NOTE: Okay, first off, I know some people might find the original song annoying, but I just can't think of another song that would work so well for this topic. Also, I want to leave this parody open for interpretation, but I feel I have to say that this is in no way talking about my current situation. I know what this parody means to me, but, unless you know my history, you might not understand what I'm talking about. I don't feel the way the parody describes about anything mentioned in it, so, please don't say, "I know you've traveled far!," or, "You're a baby-hater!" because what this parody says isn't even true for me anymore. Anyway, enjoy!
TEACH ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW
Parody of "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez & the Scene
(Teach me something I don't know!)
Everybody tells me
That I'm such a real smart kid.
I don't agree with it,
but still everyone says it.
Everybody says that I need kindergarten,
but my brain is beyond
the things that you're teaching!
PRE-CHORUS:
I come here every day!
It's such a waste of time!
The other kids here learn so much.
Why are their minds not like mine?
Oh!
CHORUS:
Teach me (3x)
Something I don't know! (3x)
Teach me (3x)
Something I don't know! (3x)
Why I don't go many miles,
What it takes to make you smile,
How to totally rid this world of little babies.
Teach me (3x)
Something I don't know! (3x)
Teach me, teach me something I don't know! (2x)
Everybody tells me that I know what I'm doing,
Whenever I'm reading,
But not when I'm writing.
Everybody tells me that I'm not any different,
But I know that I am unlike any of my friends.
REPEAT PRE-CHORUS
REPEAT CHORUS
RAP:
You're bored with that?
Well, I'm gonna give you books of higher levels
So, you'd better get to reading!
Can you read all of that?
Yeah, I can read all of that!
Are you sure about that?
Yes, I'm sure about that!
Oh, I don't believe this!
SUNG:
I'm on my way!
I could read all this in a day!
If this is it, then, I say:
School's so easy!
REPEAT CHORUS 2x
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
You Are My Number One
NOTE: As with my other parodies about crushes, this one is a joke. Also, those of you who are Smash Mouth fans may know that there is an actual song by them called "You Are My Number One," which is not the song of theirs parodied here. There are a couple of reasons why: 1) I have heard Smash Mouth's "You Are My Number One," and I love it, especially the lyrics, so I wouldn't want to change them; and 2) "Walkin' on the Sun" (the song parodied here) is much better-known. You understand, right? Enjoy!
YOU ARE MY NUMBER ONE
Parody of "Walkin' on the Sun" by Smash Mouth
It ain't no joke, no lie, yes, all my friends do know
About my humongous crush on Miss Anne Hathaway
Yet, most of the world, they say, "Why?", yeah, they inquire
They wonder how anyone could be obsessed with a celebrity
Well, then, I say, they're wack! Anne Hathaway is all that!
This is so not a fad! It's lasted too long for that!
Yeah, I'm still crushin', there's no question, I don't care if it's hip!
I'm still cool, 'cause my Facebook friends are over three hundred!
CHORUS:
She's a hottie, and how! She's seen in theaters right now!
As long as she is alive, my crush on her will not die!
And, if you watch her, you'll know just why I like her!
This I say to Anne: You continue to be my number one!
It was five years ago, yeah, '05 when I found out
That her actin' and her talent is just great, you know!
Just sat there in front of my big white computer
Was cryin' and laughin' to Ella Enchanted!
I knew right then it was Hil's end!
Anne had the crown, Hil's time was up!
Take the Lizzie pics down!
Within one week, I mentioned it to all my friends
'Cause they're the ones who know the true meaning of it!
REPEAT CHORUS
It ain't no joke, yeah, you'll know that when the pictures load
I'm still in full-on celebrity crushin' mode!
Yes, Anne woke me up, I woke up to the celebrity stuff!
The stuff you just can't get when you love Hilary Duff!
So, I sit back, kick back, and watch my favorite actress!
Yeah, Princess Diaries still isn't old hat!
No one can act anything like that looking that way!
My absolute number one hope is to meet Miss Annie one day!
REPEAT CHORUS
Anne, you will always be my number one! (4x)
Anne, I know you've never met me, but, thanks for a great five years! You continue to amaze in almost everything you do! Now, here's to five more years! -- Mr. Autistic
YOU ARE MY NUMBER ONE
Parody of "Walkin' on the Sun" by Smash Mouth
It ain't no joke, no lie, yes, all my friends do know
About my humongous crush on Miss Anne Hathaway
Yet, most of the world, they say, "Why?", yeah, they inquire
They wonder how anyone could be obsessed with a celebrity
Well, then, I say, they're wack! Anne Hathaway is all that!
This is so not a fad! It's lasted too long for that!
Yeah, I'm still crushin', there's no question, I don't care if it's hip!
I'm still cool, 'cause my Facebook friends are over three hundred!
CHORUS:
She's a hottie, and how! She's seen in theaters right now!
As long as she is alive, my crush on her will not die!
And, if you watch her, you'll know just why I like her!
This I say to Anne: You continue to be my number one!
It was five years ago, yeah, '05 when I found out
That her actin' and her talent is just great, you know!
Just sat there in front of my big white computer
Was cryin' and laughin' to Ella Enchanted!
I knew right then it was Hil's end!
Anne had the crown, Hil's time was up!
Take the Lizzie pics down!
Within one week, I mentioned it to all my friends
'Cause they're the ones who know the true meaning of it!
REPEAT CHORUS
It ain't no joke, yeah, you'll know that when the pictures load
I'm still in full-on celebrity crushin' mode!
Yes, Anne woke me up, I woke up to the celebrity stuff!
The stuff you just can't get when you love Hilary Duff!
So, I sit back, kick back, and watch my favorite actress!
Yeah, Princess Diaries still isn't old hat!
No one can act anything like that looking that way!
My absolute number one hope is to meet Miss Annie one day!
