Disability Survey

This information will help me graphically represent the different social influences visible vs invisible disabilities have on both individual and public perceptions.

Please take this survey three times. The first time take it as you are now. The second pretend you are a person with a stutter. And the third, as if you are a paraplegic. 

Give yourself a point for every statement you can answer 'yes' to. Add up the points and keep a separate total for each trial. 

1ST: As you are now

2ND: As a person with a mild to severe stutter

3RD: As a quadriplegic

1. I can arrange to be in the company of people of my level of ability most of the time and with relative ease.

2 If I should need to move my residence, I can be pretty sure of renting a house or apartment that will accommodate me physically.

3. I can be pretty sure that my new neighbors will be neutral or pleasant to me.

4. I can turn on the tv or open the newspaper and see people of similar ability to me widely represented.

5. I am familiar with the history of people similar to me in my ability.

6. I can be pretty sure of my ability to have my voice heard in a group in which I am the only person with my level of ability.

7. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my level of ability.

8. I can be assured that my shape, bearing, or body odor will not be taken as a reflection on my ability level.

9. My culture will not penalize me for being oblivious to the problems of people with less ability than myself.

10. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to speak to the “person in charge” that I will be facing a person of my level of ability.

11. I can easily buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children’s magazines featuring people of my level of ability.

12. I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling connected to the others in the group rather than isolated, out of place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance, or feared.

13. I can be pretty sure of finding people of similar ability who would be willing to talk with me and advise me about my next steps, professionally.

14. I can think over many options (social, political, imaginative, or professional) without asking whether a person of my level of ability would be accepted or allowed to do what I want to do.

15. I can choose to go to a public place without fearing that people fo my ability cannot have access.

16. I can go to a friend’s house without worrying about being able to get in or get around to essential inside areas (i.e. bathrooms)

17. I can arrange my activities so that I will never have to experience feelings of rejecting due to my level of ability.

18. If I have low credibility as a leader, I can be assured it has nothing to do with my level of ability.

19. If I need something done differently than normal at school or work, I can be assured that the process of change will be sooth and without any difficulty.

20. I will feel welcomed and “normal” in the usual walks of public life, institutional, and social.

21. I can be assured that if I need legal or medical help, my ability level will not work against me.

22. I am never asked to speak for all people of my ability group.

23. I can expect figurative language and imagery in all of the arts to testify to experiences of my ability level.​

Please email me (alydhampton@gmail.com)

fbook, or text me your responses ASAP.

Thanks for helping me out,

 I very much appreciate it!!

aLydanceparty! WINTER IS COMING

HOLY TITS BATMAN!

It has been entirely, ENTIRELY, too long since I have put anything on here. Whether it be, aLydanceparty! mixes or just some sort of entry... I need to work on that. I've got a couple of papers I want to get on here actually, they just need to be tweaked a bit to sound less... school-y and more real Aly-y...(?)

Life is... good. Life is different. Change is upon us once more... and it's scaring the hell out of me. But it's cool, I'm awesome. I've totally got this shit. wOot.

Check out this aLydanceparty! edition, and check back soon for updates... I fo'realz will be getting back on here more. 

Honest injun.

FICUS.

Dig; Incubus

...so when weakness turns my ego up, i know you'll count on the me from yesterday. if i turn into another, dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me, sing this song. remind me that we'll always have each other, when everything else is gone...

Wonderwall; Oasis

...i said maybe you're gonna be the one that saves me...

Bitter Sweet Symphony; The Verve

...i let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, i feel free now. but the airways are clean, and there's nobody singing to me now...

Make Me Proud; Drake

...everything's adding up, you've been through hell and back, that's why you're bad as fuck...

Stay; Florida Georgia Line

...i'd sell my soul just to see your face, and i'd break my bones just to heal your pain. in these times i need a saving grace, but time is runnin' out and i'm startin' to lose my faith. but if i told you i loved you, would it make you wanna stay? i'm sorry for the way i hurt you and makin' you walk away. and if i wrote you a love song and sang it to you everyday would it ever be enough to make you come back home and stay?...

Sympathy;  Goo Goo Dolls

...stranger than your sympathy and this is my apology, i killed myself from the inside out and all my fears have pushed you out. and i wished for things that i don't need, and what i chased won't set me free...

Broken; Seether feat Amy Lee

...cuz i'm broken when i'm open, and i don't feel like i am strong enough. 'cuz i'm broken when i'm lonesome, and i don't feel right when you're gone away...

Bound for the Floor; Local H

...and you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic, and you learn to accept it...

Low; Cracker

...sometimes i go and walk the street behind the green sheet of glass, a million miles below their feet....

