New here, but not new to AS

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Hello everybody!

I've been a member of the AS community on Daily Strength for a few years now. Haven't been diagnosed with AS yet, but may be getting one soon, yay or nay.

After ten years of research though, I know I have it. Nothing else I have ever considered accounts for as many things in me and my life as does AS.

I'm a quasi musician/songwriter. Though some would argue my assessment of my own musical skills is self-deprecating. I bow humbly to their wisdom, and argue that there are too many musicians far better than I who slaved far harder than I for far longer, that deserve the title of "Musician" far more than I do. I can write a pretty good ditty though, and am getting better at it.

I just spent the last several weeks cataloging every song I've ever written. Had to listen to them all from first to last while doing so, and realized there is quite a telling story though them all. Very biographical, and AS as all get out. My goal is to get something, anything published. Long tough road there, but that's another story.

What with AS being such an integral part of what drives my lyrics, I've begun to wonder if other Aspies might identify with some of it.

Well, I'm not here just to plug my music. I'm mainly here to connect with other like-minded Aspies, whether or not my music interests them, but if I turn out to be right about what I said above, that'll be some nice icing on the cake!

Let's see where this goes!

I have two boys diagnosed AS, and one evaluated, but not diagnosed. I think the Dr. was wrong. My wife also now believes she has it. Her brother was diagnosed years ago.

I don't have too many questions about AS anymore. I understand it better than most of the doctors and counselors we work with.

I do have occasional questions I like to ask of other Aspies though. I learn a heck of a lot more from you (US), than anywhere else.

I just want to hob-nob with more like-mined people!

Pleased to be here!

I'm in the process of getting a formal diagnosis as I already have an informal diagnosis of AS but it needs to be confirmed through assessment with a psychologist. Also, good luck on getting a diagnosis.

How many songs have you actually written?

Welcome to Wrongplanet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!!

What kind of music do you write?

Welcome to WrongPlanet and welcome to my time warp.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Welcome to the Wrong Planet community, MrXxx.

Welcome to WP

Hello MrXxx, welcome, enjoy your stay on the Wrong Planet!

That depends on how you define "written." (Or maybe that's just my AS talking )

Actually, the definition is important, even according to the NT's who have written so many books on the subject.

I used to answer that question with, "Forty-Five," but I have come to realize that no song is fully written until it's been fully "stamped for approval" to be published.

Most of my songs need to be rewritten, because they just don't yet cut the mustard for mass appeal. That said, Most of them are not published, or posted anywhere the general public can hear them yet.

I have exactly TWO songs that I consider complete, forty-three that need to be rewritten, and many others in what I call "gestational stages."

It wasn't until recently that I really began to understand how to listen to my own work objectively (not an easy task for an Aspie!), and how to get constructive criticism without posting them all over the Web. Now that I've begun to learn how to do that, over the course of future months and years there will be a lot more songs added to that "completed" list much more quickly than I've been managing until now.

You would ask that question!

Here's where typical Aspie stubbornness conflicts with years of learning how to "get along" with NT thinking systems.

Songwriters are "supposed to" pick a genre and stick to it. Or, if they do write in more than one genre, don't let anyone know you do, until you are "established." Isn't it funny how we're the ones who are "rigid" yet we keep running into these inane "rules" that no one can explain the reasons for? "That's just the way it is!"

Most song submitting systems (whether on line, or "old school") force you to choose one. I tend to choose either rock or "other," but a lot of my stuff (with a little music arrangement) could fit into country, though it's more of an underground style, if only because of the lyrics.

By most standards, if you take them all as a whole, they would be rock. Some might fit individually into other, or sub genres.

Personally, I think they fit into a genre that isn't listed in the industry: Subtly Biographical/Often Lyrically Metaphorical-Sometimes Lyrically Blunt/Mostly Blues and Rock Influenced.

All are strongly representative of who I am and how I think, which isn't very different from NT songwriter's perspectives (in the sense that they ALL feel the same way about their songs), but who I am and how I think is different from most NT's.



I can tell you, based on feedback from members of some music sites I frequent, I've been told I remind people of Neal Young most frequently.

Here's what I've posted elsewhere about influences:

The Tragically Hip, Frank Zappa, and Niel Young are closest to my mindset. They are all fiercely independent, Frank, of course, more than anyone. He is the original Indie musician. I think anyone that wants to be truly "Indie" should read his biography.

To some extent I agree that one can't help but be influenced by what one hears. But I don't spend a lot of time listening to music anymore, other than that which I'm creating at the time.

Other comments I've received on what it sounds like:

"They Might be Giants" (They Might be Giants is the most interesting comparison, because I can say in all honesty I've never listened to them. Due to that simple fact, I can say they are definitely not an influence, but I am honored nonetheless, since, obviously, a lot of folks like them.)

"It's kind of like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood meets Devo meets political commentary." (Personally, I consider it rather apolitical.)

"Sort of a Cake meets Red Peters meets...I dunno...Demitri Martin?" (I was only a mild fan of Cake at one time, and they didn't appear until after most of my writing had already been completed.)

"Talking Heads meets Col. Les Claypool."

"B-52's" (In reference to one song.)

There have been others I've forgotten. I'm flattered by them all.


Those are just some of the reasons I can say my strongest influence is, well, me and the attitudes I learned and inherited from my parents and family. (And now I realize: My Aspie outlook! )


How's that for an Aspie answer?!

Hey, thanks to the rest of you who welcomed me!

It's to be here.

It's been a decent first day already.

I I I I I I I I I I

can can can can can can can

be be be be be be be be be be

pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty

wordy wordy wordy wordy wordy wordy wordy wordy wordy

...as you all will quickly discover, but I don't have the time to get on every day anyway, so at least you won't be hammered that often by mile long posts.

Well, for now:

SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!