So long 27

"My name is Patrick Bateman. I'm 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself, and a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise routine."

The opening lines to American Psycho have always struck a chord with me, more so after moving to DC. My age, lifestyle and habits, albeit with some stark differences such as not having a psychotic break with reality, echoed those of the main character in this cinematic masterpiece. An obsession with self-image like having the best job, best clothes and best hair is something many urban males deal with, myself being no such exception.

Yesterday marked my 28th birthday and while I don't feel any older, the inexorable march towards 30 is there in the back of mind, starkly contrasted as if it was written in bold black letters on a white background. There's nothing I can do to stop this progression so I might as well do my best to enjoy it.

Going with this philosophy, I started out my morning with an egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich along with a soy mocha at Starbucks. Normally the cholesterol and sugar is enough to scare me away from such a meal but not today. Lunch was light in anticipation of dinner which, at that point, was still a mystery to me. But my girlfriend did not disappoint as she treated me to an incredible meal of Lamb Roganjosh at Rasika, a restaurant located in the Penn Quarter that serves haute Indian cuisine.

Gifts this year were all very useful and ranged from silicon-coated whisks to a subscription to The Economist. As well, my wish for the expansion pack to World of Warcraft, The Burning Crusade, was granted. But gifts were not the only thing on my mind. I often found my mind wandering back to this time last year when I was contacted by a recruiter from Revolution Health who was interested in my Ruby on Rails skills.

Though I have no regrets about my decision to move up here I can't help but think about the people I have lost touch with, the friends that made Melbourne that much more bearable. My memories of that small Florida town will fade over time yet the events of May 2006 left an indelible imprint that will always be with me. In the year since that fateful decision I have come to better understand the sacrifices and gains made.

Yet I am buoyed by the fact that I've made new friends here while also reconnecting with old ones that have likewise braved the trek from Melbourne to DC. As well, despite the difficulty of adjusting to the environs of a big city, I can't recall a happier time in my life. I feel as if I've finally arrived.