Its been raining a lot lately. I love it. I am currently sitting with my door open as the cool air and sound of rain comes into my apartment. I also opened my window and placed a towel on the sill to soak up the rain. Fall is close and its a glorious change I've eagerly waited for.

I live near a high school. And right around this time the streets are buzzing with kids walking home, busses driving by. Its very pleasant actually. Like a slice of small town simplicity. I can actually hear the bell ring from my apartment.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Well technically Sunday is my birthday but tomorrow Im getting together with some people and were going to just hang out downtown in a quaint little section of Austin that are a bunch of small houses that have been transformed into bars. Should be fun.

My career is in full swing. Its better than its ever been and right in time for the financial goal I set to hit before my birthday. Im not actually there as we speak but if things maintain their trajectory I should be fine. So a few months off is okay by me. As per my usual self I question how long it can stay this good. The only thing I can do is keep busting my ass for my clients and hope the results speak for themselves.

I have reached a point where I now have a skillset that few people have (or maybe care to develop) and it feels good. I've put in my time. I've worked for practically nothing. I've been disrespected by business owners who have no clue how to treat people who work for them because there was no HR department to complain to and I couldn't afford to speak up. I've taken roles that were not mine to concern myself with. I've dealt with achingly slow payments. I've even been criminally underpaid at times knowing the education and experience would pay off someday.

There was no degree I could get for this. No apprenticeship. Its just a combination of luck and recognizing an opportunity when it presents itself. Then taking action. And picking my battles. I've read books. I've attended seminars. I've listened to good and bad advice. I've hung out with douchebags and held my tongue. Now the dust has settled and here I am. But I cant stop pushing forward.

My life is a balance of satisfaction with where I am and a desire to make it something better. So I come to this birthday grateful for my life, proud of myself and a little scared its too good to be true. It feels like its the beginning of something new and different. But really you can say that about every single day we have.