Ok, I've been blue long enough.
Here's a video my sister sent me yesterday. I don't know who the lady is, but I like her message.
And a bonus cartoon that really gave me a good chuckle.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
It All Started With A Party
I've been away from my blog for awhile and I missed communicating to my handful of supporters.
Sadly, I was distracted by the sudden death of my friend Ken Jasch.
Some of my readers will know him some not. If I have I not met Ken you might not be reading this blog. A big statement, but true.
When I graduated from college I really had no specific direction. The services that were being offered to me at the time came with incomplete instructions.
I had a great girlfriend, Donna, lots of potential, but no direction. Then I went to a party.
The MDA Summer camp always had a beach party. Then a party after the party. Well one year Ken had a party after the party after the party. This is when my life came into clear focus and my direction was set.
I had been friends with Ken, but did not really know him. His party was at his apartment that he lived in alone. I had never known that Ken, a disabled man, was living on his own and engaged at the time I believe. This blew my mind. The apartment was very cool just North of Downtown Chicago. His life was "normal".
I remember telling Donna, "This is what I want."
Later I talked to Ken and found out he was an instructor for a ProgramAble that taught the disabled to be computer programmers for businesses. Nine months in the classroom and a 3 month paid internship. The program would help arrange transportation and, if possible, teach me to drive a real car.
The reason I give credit for my career is that same program he was working for was offered to me once before but under the name, El Valor. Nothing more then a name that sounded like a bull fighting school. I'm not that into bull fighting, so I passed on the program.
Ken informed me that El Valor was the parent of ProgramAble. Ken told me to buy a tie and take the test. He would take care of the rest.
I bought a tie, took the test, and Ken got me connected to transportation to and from class. I did the 9 months training, interned at Waste Management for 3 months and was hired for eight years after that.
I was a computer programmer.
That foundation had allowed me to be employed for 14 years, private consultant for seven years, married for 19 years, a father for six years, to buy three cars, two homes, 6 trips to Walt Disney World, one trip to California, one cruise and one moderately popular blog.
It all started with a party.
Thank You Ken, thank you.
I've been away from my blog for awhile and I missed communicating to my handful of supporters.
Sadly, I was distracted by the sudden death of my friend Ken Jasch.
Some of my readers will know him some not. If I have I not met Ken you might not be reading this blog. A big statement, but true.
When I graduated from college I really had no specific direction. The services that were being offered to me at the time came with incomplete instructions.
I had a great girlfriend, Donna, lots of potential, but no direction. Then I went to a party.
The MDA Summer camp always had a beach party. Then a party after the party. Well one year Ken had a party after the party after the party. This is when my life came into clear focus and my direction was set.
I had been friends with Ken, but did not really know him. His party was at his apartment that he lived in alone. I had never known that Ken, a disabled man, was living on his own and engaged at the time I believe. This blew my mind. The apartment was very cool just North of Downtown Chicago. His life was "normal".
I remember telling Donna, "This is what I want."
Later I talked to Ken and found out he was an instructor for a ProgramAble that taught the disabled to be computer programmers for businesses. Nine months in the classroom and a 3 month paid internship. The program would help arrange transportation and, if possible, teach me to drive a real car.
The reason I give credit for my career is that same program he was working for was offered to me once before but under the name, El Valor. Nothing more then a name that sounded like a bull fighting school. I'm not that into bull fighting, so I passed on the program.
Ken informed me that El Valor was the parent of ProgramAble. Ken told me to buy a tie and take the test. He would take care of the rest.
I bought a tie, took the test, and Ken got me connected to transportation to and from class. I did the 9 months training, interned at Waste Management for 3 months and was hired for eight years after that.
I was a computer programmer.
That foundation had allowed me to be employed for 14 years, private consultant for seven years, married for 19 years, a father for six years, to buy three cars, two homes, 6 trips to Walt Disney World, one trip to California, one cruise and one moderately popular blog.
It all started with a party.
Thank You Ken, thank you.
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