Lil Bit Of A Rant...

[BassinSoldier]

Hey everyone..it's 0353 am here in JAX, FL and I am bored and a lil fed up. I'm so sick of how this world is today. I used to post a pretty good bit, but I haven't in quite some time and I am about to catch you up as to why...Starting around June of 2011 I separated from my ex(put explitive here). Well, for a few months I was happier than I had ever been in my life...minus the pickwick road trip, lol. Long sotry short...Fast forward to Feb 2012...My ex has taken out enough false reports that I can't get custody of my daughters even though any and all claims have been unsubstantiated, (then she proceeds to be such a drunk and worthless wasteland that the girls (9 and 4yrs old) get taken away from her by way of her getting arreted and thrown in jail for her 3rd DUI in the last 6months and the girls get put into foster care because her lack of mental capacity). Well look now! Because of what she did in lies on my current significant other and myself, the girls' daddy(ME) can't get custody! Fantastic! This first little section here is the worst part of my life so far, in all of my 28yrs on this earth. My best friends and fishing partners, and more importantly MY DAUGHTERS, MY CHILDREN, have been taken from me by way of a baker-acted and clinically diagnosed mental case of a woman...And like late night TV: But Wait there's more!! on top of that, in the last few months, my favorite (and ONLY) three combos got stolen off of my back porch (my beautiful ruby red daiwa zillion anniversary that was sittin on the rod custom made for me from BR by flechero, my team daiwa tierra that paul sent me while i was in iraq a while back that was on the 6'9" veritas my present girl bought me, and a team daiwa advantage on a shimano convergence graphite from waaaaay back...) the thing that sickens me the most about the theft is that knowing the general description of the type of ppl that took my stuff...These d**n folks dont even know how to use the stuff!!! They are just buying drugs with it more than likely. Thank God for the perp and myself as well, the one suspect I thought was responsible got caught before I found him, and trust me, I went looking...Anyway, to cap off all of that...it's Feb of 2012 and my gear is gone...my babies are in DCF custody thanks to my ex and my current relationship is strained from my ex as well...The reason I bass fish is the reason I am still kickin' right now. AND VICE-VERSA!!! This is a great group of folks and these kinda people and those green fish keep me goin every day. I know this, too, will pass. Can't wait to see you all again as soon as I can get to another road-trip...And I WILL make another one!! -JOE

[BassinSoldier]

My apologies...I had to get that off of my chest. DCF in FL and the court system in KY and FL so far are a festering blister of a failure and I am trying to make that known as well through legal channels. Anyhow, tight lines to all of you. Thanks for listenin to my lil B****-fit. lol

[matstone7]

I hope and pray that the systems at work will get their act together and make things right BassinSoldier.

Keep your chin up and head clear, the world around you can turn around quick.

[5bass]

Great advice matstone. Joe, good luck with everything.

[clayton86]

I have a buddy in my unit going three the exact same thing with his 3 girls the mom is a dead beat welfare leach druggie and he's hard working clean record and a soldier in the guard but because she lied during the divorce he can't get his girls though the moms in and outa rehab. I hope ya can get they system to un *bleep* it's self and you get your girls.

[scrutch]

It pains me to read about your kids. It definitely makes me wish I could somehow just jump in the situation and knock a few heads together for you and make it right! Obviously I can't, but I know who can, and I'll be saying a prayer to Him for you man. As long as you're proud of who you are, but not too proud to make a change for the better, you'll eventually come out on top. Remember to be the bigger person in the conflict. Hope you can make it to a Roadtrip soon. I look forward to shaking your hand. Thanks for your service to this great nation!

Be Big,

Rich

[Wild Bill [NY]]

I have been through a nasty, dragged out divorce where I had thriteen pages of false accusations made filed in court against me by my ex so she would get custody, etc....so I know where you are at.

GET A LAWYER, the best you can afford.

If you cannot afford one, talk to legal aid.

The money you spend now will be the best investment in you and your daughters' futures you will ever make.

See if you can have the girls placed with your Mom, or maybe a sibling of yours if your Mom is not alive still.

Let me explain: The court system will do whatever they feel is in the VERY BEST INTEREST of the WELFARE OF YOU CHILDREN.

Read that a few times, over and over.

They don;t give two sh__s about you...or your ex,

Their sole concern is the welfare, both mental and physical, of these two children.

Without GREAT legal representation, you are fighting a losing battle, SO GET AN ATTOURNEY, the best you can afford.

Now re-reread that last sentencea few times...and then do it.

