MelodicRockFest 2 - Show Details

[Rockindeano]

gay line up...gay locale...gay MR dopes...fuck all of you....

You had the under tonight in the NBA All-Star game didn't you?

channeling Deano...felt kinda good....

Easy old man. I am not anti gay. However, I make fun of fags because well, they're fags.

Oh fuck off Jason you goddamned pole smokin' bitch.

[StevePerryHair]

gay line up...gay locale...gay MR dopes...fuck all of you....

PS Drew, I don't think Tom is going.

I'm thinkin he MIGHT be a little jealous too?

[Maui Tom]

gay line up...gay locale...gay MR dopes...fuck all of you....

PS Drew, I don't think Tom is going.

I'm thinkin he MIGHT be a little jealous too?

nah...just being a dick.....

[StevePerryHair]

gay line up...gay locale...gay MR dopes...fuck all of you....

PS Drew, I don't think Tom is going.

I'm thinkin he MIGHT be a little jealous too?

nah...just being a dick.....

[mrsromek]

I have not been in this venue since it was the old Prairie Rock...for those unaware, they were a micro-brewery. The restaurant area was big with high ceilings. The bar area that was attached was not all that big, in my opinion. I plan on seeing Tantric there in March and I will scope the layout out. I've gone to their website already, and unless some walls were knocked down, I am not sure how 1000 people would fit in there.

I already purchased a VIP ticket. However, I doubt I can be there every minute all 2.5 days. I only live 5 minutes from this place, so I plan on coming and going as needed.

Andrew....will Winger be signing stuff and mingling with fans after their slot, or will they be mingling during the day? Who will be representing Alias? Will all of the bands be selling their CD's on Friday during the meet and greet?

[YoungJRNY]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

[Rip Rokken]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

You CAN'T not come man! Tell them you're SO sorry but PROMISE to make his next wedding and that may take the heat off of you.

[Behshad]

I wonder if the venue just doesn't allow for that kind of set up, even if you wanted one like that. It would be cool though. When we went to see Rick Springfield in Tampa a couple months ago, they had a big event tent outside the Hard Rock for him to perform in. It was supposed to be the first so many rows were VIP and had seats, and then the rest behind those seats was supposed to be GA. Well we got stuck with GA tickets since they had sold out of the seats. Turned out they gave all of us seats! That was an intimate kind of setting too.

However, I did manage my way back and forth from the front area, through a huge crowd at the Heart concert at HOB here, 3 times for my bathroom breaks, and I have a way of plowing through a crowd if need be (If excuse me doesn't work that is )

I think getting a seat will really help sell those VIP tickets! And I just think for 10+ hours 2 days in a row that you need seats for those people that want to hear every (or almost every) band. *I* don't. I wanna hear about 6 bands over the 3 days. I'm just being my usual selfess, considerate self. Still going VIP, though, for Drewsky.

Awe, thanks for being SO selfless Seriously though, I never really thought about that and how long we will be standing I think I better find me some comfy shoes between now and then.

you gonna wear the same shoes for 2 1/2 months ?

[Jana]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

[StevePerryHair]

I wonder if the venue just doesn't allow for that kind of set up, even if you wanted one like that. It would be cool though. When we went to see Rick Springfield in Tampa a couple months ago, they had a big event tent outside the Hard Rock for him to perform in. It was supposed to be the first so many rows were VIP and had seats, and then the rest behind those seats was supposed to be GA. Well we got stuck with GA tickets since they had sold out of the seats. Turned out they gave all of us seats! That was an intimate kind of setting too.

However, I did manage my way back and forth from the front area, through a huge crowd at the Heart concert at HOB here, 3 times for my bathroom breaks, and I have a way of plowing through a crowd if need be (If excuse me doesn't work that is )

I think getting a seat will really help sell those VIP tickets! And I just think for 10+ hours 2 days in a row that you need seats for those people that want to hear every (or almost every) band. *I* don't. I wanna hear about 6 bands over the 3 days. I'm just being my usual selfess, considerate self. Still going VIP, though, for Drewsky.

Awe, thanks for being SO selfless Seriously though, I never really thought about that and how long we will be standing I think I better find me some comfy shoes between now and then.

you gonna wear the same shoes for 2 1/2 months ?

[Ehwmatt]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

[Jana]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

I was looking more also at the first line where he got into a big fight with her family b/c of the money issue.

