http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:51:57 -0700 MyBB http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2603 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:23:18 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2603 http://blogofwishes.com/

One of the things that look cool on that website is this : http://blogofwishes.com/all-4-mobile-pho...y-charger/


This thing also looks cool : http://blogofwishes.com/cool-gadgets/mat...our-brain/
I'm not sure it actually works but…


Then there is a whole bunch of stuff on Thinkgeek.
There are a bunch of ties, first : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel...ties/9352/
This one is übercool :
That or the tie made of duct tape : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel...ties/ddb2/

Then there is other fashion stuff, like this t-shirt :
Or this one :

And this thing is ultimate coolness :

Another thing I'd totally like is having a mismatched colourful totally horrible suit, that I can wear at social events or when I want to just be annoyingly flashy.

Oh and a hat!
Either a bowler hat or this sort of hat (I dunno how they're called) :


Oh, and I _must_ find a basque béret, too! Otherwise I will never be able to totally look stereotypically French
(I had a red one somewhere, but I dunno where it is)



What about you, now that I've annoyed y'all with my wish-list to Santa Claus?

(who knows, Santa might be a regular Haven lurker, after all xD ) (one of the bots? :o )]]> http://blogofwishes.com/

One of the things that look cool on that website is this : http://blogofwishes.com/all-4-mobile-pho...y-charger/


This thing also looks cool : http://blogofwishes.com/cool-gadgets/mat...our-brain/
I'm not sure it actually works but…


Then there is a whole bunch of stuff on Thinkgeek.
There are a bunch of ties, first : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel...ties/9352/
This one is übercool :
That or the tie made of duct tape : http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel...ties/ddb2/

Then there is other fashion stuff, like this t-shirt :
Or this one :

And this thing is ultimate coolness :

Another thing I'd totally like is having a mismatched colourful totally horrible suit, that I can wear at social events or when I want to just be annoyingly flashy.

Oh and a hat!
Either a bowler hat or this sort of hat (I dunno how they're called) :


Oh, and I _must_ find a basque béret, too! Otherwise I will never be able to totally look stereotypically French
(I had a red one somewhere, but I dunno where it is)



What about you, now that I've annoyed y'all with my wish-list to Santa Claus?

(who knows, Santa might be a regular Haven lurker, after all xD ) (one of the bots? :o )]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2602 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:50:01 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2602
Step 2. Get a large, cold glass of coke.

Step 3. Open both of these links and press play on both:

http://www.endlessyoutube.com/watch?v=HMnrl0tmd3k
http://www.rainymood.com/

Step 4. Open this link and full-screen it.

http://www.endlessyoutube.com/watch?v=DIx3aMRDUL4


All this will make you so relaxed you'll never get up from your chair.]]>
Step 2. Get a large, cold glass of coke.

Step 3. Open both of these links and press play on both:

http://www.endlessyoutube.com/watch?v=HMnrl0tmd3k
http://www.rainymood.com/

Step 4. Open this link and full-screen it.

http://www.endlessyoutube.com/watch?v=DIx3aMRDUL4


All this will make you so relaxed you'll never get up from your chair.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2600 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:23:00 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2600
I've been lurking for quite a while, making a post here and there, but I don't think I've ever introduced myself.

I'm End Paradox, but you can call me Jake. I'm 19 years old and in my second year of college, with no idea what I want to do with my life yet.

I like video games a lot, and I play a couple MMO's - pretty much everything but first person shooters are appealing to me. Other than video games, instrumental music, books, learning about random things, posting on message boards, and other couch potato things are what I spend most of my spare time doing.

Just a few random things about me that might be relevant if you want to get to know me:

- I was identified as gifted by some test given to all 1st graders in my school district. Gifted ed was a 30 minute class that met every week where we learned about cool things and took the occasional field trip to museums and such. I was kicked out in 7th grade for not turning in my papers in writing class and failing, then I invited back in to a similiar program (basically a study hall for gifted/talented) in my senior year in HS.

- I've never really felt gifted or smart - just more interested in academics than the average person. If I don't study or do homework in a class, I get a bad grade just like everyone else. I feel like I got good grades in high school because I had the time and willpower to shoot for the A's.

- I had no idea what OE's were until I found this site sometime last fall, but I've experienced them all my life. I thought I might have had autism or Asperger's syndrome for a long time, but then I was confused because social norms/body language and that sort of thing never caused me any sort of problem.

- I consider myself agnostic on religious matters. Nothing against any specific religion, I just haven't made up my mind.

- Sorry if this is TMI, but I'm not straight. This is something that's been troubling me for a long time, and I'm trying to get to the point where I'm comfortable sharing it with anyone.

- I'm a very expressed introvert, I think my full four-letter personality code is INTJ.

