GIVEAWAY contest. Prize = HTM Gunhammer!

[harkamus]

These entries just put a smile on my face. Great entries, folks. It'll be tough picking a winner so far, that's for sure.

 

[Qeth]

Taken last summer at Disneyland, with the youngest still hanging out in mommy's tummy.

Family time, especially family vacation time, is what I love and look forward to the most.

EDIT: medium T shirt

 

[legato1]

I swim for my school and it dominates my life, i love being in the water. It rivals my love of knives and that says alot.
Edit: tee shirt size medium

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

What do you swim, if you don't mind me asking? I used to swim competitively (short distances and butterfly mainly).

 

[legato1]

Open water is my favorite, but we only do one open water meet per year. I swim the 200, 500, and 1000 freestyle. Sometimes i swim the 100 free for our relays.

 

[TheBleedingEdge]

I was raised in Izmir, Turkey, the grandson of a self-made and well-to-do jeweler. We lived in a small flat overlooking the Mediterranean sea, and my grandfather spent equal amounts of time working at his shop in the city and in his personal workshop on the third floor of our home: which was locked with a key that he kept with him at all times. No one but my grandfather was allowed to enter the workshop; ever.

My grandmother and mother knew I was insatiably curious, and they warned me to stay out of grandpa's workshop because it was dangerous. Being the inquisitive and mischevious little turd that I was, I couldn't help but wonder why the workshop seemed to swallow up my grandfather for hours at a time whenever he came home. I decided I was going to find out. I took an old pocket knife and one of my grandmother's knitting needles and, while my parents were away at the market one afternoon, I went to work on breaking the lock.

It was a small, cluttered and well-used room that was rich with the sharp scent of ether and metal. There were tools that looked like torture devices, vials of all shapes and sizes filled with acid and metal cleaning solvents, rows upon rows of spectacles that my grandfather wore so that he could see the fine detail of his work...but the most noteworthy thing I found in that workshop were not the tools of my grandfather's trade, but rather the signs of his personal pursuits.

My grandfather was a stoic and private man, and he kept to himself even when he was at home. In his workshop, I found very old lithographs, linoleum block prints, drawings, and other artistic paraphernalia - and they were all signed by my grandfather. He was an artist, and a very passionate one from the looks of it. But he had never admitted it to anyone.

When my grandfather discovered that I had broken into his workshop, he was not angry (my mom and grandma sure were, though!). He sat me down and we talked at length about what I had found within. As a child, his father never gave him the luxury of pursuing his real passions, and even in his adulthood he sometimes felt ashamed of indulging in his personal pursuits. He was taught that only a life of studious discipline and duty for others was a life worth living - something he regretfully didn't have a chance to correct until much later in his life.

Years later, after we had moved to the U.S. and before my grandfather passed away, he gave me the key to his old workshop for my 16th birthday. We had lost the house in Turkey many years before that, but he kept the key as a remembrance. When he gave me the key, he told me the conclusion he had reached about his work and his passions. He said:

Passion without discipline is whimsical and short-sighted - it cannot stay dedicated to a task long enough to accomplish anything of value. Discipline without passion is nothing more than soulless toil, and it robs a man of the two most important components of any trade - creativity and pride. In order to be happy, you must nurture your passion and your discipline together.

When he died, I hid the key. It was a painful reminder of how much he had suffered in his death, and I didn't want to see it ever again.

In my late teens and early twenties, I squandered my time pursuing goals that I thought were my own, but in reality were prescribed to me by others. I was out of touch with what I really wanted from life, and without that clarity I lacked the ability to remain focused. Confused and disillusioned, I graduated with a degree I cared nothing for and moved to Los Angeles where I took a job that flayed my soul day in and day out. It wasn't until I found my grandfather's old key again that his words returned to me, and I realized what I had been doing wrong for six years.

Now, I am back in school studying computer science while working full-time at a job that pays less, but which fulfills me like no other job I've ever had. I don't keep the key hidden anymore either. I wear it around my neck every single day as a reminder of the two things every man needs in order to be happy and dutiful.

The two things that I value most.

Passion and discipline.

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EDIT: What an awesome gesture. I love swag, so I'll definitely sport a DDR t-shirt! My t-shirt size is large. Many thanks, HTM crew.

