Page 4 Page 2 - Youth Advocate Programs

Issue #3, Volume #1
July 2014
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PITT VERSE!
S TA F F

Sean Gannon

Daniel Hackett

Kevin Hart

David O’Rorey

Tom Skidmore
Caption describing picture or graphic.
COVER BY

Tom Skidmore
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
The Pittverse Opinion
2
Local History
5
The Sci-Fi Station
6
The Unknown
9
Dogs For President!
10
Top 10 Lists!!!
11
FILM, SPORTS, SCI-FI
HISTORY, & MORE!!!
P r e p a r e t o e x p a n d
e x p e r i e n c e !
Welcome to the 3rd issue
of The Pittverse! The writing
staff proudly represents the
introspection and creativity of
adults on the Autism spectrum.
The following pages aim to
forge new pathways of perspective for the casual reader
of both familiar and novel topics.
The summer months of
2014 is a time for relaxation,
y o u r
reflection, and fun!! So let this
issue assist by soaking in the
wonder of unbridled imagination.
efforts through providing a
medium that empowers individual perspectives to be viewed
and heard.
The Pittverse is produced
and sponsored by Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), a national non-profit agency that comprises a multitude of services
for families with an individual
on the Autism spectrum. The
agency aims to continue these
positive, community based
It’s time to set foot into….
T h e
P a g e
P i t tv e r s e
2
THE PITTVERSE OPINION
Pirates Prediction…success!!!
by DANIEL HACKETT
The 2013 Pittsburgh
Pirates surprised even
their most die-hard fans
when they ended the longest
streak for consecutive losing
seasons in major US sports
history at 21 by finishing 9468, which was good enough
for second place in the National League Central behind
the NL champion and World
Series runner-up St. Louis
Cardinals.
Now that the majority of fans
have gotten their first taste of
postseason baseball at PNC
Park, they’re hoping that last
AJ Burnett, Justin Morneau,
and Marlon Byrd the Pirates
definitely have a different
look for the 2014 season but
the talent is still there to
make a deep postseason run
in October.
season wasn’t a flash in the
pan and the Buccos can duplicate the success that they
had on the field.
With the losses of players like
It doesn’t hurt that the Pirates boast both the 2013
NL MVP and NL homerun
leader on their roster in the
form of CF Andrew McCutchen and 3B Pedro Alvarez both
of which I think are poised to
have good years in 2014.
The only weak spot that I see
with this year’s Pirates squad
is the pitching rotation. With
Wandy Rodriguez coming off
Tommy John elbow surgery
and Edison Volquez being
ranked by some publications
as the worst pitcher in MLB
last year leaves a lot to be
desired, which is only compounded by the fact that we
don’t know the toll a full season will take on Gerrit Cole’s
body as he was a midseason
call up in 2013.
All in all, I think that if the
Pirates pitching staff can not
only stay healthy byt also put
together strong outings and
the power that was in the
lineup last year that excited
fans returns, there is no reason that the Pirates won’t go
95-67 and be crowned champions of the National League
Central in 2014.
I s s u e
#3 ,
V o l u m e
# 1
P a g e
THE PITTVERSE OPINION
My Personal Observations
by TOM SKIDMORE
longer. Prepare yourselves . . .
All my life I’ve desperately
craved what everyone, regardless of who they are, wants to
have. It’s a basic need that, for
me personally, has been lacking
for long years; longer than I care
to remember. However, it’s taken
me said long years to put a
name to that need.
“The Mother and the Muse”
“Looking with the gaze of Space
and Time, and breath of true Immortal
Life;
Oh my distant mother, hear my
rhyme and remove my internal strife.”
I’m going to switch gears and
slightly depart from my normal science
fiction realm. There’s something on
my mind and heart that until now, I
had to keep confined to a comparatively small circle of people.
