cart SHOPPING CART You have 0 items
SELECT CURRENCY

Discussion Forums

Search forums
Forum Index > Off Topic > Nathan is ill

Nathan is ill

24 Sep 2018
@ 01:42 pm (GMT)

Steph Foster

Nathan is really ill at the moment. He has been really struggling for some months now, chronically fatigued and really laboring to get through a day. It has culminated in a severe virus coupled with an abscess in his jaw. He is tired, in pain and has hit the wall physically, mentally and emotionally. I myself have now taken on more of the computer work to ease his work load while nursing him along as best I can.

I have decided that it is a time for a change.

I have to tell you guys right now that I am really angry - at Nathan and myself mostly.

The website that so many people cruise on so casually has been built through years of sacrifice, of our time, our money and our life experiences. In 15 years Nathan and I have had one weekend away together - that was to New Plymouth our home city and one trip to Las Vegas which was a business trip sponsored by (and mostly paid for by) Manson Reamers. We don't get out much.

We have made our own decisions and choices and we own them. The motivation behind everything that we have done has been to create something of real value for people all over the world. We thought if we went forward with a willingness to be open with our findings, to give honest unbiased information, to save people the same time and expense that we have expended in our research - that ultimately it would all be worthwhile.

To this end we have never bombarded you with pop ups and spammy, shitty adverts, we have never let you be trolled or accosted when you are on our website. The products that we have created to give us an income are the VERY, VERY best that Nathan has to give! His years of frustration and learning through trial and error, his real knowledge and experience encapsulated in easy to read step by step guides that if given the chance will save a hunter thousands of $$$ and still ensure they are one of the best shooters in their area. All the way through the creation of Terminal Ballistics research Nathan has wanted to help people by helping them to help themselves.

Long story short; Nathan is one of the most kind and considerate people I have ever known. It is not in his nature to ever take advantage of others nor short change them. To this end, I have to tell you that I am done.

I am done watching Nathan have his life sucked away by life vampires. I am done watching him rewrite his books on a weekly basis because people are too cheap and stupid to value his work. I am tired of people coming to him fishing for free info - "I have just spent $500 on a suppressor for my 6.5 shitmoore and now it doesn't shoot - help me!" You know what? Go fuck yourself. How much more free information do people need from us? Apparently the largest body of cartridge research on the internet is not enough.

We had a very curt email form a person who visits our forums. Apparently it is offensive for Nath to remove things from our website - it is censorship and the curtailing of peoples freedom. Well here is my opinion on this subject. This is NATHAN and MY website. This is NATHAN and MY space! Yes, you may enter and look around, you may use whatever information you like. But do not for one minute presume to have any right to post random crap which undermines everything that we believe in on our space. Do you think that if you go into a "Public" museum that you have the right to rearrange the exhibits? Do you think that a "Public" art gallery should exhibit your stick figure drawings because you have declared it art? If you do not like or respect what we do - go away. Our website and forums are not your personal facebook page for you to go sticking what ever shitty links to what ever dark hole of the internet you may find yourself in.

There is a reason a person who enters a website is called a VISITOR - think about it!

In this world of PC bullshit gone crazy, Nathan has felt that it is important that men be empowered. To be allowed to embrace the ability to literally put food on the family table and to be proud of their natural instincts as hunters and protectors. Unfortunately while trying so hard to empower others he has given away too much of his own power - worried endlessly about whether he is being too hard or too unsupportive. Lets just say he has worried a lot more about the majority of peoples feelings than they have worried about his!

Things have to change for us. We have tried our best to be helpful and supportive to all who have come our way and we have learnt the invaluable lesson that the majority of people will take more than they will give. The reward for digging the best hole is a bigger shovel.

To the people who have become our friends - thank you so much for your kindness and support. I am going to impart a most valuable lesson to you all - this is the hardest won lesson Nathan and I have ever come to. Being kind and giving to other people is a wonderful and noble endeavor but ultimately fruitless. Trying to make other people happy is a black pit that can never be filled.

It is time for Nathan and I to be kind to ourselves. We need to make some changes in our life.



Replies

24 Sep 2018
@ 01:55 pm (GMT)

Dan Keene

Re: Nathan is ill
Hi Steph,
I fully support your sentiments and action. Nathan and you have given far too much than is healthy for fat too long. I am sure everyone here sends you their best wishes. Please look after yourselves first and foremost.
Wishing you both the very best. Dan.
24 Sep 2018
@ 02:33 pm (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Nathan is ill
I am very sorry to hear this has reached such a point for you both. I hope you are able to find the peace you truly deserve.

So many thanks for the gracious way you have instructed and guided my shooting and for the kindness you have extended to me.

Much love for you all. I hope you can continue to follow your heart and do what your convictions require you to do with the balance that will sustain it.

Sending much love to you both.
24 Sep 2018
@ 02:33 pm (GMT)

Lane Salvato

Re: Nathan is ill
Steph,

My best to Nathan in his recovery and to you in nursing him back to health.
24 Sep 2018
@ 03:39 pm (GMT)

Mike Davis

Re: Nathan is ill
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
what ever you decide to do in future you will always have my heart felt thanks and gratitude ,your no B.S. style has helped me become a better hunter.
take care,look after YOURSELVES and get well soon.
24 Sep 2018
@ 03:49 pm (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: Nathan is ill
Really sorry to hear it has come to a point, hopefully the illness/chronic fatigue? Is something that will pass. FFS do not go away and think about this post Steph, settle down then change it. Sometimes we need to be hit with a blunt object to knock some sense into ourselves. To all you freeloaders, stop asking dipshit questions, get to the shop on this ste and purchase the books, read them, study them, thank the Fosters later for the money you save yourselves on wasteful purchases.
Could go on but enough said.
24 Sep 2018
@ 04:02 pm (GMT)

JOHN HAYS

Re: Nathan is ill
Hi Steph,

So sorry Nathan has health issues at present. I, and many others, admire the hell out of him; with gratitude.

And I admire you, the other half of his heartbeat. Steph, it’s been long apparent that you work yourself to the wall every day alongside Nathan. Thank you.

Can I send a bit of money to help tide you guys over?

I see that there is a link on the website to make a donation:

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Contact+Us.html

Hey guys! How about kicking a few bucks?
24 Sep 2018
@ 04:16 pm (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: Nathan is ill
Hi Steph.

Dealing with the general public can be (usually is) horrible, most are experts till shown otherwise.

You've done a great job, I truely hope your lifestyle improves.

Cheers
Bob
24 Sep 2018
@ 06:49 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Nathan is ill
Great post Steph.
Putting your family and selves first
Is always the right decision. Maybe fence off the KB behind a paywall at $2 to read per cartridge or just make it another book priced accordingly to reflect the hours, sweat and sacrifices invested into creating your "Golden fountain of knowledge". A normal 8-5 job and a weekly pay cheque, maybe the breath of fresh air and decompression space you all need. For now.Rest, repair, love and recharge. No emails for a month even
Whatever works. Don't forget to ask for help either
Take care and keep it simple. Kia kaha Wahine Toa.
24 Sep 2018
@ 09:33 pm (GMT)

Ben Law

Re: Nathan is ill
Sorry to hear this news.

Sometimes you just need to make some changes, all the best with whatever you decide to do in the future!
25 Sep 2018
@ 02:11 am (GMT)

Joshua Mayfield

Re: Nathan is ill
Thank you, Steph, for your candor. I've benefited much more from your and Nathan's work than I have reciprocated. I hope, first, that Nathan gets well. I also hope that you both know there are many of us who believe, not just in your expertise, but that the way you've used and shared it is admirable and that you are examples to follow. Whatever changes come, I hope there continues to be an avenue for us to support your work. But even if the healthiest thing for you, as a family, is for all this to go away, I am in the line of people who will support that as well. Nothing is as important as your family's wellness and I hope and pray for you all to be truly well.
25 Sep 2018
@ 03:17 am (GMT)

Robert McLean

Re: Nathan is ill
Its hard to put in words how much I appreciate what you have done here. It has inspired me to go to a different level. My shooting and my hunting had no direction before I found your site.

Heal up and be happy
25 Sep 2018
@ 08:15 am (GMT)

bryan long

Re: Nathan is ill
Dental abscess will bring anyone to the floor.
Get well and healthy.
25 Sep 2018
@ 09:02 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Nathan is ill
Guys. Promote the book series. Print the bundle deal page and pin it to your work notice board. Where acceptable link it to your websites pages. Buy copies and give single books as presents hopefully they'll buy the rest? Thanks for your support for the Fosters. Nathans a tough rooster and with some time, self love and care he'll be okay. Just a shame that the masses who come here didn't recognize and reciprocate a gift with a gift. If only we could give them back their dumb missy guns. When times are tough. "Look up and look ahead". And King Solomon's lesson. "And so this too shall pass". Promises of new joys and laughter. Stand fast............
25 Sep 2018
@ 09:23 am (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Nathan is ill
Not sure what l want to write, Steph you guys know my feelings.

Some of my fondest memories are sitting with Nathan just talking about anything, sneaking of to the local cafe and in turn getting him away from the endless hours of email answering. Working together & throwing thoughts at each other over various projects, Ideas.......whatever.

Will talk very soon Mate!
25 Sep 2018
@ 04:04 pm (GMT)

Luke Lahdenranta

Re: Nathan is ill
I'm sorry to hear that Nathan is sick. I fully understand how bad dental pain is. Not sure if you in NZ have any dental coverage (we don't in Canada) but I kicked in a small donation to help defray any extra expenses that are going on for you now.

Will keep your family in our prayers as well!

Luke
26 Sep 2018
@ 03:56 pm (GMT)

Ryan Nafe

Re: Nathan is ill
Well Steph and Nathan, whatever comes of this, thanks for the work and effort. You two just do what you have to do, and the rest of us will be supportive of that in whatever way we can.

I know it’s nearly meaningless in a message like this, but I do appreciate the time, energy, and giving a lot.

