Josh has been my weakness for years. What does that mean? It means…he is my weakness. A better explanation would be to tell you about him entirely.
Josh is that super attractive football player you meet in high school, and if you are a dork like me, you know you will never get a shot with him. I’ve hung out with him a few times during high school, but that was only because I kind of had cool friends that were in with the “attractive” people. The very, very first time I hung out with Josh was with two other people. We went to a baseball field, smoked, and apparently watched Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Movie. I say apparently because I can barely remember that night. It was such a blur. Josh had given me his sweater to borrow and I was in heaven. He smelled so good, I never wanted to return it, but that would make me a creep. I ended up giving it back of course. The first time we hung out alone was at a park in the evening. Sunkist park, I will probably never forget that night because it was so great to do nothing with my biggest crush ever. We laid on the grass real close and gazed up at the stars, talking about things that I don’t remember. I vaguely remember him lying on my stomach, and me thinking like wow this is a dream. I’ve gone over to his house a few times to do nothing but talk and spend time with his super cute son. We would text every now and then, I called him attractive and he called me beautiful and it would turn my stomach into a zoo. Every single time, it never failed. Being called beautiful by somebody that looked like Josh, was like…I don’t know, it just felt great for me. Then again, I would remind myself that well, I am a potato and he has probably taken plenty of girls to the park to do nothing. He has also probably called multiple girls beautiful, but actually meant it. I reminded myself that I am not special. I always wanted to ask, why me…He could be (and probably is) talking to a really attractive person, yet here he is wasting time on me. Even after kissing a few different times, I thought the same thing, but something inside of me wants to feel special so I convince myself that I am the only one. How naïve of me, I know. Whenever I was single and Josh texted me, I was all in. There was even a point where I swear I loved this guy, and we were on a break because of some stupid reason…who had the greatest timing? Josh. He texted...and I jumped at the chance. When I wasn’t single, I wanted to be single just so I could hang out with him. That’s what being my weakness is, or was. Today I was tested, and I didn’t realize it. He texted, and instead of me jumping or wishing I was single, I kind of just took a deep breath and was like, no. I am in a beyond great relationship and I am not wishing for anything else. I am not going to lie, there was a little devil inside wanting to get out, but it was barely anything compared to the last five years. Josh was my weakness and I enjoyed him being my weakness while it lasted. Will I ever get the chance to be with him? I am certain I won’t because the relationship I am in is going to last a lifetime.
About the Creator
Pauleen S.
I am utilizing this as a way to share my thoughts and experiences with people i will never meet. All my stories are very real.
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Halloween x3
It is so difficult to write about certain thing. Like, why can’t people just get in my head and listen to my thoughts without me doing anything? Then again, they might get lost in my head… A lot of crazy shit goes on and sometimes (most of the time) even I can’t decipher it. A fourth of me wants to blame my anxiety/depression/whatever else my psychiatrist diagnosed me with. Another fourth wants to blame myself because, well… it is my fault. The other part doesn’t even want to think about anything really, but that’s nearly impossible and the last part is kind of… well, it's there. Did I do math right? Well, the point is there are a lot of sections that want to do different things. If starting a journal entry is a headache, how the hell am I supposed to explain my life? Let me go down memory lane about three years ago all the way up until today (October 3, 2018).
By Pauleen S.7 years ago in Humans
The CEO of Everything
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Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in Humans
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