My theme for today's post is- 'Destiny Is Not What You Think' because life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. But really it is! You know, when I was 18 I had it all mapped out; I was going to get my degree in music and be a world renowned musician. I had a scholarship and went to college at U of M, Morris. But, Destiny Is Not What You Think- I had trouble sleeping in the summer heat, I got disoriented easily, I didn't have the desire or presence of mind to do my homework, basically I became overwhelmed with the situation. After only a month I dropped out and moved in with my Dad and Stepmom in St. Cloud.
My education did continue in the form of guitar lessons and learning job-skills at Goodwill. And I never gave up my dream! I made new friends with Asperger's like me and we formed the band "Syndrome"! We performed an open mic at The Local Blend. It went over great! I played the melodica for the song Incense & Peppermints as well as bass for the song Wonderwall.
Fast forward. If I hadn't dropped out of college I probably wouldn't have met a lot of great people in my life today. My best friends Tyler, John, and Kyle- The 3 Amigos! Or my buddies Mike and Cole- Dos Bros! Everyone at Asperger's Group in St. Cloud! Everyone who is or was one of my staff, supporting me with either challenges I face, or just encouraging me to keep working on my music and other interests.
Last year I hosted my best concert yet, Don J Neu's Birthday Muzak Bash! The turnout was amazing, the adrenaline of performing was like a drug, the pizza was delicious, and my friends got to enjoy playing ping pong while I played! I'm sure as shit going to host the party again, so March 2018 expect Dni's Birthday Muzak Bash 2.0!
Another great opportunity I had was being a part Olmstead Academy with Dustin and Ashlie. Now that I've graduated I'm co-hosting DETS with Bev Kaler and Dustin. DETS stands for Disability Equality Training Series. This is the new path I'm on. The path of self advocacy. I'm totally stoked, and I really feel like I'm doing God's work he planned for me.
Please enjoy this live DJ set I created during my hotel stay of our Olmstead Graduation↓
My education did continue in the form of guitar lessons and learning job-skills at Goodwill. And I never gave up my dream! I made new friends with Asperger's like me and we formed the band "Syndrome"! We performed an open mic at The Local Blend. It went over great! I played the melodica for the song Incense & Peppermints as well as bass for the song Wonderwall.
Fast forward. If I hadn't dropped out of college I probably wouldn't have met a lot of great people in my life today. My best friends Tyler, John, and Kyle- The 3 Amigos! Or my buddies Mike and Cole- Dos Bros! Everyone at Asperger's Group in St. Cloud! Everyone who is or was one of my staff, supporting me with either challenges I face, or just encouraging me to keep working on my music and other interests.
Last year I hosted my best concert yet, Don J Neu's Birthday Muzak Bash! The turnout was amazing, the adrenaline of performing was like a drug, the pizza was delicious, and my friends got to enjoy playing ping pong while I played! I'm sure as shit going to host the party again, so March 2018 expect Dni's Birthday Muzak Bash 2.0!
Another great opportunity I had was being a part Olmstead Academy with Dustin and Ashlie. Now that I've graduated I'm co-hosting DETS with Bev Kaler and Dustin. DETS stands for Disability Equality Training Series. This is the new path I'm on. The path of self advocacy. I'm totally stoked, and I really feel like I'm doing God's work he planned for me.
Please enjoy this live DJ set I created during my hotel stay of our Olmstead Graduation↓
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