2007 At Last!

Happy New Year!

7-Year Old Gets A Violin for Christmas!

A heart-warming story that happen last week when a 7-year old autistic girl named Pearl Ziegler received her very own violin from Eric Lewis of the Manhattan String Quartet.  Her mother contacted the musician and told him their financial situation and Pearl's desire to have her own violin.

Thanks, Eric.  Merry Christmas!

Dr. Mallika Reports about Autism Research

Dr. Mallika Marshall of CBS4 News in Boston recently did a report on autism called "Researchers Working To Solve The Mystery of Autism."   She talks about the latest on what researchers have discovered about autism.  She also mentions Asperger's Syndrome and the effect it has on people who have it (bullying and trouble communicating socially with others).

Thanks, Dr. Mallika, for raising awareness.

Jonathan the Computer Wizard!

In the article called "The Changing Face of Autism," a young man named Jonathan Galbraith has established his own career through his interest in computers and other things that are electronic.  Jonathan was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when he was a child.  By following his own interest, it has opened doors for him careerwise and it helped developed his own Individual Education Program (IEP).

His parents, April and Lee, have been supporting him during this whole journey.  They are opening a shop for Jonathan to repair computers next year.

This is definately a wonderful story with positive results.

2006 is Almost Over!

I usually don't do year in review essays, but 2006 was rough for me health-wise.  I had a lot of stress from the beginning of the year when my telephone service didn't work at all for more than a month.  Then, my computer broke down.  I got sick very often during this past year with sinus headaches, flu, fever and colds.  In fact, I have been sick for the last two weeks of 2006 with a bad cold.  Not enjoyable.  I've spent most of yesterday in bed.

The only good thing that happened to me in 2006 was meeting the Fonz at my 20th year reunion at Emerson College back in June.

At least, that's something.

On the Road with Mother & Son Radio Team

A mother and her son with Asperger's Syndrome are taking their radio shows on the road to raise awareness about disabilities.  Monica Moshenko has her own twice-a-week radio show on disabilities while her son, Alex, has a show called "Al's Wrestling Talk" which airs on the Internet every Saturday night.  Their goal for 2007 is to take both their radio shows on the road and raise awareness about disabilities.

They also hope to see a few wrestling matches along the way too.

Good Luck, Monica and Alex!  Have a safe trip!

Should I Become a Hollywood Director?

According to playwright David Mamet, movie directors suffer from Asperger's Syndrome.  That's what he says in his new book called Bambi vs. Godzilla: On the Nature, Purpose, and Practice of the Movie Business.  He claims that the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome reads like the job description for a Hollywood movie director.

Mamet currently produces and writes for the TV show "The Unit."  It's a show I sometimes watch.  However, I am not very familiar with his other work.  I remember reading one of his plays when I was in college, but I found it very boring.  I can't remember the title of it.

I think David  Mamet should read more articles about Asperger's Syndrome.

Chevy on Ford

Former SNL cast member, Chevy Chase, talked about the late President Gerald Ford who died late last night at the age of 93.  Chase mocked the President back in the mid-1970s when "Saturday Night Live" started airing on.  After leaving the show, he became friends with the former President and now calls him a "Terrific Guy."

The late President's body will lie in state at the Capital Rotunda in Washington, DC, this weekend.  The funeral will be in Michigan next Wednesday.

RIP James Brown

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, passed away on Christmas morning.   I was surprised when I heard the news.  I had no idea he was in the hospital over the weekend with pneumonia.  He was 73 years old.  He'll be missed.  I remember his performance as a preacher in "The Blues Brothers" movie very well.  He also did the theme song to one of the "Rocky" movies back in the 1980s.

He once did a concert at the Boston Garden in 1968, the day after Martin Luther King was assasinated.  His concert eased racial tensions that were happening in the city during that time.  It was one of the most memorable performances ever at the Garden.

RIP

"Living In America" From Rocky IV

Kwanzaa Starts Today!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration that African Americans do in between Christmas and New Year's.  It starts today.  Each day a principle is focused on.

Day 1: Unity
Day 2: Self-Determination
Day 3: Collective Work and Responsibility
Day 4: Collective Economics
Day 5: Purpose
Day 6: Creativity
Day 7: Faith

X-MAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I spent the last few days in just outside of Washington, DC, with my family for Christmas.  I had to fly back today because I had to go to work tomorrow.  Not fun, but I don't want to get fired.

My vacation was okay, but I was sick most of the time.  I managed to finish my shopping on Friday though.  Usually, I am done sooner.  My cold is still bothering me now.  I have to keep blowing my nose.

Darlene Love singing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on Letterman

Tags: Christmas, Washington, DC, Sick, Vacation, Shopping

What is Ex-Monkee Dolenz Up To Now?

Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees has just finished playing Charlemagne in the musical "Pippin" in Toronto recently.  He has also published a children's book and a Trivia game book in 2006.  AOL News has a great interview with Mickey.  Enjoy!

'Rocky and Bullwinkle' Writer, Chris Hayward Dies at 81

Maybe it does comes in 3s.  Famed TV writer, Chris Hayward, has passed away recently back on November 20.  He wrote for Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Mr. Peabody and, would you believe, Maxwell Smart.  He also created the sitcom called "He & She" that starred Richard Benjamin and Paul Prentiss.  He most famous for creating the classic sitcom "The Munsters."  He also helped in the creation of the classic cartoon "Crusader Rabbit."  In later years, he wrote for the sitcom  "Barney Miller."

He was 81 years old.

RIP

More Sad News - Animater Joe Barbera has died

Joe Barbera, partner of Bill Hana, has passed away today.  He co-created many cartoon charaters with Bill Hana: Tom & Jerry, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear and The Flintstones.  Too many to name here.  They created Saturday morning cartoons.

He'll be missed.  RIP.  At least, he has reunited with Bill Hana who passed away in 2001.

Happy Birthday, Keith Richards!

Happy Birthday
Keith Richards
of the Rolling Stones

(Also, Happy Birthday to Steven Spielburg and Brad Pitt)

"Happy" with the X-Pensive Winos

Denis Payton of the Dave Clark Five has Passed Away

Sad news tonight.  Denis Payton of the Dave Clark Five (DC5), who played harmonica and saxophone and did backing vocals, passed away on Sunday after a long illness.  The Dave Clark Five were one of the British Invasion bands of the 1960s.  Their hits are legendary: "Over & Over," "Catch Us If You Can," "Because," "I  Like It Like That," "Glad All Over," and "Bits & Pieces."

RIP Denis

I feel sad because he died on my birthday yesterday.  When I was a little kid, I used to play my older sister's Dave Clark Five Greatest Hits album all the time in the basement at home.  I really wore out the vinyl on that one.

"Bits & Pieces"

42 Today!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yvonne Christian!

Grandfather for the Fab Fourth Time!

Congrats to Paul McCartney, my favorite Beatle, who is now a grandfather for the fourth time as his daughter, Stella, gave birth to a baby girl this week.  It is the second child for Stella with her husband.  The new baby will be called "Linda" after Paul's late first wife, Linda, who died of breast cancer back in April 1998.

In other Paul news, future ex-wife Heather is livid that Beatrice, their 3-year-old daughter, will be spending Christmas Day with Paul.  However, Paul will let Heather spend time with Beatrice on Boxing Day (the day after Christimas).  He is letting her spend time with the toddler because it is a goodwill gesture.

"Wonderful Christmas Time"

Top Ten Reasons Why I Call Myself The Uncommon Bostonian

Top Ten Reasons why I call myself the Uncommon Bostonian

10. Able to pronounce "Harvard" correctly

9. Know how to drive correctly

8. Don't drink excessively at the drop of a hat like other Bostonians

7. Always being told that "it's uncommon for me to be that tall" (Btw, I'm only 5'11")

6. Used to hang out with Joe Martelle and Andy Moes (Joe & Andy of WROR-FM)

5. Told Famous Boston DJ Charles Laquidara that he was stupid to say that Three Dog Night was a bad band

4. Don't know to make Boston Creme Pie or Boston Baked Beans

3. Wasn't born in Boston

2. Before I moved to Boston, I didn't know that Boston had a baseball team, a hockey team and a football team, but I heard of the Boston Celtics Basketball team

1. Everyone always accusing me of being rebellious, inappropriate, mean, stupid and other unflattering things when in fact I was really a black woman with serious psychological problems (because I was emotionally abused) and a neurological condition called Asperger's Syndrome

Happy Birthday, DVD

Happy Birthday,
Dick Van Dyke!
"Harmony" with MTM

Somebody Remembers Joe & Andy!

I came across a thread on a message board called Radio Info.  The members post their 5 favorite radio personalities in Boston.  One of them mentions Joe Martelle and the late Andy Moes (Joe & Andy), and another mentions Charles Laquidara.   Then, they start talking about who is currently their favorites.

These days, I couldn't even come up with my own list of 5 favorite disc jockeys.

Is My Memory Going into Reverse?

A recent article in the Scientific American mentions that a study finds that the air pressure treatment used by patients with Sleep Apnea helps reverses their memory problems.  The study used three groups of Sleep Apnea patients.  One group that used the CPAP machine for only two hours, the second group that used the machine for six hours and the third group used it for more than six hours.  Each group had improvements with their memories.