- And finally, I like staying up late - it's 3:30AM right now, and luckily I don't have class tomorrow morning.

With all that being said, I look forward to meeting you all! ]]>
I've been lurking for quite a while, making a post here and there, but I don't think I've ever introduced myself.

I'm End Paradox, but you can call me Jake. I'm 19 years old and in my second year of college, with no idea what I want to do with my life yet.

I like video games a lot, and I play a couple MMO's - pretty much everything but first person shooters are appealing to me. Other than video games, instrumental music, books, learning about random things, posting on message boards, and other couch potato things are what I spend most of my spare time doing.

Just a few random things about me that might be relevant if you want to get to know me:

- I was identified as gifted by some test given to all 1st graders in my school district. Gifted ed was a 30 minute class that met every week where we learned about cool things and took the occasional field trip to museums and such. I was kicked out in 7th grade for not turning in my papers in writing class and failing, then I invited back in to a similiar program (basically a study hall for gifted/talented) in my senior year in HS.

- I've never really felt gifted or smart - just more interested in academics than the average person. If I don't study or do homework in a class, I get a bad grade just like everyone else. I feel like I got good grades in high school because I had the time and willpower to shoot for the A's.

- I had no idea what OE's were until I found this site sometime last fall, but I've experienced them all my life. I thought I might have had autism or Asperger's syndrome for a long time, but then I was confused because social norms/body language and that sort of thing never caused me any sort of problem.

- I consider myself agnostic on religious matters. Nothing against any specific religion, I just haven't made up my mind.

- Sorry if this is TMI, but I'm not straight. This is something that's been troubling me for a long time, and I'm trying to get to the point where I'm comfortable sharing it with anyone.

- I'm a very expressed introvert, I think my full four-letter personality code is INTJ.

- And finally, I like staying up late - it's 3:30AM right now, and luckily I don't have class tomorrow morning.

With all that being said, I look forward to meeting you all! ]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2599 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:13:18 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2599
In fact, to my knowledge, there is barely any book talking about either giftedness or Autism.


So I sort of started compiling a list.


In Earth Abides, the character Joey (and his father, who is the hero) is the only one who cares about reading and who asks questions about the lost civilization. There is a lot of focus on his character in the book, and IMO, his existence in that book introduces the theme of giftedness.

In The Lord of the Flies giftedness is also obviously a theme (I don't remember the name of the "gifted" kid there though…), but it isn't expressed as finely as in Earth Abides. Intelligence and precocity and civlization are themes, and not giftedness in itself.

Then you have theories on giftedness that would be found in Harry Potter. Hermione, in the first book, may be considered gifted, I guess. I also read full articles speculating on the whole of Harry Potter being an allegory of giftedness… but I think it's bull.

Someone also talked to me about a French book (l'élégance du hérisson : the elegance of the hedgehog), a French book that would also have giftedness as one of its topics. But I never read that book, so I can't really tell.

Then you have Artemis Fowl, but he's more of a genius than of a gifted character, because he doesn't have the trait of giftedness, just of being a genius (he doesn't have the psychological patterns associated with giftedness, or at least the book doesn't really talk about them)

And then you have Roald Dahl's Matilda, which is, as far as I am concerned, a children's tale about giftedness.

All in all, the only book I can think of at the moment where giftedness is really a central theme is Earth Abides (in a subtle but persistent way) and Matilda (in a more obvious, but very very romanticized way)

Do you know of other books talking about giftedness and/or autism?

---


Also, one of the reasons why I think giftedness is under-represented as a theme in literature is, besides the bias that can exist against the notion of giftedness among most readers, the fact that most writers, even the significant minority that is gifted (if not the majority?), doesn't necessarily know much about it. Or don't feel the need to express anything related to giftedness. Sometimes, though, you'll find that the main character is gifted, and acts gifted. Or expresses feelings akin to giftedness.]]>
In fact, to my knowledge, there is barely any book talking about either giftedness or Autism.


So I sort of started compiling a list.


In Earth Abides, the character Joey (and his father, who is the hero) is the only one who cares about reading and who asks questions about the lost civilization. There is a lot of focus on his character in the book, and IMO, his existence in that book introduces the theme of giftedness.

In The Lord of the Flies giftedness is also obviously a theme (I don't remember the name of the "gifted" kid there though…), but it isn't expressed as finely as in Earth Abides. Intelligence and precocity and civlization are themes, and not giftedness in itself.

Then you have theories on giftedness that would be found in Harry Potter. Hermione, in the first book, may be considered gifted, I guess. I also read full articles speculating on the whole of Harry Potter being an allegory of giftedness… but I think it's bull.

Someone also talked to me about a French book (l'élégance du hérisson : the elegance of the hedgehog), a French book that would also have giftedness as one of its topics. But I never read that book, so I can't really tell.

