Tag Archive for: wheelchair

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In “Buying A Used Wheelchair,” breaking my wheelchair and buying a new one on Craigslist, more record shopping, cooking borscht and getting accepted for publication.

Every week we order pizza from the place in town. On the day after, for lunch I eat cold pizza with Hoppin Hot Sauce on it.
(Hoppin Hot Sauce jingle)

Those who say don’t know & who know don’t say

Buying a used wheelchair selfie
Buying a used wheelchair selfie

Subscribers get the selfie and the show notes e mailed to them, and I don’t know what they do with them

Record shopping

I went record shopping at Amoeba and it turned out to be a pretty good score:

The record store person gave me “the nod”

Terminal Event

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I broke the arm off of my wheelchair, with a bang. The manufacturer was out of stock, but I needed to find a replacement. I got on my computer and I searched eBay and sfbay.craigslist.org. craigslist came through for me

Cooking While Disabled

We made borscht. For the second year in a row, we used this Serious Eats recipe for Hot Ukrainian Borscht (With Beets, Beef, Pork, and More)

Accepted

After an uninterrupted months-long streak of many rejections, a few different editors wrote me to let me know that my writing was accepted. All in all, a piece of microfiction (in this case, a story of exactly 50 words) and two poems. It’s very exciting to turn the corner on this project and move from submission to publication.

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Chapter List

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In “Wheelchair Dig,” a dinner party, shout outs and a family trip to the record store.

Amidst discussions on music finds, including Eminem and Taylor Swift covers, touching on the disappearance of People’s Park, radio’s outreach to marginalized communities, and the place of ‘inspirational’ content in disability culture.

Canvas for hot sauce

We had our neighbors over for dinner last night and we made pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw. The kind of thing just perfect for hot sauce.

All-KFJC Shouts

Shout out to the sandman who wrote in for a fresh fish recommendation in the South Bay. So I gave up all my spots to him?

Shout out to Jersey girl and Max level

There’s only one way

Subscribe and get the selfie

Wheelchair dig

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Amoeba Records Berkeley

Went record shopping at Amoeba in my wheelchair with the family

Finds

I found a 3cd set of Codona on ECM used / don cherry nana vasconcelos and collin wallcott. It’s proto-‘world music’

my son got eminem’s “Marshall Mathers 2”. he is having emotional problems, so I see why he is connecting with this.

My wife and my daughter went in on the taylor swift covers cd taylor’s version – electropop, powerful music – the frequencies are on blast, it peels your eyelids back and curls your eyelashes. plenty rizz, more drip than expected, pretty obvious why she’s a spectacular pop star

people’s park is gone – three cops guarding the shipping containers blockading it – bad vibes

Inspiration to who?

Is There A Healthy Place For ‘Inspirational’ In Disability Culture? Andrew Pulrang

Disabled people have complicated relationships with a lot of words. But the one word other than “disability” itself disabled people feel most intensely about may be the word “inspirational.”

Andrew Pulrang

Broadcast

wheelchair dig art
Digging in the crates

The radio and other broadcast media is egalitarian in the way it approaches disabled people and unpopular people. The voice on the radio is the companion that they have. Homeless people, weirdos, prisoners, anyone who tunes in can listen

On that note, email me

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Digging in the crates

Chapter List

People’s Park
Berkeley
Disability culture
Inspirational
Andrew Ang
Ella Young
Radio broadcasting
Amoeba Berkeley (record store)
Hoppin Hot Sauce
Record shopping
Multiple sclerosis
Trigeminal neuralgia
Eminem
Taylor Swift
Jazz
Hip hop

The Music Episode

In “The Music Episode:” “Let’s Paint TV,” Ludacris color story meme, and keeping the kids in their rooms by tuning in to Day Of Noise on KZSU.

