#MiniCooper – Manual Transmission: Shifting Gears as an Adult with Autism

Play to Win

There was a sports coach who once said, very forcefully and with staggered speech for emphasis, “You play…to win…the game!” I’m glad professional athletes think that way. I’m glad that my Hoos think that way, especially as we approach March Madness. But I’m thinking another way these days. I want to play to have fun! Continue reading “Play to Win”

Constant Knocking

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Senate. Not at the Federal level – the state level. In Virginia, the House of Delegates and the state Senate share an office building across the street from the State Capitol in Richmond. I shook hands with one delegate, and met the staff of several otherContinue reading “Constant Knocking”

Higher Octane – A Father’s Love

Every year, my wife and a bunch of friends get away to sort through old photos – physical and virtual – reminiscing of days long gone with friends and family. They call it “scrapbooking,” although I’m not seeing many scrapbooks as a result anymore. She made some for me from pictures I brought into ourContinue reading “Higher Octane – A Father’s Love”

Spamalot, Scamalot

Since the new year, one of my older email accounts has been the target of about 20 phishing emails a day. I see on user forums that it’s happening to a lot of people, too. Phishing, for those of you who think I’ve misspelled something, is the type of spam that wants people to divulgeContinue reading “Spamalot, Scamalot”

Sleeper’s Block?

It has been too long since I have blogged, and as I look back, it is difficult to pinpoint one main cause. It was a busy fall with work and family, but I was distracted by myself more than anything else. “Why am I so worried about everything?” is the question that was driving meContinue reading “Sleeper’s Block?”

Cool Cars Are Therapeutic

Admitting needs is tough for many of us – even those of us on the autism spectrum. Part of the reason I blog is to be more transparent about my weaknesses. If I can share anything helpful, whether it is from a moment of victory, or of a moment of struggle, I want to doContinue reading “Cool Cars Are Therapeutic”

Earth Day Birthday

This year, I worked on my birthday. Happens all the time – adults often work on their birthdays. I was spoiled in years past; my previous employer offered a day off with pay for birthdays! But this year, I not only went to work, but I did a tiny bit more manual labor than usual.Continue reading “Earth Day Birthday”

Boldly Going with ASD

Sometimes, my enthusiasms can be another’s irritations. Not that the thing I am enthusiastic about is irritating in and of itself; it’s me. I become irritating when I spew my enthusiasm about some things all around, “getting it” all over those around me. This year, May the Fourth was one of those sometimes. Science FictionContinue reading “Boldly Going with ASD”

Higher Octane – Good Recalls

The Mini takes 5W-30 oil. But, because I’ve owned several other cars that needed other oil weights, sometimes I forget which weight to purchase. Fortunately, Mini has printed the Paceman’s required oil weight on a sticker — right under the hood. A big black sticker with yellow print — extremely hard to miss. I feelContinue reading “Higher Octane – Good Recalls”

Revolutionary Thinking – First Year

Hi, I’m Bart, and I have autism. Sound like an AA meeting? Well, it took some humility and self-admission on my part to say anything about autism to anyone. I’ve written before about my feelings at the time of my diagnosis; one of the self-imposed scripts that began to haunt me was, “Tell no one.” Continue reading “Revolutionary Thinking – First Year”