 

[harkamus]

I see this competition's getting heated. Some great entries for sure. Keep 'em coming. 19 days to go until the contest ends on the 30th.

 

[Darrel Ralph]

We are getting close to the end game.
Good luck.
You guys are really kicking hard to find a subject
Thanks!

 

[Charlie Mike]

I would take a full "Mercator Projection" of the skin on my upper body but I lack the photoshop skills. That would show an accumulation of scars and tattoos that tell the tale of what I have done with my life. That not being possible, this shall suffice.

When you square away your uniform, badges/insignia/awards go from the top down in order of importance. The Culpeper Minutemen patch symbolizes not only my love for my country but also stands as a warning to anyone who thinks they can take away my/our freedom. The CIB was awarded to me in Mosul, Iraq during my 03-04 tour. I went through hell (and still continue to do so) to help liberate a country that has nothing but contempt for us and this is one of the few material possessions I have to show for it. I've been arrested, convicted, and jailed... had every shred of dignity removed... many times since being awarded that badge I find solace knowing that nobody can take that from me. The last is my name tag. I put myself last and my name tag says in crude words that I'm just Joe Schmoe. I've been out of Army green for many years but this vest is my current uniform.

 

[harkamus]

Mr. Freeman. I was wondering when you'd chime in.

 

[DerekH]

For those familiar with the Green Lantern mythos (yes I am a nerd and a half) they can tell you that the central principle behind Green Lantern is willpower. And that is what is most important to me.

I moved to WV from Oklahoma just shy of 6 years ago. What prompted the move was a combination of things. Depression coupled with far too much drinking and the inability to cope with constant failure saw me wake up one day with the realization it was time for a change. I packed up, and moved here to WV where my father had been attempting to get me to live for some time. After getting here, and settling in, life seemed to see fit to hand me yet more cards that I just could not play. Then one day, I woke up, and decided enough was enough. I was going to do better. I may not get any further, but I was going to do better. A week later I met my fiancee', and I will be damned if that didn't do it. She wasn't the reason for my betterment, not directly at least, but she made me want to be better, to do better. I stopped drinking (not completely, as it turns out I can more than manage to get by with just the occasional drink every few months or so) and I started getting things to a better point. I got a new job at her suggestion that I never would have thought I would be qualified for, and it has turned into a full blown career.

I managed to get a handle on my OCD, without pills or counseling or anything other than willpower. Sure, it gets hard to manage sometimes, but at the end of the day, I have done damn well for myself in regards to dealing with it. I have beaten my fear/apprehension of dealing with the outdoors and now relish every chance I get to get outside and spend time with my step-son and do my best to help the boys in our scout troop learn as much as possible to help them with life. Heck, even two years ago you would have had to drag me outside. Last weekend I slept in a hammock at Ethan Becker's. Life is funny sometimes, isn't she?

The ring itself is the culmination of a project to design and have made my own Green Lantern ring, and I mark that as the point at which I really figured out how to move forward in life. I don't have the best job or the most money or even the least amount of problems, but my life used to be worse, and the only thing I can credit with it's improvement is my willpower, my desire to do more and be more.

Thanks for the giveaway. It is a heck of a knife ya'll are giving away there, and whoever gets it is going to be one lucky SOB. Good luck to everyone that enters, and god bless to everyone that takes the time to be involved around here. Truly an amazing site.



T-Shirt size is Xtra Large. This week at least. I need to eat more salads. :/

 

[TheBleedingEdge]

Good luck to everyone that enters, and god bless to everyone that takes the time to be involved around here. Truly an amazing site.

Indeed, and especially this forum in particular. I've been around the other manufacturer forums, but there aren't any that I like half as much as HTM. The people here are much more courteous and thoughtful. This is what an enthusiasts group should look like.

 

[GRIFFIN HAWKS]

The Sun brings warmth and light to our lifes and
It helps the plants grow and to provide the oxygen we breath

The Sun shines almost every day here in the Desert;
I wouldn't have it any other way

BE WELL .. GH

My T shirt size is Large, and I can't thank you all enough for this very generous gesture (^; Best of luck to all !

 

[Voodoosix]

this year it's all about putting myself back together.