Now, I admit it’ll be a small yet
significant stretch for me to write
these very brief, doubtless important
words, but this can’t be avoided any
It’s the need for “my” ideal
mother figure.
Hear me out, please.
My own mother was an alcoholic who wasn’t there emotion-
ally for me or my two younger
siblings, causing me to end up in
a foster home for 22 years. During that long epoch of time I imagined what my life would be like
had I been born to another woman, in another realm of Space and
Time. Usually it’s with actresses
and female singers I’ve seen on
TV or on film (currently it’s Jennifer Lawrence of “The Hunger
Games” fame). I often think I
might have been a music producer, police officer, prosecuting
attorney, or what-have-you. All
this, as I say, stems from the
abandonment issues I have with
my own mother.
3
I s s u e
#3 ,
V o l u m e
# 1
P a g e
4
THE PITTVERSE OPINION
The Other Side of DEVO
Anthology—Part 2 of 3
1981—1991: Devo embarked
on a third major World Tour in
1980 called The Freedom Of
Choice Tour.
First hitting Japan in May 1980,
Europe in June then back in The
States in July to the end of Aug.
1980. Playing songs from the new
record plus stuff from the previous
2 albums. 1981 saw the release
of a new album & image for Devo
titled New Traditionalists with a
new Image replacing the Red Energy Domes look for the New Traditionlaists Pomp Plastic Hair Piece
modled off of J.F.K's Hairstyle. Also
accompying Music Videos were
filmed for The Singles Through
Being Cool, Beautiful World & Love
Without Anger. Devo found new
found success in Australia were
the Singles Beautiful World made
#14 in 1981. Along with Working In
The Coal Mine Peaking at #20 It
was a cover of The Lee Dorsey
Motown Classic from the 60's. In
The U.S. on The Club Play Dance
Singles Charts some more songs
cracked The Top 40.
Through Being Cool #32, Jerkin'
Back 'N' Forth #32 & Going Under
#32 all in 1981. Also embarking on
another Tour mainly in The States
in October-December 1981. Featuring a Stage Show with Walking
Treadmills & Greek Temples. Also
in Feb. 1982 Devo finally made
their first Stage Appearances in
Australia to a sold out crowd. Devo
released another album in 1982
by DAVID O’ROREY
considered to be the last Classic Devo album this time produced by Roy Thomas Baker
with a much sinister sound
then the previous records. Oh,
No! It's Devo Made #47 on The
U.S. Pop Albums Charts. Filmed
3 more Music Videos of The
Singles, Time Out For Fun, Peek
-A-Boo! & That's Good. The Singles Charted on Club Play
Dance Singles Charts in 1982.
Peek-A-Boo! #13, That's Good
#6 & also another song not
with an accompying music video Speed Racer #6 in 1982.
Embarking on another major
Tour in November-December
1982. The Tour featured the
Black Outfits & White Large
Collars called Spud Rings. The
band playing behind a video
synced screen. In 1983 Devo
contributed a song called Dr.
Detroit for a Film of the same
name starring, Dan Akroyd.
The single also peaked at
#59 on The U.S. Pop Charts as
well. 1984 saw the release of a
sixth album Shout a more Synth
layered album & focusing on
more drum machines which
Alan Myers didin't contribute to
forcing uncreative ideas which
he eventually left the band.
Leaving Devo without a drum-
mer. David Kendrick was eventually replaced by Alan. Shout
was also a commerical failure
ending with Warner Bros. dropping Devo.
The Jimmy Hendrix Classic
Are U Experienced? was also a
cover by Devo featured on
Shout. With a Music being
filmed for it also. As well as
The song Dr. Detroit.
Also since the band being
dropped from Warner Bros.
Their was no accompying Tour
which their were plans for the
band to play in front of a
synced Video Projection
Screen like the previous Tour.
