I understand your point about wanting to buy nice things for your child. Something to keep in mind though is that objects aren't the only things that help children grow. It is my understanding that Boise has some interesting attractions that you can visit.

If you can frame it as a vacation and visit some things like the botanical garden and the center for birds of prey, then you are creating memories for your child that are just as important as things you could buy him. When I think back to my childhood, it isn't the Christmas presents that stick out in my mind, it is the vacation to Disney World, or going to a baseball game with my dad.

Also, if you are doing the hermit lifestyle thing (which I totally get) it would be a good thing to expose him to the outside world, and travel is a great way to do that.

My suggestion would be to skip the musical instruments and fund a family vacation that includes time for you to participate in regionals.

If the main issue is your spouse, then let her know that there is help out there for her. Usually you can find free/cheap mental health support, especially if you are below poverty line.Then maybe in a year or two, you traveling by yourself won't be as much of a hardship for her.

I feel like the people on these forums are being borderline offensive, butting into his personal life.

Then again, I guess it's hard to take offense at internet personalities trying to tell you what to do. :D

...much like those commandos who got into Danny Glovers face at the end of Predator 2, you'll get your chance, another shot at glory.

Greatest motivational snippet ever.

You rock.

There's plenty of folks in a similar boat. For me, closest regional is 300ish km away (200ish miles), and on a weekend that is a bit dodgy for those I would ideally travel with. So it's a maybe at best.

There's another one in BC, which doesn't work for me, and another one in Saskatchewan, which may work for a road trip. Not having a mountain range in between makes the highway driving 10x easier and more predictable. So driving there would eliminate the chance of some wild weather on the roads at 5,000 feet... OK it is Canada, so maybe there's still a <1% chance no matter what we do

On the plus side you've probably engendered some good will towards getting people to commit to Vassal with you.

I just hate that they are pretty much all in May and June - my two busiest months of the year each year. Missed my first one last year because of that. I might be able to make it this year, but not positive yet.

I feel like the people on these forums are being borderline offensive, butting into his personal life.

Then again, I guess it's hard to take offense at internet personalities trying to tell you what to do. :D

Well, he kind of invited it on by posting a thread complaining about his personal life and finances getting in the way of going to Regionals, no? Everyone here is just trying to help this guy, but it's difficult because this guy isn't actually looking for advice, he's just looking for a collective cyber-shoulder to cry into.

To be honest, it's kind of off-putting, considering that there are probably hundreds of players out there that can't go to big tournament X Y or Z because of finances or scheduling conflicts (myself included) that don't post threads complaining about it. It just seems a bit immature to dump your personal problems onto the forums. Maybe I'm wrong for feeling that way, but I was taught that "everyone's got problems, and yours aren't that special". But maybe I was taught differently from other people.

It's good and all to vent. But venting to strangers... probably not the best thing to do. Venting to internet strangers...definitely not a good thing. You're asking for insult.

I feel like the people on these forums are being borderline offensive, butting into his personal life.

Then again, I guess it's hard to take offense at internet personalities trying to tell you what to do. :D

Well, he kind of invited it on by posting a thread complaining about his personal life and finances getting in the way of going to Regionals, no? Everyone here is just trying to help this guy, but it's difficult because this guy isn't actually looking for advice, he's just looking for a collective cyber-shoulder to cry into.

To be honest, it's kind of off-putting, considering that there are probably hundreds of players out there that can't go to big tournament X Y or Z because of finances or scheduling conflicts (myself included) that don't post threads complaining about it. It just seems a bit immature to dump your personal problems onto the forums. Maybe I'm wrong for feeling that way, but I was taught that "everyone's got problems, and yours aren't that special". But maybe I was taught differently from other people.

For the most part, you're right that I invited it. This is a public forum after all.

And really, any advice is appreciated. I did this to have a place to vent frustrations and hopefully achieve some perspective from my fellow X-Wingers, either with advice or merely a friendly "i know how you feel". That's why I started the whole thing off with...

I'll start off by saying that this is merely a rant to vent my frustration.

TL;DR - For the second year in a row I won't be going to Regionals, and I'm pissed about it.

...that way you knew exactly what this was about before continuing. I'm not about some clickbait style trying to get the most people to see my problems as possible. I figured this would be a good way to weed out those who have no desire to hear my complaints.

