End of an Era

Birth Certificate
Originally uploaded by blizzog.

As you can see, my birth certificate says that I wasn’t born until 5:27 PM, so I’m not quite 30 yet.  I’d like to end my 20s just as I started them, with a NewCastle in hand, an eye towards the future, and fond memories of the past.

I thought that I was going to be somewhat sad today, but I find myself more reflective and content than anything else.  When it comes down to it, I don’t have anything to be sad about at all.  By all accounts, my 20s didn’t suck.  Check out this sampling of things that have happened in the past 10 years.

• I found the love of my life and married her.
• The friendships I formed in my early and late teens with my Ohio and UNC crew have only strengthened with the passage of time and continue to bring me laughter and joy.
• I met JT.net, MT.net, Scoot-Dawg, and the entire Raleighwood crew, friends who will always be dear to me despite their misguided NC State leanings. 
• I made lifelong friends in Eddie, Willis, and Timmay and learned both the value and hardship of completely devoting yourself to doing the thing that you love.  I think we’d all agree that KFBS brought us some of the best and worst working experiences we’ll ever have.  As much as I hated it at times, I’d give anything to go back in time for just one day and re-live us running the show.  Good times.
• I graduated from the greatest university under God’s Carolina Blue Sky.  (Okay, that bit of embellishment was for the benefit of my aforementioned Raleigh friends, but you get the point.)
• I left everything and moved to Virginia to chase my Internet dreams.  It didn’t work out how I’d hoped, but it taught me not to be afraid of following your heart.
• I started (or helped start) two businesses that have allowed me to make a living doing what I love to do.
• I left the comfort and safety of a known environment in Raleigh to start my business all over again in a tougher market and have succeeded beyond my expectations. 
• I have been able to travel places that I always wanted to travel, see things I’ve always wanted to see, and do things that I’ve always wanted to do.
• I started the blizzog, which isn’t really on par with these other accomplishments, but still brings me a sense of satisfaction all the same.
• I learned that there is more to life than work, and that in the end one’s friends, family, and experiences will be one’s epitaph.
• I learned that there is a lot that I don’t know.  I also learned to embrace this ignorance and use it as the fuel that drives me out of bed each morning.

No, my 20s didn’t suck at all, my friends.  In fact, one could say that they ruled. 

So here’s to you, my 20s.  I raise this NewCastle to you and cherish your lessons and experiences.  Rather than be sad that you are gone, I’m going to be happy that you were there.  For without you, I wouldn’t be able to write the next chapter.

Cheers.