I know that this post has been a long time in coming. Dear Uncle was very good at doing these things, Auntie is far too busy to write long essays and i am no literary expert, but i will give it the old college try without any college education. Please bear with me and forgive my seeming lack of eloquence, diction and literary structure.
It has been a very long and hard road since Uncles passing. When he left us and H.I. there was an immense gap that at times seemingly could never be filled. The void from his presence is still tangible here and in the lives of those he touched, and rightfully so, as he was a dearly and much loved man. Even though i myself never had the pleasure of knowing or speaking with him, i can feel his presence in these forums, in those that knew him and in every conversation i've had with his dear wife Auntie Yangdu and in those dear friends of his whom i've come to personally know. I have to feel and come to understand that he is still with us in many ways and forms and is still guiding us today as much as he is able from the bardo. Of course he has had help from his right hand man, Rusty all along, and from the several fine members and Cantanistas that have passed before us into the sunset. With the recent additions to the Sky Cantina, i feel that he and we will have even more good help from beyond. I have to believe that my parents reside at the sky cantina also, having found Uncle and the Cantinistas to be good righteous people and sent me on my quest to find this place i've come to call my home and all of you family.
I know it may seem silly to some and even possibly pretentious of me to think this way, but i feel i came here to this forum not by chance at all, but by carefully guided providence. My own losses of family members and lifes trials and tribulations sent me seeking. Seeking an answer to lifes meaning and purpose and the reason/s why we are here to go thru such strife and tribulation.
I have come to know that thru these things we must endure come enlightenment, strength and insight, even if that insight often comes from hindsight. Without the tribulations we cannot know true joy or appreciate it fully. I have to believe that my own parents guided me here to find Uncle Bills words and Aunties friendship along with the friendship of all of you, to help me further my education as a sentient being, to find the enlightenment i was seeking, the answers to my lifes questions and to give me a goal and purpose beyond the everyday things we all must go thru. You see, i was as rudderless as this forum was without Uncles guidance, having lost the two most important people in my life. My father whom tried to teach me all this as a young man whom was too stubborn to listen and my mother whom, despite her own illness, always protected me and never let me feel unloved.
I will not go into detail about the time between Uncle Bills passing and my finding this lovely oasis on the internet in a knife forum, as i was not a party to it, although i have heard some of the stories from people who've experienced it and have read quite alot in the archives. I feel that while i don't know all the specifics, to do have a good grasp on most of it and feel qualified to speak about it some small way.
To the old members here...... Uncle Bill would have liked to see this whole thing thru to the end and never leave us, but life just doesnt work that way. We all have an expiration date at some time and knowing so, we must do the best we can while we are here. To do the best we can to be all that we can be and stand by the things that are right and true and those that we believe in. Auntie and Himalayan Imports in general appreciate your friendship, support and help, both past and present and wish for your continued presence, friendship and help in the future.
To the present and former moderators.......As a Mod here for Auntie and H.I. and as a Supermod for the BFc site (and a mod on some forums previously) i know this job all too well. It is often a tiring, frustrating and thankless task we undertake and is, even at the best of times a diffucult one prone to be depressing. As with life it has the other side of that coin and can be as fulfilling and joyful as any life experiences. I want you to know that your service here has been much appreciated, as is your friendship. Despite how anything was done, actions taken or even words said, that Auntie appreciates your fine efforts and friendship and wishes, with apologies, to put these things behind us and hopes for your continued presence and friendship.
To new members and customers.... Your friendship and patronage is much appreciated. We hope you find our products and friendship adequate and hope that you will find your place in our family. We do appreciate each and everyone. We are Thankful. We also hope that you come to understand that this is more than mere business. That here you can find the answers to questions you never knew you were seeking, and that peace and friendship are the norm on this forum.
As for the few complaints we've been trying to address over this last year or so in regards to quality of product and service.
One must understand the logistics of this endeavor, as it is truly mind boggling to grasp.
