Advanced Bionics -- Part 2

So like I was saying I got down stairs and loaded a plate full of great food and found an open spot at a table. The first folks I met were Brain, Susan and their very cute daughter Lilly and Granddad Eric. Super nice folks from Nebraska. Lilly has bilateral implants and I didn't even notice them. I kept wondering who in the family had the CI. As the weekend rolled on it was clear that Lilly would steal the show at every meal. What a beautiful and happy little girl she.

During desert I moved over to another table with Edie, our AB rep, Matt, James, and Patty, another AB guru and Ellyn who has a child with a CI. I could tell it was going to be a fun weekend. A little later some guy in a suit walks in. I just assumed he was another CI guy and lived nearby. Come to find out it was Jerry who is over Marketing. I think he does a lot of other duties as well but marketing seems to be the big one. He ended up on our table and is a generally nice guy.

As the first dinner begins to wind down we began leaving and I walk out to the front of the hotel and the AB building across the street is really lit up in nice lighting. I find Matt and let him know I was going to shoot, he joins me. We get some nice shots.

Day 2:
Up way way too early. I'm still on central time zone but living in pacific. I wake around 6 every morning but this was 4am! I can't go back to sleep so I'm up watching TV and dozing off and on. Lucky for me breakfast opens at 6:30. Huge omelets and fruit! The rest of the day was spent touring the AB plant which was real nice and working with different discussion groups. I made sure I told several employees thanks for what they do.

We head over to Sicily for dinner and I sat with Tine, Jill (AB), Kim and Pam and someone else who's name I can not remember. The food was good. We had a choice after dinner to shop for a couple of hours or head back to the hotel. After the full day and the 4am wake up I was ready to call it and crash on the sofa and zone out.

Day 3:
Aww crud, up again too early. A full packed Saturday with discussion groups and more new friendships. The day ended great and the last dinner was really good. Everyone began saying good bys due to the fact that some were leaving that night and some were leaving super early the next morning. I opted to fly out at 11:35 Sunday morning. For a hearing impaired gut that was nice because if I would have had to be up at 5:30 I'm sure I would have done it but I would not have slept well at all having the thought of over sleeping going on.

Departure day:
Once again another great breakfast then over to the business center to print out my boarding passes to head home. The folks flying US Airways were unable to print theirs. Bummer. 9:25 rolls around and I met Kim and Matt in the lobby for the ride to the airport. Ah yes, the black Mercedes again! I love it. I picked up Dan Brown's "Lost Code" book for the flight home. Great book if you like the others he has written. The trip home was uneventful except that there was some westler on the plane a few rolls in front. The guy was huge and had a bleached mohawk.

So there you have it... that was sort of like looking at Uncle Bobs slides from his middle east trip huh? HA!

In all seriousness, I want to thank Advanced Bionics for all they did and especially Linda out there for setting it all up for us. I made some friendships that will last a lifetime and I hope that someday I can return for a reunion.

Life is good!

Advanced Bionics

Advanced Bionics new building at night

Thursday, 11:25a (LIT) Little Rock National Airport.
Sitting happy in my single row seat on American ready to fly up into the crystal clear blue sky on my way to Burbank with a DFW stop and plane change. Little bit of a tension due to short time frame to change at DFW. Take off was beautiful and we fly and bank right over the top of my house 8 miles away. Love it! For the next hour I think of life as a cochlear implant user and enjoy the beauty of the Arkansas into Texas landscape. As we descend toward DFW I'm surprised to see so many neighborhoods that were started and never finished. They look like an Arkansas neighborhood after a tornado clean. Nothing but slaps of concrete.

12:35 -- Good afternoon ladies and gentleman and welcome to Dallas-Fort Worth. Matt and I easily find the Skylink and roar over to the terminal to grab the next flight to Burbank. Made it so easy over there and with minutes to spare we grab mini pizzas and wolf them down just as they began calling groups to board. My row this time was 14D. Yes, another aisle seat. There were three seats on this row and the middle was empty. The girl sitting closest to the window and myself were happy to have an open between us. Makes for a nice flight. She was on her way home to celebrate her mom's birthday in Pasadena. She grew up around he Tournament of Roses Parade. I told her my wife and I have that on our bucket list.

A couple hours into the flight I notice outside everything is miles of brown... it's a desert. Soon we fly upon a mountains and I'm in awe of the way they look. Different from tree covered Arkansas mountains. I can't stopped looking out the window. Beautiful yet very different.

