Hey folks, here we are again, another week, another blog. It is time for another instalment of I JUST DONT GET IT! Don't get it mixed up with the computer blog I JUST DONT GET I.T. Get it?
So you know what I just don't get? Bullies and the fact they are everywhere. What makes them think it's okay to make fun of those who are different? If they feel they are so perfect then why do they have a need to be noticed by putting someone else down? It's completely idiotic!
Yes, I have been bullied. Yet this isn't about me or complaining about my past or how I was mistreated in high school. I feel a large part of our population(growing and grown up) are brainwashed by the idiocies of reality TV and the materialism served up by the media that makes them think its okay to be stupid, drunk shallow minded. I think this has a large part to play in today's society thinking its the norm to poke fun at those who are unique and different.
Let's not just talk about bullying but it's twisted sister called gossip. Why do people think it's okay to talk behind peoples backs. Twisting the truth to suit their own devious means. Don't you think the world would be a nicer place if we had something to say, to say it to that person rather than behind their back?
I'm not saying we need to create a dystopian society where we live by a ridged set of rules and everybody should have the same beliefs and views. In my funny kind of way I guess I would just like to see people celebrating the differences we all have so then it is a better pathway to a more fulfilled life. If we stopped thinking about what makes us different and accepted people for what they are, well then who knows, maybe life on planet earth would not be about bullying and gossiping.
The unfortunate thing about today is that bullies and gossipers cause people to be anxious, lower their values, forget who they are and all of a sudden the demon depression comes into their world. If it weren't for bullying I wouldn't have known I had Asperger's. If I hadn't know about my condition I wouldn't have been on the path which lead me to mentoring kids today. That's one way of putting it. Another way is that bulling has left me in a pit fighting the demon depression. I also feel I am in a frozen cage of anxiety where I can't get a job and I have trouble keeping friendships because I am always second guessing. So what am I saying? Am I saying that bullying is a good thing? HELL NO! I am saying that we must be grateful for the experiences that help shape us into the people we are today. Don't avoid the challenges that face you because of bullies and gossipers. Walk through them on your path of life, slowly they will vanish over the distant horizons and you will be a better person in the future.
My life has been very busy this week, I have been up and down like a one legged ass kicker, but I hope through accepting the dissapointments people have given me I will come out a stronger and better person.
Till next week, more the force be with you!
Monday 30 September 2013
Monday 23 September 2013
An Aspie Odyssey part 2, Mentoring
Happy new week ladies and jellymen, welcome to another blog on the Aspie Odyssey.
This week, I thought about what it means to be an Aspie, as I do for every blog. I have decided that an important part of Aspergers is to be mentored or mentoring. Just like a traveler who has lost his way, everyone needs a good mentor to direct them in the right ways of living life. Please remember that this is a blog about autism and Asperger's. I will try to show with my limited knowledge what can help with mentoring kids or young adults with the condition and ways of being more socially acceptablemainly in the ways of being social.
I know that us Aspies are a good bunch of people, who just need a little bit of guidance and understanding. Unfortunately in today's society where everything needs to be based around perfection we end up being treated badly. That's why I assist in mentoring in a school in western Sydney; to help young children better understand themselves, the world around them and that we do see life differently.
So what does mentoring involve? Well obviously it's no easy thing otherwise every man and his dog would be mentoring other mentors about mentoring mentos. Even though there is no record of the oldest case of 'mentorism' though the origin of the name dates back to an ancient Greek story called The Odyssey. That's a 'by the story' of how I got the title of an 'Aspie Odyssey'! Okay! go home now, lesson over.
Only joking! Lets talk about mentoring. So, how do you start mentoring? It doesn't start by going up to a random kid and saying, "I'M MENTORING YOU!" Trust me, that is an incredibly bad way of starting off. I guess you are always learning and as an assistant mentor you learn even more about Autism and what hardships the kids go through. Due to my talks, my interviews for both newspapers and radio programs, with the added bonus of being a future leader people have been asked me for advice and help with taking care of their autistic relative. I have always been more than happy to talk to these people and offer my opinion, if you are one of those people, and are reading this I would just like to say thank you for being brave enough to talk to me. Yet thank you also for having enough faith in believing I could give you good advice.
