Aaron Kling:  

Life The professional and educational pursuits that I’ve been involved with >> a bachelor’s degree in the entertainment industry at the University of Texas in 1989 >> afterwards a full-time self employed vocalist-performer for several years that took our group of musicians based out of Austin, TX through all of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, central Mexico, and a USO tour in Europe >> at the suggestion of friend moving to NYC, I followed to become more involved with what I had prepared for through college in the entertainment industry >> pursued an entirely different field in the IT industry in the late 90's due to the lure of the booming Internet economy >> I feel blessed to have been surrounded by some very wonderful friends and distant family members. I do the utmost to reassure them that I am continually growing, am always surrounded by good people, and will never lose possession of a valuable sense of human compassion and confidence. Born and raised throughout the MidWest (Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and Texas). My folks have lived their entire lives in service to their communities (Mother Kathleen has recently retired as an RN; Father Richard is close to retiring as a Lutheran pastor of over 40 years and is one who always has the magic of being an inspiration and creating a smile; one younger brother Jarid, is a civil-engineer up in Alaska. Jarid is married to an amazing lady who tragically lost her first husband not long after they had their 3rd child several years ago – their new family is a delight and an inspiring source for witnessing resiliency). I personally have been in NYC for 8+ years. >> (written to a close family member November, 2001) - Last night, was a little disappointing, but it was a wonderful playoff season. I actually fell asleep in the bottom of the 8th inning, I guess it didn't really matter to me who won maybe? Was very exhausted, but something woke me up just as Arizona scored the winning run. I kept my eyes open long enough to watch Joe Torre's remarks in the locker room, then went back to sleep. It was still a great way to turn the events of this fall around, I already will be missing baseball season. I slept really good last night, the end of the World Series was a nice way to cap off the day and evening. >> (written to co-workers in NYC on Sept. 13, 2001) - A personal note, am so PROUD to be a NYer, an American, a human being. All of us fighting every feeling of anxiety and worry through the subway and into the city this morning, witnessing the routines of people, vendors carrying their daily wares, children with families, laughter and smiles spreading strength and goodness - all reaffirms this deep pride. Am also so PROUD and wish a deep heartfelt thanks to our company's partners across the continent for their assistance and assurity of continuing communications for our economy, our country, and ultimately humanity. I wish all of us Godspeed toward the life-affirming instincts that have always been a part of us, which is evident each day. College my Movie Star (by A.R.K. from a creative writing assignment recently) I decided to switch majors in the middle of college because of the movies. I had the usual youthful indecisions when initially deciding where to go to school. Two of my cousins who were already there, encouraged me to go to the University of Texas at Austin, TX. I started as a Mathematics major since I was fairly good in public school with Math and scored a 720 on the SAT Math section, yet it was difficult to stay focused on theoretical mathematics rather than the more routine process of solving mathematical applications. So, by focusing on my interests rather than continue with my fading strengths, I listed my reasons to switch... 1) when I was first looking at colleges, what had initially sparked my curiosity about the University was its college that specialized in Radio/TV/Film... 2) I spent so much time watching television growing up, and a follower of movies... 3) Walter Cronkite ane Farrah Fawcett were two of their reputable alumni... 4) Austin City Limits broadcast of live music from Austin studios are located in the same building as I had many classes in (and perhaps this was also a sign of things to come since I sang with a band for several years after earning my Bachelor’s Degree)... “The Graduate” by Mike Nichols. When I had seen this in a younger frame of mind, I always thought it was a happy ending. It was funny, adventurous, and heart-warming. But then watching this story in film class during college, our perceptions were changed by the "unknown" unsure ending. When I was young, I thought Dustin Hoffman's character Ben had succeeded winning his true love Elaine (Katherine Ross), taking chances and making a brave and courageous declaration when interrupting her wedding. As students we were clued-in to the suggestion while he and his love are riding off in the bus in the end, they still had the look of indecisiveness in their eyes (like most of the college students watching in class) as if to say "well, we got what we wanted, now what?" Was out seeing some friends in NYC play with their band at a club last year, and afterwards a young couple approached me asking about my degree at...Expand for more