Recently, I saw a man, and his face looked like it was made of bronze with the flexibility of normal skin. I don't mean it was a bronze-like colour or anything, it literally looked like bronze. It even seemed reflective to an extent. It really was fascinating. Another feature that only added to the peculiarity of the head, was the complete lack of visible hair, anywhere on the head. I did not notice eyebrows either. I have seen my fair share of tanned people, people with various skin colours from all around the world, but this was something quite different. Somewhere in between normal and Talos. There was nothing to indicate that this man was anything other than European, so I cannot really say what the origin of this unusual skin tone is (though being Dutch, there's a chance that his parents/grandparents/etc... were from Suriname).
I generally find it interesting to observe people (and things, also), and I always have. More recently, this has become important for my story-writing, since correct and detailed descriptions of various things and people are very important in most cases. This does not mean that every little details should be described for every single object or person (since some stuff should be left to the imagination), but doing so should be possible if necessary. And that kind of stuff is best put in the "accompanying notes" for the story, in case further work is made on the story. Consistency is important.
The observation is something I do well, and without really thinking about it. What I need to work on, is putting my observations down on paper (or the screen) and wording them properly (in a way that other people might have a chance of understanding). Therefore, with this goal in mind, I am planning on writing several descriptions of people (or parts thereof) as I encounter (or create) them. Description of activities and objects seems to be easier for me, so I will, for the moment at least, focus on people.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Excerpts from Running
“Do
not lose your head over all those books. There is a high chance that
we won’t be able to stay here for more than a week, maybe not even
a few days.” Said Samuel. “You probably won’t be able to look
at many of the books so you are going to have to choose carefully.”
“Don’t
be such a spoil sport” said Maya, pulling away from him.
“You
do know I’m right, don’t you?”
“Maybe
it would have been better if I had stayed with my parents.” She
said hotly
“You
really think that?” said Samuel, raising an eyebrow, trying not to
show how much those words hurt him.
Maya
shook her head, sensing he was upset. She smiled before hugging him
and kissing him on his forehead.
“I
didn’t mean that, I’m sorry. I’d rather be with you than any
where else in the world” she told him, and it was true. “It’s
just I would love to stay with the books.”
They
remained together for quite a while, wrapped tightly together.
[...]
They
left the airport and got in a waiting cab that was driven by member
of a South American gang. Halfway to the rendezvous while they were
driving through a patch of jungle, three Jeeps caught up with them.
One pulled in front while the other two were at the side and back.
Ten men with machine guns jumped out of the Jeeps and started
shooting at the taxi. Just in time, Samuel pulled Maya to the floor
of the taxi; Jules and Clemence both pulled out guns but they were
too late: they were both shot, along with the driver. The gunshots
stopped and Samuel could hear boots approaching the car. A man
shouted something in German, mentioning the police and 8 of the men
as well as two of the Jeeps drove off. The remaining two men came to
the taxi and started pouring gasoline over it. Seeing that they were
about to set the car alight, Samuel took Jules’ gun and shot the
closest man before turning his gun on the remaining one. The man
lifted his gun but Samuel was too quick. As the man crumpled, Samuel
pulled Maya out of the car with him. Before leaving he took Jules’
phone and gun as well as all their gear and luggage. After making
sure he hadn’t forgotten anything he lit a match, retreated a few
steps and then threw it on the car. The fire quickly spread and as
Samuel and Maya turned a corner further up the street they heard the
car explode.
“What
did you just do, Samuel?” asked Maya, shocked.
You can buy the full book here: At Lulu.com
Update of 1/10/13
I realise that it has been a while since my last post. I also realise that no one has missed my posts during that time. But that's their loss. I write mainly for my own betterment, and if anyone is entertained or amused by what I write, then good for them.
Anyways, much has happened since the last time I posted on this blog, most of which is of no interest to anyone who might read this blog. However, I will say that I'm studying computer sciences and thus learning to program in Java and create webpages with HTML and CSS, so if anyone has questions, feel free to ask. This also means I may write some computer related posts at some point.