Over the past 7 years, Himalayan Imports has been in somewhat of a flux. Due to losing it's captain and first mate, but also due to changing economic times, wars and general change that normally happens as a part of life. Old Kamis have left the fold to be replaced with new, some returning when they find that the grass isnt always greener or needing to find us again to take back their place in this family of ours. Auntie and Pala truly do consider each and every Kami, Manager, Sarki, Moderator and all of you customers as friends and family here. Although overworked as they both are, they still try to keep things going as a business, but also as a Dharma work and path to walk. The main goal is not profitabilty (although it would be nice) but to provide sustainance for those in need, both physically and spiritually. To provide an oasis where one can find the comfort of like minded individuals and in doing so promote good karma and proper thinking.
The new Kamis are being taught as best we can to do their best work to provide world class khukri to our customers. This is a difficult task, as the norm in nepal is to produce cheap goods and bulk product to gain as much profitability as possible from them. Himalayan Imports has never, ever followed this business model. Instead we choose to produce fine khukri for export to the world to negate the long standing idea that most traditional khukuri are wall hanger crap. We do this as a point of pride for the nepali people, whom despite being desperately poor, are capable and willing to produce some very fine products in their own right. Despite dwindling resourses, difficulites in procuring them along with supplies of fuel both for our generator and forges.
Add to it the politics of such, with the ever changing politics in the region and you may come to realise just how difficult this all has been on the shoulders of Auntie and Pala alone. I feel that i've barely scratched the surface here, but i think that most of you already understand and grasp the situation. Sure we have had inconvieniences and small setbacks, H.I. has always had them. It is the nature of this business. But overall the quality of product and the world class service that Auntie provides has remained much the same.
Now you know why i do what i do here and why i sometimes seem terse and defensive. It is because i try to keep my eyes and mind open and i believe in all of this so whole heartedly that i'm willing to spend my time and energy here for a friendship, a thank you and sometimes even a small consideration when availbale. I will do whatever Auntie and Pala ask of me, just because i see their goodness and believe in what this all is and stands for. I know i will never be able to remotely fill Uncle Bills shoes. I wont try to think that i ever can. But i will do my best to be of any service that i can in his stead.
I feel that H.I. has done an amazingly fine job despite the circumstances.
Uncle said previously that when he and Pala are gone, he feared it would be the end of Himalayan Imports.
While it remains to be seen because none of us can tell what the future may bring, We... Auntie, Pala and i are doing our level best to see to it that H.I. does not end with us, but grows and continues to prosper in the same manner with the same goals as have always been at the core of this endeavor. Dharma.
We now have a shop 3 with a new manager and kamis and hopefully they all will be able to act in Palas stead when he retires and after he goes into his next life. Terisha is staying with Auntie now, going to school and learning the ropes as the stateside helm of this great ship we are on. We are doing our best along with the daily duties, to see that Himalayan Imports remains at the top of it's game in providing the best hand-forged khukuri by the finest craftmen that Nepal has to offer. To provide a means and a way of keeping time honored family traditions of khukuri making alive, to provide opportunity for those whom seek it, despite caste or anything else, along with Uncle Bills dream of giving back to the country he was not born in, but came to know and love as "Home"
It is everyones wish that Himalayan Imports continues as it always has, With the work and dream intact. We wish it to continue as it has been for at least another wonderful 25 years. We are doing our level best to make this so. With fine friends and selfless help we are confident that this also seemingly impossible task will be overcome and while the faces will change the traditions and friendships will continue and that we also will be remembered fondly in some small way when we are no longer a part of this life.
At present there will be noone to replace me and i will contunue to mod and help Auntie as long as she allows and i am able. Perhaps my son will gain more of an appreciation for my obsession with khukuri and enlightenment and choose to take my place when i'm no longer here. That will remain to be seen.
It is my only wish that all of you see that i speak from my heart and wish nothing but the best for everyone and everything involved. I only wish to be remembered as one of many who've stepped up to do my small part here in this life, for something i truly believe in.