Then you have Artemis Fowl, but he's more of a genius than of a gifted character, because he doesn't have the trait of giftedness, just of being a genius (he doesn't have the psychological patterns associated with giftedness, or at least the book doesn't really talk about them)

And then you have Roald Dahl's Matilda, which is, as far as I am concerned, a children's tale about giftedness.

All in all, the only book I can think of at the moment where giftedness is really a central theme is Earth Abides (in a subtle but persistent way) and Matilda (in a more obvious, but very very romanticized way)

Do you know of other books talking about giftedness and/or autism?

---


Also, one of the reasons why I think giftedness is under-represented as a theme in literature is, besides the bias that can exist against the notion of giftedness among most readers, the fact that most writers, even the significant minority that is gifted (if not the majority?), doesn't necessarily know much about it. Or don't feel the need to express anything related to giftedness. Sometimes, though, you'll find that the main character is gifted, and acts gifted. Or expresses feelings akin to giftedness.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2598 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:02:15 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2598 ]]> ]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2597 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:24:32 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2597 http://www.cbs.com/forum/posts/list/0/129010.page

Long life to Woz!]]> http://www.cbs.com/forum/posts/list/0/129010.page

Long life to Woz!]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2596 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:35:01 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2596 http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Interesting website


A bit populistic but I think that's part of what makes it great]]> http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Interesting website


A bit populistic but I think that's part of what makes it great]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2595 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:45:47 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2595
I've been using one of the default Mint wallpapers, but I'm thinking of finding another one.]]>
I've been using one of the default Mint wallpapers, but I'm thinking of finding another one.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2594 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:11:51 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2594 http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_webrip/all/1]]> http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_webrip/all/1]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2593 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:27:51 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2593 http://www.sengifted.org/articles_social...lgio.shtml

Apparently the way she found to help gifteds is to found the root of their negatives emotions.]]> http://www.sengifted.org/articles_social...lgio.shtml

Apparently the way she found to help gifteds is to found the root of their negatives emotions.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2592 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:28:04 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2592
Either that or if people used to do that as kids. Like, building huts (and if you have pictures!)

I dreamt of doing that. I thought of several designs : rebuilding a ruin in my village, building a Gallic style adobe hut… but I never managed to do anything. I didn't have the materials to build it But I would still like to do something like that, one day.

The furthest I've gone is rebuilding a small portion of a low wall sustaining a small footpath in my village. I guess it's a start xD But yeah, I'd really like to learn how to build these traditional walls, and then one day build something of my own or rebuild a ruin into something new.

There are also interesting designs of some self-made homes.

What about you guys?]]>
Either that or if people used to do that as kids. Like, building huts (and if you have pictures!)

I dreamt of doing that. I thought of several designs : rebuilding a ruin in my village, building a Gallic style adobe hut… but I never managed to do anything. I didn't have the materials to build it But I would still like to do something like that, one day.

The furthest I've gone is rebuilding a small portion of a low wall sustaining a small footpath in my village. I guess it's a start xD But yeah, I'd really like to learn how to build these traditional walls, and then one day build something of my own or rebuild a ruin into something new.

There are also interesting designs of some self-made homes.

What about you guys?]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2591 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:45:16 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2591
I wonder what this will lead to. Honestly, I'm ashamed of my country.]]>
I wonder what this will lead to. Honestly, I'm ashamed of my country.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2589 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:59:25 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2589 I know all of the schools I am applying to are in Maine, but I really like it here.

Places I am applying:
Bowdoin College
University of Maine
Husson University
University of Maine Farmington

For Bowdoin I have to write an essay about the common good or intellectual engagement. I don't know which one to pick. xD

For both universities of Maine, the essay is either personal goals, etc., or personal choice. Applicants write about WHATEVER. Suggestions?

As for Husson, it's a "confidential" document and I have to have the app sent to me, (they do let you file electronically but I looked at it, and it's a pain in the arse) so I have no idea what the prompt is yet. xD

Suggestions for my personal choice essay, and insight on the Bowdoin topics would be very, very much appreciated. Thanks everyone in advance! ]]> I know all of the schools I am applying to are in Maine, but I really like it here.

Places I am applying:
Bowdoin College
University of Maine
Husson University
University of Maine Farmington

For Bowdoin I have to write an essay about the common good or intellectual engagement. I don't know which one to pick. xD

For both universities of Maine, the essay is either personal goals, etc., or personal choice. Applicants write about WHATEVER. Suggestions?

