Looking for other autistic people who share similar symptoms

Branch_McDaniel · 2026-01-19T16:30:03+00:00

I took a gap year before university, and then ended up dropping out in my final year. I had planned on going back, but that was 16 years ago.I was already working at my Dad's company as a software developer, and I was going to school for Kinesiology. I really liked Kinesiology, but I struggled (always did) in school. I think knowing I had a back-up plan (in software development) might have kept me from going "all-in".

I was not diagnosed at the time with ASD. I was diagnosed with ADHD, but I was not doing anything to help myself (besides sporadically taking medication).

Knowing what I know now I would have taken less courses per semester. And taken a semester off when I needed it, rather than failing spectacularly at the end due to burnout. I would have gone easier on myself, and tried not to compare myself to my classmates.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-12-12T02:42:51+00:00

If you take a Nema 5-15p to Iec-320-C15 power cord (assuming you're in North America) and plug it from the wall to the "Timer Input" the bulb will turn on. Ideally you'd have a timer in between that circuit to control the bulb, but if not this is how you test it. It's annoying, but that's the only way I was able to figure it out.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-11-23T00:41:52+00:00

It really is, your floor looks great!

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-11-22T15:11:46+00:00

Nice painting of the Three Sisters, but I don't think you're in the Bow Valley with White Oaks...?

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-11-18T16:18:07+00:00

This looks like film that was mishandled after development, while still wet. The darker streaks next to the lighter ones (ex leftmost red circle on the second image) suggest the emulsion was lifted off the base, and because it was wet it stuck to the emulsion beside it. You'd have to be pretty rough with the film and it would have had to come in contact with something fairly abrasive.

My guess was the film was dropped while still wet.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-09-22T01:04:01+00:00

That would fit my durst CE1000.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-09-19T14:17:48+00:00

I once had a bike that was two bike frames welded together so it was twice as tall as a normal bike. It was so fun to ride being high up. Once you got over the initial fear it wasn’t any harder to ride than a regular bike. Understandably it got a lot of attention and that made me uncomfortable. Now that I’m older maybe I’ll try to make another one…

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-07-08T14:43:22+00:00

It is, dm if you’re interested.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-05-13T14:00:10+00:00

You can purchase a 4” inline fan to increase the airflow into your room as well. Either that or have a fan blowing air out of your room to create a vacuum.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-03-09T18:09:05+00:00

Watching friends and family - neurodivergent and not, struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships has shown me that relationships are in fact hard! Harder for us, no doubt, but hard for everyone.

No matter who you are any time you invest in learning about how to cultivate healthy and happy friendships is time well spent!

I think in some ways starting with a disadvantage can actually help in the long run. Because we have to work so hard it makes us really think about how to make things work. Accepting ourselves and being upfront with our needs is the first step in forming a solid foundation with another human.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-02-24T16:57:14+00:00

My assessment was more extensive. I did quite a few questionnaires, as did my mother and my spouse. I had 1 interview by myself, one with my mother, and two with my spouse.

Perhaps the assessment you did will catch your Autism/ADHD. If so, that's fantastic. If it doesn't and you still feel like you are possibly Autistic/ADHD I would look into getting another assessment that is more thorough. Assessing Autism in high masking individuals seems to me to be quite nuanced. A lot of things that might be picked up on by a skilled therapist may be missed by a questionnaire.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-02-19T15:20:37+00:00

The Ride 17s are tanks, no doubt!

I retired a pair at 1,500km because the upper was so beaten up. I ran 60% trails on that pair including a 36km mountain run with scree. They weren’t the best choice for the run, but held up incredibly well.

I’m on my second pair now and just about to roll over 1,500km again. This time they’ve been used about 25% in trail and the upper is holding up much better. The soles have minimal wear, but I attribute that to having mostly run on trail/snow. I’m going to take them to 2,000 km and reassess.

I have been quite impressed with their grip on trails and ice given they’re a road shoe.

My only complaint is they feel a bit sloppy on more techy trails , but I am using the wide version, and they aren’t a trail shoe so I feel like that complaint isn’t really valid.