As we descend to Burbank I get a buzz in y pocket, yep, I thought I had turned off the phone but didn't. I sneak a look and it says, "Hello! This is Tim. I'm your driver. I am in a black Mercedes at the curb. There is an Advanced Bionics sign in the front window." I burst out laughing! HELLLLOOOO Burbank! I think I'm gonna love you!

We grab our bags and head out front to find a beautiful brand new Mercedes awaiting our arrival. I am seriously impressed with the generosity of Advanced Bionics already. Tim loads our bags and we meet Kim for the first time. She also has a CI (cochlear implant). Sure nice lady. As we leave the parking lot I start quizzing Tim about Burbank and all the touristy stuff you would expect. Super nice guy.

We arrive at the Embassy Suites was is right across the street from the brand new Advanced Bionics building. Beautiful room! We have a short time to relax before dinner that evening. I drop to the sofa and close my burning eyes. Next thing I know I wake up 30 minutes later! It's time for dinner.

Head down and meet up with the folks who will over the next few days will become great friends with a common bond and calling. Advanced Bionics cochlear implants.

Check back for more story... good stuff ahead!

Life is good!

i.rode

i.rode
Is that not catchy or what? I'm gong to start a company called i.rode
I'm not sure what it will be or what it will sale but it will be cool.... i.rode

Awwright, I really did ride tonight! I got down to the river and prepared to ride along just to say howdy to the Jabba legs but just as I was about to start my ride here came the gang. What's a middle aged fat guy to do? Yep, ya get up and dance on the pedals right out of the cage and catch up and ride!! I catch the tail end on the hill and Dr. Shawkitty-I-love-to-leave-you-in-blog-suspense-about-my-Iowa-ride is smoking back up to the group and I'm lucky just to hang there. We catch up with a new rider and lo and behold we set up for a nice little 23mph cruise along the river. Gotta turn and climb Ft Roots to get to the regroup point at the top. Several of us split off after the regroup and take a different route over to Burns Park. The other (much younger, much crazier) riders run over to Valley View (Puke View) for some serious fast climbing. We spot them swinging around the back side of Burns. Several of us ride on around and spot several of the fast gang. One has a bit of a deal with his back wheel. We get everyone back to Cook's either by bike or my sag-a-mobile. Hung out in the parking lot a moment then heading to the house. It was a good ride!

Funny sidebar: I took my old MP3 player that I used before I bought the Ipod. I told Terri to take the Ipod with her to the fitness center tonight. So I get to the ride and I get all wired up and turn on the Mp3 player. Nah, don't want to hear this song... next... no, don't want to hear that one either.. next... no that was the first song I didn't want to hear.... next... well pooey, that's 2 the second I didn't want to hear either... next... oh no... there are only 2 songs loaded on this old thing and I don't like either one! I think I'm renaming my Ipod "Crackpod" I can't do without it anymore! HA!

I had so much tape on my CI tonight it took forever to get it all off. I think I'm just going to wrap my head with a couple rounds of duct tape! You know that manly silver tape that fixes everything.

CI moment: Good lord! I was sitting in the den watching CSI eating my stinkin low carb dinner and the cadedids (sp?) were soooo loud outside (windows and doors closed too) that I had to turn up the TV. Is this Advanced Bionic CI not the coolest gizmo on the face of the earth! I'm telling ya!

I can't wait to get to ECHO next week when all the guys are all messing with their G3's.... I'm going to tell them they are sooo two thousand eight! Then I'll show off my CI and tell them this is the future... get with it.

Remember how I was talking about being a target earlier this week. Person who had me in their scope really apologized today. My response. Don't worry about it, water under the bridge.

I won't bore you but tomorrow's Friday. Get up right now and do your best moon walk dance. Go on... get up! Go on I really double dig dog dare you! It will be really funny... do it... get up where ever you are a dance for a second then sit back down. Live life to the fullest! Have fun!!

Life is good...even when you act like a looney tune!

All things midweek

Ok, so tomorrow is trash-to-the-curb day which is the officeal start to the other side of the week but I've had a hard week so far and I really need it to harry up and get all weekend-ish.

Monday right off the bat I got hit with an issue whee I thought I did the right thing but someone else thought otherwise and came at me with both guns up and loaded. All I could do is state my case to the boss and see if there would be a hard impact. I count my blessings that I have superiors who believe me. The problem and the way it got flipped around still train wrecked me.