As for Husson, it's a "confidential" document and I have to have the app sent to me, (they do let you file electronically but I looked at it, and it's a pain in the arse) so I have no idea what the prompt is yet. xD

Suggestions for my personal choice essay, and insight on the Bowdoin topics would be very, very much appreciated. Thanks everyone in advance! ]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2588 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:44:21 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2588
I am a very strange person. I have been involved in some gifted programs for years like CTY until I started taking classes at BU year-round. Hah, this means that after I graduate high school I will only have to go to college for one maybe two years depending on school requirements. I see undergrad as a waste of time anyways. I want to do more research. I actually just presented at a conference this past June. I am working on a project right now for possible publication in a peer-reviewed journal next fall. My research is in assistive technology for autism.

I am autistic. Most people get confused when I tell them this if they did not know me in a context in which it was fairly obvious. I have a lot of intense interests mainly centered around things like technology, research, academics, advocacy, dogs, philosophy, history, tabletop gaming (roleplay games, warhammer 40k, magic), video games, anime and manga, and sci-fi and fantasy. I run two clubs in the program that I am in for school; one for tabletop gaming and another for video games. In addition, I attend Society for Creative Anachronism events and do a lot of dog training. I also have savant skills in writing and computer programming. At least that is what everyone thinks they probably are even though they are not the typical sorts of skills. I have many sensory difficulties in addition to other issues coming with autism which I hope to live with by getting a service dog with guide and hearing dog tasks (I can be functionally blind and/or deaf at times due to sensory issues).

Oh, and I am also transgender. I was born a girl but I identify as a male. My parents are having a hard time with this as I just came out this June. We are starting therapy this fall so I hope that this makes things a bit better. It took me a while to figure out as for a while I thought that a lot of my differences were just due to me being autistic. Once I was placed into an environment where I could function socially (I need nerds around me to do that, I have found) I was able to untangle the two things.

In any case, you will probably get to know me best by chatting with me on the forums, IRC, or Skype. My Skype is Shidashs so feel free to add me to the chat. What is the IRC channel? I cannot find the information and my Java plugin seems to be screwed up (not sure why, I will figure it out when I get back home tomorrow).

I look forward to getting to know all of you and participating in this forum.]]>
I am a very strange person. I have been involved in some gifted programs for years like CTY until I started taking classes at BU year-round. Hah, this means that after I graduate high school I will only have to go to college for one maybe two years depending on school requirements. I see undergrad as a waste of time anyways. I want to do more research. I actually just presented at a conference this past June. I am working on a project right now for possible publication in a peer-reviewed journal next fall. My research is in assistive technology for autism.

I am autistic. Most people get confused when I tell them this if they did not know me in a context in which it was fairly obvious. I have a lot of intense interests mainly centered around things like technology, research, academics, advocacy, dogs, philosophy, history, tabletop gaming (roleplay games, warhammer 40k, magic), video games, anime and manga, and sci-fi and fantasy. I run two clubs in the program that I am in for school; one for tabletop gaming and another for video games. In addition, I attend Society for Creative Anachronism events and do a lot of dog training. I also have savant skills in writing and computer programming. At least that is what everyone thinks they probably are even though they are not the typical sorts of skills. I have many sensory difficulties in addition to other issues coming with autism which I hope to live with by getting a service dog with guide and hearing dog tasks (I can be functionally blind and/or deaf at times due to sensory issues).

Oh, and I am also transgender. I was born a girl but I identify as a male. My parents are having a hard time with this as I just came out this June. We are starting therapy this fall so I hope that this makes things a bit better. It took me a while to figure out as for a while I thought that a lot of my differences were just due to me being autistic. Once I was placed into an environment where I could function socially (I need nerds around me to do that, I have found) I was able to untangle the two things.

In any case, you will probably get to know me best by chatting with me on the forums, IRC, or Skype. My Skype is Shidashs so feel free to add me to the chat. What is the IRC channel? I cannot find the information and my Java plugin seems to be screwed up (not sure why, I will figure it out when I get back home tomorrow).

I look forward to getting to know all of you and participating in this forum.]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2587 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:01:10 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2587
She stared at the mahogany casket, the lid closed, with a flag draped over the top. The uniformed pallbearers folded the it. Brought it over to her. The woman didn’t move to accept the it until the person on her left elbowed her.

She looked up, her sight blurred from age and slowly welling tears, and took the flag while remaining seated. She stared down at the blue and white fabric, unable to think about anything other than those years. Her sister, to her right, held her hand, soothing her. “He’s in a better place, Jane,” she murmured, voice thick.

She nodded absently. She was only physically there; in her mind, it was 1940 and she was a young woman of twenty. Her wedding day. She could see his face in front of her now. She’d walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, cheeks flushed and hands trembling. He had smiled at her from the altar, eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

Lethargic moments ambled along, the glittering sun above mocking the crowd of mourners. Finally, the casket was lowered into the gaping mouth in the earth. Jane sobbed, burying her cries in a handkerchief.

