To anyone who thought Britney could sing...

Actually, there's only one person I know who thinks she is "a talented singer". That person knows who he is. ;)
I know this isn't exactly new or anything, but I just saw it. Anyone who knows me very well will know that I just loved the part where she says, "I was retarded." There are so many things wrong with that statement that I won't bother to go into them all now. I will point out that being retarded, by which I assume she means mentally retarded, isn't something you "are" at one point in time and then no longer "are" a different point in time.

Scientific Link to Autism Identified

Scientific Link to Autism Identified

Neti pot

The last few years I've been having increasing problems with developing sinus infections and having allergy issues. A little over a week ago I caught a flu from my daughters, and it subsequently led to a sinus infection and bronchitis.
I'm sick of getting sinus infections, so I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to cut down on getting them. Other than taking a decongestant to help keep my sinuses clear, she said that I could try using a neti pot everyday. I had actually thought about trying one before, but I never got around to it.
A neti pot looks like a little tea pot. You put the spout into one nostil, turn your head sideways and slightly forward (while leaning over a sink), and allow the water/saline solution to go up into your sinus cavity and come out your other nostril.
Anyway, she gave me one, and I tried it when I got home. I can't say that it feels good while using it, but it does make me feel better after I'm done. It kind of feels like you are drowning, which I have a huge phobia of. (that's right, I ended my sentence with a preposition!)
My daughters think it is hilarious to see the water pouring out of my nose. Celest watched me the second time I ever did it and cracked up; since she was laughing I started laughing and almost choked because the water went down my throat.
Tonight I had something different happen after I used the neti pot. I did the rinse as usual, then gave the girls a shower and put them in bed. I was leaning over my bed to help Lotus wash her face (we recently started using an anti-blemish/pimple cleaner because the girls are starting to get black heads on their noses- aaahhhh!). I felt something start pouring out of my nose; I thought I had a nose bleed because that's what it felt like. It was water from the neti pot. When I used it tonight it kind of made my head hurt like I had a sinus headache, and I thought maybe the water I used was too warm or something. I think maybe my left sinus is swollen and was able to keep a little bit of water trapped in there. Yucky! Anyway, my headache eased up after the water came out. It's just kind of crazy that it was up there for about 30-40 minutes after I used the neti pot.

For those who aren't squeamish about the human nose, here is a crazy video I found on youtube. It made my nose hurt! The guy in the video is crazy.

Words

So I haven't had the energy to find more bizarre words (and none have willingly crossed my path), so I thought I'd list a pet peeve list for misused words. I know everyone screws up now and then, but certain mistakes just drive me crazy!

Loose vs. lose

You don't "loose" weight. You may "lose" weight, but not "loose" it.

Ideal vs. idea

You may have an "ideal" for many things, but it's not the same as when you have an "idea".

Then vs. than

You might do one thing, "then" another. Or maybe you'd prefer to do one thing "than" another. Then is for showing sequence or time of something, and than is generally used for comparing or relating things.

My Diet and Exercise Must Be Showing...

I asked one of the employees at the gym to measure me, since I have been on a pretty strict diet for two weeks now. I wanted to see if anything had changed noticeably in that time. When she was done she asked me, "Are you trying to gain or lose?"
Yay! I think. As long as she didn't think I was scrawny. Hmm... I'll stop overthinking it and take it as a positive thing.

The Hidden Dangers of Fat Burners

No, I'm not talking about heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and insomnia. I'm talking about ambition and euphoria. For instance, about a month ago I was going to pick up around my room. My room is a hot mess, since my daughters like to stay up all night and get into things. Anyway, I began by picking up toys and throwing away junk we don't need. About three hours later I am painting my walls with an oil-based primer. (by the way, if you've never used an oil based primer I don't suggest it unless you absolutely must; that stuff does not come off of clothes or flesh! I had white flecks of paint on my forearms for about a week even after I scrubbed them with mineral spirits...)
Of course, the fun must end, and the energy runs out. You don't get those awe-inspiring bursts of energy with every dose. My room is still in a state of disrepair. My walls are a nice shade of Azure Afternoon though...

Bump it! and Progressive's Flo

Am I the only one suspecting that Flo is wearing a Bump it?

Here's Flo:


Here are some ladies sporting the Bump it:

Potato sacks with sequins

I like So You Think You Can Dance, and I think that Cat Deeley is a very attractive woman. What I don't understand is why they insist on putting her in dresses that look like potato sacks with sequins on them? Every now and again they have her wear something that flatters her (maybe-a-little-too) thin figure though... Just a thought.











photos from Instyle

Tonsilitis

I have an infected tonsil, which led me to search online about them. I've had what some call "tonsil stones" for years, but they are worse now that the left tonsil is infected.
There are some really disturbing videos online of people having tonsil stones removed. I've been able to pop mine out for years now, though I don't really think that it is probably good to do so. If I know there is one there I just get the urge to get rid of it.
Blech! If you like gross videos just do a google search for tonsil stone removal. :(

Freddie Mercury Impersonator

I have been on a big surge of listening to Queen again lately (thanks to Buzzardbilly's getting in touch with your inner Freddie Mercury blogs), and I found a video of a Freddie impersonator. At times this guy songs just like Freddie. His range isn't as good, and he certainly isn't as good looking, but still it's craziness.

