Moving to Columbus was a fresh start, but it didn’t mean I left everything behind. I was still tethered to my Michigan past in some ways, trying to maintain old friendships and relationships while navigating a new life. Columbus, however, had its own pull—one that came through a mix of work, social chaos, and self-discovery. To be honest I didn't even know the Ohio State University was in Columbus or there was some huge rivalry before moving down there. I was just interested in the job!

The MySpace Era: Living Online and Offline

This was the golden age of MySpace, when social media still felt raw and personal. It was a time of custom HTML profiles, top friends drama, and meeting people in a way that felt organic compared to today's algorithm-driven platforms. I embraced it fully, using MySpace as an extension of my personality. I designed graphics, posted ridiculous status updates, and created a whole aesthetic.

MySpace dating was its own unique beast—some interactions were casual and ridiculous, others turned into actual relationships. I treated it like an ongoing performance, writing funny messages on whiteboards and using them as icebreakers. Minus dating as I was with Lydia the whole time, it was a bit like reliving the college experience but in a more chaotic, unpredictable way. I spent a lot of time in the bars on campus, the short north, and the arena district.

Honda R&D: Work, Travel, and Culture Shifts

At the same time, I was building my career at Honda R&D in Raymond, Ohio. My role was focused on HVAC component development and testing, working on vehicles like the Acura MDX, Ridgeline, TL, and Element. It was a big shift from the madness of Michigan—Honda had a very structured, Japanese-influenced corporate culture that emphasized Kaizen (continuous improvement) and demanded long hours and meticulous attention to detail.

The work itself was fascinating—I was deep into sensor validation, environmental testing, and EMI/RFI standards. But the real experience came through the business travel. Honda sent me to suppliers, testing facilities in Japan and Mexico.

In the long term it just wasn't for me with the location being way outside the city and insane work hours. I could jump ship and go back into nuclear with a job offer in New Jersey. Love the cars, just not their work-life balance.

Japan: Karaoke, Fugu, and a Different World

Traveling to Japan was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. The work days were hyper-efficient, detail-oriented, and structured to an almost religious degree, but the nights were pure chaos in the best way.

I ate fugu (blowfish), which was one of those bizarre bucket-list moments—you sit there knowing that if it’s prepared wrong, you could literally die. I also discovered how seriously the Japanese took karaoke. One night, I ended up in a countryside bar, where I performed Welcome to the Jungle—and the locals went absolutely wild, dancing and treating it like a full concert. It was a strange but unforgettable moment, standing in a place so far from home and yet feeling like a rock star for a few minutes. The video below was another night where I performed "Dancing Queen" for the first time.

Mexico: Aguascalientes/Renosa with Sensata/Texas Instruments

Another memorable business trip took me to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where I worked with Sensata/Texas Instruments on sensor development. Aguascalientes was very clean and save feeling, Renosa quite the opposite.

Columbus’ Gay Community: A New Kind of Acceptance

One of the unexpected but welcome surprises in Columbus was the thriving gay community. I found myself in spaces where I was accepted in a way I hadn’t been before. The clubs, bars, and social circles had an energy that made me feel at home.

I wasn’t just partying—it was about connection. The city’s LGBTQ+ scene wasn’t just about nightlife; it was a genuine community where people had each other’s backs. I met people who challenged my perspectives, opened me up to different ways of thinking, and made Columbus feel more like home than I expected.

I lived with a couple of gay roommates, one of whom was HIV-positive. He was open about it, and it was the first time I had really known someone personally who dealt with the disease. It wasn’t some abstract concept—it was real, and it shifted my understanding of what living with HIV meant in that community. Another roommate had a habit of leaving his bedroom door wide open during sex, as if hoping I’d join in. I never did—it wasn’t my thing. I wasn’t just a bystander; I was part of the scene, even if in my own way. I did meet the drag star Nina West during this time.

The Culture of Columbus: Sports, Festivals, and Events

Columbus wasn’t just about work and nightlife—it had a huge event scene that kept things exciting. I went to the Arnold Classic, one of the biggest bodybuilding and fitness expos in the country, where I got to see world-class athletes and absurd feats of strength. The Honda 200 racing event at Mid-Ohio was another highlight—watching high-performance cars push their limits on the track was a different kind of thrill.

I also checked out Columbus Blue Jackets game once. UFC fights were memorable. There was a Theta Tau chapter on Ohio State University's campus and watched a few games there. And then there was ComFest, the city’s massive free music and arts festival that brought together an eclectic mix of people, from hippies to punks to families just looking for a good time. It was one of those events where you’d always run into someone you knew, whether from MySpace, work, or a random night out.

Trying to Stay Connected to Michigan

Even as I was building a new life in Columbus, I was still trying to keep some roots in Michigan. I visited when I could, maintaining friendships and checking in on the life I had left behind. Some connections faded naturally, while others lingered longer than they probably should have. I always felt a bit torn—knowing that my life had moved on, but also wondering what could’ve been if I had stayed.

Looking Forward

Columbus was a bridge—a place where I grew professionally, embraced my identity more fully, and learned to balance the person I had been with the person I was becoming. But it wasn’t a permanent stop. Eventually, I would leave for New Jersey, chasing new opportunities and experiences. But the time I spent in Columbus was formative—it gave me the space to experiment, explore, and redefine myself before moving on to the next chapter.

There was a sad story similar to when I left Ohio to note here. Sorry, Heather.

Final thought,

Eventually, I'll write individual blogs on all of these, missing topics and so on!

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