REPEAT CHORUS
Anne, you will always be my number one! (4x)
Anne, I know you've never met me, but, thanks for a great five years! You continue to amaze in almost everything you do! Now, here's to five more years! -- Mr. Autistic
Friday, March 26, 2010
On Romantic Relationships
Okay, first off, for those who don't know: I've been single my whole life. The closest things I've had to girlfriends were celebrities whose pictures I put all over everything. There's been more times than I can count on one hand where I was hoping for a relationship with a female friend, but, I got shot down every time, sometimes before I even mentioned the thought of a relationship. This post is not an attempt to find a date; unless I personally know and have met you, if you offer me a date online, I'm going to refuse. I sincerely hope that a romantic relationship is part of my future, but it may not be God's will.
Now, I'm sure most of you reading this, especially if you are in or have been through high school and/or college, either are or were in some sort of romantic relationship. I don't hate or even dislike you for that. Granted, I do wish I could be in a relationship like you are or were, particularly if you are around my age or younger, but I'm not going to hold a grudge because of it. If I were to guess, I would say that there might be some reasons why I'm not ready for a relationship yet. Plus, I really don't want to rush into a relationship. I have/had friends, and I won't name names, though most of my long-time friends know at least one of these people, who got into a relationship, married, then started having problems and ended up divorced. I don't know what the stories behind why their marriages ended were, but they are really not any of my business. I know how painful a divorce can be, at least from a child's standpoint; my biological parents divorced when I was six weeks old, and it was hard growing up not having anyone to call Dad, while pretty much all of my friends' parents were still together. I definitely don't want to end up in a broken marriage. In fact, I wouldn't wish a divorce on anyone, no matter who they are.
Some of my friends may wonder why seeing them in a relationship bothers me at times. Well, friends, it isn't you; it's me. To illustrate my point, I'll share a story from my childhood. I've told this one before, but some of you might not remember it: Way back in the late 90's, I had some friends who lived in my neighborhood. On some weekends, they would go to some theme park or other fun location--I can't say the names of the places, because that would give my location away--while I was stuck at home with computer games I'd played a thousand times and no one to have any fun with. I wanted to go to those places back then, believe me, but I couldn't. So, I didn't want to hear my friends even talk about those places. If all they said was, "We went to [insert theme park here]," what I would hear was, "We went to [insert theme park here] and you didn't! Na-na-na-na-na-na!" Even then, I knew that wasn't my friends' intent, but, I wanted to go to those places so bad, and I couldn't, but they could, and I really didn't like that. Fast forward to the past few years, and it's pretty much the same story; just replace going to theme parks with having a romantic relationship.
Now, let me be clear: I'm not faulting any of my friends for posting stuff about their love lives; there's nothing that says I have to look at it. More than anything, I want my friends to be happy. I would hope that my friends would wish the same for me. It's like the book of Romans says: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." It's hard for me to rejoice about a friend's engagement while I'm their age or older and dateless, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be happy for them. After all, I don't want someone sitting there brooding or sulking because I'm engaged. I'm waiting to see how many "likes" I'll get when I'm finally able to truthfully post on Facebook that I'm actually in a relationship. I would hope it would be a lot.
In closing, I'll just say this: I'll keep waiting for the day when I find the right one for me. I'm still going to pursue a romantic relationship, despite the fact that I've been doing it for a decade and have had zero luck. While I'm waiting, Anne, Ashley, Siobhan and friends will keep me company. You may think that's stupid, but, if you really knew me, you'd realize that giving up the whole celebrity addiction is out of the question. As an autistic, I need some sort of obsession/addiction, and celebrities are mine. Maybe some girl will come along that has a bunch of celebrity crushes herself, and we'll have that in common. Who knows? Only time will tell...
Now, I'm sure most of you reading this, especially if you are in or have been through high school and/or college, either are or were in some sort of romantic relationship. I don't hate or even dislike you for that. Granted, I do wish I could be in a relationship like you are or were, particularly if you are around my age or younger, but I'm not going to hold a grudge because of it. If I were to guess, I would say that there might be some reasons why I'm not ready for a relationship yet. Plus, I really don't want to rush into a relationship. I have/had friends, and I won't name names, though most of my long-time friends know at least one of these people, who got into a relationship, married, then started having problems and ended up divorced. I don't know what the stories behind why their marriages ended were, but they are really not any of my business. I know how painful a divorce can be, at least from a child's standpoint; my biological parents divorced when I was six weeks old, and it was hard growing up not having anyone to call Dad, while pretty much all of my friends' parents were still together. I definitely don't want to end up in a broken marriage. In fact, I wouldn't wish a divorce on anyone, no matter who they are.
Some of my friends may wonder why seeing them in a relationship bothers me at times. Well, friends, it isn't you; it's me. To illustrate my point, I'll share a story from my childhood. I've told this one before, but some of you might not remember it: Way back in the late 90's, I had some friends who lived in my neighborhood. On some weekends, they would go to some theme park or other fun location--I can't say the names of the places, because that would give my location away--while I was stuck at home with computer games I'd played a thousand times and no one to have any fun with. I wanted to go to those places back then, believe me, but I couldn't. So, I didn't want to hear my friends even talk about those places. If all they said was, "We went to [insert theme park here]," what I would hear was, "We went to [insert theme park here] and you didn't! Na-na-na-na-na-na!" Even then, I knew that wasn't my friends' intent, but, I wanted to go to those places so bad, and I couldn't, but they could, and I really didn't like that. Fast forward to the past few years, and it's pretty much the same story; just replace going to theme parks with having a romantic relationship.
Now, let me be clear: I'm not faulting any of my friends for posting stuff about their love lives; there's nothing that says I have to look at it. More than anything, I want my friends to be happy. I would hope that my friends would wish the same for me. It's like the book of Romans says: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." It's hard for me to rejoice about a friend's engagement while I'm their age or older and dateless, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be happy for them. After all, I don't want someone sitting there brooding or sulking because I'm engaged. I'm waiting to see how many "likes" I'll get when I'm finally able to truthfully post on Facebook that I'm actually in a relationship. I would hope it would be a lot.
