About

The only questions I ask myself before posting anything are the only questions that matter to me:

  1. Is it smart?

  2. Is it stylish?

  3. Is there substance?

  4. Can I make it funny?

I then fail miserably. I do however try, where-ever possible, not to be dull & there are serious themes in just about everything I write—

The method is explained here

So, when ‘about’ is the definite article, it can only ever be a partial introduction. And why a simple ‘hello’ should suffice—

I’ve never been entirely comfortable with the use of the word ‘about’, when it’s used to denote precisely what it is about to;

Or at the very least, ought to…

IMG_8749

With very few exceptions, I’ll be neither the object of a particular thought or action, nor and woe betide, any feeling which might get the better of me and wind up clipped and airing itself for all to see. It’s use in this context is something I’ve always considered somewhat cold and improper. Nor do I, or at least wiln’t— to a point, consider myself to be the subject of anything published here. For a start, I’m far too dull and again, it feels like a prepostion too far and just, for the lack of a better word: unsatisfactory.

However, since there’s more to showing than telling and since my sensibilities on this matter should reveal more ‘about’ me than my favourite colour or shoe-size— I can’t help but feel a certain imbalance has been addressed. Besides, I’m all about the fun; not the confessional; especially since I’m declaring my reluctance to do something in order to state it and by doing so, it becomes almost impossible to avoid. That and many, many ‘nors’. Like I said, I’m all about the fun.

My character in that case can be found in my quirks, which are pretty evident; my D.N.A. in my tendancy to structure those quirks around em dashes and everything else, word-wrapped around them— quite possibly italised. Now, provided I’ve constructed that last phrase correctly, I think you’ll find Me:

Less about and more:

Metabout.

And that’s about as certain as I can be…

76 thoughts on “About”

    1. Thank you so much. I look forward to you looking forward to reading them too. Also I of yours.
      *smiles*

      Reply

      1. That is very kind of you, thanks so much 🙂 I can spot the differences, and very interesting they are too; basically I have enjoyed reading what you have posted! So, don’t do yourself an injustice please 🙂

      4. I’ve always believed you can use word order or flip lexical-phrases to create as much an effect with your audience as you can with metaphor – it’s just a slighty different type of processing. A lot of the fun I have is when I’m embedding clauses within clauses with ridiculous with wordplay and ridiculous repetitions to create mental patterns rather than imagery. I sometimes go back and give a few clues if it’s too much. This post was about ritual, routine, habits etc, so I started it with some silliness about googling variations of autistic nuns. I’m not a fan of obscurantism, but if I had to place my esotericism, it would be in the internal structure of my writing. Sometimes I’m just in the mood to play with archaicism – because some of the slang that isn’t used anymore is just irresistable, like here…

        I actually had all this typed earlier, hit a button and lost it 😮
        it’s never the same second time round – but it’s more or less what I mean. Thank you again for reading 😀

      5. I understand what you allude to. Words are, and a,ways will be thoroughly interesting! I am a dedicated follower of all things wordy! I actually enjoy drawing comparisons of words from different languages too (as I am currently learning Spanish). I am interested more about origin of words though, but also I admit I have a soft spot for slang; modern and old 🙂 I think words are the greatest form of therapy, confrontation and supplication. Words RULE!

      6. Yes they do *nods* an etymologist eh? wonderful, perhaps a little philology thrown in for good measure. I’ve always like the notion that our language originated with pie – quite literally, proto-indo-european. I used to give a one off lecture on the make-up of modern English and the futility of teaching phonics (pet hate) to primary kids…

        Mmmmmm, pie 😀

      7. I have a fond interest yes, but couldn’t claim the distinction of being an expert in the field of etymology 🙂 Ponics, they are a strange kettle of fish aren’t they? I currently teach English as a second language, getting students familiar with sounds can be a challenge. Mainly as the words don’t spell like they sound in the first place! Pie, yes, I like pie!! 🙂

      8. Experts are few and far between; hen’s teeth all of them – I can hold my own in maybe a dozen areas and lecture with a degree of authority, but it’s one of those subjects where you’re always taking two steps back – for everything you learn you realise there are a dozen things you don’t .. it’s why I love it. As for phonics there are lots of reasons why I’m not keen, for a start, if you take English in it’s most basic sense, a language with round about 44 phonemes – 21 of those are consonants – so you’ve got the remaining 23 phonemes made from just 5 letters or compounds of letters – you’ve got to think of vowels as sound modifiers. That and the fact that in most branches of Indo-European, there are about 1000 words with atypical orthography – in English, we have close to 4000, from PIE, to celtic, nordic, French, germanic, latin etc not to mention the shear number of loan-wordage: shampoo for instance comes from India: it’s just wonderful, and something to take a lifetime gawping at…

      9. I actually like the ‘loan’ words! I think English is a mongrel language, Gaelic or Welsh, I think I prefer, being Welsh 😉 I agree, you do learn everyday that you study the composition of language. I actually find that the ‘rules’ of language are very difficult to explain to students, more complex than any subject I have ever studied actually!

