It Ain't Rocket Science

Review of the movie "Adam"

Asperger's Syndrome is a condition on the Autism Spectrum which renders people socially awkward. Adam is a movie which offers a glimpse into the life of a young adult Aspie (person with Asperger's) whose father has passed away, leaving him to live alone in a New York City building. He meets a new neighbor and they develop a relationship, but they are from two different worlds and her parents are not kind about pointing this out. Parents who, as the story reveals, have problems of their own.

Despite the obvious stereotypes depicted, the story has warmth and substance... enough so that some have wondered if there might be a sequel. Overall the story revealed the inner richness of this young man and how undervalued and overlooked he felt as well as the stigma that others can place upon someone who is different. His kind and tender heart, extensive knowledge of subjects which pertained to his Special Interests, and his willingness to learn were endearing and memorable.

In the end, I would like to see a different outcome - so I am in the boat with those hoping for a follow-up.

More productive

I've been keeping a relatively well-prioritized "rolling" list the past several days and find myself working hard and ending the days with more of a sense of accomplishment than I did prior to utilizing this method. We'll see if it sticks or slides... time will tell.
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As of August 3, so far so good. I just take anything that I don't get done today and transfer it to other days... I've been much more productive and less forgetful.

Open Letter to Susan Boyle

You may not ever read these words, but if you do I want you to know I care.

Like you, I have spent my life on the sidelines... laughed at, ridiculed and ignored: until I learned to write a good song. I never became the singer you are, but I'd be honored if you ever chose to sing one of my songs. I'd love to sing a duet or two with you any day, any time.

You have let your light shine like a beacon of hope to those of us who have reached middle age with dreams unfulfilled for whatever reasons. My heart is wrenching over the way you were treated and how overwhelming it all must have been to you.

You faced what I have always feared - the limelight, the paparazzi, the naysayers. You came through the fire like a diamond. Rest, my dear sister in spirit, and when you're recovered I hope you'll have the courage to step forth and claim your rightful place, doing what you were born to do.

If you need help and support... there are millions of us who love you and will be here to cheer you up when you're down. Please, don't stop giving us goosebumps.

((((((( HUGS )))))))

Your loyal fan and kindred spirit,
~Lydia

Net Benefitism

Imagine a life with no taxes, no more poverty, no more despair. A life in which your basic needs are all met without any expense to yourself: basic food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education are all considered necessities so they are free… (no charge to YOU) yet luxury items are still available for purchase and there is no limit on the amount of money you can earn. A life of being paid for the net benefit you produce for others and never having a job but rather, working with others to efficiently provide for all the needs of your family and society. Mothers paid for raising their children. Children paid for carrying old folks' groceries to their car or home. Everyone paid for anything they do that benefits someone. Unlike Socialism or Communism, this is an economic system which is completely independent of government. A non-POM society will actually reduce the need for government because if the only way one can get paid is to produce net benefit to others things will just get done. Prostitution, drug addiction, gambling, and crimes motivated by desperation and poverty - this sort of thing will fade away. A Utopian idea? Not entirely. We don't claim to be able to cure all disease nor alleviate ALL the world's problems - only those caused and perpetuated by our current monetary system. Don't believe it can be done? Read the book and enter the discussion.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

This is a video done for my friend Jimmy... I think it's very well-produced.

Pro-Hamas Demonstration - Fort Lauderdale FL

One of my students (I tutor) forwarded this video to me. I was amazed at the intensity of this protest, and its proximity to my home. The location of this video was about halfway between my home and where I work.

For the record, I stand with Israel... and if they can find and root out the source of these rocket attacks and prevent further incidents I believe they have the duty to do so, not just the right.

It is evil to shoot rockets from the midst of civilians then blame those who retaliate appropriately.

There can be no peace where there is so much hatred, and hatred is a disease which spreads like an epidemic.

I have nothing against anyone who has not harmed me or my family, but neither can I have respect for those who distort facts and deny truth.

Employed

I've been busy so I haven't taken the time to write... but I got a job last month and now I'm the new webmistress/graphic artist/administrative & personal assistant and gal Friday for http://www.pianoshowcase.com in Fort Lauderdale.

It's been quite an adjustment, and the job is mentally draining but provides a high level of satisfaction at day's end after completing challenging projects and trying to keep up with my insane multitasker of a boss.

