So I have not been at NTG for 2.5 years now (dear God how has that much time passed already...) but I still consider many of the people from NTG family, and always will. @art_of_shred @Minion-Queen @scottalanmiller @Dominica these are people that are stuck with me for good. Lol I love them all dearly. Yesterday I was having a particularly bad day, so Danielle sent me a pizza. There's more to the story but I'll leave it at that. Comfort food. Enough said.

Today, I'd posted a joking status about me and one of my co-workers running off to Vegas to get married. It was a total jest but shortly after I had this conversation and I have not been able to stop smiling since...I love my NTG family. (FYI: I asked Scott's permission to post this ahead of time, and he said it was fine.)

Today was a very important day for me. I have always wanted a tattoo. I always thought they were amazing. But the way I was raised, they were a no no.

Today I got my first tattoo. I had a concept and the artist designed it and did it.

The concept was in honor of originally my brother and the entire special needs community, but became also for me.

I tell people I wear my heart on my sleeve, so I made it literal. The heart is a kite shield, with rivets around the edge. It means that we must protect those like us, anywhere on the spectrum.

The sword is also about defending, physically, and attacking those who try to belittle the person or the condition. The fountain pen is about how we can also defend by spreading information to raise awareness and stop those who try to troll or degrade us.

The semicolon was for me. I was suicidal last year and did not give in to those thoughts. The whole piece was designed to be in the style of a family crest.

It came out beautifully. Clean edges, great color, and I couldn't be happier. Things are coming together for me in life, and this is something I've wanted to do for almost two years.

It's done, and I'm ecstatic.

Thanks everyone,
A.J.

What happened:

Was passing a car when the road merged, he sped up and forced me onto the shoulder, snow grabbed my tires and I basically went square into a utility pole, completely breaking through the pole. Knocked out power to a few houses in the area (it's a pretty scarcely populated stretch), and totaled the truck. I was okay, but if you saw the vehicle, you'd understand why the fact I was alive, much less unhurt was a miracle. Stepped out of the car to live electrical lines not even ten feet above my head! Also something of a miracle I wasn't electrocuted...

But I'm okay...thankfully. Too much life left to live not to be!

As of tomorrow, it will have been two weeks since I landed back in NY after my "whirlwind tour", as it's come to be called, of the United States. It's interesting looking at myself as I was a mere two months ago versus now. I have changed. Substantially.

When I left in September, I was a boy. I have returned a man. In that time, I've lost many friends, gained some new ones, and strengthened/re-affirmed many more. What I really feel I gained was maturity.

Looking back, I realize some things that I've done over the years and how they came back to bite me. This humbled me.

I was helped by many people along my way. This taught me a whole new level of gratitude.

I met many people and heard about many situations that made mine pale in comparison. This taught me empathy and appreciation for what I did have.

I was forced to live, for awhile, out of a duffel bag. I had nights I almost went hungry. This taught me what really matters in life.

Since I've returned, I've realized I talk less, listen more, and take far less for granted. I have never been good at learning lessons "the easy way". I can't say that I would have chosen what happened to me if I'd been told ahead of time what the past two months would entail, but I am proud to say that I gained a lot from it and that I'm a better person for it.

Now it's time to rebuild my life. I have made many mistakes, and have learned from them. For the next few months, I'm going to focus on what's important, rebuild my finances, mend my broken friendships, and become the man that so many people have told me I can be.
For those of you who have stuck by me, thank you. I'm not always easy to handle, a quick study, but I have a heart of gold and care about people and especially my friends and family.

As 2015 comes closer and closer to a close, I eagerly await 2016 and what it will bring for
me.

And today, for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy.

I also have three jobs currently. I've started at one, start training at another Tuesday and will hopefully start the other soon. I also have met a girl local to here and we've been on two dates so far and there's definitely something there. I appreciate everyone's help and things are finally turning around!

I also have a car that I'm currently using that I should be purchasing in the next few months!

Thanks,
A.J.