2011 has been a pretty crappy year thus far. it started of with the loss of my job, which obviously resulted in a huge financial strain on the family.

followed by a motorcycle accident a few weeks later that had me laid up for a few months (losing health insurance with the job loss meant an instant drain on any savings i had) bringing my job search to a halt.

laying around waiting on broken bones to heal up has allowed me time to work on my knife sharpening skills but the normal family activities have suffered. ive put on a few pounds and am way out of shape vs my normal self- hence the bike in pic, as im peddling my way back to full health so i can be tip top for the family once again (the kids worry about me) while i search for a new job. hmm, maybe i should be a bike messenger...

so, what is important to me right now? just putting myself back together and getting back on the horse for the family...
and for me.



*edit for shirt size= XL here*

 

[BLADE83]

I think freedom is the most important thing. Without freedom we have nothing... Without the Constitution we have no freedom.

Constitution going up in flames

Over the years my hatred for the government has grown tremendously as our rights slowly get ripped away from us by puppetized politicians controlled by the power elite.. All those rumors of NWO are coming true. When that happens, goodbye freedom, hello slavery!

But as of lately "we the people" are starting to wake up to this tyranny that threatens our very way of life. The Federal Reserve is the facilitaor of this threat. It has been since 1913. The whole purpose of the Federal reserve is NWO. We pay them with our tax dollars to rip our freedoms right out from under us. Hopefully its not too late. End the Fed, End the threat.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I think freedom is the most important thing. Without freedom we have nothing... Without the Constitution we have no freedom.

Constitution going up in flames

Over the years my hatred for the government has grown tremendously as our rights slowly get ripped away from us by puppetized politicians controlled by the power elite.. All those rumors of NWO are coming true. When that happens, goodbye freedom, hello slavery!

But as of lately "we the people" are starting to wake up to this tyranny that threatens our very way of life. The Federal Reserve is the facilitaor of this threat. It has been since 1913. The whole purpose of the Federal reserve is NWO. We pay them with our tax dollars to rip our freedoms right out from under us. Hopefully its not too late. End the Fed, End the threat.

I agree. I'm just a domestic terrorist though.

 

[stephenthesuave]

Obviously not my picture...

The first time I saw this I was moved tremendously. I'll post the original story below, but the reason I post this here is that I am about to leave for the war. I'm perfectly fine with this, totally happy to go actually, and my family is supportive. My reaction to this picture and story had less to do with the sadness of the wife of the fallen, but with the duty and dedication of the Marine. I go to work with 30+ guys every day who would not hesitate for a moment to do this for my wife, and I for them. I never had brothers before the Army. The most important thing in my life right now if we are excluding family, is the bonds I share with my co-workers- unknown by anyone in any other occupation.

"The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted." "

Edit-size M

 

[drillsgt71]

My grandchildren are my hope for our future. I try my best to teach them real American values and to do the right thing no matter how hard it is.

These are only two of them. Jade is the baby, she was just born on the 20th.

Mod note: Hate to say it, but this entry is not eligible. We are not voting on family members. Could you imagine if we got multiple submissions of pics of family and or children/babies? Voting on such a submission would be impossible. How would we even vote on that? Cuteness factor for babies? I tried to make it quite clear that we know certain things, family included, are most dear to us. That's a given and as such not basis for a contest that requires deep internal reflection.

You're welcome to submit something else, and we encourage it.

Cheers,
-Hark

Sorry, just saw this Mod note I don't get on the forums much anymore. Must have mis-read the rules. Could modify it to be; Children are my hope for our future. After all, they are getting everything when we are all gone to dust. Got nothing else prepared and contest is already closed. Thanks anyway, I'll just keep enjoying the Gun Hammer I already have.

 

[mr2blue]

My favorite thing (besides my wife, Honey I Love You) is my ability to be creative and work with my hands. Wood working is my meditation. I can get out in my shop and all the stress and troubles in my life disappear. I also get the satisfaction of completing something tangible that I can hold in my hands. Picture is of one of my Valet Trays.

 

[harkamus]

I have no idea what a valet tray is used for, but that thing exudes quality in the craftsmanship. Those joints are so clean. I especially like the wood grain.

Thanks for all the submissions so far. 8 days til I close the thread and Darrel, Dirk, and I vote.