Update on all things Ravok

[ATF Ravok]

Hey guys -

Most of you have known me a lot of years, and have seen me struggle with the end of my military career and the difficulty of being bipolar. It has now been 10 years since I was in Panama City, dealing with life on a very big scale.

All is well with me. I am so happy to tell you that even though life still has its ups and downs - I am well.

In my line of work, the scariest thing I had to face was the thought that in my lack of mental acuity, I would betray my country. It was on my mind every day, that fear that I would say too much, or something even worse. I would never want to ever betray the names of people in my line of work, the missions we are called upon to do, or any of the rather secretive parts of my line of work.

I am so glad to tell you today, that through all of my trials - I am become true to the things I held dearest. I kept enough mental and emotional discipline to maintain - to the best of my ability - the mysteriousness necessary to keep a cloak around the things I have done, and the people I have done them with.

I did not have a long military career. I did not do a whole lot, some might say. But in my line of work, every detail has a way of being dangerous.

I can now sit here in my chair, and tell you all that I did indeed serve my country - and now my future stands before me once again. It is a bright future, full of hope and friends. I can face it knowing I can make a difference in other people's lives.

The world will take its course, and I am again prepared to challenge that world in my own small way.

Friends like you XMEN folks have seen me through the toughest time in my life. In all the difficult challenges I have had to face in the past, rebuilding my life after that short time in Panama has been the toughest.

I am once again a whole individual. Uniquely me, with my own strengths and weaknesses. But me. Thank you all. You have shown me what friendship can do.

No one expects this kind of thing from an internet game. I used Tribes back in the day as an excersize in motor skills. There was a time I could not even properly write my own name. To think that years later, the people that took me into their clan would still be here - writing to each other, talking, and even getting together now and again - is an amazing thought for me.

It means everything to sit here and tell you that the work I had started with Tribes - the work of my mental and physical rehabilitation - is looking like a complete success.

There is the threat of backsliding. Oh sure, it could be that something causes me to return to a previous state of disability. But I am not going to fear that, only respect it. And enjoy every blessed day of my life.

As Warhawk would say, S!

[XMEN Iceman]

Hang in there my friend. We are here for you.

David

[XMEN Gambit]

So glad it's coming together for you, Rav. S! indeed.

[Ambush Bug]

It's the HERC... chicks dig the HERC!

Whoops, wrong game! Glad to hear you're doin' fine, Rav. It is kinda amazing how we all came together and still keep in touch. I've often thought that a paper tracing how the Tribes community in general formed and was shaped over the years would make a fine dissertation for a sociology class.

[Atheist]

Bro, I'm really glad to hear that. We've had a lot of fun over the last few years, and I've always been glad to count you as one of my friends!

I'll catch you on IM next time you're on.

Mo.