I assist Christine Taylor in mentoring the children and hopefully show them a better path to being accepted by others. Christine chose me because of my ability in public speaking on the subject of living with autism. She approached me regarding the mentoring and felt I would be a good assistant in showing the children not only how to make a computer game but also to socialise and communicate. Christine told me how important it was to get to know the person before becoming their mentor. Kids or anyone with Asperger's may take a little longer to get to know someone. It might be a simple case of trying to remember a name or trying to understand that the person is here to help them. he most thing I have found is that this process has to be done at their pace. To force someone into doing something they are not used to will make them resent it, and that's the last thing you want to do.
After we have become more accepting of each other, it is then time to start to create the mentorship which will hopefully light them a better path for a brighter future. I find out what their true likes are, whether it's music, Minecraft television or films. Once I find out their passion we start talking about that. Let's say it is chess. I will play against that person and through the game I will teach them such things as strategy, learning to lose pieces tactically and that losing isn't a bad thing. Unless your life is on the line (note to self, don't play backgammon with tribal people). Aspies really need someone who they can trust and you need to appeal to who they are. You can't hold a conversation with someone who likes Star Wars by talking to them about how Buddhism works. Now that we are working well together its time to start sorting out their peculiarities and irregularities. In this way I can give them hints about how to improve their social and communication skills.
Nobody is perfect, everyone has something they need to improve on e.g employment, motivation or love. My friend Emma(dynamite lady and a completely fantastic woman to talk to) is another person with Asperger's who is a future leader like me. She takes care of children with disabilities. She had a student who was non-verbal. After getting to know the kid and mentoring him, he was able to say to his mother " hi" and " I love you". That takes a special person to achieve something like that.
Once we understand who the child is as a person, we try to sort out the differences and help develop them into someone greater. Before I started TAFE I went to an orientation program created by my now good friend Berinda. When the other autistic students and I first met, we looked at the sky, and everywhere else to avoid eye contact or conversation. As time went on we became more open as she and her dream team mentored us about body language and eye contact so that by the end of program you couldn't shut us up!
Remember we find mentors wherever we go. I met Anthony Warren,(a fantastic professional) who showed me how to improve my public speaking about growing up with Aspergers. My auntie Nicole taught me about working hard and being motivated and my tutor Christine showed me time management skills and organisational skills.
So what did I learnt his week?
This week I learnt that you shouldn't turn texting into a nagging exercise I love talking to people, I am sure many of you know that. Unfortunately so much of today's communication is texting where as I would much rather talk face to face. When it comes to texting I don't exactly understand when you are supposed to write and when you're supposed to read. I guess I get impatient and by the time they read the message I have already sent another two or three!
Alright folks that's all for another week of blogging. I guess I would really like to see more people communicating face to face than sitting in a circle and texting each other.
This week, I thought about what it means to be an Aspie, as I do for every blog. I have decided that an important part of Aspergers is to be mentored or mentoring. Just like a traveler who has lost his way, everyone needs a good mentor to direct them in the right ways of living life. Please remember that this is a blog about autism and Asperger's. I will try to show with my limited knowledge what can help with mentoring kids or young adults with the condition and ways of being more socially acceptablemainly in the ways of being social.
I know that us Aspies are a good bunch of people, who just need a little bit of guidance and understanding. Unfortunately in today's society where everything needs to be based around perfection we end up being treated badly. That's why I assist in mentoring in a school in western Sydney; to help young children better understand themselves, the world around them and that we do see life differently.
So what does mentoring involve? Well obviously it's no easy thing otherwise every man and his dog would be mentoring other mentors about mentoring mentos. Even though there is no record of the oldest case of 'mentorism' though the origin of the name dates back to an ancient Greek story called The Odyssey. That's a 'by the story' of how I got the title of an 'Aspie Odyssey'! Okay! go home now, lesson over.
Only joking! Lets talk about mentoring. So, how do you start mentoring? It doesn't start by going up to a random kid and saying, "I'M MENTORING YOU!" Trust me, that is an incredibly bad way of starting off. I guess you are always learning and as an assistant mentor you learn even more about Autism and what hardships the kids go through. Due to my talks, my interviews for both newspapers and radio programs, with the added bonus of being a future leader people have been asked me for advice and help with taking care of their autistic relative. I have always been more than happy to talk to these people and offer my opinion, if you are one of those people, and are reading this I would just like to say thank you for being brave enough to talk to me. Yet thank you also for having enough faith in believing I could give you good advice.
