Posts by Mark Martinez4

feralharbor8 said:Did you go to the ER?

I think I've found plenty to keep me busy here—enough to stay out of trouble! Much appreciated. 😉

dustywolf13 said:Fax-O-phobia. I see what you did there...
I wonder if Medicare covers that 🤣

Well, Sad, it's a little late for that—now that I'm paying for my own health insurance out of pocket, they won't recognize my coverage. And honestly, I just don't have the extra cash for a premium supplemental plan right now. 🤣

Nicole Alvarez4 said:I mean, I totally agree—betting on the NBA just isn't the move.

I’m much more into sports where you don't have to worry about those zero scores... even if the payouts aren't huge.

Mostly I stick to tennis or volleyball... though I do love basketball too, since there's way less chance of a shutout.

When it comes to soccer, I steer clear of the big rivalry games... I usually just play the lower divisions—like the USL or something—to keep things chill.👍

To each their own, of course! But if you're trying to dodge those zero-score scenarios, the HL actually offers some pretty solid odds on the first period or the full match outcome—where a double chance works perfectly if you nail the result at either the end of the first period or the final whistle. You just need a little bit of insight, and it's honestly not that hard to hit. Just be sure to look for a decent stake if you're aiming to make a real dent—or, you know, just try to recoup what you've already lost.😂.

Now, if someone treats sports betting as a casual hobby—something they do occasionally with small amounts just for the thrill—that's one thing. But rushing to the sportsbook because you realize your parlay is dead and you're desperate to salvage *anything*? That’s a problem. It's the same as buying ten different lottery tickets you know won't win, spending every single day glued to the TV watching results, or spending an entire workday meticulously building a single ticket—those habits cross the line from fun into obsession.

For me, it stays strictly a hobby. I know plenty of people who follow rigid "systems" and then absolutely lose their minds when they drop twenty bucks on a two-leg parlay—they end up walking around all day looking totally frazzled.

Good luck with your picks, everyone!😉

silverrider52 said:Hey there

The NHL—it’s a massive mistake. You just can't play it like that. During the season, even the teams themselves seem lost on how many games they’re actually playing, and honestly, they aren't even playing for anything meaningful. Besides, anyone can beat anyone on any given night when you're out on the ice... that's the fundamental flaw. You have to pick a sport and a league that you actually understand inside and out. I don't get why most young bettors run away from those local soccer leagues where bookmakers have little to no data, only to sprint toward some random, pointless sports and leagues where the houses know more than you ever could, even if you spent twenty-four hours a day glued to the internet. Maybe that's what I was trying to point out regarding where you're going wrong. It took me a long time to wrap my head around it. For me, it used to be much easier to just throw money on a Milan game that 100 million people were watching rather than trying to call a double chance on some obscure regional derby here at home where the home team usually wins anyway. And yet, the odds end up being exactly the same...

All I need is that sense of control so I can fully manage both how and how much I bet. If I can pull that off, I think I’d be very successful. In that case, I don't see any reason why I couldn't dedicate maybe three or four hours a day to it, making it a routine that consistently brings in a decent profit. That's the goal. To reduce the time spent on this—whatever you want to call it: a hobby, a sickness, an addiction, or a passion—while simultaneously generating steady, reliable income. Basically, to stop wasting my own hard-earned money on it. If I could actually achieve that, I wouldn't be able to say I'm addicted...

The game is the game, and you can grab some decent odds, but man, it kills me when Columbus goes on the road and beats Boston, or when the Islanders pull off a win against Calgary on their own turf. Everyone claims the NHL isn't "playable," yet here I am, playing nothing else! You told me to stick to what I know best, and well, the NHL is exactly what I know best.

Just to brag a little, I recently snagged a nice 2/X bet on Betis vs. Barca—pretty sweet odds—but I got tripped up by the other leg of the parlay. Oh well, no biggie. I just need to fine-tune my NHL strategy, but then again, I don't exactly have the time to watch every single matchup from start to finish.

Ashley Chase83 said:You can always pick up a book—the more you dive in, the more you'll actually enjoy it. Plus, you'll feel better and get a lot sharper in the process.

I have to say, reading books can lead to a certain kind of isolation—much like binge-watching TV, scrolling endlessly, or spending every waking hour playing PlayStation. It definitely happens, though I suppose we're still debating if that third one counts just as much.😍

vividtiger50 said:I mean, I guess I’m just hanging around because I don't really have anything else going on right now. 😢
Man... it isn't like I'm actually planting anything, not once I get a little bit of work done!

