Shred's in The Globe!

My fellow Emerson alumni, Shred, is featured in The Boston Globe this week.  He recently left WBCN in Boston and was briefly doing radio in Glen Falls, New York.  In the article, "Once Again, Shred Makes the Scene" find out what he's been up since coming back to Boston last month.

Welcome Back, Shred!

Paul Says "I Feel Fine"

Recently, Paul McCartney has noted on his new redesigned website that he is fine and didn't have an angioplasty last year.  He reported that a year ago he went to his doctor who found some irregularity with his heart and the problem was fixed.  He just saw his doctor again and he passed with flying colors.

Great to hear that you're fine, Paul.

Paul's website: http://www.paulmccartney.com/

9 Year Old Boy with Asperger's Steers Car to Safety

A very heroic story from England.  A nine-year-old boy with Asperger's named Jonathan Anderson saved his and his mother's lives when he took control of her car after she passed out.  It was during rush hour traffic, and the car was going at 70 mph.  Using one hand on the steering wheel and one on the hand brake, he managed to get the car to the side of the road and wait for help to arrive.

His mother, Marion, passed out while she was driving him to school.  Doctors believe that an underactive thyroid was the cause of her sudden black out.

Jonathan admitted that the experience was "scary."

You're a hero, Jonathan.  Good Job!

More Doubt About the Vaccine-Autism Link

A new study has learned that the mercury in a vaccine leaves the infant's body too quickly for it to cause any damage to the brain.  Once again, there is still no proof that thimerosal, the mercury preservative in vaccines, causes autism.  However, there are certain groups who keep on claiming there is a link.

The argument over thimerosal has heated up again this week when the American Academy of Pediatrics asked ABC to cancel the first episode of "Eli Stone" because a woman who has a son with autism wins a lawsuit charging that a vaccine caused the condition.  ABC has refused to cancel the show and will be airing tomorrow night, January 31, at 10 p.m.

ABC plans to show the website address of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the end of the episode.

I'm still planning on watching "Eli Stone" because I know one of the creators of the show, Marc Guggenheim.  He's a fellow member of the John Byrne Forum.

Major Dynasty Birthday

Happy 90th Birthday,
John Forsythe
"Blake Carrington" from "Dynasty" and "Bentley Gregg" of "Bachelor Father"

I loved watching "Dynasty" back when it was on during the 1980s!  We had "Dynasty Watching" Parties at Emerson College.

Dramatic Cliffhanger ending of one "Dynasty" episode from Season 3 (We all screamed when we saw this in college)



Access Hollywood's story about the "Dynasty" reunion (2006)

Iowa Man Says "Asperger's a Lifelong Battle"

A man in Iowa named Jim Leseney wrote a letter to The Des Moines Register about bringing awareness about adults with Asperger's Syndrome.  He was writing in response to the Register's article about centers that were helping children with Asperger's Syndrome.

He emphasized that it was important to teach the public that children with Asperger's grow to be adults with Asperger's.  The 62-year-old man was diagnosed two years ago with Asperger's.

Congratulations, Craig!

Congratulations to Craig Ferguson, the host of "The Late Late Show" on CBS.  He passed his US Citizenship test with a perfect score.  In a few weeks, he will be taking the oath of citizenship in the next few weeks.

The 47-year-old host is originally from Glasgow, Scotland.

Hawkeye Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Alan Alda!
Star of "M*A*S*H

He starred in my favorite TV show ever!!!!  I had a big crush on him when I was in high school.  The show was still on the air at the time.  I have so many favorite episodes.  It's hard to pick just one.

Alan on "The View" in December 2007 Clip 1



Alan on "The View" in December 2007 Clip 2

Natalie has 3 Kids!

Heartwarming story about Natalie Kolody in the Chicago Tribune's article called "Family has 3 Kids, Unlimited Judges."  She is a mom who travels a lot because she is a software salesperson and has three children with special needs.  Her stay-at-home husband helps her with raising her kids.  Her oldest child has Asperger's Syndrome, the second oldest has sensory processing disorder, and both the second oldest and youngest child have pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

She also faces challenges from other people misjudge her children when she and her family are out in public.  The children get overstimulated and the other people don't understand what's really going on with them and confront Natalie with statements like "you need to discipline your children" and "you need to make them behave."

