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I have just been reading copius amounts of reports about the Temple Grandin film winning an award at the Emmy's which I think is great news! I am really looking forward to seeing it.

I think that awareness about Asperger related matters via mediums like this can only be a good thing:it decreases misunderstanding and increases understanding; especially when it is a serious, professional production by someone who has done so much to elevate awareness of the capability of people on the autistic spectrum.

Another reason I hope it achieves box office success is that it might mitigate the damage done by the "Rain Man" effect.

What I mean by this is that, whenever I start to speak to someone about Asperger syndrome, they immediately refer to the Tom Cruise/Dustin Hoffman film and the stereo-typical view that have of people on the autistic spectrum as depicted by the [brilliant] performance of Hoffman.

I have had meetings over the last couple of days with representatives of two of the UK's leading Universities to discuss my Asperger Transitions Project.

Both meetings have gone really well and each participant has shown genuine interest in the project. It has been really enjoyable explaining to interested parties what Asperger syndrome is in greater detail and how the programme can - hopefully - make a real difference to students with the condition.

What is also so encouraging and heartening is how helpful and supportive people are - and are trying - to be! Its great working in a context where people are constructive and you are working towards a cause which has the potential to do a common good.

It got me thinking really. Is it saying to me that I don't want to work in a commercial context, one where the driving force is financial return?

It could be and maybe that is the most important/beneficial lesson of all that will come of the whole exercise?

I've just got back from six days away which made for a nice break.

I now need to crack on with my job search and, more pertinently, make an important life decision: do I move abroad - or at least - make my home abroad my base?

I have decided that it is going to be the latter. Personal/family circumstances rather dictate that I must, but I also feel that its one of those defining moments when a person needs to make a change anyway. I see now way forward where I am currently and I strongly suspect that the old adage "a change is as good as a rest" really applies to me.

The major issue of course is of [major] impending change. My AS dictates that I don't welcome this and - sublimally or not - tend to shy away from it. However, as I have often learnt in the past, thinking about the change is often a whole lot harder than actually making it.

Its a really quiet period at the moment. Being August a lot of people are away on holiday and so jobs are not being advertised.

I am finding it hard to remain motivated and focused. I like being busy and the worse thing about the current situation is waiting for people to come back and for things to happen. I know I have to be patient....

I am going away for a few days tomorrow so I think that that could help. When things are static it helps me to just take a break; something that my Asperger normaly ill pre-disposes me to do.

I am hoping that things will pick upupon my return.

I have an important day today with regard to my Asperger Transitions Project.

I am visiting one of the top law firms in the [UK] country with the Careers Service from Oxford University. Both parties have agreed to support the initiative and getting both on-board and fully up-and-running is important and would be a really positive step going forward.

I have tried to think of everything I need to do before go: proper and appropriate dress (formal suit and tie), a presentable book to write in (not a standard notepad) and a quality looking pen to write with.

I have confirmed timings and location with those involved and I am leaving early to make sure I arrive in good time.

Impressions at this meeting are highly important!

Its been a week of highs and lows.

On Tursday I have to say that it was the former. I got rejected by the entertainment company that I had an interview with the week before - though that, in itself, was not a great disappointment (not sure that it was the job for me) - and I also encountered some difficulties - or perhaps more precisely, a misunderstanding - with a University with whom I had been discussing my Asperger Transitions Project.

By yesterday (Friday) however, things had picked up. On the Thursday evening I sent an e-mail to the University explaining that there had been a misunderstanding and why which they accepted and, so, agreed to come on-board.

What was particularly gratifying about the latter was that I constructed the e-mail with the help of my wife who pointed out some different ways to get my point across.

I have just posted on the Forum area under Communication a piece about small talk: http://www.aspergermanagement.com/small-talk-0

I hope a lot of people will read this. It is based on a piece by business coach Barbara Bissonette from www.forwardmotion.info whose writings and insights I always enjoy and find useful.

I know that I need to practice small talk more in business and day-to-day in general. In particular, I must'nt dive in straightaway and get to "my point" whenever I want something. As one of my ex-bosses' said: "you are always polite but not very subtle".

The article and posting provides some invaluable advice.

I had the interview with the entertainment company yesterday as I blogged on Thursday. It went - I think - very well.

Firstly, I went in a suit and very smart short (with cufflinks) but didn't wear a tie into the interview. It was, I am sure, the right decision because the two people who interviewed me were very casually dressed (though still smart) which was resonant with the atmosphere. I think I got the balance between smartness and formality right!

The two people who interviewed me were very young and, I think, inexperienced in the interview procedure. My experience came through and I think that I was able to assert (in the nicest/right way) a degree of control of them in order to get my points of view across.

I was also confident and assertive which pleased me. They commented on my enthusiasm and passion (which past experience has taught me is critical in interviews)so I was pleased I did not allow myself to appear nervous or over-rawed.

I have an interview with an entertainment company today for a role which would be very good. The entertainment sector has been hit hard in this recession and this, combined with the fact that it is the summer season, means that vacancies are scarce full-stop.

Its a great role in the right type of area - digital download. Its also with a very high-profile company which would be great for my CV. However, I know that the interview process is elongated and I mustn't get my hopes up too much.

What I am detremined to do is be positive and confident going in. I cannot afford to let my Asperger alow me to be nervous of to come across as uncertain.

I have found from previous past experience that how I feel in interviews is crucial. If I am confident I come across as very self-assured; if not, I appear nervous and even on-edge.

Its a relatively senior position so I need to exude gravitas. I have sold myself successfully before and I know I can - and will - do so again.

I've posted about this before but I am going to have to do so again...

I made two mistakes today which were - again - a direct result of my rushing to do things and not slowing down!

The first related to my CV which I recently paid to have revised. I sent it to a headhunter and he pointed out that there was a mistake in the telephone number of had given: the 1 and the 0 were in an incorrect order!

The headhunter (who sounded a lovely chap) was perfectly alright about it, but that could have been an employer scanning my CV in consideration of a job.

The second instance was another headhunter from overseas whom I had agreed to call at a specific time. I confirmed that I would call but didn't take mental note of the time: I thought it was 11.00am - not 9.00am as he cited in his confirming e-mail.