A few years ago‚ I had the pleasure of going on about a dozen dates with an autistic woman I'll call C. I had chased her on and off for three years and was quite excited that she’d begun to reciprocate. Being autistic myself‚ I thought we would be effortlessly compatible. Instead‚ it was like seeing myself from the outside‚ something I cannot do unaided‚ for the first time in my life.“What a fascinating‚ beautifully strange person I’ve discovered!” But how long can I remain enthralled by a world I can never really enter?At once‚ many mysteries of my interpersonal life were solved. Before‚ I understood I had some qualities people commonly find mildly unpleasant (outward coldness‚ insensitivity‚ difficulty giving comfort). Little stuff that’s not enough of a problem in itself to comment on‚ until the constant low-level irritation builds to a breaking point. Which‚ from my perspective‚ always seems to come out of nowhere.My time with C taught me what it’s like to be on the receiving end of those behaviors‚ as well as what makes tolerating them worth it‚ at least in the short term.C is a lovely young woman‚ a bright shining star‚ unlike any other in the night sky. Her autism made her deeply insular; by inoculating her against outside influences‚ it also made her creative and brilliant in a way utterly unique to her. Her inner world‚ insofar as she let me glimpse it‚ intoxicated me. Her mind was a vast empire of one‚ with its own language‚ currency‚ and history. C seemed to me walking "bottle world‚" a living‚ breathing wainscot society.I quickly came to realize that no matter how fascinating I found it to observe this world‚ I would always remain outside it. This wasn't going to work. Not that I left C of my own accord. It is she who moved on‚ making no bones about the fact that while she liked much of what I had to offer‚ my romantic partnership was of no interest.Still‚ the uncanny experience of dating someone like myself made me ponder my previous breakups. Unlike C‚ who was refreshingly blunt and pragmatic‚ the neurotypical women in my past were never quite able to explain why they were leaving. The usual cycle roughly follows the trajectory of one of cinema's more awkward love affairs: that between Enid and Seymour in the 2001 film "Ghost World." When alienated‚ proto-hipster high school senior Enid (Thora Birch) meets Steve Buscemi's cantankerous‚ hyper-verbal record collector‚ she becomes enamored. “What a fascinating‚ beautifully strange person I’ve discovered!” She does start to notice some disagreeable idiosyncrasies‚ but the thrill of this rare specimen's company allows her to dismiss them. Over time‚ however‚ she grows disillusioned and increasingly distant. For me‚ the beginning of the end generally comes when she broaches the subject of seeing other people. I promise to change; she counters that she doesn’t want me to. A very confusing response‚ until recently!What is especially galling about this seemingly inevitable moment is that I've worked hard to overcome my inborn social deficits. I have painstakingly transformed myself into a man of social grace and savoir faire‚ a man who might be molded into what they call boyfriend material.And I have indeed inexplicably managed to land some real stunners. Fool that I was‚ I thought passing this initial test was the hard part. In reality‚ it's where the real work begins.What was required to make them stay? Whatever it was‚ I clearly lacked it. A common refrain was their insistence that I not change. They wanted me to go on being my wonderful‚ one-of-a-kind self ... as long as I did it away from them.My experience with C gave me a new perspective. Such that I would now liken myself to a slightly more flattering cinematic avatar: Willy Wonka.Wonka's mysterious Chocolate Factory may operate via obscure and unconventional systems‚ but it is highly effective. The weird little man makes the most disruptively delicious candy on the market. No small part of its appeal is a certain magic the inscrutability imparts. Who wouldn't take the opportunity to see for oneself how these enticing confections are made?At first‚ it’s magical. A privileged feeling‚ to share in such a secret. And such a rich‚ endlessly explorable place. It seems you'll never run out of marvels to discover.Fast forward a year. You’re living full time in the factory. It's quite finite‚ after all — you've seen every room top to bottom. You drank from the chocolate river even though the fat German kid drowned in it. You tasted all the fruits on the wallpaper. You turned into a blueberry and back. You tasted every mushroom‚ flower‚ fern‚ boulder‚ and so on in the indoor park where everything is made of candy.It’s all still made of candy a year later and will be the next year. You’re quite tired of candy by now‚ but you put on a show for Willy‚ who never tires of it. He’s always delighted when he finds you in that room. “Everything is candy!” he remarks with