Talk To Action | Reclaiming Citizenship, History, and Faith
(Not a great subject, but it's the best headline that I've seen for quite a while. Who knew that there were "Cowboy churches"?)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Swedish Cowboy Church accused of abusive practices
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Ray Bradbury Turns 88
Slashdot | Ray Bradbury Turns 88
Fantastic. A world without him in it will be just a little bit poorer.
Firefox Comment Snob - Before and After on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Firefox Comment Snob - Before and After on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Wow- this is great! It would certainly make youtube bearable.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Diary of terminally ill woman who chose euthanasia
Diary of terminally ill woman who chose euthanasia | Life and style | The Guardian
Incredible story. After watching my mother die by inches from melanoma, I'll never understand why euthanasia isn't legal everywhere.
Prostitutes of Old Japan (photos)
Okinawa Soba's slideshow on Flickr
Gorgeous pictures, unhappy faces.
Dinosaurs helped build the pyramids, school director says
MaltaToday
Cool. I love finding things like this.
The 5 Most Badass Presidents of All-Time
The 5 Most Badass Presidents of All-Time | Cracked.com
It's actually a great article :-)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Athlete Without Compelling Personal Drama Expelled from Olympics - Yahoo! News
Athlete Without Compelling Personal Drama Expelled from Olympics - Yahoo! News
The best part about it is that it's Yahoo news, and not The Onion.
Does the President pee biblically?
Ship of Fools: FruitTube
Wow. I'm not sure what to say, except that theoretically he has people who LISTEN to him. Ugh.
New Federal Regulation to Consider Birth Control Pills an Abortion - Health & Fitness - InfoNIAC
New Federal Regulation to Consider Birth Control Pills an Abortion - Health & Fitness - InfoNIAC
This is just crazy. I remember (growing up beside America), always being told that they had the best health care in the world. Apparently not, if you're female, (or uninsured, etc. etc.) Sometimes I think that the States have just gone insane, and it very much saddens me.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
13 Magnificent Renewable Energy Successes and Failures
13 Magnificent Renewable Energy Successes and Failures : EcoWorldly
"If a woman hauls water for 4 hours a day, her chances of escaping poverty are low.
The cost of change: 15 cents"
Sometimes my struggles seem kind of trivial.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Disabled turtle finds romance after getting wheels
Disabled turtle finds romance after getting wheels - Yahoo! News: "Disabled turtle finds romance after getting wheels"
Happy story of the day!
Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment Host Sensory Friendly Films
Autism Society of America: Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment Host Sensory Friendly Films
What a fantastic idea- I would LOVE to see this in Canada as well!
Can Facial Structures, Brain Abnormalities Reveal Formula For Detection Of Autism?
Can Facial Structures, Brain Abnormalities Reveal Formula For Detection Of Autism?
Interesting stuff. I find it fascinating that part of the research will be funded by the Department of Defense in the U.S. - that strikes me as odd.
Basics - The Furcifer Labordi Chameleon Has a Short Life and an Interesting Life History - NYTimes.com
Basics - The Furcifer Labordi Chameleon Has a Short Life and an Interesting Life History - NYTimes.com
Wow- this is one neat animal. I love finding out about species that I didn't even know existed.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Race to be first led to autism research short-cuts - more on Andrew Wakefield
Hampstead and Highgate Express - Race to be first led to autism research short-cuts
And more commentary on Left Brain/Right Brain
I very much hope that Wakefield will eventually be held accountable for all of the harm that he's caused.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Serious cute overload
Green Expander | Antares - Newest attraction for the Berlin Zoo
New baby tiger. Hot damn, that is adorable.
YouTube - R Word
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network's video response to the use of "retard" in Tropic Thunder.
YouTube - R Word
Over the past few days I've heard a lot of people try to defend the use of the word "retard". My guess is that Ben Stiller really didn't mean any harm by using it, but it's one of those words that has always made my skin crawl. In my society at least (Canada), it's so commonly used that it's a basic part of most kids' vocabulary.
