01 december

/

Have you heard about December Daily? I kept reading about it and wanted to play along. I really don't do much for Christmas. Then I pulled out the advent calendars and realized that we do these every year. In fact, each boy gets his own so they no longer have to alternate days. So along with taking my regular photo of the day, I will be photographing the daily gifts. And maybe commenting about my day.

confessions of an addict

/

Years ago I read Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence. The author talked about Specialty Subjects. People with AS have their specialty subjects and can talk about them on and on to the point of obsession. But specialty subjects are not fixed. They can change and they do change. I see it in Andy. He will obsess about computers for a few weeks, then switch to Thomas stories.

I seem to suffer from this as well. Lately, I am a hooked on watching TV episodes on my iPad. It all started with Doctor Who: The Complete First Series. For years, amazon.com recommended this series. I finally downloaded the first season. That led to downloading Torchwood: The Complete First Season and renewed interest in Eureka: Season One & The Office: Season One. Then I added The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season and Community: The Complete First Season. I tried watching others but found they didn't interest me. Finally, I added Fringe: The Complete First Season, Warehouse 13: Season One and Alphas.

What started as something to do during the weekend has become a daily ritual. As soon as lunch is over, I begin watching one episode of each of the programs. I have caught up watching Eureka! Torchwood, Alphas & Doctor Who.

So many years I did not watch TV. There just wasn't anything good. Now I am back to watching hours of shows a day. Nothing good can come of this.

duke and seventh grade talent search

/

On the way to the dentist, Ryan pulled out of his backpack a sheet informing him of an invitation from Duke University Seventh Grade Talent Search to take the SAT or ACT in seventh grade. Huh? Had it not been for Bonnie, I would not have known about this program before hand. Two of Bonnie's nieces were invited and participated. One of them was invited to Duke University for a special ceremony. As it happens, I was on the phone with Bonnie at the time. She got excited and said "You have to make him do it!" I replied that I can allow him to do it but I cannot make him. Ryan is much better than me at being obstinate and cannot be forced into something like this. However, I asked Ryan if he wanted to do it and he said yes. Really? Had I been asked to take one of those exams in 7th grade, I would have freaked out and said no way. I hate long tests. The scores for the test(s) taken in seventh grade can count for later. How cool. There is no or little pressure now as compare to junior year of high school.

I got thinking about this. Our parents did not take those tests. Our generation all took the test and now we can compare ourselves to our kids. OK, I know this is wrong. I just can't help it. I am really proud of Ryan for getting the Duke TIP invitation. I don't recall and of my nieces or nephews getting it. It has been around since 1980. See, there I go again. Turns out that Matt & Joey got invitations. Matt did not accept the invitation but Joey did because his friends were doing it.

02 november 2011

/

Back pain and other excuses.

A couple of weeks back, I had a stomach ache during the night. It was mostly likely due to too many beans. Anyway, I usually sleep on my back. My ache was too uncomfortable so I switched to my side. The stomach ache was gone by morning but then my left hip started aching. I was thinking/hoping it would go away on its own. Instead it got worse. I started noticing a weakening in my left leg. My first thought was because I don't exercise. I started walking in the morning. My legs started feeling like jello. I thought it was because after month of no exercise, my legs were rebuilding muscle. The jello feeling in my left leg did not go away.

On Monday, I went to kick a ball and my left leg gave out. I was on my ass in the middle of the store and embarrassed. What the heck? Now I was thinking it was something worse. I have started watching House and think it must be some brain tumor. But since I am an ostrich type of person I am ignoring my fear in hopes that it will go away.

I went to the chiropractor yesterday. I told Doctor Burns about my legs. He asked about the weakness and knew what it was. Turns it out it is neurological but not the kind that requires surgery. He said it was sacral-iliac joint and described the pain and weakness exactly. I have had sciatic pain for years. That pain starts from the spine. This pain originates from the pelvis. It explains the other pains and symptoms. For now, ice and rest are required. And already my leg feels more stable. It is still weak and I read that this may take weeks or months. I hope not.

24 october 2011

/

Another week of not getting much done at least as far as cutting the clutter is concerned. I have no good excuses.

I did some scanning and filing but no shredding and no work on making paper packs.

My confession. I am watching too many TV shows. It started with Doctor Who and quickly expanded to Eureka, Torchwood, House, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Community and now Fringe. It is my addictive personality. Once I get hooked, I cannot stop easily. Moderation does not make it into my vocabulary often enough.

I am noticing some muscle weakness where the back pain was running. Is it damaged nerve or just muscle atrophy from lack of use?

Of course, watching House only feeds the paranoia. I do not like going to doctors so I am trying to think what House would tell me if I showed up in his clinic. "You are overweight and sedentary, get some exercise." So I walked today. Only a mile. My legs felt like jello later in the day. If I can just get addicted to exercise...

I did go on a photo shoot yesterday. I will post about it later. It needs its own post.