The Thomas Journal - 2003
Below is a personal journal posted in reverse chronological order. Nothing special, just the day to day happenings and muses of Thomas...
It has come to our attention that many people are getting to this journal because they are typing "power of corporate prayer" (or something similar) into the search engine. Scroll down to April 11th for that info, and while you are here, please visit the rest of the web site by clicking here.
Also a few of you are surfing here looking for information on: 999-888-0001. Please scroll down to June 16th for that info.
After reading this journal, anyone can e-mail Thomas comments by clicking here.
December 31, 2003
Today I got a new toy. I got a Motorola T721 cell phone. Very nice phone, it is... :) I love the surfing the web feature. I think I have a good plan. I get unlimited local and long distance (24/7, not just evenings and weekends) and also unlimited web access for $51.95 a month. If any of you have a better plan, let me know as I am always willing to change if something better should come along.
This has not been the best year for me. But next year will be better. :)
December 26, 2003
Yesterday was Christmas. But today, I got a check for $791.75 for that talk I did in CT last month. I don't know what if I should keep it or spend it.
I had a very good Christmas this year. This year was good because I got lots of very nice presents whereas last year I did not really get that much compared to this year.
One of the nicer gifts I received was a Pizzazz Rotating Pizza Oven. I was unsure of this but when I tried it the first time, I was delighted to see that it does indeed make a mighty fine pie.
For those of you wondering whether or not to get one or if it is even worth it, I personally would have to say that YES it is, and also that I will likely NOT be using my reg'lar oven any time soon to be cooking a pizza. One of the features that I like the best about this machine is that when they say non-stick, they mean non-stick!
I hope that next year is even better than this here year.
December 19, 2003
Today I got another new toy in the mail. This time my friend Donna sent me an MPIO Mp3 Player. As you can see, it is loaded with kewl features, but when I got it, ACK! It didn't work!
Certainly not Donna's fault, and she had the foresight to include the receipt (which I am so glad she did) and so I was able to take it back. I was going to replace it and in fact I was reaching for a new one when I saw this cute little Rio Chiba sitting all alone on the shelf. Naturally I got the 256MB one because it is all black and Donna is into all black things.
I even had money left over to get a SD card for extra memory, as if 256MB wasn't enough. And I really, really like the joystick interface.
I wanted this so I could work out at the Y when I wasn't swimming. I go to the weight room and listen to OTR. A lost art, OTR, too bad they don't make them like that anymore. I have Superman, Green Hornet, Sherlock Holmes, Dragnet, and even the very rare OTR of the Fantastic Four, among others. Beccause these are all public domain, I plan to make them all available here on my site sometime very early next year. Hopefully before the end of January. And I will be collecting more eventually.
Today, I was listening to an audio drama version of the Hobbit. This one I was listening to was produced in 1937. It was very good! :) The only problem is that it is abridged. It is like 4 1/2 hours. There is another audio drama version available that is unabridged and it is over 10 hours, and very expensive.
It pleases me that people are going out of their way to preserve the OTR. It is absolutely priceless, and becomes even more so as more time goes by.
December 18, 2003
Today I got a new toy in the mail. I got a dry snorkel. These are kewl because the little "ball" at the top keeps the water from getting in but you can still breathe through it.
Back before the "accident," I used to swim 21 laps a day at the Y here in Bedford. I got this so I could start doing that again. I miss my swimming.
December 16, 2003
Today on the news, I heard the Vatican is upset with America for constantly showing the video of Saddam being inspected by the doctor. The Vatican thinks this is unfair and humiliating to Saddam and needs to be stopped.
Well, cry me a river!
After all he has done, after all those mass graves we have found, I for one have no problem with just embarrassing him a little bit. The Vatican needs to get a life.
December 13, 2003
Today I woke up and there was a text message (news alert) on my cell phone telling me Saddam Hussein had been captured. It was a wonderful and welcome surprise, and an excellent way wake up. I am sure many of you felt the same.
The first thing I thought when I read he had been captured was that it was one of those "doubles" he is said to have. But I figured they would be pretty sure it was him before they announced it.
Then the second thought I had was the motto of the HYDRA terrorist organization. For those unfamiliar with it, I think it goes something like this:
"Hail Hydra! Cut off a limb and two more shall take its place!"
Let's hope that is not the case here.
December 12, 2003
Today I resurrected an old laptop computer, a TI TravelMate 5200. This is one that I used for years and I always liked, but it went bad. Today I got it working again. :) And while I was playing around with it, I found two pictures that I took many years ago that I thought I would post and share.
This is for those of you who have kids with autism. The pics are a proprietary medic alert holder I designed and had made for me. I designed this because as you know, the chain that comes with the bracelet is just about as uncomfortable as you can get. Also, and I guess this is good for some people, once it is on, it is on to stay.