She Ain't Right; Lee Brice

...she got her daddy's tongue and temper, sometimes her mouth could use a filter, God shook His head the day he built her, but i bet He smiled...

Name; Goo Goo Dolls

...don't make you sad to know that life is more than who we are? you grew up way too fast, and now there's nothing to believe. re-runs all become our history... i think about you all the time, but i don't need to sing. it's lonely where you are, come back down and i won't tell 'em your name...

Iris; Goo Goo Dolls

...and i'd give up forever to touch you, 'cause i know that you feel me somehow. you're the closest to heaven that i'll ever be and i don't wanna go home right now. and all i can taste is this moment, and all i can breathe is your life. when sooner or later it's over i just don't wanna miss you tonight. and i don't want the world to see me, 'cause i don't think that they'd understand...

Crazy Girl; Eli Young Band

...crazy girl don't you know that i love you, and i ain't ever goin' no where. silly woman, come here let me hold you...

Best I Ever Had; Drake

...baby you my everything, you all i ever wanted. we could do it real big, bigger than you ever done it... i want this forever i swear i can spend whatever on it... and i say the same thing every single time, i say you the fuckin' best, you the fuckin' best, the best i ever had...

Tumbleweeds; Cady Wire

...she said make me come you sweet fucker, make it last...

Howlin' for You; The Black Keys

...i must admit, i can't explain any of these thoughts racin' through my brain, it's true, but baby i'm howlin' for you....

What You Want; John Butler Trio

...but i could fly away, or i could be no one. and you could be the sunshine falling over the mountains...

aLydanceparty! comeback

It occurs to me that it has literally been MONTHS since I've had one of these. 

So, without further ado...

the comeback king.

Lover, Lover; Jerrod Niemann

i know you used to love me, but that was yesterday 

oh lover, lover, lover you don't treat me no good no more

Hungover and Horny; Diamond Rugs

...last night i went lookin' for fun, took it just a little too far...

Blurred Lines; Robin Thicke

...okay now he was close, tried to domesticate ya, but you're an animal, let me liberate ya...

Call Me Maybe

...hey, i just met you and this is crazy, but here's my number- so call me maybe?...

Runnin' Out of Moonlight; Randy Houser

...don't you worry 'bout gettin' fixed up, when you wake up you're pretty enough...

Jet Airliner; Steve Miller Band

...you know you've got to go through hell before you get to heaven...

Young Lust; Pink Floyd

...will someone in this desert land make me feel like a real man? take this rock 'n' roll refugee, oo bang set me free...

Limelight; Rush

...one must put up barriers to keep oneself intact...
...all the world's indeed a stage and we are merely players, performers and portrayers... each another's audience inside the gilded cage...

Mississippi Halfstep Toodeloo; The Grateful Dead

...hello baby i'm gone, goodbye. half a cup of rock 'n rye...
...if all you've got to live for is what you left behind, get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine, lost my boots in transit babe, pile of smokin' leather... nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather...

Hard to Handle; The Black Crowes

...i can give you what you want, but you got to come home with me...

Hard to Love; Lee Brice

...i am insensitive, i have a tendency to pay more attention to the things that i need...
...i am a short fuse, i am a wrecking ball...

Author's Note: I just spent 15 minutes folding my underwear.

You Could Be Happy; Snow Patrol

...and all the things that i wish i had not said are played in loops till it's madness in my head, is it too late to remind you how we were?...
...you could be happy, i hope you are...

Kiss Me Deadly; Lita Ford

...i went to a party last saturday night, i didn't get laid, i got in a fight uh huh, it ain't no big thing...

Orion; Elizaveta

...i wanna kiss you, but i let it slip away. i know i never told you, i should have done it then. i could've tried to hold you, instead i turned to run. did you know that i was dying?...

...i hope you miss me too...

Comes A Time; The Grateful Dead

...comes a time when the blind man takes your hand, says don't you see? gotta make it somehow on the dreams you still believe. don't give it up, you got an empty cup only love can fill...

...only love can fill...

All My Friends; LCD Soundystem

...i wouldn't change one stupid decision for another five years of life...

Kodachrome; Paul Simon

...when i think back on all the crap i learned in high school it's a wonder i can think at all...

Paul Revere; Beastie Boys
...i did it like this, i did it like that, i did it with a whiffle ball bat...

Mama's Broken Heart; Miranda Lambert
...go and fix your makeup girl it's just a break up go and hide your crazy and start actin' like a better cuz i raised you better, gotta keep it together, even when you fall apart...

...can't get revenge and keep a spotless reputation. sometimes revenge is a choice you gotta make...

