Introduction
I recently watched a PBS Nova Show about Dogs. I love watching shows that get me to reflect on my personal condition… after all I’m very much a mental person. Emotions not so much. This show got me to thinking — if dogs prioritize their senses (smell), how much different are autism people from “normal” people?
Talking Points — Sleep Cycles
I’m writing this on my laptop at 4:43 in the morning! How many of you are like me? Meaning — do you do your best thinking when most people are still asleep? Do you go asleep (hopefully at a consistent time) between 7 and 9 pm? I go to bed pretty early. But my spouse is already at work by 5 am. And yes, she goes to bed around 7 pm. My sleep cycle has gradually changed so that I can spend what little time I have with her. But that means my sleep is definitely not the norm. I sometimes also catch a catnap in the afternoon, sometime 45 minutes, sometimes longer if my body says I need to rest more.
What role do your emotions play?
Clearly I have a difficult time with empathy. Sometimes the obvious isn’t so obvious to me. They think I’m not interested in friendship with them. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Once they get a sense of where I’m coming from, they think I’m not all that different from them. Unfortunately, first impressions are often very important and lasting. Sometimes these casual encounters never get beyond “acquaintance” phase. This happens quite a bit with me. From my perspective, that’s their loss. I have a few close friends and I’m satisfied with that.
Are your emotions like mine? Few friends, but quality friendships. This quarantine is driving me crazy! And I don’t use Facebook very much. My spouse is very visual — she’s a photographer after all! We also enjoy going to other communities’ festivals, or learning about other cities in Wisconsin or in nearby states. She uses Facebook to keep track of where we’ve been, and keeps me in tune with what is happening from a distance.
I also have a friend in Rhinelander Wisconsin. He shows little interest in computers, even though his parents are trying to get him to interact more through the computer. I’m not sure if they have Internet. Now that he’s unemployed for about 6 weeks, he’s writing nearly every week or two, and his letters often come 3 or 4 at a time via Postal Service. I still wonder why he doesn’t save his money by putting more than one sheet of paper in each envelope? I’m pretty sure his parents are in the same boat employment wise. I’m not sure how long though. Eventually I’ll address this with him, and hopefully he will take the hint without complaint.
Employment
I’m not sure how many of you are on limited hours, or if you’re an “essential worker”. But I’m not concerned at all since I’ve been collecting SSDI for (I think) 6 years. That’s why I started volunteering at my local community Rec Center. Unfortunately, they have been closed as well and I have no outlet there. And this quarantine means you are supposed to keep yourself from visiting your neighbors and friends. Even restaurants can only deliver meals or do pick-up service in their parking lot. Few social outlets. No baseball, football, concerts, festivals or other social gatherings. How have you been coping with this lack of social connection?
How many of you are unemployed? How many of you have had your hours cut? Are you using acceptable means to stay connected with your friends — facetime, zoom, or some other visual computer software. How many of you are still in school — whether primary or college? Do you have reliable Internet? Is this a problem you’re still trying to figure out?
Conclusion
I’ve managed to keep my wife and I safe during these unprecedented times — I’ll call it CV for short. Mucus is a problem for me, but no other symptoms — especially no fever. I could simply have a case of allergies because its Spring. I don’t want any of this CV to visit my home. I’m taking what our Governor says very seriously. Its sad that Wisconsin just had the quarantine extend to May 26. Right around Memorial Day, and one of our biggest festivals has been postponed to September (I think), Bratfest used to be at Willow Island near the Alliant Energy Center. Will it still be there? We all hope to control CV and not the other way around! But we really have no idea what will happen in the future. Most people want to plan a trip to some fun place, but I’m guessing your state won’t allow you to go to other states, am I right? Big tourism problems lie ahead if we don’t take seriously this CV problem.
I hope you don’t think this is just a hoax, meant to take away our freedom. I’m not sure where any of you are from, maybe I have a few international countries who are subscribers to my blog.
I can be grateful that our Constitution and Bill of Rights is here to help. This is the framework that our system of Government is based on. And I sincerely hope that ALL OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES knows how important it is to us Citizens of the USA. Notice I said USA not US. Most people don’t know there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between the two. If we focus on what’s most important, our relationships, then EVERYONE WINS, including those representatives. As long as our Government remembers this, and focus on coming together as a Nation (NOT a corporation), then we may well come out of this pretty well.
But that remains to be seen… what will our Government focus on? Will they lay blame on nations and people? Or will they try to figure out a solution that doesn’t take away our Freedom? That means EVERYONE, not just those in the USA! Protesting does not focus on the proper point of view. Some people are never satisfied with what they have. I for one am not focused on material possessions. I focus on helping others, and not being selfish. I’m fighting this CV War with all of my heart. I know its difficult to keep under control, and keep your thoughts focused. I share those same autistic traits as you. I’d like to hope that my 62 years have given me a little wisdom.
But what do you think? Does this resonant with you? Let me know, and share your point of view and your thoughts in the comments. Sometimes I don’t reply, or maybe it takes a lot longer. Please don’t think that I don’t appreciate your perspective… Because I really do care what you think! But make no mistake… just because I’m sensitive does not mean I’m weak. If anything, if you criticize this post it is you who are weak. Power to the People! Come Together Right Now! Your voice is urgently needed at this most critical time. Will you rise to the challenge? Or will you succumb to apathy?
Daily Life with Asperger's 