I wanted something that, once I put it on, it would stay on, but was also comfortable and was also something that I could take off if I wanted to.
Here is what I came up with. The front is right here and the back of it is here.
I have long since moved on to something a little nicer, but I do still wear the old one sometimes.
If you look closely, you will see me wearing it on Oprah.
December 02, 2003
Today I made my first successful DVD. I made a DVD from a video of a children's play that my church did on Easter of this year.
The audio came out fine, which means I was able to fix it from last time I tried. However, the video was somewhat choppy and it appeared to lose frames on occasion. It would be like you are watching the DVD and you know something is not right but you aren't sure what it is.
Still, for a children's play it'll do and it isn't really that bad for my first serious attempt at making a DVD.
Digital video is fun! :) Now to find a camcorder.
November 27, 2003
Today is Thanksgiving. Also the day I finally post this update.
I was to have an early dinner with my friend Carolyn today, but my car is making some very expensive sounding noises. I am guessing, based on the sound, that the brake pads need replaced. At least I am hoping that is all.
I spent my Thanksgiving like Gilbert O'Sullivan: Alone again...naturally.
November 26, 2003
Today I tried to make my first DVD. I copied the entire series of Galaxy Trio (picked at random) onto my hard drive, but then I made the awful discovery that the video editing software that came with the DVD is crap, though this doesn't really surprise me.
I think I can get something good for about $50.00 or so at Best Buy.
If any of you are using video editing software that you are happy with, send me a note about it.
November 25, 2003
Today I went to Lynchburg and got an HP DVD Movie Writer dc3000. I really had no interest in a DVD writer until I saw this one had a built in analog video capture. So you can hook up a VCR or camcorder directly to it and make DVDs.
Now all I need is a video I want to make into DVD. Where will I find that? *Blink* Well, I do have a few ideas...
If you have an HP dc3000, or if you have a DVD writer, let me know what you are using it for. Maybe you can give me some ideas.
November 24, 2003
Today I called the airlines on the less-than-snowball's chance that there would be a flight back to Virginia and somehow there was.
So I spent the day in transit back to VA, a week earlier than expected.
That little playful tickle cost me $144.79 total.
Somehow that just doesn't seem right to me.
November 23, 2003
Today there was trouble in paradise. :( Yellin' at trouble, as Annie would say.
I have to be careful how I write this and be sure I get my facts straight. Stay with me here, it is kind of complicated. At least I finally have something meaty to report...
My plan was to leave home on the 17th, do a couple of talks in CT, leave CT on the 23rd (today) to spend Thanksgiving with my friend Donna in NJ.
That didn't happen.
Donna's daughter was having seizures and she had to stay in the hospital with her for four days. Okay, we can let that one go. It isn't anyone's fault. I'd rather have her taken care, given the choice...
Meanwhile, back in CT, I am playing Bey Blades on the PlayStation with Annie's son. Well, it was my turn and he was getting all excited, as eight year olds do. He was dancing around, sure he would win and in his excitement, and he danced in front of the TV.
So I am like telling him that how in the world could I possibly beat him if he was blocking the TV? He moved away. Well I go on to lose a man or something similar, he gets excited again, SURE that he is going to win and sure enough, he dances in front of the TV, probably without even realizing he did it.
So I put the little controller down and I got up and did the only thing I could do.
I tickled him. :)
But something went awry. I don't know if I tickled him too long or too hard or if I surprised him or scared him or maybe he just had a sensitive belly I really don't know but I do know he started crying.
Well certainly it was NOT my intention to harm this child in any way. We were just playing after all, and how many of your kids have been accidentally hurt while they were playing? They cry and get over it and go back to play again with the same person who hurt them because they know it was an accident.
Annie, being the great person she is, understood this. Her husband, Dave, however, decided that this one little mishap was very bad indeed and I was excommunicated, effectively kicked out of the house. I was told in no uncertain terms to use the money I made in CT to buy an early ticket home.
So now I am hiding out in a Motel 8 about seven miles from the house.
I am sorry I hurt his son. I am sorry Dave thinks I am such a bad person. I am sorry he hates me.
And most of all,
I am sorry he is teaching his son that unforgiveness is okay.
November 22, 2003
Today Annie beat my Hydro Thunder score after I beat hers and she told me I had to post it again. Oh how embarrassing!
Today we also went to the mall. I got her a hands free headset for her cordless phone and I bought myself a mood ring that looks like a wedding band. I think it may be a bit too big for me though. :( I think maybe I am a size 8.
Maybe if I wear it on the right finger, people will think I am married.