In other news, I have started a new blog (yes, yet another blog), focusing on reviews of pretty much everything, from books to films to museums. In case anyone is interested in my perspective on stuff I encounter/experience, check this out: http://pharaoh-joz.blogspot.be/
Finally, someone (presumably NT) with whom I was talking maintains that physical disabilities are different from mental disabilities in more than the part of the body they effect. Thus, autistic person is correct, whereas blind person should be person with blindness (or something like that). Basically, they say that most mental disabilities should be disability-first, whereas physical disabilities should be people-first. One of their reasons for this was that in schools, for example, the facilities for accommodating for autistic people goes beyond the implementation of a set group of resources (such as audio books and text-to-voice software for a blind person). They also argued that a person's blindness does not change their personality, nor the way they should be treated. I will go into further detail in my next post, as well as including my stance on the discussion. Any opinions and additional perspectives would be welcome
Until then and "the case is closed", bye!
Anyways, much has happened since the last time I posted on this blog, most of which is of no interest to anyone who might read this blog. However, I will say that I'm studying computer sciences and thus learning to program in Java and create webpages with HTML and CSS, so if anyone has questions, feel free to ask. This also means I may write some computer related posts at some point.
In other news, I have started a new blog (yes, yet another blog), focusing on reviews of pretty much everything, from books to films to museums. In case anyone is interested in my perspective on stuff I encounter/experience, check this out: http://pharaoh-joz.blogspot.be/
Finally, someone (presumably NT) with whom I was talking maintains that physical disabilities are different from mental disabilities in more than the part of the body they effect. Thus, autistic person is correct, whereas blind person should be person with blindness (or something like that). Basically, they say that most mental disabilities should be disability-first, whereas physical disabilities should be people-first. One of their reasons for this was that in schools, for example, the facilities for accommodating for autistic people goes beyond the implementation of a set group of resources (such as audio books and text-to-voice software for a blind person). They also argued that a person's blindness does not change their personality, nor the way they should be treated. I will go into further detail in my next post, as well as including my stance on the discussion. Any opinions and additional perspectives would be welcome
Until then and "the case is closed", bye!
Friday, 19 April 2013
Autism and Intelligence... a start
I'm writing this in reaction to a recent video title I saw on facebook: "Autistic girl expresses unimaginable intelligence!"
Though I must say that I sort of understand the title, as long as the girl in question showed unquestionable signs of a lack of intelligence. But since the subtitle is "This amazing girl proves autism is not what most doctors think!", I must conclude that there is at least a hint of an insinuation that autism is commonly linked to lesser intelligence: hence the surprise in the tone of the title. I may be reading a bit too much into the whole 'unimaginable' aspect, but in view of other remarks and discussions and serious reports, there seems to be a general consensus (mainly in the NT community, obviously, since they seem to think they know so much about us, more than we do in some cases, they say...) that autism is more often linked with mental deficiency that the rest of the population. I disagree. In the case of high-functioning autistic people and aspies, it's obvious that many are gifted or highly gifted, but even more 'severely' autistic people can be gifted to profoundly gifted, it's just less noticeable, since their ability to communicate with the outside world is limited or non-existent. But someone's intelligence is not (or should not be) defined by one's ability to show off that intelligence. Stephen Hawking needs a computer to communicate, but he's still considered one of the world's greatest minds, is he not? So why can a non-verbal autistic individual not be as much a genius as Hawking? We just have not found out if it is possible for that individual to find a way to express whatever intelligence is locked away from the rest of the world. And maybe that's how they want it. Maybe some are intelligent enough to know that they don't want to communicate with the rest of the world. I know there are sometimes I wish I too was locked away inside my mind, utterly oblivious of the world around me.
What I believe, is that autistic people as a whole are no less intelligent than NTs. I even lean to the opinion that they are, in general, more intelligent than NTs. Possibly because their brains are not cluttered with all that built-in social nonsense of the NTs. Only time will tell what the reality of the story is. All I do know, is that we cannot assume to know what's happening inside the heads of our silent brothers and sisters of the spectrum.