---

She’d had the mourners over for dinner, but everyone had left. The house, once cozy and inviting, enveloped her in cold hollowness. She sat on the couch in the main living room, reaching for the remote to turn on the television. A program buzzed in the background as she sat there, eyes boring into the beige carpet as if it would answer her if she glowered at it fiercely enough.

A knock at the door. She didn’t hear it.

“If you don’t open the door this instant, I will bust it down!” The female outside threatened.

No response came; no immediate shouts of “I’m coming!” or “Just a moment!” resounded in the large house. The other female took this as her sign to use the key Jane’s son had given her. She wielded the small metal instrument as if it might injure her, turning the lock cautiously and opening the door.

She gasped and ran forward.

---

“I’m sorry, Jane, dear, but I just had to get you out of that dreadful old house,” Jane’s twin sister, JoAnne, remarked as the two walked out to JoAnne’s car.

“Really, Jo, I’m just fine.”

JoAnne gave her a pointed look. “Don’t even try that. You and I both know you’re a wreck.”

Jane glared at her. “I am not. I am perfectly fine in my house. I’m not a child, JoAnne.”

The sisters stood in front of the car. JoAnne held a bag and a small ring of keys in her hand. She seemed unsure of whether to be agitated or bemused. Jane held two duffel bags, a scowl contorting her features.

“You’re going to love Orlando. I promise. Besides, it’s only for three weeks.”

Jane lifted one bag slightly, examining it. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“Exactly.”

---

Three weeks. JoAnne had stayed true to her words, for once.

Jane stared up at her home. The grass was growing up, taller and taller. She hefted her bags, bade goodbye to her sister, and re-entered the ghostly building.

Everything was where it was before, though now the air had a distinctly musty odor. Jane felt ill at ease. She dragged her bags upstairs, surprisingly able for an old woman. She tramped back down, turning on the television, stopping on a blaring, gaudy game show. She blasted the volume, and set to work.

---

Her house was clean. She could relax. Jane sat on the couch, staring at the TV. The pain from the death of George had faded somewhat, replaced by an aching loneliness. When he was alive, she had been content to be with just him; her family and friends, excluding JoAnne and her family, had become estranged.

She regretted it.

She wandered aimlessly, stopping in the library. She hadn’t the urge to read, but walked among the shelves. Inspected them. She’d already read most of the books in the front of the room. She didn’t know what was in the back.

Against the wall stood two large bookcases. The books this far back were covered in a thick layer of dust; Jane wasn’t one to venture into the library during her cleaning fits. She swiped a hand across the spines, reading the titles silently. She paused. Picked up a book. Left the room.

---

She had an idea. Jane picked up the phone. Dialed.

---

“Uh…how much’re we talkin’, Missus Waverly?” a tall, middle-aged man in coveralls said, his voice sounding as if his nose was permanently clogged. A younger man, his brother, stood behind him, silent.

“One thousand. After you bring it back.”

“Bring what back?”

“You must give me your word first. You will not back out.”

“’Kay. How can we help you, Missus?”

---

Jane wondered if it would work. She got the money out, and placed it in a white envelope. Set it down. Waited.

---

“Thank you,” she said softly. Handing over the money, she looked into each of their eyes. Tried to smile.

They nodded gruffly, the taller one taking the envelope and stuffing it into his coveralls. They didn’t return the look.

---

She smiled to herself, brushing off the legs of her pants though they weren’t dirty.

She wasn’t lonely anymore. She would never feel that way again.

---

The phone rang. Leisurely, Jane reached over to retrieve it. She answered with a casual, “Hello?”

“Aunt Jane? It’s your niece, Mara….”

Her heart plummeted.

---

First, her husband. Then, her sister. She was angry. Whoever was in charge, if there was anyone, seemed to be holding a grudge against her for something she‘d done in a past life. Or maybe it simply hated her, delighting in her suffering. But she remembered.

She could outsmart it.

---

Another exchange, another strained smile, and another wash of relief. Jane nodded to herself as the duo left. After eleven years, she was still mildly surprised at just what those two would do for cash. She supposed she could understand. The brothers, orphaned from an early age, had never escaped their impoverished beginnings. They struggled just to feed their families and avoid homelessness.

If it meant not worrying about rent or the next meal, they would do anything for money. Anything.

And for that, Jane was thankful.

---

Her new routine was simple. Get up, get ready for the day, run errands with the neighbors, return home, spend the rest of the day with George and JoAnne. Whenever she tended her garden, she’d sit with George and talk with him for a few moments. She knew he’d never reply, but it was relaxing. It was her revenge. All her life, she believed that death was finality, the culmination of everything a person did, and who he or she was. She believed death was the ultimate end. When she was young, it didn’t bother her.

When she was young, she was immortal.

She came to realize that nothing is static. She learned that everything and everyone is falling apart. Until she decided otherwise.

She chuckled to herself and glanced over at her long-dead husband.

