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Finally looked over two of my MMZ clips with Natsue. Instead of having her translate them for me, though, we agreed that for the sake of learning, she would repeat everything that the characters say, at a pace I can keep up with, and I would write it all down to translate at home. Once I at least *attempted* to translate them, she would then make corrections and fill in blanks where necessary. (Kinda like being the difference between being spoon-fed something and being given the same thing to feed yourself with.)

(There is not gonna be class next week. Natsue told me at the end of class, and Eriko confirmed it when she asked her.)

Mom made a few stops after picking me up from Stonybrook University, before dropping me off at the Foley office. First, she went to get a few bagels somewhere, one for me to have for lunch. She then drove to Patchogue, dropped me off at Walgreen's to pick up a Nesquik before meeting her at Dad's workshop a few blocks down. There, she put cream cheese on the bagels, and we saw three of the other cats (three of them, assuming the strange one is still around). She took the remaining kitten (solid gray) with her as she dropped me off at the office.

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Two days ago, Mom received a text message from Marie about Jeremy reading my blog. Jeremy actually didn't come to work yesterday until about 2:00, but when he did, I brought it up with him, asked him how he found it, and thanked him for expressing interest in it. As it turns out, he had been friends with Marie for some time, which explains how he had heard of me and offered me an internship at the office.

Marie also mentioned to Mom in the aforementioned text message, my habit of dashing randomly when I'm walking. I asked Jeremy about this as well, and he mentioned me doing so at least once when I was coming back from the restroom.

(That is something Vincent used to point out whenever I did it at Dowling, and I think Mom sometimes points it out; both told me that I draw negative attention to myself when I do it, or when I pace around anywhere that isn't my home. To be blunt, though, I have no intention of overcoming this particular behavior. Don't know how to explain why I do it, but Chelle might have some insight on it, since she's also autistic. However, the fact is, if I feel the need to do it, nothing else matters.)

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Mom had to go back to visit Grandpa in the hospital after bringing me home, but is due to come back home today.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Chelle:

my habit of dashing randomly when I'm walking.

I don't know what 'random dashing' means, but it seems to be a basic autistic repetition habit. You do it cause your brain develops specific behaviors as anchor point in small routines, they help keep the brain in order. It's possible to change such tics, or replace them with something less visible, but that takes lots of time and practice and is only worth the effort if it's a particularly disruptive behavior.

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Particularly, when I'm walking (be it pacing around or actually going somewhere, more often with the former), I tend to break into a run. Sometimes, it only lasts a few seconds at most, but other times, I start off by running.

In my case, I think what it is is that my brain demands it when I'm particularly excited (such as when I finish listening to something I like and think about anything that could go with whatever I just listened to). If I were to keep my mind on getting a hold of it, that would probably kill the enjoyment of it, thus defeating the purpose.

That's actually something that Vincent used to tell me not to do. Mom tells me not to wander in public or when visiting someone's house, which is something else related, but for the same reason (because it draws attention to me, and makes whoever I'm visiting nervous). I do it anyway, because I can't stand having to sit or stand around in the same place for prolonged periods of time.

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, that's like how I need to stand up and pace around the room when I'm imagining something. The brain demands a physical action to keep rhythm with the mental action. Even my mother, who has a lesser degree of autism, needs this, though she goes bicycling cause she cannot run.
I cannot sit still for long periods of time either, because sooner or later I can't think clearly anymore, especially when there's lots of noise around me. In my case, it tends to lead to black-outs if it goes on for too long.

.....when visiting someone's house (...... and makes whoever I'm visiting nervous).

Do you know why it makes them nervous? It's like you're claiming their space as your space. It's a violation of the subconscious behavior rules and is rude.

If you must pace around when at someone else's place, then explain them that due to autism you must move at regular intervals, then excuse yourself and leave the house to take a walk.

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Yeah, I probably should have done that before.