3rd LJ Birthday

http://mbarrick.livejournal.com/2001/07/31/

I was a ZelleFallhammer for HSBC. The weekend before had been Elaine's moving to New Zealand yard sale. I was living in what is now Nick and Sandi's apartment. Ivana and I were broken up for I think the second time. I just booked my tickets to New York. I was doing a lot of clubbing and having a lot of fun. My camera was a new toy, basically my birthday present to myself. I was painting. Things were pretty good.

http://mbarrick.livejournal.com/2002/07/31/

I was commuting by bus from North Van, which was hell. I wasn't painting. Things with Ivana had been on a horrible decline for months and were utterly miserable. I had a wonderful evening at Luv-a-fair and decided that something needed to change. It took a conversation with my mom to really convince me that I should end it. Things were pretty crappy and just about to get crappier.

And now:

http://mbarrick.livejournal.com/2003/07/31/

I still have the great job. I have a great aparment. I have the best girlfriend ever. I'm painting again. I managed to get myself to New York again. I'm reviving the social life I had two years ago (now that I have nearly dug myself out of the hole from last year - this month I will finally be finished paying mom back the money I borrowed to meet ridiculous expenses last year). I'm looking forward to finally finishing the upgrades to my gear that I started last year but as yet haven't been able to afford. I'm thinking of getting a new camera as well. Things are pretty good and only stand to get better as the money situation clears up.