2008 is Here!

Happy New Year!




"New Year's Day" by U2

Should I or Shouldn't I? New Year's Resolutions

I never understood the traditions that come with New Year's.  Everyone has to party and drink all the way up to midnight to ring in the New Year.  Then, you have to kiss someone at midnight.  I've been to parties that I didn't want to kiss anyone.

Then, there's the resolutions part.  I resolve to do ...?

I seem to make the same ones every year and the one one I succeed in is losing weight, but not every year because sometimes I have gained weight.  I lost a lot of weight in 2007. but I still have career problems, financial problems and sometimes health problems.  They never seem to go away.  Everyone tells me I am making the right steps to attain my goals, but here I am still at Square One (and I don't mean the shopping mall north of Boston).

I would love to make money at writing, but once again I hear that external voice from someone saying "You don't have experience."  Well, I do because I have written a lot of material in my life.  Only 99% of it hasn't been published yet.  No wonder self-publishing sounds so appealing these days.

To be a good writer (or any self-employment situation), you first have to have a good stable paying day job to support yourself.  Although I have a day job, it does not provide what I need to take my writing business to the next step.  What's worse about this job (which I can't go into detail about) is that the employer ignores my true talents and experience and the co-workers seem to be stuck in complaining about what's wrong with the employer but never come up with solutions.  Not a good environment to grow and develop a career in anything in that environment.   I do hate being in a dysfunctional situation.

Now, I have to find a way out of there and into a job with money and career growth.  This is something I always have to do very often in my adult life.  Hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since I graduated from Emerson College and I am still not settled in a career that has an adequate salary.

I am one of those Aspies that is underemployed.

That is only a third of my problems.  I still have problems with health.  I feel fine, but I sometimes feel stressed out and depressed which distracts my thinking.  It's hard for me to be organized in my personal life.  I can't make big decisions about my condo or my car.  Should I find another place to live or get a new car?  I just don't know where to go with that.

Another area of my life which is very personal but also a big problem area.  I have a very difficult relationship with my parents.  Right now, one of them is having serious health problems.  It's hard to describe my feelings in that area.  I am also still single.  Will I get marry and have a baby in 2008?  I'm not interested in staying single for the rest of my life, but marriage is a serious thing that shouldn't be rushed into.  I also yearn for motherhood too.  I also like to live in a big house with a two car garage in the suburbs.  Will those become a reality n 2008?

Only time will tell.

Happy New Year!

The Autism Fruit Salad

Autism expert, Donna Williams, explains the diversity of autism in her article called "What is Autism?  Beyond the Symptoms and Stereotypes."  She describes the differences in autism/asperger's like a fruit salad.  This is an interesting read.  Please, check it out.

Lack of Sleep = Diabetes

A recent study indicates that at least three days worth of lack of sleep can increase a person's risk for diabetes.  It also can lead to weight gain.  People used in the study were not able to process sugar and their metabolism slowed down after three days of poor sleep.  When people get older, it gets harder to go to sleep at night and get the required sleep.

It always looks like there is a down side to Sleep Apnea.

Traveling Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Jeff Lynne
of ELO and The Traveling Wilburys

The Beatles' "Inner Light" song by Jeff Lynne at the Concert for George



"Inside Out" by The Traveling Wilburys



"Don't Bring Me Down" by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)

Mike & Davy's Special Day!

Happy Birthday,
Mike Nesmith
&
Davy Jones
of the Monkees!

"Eldorado to the Moon" by Mike Nesmith



"Girl" by Davy Jones



"What Am I Doing Hangin' Round?" by The Monkees

Next Year, The Return of Dave & Craig

David Letterman and his company, Worldwide Pants, have reached an agreement with the Writers Guild of America in order to start making new episodes of "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson."  The new shows start to air next week.  Both shows have been off the air and in reruns since early November when the Writers strike started.

Welcome back, Dave and Craig!

Outside In Song of the Week (Last One for 2007)

It's the end of 2007.  I'm still on the fence about making resolutions.  Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't.  Depends on the mood I'm in on New Year's Day, which is a couple of days away now.

"Ding Dong Ding Dong" by George Harrison

The Man's Birthday

Happy
Birthday,
Stan
The Man
Lee
Co-creator of Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, etc. of Marvel Comics Fame

Excelsior!

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Kidnap Ads to Be Removed

According to Yvona Fast's recent opinion piece "Who Kidnapped My Child?", the recent kidnap ads to raise awareness about psychiatric disorders are going to be removed after protests from parents, advocates, and organizations.  The New York University Child Study Center has announced that they are going to remove the ads and want to do an online town hall meeting.