Though I must say that I sort of understand the title, as long as the girl in question showed unquestionable signs of a lack of intelligence. But since the subtitle is "This amazing girl proves autism is not what most doctors think!", I must conclude that there is at least a hint of an insinuation that autism is commonly linked to lesser intelligence: hence the surprise in the tone of the title. I may be reading a bit too much into the whole 'unimaginable' aspect, but in view of other remarks and discussions and serious reports, there seems to be a general consensus (mainly in the NT community, obviously, since they seem to think they know so much about us, more than we do in some cases, they say...) that autism is more often linked with mental deficiency that the rest of the population. I disagree. In the case of high-functioning autistic people and aspies, it's obvious that many are gifted or highly gifted, but even more 'severely' autistic people can be gifted to profoundly gifted, it's just less noticeable, since their ability to communicate with the outside world is limited or non-existent. But someone's intelligence is not (or should not be) defined by one's ability to show off that intelligence. Stephen Hawking needs a computer to communicate, but he's still considered one of the world's greatest minds, is he not? So why can a non-verbal autistic individual not be as much a genius as Hawking? We just have not found out if it is possible for that individual to find a way to express whatever intelligence is locked away from the rest of the world. And maybe that's how they want it. Maybe some are intelligent enough to know that they don't want to communicate with the rest of the world. I know there are sometimes I wish I too was locked away inside my mind, utterly oblivious of the world around me.
What I believe, is that autistic people as a whole are no less intelligent than NTs. I even lean to the opinion that they are, in general, more intelligent than NTs. Possibly because their brains are not cluttered with all that built-in social nonsense of the NTs. Only time will tell what the reality of the story is. All I do know, is that we cannot assume to know what's happening inside the heads of our silent brothers and sisters of the spectrum.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Darth Kreew & Frozen Pizza - Fanfiction part 2
At the edge of Central Park,
at the junction of Lansherr Boulevard and Holm Avenue, the two Sith
warriors stopped at the intersection and glanced around
surreptitiously, before entering an appartment building, a few metres
along Holm Avenue, that ran alongside the north edge of Central Park.
They took the lift to the top floor and found themselves in a dark
hallway, with doors leading to two different appartments (though the
Rebels owned both). Stepping out of the lift to the door on the
right, Darth Kreew placed his hand on the centre of the reinforced
steel door and spoke a phrase in the Sith language. With a scraping
noise, the door split into two parts and slid sideways to allow them
access to the appartment (the door would not open by any other means
and breaking it down would take considerable effort or sizeable
explosives that would probably damage the lift shaft, also the only
way to access the floor). Hanging their robes in the gloomy entryway,
to reveal the black tunics underneath, the two visitors casually
walked into the living room of the roomy and well-equipped
appartment. Xena walked over to look out at the excellent view over
the park and beyond it, the Lake. She knew that it was not in fact a
window, but rather that it was a large screen, programmed to show
what the view would be, if there was a real window instead of the
reinforced steel-adamant alloy wall that the Rebels had installed,
for extra protection. From the outside, the appartment looked about
as normal as from the inside and no one was any the wiser.
Xena turned as she sensed
movement to her right. Ramose walked out of the kitchen, dressed in a
crimson and black jumpsuit, in keeping with his cover: his job as a
private security pilot employed by the Weyland-Stark Corporation.
Darth Kreew bowed curtly and Xena put her fist over the centre of her
chest in greeting.
“Greetings, Dark Ones.”
Said Ramose. He was a large man, especially for a human, roughly as
wide and as tall as the Klingon he now faced, though he was slightly
less hairy: the mutant was bald with a goatee, while Kreew had long
hair and a big moustache. In contrast, Xena was several heads shorter
than both and a third the width of her fellow Sith. She wore her
black hair in a waist-long ponytail and had several healed burn marks
in a pattern on her face.
“Master.”
“What news of Akhenaten's
army?”
“They are stuck in
skirmishes with the Federation forces between Tatooine and Romulus.
The Romulans are providing them a good challenge.” Said Kreew,
pulling out a plastic sheet with diagrams and handing it over to
Ramose.
“Also, Darth Markand says
he has located a base occupied by the X-Knights on a moon in the
Bajor system, and seven Rebel ships are being equipped for an
assault.” Added Xena.
“No, contact him and tell
him to call off the attack.” The other Sith exchanged confused
glances.
“But...?” Asked Kreew,
uncertainly
“Kreew, we cannot afford
to fight amongst ourselves, amongst the free peoples of the galaxy.
We can deal with the Jedi riff-raff once there is a victor. And do we
not agree that regaining power for the Sith will be easier if the
weak Federation remains in control and the Empire is defeated?”
“If you put it that
way...” Agreed Xena, nodding.
Ramose turned around, his
arms crossed, and thought a moment.
“Send an agent to both the
X-Knights and the UJO. See if they are willing to cooperate with us
to protect the Galaxy.”
“Very well,” said Kreew.
