercise video because I know it is more high intensity, but the last few times I did it, I was going through the motions with glassy eyes. I thought about Stefanie’s post about joy. I did not feel joyful. I switched it up and chose a workout video to Motown Classics and was giggling. And next thing I knew I was wondering why I didn’t know I had muscles in my ankles, and that they could burn, while listening to “Get on the Good Foot.” Probably because no one tells you to tone up those ankles? I did feel joyful, though!
THIS WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
Just the one review! Alas!
Okay, we’re over it. Deaf & Sober by Deaf artist and addiction counselor Betty G. Miller is an informational book about the challenges D/deaf addicts face and the threats posed to their sobriety. The hurdles are around every corner, many of them related to money or culture. Several folks shared that my blog teaches them things, and while the point of a review blog is to advise readers on what to pick up, I’ve slowly shifted over toward informational instead of persuasive. Well, especially since many books I’ve read lately are hard to get or out of print.
NEXT WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
I think I’m going to just aim for one review per week until finals (April 26-29) are over. So, on Wednesday (so nice and middle-of-the-week) plan on a review of Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau. This one was a Christmas present from Nick that discusses how to be an ally and how to move past all the rude, ableist things you’ve done intentionally or accidentally and continue to do — because we all do.
BOOKS ADDED TO THE TBR PILE
Owned Books on TBR at Beginning of Year: 202
Owned Books on TBR Last Week: 186
Owned Books on TBR Today: 186
Thanks to the Captain’s Quarters for reaching out and suggesting two books she knew I would find interesting! Also, to Bill @ The Australian Legend for always being persuasive about twenty-something books.
Grab the Lapels 
You’ve really had a full schedule going girl. I hope you guys get a minute to breath this week.
Poor kitty. Zelda could care less if we left for any period of time lol. She’s pretty excited when we get back though. While we’re in California, we’ll have a pet cam this time so we can see what she actually does in the house all by herself. (Samus is going to my aunt’s house.)
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We had Biscuit babysit our first cat once while we were gone for, like, four days. When we got home, there were Frosty lids all over the flood and Telemundo on the TV. No one was there, just the cat. She later claimed he needed his programs and a treat (she’d been putting little doots of Frosty on the lids).
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Haha, that’s great! What a good babysitter. I can’t even pretend to make fun of that because we leave the TV on and leave snacks when we’re not home lol.
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It was seriously so on brand for my mom!
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First, commiserations to Nick re the job. Very disappointing I know, but one day the next job will come. Easy for me to say though, I know.
I was interested in your point that “while the point of a review blog is to advise readers on what to pick up, I’ve slowly shifted over toward informational instead of persuasive”. That made me think … persuasive sounds a bit stronger than I intend, but I guess in trying to describe and analyse, I am advising?
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Thanks! While it’s a bit of a bummer, I am grateful for the chance to gain experience at interviewing, which is something difficult to practice without just doing it. That is not a fun skill for me to build, but it’s a very important one. It used to be you would sit down with someone and talk them into believing you were the best option, but these days it can be a day-long trial where you have to talk to several committees or groups, give a presentation, do a practical demonstration of skills, and cap it off with a dance number. My feet are still tired!
Also, I am very happy with what I do and the people on my team, so the consolation prize is pretty good. 👍
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That’s the best position to be in … to like where you are while you look for change? I’m glad that’s where you are.
BTW I can’t believe some of these processes these days … and I’m not sure they result in significant improvement recruitment success.
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For me, any situation in which things feel more organic and less like a quiz is a good interview. I haven’t had nearly as much experience with interviewing as Nick, though, because he’s also been on the side of interviewER.
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I think there is significant waste to hiring processes like this on the surface, but it is worth the cost as a tool to mitigate bias. We are trying very hard to build processes that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring and I want to support that where possible.
As for seeking out change, it was more that the opportunity came along and I couldn’t let it pass by without checking things out. I have a lot of plans for my team, so it would have been tough to step away, but we don’t often get to choose the timing of such things.
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Ah, if it does mitigates bias, then that’s a different and worthwhile thing.
And no we don’t. My daughter, who loves her current workplace and team, is however also ready for change so would do the same as you if she saw some great opportunity pop up.
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Sir, I almost snorted coffee.
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There are more efficient ways to get caffeine into your bloodstream, but I applaud your creativity.
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Nicholas!
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Yes, definitely advising. I suppose I’m thinking of the word “persuasive” in the context of writing assignments, e.g. I used to teach persuasive paper writing. But you’re totally right; I’m not trying to persuade anyone, I’m advising when I write a standard review that follows the basic definitions of what a review is. Then again, I know some bloggers think of “review” as almost being more like a book review that you’d write in school, meaning you’re giving a summary of what happened. English is hard.
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Thanks Melanie. Ah, is that why some reviews are primarily regurgitations of the plot. I find those pretty boring. When I first wrote blog reviews I didn’t do any plot at all, until a friend suggested it might be good to tell people what the book was about!
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I try to do a huge overview of the novel and then get more into details of the plot if necessary when I’m evaluating an aspect of the book. If I’m looking at pacing, I may need to include more plot to make my point, for example.
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Yes, that makes more sense.
