Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Grateful Dead!
I've apparently run out of things to blog about, so here's some music from a show I went to. Enjoy! :)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Things that suck: Heel spurs
WTF is a heel spur? Yeah, I had no idea, either, until last week. A heel spur is the result of chronic Plantar Fasciitis, which is caused by "inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone." Eventually a crazy, abnormal piece of bone will just fucking grow out of the bottom of your foot like you're some sort of foot mutant creature. What does that mean? It mean your foots hurts a whole lot, and all the time. I am currently a lucky recipient of this wonderful, fabulous, incredibly fucking painful problem.
Symptoms of a heel spur include: Pain. Yeah, that's it, just a lot of fucking pain. In your HEEL. Treatment for a heel spur? Rest. Advil. Stretching. Ice. And complaining. Lots and LOTS of complaining. I have an appointment with a sports medicine type podiatrist dude on Friday, but if my internet research is correct (and when has internet research ever been wrong?) he's going to tell me that I need to rest and take advil and stretch it and put ice on it. Yeah, that's what I've BEEN doing, asshole. For FIVE months now!
You know what you're NOT supposed to do for a heel spur? Ignore it and hope it goes away on its own. Yeah, for some reason ignoring the incredibly painful and abnormal piece of bone that's growing out of the bottom of your foot just doesn't work. I know, I know, you're now thinking to yourself "wow, I really thought that ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away on its own would be the remedy here. In fact, I was going to ask if you'd considered trying ignoring it." I KNOW, right? But, no, that doesn't work. For some reason you continue to need your feet for various things, and all that constant "use" of the damn thing just causes constant "pain," as well. So, I'm trying to rest the damn thing, but resting the damn thing is really fucking difficult. It's one thing to not go walking around the hills of Berkeley, but what about when you need to get yourself from one side of the room to the other? You'd better hope there's a skateboard nearby or something because you're going to need your foot to get yourself there. And you know what? There are NO skateboards in my house. I'm forced to drag myself across the room on my broken ass foot every. fucking. time. And even if there was a skateboard, I would probably just fall off it and break my arm, and my kids would point and laugh at me, thereby literally adding insult to injury. LAME!!!!
I like to walk. Not the pansy-ass kind of walking that just gets you from one place to another, I like to do that fucking kick-ass power walking where you look like an idiot because it seem like you're repeatedly punching yourself in the face. (please don't ask me how many times I've actually punched myself in the face, because... well, just don't ask). That kind of walking. I go up hills and around corners and I get up to 5 mph. Or, at least I used to do this, before the heel spur (and when I knew where my iPod was. sniff). I figure all this power walking I do (did) probably caused this foot problem of mine, but DAMN that sucks, because I can't do it anymore, because my foot hurts all the damn time. It's been about 5 months now.
Symptoms of a heel spur include: Pain. Yeah, that's it, just a lot of fucking pain. In your HEEL. Treatment for a heel spur? Rest. Advil. Stretching. Ice. And complaining. Lots and LOTS of complaining. I have an appointment with a sports medicine type podiatrist dude on Friday, but if my internet research is correct (and when has internet research ever been wrong?) he's going to tell me that I need to rest and take advil and stretch it and put ice on it. Yeah, that's what I've BEEN doing, asshole. For FIVE months now!
You know what you're NOT supposed to do for a heel spur? Ignore it and hope it goes away on its own. Yeah, for some reason ignoring the incredibly painful and abnormal piece of bone that's growing out of the bottom of your foot just doesn't work. I know, I know, you're now thinking to yourself "wow, I really thought that ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away on its own would be the remedy here. In fact, I was going to ask if you'd considered trying ignoring it." I KNOW, right? But, no, that doesn't work. For some reason you continue to need your feet for various things, and all that constant "use" of the damn thing just causes constant "pain," as well. So, I'm trying to rest the damn thing, but resting the damn thing is really fucking difficult. It's one thing to not go walking around the hills of Berkeley, but what about when you need to get yourself from one side of the room to the other? You'd better hope there's a skateboard nearby or something because you're going to need your foot to get yourself there. And you know what? There are NO skateboards in my house. I'm forced to drag myself across the room on my broken ass foot every. fucking. time. And even if there was a skateboard, I would probably just fall off it and break my arm, and my kids would point and laugh at me, thereby literally adding insult to injury. LAME!!!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
I miss my iPod
I haven't seen it in about a week. This morning I found my ear buds but they were all alone in the random box they were hiding in. When I think about all those song just trapped in that tiny metal case it makes me want to cry. sob.
iPoooooddddddd. Where aaarrrreee yyyoouuuuuuuu????? If you can hear me, it will be okay. Just hang on. I'll find you, I promise!
iPoooooddddddd. Where aaarrrreee yyyoouuuuuuuu????? If you can hear me, it will be okay. Just hang on. I'll find you, I promise!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Out of the mouths of babes VI
Me: Child 1, in one minute it's time for bed.