November 21, 2003
Today I did another talk in CT, this one in Hartford. It was a smaller group but I think this one was better than the last one at the high school. I sold out of books and I sold a lot of CDs that I made.
So far my tally comes to $1,900.00
Not bad for four day's work.
November 20, 2003
Today I beat Annie's Hydro Thunder time. Neener Neener Neener Annie!
November 19, 2003
Today I am still in CT and my friend Annie said she could beat my time in Hydro Thunder on Playstation. I told her no way. It took her five tries and she beat me. ACK!
She told me I had to post about it in this journal if she won. :(
I feel like an old fogie game player.
November 18, 2003
Today I did a talk at Rocky Hill High School. It went well, I think. I sold a bunch of books and people said they were pleased.
Kind of makes me want to do it more often again.
November 17, 2003
Today I traveled to Connecticut. I cannot believe what a pain in the butt travel has become.
I had to have my baggage x-rayed, I had to show my ID a good three or four times, I had to arrive very early so I could sit around and wait, all these things are things I didn't need to do before.
Sad that a couple of homocidal idiots have taken the joy of travel from the rest of us.
November 07, 2003
Today I was backing my car out in the dark to make an illegal deposit in the county dump when I inadvertently ran right into Andy's trailer, which I still maintain he parked in a *very* stupid place, especially in the dark.
So now my sporty Acura has what I not-so-proudly describe as my "Andy Townsend Memorial Bumper."
November 01, 2003
If you scroll down to September 9, you will see I bought raffle tickets to win a car. The drawing was last night and I didn't win. :( We computed my odds at 1 in 13, with the tickets I had and the number sold. I am not losing any sleep over this, but it would have been nice to win.
October 31, 2003
Today I splurged and bought a new toy. I bought a Palm Tungsten T3, you can see it here. I am very happy with this gadget and first impressions I would recommend it to anyone who wants a Palm.
October 27, 2003
Today I began work on an advocacy project called UnderStanding AuTism. I am releasing some of my presentations on CD in MP3 format for those who would like to hear them.
Volume 1: An Alternate Look At Autistic Perceptions (1993) and Answering Questions About Autism (1994)
Volume 2: Panel Of High Functioning Individuals WIth Autism (1992) and Autism: A Different Perspective (1993)
Volume 3: Creating A Care Pakage For The Individual WIth Autism (1995) and Life As An Adult With Autism (1997)
Volume 1 has my favorite recorded presentation on it, the Alternate Look talk I did at the International Conference in Toronto. This CD will also have both MP3 Audio and DivX Video of an appearance on Oprah in 2001.
Volume 2 has two talks from the Illinois State Autism Conference. First, in 1992, I was part of a panel. But they liked me enough to invite me back the following year for my own talk, which was nice of them. Both talks are on this CD.
Volume 3 has a talk I did with Toni Flowers about care packages beneficial to persons with autism, plus a talk on adulthood.
These will be professionally labeled I am thinking maybe $10.00 a piece or so. I hope others will see this and start putting their own out there. We need access to this information.
More volumes are on the way.
October 21, 2003
If you were thinking about buying some PASTA PRO cookware like they show on TV, don't waste your time or your money. These are the red pots that have those holes in the lid so you can drain pasta.
The problem is that the teflon easily peels off of the pot, making you think you have pepper in your dish. I hear that the better one with the handles that lock also has this problem. This cannot be healthy for any of us.
So please stay away from this product.
October 20, 2003
Today I was invited to speak in CT. If you are in that area, I will be in Rocky Hill on November 18th. Contact me here if you want more information.
October 18, 2003
How To Get Mold & Mildew Out Of The Bathroom Forever
First find an ozone generator. Yes these are hard to come by but not impossible. A lot of air purifiers generate ozone, so if you know someone with a good air purifier, ask if you can borrow it, or just use your own if you have one. :)
Plug it in the bathroom and turn it on full power. Close the door and let it run for an hour or so. This will kill the mold and the mildew.
When you return, the whole room will smell of ozone. Some people like this aroma, others don't.
Get some Tilex Mildew Remover. Remember that in this case, you get what you pay for. So don't go with a generic brand, it won't work.
Spray it on and follow the directions. The mold and the mildew will come right off. At least it did for me. Less than an hour later, three years of mold and mildew buildup was completely gone.
And I can breathe again. :)
October 11, 2003
Today I want thank those of you who have written to me to tell me of your dissatisfaction in Future Horizons not taking my manuscript. (See October 5th.)
However, as nice as it is, you are telling the wrong person. You need to let Future Horizons know how you feel. You can email them directly by clicking here.
Then after you have told them, please tell me you told them by clicking here.
Buy Bartles & James Premium Wine Coolers and we thank you for your support.