Devo was on hiatus & did
some songs for Films. Let's
Talk was recorded & on The
Fright Night Soundtrack for the
1985 Vampire Horror Film.
Bread And Butter was also
recorded & a Newbeats Cover
Song. It was recorded for the
film 9 1/2 Weeks. Also in
1987 Devo recorded a song
for the film Revenge Of The
Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise the
song was also a cover Itsy
Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini. Finally Devo found
a new record label signing to
Enigma Records in 1987. Recording a new album titled Total
Devo. It jolted singles like Baby
Doll & Disco Dancer the later
with another Music Video being
filmed. Also another Tour was
made in The States Continuing
from Oct. '88 to Dec. '88. Also
the Dec. 9, 1988 at The Palace
Show in Los Angeles, California.
Was recorded & a live album
was released titled Now It Can
Be Told. Released in 1989 on
Vinyl, Cassette & CD.
One of the last Devo albums
was done SmoothNoodleMaps
was also recorded & released in
1990. Post-Post Modern Man
the main single made #7 on The
U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts. 2
Music Videos were also filmed
for Post-Post Modern Man a
Remix & the original Album Single Version. Touring again this
time only playing in Europe from
Sept. 1990-October 1990.
Also later in the year saw the
release on Warner Bros. Records Devo's Greatest Hits as
well as Greatest Misses. Also
another Live album was released in 1990 by Ryko Disc
Inc. Titled Devo Live: The Mongoloid Years 1975-1977. Which
was a compilation of three
shows 1977, 1976 & 1975.
T h e
P i t tv e r s e
P a g e
5
LOCAL HISTORY
Kennywood Park
by SEAN GANNON
When you go start driving
down any road, you will always see the Kennywood Directional Arrows. It was
dubbed, “America’s Finest
Traditional Amusement Park”
in 1987.
On July 9, 1755, during
the French and Indian war,
British Major General, Edward Braddock, was mortally
wounded while his troops
crossed the Monongahela
River valley below. George
Washington was a young
colonel to Braddock and
fought with during the infamous battle which ended with
in retreat for the British.
There is a statue erected of
George Washington next to
the entrance to
“Kiddieland.”
My favorite rides are
the “Jack Rabbit,” designed
in 1927 by John A. Miller
and Harry C. Baker. My
dad and I remember when I
rode the coaster for the first
time. I was 7 or 8 years
old. I did not want to go on
it. As soon as the coaster
started up, I tried to climb
out, but my dad held me in.
I was trying to escape the
whole ride, but now I like
it. “The Phantom’s Revenge” is my second pick.
It was formerly known as
“The Steel Phantom” in
1991 and renamed in
2000. That ride is fun. It
can reach a record of 80
mph. I have lots of faves
but I cannot name them
all.
Kennywood is for
everyone, young and old.
It has the oldest operating
Grand Carousal in the
country, build in 1926.
Young and old kids love
it.
You cannot leave
Kennywood without your
tummy stuffed with
“Potato Patch” French
Fries served with salt and
vinegar, or with ketchup.
One year for Kennywood’s 100th, Giant
Eagle sold the potato
patch fries in their freezer
sections.
Beginning in 2002,
Kennywood opened
“Phantom Fright Nights”
during the Halloween
month. This year marks
its 14th anniversary.
T h e
P a g e
P i t tv e r s e
6
The Sci-Fi Station
Fugitor: The Time Escapee
T h e T h i r d i n s t a l l m e n t o f a s c i - f i
s a g a b y T h o m a s R . S k i d m o r e
THREE
The minute I entered the planetoid’s orbital field, I began thinking that maybe,
just maybe, I’d survive after all. In the back of my mind, however, there still lingered
the remnants of doubt in that bit of logic. But then again, true logic, such as it is,
was never my one strong suit.
Then, unbelievably enough, my rate of descent actually slowed almost to the proverbial snail’s pace, as it were. Thus with the
softest landing imaginable, I found myself safe and somewhat sound on solid land.
There was still the matter of my crystal pod-ship. How the hell was I to get out of it?