Howlin' For You; The Black Keys
...i must admit, i can't explain any of these thoughts runnin' through my brain, it's true... baby i'm howlin' for you...

Supermassive Black Hole; Muse
...i thought i was a fool for no one, oo baby i'm a fool for you...

Lovely Day; Donovan Frankenreiter
...bein' out in the open air, livin' life like we just don't care, just doin' what we want to do, not doin' what we're supposed to... it's gonna be a lovely day...

Runnin' With a Gun; Slightly Stoopid
...

Dreamer; Elizaveta
...i believe in faerie tales and serendipitous encounters... 
...leave your fear of love behind, let your dreaming be your guide. if you seek then you shall find...
...torn and tattered from the fall and waiting to rise up again, and i can feel it in my blood i hold the future in my hand...

Get Your Shine On; Florida Georgia Line
...i sparkle when she smiles...

Boys 'Round Here; Blake Shelton ft. Pistol Annies
...ain't a damn one know how to do the Dougie...

Stagger Lee; The Grateful Dead
...as Stagger Lee lit a cigarette she shot him in the balls, blew the smoke off her revolver, had him dragged to city hall...

Up On Cripple Creek; The Band
...a drunkards dream if i ever did see one...

What Was I Thinkin'; Dierks Bentley
...

Crazy Girl; Eli Young Band
...crazy girl don't you know that i love you?

In a Big Country; moe.
...just because it happened doesn't mean you've been discarded...

Cruise; Florida Georgia Line
...baby you're a song you make me wanna roll the windows down and cruise...

Crash My Party; Luke Bryan
...if it's 2 in the morning and you're feeling lonely, and wondering what i'm doing go ahead and call me, call me, call me...

Perfect; P!nk
...dug my way out, blood and fire. bad decisions, that's all right...

i'm finna get existential on yo'ass

baby don't you know, people come and go?

I haven't written in awhile and I'm having difficulty getting started... But I feel like it's something I need to do. Anytime I'm feeling down or confused or, well, anything really, going back and reading shit I've written in the past always makes me feel better. Then it makes me want to write more, because I'm constantly surprised at what I manage to express in my ramblings. Each time I read something I write I'm always left wondering if it was actually me that wrote it. Perhaps that sounds a bit egotistical or whatever because I'm impressed by my own writing, but it's probably the one thing I care about most in the world and the fact that I do it moderately well is a comfort.

What do I want to rant/ramble about this evening, you ask? Not sure yet. Definitely not any of my relationship-ary shenanigans or an educational rant on some random topic ranging from drug addiction to GMO's and obesity in 'Merica. A solid research entry would do my brain some good, but lately I just haven't felt like plugging it in. Having all this free time off from school has sent me into this weird... in between place. My direction is skewed, I've lost focus. I needed it though, the pressure I put on myself is so intense my brain would probably explode if I didn't find some sort of release.

Except given this free time and allowance for mind wanderings freaks me out, honestly. My brain latches onto and fixates on arbitrary concerns that shouldn't mean anything, but do. It's that whole "I'm an asshole, but I don't always mean/want to be" complex I have. Things either don't matter at all, or matter way too much. For some reason, I find it difficult to find a comfortable in between in anything that I undertake. I either epically succeed, or epically fail. Perhaps this is part of the human condition, I know I can't be the only one. There should be meetings for over achievers...

Hello, my name is Aly and I'm an over achiever. 

Man, I don't even think this entry is coherent on any level, I'm just siphoning out excess brain goo...

Do you know what you want out of life? 

Truly? 

Do you know your purpose, or if you even have one? 

Sometimes I think I do, sometimes I'm not exactly sure. I know I have some sort of purpose or I wouldn't have gone through everything I have and still be alive, but what the fuck it is I have no idea. Maybe I'm an example of what not to do with your life. I mean, all other bullshit aside, I'm almost 30 years old and I live with my grandparents for fucks sake, and I'm just now finishing up my associates degree, when I should be working on my masters. Bah. There are worse things I suppose. I could be almost 30 and living in a trashy apartment with a couple kids and a dead beat boyfriend. That would definitely be worse... 

Thank god for small favors.

Are you comfortable in your own skin?

Are you really you?

Do you even know who that is?

As often as I find myself I tend to lose her the next day. I wake up knowing myself, and go to bed wondering if I did it right. When I go back and read these entries and think about the place I was in life when I wrote them I wonder how I got to where I am right at this moment. Was it intentional? Accidental? Is it part of some grand plan? (it's the ciiiiiiircccclllleeee of liiiiiiffeeeeee) The changes happening around me, influenced by the decisions I've been making have brought out yet another Aly-facet.

people don't change,

their situations do.

