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Ask Adrian Anything

Posted by on November 4, 2018 - 11 Comments

Welcome back to the second installment of “Ask Adrian Anything.”  This is intended to give our readers an opportunity to communicate directly with one of the No Boundaries participants, Adrian, about his experiences in the workplace, living independently and out in the community.  It will be conducted in an interview format with Tricia asking the questions provided by you, our readers!

Please feel free to leave more questions in the comments or contact us on Twitter @JJsList or through Facebook!

Adrian at No Boundaries

Tricia: Where do you live?  With your mom and dad or in a group home?  If you live in a CILA do you like it? 

Adrian: I live in Chicago, Illinois.  My parents bought a four flat (four apartment) building that we renovated. It was originally set up as two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments on top of each other.  After some construction, my parents combined a one bedroom and a two bedroom into a master unit on the second floor. My brother got the other two bedroom apartment and the last one bedroom place is mine. I do like the area we live in. It’s not far from a main road and has easy access to the CTA busses and the “L”.

Tricia: How did you get the job at the Fine Line?  Do you like it? 

Adrian: I was interning at Planet Access Company store in Lincoln Square and a co worker wanted to talk with me. She said her friend is the owner of The Fine Line and suggested I go get interviewed. So after thanking her, I went over and gave it a shot.  It turned out I was what they were looking for and it all worked out in the end. I do like where I work. It keeps me busy and that is always a good thing. River North is a fun area, you just may want to keep your eyes moving around. Since downtown Chicago is a city, anything is possible.  You want to keep your eyes moving because you never know what could happen. It’s also a way to keep yourself aware of your surroundings. Think of it as a self- defense for your mind. If your eyes are always moving around, you can tell if you’re being followed or something else.

Tricia: What makes you write beautiful poetry?  How do you know how to do this? 

Adrian: That is a great question. I have written poems on my friends and family, nature and seasons, how I feel and some just for fun. For example, Forever Family is a poem I wrote about my second cousins; Good Morning Sun is a poem about the sun; The Neighbor’s Wish is a poem that’s slightly sad, but has a very relatable topic; and Sailing Ahoy! is about my brother’s boat. Ideas for the poems I write come from anywhere, anyplace, people in my life; so ideas are always coming my way. I have written several poems at HeartWords like Just Give Thanks. HeartWords is a writing workshop through Center for Independent Futures (CIF). CIF is a group that helps people with disabilities become independent in their lives. HeartWords is a writing group that allows for self- expression through the written word.  I find using my writing talent as a stress reliever. It gives you a chance to creatively use real life situations and see how you may react to them. Some of mine, I turn into stories, but that’s just me.

Tricia: The Ignite group read your blog and thought it was very cool. We want to read more of your poetry.  Would you consider reading some more poems to us sometime?

Adrian: I would not mind reading my poetry again. Sounds like it would be a good idea.  

Tricia: Do you like to read?  If so, can you tell me about the book you are reading now?  

Adrian: I do enjoy reading. A couple of years ago, I got back into reading after being more into gaming.  I’m a fan of mystery, action/adventure, poetry, some fantasy and fiction. I do have a list of books that I’m interested in getting, but I should probably get through all the books I have first.  I’m currently reading Star Wars Psychology: The Dark Side of the Mind and so far it’s a good book. One I remember finishing is called As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride. That was also a very good book; I also liked the movie.  

Tricia: What do you do on the weekends? 

Adrian: Most weekends I’m usually doing something with Center for Independent Futures.  They have different activities like HeartWords (their writing group) or CIF Cinema (their movie group) and there are many more groups. I also spend time on Skype (a way to video call people from different states).  I even write (stories, song lyrics and of course poetry), color (pages from GOOGLE Images), videogame (when I find the time) and I hang out with friends. I like hanging out with my friends and I also like doing things by myself.  

Tricia: What is your definition of “incredible music?” I have to admit that one music group I considered “incredible music” in my youth is the band Rush, with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. That being said, if you listen to a lot of genres of music, or for that matter, perform a lot of music, “incredible music” can mean practically anything. 

Adrian jamming to tunes

Adrian: Well, I can’t speak on behalf of another person, but I have heard from his parents that he enjoys, loves and listens to all the songs I gave him. I have passed on songs from the Big Band era, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack through the Beatles and even some newer ones like a few from Maroon 5, One Republic, One Direction etc.  I have heard Rush though and I do like them. The only song I’ve heard of theirs is Tom Sawyer and I do like it.

A lot of the songs I listen to now a days are thanks to the video games I got when I was a kid: Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I don’t like Rap, but I’ll put up with it if I have to. I prefer the songs that came before Rap like “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra, “Slow Ride” by Foghat, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar, “Heartbeat” by Buddy Holly or “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts. I listen to so much, that it’s impossible for me to get one song stuck in my head.  As for my cousin, like I said I can’t speak on behalf of him, but if I were to guess, he would say “incredible music” would be the songs I have passed on. Keep in mind that is just a guess.

Adrian is has worked part-time at The Fine Line for the past three years. In addition to work, Adrian is a regular participant in the No Boundaries, Train for Life/Train for Work program, and an active member in the writing group HeartWords at The Center for Independent Futures.  In his free time Adrian writes and publishes poetry on his own blog and stays active with a regular workout routine.

 

Filed under Ask Adrian

11 Comments

Jenny says:
Nov 05, 2018

Hi Adrian,
Would you share your family’s tradition for voting in elections?
Thanks,
Jenny

Ignite Group says:
Nov 16, 2018

Do you do the cooking for Thanksgiving? Turkey? Stuffing? Sweet Potatoes? Hot Wings?

Ignite Group says:
Nov 16, 2018

What’s your favorite thing at Thanksgiving? We like sweet potato pie, stuffing and turkey!

Ignite says:
Nov 16, 2018

John wants to know what your favorite dessert is in general. John’s is pumpkin and apple pie. Steve and Brian like ice creatm; Erich likes cookies and Henry likes sweet potato pie.

Ignite Group says:
Nov 16, 2018

Do you have any job suggestions for someone over 50?

Ignite Group says:
Nov 16, 2018

Do you like Thanksgiving or Christmas/Hanukkah better?

Pat says:
Dec 03, 2018

Adrian,

Do you have any tips for people starting a job on how to maintain a work/life balance?

Bill says:
Dec 03, 2018

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Tricia says:
Dec 04, 2018

What advice or tips can you give to people about stress management during the holiday season?

Abegail says:
Dec 10, 2018

What is your favorite part of Christmas? Tell me why it is important to give gifts to people who you love?

Alisha says:
Dec 30, 2019

What’s your favourite thing to do in free time??

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