The "Change" phenomenon

Honestly, whenever my Dad does something really awful (and he pulls out some big ones every now and then... the worst resulted in going to court over him backing out of the child support agreement), I do something like this. Usually it's something little, but things I don't ordinarily do. Once resulted in a hair dye, sometimes it's just new clothes or a manicure or something... but it's true, it's a distraction or a way to distance myself from the problem at hand.

See, I really, really dislike my father. I think he's a total jerk, I don't even use his last name (I opted to take my Mom's last name when I was old enough to make that decision), and had my name legally changed.

He limits me every day of my life. He's forced me into a corner by not making my tuition payments. I've almost been kicked out of school because of it, and we've had to scrape together a tuition payment (which means less money for other things). It's not that he can't afford it, so I'm not sure what the problem is, unless it's his wife who doesn't like that he has to pay anything, especially since I'm over 18. I mean, the guy cares somewhat, but he's not my dad. We don't have a close relationship, and I know the bleach-blonde bimbo thinks I'm just after his money. Which I am. I want to go to college and make something of myself. It's just a little hard to do it on my mom's salary. No one ever said it was easy being a single parent, or a kid living with a single parent. I'm not my mom's boyfriend's responsibility (he's more like my dad anyway, they just never wanted to get hitched), and he's offered to help (and has in the past, when my father hasn't come through).

But... yes, it's a little traumatizing when someone who helped bring you into the world lets you down. I think that's the reason behind everything. If someone who is supposed to be an important figure in your life lets you down, it's hard and the initial human reaction (I think, anyway) is to distance yourself from the situation.

Jam it back in, in the dark.