---

She liked to dress her up. Jane sprayed her twin with the woman’s favorite perfume. It was fun. And kept away the smell.

She chatted idly with her, in the back of her mind, rejoicing. She’d done it. She cheated death, in a way. Death wasn’t final.

---

Night had fallen. Jane was in the sitting room with her twin. She was speaking softly to her of life, and how much she missed her. She was crying.

It had been three years. Thirteen or so for her husband. She had been alone, with them, for years.

It wasn’t working anymore. She knew they weren’t really here.

She would never outsmart Death.

---

A knock on the door. Jane scowled. The neighbors had left earlier. It was three o’clock in the afternoon, too early for one of the neighborhood kids to come over, asking to use the phone. She went to the door cautiously.

Opened it. Peered up at the woman standing in front of her. She was clad in a blue police uniform. A badge on her chest reflected the brutal sunlight into Jane’s eyes. Jane squinted.

“Can I help you?”

“Are you a Jane Waverly?”

“Yes….” the older woman divulged, not allowing her to come in.

“May I ask you a few questions, Ms. Waverly?”

Jane looked back into the house, knowing already why this officer was here. JoAnne’s widower had called a week ago. He’d gone to visit her grave. But something was amiss. The grass hadn’t quite grown back yet, and he was wondering, did she know why that could be?

In fear, she told him. Trusted him. She was wrong to do that.

She nodded. She was an ancient woman, what could they do to her, knowing what she knew?

"Come in."]]>
She stared at the mahogany casket, the lid closed, with a flag draped over the top. The uniformed pallbearers folded the it. Brought it over to her. The woman didn’t move to accept the it until the person on her left elbowed her.

She looked up, her sight blurred from age and slowly welling tears, and took the flag while remaining seated. She stared down at the blue and white fabric, unable to think about anything other than those years. Her sister, to her right, held her hand, soothing her. “He’s in a better place, Jane,” she murmured, voice thick.

She nodded absently. She was only physically there; in her mind, it was 1940 and she was a young woman of twenty. Her wedding day. She could see his face in front of her now. She’d walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, cheeks flushed and hands trembling. He had smiled at her from the altar, eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

Lethargic moments ambled along, the glittering sun above mocking the crowd of mourners. Finally, the casket was lowered into the gaping mouth in the earth. Jane sobbed, burying her cries in a handkerchief.

---

She’d had the mourners over for dinner, but everyone had left. The house, once cozy and inviting, enveloped her in cold hollowness. She sat on the couch in the main living room, reaching for the remote to turn on the television. A program buzzed in the background as she sat there, eyes boring into the beige carpet as if it would answer her if she glowered at it fiercely enough.

A knock at the door. She didn’t hear it.

“If you don’t open the door this instant, I will bust it down!” The female outside threatened.

No response came; no immediate shouts of “I’m coming!” or “Just a moment!” resounded in the large house. The other female took this as her sign to use the key Jane’s son had given her. She wielded the small metal instrument as if it might injure her, turning the lock cautiously and opening the door.

She gasped and ran forward.

---

“I’m sorry, Jane, dear, but I just had to get you out of that dreadful old house,” Jane’s twin sister, JoAnne, remarked as the two walked out to JoAnne’s car.

“Really, Jo, I’m just fine.”

JoAnne gave her a pointed look. “Don’t even try that. You and I both know you’re a wreck.”

Jane glared at her. “I am not. I am perfectly fine in my house. I’m not a child, JoAnne.”

The sisters stood in front of the car. JoAnne held a bag and a small ring of keys in her hand. She seemed unsure of whether to be agitated or bemused. Jane held two duffel bags, a scowl contorting her features.

“You’re going to love Orlando. I promise. Besides, it’s only for three weeks.”

Jane lifted one bag slightly, examining it. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“Exactly.”

---

Three weeks. JoAnne had stayed true to her words, for once.

Jane stared up at her home. The grass was growing up, taller and taller. She hefted her bags, bade goodbye to her sister, and re-entered the ghostly building.

Everything was where it was before, though now the air had a distinctly musty odor. Jane felt ill at ease. She dragged her bags upstairs, surprisingly able for an old woman. She tramped back down, turning on the television, stopping on a blaring, gaudy game show. She blasted the volume, and set to work.

---

Her house was clean. She could relax. Jane sat on the couch, staring at the TV. The pain from the death of George had faded somewhat, replaced by an aching loneliness. When he was alive, she had been content to be with just him; her family and friends, excluding JoAnne and her family, had become estranged.

She regretted it.

She wandered aimlessly, stopping in the library. She hadn’t the urge to read, but walked among the shelves. Inspected them. She’d already read most of the books in the front of the room. She didn’t know what was in the back.

