Five Years

5 years ago:

In mid-2002, I had just been let go after seven years of work at Sapient. I’d also just started my LiveJournal, and was about to leave for an amazing 12-day tour of Scotland with the DargonZine writers.

10 years ago: 1997

In mid-1997, I had just finished a four-month stint of grand jury duty, which was how I escaped a death march project at work. I had also just returned from the first open-attendance DargonZine Writers’ Summit, hosted by Jon Evans in Washington DC. My father was also suffering from terminal cancer.

15 years ago: 1992

In mid-1992, I moved from Shrewsbury to Natick, having separated with my ex-wife the previous summer. I was spending a lot of time clubbing and seeing bands with my buddies Barry and Sean.

20 years ago: 1987

In mid-1987 I was in my last year of school, and writing one of my favorite stories, “Legend in the Making”. I’d marry Linda and honeymoon at the SCA’s Pennsic war within a couple months.

25 years ago: 1982

In 1982 I was about to graduate from high school, and was in the middle of the first grand romance of my life, with Jean.

30 years ago: 1977

In 8th grade, I first read J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and began writing my own derivative story. I also was a founding member of the New England Tolkien Society, and the editor of its annual literary journal, Mazar Balinu.

35 years ago: 1972

In 1972, having finished 2nd grade, my family moved from Portland to Augusta, Maine. This was the last year of my sister’s life.

40 years ago: 1967

In 1967 I was a pre-schooler. My family was living in Portland, Maine, having moved there from Gloucester, Massachusetts, where I had been born.