[YoungJRNY]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

Yeah, which is exactly what I said but they feel it's too small of a gap between the trips for me to afford and "weren't aware" of the date of my trip I "planned and rushed into without thinking about the commitment to Florida." I can't believe it caused this much strain in such a short period of time since I talked it over before booking and it's a royal pain in the ass to be dealing with this for the last 2 days and getting worse. Everything is booked. It will certainly be a lot of dough in a short period of time within a month but from now until May I'll be getting paid throughout so I don't think it's a problem to be saving up for both trips from now until then but this could cause some major shit now, as always.

[Rhiannon]

Yeah, which is exactly what I said but they feel it's too small of a gap between the trips for me to afford and "weren't aware" of the date of my trip I "planned and rushed into without thinking about the commitment to Florida." I can't believe it caused this much strain in such a short period of time since I talked it over before booking and it's a royal pain in the ass to be dealing with this for the last 2 days and getting worse. Everything is booked. It will certainly be a lot of dough in a short period of time within a month but from now until May I'll be getting paid throughout so I don't think it's a problem to be saving up for both trips from now until then but this could cause some major shit now, as always.

Um, Travis. It's YOUR money. NOT their money. Make use of it how YOU want.

[Ehwmatt]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

Yeah, which is exactly what I said but they feel it's too small of a gap between the trips for me to afford and "weren't aware" of the date of my trip I "planned and rushed into without thinking about the commitment to Florida." I can't believe it caused this much strain in such a short period of time since I talked it over before booking and it's a royal pain in the ass to be dealing with this for the last 2 days and getting worse. Everything is booked. It will certainly be a lot of dough in a short period of time within a month but from now until May I'll be getting paid throughout so I don't think it's a problem to be saving up for both trips from now until then but this could cause some major shit now, as always.

Dude if they're this bad now, just imagine them as in-laws. I know I've been on your ass before about this shit and it's kinda weird since I've never actually met you, so forgive me for overstepping, but damnnnnnnn man you get a lot of grief and don't seem to get a lot of opportunities to do things you wanna do.

[YoungJRNY]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

Yeah, which is exactly what I said but they feel it's too small of a gap between the trips for me to afford and "weren't aware" of the date of my trip I "planned and rushed into without thinking about the commitment to Florida." I can't believe it caused this much strain in such a short period of time since I talked it over before booking and it's a royal pain in the ass to be dealing with this for the last 2 days and getting worse. Everything is booked. It will certainly be a lot of dough in a short period of time within a month but from now until May I'll be getting paid throughout so I don't think it's a problem to be saving up for both trips from now until then but this could cause some major shit now, as always.

Dude if they're this bad now, just imagine them as in-laws. I know I've been on your ass before about this shit and it's kinda weird since I've never actually met you, so forgive me for overstepping, but damnnnnnnn man you get a lot of grief and don't seem to get a lot of opportunities to do things you wanna do.

No, it's cool dude, nothing I've already heard and know since I'd probably say the exact same thing to you if the tides were turned and I actually appreciate it since I don't have to share a damn thing with anyone but I consider myself close to you guys so I have no problem talking any of this over with any of you involved with the boards.

You're actually right on many accounts and it's easier for anyone to say but I can only fight and argue so much to the point to where I've got to save face. They were cool with me going but now it's a concern with figures as far as both trips being only 3 weeks within each other. I knew before hand it would be a problem but everything was fine until we all talked it over about the trip to Florida 2 nights ago, since then it's been a struggle. I may have to swallow the bullet because now it's tension within since I said things I've never said to them before, on top of always getting along and being close with them. I'll be thinking about it for awhile with an empty torn feeling. The gut feeling now is to pull my name and that hurts. If I don't, then I feel going against my girls will. Turning into an emotional mess.

[Behshad]

Update:

I might be this close to canceling the trip. Got in a big fight with my girl as well as her family because of the money issue of this being so close to my gf's brothers wedding, which is in June. After we sat down and figured out how much it's going to be to travel down to Florida and also being in the wedding, they feel I better think twice as far as financial handling is concerned since my job won't cover needs until mid-year. It's 3:30 in the God damn morn and I just got done saying my peace so I'm going to be sleeping on this.

Wow, she's only your girlfriend and her family is already involved in your personal business, like your financial affairs? Not good.

Holy shit, no kidding... at least if that's what you meant by "they feel I better think twice..."

Tell them it's simple, either they pay for you to go down to Florida if they want you in the wedding that bad or you spend your money on something you want to do. Or ideally, they pay for you to go down to the stupid wedding and you spend your own money on your leisure activity.