While I've been settling into the job it has morphed a bit to accommodate my needs, and the latest setup seems to be a winner. I get to work on my boss' spiffy Apple Powerbook Pro with an auxilliary monitor so I can use the extra space to drag things over and not have to keep switching from screen to screen on one monitor.

I'm learning new stuff every day, and it never gets boring.
: )

Forgot to mention...

In the last post I made, while extolling the many virtues of Larry's system, I forgot to mention one very important point. All of the benefits derived from his system are provided without taxing anyone. No taxes ever.

Not Utopian, Socialist, Communist or negative in any sense... this whole system is based on positive notions. Getting paid becomes a matter of providing net benefit to others... and using money for evil purposes falls by the wayside.

To say that this economic system is a product of genius would be to underestimate it. Personally, I believe it was divinely inspired, despite the fact that its author is agnostic. "The proof of the puddin's in the eatin'", or so they say... read "Invisible Hand" today and see for yourself.

Larry K Mason for President!

Okay. He probably wouldn't take the job unless we made him do it... but this man is truly brilliant. He has the solutions to our economic problems because he's figured out the true root.

Larry's plan would provide all citizens with free basic food, clothing, shelter, transportation and medical care as well as all levels of education. At the same time it would eliminate hunger and starvation, obviously, as well as homelessness, the need for insurance, and the need to save or borrow for an education.

Not only that, but people would no longer stay in bad relationships for economic reasons, nor would anyone need to sell their body in order to feed the kids or keep a roof over their heads.

There are so many benefits to the sort of system my friend advocates, but to judge for yourself you must read what he has written. I assure you it is unlike anything else you have ever read. This is not a form of government... it is a new type of economic system. Take a look and then please write me or comment here!

Verizon should pay for my ulcer treatment

I am so angry with Verizon Wireless right now I want to kill somebody. I don't dare CALL them or I'll burst into tears, like I usually do when I am halfway to a meltdown... like today...

Let me start at the beginning. I have been with Verizon since about this time in the year 2000. EIGHT years. At an average of $150/month (sometimes more, sometimes less... but that's the average sum) I have paid them somewhere in the neighborhood of... $15,000!

They're stingy and scrimp on me with the "new every two" and want to give me just $100 off on the purchase of higher-end phones... I'm sorry, but I think after being a steady customer for this long they should give me THE BEST PHONE THEY OFFER at no charge. If they were smart they'd do this anyway, realizing that the nicer the phone is the more likely I'll order additional services to go with it. (Navigator, Internet, etc.)

This year I won a fairly decent phone. An LG enV. And I have been very happy with it... until August 1. But let me backtrack a bit.

I purchased numerous ringtones for this phone, but not all of the songs I wanted were available as ringtones, or they were not cut to the section of the song I wanted for a ringtone. No problem... I could go to myxer.com and make a ringtone from any song. I even made ringtones from four of my own original songs, which CERTAINLY aren't available through Verizon's system.

I was loving my custom ringtones and my great phone until August 1. Why? Because my phone shut down as of August 1, forcing me to exchange it for a new, BLANK handset. I am convinced that Verizon somehow MADE my phone shut down in order to FORCE me to buy ringtones from them despite the fact that they don't offer all of what I want. Me... their 8-year customer. Treated like trash. Yeah.

I didn't figure out that they probably did this until I went to myxer.com and tried to do the same thing again... but now Verizon blocks them... and every attempt I made to circumvent this did not work. If you know of a way, please let me know. I have put it on a memory card, emailed it... but they strip it from the email now. You can't email mp3's to a phone nor midi... nada.

Verizon is really making me hate them, and it's tempting to stiff them and start an account with a new carrier... but I don't think I can wrench my phone # away unless I finish out the contract.

I think it's time I wrote a new song. Weird Al, feel like teaming up with me on "Can You Hear Me Now?"

First Speech at Toastmasters

On Saturday, I gave my first scheduled speech at Toastmasters, and won the "Best Speaker" ribbon for the day as well as the raffle! What a great day! Plus I heard from Jimmy O, an old friend whom I lost touch with in 1999.

(The three gentlemen I mention in this speech were all fantastic members of our Toastmasters group.)

Here is the text of my speech, as I presented it (minus the standard Toastmasters greeting and closing.)

"Have any of you ever felt like an alien from another planet, who doesn't belong here and never quite fit in anywhere?

I have.

