GJ Willis' Art Notes

Saturday, July, 24, 2004

Today, I found wonder of wonders a site that has pictures of adults with autism on it. I ran by it by accident. I was trying to find a viable link to replace the dead link on this page about Asperger’s Syndrome. The find is amazing because it’s very hard to find information or pictures of adults with autism. 99% of the info you see has pictures of cute kids on it. This gives one the impression that autism is solely a childhood disorder, which irks me to no end. It’s one of the reasons I did not renew my membership to the American Autism Society. 99% of it’s articles were focused on parents of autistic children. I felt ignored and virtually invisible. Do they believe that after puberty we magically disappear from sight?

So hats off to Ooops Wrong Planet for co-sponsoring the autistic adults picture project. For the most part I have to say that we look pretty much like normal people. Ok, there was a person on the front page that looks like a cross dresser and I did see a mime... But other than that it’s a pretty normal looking group. Maybe, I should add my picture to add some colour to the group.

Also in adults with autism news: I recently found out that a movie is going to made that was inspired by the life of Jerry Newport and his wife, Mary Meinel. The couple both have Asperger’s Syndrome. They met during an adult Asperger’s Syndrome group that Jerry helped organize. I own Jerry’s book, Your Life Is Not a Label. I greatly enjoyed reading it. I found it funny and witty.

Anyway, the movie, Mozart and the Whale was written by Ron Bass the same man who was reponsible for Rainman. It’s expected to come out during the fall. It should be interesting to see how he tackles a film about two high functioning autistic people. Jerry has a BA in Mathematics from University of Michigan his wife is an actress. Jerry was diagnosed at age forty-seven. The reason for such a late life diagnosis is because Asperger’s Syndrome did make it into the US DSMV until 1994. It had been recognized in other countries for years.

Oh, before I go I recently ran across an article written by a college professor about why she shields her son away from Autism “Awareness Month” which I believe is every April. It’s really good. I think everyone should read it.

Friday, July, 23, 2004

Yesterday, out of curiosity I decided to click the always ubiquitous classmates.com banner. I found my old high school, Baltimore City College. I found names I remembered. Now I’m debating if I should pay $15 just to see what John Graham is doing with his life. For some odd reason I always thought he was dead or something. I have no idea what he looks like today. However, the celebrity he most resembled back in the day was Blair Underwood. He was the only black guy on our swim team. He liked to call himself, ‘the cracker’, I guess because his last name was Graham.

I think I may go back there and post a bio. I could post either a real bio or a fake one. I kind of like the idea posting something outrageous and entertaining. It’s not like anyone would actually read it. Who would pay $15 to join a site just to read what old classmates are doing?

By the way I don’t see the point in going to class reunions. I doubt at the last one anyone was saying, “Where’s Gail?” or “What’s Gail up to?”

Thursday, July, 22, 2004

I got up on time. However, today was business casual at work. That means I can not wear jeans or tennis shoes to work today. Bummer. The only pair of non jeans that can fit me are these black pants. I know I should go out and buy more clothes in my new size but I’m reluctant and cheap.

Anyway, today I was late for work. I got in late because as I was running towards the bus stop up ahead I saw a woman standing there. I felt relieved because this would mean that the bus had not come yet so I slowed down my gate to a walk. The woman was wearing a turquiose blue blouse and capri pants, a black purse and headphones on. I thought she was waiting for the bus. She looked respectable. It turns out she was a crazy person. I don’t think she was a drug addict because usually when they see me they ask for money. I saw her begin to walk away from the bus stop after standing idle. I assumed that the bus wasn’t coming and that maybe she was plucking out a cigarette. Then the bus zoomed by. She was walking away because she didn’t need the bus at all! She was just a crazy person. A well dressed and clean looking crazy person. Who knows maybe she was a prostitute or something. I felt angry for feeling fooled by her presence on the bus stop being lulled in a false sense of security. Oh, well I know next time if I see someone on the bus stop I should not assume that they are waiting for the bus just because they look respectable.