Against the wall stood two large bookcases. The books this far back were covered in a thick layer of dust; Jane wasn’t one to venture into the library during her cleaning fits. She swiped a hand across the spines, reading the titles silently. She paused. Picked up a book. Left the room.

---

She had an idea. Jane picked up the phone. Dialed.

---

“Uh…how much’re we talkin’, Missus Waverly?” a tall, middle-aged man in coveralls said, his voice sounding as if his nose was permanently clogged. A younger man, his brother, stood behind him, silent.

“One thousand. After you bring it back.”

“Bring what back?”

“You must give me your word first. You will not back out.”

“’Kay. How can we help you, Missus?”

---

Jane wondered if it would work. She got the money out, and placed it in a white envelope. Set it down. Waited.

---

“Thank you,” she said softly. Handing over the money, she looked into each of their eyes. Tried to smile.

They nodded gruffly, the taller one taking the envelope and stuffing it into his coveralls. They didn’t return the look.

---

She smiled to herself, brushing off the legs of her pants though they weren’t dirty.

She wasn’t lonely anymore. She would never feel that way again.

---

The phone rang. Leisurely, Jane reached over to retrieve it. She answered with a casual, “Hello?”

“Aunt Jane? It’s your niece, Mara….”

Her heart plummeted.

---

First, her husband. Then, her sister. She was angry. Whoever was in charge, if there was anyone, seemed to be holding a grudge against her for something she‘d done in a past life. Or maybe it simply hated her, delighting in her suffering. But she remembered.

She could outsmart it.

---

Another exchange, another strained smile, and another wash of relief. Jane nodded to herself as the duo left. After eleven years, she was still mildly surprised at just what those two would do for cash. She supposed she could understand. The brothers, orphaned from an early age, had never escaped their impoverished beginnings. They struggled just to feed their families and avoid homelessness.

If it meant not worrying about rent or the next meal, they would do anything for money. Anything.

And for that, Jane was thankful.

---

Her new routine was simple. Get up, get ready for the day, run errands with the neighbors, return home, spend the rest of the day with George and JoAnne. Whenever she tended her garden, she’d sit with George and talk with him for a few moments. She knew he’d never reply, but it was relaxing. It was her revenge. All her life, she believed that death was finality, the culmination of everything a person did, and who he or she was. She believed death was the ultimate end. When she was young, it didn’t bother her.

When she was young, she was immortal.

She came to realize that nothing is static. She learned that everything and everyone is falling apart. Until she decided otherwise.

She chuckled to herself and glanced over at her long-dead husband.

---

She liked to dress her up. Jane sprayed her twin with the woman’s favorite perfume. It was fun. And kept away the smell.

She chatted idly with her, in the back of her mind, rejoicing. She’d done it. She cheated death, in a way. Death wasn’t final.

---

Night had fallen. Jane was in the sitting room with her twin. She was speaking softly to her of life, and how much she missed her. She was crying.

It had been three years. Thirteen or so for her husband. She had been alone, with them, for years.

It wasn’t working anymore. She knew they weren’t really here.

She would never outsmart Death.

---

A knock on the door. Jane scowled. The neighbors had left earlier. It was three o’clock in the afternoon, too early for one of the neighborhood kids to come over, asking to use the phone. She went to the door cautiously.

Opened it. Peered up at the woman standing in front of her. She was clad in a blue police uniform. A badge on her chest reflected the brutal sunlight into Jane’s eyes. Jane squinted.

“Can I help you?”

“Are you a Jane Waverly?”

“Yes….” the older woman divulged, not allowing her to come in.

“May I ask you a few questions, Ms. Waverly?”

Jane looked back into the house, knowing already why this officer was here. JoAnne’s widower had called a week ago. He’d gone to visit her grave. But something was amiss. The grass hadn’t quite grown back yet, and he was wondering, did she know why that could be?

In fear, she told him. Trusted him. She was wrong to do that.

She nodded. She was an ancient woman, what could they do to her, knowing what she knew?

"Come in."]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2586 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:57:54 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2586

This is a serious project. By a guy called Fabian Brunsing. You'd have to actually 1€ to be able to sit. What the hell is the guy's problem? If he's actually hoping to sell this idea, he has no sense of social responsability whatsoever. I mean, honestly… doesn't he see how much he's contributing to the general "squeezing every cent out of people" attitude prevailing everywhere? Where are homeless people going to sleep if they have to pay even for the privilege to seat down? What about tired elderly people sitting down for a while before walking on?
Duh. This annoys me so much… and there are so many examples!

(source : http://www.fn.hu/csucsfogyaszto/20100810...zetos_pad/ )]]>

This is a serious project. By a guy called Fabian Brunsing. You'd have to actually 1€ to be able to sit. What the hell is the guy's problem? If he's actually hoping to sell this idea, he has no sense of social responsability whatsoever. I mean, honestly… doesn't he see how much he's contributing to the general "squeezing every cent out of people" attitude prevailing everywhere? Where are homeless people going to sleep if they have to pay even for the privilege to seat down? What about tired elderly people sitting down for a while before walking on?
Duh. This annoys me so much… and there are so many examples!

