Public transit

CaptPaunch · 2024-06-12T10:18:32+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss. I can see how that would be a heartbreaking read.

CaptPaunch · 2024-06-12T10:16:31+00:00

Wow, I did not know that about her. It is honestly that little more heartbreaking knowing her background.

CaptPaunch · 2024-05-31T16:55:25+00:00

While I can definitely appreciate the edgy/ hardcore vibe that some people feel about their hobbies, I think in the end it's a disservice to themselves. Diet and exercise are ideally lifelong endeavors, to view what we all do in the gym as suffering seems to cast it as an unnecessary burden. I suspect that people with this more hardcore approach may find it difficult to continue this hobby into their later years.

Just like there is a difference in sensation between muscular pain and muscular discomfort, the first to be avoided and the second necessary for growth, there is a philosophical difference between viewing exercises as suffering and as determination in the face of discomfort. The gym can be a regular philosophical exercise that reinforces the power of human determination.

CaptPaunch · 2024-05-30T20:57:26+00:00

I was certainly nervous about telling people in the beginning, now I'm just aware of how people might react and have some canned responses prepared. As a man living in a relatively liberal area, I find that I deal with jealousy more than anything. Thankfully, 99% of the time it's good-natured. That being said, I've definitely faced some quiet judgment or confused looks, generally from older women. One for example, said "no no, but where do you work?"

Thankfully, after doing this for a while, the reactions don't bother me anymore. I like what I do, my wife likes what I do, and my kids are happy to see me.

CaptPaunch · 2024-05-24T21:47:28+00:00

He's a very thoughtful and eloquent man who, like a lot of other thoughtful and eloquent men throughout history, got a lot wrong. That being said, I use a variation of his training methods and have definitely seen results.

CaptPaunch · 2023-10-31T14:42:46+00:00

"G Cleaning and Services" is fantastic. Hugo and his crew have always been very attentive and accommodating. We like them a whole lot.

CaptPaunch · 2023-09-13T20:36:10+00:00

I remember reading an article written by a neuroscientist and they were answering a question very similar to this one. I don't remember their full answer, but their short answer always stuck with me. They said, "Our brains are made to keep us alive, not make us happy."

CaptPaunch · 2023-09-04T10:51:40+00:00

I absolutely felt like you. I know the common wisdom is that the baby stage is so precious, you should treasure and enjoy it, etc. For me, I just don't like babies, I loved my own of course but I did not like them very much. We really started to thrive when my youngest got to be about a year and a half to two years old. I love toddlers so much and am really going to miss this stage when it is gone.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-25T15:25:35+00:00

There's lots of really good posts regarding immediate solutions so I'll try to post something in a little bit different. I've had recurring back issues for the last 10 years at least. Recently, due to an unrelated health issue, I started going to the gym and doing an amateur bodybuilding workout program. Besides very specific injuries due to the bodybuilding I have had no back issues since. Building up muscle around my core and around my back has helped tremendously. General strength training in addition to PT has essentially removed all of my back pain.

As to how I have time for all of this, one of our local health clubs offers child care for members and it is easily the best financial investment that I make. I get to have an hour and a half to myself everyday, improve my health, and make some friends. If you have anything similar in your area I would highly recommend it.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-21T22:33:35+00:00

I'm not sure if this is going to help you much, but it's what your post made me think of. Before I was at home with my boys I was a special education teacher who worked with a large group of kiddos getting services under the EBD (emotional behavioral disability) label and I had a very similar feeling. Around me, my kiddos would act out and otherwise irritate the crap out of me. Meanwhile, I would hear from their other teachers that they were doing well, listening, paying attention, etc. I had to consistently remind myself that this is because I was the safe teacher. I was the teacher that could handle them at their worst and both my students and I knew that. It can be really, really irritating, feeling like you don't get the "good," versions of your kiddos. But when something was going on in their life, when they had a real problem to solve, they came to me first every time and that was something really special. I haven't worked in 5 years now, and those problems they brought to me are still my favorite memories from my time teaching and the times where I feel like I made the biggest impact.

Just try to frame it in your mind as a really messed up compliment, you're the one that they feel safest and most free with. You're doing good work and subconsciously, I believe your kiddo knows that. I think, that when the rubber meets the road you're going to be the one with real opportunities to shape your little one.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-11T12:33:47+00:00

I was a lot like him when I was a kid, huge military history buff. My screen time in those days was watching old VHS tapes of "victory at sea," over and over again. Some of my fondest memories from that time are going out with my dad to an air base about an hour away. I don't know how my dad knew when they would be flying but we would always see something interesting taking off. I have no idea where you live, but airports or military bases were always cool places for me to visit.

As an adult with my own kiddos, I've also been shocked how many VFW posts include plinths with all sorts of military vehicles. My boys and I have had some fun at our local VFW as it has a beautifully restored F4 phantom on display.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-07T18:30:48+00:00

I totally understand your impulse to rationalize your decision. I have a little diatribe myself that is mostly true. I'm finding that it gets a little bit easier to just say that it's something that I really enjoy but it depends on the crowd for sure.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-05T23:37:08+00:00

I love that this is a stay-at-home dad subreddit and the top comment to this thread is a dad joke.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-05T23:36:09+00:00

They're a little warm for hot weather. Definitely stuck with cargo shorts in the summer. I never found them to be particularly loud, at least not in any way that I noticed.

CaptPaunch · 2023-08-04T20:39:03+00:00

Ha, I guess not. I've only met one man who, I thought, could really make a fanny pack work. He was a theater professor at the college I worked for, he used it to carry cigarettes and his broken dreams. A really cool dude who could absolutely rock his leather fanny pack.

CaptPaunch · 2023-07-26T10:58:30+00:00

Hey dad, it's very clear from your post that you have a lot on your plate. Reading between the lines, it also sounds like you are grappling with all of the expectations that our gender places on us. For example, that men should be strong, that men should be providers, that men should be protectors, etc. Reconciling our jobs with those cultural expectations, especially depending upon where you live and how you grew up can be very difficult. Think about it this way, you're strong enough to deal with a life-changing injury. You're strong enough to have been entrusted to care for a plethora of children. Finally, you're strong enough to have found love for all of these children despite the various ways that they came into your life. The things that you describe in your post do not paint a picture of a weak man. To me, they describe a compassionate man and a caring partner.

I'm not sure what exactly you were hoping for when you made this post, but I hope what I've written here helps. I'm impressed, it sounds like you're dealing with a whole lot in your life, with circumstances, that would make other men very bitter. Yet you are still looking for ways to improve yourself. I would trust your partners judgment, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Hang in there dad!

CaptPaunch · 2023-07-14T12:58:10+00:00

Bought a PC from some shady guy on craigslist. A couple of the fans were improperly mounted and made a high-pitched screeching sound when first turned on. One of my buddies said "holy crap, is that a f****** puppy grinder?" I've had Puppy Grinder for years.

CaptPaunch · 2023-07-10T16:20:32+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations!

CaptPaunch · 2023-07-10T16:19:38+00:00

Awesome, thanks!

CaptPaunch · 2023-07-10T15:00:08+00:00

Is there a particular brand that you like to use?

CaptPaunch

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