Brad Marley

For 30 days, I will be sharing random stories from each year of my life as the big three-oh looms. Consider it my way of coping.

The beginning of the year 2005 on the traditional Gregorian calendar did not portend great things for the rest of the year.

I hated my job, lived with my parents and was dangerously close to going broke.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Dude, sweet, I wish I still lived with my parents.  Free food, free rent, no chores…

Stop.  There is nothing sweet about living with your parents when you're a 26-year old.

My brother, who moved back in with my folks between graduating from college and finding a job, shared a tale with me about the morning when he was in the shower, and my Dad, minus his glasses, poked his head inside the shower and started making kissy faces at my brother.  He thought it was my Mom. 

I don't care that that's one of the funniest stories ever.  It's not cool living at home past a certain age, and that is case in point #1.

Then, one night, I was rifling through some old job-hunting stuff in the basement when I came across a cover letter I had sent in 2000 to a brand-new PR firm in the area. On a whim, I decided it wouldn't be the worst idea ever to send another cover letter and resume, but this time, with some more experience under my belt, that letter turned into an interview, which turned into another interview, which turned into another interview, which turned into yet another interview, until that 8 x 11 piece of white computer paper with some words and salutations turned into…a job.

When I walked out of the office after being offered the job, I did one of those extended fist pumps that Eric La Salle used to do during the opening credits of ER back in its heyday.

Talk about cheesy.

But to say I was thrilled would've been an understatement.  I was going from a job as a contract worker to a full time position where they took taxes out of my check, allowed for paid time off and – gasp! – provided health care.

It was unbelievable.

I was sort of in a holding pattern in terms of my living situation and relationship, but getting that job allowed me to move forward and start building a life.

If I was forced to choose the top five moments of my life, I don't know if this would make the list, but only because it happened with so little fanfare that it sort of flies under the radar.

However, in terms of future ramifications, it could not have been more huge.