I find it a bother that other people have no clue about what the real situation is and quickly pass judgment on others when they don't know the truth.  It's happened to me most of my life.  They had no idea that I was going through depression and frustration over my career and personal life issues.  I experienced sensory overloads when I was a child (stomach and chest pains were a big distraction for me and got me bent out of shape).  Of course, I didn't know I was experiencing sensory overloads because I didn't know there was a name for it.

I did find it annoying that other people didn't know what was going on with me when I was quiet and not talking to people.  They actually believed that I was purposely being snobbish towards them and/or being rude.  What a load of nonsense!  I just didn't know how to interpret the social situation.  Some settings I've been in (school, work, receptions, attending concerts or some public event) never looked like I had to socialize with the people around me.

Outside In Song of the Week

Happy Birthday,
Eddie Van Halen

Last October, I saw Van Halen at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.  They put on a great show.  Eddie's son, Wolfgang, filled in for Michael Anthony.  It was an amazing show.

Eddie and his brother, Alex, met David Lee Roth at school during the 1970s.

"Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen

"Billy The Kid" Review in Boston Globe

The documentary called Billy the Kid is being shown at the Coolidge Corner Theatre right now in Boston.  A first time filmmaker called Jennifer Venditti followed Billy Price around in Brunswick, Maine, for about eight days.

It was only after the documentary finished that Billy learned that he has Asperger's Syndrome.

Please check out, "A Touching Portrait of an 'Average' American Teenager."

One Grandma is Pro-Early Intervention

A great article by a grandmother named Shirley Caudill states that early intervention makes a child with autism thrive on his/her strengths.  Her story, "Fast-spreading Autism Steals Children Away," tells about Benjamin, her grandson, and what his parents did to help him with behavior adjustment by homeschooling him. 

The early intervention minimized the meltdowns and other problems.  I wish I had something like that when I was young.

Great story, Shirley.  Thanks for your input!

40 Years for Laugh-In

I was so distracted by the death of Heath Ledger that I forgot to mention that yesterday was the 40th Anniversary of the first episode of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.  It was a comedy variety program on NBC that was placed on Monday nights to fill the 8 p.m. time slot, recently vacated by the canceled Man from U.N.C.L.E. show on January 22, 1968.  The show ran until 1973.  It was a number 1 show during its run.

There was a regular cast and tons of guest stars that appeared every week.  Even Richard Nixon showed up for an episode to say "Sock it to me."

Cast of Laugh-In
Dan Rowan
Dick Martin
Ruth Buzzi
Gary Owens
Arte Johnson
Henry Gibson
Jo Anne Worley
Goldie Hawn
Teresa Graves
Lily Tomlin
Judy Carne
Alan Sues
Dave Madden
Chelsea Brown

Happy 40th Anniversary
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In!

The Quickies!

Nightline's "Girls with Autism"

Tonight, Nightline on ABC will be doing a story about girls with autism.  On their website, they have an article called "'Underdiagnosed' Girls with Autism Struggle to Fit In." 

It's been hard for me to fit in anywhere for my entire life.  It was especially hard while I was a child in school.  I was alienated and targeted a lot.  I still have the emotional scars.

Special thanks for Gordon, my friend, for e-mailing me this tip.

Bill Clinton Falls Asleep!

Former President Bill Clinton fell asleep behind Martin Luther King III's speech about the legacy of his late father, Dr. Martin Luther King.  Obviously, Bill has been campaigning too hard for Hillary that he can't get enough sleep.

Get some rest, Bill!  You have a heart condition and need to take care of yourself.

Heath Ledger RIP

Sad news this afternoon as actor Heath Ledger was found dead in New York City.  It seems like it was a drug overdose, but police are still investigating.  Heath just completed the next Batman movie called The Dark Knight, in which he plays the Joker.

