Autist

This profile was last updated on 2/13/2020

My name is EVAN (I am a girl). I live in Los Angeles with “T” my husband, Lumos (my chihuahua service dog). I am an AUTISTIC actress, artist and writer. My husband is a writer, director, he also creates TTRPG games.

We got married on a Friday the 13th (it’s my favorite number), so we celebrate our marriage EVERY Friday the 13th. Because celebrating once a year is BORING!!

Today 1/12/2020 I have been declared legally blind. Reason: unknown. There are more tests on the way. I woke up about two weeks ago and could not see anything further than about 10 feet. Being autistic - my senses are all now in overdrive. I have had a meltdown nearly everyday, from overwhelm and sensory issues. Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts. I am trying really hard to work thru this in the best way for me. I want to write and create art as long as I can and as much as I can, incase it gets worse.

My whole life pretty much revolves around Peter Pan. When I was a little girl I struggled to make friends - I was a bit awkward, and we moved a lot. The book became my best friend (I have read it over 100 times) and that fondness grew and grew. Now - the book, the play, movies (live action-2003, Hook, Disney), tv series...you name it, I love it (pretty much all of them except PAN from 2017-not a fan). I have also started collecting books that are retellings and stories based in Neverland (so far I have two). I love all things associated with Peter Pan - England, British, London things, Lost boys, thimbles (kisses), acorns (kisses), Victorian/Edwardian eras, pirate ships, fairies, Neverland. I LOVE everything about it, and have an ever growing collection of things.

I REALLY LOVE BOOKS!! I am an avid reader - I read 2-4 books a week. Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited. I do own a kindle with over 150 titles on it. It is one of my prized possessions. I rarely read paper books any more, the reader is easier on set/at work. I also love to listen to audio books.

The books I tend to choose:

• Adventure - Redwall series, Subtle Knife series, Pirates, Peter Pan

• Speculative/Science Fiction - Cherie Priest, Hunger Games, Enders Game,

• Magic/Fantasy - Harry Potter, Narina, the Magicians, Neil Gaiman

• Mythology - Selkies, Mermaids, Dragons, Scottish Lore, Norse lore, Percy Jackson

• Whimsy - Alice in wonderland, Mark McGuire books, Gail Carriger, Stardust

• Historical Fiction - Jennifer Connelly, Downton Abby,

• Classics - Jane Austin, Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, Roald Dahl

• Romance (Sometimes) - Danielle Steele, John Green, Nicolas Sparks

• Non-Fiction - Comedy (Ellen, Augusta Boroughs, Sederis) and Books about Film and Theater including biographies

  🚫 I DO NOT read horror or crime/legal drama books

I really enjoy SwapBot and right now it is a little bit of light in my life. I joined to make connections with people. I did not join to gain ratings or fill my mailbox. I enjoy hunting for the perfect thing to send to my partner or creating something I hope they will like. I like writing letters and making Mail Art.

This is my process for SwapBot:

1. I sign up, create or watch a swap. If watching I move it to current a day or two before hand.

2. Once I sign up - I create the item, fill the envelope, go shopping, or write the letter for the swap, so I know it is ready to go. Unless it is profile based, then I wait. But, usually my swaps are stamped and ready to go before they are assigned.

3. After partners are assigned I ship out the package. Usually the same day, sometimes the day after. Though if I ask my husband to do it, it’s when he gets to it. Meaning I usually find my bag of swaps in the back seat of the car. My swaps are dropped at the nearest to me post office of the day and sometimes blue boxes. That is rarely the same one every time. Just know, if I say shipped, it has been handed off to someone else. The date stamp does not reflect lies or deception, it reflects that we are working with an imperfect system.

4. When I receive a swap, I leave feedback and move the swap to archived. That way I know I am not waiting for anything. I do not keep track of who has rated me or not. I assume it will all happen in due time. I don’t hound anyone for ratings. So, if you have not received my item. I do not usually notice. Sometimes I will go, “hey I know I sent this thing to this person, I wonder if they got it.” Then look it up, but it is rare.

