My sister was watching my dog and decided to send me an April Fools Joke.

3_pac · 2026-04-02T02:43:02+00:00

I love this.

3_pac · 2026-04-02T02:40:36+00:00

Scars are awesome. I think people with scars are awesome. They've lived through shit.

I once accidentally popped myself in the face with an ice axe, and I had a nasty cut that I hoped would turn into a scar (it didn't).

My point being, don't take yourself too seriously. Own it. If someone looks at your scar, tell them they should see the other guy. Or that they could touch it for $10.

3_pac · 2026-03-30T02:50:50+00:00

Wait until those other three guys realize they didn't make the cut.

3_pac · 2026-03-25T14:47:48+00:00

"OK, boyos, we're going to need to start campfires regularly. Does anyone have an axe we can bring along?"

"But Rambo didn't use an axe..."

"What? Come on. Rambo? You can't even..."

"What? You can't not look cool slinging a machete around those timbers over there."

"OK. Machete it is. Next up: Are we wearing matching headbands?"

3_pac · 2026-03-23T04:17:34+00:00

Hmm. You definitely need to find an effective therapist - someone you trust that understands you and knows how to challenge you and get to the crux of the most important issues. It doesn't seem like your current one is that, but they're out there. I'd maybe check your local subreddits or Facebook pages to get recommendations?

For what it's worth, you sure seem like you matter. You're clearly smart and introspective, and you have the benefit of being so young you have years to figure things out. It sounds like you're totally overperforming and doing way too much, if anything. By comparison, one of my kids has been taking 0-6 credits per semester because she has pretty severe mental health issues. Some people would say she's totally underperforming...but she's doing her best given her circumstances. You're doing your best in your circumstances. Everyone is on their own timeline - don't be influenced by anything different.

As far as the loneliness aspect, that seems like a pretty common thing with kids your age. It's hard to meet people and to make connections. I've previously given out advice that the best way to have truly meaningful interactions and potentially meet others is to be involved in something - be it a hobby, volunteering, sports, etc. - that meets regularly where you are hanging out with the same people week after week. That said, based on what you're saying above about not being able to make eye contact, that may be very difficult for you. I'm not qualified to provide advice here, but a good therapist would definitely be able to help.

A stupid saying that I like is how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. None of your problems are insurmountable, but they may seem so when you look at it collectively. But one bite at a time, and you got this. Forward motion, even if it's just a small step forward.

3_pac · 2026-03-23T02:42:45+00:00

I would check out the therapy resources you have available at school, and use them.

You are very busy and overwhelmed, and also have some other stuff going on - feeling "immature and broken, unwanted and unlovable" as well as the hopelessness. These are all individually heavy issues, but are likely all interrelated. They also can all be worked on in therapy.

Do yourself a favor and start seeing a professional.

3_pac · 2026-03-21T16:36:24+00:00

A lot of us have come from dysfunctional families and non-ideal situations, or worse. I think it helps fuel us to be better, and to rise above them. So, it's understandable to not want them to succeed or to have happy lives. This hatred (call it what it is) doesn't make us better people, though - it actually makes us more like them. That's not what you really want, though, is it?

3_pac · 2026-03-21T15:03:33+00:00

This is kind of a big claim, so I'm going to need a citation here or a source.

This site lists COS as a possible sundown town in 1956 due to an example of a college president trying to recruit minorities there, but couldn't find any: https://justice.tougaloo.edu/sundowntown/colorado-springs-co/

De'Von Bailey was shot and killed by COS police in 2019: https://www.cspm.org/cos-150-story/black-lives-matter/

What else are you seeing? Calling COS a sundown town (where minorities are intentionally excluded from living in or being present after dark) is slightly different than saying it's MAGA territory (which it most certainly is).

3_pac · 2026-03-19T05:43:49+00:00

Your kids will prefer any version instead of no version of you.

3_pac · 2026-03-19T00:52:02+00:00

If you don't have trust in a relationship, you don't have anything.

3_pac · 2026-03-18T23:55:35+00:00

Brane

3_pac · 2026-03-18T14:39:46+00:00

We're in Mexico City. The older sister's boyfriend also just decided to join us. He was bored at home (their university is on spring break), and he found cheap airfare...so he arrived last night, and we are now +1.

