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There have been 128 total posts made on Slade’s Hobby Blog (formerly Slade’s Corner) since it was created on April 6, 2021. Within those posts, 53,132 words have been written. The most recent post was published on November 2, 2025 @ 12:00 am Eastern Time.
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I’m going to be blunt with you, it has been a really hard effing month.
I turned 23 and immediately encountered so many overwhelming things I can’t even count on two hands. I’ve always been a very closed off guy: I don’t talk about my feelings with anyone, and I certainly hate talking about them with strangers. But I’ve found myself discussing them with so many over the past couple weeks and I really feel the decisions I’ve made in response to what I’ve faced were absolutely, without a doubt, the right ones.
I truly believe I underestimated the power I hold. I also think I accepted what some others tried to place upon me, when in reality, I am my own person and should have full control over my own destiny. With no guardrails or visions that don’t align with what I want or need.
A couple weeks ago, I was terrified. And for days I’ve experienced shell shock all the way down to my very core. Thanks to all of my friends and some of their families, I have the opportunity to escape and start over. I cannot thank everyone enough for rallying around me and contributing to this, from moral support, to giving some damn good advice, all the way to the actual journey out itself. YOU made this possible.
And so on this day, September 22nd, 2025, I pick up the pieces and start over. I have begun grieving the past and what once was. I will get through it, over time, and that’s just how things will be.
But today is a new beginning. This is the next chapter, one I can write with the people I want and need around me, without any strings attached.
Forever grateful to and owe the world to my friends.
Forever.
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August was… quiet. Travel at the end out to California. Here’s the tea.
And that’s all. See you in September!
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“But I say all of this now because honestly, I’m worried about this. Things look like they’re going to be a little chaotic getting off the ground. Controlled chaos? Perhaps, probably? Okay, not really… it’s not great. Oh, well! Here goes nothing!”
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Originally written for HEY World.
“Knowing your worth is a lesson that can only be taught through many hard lessons. Facing the music like that is tough. But in dealing with complicated, awkward situations, you learn. That’s both the worst part and beauty of being human.”
This essay will appear among others in a future book, releasing at some point down the road. Stay tuned…
The social media follow buttons have moved to the top row of the blog post! Head there if you’d like to find me on Bluesky, Instagram, Twitter, or Mastodon!