I'm sitting inside a Barnes and Noble bookstore at the moment, enjoying an overpriced cup of coffee at the in-store Starbucks.

To say I needed to get out of the house for a little bit is an understatement.

For the past couple of weeks I've been in the house, plugging away at several different projects.   With Short Stack being home due to Snow Days, and me being in the house for so long - the effects of cabin fever started to take its toll.

So, I had to escape for a bit - to obtain a different perspective.

After a couple of weeks with the same four walls around me, it seemed as though they were closing in on me.

It's nice to get a breath of fresh air, and a different scene around me.

The Barnes and Noble where I'm at is located as part of a major mall.  Friends and couples sit around me discussing their shopping and relationships.  It seems that people share similar things no matter what venue I'm at.

The ordering of coffee at a starbucks is akin to speaking code.   I usually get the venti white chocolate mocha.  If I wanted something simple I would've just stayed at home with my co-worker "Mr. Keureg" blowing steam at me.

As I sit her I'm pouring over the various facebook status updates and comments.   This past week people have been debating the Coca-Cola Superbowl commercial.   The sadly comical perspective I read upon is that people believe that they are singing the National Anthem.  I ponder as to why our society is in decay when something as simple as our National Anthem brought into a discussion where it isn't even applied.   As my Better Half has shared with me... "it's just a commercial" ... to which I agree.

Social media has broken down the social barriers in both good and bad ways.  It has become a two edged sword.

Considering the concept the we are able to share our opinions, the question becomes - is it really necessary to share every opinion?
The other issue is the aspect if what we are sharing will encourage people - or tear them down.

The hope is that as a society we learn to be constructive in our criticism.  However, that isn't always the case.

My hope is that we can see the little nuggets of truth in our differences of opinion.... by respecting those different perspectives.

Who knew that sitting in a coffee store that sits inside a bookstore would be a nice change of pace?  This different perspective helped me write this blog post.

Who or what has caused you to see from a different perspective?

Why do you do what you do?

What is it that inspires you to continue on when the chips are down?

For some, it's easy, it could be about the money - the accolades.  For others, it's much deeper - and a matter of the heart.

Many folks that I'm in touch with express that if you've found your passion - you've found your 'why'.
It's that one thing that no matter what ill may come, you will still strive to reach the goal.

When someone has that passion, that desire, that fortitude to keep doing what they want to do - the reality is that they will be rewarded as a by product of what drives them.

The key is to promote their vision, their desire, their passion.... their ... 'why'.

I believe that I've found my 'why'.  My vision, my desire.

There are millions of families who are going through the same thing our family is.   They need to know that there is a community of people willing to help.  They need to know that there is hope.

I've realized through my own son that it doesn't take much to express joy.   His smile and laughter is contagious, and his heart is enough to encompass the globe.   I am merely a temporary tool by which his voice, and that of many others, can express themselves.

I've been blessed with many opportunities to encourage others to share their journey with Autism.   I'm no greater than any other family, just in a position to help where I can.

For me it's about the families who see no hope, to give them hope.   About those who are on the spectrum who have no voice - to provide an avenue for them to share their thoughts and ideas.

It's about the 'why'.

It's about not giving up in that vision, in that dream.

Far too often we want to give up on our dreams, to see those passions we have become reality.   I can only encourage people to do all they can to pursue their 'why' - and not to give up.

Do all you can, and be a blessing to others.

It's tough to remain positive when life throws those curve balls.

Sometimes you swing and hit life's issues out of the park, other times you strike out.

Forgive the baseball metaphor, but the attempt is to share that no matter what life throws at you - the point is to keep swinging.

I have to remember that others have it far worse than I do.   We have a roof over our head, food on the table, and clothes on our back.

Finding the positive is easy to do - it's all about recognizing what you do have - rather than what you missed out on or don't have.  So many people focus on things that they don't have, rather than enjoy those things that are right in front of them.

A few weeks ago I was in a discussion with someone regarding how hard they have it.  This person was going through his own personal crisis.   Now, I won't go into detail  - but the bottom line was that from his perspective - he was having a very tough time.

