I’ve Been Twitter Tagged — Seven Things You May/Maybe Don’t Know About Me

I was tagged by @tjonsek via Twitter. When this happened, I had *no clue* what this was about. What I can piece together is that I got to read Tawnya’s list here, and the list of the person who tagged Tawnya. Apparently, it’s now MY turn, so here goes…

1. I was born and raised in a little town near Lake Ontario (western upstate NY). Growing up, I thought I lived in the most boring place on the planet. Now, I look back and realize how *lucky* I was to live around so much open land, horses (neighbors had a barn/pasture), and clean air. When I was 17, I graduated high school, and went to college in Utah. Then, I moved again. I’ve lived in California for more than 23 years.

2. My Dad died of cancer when I was 17 yrs old (senior in High School) He was a heavy smoker, smoked most of his life, and sufferedgreatly at the end. It was not pretty, but this experience launched my wanting to know *more* about the human experience (before/during/after life), and it forever changed where I would live. Prior to his diagnosis, I had been accepted into the Fine Arts Program at Carnegie Mellon University on the Early Admissions program. My mother knew she couldn’t send me to an Ivy League school on her income alone, so she asked my high school art teacher for advice…hence, the U of U (teacher’s alma mater).

And no, I don’t smoke nor do I like to be around smoke…can’t imagine WHY…

3. I’m still close friends with my high school art teacher She was actually my school’s Draftting & Technical Illustration teacher, but with her fine art background, she mentored me in fine art portraiture and drawing (in her non-teaching hours). She was a great help to me and I still love drawing after allthese years. I call her by her first name, now…Mary is in her 70s and is still designing homes/buildings for her family and others the old school way (by hand drawing them).

4. I have a degree in Fine Art/Painting and Drawing with a minor in Arts Administration (running galleries). You can see some of my work and the rst pictures of me “creating” here.

5. I have a 19 y.o. son with Asperger’s Syndrome (high-functioning Autism) According to those who diagnosed my son, this syndrome is far more common than previously thought—especially here in Silicon Valley. According to the experts, it passes genetically from father to son, and is very rare to see in girls. If a girl has it, it is much more severe than when boys have it. It is estimated that nearly 100% of the creative tech geniuses (you know, the ones with zero social skills, a great sense of humor and incredibly creative minds) have Asperger’s Syndrome which was first discovered in 1940s Austria by Dr. Asperger.

My son’s worst symptoms were brought under control after I took him to an alternative health doctor. She cleared him of heavy metals and used homeopathics/supplements to balance his brain chemistry. As a result, he did an immediate 180 degree turnaround at school and had the best 4 yrs in high school! My advice to parents of these kinds of kids: Get them to a local alternative health Dr/Chiropractor as soon as you can!

6. I used to work for Apple Computer and Adobe Systems If you live here in the Bay Area, that’s not such a big deal. Many didn’t know who these companies were when I worked for them.  (LOL!) I worked for both companies between 1988 and 1994. At Apple, I worked in Creative Services and Evangelism. At Adobe, I worked in Creative Services and eventually became their go-to gal for all presentations. I averaged 110+ presentations a year (including all illustrations, client management, and archiving). I left to start my own business…I am an expert in Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.

7. I have been self-employed as an illustrator and presentation designer since 1994 Corporate clients (all sizes) hire me to create professional presentations and PPT templates for them…see my online portfolio here.

OK, my Tweeps, you can’t hide… @holisticmamma @cindykirchhoff @ivancampuzano @SiDawson @ROIcoaching @ChipEFT @WesHopper YOU’REIT!

Now, it’s your turn. (If you don’t have a blog, just create one here).

Tagged as: 7 Things, @tjonsek, Asperger's Syndrome, fine art, illustrations, presentation design, self-employed, sharing, tagged, Twitter, University of Utah