(source : http://www.fn.hu/csucsfogyaszto/20100810...zetos_pad/ )]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2585 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 01:00:34 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2585
In the Senate, minor party preferences are more important, and there are a few good-seeming ones, as well as some funnily bad ones like the CEC and some in-between.

So, thoughts on this election?]]>
In the Senate, minor party preferences are more important, and there are a few good-seeming ones, as well as some funnily bad ones like the CEC and some in-between.

So, thoughts on this election?]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2584 Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:13:59 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2584 So I guess this is the part where I introduce myself or something, right? Oh, boy...

-Well, I'm 19, and from the Southeastern chunk of the US. I am currently in college and trying to determine what to major in. I'm leaning toward a career in research and teaching in cognitive psychology.

-I was in the gifted program at my school since 2nd grade, but surprisingly I didn't know all that much about the emotional, moral, etc... components of giftedness until just very recently. I'm realizing that this fits quite nicely with my life. Part of the reason I joined this forum was to learn more.

-I also really love communing with other gifteds, mostly just because we seem to have some sort of odd social code made of a quirky sense of humor and empathy, which turns into a barrier with others.

-Just for your edification, my user name is a play on "raison detre." I have to confess I stole the idea from Buttercup Festival, a web comic.

-Things I love: Running sensory blind through the snow, marine iguanas, alternative music, platains, mojo sauce and potatoes, bad puns, making undecipherable noises, existentialism, eating mangoes barefoot on a porch swing in the sun, hiking, Aikido, art (almost any kind), Hawaiian pidgin, community service, Stephen King novels, flying kites, watching snails, drumming, and playing piano (even if my chords are frequently wrong).

-Finally, time for A Random Story! When I was little, I wanted to be a folk-hero like Robin Hood when I grew up. When my 6th grade teacher asked me what I wanted to be, I explained this to her, but she took it to mean that I wanted to be a social worker. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I envisioned myself having a hide-out in the woods where I would live self-sufficiently, growing all my own food, generating all my own energy, etc…Venturing out every now and then to right wrongs and put some more justice into the world, I saw myself being like Batman, inspiring great numbers through reputation and myth.
(I realize now that social workers can be heroes too.)

-That's about it. If you've read this far, thanks for your patience! ]]> So I guess this is the part where I introduce myself or something, right? Oh, boy...

-Well, I'm 19, and from the Southeastern chunk of the US. I am currently in college and trying to determine what to major in. I'm leaning toward a career in research and teaching in cognitive psychology.

-I was in the gifted program at my school since 2nd grade, but surprisingly I didn't know all that much about the emotional, moral, etc... components of giftedness until just very recently. I'm realizing that this fits quite nicely with my life. Part of the reason I joined this forum was to learn more.

-I also really love communing with other gifteds, mostly just because we seem to have some sort of odd social code made of a quirky sense of humor and empathy, which turns into a barrier with others.

-Just for your edification, my user name is a play on "raison detre." I have to confess I stole the idea from Buttercup Festival, a web comic.

-Things I love: Running sensory blind through the snow, marine iguanas, alternative music, platains, mojo sauce and potatoes, bad puns, making undecipherable noises, existentialism, eating mangoes barefoot on a porch swing in the sun, hiking, Aikido, art (almost any kind), Hawaiian pidgin, community service, Stephen King novels, flying kites, watching snails, drumming, and playing piano (even if my chords are frequently wrong).

-Finally, time for A Random Story! When I was little, I wanted to be a folk-hero like Robin Hood when I grew up. When my 6th grade teacher asked me what I wanted to be, I explained this to her, but she took it to mean that I wanted to be a social worker. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I envisioned myself having a hide-out in the woods where I would live self-sufficiently, growing all my own food, generating all my own energy, etc…Venturing out every now and then to right wrongs and put some more justice into the world, I saw myself being like Batman, inspiring great numbers through reputation and myth.
(I realize now that social workers can be heroes too.)

-That's about it. If you've read this far, thanks for your patience! ]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2583 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:02:41 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2583
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc...r_embedded


Thoughts?]]>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc...r_embedded


Thoughts?]]> http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2582 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:28:48 -0700 http://www.giftedhaven.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2582
Paprika
Cayenne
Masala

Canis
Felis
Cavia

And I'm out of time, so I can't come up with anymore bad ideas. Anyone else want to?]]>
Paprika
Cayenne
Masala

Canis
Felis
Cavia

And I'm out of time, so I can't come up with anymore bad ideas. Anyone else want to?]]>