Yeah, which is exactly what I said but they feel it's too small of a gap between the trips for me to afford and "weren't aware" of the date of my trip I "planned and rushed into without thinking about the commitment to Florida." I can't believe it caused this much strain in such a short period of time since I talked it over before booking and it's a royal pain in the ass to be dealing with this for the last 2 days and getting worse. Everything is booked. It will certainly be a lot of dough in a short period of time within a month but from now until May I'll be getting paid throughout so I don't think it's a problem to be saving up for both trips from now until then but this could cause some major shit now, as always.

Dude if they're this bad now, just imagine them as in-laws. I know I've been on your ass before about this shit and it's kinda weird since I've never actually met you, so forgive me for overstepping, but damnnnnnnn man you get a lot of grief and don't seem to get a lot of opportunities to do things you wanna do.

No, it's cool dude, nothing I've already heard and know since I'd probably say the exact same thing to you if the tides were turned and I actually appreciate it since I don't have to share a damn thing with anyone but I consider myself close to you guys so I have no problem talking any of this over with any of you involved with the boards.

You're actually right on many accounts and it's easier for anyone to say but I can only fight and argue so much to the point to where I've got to save face. They were cool with me going but now it's a concern with figures as far as both trips being only 3 weeks within each other. I knew before hand it would be a problem but everything was fine until we all talked it over about the trip to Florida 2 nights ago, since then it's been a struggle. I may have to swallow the bullet because now it's tension within since I said things I've never said to them before, on top of always getting along and being close with them. I'll be thinking about it for awhile with an empty torn feeling. The gut feeling now is to pull my name and that hurts. If I don't, then I feel going against my girls will. Turning into an emotional mess.

A normal , understanding girlfriend (and her parents) would say "Hey Trav since you have the MR fest so close to the wedding and youre going to this wedding because of us, we'd feel better if you let us help you with the Florida trip and all.
If you dont get out of this relationship fast enough, you will be their pussy for life,,, if they try to not only control you but your money, before youre even married to their daughter, God knows what they will do if you ever get married and have kids.
Youre a good looking dude bro. Young & smart too,,,, just move on and save yourself from what you will look back at the biggest regret of your life. With all due respect I dont know your girlfriend, but if she truly loved you, in a situation like this she shouldve stepped in and taken your side,,,
youre one of the nicests guys Ive ever met,,and you deserve better than this,,,, Take a stand and tell them that its either your way or the fucking highway,,,,,

[Ehwmatt]

A normal , understanding girlfriend (and her parents) would say "Hey Trav since you have the MR fest so close to the wedding and youre going to this wedding because of us, we'd feel better if you let us help you with the Florida trip and all.
If you dont get out of this relationship fast enough, you will be their pussy for life,,, if they try to not only control you but your money, before youre even married to their daughter, God knows what they will do if you ever get married and have kids.
Youre a good looking dude bro. Young & smart too,,,, just move on and save yourself from what you will look back at the biggest regret of your life. With all due respect I dont know your girlfriend, but if she truly loved you, in a situation like this she shouldve stepped in and taken your side,,,
youre one of the nicests guys Ive ever met,,and you deserve better than this,,,, Take a stand and tell them that its either your way or the fucking highway,,,,,

I agree man and this couldn't be coming from a better source since I just met B and his really cool wife, Angelina. It's readily apparent that they have a great relationship and I can tell they have a lot of mutual respect when it comes to doing things for the other, so he knows what he's talking about.

Just going on the very small sample I have of the situation, like when I came to Pitt back in November and you were forced to go do something else with her family related like this instead of comin out to get hammered on the biggest drinking night of the year, a few other things I've seen you say on here, and now this, you shouldn't always have to kowtow to every demand for every social function or event... especially when you're not even married or engaged.

Like I said and now B has said, if your presence at the wedding is so desired, then they should pony up the dough for a plane ticket to Florida. They should also be more understanding that this is something you really enjoy doing and a rare event. It's not your fault that's when and where the wedding is. What are you, 21 close to 22? Most people your age don't have 400 bones to just drop on a plane ticket for someone else's need. It's one thing to save up some money for a ticket to a fun trp when you're getting something out of it. You shouldn't have to take a huge chunk out of your wallet just for this. And by all means, you certainly shouldn't be TOLD you should be doing so.

The best analogy I have is to a "friend" that always wants to do things on his/her terms (his house, his concert, his car, his choice of bar, his friends, what have you) and never wants to do what you wanna do. That's not really a friend... it's prison. Or in a relationship situation, prison with conjugal visits.

