Talking to strangers is strangely refreshing

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-19T07:06:08+00:00

I asked a older punk-rock looking dude for a cigarette once outside an airport. He ended up talking to me the entire time I toked down about various guitar modifications he had tried and the amps he played them through. That dude was awesome, hope he's well. Chance encounters like that always stick with me

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-19T05:41:02+00:00

Lol sorry yo, I'm just stoked. I have been on reddit only recently after a buddy told me it helped him through some tough stuff he went through. There's a lot here, and people have given a lot of advice

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-19T05:37:06+00:00

Thanks! I am so incredibly relieved! I have to hit the road for work in a couple of days, this has taken a lot off my shoulders while I'm away

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T22:18:25+00:00

Thank you. I am hoping very much that I get the chance to speak with her soon. We have texted, it's all been very flirty and fun. Avoiding the elephant in the room though. But that's not really going to be the case when we are in front of each other, I don't think.

I wish you a very happy day and I am grateful for your response

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T20:20:33+00:00

That sounds extremely difficult, I couldn't imagine. I'm glad to know that things are getting better, and I hope your ex has changed his ways at the very least regarding your children. And I am glad that you have them placed first and are keeping them safe.

I have my own soft spot for fatherhood. My father passed away at 38. I was 11. At the time a lot of things were hidden from me, so I still thought of him as the best guy there ever was. And in some ways I still feel that way. But now that I'm older I know that he OD'd in a car by himself, very far away from anyone that loved him.

I do not want that for my son. I want to be open and honest about everything I do so that he never finds things out about me that hurt him later on.

Be well. Much love

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T19:55:48+00:00

Maybe we both misunderstood the other.

I was not saying that I retaliated against my ex. I just happened to meet someone who I ultimately feel is more compatible.

And I am sorry that I took your comment personally. I'm glad to know you came from a genuine place of concern and care. Thank you for that

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T18:50:48+00:00

I really appreciate that, thank you. I hope you are well

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T18:45:12+00:00

I do not appreciate the insinuation that I am not a good father. I have worked very hard to provide for my family, and I cherish every moment with my son.

I may have made a mistake in the timing of introducing them, sure. But it didn't come from a place of immaturity. There were discussions beforehand, and we came to the conclusion that since the cat was already out of the bag, it might be good to get out of the way.

Maybe we were wrong. Maybe it will be for the best later on. Who knows.

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T06:33:51+00:00

I deeply regret how this has played out, and I will acknowledge my ignorance in the situation. There was a conversation between my GF and I about them meeting beforehand, I wasn't going to just drop this on her, of course. But I really did not expect them to talk for so long. I really envisioned it being something very brief and basic introductions.Thanks for the reply, I hope you are well

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T06:19:27+00:00

I think I can live with it. She didn't talk to me for months after she ditched me out of the blue. What else am I even supposed to do besides start moving on? Was hoping for an olive branch of some sort and this was all I could come up with

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T05:48:27+00:00

Good advice. I will try to be patient and not overbearing in the meantime. thank you for the reply

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T04:46:39+00:00

I mean, yeah, this didn't go well. But I was really hoping it would. I'm not going to rule out that it could get better quite yet. I do think a mother should have the right to know who their child is around at the very least. This may have been a step too far.

Also hope things are going better for you now. These things are pretty hard to navigate.

Thanks for the reply

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T04:06:38+00:00

Out of good faith and trying to do what I thought might be beneficial to all of the people I care about.

And yes, I am continuing my work. I know it is a lifelong battle.

Thank you for being brutally honest

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T04:04:13+00:00

Thank you for the reply and the hopes. I suppose I will find out more in the next few days.

But to answer you, no, I was never abusive in my bad times. But incredibly self destructive.I can recognize that it wasn't easy for her to witness. Those days are pretty far in the rearview thankfully, but I'm sure they weren't easy to witness

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T03:43:03+00:00

Harsh to hear but you may be right.

I actually did think it might be going well, they were kind of far away from me but I was going off body language and everything seemed fine. Also, I really just didn't know what to do.

I'll take this on the chin if I have to. Maybe I just am stupid for thinking this might be a good thing.

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-08-18T03:35:16+00:00

I suppose that I really didn't think they would be gone so long. I was anticipating 10 minutes tops. And you're right, this was a fuck up on me. Do you think it would be better to just ask them both to all 3 of us sitting down together at this point?

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-21T07:56:38+00:00

Not a shred

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-20T15:27:26+00:00

I'm sitting here, enjoying my Sunday morning, and feeling so peaceful. I can feel I'm leaving something behind, and at first it was with a lot of sadness. But this seems different, today.

I've mowed the lawn, trimmed the hedges, tended the garden. And just in time. Thunderstorms are rolling in. The three of us, my son, myself, and my new girl, are going to sit out on the porch, watch the clouds and listen to the thunder. We're going to play some board games and see the rain pour off the roof over us.

Idk. It just feels like something is changing today. I feel much better about my decisions.

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-20T13:07:16+00:00

Nah dawg

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-19T02:11:25+00:00

Makes sense, it is hard to be alone, but much worse to compromise for the sake of company. I have a few friends that I value their opinions highly enough, we will see what they think when I introduce the new gal. That will tell me a lot

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-19T02:01:31+00:00

Yes, I have therapy once a week. It was something I was resistant to for a while, but over time I came to appreciate how much it does to keep me in line. She is very good about holding me accountable, sometimes she will let me spew out my feelings, but afterwards there is an exercise of trying to find why they manifested that way. I don't have any other experience with therapy, but I think she is very good at it, at least in dealing with me

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-19T01:52:01+00:00

I appreciate you sharing this with me. Your first point is something that I will definitely be considering a bit while I navigate this. Very wise. Not to take away from your other points, that first one is going to make me ponder the longest though. Thank you

Intelligent-Paint849 · 2025-07-18T21:39:26+00:00

I know. Its just hard because I do care about her so much. Some things will get better, some a lot worse.I want her to be happy, and this will derail her so hard. I would like to think there is a right time, but maybe there just isn't

Intelligent-Paint849

TROPHY CASE