      10. You’ve got one of the best jobs in the world – the more you do it the easier it’ll become. I’m sure you’re fabulous at it. One thing I learned pretty quickly is that students respond to the enthusiam you bring to the subject: excitement for the subject is priceless 🙂

  3. This is really fascinating! It’s wonderful to get an inside perspective on Autism, and to see how other people play with words. I write a blog called IncredABLE Toys about toys for children with Special Needs, and was wondering if you’d be willing to provide some insight regarding the types of toys that could best aid development for children with autism – particularly language development. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Firstly, thank you very much for the message; I have presented on language development, but not from that perspective; and the age group is important, for instance j,p,b,g,t,d,n,k,m are pretty much the first sounds we learn to produce with ease, as part of a predictable series of steps in acquiring language- which is more or less the same regardless of where you’re born …but if you were talking about older kids, that’s different – if you can give me a little more context I can certainly offer some advice on the subject.

      Reply

      1. Thank you for your response! In terms of language development, I suppose I’m thinking primarily of learning to read, but also learning how to say new words, and how to communicate in general. Many toys and early reading materials for children focus on phonics. Do you think phonetic learning, or whole word learning is more effective for children with Autism? Or, do you think it depends on the individual.
        Also, can you think of any ways that toys might aid in the development of communication/social skills? (For instance, board games that encourage cooperation and/or turn-taking, or toys that could be used a props to role-play various daily situations.)
        Some manufacturers have produced toys where children manipulate the facial features on a doll or figurine in order to learn about emotions. Do you think those could have any benefits for children with Autism?
        And, finally, I often hear about sensory toys being recommended for children with Autism. What do you think are the benefits of sensory toys? Do you think they could be soothing, or enhance focus?
        Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions!

      2. Excellent, I can definitely put together some things for you about this. I’ll prepare some note and email them to you – I do have quite specific thoughts with regards to both whole-word and phonics. If you wouldn’t mind being patient for a few days, I’ll be in touch. You’re doing important work, so it’ll be my pleasure to help in any way I can.

    2. I haven’t forgotten about you – I have been putting some things together, ideas and approaches, it’s just taking a bit longer than I thought… It is a blend of techniques I know have been successful, but put together in the kind of building-block manner we process information. I hope you can bear with me.

      Reply

      1. Of course. You don’t have to put together anything monumental-I was just curious to hear your thoughts. I look forward to reading your comments, but there’s no rush.

    1. I did funnily enough, but such are conventions. If I wanna know what an essay is about, I’ll skip to where the thesis statement should be… people know what to expect when they look in an ‘about’. Bloody silly description! 😀 I hope my idignation wasn’t too much :p

      Reply

  9. Thanks so following. I’m new-ish to the writing thing so it’s nice to find others are enjoying it. And I loved the image you left me with of a giant shunning turd….

    Reply

  12. Ishmael, thanks for stopping by my blog and for liking one of my posts ”IT PAYS TO SAY THANK YOU”. I hope you enjoyed the visit. May the favor of God and man be upon you always in the name of Jesus Christ.

    Reply

    1. I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much 🙂 It’s an honour! A real treat – I’m not the accolade accepting type so I find it difficult, but because it comes from guys like you it means so much more. Thank you. Better than cake 😉 x

      Reply

    1. I had a really good read of your Coconuts, and it was really really good! I’ll have to return and add something for you – but I’ve been a bit out of sorts for a week now! I can’t quite find my schedule, so you’ll have to forgive me for that.

      You have a fabulous voice though 😀

      Reply

  27. Background Noise, your blog is currently included on our Actually Autistic Blogs List (anautismobserver.wordpress.com). Please click on the “How do you want your blog listed?” link at the top of that site to customize your blog’s description.
    Thank you.
    Judy (An Autism Observer)

    Reply

    1. Hi Judy – It is, I guess an Autism-focused personal Autistic blogs – More specifically “A Linguistic Representation of an Autism”; I’ve been wracked with surgeries since I started and brought to a halt – but if you can imagine observing traits as linguistic markers and syntax representing behaviour – and all the oddities we bring and bare, laid bare – you’ll have a sense of what the project was about.

      Reply

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