October 10, 2003
Today I caved in to pressure and dyed my hair. I got so tired of people telling me how YOUNG I would look if I had darker hair. So I used Clairol Natural Instincts #28 (Nutmeg).
I like it. :) I think I look a good 5 to 10 years younger. Maybe I can put a pic up so yew can see it.
October 07, 2003
Today I was at the Winn-Dixie looking for a toothbrush and I saw a new razor. It was very expensive. It was a Schick Quattro, so named because it has four blades.
I bought because I thought it might be better than the Mach 3 Turbo I had been using.
But it wasn't. If you have been pondering getting a Quattro, stick with the Mach 3 instead. It is a much better razor.
October 05, 2003
My publisher has (very stupidly) turned down my latest manuscript. :( For those who enjoyed SWCTL, it may be a while before you can read more from Thomas. I am looking into other publishers. My goal is to publish it and have better sales than SWCTL so the publisher will kick himself for not taking it.
October 04, 2003
Sorry I have been remiss in the journal. I have not been home to write it. The past couple of weeks or so I was in Columbus. I was there because my friend Dale from here in Bedford was doing his Exercising Spiritual Authority class in Columbus and I wanted to support him.
I also saw a few friends I had not seen for at least over a year and I had a date (sorta) that didn't quite work out. :(
It is good to be home in Bedford again.
September 16, 2003
Yesterday I tried to right something that was wrong and I failed miserably.
A few days ago I went to the laundromat to do laundry (of course) and the lady who was working there YELLED at me just as loud as she could, even in front of other customers, when I did nothing wrong! ARGH!
So yesterday I found her boss in Roanoke and tried to talk to him but he took her side.
He said she was concerned because people were coming in to do clothes after the 7:00pm deadline. (They close at 8:00.) I arrived at 7:15pm to get my clothes out of the dryer and take them home. Her boss made it clear to me that he felt because of the behavior of others, that justified her yelling at me even though I was not violating policy.
It goes without saying that I will not be back there. I wonder if he will feel the same way when his profits drop because word gets around about the psychotic woman working there.
Those of you in Bedford who go to the laundromat in Westgate, go to the 297 one instead.
It is much safer.
September 09, 2003
Today I did something that maybe wasn't so smart. I gave $50.00 to Liberty High School for scholarships.
Now I did this because Bedford has been good to me and I saw this as a way to give back.
For my $50.00 I got 50 raffle tickets, each one for a 1990 loaded Mercury Sable in excellent condition.
But now I am wondering, what if I win? ACK!
Drawing will be October 31st at Liberty High ball game.
September 05, 2003
Today I got a battery for my car. My fan seems to be staying on way too long after the car is off. I am wondering if there is something wrong with the thermostat in the engine.
I took it to Advance Auto to have the battery tested and it came back negative. I did wonder if the battery was really bad or if maybe the machine just said it was so they could make a sale. Really paranoid, huh...
I got a new battery and so far things seem to be fine.
September 03, 2003
Today I got my new arm gizmo.
This unsightly looking gadget is supposed to be able to make me recover 8 to 10 times faster than without it.
That is what I keep reminding myself so I will have motivation to use it.
August 31, 2003
Today I heard from someone else about the self cleaning toilet system mentioned below on August 5th.
It didn't work for her, either. :(
August 30, 2003
Today I got a new computer. Best Buy replaced the one that went bad on August 18th. I took it in and explained that I knew the warranty had expired, BUT that I was unable to get to the store because of surgery.
And to prove it, I showed them one ugly, wicked scar.
Well they exchanged it with no problem.
Nice that these surgeries are working in my favor for a change.
August 26, 2003
Today I got the staples out of my arm. They were holding the incision in place while it healed. It was like 30 some little bee stings on my arm when the nurse was taking them out.
Now I come to find out I gotta wear some kind of oddball bionic gizmo on my arm. :( I was really hoping we were past that.
I don't look forward to wearing this thing when it arrives. It isn't exactly the height of fashion.
August 22, 2003
Today I am still recovering but I did receive some good news.
I took my cats to the vet for some Frontline, and both the vet and the assistant commented that one of my cats, Reiki (you can see a pic of her here), is pretty enough to enter in a cat show. They think she would win because of her unusual markings.
So now I am pondering entering Reiki just to see what happens. :)
August 18, 2003
Today that nice new computer mentioned on August 4th died. :( And today the warranty expires! ARGH!
Just my luck.
August 15, 2003
Today I have been very active. I am sure more so than I should be. I even drove but don't tell anyone.
One thing I wanted to do today was to give all of you a pic of the hardware the doctor took out of my arm a couple of days ago. So here it is. You can see part of my arm for the past eight months by clicking here.