Tuesday's drama... an employee wanted to transfer and two different departments loved her and she accepted a job then decided she wanted the other and by mid day I wasn't sure what was going on. I had her current boss, the boss she took the job and turned down and the other boss all calling me and all of us wondering what on earth was going on.

Wacky stuff I tell you!

Remember me telling you I went down to my parents to paint their house? Well, somehow I got into what I think were those chiggers and now I have these very itchy bites. It has been a mental contest to keep from scratching. I still have to do a lot more painting but this time I'll have my legs coated in insect repellent.

I have to admit I haven't rode my bike in about a week. Now that sad but it's been about 100 degrees everyday and there is a cut off for me. Weather models show the heat wave breaking and the temps only getting to 91 this weekend.

I have a mentor guy at work I sometimes call on when things get totally out of tune. Today he told me something that really stuck. He said , "Geo, the more influence your carry, the bigger the target you wear." I just thought about that for a moment and smiled. Back to the first part of my post. Yes someone was acting as I was their target. The way my mentor, who will always remain a shadow in the background at his wishes, told me that I have a lot of influence in this life and that some people will target me. He told me to look at how I have helped the hospital, to look at how I am loved by the departments I recruit for and to look at how I can say what I think in a meeting of upper management and it's actually considered. He continued on to say look at how you are being asked to serve on boards now. He pointed out how one day when we walked down the hall together I called coworkers by name, even housekeeping, and asked something specific about their day. I told him I was just being myself. It's not something I trying to do to get ahead in life or be somebody. He said, And that's exactly what I mean. By you being yourself and people enjoying being around you makes you a huge target. But the more influence you carry, the bigger the target you will wear." I was honestly floored by him saying that to me. You mean because I'm just being plain ole me, someone doesn't like that? Come on, how retarded is that? Serious!

Ok let's change gears here... I had a CI mapping on Monday and a hearing test. The hearing aid ear had dropped 10dbs over the year and that bummed me but the CI was rocking it's happy little electrodes off. Jordan talked me into trying "S" which makes a different type sound than what I have programmed which is "P", I think. Something tells me I have it all wrong but stay with me here. Ok, when I got the CI activated there are two different types of ways that you can get sound. One is all the electrodes fire at once which is what I use and at times it came seem harsh when the volume is up. Now the other is more like a wave where the electrodes fire more like a wave. We had turned that on in the clinic but I had never listened with it for an extended amount of time. We kept my program 1 and 2 the same but changed my music program to this "S" program. I used it all afternoon and really changed my mind and liked it. It's a more gentle sort of sound coming in. It's really hard to describe. Jordan said a lot more CI users like that than what I normally have programmed. Well, I'll be... I'm becoming like the rest of them! HA! I know what you're thinking... well if I turned off the music program how do I hear music now. Well, it's like I do most of the time and that's through my hearing aid. I just can't run the IPOD and the hearing aid with direct connect at the same time now.

Well I think I'm going to go dive on the bed and read a book for a bit and fall asleep!

Life is good.... even if you are a target! Be a target!!!

Aww man... a BAD CI moment!

It was a bad CI moment but it wasn't anyone's fault but my own.

I head out to meet the guys and see if I could at least keep up. My warm up ride to the ride was rocking along at 20mph. I felt good and strong.

Got to the ride start point and talked to Yale and Rebecca for a few then over to see how skinny Chris (Ironman) has gotten over th past few weeks. 17 lbs off! Awesome. JMar came up and I was thinking man this guy has dropped a few too. Come to find out he has dropped 25lbs.

We grouped all up and started out and we rolled nice along the way then finally hit the road and the pace picked up. I was in the back but was holding steady with them. We climbed a short hill and I was still there. Then I felt it... on no... come on CI stay in place. The on and off connection can make a CI user go insane. It's like a transmitter buzzing in and out. I reached up and the thing was hanging on my helmet strap. I had to pull out and fix it. Finally got it half good and thought maybe just maybe I can catch the job if some had slowed up a tad. As I was riding along a long lost stranger named Keith Hill came buzzing by and I jumped on his back wheel and we cranked it out at 23mph for a while. Then it happened again. OK, I'm ticked now!

There is a small piece of CI tape that wasn't sticking tonight and because of that I had to abandon. It's really funny how a very small piece of tape can change a man's whole attitude from rider to whinny little pig! HA! I just didn't as much tape these time and I paid for it.