When life gives you shoes.. make shoeanade

The new shoes that I got in the last episode are working out. They’re made by a company called Drew

I swear it’s true

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Semi-transparent guitarist playing a record store “in store” gig with red paint scrawled all over its face

This is the music episode

Spicy Roasted Pistachio Nuts

kikunae ikeda

The Spicy Roasted Pistachios with Hoppin Hot Sauce Extra Hot came out but there was one problem – i couldn’t stop eating them – we’ll eat them at the Super Bowl, if they last that long

I’m writing an email blast about them, and I made some cool collages, like this one, of the guy who coined the term ‘umami’

Umami means “delicious taste.” in Japanese.

The Struggle Is Real

If Sisyphus was alive today, he could have a podcast about going up the hill and rolling the boulder over and AI would say it was a multi-faceted discourse.

Chairpiphany

It helps when I search for stuff using my wheelchair not walking around. BC then I actually look around, instead of focusing on walking, trying not to fall, as usual.

Berkeley Rock Stars

I got a fragment of The time of your life Green Day song stuck in my head, but only the title, and even that I got wrong.

Not Like The Others

If you’re like, “This certainly isn’t like another podcast,” make sure to subscribe to get the selfie.

Here Be The River Of Pain

Changes in the weather: the atmospheric river pointed at California is screwing with my face a bit. Stinging me, stabbing me – out of nowhere.

Ultimately Very Listenable

Thiis is from “Let’s Paint TV,” hosted by the Los Angeles artist John Kilduff. Once the novelty of his multidisciplinary multitasking wore off, which, I admit, took a while, I found it soothing and ultimately very listenable. He has an etsy store, with lots of items for sale at a very reasonable prices considering the obvious talent involved. For real – I mean, could you do this? I couldn’t, and I appreciate him for what he has done.

Appealing Color Story Hip Hop Rap Ludacris Meme

mauve birch meme

I created the Ludacris meme “Mauve birch”

My Children Were On Lockdown

day of noise 2024

It was the day of noise on KZSU. The 24-hour live marathon of noise and experimental sounds kept the kids out of the main room of the house, in their rooms with the doors firmly shut, pretty much all day.

Keeping It Going

escalo frio

On the day after Day Of Noise, my daughter had a playdate. While it was going on, I put on Escalo Frio by Otto Von Shirach which was more of the same. Escalo frio means shiver in Spanish. The record features an appearance by Matmos. Before putting it on I told my wife it was dance music and I admit, that was misleading.

No Test Drive

Abilities expo isn’t happening in the bay area this year but it is happening in Los Angeles in mid March. I can get another of the same wheelchair that I already have, however I would like to have a chance to look at the options in a hands-on way.

The Music Episode Selfie

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The Music Episode Selfie

One More Time

This is the music episode.

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Semi-transparent guitarist playing a record store “in store” gig with red paint scrawled all over its face

Chapter List

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In “Arte Povera,” Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham hits the skatepark in his WCMX wheelchair, we learn how to pronounce ‘arte povera’ and MS plays third wheel.

Shout out

  • Shout out to Jersey Girl who wrote in to let me know she was a diggin’ on the new theme song

@aaronwheelz WCMX GETTIN’ RAD

  • Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham WCMX disabled extreme wheelchair at the skate park. Watching his videos blew my mind and made me proud

Arte Povera Selfie

  • Put the selfie in and remind listeners to subscribe
  • When was the height of the sound effects- do you remember the sound effects? Contact me and I will give you an incredible shoutout that warps time and space due to its epicness

Famous Quotations: Edison & Rakim

When you have explored all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t.

Thomas Edison
Don’t sweat the technique

Cats are big

  • We can always make a social media profile for our pet cat. people love cats!

Video art, eh?