That big T shaped piece was my elbow and that long piece, along with the screws you see, held my five broken bones in place while they knitted back together.
The doc says that I will have much more movement and mobility, but that I will never be able to extend it fully. Only time will tell about any of this because right now, I can't move it at all.
These past few entries have been typed with only one hand.
August 14, 2003
Today was a day of recovery. I don't know why they let me leave the hospital so soon, maybe they wanted me to leave because I threw a pair of socks at the occupational therapist.
But hey she deserved it.
She came and said to me, she gave me a pair of socks and she said to me, "Can I see you put these on for me, Thomas? Do you think you can do that for me, Thomas? That's a good boy, Thomas, That's a good boy."
By the end of the first "good boy" the socks were en route to her face.
Also, and I just don't understand this, the nurses were not at all cute this time around. Hello? Where are the cute nurses?
I got home around 10:00pm or so.
August 13, 2003
Today I had my fourth and (I pray) my final surgery on my right arm & elbow. The surgery started later than expected, it was supposed to begin at 1:00pm. I remember being in pre-op looking at a clock that said 1:37pm, and I remember being pumped full of drugs and I remember singing Blue Moon Of Kentucky with the nurses. That's all I remember till I woke up in my own room with all of the hardware out of my arm.
I'll try to get a pic up so you can see it.
August 05, 2003
Back when Donna was visiting (see May 22-May 24), we went to Wal-Mart and I passed by a Puricle 110 Self Cleaning Toilet System. As you can see by the link, this is a little more elaborate than a bleach tablet you put in the back tank. In fact it kind of puts me in the mind of Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man comics.
Donna tried to warn me not to get it. She told me it was a waste of money and more like a "self cleaning wallet system."
Now that I have had the chance to try it, I have to agree. Don't buy this product. If you already have, and it works for you, do let me know. I know that no one wants to scrub a toilet, but this doesn't seem to help.
August 04, 2003
Two days ago I bought a computer at Wal-Mart. Some of you may have seen it, it was the Compaq system selling for $498.00. If you are thinking about getting this, well you can STOP thinking about it. It isn't worth it.
Yesterday when I got up, the hard drive crashed. :( When I took it back to Wal-Mart there other people returning them, too. One older fella who had never had a computer or been on the net before did have a few choice words to say about Wal-Mart.
So then I went to Best Buy and got a really rockin' system :) This is an eMachine T2341 with 2.0+ GB processor, 128MB RAM (I added another 256MB of course, making it 384MB), 40GB HD, CDR-W, and 17" flat screen monitor and printer.
All of this for $787.00, minus the $400.00 or so in rebates. I think I did pretty good. This one also seems a lot more stable than the Wal-Mart computer. And it was $112.00 less.
Great to have a new toy. :)
July 31, 2003
The bank got back to me today and told me that the problem is Verizon made the request for funds incorrectly and that is why I was denied.
Now all I have to do is convince Verizon of that. But it is good to know it is not my fault. :)
July 30, 2003
Today I tried to pay my Verizon phone bill online and the system refused to allow me to pay it. Now of course I wouldn't complain but I don't want to lose my phone either...
So I called Verizon and they told me that the account was "closed for my protection." They told me that I had to call the bank.
So I called the bank, they told me I had to call Verizon.
I think the people who work these jobs delight in giving others the runaround.
July 25, 2003
I am wondering today why it is that every time we go to the doctor, we have to put on those really butt-ugly robes? I know I am only going to be there a short time, why do I have to put that stupid thing on? If the doctor wants to look at me, fine. I will comply because I want to be healthy. But I will *not* wear the robes. Sorry.
Also today I am starting a new therapy that I am hoping will help with the FMS and autistic symptoms. An ungodly expensive systemic enzyme being promoted by Dr. Wong. I bought a small bottle, 10 days worth, for $43.99 and they all tell me that I will feel a difference by then. I'll let you know.
July 24, 2003
I thought my water problems were over. Today I turned on the water and the faucet went flying off the sink and water went EVERYWHERE. I felt like Lucy Ricardo. The kitchen was all wet and everything in the kitchen was all wet, including me! ACK!
So up comes a guy on tractor and he uses a wrench to tighten the faucet and leaves. I coulda done that myself. He says it is fixed. I have my doubts.
July 23, 2003
Sometimes a day will start out like every other day, but by the time the afternoon comes, it will have a flavor all its own. Such was the case today, when word got back to me that the three people harrassing me at the Bedford YMCA were all ... "dismissed."
Though I doubt their leaving had anything to do with me personally (because I haven't been going because they are so mean), the bottom line is that they are gone and I still have a membership. So I do consider this to be a victory of sorts.
