10 Whole Years

As seems to be the rage around the interwebs, a list-view (with pictures!) of the last 10 years:

2000

• Left my job working at Communities for People.
• Got a little sister.
• Started a long-term relationship that ultimately ended in my Big Gay Divorce (see 2007.)
• Took a job at AIDS Care Ocean State, as the Volunteer Coordinator and Development Associate. With the lovely Jeanne.

2001

• Moved to Westport, MA. Moved in with a girlfriend for the first time ever.
• Got two brandy-new itty-bitty Godsons.

2002

• Got a digital camera. Hence the photos below and not above.
• Almost set my hand on fire playing with fireworks at my 25th (SURPRISE!) birthday party.
• Was a part of the inaugural Train the Trainer class of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence.
• Had a rousing St. Mary’s Day celebration. One of the last before the passing of the patriarchal torch from Uncle Nick to my dad (that’s him with the ponytail and that shirt.)
  

2003

• So many bad hair choices – I just don’t even know where to start.
• Caleb and Quincy’s (the aforementioned Godsons) first egg hunt – in earnest.
  

2004

• Became the manager of the HIV Prevention department at ACOS. Ran the syringe exchange, HIV testing and education programs.
• Bought a house – with a pool. And got a hot tub. (I still miss the hot tub…)
  
• Mardi Gras! (In RI)
  
• Went to New Orleans for the Harm Reduction conference – at the same time that Megan was attending a different conference down the road. Had a crazy test-tube shot in honor of her 25th birthday.
  

2005

• 4 weeks in Atlanta – at the Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership. One of the best experiences. Ever.
  
• Left HIV prevention and went to work for Embolden – as a graphic designer.
• Parents bought a house – 5 blocks away from my new house.

2006

• Changed gears from graphic design to project management.
• Went back to summer camp. 20 years later, a group of  us attended an alumni weekend at Camp Kippewa.
  

2007

• Drove across the country for the first time (well, most of the way… RI -> CO)
  
• Had my Big Gay Divorce.
• Lived with BFF and Woolverine – during which time, my allergies shut off. In a home (due to cats) where I can barely stand to be for more than an hour without breaking out in hives and wheezing, I was able to live for over 6 weeks. My body took pity on me and some miracle saved me.
• Started a relationship with my future wife. (See 2009)
• Moved into a loft in Olneyville.

2008

• Decided to  move to Colorado.
• Got engaged to Megan.

2009

• Moved to Colorado.
• Got promoted to Director of Project Management and Client Partnerships.
• Got MARRIED.