More about the end of the controversial ad campaign:

http://www.mmm-online.com/NYU-nixes-controversial-awareness-ads-on-child-psych-ills/article/100086/

Hope and Support from Canada

Learn the story about Margot Nelles, a mother who has two sons with Asperger's Syndrome and who created the Aspergers Society of Ontario up in Canada.  She helps parents and children who contact her.  She even spends up to two hours talking to every contact giving them the moral support needed.

Thanks, Margot!

Back to The Blog!

I'm back from Christmas vacation.  The last few days were busy and hectic while visiting my family.  At least, I got some good birthday and Christmas presents this year.

When I got back tonight to my condo, I was thrilled to get a Christmas card from my former dj mentor, Joe Martelle.  He lives in Colorado these days.

Storm and Cap, my two cats, were glad to see me again.  The pet sitter looked after them while I was gone.

So, now it's back to writing.

Outside In Song of the Week (Merry Christmas)

Merry Christmas
From
Outside In!

I'm going out of town for a few days for Christmas Vacation.  Won't be back until the 26th!  Enjoy!

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love on "The Late Show with David Letterman" (from 2006)

See Jane Hit 70

Happy Birthday,
Jane Fonda
(slightly belated because her birthday's December 21, and it's a little bit after midnight)

Famous actress daughter of actor Henry Fonda is now 70 years old.  What a milestone!

Back in 1968, Jane hit another milestone as Barbarella

Shopping This Week has been Hard

This past week, we in Boston have been hit with three snowstorms.  That put a dent in my Christmas shopping.  I managed to do some tonight.  I don't have any time to rest because I am flying out to DC tomorrow afternoon. 

The snow and freezing cold are an annoyance when you are trying to get things done.  What makes things worse was that I slipped and fell on the ice last Saturday and hurt my arm.  Pain is not a good thing around this time of year.  It was only three years ago when I had that awful car accident.  My right leg is still having problems in the thigh and knee area, despite all the exercises I have done and physical therapy.

I hate doing late shopping, but I can't seem to avoid it.

Vinyl 45 Records Were Popular Once

Back in the 1980s, I used to hang out with Joe Martelle, the host of the radio show called "Saturday Night Live at the Oldies."  Those were fun times.  Great music too.  The music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s were featured.

Joe used vinyl 45 records and this video shows the type of turntables used at the old WROR (98.5) FM.

"Gimme Gimme Good Loving" by Crazy Elephant (a song played often by Joe Martelle at the turntable)

Why I Hate Digging My Car Out of the Snow

Last Saturday afternoon, I was digging my car out of the ice and snow which was the result of last Thursday's storm.  There was ice everywhere, especially on the ground in front of my car.  While I was walking around it, I slipped and landed on my left arm.  It felt sore afterwards.

Tonight, I had a doctor look at my left wrist and my left shoulder.  They're both sprained.  I can't do any heavy lifting for the next several days.  So I will be having a hard time when I am going to the airport on this coming Saturday to fly down to DC to visit my family for Christmas.

Just my luck.  :(

Still Alive after All These Years

Happy Birthday,
Keith Richards
(The Rolling Stones)

Keith Richards in "The Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End"
 


Keith Sings "Happy" Live!

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday!  Happy Birthday to Me! 
I hit 43 today!  Sucks that I have to go to work today, instead of partying all day.

"Birthday" by Paul McCartney (Knebworth 1990)

Sad News: Dan Fogelberg has Passed Away

Rest in Peace,
Dan Fogelberg
(August 13, 1951 - December 16, 2007)

The singer/songwriter passed away yesterday due to prostate cancer.  He'll be missed

"Same Auld Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg

Outside In Song of the Week

Three years ago on December 6, 2004, I was in a terrible car accident and suffered injuries to my neck, back, and right leg.  Fortunately, I wasn't totally incapacitated because I was still mobile.  However, I wasn't able to fly home to visit family for Christmas that year.

I listened to WODS-FM (who were playing nothing but Christmas music) while recovering and heard this funny song about an Italian Christmas Donkey called Dominick.  It put a smile on my face.  Laughter is the best medicine!

The song was recorded back in 1960 by Lou Monte.  Sadly, Lou passed away in 1989 of emphysema.  Thanks for the wonderful song, Lou!

Dominick the Donkey, the Italian Christmas Donkey by Lou Monte

Was I Kidnapped and Now Currently Being Held Hostage?