As soon as I heard, I went back to the Y and did 2 miles on the treadmill. I plan to go back to being a regular member now that those not-so-nice people working there are gone.
And maybe after this surgery in August, I can get off the treadmill and back into the swimming pool. I used to do 21 laps a day. I'd love to go back to doing that again.
July 21, 2003
Today I got my water back. Some plumbers (you know, the kind who's pants don't fit right when they lean over to the pipes) came in and invaded my house and tore up my walls. I wasn't happy about that, but at least my water is working again. And since I rent the house, they aren't my walls and I didn't even have to pay for the repair. I just hope my rent doesn't go up.
July 20, 2003
Today I called the phone company to yell at them for taking so long to fix my phone, only to discover that the problem all along was the storm fried my Meridian 9516CW telephone. ACK! This was one seriously expensive phone!
It even announced who was calling instead of ringing, which was my personal favorite feature. Guess I will have to dip into the well to buy another one. :(
Still no water at the McKean residence.
July 19, 2003
Last night there was a big thunderstorm here in Bedford. I got caught in my car because it came out of nowhere. There was penny size hail pounding my car and winds up to 70 miles an hour, I later found out.
So now my phone is down and I have no water supply. I can update this journal because the electricity is still going, but I can't post it to the site until the phone comes back on.
I also received mail today from Peidmont Orthopedic, telling me that my fourth (and I hope final) surgery is scheduled for August 13th at 1:00pm. ACK!
July 10, 2003
Today I bought myself a new toy. I got an Archos Multimedia Jukebox 20. My CD/Mp3 player died and I only just bought it. So I decided not to mess with CDs anymore. I am going digital. This thing will play Mp3's, and it will display pictures and even play video. And you can wire it to your TV and it has a remote control. It has a 20 GB disk drive that will hold 330+ hours of audio, 40+ hours of video, or 225,000 pictures. Or some combination of the three.
Right now I have the entire NKJV Bible in audio. I also have over 200 episodes of the old time radio "Superman" series (the one they called the "transcription feature," for those who may remember), and over 100 episodes of the radio "Dragnet" series that Jack Webb did before moving to TV.
I have also been converting my CD's to Mp3. Not really a fun thing to do. Annoying and time consuming.
July 08, 2003
Today I drove into Lynchburg to buy a book, "A Brief History Of Time," by Stephen Hawking. Somehow I had a sudden urge to read it.
June 30, 2003
Today I started listening to a tape series on Exercising Spiritual Authority. This is a 31 tape set about demons and angels and Godly things. I want the angels but I want to avoid the demons. Yes.
June 27, 2003
Today I received a final, belated birthday gift. I was sent a spinoza bear. (www.spinozabear.com) He is very cute.
He talks, kind of like the old Teddy Ruxpin, except that unlike Ruxpin, Spinoza is actually huggable.
He has a tiny cassette player that you get to by unzipping a leg (they did a great job concealing the zipper, I had to look for it!) and you play the tape by turning an off/on/volume switch in the shape of a heart, which is where his heart would be. He has a very high quality sound system. Well, for a bear, he does. :)
He comes with nine pre-recorded cassettes, that deal with issues like relaxation, loss, eating right, imagination, things like that. And he has a special hypo-allergenic fur and is approved for use in hospitals.
Very well thought out bear.
So far I have listened to a few of Friend Vicki's teachings on it. I really can't think of a better way to get to sleep.
June 18, 2003
Today I turned 38. :) Friend Vicki came over with a shirt, that seems to be her standard gift for birthdays. I also got a a couple of three digit checks and an awesome new writing program that you can see by clicking here. I have so many ideas for novels and stories and plays and movies and television swimming around in my head. I am hoping maybe this program will help me sort it all out.
June 16, 2003
I have lately been having a problem with my phone. Every day, at a different time, someone calls and hangs up after the first ring. The Caller ID claims the number calling is 999-888-0001, yet there is no such number.
I called the phone company and they refuse to take action, instead offering me an extra service (which I would have to pay for), or offered to change my number, which I can't do, for business reasons.
All of which gives new meaning to the phrase: Reach out and touch someone.
They want to reach out and touch my wallet.
Please let me know if you get a call from this number.
June 14, 2003
I am no longer hanging out in the Life - RaisingSpclNdsAngels chat room on AOL. It sure didn't take me long to get tired of those spammers coming to advertise porn sites and then leave before we could do anything. When AOL does something about these idiots, I will be back. :)
I have often thought as these guys popped into the chat room, that it would be nice to see some Jesus spam once in a while. You know, someone comes in and say's, "Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life." and then leaves. That would not really be effective witnessing, but (even if you are not into Godly things) you have to admit still it would be a nice change.