sincere wonder every time‚ as if realizing this anew. “Hehe‚ yep. It’s aaaallll candy‚” you tepidly reply.Wonka is all candy as well; he has little interest or capacity for discussing anything else. You've also grown tired of that performative‚ doddering old-man routine‚ followed by the spritely‚ acrobatic somersault he pulls out every time you or anybody else meets with him. It's not that it's an act. He genuinely can’t not be that way.What of his more alarming offenses? Can he help those‚ you wonder? He let a kid drown in chocolate to make a point about greed‚ then had his orange-hued workers sing a jaunty song about it. About those Oompa-Loompas: Do they receive a fair day's wage? Are they free to leave? You could get Wonka to change. He'll do anything to convince you to stay at this point. Safety inspections for the great glass elevator? A DEI panel to address any Oompa-Loompa grievances? Overhauled management systems based on Six Sigma methodology? You got it‚ babe.But who'd want to visit that factory? To make the "improvements" necessary for you to thrive there would be to destroy what makes it special in the first place. Worse‚ it would become an environment hostile to Wonka's own survival. The only course of action is to depart as gracefully as you can‚ leaving it unspoiled for the kindred spirit who's bound to come along eventually. Or‚ so I imagine each former girlfriend understood our parting. Perhaps‚ I'm fooling myself‚ overthinking what were no more than a series of classic "it's not you‚ it's me" brush-offs. But I like to think they experience at least a touch of the melancholy‚ stoic acceptance I felt in losing C. Either way‚ it's not something I can afford to dwell on. I cater to a specific market‚ and I'm clearly not for everyone. Even the true connoisseurs sometimes find themselves unable to match my enthusiasm in the long run. Fair enough. All I can do is continue to maintain the standards of quality ensured by my enjoyably uncompromising way of doing things. The right collaborator‚ when she comes along‚ will expect nothing less.

A teen who died while police attempted to arrest her father was fatally shot by the arresting officers‚ audio and video of the incident now show.As Blaze News previously reported‚ in September 2022‚ an Amber Alert was issued in California after 45-year-old Anthony Graziano allegedly kidnapped his daughter‚ 15-year-old Savannah Graziano‚ after murdering her mother‚ Tracy Martinez. The following day‚ Graziano's vehicle was spotted on I-15‚ and a lengthy‚ high-speed police chase involving gunfire soon followed.Eventually‚ Graziano's disabled truck came to a stop along the I-15 shoulder in Hesperia‚ California‚ near Victorville. Graziano was behind the wheel‚ and Savannah was sitting in the passenger seat. Police had the vehicle surrounded.At that point‚ Savannah exited the vehicle‚ reportedly wearing tactical gear but apparently carrying no weapon. She then began walking toward the arresting officers. Suddenly‚ shots rang out again‚ and both Savannah and Graziano were fatally struck.According to initial reports from San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus‚ shots were fired from inside the suspect's vehicle during the incident‚ and "several rounds" pierced "the windshield of the patrol unit." There were even suggestions that at least one of the shots came from the passenger side of Graziano's truck‚ prompting speculation that Savannah may have fired at police at some point or that officers fired at her in self-defense.Now‚ 18 months after the incident‚ the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department has released police audio and video footage of the shooting‚ revealing that police shot and killed Savannah‚ though the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.Footage from a police helicopter captures an officer repeatedly stating over the radio that shots have been fired as the truck comes to a stop along the shoulder. Moments later‚ Savannah walks out of the vehicle‚ takes several steps toward police vehicles‚ crouches down on the ground‚ stands back up‚ and takes a few more steps before collapsing to the ground once again after at least one bullet strikes her‚ video shows."Oh‚ no!" an officer says‚ according to the helicopter footage.Audio captured by a deputy on the ground provides even more details about Savannah's final moments. At first‚ the deputy can be heard instructing the "passenger" in the vehicle to "get out" and walk toward him. "Come here! Come here! Come to me! Come to me!" he says. "Come‚ come‚ come‚ come! Walk‚ walk‚ walk‚ walk!"However‚ the unnamed deputy quickly changes his tune when his fellow officers began shooting at her. "Stop! Stop shooting her! He’s in the car! Stop!" he exclaims."She’s OK! He’s in the car! Stop!" he continues. Unfortunately‚ Savannah had already been mortally wounded. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene‚ and Savannah was soon taken to a nearby hospital‚ where she was pronounced dead. The sheriff's office has confirmed that both Savannah and her father died from shots fired by law enforcement.The California Department of Justice and the sheriff's office are still investigating the incident‚ and the names of the deputies involved have not been released. Authorities stated that these video and audio accounts are still considered "preliminary" and insisted that the course of the investigation could still change. Savannah's uncle CJ Wyatt‚ however‚ sees his niece's death as an avoidable tragedy. "There needs to be better training so that unarmed people aren’t killed‚" Wyatt told the Guardian. "Hopefully this video can be used for training – something has to be done differently. "She didn’t have to die." Savanna Graziano: California Amber Alert teen dies in San Bernardino County shootout youtu.be Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A new investigation released this week suggests that an elite Russian military unit is behind the so-called Havana Syndrome attacks on U.S. officials over the last few years. The attacks consist of a range of neurological symptoms that include intense headaches‚ loss of balance‚ memory problems‚ and numerous hearing issues. In a segment on “60 Minutes‚” ex-government investigator Ed Greene claims to have run the investigation for the Defense Intelligence Agency. “We were collecting a large body of data ranging from signals intelligence‚ human intelligence‚ open-source reporting — anything regarding internet‚ travel records‚ financial records — you name it. Unfortunately‚ I can’t get into specifics based on the classification‚ but I can tell you at a very early stage‚ I started to focus on Moscow‚” Greene told "60 Minutes." Greene then said the officers affected were “being neutralized.” While the story is compelling‚ Glenn Beck isn’t buying it 100%‚ as not too long ago‚ it was reported that it was unlikely a foreign actor was at fault. “One would have to ask the government‚ were you lying then or are you lying now? Is it that these are just people within these investigations who are disagreeing with the final conclusion of the government report?” Glenn says. Another question Glenn has is why the supposed weapon isn’t being used against Zelenskyy and Ukraine. “Is it perhaps because the House is set to vote on both the massive seizing of Russian assets and the infusion of cash for the war in Ukraine?” Glenn asks‚ noting that many people involved in the story have been very vocally anti-Trump and pro-Hunter Biden. “It doesn’t make sense to me‚” he says‚ adding‚ “what does make sense is that you’re being set up and lied to cause you were either being lied to last year or you’re being lied to now.” Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A Georgia mayoral candidate who's accused of hitting her apartment manager in the face last year and was arrested on a battery charge said she's innocent and is claiming self-defense."We all have a past‚ for we are human‚" Shekita Maxwell — who's running for Macon-Bibb County mayor — said during a Friday press conference‚ WGXA-TV reported."I am innocent; I want you to know that in this great United States of America‚ I want you to know that I am innocent until proven guilty‚" she added‚ the station said. "Due process has to take place so that democracy is not eroded."Check out more of what Maxwell had to say: What's the background?WGXA reported in an initial story last month that Maxwell continues to face charges of battery and obstruction of an officer in connection with an August 31‚ 2023‚ incident in the clubhouse at the Bowman Station apartments in Macon.Maxwell allegedly was upset at a landscaping crew for blowing debris on her car and said her Mercedes-Benz GLB was damaged‚ the station reported‚ adding that a responding deputy said there was dust on the car but no damage.Apartment management — who also saw no damage — told deputies they offered to wash Maxwell's car‚ after which she became aggressive and started screaming‚ WGXA reported. At that point‚ management said Maxwell was told to leave the building‚ the station said.Investigators said that's when Maxwell hit the victim in the face‚ causing bleeding‚ WGXA reported. The victim was the apartment manager. Image source: YouTube screenshotThe apartment's maintenance man separated the pair‚ forced Maxwell out of the building‚ and locked the doors‚ the station said.Deputies added that surveillance video supports the victim's narrative‚ and Bibb County Assistant Solicitor Steve Knowles said‚ "The evidence is clear that the Defendant [Maxwell] was the initial aggressor‚" WGXA noted.Deputies also said Maxwell resisted arrest — until one deputy pulled out her stun gun to "gain her attention‚" the station reported‚ adding that Maxwell was not tased and eventually calmed down.'I was born black'WGXA reported in a third story that Maxwell was evicted from