Story time, folks! This is going to be a long thread, but I have 8 more hours till I land and not ready to sleep :)

I was 24, weeks away from my first quarter century. I had the dream job - section editor of a major national magazine, fabulous apartment with view of Washington Monument, (was living in Wash DC) I had all the toys and shinies, making near $80k - in 1989! I done it, I had the success and nearly everything society and family and culture said was the secret to happiness. I spent most weekends on the coast or exploring nearby states.