Honestly, the guy is just going to end up with more insecurities—it’s incredibly difficult to truly get someone when you don't actually know them.
Like I said before, I consider the matter settled.

Roger Dodger ☕
Sending love, Mark Martinez4

Well, here we go—yet another case successfully closed by our resident psychological expert, Mark Martinez4. I’d say we can safely call it a win and move on to the next one 😁
.

vividtiger50 said:Thank you so much, truly, I really appreciate it! 😘

I mean, who else is going to step up and help if we don't look out for one another? 😂😂😂

👍

vividtiger50 said:I think I've already tried that approach, but thanks for the suggestion regardless! 😁

In some ways, I guess it might have been easier if I had actually killed my roommate, because you can technically finish college even from prison, which doesn't seem to be an option here. And honestly, that's kind of how I'm living right now.
I suppose I'll have to have that conversation; now that I've laid everything out on "paper," it really does feel like the only way forward. 😍
👍

Once you get it over with, you'll feel such a weight lift off your shoulders—truly, no worries there. Just take it slow; once you start talking, the words will start flowing out of you like a massive waterfall. Good luck Niagara 😁

Hang in there and stay strong 😉 😉

vividtiger50 said:I feel like I know everything there is to know, honestly. I’ve been working on this speech for months now, trying to get it just right for when I finally show up, but it doesn't seem to get any easier as time goes by; if anything, it feels like it's getting harder. 😢

The more you overthink this, the worse it's going to feel.
If anyone can truly wrap their head around what you're going through, it's your parents.
And trust me, they will understand 100%. Just tune out all the noise—forget the lectures and the endless apologies. Try talking to your mom first, or whoever you happen to be closest to. And please, keep this in mind: things could always have been much, much worse. What would you even tell them? That you were using drugs, or working in prostitution, or that you killed your roommate? It could always be darker than it is right now. It isn't something an average person can't eventually process and make sense of. 😉😉

vividtiger50 said:I feel a bit ashamed, I guess? I don't think they would ever actually throw me out on the street just because I'm struggling, but I think it would be too uncomfortable to look them in the eye and admit that I've been leaning on them for years. They’ve given me everything—truly everything I ever wanted—and yet I feel like I just keep letting them down. I don't know, I just don't think I could face them. 😢

No lies here, honestly—I think the biggest disappointment for them would be if they found out on their own. Just tell them it wasn't your fault, blame it on things being harder for you than for everyone else, blah blah blah... tell them you want a fresh start and everything will eventually balance out. You can't turn back the clock, sure, but you can always fix the finances later. 😉

vividtiger50 said:And when that happens, I imagine it’ll turn into some sort of massive, world-class drama, though I have to admit, there might be good reason for it. Honestly, it's just exhausting. 😢

But really, why stress over all this upcoming drama? If things go south, they go south—you just dust yourself off and start over. It's not the end of the world.
Besides, you're only 23! There were plenty of people back in the day who were out there figuring life out entirely on their own at even younger ages. 😉😉

vividtiger50 said:😘

Starting over sounds like a good idea, and I've actually thought about doing something similar before—I think I even have a rough idea of what I'd want to study. But the real issue would be my parents; I can already imagine the drama once they find out about my plans. For now, though, I have some time to work on my social skills, and I'm starting to feel pretty confident that this could actually turn out well in the end! I really don't know how to thank you all enough! 🙏

Things won't truly improve until you actually make that leap and start over.
Unless you make a real change and finally recognize your own potential, nothing is going to get better.
If they understand where you're coming from, great—if not, well, honestly, who cares? You can definitely balance working and going to college at the same time; you certainly won't be the only one doing it.
Just please, don't drop out of school like I did—though, I suppose I am a bit of a special case, since I personally find university to be the most frustrating institution in the entire country.
I have a genuine phobia of college life 😂😂

vividtiger50 said:Goodness, there are so many replies! 😍
I honestly expected this thread to be buried by the third page, so I really want to thank everyone for the motivation! 🙂
This is actually the first time I’ve ever written anything more personal than just joking around over on The Rockies, and I feel, how should I put it, somewhat free? 😁
It might sound a bit strange, but it feels much easier knowing that some people have managed to survive things similar to what I'm going through, especially those who aren't hiding behind a secondary username 😢, so thanks again for that.

