This week’s weird dream: I dreamt that I was in a feudal Chinese fort that was under attack. I was an archer and I was steadily taking down the attackers. I eventually ran out of arrows and was forced to defend myself with a sword. My sword fighting technique was not up to par and so I was easily defeated. I woke up from this dream determined to become a better sword fighter. Then it dawned on me that I was crazy.
This week was not exceptionally exciting. I did however learn my first ASL ‘story’. It goes like this:
HI I [spell your first and last name].
NICE-MEET-YOU.
I HEARING. I SIGN SLOW.
I STUDENT [spell the name of your school].
I LEARN LEARN SIGN.
TEACHER NAME [spell the name of your teacher first and last name].
HE/SHE DEAF.
HE/SHE TEACH GOOD.
I UNDERSTAND HE/SHE.
I LIKE HE/SHE.
Since I am teaching myself sign, I kind of improvised the last parts. It is a very straight forward introduction, but took me forever to get down smooth. It was very exciting to learn. ASL is so much more intuitive then learning a spoken language not to mention being very mnemonic.
This week there was a large explosion in Ramadi. Here is the link to the news report. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070406/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
The explosion was a few miles away from the base, but it was large enough that it shook my room door. I went out side, probably not the smartest thing to do, and saw this huge dust mushroom cloud out in the distance. It didn’t cause much of a reaction in me. Just a ‘wow that was big’, and carry on with my life type of deal. I feel like there should be more than that. In my own selfish way I want to know what it is like to have to live with the fear of something like that happening to me with out actually being in danger of it. I feel like I will never be able to identify with those whose suffer when I am always in a place of safety. I think if I were here doing humanitarian work or something more benevolent in nature, I could partake of the experiences of the people more legitimately. Maybe one day I may get that chance somewhere else.
5 comments:
Hey Buds--Glad you are learning ASL. When we get together, we can sign to each other--keeps everyone else guessing--hehehe. Hope you are well.
Jeff
Brian,
this is David Alexander from CPCP. You are a mesmerizing writer and I really appreciae how you bring home the situation of the security even in Iraq for most Americans there and your discomfort with this- so I appreciate your conscience too. I also find it fascinating that you are learning sign language on your own and in your circumstances.
Brian
It is normal to feel guity when you are relatively safe and others are in harms way. When I was in the navy, riding a guided missile destroyer of the coast of north Viet Nam I felt the same as you do in Ramadi. However all that changed when we started taking incoming fire from shore line 3 inch gun batteries. I guess what I am trying to say is don't drop your guard. It can get messy right where you're at.
I agree with David. You are a heck of a good writer. Where did you get that talent? Certainly not from the Buxton clan. You should give some thought to writing a book or at least a journal about your experiences in Iraq.
Brian, it's good to read your words and get a feel for what things are really like over there. We are so removed here.
We are praying for you, though, and the healing of the land you are in. God is our hope.
PS/ cool you got heelies.
Hey Brian,
Congrats on the ASL, Jeremy and Jessica got Ethan a baby sign book, so when you get back you guys can talk to eachother ;).
Peace,
j
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