Like I told Nathan a few weeks ago, it’s not lost on me.
28 Sep 2018
@ 03:02 pm (GMT)

Wayne Berry

Re: Nathan is ill
Dear Steph, I don't visit often nor do I have a handle on the work involved to operate a site like this. I suspect there are years of testing and trials contained in these many pages which comprise all this useful information. I've never met you Nathan or Steph but would cherish the opportunity. I'm sorry to hear of Nathan's illness and sorry to hear your cry for peace and healing. Thank you for sharing and thank you for opening up to your benefactors and cyber friends. May your love for Nathan continue to grow and may you find wisdom in how to proceed. I cherish the books and useful internet information you both have so generously given me. I've followed Nathan's advise and am looking forward to being able to put it into practice. May G-d bless your family with peace, healing and provision. with all respect and sincerity, Wayne
29 Sep 2018
@ 08:43 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Nathan is ill
Hi Guys, I am up to emailing for a bit today. Thanks for all of your kind posts and emails of support. Thanks for being so kind to Steph.

Sure bloody knocked me around, a couple of days there I didn't know up from down. gave me a fright, woke up and couldn't move my arms or legs, then pain all over, then blacked out. Hell what a rough few days, good character building stuff! But yes, I need to rest for a bit, juggling too many projects at the moment.

It will be some weeks before I can shoot again, really annoyed but there is not much I can do about it. I also have a long haul of physio ahead to correct past injuries.

Thanks so much guys. Steph read each of your emails and posts to me while I was laid up, it was very heart warming.
29 Sep 2018
@ 09:05 am (GMT)

Caleb Mayfield

Re: Nathan is ill
Nathan, I'm relieved to hear you are on the mend and well enough to stop in on the forums. I am not the poet in the family, so I will leave it at this. Thank you for all you (and Steph and Riley) have given. It means more than I can adequately express.
29 Sep 2018
@ 09:51 am (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Nathan is ill
Great news!

Still a ways to go it aunds but each step is a step further.

Much love to the Foster clan.
29 Sep 2018
@ 01:12 pm (GMT)

Jim Moseley

Re: Nathan is ill
Glad to hear you're up and moving again Nathan. I know how you feel. Nothing worse than having an illness jump up and put a big foot in your butt! The positive side to the ordeal is that you learn to rearrange priorities in life. That was certainly a lesson my wife and I were taught very quickly during my illness. Five teeth and fifty pounds lighter, I beat throat cancer. Many things in my life that I thought were important turned out to be trivial. Regardless of what you and Steph decide to do will be fine. I still enjoy reading your books and hopefully one day I'll build the 7 Practical.

Take care.
29 Sep 2018
@ 04:43 pm (GMT)

John D. Hays - New Mexico

Re: Nathan is ill

Hi Nathan, et. al:

I'm not saying this scenario applies to your current health travails, but for me the last 10-days have been a pleasant revelation.

For the last seven years I have had aching joints, stiffness and pain. If I sit still or lie in bed for more than twenty minutes all things seemed to lock up and I had to painfully stretch the joints and muscles to get moving again. I mean constant discomfort and intermittent pain. Rheumatoid Arthritis - no. Gout - yes, but not the cause. Lyme Disease - apparently not though I have been preyed upon by thousands of ticks in my outdoor life.

Short answer: 10-days ago I stopped taking statin drugs for "bad" cholesterol. Now I feel better than I have for YEARS. Lots better, pain GONE. I never let it stop or slow me, but it was a constant misery. I will see how this goes . . .

My point? Never underestimate bad drug interactions or side-effects when evaluating your health. People should ask their doctor AND their pharmacist (chemist?). Mind, different genetics and different health situations have quite different results, thus YMMV !

I may try a different statin. I may not. I need to see what my two-month-statin-free cholesterol figures are.
30 Sep 2018
@ 05:49 am (GMT)

Marcos García

Re: Nathan is ill
I'm glad you're better Nathan, I hope you recover as soon as possible, rest and be patient.

Although I have not been able to talk to you in person, hopefully one day! In the few emails that I could talk to you, you've prove to be a good person.

I hope that people appreciate all the effor that you have done in your work.
I wish all the best to you and your family.

Cheer up!

Marcos.
30 Sep 2018
@ 07:18 am (GMT)

Nathanael Hawron

Re: Nathan is ill
I'm very glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better.
Hopefully you are able to get enough time off to fully rest and recover & build up your strength.

Wishing you all the best for a full and speedy recovery.
30 Sep 2018
@ 05:04 pm (GMT)

Richard Butler

Re: Nathan is ill
Hi Nathan,
good to hear you are on deck again. I was pretty mortified to learn that you had hit the wall but I can't say I'm surprised. The question is really how you lasted so long. What you do cuts through all the bollocks and uninformed comment around hunting and firearms and is a breath of fresh air. The idea that you would try to rip someone off is ridiculous. Equally I do not believe anyone would begrudge you the need to make an income to match your effort and worth. It is time you charged for the time you spend helping people. You really have no option. The TBR website and associated work will not get less. You have a family and a life to live. With all due respect it is time to front up and do that which you have avoided. Maybe one day you will get that block of land that you want, if not then you Steph and Riley will have a life anyway. Best of Luck.
 

ABOUT US

We are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.

store