The biggest thing here is communication. We are a community of strangers with common interest of Snail Mail. We are also all adults. I have found the best way to learn something, or figure it out - is to ask. Assumptions and expectation lead to let down and confusion. If you are unsure about anything, please contact me.

Looking for ideas on what to send to ME? Here is a list of things that bring me joy!! But any gift that you took the time to send me is Happy Mail.

• From Crafters and Artisans: crochet or knit coasters, any art with mice, handmade Disney items, button bouquet stems (Buttons on wire - 8-12”), blank paper bag journals (with paper, goodies and everything so all I have to do is fill it in)

• COLLECTIONS: Swizzle Sticks, Egg Cups (my favorite breakfast is eggs and soldiers), Thimbles: Vintage and Tchotchke type

• Favorite Colors: Grays, Greens, Teals, pale Pink

• Snacks: Marshmallows, Enjoy Life: Dark Chocolate Bars, Lucy’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, Wine Gums (from the UK) and Tablet (from Scotland) Hot Chocolate

• Whimsical Things: music boxes, shabby chic, colorful, black and white stripes, floral, sparkle (but not shedding kind see the do not send list), simple, woodland, fairies, animals doing human things, things that spark the aesthetic of Neverland.

• Adventure: Think Treasure Planet, Disney, Steampunk, Doctor Who, Pacific Rim, Space Exploration, Firefly, Tomorrowland, Neverland, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

• ATCs (or any art) of anything on my profile. I am thinking of doing a gallery wall of all the art I receive in the mail. So please date and sign your pieces.

• Gift Cards: Starbucks, Lush, Disney Store, Hobby Lobby, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, Movie Theaters (AMC, REGAL) - I don’t eat fast food and do most of my shopping online. (It’s too people-y out there)

• Animals: My favorite animal is a Mouse (especially white ones, it is a main character in the book I am writing) followed by Axolotls (adorable alien dragon babies). I also like Chihuahuas and Rainbow Zebras (where the stripes are rainbow instead of black.) I LOVE seals and selkies. Vintage Articulated Teddy Bears. I also really like mythical creatures. All of them! Unicorns (realistic ones not cartoon), Dragons, Gnomes, fairies, Scottish lore.

• Characters: Peter Pan, Captain Marvel, Jack (from Rise of the Guardians), Holly Hobbie, Merida (from Brave), Gudetama

• Children’s books in French or Russian (picture to chapter) - especially looking for Peter Pan, Harry Potter, Narnia, Babar, Madeline and Disney.

• Harry Potter: I am Slytherin. My favorite characters are Luna Lovegood, Queenie Goldstein and Newt Scamander. I love Nifflers and Thestrals.

• Stickers: Movies, YOGA (especially animals doing yoga), theater, dance, ice skates, Alaska, California PLEASE NOTE: I prefer the type from craft stores. If you send the kind you get at stationary shops/sections or dollar store, they will be re-swapped.

• NEW Postage: Vintage lick and stick stamps, Forever stamps, Postcard Stamps, International Stamps, extra ounce stamps, Disney Stamps, Space Stamps, Harry Potter Stamps, Sesame Street Stamps

• Swap Bot Supplies: wax seals (pre-made ones, not asking for the actual metal stamps and wax), 5X7” envies, Stationery of any of theme on my profile, postcards (Woodland Animals, Harry Potter, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, magical things (fairies, dragons, gnomes - etc) and shaped ones)

• I am just getting into paper crafting making flip books and paper bag journals. So scrap paper and bits for those would be helpful, until I figure out if I really want to do this. So I don’t go buy a craft store to create till I know for sure.

• Crochet: Your Scrap and unused yarn, vintage crochet patterns, unused crochet hooks all sizes, stitch counters. I like making things out of scrap yarn, right now I am working on a throw blanket and out of scraps.

