About Thinking Out Loud
Thinking Out Loud is something I started to give me a place to write my thoughts out and record my experiences as I go about the process of reinventing my life as I describe in my first post. It is here on the internet so that my friends and family can keep track of what I'm up to and can offer their thoughts. I don't intend to fill it with world-changing content or to change your views on anything. I don't plan to try and entertain or educate. I just intend to write the equivalent of open letters to myself and my loved ones. The rest of you are welcome to read along, and you're welcome to comment, but I make no promises about what will be posted, when, or how often.
About Dane
I'm a 37 year old divorced father of two boys. I've been on disability since 2001 due to some nasty anxiety problems, including social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety. In the midst of all of that, I was also diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, which has gone a long, long way to helping me figure out who and what I am.
Before that, I worked variously as a computer lab tech, casino security supervisor, corrections officer, nightclub bouncer, armed contractor, technical writer, and a few other things. These days I function mostly as a homemaker, keeping track of my kids and keeping the house in working order.
I'm an avid reader, atheist, and a long time PC gamer. I have a lifelong love for science, military history, fantasy and science fiction.
My oldest son, Patrick, is eight years old, and has been diagnosed with a mild case of autism. He's a voracious gamer, and loves science and reading as much as I do.
My younger son, Brent, is six. He's the wild one in the family. He has more energy than a room full of typical six year olds. He's also a gamer, and loves just about anything that will give him an excuse to sprint through the house knocking things off of shelves while shrieking at the top of his lungs.
Oh, and, no, those are not their real names. They asked me to name them after their favorite Star Trek actors. They're growing up to be geeks. I'm so proud!