Have you ever felt as if life was a club whose members knew all the rules – but not you, and nobody ever bothered to clue you in on those expectations, even though they would be applied to you?

Welcome to my world.

Despite my loquacious nature, I actually did quite well in school until I entered a "gifted" program. This would have been the first clue to someone who was educated about the condition I have… but such professionals were few and far between, and frankly still are. Thus, instead of recognizing that I had learning disabilities in addition to my brilliance. (Pause for effect)

I was labeled lazy, and a chronic underachiever. Bully for me!

My ambitions and obsessions include various unrelated missions such as finding or developing realistic engines using clean, fuel-free magnetic power; informing people about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to marshal support for its elimination and prevention of its recurrence; and last but not least, helping other Autistic people like me.

Yes, I am Autistic. I've been diagnosed with a condition called Asperger's Syndrome. Because of this, I sometimes have great difficulty in processing information – so if I stutter, or smack myself in the head, it's because the words are "stuck" like candy in a vending machine, and I'm trying to get them to come out. If I'm terribly upset or excited, the words WON'T come out. In that case I must take a few deep breaths, (breathe) back off, slow down, and try again. When even this is not effective, I must sometimes write what I'm trying to say.

If you really want me to remember anything, write it down. That phrase, "in one ear and out the other" describes me in a nutshell. However, like many Autistic people, I think in pictures. If you give a speech that evokes imagery in my mind, I will remember it for years – perhaps for life. Dennard Mitchell recently gave a speech which used a story about a little monkey, and David Staples told me another one which used lions to make his point. A couple weeks ago, Leron Gabriel did a fantastic job of bringing the tale to life in his speech using a contrast between desperate refugees from a village and "keeping up with the Joneses." These stand out in my mind as shining and clever examples. Keep it up, boys!

In closing, I'd like to say that ultimately Autism is what led me to join Toastmasters. I am here to overcome communication difficulties, because I intend to become a public speaker and educate others about Autism and our developing culture.

By the way – if anybody here IS from my planet, would you please let me know? I might need a ride home."

Advice for one, good for all

I had written the following in a private email to someone, but it was such good advice I thought I would share it publicly here. Enjoy!

To preface the following, I am writing to someone who is in chronic pain from a car accident as well as diabetic. She has been unable to keep steady work and is in danger of losing her health insurance as well as her home. Naturally, these worries are eating her alive and making her even more ill, so the spiral just keeps sucking her down.

Here is where the email begins. She had told me that she was in her nightgown, and was doing nothing. My response:

...now I'm the one in PJ's.
But I'm NEVER doing NOTHING. Perhaps that is part of what keeps you sick.

Let me explain...

Because you often find yourself with too much time on your hands, it gives you empty, or "negative" space to fill, if you will. Because the space is already negative to begin with, unless you find something positive to fill it with, the negativity of that empty space in your schedule soon begins to overwhelm you.

The solution? It's multiple.
1. Remember that old song? "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative... latch on to the affirmative, don't mess with Mr. In-Between"? LEARN IT, if you don't know it... and sing or recite this to yourself. IT WORKS.

2. Write. Write, write, write. What do you know about? Write about that. Re-read your material as often as you can stand... and edit to make it as positive as possible. However, do not gloss over anything that should be examined. Take a good look at anything terribly negative that you've written and let it speak to you. Let it teach you its lesson.

3. Volunteer. You can come to the IGFA with me and I'll introduce you around. If not there, I am certain your skills will be welcomed at a number of local charities and for-profit organizations that are severely under budget.

Volunteering has dual benefits. It will make you feel good to help others, and it looks good on a resume. In some cases you may find employment where you've been volunteering. IGFA, for example, has job openings all the time.

Does all of that make sense? It must. It didn't come from me - some of it came through me, so they're not all my words.

I'm home today... Sunday is my gardening/housework day in general, unless I schedule something, which I try not to do more than twice a month...

The rest of the email was more personal, but the gist of what I've written above is this: we attract to ourselves what we dwell upon. Whether you believe in "The Secret" or God's law of reciprocity. We reap what we sow... and Jesus said "Ask and ye shall receive." Therefore: ASK. Ask! It's that simple.

If you're a believer, the Bible furthermore states, "Delight theyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." DESIRES OF THINE HEART. No limitations. Think about THAT a while. What is it that YOU truly desire? Believe that you'll receive it - and you shall.

