Folks,
Most of you don't know me....I watch, read and not say anything unless I am sure I have something positive to contribute.

Anyway, life has been kinda interesting last few weeks. First, July 3, a very very dear friend and business partner passed away due to a brain tumor. Diagnosis to end...3 weeks!!! Last Monday, just as I am about to get into the car (we were in the midst of a humongous wind/rain storm), a huge mango tree that used to stand outside the gate crashed down on the car!!! Took 4 hours of cutting/chopping to get the car out....flattened. Totalled...the yanks here will know what I mean! Two days ago....I take my old bike ( an old 500 cc Bullet ) for a ride...AND have a crash...my first in 30 odd years....WOW!!! Fortunately only hurt my left elbow, nothing broken!

Now Steve, I did say I was planning on a hunt with you but if you put this kinda hex on me it will be difficult !!

Well, I guess the point of all this monologue is simply this folks....life is short, can bring about unexpected things...so..perhaps instead of us questioning each other's motives/reasons for hunting/shooting etc. etc. and wasting so much time and energy on things which matter not an iota, why not focus on the important things? Tell the people you love that you love them, do the things YOU enjoy!!!

Best wishes

Esskay,

When it comes to priorities in life, I like to ask someone this question:

"If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do?"

I usually get "Go hunting, take trips, fill the bucket, etc."

Then I ask what they would do if they only had 24 hours to live. The answer is normally quite different. It usually involves spending time with family, etc., although I did have one person answer that they would skydive and bungee jump.

As important as hunting is to me, I am quite sure I would lose all interest in it if I knew I was going to die in a few months.

Damn but you've had some bad luck there but they say it comes in threes, so here's hoping the bad luck is over.

Especially sorry to hear about the Enfield. As a bit of a biker and a lover of classics, I REALLY feel for you there! Hope it's not too badly bent?

You're right though. We should all live our lives as though today is our last day..... Because it just might be!

Steve,
If I had 24 hours to live I'd GIVE you my .500

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Damn but you've had some bad luck there but they say it comes in threes, so here's hoping the bad luck is over.

Especially sorry to hear about the Enfield. As a bit of a biker and a lover of classics, I REALLY feel for you there! Hope it's not too badly bent?

You're right though. We should all live our lives as though today is our last day..... Because it just might be!

Steve, the bike's not bent ...just ended up breaking the clutch lever, easily replaced...my left elbow is bent though lol. Me thinks for the next few days I should stay in the house!!!

If I knew I had 24 hours to go...sheesh...one of the things I think would be crocodile fishing with Steve....the other 22 hours I think I'd like to keep personal

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:
Steve,
If I had 24 hours to live I'd GIVE you my .500

Anyone know how I go about putting a contract out on someone?

quote:

Originally posted by Esskay:


Steve, the bike's not bent ...just ended up breaking the clutch lever, easily replaced...my left elbow is bent though lol. Me thinks for the next few days I should stay in the house!!!

Sounds like a good place to be!

I'm off to a classic car and bike run tomorrow but will take the Jeep as it's too damn cold to ride the bike!!

quote:

Originally posted by Esskay:
If I knew I had 24 hours to go...sheesh...one of the things I think would be crocodile fishing with Steve....the other 22 hours I think I'd like to keep personal

Mine would have to be croc fishing for a couple of hours, followed by a buff, maybe a duck flight, a burn on the bike and then the family to end....... hmmmmm might need an extension on that 24 hours.

Well...I'll have to wait on the buff until you introduce me to it lol....but 2 hours for the croc fishing...aw hell fine..I will believe all I've read and include the buff...then a few hours with the kids....then hmmm campfire discussion about that over a bottle of good single malt!

Damn..... I forgot the malt beside the campfire. Shame on me!

Steve,

I've got to go to the shooting range and shoot. Its 116 damn degree's outside. But this sheep hunt is comin up quick and it aint gettin any cooler.

Funny, I heard my wife askin the same question about a contract last week??

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:
Steve,

Funny, I heard my wife askin the same question about a contract last week??

Steve

Steve,

In India, a "contract" is called a "Supaari"....easily organised I am told lol

everything that happened to you is excactly WHY you must go. wouldn't it be much better to get gored, trampled or bit than die as a result of a rotten tree, bad meal or drunk assh*ole? if you want to talk brain tumors, sheesh, pm me.

Folks,

This was primarily in response to what has occurred in my life recently and a couple of threads here! Do we really think we, anyone, is going to change another person's thinking or opinion on the net? Yes, we can have all sorts of discussions, as is obvious (just look at the Shooting vs Hunting and the Canned Lions issue), my only point is this....at the end of the day what is important? Look at what happened to John Greef...can we not focus on the important issues in life instead of wasting time talking about our various opinions about our ethics? Keep in mind, they are our ethics...and yours and mine do not need to be the same....ethics are borne out of circumstance and necessity...can we not grow up and focus on the important issues in life? For ex. ethics...if I need to feed my family and I am a subsistence hunter in Alaska and try shoot meat at some God knows what range....unethical? Really? When your kids are crying for food?

My apologies...I know I am going to get flamed here...but why can we not focus on what is important?

Do any of you have a guarantee on life? Far as I know, especially in the US, only guarantees in life are Taxes and Death! So why waste time on things which matter not an iota? Why not instead focus on the things that make you who you are, the things that make YOU happy? I have trouble believing that criticizing someone for what they do is what sustains you!

Regards

Saeed K. Ansari

Esskay

ansaris111@yahoo.com

Esskay,
Well said, however, these forums whether they are hunting, boating or whatever are by their very nature breeding grounds for discontent and arguing.

Differing ideas and experience all add to the richness of ones being. I think the words civil disagreement describe the ultimate in sportsmanlike debate.

I....in a prior lifetime was not very civil at times...well most of the time and have learned volumes from these boards by reading, listening and thinking, maybe even specially when I may disagree with the poster but keep an open mind.

If we all agreed we wouldn't be hunters or sportsman we would be lemmings.

Steve

Steve,

Without a doubt listening to other ideas/points of view enrich us....no doubt about that...but my only contention was this....look...no matter what my opinion about something is, I cannot force it upon you nor change your ideas or opinions about what you think is right. So why waste time trying to do so?

Regards

S

Absolutely right. Life is way too short. I have been reminded by the loss of friends and family way too many times over the last couple years.

I'd probably just sit here in my chair, pissing people off on AR.

Saeed: Glad you survived your string of rum luck. Go hunting, man!
And as to expending energy trying to change others' opinions, if we would all just give it a rest, peace would break out across the Earth.