I often think that it's similar to the "n" word, and I've had more than a few discussions with various owners of community websites about the hypocrisy of filtering the "n" word while "retard" is allowed to pass unchecked.
I'm not actually a huge fan of political correctness, but I also don't see how it helps anyone at all when derogatory language towards a certain group is a part of our society. I hope (but don't expect) that society sees my kids as human beings, but when I hear the word "retard" applied to them (none of them are actually mentally retarded, by the way, and it wouldn't matter in this context if they were), it's just another example of how we use language to control and put other people down. At this point in humanity's evolution, you would hope that we'd be moving beyond that.
And Ben Stiller's response:
While not denying that ridicule exists in the film, Wheeler, Shriver and the rest of the protesters miss the point of who is being made fun of, Stiller told MTV News.
"It's sort of edgy territory, but we felt that as long as the focus was on the actors who were trying to do something to be taken seriously that's going too far or wrong, that was where the humor would come from," Stiller insisted. "[The joke is on] actors reaching for roles in terms of hopefully winning awards."
While I understand what he was trying to do, it still seems like poor judgment, and I'd truly prefer my kids growing up in a society where this is not appropriate. Of course, I'd also like the sky to rain chocolate and wine and books, but that's just me.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The 100 Most Common English Words
Codebox Software - The 100 Most Common English Words
This was hard. I'm relatively smart (when I've slept), and have a decent vocabulary (when I've slept), and I only got 52. I'm not sure what the criteria are, but it's interesting.
xkcd - Google Maps
xkcd - A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language - By Randall Munroe
It's great to see xkcd getting back to the basics.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
George Orwell's Diaries
August 9, 1938 � THE ORWELL PRIZE
Great! The Orwell Trust is re-publishing George Orwell's diary day by day, 70 years after it was written. I think that it's going to be fascinating.
Fun fact about Orwell that I didn't know...re-reading "The Nasty Bits" by Tony Bourdain the other day, Orwell apparently wrote a book about his experiences working in a restaurant. As a wanna-be foodie (who never has time to cook real food as everyone in my house eats different things), I want to read the book!
Profiles in Manliness: Viktor Frankl
Profiles in Manliness: Viktor Frankl | The Art of Manliness
Fantastic article- how Viktor Frankl helped people to find meaning in life even while in a concentration camp. I'm looking forward to reading his book now.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
I did like this ....Barack Roll
YouTube - Barack Roll
But I'm disappointed that they didn't include more real dancing footage. You can almost see his hips move in the first 2 seconds.
Robot Playmates Help Autistic Kids With Social Skills
Robot Playmates Help Autistic Kids With Social Skills - DrKoop.com
Interesting, although something about it creeps me out on first reading.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Moving...ugh!
I'm moving today...back in a few days!
Wish me luck- moving is almost as bad as hospital days were.
My hometown's "Enabling Garden" (opens as .pdf)
geg-in-ontario-gardener-2008.pdf (application/pdf Object)
If there's anything better than "horticultural therapy", I'm not sure what it is. Gardening is one of the great joys of my life, and I'm glad that I live in a place which is using it as a resource.
(Funny story related to gardening- when I was in the midst of my teenage angst my parents took me to see our family doctor about my depression. Instead of putting me on meds, he gave me two choices- go to Africa and teach English for a couple of months, or dig a hole in the garden. I asked him how big the hole had to be, and he said to just keep digging it and filling it in and digging it again until I felt better.
I do miss doctors like that- while obviously all types of depression can't be cured by helping others or working with your hands, I still can't help but think that he had a good point. Oh, and he made house calls too!)
Jenny McCarthy speaks out on Michael Savage - Access Hollywood - msnbc.com
Jenny McCarthy speaks out on Michael Savage - Access Hollywood - msnbc.com: "I think a great way for an apology is to be sat down and educated about it,” Jenny said. “I’d love to just quietly (sit down with him and) educate him on the facts. It was clear he doesn’t know anything about autism"
The irony is almost frightening.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A bit of a change
I stole this meme from Teeni, who I was drawn to by Casdok.
I am: Packing to move.
I think: That there is too much intolerance in the world.
