A Mediocre Man's Big Issue:

Quoting my journal:

I am way too ambitious. I want to work hard and I'm willing to, but the problem is how to get to the doors I need to open to get where I need to go. It's hard when all you see are road blocks. All I know is that I dream big, and I want the chance to be big.

Am I not doing something right? I'm tired of being the Mediocre Man. I have big dreams. I'm tired of being tiny. There has to be a way to find those right doors.

I wish my life went more like the lyrics to Talking Heads' song "Once in a Lifetime

You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
You may find yourself in another part of the world
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?

I just want to be more successful than my parents, and maybe even my uncle (dad's brother). He's a civil engineer who has done well for himself. And although I'm no engineer (but I should have gone that route, seeing how they are in high demand), I still think I can be a success story. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit to become a success. I want to fulfill those big dreams, and I think given the situation, I can.

By the way, January 2013, it was nice knowing you. Godspeed. 

Sasha's commentary for 26 January 2013

I'm not really in the mood to blog today, so I'll keep it short.

Obama and Clinton are giving America a little parting gift: an interview on 60 Minutes. This'll be good.

Scott Brown is leading in a hypothetical Senate contest. Scary. Losing doesn't seem to discourage him.

Raising fines on traffic tickets might be a good place for Cuomo to just start raising taxes.


Anderson Cooper, you're a Vanderbilt and you know not much about trains. Ugh.

If there's such a thing as an autistic varsity cheerleader, then I'll sure as hell believe in such a person as a female railfan. I'm not shocked whatsoever. There are guys that do ballet and there are guys who dig beauty pageants (I've gotten interested in them because the people who compete in them sometimes have stories of overcome the biggest obstacles to get there, and their stories are definitely worth hearing).

And now a new feature: Tweets I WANT to post but CAN'T.

This is my pathetic excuse for a planned blog post.

"Thatcher is dead" vs the fake Shirley Temple Twitter page

Not many people know, but deep down inside, despite not agreeing much with Shirley Temple Black on politics, I still see her as a successful child actor who served her country as well in the most unusual of ways. Well, it turns out that her Twitter handle was a hoax (although I hope to see her actually on Twitter soon!)

But she's not the only celebrity that has gotten the hoax treatment. In 2009, Canandian Minister of Transport John Baird found out his cat, Thatcher, had passed away. Said cat was named after the Iron Lady (Phil Paige, take note!) Well, one thing leads to another, you have a trans-Atlantic crisis and some top officials having a heck of a lot of explaining to do. Sure, Baroness Thatcher is not as mentally with us as we would like, but she is still a symbol of a nation that has endured painful change since World War II. Thatcher is still a highly regarded figure in the U.K.

Well, someone who is VERY with us, albeit not publicly, is Shirley Temple Black, the famed child actress-turned mom-turned foreign service officer (FSO) who was thought to have started her own Twitter page. And everyone thought it was neat.

The jury is out: Turns out someone hacked someone's pages and made it hers. Even people "in the know" were fooled.

Lesson learned: listen to the Real McCoy. But when you're a partial recluse, it's hard.

An Ode to Saint Victoria of Richmond Hill

It was a year ago Wednesday that my beloved grandmother departed this earth at the age of 87. For the Ivanoff and Charczenko families, it was the loss of a mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt and matriarch. For part, if not most of a Queens neighborhood, it was the lost of an eccentric Russian/Ukrainian-American woman who believed in dignity as much as the Queen of England does. 

But my grandmother was a combination of many pop culture styles. One was the Nia Vardalos style: make babies and feed everyone. A little derogatory, but it fits. She and my grandfather had two boys, and until her stroke, she did just that: fed everyone. Even her two "adopted" grandchildren had the privilege of experiencing her cooking. And after being (weirdly enough) scared/disgusted (can't think of better words) of my two half-brothers, she took them as her own grandkids. And both for their own reasons: Steven because of his adorableness and Thomas because of the animal connection: both my grandmother and Wom shared a bond over parrots. She was as forceful as a Jewish grandmother, making anybody eat everything on their plate, even if they didn't quite like it.

The last thing she told me while she was alive was that she thought of Vladimir Nabokov as a "smut peddler". Classy, Vicky. Also note the connection that her husband's name was also Vladimir. 

Babi, we miss you down here, and whatever you're up to, just don't worry. Your son and two grandsons have good heads on their shoulders.

Come to think of it, Babi looked a lot like Gloria Stuart of Titanic fame. Nonetheless, your friends and family miss your sense of humor and your heart.  

*By the way, if any family is offended by me having this picture up, I understand and I will remove it if so*

Sasha's commentary for 22 January 2013

Houston, we have ANOTHER small problem,

I give my friends copies of the draft to my novel, and I would at least hope for them to get back to me with even the slightest bit of news. Nope. Oh, well, good things take good time. And patience is something we all need more of these days.

In the last two weeks, I've heard about the concept of a cure for autism.