So if you hung in there long enough to read my story, I see no reason why you could be offended or upset. I do realize that there are others out there with problems, the same problems even, but that doesn't make my problems any less relevant. That's like saying I shouldn't be happy about something because someone out in the world is happier.

The sign on the door says "Warning: Wampas", don't expect to see an empty supply closet.

I've missed tournaments for various game systems in the past. I get where you are coming from. I have really found the next best thing is to create a big gaming day with local buddies, though. Set up something fun on a weekend that works where you don't have to travel. Or not travel much. Invite college buddies from out of town to come over. Get local guys. Just set up something big and stupid and have fun with it. That way you feel like you did something for the hobby. I found I like epic games, but it doesn't have to be that. I also set up a trench run game and have had a blast with that.

EDIT: Sometimes those end up more fun than the original plan.

I feel like the people on these forums are being borderline offensive, butting into his personal life.

Then again, I guess it's hard to take offense at internet personalities trying to tell you what to do. :D

Well, he kind of invited it on by posting a thread complaining about his personal life and finances getting in the way of going to Regionals, no? Everyone here is just trying to help this guy, but it's difficult because this guy isn't actually looking for advice, he's just looking for a collective cyber-shoulder to cry into.

To be honest, it's kind of off-putting, considering that there are probably hundreds of players out there that can't go to big tournament X Y or Z because of finances or scheduling conflicts (myself included) that don't post threads complaining about it. It just seems a bit immature to dump your personal problems onto the forums. Maybe I'm wrong for feeling that way, but I was taught that "everyone's got problems, and yours aren't that special". But maybe I was taught differently from other people.

For the most part, you're right that I invited it. This is a public forum after all.

And really, any advice is appreciated. I did this to have a place to vent frustrations and hopefully achieve some perspective from my fellow X-Wingers, either with advice or merely a friendly "i know how you feel". That's why I started the whole thing off with...

I'll start off by saying that this is merely a rant to vent my frustration.

TL;DR - For the second year in a row I won't be going to Regionals, and I'm pissed about it.

...that way you knew exactly what this was about before continuing. I'm not about some clickbait style trying to get the most people to see my problems as possible. I figured this would be a good way to weed out those who have no desire to hear my complaints.

So if you hung in there long enough to read my story, I see no reason why you could be offended or upset. I do realize that there are others out there with problems, the same problems even, but that doesn't make my problems any less relevant. That's like saying I shouldn't be happy about something because someone out in the world is happier.

The sign on the door says "Warning: Wampas", don't expect to see an empty supply closet.

Right, but the forums come with their own "Beware of Sarlacc" sign. From what I understand, Sarlaccs consider Wampas a delicacy

Also it seems like there are at least as many posts trying to help as there are people who are being judgy and mean. That is pretty indicative of a polite society. If you dropped this in 4 chan, this thread would be very different.

Don't summon 4Chan we can't withstand fire power of that magnitude!

Also it seems like there are at least as many posts trying to help as there are people who are being judgy and mean. That is pretty indicative of a polite society. If you dropped this in 4 chan, this thread would be very different.

It's true. This community here is awesome, and I wouldn't change it even if I could.

What if you went and you won, then what?

I have two little ones of my own. I plan to go to MN regionals this weekend. What my family does is stay at a KOA campground. It still an hour drive to St Paul but it beats the 4 hour drive it would be from home. Campgrounds are a overlooked option to Hotels and the cost is far less. The one we stay at has onsite small cabins. Last year we attempt to stay in tents but then it rained. We were lucky that a cabin was available. This year we just got the cabin. 3 night stay is costing us about $200 over a memorial weekend. Tents would be closer to 100. Tons of things for the kids to do. I plan to do this every year now for MN regionals. Hope this helps out with your future regional costs.

Plus when I stay at hotels I tend to get noisy neighbors. Nothing like a bunch of drunks moving into the room next door at 3am. Just great when you have to get moving at 8. Never an issue at a campsite.

You make your family go camping...you monster!

Its the furthest from roughing it. The cabins are very nice and clean. They have electricity and wifi. Out door heated pool. Game room. Bouncing pillow. It almost feels like a resort minus all the people.

People who live in MN are so lucky they're within driving distance of Worlds. Who cares about arctic blizzards in the winter and that the mosquito is the unofficial state bird the rest of the year, you guys get to drive to Worlds!

...and that the mosquito is the unofficial state bird...

HA!