But all in all it was a GREAT ride with the gang. I think there were 35 of us at the start. I got to see lots of friends I've not seen in awhile as well as a lot of people I've never seen before. When you can keep up with those kids, even in the back, then you know you are riding stronger! It was just what I needed!

Oh yeah, before I forget... very very happy anniversary wishes to Chris and Rebecca Irons! I cracked up when Chris said he was going home and having a nutri-shake by candle light tonight. That's the spirit!

Life is good... especially when friends celebrate anniversaries!

Hey big CI buddy!

Shout out to my ACH hall way CI buddy!

I was walking through the Audio clinic the other day and spotted one of our pro's working with a CI guy. I could tell what was going on due to the therapist with her dry erase board. Krista did the same to me when I was having my speech sessions right after I was activated.

At first I walked by because she was having a session and I didn't want to disrupt it. I went on in the clinic and when I came out a few minutes later they were right by the door. I just smiled and started headed down the hall back to my office again not wanting to mess with the session. Then it hit me... you know, you could be coming across as snobby. Oh no... not me! I stopped and turned and walked back to my CI friend. He just looked at me for a moment not knowing why this man was looking at him. Then I turned my head and pointed to my CI. His face lit up and he smiled real big. We did a great high five and I gave him thumbs up. That just made my day!

Also shout out to ACH Abby! Hope your new "stereo" is working great for you!

Life is good thanks to Advanced Bionics and Unitron!

I'm sorry but our crew is short and we can't get there today

I'm sorry but our crew is short and we can't get there today... Mr Cobb?
WHAT!!!!!!!!!
We can't get there today.
Yeah, I heard you. Are you going to be here tomorrow?
Yes sir. They will be there by 8:30. Maybe even 8.
Ok fine... if they are not here and working tomorrow I will unleash my 2 girls on you and they are hot and tired and getting a but cranky. Do you understand.
More than you realize!
Good.
Again, I do apologize for the inconvenience.

Guess what... my backyard neighbor is having the same thing done but by a different company.

It has been a fun day off though! Lots of stuff got done outside! My list is so long!

Ok, CI Moment... on advantage of having no air is hat the windows are open and the birds having been singing all day. What a great sound! My side yard neighbor has little water fountains and about 20 bird feeders. Always birds!

Life is good...even in the heat...well sort of.

The photo that's the meaning of life as I know it

Most photos of myself I really hate. But every now and then one comes along that I like. This is one of those. It symbolizes a lot of things in my life right now.

Thanks to my niece Melissa for shooting this photo.

Look over to the right and click on "Melissa" that is under the Blogs I read.

She is an awesome photographer and does some really creative shots!

Also, I just had my 6 month CI check up. All systems go! This was the first time I had gone into one of our clinics since having the CI. The clinic was packed to the gills and while I was in the exam room waiting for Dr. D. I could hear kids screaming. Maybe being hard of hearing had it's benefits there. It broke my heart to hear those kids crying.

I need to give a shout out to one of our little friends who got her 2nd CI activated today! That is awesome! Note to her mom... if you spot me in the waiting room or around the hospital, please by all means throw something at me and get my attention. I love meeting all our CI club members and their families!

On a funny note... I had a tad of ear drainage so Dr. D cleaned it out and put that purple antibiotic dye in my ear. Oh man, I will have a purple hearing aid ear mold again. I always think folks can see it (but they can't) and I feel like I'm the president of the Barney fan club! HA!

I have a training ride set for after work... oh joy... it's 94 degrees! A friend said it was as hot as fish fry oil...

Life is good... even with a purple hearing aid mold! HA!

Vacation... the video... what I longed for!

Enjoy the sound! I certainly did!



I heard it I heard it I heard it! Since we first started talking about this family trip I longed to hear the ocean in stereo. I wanted to hear the s-s-s-s-s as the waves came to shore. I could hear the big crashing ones last year but it has been a long time since I heard the part where the waves sizzle and go back out to sea. So many times on this trip I sat with a silly grin on my face because I could hear. I could hear the wave, the seagulls the splashes on the fish feeding frenzy. I could hear people talking and boy did I eaves drop! I could hear other people talking on their balconies. There were several times that family would yell at from their balconies and I wouldn't respond but it was due to not realizing someone was hollering down at me. They were remarks that would embarrass anyway. HA!