I assist Christine Taylor in mentoring the children and hopefully show them a better path to being accepted by others. Christine chose me because of my ability in public speaking on the subject of living with autism. She approached me regarding the mentoring and felt I would be a good assistant in showing the children not only how to make a computer game but also to socialise and communicate. Christine told me how important it was to get to know the person before becoming their mentor. Kids or anyone with Asperger's may take a little longer to get to know someone. It might be a simple case of trying to remember a name or trying to understand that the person is here to help them. he most thing I have found is that this process has to be done at their pace. To force someone into doing something they are not used to will make them resent it, and that's the last thing you want to do.
After we have become more accepting of each other, it is then time to start to create the mentorship which will hopefully light them a better path for a brighter future. I find out what their true likes are, whether it's music, Minecraft television or films. Once I find out their passion we start talking about that. Let's say it is chess. I will play against that person and through the game I will teach them such things as strategy, learning to lose pieces tactically and that losing isn't a bad thing. Unless your life is on the line (note to self, don't play backgammon with tribal people). Aspies really need someone who they can trust and you need to appeal to who they are. You can't hold a conversation with someone who likes Star Wars by talking to them about how Buddhism works. Now that we are working well together its time to start sorting out their peculiarities and irregularities. In this way I can give them hints about how to improve their social and communication skills.
Nobody is perfect, everyone has something they need to improve on e.g employment, motivation or love. My friend Emma(dynamite lady and a completely fantastic woman to talk to) is another person with Asperger's who is a future leader like me. She takes care of children with disabilities. She had a student who was non-verbal. After getting to know the kid and mentoring him, he was able to say to his mother " hi" and " I love you". That takes a special person to achieve something like that.
Once we understand who the child is as a person, we try to sort out the differences and help develop them into someone greater. Before I started TAFE I went to an orientation program created by my now good friend Berinda. When the other autistic students and I first met, we looked at the sky, and everywhere else to avoid eye contact or conversation. As time went on we became more open as she and her dream team mentored us about body language and eye contact so that by the end of program you couldn't shut us up!
Remember we find mentors wherever we go. I met Anthony Warren,(a fantastic professional) who showed me how to improve my public speaking about growing up with Aspergers. My auntie Nicole taught me about working hard and being motivated and my tutor Christine showed me time management skills and organisational skills.
So what did I learnt his week?
This week I learnt that you shouldn't turn texting into a nagging exercise I love talking to people, I am sure many of you know that. Unfortunately so much of today's communication is texting where as I would much rather talk face to face. When it comes to texting I don't exactly understand when you are supposed to write and when you're supposed to read. I guess I get impatient and by the time they read the message I have already sent another two or three!
Alright folks that's all for another week of blogging. I guess I would really like to see more people communicating face to face than sitting in a circle and texting each other.
Monday 16 September 2013
I JUST DON'T GET IT, Episode 2
Hey guys, how have we been? Good? Bad? Oh that's nice! Go on! Well I don't believe it! that's whatever you are talking about to ya!
So this week has been busy! I have been doing artistry, fighting aliens and everything in between.
You know what I just don't get? Reality TV.
There are thousands of creative minds in the world let alone Australia. Yet all I get to watch when it comes to 'QUALITY TV' is women competing against each other for the love of one man, like seagulls for one tasty chip. MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE. Thats just on one channel. On another we see a bunch of bogans sitting around pretending to make serious conversation about things that are irrelevant and making themselves look intelligent (but we know different!). It must be really important to be so self obsessed. If they really wanted to live 'reality', they should be living life. Now don't get me wrong, I support those who are trying to lose weight, or better themselves. Yet here we are watching crying fat people trying to get skinny whilst being subjugated for big corporation profits; while being harassed to lose incredible amounts of weight in short periods of time. Now I am a man who stands for emotional integrity, but what's next? Will they get pregnant supermodels to compete in gladiatorial combat, first one to throw a dirty nappy in another ones face wins! Thumbs up thumbs down!
