Pathways

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
15,742
"Everytime I talk to you I feel as if my life has a purpose". I told Yangdu.

Well, what else? I'm the clod who is here now. I hardly comprehend what is going on around me. Friends are here. Now, no matter what else happens in the Universe, can you see how from that you can do anything? Give me friends and two strong arms, some steel I can rely upon, and the conviction of my words.

How did our paths cross in HI? Why am I here? Why are you here? Interesting stuff. Bill thought past lives had a lot to do with it- former friends and family finding each other on HI. I don't know nutin. I do the best I can. Some people think I'm corrupt, and in the morning that's bacon in the frying pan.

Last thing I said to Bill;
"I feel like I want to stay, I don't want to leave."
"But you have to go see Rusty," he said.

I nodded goodbye and left the trailer with my two oldest sons, and we drove two hours through the desert to see Rusty.

I saw him.
When I found HI Imports I'd just lost the two best friends I'd ever had. A man named John Camprose and a man named Warren Madsen. I wasn't looking for idols or mentors. I didn't want to be hurt and I didn't figure I could care on that level very easily, if at all, ever again. But I was wrong. I met Rusty.

And there were all these voices here- some still, some gone; Raghorn. Aardvark, Yvsa, Semper Fi, Bruise, Josh, Satori, Sarge, N2, Archangel, Fallingknife, lionsRoar,you get the idea- so many voices, so strong, independent, each worth listening to on their own accord let alone together assembled in this manner. Who could have arranged such a gathering? Why did Nasty and Nam and others stop by and stay? (We almost lost 45/70, too) Maui Rob, God; the list just goes on and on. All these voices. Did we really know each other from a past life?

Do I owe someone money?

Did I love someone's Sister?

Was I was someone's Brother or Father?
Was I the Dog, half Collie, half Lab?
Was I the bureacrat who after an hour in line grinned at you and said": " We have no record of your file. Youl'll have to fill out a new form."

Or did I throw the grenade that killed the squad and saved your life?

I told Yangdu I'll do this for as long as I'm supposed to. Being an HI Mod is slightly less elevating than a Dogcatcher in Fresno. But I have to believe this is real, this is happening around us. Bill went across the Earth and fell in love with a woman who did not speak his language and was not raised in his society. She was half his age and had no business sharing anything with him. Except they knew one another, and had a very special connection. It is that connection I'm indirectly referring to now- a hidden from sight thread, a line 'of power' that connects all of us together. What path is this that our hearts and voices gather here today? I do not know. I do not know why. All I know is that it is real and good, that HI Khuks are a legitimate products of intrinsic and spiritual worth, and that you and I are where we are supposed to be. When I pass West I have a lot of questions. I hope Rusty and my friend Warren can greet me then and and help answer. Until then, I hope this public place does not consider this an intrusion of my petty ego to participate in this forum event in the manner to which I'm accustomed; day to day life stories and silliness, accompanied by friends and the chopping of wood with a fine khuk on a Winter day.

A fire is a good thing to share with a friend, a computer screen is a good thing to share with a friend, a khuk is a good thing to swing.

What does this have to do wth Khukuris? Everything.


munk
 
My friend Munk,

You think too much. ;) :)

Or I think too little? :o

Just kidding. Glad you're here. I don't always understand all of what you write on an intellectual level. But on a "gut" level I think I do. So hang around. I will too.

Steve
 
munk said:
I hope this public place does not consider this an intrusion of my petty ego to participate in this forum event in the manner to which I'm accustomed; day to day life stories and silliness, accompanied by friends and the chopping of wood with a fine khuk on a Winter day.

A fire is a good thing to share with a friend, a computer screen is a good thing to share with a friend, a khuk is a good thing to swing.

What does this have to do wth Khukuris? Everything.

munk
Click to expand...

munk, you know your friends here value what you bring. Chopping wood, sitting by a fire with friends, and the silent hum of winter forests are known to us, whether from this experience or another. I haven't been here long, and I dare not call myself Friend to any of you; I would not presume to associate myself in such a way without invitation. However, I Know the connection of which you speak. Even across the cold wires that bring electric words to my screen, I recieve the unspoken messages of kindred thoughts. We're all here because we were meant to be here. We came exactly when we needed to arrive, when we were ready or just willing to let it be.
What I want to say can't be said...not in words. But I know it when you write, munk.

-Brian-
 
Steve, you're the stuff that lets guys like me know it's going to be OK. There's so many true blue hearts here I don't have to worry bout Yangdu or the price of Tea in China. It seems there is so much suffering in this world, and if I think too much, it hurts. I only know it is going to be alright, we are to keep pluggin along, (even though dear hearts have gone ahead) and do the best we can. Bruise makes me laugh. What else is there? There is only here and now. We chop wood, carry water, put on clean clothes, and talk to one another.


munk
 
I call you guys friends. Don't deny it. When I needed you all this weekend you were there. I vented and you listened and were kind. You have extended yourselves in acts of generosity (Sarge). I hope I can call you friends because I already do.

I like reading what you write Munk. After this weekend I need some perspective like that. Thanks.

Andy
 
I have nothing to add here. Another great post by a great poster. This place simply amazes me. There are so many good hearts here, so many people that call you friend for no other reason than that you are not their enemy. Easy to say, but the kicker is that it is MEANT here. This place improves me. It gives me a connection to different parts of the world, knowledge beyond my current comprehension (but I’m trying), and access to friends and mentors which I am so very thankful for. At times I think I am standing here watching history being made. Witnessing a feat that not many other places on the internet can boast. Watching men actually act like men, not spoilt children with venom tongues. They are understanding each other. They are coming together with laughter, with tears, with new life, with heartache loss. As friends, as brothers, and humans embracing what makes us so very human. Vicariously I am part of it, and I am so grateful. I wish I had more to add. All I can promise is that I am a sponge. What I learn here I practice and preach outside of our community. I take the wisdom of the north, the tales of the southwest, and talent of the east to others. Jake-of-all-trades, Master of none. You guys are great teachers. Thank you very much, friends.