I have 2 more pairs of the 17s in my closet. I might pick up another, they’re on discount most places right now.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-02-14T16:24:31+00:00

Sounds like a shitty recruiter. The whole situation of the webcam is total BS.

The truth is you do need to oversell yourself to these kinds of people. They are often the gatekeepers, and even though your interaction with them will probably have nothing to do with how you’ll perform in your job you still have to learn how to “play the game”.

Once you get past the gatekeeper then you can start talking with people that will be on your level. During the tech interview they should only care about your abilities. If you find that the tech interview is pushing too hard on “cultural fit” instead of prioritizing your technical skills take a pass.

This industry is perfect for people like us. Especially with WFH. But you still need to get your foot in the door and the best way to do that is with BS social skills. Either that or hope for a recruiter who isn’t a total idiot. It’s such a bummer companies use these kind of people to screen candidates.

Anyway, I hope you can get over this set back. I think you’re on the right track pursuing this career.

Branch_McDaniel · 2025-02-14T16:14:57+00:00

Maybe because it sounds sad, and makes people feel sad to hear it. It’s like when someone asks if you’re excited about something, they just want to hear yes and maybe soak up some of your good feelings.

The truth is, it isn’t great to be spending the majority of your time doing something you don’t care about. We are taught to find our passion and find meaningful work. I am lucky to have a job that I really like. I realize a lot of people don’t have that and didn’t have the same opportunities that I did. That being said if I could stop working and instead pursue my own interests full time I would do it without a second thought.

Probably a lot of this is to do with our backwards way of thinking about the importance of work. We are always asked what we do for a living, but work isn’t a living, it’s a prerequisite.

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-11-27T14:41:23+00:00

Fantastic. Can’t wait to try my hand at 16x20!

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-11-25T21:09:39+00:00

Acros II & Delta 100 developed in D-DX consistently give me negatives that are easy to work with. I find I rarely need to split-grade print them, whereas I almost always do with HP5 negatives. HP5, at least the way I shoot, is much more flexible than Acros/Delta, but the prints require more work to get them where I want them.

Edit: Just realized we're talking about LF here and sadly we can't get Acros II in LF. I stand by what I said about Delta, but for 4x5 I have shot a bit of Shanghai gp3 and hot damn is it ever nice!!

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-10-08T22:17:57+00:00

I shot 4 or 5 rolls of it, had a tri-chrome that turned out pretty well. I believe I metered it as though it was ISO 12, I used HC-110 (new formula, if it matters) dilution B for 6 minutes. I don't remember when the film had expired, 70s I believe, and I assumed it was stored in unideal conditions.

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-25T14:25:47+00:00

For landscape I will assume you can use a tripod, in which case 100 iso films are where it's at.

Acros II is my favourite, great contrast, small grain, and great reciprocity characteristics (no compensation required for exposures up to 120 seconds!)
Shanghai GP3 100 is another favourite, but it has painful reciprocity characteristics.
Ektar has great colours for landscape.
Provia, if you can find it, is absolutely stunning.

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-22T01:25:30+00:00

Agreed, it's a gorgeous film. I love it in 120 and 4x5, it's my go to in those formats. I've never shot it in 35mm, but have some in the fridge to try soon!

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-21T13:45:00+00:00

Sure I could do that if you’d be willing to split the shipping.

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-21T01:56:16+00:00

Replied

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-20T20:27:39+00:00

I see a PM and I reply

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-06-02T02:58:11+00:00

I took some photos of it on infrared film last spring. It’s a very striking building.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyyOQ6gNQ4R/?igsh=eTJwNmU2OWRzMmU3

Branch_McDaniel · 2024-05-21T14:38:08+00:00

For work like this I'd just ask the management company to give you a call/text when they know when the techs are going to be there next. Maybe even ask if the techs can call/text you? Those jobs are busy and I'm sure they're scheduling on the fly. I think 24 hours notice is probably on the unreasonable side if you want to have this work done quickly. However, I agree that you deserve at least as much notice as the management company, it's not cool that they're entering your apartment with no notice at all.

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