my 30s: a look back

I turn 40 today. Frankly, it’s not a birthday that’s weighing on me like my 30th did – it’s just another day to me, this time around.

But a lot has happened to me over the past decade, and since I’m feeling a bit put out by other things in life right now, I figured it would be worth a trip back through time to see where I’ve been and what I’ve done, just as a reminder.

• Settled into DC (2003)
• Settled into Georgetown U. (2003)
• Helped two presidential campaigns (2003-04)
• Run for political office – and won (2004)
• Traveled to England and Wales (2005)
• Traveled to Austria and Germany with my mom (2007)
• Rode up Mount Shasta (2008)
• Ski trips to Colorado (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• Cut off my long hair (2008)
• Traveled to France (2008)
• Rode from Boston to Windsor for a beer (2009)
• Testified in front of City Council (2009, 2011)
• Traveled to Iceland (2011)
• Chaired my favorite bike club, Potomac Pedalers (2011)
• Traveled to Louisiana (2012)
• Groomsman in two weddings (2005, 2013)
• Many concerts: Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Thomas Dolby, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Brian Wilson, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Paul Simon (solo), Pink Martini, The Beach Boys, Retro Stefson, Erin McKeown, Nellie McKay, Sloan, The Pipettes, Polyphonic Spree, Elvis Costello, and many, many more
• Seeing awesome plays written by my friend, Michael
• Excellent beers, including the rebirth of brewing in DC
• Birthdays, holidays, picnics, and other random occasions hanging out with friends

So a lot of things – a lot of great things – have happened over the past decade. Yes, there have been setbacks and sadness, but the good has outweighed the bad, all in all.