I got to hear the sweet little voices of my favorite great nieces and nephews. Elliott has such a sweet way she says George. I would get tickled when the kids would say, "That? That?" They wanted to know about "That". I loved how Liam would babble about everything. He was so funny! He would talk and talk. The guy was using a blower and it was a long way off and Liam was dancing to it. What a zest for life! Dancing to a leaf blower!

I got to hear the screams too but some of them were so funny that I would laugh! One time my niece Melissa was sitting in a beach chair and had some snack food and the twins (Keaton and Elliott) were climbing up to get in her lap to munch. Keaton is the climber so he got there first and Elliott was hot on his heels. She wanted up a little higher so she needed something to pull herself up. Keaton's blond hair seemed to be just the thing so she grabbed a handful and pulled herself right on up. Keaton let out a scream and then that was it. Both were up there and happy. Keaton sort of had the , "Yeah, she does that all the time" air about him.

Training ride 06 05 08

Wooo weee that was some wind. Got over to the starting point and taped the CI to my head with that invisible wig tape. That puppy stayed put tonight! HA! I used the CI as my hearing instrument and the hearing aid as my tunes. Since I was training solo I really enjoy having a soundtrack to ride to.

The route was almost the same as Monday night. Bike Rental shop to Burns Park. Loop the back road then over to the Big Bridge then all the way back into the headwind. I was loving the ride on the way out because it was 24mph easy with that tail wind. On the way back I spotted myself at 14mph a couple of times. Each time I pushed myself back to 16. Train Geo Train! Focus!

My legs are really feeling better and stronger each ride. I so glad to be back out there.

Ok you folks help me out here. I need to start coming up with a name for my next ride. It's 24 hours on the river and the money goes to Audiology for kids hearing aids or whatever the gurus need. I want to have the river trail but I want to play off of sound. I keep thinking Roar on the River. I don't know... y'all help me out here. Either leave a comment our send me an email to cobbgeo@gmail.com

Weekend is coming up and what I thought would be a laid back as far as scheduling is concerned is booked now. Races on Saturday morning, get a ride in right after, run home and clean up, head over to a new theatre to see Indiana Jones with Terri and Em. Go upstairs and drag down the luggage carrier and be sure it works on the van. Then Sunday will be church, then a training ride, then small group. Hope that I can knock out a Monday and Tuesday training ride then Wednesday the races move to evenings so I'll be working out there. Thursday is pack and pack the car night. Friday is hit the road jack!!! Saturday is sand in my swim trunks and loving it! Destin! I'm so stinkin' excited.

Want to see some AWESOME photos? look over to the right at Blogs I read and go down to "Melissa". She is my niece and is going to take our family photo while we are there! I'm beyond psyched!

Life is sooooo good these days! Oh yeah!

Kaki King and CI's

Finally music to my ears! It's Kaki King! I get it with my CI!!!!

I came in and Terri had August Rush DVD playing and the music was awesome through my CI. I kept turning it up more and more and it was clear! This was the first time I had seen August Rush and it's an awesome movie. So far music just hasn't been a strong point with my CI. But tonight it was right on. I was listening and thinking to myself am I really hearing it this clear? I turned down my hearing aid and just enjoyed the movie and music with CI only. I came back to the laptop and listened to several sample cuts and ended up downloading the whole Kaki King CD called Dreaming of Revenge. So far it's awesome! I have always been a fan of guitar and this really made me believe the CI can handle music.

Got in a late afternoon ride on the river yesterday and Edgefest, a music festival named after a radio station was an hour out for starting. This is a head bangers ball. A mass of black t-shirts and mascara. The kids are alright.

I spent the afternoon with my house church at River City cooking hot dogs for the low income and some homeless folks in that area. Since it was a cloudy and sprinkle sort of afternoon there was a lighter crowd. Still good though.

I bought an IPOD for the family to use yesterday but guess what, the plug is a tad different than my hearing aid jack. It goes in and I can here music but it doesn't have that connecting click that you normally feel. Working with the CI fine. Got to make a play list for my flight next week.

Saw the list of hospital folks going to Disney Institute next Sunday. Wow! I'm way out of my league here! VP's, Directors and docs. Can you say n.e.t.w.o.r.k.???? HA!

Life is good!
Geo.

Is that screwed in your head? Cochlear Implant story

"Is that screwed in your head?"



No, look (I take the CI off and stick it to a metal food rack)



OMG!!! That's sick!



I'm now laughing...