June 13, 2003
For those who have read SWCTL, today Gwendolyn turns 39. That means I have been blessed to know her for 20 years now. :)
When I first met her all those years ago, I had no idea where my life was heading. Looking back, I feel a bit naive about everything. But I guess there was no way I could have known.
Nor could she have known at that point that she'd have six children. YIKES!
June 12, 2003
The past few days I have been working on upgrading the site. I gave it a new domain, and I added some excerpts from the four books I have written (and a way to order Soon Will Come The Light online).
Soon, I will be adding newspaper articles and more photos, among other things. Stay tuned.
Today is a sad anniversary. 19 years ago today, I lost a good friend, Lisa, in a car accident. She was 18.
Today is also a happy anniversary. It is my friend Nancy's birthday.
Happy birthday, Nancy.
June 07, 2003
Today I made some changes. I signed up for AOL voice mail so I can get rid of my second line. I really don't need it since I have a cell phone with unlimited minutes. I also added a domain name to my site, so instead of just being www.geocities.com/soonlight, I can now also be www.thomasamckean.com. Very professional. :)
I also discovered that, much to my surprise, people are READING this journal!
I will try to be adding to my site over the next few weeks. Keep an eye open for new features.
May 24, 2003
Today was the conference. My talk was to be at 3:30pm. When I got to the college (Central Virginia Community College, where the conference was), my computer CRASHED. Fortunately it was still prior to noon so I had time to play with it to try to get it back in order for my presentation.
I thought I had it all worked out but when I got up to speak, we couldn't get the powerpoint projector working. So a lot of my time was eaten up with that problem.
BUT...
I did sell a lot of books, so I must have bounced back okay. I did a new talk I had never done before about what to do when your child is diagnosed. This is a talk for parents who have only just had their kids diagnosed with autism and are not sure what to do next. I feel this is very important information and I look forward to presenting it again.
Donna had a good time and she leaves tomorrow. I will miss her.
May 23, 2003
This evening Donna and I went to a fundraiser for autism research. We chatted with Andrew Wakefield and a few others. There was a silent auction and I bid on an item which I can't mention yet in case the person I got it for reads this. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise.
There was a lot of dancing. Mostly the music was disco. I did ask around if anyone knew the difference between shaking your bootie and shaking your groove thing (I also inquired as to exactly what a "groove thing" is), but no one seems to know. If you know what a "groove thing" is, and why I would even want to shake it, please get back to me. You can do so by clicking here.
May 22, 2003
I went back to the orthopedic surgeon today and he took some x-rays. Then he took more x-rays. Then he got concerned and took even more x-rays. (Can you say CANCER, anyone?) Then he consulted with another surgeon for about an hour while I waited. One doctor was from Harvard, the other was from Yale.
Then they came in and told me the bad news that they thought my lack of mobility was permanent. I Cannot rotate my right arm and it looks like I will never be able to. And the thing I miss most about it is the music. I used to play a lot of music, guitar, piano, what have you, now I can't do that anymore. It is also very difficult to type. Horrible thing to happen to a writer. :(
So I said to them, "What's the matter? Between Harvard and Yale, you can't think of a solution?" Then the Yale doctor said, "Maybe you should try Duke." I still don't know if he was kidding or not.
So in mid to late July, I go in for surgery number 4. The good news is I get all this hardware in my arm out and that makes me happy. They are also going to try to fix the problems and I sure do hope they can.
Doctors have definitely been wrong about me getting better before, I pray they are wrong this time, too.
Also today my friend Donna came to visit. She came all the way from Hawthorne, NJ to see me. She arrived at 8:45pm at the Greyhound terminal in Roanoke.
Tomorrow we attend a fundraiser for autism research.
May 11, 2003
Today I found out I didn't miss much at the ASK conference. I heard that only 200 people showed up. That is very low for a national conference. And since there were 10 to 14 tracks going at once, a lot speakers had no one show up or had only a few people come to the talks. I even heard that some speakers got there only to hear they were cancelled.
I am feeling better about not attending.
May 08, 2003
Today I was supposed to be in California, speaking at the big national ASK conference. I was invited to speak and I had a good three or four talks scheduled, but somehow they weren't on the ball and they never sent me a plane ticket.
So I guess I stay home. This makes me sad. I was really looking forward to it.
April 23, 2003
Today was the dr. appt mentioned below. While she did manage to convince me my pain was not neuropathic, she also suggested that it might be depression or a thyroid condition. I think both of us are wrong.
Unfortunately it leaves me right back where I started.
Lately I have been spending a lot of time on AOL in the Life - RaisingSpclNdsAngels chat room. Usually the room is full of very nice ladies and I find I am the only male in there. Sometimes someone will come in looking for some autism support and I have so far found that I can usually point them in the right direction.