In 2006, Heath was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Brokeback Mountain.  He was only 28 years old.

RIP

The Dark Knight Trailer

Mourning 2 TV Legends

Character actor, Allan Melvin, who best known as "Sam the Butcher" on the TV show "The Brady Bunch" died of cancer last Thursday night in Los Angeles.  He was 84 years old.  He was also a regular on "The Phil Silvers Show" and "All in the Family."  He was also the voice of Magilla Gorilla.  He appeared on many other TV shows from the 1950s to the 1990s.

RIP, Allan.

Liquid Plumr Commercial by Allan Melvin (one of the many he did for this product)



Suzanne Pleshette, best remembered for playing Emily on "The Bob Newhart Show," died of respiratory failure Saturday night.  She was 70 years old.  Years after "The Bob Newhart Show" ended, Suzanne worked with Bob Newhart in the final episode of "Newhart" in which Bob wakes up next to Suzanne and remembers that he is Dr. Bob Hartley the psychiatrist, not Dick Louden the innkeeper.  Suzanne later married actor Tom Poston (who co-starred with Bob Newhart on "Newhart") in 2000.  Tom passed away in April 2007 of cancer.

RIP Suzanne!

AP Report about Suzanne's Passing

Singer/Songwriter John Stewart RIP

Former member of the Kingston Trio, John Stewart, has passed away yesterday due to a massive stroke or brain aneurysm.  He was 68 years old.  He wrote The Monkees' song "Daydream Believer."  After leaving the Kingston Trio, he embarked on a successful solo career.

He'll be missed.  RIP, John Stewart!

"Daydream Believer" by The Monkees



"Gold" by John Stewart (I played this song a lot when I was disc jockey)

Outside In Song of the Week

Happy Birthday,
David Ruffin
(January 18, 1941 - June 1, 1991)

David was one of the lead singers of the Motown Group called The Temptations back in the 1960s.  He went on to have a successful solo career during the 1970s.  During the 1980s, David reunited with fellow Temptation, Eddie Kendricks, and toured around the world with him for a few years.  Sadly, we lost David to a drug overdose in June 1991.  He was only 50 years old.

"My Girl" by The Temptations

Gail Simone, the New Wonder Woman Writer

Congratulations to Gail Simone, who now is writing the Wonder Woman comic book.  She is making history because for the very first time a woman is writing about Wonder Woman's adventures. 

Gail has been writing the Birds of Prey comic book for several years.

The comic book character has been around for 66 years!  She still looks young!

It's Foggy; Let's Dance!

Arts from the Heart, a local art collaborative, is hosting an event at the Middleborough Public Library called "Dancing Through Fog: Living Under the Specters of Mental Disorder and Mental Illness."  The January 26th event is for artists or their family members who struggle with mental illness or condition.  It runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  The public is invited to come to an open mike session at the beginning of the program to bring poems, music, brief stories, and monologues.

Christopher Wood Robbins of Whitman, Massachusetts, who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last April is coordinating the event with Louise Dery-Wells, a local psychotherapist who is also a good poet.  Robbins wanted to do this event to raise awareness of mental disorders and illnesses.

Gather around This Special Education Article

Gather.com is a writers forum.  Troy W. has written an interesting article called "Special Education: Important to Whom?"  He makes a great case for children with autism spectrum disorders needing help with their education and learning social interaction.

Please, check it out.

Autism at the Palace

Over in the United Kingdom, it was autism day at the Palace of Westminster.  Baroness Pola Uddin  urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch an Autism Taskforce to look at education and health issues for  people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.  Researchers say that 1 in 100 children may have autism.  Right now, there are 500,000 people diagnosed with autism and Asperger's.

Baroness Uddin is a supporter of the Autism Awareness Campaign, headed by Ivan Corea.

Bobbie Gentry's Ex-Husband's Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Jim Stafford!