Back 5 years ago we had fantastic intellectual programs. For instance there was one show about lawyers in Boston fighting for justice. They would talk about such topics as gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research, matters that have an impact in today's world! Instead we have such pressing matters as watching 'chicks' talking about why some famous singer was dancing around looking like an uncooked chicken or why one 'bro' can't lift a keg then drink it's contents in under a minute flat! I mean for Gods sake! Why is there such a demand for idiotic television entertainment? Why Can't we get more program's like The Newsroom, Boston Legal or Becker? If only everyone could think like an Aspie. At least America has good programs. Over here I can't watch one minute of reality TV without crying more for humanity than i did when Mufasa died in The Lion King. Just a second, I have just realised something, its my parents who watch half these programs! Thank God my father doesn't make me listen to country music. Then not only my eyes but my ears would be crying blood!
I guess that's where the name 'idiot box' comes from. It's a shame really, because TV did and has so much to offer the world. Not only documentaries and news items but programs over the years that have made people think, laugh and cry.
Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't watch reality TV. I'm not the one to say what you should or shouldn't watch. However, what I am saying is I am sick and tired of all these programs catering to those who like reality TV and barely any to those who want a little bit more creativity in entertainment. I'm not saying we have to be all pretentious and 'proper' like certain shows about olden days but that we need more diversity in our viewing entertainment, something more appealing to people who value meaningful communication with each other be it funny or serious. Maybe it's just a plea for Australia to just stop having such lousy television programs. If you feel differently, leave a comment below.
So what did I learn this week?
This week I learnt that timing is such a fickle thing. All through this week everyone I know has had a mishap with timing! My transformers comics didn't arrive due to bad timing of Australia Post. My dad telling me to leave my mentor and leg it down to the fish markets. Yet only half an hour later I was still waiting to get on my uncle's yacht. I guess it's a matter of perspective, we expect to get our just desserts at midday. Unfortunately time deems it unwise so fate pushes my apple pie back several hours. It is unfair I know! I want my dessert now! Sadly I just have to deal with it.
So that brings us to he end of another week of blogging, and folks remember, if you want a plant or a flower, grow it yourself, don't steal it like my grandma.
This weeks movie of the week is The Terminal.
So this week has been busy! I have been doing artistry, fighting aliens and everything in between.
You know what I just don't get? Reality TV.
There are thousands of creative minds in the world let alone Australia. Yet all I get to watch when it comes to 'QUALITY TV' is women competing against each other for the love of one man, like seagulls for one tasty chip. MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE. Thats just on one channel. On another we see a bunch of bogans sitting around pretending to make serious conversation about things that are irrelevant and making themselves look intelligent (but we know different!). It must be really important to be so self obsessed. If they really wanted to live 'reality', they should be living life. Now don't get me wrong, I support those who are trying to lose weight, or better themselves. Yet here we are watching crying fat people trying to get skinny whilst being subjugated for big corporation profits; while being harassed to lose incredible amounts of weight in short periods of time. Now I am a man who stands for emotional integrity, but what's next? Will they get pregnant supermodels to compete in gladiatorial combat, first one to throw a dirty nappy in another ones face wins! Thumbs up thumbs down!
Back 5 years ago we had fantastic intellectual programs. For instance there was one show about lawyers in Boston fighting for justice. They would talk about such topics as gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research, matters that have an impact in today's world! Instead we have such pressing matters as watching 'chicks' talking about why some famous singer was dancing around looking like an uncooked chicken or why one 'bro' can't lift a keg then drink it's contents in under a minute flat! I mean for Gods sake! Why is there such a demand for idiotic television entertainment? Why Can't we get more program's like The Newsroom, Boston Legal or Becker? If only everyone could think like an Aspie. At least America has good programs. Over here I can't watch one minute of reality TV without crying more for humanity than i did when Mufasa died in The Lion King. Just a second, I have just realised something, its my parents who watch half these programs! Thank God my father doesn't make me listen to country music. Then not only my eyes but my ears would be crying blood!
I guess that's where the name 'idiot box' comes from. It's a shame really, because TV did and has so much to offer the world. Not only documentaries and news items but programs over the years that have made people think, laugh and cry.
Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't watch reality TV. I'm not the one to say what you should or shouldn't watch. However, what I am saying is I am sick and tired of all these programs catering to those who like reality TV and barely any to those who want a little bit more creativity in entertainment. I'm not saying we have to be all pretentious and 'proper' like certain shows about olden days but that we need more diversity in our viewing entertainment, something more appealing to people who value meaningful communication with each other be it funny or serious. Maybe it's just a plea for Australia to just stop having such lousy television programs. If you feel differently, leave a comment below.
So what did I learn this week?
This week I learnt that timing is such a fickle thing. All through this week everyone I know has had a mishap with timing! My transformers comics didn't arrive due to bad timing of Australia Post. My dad telling me to leave my mentor and leg it down to the fish markets. Yet only half an hour later I was still waiting to get on my uncle's yacht. I guess it's a matter of perspective, we expect to get our just desserts at midday. Unfortunately time deems it unwise so fate pushes my apple pie back several hours. It is unfair I know! I want my dessert now! Sadly I just have to deal with it.
So that brings us to he end of another week of blogging, and folks remember, if you want a plant or a flower, grow it yourself, don't steal it like my grandma.
This weeks movie of the week is The Terminal.
Monday 9 September 2013
The Aspie Odyssey Part 1
Greetings friends, welcome back to another blog, another new week. I thought about things and I am sure you all don't want me ranting every week about stuff I don't understand. I've decided that I would make this into something more. An 'Alice in Wonderland' reader's experience into things that have happened in my life. An insight into how I discovered my particular condition. Hell! That's why I do my speeches and this way you don't have to wait 6 months for an instalment of THE ASPIE ODYSSEY!
So lets start with something that is most relevant to this blog. I am the captain and this is my log. No toilet humour intended. So may I present to you my discovery or what a well paid psycho discovered in me. A crazy little thing called Asperger's and the process of getting diagnosed.
So where do I begin? If you have listened to my speeches or heard read my interviews you may be in for a repeat in this blog. Usually I start my talks explaining my condition. I tell people about my life in Lithgow, but all that you really need to know was that I was as much an oddball as the other kids. I had a great routine and sticking to it was very simple. Mind you at this stage in my life I did not know I had Aspergers. Then in 2004 we had to move to Springwood, destroying the entire world that I was living in. I felt like an alien landing on an unknown planet. I had no idea about the social mannerisms, the in jokes and the sarcasm that was aimed at me. I didn't understand anything! From almost the beginning of my time at this school the bullying, the tormenting, the assaults and being committed as a social outcast by my fellow students and teachers turning a blind eye, I was drifting into a state of depression. My mother had me talk to our family doctor and he sent me to a counsellor. During one of my therapy sessions, she asked me "Have you ever heard of Asperger's Syndrome?" Now, me being the naive person I was, I thought to myself, Ass, Burger? No thanks, I prefer beef patties! So after some more sessions, she decided to contact my parents and the school to see if I could get tested. I ended up travelling to South Burwood to see a psychologist who conducted a series of tests on me. The results of these tests showed that I had Asperger's Syndrome. For the first time in my life at the age of 16 I felt like I wasn't walking in the dark. I knew there was something I can say that this is a part of me!
Soo! lets talk about this type of revelation. When it comes to anyone with a disability, they will sooner or later find out that there is something different about them. Yet it is up to that person and those in their support network ( family, close friends and confidants) to help them to come to terms with this revelation. I only say this because I have been very fortunate in having the love and support of those mentioned in the brackets above. It is far better to have a professional diagnosis than to hear it from someone on the street. I actually met someone with Asperger's who asked me if I had that condition. I knew I had it back then, but imagine if I hadn't known I would have looked like a muppet who realised they weren't human! I would have felt like a common rug without a hand up its arse. I have never asked someone if they have the condition out of respect for that person. Plenty of people have come up to me asking if they have Asperger's. Sure I have asked them questions that would show Aspie traits, but I haven't told them they have the condition. That is up to a person in the medical/psychological field to decide. I'm just a guy with Asperger's who helps mentor people with the condition.
Soo! What did I learn this week?