“Furthermore, I want you
two to personally investigate the rumours of attacks against outlying
Imperial bases in the Kazon region of the Delta Quadrant. A smuggler
reports that Imperial supply ships were ambushed by two strange
sphere-shaped vessels.” Said Ramose turning back towards them. “Oh,
and Darth Khamûl is en-route to Nausicaa, with a dozen warships.”
“Interesting, it sounds
unlike any ship I know of. We shall discover all we can.” Darth
Kreew bowed.
*All rights to their respective owners/creators for the usage of copyrighted material.
*Use
is solely intended for non-commercial purposes and with all due
recognition of the work of the original authors. No plagiarism intended.
Second half of Camp NaNoWriMo begins...
... and I've not really reached the place I wanted to reach in my story (they're still in lunar orbit). But I think I made a good attempt at it. At least I have a good start to a story, that I will definitely want to work on in the future. Not that I've given up just yet on it now, but I have my doubts whether I will reach the goal by the end of the month. I could blame a certain person for being too distracting, but that's just an excuse, I have had plenty of time to write. I only lacked inspiration and motivation for that particular story, not time or focus.
Aside from NaNo, I've been working on a sort of superhero story, based on autobiographical elements and in the setting of a small village and a 'special' family. I want to try to create a combination of my usual stories and the more conventional superhero stories. Writing about superpowers in a familiar setting, treating those abilities in a way that would be normal for me and others like me. I'll try to avoid the villain vs. hero aspect of the stories (mainly by having a more fluid good vs evil dichotomy: in other words, antagonists are not necessarily evil, just opposed to the goals of the protagonists), though I will keep some traditional superhero elements as suits my desires and needs: it is my story after all.
My third creative project, that of the crossover fanfiction, is also still a work in progress. It's my plan to, when it's finished, release it on as many online sites as possible and allow anyone to read it, for free (since I cannot sell it anyways). I hope that this will provide me with publicity necessary to sell my current and future published work. People can both find out about me and get an idea of my writing style and quality. At the very least, I'll get some feedback which will help me improve future stories.
Finally, I'm trying to keep my other projects alive and I keep hoping someone else will buy "Running" from Lulu. One copy already has been bought and many people have congratulated me on publishing, so I can only hope that it's only a matter of time before the next copy is bought (I've linked to it on this blog already).
Anyways, don't forget to comment if you want to read my stories and more updates will come soon.
Aside from NaNo, I've been working on a sort of superhero story, based on autobiographical elements and in the setting of a small village and a 'special' family. I want to try to create a combination of my usual stories and the more conventional superhero stories. Writing about superpowers in a familiar setting, treating those abilities in a way that would be normal for me and others like me. I'll try to avoid the villain vs. hero aspect of the stories (mainly by having a more fluid good vs evil dichotomy: in other words, antagonists are not necessarily evil, just opposed to the goals of the protagonists), though I will keep some traditional superhero elements as suits my desires and needs: it is my story after all.
My third creative project, that of the crossover fanfiction, is also still a work in progress. It's my plan to, when it's finished, release it on as many online sites as possible and allow anyone to read it, for free (since I cannot sell it anyways). I hope that this will provide me with publicity necessary to sell my current and future published work. People can both find out about me and get an idea of my writing style and quality. At the very least, I'll get some feedback which will help me improve future stories.
Finally, I'm trying to keep my other projects alive and I keep hoping someone else will buy "Running" from Lulu. One copy already has been bought and many people have congratulated me on publishing, so I can only hope that it's only a matter of time before the next copy is bought (I've linked to it on this blog already).
Anyways, don't forget to comment if you want to read my stories and more updates will come soon.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Check it out!
I just published my first ever book over at Lulu.com. It's called Running and is an action-adventure novella. It was one of the first stories that I've finished (back in 2009 or 2010).
Here is the page, and it's at a reasonable price for all involved, I think ;)
Expect more information and maybe, eventually, details on future publications.
On the NaNoWriMo front, I've not progressed as quickly as I would've liked, but I'm still working at it and have not given up ;) They've nearly reached Earth, haha.
Here is the page, and it's at a reasonable price for all involved, I think ;)
Expect more information and maybe, eventually, details on future publications.
On the NaNoWriMo front, I've not progressed as quickly as I would've liked, but I'm still working at it and have not given up ;) They've nearly reached Earth, haha.