Jake
 
Jake?

You are older than your years. An old soul.






(A favored lyric, from THE MUPPET MOVIE, Gonzo at a desert campfire singing:

"There's not a word yet for old friends we've just met." )




Be well and safe.
 
I know Kismet hates me saying stuff like this, but I'm glad he's around.

Jake's too cool. He's growing bigger inside every day and I'll dutifully record the dustdevils his trail leaves behind.


munk
 
Thank you, Kis.
This was one of the few things that really stuck with me in my college civics class.
"I am the wisest man in Athens because I know I don't know. I am only singularly ignorant. The rest of the citizens are twice ignorant. They think they know, but they still don't know."
---Plato

I know nothing. I'd like to know it all one day. It gives my enjoyment. Enjoyment in the same way a dog gets when he chases his tail.

Jake
 
Keep chasin' Jake...that's one of the secrets of life.

munk...nice.
 
How is it that somebody always says exactly what I'm feeling? Thank you, Munk. I feel as if this thread is an affirmation of this place's purpose - a manifesto if you will. Here we are, connected. How did we come to be here? I was looking for more "tactical" forums, dealing with "tactical" knives that must be superior because they're black and their sheaths are kydex. Naturally, such pieces are better. And all the forums for these are the same dry discussions of how black knives are better. Cold places with no heart. So similar to the blades they espouse.

And then I read a comparison of some silly black knife and an HI. The HI stomped it in a most embarrassing fashion. What's this? A knife with a horn handle and a reflective blade can actually cut, let alone beat a tactical monster? I had to research this anomaly. And what I found here was the opposite of those other forums. A warm family, full of wisdom and a free exchange of every emotion and experience imaginable.

This place is also like the blades it touts, but that is not a derogatory statement. It is exquisitely personal, fiercely loyal, mildly addictive, and certainly not just trendy. This place is for good. In everything we discuss, or every dead tree we joyously dismember, we strengthen this bond that we all share, and reaffirm that HI is about so much more than fine khukuris.

I thank you all for the experiences we've shared, and I look forward to whatever lies ahead.

Yours,

Chris
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I have nothing to add here. Another great post by a great poster. This place simply amazes me. There are so many good hearts here, so many people that call you friend for no other reason than that you are not their enemy. Easy to say, but the kicker is that it is MEANT here. This place improves me. It gives me a connection to different parts of the world, knowledge beyond my current comprehension (but I’m trying), and access to friends and mentors which I am so very thankful for. At times I think I am standing here watching history being made. Witnessing a feat that not many other places on the internet can boast. Watching men actually act like men, not spoilt children with venom tongues. They are understanding each other. They are coming together with laughter, with tears, with new life, with heartache loss. As friends, as brothers, and humans embracing what makes us so very human. Vicariously I am part of it, and I am so grateful. I wish I had more to add. All I can promise is that I am a sponge. What I learn here I practice and preach outside of our community. I take the wisdom of the north, the tales of the southwest, and talent of the east to others. Jake-of-all-trades, Master of none. You guys are great teachers. Thank you very much, friends.

Jake
Click to expand...

Jake, what a great post. And to think you started it with "I have nothing to add here."

What do we find in Bill's Cantina? What we came looking for.

Really, everything.


Ad Astra
 
Munk already knows how I feel about this post I'm sure:) :thumbup:

That's one of the fringe benefits of the feeling that you really know somebody on the level that counts.

How did our paths cross in HI? Why am I here? Why are you here? Interesting stuff. Bill thought past lives had a lot to do with it- former friends and family finding each other on HI. I don't know nutin. I do the best I can. Some people think I'm corrupt, and in the morning that's bacon in the frying pan.
Click to expand...

Well, if Munk is right about that last line (I hope he's not). then to those who feel this way I pose a question. "ask yourself this: what is the end result of all that Munk does and says here--cumulatively?" My answer is= good. he's doing good, for alot of folks. Yours may vary, but I think if you look deeply you may change your mind.

As I've told him before, there was a time I thought he was nuts. I thought that about Rusty for awhile too. Guess what? Wrong as hell both times. And I'm damn glad I saw that the problem was my own.
 
I still think that he's nuts, Rob. I think that most of the people here are nuts. It doesn't make them any less interesting (quite the contrary!) and it doesn't cancel out their positive actions and good hearts.

Just so all of you maniacs know where I stand on the issue. :cool:
 
I met my Brother in Law's brother for the first time in Tucson one year. A lot of family was there. He's a liberal, and we got to talking. We got into it, a little bit. At one point he mentioned 'all his staff were Mexican, and he loved them," whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. There's nothing more self rightieous than a recovering drunk or a Southern Baptist Preacher. I was full of oats and felt he was patronising. I said something. He said something. My sister told me to get off my high horse. I apologized and left the area.

Later, I was on the steps to the look-out tower, yes, the house really had one, and was weeping in my hands. Why couldn't I do things right? Why did things so often go wrong, even when I wanted them to go well?

MY old mom came by and saw me.

"I'm just a nut," I told her.
"Yes," she said, "but you're a good nut."

As a matter of fact, Peanut butter is one of my favorite foods.





munk
 
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