Then, he asked me how he could make it through those issues he was going through.  Then I remembered that life is a lot about perspective.

Remembering a phrase I read somewhere that "a man complained about his shoes until he saw a man with no feet."

I asked him about what he does have - and after much talk back and forth he shared that he has his car, his apartment, a job... good friends and a family that lives nearby.  But he still felt lacking.

I shared with him that he has so much to be thankful and hopeful for, because he has already been blessed with so much.

Hope is not full of lack, it's about having faith that something good will happen - focusing on the positive - and finding creative moments to make things happen.

Some days I feel like my friend, lacking in what I don't have - and even I need to have someone  to remind me of what I do have.
I think we've all been there - and that's just part of life.

If you are having a tough time with something, just remember that your journey can provide hope and inspiration to someone else who has it worse than you do.

Keep hope alive, and keep swinging at life's issues - and live for those moments when you hit it out of the park.

Personally I don't like people beating around the bush.  I prefer people to tell me 'how it is' - bad or good, I can take it.

One doesn't have to be Politically Correct in expressing an opinion or idea that differs from the masses.  I've always believed that if you are honest with yourself, while showing respect for other people's opinions - we can get a lot farther in life, a lot faster.

I shared in a previous post that I had the opportunity to meet T.O.N.E-z, a rapper from the Bronx who's best known for his music with Gangstagrass and the theme song of the TV show Justified.

Of course I had to listen to other music that he and Gangstagrass did together, along with his own music - and I find it refreshing.

It's real, it's raw, and it's in your face.   In talking with him, I can honestly say that what you see and hear in his music and videos is what you get.   He's honest, he's respectful, and to be blunt - he's a nice guy that will share his opinion without hesitation.

He shared with me that hes working on a new song with the Actress/Singer Alicia Witt called 'Baby Girl'.   It's to dive into the topic of someone having a miscarriage.

Personally I can relate already, as my wife and I had a miscarriage before we had Short Stack.   It's a topic that people need to discuss more, and for many people they need to know that others have experienced this.    From my time working with the Autism Community, just knowing that others are going through something can be a big help.

Once even a clip of the song becomes available, I'll share it.   Right now it's one of those highly anticipated moments.

I'll keep you posted.

With the absence of a regular full-time job, one would think that I'd lounge around and do nothing.

Well, that's just not my style.  I have to keep busy doing something - or I'll just go crazy.

For the most part, Autisable is being worked on.  Right now I'm working with the team in getting the syndicated bloggers and contributing authors onto the new site, and matching the old articles to the original authors.

Once that is completed, we'll then move the site back over to the original URL (right now it's in a BETA phase) - then we'll address the look and feel of the site.  So, we're addressing data management and content issues at the moment.  There's over a hundred authors and over 5,300 articles on the site - so it may be a bit to match things up.

For those who are connected with me via facebook/twitter - you know that I've been in a lot of meetings lately.  From the business side to meeting with artists - I've been both incredibly blessed - and humbled.

We're working on several concepts to be added to Autisable after it's relaunch, here are a few:

1. An Autism Blogger Ad Network
2. An Online Store
3. The Autisable Concert series
4. other site ad-ons to make the site more user friendly and fun to use.

I've mentioned previously that I am in need of some form of regular income to work this full-time for about a year.  Well, I've been in discussion with several people (hence all the meetings) - and we're creating a GoFund.me campaign.

This campaign isn't just to raise funds for a full time person (me) - but also to have funds to pay specifically for projects that involve videographers and video editors, website developers and some basic advertising for the site.

Based on the incredible amount of feedback - the key to this fundraisers success will be communication.  Since I'm putting myself out here on this - the key person to share what's going on will be me.   There will be photo's, videos, and blog posts to share where we are at on a regular basis... even if there is no major change.   After all, if someone reads what is going on and sees that there is a challenge - we'd be open to suggestions while we are working on it.

