Outside In

Mom's Day

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:50:20 GMT

Happy
Mother's
Day!

Speaking of Cartoon Theme Songs!

Sun, 11 May 2008 02:07:36 GMT

Iron Man Theme Song (the 1960's Cartoon)

Speed Racer Theme Song

Outside In Song of The Week

Sun, 11 May 2008 02:00:46 GMT

Happy Birthday,
Bono!

The frontman of U2 is 48 today. Can he save the World? Who knows?

I love U2. It was here in Boston where U2 first played in America at the Paradise Rock Club in 1979. It's been considered one of the best concerts in Boston music history.

"Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2

May 11, 1986 ...

Sun, 11 May 2008 01:28:14 GMT

,,, was my Graduation Day from Emerson College. The ceremony was okay. I was so glad to get that piece of paper. The four years there was worth it.

Then, I had to contend with my dysfunctional family. It was also Mother's Day. I remember giving my mother a card, but she, my father, my brother John, and my sister Vera (my brother James couldn't make because of work) gave me a hard time about my not being able to pay for my college tuition. They complained about that the whole weekend. Very frustrating.

I couldn't stand still for pictures because I wanted to go to the reception, and they were furious that I had to give my gown back right after I walked across the stage and received my degree in Theatre Arts and Radio Communications. They should have told me before the ceremony that they wanted a picture of me wearing the gown. I told them that they had several opportunities to take pictures of me before the ceremony, but they said they are supposed to photograph me after the ceremony and not before.

When I told them about the reception that Emerson was doing for the graduates which was a couple of blocks away at the Park Plaza Hotel which is a good place to take pictures, they demanded of me to stay still for pictures right there on the sidewalk in front of the Wang Center. They were calling me "immature." I got fed up and walked over to the reception.

It was a whole day and night of arguing over the stupidest things. They accused me of not caring for their feelings. I guess they didn't realize that Graduation Day was my day in the sun, not theirs. They resented the fact that I made a major accomplishment. They were not even thrilled that I had just gotten a job at a radio station after graduation. They were more concerned about how much money I would be making at this job. No utterance of "Congratulations for getting a new job, Yvonne" came from them.

I was so glad that I was able to move into an apartment in Boston the day after graduation. There was no way in the world that I was going to move back home to Maryland where they are. I don't have a reason to live with them in the same state.

I still feel that way today 22 years later. I rather be here in Boston away from them.

The real sad fact is when I told them that I had Asperger's Syndrome they were disbelieving, despite the fact I had problems with socializing with people and career problems (that radio job turned into a career disaster: no salary for me and it went off the air a few months after I started there). My mother cursed me out on the phone saying "Don't believe those doctors. They don't know anything."

I said back, "Says the woman who married a dentist."

It took awhile for my father and my siblings to realize it. My mother still doesn't believe it. I shouldn't be surprised because she doesn't believe that my nephew has ADHD and my niece (my nephew's younger sister) has Social Anxiety Disorder. She rather calls us "crazy" than accept the fact that we have neurological disorders.

In case you're wondering, I did mail her a Mother's Day card this year.

Annapolis Has Autism Awareness

Sat, 10 May 2008 23:37:06 GMT

A newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, called The Capitol has a well written article titled Autism Can Strike Any Family. It goes in depth about the situation now with autism and the different types of autism/Asperger's out there.

The article calls for early and aggressive treatment intervention for children with autism. It's written by a clinical psychologist named Dr. Scott E. Smith who recommends families to get in contact with the Bethesda-based Autism Society of America. http://www.autism-society.org

I only wish this organization existed when I was going to Leland Jr. High and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda during the 1970s and 1980s. I would have gotten the much needed help I wanted at that time, even though I didn't know I was autistic.

