Stephen Carrozzi:
CLASS OF 1989
Interlake High SchoolClass of 1989
Bellevue, WA
Stephen's Story
A lot happens in 20 years. Just glad to be alive and kicking. Drop me a line if you want. No need to write a novel here.
However... I will answer the questions that the computer asks me...
I always wanted to be a game designer when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a stupid idea. As it turns out, they were wrong. The wildest thing I ever did in school? Probably dealing pot. Got busted of course! LOL.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have coffee, a smoke, and a level head to be able to deal with the day-to-day.
I think this last year Barack Obama was my hero. It's about time we have a President who actually has some common sense. We'll see how it goes over the next 4 years.
I lived in Seattle for about 10 years in a condo. Worked for small jobs, then Boeing and Microsoft. I didn't move far, but did spend an "interesting" year in LA in 2004.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Bob Kodomo, because He was a very nice guy. Unfortunately I think he is dead now. I was also told that an ex girlfriend of mine, Tonya Parlotz also died, but have no confirmation of this. Strange how time changes things..
My obsessions over the last few years include a lot of writing, politics, online video games and computers. I worked in the computer field for almost a decade and still do work on the side for friends and colleagues.
I think the biggest surprise for me over the last 20 years has been how much I enjoy (and am getting fairly good at) writing. I have written 5 motion picture screenplays (and sold none! lol) and am currently working on a book. I am also surprised that I never married, have no kids and am actually helping out my aging parents these days. Not exactly where I wanted to be at 38, but it's all good.
If I could improve my home, I'd remodel the garage and add on a private study. My dream home would be pretty much the one I am in.
Sadly I have No kids, no ex wife and no prospects of either in the near future. I would like to have a family at some point, but my own hardheadedness, and lack of trust after some bitter breakups make it hard to invest in a family.
I think the teacher I would love to see again is Jane Akita. She had high hopes for me in school and we had something of a unique understanding... unfortunately I think she is also dead.
Side note: What's up with all the dead people? Jesus Christ!
Moving on...
If I won $100 million, I'd give 1 million of it to my parents, then spend the rest on immediate family, a foundation for the homeless and a trust fund to last after my death.
Did I ever live in a dorm? Yes. I lived in Xavier hall at Seattle University and it was one of the craziest years in my life. We had insane parties, did crazy things and I am surprised I actually had any time to study and pull a 3.2 out of it. One big party, and I was burned out by 1991.
As far as happiness goes, I have struggled with being content my whole life, and for most of the time without success. Fortunately, during my 20's and early 30's I have found that happiness has a lot less to do with where you are, how much material goods you own, or who you are with, and a lot more to do with who you are as a person, and taking any job that is thrown your way with seriousness and respect. Be present in the moment, and always strive to be your best!
My current age is 38. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be too old to appreciate my struggles as a kid growing up in Los Angeles. I was so completely uneducated about the reality of getting older as an adult and how time changes your perspective significantly.
As far as my career aspirations go, I have already accomplished much, but there is so much more to do. I wanted to work on a video game as a designer, done! I wanted to get good paying jobs in the computer field, done! I wanted to write a motion picture screenplay, done (5 times). I wanted to write articles about social an political issues that face us all, NOT done, but I have at least 100 pages of material so far and growing by the day. I have always wanted to write a book and am working on one now. It would be cool to become a best selling author and retire as a multi-millionaire, but I'm not quite there.
Yet.
As far as my firs...Expand for more
t crush goes, it's really a story I put away a long time ago. I abandoned my first girlfriend and it took me years to forgive myself. That, and what I went through with my ex-fiance pretty much ruined my relationships from 1993 through 1998. I did date someone from 1998 on, but the relationship ended in 2005.
My best friend would tell you I'm a dreamer, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as unusual.
To be honest, I don't really remember how I dressed 20 years ago, but I can say that I usually wear slacks and some kind of comfortable casual shirt. Preferably large, as I have gained a lot of weight. (Cringe) Oh well.
I think the weirdest job I have ever had was taking dolls out of one cardboard box, rearranging them and putting them in other cardboard boxes. There was no logic to the job, but I did find out later that the toy company was a front for the mob and that we were likely packaging shipments of cocaine arriving from China. Is it true? No idea, but it was a very weird job.
I share my home with my parents, which I find greatly in need of my help.
The biggest victory I have had in my life was working on a video game for Super X Studios. It took me 6 years just to get a job in the game design business, and for about 8 months it was the best job I ever had. Being a part of a team and creating something worthwhile was an amazing experience and one that I hope to repeat as some point. Making money while doing something that you love is the best feeling in the world. I would do it over any day of the week!
If I had to do something over in the last 20 years it would be to not take my relationship with my ex-fiance so seriously. I was so in love with her that I went way over the top and didn't allow her any room to just be herself or to have me just be myself. I am long over this relationship (it took 5 years to get back on track), but I would be lying if I said that I didn't have regrets. I should have been far less needy and should have just walked away instead of beating a dead horse into the ground. She said that she didn't want to have anything serious; I should have listened.
In 10 years, I hope to be a force for good in the this world. I'm going to get there by writing and publishing what I think. I have a lot to offer and my goal is to bow people away.
My oldest friend is my best friend and he is like my brother on this Earth. We met in 5th grade (27 years ago) and we have been with each other through hard times, good times and everything in between. Even though we may be at each other's throat sometimes, it is going to be a very sad day when the first one of us dies. If ever I had a friend in life, it was Aaron.
So, the next question is about "What would surprise everyone at my high school reunion?" I am not quite sure how to answer this. The most obvious difference between me in 1989 and me in 2009 would be my weight. I have struggled with my weight for years now and it's not getting much better. If you were expecting a thin Steve Carrozzi, you are going to be disappointed. As far as the other expectations, I'd like to think that the last 20 years have made me a much older and far more wiser person than I was before. At 20 you think you know everything. At 30 you realize that you don't know the half of it, and at 40 I think you come to the full realization of your own limited time on this planet. When the clock ticks away the hours, this is when you truly become yourself. When I was in high school, I was just trying to survive in an institution that I hated. At 38 I am stating to become the one person I always wanted to be: The one that other people can count on, the one who never backs down from a fight and the one who has strength of character to be the best man that I can be, no matter what the circumstances.
My first job was at McDonald's, where I got paid make hamburgers to sell. What I remember most about it is The hard work involved. I carry a strong work ethic to this day... thank goodness!
Anyway, that's it for now.
Thanks for looking me up!
Have a great day.
Louis (Steve) Carrozzi
PS: Louis was my first name all along, but I didn't start using it until 1996. Long story short, there were too many "Steves" at my department at Boeing.
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