I will still be searching for a new place of employment, which will take some of my time, and I will be filing for unemployment as well.  So although I do have more time on my hands to work on Autisable, I'm placed into a position where I have to spend a decent amount of my time finding a regular job - or do some freelance work via voiceover work or social media seo work as well.   This search and a new job will currently be needed  - unless the fundraising campaign is a success.

The script is being written for a video for the gofund.me campaign - and I'll be following up with a couple of videographers and editors over the next couple of weeks.   We're also developing some Reward Levels and a wish list to be included as part of the campaign.

We opted for GoFund.me for several reasons:

1. if we fail to reach our goal at Kickstarter, we'd get nothing - and that doesn't help anyone.
2. if we fail to reach our goal via indiegogo, we'd have to pay extra out in fees and obtain much less.
3. We do have an account on Startsomegood which we will eventually use for specific needs - but it won't work for what we're wanting to do at this phase of our development.
4. with GoFund.me you have the option of not having a deadline date, but rather a financial goal.  This allows better flexibility for our needs at this time.   We would end up closing the campaign when we'd have regular revenue coming in through our advertisers and sponsors and once we're stable.

Well, back to the grind... much more to do.

I spent most of the day in meetings.  Either over the phone or in person, meetings are the necessary evil to get things investigated/researched/planned out - before action can be taken.  If meetings are not constructive, then they are truly a waste of time.   These meetings were very informative and constructive... which is very encouraging.

These meetings today revolved around website development, but more specifically how to monetize Autisable and the various oulets we will have.   After all, it's through these outlets being monetized appropriately that the basic bills will be paid.

Since we are not going to be a paid to blog site, we have to work on a way to generate some revenue to at least cover the basics.

With the site relaunch being worked on, we'll soon need to integrate ad units and ad packages as a means by which we can earn a revenue as early as possible.   I've been in discussion with people who's job it is to develop websites and business, and with folks who have years of experience in the online ad industry.   My brain is a bit fried as it has been a very educational day.

As soon as some things are planned out more, and when we're ready to launch what we're doing - I'll share more.

Until later, Be blessed.

Many folks that are still on this platform have a bitter sweet taste regarding Xanga and the fundraising that we did to keep the site going.

I am grateful for the Xanga team, and am glad that the site is still moving forward.   Of course it's not moving forward as quickly as we all wanted it to, but at least we still have the option to remain, and the site isn't completely dead and gone.  The Xanga team is still working hard on the site and is expected to make some announcements in due time.

That being said, I've been reluctant at helping in other fundraising campaigns.  After all, when you help raise funds - you put yourself out there.  Your reputation goes out there to be the subject of criticism and ridicule.

I do have to say, I've learned a lot from the experience - and I know that the process has been educational.

I've taken many notes this past year on what was done right, and wrong, during and after the Xanga fundraising campaign.

Here are a couple of notes, feel free to add to it [politely] in the comments below:

1. Communication, communication, communication - from the top folks - the lead dogs - not from someone like me.   Although I know I helped things along, this was the biggest response from the users of Xanga... "Where is the Xanga Team?  Why aren't they updating their blog?"     Acting as a liason did help, but it was a two edged sword.   It had it's pros and cons as well.
2. Research and Planning - now I know that the team shared their initial research results on the transition from the proprietary platform to wordpress powered - but as we know, hindsight is always 20/20.  Learning from the experiences on this transition is proving to be beneficial in Autisable's upgrade.   Just saying that I think more research and testing could have been done to find problem areas that would be expected during the transition.

Now, that's just a few issues, and I'm sure anyone on Xanga could add to it - but I boiled it down to those two.

Autisable is now transitioning to being powered by wordpress and will be relaunched soon.   We have several things to add to the site after the relaunch.

I've shared before what will become of the site - but to recap:

1. The site will be legally transferred to my company
2. Xanga Team's involvement will be minimized as I am bringing on board programmers to assist me in adding upgrades.