For those on the outside of the autism community, there are your two types: the ones who believe that a cure for autism would be detrimental to the civil rights of those on the spectrum. Some in that school put Autism Speaks in the same category as the Nazi party, with us on the spectrum in the same category as the Nazi's targets (Jews, homosexuals, gypsy's, the seriously disabled). Personally, yes, Autism Speaks could do MUCH more to reach out to individuals on the spectrum.

The other half of the community are so distraught about a loved one being autistic that a cure is a godsend for some of them. I can understand the plight of the Fluties, who have a child unable to speak.

I guess it's different for me. I can speak and communicate fairly well, even if it doesn't get across 100% correctly, I can work a full-time job, there are people I refer to as my friends and I've done my share of dating (girls, take note this stud is still taking dating applications. I promise a fun and safe time out. And I'll probably make a fool out of myself so bad you'll spend the next day still laughing out your brains).

I've heard of enough ABA (applied behavioral analysis) to drown a common house pet. Now, the buzzword is this: can you outgrow autism? That's like saying you can outgrow ADHD. In my own battle with attention deficiencies, the effects die down after a few year, but never go away. My body language is such that there will always be that one person who will continue to think I am a creep, no matter what.

What did America learn on Inauguration Day? New York's own Chuck Schumer is a CREEPER.

We're all aware of the fact that excess use of plastics can be detrimental to our health. Another study has stated the obvious.

Remember when I posted that thing from Keith Ablow? One of Fox's own writers wrote a rebuttal. I need to agree with Diana Falozne: we're a generation of guinea pigs.

Chuck Lorre, as a Potsdam alum, please, kill off Two and a Half Men with dignity. You're a creativity tank, you can come up with something to take it's place. First it's Charlie, now it's Angus.
'
Folks, I apologize for sourcing Fox News too much tonight. It won't happen again.

*Due to work-related issues, this blog is a little late. I apologize, but this is somewhat expected.*

Sasha's commentary for 18 January 2013

I know you guys have all missed me the last three days!!! 

But here's the news.

First, I'm confused on two new things in the news: Can anyone explain to me about Manti Te'o thing? Was he behind the hoax thing? I'm confused. And the big murder trial that happened this week?

-Turns out that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have a new fan-in Michael J. Fox. The Back to the Future and Family Ties star has made it clear. Taylor Swift, you ain't welcome. Quoting the geniuses at ABC:

At last Sunday’s Golden Globes, host Tina Fey joked to Taylor Swift, ”stay away from Michael J. Fox’s son,” who attended the awards show with his father.

Now Fox is giving her the warning too. At a book party for Ann Leary’s “The Good House,” the ”Back to the Future” actor told Vulture magazine he doesn’t want Swift dating his 23-year-old son Sam.

“No. No … Just back off,” Fox reportedly said. “I don’t keep up with it all. But Taylor Swift writes songs about everybody she goes out with, right? What a way to build a career.”

 Now that's the kind of dad I want to be when I have (IF I'M LUCKY ENOUGH *cough* *cough*) kids.  And TSwift, as I'll call her in my blogs from now on, is no more a baby cougar. So that makes me a baby cradle robber-a guy in his early 20s who goes for the 18-22 crowd. But unlike Swift, I have limits: if (a) parent(s) want me to stay away from their child, I will be more than happy to do so. When you date someone, you date their family too. And TSwift has had...like thirteen different flings???
-Pat Robertson, if you can, shut up now. Your comments make you look like a damn fool. I've had crushes on girls who are a little plump. It's the face that matters most. And eyes. Rarely do I go for girls with brown or black eyes. And with any girl, there's that one thing about her that attracts me to her like a magnet. Sometimes it's being a cheerleader. Other times it's being a really great oldest sister. And Pat Robertson believes that people with a spouse with Alzheimer's should be allowed to divorce due to the spouse's condition. Nice one, PAT. He's a monster. 
-Jenelle Evans is having her second child. She's one of those 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom nightmares (thanks MTV/VIACOM, who I want them to buy my idea for a show, it's happier and teaches morals and makes for good reality entertainment) who has, even with her oldest not in her care, still manages to find an excuse to have another child. Bad idea. 
-I THANK GOD I don't live in North Dakota. I already have a hard time finding a date at it is being on the autism spectrum. But that doesn't mean I'm a quitter: maybe I should take up kickboxing. However, I like having teeth, and I've already have had a mishap once in my life on a boogie-board. But honestly, if the stories coming out of Williston, North Dakota are true, I'm a little concerned for where the world is aiming. I thought men were proper, but some of the stories from this article are bothersome.
-That "Aluminum Digger" thingie is creepy. Just saying.
-The New York Times is almost acting like the Onion. Wow. 

One of them is believed by the authorities to be a mob associate who extorted owners of garbage-hauling companies in New York City suburbs. The other is believed to be at least 542 years old, very short and wise, with blue skin and a white beard.