Geo, everyone thinks that is screwed in your head.



Let them think that man! If they're gonna mess with my head, let's mess with theirs!



Does it bother you?



No, not at all. I suspect it hurts as much as putting on a pair of glasses.



Serious?



There's nothing to it.



Can you feel the magnet under your skin?



Not really. Not any more. I can feel when the magnet connects with it but it's the same feeling as sticking a magnet on the frig. You feel it pull together then you hear it coming in. I wish I could tune in a radio with it. That would be great for meetings. Actually I bet in a couple years I can program it to open the garage door as I drive up!



ARE YOU SERIOUS?!



Sure, why not?



Man, you are so lucky. You always get the coolest equipment.



(Note to CI friends... do you have that new program that opens the garage door yet?!)

*********************************************************



Well I got home yesterday and the streets were dry and the air was so southern (that translates to humid). I stopped by the bike shop and picked up some new gear. Ok bike bud's brace yourselves.. I didn't realize I was this bad... I bought some new riding shorts. Specialized! I realized the other day that my favorite shorts were... OLD! I bought them before I did the ride-around-the-state-tour! I kid you not! No wonder I'd been having "issues" (Ironman & Ironmaiden, stop laughing, it's not funny! HA!). I haven't changed my shorts since 2005?!!

HA!



I also am looking at a new seat but y'all already know that. So I'm talking to Dan (I think is his name). He's the new manager at the Bike shop just down the road from the house. I love this shop but now that Dan is running it and plans to make some great changes it will pump life back into it. This guy was some knowledgeable and helpful. Anyway I was talking about the new seat. Nope, he was not going to sell me just any ole seat... they now have a cushion thing you sit on and the seat you need comes in a certain size. (Ok OK... fat butt... I know!). So the seats come in in a couple of weeks and I'll get fitted and get a new one. I plan to leave the bike at the shop while I'm in Orlando on business for the spring tune up.



Got home and rode around the neighborhood. Hills and hills. Either up or down. Going training though. It was a good ride... lots of sweat.



Oh, when with a bud to lunch yesterday to a place downtown called Luvah. Oh man! It's awesome. They have these mini burgers that you can get 3 of any kind you want. I ordered 3 funky but oh so good ones. A hamburger with crab meat... who would have thought?



Life is so good!

Geo.

Cochlear Implant stuff

Brrr weee it's cold outside! In the summer we have heat then we have the humidity which makes the heat worse. Today we have cold then it's a wet cold from the thunderstorms that came through last night and it's a wet cold tonight!

We just got in for a banquet honoring the PTA presidents and volunteers. Our school district smoked the awards! Every other award given was to "Sylvan Hills". Terri won Volunteer of the Year! WAY TO GO TERRI! She works so hard for that school.

Ok, the CI stuff. The music is still not where it should be. ITune music through the laptop just doesn't cut it. I'm planning to return the jack to get a different one. It's lose and I have to get it just right but it shorts and it's going to bite my computer. I just use my Unitron cord to my hearing aid. If you are considering a hearing, Unitron is the way to go. Love those things! If it's a CI you are after, consider Advanced Bionics.

Saturday night Dan was at the building working on the sound system for the auditorium at church while I loaded and ran through the visuals. He installed a different sound board and needed some sound to come through so I rolled over a countdown that had music in the background. I was blown away how crisp the sound was and I was only receiving it through the CI. The speakers are Frazier. Unbelievable!!!! I hope I can find some of these someday. I had crank it up and down really soft. I was in awe! It was the first time I had heard sound through a electronic format that clear!

I turn off my hearing aid and listen just through the CI on the way to and from work so I will say the radio is getting better. I try and listen to stations where I don't know the songs so I can work on listening better. To me when you know what the words and the tune is then it's sort of cheating because you already know. With songs you don't know, it's a learn a new song lesson.

I did have a mapping the other day. I pushed a few more mid tones. I seemed to have freaked out my Audio (Jordan) because I love the program where both mics are on because I hear in surround sound. They advise to have the CI set at the 12 o'clock setting and I usually have mine at 8 or 9 o'clock. 12 was too loud. So now it's set for my 9 o'clock to be the 12 o'clock. They say it's to be able to turn it down. Ok CI guys, what do y'all do when something is too loud... yep, me too... we reach up and push the magnet off and no sound. (Jordan and Krista are rolling their eyes right now... money is on that one!) HA!

