Metal Reviews

Thanks for the kind words. I decided to go into special education because my youngest son (who was born in 2000) wasn't talking by the time he was 2 and it was scaring me to death. We had him assessed by the county educators and they all felt that he placed onto the autism spectrum. I'm a firm believer that he deals with a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome. Anyway, I knew I had to learn as much as I could and fast so I stopped substitute teaching on the middle school level and went to work at my son's special education preschool so I could learn all that I could to help him. I guess that my practical knowledge/experience that I've absorbed in 12 years is now paying off a bit. It can be a rough job and I don't get paid enough but it's paid off in helping my son and many other little people who would otherwise be 'babysat' rather than taugt.

420!

So he's twelve now, how he's he? What is it to him, to you and to your wife to have to deal with this? Your wife is lucky to have you.

(No Nima, I'm not hitting on Raven right now, so no need to call me gay.)

Bloody, Christ, Olivier .

Never thought such a thing.

Thanks for asking, I've never felt that my son thinks that he's different at all but he is. He has this innocence, the innocence we all had when we were young, before we began to understand and see the world for what it is. It's what makes him perfect...at least to me. He sees the world through very different eyes and it's incredibly beautiful to witness. He struggles with interpersonal social skills which is the Hallmark of Asperger's. You could be talking to him about the most serious subject, anything at all really and he will give you an answer that's totally unrelated. He has difficulty with attention in a traditional classroom and struggles to get his thoughts out on paper.

My struggle is doing what I do professionally and then coming home to work with him. Don't misunderstand me, he's not a burden or difficult but something like teaching him how to properly add fractions was a beast last week. A page of homework with 40 problems took 4 hours. He just takes extra time and work so that he can remain on par academically with his peers. We don't know if he'll be able to support himself or live on his own later but I don't dwell on things like that. I look back on how far we've come and just keep pushing. I can not and will not get hung up in attempting to peer into an uncertain future for him. We just keep on going and working.

My wife texted me the other day on his birthday and said that she didn't know where our son would be if he didn't have me. I don't look at it that way because it takes all of us to make our house and his life work. We all have different roles but equally important.

I'm thrilled that he loves listening to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, etc...today, we're driving to lunch and Priest's 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' comes on the iPod and he says, "Turn it up! That's one of my favorite songs!"

I know there is no need of mentioning this but I'll mention it, anyway: You're wonderful father, Mike. I'm kind of afraid to start a family. The massive responsibility frightens me to death! Let alone finding the right girl!

@Raven: he has very, very good taste When I was 12 I was listening to crap like 2 Unlimited and Masterboy.
You're doing the best you possibly can with him, it's awesome, it really is.

Those are the big issues. I've always told my friends that having kids isn't the hard part but rather finding the right partner is toughest. My wife is my best friend. We were that first and I think that really helped lay a good foundation for us to weather the craziness that we have dealt with since 1998. If I were just beginning today I would be worried too. The added pressures of what the economy has been doing plus the increase in developmental disabilities like autism would have me considering becoming a Tibetan monk. Thanks for the kind words though, they are much appreciated

My parents tortured me with showtunes, classical, and big bands when I was a kid. It took everything for me to properly get into rock b/c my father blamed my older brother's alcohol and drug issues on the music. What a loon! My brother had a copy of Priest's 'Unleashed in the East' and he let me here 'Diamonds and Rust' when I was around 12 or 13 and that did it. I was a metal fan from then on. He had already gotten me intrested in bands like Journey, Asia, Joan Jett, Aerosmith, etc. but when I heard Priest metal was in my blood. Then I leapt into Maiden's, 'Number of the Beast', started to learn guitar, and my father thought the 'devil' was working on me.

@Bruce - cheers, will have to add Ayreon to the list!

Can only add my admiration for Raven to everyone else's. Top man.

Seriously, almost tearing up Raven, that effort is so impressive and I can only aspire to be a great of a person as you are for your son.

Show tunes, classical and big bands >>>> rock music !

Raven's posts make me want to be a better person.

Been sick this weekend which is no fun. Can't spend time with one of my best friends before she leaves. Hope I didn't catch her strep throat. On the plus side it's made music hit me really hard, emotionally.

Hey, kids change your life and perspective. I don't feel 'great' or anything like that, I just feel that I'm doing what's expected of being a parent. I just wish that some of my peers who call themselves 'teachers' would do the same. That's what frustrates me. Thanks again guys.

By all means, don't misunderstand me. I think you're putting out extraordinary effort, but it should be the natural response to people in tough situations. It just isn't sadly. Regardless of whether people should be expected to do this, it is still heart-warming to hear about.

Hey Trapt, I'm sorry if I worded that in an offensive way. I never meant for my response to sound like that. I've always had issues taking compliments or recognition well. I didn't take your comment negatively at all. I do appreciate your kind words and support so please don't think that I don't.

Yay! New president!

No offense taken.

I am totally not acclimating to this nothing to do thing now that I'm done with school for the summer. I'm bored. I have burnt through all the downloaded television that I have accumulated. My usual coffee shop that I download stuff at has closed camp for the summer. Last night I started writing a paper as if I had nothing better to do because I don't. I have a date tomorrow, or well possibly. The girl has been kinda flaky and if she bails the highlight of my week will be gone. I need a rhythm...

Mike, seriously, you could be getting tons of pussy.

what i am trying to say is, Raven



dude... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFd5Cci_pE4
i was this close to forgetting them forever

is it bad to laugh at adverser while feeling for raven and his son

The difference is that Raven is doing the most humane thing possible, while, Adveser, is making a fool out of himself. That's the enormous difference!