I've been using my CPAP for over a year.  I'm still forgetful, but that could be the Asperger's Syndrome or the Nonverbal Learning Disorder causing that.  Also, I do come from a family of forgetful people.

Everybody Loves Karate Fighting!

A martial arts teacher called Kevin Gurganus helps students with autism learn karate in North Carolina.  He even has a son named Zachary who has Asperger's Syndrome.  It is very helpful for his special needs students.  One student with Asperger's Syndrome named Joe used to get picked on at school for being different.  No one bothers him anymore.

When I was a kid, I wanted to learn karate, but my parents were against it.  I can't remember what their reasons were for that.  I was picked on a lot while going to school during those years.  It was a painful experience.  The emotional abuse damaged me badly and I am still healing from those scars.

1910!

I was surprised to find out tonight at the annual condo association meeting that the building I'm living in was built in the year 1910!  That's almost a century old.  I don't remember seeing any information like that in the documents that I signed just before I moved in here ten years ago.  Of course, I haven't looked at any of my condo documents in ages.

My grandfather was born in 1910, and he's dead (it wasn't by natural causes -- someone shot him back in June 1981).

Will I ever live in a modern building?  Since I'm in Boston, that's very doubtful.

Happy Birthday, Jim! Wherever You Are!

Happy Birthday,
Jim Morrison
Lead Singer of the Doors & Lizard King!

"Love Me Two Times" by the Doors

Remembering John Lennon

It's been 26 years since we lost John Lennon.  I still can't believe the way he died.  It was a shock to my system when my father told me what happened outside John's building, the Dakota, in New York City.   I still can't comprehend why it happened.

"Woman" from the Double Fantasy album

Autism Goes to The Dogs!

Great article about trained assistant dogs helping children with autism in the Carolinas.  It's wonderful to interact with a pet.  I remember growing up with dogs in my family.  They were very friendly, of course.  Best of all, they didn't complain to you about anything.

What the Scientists Found Out

Two studies about autism have given scientists insights about the effects of the condition and possible treatment.  One is about the fear-inducing parts of the brain are smaller in people with autism while oxytocin seems to treat the behaviors of autism.

Here's another article about oxytocin being a possible treatment.

Remembering Roy Orbison

I know I'm a day late in doing this.  Roy Orbison passed away the evening of December 6, 1988.  I learned about his untimely death the next morning when my clock radio woke me up.  I heard Joe Martelle talking about Roy dying of a massive heart attack last night.  I cried my eyes out.

"Crying"

Doing Things for The Second Time is Great

Yesterday, I visited Salem, Massachusetts, for the second time.  A friend from my church and her two daughters were showing off their creations at an art show in the Old Town Hall in Salem's downtown section.  It was an interesting show.  I saw all kinds of artwork: painting. sculptures, jewelry, photography, etchings, etc.  There was a holiday bizarre upstairs.  I bought a holiday ornament: a bronze broom with a purple cresant moon on it.

Outside, I walked around the area and saw the Bewitched statue, made in honor of Elizabeth Montgomery's character, Samantha Stevens.  It was placed there last year.  I also walked several blocks over to the House of the Seven Gables and looked at it.  I read the book about it in college.

It was back in early July 200 when I visited Salem for the first time with a few friends.  It was in a different part of Salem.  The place had a boardwalk with restaurants and shops.  We spent an afternoon there.  This was the day before I saw the Who in concert at the Tweeter Center.  John Entwhistle was still alive at the time.  He passed away in June 2002.

Btw, I saw the Who in concert at the Garden last night after I got back home from Salem.  The Pretenders opened for them.  I had a great time.  It was the second time I've seen the Who in concert. 

I've seen the Pretenders in concert a few times over the years.

"We Got a Hit" by the Who from the album "Endless Wire"

Yoga Anyone?

I've been asked over the years to try yoga in order to calm myself and help me think clearer.  I tried it several years back, but it didn't relieve my stress.  In fact, my body didn't improve at all.  I was getting sick every week.  I gave up that yoga class after attending it for several weeks. 

Tonight, I came across this article that says that yoga has been beneficial for autistic children.

College Student Adapts and Raises Awareness about AS

Nicholas Strahl, a liberal arts college student, is doing his best to not to let Asperger's Syndrome define him.  His story is featured in an online student newspaper.  It's an interesting read.  Check it out.

Doctor Who Fan Has Asperger's

Interesting article about Will Hadcroft, who was bullied while growing up.  He realized that he has Asperger's Syndrome when he read an article about it in "Doctor Who" magazine.  His love of Daleks and all things Dr. Who saved him from getting seriously ill from the bullying he was receiving.

The bank worker is going to be on television in the UK to talk about his love of science fiction.  He has also written two books.

Bravo!