The "Ransom Notes" public awareness campaign in New York City is causing an uproar to many autism/Asperger's advocates.  These public service announcements started running this week in New York magazine, Newsweek, kiosks, billboards, and construction sites around New York City.  In the "Ransom Notes" ads, the psychiatric disorder (autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or bulimia) has taken a child hostage and demands the parent to do something about it.  The ads were created by the New York University Child Study Center in order to raise awareness.

One such "Ransom Note" says this:

We have your son. We will make sure he will no longer be able to care for himself or interact socially as long as he lives.

- Autism

Another one says this:

We have your son.  We are destroying his ability for social interaction and driving him into a life of complete isolation.  It's all up to you.

- Asperger Syndrome

This is a bad idea.  Were people with diabetes and cancer kidnapped and held hostage?  Of course not.  Why make these disorders look more negative than before?  A lot of advocates are trying to make psychiatric disorders look less negative.  One advocate with a son with autism said that it makes her feel that a criminal element was added to the psychiatric disorders.

Read all about this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/business/media/14adco.html?ref=media
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_psych_groups_fury_over_ransom_ads-1.html

2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees!

Congratulations to the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees!  The ceremony will be in New York on March 10.

Inductees
John Mellencamp
The Ventures
The Dave Clark Fives
Madonna
Leonard Cohen

I am very happy to see John Mellencamp is getting the honor.  He is a great singer, songwriter, and musician.  Also, I am glad all over (pun intended) to see The Dave Clark Fives too on this list. 

"Glad All  Over" by The Dave Clark Five



"Walk Don't Run" by The Ventures



"Vogue" by Madonna

DVD Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Dick Van Dyke!

Rob Petrie is the ultimate sitcom character.  Very funny guy played by Dick Van Dyke.  His own self-tilted show is a classic.  The Must-See Sitcom ever!  It had everything: funny next-door neighbors, zany co-workers, and hilarious family members.

Rob Petrie lectures about the Art of Slapstick

AANE Members in The NY Times

A few of my fellow members of the Asperger Association of New England were mentioned last Sunday in The New York Times in an article called, "Your Child's Disorder May Be Yours Too."  It focuses on the related disorders between parent and child.  One child was diagnosed with autism while his father was later diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.  One mother who is raising two sons with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) learned that she has some attention deficits and is now taking medicatin for it.

It makes me wonder if my parents have any similar Asperger's traits.  My mother is in denial about my having Asperger's Syndrome.  My father accepts I have Asperger's, but he doesn't understand the problems I still have like seeing things literally and not figuratively.  I do have a niece with Social Anxiety Disorder and a nephew with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) with some autism.  A few years ago, I learned that my father's deceased Cousin Peter was severely retarded.

Looks like disorders are all in the family.

New York Times Writes about John Robison's Book, "Look Me in The Eye"

Yesterday, The New York Times did an article called "Books: Seeing Yourself in Autism" which talks about John Robison's memoir, Look Me in The Eye.  This is a great article because they address that John gives insight, in his memoir, of what his life was before he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. 

I like the paragraph in the article that says, "For parents of children with Asperger’s, Mr. Robison’s story will give them hope."  I had just finish reading John's book over the weekend and it filled me with hope.  I happen to be an adult with Asperger's, not a parent though.

I've had many similar struggles with socializing with others and ending up being isolated a lot.  People thought the worst from me, and I wondered why they saw something different about me and why they didn't seem to have a clue what I was thinking and feeling.  I'm glad there are others like John to tell our story.

Check out John Robinson's thoughts about the NY Times article:

http://jerobison.blogspot.com/2007/12/me-in-new-york-times-upcoming-events.html

Chicago Tribune Writes about Asperger's

The major newspaper called The Chicago Tribune has a great article titled "Asperger's Syndrome Comes Front and Center."  They talk about people with Asperger's syndrome who are in the spotlight right now model Heather Kuzmich of "America's Next Top Model," author John Robison of Look Me in The Eye, and music critic Tim Page of The Washington Post.

All this publicity does help the general public understand what Asperger's is.

Thanks, Chicago Tribune.

Let's Not Forget Jim Morrison Today!

Happy Birthday,
Jim Morrison
(December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971)

Overshadowed by John Lennon's murder, Jim Morrison's birthday is today.  However, a lot of radio stations focus more on John Lennon on this day and briefly mention that it's Jim's birthday today.