What has this to do with life?
What has this to do with khukuris?
Everything........
It has been a very long and hard road since Uncles passing. When he left us and H.I. there was an immense gap that at times seemingly could never be filled. The void from his presence is still tangible here and in the lives of those he touched, and rightfully so, as he was a dearly and much loved man. Even though i myself never had the pleasure of knowing or speaking with him, i can feel his presence in these forums, in those that knew him and in every conversation i've had with his dear wife Auntie Yangdu and in those dear friends of his whom i've come to personally know. I have to feel and come to understand that he is still with us in many ways and forms and is still guiding us today as much as he is able from the bardo. Of course he has had help from his right hand man, Rusty all along, and from the several fine members and Cantanistas that have passed before us into the sunset. With the recent additions to the Sky Cantina, i feel that he and we will have even more good help from beyond. I have to believe that my parents reside at the sky cantina also, having found Uncle and the Cantinistas to be good righteous people and sent me on my quest to find this place i've come to call my home and all of you family.
I know it may seem silly to some and even possibly pretentious of me to think this way, but i feel i came here to this forum not by chance at all, but by carefully guided providence. My own losses of family members and lifes trials and tribulations sent me seeking. Seeking an answer to lifes meaning and purpose and the reason/s why we are here to go thru such strife and tribulation.
I have come to know that thru these things we must endure come enlightenment, strength and insight, even if that insight often comes from hindsight. Without the tribulations we cannot know true joy or appreciate it fully. I have to believe that my own parents guided me here to find Uncle Bills words and Aunties friendship along with the friendship of all of you, to help me further my education as a sentient being, to find the enlightenment i was seeking, the answers to my lifes questions and to give me a goal and purpose beyond the everyday things we all must go thru. You see, i was as rudderless as this forum was without Uncles guidance, having lost the two most important people in my life. My father whom tried to teach me all this as a young man whom was too stubborn to listen and my mother whom, despite her own illness, always protected me and never let me feel unloved.
I will not go into detail about the time between Uncle Bills passing and my finding this lovely oasis on the internet in a knife forum, as i was not a party to it, although i have heard some of the stories from people who've experienced it and have read quite alot in the archives. I feel that while i don't know all the specifics, to do have a good grasp on most of it and feel qualified to speak about it some small way.
To the old members here...... Uncle Bill would have liked to see this whole thing thru to the end and never leave us, but life just doesnt work that way. We all have an expiration date at some time and knowing so, we must do the best we can while we are here. To do the best we can to be all that we can be and stand by the things that are right and true and those that we believe in. Auntie and Himalayan Imports in general appreciate your friendship, support and help, both past and present and wish for your continued presence, friendship and help in the future.
To the present and former moderators.......As a Mod here for Auntie and H.I. and as a Supermod for the BFc site (and a mod on some forums previously) i know this job all too well. It is often a tiring, frustrating and thankless task we undertake and is, even at the best of times a diffucult one prone to be depressing. As with life it has the other side of that coin and can be as fulfilling and joyful as any life experiences. I want you to know that your service here has been much appreciated, as is your friendship. Despite how anything was done, actions taken or even words said, that Auntie appreciates your fine efforts and friendship and wishes, with apologies, to put these things behind us and hopes for your continued presence and friendship.
To new members and customers.... Your friendship and patronage is much appreciated. We hope you find our products and friendship adequate and hope that you will find your place in our family. We do appreciate each and everyone. We are Thankful. We also hope that you come to understand that this is more than mere business. That here you can find the answers to questions you never knew you were seeking, and that peace and friendship are the norm on this forum.
As for the few complaints we've been trying to address over this last year or so in regards to quality of product and service.
One must understand the logistics of this endeavor, as it is truly mind boggling to grasp.
