I was born in 1998, and grew up in Philadelphia, PA. There, I refined a well-developed palate to taste the slightest nuances of the Cheesesteak, and honed my craft as a full-time Eagles fan. That goes to say, I was not growing a passion for surfing, as one might deduce from the more recent candid above, but instead becoming a budding gang member.
In time, I left the greased Broad Street poles us bird gang members know to mark our nest, and moved into the largest US dormitory for undergraduate schooling at the US Naval Academy.
It was far from Bel-Air.
After spending four grueling years at a service academy, I commissioned as a Naval Officer with a Bachelor of Science in English with Honors. For the sake of simplicity, I’m a STEM guy who got a 4-year degree in a language he already speaks. So know, in the case our adversaries begin encrypting with iambic pentameter, I’m prepared to help us win that war.
But, because my knowledge of iambic pentameter wouldn’t help the Navy put “warheads on foreheads,” I moved down to Pensacola, Florida in 2021 to begin Flight School as a Student Naval Aviator. But, because my torso was a 1/4 of an inch too long, I was medically disqualified. Even a heavy squat day the morning prior was not suffice to shrink my spine ahead of re-measurement. Consequently, I re-designated as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer and moved to Oahu, Hawaii where I currently reside.
Hawaii is dope, and the Cryptologic community compelling, but Top Gun: Maverick is cooler.
Above, you might see my life experiences as unique, as are every individuals’. Moreover, these recent events have contributed to a compounding instability of identity, routine, and emotions in my life. But, this instability is normal.
Much of my life is a relentless emotional roller coaster with no apparent destination. In turn, making friendships, acquaintances, romantic relationships, and family relationships can be quite difficult. And, for those living with and loving me, the trip can seem just as wild, hopeless, and frustrating. I see this problem as common.
The purpose of this blog then is to connect people with disparate life experiences over shared questions and obstacles in hopes we might all better navigate the complexity of our emotions. So, even if this is the worst relationship and life advice you read, stay a while. Let’s bond surfing the silver linings of the Borderline.