I GOT THE JOB! Back in the IT and MSP world at last!

Very proud to announce that I am solidly down thirty pounds since Christmas. I've also gotten a lot stronger and built a lot of muscle since then. I've still got, ideally, forty pounds to go, but at least twenty before I'll really be content, until I hit my goal. But I was 360 lbs, or about 163 kilos, when I moved back to NY in Feb 2015. So, since them, I'm down about 95 lbs, or 43 kilos. I'm currently weighing in at about 265 lbs, or about 120 kilos. Feeling very proud about that accomplishment!

KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid

I find people live or die by music. There has been music throughout history that has impacted a generation, a genre, a person. I'd like to focus on that last one. There have been a few songs that have had significant impact on me personally. As far as the rest, they are just songs I greatly enjoy.

@IRJ From what I've seen, hitting the up arrow button next to the Favorite button on a post increases reputation. The favorite is for bookmarking for your own personal use/reference.

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@thanksajdotcom said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

Chilling and waiting for a buddy to come over

Whoa!
Haven’t seen you in a while. How goes things?

Heh, it's been a crazy few years. So much has changed that it's hard to know where to start. I've been with my partner Amanda for 5.5 years now. Saving to buy a home currently. Turning 30 this year, which I couldn't be more excited for!! My tenish-year plan from 21 has had all the main highlights ticked off, and now I'm gearing up and planning the next stage, which will involve me finally working for myself. Let's see... I fixed my credit, took down a toxic manager at work about two years ago, settled a lawsuit in my favor against a hyper-conservative business for rescinding a job offer because of the presence of cannabis on the drug test and knowing I understood the law better than their COO, who made the call, did. That one was particularly satisfying because none of my friends thought I had a chance and I was confident in my case and it paid off.

Let's see, I picked up playing Magic the Gathering, specifically EDH or commander. It's so much fun! I play with paper cards online with people all around the world on a regular basis which is freaking cool. I weigh the same now as I did when I graduated high school except I'm 2" taller and was a 40x34 pant vs a 34x34 now. I have spent a lot of time trying to get my health in order, physically and mentally. Life is still life and I did get COVID in January, which I'm still feeling effects from so that's put a damper on things.

Overall, my life is tough and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm proud of the challenges I've overcome in the past few years and the odds I've beaten. I'm more secure and confident of the man I'm becoming than I ever even thought possible six or seven years ago. It's actually really weird because SW, MangoLassi, NTG, all of it used to be so front and center in my brain, along with IT and the like. Nowadays, it's completely different and it's interesting to consider the contrast between now and then with who I was and what I believed, how I lived, etc and now.

Obviously this is far from comprehensive but there's both too much to type and plenty I wouldn't share in this arena anyways. One thing I do want to say is: @scottalanmiller I would like to catch up at some point. It's been awhile since I talked to the man who bought me my first legal alcoholic drink and yes, I ordered a mudslide because I'm a bit of a basic bitch.

Chilling and waiting for a buddy to come over

Youtube Video

Been watching Jane the Virgin lately. OMG it's the most meta show I've ever seen and it's fantastic!

@nadnerB Might need a Master ball

a wild A.J. appears

Hey everyone!

Currently at a conference in Atlanta. Learning investing from Phil Town as part of the Rule #1 investing team. Value-based investing is the name of the game!

I'll be there with Amanda!

Supernatural, A Series of Unfortunate Events, which is the best adaptation of a book series to a show I've ever seen. NPH is PERFECT as Count Olaf!!! And a couple others too.

Was laying in bed getting ready to pass out when my right ankle started to cause me excruciating pain. Currently in the ER waiting for the ultrasound techs to arrive. Bug bite and broken bones have been ruled out, so far. I'm wondering if it's DVT. It runs in my family so I'll keep everyone posted.
Message me on Facebook or @Minion-Queen , as she'll probably be the one most in the loop. Wish me well guys and gals!

Just booked the hotel. I'll be there! And I won't be alone this year either.