Has anyone ever rung Samaritans?

I've avoided reading this thread so much because it's too upsetting that people are going through all this. I am so sorry, everyone.

Sorry for the upset, and for my own part I hope I didn’t give the impression that my life is unending misery. I do get very low and anxious though, and I’m processing a lot that’s happened (and unhappened!) and some days it’s background, other days all consuming. But maybe it’s a positive thing to have started the thread- a reminder that there’s an option we could all too easily overlook in our darkest times. 

You're right - it's surely a good thing that such avenues of help, counsel and comfort are publicised. 

Of course, there's absolutely no need to apologise - I was just feeling terrible because I was unable to help or advise people.

Thank you.  It has nothing to do with painting diamonds if that is what you had possibly been wondering. The following short video may help to give you a better idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCDdPNk6Xb0

Ssh! That was meant to be a closely-guarded secret. 

I looked at the pictures you placed on your profile page (after your fellow genius Luna mentioned them) - they're amazing! Could you tell me, please: what is diamond painting? It surely can't be as literal as my silly mind thought...or is it?

If you consider me a genius, I think you need help my friend. However, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I'll accept whatever compliments I can get. 

What I am rather interested in is the approaching crisps. Had they sprouted limbs? I'm conjuring up an image of an army of crisps marching out of a crisp packet. 

I think silliness is so important. Or more specifically balance. You show great sensitivity in your humour, that’s grown up enough for me. For what it’s worth! 

Thank you. 

I do wonder if it's an unconscious form of masking, adopted because I can't cope with the grown-up, rough-edged world.

You add levity where it’s warranted and works, in my opinion. I’ve not seen you put a foot wrong with tone yet. But I enjoy a bit of self deprecating humour especially which is your speciality. You never ‘punch down’ so you’re never inappropriate in my book 

I've yet to learn that there's a time and a place for nonsense, though.

I like your brand of nonsense it is right up my straza 

Aaaand, yet again, I've turned a serious and important thread into a nonsense-fest. 

The actual truth is that I have a rubbish memory, for names in particular. If War and Peace features hundreds of named characters, my brain features about 3½.

Oh you were approaching them 

Textbook Sparkly, she’s so violent 

Approaching? How did they approach? Blown on the breeze? 

I forgot to add Sparkly's name to my list of geniuses, as I was waylaid by approaching crisps. Now I've edited the post, Sparkly will never know! Or maybe she will, and so kick my teeth into outer space...and rightly so.

Are you, perchance, learning from me how to be a muppet? 

No, really, that's lovely of you. 

Well I feel like I’m learning from you so there’s an overall trade off of mutual support and understanding 

I think it shows that literally my only previous awareness of autism was watching the Rainman film (and that movie was rather misleading, it seems)...and I forgot virtually everything about it anyway; so being useful to the forum members is difficult for me, and makes me feel awful. 

But thank you for your lovely sentiments. :) I can learn from the brilliant examples of members like you and Shard and Sam and Luna and Debbie and Glitter and Number and Juniper and Sparkly and Mariusz and, well, many others. 

Steven said:

I was just feeling terrible because I was unable to help or advise people.

Whilst I feel I can understand what you're saying, I don't think you should feel bad. The thing with this community is that there are always going to be situations when (for whatever reason) it may be impossible to offer help and advice. Rather than dwelling on that, focus on the occasions when you can play to your strengths and brighten someone's day. 

Steven said:

I was just feeling terrible because I was unable to help or advise people.

Whilst I feel I can understand what you're saying, I don't think you should feel bad. The thing with this community is that there are always going to be situations when (for whatever reason) it may be impossible to offer help and advice. Rather than dwelling on that, focus on the occasions when you can play to your strengths and brighten someone's day. 

That was worth the wait. WTAF

Sorry, I'm forever distracted. Apparently, Sainsbury's are bringing out a range of telekinetic crisps.

No wonder autists get confused by things: diamonds that aren't diamonds, and drills that aren't drills! It's an NT conspiracy!

'gets carried away*

I'm picturing them levitating through the air like little flying saucers 

The crisps question is destined to remain unanswered I fear.

'Drill' is just another name for the 'diamonds' - Not that the 'diamonds' are actually diamonds.

Before you say it, I agree that the terminology can be rather confusing and non-sensical.

It's actually worse - I imagined a big diamond with paint on its sharpest point. I wish I was joking; I'm really not though.

PS What does the lady in the video mean by a 'drill'?

Thank you.  It has nothing to do with painting diamonds if that is what you had possibly been wondering. The following short video may help to give you a better idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCDdPNk6Xb0

Ssh! That was meant to be a closely-guarded secret. 

I looked at the pictures you placed on your profile page (after your fellow genius Luna mentioned them) - they're amazing! Could you tell me, please: what is diamond painting? It surely can't be as literal as my silly mind thought...or is it?

If you consider me a genius, I think you need help my friend. However, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I'll accept whatever compliments I can get. 

What I am rather interested in is the approaching crisps. Had they sprouted limbs? I'm conjuring up an image of an army of crisps marching out of a crisp packet. 

I think silliness is so important. Or more specifically balance. You show great sensitivity in your humour, that’s grown up enough for me. For what it’s worth! 

Thank you. 

I do wonder if it's an unconscious form of masking, adopted because I can't cope with the grown-up, rough-edged world.

You add levity where it’s warranted and works, in my opinion. I’ve not seen you put a foot wrong with tone yet. But I enjoy a bit of self deprecating humour especially which is your speciality. You never ‘punch down’ so you’re never inappropriate in my book 

I've yet to learn that there's a time and a place for nonsense, though.

I like your brand of nonsense it is right up my straza 

Aaaand, yet again, I've turned a serious and important thread into a nonsense-fest. 

The actual truth is that I have a rubbish memory, for names in particular. If War and Peace features hundreds of named characters, my brain features about 3½.

Oh you were approaching them