(Re) Introduction, Random Thoughts

I’m glad your back STeven. I was glad I got to Meet you at blade, it was a fun conversation. Your a cool dude and hope things turn around for you. I enjoy your critiques and sitting back and listening to you/reading when you talk knives.
 
Kohai999 said:
Hi Sam,

You are right, simple as that and i have no excuse. Can't undo the past, just take responsibility for my words and actions and move forward.

As I posted elsewhere in this s/f, my wife died suddenly, I got surgery and disgnosed with bladder cancer last year. It was and is, a kick in the teeth. What I didn't post is that I lost two cats this year, including my most favorite in my life up to this point and that sucked so bad, words can't describe. He got me through the darkest days last year.

I have a beautiful girlfriend, she's a nurse and was crucial in my healing last year. just had a biopsy today (all these procedures are humbling and uncomfortable). results are good. Earlier this year, while getting my Immunotherapy treament was struck by how many young people were being treated for cancer much more damaging than mine. some are probably not alive anymore. it's sobering and gut-wrenching to witness, frankly.

I still have a temper, but don't have it in me to bring the swingin' dick out like before....Can get my point across with being a jerk about it....although i continue to see many stillborn knives on the internet, that is someone else's horse to ride.

Thanks for writing your thoughts...it's appreciated.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Sorry to hear that. I've certainly directed unkind words at you in the past, but I don't wish any of that on anyone. I'm sorry you went through all of it and I'm glad you're standing on the other side. I'm a three time cancer survivor, so if you ever need to trade chemo stories, let me know. Regardless of your manners or disagreements, I'm glad you're still kicking.
 
It's very good to see you back on here STevie. No "apology" necessary for this old man. I know you deep inside

Be well and continue the fight.

Paul
 
don't know what to say, this is so sad. but heck, i am glad you are back, steven!

regards,
hans
 
STeven your open honesty continues, even with this thread. I always appreciated your posts. Self reflection and accountability/improvement is always commendable and not often easy.

As for critique, the most direct/blunt are very often the most effective. Back-slapping doesn't make anyone a better maker and its far too prevalent these days (other places maybe more than here?).

I'm really sorry for the hardships you've faced but you're handling it well and here's to brighter days and smoother sailing. Looking forward to any time you have to contribute here.
 
thumbs up, hope to meet you some day
 
if memory serves, I'm pretty sure you advocated for me to be the forum mod, Steven, and today seems like a good day to tell you----
THANKS A LOT!
:D;)
 
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Lorien said:
if memory serves, I'm pretty sure you advocated for me to be the forum mod, Steven, and today seems like a good day to tell you----
THANKS A LOT!
:D;)
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I did, and from all accounts, you have been a good Mod.

Thank you all for the warm welcome, wasn't sure what it would be like to return after close to a two year hiatus.

Like to clarify. My wife slipped into a coma four days after surgery. The hospital was unsure how long her heart stopped, but it was long enough that her brain ceased to show brainwaves over a 48 hour period. I took her off of life support a day after the testing procedure was over (her family had come down to see her and left it to me to decide what to do, a blessing and a curse) , and she passed, in my arms, 12 hours later. It was the single worst moment in my life.

Humbling, to be sure.

In reflection of life and how I conduct myself, came to regret my prior actions here deeply. Look at it like this;

Maybe a maker has ONLY knifemaking in his or her life to make them feel special. They decide to post their work that they are proud on on BFC and I poop all over it. Maybe it sucks. Maybe a critique is justified, but certainly not in the tone and manner I took before. My comments destroyed what made that person feel special and unique.

I don't have the right to do that to someone that doesn't ask for it. It's not funny or cool, and I feel shame for what I wrote in that context.

Now, if I KNOW that person, and we are having fun with it, someone like Mike Quesenberry or David Mirabile, yeah, I'll fling the crap for sure.

Hope this makes sense.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Kohai999 said:
I did, and from all accounts, you have been a good Mod.

Thank you all for the warm welcome, wasn't sure what it would be like to return after close to a two year hiatus.

Like to clarify. My wife slipped into a coma four days after surgery. The hospital was unsure how long her heart stopped, but it was long enough that her brain ceased to show brainwaves over a 48 hour period. I took her off of life support a day after the testing procedure was over (her family had come down to see her and left it to me to decide what to do, a blessing and a curse) , and she passed, in my arms, 12 hours later. It was the single worst moment in my life.

