Autist

PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes, I send my mail out from a local office supply store, and have learned that their mail doesn’t go out same day sometimes. I do this because it is in walking distance to me, whereas the post office is a bit further.

Hello, please take time to read my whole profile. I hope you can learn some fun things about me and autism at the same time!

I am EVAN (I am a girl). I live in Los Angeles with my fiance, Lumos (my chihuahua service dog) and my lemon tree (Remus). I am an AUTISTIC writer, advocate and actress. My Favorite colors are Pale Pink (Nana), Pale Blue (Wendy) and Olive green (Peter)

I put a lot of thought into every swap I do. I really do expect the same from others, or why do a swap in the first place? I will ONLY give a ❤️ when the swap makes a personal impression on me. This does not always mean add ins or extras, it means that the care was taken to send EVAN mail that makes her smile.

I am allergic to walnuts and red 40

Special Interests are something autistic people have/do to help them focus their lives. This is not to be confused with hobbies. The difference between Special Interests and Hobbies is when life gets to hectic/stressful I can stop a hobby. Special Interests on the other hand help me cope with the changes, hectic-ness and stresses of life.

My special interests are:

ACTING/MAKING MOVIES: I spent most of my life MASKING and MIMICKING, which are words used to describe how autistics watch and reproduce the social norms of neurotypicals to fit in. While masking is a practice that it depletes my energy, and is also a habit I have had to unlearn, one good thing to come out of it is my discovery of acting as a special interest. I also love the whole process of making movies. Being behind the scenes, script writing, cameras, all of it. So I moved to LA to be part of that world. Some of my favorite movies are: Rudy, Fantastic Beasts, Marie Antoinette (Sofia Copella one), Rise of the Guardians, Little Prince (on Netflix), Treasure Planet, Tomorrowland,

PETER PAN!! The book, the play, movies (live action-2003, Hook, Disney), tv series...you name it, I love it. Peter, England/British things, Lost boys, Thimbles, Acorns, Pirates, Fairies (I really like fairies like Maleficent, woodland sprites and those in the artwork of Amy Brown)

DISNEY!! I of course love Mickey Mouse and the Fab Five. I absolutely love Duffy bear. But mostly I like learning things about the history of the parks, and collecting vintage parks souvenirs and dishes. My favorite rides are Peter Pan, Autopia and Space Mountain. I enjoy Disney’s California Adventure, but I tend to go for the food more than the rides. Though I do love Grizzly River Run. (Please Note: Unless I am in a Disney Themed Swap there is no need to make my swaps disney swaps, unless you think you have something unique I may enjoy.)

ADVENTURE!! Anything that inspires Magic, Hope and a sense of Adventure. Star Wars, Doctor Who, Peter Pan, Firefly, Tomorrowland (movie and Park), Stars/Constellation, NASA (Space Exploration), Planets, Galaxies. I find new things all the time, and have been told I have a childlike wonder about life.

READING: I finish about 2 books a week, and reread some books over and over (Peter Pan about 300 times thus far). I can be heard quoting books and authors from time to time. I like adventure, fantasy and sci-fi. I also read a lot of non-fiction on my special interests. I read blogs, and articles too. Just a typical RAVENCLAW here. This is my escape, more than TV or Movies could ever be. Favorite Books: His Dark Materials series, Kingdom Keepers, Harry Potter, Gail Carriger, Neil Gaiman, Little Prince, Padington Bear, Babar

Being autistic, routine is very important to me. Deviations from my routine can lead to shutdown or meltdown. So, I work really hard at maintaining a comfortable safe space in which my routine can be built and nurtured. I like to have stuffed animals to snuggle with. I have various things to chew on, to save my pen caps and shirt sleeves. I have learned to cope differently with things that were tough as a child, but I did NOT outgrow my autism.

My personal lifestyle is very HYGGE (pronounced Hoo-Gah), and MORI GIRL. Both are very cozy. Think candles, plants and flowers, warm drinks, good books, snuggly blankets and stuffed animals. It’s like a cozy cottage in the middle of the forest aesthetic. I LOVE RAE DUNN stuff, it fits so well with the aesthetic of my home. That’s how I live, even in middle of the city. I love all things fall, and enjoy things that remind me of snow (since it doesn’t snow in LA). To me, it is like living in NEVERLAND.

Things I have a fondness for include soft muted natural colors (berry, peach, gray, yellow, green, brown). I like Vintage-y things: Embroidery, Tea stuff, Victorian, Steampunk, Clocks, Postage type things, toys, Ice Skates/Winter items, Floral prints and patterns.