So here I am, on yet a different path towards some eventual goal, even though I'm not sure it will make me happy in the end. But that's what we're all here for, isn't it? Some of us have goals and life plans, some of us play it by ear. Which is right? Who the fuck knows. By the time we get to the end of the game, it doesn't even matter anymore. Even if you win at the game of life, you still die in the end. Life is so short... I feel we should be embracing more than what's tangible and disregarding all the bullshit that won't even matter 20 years from now... but the way society is, it's virtually impossible.

What is happiness to you, David?*

happiness: n. obsolete: good fortune: prosperity

a. a state of well-being and contentment

b. a pleasurable or satisfying experience

Thank you Merriam-Webster Dictionary for giving such a fabulously vague and inadequate explanation of such an important word. A pleasurable or satisfying experience? So an orgasm is happiness? It is both pleasurable and satisfying, but I definitely don't equate it with true happiness. Do I know what truly makes me happy? I'd like to say yes, but as I'm typing this my mind just blanked... I know it's the little things. Like memories of my little brother learning how to walk and talk. Dancing barefoot in the grass. Being held by someone who actually cares about me. The feeling I get when I listen to live music...

Bah. I still don't know that those are accurate. I'm thinking that happiness isn't something that can actually be put into words, it's just something that has to be experienced. Although I think some people experience happiness and are just too blind to see it...

Hm.

some people look strange

some people look deranged

some people are just lookin' through you

so when you look at me

i wonder who you see now,

who i am to you

*Vanilla Sky reference

courtesy; the.apples.in.stereo.

Smack, Blow, Rock: Should They Be Legal?

Below is a paper I wrote for my English class about drug legalization. No, it's not just about pot either. Keep in mind this was an Aly bullshit kind of paper that I wrote in like 45 minutes, but I do think I make at least a few valid points.

Smack, Blow, Rock: Should They Be Legal?

Hampton 1

Aly Hampton



Instructor Robinson

Eng 1101-41

9 Apr 2013

               How would you feel about waking up to a late night collect phone call from a county jail? This person has been arrested for drug possession and, as it turns out, they are an addict and have been for years. Now, not only do you ahve to spend money to bail them out, but then have to invest in a rehabilition program. Unfortunately, it costs a small fortune to aid someine in overcoming an addiction. If all illicit drugs in the United States were legalized, the amount of drug users would diminish and the money that is now used to capture and incarcerate drug users could be spent on creating and maintaining affordable, if not free, rehabilitation centers.

               The legalization of narcotics in America is an argument that has been going on for years and there have been several essays and articles written on the topic. As time goes on, it has become apparent that this will be a continual battle and that neither side seems willing to compromise. This makes sense though, as how would one be able to find a satisfactory middle ground? While there is no way to anticipate what the outcome of either decision would be, based on the available literature and statistics it can be concluded that all currently illegal drugs in the United States should be legalized, which would be for the greater good of the country.



                One article pertaining to the topic of drug legalization in America is author and essayist Gore Vidal's "Drugs." Vidal's thesis in his article is that all currently illegal drugs in America should be legalized. A major point in Vidal's article is that most drug addiction in America would come to an end if the legalized drugs contained labels warning the users of the consequences involved with taking the drug. Vidal also states that Americans are free to do what they want with their bodies. He goes on to compare the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's and its ill effects on society to the prohibition of drugs today. He also mentions that both the United States government and the mafia are against drug legalization because there is too much money in the illegal distrubition of narcotics. Vidal ends his article by stating that the likelihood of a practical response from the government regarding the legalization of drugs in America is non-existent (460-462).

               Gore Vidal is a well-known American writer with strong liberal views. His essay "Drugs" is a well written argument that contend that all currently illicit drug in the United States should be legalized. This author makes a point of reminding the audience that, "it might be good for our citizens to recall that the United States was the creation of men who believed that each man has the right to do what he wants with his own life as long as he does not interfere with his neighbor's pursuit of happiness" (461). By allowing an American citizen the right to use drugs in his or her own home, there is no interference of the pursuit of happines of the man next door. One could argue that young people who have loud parties and drink whiskey all night and keep the neighbors up inhibits their neighbor's pursuit of happiness; however, the people at the party are only given slaps on the wrist or at the most a citation.

