Perpetually-Burning*

Current location: Boston, Massachusetts - best place I've ever lived. Right in the heart of the city, been here since January of 2004 and I've never enjoyed living in a place this much. I'm proud of it, I love the history, there's always something to learn and when friends visit I get to share it all over again like it's the first time. I mean, it took a little bit to get into this great location, started out in Jamaica Plain and then moved into Beacon Hill but it's all been worth it and part of the process. And Massachusetts is pretty wonderful too. Similar to Michigan in climate but bigger water and more open-minded folks. 

Current job: Family Breadwinner. Nanny specializing in Preemie Twins. Family Consultant.

What this means I actually do all day: Bring home the bacon! Most often I see to the emotional and developmental needs of two preterm babies, keep track of their intake/outflow, etc. But the best part of my job is the consulting. Talking with parents about developmental milestones, things to expect, suggestions for activities, classes, exercises, discipline, products, goal-setting, healthy expectations, basically guiding and sharing with them things I've learned over the last decade (with the nearly 50 kids K&I have known). Because I enjoy this so much (and occasionally need an outlet for my frustrations) I started blogging. This brought in even more new parents who wanted help, of course it also annoyed other parents who think I can't possibly know anything because I'm not a parent myself. 

Current Significant Other: Kathryn the adorable, my wife and partner of nearly a decade (how is that possible?) - oh and she's my lesbian lover (shhh . . . )

Current Pets: one extremely cute and photogenic dog with many nicknames and needs and occasionally more patience than dog should be expected to have

Current Hobby: photography and . . . hmmm, my favorite hobby is quilting, scrapbooking is fun but eats away our cashflow, exploring - I love taking day trips with the wife and dog and checking out new or historical places. She gets to use a map, I get to take pictures and the dog sniffs & pees - we all love it! 

My goal for one year from today: I'd like to have a new career plan. This weekend I realized what I'd like my long (long, long) term career goal to be, but I need to do a few other things first and finish nannying, it's flexible and pays the bills, but I think I'm getting burnt out.

My five year plan: Kids, hopefully more than one, but no rush. New job title/position. Investments. Trying to not think about my dog, but I hope he's still around (he'll be nine then). Working on or towards my doctorate, although I'm not sure in what. And, ideally a place in the city still, although my wife would say a bigger place probably outside the city with a yard, I prefer Boston as my backyard! 

*Perpetually-burning as in the gas lights that line the streets in Beacon Hill, connecting our present with our past and hopefully my future.