[bluejeangirl76]

I may have to swallow the bullet because now it's tension within since I said things I've never said to them before, on top of always getting along and being close with them. I'll be thinking about it for awhile with an empty torn feeling. The gut feeling now is to pull my name and that hurts. If I don't, then I feel going against my girls will. Turning into an emotional mess.

It isn't an easy thing to be torn between what you want and what others want, but since you mentioned going against her will, I will say one thing to you:

You have to look at the big picture - is the argument worth it and is SHE worth it (meaning is she good to you, does she deserve it, would she make the same type of sacrifice for you, etc.) You should certainly be able to do things you want also, and I do think it's unfair that her family is involving themselves in your finances and your plans, but in the end, it is worth the irrepairable damage it might do between you and your lady. I don't know her, of course, but she may feel like something else is more important to you than this (and I still say her family needs to mind their own beeswax, but I'm jaded after having a shitty mother in law who pulled this stuff on me all the time), and the last thing you want to do is make her feel disregarded and hurt her feelings.

I can tell you this - my former always made the wrong choice when it came to "do I disregard Kim, or do I toe the party line to keep everyone else happy..." and "do I do what *I* want OR do I compromise with my wife..." It was usually his way or no way, no matter how much I gave (and I gave a lot). I always seem to be the one that LIVES on the back burner, and nothing makes a person feel lower than feeling like people close to them are choosing to let them down. Sometimes it happens unwillingly, but when you know the person has control over it and they do it anyway, it's like a knife.

What is silly here is that you said that you should reasonably be able to afford to do both, so why the family is giving you hell over it is beyond me, but maybe I'm missing something. It's between you and her, really, and if you can come to some kind of agreement with her, then they need to shut up about it. In the same way that you need to understand this is important to her (and it seems that you do), she also need to understand that you have something that is important to you, and that its not just some concert, it's kind of a big deal.

[bluejeangirl76]

Just going on the very small sample I have of the situation, like when I came to Pitt back in November and you were forced to go do something else with her family related like this instead of comin out to get hammered on the biggest drinking night of the year, a few other things I've seen you say on here, and now this, you shouldn't always have to kowtow to every demand for every social function or event... especially when you're not even married or engaged.

You're right, no one should have to constantly sacrifice themselves that way, and if it happens all the time then a stand has to be made... but also... when you're trying to build something with a person you may want to be with permanently, then giving them the shaft is only going to make them walk away from you because if they can't trust you to be there for them or they feel they aren't important enough... ya know? They may not be engaged or married, but if that is the way it is headed, it might not be the time to be making the GF feel that she's not important or her feelings don't matter. And Trav, I'm not saying that you would do that, only that sometimes the other party might see it that way.

It's an awful position to be in, caught in the middle like that. You can't make all the people happy all of the time and no matter what you do in a lot of cases, you're going to make someone unhappy.

[YoungJRNY]

I appreciate all these responses IMMSELEY and it really is comforting, so I thank you guys for that. I won't be making a decision anytime soon as we are set to talk about this and I'll be holding my ground. It's perfectly clear that this is my decision and my decision only, whether they or anyone else likes it or not and I held my ground with that and it couldn't be more clear.

First and foremost, she told me to go, wants me to have a great time and know I'll have a great time. She said she feels horrible to feel this way but she wanted to be real with me and she's concerned about me and my financial's since I just got a job that isn't a straight forward guarantee of withholding in the long run and wants me to make the best decision as far as money for the future and I get that and also the concern. She's the sweetest girl I've ever met and doesn't walk on my toes whatsoever and was always there for me, and a strong vice versa. It came to the point in the relationship to where after 4 years that she's my pride and joy and I don't want to do anything that would cause a rift between us, esp since I'm close to her brothers and her family. I'll tell you that she doesn't want nothing but the best for me and has no say in my decision's and she's only here to offer her best judgment and insight, so I'll always stick up for her in that highest regard as she truly is the sweetest girl and person I've ever been acquainted with.

Problem is, yeah, I've made the decision and like Matt said, I don't get many opportunities to do things like this since I'm 100% invested in her, which stems off of my actions and agreement alone. I've met wonderful people on the boards and I couldn't be more happy to spend every split second with any of you I've met and haven't yet met to this point. Words can't describe how lucky I am to have met the people I've met from here and the friendship is something I adore, esp now since a thing like this will give us the opportunity to grow a stronger threshold of that friendship & like Matt said, is so rare. I also look to my girl as my best friend and now knowing that she's concerned about this puts up caution flag in my mind now and that certainly won't go away. It ended last night in her telling me to go and wants the best for me and always wants me to be happy no matter what, but it's like the damage is done sort of thing within the family (who I agree is none of their damn business, but it's also guidance on their behalf and I take it as a grain of salt.)