In closing, I'll just say this: I'll keep waiting for the day when I find the right one for me. I'm still going to pursue a romantic relationship, despite the fact that I've been doing it for a decade and have had zero luck. While I'm waiting, Anne, Ashley, Siobhan and friends will keep me company. You may think that's stupid, but, if you really knew me, you'd realize that giving up the whole celebrity addiction is out of the question. As an autistic, I need some sort of obsession/addiction, and celebrities are mine. Maybe some girl will come along that has a bunch of celebrity crushes herself, and we'll have that in common. Who knows? Only time will tell...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
On the Topic of Art
Everyone, autistics included, likes at least one type of art, whether they know that it's art or not. People usually think of art only being visual, like the paintings you see in museums. That is art, but that's not the only type of art. Webster defines art as "fine arts", and their definition of fine art is "art (as painting, sculpture, or music) concerned primarily with the creation of beautiful objects." So, what you hear on the radio could be considered art, too. Maybe I have a broader definition than most, but I also think that movies, video games, comic strips, and even writing could be considered types of art. Seriously, it takes a lot of effort to write a good novel, make people laugh every day, make a playable video game, or entertain people for two hours.
In fact, I've always had a broad definition of art, which got me into a lot of trouble in elementary school art class. I always wanted to put speech bubbles into my "artwork." (I say that in quotes because I never have been able to draw very well; probably my lack of coordination causes that, although there are plenty of perfectly coordinated people who can't draw.) However, my art teachers had a strict "no words, no letters" policy. I don't blame them; it was my fault, because I didn't know how to make my art "speak" without putting words in it. Pretty much all the visual art I grew up with had words in it, like a comic strip or children's novel, and/or moved and made noise, like a computer game or cartoon. I just didn't get how to make art without using words.
Everyone has types of art (visual and non-visual) they do or don't like. For example, I at least somewhat like most genres of music, but I cannot stand hardcore metal like P.O.D. It's the same with everyone. I'm not sure why, but there used to be an ad campaign about eight years ago or so that said, "Art. Ask for more." The only parts of the commercial I remember is some girl turning her parents' car radio from pop music to news, and the same girl handing her father a book titled Zoning and Variances: Volume XVI (or something like that) and saying, "Read me this one, Daddy." Truth be told, that probably is how some autistics are. The things that most people like--music, movies, TV, etc.--autistics hate. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of current television (aside from American Idol), but I still like some shows. I also like several movies that were box office smashes, like the Star Wars movies, and songs of all different genres, a good part of which you can hear on most popular radio stations. That makes me at least somewhat normal. In the past, well before that ad campaign, I hated music and wasn't too big on movies. It wasn't until I heard dc talk's Supernatural album and started going to the theater more often that I began to like those things. I wonder if that aforementioned ad campaign was supposed to combat some problem. If it was, I never knew anyone besides myself that had it.
There will always be a debate over what is and isn't art. I have my own views about what art is, but I'm not going to sit there and debate with someone who disagrees with me on that topic. It's like that old sports debate: everyone agrees that football, basketball, baseball and such are sports, but some people say that things like bowling or even band/orchestra are sports, while others disagree. I couldn't care less about sports at all, so I have no opinion; I'll just let them debate. It's like they say: Art is in the eye of the beholder. You like the kind of art you like, and I'll like the kind of art I like. Fair enough, right?
In fact, I've always had a broad definition of art, which got me into a lot of trouble in elementary school art class. I always wanted to put speech bubbles into my "artwork." (I say that in quotes because I never have been able to draw very well; probably my lack of coordination causes that, although there are plenty of perfectly coordinated people who can't draw.) However, my art teachers had a strict "no words, no letters" policy. I don't blame them; it was my fault, because I didn't know how to make my art "speak" without putting words in it. Pretty much all the visual art I grew up with had words in it, like a comic strip or children's novel, and/or moved and made noise, like a computer game or cartoon. I just didn't get how to make art without using words.
Everyone has types of art (visual and non-visual) they do or don't like. For example, I at least somewhat like most genres of music, but I cannot stand hardcore metal like P.O.D. It's the same with everyone. I'm not sure why, but there used to be an ad campaign about eight years ago or so that said, "Art. Ask for more." The only parts of the commercial I remember is some girl turning her parents' car radio from pop music to news, and the same girl handing her father a book titled Zoning and Variances: Volume XVI (or something like that) and saying, "Read me this one, Daddy." Truth be told, that probably is how some autistics are. The things that most people like--music, movies, TV, etc.--autistics hate. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of current television (aside from American Idol), but I still like some shows. I also like several movies that were box office smashes, like the Star Wars movies, and songs of all different genres, a good part of which you can hear on most popular radio stations. That makes me at least somewhat normal. In the past, well before that ad campaign, I hated music and wasn't too big on movies. It wasn't until I heard dc talk's Supernatural album and started going to the theater more often that I began to like those things. I wonder if that aforementioned ad campaign was supposed to combat some problem. If it was, I never knew anyone besides myself that had it.
There will always be a debate over what is and isn't art. I have my own views about what art is, but I'm not going to sit there and debate with someone who disagrees with me on that topic. It's like that old sports debate: everyone agrees that football, basketball, baseball and such are sports, but some people say that things like bowling or even band/orchestra are sports, while others disagree. I couldn't care less about sports at all, so I have no opinion; I'll just let them debate. It's like they say: Art is in the eye of the beholder. You like the kind of art you like, and I'll like the kind of art I like. Fair enough, right?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Siobhan Magnus Song
NOTE: This parody, like others I've written about crushes, is a JOKE! Don't get all up in arms claiming that I'm insane because I think I'm going to marry a celebrity! If you liked writing parodies, and you were a celebrity addict, you'd write stuff like this, too. Anyway, enjoy!
