Whine and Cheese - 2003

jhiggins

jhiggins

Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Messages
3,258
Guys, guys, GUYS!

Hey there everyone. Just want to wish all my ShopTalk pals a happy new year, and start this thread as a means to blow off some steam concerning 2003. Yeah I know... a little off topic here, but I never post anywhere else on these forums, 'cuz everyone I like is right here! Hehee, well anyway I'll start off by giving my reasons why I thin 2003 really sucked:

1) My best brother-in-law passed away in April. He was a wonderful friend, and good fishing buddy. We grew up together, and had a lot of fun times. I miss him dearly.

2) My beloved Otto Von Bismark Belletete Jr. Passed away in June. Poor little guy - our schauzer. He was a yippy, stubborn, mean old pooch but we loved him. Shame to see a good dog waste away to nothing due to diabetes. Sometimes when I drive into our driveway I can hear him barking inside the house.

3) Another bro-in-law passed away in September. Adrian. A 30-year Navy man. Heart attack at the young age of 56. Shame. Left behind a wife and 3 kids. Good thing Uncle Sam will be taking care of his wife now.

*** What is everyone else thankful or regretful about for 2003? ***
 
I'm sorry to hear about your losses.

I'm glad I got into knifemaking this past year, but sad about all the money I've spent on it. :D

I really appreciate all the help and support I've gotten from everyone here in the forums.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe evening -- don't forget to take some Aleve with some water before going to bed. I makes the morning almost bearable.

:D
 
Originally posted by Burchtree
I'm sorry to hear about your losses.

I'm glad I got into knifemaking this past year, but sad about all the money I've spent on it. :D

I really appreciate all the help and support I've gotten from everyone here in the forums.

ditto

Mattd
Click to expand...
 
Life is what it is. Can't say I've got any regrets. Got me a new Bible for Christmas and plan on reading it everyday, I look at that as a big plus.

Mattd, Don't be sad about the money spent on knife making stuff. You could have blown it on something else very easy and have nothing to show for it. Just think what you can get this comming year!
 
Ya your right Raymond, I would have found something else. This next year will be fun. My goal is to build a good hunting knife that has a guard and handle screws. I would also like to make myself an edc folder.
 
Ive been whining most of the year ,but I'm cheesing now boy howdy. I feel truly blessed by God and I plan to make the most of what I'm given henceforth.
Sorry to hear about anyone losing a loved one.

Mark
 
Only things I'm sad about for the year are that I'm deeper in credit card debt, my neighbor's daughter moved out, watch it you foul minded skunk butts, it aint for that reason :D. Her Moma is all alone in a big ole house now, well cept for two little stink bomb Boston terriers that fart more than I do. Man those critters are cute and cuddly but you better wear a gas mask when you visit em, lol.
I'm super sad about us losin Rob. It feels like I lost kin. I only met him once in the real world but I got to talk to him for 3-4 years online and I think you get to know a person better that way than offline. Sure is hard gettin over that.
Other thing I'm sad about is that I sat on my butt for 6-7 months of the year and didn't make any knives but you bastids pulled me out of that and I'm back now. 04 is gonna be my best year ever! Knives are flying thru my mind again like they were when I first started knife makin.
Far as good stuff that happened.
I got to drive up and visit my brother in east Tennessee and Itook my S&W 500 magnum and some other guns and we let the Smokey Mountains know we were there! :D Sure was fun seein the mountains again after so long. It is so peaceful up there.
Then there's you folks. It always makes my day better when Icome to the forums and read the posts you make! I love seeing the pictures of the knives you make and reading about how you make them and what you have on the back burner and such. Lets me know I'm not the only nut case out there! :D
I love you bastids!
 
Nah, you ain't nuts, L6, or at least no more so than the rest of us afflicted!

2004 for me was a good year: my wife came through two surgeries ok, a great Blessing. She retired to be home with me, another Blessing. We have seriously less money, but enough, another Blessing. Though still quite feeble and ill, I am a bit better than last year, and can make it better yet with some resolve in the new year.

The highlights of my knifemaking year were to get to two hammer-ins, one at Magnum's in MO, and the other at Bowie's in TN. It is marvelous to get to hang out with my friends. And BF Shoptalk, and CKD, the contact with other makers is a huge part of my life, and I am grateful. We may piss and moan at each other some, but at the end of the day we are an extended family who care about each other.

I didn't make many knives, but I did get to make a few, and learned silver wire inlay, and made some "damascus" on the press Mag and Bill Buxton built me. Thanks, guys, that was an important moment to me! I hope to make more this coming year, but will be happy with whatever, just so I can keep some irons in the fire!

Tragedy has not beset us personally this year, but I grieve when I hear of others suffering losses and fear of the unknown. I sincerely hope that the pain eases for those who have suffered, and that they have a much more happy year ahead.

God Bless us all in 2004! Happy New Year, everyone!
 
WELL, IN JAN. OF 03 I CRASHED MY ATV AND FRACTURED 3 VERTABREA'S MADE
A FULL RECOVERY WITHOUT SURGERY!! FEEL GREAT NOW BUT AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR, MADE A COUPLE OF BAD KNIFES IN 03 SO WANT TO
START OFF FRESH IN 04 WITH BETTER QUALITY STUFF, HEY TO BAD ONES MAKE
NICE GIFTS! HAPPY NEW YEAR YALL!
 
I am thankful to have found such a delightful and frustrating and rewarding hobby and a group of eclectic individuals that I can share and learn with.

I am thankful to have found a wonderful woman to share all aspects of my life with, including knifemaking.

2003 was a wonderful year.

For 2004 I'd like to visit a NECKA hammer-in and go to a couple of knife shows. To learn more about the trade and to meet some of the people I've corresponded with.

I'd also like to produce a knife that I wouldn't feel guilty taking money for. In fact, I'd like to produce a whole lot of them. :D
 
Well, feel a little guilty but I was really blessed this year! I'm a real estate broker and the market has just been ridiculas...the market prices almost doubled in my area! My and my families health was great and all my investments (all real estate, no stocks) did fantastic. I "met" alot of great, skillful people on this forum that have shared their knowledge with me about knives/ bladesmithing/ etc. , enough so that I made my first knife this year, made my own forge, and have developed a strong desire to try making some Damascus.

Thank you all for freely sharing all your incredable knowledge by answering my stupid questions. May you all have a prosperus and happy new year!
 
Although I have never met Mark (Gouge) or Deb, I am genuinely HAPPY that everything is OK. That is the most important thing right now. It is great to see when someone "rings the bell" or "wins the lottery" or "hits the jackpot".

Good news always taste pretty good.

We also need to remember those that are giving their all for us right now. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, remember our folks in uniform.
Respect for a Fallen Soldier

Craig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top