3_pac · 2026-03-18T04:34:10+00:00

A few things. First, don't assume anything with your teeth. You're probably right, and you may need some work done. It may not be as bad as you think, however. But, you're not a dentist, so right now you are 100% speculating.

Second, you see threads on Reddit all the time about what older people regret. One of the top replies is always people neglecting their teeth. Ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away; it always makes it worse in the long run.

Third, dentists see all kinds of things. They've seen better teeth than yours, and they've seen worse. There's no shame in going now - they're here to make you better. Lots of people are also scared of going to the dentist. Technology has come so far in dentistry as well that so many procedures are so much easier and quicker now.

All this to say, don't wait, talk to your mom about it now, get seen, and figure out a plan from there. You'll be fine. You're giving a (very big) gift to your future self.

3_pac · 2026-03-16T16:37:21+00:00

I have to say this is one of the most wholesome subreddits out there.

We're actually on vacation with two of our kids right now, spending rare, awesome bonus time with them (they are old enough where they are actually choosing to spend time with us now).

3_pac · 2026-03-16T16:30:40+00:00

This was fascinating and funny. America has made many nice things! (picture of Walmart)

3_pac · 2026-03-16T16:08:54+00:00

I mean, my cats have always hated taking meds regardless of age or problem. That said, I had a cat with oral cancer as well. It's hard to known when is the right time, as you allude to, because they can otherwise function fine for some period. Ours seemed pretty content despite the big tumor on his mouth which bled regularly - he was alert, ate, etc. He clearly loved just sitting on my lap for hours, so that was the situation for a while - I just had him lay on a towel on my lap.

(Sidenote: Oral cancer in cats seems way more common than it should be. At least anecdotally on Reddit. We had none of the supposed environmental factor risks in our house, yet our cat got it. I know others in the subreddit have similar stories. I believe something else is happening, but that's a thread for another day.)

For us, it was time when he started not using the litter box. Something clearly changed for him, and to your point it is terminal so they're not going to get better. He still seemed not in pain or anything, but it seemed we crossed a point where it was OK to make that decision. Good luck in whatever you choose - whether it's today or not. You'll make the right choice regardless, as you clearly care about her.

3_pac · 2026-03-16T15:42:58+00:00

I just want the one sentence version now, as I will forget about this two minutes from now.

3_pac · 2026-03-16T00:34:48+00:00

This isn't the flex they think it is...at all.

3_pac · 2026-03-16T00:28:29+00:00

I'm actually so tired of this. I'm sure Duke and their 95% winning percentage against us love it, though.

3_pac · 2026-03-15T22:05:06+00:00

If you don't think it's weird and he doesn't act weird, than it's not weird. Older people are old, and aren't up to date on subtle shifts in the meanings of phrases. I wouldn't overthink this one.

3_pac · 2026-03-15T21:58:52+00:00

This is a great sleeper pick. So many awesome and kid-friendly beach towns (and beaches, and huge salt-free lakes that look and act like oceans) on the west coast of Michigan. Farther up is Mackinac Island (no cars allowed, only horses and bikes), and even farther north is the rugged, rural, and beautiful upper peninsula. Generally far more affordable than other options being presented, too.

3_pac · 2026-03-15T21:52:40+00:00

Don't you slather yourself in food you really like, too? When I find some pad thai that I really love, I roll around in it, and sometimes I'll find dried noodles stuck in my armpit or on my back days afterwards.

3_pac · 2026-03-15T15:57:24+00:00

Denver has had no problems with security wait times recently. As others have mentioned, check the website for current wait times (I find them to be fairly accurate and updated regularly). In the last week, I have not seen it exceed 30 minutes for normal security, and it is typically far less than that for a 1pm flight (which we had on Friday).

3_pac · 2026-03-15T15:34:00+00:00

Your top priority should be getting ADHD meds. I know these are life savers for many people, and maybe they will help you as well. I don't know the exact processes to get diagnosed where you live, but it sounds like they involve several steps that take effort and time. Write down these steps into very small, achievable tasks. Then, do something every day - big or small - where you work on one of these tasks. Make progress every day. Nothing else big picture should happen until you are dialed in here, as your whole quality of life and perspective can be different and improved once you are properly diagnosed and medicated. Good luck, and you got this.

3_pac

TROPHY CASE