THE SIOBHAN MAGNUS SONG
Parody of "In Love With a Girl" by Gavin DeGraw
So many singers today really don't sound that good.
It seems like their fans just don't really care.
But, from time to time, you will find one
Who is worth your time, and you will be so there.
Some people have fame, others have lost it.
Lots of celebs don't deserve what they get.
Some are pains, but I've found a new name
That deserves so much fame, and I'm no liar.
CHORUS:
I'm in love with a girl on American Idol!
Fell for the woman just when I saw her!
Hope one day I end up with her.
I'm her biggest fan!
Her voice you just could not dislike!
Watch her on TV every Tuesday night!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
I'm in love with this girl (I'm in love with) (2x)
Downloading her great performances on iTunes.
I don't care at all how much they cost.
I will call to make sure she's not voted out.
Use my phones, both cell and landline.
She may only be on screen for a moment,
But my eyes are fixed the whole time!
I'll keep on, she's number one, I'll be a fan all my life!
REPEAT CHORUS
So, you say you don't think this goal is something I can reach.
All I have to say is: Oh, please!
Just get out of my face!
Her and I will date, and it will be quite fun.
You don't understand it!
I'm in love with a girl on American Idol!
Fell for the woman just when I saw her!
Hope one day I end up with her.
I'm her biggest fan!
Her voice you just could not dislike!
Watch her on TV every Tuesday night!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
I'm in love with this girl (I'm in love with) (3x)
I really love her!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
THE SIOBHAN MAGNUS SONG
Parody of "In Love With a Girl" by Gavin DeGraw
So many singers today really don't sound that good.
It seems like their fans just don't really care.
But, from time to time, you will find one
Who is worth your time, and you will be so there.
Some people have fame, others have lost it.
Lots of celebs don't deserve what they get.
Some are pains, but I've found a new name
That deserves so much fame, and I'm no liar.
CHORUS:
I'm in love with a girl on American Idol!
Fell for the woman just when I saw her!
Hope one day I end up with her.
I'm her biggest fan!
Her voice you just could not dislike!
Watch her on TV every Tuesday night!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
I'm in love with this girl (I'm in love with) (2x)
Downloading her great performances on iTunes.
I don't care at all how much they cost.
I will call to make sure she's not voted out.
Use my phones, both cell and landline.
She may only be on screen for a moment,
But my eyes are fixed the whole time!
I'll keep on, she's number one, I'll be a fan all my life!
REPEAT CHORUS
So, you say you don't think this goal is something I can reach.
All I have to say is: Oh, please!
Just get out of my face!
Her and I will date, and it will be quite fun.
You don't understand it!
I'm in love with a girl on American Idol!
Fell for the woman just when I saw her!
Hope one day I end up with her.
I'm her biggest fan!
Her voice you just could not dislike!
Watch her on TV every Tuesday night!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
I'm in love with this girl (I'm in love with) (3x)
I really love her!
Who is it that I do like?
Siobhan Magnus is the name!
Monday, March 22, 2010
On My Obsession Or Lack Thereof
If you've known me for a while, you know that I've been obsessed with various things in the past. What I was obsessed with depends on when you and I were in contact. I'm not going to list every obsession that I've ever had, because not only have I already done that more than once, but I don't think anyone really wants to read that. What I'm going to talk about is how, at least to me, it seems like I'm doing better about the whole obsession thing.
In years past, when I was obsessed with something, almost everyone knew. (There was one person who didn't; more on that later.) However, it's been months since I've had someone tell me I was obsessed with anything. Last year, some friends said I was obsessed with my obsessions, which made sense when I thought about it. Others said I was obsessed with Facebook or finding a girlfriend. All of those statements were based on some of the posts I'd made on Facebook. However, I have written two Facebook notes in the past two months, and one was about the name Siobhan, while the other was new lyrics to "Beverly Hills" about someone I used to know. Even on here, I haven't made any big, long, ranting posts about my lack of a girlfriend or what I've been obsessed with in the past in quite a while.
Honestly, right now, I have no idea what I'm obsessed with. Granted, I may spend a lot of time on Facebook, but no one can honestly say that I don't do anything else. I read books; I watch movies and television; I go to church functions; I volunteer at my local library; I listen to my iPod; and, there are probably plenty of other things I do that have nothing to do with Facebook. I'll admit that I don't like being single, and I do lament it from time to time, but, the truth is, I know romantic love will come someday. It may be that I'm not currently ready for it right now. Also, when I talk to people, I'll talk about anything and everything. Look at the various topics I've recently posted about on this blog: 3-D movies, birthdays, chick flicks, books, music, talking to myself...does any of that have to do with my previous obsessions, Facebook, or finding a girlfriend? No.
Then again, I may not be a reliable gauge of whether of I'm obsessed with anything or not. There was a friend of mine (he knows who he is) who was actually courageous enough to stand up to me and tell me I was obsessed with something I won't name, and I even denied it, saying he was obsessed with that same thing as well as other things. I did essentially the same thing when my mom told me I was obsessed with something else I won't name. So, maybe I am obsessed with something and I just don't know it.
Obsession may be my nature, but I think I can overcome it. I mean, hey: not to be a braggart or anything, but when I see other autistics, even ones with Asperger's Syndrome, I realize that my case is quite mild. It may have been worse when I was younger, but I've learned a lot in my 22 years of life, like what bothers my peers, and that humans aren't logical. I get that no one wants to hear me ramble about anything for 30 minutes. I get that I can't use overly technical language to someone who doesn't know very much about the subject I'm speaking of. I get that no one wants to hear me talk to myself. I get that things aren't necessarily going to be in perfect order, even when they're organized. I get that there are things in life that I will never understand, and arguing or debating them isn't going to change anything. Those, however, are lessons I've learned over the years. The autistic nature would make me want to do those annoying things, but I have trained myself to not do them. Maybe I'm overcoming the obsessive part of the autistic nature; what do you think?