In another inexplicable moment, the answer to that question came in the fact that now the crystal pod-ship was gradually turning
itself into a soft powder sprinkling itself all about me. I felt my eyeballs boggle in confused delight.
“Thank you,” I said to the now-granulated remains, a slight grin on my face.
Shaking off the leftover powder, I thus began a rather quick glance around my landing position.
A new sense of freedom, as I’d never felt even before my “trial”, ran throughout my being. This
was GREAT!! I thought to myself.
Then . . . a totally new thought wormed its way into my mind.
“Where is everybody?” I asked myself aloud.
Realizing that an answer would definitely not come my way anytime soon, I began my search in a rather haughty-like if not all-out
earnest manner. I hadn’t known this upon landing, but it grew blatantly obvious that it was hot as hell!!! In a very sarcastic manner, I “thanked” the Judges for this little sojourn onto a desert planetoid, with no cold liquid refreshment of any sort, nor any sort
of settlement or civilization what-so-ever.
Soon my new-found freedom momentarily gave way to a minute despair as my search for any sign of friendly life dragged on and
on. And my body temperature increased exponentially, as did my blood pressure…and a feeling of dizziness now overwhelmed
me. Then, just as I was more than ready to collapse from total exhaustion, a young voice, evidently of the female persuasion,
called out loudly in my direction.
“Hello?! Is anyone out here?!”
Swiftly I called out.
“Over here!!”
And that, I dare say to you, was the last thing I remember saying…
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE PITTVERSE: ISSUE #4, VOLUME #1
I s s u e
#3 ,
V o l u m e
# 1
P a g e
7
T h e
P i t tv e r s e
P a g e
8
The Sci-Fi Station
F a n t a s y
S p o t l i g h t :
C l a r k
A s h t o n
S m i t h
The Dream Emperor
by TOM SKIDMORE
friends Robert E. Howard and
lery) and his acclaimed story
life. But he also endured se-
H.P. Lovecraft, and illnesses in
“City of the Singing Flame.”
vere hardships, and was
his family. Giving up on writing
forced to work in one menial
his fantasy stories, he retired to
job after another.
his home, married late in his
He was born in Long
Valley, California, and grew up
By 1923, Smith be-
in the Los Angeles suburb of
life, and basically became a
Aurora, with his parents.
gan writing stories of cosmic
country gentleman, rarely talk-
Though he had little in formal
horror and inter-dimensional
ing about his past. He died on
Clark Ashton Smith (January
education, Clark was an insa-
realms, again based on night-
August 14, 1961, at the age of
13, 1893 -- August 14, 1961)
tiable reader; among his influ-
mares he had, and in 1925
68.
was a poet of the fantastic, a
ences were Hans Christian
submitted them to a new mag-
self-taught artist and sculp-
Anderson, Jonathan Swift, and
azine called Weird Tales. It
Ashton Smith’s work fell into
tor, and a writer of stories
Edgar Allan Poe.
was here that Clark’s talent
near-obscurity. But thanks to
shined, earning him almost
the Internet and Facebook, the
classified as either fantasy or
At the age of 14, he
Over the years, Clark
science fiction. Alongside
wrote his first novel, a tale in
universal acclaim though he
works and realms of Clark Ash-
authors H.P. Lovecraft and
the vein of the Arabian Nights,
had a few detractors, who
ton Smith are now rediscovered
Robert E. Howard, he was
titled The Black Diamonds,
took umbrage to his overly
for new readers of fantasy, sci-
one of the “Big Three” writers
which wasn’t officially pub-
ornate vocabulary and the
ence fiction, and poetry.
for the seminal fantasy mag-
lished in book form until
inbred pessimistic tone of his
azine Weird Tales. Among his
2002. Later on he published
stories.
stories, many of which fall in
his first book of poems, The
the “science fantasy” sub-
Star-Treader and Other Po-
Clark’s output was steady,
genre, are “Return of the
ems; it was this book that first
with his stories appearing in
Sorceror” (later adapted for
displayed his use of fantasy
other, newer fantasy and sci-
the 1970s anthology TV se-
and supernatural elements,
ence fiction magazines. This
ries Rod Serling’s Night Gal-
all based on nightmares that
torrent of stories ceased in
plagued him throughout his
1937, after the deaths of his
From then on,
I s s u e
#3 ,
V o l u m e
# 1
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THE
9
UNKNOWN...