her apartment after the incident.More from the station:WGXA News obtained court documents showing Bowman Station apartments‚ where the incident took place‚ filed to evict Maxwell after the fight‚ asking her to only pay court fees. The eviction was approved‚ but Maxwell appealed it. In her appeal‚ Maxwell said she was "illegally evicted for an unjust cost." She added‚ "I followed the rules‚ paid rent on time‚ and I was born black. Black shouldn't be a reason for eviction."In her appeal‚ Maxwell asked for a counter-judgment of $10‚500.The eviction case resulted in a two-day long trial in which the 6-person jury found in favor of Bowman Station. Maxwell was required to pay over $10‚000 in back rent‚ attorney's fees‚ and court costs.What else? WGXA reported in a fourth story that Maxwell was arrested prior to last year's incident.Maxwell sued the United States Postal Service in 2016‚ claiming discrimination‚ the station said. But when Maxwell was deposed for that case in 2017‚ the court reporter asked Maxwell if she ever had been charged with a criminal offense — and Maxwell confirmed she had been charged with criminal trespass in 2016‚ WGXA said.She said the charges stemmed from an incident involving her daughters and a dance team of theirs‚ the station said‚ adding that Maxwell told the court reporter a judge ordered her to complete anger management courses following the incident. Maxwell also said she was placed on probation to verify she attended the counseling sessions‚ WGXA said.More from the station:In the deposition‚ Maxwell was also asked about her career in the military. She served for three years before being discharged. Maxwell says her discharge was a result of having a child with her commanding officer.Her lawsuit against the USPS was centered on claims of racial and gender discrimination while she served as a mail clerk.In Maxwell's deposition‚ the court reporter addressed accusations that she lunged at another employee during an altercation while working for the USPS. Maxwell denied the accusation saying‚ "...she lunged at me.""I just stood there because I was calling her bluff‚" Maxwell said‚ according to WGXA. "Because if she was gonna hit me‚ she was gonna hit me."Maxwell said she and the aforementioned woman had frequent altercations for several weeks‚ the station noted‚ and Maxwell said she alone was fired.In 2018‚ a judge ruled in favor of the USPS‚ awarding none of the more than $100‚000 Maxwell was asking for‚ the station said.'I'll fight for you'As for the 2023 accusation of hitting her then-apartment manager‚ Maxwell said Friday that "I'm denying it based on self-defense‚" WGXA said.Then she offered a kind of mea culpa."First and foremost‚ I apologize for my actions because a leader really shouldn't act like that‚" Maxwell said‚ according to the station. "[The manager] just really caught me off-guard. I want the confidence of the people to know that I'll fight for you‚ but I also believe in this Constitution that I have a right to defend myself."WGXA noted that Maxwell said she's running for mayor to empower the community and cut wasteful spending: "I hope that you haven't made up your mind right now 'concrete' because I would love to have your vote‚ and whatever damage has been done‚ I'm here to repair it." The station said Maxwell is the sole challenger in a race against incumbent Mayor Lester Miller; the election is in May.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A stay-at-home mother in Texas said she was shocked when she was informed that there was a warrant out for her arrest over an unreturned library book. Kaylee Morgan said it was an oversized book for home-schooling about Vincent Van Gogh that she borrowed in 2023. She got the bad news after trying to get her driver's license renewed and was rejected. "When I get there‚ they told me they can't renew it because I have a warrant out for my arrest‚" the mother of five children told KPRC-TV. "I am just shocked. I literally laughed out loud. I said this has to be a joke and it wasn't." Morgan admits that she was unable to return the book in a timely fashion because she was pregnant at the time‚ had complications‚ and also went through a move to a new residence‚ so she didn't receive notices about the late book. However‚ she feels that the consequences she is facing are far too steep. She was charged with theft of government property and had to drive hours away to plead her case to a judge. Morgan said that the judge was completely unsympathetic to her explanations. "It was not a pleasant experience‚" she said to KPRC. Morgan told the judge that her husband had tried to return the book but that it did not fit into the drop-off box and he could not go inside because the library was closed when he went. After they returned the book‚ they did not receive any notices because they had moved away and believed the issue had been settled. But it was not. "She told me to stop making