Young Authors Program

I have been a writer for as long as I have known how to form words on paper. I love words, and I always have.

While the formal educational system in this country leaves much to be desired, it cannot be denied that the credit for my early start in writing goes to the Princeton City School District in Southwestern Ohio.

The "Young Authors" program was instrumental in teaching certain basic fundamentals. Every year in elementary school we created a little book. I still have most of mine.

In first grade, I won 1st prize for my entry, a story about a leprechaun.

It was in putting these little books together that I learned my #1 fashion rule: DON'T MIX PATTERNS!!!

When we made the covers for our books we were given the opportunity to choose from various patterns and colors of contact paper for the inside and outside cover. This was when I learned to use a pattern for the outside and a solid color for the inner part of the cover. (Or vice versa) Two plain colors, while boring, were okay - but no plaid with polka dots. Today's fashion designers make me dizzy with their pattern mixing.

High School Young Authors contests were more diverse, with several categories. I entered poetry and won twice, 1st place one year and 2nd place another.

This competition, which sounds so simple, took many hours of school time and the assistance of numerous volunteers to complete. I've looked up my former school district and was delighted to find that they still continue the Young Authors Program to this day:

"YOUNG AUTHORS

The English Department sponsors the Young Authors writing contests in an effort to recognize, to reward and to encourage the work of aspiring young writers. The Poetry contest is held in the fall, and The Short Story and Essay Contest is held in the spring. Each student's work is evaluated by the members of the English Department. First, second and third places are recognized with engraved plaques. Honorable mentions are recognized with a certificate of commendation."

(excerpted from a page on a site which no longer exists)

I think more schools should have programs like this - financed by grassroots charitable support rather than waiting for the government to come "do something" which is never going to happen.

Anything that helps to develop confidence along with a healthy love of reading and writing should be considered too valuable to dismiss lightly. We made our books from paper sewed together by volunteers and contact paper which we brought in ourselves, for the most part. Cardboard formed the foundation for our covers, and there is certainly no shortage of second-hand cardboard around.

Be creative! That's the most important part of all. Put a little bit of YOU into it and you'll be surprised at what you get back out of it.

I just realized I never posted this

As I suspected and elaborated upon in great length here, I am an Aspie, through and through... Autistic, on the Spectrum, however you want to put it. Don't mourn for me. I finally found what I needed to, and my life grows richer every day. Not that I was looking for anything, but I knew there was something MISSING...

It's hard to describe to you if you're not "one of us," but to grow up with the sensation that you're "from another planet" or "don't belong here" and never seem to know where you DO belong or fit in, and then find out as an adult that there are other people who feel that way too - and they just happen to be a lot like you in more ways than one... well... it's nothing short of astounding. It is certainly an earth-shaking revelation, to say the least.

For me and many others it is like a huge heavy burden has just been lifted from our shoulders and the feeling of kindred I find with other Spectrumites is what I was lacking in my attempts to "fit in" with "normal" people.

Okay, so I often sought out the quirkiest of others during my lifetime: but if they were undiagnosed, as I was, we were likely to hit a clashing point eventually and then recede from friendship in embarrassment.

NO MORE. I am not ashamed of nor sorry for who and what I am. I have done things in my lifetime that I should have probably apologized for, sometimes I knew that and sometimes I truly didn't. Either way: if you are a party whom I have EVER injured in ANY way, I beg your pardon. I've never meant to harm anyone.

The truth is, my memory is VERY selective, so I don't remember much that I don't need to know. I forgive and forget, perhaps because I've prayed to be able to do this. Holding grudges is a poison that I don't wish to allow to consume me, and I would hope that likewise you can forgive and forget whatever I may have done that upset you or hurt your feelings.

If it was physical, I want to hear from you privately - because I would like to make amends to those I can. Like Rhonda Dines from the neighborhood - girl, how's your head?

Toastmasters

Today I had the pleasure of attending my first Toastmasters meeting. It was held at Picadilly Cafeteria in Hollywood, as it is every Saturday morning at 8:30.

I had been considering Toastmasters for many years, ever since I met someone who was involved with them while I was selling Avon. She was a fellow Avon Representative and told me about the rules and basically how a meeting worked.

Over the years many times I considered it, but while it was a curiosity, it was not really a necessity. Recently that began to change.