I know: Very little about too many things.
I have: An amazing family.
I wish: That people understood science.
I hate: Stewed tomatoes and bras.
I miss: Horseback riding.
I fear: Giant spiders
I hear: Very little.
I smell: forest, and I think of my mom.
I crave: Sausage rolls from my favourite bakery.
I search: for meaning.
I wonder: When the Song of Ice and Fire series will be finished.
I regret: Not being cloned. If I was, Dylan would still be at home.
I love: Reading an amazing book for the first time.
I ache: Everywhere, at the moment.
I am not: As bitchy as I sometimes appear.
I believe: That if people are good to each other, most other things fall in line.
I dance: When I'm drunk.
I sing: When I'm alone.
I cry: Thinking about my cats.
I fight: When I'm frustrated.
I win: Every single day that my kids are still alive and healthy.
I lose: At chess.
I never: fail to be amazed at my kids.
I always: make coffee as soon as I get up.
I confuse: actions and meaning
I listen: to my cat purring on my chest
I can usually be found: on my front porch
I am scared: of who will look after my kids when I'm gone
I need: books
I am happy about: my upcoming marriage
I imagine: a world where kids don't hurt
I tag:"
Mother of Shrek
Blei
TBTAM
Trauma Queen
Grrraphics
Some of them I don't even know, but I read their blogs and would be interested to see what they say!
The blanks are
I am:
I think:
I know:
I have:
I wish:
I hate:
I miss:
I fear:
I hear:
I smell:
I crave:
I search:
I wonder:
I regret:
I love:
I ache:
I am not:
I believe:
I dance:
I sing:
I cry:
I fight:
I win:
I lose:
I never:
I always:
I confuse:
I listen:
I can usually be found:
I am scared:
I need:
I am happy about:
I imagine:
I tag:
MYSTERY OF AUTISM BEGINS WITH DECIDING WHAT IT IS
MYSTERY OF AUTISM BEGINS WITH DECIDING WHAT IT IS - Yahoo! News
Dear Abby does a great job talking about autism.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Dying eight-year-old 'marries' his school sweetheart - Telegraph
Dying eight-year-old 'marries' his school sweetheart - Telegraph
I have no idea how I feel about this. Having a daughter who is a cancer survivor, I've seen too many kids die from our time in the oncology wards.
But there's just something "off" about it to me. That's a lot of pressure to put on a little girl.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Obama’s Response to the New Yorker Cover, as Told to Larry King
It's nice to see someone who is not only articulate, but gracious as well. How long has it been since there has been someone in politics who not only doesn't fly off the handle when they are "insulted", but manages to turn it into another valid talking point?
Sphere: Related ContentSunday, July 13, 2008
Current Archaeology - The Enigma of the Red Snake
Current Archaeology - The Enigma of the Red Snake
Great archeology article...I'd never even heard of this before. Fascinating.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Patrick Stewart on Extras
YouTube - Patrick Stewart on Extras
I may have even blogged this before, but it's one of my favourite Stewart clips.
The Truth of the Situation � Odd One Out
The Truth of the Situation � Odd One Out
Autism and truth. I wish that this was one of the first posts that I'd run into after my kids were diagnosed.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Autism boy jumps to death over cancelled school trip - Mirror.co.uk
Autism boy jumps to death over cancelled school trip - Mirror.co.uk
How incredibly sad. My heart goes out to his family as well as to his community.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
30 Useful Tools Everyone Should Own
30 Useful Tools Everyone Should Own | Marc and Angel Hack Life
Useful information- I don't disagree with many of them, although I'd put a chainsaw on the list just for those extra frustrating days.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Heelarious High Heel Crib Shoes
Heelarious High Heel Crib Shoes
We live in a seriously screwed up world.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
She Put The Move In Movies - washingtonpost.com
She Put The Move In Movies - washingtonpost.com
When I was growing up Cyd Charisse epitomized female sexiness and grace for me. The world's a little bit dimmer without her in it.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
This election is getting more embarassing to watch as it goes on
TRAIL BLAZERS Blog | The Dallas Morning News
I assume that vendors at a Republican State meeting would have to be approved by some party committee. I'd prefer to hope that some idiot just snuck these in.
