Oh, fun and games and lots of chuckles at the Howell House.  My dad (who, very soon, might just become an enthusiastic spokesman for this little contraption) has encouraged/forced his family members to use DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING 9.0.  Dragons that speak naturally? you ask.  No. Just a bunch of people forced to put a little headphone on their head and speak while their words are turned into a written masterpiece right before their eyes.  Well, not really.  Actually, it involves putting a headset on your head, speaking into the microphone and watching the computer type what it THINKS you said.  And this is where the chuckle part comes in.

Here is an actual transcript of my brother trying to talk to the computer:

Dad: Okay, Sam.  Now say "I need more training."

Sam: "I need more training" (computer types "I need more brain eating")

Sam laughs with his head thrown  back.  (Computer types "her her her her her")

Sam: "I need more training." (Computer types "I am the monitor")

Sam laughs again.  (Computer types "her her her her her")

Sam:  "I need more training."  (Computer types "I need a two day meeting")

Sam laughs. ("her her her her her her her")

Sam: "Hello, dad."  (Computer types "Whoso day")

Sam laughs ("her her her her her")

So here is what Sam's document said.  "I need more brain eating.  Her her her her her.  I am the monitor.  Her her her her her.  I need a two day meeting.  Her her her her her.  Whoso day.  Her her her her her."

Wow!  My dad was right!  This is so much easier than typing with your fingers.  It would have taken Sam so much longer to tell the world about brain eating, his two day meeting, etc... when, instead, he can just speak it.  Incredible.

And it is NOT just because Sam's speech is still a little slurry.  It misunderstands my sister and I, too.  And my dad.  He said into the headset "Becca wants to be as good as dad" and the computer typed "Becca wants to be as good as DEAD."  Nice.  Thanks, dad. 

Also...more news...Sam was interviewed by the Saginaw News and it is in today's paper.  Here is the link (it is a really good, long article).  They also wanted to write about Sam's sister Becca, but there just was so much to say and just not enough room.  The reporter felt really bad about that.  I think they started to cry.  But I just patted them on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry.  That's okay.  I don't care if Sam is the superstar.  I will just stand in the dark background and quietly wipe the tears away."  (A small violin is playing really sad music right now as I look down toward the floor with a sad and dejected look upon my face).  Anyway, if you want to read about my brother, I guess you can. 

www.mlive.com/entertainment/sanews/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1172402571247230.xml&coll=9

Hopefully that will take you to the article.  But maybe not.  If it doesn't, I'm sorry.  Just blame it on Dragon Naturally Speaking. 

Bec