Humbling, to be sure.

In reflection of life and how I conduct myself, came to regret my prior actions here deeply. Look at it like this;

Maybe a maker has ONLY knifemaking in his or her life to make them feel special. They decide to post their work that they are proud on on BFC and I poop all over it. Maybe it sucks. Maybe a critique is justified, but certainly not in the tone and manner I took before. My comments destroyed what made that person feel special and unique.

I don't have the right to do that to someone that doesn't ask for it. It's not funny or cool, and I feel shame for what I wrote in that context.

Now, if I KNOW that person, and we are having fun with it, someone like Mike Quesenberry or David Mirabile, yeah, I'll fling the crap for sure.

Hope this makes sense.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Your comment just made me think maybe there should be a rule here that fully blunt, brutally honest critiques are OK, so long as the poster says they want it in their posting for critique/input. Some already do here put that in their post, but maybe a sticky on how to post your work explaining that if you want honest critiques, say so in the post, and then expect to get shat on possibly :) Kinda like how Reddit has the r/roastme sub where people are asking for just that. I personally like it when i see people commenting that fit and finish could use work, design of blade won't perform for intended function well etc, so long as its followed with what the person making the comment then gives advice on how to remedy the problem in the future. This place becomes dull as hell if all it is is people posting "Nice work" over and over. The critique from peers is vital.
 
It depends on what people want. Do they want drama, or to see makers/collectors grow and learn? Mentoring is much like good leadership; you inspire others to follow you or your counsel, if you're a good leader. If you're not, you have to rely on insults and crass critiques to push. You can push with insults, but you can't truly lead with them.

So if it's more important to feel tough on the internet, be as crude as you like. I don't post here much, but I can take it just fine, and am a particularly blunt person myself. If you truly want to help makers progress and produce finer work and grow, then be a leader. In this context, that means communicating with someone with the intent to help them learn, to me anyway.

A good leader is often a good teacher, and that means finding the best way to reach your pupil, not just what's easiest/funniest to post for the guys on a forum. So is it about helping, or talking to hear yourself talk? Many times just saying "Well, it's true" after being particularly frank, yet uninspired, is simply translated "I'm too lazy/inept to put it in a way that is beneficial for the target audience." And that doesn't really help anyone.

Sam :thumbsup:
 
I don't know you but I know how hard it is to lose loved ones, "pets" included. Life has a way of making us dig deeper. We can dig deeper voluntarily or be forced but we will find new depth. My condolences. Go get another kittie, there is one out there that needs you.
 
I shouldn't be posting anything today, as I'm feeling particularly sappy with a heavy heart. But this place/hobby is a welcomed distraction and this thread has prompted many a thought. I'll try to be brief...

Steven, my man. You don't know me from Adam. I'll represent many a lurker who I'm sure has learned a ton from your posts. I've read enough of them searching through old topics that I've grown to respect your input, in spite of the cringe worthy moments.

I think people appreciate someone who is real - no filters, no bullshit - just real. That comes with a price at times, but people are drawn to that...often just because we're surrounded by so much fake/false, clouded with pretense and smoke...it's just refreshing to get something real here and there.

Whew. My heart goes out to you man, especially today. We're putting someone in the ground WAY before their time today... long time, close family friend. There are no easy answers to say the least. It sucks. I am impressed and moved by how the community has rallied around you though. That's always cool to see, and it's one of the things that's made me stick around, even when I've experienced the dark flip side that exists in anonymous internet space, and thought, "eh... this ain't worth the time."

A wise Teacher told my wife once: "There is no greater miracle than a changed heart." Sounds like you have a changed heart, and I think that's pretty cool. I admire you for owning your stuff, and for not giving up when your legs were chopped out from underneath you. Much easier to just give up. It takes serious guts to take the pain, get up, get your teeth put back in place and reengage in life. Hang tough. :thumbsup:
 
Even though I didn’t make your ‘List’ you’ve got my number and I do answer most of the time. ;)

It is good to have you posting again and if you don’t show yer ass ever so often it just wouldn’t be the same...:D
 
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