  • The video that comes up when you search “Arte povera pronunciation” is like a work in itself

Door Update

  • The ancient giant door of opportunity is wide open, with light shining through

Stitches/Staple Update

  • I don’t have any stitches or staples in my head or anywhere else in my body at the time of this recording
  • The stitches fell out in the shower. Just the end of them. They were brown

Three’s Company

  • Everyone who is in a relationship with me is also in a relationship with multiple sclerosis, including my friends and family

#1: Ask before you help

  • United Spinal Association disability etiquette guide was a concise read that offers interesting perspective on how to treat disabled people respectfully

Acceptance

  • acceptance of gravity like acceptance last time – gravity is a constant force

Time’s up

See you next week! Don’t forget to contact me for a Shout Out in the next episode

While you’re there, subscribe to get new episode emails

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Chapter List

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In “What’s Really Going On”, John discusses the challenges he’s been facing with his children, particularly their lack of cooperation

He shares the stress and difficulty he experiences in trying to handle this situation, about the frustration of dealing with his son’s behavior and the impact it has on their daily routines. He expresses his hope for a resolution and mentions that it’s the 30th episode of his podcast this year.

The episode discusses various topics, including John’s family life, his children’s behavior, his creative work with Hoppin Hot Sauce, and his experiences at a drum and bass show.

Forming a rock band

What I meant when I said that the fans of What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast could change the course of history is that there’s enough of them to form a rock band

Coffee Annual Deep Cleaning

We took the coffee machine in to get serviced

Pile of Sticks

All of my walking sticks are bent or otherwise unusable and I have them in a pile in the corner. I called in the warranty for one of them, and the replacement will come on Monday.

Drum and bass

I went to the drum and bass show at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell in my wheelchair

Submission

Kind of a milestone: I submitted poetry to ten publications. It’s probably just the beginning.

Hot Sauce

Hoppin Hot Sauce Original Flavor
Check Out Hoppin Hot Sauce On Amazon

Making a new production of Hoppin Hot Sauce, getting everything ready

What’s really going on

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My son is driving me wild, and my daughter is watching and learning

John discusses the challenges he’s been facing with his children, their lack of cooperation in doing homework. He shares the stress and difficulty he experiences in trying to handle this situation, and the frustration of dealing with their behavior and the impact it has on their daily routines. He expresses his hope for resolution and a good night’s sleep.

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A Range Of Subjects

We’re paid through the year

In this podcast episode, John shares personal anecdotes, music interests, and his challenges due to multiple sclerosis. He discusses social experiences, urban planning, wheelchair tennis, and efforts to improve mobility. The episode offers insights into his life and diverse interests.

My wife reminded me of the time I got nervous with her family and I said that jujubees give you “copious fecal matter”

Music Rundown

New adds:

Gabor szabo bacchanal – 1969 psychedelic apocalypse world music guitar centric 

Dad gave it to me

Zum Vol 15: indie experimental playlist from George Chen
sick thoughts on total punk records

This got me into the KBD scene – here is the Wikipedia page

from The Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke and Pee

Tremor Control

I’m deep diving into olivia tremor control

Will Cullen Hart has MS

The collected works book, mostly olivia tremor control covers and related ephemera

‘Jazz’ alone will do

Renaming jazz CD genres into just jazz from contemporary jazz, jazz fusion, hard bop, or whatever

Not always social

Being social is hard bc its hard to be social

Baby’s in the corner

I went to my Mom’s birthday and everyone stood around and it wasn’t the right place to hang out

I got out of there and went to a table in the corner of the room

The party was crowded but nobody sat next to me and I received people like the pope. trying hard to recognize them after not seeing them for many years. It was ok. I chose a seat that was very close to the stage.

2.5 Ft/Sec

Read a piece in the times about urban planning for senior citizens

Stir Crazy

hard to get a round

trying not to go nuts

Burning Man attendees got to go home, when will I get to leave

Wheelchair Tennis

Watched the wheelchair us open tennis, Spaargaren NED v Fernandez ARG

Liberation

CALLED the mobility people TO GET THE LIFT GOING

We set an installation date for October 10

Choking on food

Had one of John’s friends for dinner and they ate seconds and thirds, then everything was gone and it was gratifying. Ground beef tomato pasta

Then I coughed on some Watermelon covered with tajin. “This is normal”, John told his friend. I guess it is. I felt bad for him.