excuses and I needed to take responsibility‚" Morgan explained. "She said it was my responsibility to update the library with my change of address because we moved." She said she offered to pay for the book‚ but the judge said they were long past that point. Morgan began a GoFundMe account to help her pay the fine and to pay for her legal expenses. She's already gotten enough donations to pay the original fine. "I’m just a mom with 5 kids trying to homeschool and spread kindness‚" she wrote. "This is unjust. Please spread the word." Here's more on the outlaw book mom: Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Jason Whitlock may be an outspoken Caitlin Clark fan‚ but for the Hawkeye's face-off against LSU‚ he's is rooting for the Tigers. But it has nothing to do with LSU's superstar Angel Reese‚ aka the “Bayou Barbie.” “LSU coach Kim Mulkey is the real star of women’s college hoops‚” Whitlock says‚ but in the league‚ she is considered "the real villain" because she's a "force who threatens the left wing’s narrative on all of sports.” While Whitlock believes Clark is “the most interesting and electrifying athlete in all of sports‚” he also believes that “Mulkey is the most dangerous person in sports.” “She’s the disruptor. The left-wing establishment wants to destroy Kim Mulkey. She’s the real ‘Bayou Barbie.’ The left hates her because she’s the antithesis of their chosen savior‚ South Carolina coach Dawn Staley‚” he says. While the ladies LSU team prepared for their Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA‚ the Washington Post published an 8‚000 word takedown of Mulkey. According to Whitlock‚ the piece framed Mulkey as “paranoid‚ vindictive‚ isolating‚ mean-spirited‚ and unloving.” Mulkey and her lawyers pre-emptively threatened a lawsuit over the article‚ which likely forced reporters to tone down the attack. The real reason the article was written‚ according to Whitlock‚ is because “Mulkey had the audacity to refuse to worship the LGBTQ alphabet mafia.” “She advised Brittney Griner and other homosexual players to keep their private lives private” and “wasn’t a fan of tattoos” or “constantly changing hair colors.” “Mulkey‚ without saying it‚ clearly believes there’s only two genders‚” Whitlock says. While that may make her an enemy in the realm of women's basketball‚ she's a hero in Whitlock's eyes. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture‚ faith‚ sports‚ and comedy with Jason Whitlock‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona announced in a statement that he has been diagnosed with cancer.Grijalva‚ who has been serving as a congressman for more than two decades‚ noted that the cancer was discovered after he sought medical attention due to a cough."A few weeks ago‚ I sought medical treatment for a persistent cough which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia. After further testing and imaging‚ my physician discovered that I have cancer‚" Grijalva noted in the statement. "This diagnosis has been difficult to process‚ but I am confident in the vigorous course of treatment that my medical team has developed‚ and I've begun my journey to fight this cancer.""My congressional office remains open and the many services we provide for our constituents continue uninterrupted. I am in regular communication with my staff and I continue to work as I undergo treatment‚" he said.Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia responded to the news of Grijalva's cancer diagnosis‚ tweeting‚ "Praying God gives you strength to fight it and win." — (@) "My thoughts &; prayers are with @RepRaulGrijalva and his family during this difficult time‚" Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona tweeted. "As a fighter for AZ and the natural wonders of our state‚ Raul is an inspiration to me and so many. I wish him the best in this cancer fight and hope to be working with him again soon.""I am sorry to hear of my long-time friend and colleague @RepRaulGrijalva's cancer diagnosis. All of team Sinema is sending strength and love to him and his family during this challenging time‚" Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said in a tweet.Sinema is not seeking re-election this year‚ and Gallego is running for the opportunity to fill the Senate seat. Trump has endorsed Republican Kari Lake for the role.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

"We have 70% of these animals that are gonna be okay to an extent, and then we have 30% of them that either have died or have near-death symptoms" after taking mRNA vaccine, says rancher.

Karine Jean-Pierre takes exception to Trump using 'bloodbath,' but can't explain why Biden can use it.

After 60 years‚ the family of Daisy Shelton finally have the answer to who brutally murdered their family member in Dayton‚ Ohio in 1963. The post Ohio Cold Case Solved After Witness Comes Forward 60 Years After Grisly Murder appeared first on All That's Interesting.