BJG is hitting it on the head as far as the emotion. I guess I am at the point to where I care for her too much that it's not about being tied down, but ultimately what's best for me and her & I think about that in everything. Even though I KNOW she's looking out for me and wanting what's best, I also have such a strong relationship to the point to where I don't want to make a bad judgment of her concern and brush her off to the side and "make her feel her feelings don't matter" type of thing.

I'm the last person to make an ordeal out of anything, but I feel strongly connected to both sides. I'll be letting you guys know all the details in the next couple days.

[Behshad]

A true friend , best friend specially, wouldnt say " just go, but Im worried about your financial situation"..... she would GO WITH YOU!.... If she comes with you to Chicago , then she is a keeper .

[YoungJRNY]

A true friend , best friend specially, wouldnt say " just go, but Im worried about your financial situation"..... she would GO WITH YOU!.... If she comes with you to Chicago , then she is a keeper .

She was actually the first person I asked to come along with me and I couldn't of been more privileged to take her! Problem is, she is so far in debt as it is in schooling that she saves every penny to her name to help out her mom, who is a single parent after her dad passed away some years ago. Last year, her cousin got married and now this year she's back to being the brides maid in her brothers wedding, so she's getting SLAMMED and that's typically where she worries about me and her with financial situations. I treat her to EVERYTHING imaginable but wouldn't even be able to help her out since Florida & school is her main priority.

[bluejeangirl76]

BJG is hitting it on the head as far as the emotion. I guess I am at the point to where I care for her too much that it's not about being tied down, but ultimately what's best for me and her & I think about that in everything. Even though I KNOW she's looking out for me and wanting what's best, I also have such a strong relationship to the point to where I don't want to make a bad judgment of her concern and brush her off to the side and "make her feel her feelings don't matter" type of thing.

Well, BJG speaks from very bad experiences and from learning the real hard way. But now I have more info - you said she knows it's important to you and wants you to go... so it doesn't sound like it's the same issue I first thought it was. You have an awesome girl there. If she wants you to go, if you can reasonably work it out, and it itsn't going to be an issue between THE TWO OF YOU, that is ALL that matters. The family will get over it. They need to learn a little bit about respect and boundaries.

[Behshad]

A true friend , best friend specially, wouldnt say " just go, but Im worried about your financial situation"..... she would GO WITH YOU!.... If she comes with you to Chicago , then she is a keeper .

She was actually the first person I asked to come along with me and I couldn't of been more privileged to take her! Problem is, she is so far in debt as it is in schooling that she saves every penny to her name to help out her mom, who is a single parent after her dad passed away some years ago. Last year, her cousin got married and now this year she's back to being the brides maid in her brothers wedding, so she's getting SLAMMED and that's typically where she worries about me and her with financial situations. I treat her to EVERYTHING imaginable but wouldn't even be able to help her out since Florida & school is her main priority.

Well, as far as Hotel, it shouldnt cost you anymore if she goes with you.Also, if you drive rather than fly,that should be cheaper for both of you anyway,,, you get her to go with you and I will make sure I will start a topic here to get people here to pitch in for her tix!

[Ehwmatt]

I appreciate all these responses IMMSELEY and it really is comforting, so I thank you guys for that. I won't be making a decision anytime soon as we are set to talk about this and I'll be holding my ground. It's perfectly clear that this is my decision and my decision only, whether they or anyone else likes it or not and I held my ground with that and it couldn't be more clear.

First and foremost, she told me to go, wants me to have a great time and know I'll have a great time. She said she feels horrible to feel this way but she wanted to be real with me and she's concerned about me and my financial's since I just got a job that isn't a straight forward guarantee of withholding in the long run and wants me to make the best decision as far as money for the future and I get that and also the concern. She's the sweetest girl I've ever met and doesn't walk on my toes whatsoever and was always there for me, and a strong vice versa. It came to the point in the relationship to where after 4 years that she's my pride and joy and I don't want to do anything that would cause a rift between us, esp since I'm close to her brothers and her family. I'll tell you that she doesn't want nothing but the best for me and has no say in my decision's and she's only here to offer her best judgment and insight, so I'll always stick up for her in that highest regard as she truly is the sweetest girl and person I've ever been acquainted with.