He's the clown prince of country music who used to be married to Bobbie Gentry ("Ode to Bille Joe").  They did a "Leggo  My Eggo" commercial back in the 1970s.  He had two big hits in the early 1970s: "Spiders and Snakes" and "My Girl Bill."  These days, you can find Jim Stafford in Branson, Missouri, at the Jim Stafford Theatre performing his songs and covering other classic songs.  I've heard he puts on a great show out there.  Check out his website: http://www.jimstafford.com/

"Mason Williams' Classical Gas" by Jim Stafford (performed on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson")



"Spiders and Snakes" by Jim Stafford (from "The New Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" from 1988)

Let Smith Shuffle The Deck

A very positive story in The Connecticut Post called "Autism No Hurdle for HCC Freshman" is wonderful.  A freshman at Housatonic Community College named Austin Smith has Asperger's Syndrome and loves to shuffle card decks.  His goal is to become a writer.  His parents are very supportive of him and advocate for him.

Good Luck with the Writing, Austin!

Prickley Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Andrea Martin
(Second City Television and Emerson College Alum)

I loved watching SCTV back in the 1980s.  Great stuff they did!  Very Funny!  Sometimes, they were better than "Saturday Night Live."

Edith Prickley Teaches "How to Make a Passport Photo" (Sunrise Semester)

Happy Birthday, MLK!

Happy Birthday,
Martin Luther King!
(January, 15 1929 - April 4, 1968)

Today is his actual birthday.  The holiday is to be celebrated on Monday, January 21.  He was the man who had a dream.  He is an inspiration to many.

I  recently wrote about Martin Luther King, President Lyndon, and Hillary Clinton in my other blog, Uncommon Bostonian.   Please, check it out.

The famous "I have a dream" speech by Martin Luther King



Back in the 1980s, I bought my very first U2 vinyl 45 single, Pride (In the Name of Love).  On the jacket sleeve was a picture of Martin Luther King.  The song is U2's tribute to him.

Here Comes The Snow Again!

The mild temperatures were not going to last long.  Tomorrow, snow will be coming into the Northeast in the form of a nor'easter.  Boston is expected to get at least a foot of snow by the end of tomorrow.

Now, I have to dig out my car again.  I hope I don't slip and fall like I did last month.  My left arm just recovered from that fall.

Outside In Song of the Week

Next Tuesday, Ringo Starr releases his latest CD, Liverpool 8.  Being a Beatles fan myself, I have to promote it on my blog.  The single is the title song which songs great.  It has references to the Beatles (of course!) and Rory Storm (Ringo was in his band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, just before he joined the Fab Four as their new drummer).

"Liverpool 8" by Ringo Starr



Ringo talks about his new CD with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics who is the producer.

Work Woes!

I'm not happy at my current job, but I can't mention who my employer is here.  I hate being an underemployed person with Asperger's Syndrome.  At least, it's better than unemployed.  I put in for a position at my job recently and was told I didn't have enough experience.

How many times have I heard that line before?  Too many times.  I have worked very hard since I graduated from Emerson College back in 1986.  It's insulting that other people won't recognize my strengths and just focus on my weaknesses.  Even though I am a 1999 graduate of the Katharine Gibbs School, I still have a hard time finding the right paying job. 

Right now, I can't afford to quit.  Thanks to my employer, my salary is pitiful.  I don't really have anything at the bank to support me as an unemployed worker.

I hope I can find a better job soon.  I wish I could get paid to write in this blog.

I'm talented enough to get paid for a writing gig, regardless of experience.

Congratulations, Stella! It's a Boy!

Paul McCartney's daughter, Stella, welcomed her third child this week.  The newborn is named Beckett Robert Lee.  Stella and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, have a son named Miller Alasdhair James who turns three next month and a daughter named Bailey Linda Olwyn who turned one last month.  Stella and Alasdhair have been married since 2003.

Genetic Defect in 1% of Autism Cases

Researchers have found in 1 per cent of autism cases found a genetic defect.  It might lead to identifying the condition early in children.  The Autism Consortium in Boston found deletions or duplications in chromosome 16 among 24 of the 2,252 people from autism families.

I heard Dr. Malika Marshall talk about this story on the Channel 4 news in Boston.

Still Rising!