Wednesday, July, 21, 2004

This time the train was five minutes late. I was worried when I saw the Penn Station train arrive at the time the Hunt Valley train usually shows up. So worried that I began eating my breakfast, Utz potato chips, and a sandwich of provolone cheese, veggie ham, on a light English muffin right at the light rail stop. I did this because I was afraid that the train would be fifteen minutes late again. I missed eating my breakfast at work yesterday and I did not want to repeat the same episode. Instead the train was five minutes late. I’m on time this morning.

I’m working on my mail art again. I got back in contact with Rev Paul. He’s the mail artist who’s on the local art mob mail list. The mail list is mostly comprised of area artists and writers. I’m happy to report that Rev Paul is still at the same address as before. Also he’s putting together a mail art show for the Creative Alliance. He said not to submit anything until after September. In the mean time I’ll send out a postcard his way.

At work we’re out of the magical elixir of life, Mountain Dew. The closest substitute in caffeine content is Pepsi.

So thus I was very drowsy this morning. I woke up when I thought I heard Brian mention he had won Clay Aiken tickets on the radio. I found this bit of informnation down right hilarious. He actually called in to get Clay Aiken tickets! I can’t believe he of all people called in! I thought he was somewhat hip as far as music was concerned. The guy’s a big time rock n’ roll fan. Oh, well from U2 to Clay Aiken? I suppose it can happen to anybody. Yeah, yeah, I know this coming from someone who likes Nilsson.....

Also, before, I could stop myself today I complimented Li Jie on the dress she was wearing. I couldn’t help it. The words just popped out of my mouth, “Lovely dress.” I don’t normally say anything to anybody at work unless it’s work related. So I was shocked that I was actually moved enough to say anything. I have to say I had never seen a dress that color and it complimented her perfectly. It was a very feminine cornflower blue dress. She also had on earings that matched. A little later in the morning Helena was talking to her about the dress. So I suppose I wasn’t alone in feeling it was an incredible dress that looked absolutely fabulous on her.

In other work related fashion news Arnold wore a dark solid colored shirt. This is news because 99% of the time he wears plaid or stripped shirts.

July, 20, 2004

The bus came on time this morning. However, I had a since of foreboding when I got to the light rail stop. It was completely devoid of people. That would mean either one of two things, the train left five minutes earlier than usual or there was trouble with the tracks. I looked down at the southbound tracks and noticed that a train was stalled at the Convention Center stop. The train’s lights were flashing wildly. Oh, geez! It looks like there will be the distinct possibility that I will be late this morning!

The Penn Station train came at the time that my Hunt Valley train usually arrives. So now it looks like the trains are running 15 minutes behind. If I’m late for work this morning it’s not my fault. Blame the MTA!

It turned out I was on time. However, I didn’t have enough time to eat breakfast. I like to arrive early enough for work where I can sit down and eat breakfast in the cafeteria. After all, they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

After work I went to the library and dropped off some books. I picked up Gloria Mallette’s Promises To Keep, David Handler’s The Cold Blue Blood, Sharyn McCrumb’s Bimbo’s of The Dead Sun, and Stuart Kaminsky’s Murder On The Yellowbrick Road.

I had previously taken out Gloria Mallette and David Handler’s books but never finished reading them. Hopefully they will be completed this time. The only book I finished reading from last time was Good Peoples by Marcus Major. I have to admit that I loathed it. The protagonist of the book Miles Moore was way too mawkish and cutesy wootsey for my tastes. There isn’t that enough cute in the world. Also the author couldn’t have been more obvious. Giving the protagonist the same MM initials as himself as well as the same profession. Marcus Major taught school as does his protagonist. Also I hated the woman in the book Marisa Marero. Ugh, another MM name!! I didn’t feel anything for her. She seemed like a first class bitch. Also the ending wasn’t believable.

Let’s see she (Marisa) hasn’t seen or heard from him (Miles) in several months yet she knows magically where to find him. He never told her anywhere in the book that he would be teaching summer school. How did she know? Besides, I loathe romance novels. I’m more into suspence and mystery.

I picked out the other two books, (Murder on The Yellow Brick Road and Bimbos) of the Sun because they had interesting titles. I have to say that I’m a little more familiar with Kamisky’s work. I previosly read his A Cold Red Sunrise a couple of summers ago. I’ve never read anything by McCrumb. Hopefully her book will be as interesting as the premise for it is.