In addition to Autisable's relaunch, we are developing a new site that will highlight the concert series and promotional campaigns.  We are also looking into adding an online store.  All these upgrades, and more, will be a part of the Autisable experience.

But, Autisable isn't expected to be a huge profit maker.   In fact, the main site and online store will probably cover basic technical overhead to keep the site running - and enough to make a little to help pay someone at a part time basis.

The concert series and the behind the scenes show we are working on in partnership with The Autism Channel, is what we expect will garner the revenue for me to regularly work full-time.   The business model we have developed will make the websites a supporting arm of the concert and behind the scenes show.

Advertisers and sponsors will pay for the shows, and the sites will be used as tools to spread Autism Awareness and understanding.   This will keep the site free to use for families that can't pay to blog - and will position Autisable to reach millions of people around the world.

As budget permits, we would regularly find ways to improve the site and experience.

Now, the challenge:

Thanks to some very dedicated folks that have an extreme amount of experience and heart for the cause - the first two commercial spots and episode of the behind the scenes show are being done probono.

Also, the folks helping out on the site are willing to work for the cause until revenue is made available.

I can't thank LaNeshe enough for her help since near the beginning of the site being launched in editing and helping to keep the site active.

It's through these people and organizations that Autisable has reached over 30,000 people per month and is a well respected website within the autism commnity.

The fact remains that I personally need income.   We know that the website and even the additions to it will not be the major money maker.   What has been planned is to make sure the website can become solvent with just a few people working part time on it.

The focus is the promotional campaign.   Not only will the business model of the promotional campaign help bring Autisable and Autism to the forefront of discussion - it is already being planned to be used for other causes (like Cancer).

In order for me to get the business model off the ground, I will need to work full time to make it happen.  This would allow me to focus all my efforts on this project.

I'm not big on bank loans, nor am I wanting to go into debt.  I can and will be applying for unemployment benefits, but there are serious requirements where I live that would significantly reduce my time that I can devote to this project.  Finding a job is a full-time endeavor - and when I would have a new job, I'd have to seriously dedicate my efforts to that job which could delay the concert series from taking place by 2015.

IF people see the vision and believe that it could be successful - I'm sure they would be willing to invest in it to make it happen.

Due to my past experiences, I am reluctant to start a Kickstarter campaign - or an indiegogo campaign.   I have been encouraged to start a campaign on GoFundMe and am seriously considering it.

The thought of obtaining funding would be to make sure I can work on this project for one year - and then we'd expect the project to pay for itself (and me) without any further fundraising required to keep me working full-time.

As the site grew and the concert series would become successful, and we obtained advertisers and sponsors - I would get paid from my company and wouldn't need any fundraising to happen.  In fact, we'd probably need to hire a few folks to keep things going as we'd expand to other causes.

Now...would you consider funding me to make this vision a reality?

Since I'm without a full-time job, my morning commute has significantly changed.

Rather then rush to get ready and out the door to drive down the road and deal with morning rush hour traffic, my challenge now is to ensure that Short Stack gets on the bus to School, and then make sure my Better Half has what she needs prior to her commute.

It's not a 'roll out of bed in my PJ's' and chill for the day' lifestyle I lead.  I've always had difficulty being 'still' and doing nothing.  I have to keep working on something.

It's odd having an empty home in the morning, when my habit of the past 12+ years was to be in traffic to get to my job.

It's been week +1 since this transition has begun, and so much has happened since day one.   Autisable.com and the concert series are making serious progress.  All I can say is that that I really have nothing to do with the progress being made, other then the fact that I'm just holding on while it happens.  The folks helping me out on this project have amazed me.   I can't wait to share more about this project.

Today's challenge?  Making sure my co-worker/employee 'Mr. Keureg' makes my coffee right.   The guy has one job and I think I overpay him.   At least he wants less than Starbucks - and the coffee tastes better too.

Here's 'Mr. Keureg' - hard at work:

Well - a few meetings already scheduled for the day - then back to the job hunt.

 
Until later, be blessed.

Have you ever turned on a TV show and heard the theme song and went, "Dang, that's a good song - where could I get that?"