AI Cooking School

AI Hoppin Hot Sauce food photographs are impressively strange

Challenging Juju

1919 market warehouse party spot is still for sale 20 years later

For the nth time

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Welcome to “Last day of summer at the Jelly Belly factory” on What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast. I asked my artificial intelligence tool what this episode was about, and it summarized it thusly:

The main idea of this episode is a stream of consciousness narrative where you share updates on various topics, including your experiences visiting a Jelly Belly factory, your interest in music, your thoughts on different sayings and maxims, an accident where you hit your head and had to get staples, and some personal reflections and anecdotes. The episode covers a range of topics and thoughts that are currently on your mind.

Without further ado…

Reggae bible study

Have you been studying your reggae bible? I haven’t, but on Dj Robert Rankin’s Solid Foundation reggae show I heard the lyric, “The race is not for the swift, but who can endure.” I googled it, and it’s from the Bible, a riff on Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 11.

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9.11

This could relate to people in wheelchairs, who aren’t very fast, but who have the strength to endure what is happening to them.

Hotter than rats in a sack

The family went to Fairfield and Suisun City for the kids’ last day of summer break. It was 98 degrees in Fairfield, but the Jelly Belly factory was climate-controlled.

Afterwards, we went to Retroactive Records and Games in Suisun City.

More Maxims

Mean what you say and say what you mean.
Those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say.
Smile now, cry later.

Pile it up high

They put me on a medication that causes drowsiness and I’m like add it to the pile. Thankfuilly, that was last week and now I’m off it. Meanwhile, I am working on reordering the shoes in my correct size, but its not exactly going smoothly.

To top it off, my AFO brace is still broken and tough to walk in. Trying to get up, I fell and hit my head and cut myself. After some cajoling, I went to the ER and got four staples. I admit that I’m glad I did. Next week, I’ll go in to the office and get them removed.

New music adds

Looking over the list, I can see that this week’s music run-down is guaranteed to freak out the squares. Nine Inch Nails do soundtracks, Portishead stepped on a Lego, Gravy Train go up-market, and extreme hardcore vocal interplay – this week’s music adds have a little bit of something for everybody. Don’t let your life go silent.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (Original Score) by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

Enemy of Love by The Body & OAA

No Jack Swing by Brontez Purnell

CHOKE! SPLIT by XGRIFOX

This Week’s Selfie

last day of summer at the jelly belly factory selfie
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Video podcasting

In “Security Shirt,” I’m experimenting with creating a video version of this podcast. With video, it’s proof. I’m going to focus on trying to make movies, then seeing if I can integrate them into the podcast

Shout outs

  • Shout outs to Wylie
  • Shout outs to the Sandman who wrote Jack Tar & I about a live Buddy Guy concert on TV yesterday

Reframing

  • Thinking back to “Hit My Head On The Bed,” maybe I should get a bed frame with posts or other hardware on the bottom so I can hang on to that – because there isn’t anything to grab on to at the lower end of the bed.

Sao Ichikawa wins Akutagawa Prize

Photo/Illutration
Sao Ichikawa, the winner of the Akutagawa Prize, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on July 19. (Takuya Isayama)

Security Shirt Movie

  • Security Shirt story – “a man is blocking the stairwell”

AFO drama

  • My AFO brace has come unglued again
  • I’m falling a lot, getting bruises, and taking lots of ibuprofen

