Post #90 - Anxiety (Low Level Panic)

Being socially awkward as a result of both my upbringing and having Asperger's is a blessing and a curse. So far, this week I have attended a focus group, a seminar, an evening class and a trip to the see 'Beauty and the Beast' in 3D at my local cinema. Due to the unreliability of local bus services and Transport For London's frankly rubbish online tracking system, I also had to cancel a night out with a friend at the cinema (which is located at the end of an extremely trafficky route.)

Mind you, all this is nothing compared to the events which occurred in Westminster yesterday, so context is key.

Taking an increased daily dose 40mg instead of 20mg of Fluoxitine makes me feel as though there's an opaque wall surrounding me. I'm not sure whether it's really helping to combat the anxiety though?

Post #62: The Heat, The Job, The Fan And My Weightloss

So ... it's September and it's boiling hot. It's making me very cross and I've been quite snappy with people. I was meant to accompany my friend to a special advance screening at the Cinema tonight, but the venue was closed due to a power cut. I rang Miss Friend and her mobile didn't pick up, it just rang and rang. I then sent her a text and she called me back, but I was quite short with her, bemoaning the fact that I couldn't leave a message on her voicemail as she doesn't switch it on because of the costs involved in retrieving messages.

Bah!

My new job is ... full-time. I have worked part-time since I returned from Maternity Leave. At least I don't currently have to commute. Yet.

Post #57 - A Trip To The Cinema

Now, I must confess that I am the proud possessor of a Cineworld Unlimited Card (feel free to click on the link to see what that's all about) so this, combined with the fact that I'm currently out of work, means that I visit the cinema.  A lot.

"But you're an Aspie!" you may say - "cinema visits must be a complete nightmare?"

Well, yes and no really.  I tend to avoid busy times and don't tend to see films on the very day they're released.  That said, I still experience a few issues.  Here, step, by Aspie step, is the process involved for me to go and see a film:

• Before: purchase one (or if I'm pushing the boat out, two) bottles of Sainsbury's latte (yeah, it's 80p and available in the chiller cabinet near the lunch things - it does tend to sell out, so don't go quaffing it before I've bought mine - thanks!)

• Try to time my arrival ten or so minutes into the programme, which consists of a series of adverts and trailers and tends to last between 25-30 minutes prior to the film actually beginning
• Show my card (which often gets rejected at the 02(!) and choose a suitable seat for the performance - I tend to prefer the back as I gain a better panoramic view.  Hopefully near absolutely nobody, especially annoying people
• Find my allocated seat - sometimes this means turfing somebody else out of it - not that I care though - my seat, my rules!
• Sit down, get comfy, check in on Facebook (gawd I'm tragic!), ensure that I've set my mobile to its 'vibrate only' function
• Cring every time the door opens and pray that nobody sits anywhere near me
• Visibly prickle when two, three or even four people walk in, each holding a mega bag of popcorn and a large soft drink each and proceed to sit behind me
• Hope that the person sitting three rows in front of me would have switched off their mobile by the time the film starts - as well as being noisy, the light emitted from the screen illuminates the dark room in an annoying fashion
• The film begins (phew!) - anticipate the ache that will undoubtedly occur in the back of my neck when the people behind me begin to crunch their popcorn and slurp their straws
• It's not too bad ...
• The question is: should I renew my Unlimited Card next year, or just stick to watching Blu-Rays at home instead?

Post #51 - Dealing With Your Aspie Child

It's a strange thing parenting an autistic son - for example, there's so much I do understand, but then there's a whole lot of other stuff I haven't a clue about.  For example, and forgive me if I've mentioned it before, but he's got a thing about being seen about with two parents.  I recall being very embarrassed by my own mother whilst a teenager because she insisted on wearing a market purchased florescent pink sweatshirt emblazoned with 'Macadam Street Boys' on the front and a crude depiction of a youth skateboarding with gay abandon.  That said, I don't really wear anything particularly odd whilst out and about.

He wanted a classmate of his to visit on Sunday.  We don't normally do playdates in this household because I find it really stressful.  The child in question isn't a particularly good influence on him in my opinion, but I won't elaborate, lest I get pilloried for such behaviour.

In other news, I'm still obsessed with my Cineworld Unlimited Card.  For those not in the know, it's a pre-paid card in which the consumer signs up for a year's subscription at the princely sum of £16.90 per calendar month.  For that, you can have entry into pretty much any cinema in the UK, with the exception of the three ones located in central London.  I have been to see countless films since I obtained the card back in February - some good, some bad and others, well, they were mediocre.