Bart Shoaf

Higher Octane Debut

The Mini is running well and I am trying to keep it that way. One of its peculiarities is the requirement of premium fuel. Premium has more octane; this reduces engine knock and keeps things clean and efficient. A few cents more per gallon, but well worth it – especially as I think about theContinue reading “Higher Octane Debut”

Class Ring = Class in Society?

I wore my high school class ring to work the other day – maybe for the first time in a decade. In food manufacturing, jewelry is a no-no, so I usually only wear a watch and my wedding ring, then take them off at my desk if I am going into food processing areas. TheContinue reading “Class Ring = Class in Society?”

Battlin’ Bart

My name is a nickname. It suits me fine, and it is what my parents wanted to call me. But it’s short for Bartlett, the English last name. Unique in most circles, and maybe even more so since the yellow guy showed up, Bart is a name that I rarely experience among others. Funny thing,Continue reading “Battlin’ Bart”

Vacay Every Day

Beach vacations or mountain vacations? Which getaway does the body the most good? The Mini has only been to the mountains so far. I have enjoyed both types of trips, and I think I’ve spent about equal time at both. But I have more childhood memories of the beach. Family beach camping vacations, day tripsContinue reading “Vacay Every Day”

Connections Make Community – Part 1

I cherish my connections with people. This is true to the point that I don’t know how much is normal, and how much is due to my spot on the spectrum. I have shared in an earlier post, Not Seeing Fast Enough, how much I wanted to play baseball. Maybe some of that was wantingContinue reading “Connections Make Community – Part 1”

Uniquely Driving while Uniquely Human

My Mini Cooper S Paceman is a 2013 model, manufactured in Austria. BMW made the decision to eliminate the Paceman from their lineup and begin using the plant in Austria in 2015 to make room for more BMW models. It makes my car a little more unique. I hope to keep it running for aContinue reading “Uniquely Driving while Uniquely Human”

You’re Plucking My Main Nerve

Nerves. Nervousness. Is there a relationship between these conductors of information that travel all through our bodies and the state of being “nervous?” I don’t know if the generation that coined the term “nervous” knew it, but I’m learning that there is a connection. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and I am working onContinue reading “You’re Plucking My Main Nerve”

Dating – Pre and Post Diagnosis

I have not seen the show Love on the Spectrum, but I’ve heard a couple of podcasters talk about it. It’s a real thing – trying to connect with someone for love and companionship — when connecting with others is one of the basic struggles of non-neurotypical people. I found myself thinking how blessed IContinue reading “Dating – Pre and Post Diagnosis”

Cool Jackets and Hot Irons

Henry Winkler, Matthew McConaughey, John Wayne, Tom Cruise…are they as cool in real life as the characters they have portrayed? I’m not. And I’m not as good of an actor, either. Oh, I’ve been acting, and sometimes even passing. But if one uses the Fonzarelli yardstick, I do not measure up to the Hollywood definitionContinue reading “Cool Jackets and Hot Irons”

Cleanliness is Next to Therapy

I scrubbed the oven this past Saturday morning. No foams, no self-cleaning-burn-it-off-smoke-up-the-whole-place method—just old-fashioned vinegar, then soak, then scrub. I’ve had it on my list for about 6 weeks, but my wife has had it on my list for about 3 months. I actually enjoyed the activity. While listening to a couple of my favoriteContinue reading “Cleanliness is Next to Therapy”