Back in 1981, I read the biography about Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors called No One Here Gets Out Alive by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman when I was a high schooler in suburban Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC.  After reading it, I felt very compelled to go to college and find a career.  It was a life-altering moment for me because it helped me become ambitious.  I was such a different person back then.  I felt as though my life was hopeless and unfocused.

Thanks, Jim, for the Mojo Rising.

Jim Morrison Shocks the World in 1969



"Touch Me" by The Doors (From the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour)



"Break On Through" by The Doors (on the TV show called "Shebang")

Remembering John Lennon (Part 2)

John Lennon used to be in a band back in the 1960s called The Beatles.  He wrote a lot of songs for that band (with a little help from fellow Beatle Paul McCartney).

"I Am The Walrus" by The Beatles



"Nowhere Man" from "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles



John went solo after the Beatles broke up in 1970 and created a lot of classic songs on his own.

"Watching The Wheels" by John Lennon

Outside In Song of the Week (Remembering John Lennon)

Hard to believe that it was way back in 1980 on this day when John Lennon was mercilessly gunned down by a deranged fan right in front of his apartment building, the Dakota.  It stunned the world.  We miss you, John!

A few days ago, a madman gunned down 9 people in a shopping mall.  Why is this happening frequently?  Several months ago, there was another man gunning down people in Virginia Tech.  Something has to be done about the mental health profession. 

Just last week, there was a hostage crisis in New Hampshire town at a Hillary Clinton Campaign office.  A man with road flares taped to his body held people there for several hours.  Thankfully, no one was hurt or killed, despite the fact that the man was hoping to get himself killed by police.

When will people give peace a chance?  It's sad that the mall massacre happened during the holiday season.  Should we be on guard and watch our backs for the next lunatic with a gun to show up?  John Lennon didn't want to be paranoid and have bodyguards around him constantly.  He was living a peaceful life and just wanted to go back into the music business and start touring to promote his new album, Double Fantasy.  That wouldn't bother anyone, except for a deranged person.

Is there an answer to this problem?

*****Yoko Ono suggests that everyone do a moment of silence for John at 11:15 pm tonight in memory of him.******

"Happy Christmas (The War is Over)" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Remembering the Big O!

Roy Orbison
April 23, 1936 - December 6, 1988

Very much missed!  I cried like a baby when I heard on the radio that he had died of a heart attack.

"You Got It" by Roy Orbison

Long Tall Milestone

Happy 75th Birthday,
Little Richard!

He hits a milestone today!  Congrats!

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard

OZ Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Ozzy Osbourne!

"Crazy Train" (Live in Concert) by Ozzy Osbourne

Life: The Virtual Reality Game!

The University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth are working with people with Asperger's Syndrome to help them with life skills using virtual reality training.  The researchers are helping them with typical real life situations that involve using social skills like job interviews and asking someone out on a date.

In the virtual reality programs, the people with Asperger's Syndrome can encounter new people and situations in a safe environment and learn how to respond correctly in social situations.

Sounds like fun.

Yvona Fast Asks "Are We Ready?"

Author Yvona Fast's editorial "Embracing the Face of Autism: Are We Ready?" is a great read.  She talks about Hillary Rodham Clinton's $700 million autism plan to help families with children of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  Then, Yvona wonders if the general public is ready to handle to huge number of adults with ASDs coming into the work force.

She goes into detail about the struggle that many of us like her went through as undiagnosed adults with ASDs).  We were all picked on while growing up and had to problems trying to fit in.  Getting the work we want was a hassle because everyone noticed that we were not good at making social connections, even though we were capable of doing our tasks.

Fever!

A study suggests that children with autism spectrum disorders who were suffering from a fever showed behavior changes.  Dr. Andrew Zimmerman, pediatric neurologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, believes that poor connections between the synapses in the brain causes the behavior problems and lack of social and language skills in children with autism spectrum disorders.  Dr. Zimmerman wonders which synapses are involved and how to stimulate them.

His study consisted of two groups of children with autism spectrum disorders.  One group of children had fevers while another group didn't.  Their parents filled out questionnaires about behaviors during the week.  The children with fevers showed changes, but only temporary because the new behaviors disappeared with the fevers.

I don't recall acting differently whenever I had a fever.  I don't know what to make of this.

Outside In Song of the Week

I finally got my tree decorated!  So, in honor of the holiday season, let's do a Christmas song.  'Tis the season to be jolly!

"The Chipmunk Song" by Alvin and The Chipmunks with Dave Seville (aka Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.)



The new "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie comes out on December 14!