Questions about you

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^^^welcome to our club, Larsen you will quickly learn which dramatic subforums to avoid.

What is your first name? My given name is Devin, but I go by 'Hank'. People remember it more easily and can always spell it right.

Age: 35 in July

Location: A half-hour southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee in Northwestern Georgia USA, but I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana

Hobbies and Interests: meteorology, writing, indoor horticulture, landscape gardening, lite carpentry, bead jewelry making, nutrition, cooking, bartending, geology, music, comedy, anthropolgy, history, meeting new people, sightseeing, short range hiking....

Why are you here?
To meet new people, both within my country and abroad, and to gain more insight into AS culture.

When were you diagnosed? 2014, at 29 years old. Was previously misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder (largely due to PTSD and related depression stemming from childhood sexual assault from an estranged family member).

Favorite subjects: English, History, and Science.

Year/Grade: Graduated with an Associates of Arts in Film and TV Production in 2004.

Favorite music: Classic Rock, Punk Rock, Jazz, Trip Hop, and Oldies.

Books: Mostly Classical lit, SciFi, and Fantasy. Brian Lee O'Malley (of Scott Pilgrim series fame) has rekindled my interest in comics and graphic novels lately.

TV shows/Movies: Animation, comedy, sitcoms, BBC... science, history documentaries.... To many to list here.

Instrument: I sing very well, but only play the harmonica. Want to learn guitar.

Do you like sports? While I try to work out a bit to stay in shape, I don't play sports. I enjoy watching American pro and collegiate football, soccer, and enjoy the Olympic games tremendously.

Family: I live with my Mom. We have family far south in Louisiana, but neither of us are close with any of them. We suspect that mom could also be an Aspergerian. She has tremendous social phobia and trouble maintaining friendships or relationships, as do I.

Clothing: It's extremely hot here until autumn, so I'm usually wearing a t-shirt and lite jogging shorts. I can't wait to wear jeans and over shirts and coats again. I love cold weather the best. Makes me feel awake and alive.

How did you find this website?
Actually, a Wiki search for histrionic personality disorder. A TV show mentioned that, which led to reading about psychology, which led me to reading about AS, which led me here.

Job: I was a bartender at a blue collar neighborhood tavern in East Ridge, Tennessee until it closed recently for renovations and got sold. I am taking time off to do minor renovations on my mother's house as she plans to retire and sell the place to relocate out of the area.

Plans for the future?
I am moving to Northwest Oregon with my mother in Spring of 2020. It will be the second time up there for me, but this time, I'm staying put.

Any comments?
I apoligize for not formally introducing myself here sooner. I have already found that I enjoy the conversation (and people) here far more than any other social media platform I've used. Glad to be here!

My name is Jason

pleased to meet you

Hi Hank

Oregon is a lot different than Tennessee. I know that because I've been to Oregon. I will never go to Tennessee, though.

I don't blame you, Jason. Though I was raised Catholic, including twelve years of Catholic school, I do not believe in hell. That being said, I can't imagine hell being much different from where I live now.

For one thing, I have Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. Hot, sunny, and/or dry weather makes me extremely lethargic and depressed. This region is warm to hot (even all night) and sunny (no clouds even) almost nine months of the year. Cold or cool and overcast weather makes me feel awake and alive. I have never minded snow or rain. My hometown of New Orleans had more average rain days per year than Portland or Seattle. Keeps dust and pollution and pollen out of the air, I miss precipitation terribly in the area I'm in now. I spent the summer of 2015 in Portland and never got hot. Wore coats or jackets at night! Days were blended with clouds, sometimes drizzly rain. Loved it.

Second, I am neither politically conservative or particularly religious. I still practice Catholicism, but I am not 'churchy' like 90% of locals around here. I am not ashamed of my faith, but it is not a major part of my public identity. As such, my only close friend near me (I've lived around Chattanooga for 13 years) is a differently-abled, very politically liberal agnostic who is fifteen years older than me. I do like him a lot, we will always be friends, but do I wish I could meet more people closer to my age who share more interests with me and get out more often. I do not feel welcome in most places around here, and I do not belong here; most locals have made that clear for over a decade.

The last time I enjoyed my life to the point of happiness was in Oregon. I was literally welcomed quite often up there, found better opportunities (and healthcare) which are NOT available 'down here', and made so many friends with whom I shared interests and really connected with!

I very much appreciate the heads up, however I am not only familiar with the vast differences between here and there, I am counting on them. Moving back to Oregon has given me hope, focus in life for four years now, and an acheviable goal to work and sacrifice for. When I escape this region where I'm at now, I'll truly be back home and never look back. Nice to meet you, Jason. Welcome to WP!

mee too. so glad fall has fallen early here in my neck o'the woods.

Are you in the Northern Hemisphere?

traffic-wise, i'm about 3 hours southwest of you. i was saying the weather in mason county is fallish lately, didn't get above 66F today, high humidity, overcast, sprinkly. feels like fall.

Near Portland, Oregon. Ok.

no, portland is 3+ hours south of ME where i'm at in mason county. it takes me about 3 hours to drive to seattle [last time i checked]. mason has its own weather compared to seattle.