Born on this day in 1978.

Into this world, I came premature so I’m rarely late.

A midday birth.

In the sun, and spotlight, is where I thrive.

On the cusp of both Cancer and Leo.

Sometimes a bit Moody.

Sometimes a bit boastful.

Always fueled by pride.

And at the center a forever caring heart.

This lion is not cowardly.

These are the 45 lines about who I am for my 45th year.

Born in the Emerald City of Seattle, Washington.

Grown in the true to Portlandia-Celebrated weirdness of the Rose City.

My roots, like an evergreen, are deeply planted in the in the Pacific Northwest.

Seahawks grey, Sounders rave green, and true Mariners blue are my die hard Fandom.

There’s rarely anything I love more than pointing our the absurd, out of context, or the random.

My high school made me a proud Fighting Quaker.

“Go Vikings” proud of Portland State University with a degree in political science that came a year too late.

Passionate in prose and poetry and bound to the written word.

When written from and with the heart the emotions I write should be felt then heard.

Like oh so many I grew up very quick.

Some days it made me self-assured.

Other days it made me seem like a prick.

When I need to, I can square my shoulders and stand my ground.

Come for my pride and a full-throated lion’s roar will be the last earthly sound.

Yet, come sit around my table and I’ll make you the greatest of meals.

I am an enigmatic storyteller and I do it with much zeal.

For 30 years, a competitive bowler.

For fun, an amateur golfer.

Now, I stand before you a people pleaser in recovery.

I love too quickly.

I love too deeply.

I am awkward as fuck sometimes.

And just…… creepy enough.

I’ve been married once, and divorced.

And I have been fortunate enough to have found three of my soul’s mates.

I am who I am out loud and forever proud.

I am an intangible deception.

I am the elusive chameleon.

I am the 33rd Crowned Mr. Gay Oregon.

Once a Sir Knight, once a Rainbow Beau and forever a DeMolay.

I’ve performed as a Transylvanian and as Frank-N-Furter.

Never one for labels Nick or Schnik will always do.

And in the past decade yes, it has been hard.

I’ve gained and I have lost.

Today 44 years have now come to a close.

Looking around, I stand before you, proud of every day of these 45.