<![CDATA[AUSTIN JOHN JONES - Dancing with Raptors: A story about a dude on the Autism Spectrum]]>

<![CDATA[AUSTIN JOHN JONES - Dancing with Raptors: A story about a dude on the Autism Spectrum]]>Wed, 08 May 2024 17:06:21 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[My Status in 2022!]]>Tue, 31 May 2022 18:32:15 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/my-status-in-2022Hi everyone! Been a LONG time since I posted. I've been very busy. A lot has happened since my last post.
I lost my job. So I have been job hunting.

Back in February I did an awesome part time position at a school in the El Cajon area. That was really fun. I had a great time there!

Since then I have been looking for work. I got another teaching job for a week back in April. I will be returning to that location in June until mid July.

Other than that, I've been doing a lot of art projects, spending time with my wife and her family, as well as my own. Not much else has been going on. I hosted a couple art booth events this year so far. Those were really fun.

As always, been doing my hobbies.

Lastly, I now have an official YouTube channel for my Magic the Gathering experience! Here is the link! Make sure to check it out! Make sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe!

HyperdriveMTG Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrYt1Uvn0LFo7OqgLz15xvA

That's all for now! Stay hyper everybody! Cheers!
]]><![CDATA[Big Updates!]]>Fri, 29 Oct 2021 00:44:08 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/big-updatesALOT has happened in the past 3 months. I started a new job. I am working full time as an Art Instructor. Its been really awesome! I love where I currently work. It can be tedious at times but I really enjoy my work and I feel like I am helping all my students very well. I am in a good spot in terms of employment.

Annie and I had our wedding reception! FINALLY! It went really well! It was a lot of fun and the celebration was awesome! Tears were shed, smiles were made, laughter all around, good food, dancing, and much much more! I could not have asked for a better wedding reception.

Just recently no more than two weeks ago, Annie and I moved into a new house! So we are living by ourselves now! Very exciting! I love living here. It is very nice. It is also a lot of responsibility but that's fine. I need that kind of aspect to my life. It helps me be a better person.

Other than that I have been playing a lot of video games and Magic the Gathering in my spare time. Been working on art projects and hosting event booths. Not much else besides that! Sorry I haven't been blogging a lot these days just so much is going on and I am so busy that it had not crossed my mind lately. Cheers!
]]><![CDATA[Didn't miss Fun Friday this time!]]>Sat, 24 Apr 2021 00:06:42 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/didnt-miss-fun-friday-this-timeThis Friday for our song I would like to say something. I found out about a week ago that Little Richard died last year. He was 87! 1932 to 2020! What a life! Let's celebrate Fun Friday with a Little Richard song!

]]><![CDATA[Talks of Enlightenment and Fun Friday Song I missed.]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2021 01:09:55 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/talks-of-enlightenment-and-fun-friday-song-i-missedToday I got to spend time with my wife, her relatives and friend at Balboa Park! We went to the Japanese Friendship Gardens! It was really nice. Good walk, got to take some photos together and it was very nice.

One of the photos I took was in front of a giant Buddha statue at the end of the gardens.

Here is the picture. When I sat there, even though this seemed like a total tourist move. I felt enlightened, and even after my wife and the others walked away, I stayed for a couple seconds and took in the sight of the statue. I felt empowered. I felt stronger. I felt...happy. I attained enlightenment a long time ago before this moment. But time and time again I feel my mind and body feeling the emotion and state of mind again and again.

When I was in Japan, my family and I went into this temple. And inside the temple, there was a long pitch black tunnel. In the middle of the tunnel, there was a golden or some sort of metal object hanging on the wall. When you are in the tunnel, there is no light. Its just pitch black. But the tunnel is called "The Path to Happiness." When I found the metal object, just feeling it, even though I couldn't see. I felt truly happy. I felt enlightened. I felt like my problems were gone. And that I had found true happiness. This feeling I felt, was more joy than I ever felt in my life. And when I emerged from the tunnel, I told one of the monks and our tour guides what I realized and they were as proud as me as a teacher who had passed on the ultimate knowledge to their student. This my friends, is what it felt like to be enlightened.

There was one other time many years ago, back in 2017 I believe, where I felt this feeling. I was in Seattle on a retreat with Asperger's Experts, and one of the spiritual guidance counselor told me to listen, like truly listen and take in the world around you. And...for once in my life...I did that. I listened. I truly did listen...I saw the sunshine. I saw the bees buzzing, pollinating flowers, I heard the birds chirping, everything around me...I was aware of. And I felt enlightened. It was the most amazing feeling I had ever felt. It was sensational.

I cannot say or tell you all how this is done, or if you can, but when you feel this feeling, you will know it. And it was bring you great and immense happiness. Do not ever give up on finding your true happiness in life.

Today's song which I missed posting on Friday, is...one of my favorites. James Brown I Got You (I feel good). Enjoy!

As always everyone, I hope you are having a great week, and I will see ya next time! Peace!

Sincerely,

Austin

]]><![CDATA[Sorry for lagging behind folks! Fun Friday and More!]]>Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:58:32 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/sorry-for-lagging-behind-folks-fun-friday-and-more
Hey everyone! Sorry I have not posted in a couple weeks. I wanted too but a lot of stuff has come up.

Last weekend I went up north to visit my brother and his wife for Easter. My wife, my parents and I all drove up together and we had a great time. I did myself a favor and did not bring my computer with me so I would not be distracted by video games or social media. I wanted to have quality family time. And I did. We watched that unbelievable basketball game between UCLA and Gonzaga. That final point at the end in overtime was legendary. Some people said it was a "robbery" but if you ask me, as someone who doesn't really have a genuine interest in basketball, it was by far the best game I had ever watched in my life. Back and forth. Had you on the edge of your seat till the very end. Loved it.

On the same day earlier that afternoon My wife, my dad and I all went fishing. We didn't catch anything, but my wife harvested some mussels for us to cook. Later that weekend when we returned home she had me try a broth with mussels in it, and it was...delightful. So good.

So some things I learned about mussels. They are okay to eat and harvest if they are not living near sewage areas. Because when you cook them, the poison from the pollution does not wash away in the cooking process. So if you harvest mussels and you want to eat them, make sure they are in clean areas.

Anyways, going back to Easter weekend. On Easter itself, it was relatively simple. We woke up, we searched for Easter baskets, then we had a Easter brunch. We also discussed where we are going for Christmas this year hopefully. We all decided on Hawaii.

I love Hawaii. It's on of my favorite places on earth. Beautiful beaches, warm, good food, good people. I hope we get to go back.

In other news, I am three days in to my second vaccine for Covid. And I have not experienced any side effects. Which is very relieving because I heard tons of stories from friends saying people had experienced side effects. The vaccine I got was Phizer. Which I heard is a higher grade vaccine. Getting the vaccine we very easy. I arrived early, I walked in, they gave me the shot, I sat for 15 minutes and I walked out.

A couple weeks ago I went horseback riding with my wife and some family members of hers as a wedding present. My horse's name was Big Dunn or as the people on the ranch called him "Big D" which I thought was awesome. He was a great horse. I loved riding him. Last horse I rode from several years back was "Gypsy" She was a great horse too. Its always fun riding horses.

That about sums up what has happened over the past 2-3 weeks that I haven't posted. I will end by giving you guys the last two Fun Fridays Songs, and...tomorrow's upcoming Fun Friday song. So you guys get 3 songs today! Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Austin

]]><![CDATA[Fun Friday!]]>Sat, 20 Mar 2021 00:08:46 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/fun-fridayThought would be cool if I posted a song I like listening too every Friday. We shall call it: Fun Friday!

Today we are listening to a artist inspired by my father. Stephen Stills. The song? Go Back Home. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Austin

]]><![CDATA[How my week has been.]]>Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:52:12 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/how-my-week-has-beenIt's been a bit of a blur this week. I have had trouble sleeping, business has been slow, but alot of medical changes have occurred.

We have all been struggling with Covid. Its a fact. Staying at home, limiting a lot of factors of our lives. I want to see my friends, but for now, I have to wait. But good news, on Tuesday, I got my first vaccine! I have heard many mixed reviews about reactions to the vaccine, but so far I have not been affected by it at all. Which is very nice.

I also went to the cardiologist. I am going to change my diet, eat out less, and I am going to try to lose weight. All of this to lower my blood pressure. All good changes.

Other than that, been gaming a lot, working on new art pieces, and spending quality time with my wife Annie.

I have been teaching over Zoom through my work. It has been very nice to get back into the swing of teaching. I love it. Very rewarding work.

That's about it for now. Sorry I missed the past couple days guys. Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Austin
]]><![CDATA[Austin John Jones: The man who dances with raptors.]]>Sun, 14 Mar 2021 00:30:23 GMThttp://austinjohnjones.com/dancing-with-raptors-a-story-about-a-dude-on-the-autism-spectrum/austin-john-jones-the-man-who-dances-with-raptorsLadies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. People of all ages. Welcome to my blog. This post begins task of my life biography. Which will be titled "Dancing with Raptors: A story about a dude on the autism spectrum". And leading up to my goal of eventually publishing it as a novel.

The goal of this book is simple: To share my life experience as a person on the spectrum with the world in hopes that it will provide assistance and awareness to others.

I want this to be clear. This book is meant to be honest, truthful, and blunt. What I write here will be from my own perspective, my own experiences, and my opinion. Some of the things I talk about in this book might and honestly will be questioned by others. But that is the point of writing this book. To help the world see and understand the world through a person on the spectrums eyes. More specifically mine.

My plan is to post as often as I can. Hopefully every day. No promises though. I do have a schedule and a life I live. And I tend to be busy and forget a lot. But I will do my best. I once quoted myself:

"Always do your best, even if you don't feel your best, because that's what this world deserves."

And I will do my best to live by those words.

So everyone, welcome to my blog. Welcome....to Dancing with Raptors.

Sincerely,

Austin John Jones]]>