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Remarkable Photo From Tornado Country
A Remarkable Photo From Tornado Country - The Lede - Breaking News - New York Times Blog
These pictures scare me, but I do love weather porn.
John McCain Debates Himself on Supporting Bush
YouTube - John McCain Debates Himself on Supporting Bush
Hats off to the JedReport for showing how laughable he really is.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
YouTube - Stephen Lynch - D&D
This is just too much like too many people I knew in high school.
YouTube - Stephen Lynch - D&D
Friday, June 13, 2008
Mystery on Fifth Avenue
Mystery on Fifth Avenue - NYTimes.com
Who wouldn't love to have an architect like this?
Conservative MP apologizes for 'hurtful' comments on aboriginal people
Conservative MP apologizes for 'hurtful' comments on aboriginal people
And the Conservatives step in it again. Maybe I'm beginning to understand why Stephen Harper prefers not to let his ministers speak to the public.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Cute
Faraiq � Blog Archive � Stop Looking At My Bottom
And apparently it's not photoshopped!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Moodstream™ by Getty Images
Moodstream™ by Getty Images
This is fun to play with!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
� Autism and the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet Black Triangle
� Autism and the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet Black Triangle: Weblog of Anthony Cox
Excellent article. (it actually contains peer-reviewed science!)
Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary and thesaurus
Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary and thesaurus
Fun dictionary site...it's kind of addictive.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Sunday, June 08, 2008
A Very Special Concert, page 1 - News - SF Weekly - SF Weekly
A Very Special Concert, page 1 - News - SF Weekly - SF Weekly
Great article. I have newfound respect for Huey Lewis.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Albino Squirrel Heaven
Albino Squirrel Heaven - a set on Flickr
I don't even know what to say.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
No charges to be filed in drowning of 5-year-old girl | autistic girl
No charges to be filed in drowning of 5-year-old girl | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
There is a petition at http://gfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/06/autism-petition-5-year-old-girl-drowned.html
The family is going to be meeting with the head District Attorney, who can overrule the previous decision not to press charges. It sounds like there is ample room for discussion with him about the needs of autistic children. Who thinks that it's a good idea to leave a non-verbal child with the cognitive development of an 18-24 month old
alone in a pool?
ZAC Browser - Zone for Autistic Children
Very cool! A grandfather developed a special web browser for his autistic grandson, and it's now available for free.
From an article about it:
The Zac Browser greatly simplifies the experience of using a computer. It seals off most Web sites from view, to block violent, sexual or otherwise adult-themed material. Instead it presents a hand-picked slate of choices from free, public Web sites, with an emphasis on educational games, music, videos and visually entertaining images, like a virtual aquarium.
Other programs for children already offer that "walled garden" approach to the Web. But LeSieur's browser aims to go further: It essentially takes over the computer and reduces the controls available for children like Zackary, who finds too many choices overwhelming.
For example, the Zac Browser disables extraneous keyboard buttons like "Print Screen" and turns off the right button on the mouse. That eliminates commands most children don't need anyway, and it reduces the chance an autistic child will lose confidence after making a counterproductive click.
Children using the Zac Browser select activities by clicking on bigger-than-normal icons, like a soccer ball for games and a stack of books for "stories." The Zac Browser also configures the view so no advertisements or other flashing distractions appear.
"We're trying to avoid aggressive or very dark or complicated Web sites, because it's all about self-esteem," LeSieur said from Las Vegas, where he lives. "If they're not under control, they will get easily frustrated."
It sounds like a great idea for some kids!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Classrooms in Florida aren't sets for 'Survivor'
Classrooms in Florida aren't sets for 'Survivor'
The latest update on the Alex Barton case.