               Another statement Vidal writes that makes a lot of sense is, "Every man, however, has the power (and should have the legal right) to kill himself if he choose" (461). This follows up the previous point in that, as a country built on the principles of freedom, each individual is constitutionally granted the freedom to treat his or her body as he or she chooses. Also,

Hampton 2

American citizens are legally allowed to pursue happiness in any way they choose, which should include how they choose to spend their free time and/or modify their body. The law allows citizens to purchase alcohol and cigarettes which are medically documented as having negative side effects, including but not limited to cancer. There are now laws that govern the circumstances in which individuals can receive tattoos and other body modifications. With similar regulation, illicit drugs and their distribution can be maintained under the same types of laws.

               There are three main types of possible persuasive appeals. Unfortunately, Vidal does not successfully use any of these and it hurts his argument. While he was vigorous in the expression of his opinions, his statements are not backed by any statistics or verifiable results. However, Vidal does attempt to pander to the American's innate desire to fight for freedom. He seems to be trying to invoke feelings of frustration towards the government in order to elicit a response that supports his opinions. Vidal also makes himself identifiable when he states, "For the record, I have tried-- once -- almost every drug" (460) in order to connect with the reader. However, even though the essay is concise and emotionally compelling it is hard to compare the words of a writer of fiction to the words of a prize winning non-fiction writer.

               In the same fashion as Vidal, Pulitzer Prize winning author A.M. Rosenthal writes a compelling article pertaining to the topics of drug legalization in the United States. His article, "The Case for Slavery" postulates that all currently illegal drugs in America should remain that way. Rosenthal goes on to compare currently illegal drugs in America should remain that way. Rosenthal goes on to compare current drug addiction in America to 19th century slavery. Rosenthal argues that drug addiction rates would rise if all illicit drugs were made legal. Rosenthal employs several sources, including a book written on the topic of drug use and numerous leaders in the anti-drug movement. The author concludes his article by pointing out the dangers of drug legalization, especially based on class (462-464).

(This is incomplete, I haven't typed the rest in yet, I ran out of time.)

I have to say I find nothing more fulfilling than spending my time making myself a smarter and a more educationally rounded person. Yes, I am aware this makes me uber nerd times about 1000% but I can't help myself, I love it. I get high off education.

Yeah.
That's right.
I said it.

I take pride in my intelligence and while I am aware that I'm a fucking genius (or at least near it) there's always room for improvement. I'm a curious motherfucker! I LOVE random knowledge, which is why I'm constantly looking up shit. Not to mention, it makes for very interesting conversations.

For instance, did you know ducks have a penis? And female ducks have an EPIC vagina?
Bet you didn't!

(Warning: Once you read this you can't un-see it. Click at your own risk.)

I think intelligence is fucking sexy. I have to say one of the biggest turn-ons ever is being able to have a legit discussion with someone and they don't have to agree with me by any means. In fact, being able to debate with someone as opposed to having to explain it to them is fabulous.

i am bottled, fizzy water.

i lied to my friends, 

tell them i love to see them,

just to keep me away from me

and it's like they always say-

if you love something give it away

but what are you supposed to do

when you love everything?

when you try to love everything?

Sometimes the words inside me bubble up to the point where I think I'll explode if I don't get them out. Kinda like when you shake up a soda can and pop the tab. It sprays everywhere and covers you in a sticky, toxic mess that takes forever to wash off.

Sometimes I just want to yell gibberish at someone and take out all this pent up rage out on a real person. I mean, I can let it out in all kinds of constructive, non-damaging ways, and I do. But it just isn't the same as letting go and positively unleashing on someone. Volunteers? Anyone?

Sometimes it takes everything I have to not just lose it. I wonder if anyone realizes how hard it is not to care... because I care too fucking much. Life is overwhelming. Not just for me, but for everyone. I think that's what the definition is, actually.

life: n. an overwhelming human condition that classifies each participant as a success or failure. 

see also: bullshit; heartbreaking; hard; unfair; surprising.

Sometimes the happy bubbles fill my tum to the point where I think I'll explode and splash my euphoria everywhere. I have a lot of love to give, I'm just kinda picky about where I put it. No take backs on that shit.

Sometimes I wake up and the thought of starting another day, working all day for some future that I'm scared of, all alone... I can't stand it. The weight of it keeps me pressed to the bed, my eyes shut tight against the world. But I still get up, drink my coffee, and put on my game face. Once I'm out in the world and not in my head so much I'm happy. I smile, I love my fucking life. But there are times that this empty feeling is so overwhelming, so heart breaking, that I feel I need to tear it out just to get a moment of peace. That I need to stuff cotton in my ears and glue my eyes and mouth shut in order to keep it all in, so it doesn't go spilling out into the universe. I'm afraid one day I'll open my mouth and start crying and I'll never stop.

But at least sometimes isn't all the time.

I've been drinking whiskey--

this makes for melancholy Aly Bear.

courtesy; diamond.rugs