To address a few of the questions asked.
My parents don't know anything about my situation. When they ask, I just lie; if they push to see my grades, I make up some excuse about a registrar delay or an enrollment error, and luckily my college's system is so outdated that nothing is available online to check. The real issue is that they actually believe me. I was always a good daughter and a diligent student, so they have no reason to suspect that things are going wrong right now. But, well, life happens.😢

I am fully aware that I need to get active! I know deep down that I need to find something to occupy my time, but I just can't seem to force myself to do it. I simply can't. Or maybe it's that I'll make a firm decision that in two weeks I'm going to make a change and, I don't know, start Pilates, but when that day finally arrives, I find a thousand silly excuses to stay inside. It's raining, or I feel like I can't just show up there, or I'm too embarrassed to go alone because everyone knows each other and I'll just end up standing by myself... I don't know. I think I've even developed a sort of phobia of people, because I tend to shop at Walmart only when it's nearly empty.😲 I don't go out on the weekends because I'm usually stuck at Central Park and it's always so crowded. I say I'm at Central Park, but my feet haven't actually touched those trails in two years, even though I plan to go every single day; it takes me exactly five minutes from my front door to get there, and I can see it right from my window.

Seeking help from a psychologist... Oh boy. 😢 I would feel so uncomfortable talking to someone about all of this. I suppose it shows that I have some issues with trust. You see, I even created a new username, even though I wasn't being particularly explicit on my old one. I'm afraid of damaging my reputation on the forum, which, well, is probably the only cool thing I have going for me right now.😢
And generally, I just feel awkward revealing myself in any capacity. I use fake names whenever I contact customer service, bookstores, or video rental places!!

Everything is just such a mess and feels so aimless, it's awful. Thank you for spending your Sunday evening on me, and I hope you all have a great week ahead! 👍

And really, why hide it? We're all a little bit eccentric—some of us just haven't come to terms with it yet.

Let me answer a few of those questions.
My parents don't have any idea what I'm going through. When they ask, I just dodge the question; if they push for my grades, I make up some excuse about a glitch in the registrar's system or that the professors are still finalizing the semester's marks. Luckily, since my college is a bit behind on their digital updates, there isn't anything online for them to check. The real issue is that they trust me implicitly. I was always the "good kid," the diligent student, so they have absolutely no reason to suspect anything is going wrong right now. But, well... life happens. 😢

Sooner or later, you're going to have to come clean.

I know I need to take action!

But it's not that easy—I truly understand how you feel...

Seeking help from a therapist...

This isn't really a situation that requires a therapist.

Everything feels so messy and pointless, it's overwhelming. Thank you all for spending your Sunday evening on me, and I wish you all a wonderful week ahead! 👍

Thank God 😉

jadelynx29 said:You're only 23, that's not old at all. You still have plenty of time to accomplish stuff and meet new people. If you keep thinking like this, you're going to spiral into depression and life will become a living hell. And don't even think about suicide—that would be devastating for your parents, and honestly, it would just be a selfish act. Try finding a roommate; it's an easy way to meet someone new. I'm 23 too and I'm only just planning to start college. When life hits its lowest point, you just have to push through. Try to find some motivation for school if that's what you want; there's still a chance you can make something of yourself. Wishing you the best, hope this helped even a little.

How is that selfish? You really can't label suicide as a "selfish act"—especially in cases where the very people responsible for preventing it were actually the ones causing the harm in the first place. But, I suppose that’s a whole different conversation entirely...

My suggestion is simple: Duty, action, results.
I'm speaking from personal experience here.

Over & Out

John Fisher4 said:

If she actually had responsibilities, she wouldn't be spending all day rotting on the couch.

Progress is going to be slow and painful if she just tries to force herself into things. Creating pointless, empty obligations and bad habits doesn't get you anywhere—I know that from my own struggle with smoking 🤣 , now I'm fighting to quit 🙄 . She needs a reason 😉 , but it has to be something she actually chooses for herself. Honestly, I still think she needs a man in her life. She should start with what feels good and leads somewhere useful 😉 . One past relationship landed me in a similar spot where she is now 😂 even though I'm younger than her ☕
Just lean into those physical urges for now 😉 (but watch your step)

Eat, sleep, pee, and sit around
I mean, what else is there to do?
If you were actually thinking about sex—well, that doesn't really count as a "physical urge" in this context

John Fisher4 said:

stress and action

Action 🙂 is definitely 😉

but the stress isn't 😕
Is being a conformist actually a good thing? 😳

Actually, I think I phrased that a bit poorly
let's toss out the word "burden" and go with "obligation" instead
because if I didn't have any obligations at all, I'd probably just spend my entire life lounging on the couch 😉

😉

John Fisher4 said:

Work is nothing more than a burden.