Despite the removal of a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal from most childhood vaccines, autism is still rising high in California.  The elimination of the thimerosal was recommended back in 1999 after autism diagnosis started to rise during the 1990s.  However, a study of children from 1999 to March 2007 should an increase in autism in children.

It's really hard to pin down what's causing this (very obvious statement).  Are the researchers looking in the right place?  What exactly is the right place to look for the cause?

Last Time I Checked

Hillary's in the lead right now, but it's too close too call.

Btw, McCain beat out Mitt!

It's the only time every four years when New Hampshire is interesting for at least a day.

The King of Rock's 73rd

Happy Birthday,
Elvis Presley!

He would have been 73 today!  Very much missed!

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley



"Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley

Bowie Birthday

Happy Birthday,
David Bowie!

He's one of my favorite rock legends!

"China Girl" by David Bowie

Denzel Loves Clint!

Denzel Washington says that he loves Clint Eastwood and calls him "his hero."  He also talks about his latest movie called The Great Debators in which he directs as well as stars.  Obviously, he is following Clint's career path with the starring and directing movies routine.  Denzel's new movie now has a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture.

Way to go, Denzel!

Dr. Phil to the Rescue?

It looks like Dr. Phil McGraw has escorted Britney out of the hospital today, two days before her scheduled release date.  Some reports say that she is going to be on his show this Monday.

The big question: Can Dr. Phil succeed while others have failed to help her?

Good Luck, Dr. Phil!

Outside In Song of The Week

So, I spent Christmas at home with my family in Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC.  I got into a conversation with my brother-in-law about the music I listened to on the radio when I was very young back in the early 1970s.  He was surprised that I listened to novelty songs, a little country, rock and roll, and soul music.  He even asked me which station I was listening to at the time, but I don't remember.  From what I do remember is that I flipped around the dial a lot.  I didn't have a regular station to listen to at the time.  It was in high school in the early 1980s, I listened to WRQX-FM, Q107, on a regular basis.  Good music.

Here's a song I listened to when I was little.  It features Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s dad as the lead singer.  Cuba Jr. just celebrated his 40th birthday on January 2.

"Everybody Plays a Fool" by The Main Ingredient

Train Wreck Keeps On Rolling

It seems that in this country we can't take care of people when they have severe emotional/mental problems.  It's usually assumed that one stay or, maybe, three stays in rehab is the instant cure-all for problems in one's life.   The loved ones around these troubled people think that their problems are behind them already, but they're not.  They shouldn't let them go to Italy for New Year's or leave them alone with toddlers.

What happened last night in California is obvious that something is very wrong with the mental health profession.  Why aren't these girls (they are not old enough to be women even though they are in their 20s) getting the real help they need?  Is it because they're celebrities?  It's very clear that they shouldn't be living independently at all.  They were ill prepared from the very beginning to be doing that.

Of course, it is major news for the media.  They're vultures and devour all this bad stuff so it makes those girls even more famous for the wrong reasons.  We all are too willing to watch.

Hard to break the cycle.

BBBRRRRR!!!!

It's cold outside!  I hate when it gets this cold!  My condo takes forever to warm up.  My cats hide underneath my bed.  Seems as though that's the warmest place in here.  My living room feels like a freezer.  Those blasted big windows don't keep out the drafts!

Tomorrow, according to the weather people, it will warm up to 34 degrees.  That will feel like a heatwave.

Next week, the temperature's going up to the 60s.  New England weather is always this screwy.  I wonder how the rest of the year will be temperature-wise.

In the meantime, stay warm.

Paul Had Heart Surgery!

My favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney, had emergency heart surgery recently.  He had a coronary angioplasty in secret and made a complete recovery.  Paul performed at Jules Holland's New Year's Eve Party on the BBC this week.

Whew!  I almost had a heart attack when the ET people mentioned that Paul had heart surgery.

I hope Paul takes better care of himself from now on.  Maybe he should get health tips from Ringo.  Last time I saw Ringo in concert, he looked younger than Paul. 

Ringo is the oldest Beatle.