Monday, 1 April 2013
Start of Camp NaNoWriMo
Simultaneously with April Fool's and the second day of Easter, is the start of Camp NaNoWriMo April. This is an online challenge to write a novel that is at least a set number of words long in 30 days (I've gone for the previous default of 50 000). My novel is called "Pelican Blue: Two Pupils", a sci-fi/adventure story, set in the near future, involving a scientific expedition to Earth by the descendants of explorers that left our planet in a past long lost to human memory. My NaNo page...
This is my third attempt at the challenge (and second try at the camp version), after nearly reaching 20 000 and 11 800 words in November 2011 and June 2012 respectively. With the two other projects I'm currently working on, I do not know how I will do this time, but I remain optimistic as I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do with those projects (and this one). Let's just hope it stays that way: fingers crossed, eh?
If you're interested in reading my NaNo as I write, let me know and I'll link you to the Google doc. I won't post here everytime I write something (so it's quickest to check the doc itself, roughly daily), but do expect some posts here about my experience, especially if the story starts to slow down. Either way, I'll try to write something for my readers... hahaha.
But I must be off to write.
Byebye
This is my third attempt at the challenge (and second try at the camp version), after nearly reaching 20 000 and 11 800 words in November 2011 and June 2012 respectively. With the two other projects I'm currently working on, I do not know how I will do this time, but I remain optimistic as I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do with those projects (and this one). Let's just hope it stays that way: fingers crossed, eh?
If you're interested in reading my NaNo as I write, let me know and I'll link you to the Google doc. I won't post here everytime I write something (so it's quickest to check the doc itself, roughly daily), but do expect some posts here about my experience, especially if the story starts to slow down. Either way, I'll try to write something for my readers... hahaha.
But I must be off to write.
Byebye
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Darth Kreew & Frozen Pizza - Fanfiction
Capital District of the
Galactic Federation of Peoples
Genosha, Genosha Island
16:30, 11/03/2020
Two figures in black robes,
with hoods pulled over their eyes, stepped out of transporter room C2
in the Central Arrivals, in the Capital District, a few blocks away
from the Palace of the Peoples and the Parliament. Though the
smallest of the six transportation hubs of the capital (since it only
housed transporter rooms and no docks, except for inner city
transportation), it was the second busiest, with many of the
Federation officials and politicians passing through on their way to
and from the busy Executive Sector, the nerve centre of the entire
Federation. With the high number of strange individuals passing
through the capital, the cloaked figures drew no attention as they
moved swiftly through the halls of the hub.
The hooded persons exited
the Arrivals complex on the south side, away from the government
buildings (meaning they did not pass through security, all that was
recorded of their arrival was the request for two tourists to beam
down from Interstellar Ferry 24-Roswell, under the names Irene and
Gorki Clay), towards Genosha Lake and Central Park. They were in fact
not tourists, nor were their names Gorki and Irene. The taller of the
two, was a Klingon known as Darth Kreew, a highly feared, powerful
and leading member of Rebel Force, an underground organisation of
Sith. Once closely allied with the Empire, they distanced themselves
when Akhenaten's conquests led to the desecration of their sanctuary
on Korriban, it seemed the Pharoah no longer felt he needed the
support of the Sith. The other robed person, was Xena, Darth Kreew's
young human apprentice. During a skirmish with Empire troops, on
Bajor, into which Darth Kreew had been drawn, the strongly
Force-sensitive Xena had abandoned her family to their deaths to save
Darth Kreew from a minigun-wielding troll, recognising a kindred
spirit in him. Justifying her act, she had told him that she chose
power and knowledge over her family, for what was human life compared
to the praiseworthy goals of the Sith? It had been for the greater
good, she felt. Soon after, Darth Kreew returned and took Xena as his
apprentice. The two got on as well as any Sith master and apprentice
could (that is, Kreew did not actively try to get Xena killed and
Xena did not have, yet, any plans to take Kreew's place). The two
were headed to a meeting with another of the Rebels, Darth Ramose,
the de facto head of their
order, half-brother of Akhenaten and once his right-hand man, in
addition to being a mutant (capable of teleportation) and a powerful
Sith Lord. Rebel Force rarely met in full, as they feared discovery
by both the Federation and the Empire, but Darth Kreew and Darth
Ramose felt secure in the capital of the Federation: who would think
to look so close to home for a couple of Sith? There was talk among
the Sith, especially those that had been present at the sack of
Korriban, of a guerilla campaign against both galactic powers. So the
two most prominent Sith Lords were meeting to discuss the situation
and see if such an endeavour would be the right course of action.
