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I've been away and so absent from my blog for a while so another post is long overdue.

I was part of a team that gave a presentation at Deutsche Bank in London yesterday on disabilities. I spoke about Asperger syndrome and other speakers talked about dyslexia and mental health in general. It was a good event and the attendees seemed quite interested and engaged.

A few had heard about Asperger syndrome, but most hadn't. As a subject it still seems to be new to many but what was encouraging was that most people seemed relaxed about it. I always believe that there is still a stigma about autism when compared to, say, dyslexia.

No definitive new on my job search. However, yesterday a contact who knew that I was job searching referred a company to me who were looking for a European representative to sell and promote a new technology.

I have had a good week; especially with regard to my Asperger Transitions Project.

I have got a number of UK Universities signed up and three major employers have agreed to sponsor programmes which is marvellous.

I think that I have got momentum both personally and with this project. What is really heartening is the interest that people and organisations are showing towards the subject of Asperger syndrome. Most are extemely interested and eager to find out more.

The success has also provided me with a great deal of personal motivation. I have felt much happier and contented and, consequently, have been applying for other jobs as well.

I am also very happy in my domestic life. I am under no stress at the moment; am playing my sport at great locations and; enjoying my visual entertainment products. American visitors to this blog will be pleased to hear: I am really enjoying The West Wing.

Its great to feel happy and contented!!!

I had a funny day yesterday. I was due to meet a contact to discuss my job situation but didn't hear from him as expected during the day. Consequently, I headed home - on the wrong train!

Whilst on the journey I got a call from him. I was going back into London anyway as I needed to get back to the main terminal for the train I required to get home. To be honest, I didn't feel like trudging all the way back into central London to see him as my schedule was disrupted. As with many with Asperger, when this occurs it totally disrupts my routine and I don't feel like proceeding.

However, I had to go back in and, once I was there and met him to have a drink, I really started to enjoy myself. Not only that, but the Managing Director of a major company whom I knew but hadn't seen for a few years walked by and re-introduced himself to me. He gave me his business card and asked me to give him a call.

A couple of months ago now I book a book on yoga.

Its a subject that I have always thought I should have a closer look at: I thought that it may help me focus and calm me.

I have just read the following article on the US Autism and Asperger Association about how yoga is being used by children with autism in Canada to cope and "become aware of their emotions and feelings". Apparently it is helping them cope when they start to feel anxious or stressed.

I found it a useful read: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/9016697.html

I am going to continue to investigate yoga further as I think that it is a subject that can offer a great deal of support for a manager with AS.

I've had a long week! I'm still at my job search. Nothing definite has turned up yet but I am still knocking at every door I know.

I know also that it is a long haul! I went all the way into London on Thursday to see a company that does all the part-time recruitment for a major media firm. I was with the person for less than 15 minutes!

Other than that I am stil trying also to advance my Asperger projects. I am adding to this site, contributing to the Asperger Management area on Linkedin and writing more articles wherever I can.

One final Asperger related issue that I am trying to address: not leaving tasks indefinitely and getting things done. I have working on a revision of my CV for getting on for two months now! I have paid a company to look at it and they have suggested I work through an exercise aimed at prising out more definitely my key achievements.

I didn't get the job that I had applied for!

Apparently I was very close: down to the last two and it came down to the flip of a coin!

I am relaxed about it because I am not sure that it was the job for me. I was also wary about getting into another role that I wouldn't have been entirely happy in and which would have meant me looking around for something else in the short term.

Against that I do need another job and there is a slight feel of urgency now. I don't want to fester out of work for too long in case i get out of the habit.

I had a bit of a low day yesterday. I couldn't think of anything else I could do to advance my job search and lost all motivation to do anything.

I get quite frustrated when this happens. I feel I "must" be doing something otherwise I experience a feeling of idleness. As my wife is so energetic and always on the go it can make me feel quite guilty!

However, by the afternoon it had picked up. I spoke to my partner at Nottingham University about our [Asperger] Transitons project and identified some ways that we could take that forward. As always, once I have purpose, I tend to get my motivation back.

I had the second interview for the job I went for last week.

It went (I think) very well! I was in there for an hour and a half which is a long time; I usually find that that is a good sign.

I also got on well with the three interviewees, though, I thought, least well with the person I knew best which is the person I would be working for. However, outside he seemed very complimentary.

I mustn't count my chickens of course. They have a number of other people to interview and I know from past experience how unpredictable these things can be.

However, as I say, it seemed to go well. No-one likes interviews but for someone with Asperger they are even more tsting. However, I think I equipped myself quite well.

I had a job interview yesterday: it went really well!

I had already had a telephone interview which went really well and this was the follow-up. It was wha known as a "competency interview". This is where they ask you about specific, tangible things you have achieved, i.e. when you hav successfully organised something.

I passed and then immediately offered me a second - final - interview. One of the key reasons - which really quite pleased me - was that I was very succinct with answers. The interviewer said at the start of the process that she envisaged that it would take around 45 minutes; in reality, it took 25!

I say I was pleased because I listened to the other person and did what "they" asked for! The reason I say this is, because of my AS, I have had a real tendency in the past to ramble and say what "I" want!

I have been in this type of interview situation before and so read the signs. If an interviewer asks for short answers, give them short answers.

I have just been reading a most interesting article in The New Scientist magazine here in the UK entitles "The Advantgaes of Autism": http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627581.500-the-advantages-of-aut...

Basically, it talks about focusing on the benefits of having autism (AS) as opposed to, the negatives. It also throws up some most interesting points that could relate to the world of work and being a manager with Asperger syndrome.

Firstly, it suggests that people with autism don't just think differently, they think better! It goes on to say that companies are now recognising these qualities and, therefore, seeking to take advantage/exploit them. Danish firm Specialisterne is once again quoted.