Over the past 7 years, Himalayan Imports has been in somewhat of a flux. Due to losing it's captain and first mate, but also due to changing economic times, wars and general change that normally happens as a part of life. Old Kamis have left the fold to be replaced with new, some returning when they find that the grass isnt always greener or needing to find us again to take back their place in this family of ours. Auntie and Pala truly do consider each and every Kami, Manager, Sarki, Moderator and all of you customers as friends and family here. Although overworked as they both are, they still try to keep things going as a business, but also as a Dharma work and path to walk. The main goal is not profitabilty (although it would be nice) but to provide sustainance for those in need, both physically and spiritually. To provide an oasis where one can find the comfort of like minded individuals and in doing so promote good karma and proper thinking.
The new Kamis are being taught as best we can to do their best work to provide world class khukri to our customers. This is a difficult task, as the norm in nepal is to produce cheap goods and bulk product to gain as much profitability as possible from them. Himalayan Imports has never, ever followed this business model. Instead we choose to produce fine khukri for export to the world to negate the long standing idea that most traditional khukuri are wall hanger crap. We do this as a point of pride for the nepali people, whom despite being desperately poor, are capable and willing to produce some very fine products in their own right. Despite dwindling resourses, difficulites in procuring them along with supplies of fuel both for our generator and forges.
Add to it the politics of such, with the ever changing politics in the region and you may come to realise just how difficult this all has been on the shoulders of Auntie and Pala alone. I feel that i've barely scratched the surface here, but i think that most of you already understand and grasp the situation. Sure we have had inconvieniences and small setbacks, H.I. has always had them. It is the nature of this business. But overall the quality of product and the world class service that Auntie provides has remained much the same.
Now you know why i do what i do here and why i sometimes seem terse and defensive. It is because i try to keep my eyes and mind open and i believe in all of this so whole heartedly that i'm willing to spend my time and energy here for a friendship, a thank you and sometimes even a small consideration when availbale. I will do whatever Auntie and Pala ask of me, just because i see their goodness and believe in what this all is and stands for. I know i will never be able to remotely fill Uncle Bills shoes. I wont try to think that i ever can. But i will do my best to be of any service that i can in his stead.
I feel that H.I. has done an amazingly fine job despite the circumstances.
Uncle said previously that when he and Pala are gone, he feared it would be the end of Himalayan Imports.
While it remains to be seen because none of us can tell what the future may bring, We... Auntie, Pala and i are doing our level best to see to it that H.I. does not end with us, but grows and continues to prosper in the same manner with the same goals as have always been at the core of this endeavor. Dharma.
We now have a shop 3 with a new manager and kamis and hopefully they all will be able to act in Palas stead when he retires and after he goes into his next life. Terisha is staying with Auntie now, going to school and learning the ropes as the stateside helm of this great ship we are on. We are doing our best along with the daily duties, to see that Himalayan Imports remains at the top of it's game in providing the best hand-forged khukuri by the finest craftmen that Nepal has to offer. To provide a means and a way of keeping time honored family traditions of khukuri making alive, to provide opportunity for those whom seek it, despite caste or anything else, along with Uncle Bills dream of giving back to the country he was not born in, but came to know and love as "Home"
It is everyones wish that Himalayan Imports continues as it always has, With the work and dream intact. We wish it to continue as it has been for at least another wonderful 25 years. We are doing our level best to make this so. With fine friends and selfless help we are confident that this also seemingly impossible task will be overcome and while the faces will change the traditions and friendships will continue and that we also will be remembered fondly in some small way when we are no longer a part of this life.
At present there will be noone to replace me and i will contunue to mod and help Auntie as long as she allows and i am able. Perhaps my son will gain more of an appreciation for my obsession with khukuri and enlightenment and choose to take my place when i'm no longer here. That will remain to be seen.
It is my only wish that all of you see that i speak from my heart and wish nothing but the best for everyone and everything involved. I only wish to be remembered as one of many who've stepped up to do my small part here in this life, for something i truly believe in.
What has this to do with life?
What has this to do with khukuris?
Everything........
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