*All rights to their respective owners/creators for the usage of copyrighted material.
*Use is solely intended for non-commercial purposes and with all due recognition of the work of the original authors. No plagiarism intended.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Death by Steel
Oh how I love the smooth body, the smoke it exhales, the speed
The lines of the frame. The curves of the cab
My heart pumps ever faster as I gaze down
At the valley floor so far below.
But anything is worth the great giddiness
The lines of the frame. The curves of the cab
My heart pumps ever faster as I gaze down
At the valley floor so far below.
But anything is worth the great giddiness
I experience at this moment.
The shriek of the whistle grows louder
The shriek of the whistle grows louder
Hysterical even.
I hear the clack-clack as it rushes onwards;
The application of the brakes adding screeching
The grating of metal against metal,
To the ever louder noises issuing
From this great beast of steel.
I close my eyes and extend my arms towards my love
Letting the beautiful sounds fill my ears.
My feet are planted firmly, at shoulders' width
On the planks and between the parallel lines of iron.
I reopen my eyes and admire the one thing I live for.
It grows bigger and it becomes possible to see
The wide eyes of the engineer.
The noise roars in my ears
My smile widens.
I am ready to become one with my true soulmate.
My palms turned inward, I await the ultimate embrace.
As all else is blocked from view,
I utter my final words,
Inaudible above the wondrous cacaphony of noises:
There is no better way.
I hear the clack-clack as it rushes onwards;
The application of the brakes adding screeching
The grating of metal against metal,
To the ever louder noises issuing
From this great beast of steel.
I close my eyes and extend my arms towards my love
Letting the beautiful sounds fill my ears.
My feet are planted firmly, at shoulders' width
On the planks and between the parallel lines of iron.
I reopen my eyes and admire the one thing I live for.
It grows bigger and it becomes possible to see
The wide eyes of the engineer.
The noise roars in my ears
My smile widens.
I am ready to become one with my true soulmate.
My palms turned inward, I await the ultimate embrace.
As all else is blocked from view,
I utter my final words,
Inaudible above the wondrous cacaphony of noises:
There is no better way.
Gossip
Although gossip, which (according to evolutionary biologists) is the replacement of social grooming, is natural and necessary for bonding between members of a group, there must be a line drawn between a very common definition of gossip (the sharing of dirt and misinformation, often for the detriment of the subject(s) of the gossip) and the more general, and correct definition: the sharing of (unproven) facts or views, often pertaining to other members of the group. In the second definition, this sharing is not always malign and the purpose is often just to show the person with whom you are talking that you are part of the group.
Personally, I rarely broach topics pertaining to other people's lives (excluding when it is a question of sharing useful knowledge, but then the people I talk about generally tend to be dead, or politicians or writers). So, it is very rare that I talk about people that I know. For me, this lack of participation can be simply explained by the fact that I have Asperger Syndrome.
I can understand when other people gossip, for them it's natural, I am fine with it.... to a certain point: as long as no one is likely to be hurt by this information. Take the example of a certain friend of mine who some months ago, felt the full effects of what harm gossip can cause (I have changed the names, dates, personal details and locations so as to avoid further harm to all parties involved, in case, but this is a long shot, anyone I know should happen to read this blog):
He was at a certain activity along with some friends and Katyusha (whom he had not yet met). As it happened, my friend, Joep, got along really well with Katyusha (they had a number of common interests). Now, being an Aspie xD, I wouldn't know, from what little Joep told me, if Katyusha also got along well with Joep. I think so. Anyway, the activity lasted all day, and they were often together, along with their common friends, TJ, Melvin and others. A few days later, Joep happened to meet Katyusha in town (Gent, if I remember correctly), they talked for a while before going their separate ways, they also accidentally met a few days later (they did go to the same secondary school, different classes). That following weekend, Joep was on facebook when a close friend of Katyusha, Arokana, said hi. It turned out that TJ and/or Melvin had been talking with Arokana and had falsely given the impression that Joep was "interested" in Katyusha. Whether Joep was, I don't know, but I doubt that he would have gone much further than he already had, especially after he had broken up with his former girlfriend a few months earlier. I'm guessing he was still sore from that. Arokana then went on to say that she was trying to protect her friend, Katyusha, from boys and that Joep should keep his distance from Katyusha. For Joep this meant a number of things: 1. that Arokana thought was a potential danger for Katyusha, untrustworthy in other words (Which he was not, I am 100% sure, he was one of the calmest and friendliest boys I have ever known) and 2. He was "interested" in Katyusha, as in more than just a friend. She also went on to add that Katyusha had her eyes on another boy, and it was only a while after that I realised that this might not be entirely true. For Joep, I think the worst was being told that he was one of the boys that Katyusha needed protecting from and that he needed to keep away from her. As I put it, there are many more fish in the sea, but that insult had really lowered his already low self-esteem. I personally cannot believe that she said that, I mean, she seems nice enough, although I don't know her personally. I'm afraid that this might be one disappoint too many for Joep, I do not know what would happen if something else, no matter how big, came up.