You;ll thank me over and over down the road.

Right now, fishing is the least of your concerns.

Okay, here's my follow-up to my case.

My lawyers were excellent; they got much of what she had claimed thrown out of court.

I got court-appointed weekly visitation, two weeks each summer, and major holidays my daughter was shuffled back and forth so she could spend some of each holiday with both families.

I have a great relationship with my daughter still; 24 years later, and now am the proud and lovinng Grampa to her child.

[Fat-G]

I will say this Joe... things will get better for you. They will absolutely get better. I'm a firm believer that bad things come in waves, and it sounds to me like you're in the undertow of a big one. Your karma will change very soon my friend. Hang in there and keep your head high.

[ClackerBuzz]

My thoughts are with ya Joe.

"Inch by inch it's a cinch, yard by yard its hard."

I say it to myself 100x's a day in tough times. Helps alot.

"Tell me the things ya can do, not the things ya can't." Works wonders too.

Stop by the dollar store at every holiday and make sure you send your girls some cards. It will brighten their day and strengthen ur bond and until you are all together again. And don't forget to treat yourself along the way too. Best of luck

[quanjig]

Wow!? I've gone thru a divorce and I know what kind of toll it takes on your outlook on life. Keep in mind, everyone's situation is different and you are in control of the future. Take a deep breath, keep the faith that things will be better with time. I'm sure you want things to be correct from the very first moment things started going south. All of the beaucratic bs has to be sorted out by those in charge and that taks time. Know in your heart that you will come out on top, believe that things will turn out in your favor. I'll keep you and your girls in my thoughts. KTF!

[slonezp]

I've been down a similar road 17 years ago. Although I was never able to get sole custody of my son, Myself and my family were able to keep a positive influence in his life. He basically disowned his mother about 5 years ago and has turned out pretty well despite the circumstances. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have to agree with Wild Bill [NY]. A good lawyer can be your best asset. Also, from what I understand, nowadays the courts aren't as adament about keeping children with their mother as they were in the past.

Stay strong.

[tomustang]

Get a good lawyer, Same stuff happened to my brother. Once his ex screwed up with the law there was enough ammo to turn custody over to him, case worker that took his ex's side also got the boot.

[GrundleLove]

And THAT my friends is why you NEVER get married.

[Lund Explorer]

And THAT my friends is why you NEVER get married.

For every marriage that goes south, there is another that has endured throughout the lives of the spouses.

Guys like BassinSoldier just happens to have ended up on the wrong side of odds and now has a spouse that thinks it is her life's work to his life miserable. The best any of us can do is to join with Scrutch in his efforts to offer moral support and to agree with the advice Wild Bill and others have given with regards to seeking legal help.

But don't worry, this whole situation is a guy thing. We circle the wagons because we all know that at some point we're one moment from having to go through this same type of thing. The good news is that it isn't too late for you to join!

[tipptruck1]

I have a buddy that is going though this with his kid. The only difference is that his girl is 16 and they were never married. It is also not the courts saying he cant see her. It is the ex. I just keep telling him that his girl will come around. Guess what his girl came around and wants to be with dad.

I also was used as a pawn like that as a kid. I didn't know my real dad for 12 years. MY dad never got up dates and wanted to see me. I was just my mother that was well a %#$@, When she took of running from the law when I was about 11. My two brothers all went with there dads. I remember being on the stand in court at 12 years old asking were I wanted to go. MY mom didn't even have the guts to show up.

To this day my brothers and me want nothing to do with her. I talk to her from time to time. But I can not forgive her. Because of her I only knew my dad for 6 short years. It is also kind of hard to forgive a person you have only seen twice in 14 years.

What every one said about about a lawyer get one. Also when you go to court. Have family, friends, co workers, and other people that know you go to the stand and speak for you. That will look so munch better then just up you there.

[BassinSoldier]

Thank you everyone for your support. I have a court hearing on Tuesday at 8:30. Hope it goes well.

[Long Mike]

Joe, when at your court hearing, please don't mention the incident with you and Bassin Sergeant fishing with Big-O on the Pickwick road trip. If they found out that you guys were fishing in a blinding, lightning-filled thunderstorm, you would be immediately declared insane.

[BassinSoldier]

If the people in the courthouse were fishermen, and they were catching like we were, they'd understand completely...But I doubt they will be and therefore doubt they will understand why we all risked our lives to catch well over 150 bass in a single 8 hour day...

[tholmes]

Hang in there, Joe. It really does get better. I know from experience.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Tom