I guess this week I have learnt about self control. There is a video game I have been hoping to buy, it's called 'Rayman Legends', a fantastic piece of platforming and a beautifully created visual experience. Now I was hoping to buy this game in the city this week but I realised something, I am without work so I currently don't have a cash flow. So I decided to go without, I am sure in time, when I finally get accepted for a job I will get to purchase such a delectable delight! Beg steal or borrow, but hopefully owned and paid for.
So that wraps it up for another blog. Yet I know this is only giving a skeletal view of me finding out that I am on the Autistic Spectrum. So if you have any questions, shoot them off like a rifle down below!
Movie of the week: Chicken Run
So lets start with something that is most relevant to this blog. I am the captain and this is my log. No toilet humour intended. So may I present to you my discovery or what a well paid psycho discovered in me. A crazy little thing called Asperger's and the process of getting diagnosed.
So where do I begin? If you have listened to my speeches or heard read my interviews you may be in for a repeat in this blog. Usually I start my talks explaining my condition. I tell people about my life in Lithgow, but all that you really need to know was that I was as much an oddball as the other kids. I had a great routine and sticking to it was very simple. Mind you at this stage in my life I did not know I had Aspergers. Then in 2004 we had to move to Springwood, destroying the entire world that I was living in. I felt like an alien landing on an unknown planet. I had no idea about the social mannerisms, the in jokes and the sarcasm that was aimed at me. I didn't understand anything! From almost the beginning of my time at this school the bullying, the tormenting, the assaults and being committed as a social outcast by my fellow students and teachers turning a blind eye, I was drifting into a state of depression. My mother had me talk to our family doctor and he sent me to a counsellor. During one of my therapy sessions, she asked me "Have you ever heard of Asperger's Syndrome?" Now, me being the naive person I was, I thought to myself, Ass, Burger? No thanks, I prefer beef patties! So after some more sessions, she decided to contact my parents and the school to see if I could get tested. I ended up travelling to South Burwood to see a psychologist who conducted a series of tests on me. The results of these tests showed that I had Asperger's Syndrome. For the first time in my life at the age of 16 I felt like I wasn't walking in the dark. I knew there was something I can say that this is a part of me!
Soo! lets talk about this type of revelation. When it comes to anyone with a disability, they will sooner or later find out that there is something different about them. Yet it is up to that person and those in their support network ( family, close friends and confidants) to help them to come to terms with this revelation. I only say this because I have been very fortunate in having the love and support of those mentioned in the brackets above. It is far better to have a professional diagnosis than to hear it from someone on the street. I actually met someone with Asperger's who asked me if I had that condition. I knew I had it back then, but imagine if I hadn't known I would have looked like a muppet who realised they weren't human! I would have felt like a common rug without a hand up its arse. I have never asked someone if they have the condition out of respect for that person. Plenty of people have come up to me asking if they have Asperger's. Sure I have asked them questions that would show Aspie traits, but I haven't told them they have the condition. That is up to a person in the medical/psychological field to decide. I'm just a guy with Asperger's who helps mentor people with the condition.
Soo! What did I learn this week?
I guess this week I have learnt about self control. There is a video game I have been hoping to buy, it's called 'Rayman Legends', a fantastic piece of platforming and a beautifully created visual experience. Now I was hoping to buy this game in the city this week but I realised something, I am without work so I currently don't have a cash flow. So I decided to go without, I am sure in time, when I finally get accepted for a job I will get to purchase such a delectable delight! Beg steal or borrow, but hopefully owned and paid for.
So that wraps it up for another blog. Yet I know this is only giving a skeletal view of me finding out that I am on the Autistic Spectrum. So if you have any questions, shoot them off like a rifle down below!
Movie of the week: Chicken Run
Tuesday 3 September 2013
I JUST DON'T GET IT! episode 1!
I JUST DON'T GET IT!
Hi folks, I am Thomas, I'm a 22 year old graphic designer, motion graphics artist and an advocate for Asperger's syndrome and autism. I have done talks at all kinds of places, I have written an article for the Daily Telegraph and been interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald, I have also been on ABC National Radio twice and am a Future Youth Leader. As a creative writer and an exquisite speech writer, I thought it was high time I started a blog. So this means either a hand out of the grave of anonymity, or a nail into my coffin!
So what is my blog about?