For anyone who doesn't know me, Freddie Mercury was my first love and obsession (probably why I've always had relationship problems; you just don't pair love and obsession in a healthy one...). :)

Here are two videos, one of Queen singing Somebody to Love live, then Gary Mullen and the Works singing it live. It's really funny to listen to this guy talk, because he has a really think accent that you wouldn't guess by listening to him sing.

Of course, keep in mind that Freddie is doing his slightly different version of the song as he does when live, and Gary is doing one of Freddie's live audience improv/imitation pieces at the beginning.

Weight loss

I'm back on a wonderfully dull high protein, low everything else diet. My body feels so weak and tired as it is adjusting to the lower carbohydrate level. I can't wait for this adjustment period to be over.
However, when I am done it will be worth it (come on, don't interrupt! I have to make myself believe this!).
Here are some pics of crazy-buff chicks that I would like to get as buff as:

Word of the Day!

I've been thinking about funny words (probably because I just wrote a keyword article that required a third of the article to synonyms for article "spinning"). I will, as long as my attention span and memory cooperate, post funny or weird words or phrases every so often. I'll start with some winners I found while consulting my thesaurus for that article:

• fille de joie- If you remember from basic French lessons, "fille" is a young woman or lady and "joie" is joy. So what exactly is a young woman of joy? A prostitute of course! (They're always so happy and well adjusted, after all...)
• filius nullius- a bastard
• fillius populi- a bastard
• whoreson- Yes, you guessed it, a bastard! (and if you need some more zingers for shaming someone because of their parents' lack of matrimony, here you go- catch colt, woods colt, chance-child, come-by-chance, and mamzer)

That's it for now. If I don't stop looking at the thesaurus I'll never get more writing done. Since I have about $3 to my name (not counting debt- that puts me way in the red- don't tell student loans about my $3!), I need to get to work.

I tried to find a clip of the student loans people taking Howard Moon away for not paying, but I couldn't find one. It is at the end of the Eels episode of The Mighty Boosh.

Depression and the Snowball Effect

It seems like every time I start to feel depressed all the little things pile up (and up, and up, and...you get the picture). I know that most likely I am just noticing things that wouldn't have phased me much if I weren't depressed, but that realization doesn't stop the snowball from getting bigger. It still picks up mass and ultimately, crushing power.
For now my big escape is snuggling with the girls (which can get me started down a perilous path of thoughts as well), reading books I've already read before--but that I don't remember the ending to, and playing Everquest II. Yes, I am a nerd. Hmm, even saying that sort of makes me feel more depressed and sorry for myself (this whole snowball analogy may have been better left unanalyzed).
Still, I already wrote it, so I will leave it. This is my "sort-of" journal online (the *juicy* stuff is reserved for my pen/paper version), so I won't go back and edit my random depressive thoughts. Just wanted to vent them. Sort of like Eeyore. "After all, one can't complain. I have my friends. Somebody spoke to me only yesterday. And it was last week or the week before that Rabbit bumped into me and said 'Bother!'. The Social Round. Always something going on."

Supplements

I've gotten a little swept up with supplements more than once in my life. I do copywriting as well, so I should be immune to colorful ads pitching vitamins, but I'm not. I'm a sucker for good packaging (and lists- list the many "benefits" and I get all excited thinking about how this or that vitamin is really essential to my fitness goals). I've weened myself down quite a bit, mostly because I can't afford them.
The biggest difference I've noticed is in my belly fat. I seem to pudge up there a little more than I used to. I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with supplements, but they might contribute to it. I've managed to lose weight from my lower body and keep it off while regaining weight onto my belly; this usually wasn't the case. I'm a "pear" (see page 68 of this book for a full description:Everything is wrong with you).
Weird...

Disabilities- Good fun to be had by all!

I admit that I'm a bit biased when it comes to people with disabilities, especially autism, but still, is it so wrong to not find the placement of disabilities in pop culture so offensive? Am I becoming a PC prude (hmm, not to be confused with Mac prudes...)?



Some recent annoyances:



Two and a Half Men- I like this show, even though it's very repetitive plot lines are predictable. However, although the womanizing, depiction of alcoholics as funny (and maybe to be envied), bimbo stereotypes, and "flaming" gay men pass under my PC radar (again, there's the lack of personal link to the slandered groups...), the "slow" and "retard" jokes really strike a nerve. There was a recent rerun titled, "Love isn't blind, it's retarded..." I'd like to clarify that I don't find the jokes at the expense of women, homosexuals, and alcoholics funny either, but they aren't my personal crusade I suppose. Women, homosexuals, and to a lesser extent, alcoholics, can generally fend for themselves.