-American Airlines has a new look. There's no link to their 1969 livery. I cry a little inside.
Kudos to this 27-year-old from Virginia for sticking up for cancer survivors. May Victoria's Secret do good on this.
Three-fourths of American voters want term limits. Out with the old, in with the new. With room made, I could be the first person on the autism spectrum elected to major political office. But politics is like crack: it's a hard habit to break.
And I leave myself with this: is there such a thing as a really pretty girl who can't manage to get a date no matter how hard she tries? If you're a girl like that, feel free to send me a shout-out. At least I'm...okay, I should NEVER compare myself to Taylor Swift. Bad idea.

Sasha's commentary for 15 January 2012

Okay, so I've been working on my novel in addition to my almost full-time job. I'll have more on that novel in a later blog.

Anyways, I'm overdue for some commentary. I think due to work commitments at the time being (for the next few weeks, until I'm done with training at Sears), these commentaries will be kept to a minimal.

So, for my commentary:

I'll start with the autism stuff first. For the parents of Dylan Hockley, a six year old who was one of the victims at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, some comforting news has emerged:

But one detail has given the Hockleys comfort. A few days after the tragedy, the Hockleys ran into Mike Murphy. His wife, Anne Marie Murphy, taught their son at Sandy Hook. He revealed to her that -- in the terrible aftermath of the attack -- first responders found Dylan and his teacher together."

  CNN's story sheds light into how despite the shooter was rumored to have been on the spectrum, one of the victims was as well. And coincidentally, today, the New York State Legislature signed new gun control measures into place. As long as I can still go for venison, all is good.

I give the students at Northern Secondary School a hell of a lot of credit. Well, it so happens that one of it's own, Carly Fleischmann, is well known for her experiences on the spectrum, and how she is able to communicate effectively via computer, but still cannot speak verbally. They have been working on this "six degrees of separation" movement to get celebrities to wear blue scarves in support of autism awareness.

The Chicago Tribune has an article on where North American rail travel will be going in 2013. It's a matter of that we're still in an economic crunch and without a healthy American tax base, which is the MAJOR PROBLEM in this country right now, we're going nowhere.

American Airlines is axing their NY-Santo Domingo flights. It seems like terrible business sense. I don't give a hoot if they were trying to or not to review their business model, the point is that the NY-Caribbean market is huge. There's just enough for all to go around for the airlines.

Wow, I hope the to-be-born child has a much better start in life than before his arrival. An hour to break up a fight at a BABY SHOWER? Those are supposed to be peaceful events. In general, it's a bad idea to have booze around at a baby shower, whether or not the assailants were intoxicated.

Who is stupid enough to blame their drinking on same-sex marriage? One Maryland state senator has, and blames his drinking for his marital issues. You know that there's AA meetings and rehab, right? If he didn't know that, I'm kinda scared.

Finally, I'll close on a few small notes. If I am ever elected to office, I'll vote in favor of something if I and my constituents support, even if I'm not in favor of it completely, for there's always post-bill amendments. I would have voted in favor of Obamacare in 2010 if I was in Congress and introduced a bill to amend it to be better read and to make it less costly and a better law overall.

I also want 2013 where I finally become more involved in the autism community. Whether it be walks, conferences, networking opportunities, you name it, I want to be involved.

Finally, why can't I date a decent C-list celebrity?

Richard Nixon-the last great liberal

I agree with Douglas E. Schoen. And Michael Moore too, who was re-iterated the idea before. Nixon was the last great liberal, even if he was a shmuck.

Just how bad the American political situation has gotten:

I would expect Paul Ryan or someone else to do this. But House speaker John Boehner telling Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to f**** himself? Wow, that's as low as you can get.

Sasha's rants for January 10th 2012

Yesterday, my governor, Andrew Cuomo, gave his third State of the State address. And the media has eaten it up.  Cuomo has some bold plans for 2013, but some of them might be hard to do. He really needs to reinvent the education wheel before most of the schools in New York can't operate.

Alright, so another beginning to the year has begun, and I'm having doubts of the sanity of a political entity, which, by the way in some cases, qualifies me as someone having touch with reality.

School superintendents across New York are saying their districts will be insolvent . Someone wake up the Governor and the New York State Education Department. Something needs to change, and fast!!! And while we're still on the Cuomo train, he bought his daughters a white Ford Bronco. I roll my eyes with disbelif. You know The Juice ruined white Broncos for us all.

And although I traditionally think Keith Ablow is a crock of shit, he's pointing out something very true: my generation is a bunch of deluded narcissists. And the signs are there folks! Kids so obsessed over anything indie, which is just as bad as non-indie. Believe me, are only a slight part of the problem. Instead of partying every night, why don't we just sit down and our generation do something crucial: solve the problems of today's world. Because guess what? We'll be running the show in a few years. My generation needs to take initiative.

And by the way, if you don't watch Miss America on Saturday night, we are no longer friends. Just joking obviously, but still, the special needs community is finally coming on stage. 2013 will be the year autism will be no longer in the shadows.

And finally, I want to end on the topic of gun control. Although I believe in gun control, I believe that people should be allowed to possess hunting rifles. Venison makes for good eatin'. And plus, not controlling the deer population is not good for both deer (who face less food during the winter) and humans (I have a story about how a deer nearly slammed into the side of my car).

G'night all, we'll smell ya later.