The Vault - All Forums

Current site issues

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:40:51 +0000

I have just discovered a few issues with the main site which may prevent access to it for a while:

Site not working under IE7/IE8/IE9 (asks to save as a file)
Button links not working
Excessive 404 errors even on valid URLs

Please ignore any 404 errors you may receive as these probably have something to do with #3 in the above list. I will get to work fixing this soon.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

(also, it seems Nena hasn't been around here for a while - I'll have to see what is going on because I have tried contacting her for a long time and she hasn't responded yet in months!)

If you see any funny business (ie. anything other than Error 404 or cryptic messages with many lines of text with lots of syntax/PHP/SQL/etc errors) or other related issues then please send a private message to me. If you post below it will be deleted when the issue is sorted out or acknowledged.

UPDATE: I intend to fix these issues in a few weeks.

fashionable wardrobe

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:33:17 +0000

I have accumilated alot of tacky hand me downs over the years, and seeing I have no sisters or a fashionable mother and have been a tomboy most of my life now that I want to change my look to be more casual feminine I have no-idea what I should buy?? please help what are some essential Items I should look for.. include pics if you have any too thanks!

How does your choice of grocery bags make a difference to the environment?

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:10:46 +0000

I bag groceries as a job and everyday, I see how wasteful people can be when they ask us to double bag plastic, or to bag their groceries in paper and hang them in plastic. Many of them don't realize how harmful to the environment this can be. Especially using plastic bags. Around here, you cant recycle palstic bags because they jam the recycling machines and we get shipments where entire crates of plastic bags have holes in them and we have to throw them away. I try to encourage customers to use paper as it is re-usuable, can hold more, easier on the environment, etc etc.

The autistic brain

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:51:46 +0000

A new research study has confirmed what most of us who are autistic have known all along: that our brains are organized differently compared to neurotypical brains.

Check out the article below:

http://www.care2.com/causes/health-polic...fferently/

Nena

I can't comprehend religious peoples' statements.

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:22:40 +0000

The ignorance is overwhelming.

Medications Containing Steroids

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:14:21 +0000

Medications containing steroids typically are used to reduce inflammation caused by a number of health problems. For example, many asthma and sinus infection medicines contain steroids. A number of arthritis medications contain steroids. Many of the medications to combat skin problems also contain steroids. Prescription eye drops often have steroids in them. Then, of course, there are anabolic steroids that we hear about in the news and are attached to scandals involving athletes.

Our bodies naturally make a number of steroid compounds as well.

Many people are unaware that the extended use of steroid medications can cause a condition called ocular hypertension. This is a situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, exceeds 21 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Ocular hypertension can be a precursor to glaucoma, a disease that causes progressive loss of eyesight.

Most steroid medications are prescribed for short-term use (e.g. 5-10 days). However, if you are a person that uses a steroid medication regularly to combat chronic inflammation, it would be a good idea to visit an ophthalmologist (medical eye specialist) once per year to have your intraocular pressure monitored. Be sure to inform the ophthalmologist about all medications that you are taking and for how long you have been using medications that contain steroids.

For more information about steroid medications and eye pressure problems go to the link below for an excellent article and resource.

http://www.glaucoma-eye-info.com/eye-pre...oblem.html

Nena

Catholic Church Meddling in Politics AGAIN!

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:22:45 +0000

The article below is yet another example of the Catholic Church meddling in politics by spreading lies and preying on guilt. Similar to elsewhere, the movement in Nicaragua considers this a civil rights issue. However, the Catholic Church has a lot of influence in the country. I have never been able to understand how a person can calls themselves a socialist and yet be conservative on social issues! But there appears to be a lot of people who do not see a contradiction in that.

MANAGUA, January 11, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Archdiocese of Managua, Nicaragua, is urging legislators to oppose homosexual “marriage,” which it said is a threat to the “authentic institution of the family,” according to the local press.

Denouncing “bills that openly or obliquely seek to equalize unions between people of the same sex with homosexual marriage,” the archdiocese warns that such legislation distorts “the perception of fundamental moral values and trivializes the marriage institution as such.”

The statement was read in the cathedral on December 26 following an opening statement by the Apostolic Nuncio, Henryk Jozef Nowacki. It was formulated by the Family, Life, and Infancy Pastorate of the Archdiocese of Managua.

Calling marriage the “essential foundation of the family,” the archdiocese notes that the family is “a most important value that has to be defended against every threat that endangers its soundness,” and demanded that the government act to protect the institution.