In years past, when I was obsessed with something, almost everyone knew. (There was one person who didn't; more on that later.) However, it's been months since I've had someone tell me I was obsessed with anything. Last year, some friends said I was obsessed with my obsessions, which made sense when I thought about it. Others said I was obsessed with Facebook or finding a girlfriend. All of those statements were based on some of the posts I'd made on Facebook. However, I have written two Facebook notes in the past two months, and one was about the name Siobhan, while the other was new lyrics to "Beverly Hills" about someone I used to know. Even on here, I haven't made any big, long, ranting posts about my lack of a girlfriend or what I've been obsessed with in the past in quite a while.
Honestly, right now, I have no idea what I'm obsessed with. Granted, I may spend a lot of time on Facebook, but no one can honestly say that I don't do anything else. I read books; I watch movies and television; I go to church functions; I volunteer at my local library; I listen to my iPod; and, there are probably plenty of other things I do that have nothing to do with Facebook. I'll admit that I don't like being single, and I do lament it from time to time, but, the truth is, I know romantic love will come someday. It may be that I'm not currently ready for it right now. Also, when I talk to people, I'll talk about anything and everything. Look at the various topics I've recently posted about on this blog: 3-D movies, birthdays, chick flicks, books, music, talking to myself...does any of that have to do with my previous obsessions, Facebook, or finding a girlfriend? No.
Then again, I may not be a reliable gauge of whether of I'm obsessed with anything or not. There was a friend of mine (he knows who he is) who was actually courageous enough to stand up to me and tell me I was obsessed with something I won't name, and I even denied it, saying he was obsessed with that same thing as well as other things. I did essentially the same thing when my mom told me I was obsessed with something else I won't name. So, maybe I am obsessed with something and I just don't know it.
Obsession may be my nature, but I think I can overcome it. I mean, hey: not to be a braggart or anything, but when I see other autistics, even ones with Asperger's Syndrome, I realize that my case is quite mild. It may have been worse when I was younger, but I've learned a lot in my 22 years of life, like what bothers my peers, and that humans aren't logical. I get that no one wants to hear me ramble about anything for 30 minutes. I get that I can't use overly technical language to someone who doesn't know very much about the subject I'm speaking of. I get that no one wants to hear me talk to myself. I get that things aren't necessarily going to be in perfect order, even when they're organized. I get that there are things in life that I will never understand, and arguing or debating them isn't going to change anything. Those, however, are lessons I've learned over the years. The autistic nature would make me want to do those annoying things, but I have trained myself to not do them. Maybe I'm overcoming the obsessive part of the autistic nature; what do you think?
Friday, March 12, 2010
On The "New" 3-D Movie Craze
If you've been following movies recently, you know that there have been a lot of 3-D films lately. I'm not talking about computer-animated films, although some of those are included in that category; I'm talking about ones that actually require you to wear special glasses to properly watch the movie. I've actually seen four 3-D flicks in the past two years, so I know what they're all about. I could delve into the history of me and 3-D media, but that would involve me going all the way back to the mid-'90s, and it has little to do with the topic I really want to get into. So, instead, I'm going to start with the first 3-D movie I saw, which was only two years ago.
In 2008, my parents and I saw an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon. Based on previous experiences, I didn't think it would look 3-D to me. (Long story short, an eye doctor said back in 1999 that I had some vision problem that caused me to only see with one eye at a time. To this day, I don't really understand it.) My parents explained to me that the IMAX movie would have things coming out of the screen at you that would look like you could touch them. I was still doubtful...until the movie started. When I saw those bubbles coming out of the screen, it was so different than anything I'd ever seen. I'd been to IMAX movies plenty of times, but not 3-D ones. Naturally, I expected other 3-D movies to be the same way as the one I saw that day.
The next 3-D movie I saw was Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I actually got to see a sneak preview of it on Father's Day weekend. Although the movie was funny, and the animation was great, it really seemed to me that the 3-D part was unnecessary. I honestly thought it could have been just as good if it had not required the special glasses. When I got to see the Jim Carrey Christmas Carol film, as well as the box-office smash Avatar, I felt the same way: they were great movies with amazing special effects/animation/etc., but the 3-D seemed unneeded. The only thing I remember coming out of the screen during any movie besides that Grand Canyon one was a cable in space, but that was during a preview for a NASA documentary before Avatar! Some other people who saw those movies agreed with me.
So, here's what I think: I think that this 3-D craze has gone way too far, because now it seems like they're making them 3-D just to get people in the theater. Movie studios need to face the facts: one day, movie theaters as we know them will die out. So many people these days have big screen TVs and surround sound systems at their houses that they don't need to pay 8+ bucks to see a movie at a theater. Now, I will admit that sometimes the audience can make a movie great; for example, I loved The Incredibles the first time I saw it, partly because of the way the audience around me was having such a great time. However, when the DVD came out, and I watched it with my mom, I just found it completely boring. It was like I was watching an entirely different flick. Still, some people don't like audiences, because at times they can be bothersome, like when kids cry or people sit there and talk through the movie. So, the movie studios need some gimmick to get people into theaters. It works for most people, but I'm not buying into it.
Truth be told, there have been 3-D films well before this recent crop. An article in one of my Bathroom Readers said that 3-D movies existed not only in the 80's, but even during the black-and-white days! Why did they stop making them? In at least one case, it was because the movies started to become dreck. That's part of why I believe this latest 3-D movie thing is just a fad. It won't be too long before the whole thing will lose its charm, and 3-D movies will fail. At least, that's what I think; what do you think?