I realize I'm going to be called upon to do some public speaking in the near future, and have plans to go into full-time public speaking and performance. It is with this in mind that I knew I must hone those skills to a razor-sharp edge if I hope to make the right kind of impression upon my listeners.

I'm reasonably adept at constructing material that is compelling and thought-provoking, but have not had a lot of success with persuasion. That is where Toastmasters comes in. They teach you to not only be a competent public speaker but to embrace leadership roles as well, guiding you every step of the way. It's a wonderful organization composed of people from every stratum of society.

Upon my arrival I had feared I would find a half-dozen people struggling to make this thing work. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was then, to find a vibrant group of 25-30 members and a half dozen GUESTS alone! As a matter of fact, if the group continues to grow, they'll have to seek out a larger venue!

I was apprehensive at first, but knew that I must step out of my comfort zone and do this because it is a stepping stone on the path that I've accepted. More to come as this adventure unfolds...

Who's paying? YOU are.

I just heard another case of the State being sued and losing... in this case it's the thousands of people whose citrus trees were cut down during the attempt at controlling the citrus canker disease. Bottom line is... although the average Florida taxpayer had nothing to do with this fiasco, guess who gets to pay for it? Yep. The average Florida taxpayer.

Same thing in the case of a young man who was murdered in a public school bathroom. His parents won a multi million dollar award from the State: again, the average Florida taxpayer. The taxpayers didn't kill that kid, but they have to pay the price...

What can citizens do to prevent being raped like this? Good question. In the case of the murdered young man, volunteers in every public school bathroom MIGHT have prevented it - but would likely lead to allegations of perversion somewhere along the line.

Put cameras everywhere? That would have made no difference in the canker case.
Suggestions, anyone?

Youtube?

Wow. I just noticed that none of the youtube posts are showing any more!

Creative ways to generate income

I have been posting at gather.com and really enjoying the more mature atmosphere over there. Perhaps it's because I've been getting involved in politics, but I don't think so - I've met people who could be stupid and immature about politics, too. I think it's just that a high caliber of individual is writing over there.

I've also learned that it's truly NOT MY FAULT I could not find a decent job. The only jobs there really are right now are hard physical labor, "teenybopper" jobs designed for kids to work a few hours/day after school for low wages, and other perpetually part-time and low-paying jobs.

The market is saturated with foreign workers, illegal and otherwise. In South Florida although we are part of the U.S.A. at least 50-75% of the employers either prefer or insist that you are bilingual, better yet, trilingual. The myth that foreign workers only take jobs that Americans don't want is nonsense.

Yes, they take a FEW jobs we wouldn't want, such as migrant farm work. But they also increase the numbers of workers available to employers so that they can hire more people, keep them all part-time and avoid having to provide their workers with any benefits. I'M NOT EVEN LOOKING FOR BENEFITS. I have those through my husband's job, as if they were worth the paper they were written on.

The point is, we must get ever more creative and think outside the box if we do not want to end up like my friend: that is, looking for a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) instead of moving into independence.

Barter, do things that others won't or don't think about or have time for. But don't give up. If you look in my sidebar, the graphic ads you see are largely for programs that will put money in your pocket if used wisely. Give it some thought. There are dozens of ways you can do this.

Write articles, and set your blog so that it only shows one article per day. Put Google's Adsense on the page so that if you're writing about healthcare, then the ads will be about healthcare. If you write about cars, the ads will follow suit.

Give it a try, and let me know how you do! If you need help with formatting and html issues, drop me a line and I'll be happy to assist you.

Racism begets terrorism

In every instance of terrorism that exists, at its core lies a fundamental difference in beliefs. Okay, perhaps it is stretching the term a bit to say it's always racism... but it is a difference in religious beliefs and cultural attitudes that perpetuates hatred for those who differ. This hatred always leads to violence and in extreme cases genocide or the attempt to eradicate all of those who do not agree.

Keeping this in mind, is there any real hope for peace? Not unless EVERYONE can somehow agree that peace is in the best interest of all, and that we do not have to exterminate one another to coexist.

As long as ideologies based upon hatred continue to be perpetuated, so will terrorism. From the nooses in Alabama to the World Trade Center and beyond... it is up to all of us to choose tolerance for each other's differences and peaceful coexistence over bloodshed. Each of us as individuals must make this choice.

Nature is violent. In nature only the strongest survive. But civilization is not nature. Are we civilized creatures or just a world full of beasts?