INTO THE EYES OF THE MULTIVERSE
by TOM SKIDMORE
One of the most fascinating and puzzling of cosmic
phenomenae is the concept
of more than one Universe,
each with its own Earth
(Earth-One, Two, Three, etc.),
and each Earth with its own
sets of laws, morals, norms,
and values. This concept is
called “The Multiverse.”
Popularized on TV shows,
science fiction novels, and in
comic books, the idea of the
Multiverse was introduced by
Welsh poet John Cowper
Powys, in a 1957 essaypoem, and first utilized by
science fiction author Michael
interest in the Multiverse is grow- characteristics of a horse (!),
Moorcock in his novel The Sun-
ing by leaps and bounds.
dered Worlds. Since then, it’s
A personal example of the
having led a very interesting,
adventure-filled life.
been used in many storylines by
Multiverse’s lure: here I am, on
DC Comics, to help explain the
this Earth, living a mundane life,
Staggering . . .
differences between the heroes
in an ordinary Universe, whereas
very staggering.
with the same names, yet with
on Earth-3 I’m a former police
dissimilar costumes, abilities,
officer, the son of actress Jen-
everyday identities, etc.
nifer Lawrence, married to a
Soon this concept took on
female being with the physical
greater, scholarly significance,
with scientists like Carl Sagan
and Stephen W. Hawking attempting to explain various
means of entering alternate sectors of the Multiverse. And the
HAUNTING OF THE RMS QUEEN MARY
by SEAN GANNON
The Queen Mary was built in
Clydebank, Scotland by John Brown
and Company beginning in December 1930 but was halted in 1931
due to the Great Depression. The
ship was named after King George
V. Work finally finished on the ship
in 1934. The ship measured 1,019
feet long and weighed 81,961 tons.
The ship featured swimming
pools, beauty salons, libraries, children’s nurseries, a music studio,
lecture hall, and dog kennels.
The Queen Mary made stops
throughout World War II, but was
-A spirit of a young sailor who was
largely ordered to remain at her
accidentally crushed in the ship’s
port. In 1967, the ship steamed to
engine room.
Long Beach, California, where she
-Crewmembers of the HMS Cura-
has remained to present day as a
coa, a ship that collided with the
tourist attraction, hotel, museum,
Queen Mary.
and event facility.
Following the Queen Mary’s
-A ghost of a girl named Jackie in
the swimming pool area
docking there have been rumors of
hauntings, namely:
-Cabin B340 is haunted by a spirit
that was murdered there.
-People have reported of hearing
children’s voices in the nurseries.
The Queen Mary has been featured on Unsolved Mysteries and
Ghost Hunters and has been voted
in many top 10 lists of haunted
places.
T h e
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1 0
IF A DOG WERE PRESIDENT
by JDC
A Dog U.S Presidential Paradise Essay (Part 1)
“ A DOG U.S. President’s weekly State of the WOOF Union Addresses, via the TV, the radio, and on the
internet, would be a literally and wonderfully true blessing of teaching, literally and wonderfully truthfully
so, for us humans and animals, both wild and domesticated alike, regardless of species and breed, of how
to live together in perfect harmony and peace!!! Wonderfully and truly so!!! A canine president of the USA is just what we
need!!! Wonderfully and truly so!!!