3OH!3-I suppose maybe I should calibrate my annoyance and offense at things to the caliber of the source, but I'm too touchy for that. The song Don't Trust Me certainly shouldn't rank up there with Congressman Jeff Sessions saying that students with disabilities should be segregated and punished harshly, but it irks me nonetheless.
Aside from the inspiring chorus of "never trust a ho", here are some more choice lyrics: "Shush, girl! Shut your lips! Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips". Hmm, an icon of hope and inspiration for generations of people with disabilities and their families is reduced to a reference for using body language to express your sexual urges. Hmm, I wonder how many people who've heard this song don't know who Helen Keller is?

Article- I forget the article, but I might as well mention it. It's been a few years, but (as you can tell) it's stayed in my mind since. The United States was referred to as Canada's neighbor or sibling with Asperger's Syndrome. I guess that's supposed to mean we are socially awkward/ignorant. Not really sure. Maybe it meant that we have sensory issues and really hate those tags in our undies and t-shirts. Hmm...

Hmm, this seems sort of familiar...

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/annuale/221774/

That video is a bit old, but I just found it and thought it was funny.

I've been on Depo Provera for about 10 years now, and sometimes I have mega-PMS when I'm due for my shot (TMI, I'm sure, but since you're reading this... well, I don't feel bad for you.)

Snopes

I keep getting forwarded emails warning about dire consequences and technology destroying viruses that "have been checked on snopes.com and are 100% real!!!". The funny thing is, when I go to check snopes for myself the warnings are either listed as completely false or they are mostly false with a kernel of truth thrown in for verisimilitude. (oh, by the way, I forgot how much typing sucks with fake fingernails...)

Paranoia

Something happened today that piqued my paranoia sensors (I've got lots of them). While I won't go into what it was because it really isn't that interesting, it made me start thinking of how I hate jumping to conclusions.

I tend to underreact to situations when they are happening. I don't want to make a big deal out of something while it is ongoing, in case it isn't anything and I am just being "paranoid" about it. I often regret this after the fact. I could save myself lots of worrying and anxiety if I just spoke up with my suspicions.

However, my personality type is such that I prefer to spare others in case I'm wrong. Maybe it's because I don't want to look like a dumbass. Maybe it's because I hate when people have jumped to wild conclusions about me. (which reminds me: In college I went back to my apartment after being at my parents' house for the weekend. There were four of us sharing an apartment, and we'd just gotten a new roommate. She was on the couch when I walked in the front door, carrying my laundry, a bag of stuff I need for overnight trips, and my keys in my mouth; she later told me that because I didn't say "hi" right away that she thought I was a "bitch". Nevermind that I couldn't talk with keys in my mouth- I know unsanitary! I also later found out that my other roommates and some of my classmates thought I was stuck up because I was quiet. ??? Have these people never heard of someone being shy? I also was suffering from post-partum depression, which didn't exactly make me talkative.)

Anyway, that is my random thought for today...

Never mind that...

You need to be on a topic to digress onto a tangent. I really like the word. I actually have a children's story where a creature's name is Random Tangent. He put words into the protagonist's mouth that created trouble. I never got it into publishable shape, but it could be at a later date. Who knows?

Anyway, I have a blog about autism, which I try to keep somewhat on topic with posts about autism in general or about the craziness that my daughters, who both have autism, and I are up to. That's why I created this blog to cover all of the other random thoughts that I have. (hence the title!)

Which reminds me: I really dislike when people say that someone is autistic. Things are autistic, people have autism. I used to say it a bunch when my daughters were first diagnosed, but it really began to get on my nerves after a while. You may think I'm being too politically correct, but that's okay, I feel you are entitled to your opinion. I'm nice like that.

I am near-sighted, have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, take anti-depressants, and have the occasional migraine. However, no one introduces me by listing my medical conditions. No one says, "Hey, this is depressed Laura," or, "Here's my near-sighted friend, Laura."

Another pet peeve (where does that saying come from anyway?) is calling things "retarded". Again, back in the day, I was guilty of using this word incorrectly. I've since changed my ignorant ways.

Let's say your overweight. Would you like it, if when you were around me, I called everything I didn't like "fat"? Then when you protest, I'd say, "Oh, I didn't mean it in a bad way. You know, I just meant lazy, disgusting, worthless, vile, etc.".

Because that's exactly how I interpret it when people say something like, "That's so retarded!"; I then inform them that I don't like the way they incorrectly used the word and that I find it offensive. They generally proceed to cram their foot right past their lips and down into their esophagus by replying, "Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I meant stupid (or dumb or some other synonym with a negative connotation)."

Oh, well, that makes it okay! You think people that are mentally retarded are stupid and dumb. My apologies for wrongly taking offense! (yes, for those of you who are wondering, I am being facetious)

If you don't get it now, you probably never will unless someone close to you is affected with a learning disability.

A closing disclaimer: I love to use parenthetical expressions and ellipses. (even when they aren't grammatically correct...)