This just goes to show how damaging gossip can be. Although Joep is still alive and kicking (albeit in a very depressed and unstable way), there have been other cases where gossip has caused young people to pull the plug on the very existence. Now, I doubt that Joep will purposefully go that far, but he still might do something reckless in a moment of extreme despair. If harmful gossip does occur, both parties should keep it between them. If you hear potentially harmful gossip about a friend or acquaintance, do not go telling to other people or that person. In other words: "mind your P's and Q's"!!!
Real-life X-Men {Warning: Potential Spoilers}
As I was watching the X-men live-action films again, earlier this month, I was struck by the very clear similarities between the mutant condition, in the universe of the films, and autism. Other commentators have referenced similarities with other "minority" groups, but I have little experience with the most commonly mentioned minorities.
It was mainly in the trilogy that I noticed the similarities (presumably as the main theme was the struggle between the Professor X's X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants as the former attempted to protect the humans from the latter's attempts to take over the world and assert mutant superiority, whereas the other films focused on the backstories of several of the characters and other wars). A striking moment was at the house of Bobby Drake (aka Iceman), when his mother suggested he "stop being a mutant". This is something I have heard in connection to autism. Just like their mutations, autism is not something you can just turn on and off, like a light switch.
One of the main plot points of X-Men: The Last Stand, is the introduction of a chemical that cures mutants. Though there is (fortunately, I think) no such drug for autism, the reaction is quite similar to what I have noticed whenever the subject is brought up among auties. Some want a cure, so that they can fit in, or to have an easier life. Others are completely against a cure, regardless of the difficulties autism carries with it. Of the last group, there are many who are like Magneto, who say that autism is the next step in human evolution and such stuff. Though I too oppose a cure (for reasons I shall explain more fully at a later point), I am more moderate than those and simply see autism as more or less (mainly more) equal in value to "normalcy".
The autie supremacists often discourage cure-seekers from doing so, as they see autism as something to be proud of, not as a disease or disorder (a common view by many parents, NTs* and some auties themselves). I tend to agree, mainly because it is my opinion that it is society and not autism itself that makes it so hard for us to live happy lives. But, honestly, I think the point is moot as I do not see autism as something that can be cured: it is an inherent part of the individual, meaning that if you removed autism, there would not be much left of the person.
I sympathise with both mutant organisations, I do not want to be branded or labeled, I do not want to be cured "for my benefit". I only want acceptance and recognition.
Though we auties do not have superpowers as described by the comics, I believe that our abilities are no less amazing or varied than those of the X-men. A rare few have so-called "savant" abilities (for instance the memorisation and subsequent perfect reproduction of a city), but even those without such recognisable abilities have talents that stand out and contrast with the perceived limitations. I know an autie who has limited social skills, to the point he does not seem to realise his blunders and the lack of interest people are showing, yet he's a dab hand at the diabolo.
In closing, a quote from the second film of the trilogy, X2, when Nightcrawler is talking to Storm:
NT = Neurotypical (i.e. non-auties)
It was mainly in the trilogy that I noticed the similarities (presumably as the main theme was the struggle between the Professor X's X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants as the former attempted to protect the humans from the latter's attempts to take over the world and assert mutant superiority, whereas the other films focused on the backstories of several of the characters and other wars). A striking moment was at the house of Bobby Drake (aka Iceman), when his mother suggested he "stop being a mutant". This is something I have heard in connection to autism. Just like their mutations, autism is not something you can just turn on and off, like a light switch.