Child 1 (from other room): What?
Me: One minute 'till bed
Child 1: How many?
Me: ONE!!!
Child 1 (sounding like Chong): Whooaaaaahhhhh, Mama.... slooowwww dowwwwwwwn....
Child 1 (from other room): What?
Me: One minute 'till bed
Child 1: How many?
Me: ONE!!!
Child 1 (sounding like Chong): Whooaaaaahhhhh, Mama.... slooowwww dowwwwwwwn....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Go here and vote, please!
These are the folks who worked with Child 1 and changed our lives. Apparently Pepsi is giving away grants and you go to their website and vote for an idea, and BIA has an idea to create an integrated preschool for kids with autism in the Bay Area. We need this so much! Please go and vote for these guys! Voting ends on July 31, you have to register with the site to vote, I tried using the Facebook connect thingy and it wouldn't let me. I'm going to leave this at the top of the page until the 31st and, of course, bug you all about it incessantly on Facebook. :)
This is so cool!!
Check out what came in the mail today. Tickets to Jerry Day at Giants stadium, plus a free Jerry bobblehead!! So frickin cool! I hate baseball, but is that really the point here?
Look at the bobblehead!! It's SO ADORABLE!!!
Look at the bobblehead!! It's SO ADORABLE!!!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Out of the mouths of babes V
For some reason Child 1 is currently running around the house growling in his best monster growl "I'm the Leave Me Alone Monster! GRRR!" Okay, I'm cool with that, as long as the Monster knows it's time for bed in 9 minutes. Here's the cute part, though:
"Mama! The Leave Me Alone Monster will now go pee! GRRRR!"
Now he's insisting everybody say everything in Growly Monster Voice. My throat is starting to hurt.
"Mama! The Leave Me Alone Monster will now go pee! GRRRR!"
Now he's insisting everybody say everything in Growly Monster Voice. My throat is starting to hurt.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Out of the mouths of babes IV
Last night we got all bundled up because, as I've previously stated, it's July and this is the Bay Area and we were going outside. Child 1 was put in a turtleneck because it's warm and we wanted him to look like a pretentious Ivy League student (WIN!). He's too awesome for that, though. Observe....
Hubs: Child 1, you're wearing a turtleneck!
Child 1: Does this mean I'm a turtle?
Hubs: Child 1, you're wearing a turtleneck!
Child 1: Does this mean I'm a turtle?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Fireworks fail.
"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
Did you know that Mark Twain did not actually say that? Such a bummer, I've spent years living here and enjoying quoting him on that, and all this time I've just been perpetuating a fraud.
It's true, though, because it's really cold here in the summer time. But not only is it cold in the summer, it's very very foggy, especially at the coast, which is where they set off all the fireworks that are close to where we live. I'm thinking that the Bay Area should be allowed to celebrate the Nation's birthday in September instead of July, because do you know what fireworks look like when it's really foggy? Yeah, they look like red, white and blue clouds. Sorry I couldn't get a picture, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.
Did you know that Mark Twain did not actually say that? Such a bummer, I've spent years living here and enjoying quoting him on that, and all this time I've just been perpetuating a fraud.
It's true, though, because it's really cold here in the summer time. But not only is it cold in the summer, it's very very foggy, especially at the coast, which is where they set off all the fireworks that are close to where we live. I'm thinking that the Bay Area should be allowed to celebrate the Nation's birthday in September instead of July, because do you know what fireworks look like when it's really foggy? Yeah, they look like red, white and blue clouds. Sorry I couldn't get a picture, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Autism is not fair.
You know, it sucks. It really does. We can try to sugarcoat it, and we can emphasize the positive, and we can marvel in how our lives have been impacted as a result of our experience, but the bottom line is that the goddamn thing fucking sucks. It SUCKS. Because it's unfair. And it has no mercy. No matter what we do, despite our best efforts, it will always rule our lives.