Well as an aspie, there are some things in this world I just don't get, so I decided that's what I am going to write about! Not only that, I will write about things I have learned through the week. You may call it a seven day life story, but this little baby is my creation. Finally I will try to do a small bit of art every week and you can be e better judge of which creation you like better.
So, you know what I just don't get?
Gardens!
People work their bone to their fingers every day to earn enough money to buy a house and what do you get? A sizeable chore that has to be done nearly every week! Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, sweep the path, dust the cobwebs, get the bird shit off the window ( thank god cows don't fly) etc., etc. Now I like the way grass feels, it's nice to lie down on, but when you are spending a hundred bucks on a bed of roses which can become a trip hazard, making sure your tulip bushes are at exactly 42 degrees so then it catches the most sunlight and which flowers blossom in the right seasons, you start sounding like you are 2 flowers short of a dozen!
Now I understand people planting veggies or fruit trees. I quite like the look of a Zen garden, but I just can't grasp the concept of normal gardens! Maybe that's it, as a fan of things that are abnormal I might not appreciate the normal things. So gardeneers I guess it is to each to their own, but I assure you, I won't be picking up leaves and sticks just because you want someone to do your dirty work!
What I learnt this week!
I am quite good at table tennis, or ping pong. I didn't realise there was a difference.
This week we scabbed a ping pong table off the side of the road. it had wonky wheels and wobbly legs but with a little imagination and allot of spare wood lying around we set it up just outside our yard. We started playing and we quickly found out how bad my older brother was. I wasn't that great to start off with either, but as the weekend progressed my skills increased! Unfortunately it's also hard playing on grass, we were slipping every time we we tried to get to the ball. So I with my velcro soled shoes managed to stay upright, and boy it was good hitting those balls with the paddle. Sure I am on the lower end of the learning curve but this is one sport I will try to get better at!
So we come to the end of episode one. Remember guys, when lifting heavy objects always remember to say HOOOAAHHHH!
Hi folks, I am Thomas, I'm a 22 year old graphic designer, motion graphics artist and an advocate for Asperger's syndrome and autism. I have done talks at all kinds of places, I have written an article for the Daily Telegraph and been interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald, I have also been on ABC National Radio twice and am a Future Youth Leader. As a creative writer and an exquisite speech writer, I thought it was high time I started a blog. So this means either a hand out of the grave of anonymity, or a nail into my coffin!
So what is my blog about?
Well as an aspie, there are some things in this world I just don't get, so I decided that's what I am going to write about! Not only that, I will write about things I have learned through the week. You may call it a seven day life story, but this little baby is my creation. Finally I will try to do a small bit of art every week and you can be e better judge of which creation you like better.
So, you know what I just don't get?
Gardens!
People work their bone to their fingers every day to earn enough money to buy a house and what do you get? A sizeable chore that has to be done nearly every week! Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, sweep the path, dust the cobwebs, get the bird shit off the window ( thank god cows don't fly) etc., etc. Now I like the way grass feels, it's nice to lie down on, but when you are spending a hundred bucks on a bed of roses which can become a trip hazard, making sure your tulip bushes are at exactly 42 degrees so then it catches the most sunlight and which flowers blossom in the right seasons, you start sounding like you are 2 flowers short of a dozen!
Now I understand people planting veggies or fruit trees. I quite like the look of a Zen garden, but I just can't grasp the concept of normal gardens! Maybe that's it, as a fan of things that are abnormal I might not appreciate the normal things. So gardeneers I guess it is to each to their own, but I assure you, I won't be picking up leaves and sticks just because you want someone to do your dirty work!
What I learnt this week!
I am quite good at table tennis, or ping pong. I didn't realise there was a difference.
This week we scabbed a ping pong table off the side of the road. it had wonky wheels and wobbly legs but with a little imagination and allot of spare wood lying around we set it up just outside our yard. We started playing and we quickly found out how bad my older brother was. I wasn't that great to start off with either, but as the weekend progressed my skills increased! Unfortunately it's also hard playing on grass, we were slipping every time we we tried to get to the ball. So I with my velcro soled shoes managed to stay upright, and boy it was good hitting those balls with the paddle. Sure I am on the lower end of the learning curve but this is one sport I will try to get better at!
So we come to the end of episode one. Remember guys, when lifting heavy objects always remember to say HOOOAAHHHH!
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