In 2008, my parents and I saw an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon. Based on previous experiences, I didn't think it would look 3-D to me. (Long story short, an eye doctor said back in 1999 that I had some vision problem that caused me to only see with one eye at a time. To this day, I don't really understand it.) My parents explained to me that the IMAX movie would have things coming out of the screen at you that would look like you could touch them. I was still doubtful...until the movie started. When I saw those bubbles coming out of the screen, it was so different than anything I'd ever seen. I'd been to IMAX movies plenty of times, but not 3-D ones. Naturally, I expected other 3-D movies to be the same way as the one I saw that day.
The next 3-D movie I saw was Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I actually got to see a sneak preview of it on Father's Day weekend. Although the movie was funny, and the animation was great, it really seemed to me that the 3-D part was unnecessary. I honestly thought it could have been just as good if it had not required the special glasses. When I got to see the Jim Carrey Christmas Carol film, as well as the box-office smash Avatar, I felt the same way: they were great movies with amazing special effects/animation/etc., but the 3-D seemed unneeded. The only thing I remember coming out of the screen during any movie besides that Grand Canyon one was a cable in space, but that was during a preview for a NASA documentary before Avatar! Some other people who saw those movies agreed with me.
So, here's what I think: I think that this 3-D craze has gone way too far, because now it seems like they're making them 3-D just to get people in the theater. Movie studios need to face the facts: one day, movie theaters as we know them will die out. So many people these days have big screen TVs and surround sound systems at their houses that they don't need to pay 8+ bucks to see a movie at a theater. Now, I will admit that sometimes the audience can make a movie great; for example, I loved The Incredibles the first time I saw it, partly because of the way the audience around me was having such a great time. However, when the DVD came out, and I watched it with my mom, I just found it completely boring. It was like I was watching an entirely different flick. Still, some people don't like audiences, because at times they can be bothersome, like when kids cry or people sit there and talk through the movie. So, the movie studios need some gimmick to get people into theaters. It works for most people, but I'm not buying into it.
Truth be told, there have been 3-D films well before this recent crop. An article in one of my Bathroom Readers said that 3-D movies existed not only in the 80's, but even during the black-and-white days! Why did they stop making them? In at least one case, it was because the movies started to become dreck. That's part of why I believe this latest 3-D movie thing is just a fad. It won't be too long before the whole thing will lose its charm, and 3-D movies will fail. At least, that's what I think; what do you think?
Monday, March 8, 2010
On Library Sales, Yard Sales, and Similar Places
Those of you who know me probably know that I'm very big on yard sales, aka garage sales. I have walked over a mile in one day just to get good deals on used stuff. It's something that my family has always done; I have many memories of my family and I riding around the neighborhood looking for bargains. Some people don't really like them, because they'd rather buy stuff new. I say, sometimes you find stuff at garage sales that is new, i.e., still in the plastic. Even used stuff isn't that bad; as someone who comes from a family that hasn't always been affluent, I can say that sometimes getting stuff used is the only way you're going to get it.
A new way I've found to get stuff cheap is library sales. Though I've only been to three large ones in my lifetime, both the library I volunteer at as well as two others somewhat close to me have rooms and/or carts that have stuff for sale all the time. Some items used to belong to the library, but haven't been checked out in a while, so they're getting rid of them; others are just things that people donated, and the library had no need for them. Most of what's for sale there is books, but they also have music CDs, audiobooks, and videos, too. Since I mostly buy printed or electronic media at yard sales, it only makes sense that I would like library sales, too.
I will admit that I have had problems getting rid of stuff that I've gotten at yard sales and library sales after I was done with it. For example, just last week, the used bookstore near me wouldn't accept some books I tried to trade in because they had the name of a library stamped on the side. It didn't matter that I had pulled all the stickers off the cover, including the bar code, nor did it matter that I actually paid money for them; all that mattered was they had that stamp on them. I just ended up donating them to a thrift store. Also, there was a series of books (that will remain nameless) I bought several hardcover volumes of at a library sale last year, because they looked good. However, after starting the first one, I couldn't believe such dreck would go on for even half the volumes that were in the series. I tried to sell them at my family's yard sale, but no one bought them, so I ended up donating them back to the library, who put them up for sale again. (I didn't mind them doing that at all; at least the library made some extra money, right?) Even beyond books, I had several Christian CDs, a good part of which were bought used, that the used music store near me wouldn't accept for trade-in. Based on that, I would imagine that's not a big seller for them.
Still, all that notwithstanding, I still love garage sales and library sales. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to have a good part of the stuff my family and I have owned in the past. Even the desk I'm sitting at to write this post came from a yard sale, as well as the entertainment center sitting next to me and the DVD recorder sitting inside it. I'm really looking forward to this yard sale season; since I just moved to a new location last October, I have a whole new neighborhood of garage sales to walk to. There are also two library sales I know of that I'm planning on going to; one in my city, the other in a neighboring city. The former already has a date set; I'm going to keep checking the website for the latter to see when they're having one. I would like to go to one in my city that I went to last year, but my mom doesn't want to take me to that one again because of how hard it was to get to, as well as the distance (not because of anything I did wrong, as someone with a hidden agenda against me might think.) I'm hoping by that point I will have a job; if not, my dad has said that he might give me some spending money for yard work. He did something similar before where I got a $10 weekly allowance. That might not sound like much, but that little amount can go pretty far at yard sales and library sales. Who knows what deals are waiting for me this year? Only time will tell.
Any comments?
A new way I've found to get stuff cheap is library sales. Though I've only been to three large ones in my lifetime, both the library I volunteer at as well as two others somewhat close to me have rooms and/or carts that have stuff for sale all the time. Some items used to belong to the library, but haven't been checked out in a while, so they're getting rid of them; others are just things that people donated, and the library had no need for them. Most of what's for sale there is books, but they also have music CDs, audiobooks, and videos, too. Since I mostly buy printed or electronic media at yard sales, it only makes sense that I would like library sales, too.