The Fonz Writes a New Children's Book

Sat, 10 May 2008 23:17:59 GMT

Fellow Emersonian, Henry Winkler (The Fonz) has a new Hank Zipzer book out called The Life of Me, which hit the bookshelves back on May 1. It is the 14th book of the Hank Zipzer children's book series that Winkler co-wrote with Lin Oliver. Hank Zipzer is a boy with a learning disability who faces challenges with school assignments but manages to persevere. The subject matter is close to Winkler because he was 31 years old when he was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Tomorrow on Mother's Day, Henry Winkler will be in Andover at the Old Town Hall on Main Street at 2 p.m. He will also be in Cambridge at the Porter Square Bookstore at 5:30 p.m.

Too bad I already have plans tomorrow because I won't be able to make to the two events.

Check out the article and interview with Henry in the Andover Townsman because Henry mentions that his books attract a lot of children with Asperger's Syndrome.

Dyslexia and The Children's Book. Henry Winkler's Hero Finds Unique Solutions to School Problems

Me and Henry at the 2006 Emerson Alumni Weekend Event (June 2006)

New Movies I've Seen: Iron Man and Speed Racer

Sat, 10 May 2008 21:57:23 GMT

It's not often that I go out to see a new movie, but in the past week, I saw Iron Man last Saturday night and Speed Racer just last night. I really enjoyed myself see these two movies.

Iron Man is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Robert Downey delivers a great movie playing Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man. It was funny and exciting, just like the comic book. Terrance Howard was great as James Rhodes (Rhodey), Iron Man's sidekick. Jeff Bridges as bad guy Obidiah Stane was good too. Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony's secretary Pepper Potts was outstanding. Director Jon Favreau appears as Tony's chauffeur, Happy Hogan, was also fun.

Unscripted: Robert Downey Jr., Terrance Howard, and Jon Favreau Interview Each Other

http://movies.aol.com/unscripted/unscripted-complete-interview/iron-man/2115854

Speed Racer is based on the classic 1960s TV show of the same name. I loved watching that cartoon while I was growing up in the 1970s. They were able to recreate the fun and adventure of the TV. Sometimes, the CGI special effects were a bit overwhelming, but I didn't go into a sensory overload while watching it. The suspense was great. John Goodman was terrific playing "Pops" Racer, the father of Rex, Speed, and Spridle. Emile Hirsch as Speed was perfect for the part, right down to the red socks. Matthew Fox as Racer X (Rex Racer) was good at playing cool. Also, Christina Ricci plays Speed's girlfriend Trixie to perfection.

Unscripted: Emile Hirsch & Christian Ricci Interview Each Other

http://movies.aol.com/unscripted/unscripted-complete-interview/speed-racer/2116811

A Message From My Cat, Storm

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:42:19 GMT

And now, I turn over the keyboard to my cat, Storm. She wants to tell everyone a message. Go ahead, Storm.

Thanks, Mom! Hi, Everybody! My name is Storm. I wanted to tell everyone that Dr. Doom tried to shoot me last Saturday! He was pointing a gun at me! He had this crazy look in his eyes! I was so scared that I jumped off my mom's lap and ran for it!

Dr. Doom is a very scary person! Don't let him appear on your computer screen because he may shoot you! If you see him, run for your life!

Storm, Dr. Doom is just a comic book character. He wouldn't harm real people and cats.

No, Mom! He had that gun pointing at me! He looked real!

Storm, don't cry! Dr. Doom won't find you here.

Sad News at the John Byrne Forum: JB's Mother RIP

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:26:38 GMT

Last night, Nelsie Alice Byrne who has the title Lady Rushton passed away from Alzheimer's last night. She was 87 years old. She is the mother of comic book artist and writer John Byrne.

If you are interested in expressing condolences, visit the John Byrne Forum via this link:
http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25450&PN=1&TPN=1

RIP, Lady Rushton. You will be missed.

Mother Fights for Justice

Wed, 07 May 2008 01:05:54 GMT

The Tennessee Justice Center is awarding Lisa Addison with the Mother of the Year award in Nashville today. Addison has been fighting for the right health care and schooling for her son.

Six months ago, her son's doctor told her that his previous diagnoses(ADHD, PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, development disorders, and familial tremors) were wrong and should be tested for Asperger's Syndrome. However, the doctors qualified to do the tests do not take TennCare insurance.

Read about her story in "Mother of the Year"