I laughed hysterically when I saw this. I must say, the guy is spot on...
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
My Fourth "Twitch Day"
On June 25, 2009, I was officially diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. Since then, every June 25th has been deemed my annual "Twitch Day".
Life has undergone so many changes since I started exhibiting symptoms of TS. If not for Tourette's, I wouldn't have started writing. 1,149 posts later, I'm still at it. Granted, it's not as often as I would like to publish. As I have been feeling better, I've been spending less and less time online. But, nearly 1,200 blog posts is quite an accomplishment (for my ADHD ass, anyway).
Because of Tourette's, I am also currently on Social Security Disability. I'm making less than half of what I did, working technical support for Verizon Wireless, but we get by. Some months, it requires one hell of a juggling act to make ends meet. But, if it weren't for TS, I wouldn't have become a stay-at-home dad. I would likely be working 10-12 hours a day, and my little girl would spend most of her week in daycare. There is nothing better than sitting on the couch, having her walk into the living room, staggering and sleepy eyed, and getting the first hug of the day. I am so incredibly lucky to be able to stay home, do some chores around the house, and spend time with my baby.
In the last 4-6 weeks, I have doubted the possibility that I have Tourette's Syndrome. Since starting on a gluten free diet, my tics have all but disappeared. Up until today, I have only had one tic in the last month. I have read in a couple of places that, for unknown reasons, Tourette's and Celiac disease tend to go hand in hand. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if you have Tourette's Syndrome, odds are you have some type of gluten intolerance.
So far today, I have been ticking like mad. They're complex tics, meaning that I'm having motor tics and vocal tics simultaneously. My "go to" tic has always been where my head cocks back violently, and I, well, bark.
I have been stressed out today, and I didn't sleep very well last night. Pair that with the fact that I'm exerting myself more and more each day (physically speaking), and I tend to overdo it. I forget that, just six weeks ago, I couldn't walk. Now, I'm spending more quality time with my daughter. I'm doing dishes, and laundry, vacuuming, and taking out the trash every day. I've started to add some type of physical activity to my day. I have also stepped up my volunteer work in recent weeks. I have to remember, "baby steps". I need to pace myself, so that I don't die from exhaustion before the end of the month.
I thought my Tourette's had completely gone away with the start of the gluten free diet. Turns out, I was wrong. It's no big deal. I can handle this.
I've said it before...the twitching, the stuttering and jerking and shouting have all become part of who I am. To be honest, I can't picture myself without it anymore.
I am Twitch, as much as I am Adam.
Life has undergone so many changes since I started exhibiting symptoms of TS. If not for Tourette's, I wouldn't have started writing. 1,149 posts later, I'm still at it. Granted, it's not as often as I would like to publish. As I have been feeling better, I've been spending less and less time online. But, nearly 1,200 blog posts is quite an accomplishment (for my ADHD ass, anyway).
Because of Tourette's, I am also currently on Social Security Disability. I'm making less than half of what I did, working technical support for Verizon Wireless, but we get by. Some months, it requires one hell of a juggling act to make ends meet. But, if it weren't for TS, I wouldn't have become a stay-at-home dad. I would likely be working 10-12 hours a day, and my little girl would spend most of her week in daycare. There is nothing better than sitting on the couch, having her walk into the living room, staggering and sleepy eyed, and getting the first hug of the day. I am so incredibly lucky to be able to stay home, do some chores around the house, and spend time with my baby.
In the last 4-6 weeks, I have doubted the possibility that I have Tourette's Syndrome. Since starting on a gluten free diet, my tics have all but disappeared. Up until today, I have only had one tic in the last month. I have read in a couple of places that, for unknown reasons, Tourette's and Celiac disease tend to go hand in hand. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if you have Tourette's Syndrome, odds are you have some type of gluten intolerance.
So far today, I have been ticking like mad. They're complex tics, meaning that I'm having motor tics and vocal tics simultaneously. My "go to" tic has always been where my head cocks back violently, and I, well, bark.
I have been stressed out today, and I didn't sleep very well last night. Pair that with the fact that I'm exerting myself more and more each day (physically speaking), and I tend to overdo it. I forget that, just six weeks ago, I couldn't walk. Now, I'm spending more quality time with my daughter. I'm doing dishes, and laundry, vacuuming, and taking out the trash every day. I've started to add some type of physical activity to my day. I have also stepped up my volunteer work in recent weeks. I have to remember, "baby steps". I need to pace myself, so that I don't die from exhaustion before the end of the month.
I thought my Tourette's had completely gone away with the start of the gluten free diet. Turns out, I was wrong. It's no big deal. I can handle this.
I've said it before...the twitching, the stuttering and jerking and shouting have all become part of who I am. To be honest, I can't picture myself without it anymore.
I am Twitch, as much as I am Adam.
'All You Need Is Love' Turns 45
On June 25, 1967, The Beatles recorded their masterpiece, All You Need is Love, in front of a live studio audience. The track was also recorded with the world in attendance. Their recording session was the first ever live, worldwide satellite broadcast.
It's fascinating to watch. Enjoy...
It's fascinating to watch. Enjoy...
Mashup Monday - Party Rock In The Cantina
If you are anything like me, you think that LMFAO is an insult to music. I guess it's a matter of not what you know, but who you know. The group is comprised of the brother and son of Barry Gordy, the head of Motown.
In any event, someone brilliantly edited mesh of their Party Rock video, with the audio from the Mos Eisley Cantina scene in Star Wars. Hilarious.
In any event, someone brilliantly edited mesh of their Party Rock video, with the audio from the Mos Eisley Cantina scene in Star Wars. Hilarious.