I will admit that I have had problems getting rid of stuff that I've gotten at yard sales and library sales after I was done with it. For example, just last week, the used bookstore near me wouldn't accept some books I tried to trade in because they had the name of a library stamped on the side. It didn't matter that I had pulled all the stickers off the cover, including the bar code, nor did it matter that I actually paid money for them; all that mattered was they had that stamp on them. I just ended up donating them to a thrift store. Also, there was a series of books (that will remain nameless) I bought several hardcover volumes of at a library sale last year, because they looked good. However, after starting the first one, I couldn't believe such dreck would go on for even half the volumes that were in the series. I tried to sell them at my family's yard sale, but no one bought them, so I ended up donating them back to the library, who put them up for sale again. (I didn't mind them doing that at all; at least the library made some extra money, right?) Even beyond books, I had several Christian CDs, a good part of which were bought used, that the used music store near me wouldn't accept for trade-in. Based on that, I would imagine that's not a big seller for them.
Still, all that notwithstanding, I still love garage sales and library sales. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to have a good part of the stuff my family and I have owned in the past. Even the desk I'm sitting at to write this post came from a yard sale, as well as the entertainment center sitting next to me and the DVD recorder sitting inside it. I'm really looking forward to this yard sale season; since I just moved to a new location last October, I have a whole new neighborhood of garage sales to walk to. There are also two library sales I know of that I'm planning on going to; one in my city, the other in a neighboring city. The former already has a date set; I'm going to keep checking the website for the latter to see when they're having one. I would like to go to one in my city that I went to last year, but my mom doesn't want to take me to that one again because of how hard it was to get to, as well as the distance (not because of anything I did wrong, as someone with a hidden agenda against me might think.) I'm hoping by that point I will have a job; if not, my dad has said that he might give me some spending money for yard work. He did something similar before where I got a $10 weekly allowance. That might not sound like much, but that little amount can go pretty far at yard sales and library sales. Who knows what deals are waiting for me this year? Only time will tell.
Any comments?
Friday, March 5, 2010
On Guys and Chick Flicks
If you follow the movie biz even somewhat, you've probably noticed that there are some movies that seem to be made with girls and women in mind. It seems like every year there are some of those kinds of films in theaters. Most guys stay away from that genre, and I can understand why. Still, I'll readily admit--and you can call me whatever you want, I'm not going to stop doing it--that I have watched quite a few "girly" movies. Over the years, I have willingly seen flicks such as Bride Wars, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Nancy Drew, and Ella Enchanted. To be fair, the main reason I was watching those films was for the attractive female leads. Still, even most guys won't do that.
You may wonder why any 22-year-old guy would watch movies like I just mentioned, unless his girlfriend/wife forced him to do so. Well, the main reason why is because of the way I was brought up. Some of you may already know this, but, for those who don't, here it is: For almost the first nine years of my life, I did not have another male in my immediate family. That changed when my sister got married. I never really knew my biological father, because my mom divorced him when I was only six weeks old. My mom didn't even date again until I was in college, and she married the first guy she had a serious relationship with. I'm not bashing my family at all, because I firmly believe with all of my heart that if my biological father had been around, I would have had a terrible life. I may have had some bad days in the past, but, if he and my mom had still been married, every day would have been bad. Still, the fact is, all those things you think guys don't do, I do. I read books for fun; I hate sports; and, as I was saying earlier, I watch chick flicks.
Now, let me explain something here: While I have willingly watched a number of "girly" films, I also have willingly watched at least twice as many guy movies. If you were to take a look at the DVDs I own, you would know that the collection was probably a guy's. I mean, seriously: Both Star Wars trilogies. Four Star Treks. Six Batmans. Three Spider-Mans. The entire X-Men trilogy. The first five Harry Potter movies. Superman Returns. Both Narnias. See what I mean? The only chick flicks I even have in my collection are Princess Diaries (you know why I have that one, LOL) and the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday. I will admit to having some family comedies, like Yours, Mine and Ours or Elf, and one or two computer-animated films, i.e. Ice Age, but I consider those movies to be made for everyone, no matter what your gender is.
Some of you might be laughing at this, saying, "This guy is gay!" or, "This dude's a girl!" or "This man is an idiot!" Go ahead. Laugh at me all you want. Truth be told, making fun of a guy who does something that might be considered "girly" (like wearing a pink or purple shirt, having sewing as a hobby, or watching chick flicks) is stuff that kids in middle and high school do, and it's quite immature. I don't make fun of anyone because of what they watch; I let my friends watch what they want, when they want, and I'll talk to them about it if they want. I think pretty much all of my friends watch things that I would never watch; however, I'm not going to tell them what they should and shouldn't watch. I realize I may have done that in the past, but that was when I was a lot younger and a whole lot dumber. The same thing applies to hobbies and clothes; whatever hobby you have or clothes you wear are fine with me.
Any comments?
You may wonder why any 22-year-old guy would watch movies like I just mentioned, unless his girlfriend/wife forced him to do so. Well, the main reason why is because of the way I was brought up. Some of you may already know this, but, for those who don't, here it is: For almost the first nine years of my life, I did not have another male in my immediate family. That changed when my sister got married. I never really knew my biological father, because my mom divorced him when I was only six weeks old. My mom didn't even date again until I was in college, and she married the first guy she had a serious relationship with. I'm not bashing my family at all, because I firmly believe with all of my heart that if my biological father had been around, I would have had a terrible life. I may have had some bad days in the past, but, if he and my mom had still been married, every day would have been bad. Still, the fact is, all those things you think guys don't do, I do. I read books for fun; I hate sports; and, as I was saying earlier, I watch chick flicks.