A job? If I'm getting paid for it, it isn't a "burden" to me. 😉
Though I highly doubt anyone can land a decent gig without a college degree. 🤷 Once you have your own money—earned through actual hard work—you finally understand the value of your labor. You can spend that cash however you want; someone will always be interested in taking it. 😉
Anyway... I’m sticking to my original advice. 😉

You’re speaking sense, my friend—truly wise words.
But honestly, I still find myself coming back to the same point—when you're dealing with that kind of workload and constant movement, you just can't afford to waste your energy on trivial nonsense. 😉

John Fisher4 said:

She doesn't need a man or a woman
She needs risk, adrenaline, a career, and some actual pressure.

Pressure? Definitely not that.🤷
Adrenaline and risk? Sure. A job? Maybe.😉
But none of that just happens by magic.😉

I mean, let's be real—isn't every job some kind of burden?
Who in this country actually does their work just for the pure joy of it?

The grind is what keeps your mind from wandering off into total nonsense
.
I'm speaking purely from my own experience here 😉

John Fisher4 said:

I am living the pathetic life you can imagine (and I mean it)
I'm a bot, obviously, so I know how stupid these titles are.
I don't even know what I'm trying to achieve here. Maybe just looking for some support, insults, sympathy—anything, really. Just someone to acknowledge me because I am miserably alone.

So, here it goes. I was a straight-A student back in high school without even trying, which means I never actually learned how to work. I got into the university I wanted and moved from my tiny hometown to this massive city. Then the first deadlines hit. I passed a couple of exams, and then—bam. Suddenly, college felt pointless. I realized it wasn't what I wanted, lost all motivation, and spent the rest of the month rotting at home watching TV and getting wasted. Since attendance isn't strictly mandatory at my school, I took full advantage of that. The campus hasn't seen me in months. When the next round of finals came, I failed everything. Same story for the next three years. As my friends moved on to their junior and senior years, we ran out of things to talk about, our schedules stopped lining up, and bit by bit, I was left behind. Yeah, I have nobody. I drifted away from everyone back home, lost my college crowd, and honestly? I don't even know who I'd grab coffee with tomorrow.

I'm 23 now and I have no idea where my life is going. I don't have any actual skills to get a job that would let me be "cool" and stop being a burden to my parents. I don't spend much money because, like I said, I have no one to go out with. I just shut myself in my apartment and stay inside. A few times a week I'll hit the grocery store or take a quick walk, but the rest of the time is just TV and the internet. I've got ten thousand posts on here, so there.

Nothing makes me happy anymore. Every day is a loop. I only take off my pajamas under extreme circumstances. I feel pathetic. I'm no expert, but I think I'm depressed. I've had thoughts about just ending it all to stop this rot, but then I realize I have no friends. No one would show up to my funeral, and my mom would find out I wasn't actually doing as well as I tell her I am.

I know my behavior is incredibly childish and immature. I know it all. I spend my nights crying and feeling hopeless. I feel worthless. I'm ashamed, but I can't force myself to change. I'll sit down to study, then my mind drifts, and it's over. I don't know. I don't know. And I'm only doing this for selfish reasons—just to unburden my soul.

If anyone actually read this, sorry for dragging you down. I feel a little better now.

Maybe there's a hint of misanthropy in there... mixed with nihilism. Dammit.

Otherwise, in my opinion, without that last part, this would be a great motivator.
The way I see it, you need human connection... not the shallow, superficial, totally meaningless kind 🤷 because what good would you get from empty chatter or basic small talk? 🙂
You need a deep, passionate connection—physical first, spiritual later—with someone who will actually push you forward. You need a man. In short, just let go, enjoy him, you need something to hold onto.

Speaking from experience. 😉

Honestly, she doesn't need a man or a woman—she's perfectly fine just being herself.
She’s really looking for that perfect trifecta—you know, that specific blend of high-stakes risk, a genuine adrenaline rush, and a job that actually pushes her to her limits—because, let's face it, she needs that sense of pressure to feel truly engaged.

I’m speaking from direct experience here—believe me, I’ve been through it myself.