Sunday, July 18, 2004

For the first time ever I attended Artscape on a Saturday. I was going solely to see The Violent Femmes. I decided not to take my chair along for the trip. I wasn’t too sure what the atmosphere would be like for the Value City Stage. I wasn’t sure if it would be a laid back chair crowd or a mosh pit.

O’Malley’s March was the opening act for The Violent Femmes. I should say now that O’Malley’s March is a local Celtic rock group headed by, Martin O’Malley, the mayor of Baltimore. They took the stage at around 6 and seemed to never leave. I noticed every now and then the Mayor took a sip out of a white cup. You couldn't quiet tell if it was booze or not in the cup. I assumed it was booze.

The Mayor’s band was quiet good. This has been the second time that I have seen his band. I’m not a fan or anything. It just seems to me that if a hot happening band is performing at Artscape his band usually opens up for them. Abuse of power? I don’t know.... To tell you the truth I was surprised they didn’t “happen” to open up for U2 when they performed here a few years ago.

The one memory I will carry of his performance is of the little children and the curly red haired woman in the pink top who got up and danced to each song that the band played.

The Mayor finally left the stage at around 8pm. At first I was really into his Celtic Rock Music. Then after a while as it started getting closer to the time that the The Femmes should be on stage I started to hate them.

The Femmes finally took to the stage at around 8:45. Before they came on I soon realized I have no idea what they look like today. For all I know they could be all old, fat, bald guys.

I was a little worried when I saw these three middle aged men take the stage. I was crest fallen. Two of them wore glasses. The other one wore shades and a wide grin. One of the bespeckled men looked a lot like the blond haired guy from the X-Files, Lone Gunmen. The other bespeckled man wore a cowboy hat and a blue Hawaiian shirt decorated with white lizards. As soon as they kicked in with there first song I knew that the Lone Gunman looking man was accoustic bass player and group leader,Brian Ritchie. The guy in the cowboy hat was lead singer, Gordon Gano. The happy man in the shades was drummer, Victor De Lorenzo.

They sounded just as I remember. However, they were much older. I didn’t take my camera to the show. However, I found a website that shows how they look like today. Yes, I felt a little distraught with Gordon wearing a cowboy hat. It could only mean one thing. Gasp! Gordon Gano....is bald! Gasp! How can I go on!

For the concert I was about nine feet from the stage. I was so close to the stage that I could have screamed out, “Gordon take your hat off!”, and I believe he would have heard me.

A bizarrely creepy occurence that happened just before the show started was that it looked like this girl who was standing right in front me was giving a blow job to her boyfriend. I didn’t know for sure. It was one of those deals where it looks like something is going on but you don’t want to stare. Even the guy standing by me said to his friend, “Hey are those two??” I have to say I was very happy when they finally left. I almost wanted to applaud. Who does that just before a concert?

Back to the Violent Femmes, according to legend they do not have a play list. If you want to hear a song you just shout it out. Brian Ritchie, according to legend tells the group which songs they are going to play while on stage. So everything is always spontaneous. However, I have to say I did feel a wee bit paranoid when they played Fat then later played Black Girls(Is it a tongue and cheek song or do they really like black girls better than white girls?). I’m sure it was just a random selection of songs. But still......

Overall, the show was kick ass! There was a mosh pit and body surfing. The show had to be stopped for a bit because the security had to eject a fan from the audience. I don’t know what happened but it sure was exciting.

This was the most exciting Artscape concert I have ever been to! I was dancing and singing in public! The Violent Femmes rocked the house!

Some of the songs they played on Saturday were, Out the Window, Waiting for the Bus, Fat, Country Death Song(Whenever, I listen to this song it makes me wonder if Gordon has any daughters, and if so what do they think of this song?), Black Girls, American Music, >Gone Daddy Gone, Kiss Off, I Held Her In My Arms, Jesus Walking On Water, and Add It Up. They did not play Children of the Revolution or Nightmares.

Towards the end of the show Gordan Gano did take off his cowboy. He still had a full head of heard. No bald spot to be seen. Yes, I did breathe a giant sigh of relief. The Violent Femmes are not all old, fat, bald, senior citizens, yet.