Hello from a London bloke

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Hello there

I'm 42, AS, predominantly gay, and a student. Even though most people on my MA course weren't even conceived when I was an undergraduate! <feels old>

In my career, I have mainly been a journalist, which I found ideally suited to my characteristically AS traits of curiosity, strong sense of social justice and being able to drill down and comprehensively analyse a subject. Also, I communicate much better through writing than I do interpersonally.

My first loves are reading and writing, and I am an unrepentant bibliophile.

I love music, particularly classical music, although I have begun to expand my horizons by listening to BBC Radio Six. High among my interests is the broad area defined as 'Fortean', with particular focus on allegedly 'spiritual' matters such as ghosts, Out Of Body Experiences and the afterlife. I have personal experiences in this regard with which I will bore you at the drop of a hat if you express the slightest interest...

I love debate and argument on a variety of subjects, because it provides me with so much insight into the ways other people's minds work, insight that is not normally socially available to me given the inherent limitations of my condition. At times, I get too involved in debate, so if you ever feel that I need to back off, then just tell me -- I'd sooner be told than make myself a nuisance.

I also have bipolar disorder, which can affect my awareness in odd ways at times. I take medication for this, mainly in order to counteract some of the culturally-negative aspects of the condition although I am a firm believer in the (somewhat controversial) link between madness and creativity.

I live in SW London and am a member of a local AS social group, which enables me to meet up regularly with fellow Aspies in a social setting that doesn't demand too much of me. I also get out and about through membership of a couple of meetup dot com special interest groups. But I'm always on the lookout for mutually-stimulating and fulfilling online (and possibly offline) relationships, so please don't be afraid to approach me on a personal basis if you want to. I don't bite and am actually (allegedly) a really lovely guy when you get to know me!

I'm new here, so it'll take me a while to 'find my feet' and settle in, but I look forward to being a productive member of the WP forums. So I ask for your indulgence, patience and forbearance as I blunder my way through a new social environment, learning as I go.

Please drop by to say "Hello!" just so I know I'm not talking to myself.

Hello from The Colonies, and welcome!

Be sure to poke around. If you enjoy discussion & debate you'll find more than you can handle here.

Greetings, and welcome!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Why the rolling eyes emoticon, glow? Have I inadvertently said something silly? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Genuine question, as I can't figure out any explanation.

I wouldn't sweat it, brother. We're not exactly world renowned for picking the correct emotional responses.

Also, I just noticed it's next to the winkie face icon.

yeah and maybe some people have got a lot to learn about themselves and others before they come on forum threads like this. Insinuate what ? it took me another long read before I figured out he was gay anyway and that as well as the bi-polar doesn't have any significance to me, there are other threads so instead of questioning me, just use them.

This has all gone very weird all of a sudden.

This is the part of the forum for introducing oneself, yes?

So I did so, and explained some aspects of my personal identity that I figured might be more or less relevant to other users.

I am at a loss to understand what I have apparently done to annoy you glow.

Welcome to WPea