They did give me a test in the booth with the sentences. Aced that puppy! 100% Then she gave me one with one syllable words and wind noise. Hated it and bombed! She told me beforehand that it would be hard and it was. Sort of driving with the windows down. Ticked me off to no end but then she explained that she had to make it really hard so when I come back in 3 months we can see how that has improved.

To me it's so hard to believe that it continues to get better. Better than this? Cricket!!!

There are so many times a day that I am still blown away by this Advanced Bionics product. One of the favorite sounds is a walk in the rain and listening to the rain hitting the umbrella. It's a magic sound. And anything with a high pitch I love! I've missed those sounds for over 5 years and it's so nice to hear them again. Still in awe over being able to hearing birds while riding at bike at 18 mph.

Oh yeah, speaking of bikes, actually helmets, does any of my CI blog readers have any suggestions on how to keep the mag in place with a helmet? Does that toupee tape really work? I'm good to go when I wear a cap or toboggan but if I wear just the helmet it's a pain. I heard it go off the other day while riding and when I finally stopped the thing was hanging on the chin strap. Gee whiz, I could have lost it then would have had to retrace 7 miles.

Well, I've bored you enough tonight....

Life is soooo good!!

Full winter gear today

No one around today

Got the tunes, got the bike... happy camper!


It was a good day. I had the whole river trail to myself except for 2 other bikes and a hand full of folks training for the upcoming Little Rock Marathon.

It was freezing rain yesterday and caused complete chaos on the roadways. So bad just outside of my hometown that they had to detour I-30 traffic. I think when it started sleeting and lots of folks freaked and took off for home and grid locked traffic. If you waited until about 3 the road crews had had a chance to work the roads and I drove home like it was just a normal rainy day.

I got out to ride today and it was supposed to be sunny and 48 but it was just breaking through the clouds as I was finishing up this afternoon. I had a great ride for this early in the year and coming back from slack-o-rama. I was surprised to see a 17.3 average for 24.67 miles.

There was a huge soccer game going on so I stopped for a moment to watch towards the end of my ride but I got cold and rode on in.

I used my hearing aid for tunes and the CI for hearing. It worked out great!

I really liked this shot due to the reflection on the water

Hell's Gate opens at 5:30 tomorrow

That's right, you heard me! Hell's Gate opens at 5:30pm tomorrow.
I return to the fitness center for training. All that slacking has come to an end. The demons will greet me at the entrance tomorrow holding billy clubs and whips. They will roll their eyes if I even mention pain or shake. They are evil but I love them and they make me a better man. I will sweat so bad that I'll fry my hearing aid and CI... and then I'll smile because I have coverage!

I've got that Coldplay song "Clocks" stuck in my head again... goes right along with the feeling of the night before training starts...
Lights go out and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

First order of business is a spin class at 5:30 tomorrow. Those will be Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Tuesday and Thurs and maybe Fridays will be core training. I will be told to walk around with a bottle of water and cut the crap food. You know that stuff I've been eating for the past 3 months. I will be the first to admit I did not train as I should have last year for my cycling. Don't get me wrong at all here... I had an awesome coach (Mark)last year and he pushed me but I should have stayed on the core training as I did when I looped the state tour. Man, I wish I had time to pull another one off those tours.

Saturday may find me heading back to the farmlands for a building base miles ride. Temps are going to nose dive then come back to normal by the weekend. Of course Friday they are using that "freezing rain" word. In my mind, I tell myself to use the word "commitment" again and again and again.

Big news.... Arkansas Children's Hospital made the Forbes TOP 100 Employers in the US to work for! As a recruiter that's like the gold card! By the way, we had almost 10K applicants apply last year. Gee after this I wonder how much that will jump?

Life is good... r.e.a.l good

Day 5

We went to a BBQ place last night with extended family and the place is awesome to eat at but not the place you want to be as a new CI user. The floor is concrete and the chairs are wooden. Add that with your usual happy Friday night holiday crowd and I lasted about 5 minutes and I had to switch to hearing aid only. Sliding chairs are not a sound you want to hear at increased volume. (Note to slave driving Audios: Yes, I turned the aid off and returned to CI the minute I walks out... y'all can ask Terri if you don't believe me! HA!). The strange thing was that when I took the CI off in Whole Hog I got really tired and was actually missing the sounds I had gotten to enjoy all day.