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That is a very full week! Glad things have settled a little and it sounds like you’re finding a schedule that works for you. Poor Kitty…
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I’m not even sure what to think about the cat. One minute she’s loving and wonderful, the next she’s sick. As she gets older, I get more confused. We tried taking her to the vet once, where she was a holy terror. Our options were take her home or they were going to put her under (which costs hundreds of dollars) just so they could do things like weigh her.
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That sounds rather stressful. For her and for you.
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I was surprised the vet we tried to take her to wasn’t the stressed out party. They seemed pretty laid back that we brought a small demon in for a checkup.
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Even small demons need medical care! I have a friend who is a vet and from what I hear, the people are much harder to deal with than the animals!
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Our cat pulled a knife on the vet and tried to sell catnip to the receptionist on the way out. So embarrassing.
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Nicholas Robert!
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Yeah, I can see how people would be challenging, especially if they are Animal-with-a-capital-A people.
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I got the sense that a perk of covid lockdowns was having an excuse to not allow certain pet owners inside!
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Oh, Kitty! LOL. I thought for sure she would get home and her personality would be different forever, in a negative way. Instead, she was friendlier than ever and quit the behavior that made us take her to the very. Lesson learned, I say, and it only cost us some gourmet cookies.
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I’m always pleased when I come up with a book you think you might like. Mmm twenty something, I wonder what that’s about. Still growing up I guess.
Cutting back your scheduled reviews to one a week is an excellent idea, you have a new house to set up and you are obviously giving all you’ve got interpreting.
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School is done by the end of April, so not too much longer! I’m also starting to wonder if two reviews and the Sunday Lowdown are almost too much for my readers. For instance, some folks are still commenting on my Sunday Lowdown come Wednesday, and I’ve already got a review up in addition.
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I understand the need to achieve a balance between what you can write and what your readers will respond to. And I don’t always respond to two reviews I know. But, my opinion is that over the long run two reviews a week is a good balance between maintaining a presence and not overloading your readers.
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Ahhh, good call. I will keep that in mind. I’ve noticed some bloggers — and sometimes that includes you! — will go radio silent for a week or two and then suddenly have 3-4 posts in one week, and I can’t keep up. This is one of the reasons I have a goal/schedule.
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Sorry to hear about Kitty’s troubles!
Good job on taking care of yourself re: blog posting and your limited time.
I love that you found a more joyful workout! Hooray!
Nyle Demarco was on DWTS – he seemed fun. Good dancer too.
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Yes, Nyle was also on America’s Next Top Model and won, too. It seems like lately he’s been doing more activism. I looked at his book on Amazon and saw it’s translated, which implies that he signed this entire book, and his translator put it into English. His translator is Deaf, too.
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That is something I’d never considered- translating a book from sign into English. Very cool!
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One review a week sounds like a good plan and I am looking forward to this week’s.
I’m reading a book series at the moment (Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May) where there are several fairly conclusively fat women characters and one “curvy” central one who is taught to love herself for who she is; no one loses weight and gets the man, etc., these people are kind and nurturing, and actually the skinny woman is upset that she’s cold all the time. They live in the world around them as fat women and it’s nice to read. Made me think of your project as I went along.
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I looked up the book series you mention and can’t find it at my library. They have some other novels by May, like Love Me Tinder and Working It Out, but those aren’t part of the series. Maybe I can request an interlibrary loan.
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They’re cheap on Kindle here if you do ebooks at all, but often ebooks don’t work across boundaries. The first book (Welcome to Ferry Lane Market) has the most of this theme of the three.
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That dang Brexit ruined e-book purchases for me from the U.K.
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Yay for joy and Motown! I do love a good Motown tune, you can’t not giggle and move around!
So sorry to hear Nick didn’t get the job.
Wow, you have been one busy woman with school! Will you be taking any classes over the summer or do you get a break to move house and settle in?
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Me too, hah. It was with a department that works somewhat in parallel to the one I currently manage, so I went in thinking it would be a win either way. The person who got the position should be a good partner and a better fit for the people she will be leading. I am lucky because I can still be happy for everyone involved.
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And we did a celebration dinner because you did the hard thing! And it included BUNT CAKE.
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The school is so small they don’t have summer classes for my program. I’ll be doing house stuff and keeping up on and developing my ASL skills. Also, yard work. Ack!
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Wow you are busy! I love that picture of your cat’s arm on your leg LOL
I’m excited for your review of Demystifying Disability – it sounds like we could all learn a lot from a book like that, including how to not be a jerk without realizing it – something i would love to know more about.
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Some of the words she describes as ableist surprise me (but not really) because they’ve evolved in the culture to mean something totally different from how they were originally used.
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Very sensible to cut your reviews back to one a week while you’re so busy – I have not been keeping up with blogs at all because my primary module started running, and I’ve been focused on that! (Though I have at least still been reading – sometimes that goes out of the window too when I’m in a busy teaching season).
I always enjoy hearing about your interpreting studies – it’s such an interesting subject with so many elements I hadn’t thought about before!
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I often think of you when I encounter examples of medical interpreting, and thinking of you makes me feel good, like I’ll be part of a good team in the future.
I hope you’re reading Little Women and Good Wives, because I’m so looking forward to meeting with you Sunday!
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Yes, I finished them a few days ago! Really looking forward to meeting with you!
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