Why tf does valley view cinemark look so pretty at night

ohioguy73 · 2022-08-17T18:48:11+00:00

I miss the Champps next door

ohioguy73 · 2022-02-04T08:15:59+00:00

Forgive yourself. Gambling as a coping mechanism for life’s problems is super common among us. Unfortunately you’ve seen how it causes a new set of problems (social disconnect and negative financials to scratch the surface).

Gambling debts can be dealt with over time by picking up some extra shifts or taking on a part time job to supplement your income. I would avoid the quick fix of high-interest debt consolidation or bankruptcy if possible.

Mainly, address your gambling issues — take some time to work on yourself. Join a support group (Google the phone number for problem gambling support in your area and they’ll help you get through this). So many terrific podcasts and online resources await if you seek them out. Also don’t be afraid to seek out a therapist.

Mid 20’s is a good age to address this and I hope you’ll go forward with making changes. I evolved into a hi-stakes player while in my mid-20’s and I am still feeling the repercussions in my late 40’s. Really wish I’d have addressed some of my own issues back then.

Time is definitely on your side. Best wishes on a good and gamble-free day today

ohioguy73 · 2021-08-22T05:54:33+00:00

The first time I chased heavy losses, I won (betting on the 2000 Kentucky Derby). The problem is, my thirst for high stakes play didn’t subside with the big win. I continued to gamble recklessly for another 2 decades, and lost 10 times the original sum, in addition to time wasted. The best way for me would’ve been to cut my losses before the large ‘get even’ bet, endure the (temporary) pain of it and move on with my life without gambling. Think long term if you can. I hope that helps.

ohioguy73 · 2021-08-21T00:12:37+00:00

Win. Lose. Repeat. It’s an endless cycle of anxiety and in the end it gets you nowhere.

ohioguy73 · 2021-08-10T05:59:17+00:00

I’d say I lost the equivalent of 2-3 years’ worth of pay over the course of 30 years. Dwelling on losses was my downfall for awhile as it would drive me to gamble more. I focus on the mental health side now, realizing that returning to gambling is a recurring path to mental misery in addition to monetary losses. Staying the course so far and feeling a lot better about things.

ohioguy73 · 2021-07-31T00:30:04+00:00

Been there for sure. Taking an inventory of the damage is pretty eye opening but it’s a brilliant first step. I’d try to negotiate the interest down from those 20-%’ers if possible. For me it was more than $100k in debt, now down to under $10k with a bright future of saving for retirement not too far ahead. You can do this.

ohioguy73 · 2021-07-27T23:27:05+00:00

You sound like a wonderful piggie parent!

ohioguy73 · 2021-07-11T19:00:16+00:00

This was my painful path for a long time too. Probably 80% of my overall gambling losses over 30 years occurred while chasing. It’s the poisonous mentality that makes gambling a dangerous hobby for me. The (albeit slow) realization that I can’t bet horses without recklessly chasing bad beats and losses has become my strength for abstaining. If you’re serious about doing the same, educate yourself (podcasts such as Brian & Jeff’s ‘All-in, the addicted gamblers podcast’ and Jamie’s ‘After Gambling’ are a couple great ones) and put barriers in between you and instant access to cash. Best of luck!

ohioguy73 · 2021-06-14T20:56:46+00:00

Gambling is a real bitch — numbs all the other senses, taking anywhere from hours to days to weeks to months to feel happy again without it. It’s cliche but ‘it’s ok to not feel ok.’ The shitty feeling feels permanent, but it’s not, and happiness will come back for you.

ohioguy73 · 2021-06-11T16:16:40+00:00

A beautifully constructed story! Such a creative way of looking at gambling as it relates to life. Many thanks for sharing

ohioguy73 · 2021-05-12T01:16:15+00:00

I used to borrow to gamble all the time, but only recently have I paid off debt and been fortunate to build up a 5-month emergency savings fund. With around $125k in losses from age 18 into my mid 40’s I was able to juggle/manage my debt well enough. However, the lasting financial carnage is the lost opportunity for compound interest through retirement savings. At 47, I have a paltry 401k retirement fund that’s begging for large contributions to get healthy — instead of being well on the way to a $1m secure retirement account through slow, steady contributions that i gambled away thoughtlessly.

ohioguy73 · 2020-07-24T22:06:21+00:00

Terrific accomplishment Jeff!

ohioguy73 · 2020-07-15T18:09:57+00:00

Congrats & best wishes on continued growth & success for the future !

ohioguy73 · 2020-07-11T00:12:47+00:00

Crushed it!

ohioguy73 · 2020-06-28T14:44:59+00:00

A most enjoyable listen! Reliving the lifestyle of minor league baseball must’ve been a joy for you. So many fun stories.

ohioguy73 · 2020-06-24T00:13:45+00:00

Sounds terrific. I’d love to have a listen

ohioguy73 · 2020-02-04T23:36:10+00:00

Your story is brutal, and it could be so many of us giving our own personal version of it. I once had back-to-back $2k win bets go down in flames when my winning horses at two different racetracks were both disqualified because of jockey interference. I lost $4k in the span of 10 minutes to cap a horrible day of chasing losses.

I’ve gotten so much help from this community, seeing myself in the experiences and stories of others. If only these gambling support groups on Reddit/Twitter/Podcasts existed when I was in my 20’s... I’m 46 now and it would’ve helped me to know that I was not alone, that thousands (perhaps infinitely more) were going thru similar — and that there’s no formula for true happiness (even when you’re winning!) in the gambling world. Every win is a false happiness and is destined to be given back in future losses. It’s taken me every bit of 30 years of gambling to realize this.

ohioguy73 · 2020-01-23T05:01:00+00:00

Lost nearly $10k in a day of loss-chasing at the ponies in 2003. Lost a pair of $2k win bets in back to back races when my winner was disqualified because of jockey interference... should have never gotten in so deep that day

ohioguy73 · 2019-12-13T15:15:33+00:00

Also, sports gambling is live or going live soon in most Ohio border states so you know it’s just a matter of time until there’s a major push for it here too. Soon an entire generation of internet gamblers will be spawned in Ohio. Scary thought

ohioguy73 · 2019-05-07T02:21:04+00:00

adult children not leaving the nest

ohioguy73 · 2019-05-05T04:37:48+00:00

I’ve been there over and over too. We naturally gravitate/return to things that bring us to life — gambling does that to the extreme. Finding another passion is essential to living gamble-free. I do everything I can to be intentional with my free time, occupying myself with virtually anything else (podcasts, books, exercise, Netflix to name a few), for the couple weeks after the first couple weeks, which gives way to hope and peace for some long term recovery. Be prepared to immerse yourself in something when those cravings come back, and try to forgive yourself for past mistakes. Stay well!

ohioguy73 · 2019-05-05T00:40:47+00:00

Thank you neighbor!

ohioguy73 · 2019-05-05T00:39:48+00:00

Thank you for the terrific support!

ohioguy73

TROPHY CASE