“Powerboaters and sailboaters are a different breed. Powerboats are turn-the-key, turn-the-wheel. As a sailor you’re working the entire time…” Alan Veenstra, owner of Chicago Sailing
This a quote from today’s Today’s Chicago Tribune newspaper about how motorboat users are feeling the pinch in gasoline costs.
The article goes on to talk about how many people have difficulty conjuring up sympathy for those well-heeled enough to be able to pay for a slip at the Chicago Yacht Club or the like, never mind burn up fuel on the Lake Michigan–the source of our drinking water.
I’m not going to present this as a non-biased viewpoint–the powerboat people certainly are not.
Quote: “I’m more conscious of gas prices this year, but it hasn’t spoiled my fun,” Blackwell said.
“I’ll drive 2 miles, shut the engine off, and turn on the radio. It’s like I’m in a different world.”
This powerboat owner is in a different world alright, the world of denial.
The owners of motorboats should be looked at more sympathetically because “studies say” (what studies–the “American Motorboat Association”?) that “most motorboat owners come from the middle class.” A-ha! The middle class likes motorboating so us non-motor-boating middle class folks should endorse motorboaters as we are all just ya know, middle class.
Sorry. Here is the deal locally, in the Chicago area. The “middle, middle class” scrimp and save and get a previously-owned small-by-any-yacht-standard, motorboat, which they keep in their own garages in the winter and their driveways in-the summer.
They can’t afford to rent a frelling slip on Lake Michigan! OK? Got that?
They take off to the Chain O’ Lakes on the weekend to fish, come back, and park their boats in their driveway until the next time they are able to take the boat out.
On the other hand, the so-called “middle class” whose boats are docked at the Chicago Yacht Club or Waukegan Harbor are upper middle-class and beyond and though they may cut back on engine running time whilst out polluting the great Lake Michigan (as well at adding more noise to the cacaphony that many boats in one general area make). The well-heeled who don’t have to care where the money goes have very little in common with the true middle class. After all, we have a have a short summer season, right?
The Tribune story goes on to report that boaters, in addition to taking shorter trips, are practicing “buddy-boating,” where people take turns whose boat they take when fishing, spending more time at the slip, and using it like “their summer resort.”
All I can add is, what took you so long? (And, you are fooling no one–we all know that you have at least one summer resort north of here). And why won’t you cozy up to the non-fuel using, previously mentioned sail-boating? Or, on a big lake like Michigan or Ontario for that matter, kayaking? On smaller lakes canoing, paddle-boating or how ’bout row-boating? I know it’s quaint but if you put a bit of back into it you can get far enough out on a typical smaller lake to get a good catch. As for those folks whose livelihood is tied to the water? You need to adapt. Carry less motorboat-related items and start catering to the non-fuel using alternatives. There are many. Just let it sink in that we are never going back to the petroleum hogging excesses of our immediate past and embrace the future in which you can still make a living off of water-related activities–they just don’t have to take such a toll on-the environment. It’s my predication that motorboat people will alter their lifestyles significantly in the next 5 years to go beyond using their big gasoline-ingesting boats to smaller, alternate ways of water transport. Hopefully, this blog will still be around then and I can check back to see if I was correct. 
If you are an advertiser who gets the word out through blog marketing you may have already heard of Pay Per Post and Social Spark which are but two offerings from the IZEA company.
Both are Social Media Marketing services which have proved very effective for advertisers. Though blog posts, blog sponsorships, and one of my favourites, product sampling, IZEA gives you a unique voice and presence on the World Wide Web.
I joined Pay Per Post as a postie in July, 2007. At the time I was simply looking for a way to make some household money without having to go into an office or elsewhere. My child is home for the summer and has many breaks throughout the year and I preferred to be home working than working somewhere else.
Having had 5 solid years blogging experience (and several more forum writing), blogging for advertisers really wasn’t much different for me than when I’d write about something I had an opinion about anyway. In fact even now–a year later–because I write about things I do, products I use, movies I see and places I go, as a seasoned blogger I offer my honest assessment all the time. It matters not if it’s paid or not, I still have an opinion to share with my readers.
Social Spark and Pay Per Post have much in common but there are some fine points which distinguish them. To find out about the differences between Pay Per Post and Social Spark as very effective methods of getting the word out about your product or service, please click the “blog marketing” link above.