Child 1 was diagnosed when he was 2 and 3/4. (He's 8 1/2 now) The first thing I did after the dx was to go online and find a support group. I found a great place, with great people, but as so often happens with online communities, particularly ones that are unmoderated, things went horribly awry and we needed to find ourselves a new home. So, I started my own board and a bunch of us jumped ship. That was 4 years ago and today we're a very tight knit, very close, VERY exclusive group of women, all of whom have at least one child somewhere on the spectrum. We call it Autism Island, or "The Island," and honestly, I have no idea why. We come and go, depending on what's going on in our lives, but whenever we come back, we're always welcomed with enthusiasm and open arms. We've formed some very unlikely friendships because of autism. I'm a dirty, pinko hippie from Berkeley and I have friends who live in the deep south and go to Tea Parties. We would never in a million years be friends under normal circumstances, but as long as we don't talk about politics, we're good. I suppose you could say that having formed these relationships is a way you can put a positive spin on autism, and that's true, but that doesn't change the fact that it still fucking sucks.
I've known a lot of these women for the whole 6 years that we've been on this autism journey; I've "watched" their children grow up and they've watched mine. In the beginning there was so much uncertainty; none of us had any idea what we were doing, our kids were so small and so fucking dysfunctional and what the hell would the future bring? Would they ever talk? Would they ever poop in the potty? Would they ever sleep through the night? WTF is with the hand flapping? Would they ever TALK???? We've agonized together about vaccines. We've tried therapies, we've tried vitamin supplements, we've tried Hyperbaric Oxygen chambers. We've discussed, at length, every detail of everything we've done, compared notes, watched progress, made suggestions. Some of them work, some of them don't, we've learned to stick with what works and dump what doesn't, and fuck 'em all if they disagree with any of it. Whatever else, though, we've been in it together.
First, a word about Child 1, although this post is not about him. He is awesome. So, so awesome. He's kind, he's super scary smart, he's wonderful, he's so FUCKING gorgeous. He's doing really well, but he has autism. He makes weird noises and he whispers to himself constantly. He'll always be "that weird kid." He may never "fit in." He doesn't understand NT kids and they don't understand him, but he'll find one or two other kids who "get" him and who like him despite his weirdness and he'll probably be fine. I worry about the teen years, but as for right now, he's awesome. So, so, SO awesome. Some of my friends haven't been so lucky, though, and this is the point of why I'm writing this. They haven't done anything very different, they haven't tried anything that we haven't tried, their kids are just as wonderful, just as beautiful and just as awesome. They work just as hard, probably harder, than we do, it's just that their genetic "roll of the dice," as it were, didn't come out as well as ours did, and it's not fair. It's not fair, the arbitrariness of this thing. It's not fair, the uncertainty that we're still plagued by, the new symptoms and behaviors that crop up out of nowhere. It's not fair that nobody in the medical or scientific community can give us any answers about the whys or the whats or the hows about this thing. We're on our own, us autie moms. We've only got each other and sometimes that's just not enough. I think about these moms who are my best friends in this and I wonder if they're bitter because my kid is doing well. Honestly, I would be bitter. I would be pissed. I would, and I do, want some fucking answers. Why does one kid do so well when the other kid doesn't? It's not fair, and it's not right. And it sucks.
Child 1 was diagnosed when he was 2 and 3/4. (He's 8 1/2 now) The first thing I did after the dx was to go online and find a support group. I found a great place, with great people, but as so often happens with online communities, particularly ones that are unmoderated, things went horribly awry and we needed to find ourselves a new home. So, I started my own board and a bunch of us jumped ship. That was 4 years ago and today we're a very tight knit, very close, VERY exclusive group of women, all of whom have at least one child somewhere on the spectrum. We call it Autism Island, or "The Island," and honestly, I have no idea why. We come and go, depending on what's going on in our lives, but whenever we come back, we're always welcomed with enthusiasm and open arms. We've formed some very unlikely friendships because of autism. I'm a dirty, pinko hippie from Berkeley and I have friends who live in the deep south and go to Tea Parties. We would never in a million years be friends under normal circumstances, but as long as we don't talk about politics, we're good. I suppose you could say that having formed these relationships is a way you can put a positive spin on autism, and that's true, but that doesn't change the fact that it still fucking sucks.
