Golden Boy!!

Last Thursday was the Temple Grandin lecture, actually I think it was more like a disability law Center team up with other private non-profit orgs which serve people with disabilities, fund raiser awareness project. Temple Grandin is the PhD animal sciences and autistic not Rain Man autistic but definitely part o the spectrum. Dr. Grandin had a HBO movie made of her life, I usually stay away from such events but since Dianne and I caught the movie on a Red Box offering last summer and we impressed. So when the boss offered us tickets to the event we jumped at the deal. Still, I was a little nervous not knowing what to expect. Since there were so many disability organization sponsoring the event each organization would be responsible for a boat load of tickets and as is often the case these tickets go to staff and consumers when the tickets cannot be sold to the public or board members.

Dr. Grandin was being awarded the Kim Peek, Kim Peek is Utah gift to the world right behind the television, KFC and Family home evening. Kim Peek is who the movie Rain Man is loosely based. Dustin Hoffman receive an Academy Award for his efforts and he gave his Oscar to Kim who became a roving ambassador to the world for disability especially savantism The first part of the night was such a Kim Peek show I was kinda beginning to feel sorry for Dr Grandin who seemed to be wilting on the sidelines. Mr. Peek, Kim's dad, was of course present and with Mr Peek was the Oscar, Dustin Hoffman's Oscar—Mr. Peek sort of pulls Oscar out and passe it round at all his speaking gigs. Golden boy seems a bit worn but good to go. It's a little creepy when one thinks of how many hands have touched on the little guy. I am sure Mr Peek sprays it down with some sort of disinfectant on a regular basis. What was weird was I was not expecting to have anything to do with the little totem and some how he ended up in my lap an since I did have him I decided to document the event –who know it seemed right at the time.

I was totally surprised—the evening was a great event for Dianne and I from beginning to end—from our dinner at Squatters Brew Pub, to the lecture. I was early enough to get the best designated parking area in front of the pub and the theater. What I did was perched my self in front of the parking space I wanted until Dianne arrived with the van. I was only almost run over once my by good friend Stan.

I liked my time with Oscar, I liked the weight, the feel the magic of the artifact, and yes there is a weird kind of magic to the statue—even though I had nothing to do with the little guy at all in any way, I truly felt special for the few moments it was in my possession. I know that does not make sense but true—when you're with Oscar you are special...