Red, White and Blue~
Canada Day Cake from http://yogi.vox.com/
There’s no way I could have gotten that giant maple leaf to look like The Maple Leaf. Maple-leaf shapes are notoriously difficult to render. Believe me, I’ve tried! 
I commend the cake decorator–same as the cake maker, perhaps?
Looks very yummy!
Vox Hunt: Red, White and Blue
Yogi has taken some really awesome photos.
Downtown Haliburton, Ontario~ 07.03.08~ All webshots taken today July 3, 2008.
(The fake neon green car way up in the right upper part of the shot is at the very sharp leftward turn in the road as you enter town coming from Maple Lake on Hwy 35.)
I can hear the “bombs bursting in air,” or at least the simulated suburban version of them as the United States begins celebrating Independence Day, 2008.
All I can really think of is: I’d rather be at the cottage. I’m pretty sure our little dog, Raven would rather be there too because the number of “bombs” going off at Maple Lake right now is probably pretty few despite the fact that just two days ago Canadians celebrated “Canada Day.” They have shown that they can be every bit as celebratory as the Americans when conducting fireworks shows whether they be in a backyard or in a town park.
Mountain Trout House, Dorset~
I have felt like up and leaving to go north any number of times, just because why hang around here? I have an appointment next week but I’d really like to clear out of here a day or two later.
Reach Harbour~
The guys can follow me up a week after that. Can’t go any sooner because youngest son’s Driver’s Education class does not finish until the 3rd week of July, plus his monthly blood test monitoring liver function due to taking Accutane and the very small window every thirty days that the blood test can be done.
Anyway. There have been some lovely new additions to the Webcams Across Ontario site and it appears that the Haliburton cam is now working a bit better. I still had to do crazy things with the contrast but at least I was able to do something. Keep up the good work, “Eye in the Sky” folks. 
Kincardine Harbour Lighthouse~
One annoying thing about web-hosted services that are integrated with the Internet is that you frequently encounter recurring fees. It’s like paying rent. Wouldn’t you rather own the components of what it takes to create and complete your work?
3D Issue Manager is a Windows-based software application that distinguishes itself from other applications in that 3D addresses this issue and provides a solution by allowing you to purchase and own the software that you’ll be using throughout the digital magazine production process. Version 3 is a software application, not a service so once you buy 3D Issue Manager you will be at the helm of your magazine or newspaper doing the digital work yourself. No more fees. Would you like to have the ability to implement Automatic PDF to flash magazine conversion? Does having pageflip animation appeal to you? What about Automatic conversion of PDF Bookmarks to Contents Menus?Some other desirable features of the 3D application include things you need to operate a successful publication such as Search Engine Optimization of every page in the digital edition, keyword search, the ability to insert images, and to add both video and audio files.A little more on the new feature the new 3D Issue Converter tool~ This tool has the ability to easily select all the PDFs, regardless of whether they are comprised of portraits or landscape PDFs then allow you to choose the compression ratio and resolution and simply click “convert.” This excellent feature also gives you the ability to remove crop marks, extract and add PDF bookmarks as a contents menu.Beyond these useful and necessary abilities, the 3D application allows publishers as well as other users, to add hyperlinks, features automatic URL and email detection, and has the ability to publish. So from the time you act as creator of your publication to the ability to chose your own hosting service—you maintain have outright ownership of your work. For more information about 3D Issue, please click the above link.
The Minden Branch of the Haliburton County Library has announced that construction will soon start on a new 5,000 sq ft library. The Minden Branch will still be open during construction though it’s important that patrons obey all fencing and signs around the Cultural Centre.
If you are curious about what to look forward to when the project is complete you can do so now as the plans for the new addition are available to the public at the library.
I’ll keep tabs as the project progresses so you can know exactly what happening, when.
Glenn Beck is a stand up comedian who does political satire comedy. From what I understand, comedy when compared with other modes of entertainment is very hard to do. Especially stand up comedy made up of political satire. But from the video I saw on his site, Glenn is very outspoken and tries to cram as many words into a sentence as he can possibly fill.So Glenn Beck must be pretty brave and daring to not only take on live audiences on his summer tour in the United States but on July 17 as part of his tour and for one night only he will be broadcasting LIVE through FathomEvents to “select movie theaters nationwide,” and hopefully to a movie theatre near you.