I've known a lot of these women for the whole 6 years that we've been on this autism journey; I've "watched" their children grow up and they've watched mine. In the beginning there was so much uncertainty; none of us had any idea what we were doing, our kids were so small and so fucking dysfunctional and what the hell would the future bring? Would they ever talk? Would they ever poop in the potty? Would they ever sleep through the night? WTF is with the hand flapping? Would they ever TALK???? We've agonized together about vaccines. We've tried therapies, we've tried vitamin supplements, we've tried Hyperbaric Oxygen chambers. We've discussed, at length, every detail of everything we've done, compared notes, watched progress, made suggestions. Some of them work, some of them don't, we've learned to stick with what works and dump what doesn't, and fuck 'em all if they disagree with any of it. Whatever else, though, we've been in it together.
First, a word about Child 1, although this post is not about him. He is awesome. So, so awesome. He's kind, he's super scary smart, he's wonderful, he's so FUCKING gorgeous. He's doing really well, but he has autism. He makes weird noises and he whispers to himself constantly. He'll always be "that weird kid." He may never "fit in." He doesn't understand NT kids and they don't understand him, but he'll find one or two other kids who "get" him and who like him despite his weirdness and he'll probably be fine. I worry about the teen years, but as for right now, he's awesome. So, so, SO awesome. Some of my friends haven't been so lucky, though, and this is the point of why I'm writing this. They haven't done anything very different, they haven't tried anything that we haven't tried, their kids are just as wonderful, just as beautiful and just as awesome. They work just as hard, probably harder, than we do, it's just that their genetic "roll of the dice," as it were, didn't come out as well as ours did, and it's not fair. It's not fair, the arbitrariness of this thing. It's not fair, the uncertainty that we're still plagued by, the new symptoms and behaviors that crop up out of nowhere. It's not fair that nobody in the medical or scientific community can give us any answers about the whys or the whats or the hows about this thing. We're on our own, us autie moms. We've only got each other and sometimes that's just not enough. I think about these moms who are my best friends in this and I wonder if they're bitter because my kid is doing well. Honestly, I would be bitter. I would be pissed. I would, and I do, want some fucking answers. Why does one kid do so well when the other kid doesn't? It's not fair, and it's not right. And it sucks.
This child is so freakin adorable
Check this out: This is Child 1's Magnadoodle (which we sometimes call a "Magna-McDougal" because we have a cat named McDougal and Child 2 had some trouble pronouncing it the right way). You're looking at the word "ah" sitting at the bottom of what looks like a staircase, but in actuality is a graphical representation of what you look at when you play Rock Band. Here's what it looks like when you play, the singing part is at the top:
I'm pretty sure this is the first line from Tenacious D's Master Exploder. He keeps drawing different versions of this and coming over and making me sing it. He is SO. FREAKIN. ADORABLE !!!!!!!
Friday, July 2, 2010
"I will rearrange my plans and change for you"
More Avett Brothers? Really? Yes, more! And quit yer bitching! This one comes with song lyrics and a little analysis. Just a smidge, though.
I've been listening to these guys a lot lately. You may have noticed. (insert snarky comment here). In addition to their beautiful songs and impressive guitar work there's also some very smart, very perceptive song writing. A big theme, though, seems to be "rearrange my plans and change for you" so it got me thinking: is that the ultimate love song a man can sing for a woman, that they will change who they are to stay together? I've noticed that theme elsewhere and it's always interested me. Is that what women want men to tell them?
Just something to think about. Thoughts? No? Just me? Okay, whatever :eyeroll:
If It's the Beaches
Don't say it's over
Cause that's the worst news I could hear I swear that I will
Do my best to be here just the way you like it
Even though its hard to hide
Push my feelings all aside
I will rearrange my plans and change for you
If I could go back
That's the first thing I would do I swear that I would
Do my best to follow through
Come up with a master plan
A homerun hit, a winning stand
A guarantee and not a promise
That I'll never let your love slip from my hands
If it's the beaches
If it's the beaches' sands you want
Then you will have them
If it's the mountains' bending rivers
Then you will have them
If it's the wish to run away
Then I will grant it
Take whatever what you think of
While I go gas up the truck
Pack the old love letters up
We will read them when we forget why we left here
I've been listening to these guys a lot lately. You may have noticed. (insert snarky comment here). In addition to their beautiful songs and impressive guitar work there's also some very smart, very perceptive song writing. A big theme, though, seems to be "rearrange my plans and change for you" so it got me thinking: is that the ultimate love song a man can sing for a woman, that they will change who they are to stay together? I've noticed that theme elsewhere and it's always interested me. Is that what women want men to tell them?
Just something to think about. Thoughts? No? Just me? Okay, whatever :eyeroll:
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