Well, that's what my Better Half and I said to each other when we first heard the theme song to the TV show Justified.

I looked online for it and found that it was created by Gangstagrass, featuring T.O.N.E-z.

Little did I know 5 seasons later, T.O.N.E.-z is still making music for the TV Show, and now he has a recurring character on the show.  Also, who knew that one day I'd actually meet the man.

Along with AJ Rafael for the Autisable Live Concert, we're also going to be hearing from T.O.N.E-z as well.

As I said, we're bring on board an eclectic group of artists with various backgrounds, and with these two additions beginning our line-up... I'm excited as to what's to come.

Now, the biggest concern when you develop a show that's supposed to be 'family friendly' is the issue of 'curse words'.   Of course T.O.N.E-z knew where I was coming from, and is looking forward to making the necessary adjustments for the concert.   I was greatly impressed by his focus and determination - as he was very clear on wanting to be on board and to 'make it happen'.

After our initial meeting, and the fact that he spent most of the day travelling, we all snagged a bite to eat.

When you meet some folks, you want to know what got them started in what they do, and why they have a passion for it.

I asked T.O.N.E-z what made him want to get into the Music business.  What inspired him initially.   For him it was the song, "A-B-C" by The Jackson 5.    Of course there are other musicians that have influenced him - and you can hear it in his music - but it's pretty cool how the impact of one song can inspire people to such levels.

It's been over 20 years since I was a serious part of the music business, and my involvement was relegated to playing music in night clubs and on the radio.   Suffice it to say, I'm grateful for T.O.N.E-z managers for the introduction.  Big thanks to Erman on Steve, and I look forward to working with them more as well.

Stay tuned.  This Autism Concert is coming together.

Until then, I hope you enjoy this song from T.O.N.E-z:

You can find T.O.N.E-z  at the following places:

www.tone-z.com

https://www.facebook.com/TonezIsHipHop

https://myspace.com/tonezworld

https://twitter.com/TonezTwit

http://www.youtube.com/user/TONEzMedia

The journey continues.   Here's a few notes to let you know what has happened since my last update:

• Autisable has been a passion of mine for over 4.5 years - and I'm glad to actually put my hands to some of its transition to being powered by wordpress.   We've had over 100 syndicated bloggers on the site, and we're in the process of getting the articles and authors set up on the site.  So for the next couple of weeks we're lining up the authors and matching these authors to over 5,300 posts that are on the site.   Once this is done, then we'll look at the look/feel of the site and launch it.     Side note here:  even when it's launched - we probably won't make a major announcement as there will still be a lot of work to do.
• I've submitted my devotional book to an editor, who is helping me get it ready to publish.   The devotional book is about faith, and was initially written about 10 years ago.  The focus is about not taking what other people say about God, but about building your own relationship with God.   It's a short devotional, but it does take you on a bit of my own personal journey as well.
• I've also been writing about being an Dad of a child with special needs.  Some initial drafts of the first two chapters are done, but already things are needing to be rewritten.   I'll be doing some serious writing soon enough.
• A few meetings are already set up for the next few weeks.  Some on the job hunt side, and others towards doing freelance work for social media, SEO, and also some voice over work.

And now on the table for consideration and discussion is something that I'm curious about:

In order for me to work more full-time on Autisable and the vision for it - I've been researching the idea of doing a crowdfunding campaign.

The campaign could be hosted on indiegogo or startsomegood or kickstarter - and the aim is to raise enough funds for me to work full time on the site and these projects - and also for a few bits of hardware.   It would also help in the initial funding and advertising of the behind the scenes show on The Autism Channel and also Autisable's website development and the concert series needs.

I'm still running the numbers - but thinking that a minimum of $40,000 would work, but a goal of $100,000 would be target.

Feel free to let me know if this is something you'd like to see happen - and even if you'd be willing to help.

Again, it's just some research at this time - but curious nonetheless.

On another  - more serious note -  I'd like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support during this period of transition.

Blessings.