I used to be paid to do what I am now doing for free, and that annoys me, but also I am happy I can help.
April 22, 2003
Today I bit the bullet and made an appt with the orthopedic surgeon. Fortunately he was not available until May 21st. Unfortunately that gives me a whole month to worry about my upcoming surgery.
I also got a call about keynoting a conference in Cleveland, July 14th through 18th. It makes me happy that I am still wanted and remembered for the work I have done.
April 19, 2003
Today I woke up to a call from my friend Vicki, who is back from Italy. I told her that she would not have called unless she missed me and she said she did and that made me happy. It is good to have people who love you.
She said she thought of me in Italy because she was looking around for something to bring me but then she couldn't even get anything for herself or her family because of extra expenses. As an example, she told me it cost her $300.00 for one night in a hotel in Mulan. That musta been some hotel!
Welcome home, Friend Vicki. Thomas loves you, too. :)
Also today I finish the third chapter of the book I am working on. This chapter is called, Evidence of the Senses, and is of course the mandatory sensory integration chapter.
Three chapters down, seven to go, but a few of those seven are almost done already.
April 18, 2003
Today is Good Friday. Laci Peterson and her unborn yet born son son have been found and the husband has been arrested. Here is a woman who went missing Christmas Eve, and was identified on Good Friday. That's a little creepy to me. And I think she deserved better than what she got and that her husband definitely deserves whatever he gets.
Also today I went to Faith Redemption Baptist Church here in Bedford for a revival meeting. My church's band was playing the praise music and I got up and left. I have found that praise music is making me sad.
A couple of years ago, when I moved here to Bedford, people would bring tambourines to church to play with the music. Very Biblical. I wanted to play something different so I bought some harmonicas. At first they were welcomed. But as time went on, the tambourines were banned in the church because apparently some people just can't keep a beat and that was distracting the band. When the tambourines were banned, so were the harmonicas because they did not want any instruments to be played.
So now when I hear them play, I can also hear the harmonies in my head and I want to play but I can't anymore.
That makes me sad. So now I arrive an hour late so for church I am not made sad by the music. Lion of Judah is a good church for the most part, but I guess no church is perfect. This comes closer than most do, though. At least for me. Maybe time will resolve these few issues I have.
April 16, 2003
Today I made an appt. with the local dr because I had a thought that my chronic pain may be neuropathic rather than sensory, in which case maybe I can do something about it. I hesitate to write about this because I do not want to be responsible for the latest cure of the month for autism. That is bad advocacy. Still, it is a part of my life and that is why I am writing this journal.
The appt will be on the 23rd at 1:45pm.
April 11, 2003
The past couple of days, I have been taking a course on corporate prayer in the church at my home church of Lion of Judah. Here are some things that I have learned:
80% of churches have less than 200 people
The two greatest needs in the church are the power of the Holy Spirit and people who pray.
The power of corporate prayer comes from hearts in agreement.
Unforgiveness binds you and keeps you from being free.
If we don't make prayer a priority, then something will always get in the way.
Our prayer life should dictate our lifestyle, not the other way around.
Churches that are going to accomplish something are going to be considered fanatical about prayer.
The only way to fail in prayer is to fail to pray.
The Bible has only two postures of prayer: Kneeling and standing.
The power of corporate prayer is not in many people praying together, but is in the uniting of many hearts to pray the mind and will of the Father.
April 09, 2003
And the statue comes tumbling down. In Baghdad, Saddam is dead or he is alive. He has power or he doesn't. No one seems to know. Why don't they get on the ball? Ironic that this one man can so outsmart both the British and US armies. You almost have to respect his cunning for that.
If only he would have used those abilities for good instead of evil. :(
April 08, 2003
Today I am starting a journal for the site. This is more a therapy than anything else, I suppose, plus I want to get back to writing again.
So ... to bring you up to date ...
01) December 31, 2002, I took just a bit of a tumble. There I was walking in the dark and then there was nothing underneath me. Eight feet later I hit the gravel. My right arm hit the gravel, then the rest of me did. My arm was broken in five places plus my elbow was completely shattered. This resulted in three surgeries and a ton of hardware. How will I get through airport security? Unfortunately there is still more surgery yet to come because I still have very limited mobility.
02) I am once again trying to rewrite Light on the Horizon. I have tried many times before but it has always turned out as bad as the original. This time it looks like I might be getting it right. Hard to type in a book with one hand.
03) Today my friend Vicki leaves for 10 days in Italy. I am happy for her that she gets to go, but I am sad for me because I will miss her. She has been very good to Thomas and Thomas loves his friend Vicki.
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