Now, let me explain something here: While I have willingly watched a number of "girly" films, I also have willingly watched at least twice as many guy movies. If you were to take a look at the DVDs I own, you would know that the collection was probably a guy's. I mean, seriously: Both Star Wars trilogies. Four Star Treks. Six Batmans. Three Spider-Mans. The entire X-Men trilogy. The first five Harry Potter movies. Superman Returns. Both Narnias. See what I mean? The only chick flicks I even have in my collection are Princess Diaries (you know why I have that one, LOL) and the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday. I will admit to having some family comedies, like Yours, Mine and Ours or Elf, and one or two computer-animated films, i.e. Ice Age, but I consider those movies to be made for everyone, no matter what your gender is.
Some of you might be laughing at this, saying, "This guy is gay!" or, "This dude's a girl!" or "This man is an idiot!" Go ahead. Laugh at me all you want. Truth be told, making fun of a guy who does something that might be considered "girly" (like wearing a pink or purple shirt, having sewing as a hobby, or watching chick flicks) is stuff that kids in middle and high school do, and it's quite immature. I don't make fun of anyone because of what they watch; I let my friends watch what they want, when they want, and I'll talk to them about it if they want. I think pretty much all of my friends watch things that I would never watch; however, I'm not going to tell them what they should and shouldn't watch. I realize I may have done that in the past, but that was when I was a lot younger and a whole lot dumber. The same thing applies to hobbies and clothes; whatever hobby you have or clothes you wear are fine with me.
Any comments?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
This has got to stop; problem is, no one can stop it but me.
I know that subject line sounds like something a comic book superhero would say, or, at least, think. However, I'm not talking about any outside force. I am having a problem, but that problem is not with anyone else, friend, enemy, or otherwise. It's with myself. The literature says that it is a symptom of Asperger's Syndrome, yet, I think I can overcome it, or, at least, limit it to the point where it won't bother others, which it has done almost my whole life. What is that problem? Talking out loud to myself.
Before you say something like, "I'm not autistic, and I do that, too!" let me explain what I mean. You might say a few words to yourself from time to time, but this is beyond that. This is to the point where, if you were in the other room and heard me, you'd think I was either on the phone or had someone else in the room with me. It gets to where most thoughts I have come out of my mouth somehow, whether by talking loudly, whispering, or some other way.
Now, I will explain the history of how this started. When I was a little kid, I watched quite a bit of television. I didn't understand about how TV cameras and all that stuff worked; I thought that everything I saw on TV was taken directly from someone's eyes. So, naturally, I thought everything I saw was on some channel, somewhere, which led me to talk out loud to an audience that wasn't there.
Eventually, I realized that there were TV cameras and all that. However, when I got to be middle school age, I was left alone a lot. I'm not blaming anyone; no parent should have to hire a sitter for his/her 11+-year-old son who is capable of taking care of himself and the house just fine, autism or not. Still, when I got left alone, since I had no one to talk to and nothing to do, I would start having long conversations with myself. I did it when my mom went to the store; I did it when she would sleep after working a 12-hour night shift; then, later on, I would do it at public places like my church, MovieStop and even at my first job, which I very well may have lost because of that bad habit. It's no one's fault but my own. While doing it at home is okay, because it's usually not really bothering anyone, when you're out in public, people get scared/repulsed/etc. because of that sort of thing.
Now, here's the thing: I still do get left alone a lot, plus I volunteer at my local library, which is very much a public place, and, I'm planning on getting a job as soon as possible, and I don't want to annoy/put off/etc. any of my co-workers by doing what I've talked about in this post. So, there's never been a better time to cure this habit. The question is: How? I've been talking to myself every day for as far back as I can remember! So, this is going to be a doozy of a habit to break. I'm sure I can curb it; all it takes it a lot of willpower. I may not be able to completely stop doing it, but I think I can reduce it enough to where it won't bother anyone.
Here is my question to you: Do you have any suggestions for how to stop doing this? Let me know.
Before you say something like, "I'm not autistic, and I do that, too!" let me explain what I mean. You might say a few words to yourself from time to time, but this is beyond that. This is to the point where, if you were in the other room and heard me, you'd think I was either on the phone or had someone else in the room with me. It gets to where most thoughts I have come out of my mouth somehow, whether by talking loudly, whispering, or some other way.
Now, I will explain the history of how this started. When I was a little kid, I watched quite a bit of television. I didn't understand about how TV cameras and all that stuff worked; I thought that everything I saw on TV was taken directly from someone's eyes. So, naturally, I thought everything I saw was on some channel, somewhere, which led me to talk out loud to an audience that wasn't there.
Eventually, I realized that there were TV cameras and all that. However, when I got to be middle school age, I was left alone a lot. I'm not blaming anyone; no parent should have to hire a sitter for his/her 11+-year-old son who is capable of taking care of himself and the house just fine, autism or not. Still, when I got left alone, since I had no one to talk to and nothing to do, I would start having long conversations with myself. I did it when my mom went to the store; I did it when she would sleep after working a 12-hour night shift; then, later on, I would do it at public places like my church, MovieStop and even at my first job, which I very well may have lost because of that bad habit. It's no one's fault but my own. While doing it at home is okay, because it's usually not really bothering anyone, when you're out in public, people get scared/repulsed/etc. because of that sort of thing.
Now, here's the thing: I still do get left alone a lot, plus I volunteer at my local library, which is very much a public place, and, I'm planning on getting a job as soon as possible, and I don't want to annoy/put off/etc. any of my co-workers by doing what I've talked about in this post. So, there's never been a better time to cure this habit. The question is: How? I've been talking to myself every day for as far back as I can remember! So, this is going to be a doozy of a habit to break. I'm sure I can curb it; all it takes it a lot of willpower. I may not be able to completely stop doing it, but I think I can reduce it enough to where it won't bother anyone.
Here is my question to you: Do you have any suggestions for how to stop doing this? Let me know.
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