I was born in 1969 and grew up in Buffalo Grove, IL (a northwest suburb of Chicago), where I lived until moving to Atlanta in 1992 after finishing college.
I've got 2 brothers, one older and one younger. We're each 3 years apart. I consider myself extremely lucky to be a part of a very close and loving family. Actually, a great family. All of us - my parents, brothers & sister-in-laws, aunts & uncles, granparents, cousins & cousin-in-laws all included - are extremely close. We actually like being together, and make a point of frequent visits no matter how spread out across the country we are.
I had a great life as a kid. I grew up in a neighborhood where every subdivision had sidewalks, I walked to grade school and junior high, and I could ride my bike to friends houses miles away without a worry. I got good grades in school (mostly because I liked school) and never got into much trouble. I went to summer day-camp from ages 6-12, attended hebrew school, and and had a Bar-Mitzvah. I rode the bus to high school until I got my license, and then my friends and I all drove to school.
I got my first job when I was 13 as a counselor in training. I did that for a few summers until I was 15. After that, I worked at a local hot dog joint, Irvings, until I was 18 and then I went away to college. I worked part-time in the computer labs in the dorms and worked evey spring, summer, and winter break back home at a local retail store called Venture. College and work was never something I thought about. I mean, the thought never even crossed my mind that I could either not have a job or not go to college. That's just one of the many great things I have learned from my parents.
I knew I wanted to be a computer programmer when I first wrote a program in BASIC on a TRS80 Model III in 8th grade. That summer, my parents got me a Commoder VIC-20 (which later got upgraded to a 64 and then a 128). I took all the computer classes in high school, I was on the computer team, and majored in computer science in college.
After college, I decided I had a little "growing" I needed to do, and it wasn't going to happen living in the next suburb over, only 30 minutes from my parents. 22 years of Chicago winters was another HUGE motivator in my decision to move to better weather. Two weeks after graduation my car was packed with my clothes, my computer, and my stereo, and I was headed for Atlanta. My Aunt & Uncle said I could stay with them for 3 months while I looked for a job. One month later, I got a job, and two months after that, I moved out of my Aunt & Uncle's house and got an aprtment. A few years later, I bought a condo. After that, my best friends (2 couples) moved down from Chicago. Talk about icing on the cake of life. These friends are so special to me, that it's like having more family in town. In July, 2000, I sold my condo and bought a house. It was finally time to have my own place, with my own backyard, and without shared walls.
In November, 2000, I met the most special person in the entire world. After spending 98% of my life not even thinking about sharing my life with someone, I met Robin... and my world changed. All I can say is that through my relationship with her, I have discovered the true meaning of happiness and love.
So, I guess I am just one hell of a lucky guy: I've got the nicest, most caring, and kind group of friends a person could hope for, I'm married to the love of my life, my family is healthy, I've got a beautiful daughter, two nieces and two nephews, and I have a smile on my face every day. And as I said before, I'm pretty much the coolest guy around, so if you ever have the opportunity, you should really get to know me.