I craft from time to time. Usually small projects, because it doesn’t hold my interest very long. Things I like to do are...Painting, I like painting on 3X3 canvases with acrylic. I like to crochet. I am actually hand creating many aspects of my wedding. I DO NOT like doing paper crafts.

My favorite cozy drink is warm milk with honey. I also enjoy a good cuppa. English Breakfast is my favorite. I collect teaspoons and other tea paraphernalia. Demitasse spoons are my favorite. I also like tea ball/strainer things, tea cups, pots and tea bag holders. I love apple flavored anything and apple cider.

HAPPY MAIL:

*ANYTHING from my special interests or lifestyle section.

*GUDETAMA - Just love this little autistic egg!!

*MINIATURE TOYS - Little toys that are around the size of a quarter or smaller. I have lego accessories, mini tsumtsums, squinkies, quarter machine toys. I have a pouch I keep them all in. (I didn’t even know this was a thing I collected or liked till my fiance pointed out my collection and how much joy it brought me)

*THIMBLES - I love vintage decorative ones, and the kind you can get at tchotchke shops as souvenirs.

*BRIDE items

*Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts - Luna Lovegood, Newt Scamander, Queenie, NIFFLERS (seriously anything with a niffler on it is prized here)

*POSTAGE AND SWAPBOT stuff - Postage (Disney, Dinosaurs, Trains, Sesame Street, vintage lick and stick) Mailing labels with my name on them, Happy Mail labels, Swap Cards

*Gift Cards - Starbucks, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Dollar Tree, Target

*MONCHICHI - I lost mine, so if you have one that needs a home I would forever be grateful.

*Treats: Nabisco Animal Crackers, Trident gum (Fruit flavors, not mint), Tablet (Scottish treat), Winegums (from UK) and Sugar Babies (they are hard to find)

Because people are asking: My wedding theme is His and Hers, the colors are all shades of blue (his fave is royal blue, mine is Tiffany blue). I am crocheting my wedding bouquet. We are having a very small intimate wedding at our church, with a reception at one of our favorite restaurant. We are going on a cruise for our Honeymoon.

Anything musty or smoky smelling - it kills me with allergies.

AUTISM SPEAKS anything - puzzle pieces, blue pieces especially. This organization is not supportive of autistic people. I don’t agree with their philosophy, nor do they speak for me. (Advocating moment)

Crafty bits: Fabric, foam, felt, Scrapbook type things, ribbon, pipe cleaners, beads...these things end up in the garbage.

Emojis items

Unless I specifically sign up for a swap with any of these things. I do not want them and they will most likely end up in the trash. So please save them for someone else. Thank you.

I am willing to do private swaps. If something on my profile catches your eye. Let’s give it a go.

If we are partners in two or more swaps in a given week, I will most likely send them together. This saves on postage.

If you do not receive your swap that I stated I sent out, please let me know. I DO NOT lie about when things are sent. If it got lost I will surely resend it. COMMUNICATION IS KEY! I try really hard to get Ooo’s and Ahh’s for my swaps, but sometimes things get shook up, misplaced by the postal system or aren’t exactly what you are hoping for. I am very literal (per autism) and sometimes a swap may not be quite right, please let me know, I will gladly rectify the situation. Please note I do have Executive Dysfunction (stated above). If something gets overlooked or forgotten, I will notify you as soon as possible. I try really really hard to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Also, if you haven’t got your feedback on something you sent. I do leave feedback promptly usually before I even leave the post office, so if I haven’t left feedback, I have NOT received your item.

I am here for fun, enjoyment and a break from my everyday life. Not here for drama. That being said. Please don’t mistake this as I am all forgiving. Once a month (it’s in my calendar) I go thru my swaps and check to make sure that I have received everything. If there is no communication. I will rate accordingly. Don’t make me work for YOUR ratings, we are all adults here. Let’s have some fun. Thanks in advance.

The fun recently got kind of sucked out of Swap Bot for me, because I took on too much. I have decided to step back a bit. I will still be doing the swaps that bring me joy. I will be doing swaps in the groups I founded, but I am really hoping the members help with that. I just went from loving Swap Bot to dreading it. So I cleaned the slate. Thought it thru, and I am trying a new outlook on it. This is just supposed to be my little escape from work. It become something very much more. And with my wedding coming up, everything became overwhelming. I am hoping I can get the joy back.