Thor Raining Down Lightning

  • Trigeminal neuralgia was like lightning coming through the clouds. The clouds came from the carbamazepam and gabapentin I was on at the time. But then the lightning of trigeminal neuralgia in electrical nerve disease was like being in an area where there are lightning storms. The lightning is pretty unpredictable and there are mostly clouds, but once in a while the lightning strikes or there can be a lightning storm that breaks out and there are many, many electrical strikes. It causes a lot of anxiety because of how unpredictable it is. And having gone through many many of those lightning storms, I am kind of traumatized. I am on the same medication today and under more or less the same clouds. But there is no lightning when there is any feeling at all it is very muted. But like I said I’m traumatized. I’m anxious and I’m fearful. I have to recognize that

Easier dressing

  • Relaxed fit clothes fit my AFO easier but they are going top be a change for my wardrobe

From the Corrections Desk

  • Correction from my wife. We didn’t use carvana that we use CarMax. The same one we use the last time

Smoke Signals

  • Burping after eating Taco Bell vegetables tastes like cigarettes
  • I was about to tell this lady at National Mobility and Seating right when the guy told me I was at the wrong place and he was behind the window at first so I didn’t see him
  • My wife was relieved

On The Beat

  • I saw Kerry in the park at 8:30 a.m. trying to do what he can for as long as he can

Frank Fat’s

Revenge Against All Odds

  • Crippled Masters. One with no legs, the other no arms.
  • Disabled self-representation in a martial arts film.
  • An avant garde film.
  • Ended with no falling action

This Week’s Selfie

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With my wheelchair
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Welcome to “New Van” on the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast

In this episode, I get a new van that accommodates a chair lift, host a friend from out of town, and start to plan the heavy metal concert at my burial.

News Smash

Shout outs

Custom Hoppin Hot Sauce vans
Sand Man’s idea
  • Shout out to Rocky and the Sand Man

Burial Music

Terrible Cemetery cover
Terrible Cemetery
  • A terrible cemetery would have no benches
  • Metal changes tempo
  • You can only slam dance to it
  • The dancing people stay away
  • You can’t dance to it
  • Nami replied, “and maybe that’s the point.” A metal thing to say

No Police Escort

  • little league baseball season was a disaster
  • The police escort didn’t show up and the parade was canceled
  • In the middle the A’s decided to move to Vegas

Visitor

  • Buddy came from out of town

New van

New van
New car smell
  • They picked up the old van for donation
  • We purchased a 2020 Toyota Sienna.
  • Its coming on Saturday

Pick Me Up

AL6000
  • Finally, we are going to get a wheelchair lift in the trunk.
  • I am trying not to get too excited

On The Contrary

Clean - Crisp - Clear
  • Admittedly, I can be a contrarian, so when KFJC got a little too carried away playing an all-vinyl marathon that extended to almost a week, I proposed an all compact-disc marathon, called The Plastication.

This week’s selfie:

new van selfiae
New Van selfie
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Welcome to “Air Time” on the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast

Across the street they had that place with Coffee & Tea, remember that? It was coffee with a black tea bag in it.

Best Sauce In The World

Stay For The Selfies

  • Surf it on over to Subscribe page and never miss an episode
  • Makes No Sense: Is the plural of selfie also selfie?

Air Time

  • KFJC radio is an outlet for neurodiverse people and people with speaking differences and it has been that way for a long time
  • Shout outs to the people who download every episode
  • Watching the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony on ESPN
  • Disabled people can be hard to organize
  • I’m glad they got airtime

New glasses

air time glasses
  • Went to Costco and got new prescription & frames
  • I made Chili with chile de arbol in it

Good For Ex-New Yorkers

Paralyze my muscles

  • I went To the doctor to get botox
  • Botox is cosmetic but also relieves tension, llike spasticity caused by MS

I was embarrassed by my parents too

  • John was embarrassed to have me drop him at camp in my wheelchair

Salad is healthy

  • The internet thinks franks and beans are healthy

Pox on our house

  • Koko has Covid

Sellout

  • Rollins plays with the Rolling Stones, uncredited, on Tattoo You

Don’t know how

  • I need to sell my car

Early fall

This week’s selfie

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Hanging in there