Marriage, the archdiocese said, “is not just any union,” but is established by God.

Noawcki, who officially represents the Holy See in Nicaragua, noted that “Nicaragua will be tomorrow what its families are today,” and added that “the family is at the center of a great struggle between good and evil, between life and death, between love and those who are opposed to love. The future of society is closely linked to a healthy, well-formed family.”

The archdiocese clarified that its statements are not directed against homosexuals as human persons, but rather against homosexual behavior, which the Catholic Church teaches is unnatural and “intrinsically evil.”

While the Churches teaches respect for “every person independently of his sexual orientation,” it “rejects homosexual and lesbian practices as acts that are objectively against the plan of God for the human person,” the archdiocese said.

Sinus Infection

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:10:39 +0000

WHAT IS A SINUS INFECTION?

Sinus Infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages—the hollow air spaces around the nose. It most commonly is the result of a viral infection, but also can be caused by bacteria, fungus, allergy, or environmental irritants. Sinus infection symptoms include headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head. It also can be accompanied by cough, fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal discharge.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL CARE?

A person should call a doctor when experiencing pain or pressure in the upper face accompanied by nasal congestion or nasal discharge, postnasal drip, or ongoing bad breath that is unrelated to dental problems.

Fever can be a symptom of a sinusitis or a cold. A person experiencing simple congestion with a low-grade fever probably has a cold and may not need special medications or antibiotics. Those also experiencing facial pain or headaches may have a sinus infection.

For additional information: http://www.glaucoma-eye-info.com/sinusitis.html

Dry Eye Syndrome

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:08:40 +0000

Known by its medical names dry eye syndrome and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, chronic dry eyes is a condition characterized by insufficient tear production or by an excessively rapid evaporation of tears. This can cause your eyes to become dry and inflamed.

How common is dry eye syndrome?

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a common condition. Studies report that 17-30% of people experience chronic dry eyes at some point during their life.

What causes dry eye syndrome?

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca can have many different causes, including environmental factors, illnesses, side effects of medicines, hormonal changes, and aging. In many instances, there is no single identifiable cause for dry eye disease, but rather a group of causes.

Who is affected by dry eye syndrome?

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca often occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. It is more common with older age, because people produce fewer tears with age. Chronic dry eyes is more common among women than men. The condition usually is not serious.

For more information go to: http://www.glaucoma-eye-info.com/chronic-dry-eyes.html

Alternative medicines

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:57:55 +0000

Back when these guys were still on, the Chaser decided to have a go at alternative medicine treatments. In effect, this is how they work:

Amazing painting technique

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 01:47:55 +0000

Watch it until the very end, the process is full of beautiful surprises.

From what I could find out, it is a form of paper marbling which uses a mixture of water and asparagus oil to create a membrane on the surface of the water, preventing the paint from being diluted. The artist, while shaping the paint drops on the water, also creates cracks in the oily membrane, which eventually get transferred to the paper, giving it that marbled texture.

This technique is currently most popular in Turkey, where it is known as ebru.

More ebru images:

Source: Ebru Masters

PLASTIC PLANET

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:09:37 +0000

These days, we often hear people talking about addiction to oil, particularly in North America. But a major part of the world's addiction to oil, including those countries that are leading the way to energy independence, is the fact that plastics (a product of petroleum) have infiltrated virtually every aspect of our lives. This is a very serious issue because they are poisoning the planet.

There is a documentary called Plastic Planet that outlines this problem in detail. Below is a trailer for it.

Vatican Corruption

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:30:28 +0000

I never cease to be amazed by the arrogance of the Pope. U.S. diplomatic cables released as part of the WiKiLeaks initiative indicate that Ireland acquiesced to pressure from the Vatican to grant immunity to church officials in the government probe of decades of sex abuse by Irish clergy in the predominantly Catholic nation. The leaked U.S. State Department documents describe a situation in which the Vatican felt offended that Ireland failed to respect Holy See "sovereignty" by asking high-ranking churchmen to answer questions from an Irish commission probing decades of sex abuse of minors by clergy.

One of Ireland's most prominent critics of the Catholic Church's cover-up of child abuse, Andrew Madden, said the WikiLeaks documents offered more evidence that the Vatican was concerned only about protecting itself, not about admitting the truth. What a surprise!

The fact that the Vatican used its diplomatic immunity status as a tiny-city state to try to thwart Ireland’s government-led probe has been known for quite some time. However, the WikiLeaks documents provide insight into how it happened.