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular domesticated dog breed in the USA since 1991. They are sporting retriever
dogs, whom are known for their people-loving and action-oriented personality, of which they were bred by people for hundreds
of years, originally in Canada, in the province of Newfoundland, as far back as the 1400’s, it is believed by dog breed historians!!! Then, in England as well as other countries in Europe!!! By the end of the 1800’s, they were beginning to be imported
into the USA here, wonderfully!!! Now, they are being bred internationally!!! Wonderfully and truly so!!!
A Labrador Retriever dog would be the very best choice for the first canine U.S. presidential candidate and very first canine
U.S. president!!! Wonderfully!!! I would vote for him or her, whether he or she is a Black Lab, a Yellow Lab, or a Chocolate Lab,
immediately, by registering to vote for the very first time ever, if a dog would ever run for a presidential party, notably the Canine Medical Doctors Party, or the CMDP, in abbreviated form!!! Wonderfully!!! Hail to the new canine chief executive of the
USA, the 45th president of the USA!!! Wonderfully!!!
This is because dogs are the most recognizable of all domesticated pet animals, whom were the first domesticated pet animals, it is believed, as far back as 12,000 years ago by the cave people, whom were hunters and gatherers, from wild wolves,
coyotes, and other wild dog, or canine pack animal cousins, whom are all related to all of our dearly beloved pet doggy baby
buddies, regardless of breed!!! They truly are “man’s best friend”.
A Golden Retriever should be the next canine U.S. Vice-President of the USA!!! Wonderfully and truly so!!! Dogs of all breeds
should take over both houses of the U.S. Congress in Capital Hill, in Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital city!!! This means all
of the seats of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives!!! Wonderfully!!!
I s s u e
#3 ,
V o l u m e
# 1
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1 1
B E H O L D , T H E T O P 10 ! ! !
TOP 10
Harrison Ford Films
(according to Tom Skidmore)
1.
The Fugitive (1993)
2.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
(1981)
3.
Star Wars (1977)
4.
Ender’s Game (2013)
5.
Clear and Present Danger
(1994)
6. Blade Runner (1982)
7. Patriot Games (1992)
TOP 10
Martin Scorsese Films
8. The Empire Strikes
Back (1980)
1.
Goodfellas (1990)
2.
Casino (1995)
3.
Gangs of New York (2002)
4.
The Departed (2006)
5.
Taxi Driver (1976)
9. Return of the Jedi
(1983)
10. Air Force One (1997)
(according to Daniel Hackett)
6. Raging Bull (1980)
TOP 10
Classic Sci-Fi Films
(according to David O’Rorey)
1.
It Came From Beneath The
Sea (1955)
2.
Tarantula (1955)
3.
Not Of This Earth (1957)
4.
Earth vs. The Flying Saucers
(1956)
5.
The Beast From 20,000
Fathoms (1953)
6. Creature From The Black
Lagoon (1954)
7. The Lost World (1925)
8. King Kong (1933)
9. Beginning Of The End
(1957)
10. The Black Scorpion (1957)
7. The Color of Money (1986)
8. Mean Streets (1973)
9. The King of Comedy (1983)
10. The Last Waltz (1978)
MORE
TOP 10’s!!!!!
TOP 10
Robbin Williams Films
(according to Sean Gannon)
1.
Jumanji
2.
Mrs. Doubtfire
3.
Jack
4.
Aladdin
5.
Hook
6. Good Will Hunting
7. Good Morning Vietnam
8. Happy Feet
9. Patch Adams
10. Flubber
TOP 10
Dog Films
(according to JDC)
1.
All Dogs go to Heaven
2.
Homeward Bound
(original)
3.
Lady and the Tramp
4.
Lassie
5.
Old Yeller
6.
Air Bud
7.
Benji
8.
Marmaduke
THE PITTVERSE
9.
Beethoven
IN OCTOBER 2014
LOOK FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF
10. Hotel for Dogs
Questions/Comments—Please contact:
Brian Kluchurosky
[email protected]