Autism linked to low birth weight, preterm birth_English_Xinhua
Autism linked to low birth weight, preterm birth_English_Xinhua
Interesting if it's true. My kids were born at 30 weeks, 2.13, 2.14, and 3.4 pounds. (2 girls, 1 boy)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Down Syndrome dolls
Wonderfully Unique Dolls
I honestly have no idea how to feel about these dolls. At first I thought "Great...more inclusion, dolls like real kids, etc." Until someone brought up the point that they might be used for other purposes. I hate second guessing myself, but I do it constantly.
So daughter #2 came home from school today
They watched Planet Earth Seasonal Forests in school today. The conversation went something like this:
"It was an okay day. We watched Planet Earth- Seasonal Forests."
Me: "Did you see the part about the Taiga?"
Her: (with some scorn in her voice) "NO. Seasonal forests, not the Taiga."
Me: "Was it good?"
Her: "There was one part where one dog got a part caught inside another dog.
Me: "Okay. Was it interesting?"
Her: "Well, they got stuck together." (Big pause).
"That must be kind of awkward."
Me: "Hmmm." (Sometimes I'm just caught off guard).
I love puberty.
70 Famous Dyslexics
70 Famous Dyslexics
It's an extremely pink site, but this is a great list. Dyslexia is no fun at all- it's nice to see some role models.
What Happened to Ricky
What Happened to Ricky - WSJ.com
Family finds son 40 years after he is institutionalized. Thank God things aren't still like this. (Much more information in the article).
YouTube - Surfwise: The Amazing True Odyssey of the Paskowitz Family
The children certainly do not seem enthralled with their experience. 9 children in a 24 ft. trailer?
And a fascinating interview with them, which is more positive than the documentary makes it seem. It's definitely an interesting family!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A kindergarten teacher invites students to tell an autistic classmate why they dislike him. - police documents
A kindergarten teacher invites students to tell an autistic classmate why they dislike him. - By Bonnie Goldstein - Slate Magazine
A bit more of the story on Alex Barton. There's also a Facebook group now, with lots of contact information to send cards and letters to the family and school board.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rachael Ray as an Islamic terrorist? Right.
Dunkin' Donuts yanks Rachael Ray ad - The Boston Globe
I might not particularly like her, but this is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. It's scary when someone like Michelle Malkin has any influence at all.
LI researcher pinpoints autistic behavior -- -- Newsday.com
LI researcher pinpoints autistic behavior -- -- Newsday.com
Fascinating. I sometimes get so caught up in the "politics" of the autism world that I forget how much very good research is going on right now.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The New Wave of Autism Rights Activists -- New York Magazine
The New Wave of Autism Rights Activists -- New York Magazine
A very good look at not only the Neurodiversity movement, but all of the other "factions" in the autistic world.
After 12 years of being the mother of autistic children, I'd say that most of my frustration at this stage is just trying to navigate through all of the bitterness and factionalism to find actual information to help my kids live the happiest lives possible.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I didn't think that anything could make me laugh today
We are the World, done by Japanese impersonators
YouTube - we are the world in japan
via boingboing
5 Year Old Autistic boy voted out of class
Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5 : St. Lucie County : TCPalm
After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.
By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted Alex — who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.
I am not sure why this teacher hasn't been fired yet. I can't imagine doing this at any age, but FIVE???? Isn't kindergarten when children are supposed to be learning how to get along with others?
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is encouraging people to contact the appropriate school authorities to express their outrage politely.
Morningside Elementary School Principal:
Mrs. Marcia Cully
cullym@stlucie.k12.fl.us
(772) 337-6730
St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent:
Michael J. Lannon
4204 Okeechobee Road
Ft. Pierce 34947-5414
Phone: 772/429-3925
FAX: 772/429-3916
e-mail: lannonm@stlucie.k12.fl.us
St. Lucie County School Board Chair:
Carol Hilson
772-519-0397
HilsonC@stlucie.k12.fl.us
Vice Chair:
Judith Miller
772-528-4545
MillerJ@stlucie.k12.fl.us
This is appalling- children deserve a better world than what they are being given. Not only Alex, but the children who were taught to "vote him off"...they deserve to be taught about acceptance and differences and tolerance and the wonderful gifts that people who are "different" bring to all of our lives.
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