Peace out

[CassiesMan]

I know most of you could really care less abut this, but I feel some people on here might deserve an explination of where I am/whats going on/why I'm dissapearing, so whatever.

This past weekend has been pretty much crap for me. I guess you would call it emotionally high strung. My girlfriend graduated, and is now moving back to live with her parents till she can get a job and car to get an apartment. Its a difficult situation for her, because her parents say she has to move out and get a job, but she doesn't have a car. However, they wont help her get a car (which I understand), but its hard to move out and get a job without a car to get you to work, but its hard to pay for a car if you don't have a job. But I digress.

I know this may not seem like a big deal to some of you all, but this is the second time this has happened to me (loosing someone to graduation). Mary and I are really trying to make this work, as we have talked about marriage quite a bit. The general plan is that as soon as I graduate next year we get married, but as the quote goes "The best laid plans..." Mary has been one of my major support structures through the past year and a half (even though we've only been dating for seven months, eight next thursday), with my dad having cancer and issues in my fraternity really tearing guys apart and ruining some great freindships. These past few weeks I've felt as that Mary was not only my best friend, but my only friend at times, and with her gone, it feels like everything I've been leaning on, using to try to keep myself up has just been ripped out from me, and that I'm back to trying to do things on my own, which I suck at. I feel weak right now, like I don't have any energy or anything. I know that where she lives in IL is only about an hour and a half drive, but with gas prices going the way they are, and my inability to get a job as of yet, that hour and a half might as well be a three day drive.

Some of you may have noticed I've been posting less and less, and thats becuase I've been spending more and more time with Mary, and it made me realise that there is so much more out there beyond AF.com. She really opened up my eyes to the world thats out there, and I did alot of things because of her that I wouldn't have done elsewise.

I feel, at the same time, like we have a really strong community here, not on AF, but right here, in the non-specific and street racing forums. I think my posts outside these two forums consist of like, 1% of my over all posting. I almost feel bad doing this, but right now, it feels like the only real option I have. Because of what Mary was able to do, to open my eyes to a world beyond bragging about pointless kills on a street racing forums (no offense intended), I feel like I need to stay out there, in that world. For that reason, I'm taking a break from AF. I need to spend more time in the real world, unfortunately by myself if thats the case. I'll be back, eventualy, but I don't know when. This isn't good bye, this is just peace out, see ya later.

I want to say thank you to all the members on here, though. Even though I've only ever met two of you personally, I feel like I know each and every one of you like a close friend. Even though we've all had our squables and fights, we are still a close community, and I hope it continues to grow. I wish you all the best of luck in whatever path you may choose to follow. I hope you all get everything you want, and to leave you with a good Irish toast, "As you move on, my the sun always shine warm, the grass always grow green, and as you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way." Best,

-Robert "CassiesMan" Fortier

[Polygon]

Sorry to hear that man. I hope things work out for you and we'll see you when you get back.

Later,
Clint

[Musashi3000GT]

I was in the same fucking situation 3 years ago. Your a braver man then me Cass, I dropped out of school and decided that she was just too important and I had to follow her. I had my degree but in my field what I have is worth less so I needed a masters to be able to make money.
I payed for it by spending the next couple of years in a hole I couldnt get out of, I even went bankrupt and couldnt afford anything.
you have no idea how hard it is to see her get sick and need meds and I couldnt afford both her meds and gas to go to work.....how do you choose? Finally about a year ago things began to look up and so far its been a skyward climb for us but i figured its like that Bon Jovi song, "living on a prayer". as long as you got each other and hold on tight everything will work out. I made my desicion cause I can live without a nice car and a nice appartment with central AC, I can do without movies and PS2 and gym memberships.....I just cant do without her.
maybee if I had been as brave and right minded as you I would have finished and been able to give her the family she wants. Im gonna be 26 next month and I still cant see how I can afford to have a child yet....I dont want to wait till Im 30-35 to be a dad! i should of stayed and finished and she might have waited for me....but maybe not.
the point is life is about making hard choises and sometimes you win sometimes you loose. I hope everything works out for you man. i know we've butted heads but its only cause we are both kinda the same, hard headed and strong willed. im sad to see you in these situations cass cause I think your an awsome guy and dont desserve these hardships.
dont loose the faith brother!
One way or another guys like us always find a way to survive.
Take good care buddy.

[TheStang00]

well man good luck with it all. cya later

[-The Stig-]

Welcome back anytime.

AF will always be here... I hope...

[Mr Wiggl3s]

Until next time man.

[rice(er)]

come and visit, we're gonna miss ya, take a break is a good idea, i had to do it for a former forum, come back and visit, hopefully next time i see you, i'll be in a much faster car, peace out! thanks for the good times man...you'll be missed

[DinanM3_S2]

always sad to see a member thats been around for a while go, I'll look forward to your return.

[TatII]

that sucks. i wish the two of you good luck, when you have someone special like that, you have to do what you gotta do to keep them.

af is waaay less important then a girl friend. and if you think otherwise, then you need help lol.

[Sleepr awd]

good luck w/ your life man, anytime you need anything feel free to call. i might just be trapped in missouri for the rest of my life, so i'll always be here.

[2000LS1Z28]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. From your post you only have a year left of school. I think you should probably try to complete it, while of course stopping by to visit her regularly. In the end i'm sure things will turn out.

Whatever you do, keep her, as I honestly don't think a College Degree is as worth it as it use to be (I recommend for people to go to trade school).

Goodluck.

[xXxRocker5150]

you know what they say man, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be... I had a nice little norwegian girl who I fell in love with before she went back to norway for good... we were only going out for 2 and 1/2 months, but she meant the world to me... now, a year later, she came back after we hadn't talked in abou 8 months, and we were still in love with each other, and yada yada yada, rainbows, squirrels, and hearts....

Do what you gotta do man, but stop by soon...

[Chiquae07]

do what u gotta do man. just dont let yourself slip up and go bankrupt. if tahts how u feel about her, go ahead and make her ur wifey. just remember we are here and wont forget you man.

relax and think things through and dont rush anything.

good luck

[Igovert500]

hey man best of luck.
Also just a thought. My gf is 200 miles away, and it's been tough for us too. With gas prices the way they are, I sometimes end up taking a Greyhound to see her. No miles on your car, no tolls to pay, just get teh ticket and sleep on the ride. Just a thought.

[clawhammer]

I hope to see you back here soon.

Good luck.