Feel Good Video Of The Day
Today's video is of Jake Bouma. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, and visited his oncologist on June 22, after four rounds of chemotherapy.
Isn't science fucking awesome?
Isn't science fucking awesome?
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday Comics
Only the Bible would consider someone that nearly slit his kid's throat because of voices in his head a good father. Happy Father's Day, everyone.
Father Of Mine
Father's Day has always given me mixed emotions. In the last four years, the day has taken on a much brighter tone than it used to, now that I'm a father myself. Otherwise, it has always been sort of a "What's the point?" kind of holiday.
My father (and his father before him) were of the "sperm donor that never went away" variety. I have no real memories of my dad, other than seeing him, night after night, lounging in the living room: His beer belly hanging over cheap gym shorts. His only interaction or interest in me was to discipline me. The only thing he taught me in life was to NOT be like him with my children.
So, this song is for you, pop. Go fuck yourself....
My father (and his father before him) were of the "sperm donor that never went away" variety. I have no real memories of my dad, other than seeing him, night after night, lounging in the living room: His beer belly hanging over cheap gym shorts. His only interaction or interest in me was to discipline me. The only thing he taught me in life was to NOT be like him with my children.
So, this song is for you, pop. Go fuck yourself....
Feel Good Video Of The Day
I found this late Thursday night. Surfing the internet. Trying to sleep.
When I showed it to Jessi, she almost wet the bed, she was laughing so hard.
SAIL!!!
When I showed it to Jessi, she almost wet the bed, she was laughing so hard.
SAIL!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Feel Good Video Of The Day
Just when you've given up all hope in the human race, a video clip comes along to restore your faith in humanity.
The clip shows a Detroit firefighter pulling two unconscious pit bulls out of a burning house. Instead of turning to fight the fire, he takes of his oxygen mask and successfully uses it to resuscitate the dogs. It's nice to know that there are still good people in this world.
The clip is from a documentary film project called Burn . It follows a fire company on the East side of Detroit over the course of a year. I have seen a number of clips from the film over the last year, and, in every sense of the word, these men and women are heroes. This is a documentary that needs to be seen. If you can contribute to Burn's funding, please make a donation on their website.
Here is a preview of the yet to be completed film:
The clip shows a Detroit firefighter pulling two unconscious pit bulls out of a burning house. Instead of turning to fight the fire, he takes of his oxygen mask and successfully uses it to resuscitate the dogs. It's nice to know that there are still good people in this world.
The clip is from a documentary film project called Burn . It follows a fire company on the East side of Detroit over the course of a year. I have seen a number of clips from the film over the last year, and, in every sense of the word, these men and women are heroes. This is a documentary that needs to be seen. If you can contribute to Burn's funding, please make a donation on their website.
Here is a preview of the yet to be completed film:
Monday, June 11, 2012
Mashup Monday - Annie Lennox Edition
Today, I found a phenomenal mashup on YouTube. It's a couple of years old, but well worth a listen. When Lennox released The Annie Lennox Collection in 2009, she commissioned DJ Earworm to mashup a few of her tunes together. The result is a track titled Backwards/Forwards. I especially like the portion of the song that combines No More I Love Yous, Walking On Broken Glass, and Why together. Enjoy.
Headline Of The Day
"Tiger Woods...Is an Idiot."
The above headline appeared on TMZ this afternoon. The article contained no words, simply a photo of Tiger's ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, in a bikini.
The above headline appeared on TMZ this afternoon. The article contained no words, simply a photo of Tiger's ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, in a bikini.
Yeah. He's an idiot...
What You Can Accomplish When You Feel Good
This is the cleanest our apartment has been since we moved in in December. Last Thursday, we moved furniture and unpacked a stack of boxes and totes that were untouched from the time we got here.
I have vacuumed twice since then. At the moment, I am bored as all hell, because there isn't anything for me to do around here. Load the washer. Wait an hour. Transfer it to the dryer. Repeat.
Lately, it seems like I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to the site. First, I can't think of anything to write about. Secondly, I have sort of forgotten how to write. I have never written while in a good mood. It's very strange.
My activism has suffered as well. It's not that I'm no longer interested in the issues. It's that I'm not angry anymore. Not angry enough to raise hell about it, at least. I am much more of a positive person than I ever thought I was.
Who would have thought that being healthy and happy would pose problems? Guess I need to find a new hobby.....or a job.
Video Diary - Four Weeks Gluten Free
Hey everyone.
Thought I would record a quick video to document my progress. I've recently discovered that I'm also lactose intolerant and that my neurological symptoms return when I ingest MSG.
It has been 27 days since I started on my gluten free regimen. So far, I've lost 18 lbs. I'm a couple of pounds shy of my goal for the month, but I'm in better physical and psychological shape than I have ever been. As I feel better, I have been increasing the amount of exercise I do each day. That can only help more. Wish me luck.
Warning: NSFW (Language)
Thought I would record a quick video to document my progress. I've recently discovered that I'm also lactose intolerant and that my neurological symptoms return when I ingest MSG.
It has been 27 days since I started on my gluten free regimen. So far, I've lost 18 lbs. I'm a couple of pounds shy of my goal for the month, but I'm in better physical and psychological shape than I have ever been. As I feel better, I have been increasing the amount of exercise I do each day. That can only help more. Wish me luck.
Warning: NSFW (Language)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Feel Good Video Of The Day
Today's video made me smile from ear to ear. It's a game of hide and seek, but from the point of view of the two-year-old that's playing with their dad. Awesome perspective. I've been thinking about getting one of the GoPro HD cameras for Christmas this year. It would be fun to mount one of those to my daughter's bike helmet, and set her loose on the playground.
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