One of the main plot points of X-Men: The Last Stand, is the introduction of a chemical that cures mutants. Though there is (fortunately, I think) no such drug for autism, the reaction is quite similar to what I have noticed whenever the subject is brought up among auties. Some want a cure, so that they can fit in, or to have an easier life. Others are completely against a cure, regardless of the difficulties autism carries with it. Of the last group, there are many who are like Magneto, who say that autism is the next step in human evolution and such stuff. Though I too oppose a cure (for reasons I shall explain more fully at a later point), I am more moderate than those and simply see autism as more or less (mainly more) equal in value to "normalcy".
The autie supremacists often discourage cure-seekers from doing so, as they see autism as something to be proud of, not as a disease or disorder (a common view by many parents, NTs* and some auties themselves). I tend to agree, mainly because it is my opinion that it is society and not autism itself that makes it so hard for us to live happy lives. But, honestly, I think the point is moot as I do not see autism as something that can be cured: it is an inherent part of the individual, meaning that if you removed autism, there would not be much left of the person.
I sympathise with both mutant organisations, I do not want to be branded or labeled, I do not want to be cured "for my benefit". I only want acceptance and recognition.
Though we auties do not have superpowers as described by the comics, I believe that our abilities are no less amazing or varied than those of the X-men. A rare few have so-called "savant" abilities (for instance the memorisation and subsequent perfect reproduction of a city), but even those without such recognisable abilities have talents that stand out and contrast with the perceived limitations. I know an autie who has limited social skills, to the point he does not seem to realise his blunders and the lack of interest people are showing, yet he's a dab hand at the diabolo.
In closing, a quote from the second film of the trilogy, X2, when Nightcrawler is talking to Storm:
"You know, outside the circus, most people were afraid of me. But I didn't hate them. I pitied them. Do you know why? Because most people will never know anything beyond what they see with their own two eyes.This is something with which I relate very strongly: NTs seem very limited, most of them are boring and only interested in gossiping, watching mindless shows on TV and making sure they do not do anything outside the box. Sheeple. Naturally, there are exceptions, but in general, NTs miss out on a lot that goes on in the world.
NT = Neurotypical (i.e. non-auties)
What is this place?
Where are you, you wonder?
You have somehow found your way into a reflection of a small part of my psyche, which I have chosen to share with any who might be interested in what I want to tell. There is no other theme or category in which all the topics of this blog will fall, as a wide range of subjects will be covered at varying degrees of length, depth and width.
And who am I?
I call myself Meriu-ses, though I am not an Ancient Egyptian. Just this should tell you that I am interested in Ancient Egypt and possibly history. Besides that, I love trains, robots, computers, licorice, writing, peanut butter, lists, reading, fantasy, horror, Canada, maps and my girlfriend. I'm proud to be autistic. And I hope to one day rule the world. But all that (and more) will become clear as this blog progresses.
In conclusion, I do not expect you the reader to read everything, as I shall be writing about whatever interests me, and though I will probably post some: even I do not like reading poetry. So, feel free to comment or tell me what you think of it all, and most importantly: enjoy.
P.S. the blog title is in reference to the Brotherhood of Mutants from Marvel's X-Men series, specifically as regards their fight for mutant recognition and freedom and how that resembles, in some ways, the auti activists who desire recognition/acceptance of autism and related conditions.
You have somehow found your way into a reflection of a small part of my psyche, which I have chosen to share with any who might be interested in what I want to tell. There is no other theme or category in which all the topics of this blog will fall, as a wide range of subjects will be covered at varying degrees of length, depth and width.
And who am I?
I call myself Meriu-ses, though I am not an Ancient Egyptian. Just this should tell you that I am interested in Ancient Egypt and possibly history. Besides that, I love trains, robots, computers, licorice, writing, peanut butter, lists, reading, fantasy, horror, Canada, maps and my girlfriend. I'm proud to be autistic. And I hope to one day rule the world. But all that (and more) will become clear as this blog progresses.
In conclusion, I do not expect you the reader to read everything, as I shall be writing about whatever interests me, and though I will probably post some: even I do not like reading poetry. So, feel free to comment or tell me what you think of it all, and most importantly: enjoy.
P.S. the blog title is in reference to the Brotherhood of Mutants from Marvel's X-Men series, specifically as regards their fight for mutant recognition and freedom and how that resembles, in some ways, the auti activists who desire recognition/acceptance of autism and related conditions.
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