[legion]

Ten years ago:

I was one semester into my freshmen year of college. My roommate and best friend had recently moved out after I beat the crap out of him (he had anger issues and one day he walked into our room, walked up to me, and punched me in the mouth chipping a tooth without any warning). I decided then and there to concentrate on my studies and get out on my own as soon as I could.

Five years ago:

I had been working in my current job for 1.5 years. I was living in a crappy apartment whose landlord raised the rent by 20%-30% every year to compensate for the growing number of vacant apartments. My girlfriend (now wife) had decided to move 200 miles away the next school year for a teaching job. I was making 60% of what I make now and was driving my first (and only) brand new car: a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT.