Was that planned or was he just squishy?

They'd been friends for years and always talked about doing it.

1RealSmartAlex or anyone else know any wrestling gear makers they would recommend
(That aren’t high spots) and ship overseas?

Jul 11, 2020 5:02:03 GMT System said:

1RealSmartAlex or anyone else know any wrestling gear makers they would recommend
(That aren’t high spots) and ship overseas?

The Comeback is beginning.

My kid just turned 2 the other day and I’m at that point in my life where I’m trying to find a new path in life. I went through this before when I decided to finally sober up and stop smoking pot and heavily partying. I did it and here I am now. 32 and a father. Bored as fuck but okay with it because the calmness is good for me.

I’m just at this point (like many of you already know) where I’m just done with my career. I feel like working EMS and dealing with the politics and the virus and the disrespect has turned me into a very miserable person. I’m always angry. I’m too much into politics. I don’t love what I do anymore. I go back to work for the first time in 3 weeks this Wednesday and after having all that time off I’ve realized more so then ever that I don’t want this career path anymore. Quite frankly it’s a dead end job no matter what anyone tells you. Help people until you’re 65 and your bodies broken down and never get paid what you deserve. We get paid so much less then police, firefighters and sanitation in NYC and it’s insane. We have horrible leadership and EMS is just not united like other professions. I can’t deal with that. Too many backstabbers and pussies in this field. Too many settlers. They’re okay with where they are. I’m not.

So I’m going through a big mental struggle right now. I’m depressed and trying to figure shit out AGAIN at 32. Ugh.

How is everyone else doing?

Jul 12, 2020 23:12:53 GMT KING KID said:

My kid just turned 2 the other day and I’m at that point in my life where I’m trying to find a new path in life. I went through this before when I decided to finally sober up and stop smoking pot and heavily partying. I did it and here I am now. 32 and a father. Bored as fuck but okay with it because the calmness is good for me.

I’m just at this point (like many of you already know) where I’m just done with my career. I feel like working EMS and dealing with the politics and the virus and the disrespect has turned me into a very miserable person. I’m always angry. I’m too much into politics. I don’t love what I do anymore. I go back to work for the first time in 3 weeks this Wednesday and after having all that time off I’ve realized more so then ever that I don’t want this career path anymore. Quite frankly it’s a dead end job no matter what anyone tells you. Help people until you’re 65 and your bodies broken down and never get paid what you deserve. We get paid so much less then police, firefighters and sanitation in NYC and it’s insane. We have horrible leadership and EMS is just not united like other professions. I can’t deal with that. Too many backstabbers and pussies in this field. Too many settlers. They’re okay with where they are. I’m not.

So I’m going through a big mental struggle right now. I’m depressed and trying to figure shit out AGAIN at 32. Ugh.

How is everyone else doing?

You turned down a bigger income job, right? Because of the distance?

I hear you, though.

I'm 35 and the missus and I are a few months into a (messy) divorce. Figuring out the situation with the kiddos is the most important thing.

And just to continue off where I’m venting about myself.

I’ve been drinking a lot lately. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘drunk’ or an ‘alcoholic’ but I’m catching myself always saying ‘you know what let me have a drink bc the kid fell asleep’ and that drink turns to 3-4 cups of whiskey and soda. Sometimes more and that’s when I drunk post and shit.

Not proud of it because of my age and that I’m a father and that I was never a heavy drinker. Just a heavy smoker. I don’t wanna go back to smoking either because I’m too proud of myself for quitting it to do so but here I am finding a new thing to do. Whiskey.

This fucking COVID shit followed by these protests really got me all fucked up. 2020 is miserable and there’s no way I can avoid the news or the virus talk. Sucks sucks sucks.

Jul 12, 2020 23:18:06 GMT KJ said:

Jul 12, 2020 23:12:53 GMT KING KID said:

My kid just turned 2 the other day and I’m at that point in my life where I’m trying to find a new path in life. I went through this before when I decided to finally sober up and stop smoking pot and heavily partying. I did it and here I am now. 32 and a father. Bored as fuck but okay with it because the calmness is good for me.

I’m just at this point (like many of you already know) where I’m just done with my career. I feel like working EMS and dealing with the politics and the virus and the disrespect has turned me into a very miserable person. I’m always angry. I’m too much into politics. I don’t love what I do anymore. I go back to work for the first time in 3 weeks this Wednesday and after having all that time off I’ve realized more so then ever that I don’t want this career path anymore. Quite frankly it’s a dead end job no matter what anyone tells you. Help people until you’re 65 and your bodies broken down and never get paid what you deserve. We get paid so much less then police, firefighters and sanitation in NYC and it’s insane. We have horrible leadership and EMS is just not united like other professions. I can’t deal with that. Too many backstabbers and pussies in this field. Too many settlers. They’re okay with where they are. I’m not.

So I’m going through a big mental struggle right now. I’m depressed and trying to figure shit out AGAIN at 32. Ugh.

How is everyone else doing?

You turned down a bigger income job, right? Because of the distance?

I hear you, though.

I'm 35 and the missus and I are a few months into a (messy) divorce. Figuring out the situation with the kiddos is the most important thing.

Damn man. I’m really sorry to hear that. Admittedly my wife and I aren’t doing too well either to be honest. I think that’s also playing a role into my downward spiral that I see happening before me. 

And I turned a higher income job down but it was in the same field I’m in at the moment. Just a promotion at a different company. 

Damn KJ that sucks man. Sorry to hear. I hope things aren't too messy much longer.

KING KID sorry to hear about your situation too. Maybe a career change isn't the worst idea. As much as your family is priority #1, you being there for them in proper health and mental state is what they need the most. You gotta do you.

We put in notice on one of our foster kids. We just can't safely manage her behaviors when she's escalated. I think because we both work in education, my wife and I had big heads about what we could and couldn't handle in terms of placements. There are times when I go outside and just walk around the house. I get on edge really bad sometimes because I want to yell and that will trigger behaviors that jeopardizes safety. The other heartwrenching part is, when she's not escalated, she's one of the sweetest girls you've ever met.

I'm nervous as hell about school starting in six weeks. Nervous we won't be safe. Nervous politics and money will trump safety. I have my dream job teaching theatre, and the conditions are literally so bad that I'm asking myself, "What would I do if I wasn't a teacher?" Other than working in wrestling or working in TV or something with a lot less job security, I've never thought about doing anything other than teaching. I just don't know how I can do it safely. I don't trust those in power to do the right thing.

My wife and I are doing well. I'm healthy as far as I know. I've got some things going for me, but there are definitely things I'm worried about as well. I think this is just what life in a pandemic looks like. Take care of yourselves and your families. Be well guys. We'll get through this. I desperately want to get back to a place where I'm motivated to write. When my creative brain is spinning, I'm really on cloud 9.

Jul 13, 2020 1:18:50 GMT RT said:

Damn KJ that sucks man. Sorry to hear. I hope things aren't too messy much longer.

KING KID sorry to hear about your situation too. Maybe a career change isn't the worst idea. As much as your family is priority #1, you being there for them in proper health and mental state is what they need the most. You gotta do you.

Thanks. We’ll get through it one way or another. Good news is California is pretty cut and dry on a lot of this stuff.

Marriage is so weird. I have so many friends who dated their spouse for years before marriage that ended up getting divorced. I met my wife in January of the same year we got married in June and we just celebrated our 17th anniversary. It was like TNT ready to explode those first couple of years though. Admittedly we both didn’t really know what we were doing so it made for some really stupid arguments. Once we got through those years, everything got a little easier. Today we are legitimate best friends. Not even that, we are really each other’s only friend. I mean, I have work buddies and she has friends she talks to, but when it comes to our free time, we give every bit of it to each other. We don’t even double date or have people over at the house. Marriage is weird.

KING KID, KJ, 1RealSmartAlex, sorry to hear about all the issues you're facing currently. Well wishes to you guys, and the rest of you for that matter.


jTjohncenaGOAT, I can certainly relate on the first couple of years of a relationship being like TNT. I'm 4 years in with my fiance' (we had to postpone the wedding from August to next May due to COVID), and those first two years were an emotional rollarcoaster. My fiance' has had her fair share of very rough relationships that have had a very serious impact on her and her mental health. She is the sweetest, kindest, most down to earth and caring woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing... but man, can she be irrational at times. She's currently going through counselling to deal with a lot of her long term issues (she was abused by an ex-boyfriend in the worst possible way, so bad I don't like saying specifically why but I'm sure you will get what I am inferring) as well as a pretty bad childhood (she has alopicia so was bullied horrendously, wears wigs currently due to hair loss - still beautiful to me no matter what) - her diagnosis is still to be determined, but her GP was fairly convinced it was gonna be a form of personality disorder, likely BPD which wouldn't surprise me. But I'm happy she's addressing it and I'll be with her every step of the way.

Meanwhile... buying a property is damn stressful! We basically live in Surrey, just outside London. Neither me or my fiance drive (I have no inclination to, my fiance might continue to learn once COVID eases up - she had a handful of lessons before lockdown hit). Where we live properties are pretty expensive, we ideally would like a two bed property cos, ya know, kids are no doubt on the horizon once the wedding is over... They're within budget based on the deposit we have rustled together (a combination of savings, grandparents and Mum's contribution, a loan from my Step-Dad though we won't be calling it a loan to the bank), we have about £27,000 altogether. We're looking at 2 beds (few and far between) or 1 beds that can be turned into 2 bed fairly easily. Affordability once we have the mortgage isn't a factor as our disposable income after all bills and expenses are paid leaves us with around £1300, so we can continue to save money in the hopes of getting a nicer/bigger place a few years down the line. No stamp duty as we're first time buyers too which is a huge bonus.