The Vatican press office has expressed extreme disapproval of the leaks, calling it a matter of “extreme gravity.” Of course, they are not decrying the behavior of priests that for decades raped young people in their care. Instead, they are outraged that the degree of their meddling into the investigation has been exposed.

The U.S. ambassador to the Vatican also condemned the leaks and said in a statement that the Vatican and America cooperate in promoting universal values.

What? Universal values?

It seems to me that the so-called universal values that both entities promote is covering up the despicable behavior of those in leadership positions.

Nena

Itchy clothing

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:39:39 +0000

I know that a lot of autistics have difficulties wearing certain types of clothing or using certain types of bedsheets, pillowcases, etc. Lina experiences this problem much more than I do. I am more bothered by the tags that they put in clothes.

I happened to come across this article about much of the fabrics that we use may be laced with formaldehyde. I was wondering if this might at least partially be the source of what some autistics are reacting to. In other words, we might have a hypersensitivity to this and potentially other dangerous chemicals.

You can check out the article here.

http://www.care2.com/causes/health-polic...maldehyde/

Nena

The Event

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:07:20 +0000

The Event (TV show - NBC) has been really trashed by reviewers and its audience has been decreasing rather than increasing. The reviewers do not seem to like the complexity of the story, but from my perspective it is one of its strengths.

Although I am not yet obsessed about The Event, I like it. Does anyone else?

Nena

An imaginary universe of your own...

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:59:24 +0000

...is called a Paracosm according to Wikipedia. It refers to the fantasy kingdoms created by some individuals during their childhood or teenage years.

Many paracosms have grown to be part of popular culture. One of them was Star Wars, imagined by George Lucas while he was sick in bed and had nothing else to do. Narnia was conceived by C.S. Lewis and his brother based on the large house they moved in.

I just found the article by chance and was fascinated that there was a name for this concept. I also have a little imaginary universe and I know many other people who do too.

Anyone here have their own paracosm?

About online tests for AS

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:23:32 +0000

For a long time I've been trying out online tests for Asperger Syndrome and improving one of my own. I've seen those tests commented on forums and I've received feedback about my own too.

Obviously, aspies tend to score very highly on AS tests. But I've asked some NTs to try them out and many of them also got diagnosed with AS by the tests. Also, when these tests get posted in forums unrelated to AS, more than 60% of people get diagnosed with Asperger's. That can't be right!?

I was wondering why this happens. Maybe:

The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria are too loose! (it's likely that most aspies greatly exceed the minimum requirements)
Aspie traits are more common than we think and do not necessarily imply the syndrome
Maybe some people behave like NTs out of habit, but think more like aspies on the inside
People identify with things that are not necessarily meant for them ("subjective validation")

Any thoughts?

Introduction

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 09:19:02 +0000

Hi! Is this forum still alive?

I remember watching most of Nena's videos several years ago. Today I tried looking for them and found that she deleted her account, so I followed her trail which ultimately led me here.

I was pleased to notice that I share many interests with the people here (from TV series to science and poetry) and I hope we can share some cool things.

Great Article on Neurodiversity

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:14:39 +0000

I came across this article on appreciating neurodiversity and thought that I would share it with everyone here. The author draws an interesting comparison between biodiversity, which we appreciate and look upon with wonder, and neurodiversity, which we do not and try to suppress. Here is the link to the article.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/your-br...orest.html

Murdering Autistic Children

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:07:49 +0000

There is a very disturbing trend that has occurred over the past couple of years in which mothers (or parents) have murdered their autistic children. Even more disturbing is that the legal defense being used in many of the cases is that the parent was the actual victim, not the child.

The argument is analogous to the "gay panic defense" that has been used successfully in the past to justify the brutal beating or murder of gay or transgendered individuals. Fortunately, this defense is not working very well anymore.

However, the parent-as-victim-of-an-autistic-child defense does seem to be having some success. Sentences have been surprisingly light. Normally, the courts deal with those murdering children severely, but apparently autistic children do not qualify as being human. Thus, we are seeing sentences that are similar to those given for abusing animals.

Let me be clear that the courts are a last resort situation. In other words, the problem should never get so bad that it reaches the point of a court case for murder. It would be easy to say that better support systems for parents of autistic children are needed. However, a couple of the more recent cases involved women that murdered their children simply because they did not want an autistic child. In fact one woman in murdered her child because she thought that it might be autistic.

These individuals do not deserve any special understanding or compassion.