Re-Post...actually an entry from earlier this year...

Last month I was working on getting back in touch with what Rob Thomas was doing.  Naturally, the first place I went was the forum of his website.  I started reading discussions regarding this “twitter thing”…I really had no idea what they were referring to. 

On the news one night I heard Twitter get mentioned in the same breath as Facebook, so I decided to join.  Then (again naturally) I looked up Rob…who had confirmed on his site that his username is”ThisIsRobThomas”…and started following him.

The most amazing thing had happened to me, the mystery of what this man does hour to hour (lol) was shattered…and replaced with the affirmation that he’s not untouchable. 

Not because I can’t go far (I can give you the addresses of musicians I’ve gotten on buses to travel to see), but in these hard economic times me and a lot of others are saving their pennies.  Technology and the internet has a way of bringing people who are far away just that much closer. 

Rob only had around 1400 followers when I joined….but I wanted to say something that would catch his eye and hopefully get a response. 

Here’s what I said:

“I would ask you to say something to me but you’d prob say “something to me””

And he replied!!  It was:

     

I’m a big fan of technology…when it’s used properly.  I have family and friends all over the world and its helps keep us all connected. 

Not all artists do their own tweeting, but RT is on of ‘em.

I’ll have to call the joy I got from those 5 words the “Twitter Effect”.

A true “ that was good” moment

(as of the time I’m writing this Rob has 10,661 followers)

“Little Wonders”….those moments that pass you by while waiting for something else

I’ve always loved this song.

The important thing for me to remember when I go to work each day is firstly to be thankful I have a job to go to.  Adding to that, it’s important to look around and listen to what’s going on.

I can spend my mornings deep in thought on how I’m going to accomplish the tasks I have in the days or weeks ahead.  I make sure that I smile regardless though, whether it’s the smile that brightens my day, my courteous drivers’ moods, or a stranger at a stop light.  While I wait for answers, or good fortune…it’s those little wonders that keep me grounded. 

The message that Rob speaks of in the song can transcend any situation.

Beware of tunnel vision because although you can see what’s in front of you, it makes it very hard to see what's around/beside you.

“And of Course You Can’t Become...”

“And of course you can’t become if you’d only say what you would’ve done”

That line is buried in a song I loved when I was in my late teens, and still listen to today.  I never paid close enough attention to the lyrics, because half the time I had my head hanging out of a van with my face to the wind.

I saw my friend last night.  We’ve been close friends for a long time,  “Steal My Sunshine” was/is our song.  We don’t see each other often now, but when we do it’s like no time has passed.  I was listening to this song one day and this line struck a chord with me. 

  

I’ve realized over the last while that the opportunity I’ve had over the last year came at exactly the right time.

I’ve asked myself “what if I’d taken that fork in the road where would I be?”

You can waste so much time visualizing the path you could’ve been on that you miss out on the opportunities you have on the path you ARE on, 

If I can find a lyric in this song to keep me on track…well who would’ve thought! 

Losing Control

“Control is never achieved when sought after directly. It is the surprising outcome of letting go.”

 

In order to maintain a level of control over the circumstances that happen in our everyday lives, we must accept the fact that we need to lose some control. 

The trick is having control over the control we must lose to reach a bigger goal.

    

People will often go back to the expression about “picking battles.” 

I have been told that I am lucky in how I can get those to do for me what I want.  It is clearly a matter of communicating properly.

 

When I was job searching, I couldn’t predict on a daily basis which companies would be posting jobs in my field…or a field I could apply my skills in. 

I was told by several people to look for jobs in my region because my life would be easier if I “settled” for a job that I could easily get to.  Oh well I took something one region away!!

 

I had control over the job I accepted, because I can’t drive...how and when I get there is out of my hands.

. 

This isn’t the most ideal place to wait at 7am…I’ve accepted if this is how I can get to work and see this….

I’ll take it!

Another Week at Work Starts Tomorrow!

Hi Everyone

I wanted to share my experiences on how I've staid focused in intense situations throughout my post secondary years. After three years of struggling to find work, I am now blessed to have a job. It is a leatning experience for sure.

It may sound simple but believe it or not my mp3 player has helped me help a lot of people. Part of what I'll discuss in regards to how I spend my days is how much time I spend "accomadating" other people's schedules, and music has shortened those waiting periods.

I believe that whether we are on the clock or volunteering our time is precious. We shouldn't take the time that anybody gives each other (paid or otherwise) for granted, because they are giving something that can't be given back.

I'm able to do the best work at my job as possible because of music and patience.

Saturday night…and I’m feeling all right

When I am home alone with my thoughts and the house is quiet, I have time to sit and think about the “that was good” moments in my life.  It’s when the ideas come to me about how I envision using those moments to make a difference. 

The differences that I make in other people’s lives won’t have any significance unless I make sure that the information that I teach and the examples that I give come from honest experiences.

I’ve had a good day. I’m still looking for that job offer, but I had a great informational interview on Friday.  I’m starting to feel like I’m headed on a new (and good) road

“Back to your old life”…No job and no partner-new and scary times

My brother says to me “oooohhh I feel so bad for you” in a joking way….but this picture shows the moments that job searching that get to me. 

I think I have a system in place to keep me in line and focused, but the economy is so bad, and to be quite honest the CP/Epilepsy doesn’t help in finding ideal opportunities.  Anyway, I’m not in the same boat as a person without a physical disability…I’d like to see them in a boat with a wheelchair haha! 

I do believe that my sense of humour will be the driving force that keeps me moving until that one employer calls me up and offers me a job. 

In terms of techniques for  job searching there are tons of interview and resume building ideas in libraries and on the net.  It’s keeping a positive frame of mind that will really make the difference between the ones that keep going, and the ones who stop after one or two rejections.  However, as I’ve shown in the picture moments of doubt are aloud to sink in, the important thing is not to drown in them.  Taking pictures of those moments helps show you what you don’t want to look like.  These are very much new waters for me.  Bring on the rapids…I can handle it!

I went in today and did my mock interview…here is a short audio blurb on how it went and what is next.  I am already feeling more comfortable using the mic.  Don’t expect me to start singing though! 

These entries are really focused on my quest for a job at the moment because that’s where I’m at.  They won’t always. 

 

I have a habit of going up to the line. Though I rarely cross it, if there's a loop hole, I'll always go through it.

Allyson Partridge
Advocate for DisAbility awareness
more famous quotes

Getting Used to My Own Voice...Mock Interview Time

I decided to record this to start giving a voice to my blog. For a first time effort I'm pretty happy with it.

I'll be working on more in the future and I'm sure I'll laugh at how much they'll change. I'm really hoping to get some interviews soon. I had an instance of being discriminated against by a company in Durham...it's being looked into now, so I'm not saying anything more than that.

Music Within…

I have been feeling nostalgic lately…I usually feel that way when something remarkable gets me reflecting on what goals have have for myself and if I’ve been reaching past goals.

The blog title refers to a movie about Richard Pimentel, a man who worked to find jobs for the disabled in the States.  He played a big role in the Americans with Disabilities Act being passed.

Almost everything that I’ve touched and every person that I’ve met that has inspired me to be a smart ass and/or an intellect, has had a strong connection with music.  As is described in the movie…I won’t be dying with my music within.  In fact music is what draws my passion to lead and inspire others out of me.

My goal is to find full time employment, but I’m going to play my music up until and beyond then…mentorship and touching the lives of individual people to inspire them to find their own music. 

I am thankful for my mentor(s)!

(Richard Pimentel speaking of his early experiences with the late Art Honeyman)

scene from Music Within

(again…there's some coarse language…but it’s moving)