Issue is, my Mum and Step-Dad reeeaaalllyyy want us to hold out and wait a few months to see what the market does due to COVID etc. But at the moment me and my fiance are living with her parents, and I've already been here a year longer than was originally intended. So things are, whilst positive and good, a little tense at at times, bit of an undercurrent of sorts. There's no way in hell her parents will be pleased if I said we need another 6/8 months living under their roof. So, it's one of these awkward situations - we're looking at properties that we genuinely like, but my Mum and Step-Dad want us to hold out as they're convinced something better may crop up (my argument is it may not, or won't be within price range considering we're on the borderline based on our deposit at the moment anyway) - and my Mum has convinced herself we're rushing things... which is kinda true, sorta, to an extent, but it's only cos we're on the clock. Moving out in the meantime is pointless as rent is ridiculously expensive and wouldn't be worth the time, hassle or money spent.

Take today for example - we've seen a property that listed as a 1 bed, but is being used as a 2 currently due to the set-up, so perfect for us. Open plan kitchen/living room, spacious double rooms for the bedrooms, recently refurbished. However, it's on an estate that used to have a bit of a bad rep back in the 80's, but it had a multimillion renovation back in 2010 and the opinion on the area has changed drastically, for the better. My Mum thinks otherwise. Keeps telling me selling it will be impossible given the area it's in - my argument being if we pocket £1000 a month out of disposable income, let's say in three years, we'd have maybe £30,000 nestled away - would be £36,000 (my maths ain't that bad haha!) but of course there's holidays, kids stuff (down the line!), the occasional repair to a boiler or washing machine etc - so moving on from said property shouldn't be a problem. My Step-Dad is real, real astute when it comes to the property market, investments etc. and ultimately, we are using their money to get this place on top of our own and grandparents generosity, so I feel like I... dunno, owe them? It's weird, it's stressful, convinced I'm gonna be grey before my time at this rate haha!

So, that's my life in a nutshell right now. Could be better but could be far, far worse. Any advice or suggestions would be more than welcome.

... needed to vent. Thanks guys.

Been having the same problems as before again. This is driving me wild. I can’t keep going to doctors though.

I'm afraid to go see the doctor these days for fear of getting covid. Props to Dazz was not letting that get in the way.

Soooo..... long time no see, friends. Got a e-mail asking old posters to come back and it's been a while, so... I figured, you know... hey! Why not? So how's everyone doing?

Dudes, I’m so wore out. Work may actually be killing me.

Plus, I only got another week and a half before my fall semester starts.

I’m working something like 70 hours this week. I have no idea how I’m going to find time for five courses to go along with it. I kind of want to skip this semester and try again in the spring when things settle down at work but I’m running out of time to use my VA benefits for school.

I’m interviewing (hopefully) for a new position next week but no idea what that job will be like.

I’m also still pastoring a small church about an hour from here and I love those peoples. I’m pretty blessed that it’s only about fifteen people and they don’t need me very much. Though, studying, preparing to preach, and going in Sunday morning right after I get off a twelve hour shift from Saturday night is pretty rough. I almost fell asleep on the way home this last week driving.

There may be some stress. Which is keeping me from sleeping well. I only get about four (maybe five) hours a day.

Fellas. I’m wore out.

Aug 5, 2020 5:43:52 GMT gregzilla said:

Soooo..... long time no see, friends. Got a e-mail asking old posters to come back and it's been a while, so... I figured, you know... hey! Why not? So how's everyone doing?

Hey buddy. I was just thinking about you the other day.

Hope you’re doing well. How is your book coming along?

Aug 5, 2020 7:13:06 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

Aug 5, 2020 5:43:52 GMT gregzilla said:

Soooo..... long time no see, friends. Got a e-mail asking old posters to come back and it's been a while, so... I figured, you know... hey! Why not? So how's everyone doing?

Hey buddy. I was just thinking about you the other day.

Hope you’re doing well. How is your book coming along?

I'm not doing to bad. Doing a lot of reading and working on D&D homebrew stuff to keep me busy and not going crazy during quarantine. Built another bonus level for my Saturday night Paper Mario mini-campign today, actually. Well, mostly built. Gonna finish it tomorrow.

I actually just started editing my book again the other day. Gonna probably be making a lot of changes as I go, too, but it's being worked on.

How about you, bud? How've you been?

Edit: Annnnnd I just saw the above. Damn, that sounds busy. If yer worn out, why not take a day or two off and just relax? If feasable, that is.

There's a paper version of Mario!?

Aug 6, 2020 13:04:03 GMT 🤯 said:

There's a paper version of Mario!?

Oh, yeah. There's several! There's the original on N64, there's Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door on Gamecube, Paper Mario: Sticker Star on 3DS, Paper Mario: Colour Splash on Wii/Wii U, and recently (like last month) the newest one - Paper Mario: Origami King - came out on Switch. Hence, me making this mini-campaign. The greatest thing about it, though, is I told my players to make characters based on their favourite video game characters. So my cast includes Kratos from God Of War, Demi-Fiend from Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, the original Toad from Mario, AND Banjo-Kazooie. But paper versions of them. Or... cardboard, in Kratos's case.

So we got hit with a “derecho” yesterday which is hurricane level wind on landlocked area. Tree down on a power line in my backyard. We’ve been without power for 24 hours now and my cell phone battery was already unreliable. Rumors we won’t get power back on the weekend. We deal with lots of different kinds of weather in Iowa, but we were not ready for this.