I chilled this morning and was a slug until I went to a family gathering this afternoon. I didn't put the CI on until we got ready to go but I've had it on since and it's been a good day. We did get good rain and it's so pretty to listen to. I cringed a bit as we drove the 20 minutes to the place of the gathering. Every time our Odyssey hit a water spot it sounded like someone hitting a cymbal.

I got to play with ALL my great nephews and niece. I am lucky enough to have 4 great nephews and 1 great niece (she is part of a twin set). Oh goodness, Elliott is a doll! She walked in with her big purse and was a sweetheart the whole time. All the kids were great actually. She curled up on my lap and had her sippy cup and got really still. Someday years from now I hope I get one just like her!

Day 4

It just continues to be awesome!

Had my first speech therapy today with Krista. She gave me the 6 sounds on a dry wipe board in front of me. You know the oo ee ah m s and sh sounds. Then we went through some words that sound alike. I crashed on the difference between boot and book. All in good time... all in good time. I also got a page long list of homework... who on earth gives homework over Christmas break? HA! No, serious, I'm glad to have these projects to work on.

I felt good about the speech therapy session. One of the other speech/audio guru's (Anna) came in and there was something about her voice that I wasn't picking up on. I kept catching myself not quite understanding her. There have been a few women that have the same pitch that I'm just not getting yet. It bugs me... I want it to process now. HA!

I'm telling you, this is the best Christmas present ever. What I'm about to say, I kid you not is the truth. I love the Porsche Boxster and this morning there was one parked right outside my office. A fine black on black number. As I was heading to Java City I looked it over then I asked myself the ultimate "Loaded Question"... which would I rather have this Christmas? A 50 grand CI or a 76 grand car? The choice was so easy... it was the car! HA! I'm kidding. Now that I have a CI, I couldn't live without it.

Met with Greg last night to do the run through for all the Sunday's holiday service media. Video's, special music, overlaid songs, you name it and it's part of the service. I'm glad that Scott is going to be in the control sit this week. This will be the first Sunday to check out my CI in a auditorium full of people.

Well, now it's just doing my speech homework and learning to live with the implant for the next week. Tonight will be my first experience dining out with it on. Fingers crossed that it's Roma in J'ville but I think it may be Whole Hog for BBQ.

For all of you folks heading out for the holiday... have a safe trip and laugh a LOT! It's good for the soul!

Day 3 -- Led Zeppelin

It was Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Yep, that was the first song I've recognized on the radio. A good friend of mine is the morning DJ on the Point 94.1 (Classic Rock) and I knew he was talking after the song then it was cool how suddenly his laugh came processed in!

It rained but it was about 4 this morning so I missed the big sound but I did get to hear it a little this morning. Cars on wet pavement with water spray have a "reeeeeessse" sound.

While walking back into the office I kept hearing a do-it, do-it, do-it. What on earth??? It was water drops in the downspout on the corner of my office.

Oh and several cars starting their engines at the same time is weird. I could pick up on one car at pretty close range but hearing several at once and being no where near them is sweet!

I'm hearing all sorts of sounds far way that I have no clue what they are. I did figure out one was a printer at the other end of the building.

If someone walks down the hall and coughs it scars the hibby gibby's out of me. That sudden burst of sound s something else.

I'll try and update more tonight... lunch is over.

More cochlear implant activation day video -- Arkansas Children's Hospital

More activation day video.

Day 2

Finishing up lunch...
Spent part of the morning hanging out in Audio with Jordan while she did some more programming. Everyone told me that each day sounds different and to be honest, I HATED it when I turned it on this morning. OK, here's a clue for folks like me... yes, you can turn it down. I was so set on working through the 3 programs yesterday.

Today I got a different sound coming through. This sounds so much more like my hearing aid on steroids. Much more easier to live with. (Note to the audio guys... yes, I have my hearing aid turned off). Voices are much better today. Still sounds grungy when people who talk loud talk. I love folks with soft voices now. Trust me, it's so easy to hear them now. Never thought I would ever type those words.

I did plug the IPod into the processor while in the clinic this morning. I'll have to work on that one awhile. It was a Beatles tune and I couldn't have told you that at all. that's one of the unusual things about this journey. I can hear my car keys jingle but I can't process music yet.

Note to CI users: Have you tripped a store thief alarm? I'm not looking forward to that day at all. I suspect I'll just shout, "Put your guns away, I'm bionic!" Oh that will scare them huh? HA!

Am I still blown away by this product... you bet! Blown away 10 times over!

Back to work... more later.