Haliburton Sculpture Forest map
Through the announcement below I’ve discovered a place that you will be able to find me this summer: The Haliburton Sculpture Forest.
This one drew my eye right away. Curled Figures. Check out the map by clicking the link. There is a lot of talent in that forest!
They have an awesome easy-to-use interactive map on the The Haliburton Sculpture Forest website, too!
I’m so amazed and impressed with the talent in the Minden Hills/Haliburton Highlands area!
Here’s a must see event in Minden Hills on the Fourth of July!
A whimsical bike-rack sculpture created by respected local sculptor and blacksmith Leo Sepa has been donated to the Township of Minden Hills by the artist and the Haliburton Highlands Cycling Coalition. The Haliburton County Development Corporation also lent their support. Though is the first of twobike rack sculptures coming to Minden this summer, this will be the first piece of functional sculpture created by Leo Sepa that will be installed in Minden Hills.
What:The Minden Hills Cultural Centre is pleased to announce the unveiling of this beautiful work of functional, public art on the Cultural Centre Grounds. The unveiling will be followed by photo opportunities with the artist… and staff from various local cultural, health and community oganizations.
When: Friday, July 4, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Where: Minden Hills Cultural Centre, 174-176 Bobcaygeon Road North
Need more info?
Daniela Pagliaro, Township of Minden Hills
Phone: (705) 286-2808
Email: culturalcentre@mindenhills.ca
This is Glenn Beck who I just had a look at in the interest of sizing him up as I hadn’t yet gotten acquainted with him. I know that Glenn Beck is on a “political tour” this summer and one of his Dallas shows is scheduled to be broadcast nationally in a movie theatre near you one night only–July 17.
Glenn Beck’s weblog’s landing page (a mini version of course) is pictured below.
I tend to be persnickety about blog design (please don’t be harsh on mine–it’s mostly “ready made”) and I must say, I’m impressed. Nice design, he’s very appealing and I definitely want to “view” whatever it is that the button to click is over on Glenn’s left shoulder, partially out of view. So that’s very, very good in my opinion. I hope however that Glenn’s off-stage view of mixing his colors and fabrics the way he’s doing in this headshot differs from what he’s sporting here. Otherwise, I’d have to vote for abuse of patterns and blue stripes. Too many stripes, Glenn!
Celebrate Canada Day!*
Canada Day Celebrations will be held in Gooderham and Dorset on Saturday, June 28th and in Minden, West Guilford and Wilberforce on Tuesday, July 1st.
Canada Day in Dorset
Saturday, June 28
Fireworks will be lighting up the night sky at the Big Trading Bay in Dorset beginning at dusk (approx 9:30). There is no charge, but a boot will be passed around for contributions to offset the costs. All donations will go towards next year’s show. Rain date: Sunday, June 29.
Big Trading Bay, Dorset
The Algonguin Highlands Music Summerfest:
Saturday June 28 2pm - 1am, Ox Narrows Resort, Hwy 35
Roast Pig, Fireworks on the Barge at Dusk, Special Permit Lic,Music, Music 6 Bands, Food, Face Painters, Jumping Castle, Childrens Blues Harmonica Teaching Workshop, Jumping Water Raft and much much more. $20.00 gets you in to see it all (Wristbands and tickets). Proceeds towards Cystic Fibrosis.
Gooderham’s Family Canada Day Celebration
Saturday, June 28, Gooderham Community Center & Park Community Centre Road Gooderham
The Gooderham Committee for Kids will be hosting their third annual Canada Day Celebration Saturday June 28th, 2008 at the Gooderham Community Centre & Park. Starting at 11:00 a.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m. there will be fun games,old fashioned races, face painting, fundraising raffle’s, food, yard sale tables and more. Return at dusk for our spectacular fireworks display. Admission for fireworks by donation only. Fun Day Activities Free!
*Details courtesy of “What’s Happening in the Haliburton Highlands” - Canada Day Special
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Earlier this week I had a nice email exchange with a long-time “Maple Laker,” Mr. Tony Boros.
Besides sounding exactly like the super kind of person who you find on Maple Lake, Mr. Boros is a professional photographer who generously shared some spectacular shots of our beloved Maple Lake. His professional website is Websight 360 where you can enjoy 360 degree panorama images as well as find out more about the process and more about Mr. Boros personally and professionally. I highly recommend a visit.
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