Problem is, yeah, I've made the decision and like Matt said, I don't get many opportunities to do things like this since I'm 100% invested in her, which stems off of my actions and agreement alone. I've met wonderful people on the boards and I couldn't be more happy to spend every split second with any of you I've met and haven't yet met to this point. Words can't describe how lucky I am to have met the people I've met from here and the friendship is something I adore, esp now since a thing like this will give us the opportunity to grow a stronger threshold of that friendship & like Matt said, is so rare. I also look to my girl as my best friend and now knowing that she's concerned about this puts up caution flag in my mind now and that certainly won't go away. It ended last night in her telling me to go and wants the best for me and always wants me to be happy no matter what, but it's like the damage is done sort of thing within the family (who I agree is none of their damn business, but it's also guidance on their behalf and I take it as a grain of salt.)

BJG is hitting it on the head as far as the emotion. I guess I am at the point to where I care for her too much that it's not about being tied down, but ultimately what's best for me and her & I think about that in everything. Even though I KNOW she's looking out for me and wanting what's best, I also have such a strong relationship to the point to where I don't want to make a bad judgment of her concern and brush her off to the side and "make her feel her feelings don't matter" type of thing.

I'm the last person to make an ordeal out of anything, but I feel strongly connected to both sides. I'll be letting you guys know all the details in the next couple days.

That's good she said those things as long as she really meant them and wasn't saying them with all kinds of qualifications and/or in such a tone as to make you feel guilty.

I'm not gonna be at MR Fest either, so I feel your pain.

I guess in the end there's three huge things that I'd think about/realize if I were in your shoes:

(1) You're young and relatively unencumbered, so right now you CAN indeed do things like MR Fest without too much of a worry (or should be able to)... someday you might LITERALLY not be able to afford or make it work due to kids/marriage/job/related financial obligations. This is time you'll NEVER get back unless you some day win the lotto and live the life of a bachelor.

(2) If you and this girl are meant to be and you live for each other that much, you have your whole damn lives to go to family holidays, baby showers, weddings, anniversaries, etc etc. together. She should realize that too. Realizing such and being secure enough about each other (sounds like she needs to work on this, regardless of what she said about MR) to realize that just because you missed one thing she wanted you to go to doesn't mean you don't care about her or want to make her happy is a big and necessary step in maturity.

(3) You're a man, not a 16-year-old boy. What you do with your time and your money is about as much of her parents' business as what your parents do with their money and time... in other words, none at all. That really sounds like trouble. The thing that got my head out of my ass with my ex gf who I dated for 4 years and loved a lot too is when my uncle from Montana called me and I finally had an honest talk with him and he said "Matt, I'm not telling you what to do, but just remember, you're not just marrying her... you're marrying the family." I was always bending over backwards to put in face time with her family on holidays, traveling to NY with her to meet extended family and such, whereas her family expected her around their stuff all the time to the point where she never even met some of my extended family in 4 years! That was a bad sign and a big reason of why I got outta that relationship, at least initially. Food for thought my man.

I'm not pretending to know all the answers, I just really see some of my situation in your situation.

[Behshad]

I'm not gonna be at MR Fest either, so I feel your pain.

You're going !

[Maui Tom]

old guy chiming in...

Trav...you know in your heart what to do already...follow your heart...

yes it's deep I know...always worked for me....

[Ehwmatt]

A true friend , best friend specially, wouldnt say " just go, but Im worried about your financial situation"..... she would GO WITH YOU!.... If she comes with you to Chicago , then she is a keeper .

She was actually the first person I asked to come along with me and I couldn't of been more privileged to take her! Problem is, she is so far in debt as it is in schooling that she saves every penny to her name to help out her mom, who is a single parent after her dad passed away some years ago. Last year, her cousin got married and now this year she's back to being the brides maid in her brothers wedding, so she's getting SLAMMED and that's typically where she worries about me and her with financial situations. I treat her to EVERYTHING imaginable but wouldn't even be able to help her out since Florida & school is her main priority.

My god this keeps getting eerier man... fucking very similar situation to my ex with the family, and the debt and all that. One caveat was they were separated after he cheated on her at the start of when we were dating, so that made the situation go steadily downhill over time, getting worse and worse to the point where I literally entered any family situation or get together with utter contempt, especially when her loser dad was around.

[Ehwmatt]

I'm not gonna be at MR Fest either, so I feel your pain.

You're going !

yep, about as much as you're going this Friday for round 2. Do I need to phone a bomb threat into your dealership?