Sending me a postcard? (Naked and Stamped) I really like shaped postcards, actual vintage postcards, magical things, disney and theme parks. I LOVE Handmade ones and I don’t mind zazzle (even if it says they are not allowed in the requirements) PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING!! I love getting letters, don’t just write a quote and call it good tell me why you chose that quote. Need something to write about? Tell me who you admire the most and why.

I have two things I am on the hunt for...

1. POSTCARDS: I am looking for POSTCARDS for my husband. From our wedding day Friday the 13th of September, I have written him a postcard every single Friday. He keeps them in a box that was his wedding present. I write and tell him how much I appreciate him and his hard work, the highlights of our week, and how much I love him. I would love to send him postcards in things he enjoys, so if you have any of these themes I would greatly appreciate it - DRAGONS, BOSTON anything(especially the bruins), VIDEO GAMES, MOVIES (specifically movie posters and black and white photo type) and FOOD (he is a huge foodie). Also romantic specific cards would be nice.

2. PLAYING CARDS: I started a new collection! I am trying to build a FUN deck of playing cards with cards from different decks. Mainly I am looking for the novelty kind with pictures or illustrations on them (Poker size 2.5X3.5”). I do love ALL cards (doesn’t matter the size or shape) of 4 of hearts and Jack cards

🚫Casino cards or musty smelling vintage playing cards

I thought I would keep a running tab of the ones I have received here, so I can keep track too!! Thank you for all the cards. But now it seems I have a bridge deck as well. So I will keep them both here...

Poker Deck (2.5 X 3.5”):

♠️ - A, 2, 3, J, Q, K

♣️ - A, 3, J, K

♥️ - 3, J, Q, K

♦️ - 4, 5, Q, K

Bridge Deck (2.2.5 X 3.5”):

♠️ - 3, 6, 9, Q

♣️ - A0, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8. 10

♥️ - A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, J

♦️ - A, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, J, K

Joker x 1

BIG WISHES: If you happen to send me any of these things I would be eternally grateful.

• Anything on my Etsy favorites (link at top) You never know you may have a few of the things laying around your home.

• SCENTSY (don’t mind if they are gently used) Bars - My Dear Watson, Lucky In Love, any of the Disney/Starwars ones. Warmers - PETER PAN or any nightlight warmer. Buddy - MADDIE (ballerina mouse), Nile, Gilly, Mickey Mouse

• Chucks: Size 5 Dinosaur high tops (someone stole mine at the gym yesterday) lightly used is okay. I just miss my shoes :(

I thought I would give a RAK on my profile!! Every month will be something NEW!!

FEBRUARY - DUMP CHILI: This is a super simple recipe, I make about once a week.

Ingredients: 1 lb cooked meat, 2 cans of beans (drained), and one 16(ish) ounce jar of Salsa. Optional - 1 can of corn (drained).

Instructions: Dump it all in a crock pot and put it on warm till it is warmed thru and you are ready to eat. ENJOY!!

The flavors are up to you. For example you can do ground beef, kidney beans and regular salsa for plain chili. Or you could do chicken, white beans and green salsa for chicken chili. One of our faves is steak chunks, black beans and Newmans Own mango salsa with corn.

🚫PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME PACKAGES WHERE EVERY SEAM IS TAPED SHUT. THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO OPEN AND CAUSE ME PANIC, AS I HAVE BROKE, CUT AND TORE THINGS TRYING TO GET INTO ENVELOPES. I UNDERSTAND IT IS REINFORCEMENT BUT THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY. (leave one corner available)

🚫Food warnings: ALLERGIES: Walnuts (other nuts are okay) .

🚫Anything with loose or shedding glitter (sequins or confetti are okay) Glitter literally give me a panic. I have enough struggles with my chilhuahua glitter (dog hair), I don’t need the extra stress.

🚫Anything musty or smoky smelling - it kills my senses and overwhelms me and goes in the garbage.

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