Wednesday, September 29, 2010

INTERNAL PRESSURE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO BEAR!!

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LAKE FREIGHTER TAKES ON A LOAD OF ROAD SALT AT GODERICH'S SALT MINE

It is only 4 days since my decision to drop our 'comments' section from the blog & already pressure has been brought to bear.  Not only is it coming from blog readers but it's coming from right here at home as well.  Kelly pointed out to me Tuesday how much all the comments meant to her & her
Mother when her Dad died a few weeks ago.  She reminded me that if I had turned off the comment section before that, those appreciated comments would not have happened.  Also received an email yesterday from my Aunt Jean in Florida who stated, "I really miss the comment corner that you removed. Hope a lot of other people feel the same, & maybe you'll put it back in someday.  It was so nice to read what people had to say about Harry's big move, & also the comments regarding Kelly's Dad passing away." 

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PART OF THE GODERICH SALT MINE COMPLEX

And then I read RETIRED ROD'S 
blog this morning & he brought up another couple of points so here I am now, thoroughly
caught between a rock & a hard place.....again!!  Will I ever learn to stop wedging myself in there!!  What is a feller to do:((  Yes it is my blog but as it was pointed out to me, I am not the only one living here & the Bayfield Bunch constitutes more than just Al.   I was also told I am not the only one who reads the blog comments here either!!!.  Needless to say........I have taken a pounding!! 

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Of course if I re-instate the comments section there will be those who will accuse me once again of doing this to attract attention to the blog & making people jump through hoops & over barrels.  And yes, I did receive an email Tuesday stating the 'hoop' aspect of that.  Let's just make one thing perfectly clear here (no, I did not get that from Obama) I have never done that, nor would I ever do that!!!!  Conclusion............. I am not a stubborn, narrow minded, unreasonable or hard headed person to get along with, therefore I will re-instate the comment section & let the cards fall where they may.  May peace & harmony reign once again in not only Blog Land, but here at home as well................10-4 darn it!!  
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SALT IS BROUGHT UP A LARGE CONVEYOR BELT & THEN DROPPED DOWN THAT LARGE ROUND TUBE INTO THE SHIPS HOLD

And, on the lighter side.......I do not normally put slide shows, videos or You Tube stuff in my posts because it slows things down & plays havoc with readers dial up connections
& limited 5 Gig bandwidths.  But today I will add the following You Tube simply because I identify so much with the main red headed character plus it is my kind of humor:))  Also, at the end you will see two old codgers sitting in a balcony.  That is my Stratford buddy Jim & I ........in a few years of course:))  (speakers on)

I REMEMBER THIS SKIT WELL FROM THE DAYS I USED TO WATCH SESAME STREET (if you watch this, guess what tune is going to be rattling around in your head all day:))
 
Our weather turned out to be a complete reversal from Tuesday's rain.  Lots of sunshine with warmer temps had me in the Jeep about 10:30 this morning heading for the town of Goderich.  It's that time of year when vehicle license stickers have to be renewed.  Had the Motor Home & Santa Fe to do & from the time I walked through the licensing department door to the time I walked back out the door, only 5 minutes had elapsed.  Always a bonus when things go smoothly like that.  Took a drive down around the Goderich Harbor & spent an hour or so scrambling around taking a few pics.  It's a great time of year to be around the beach & breakwater areas because the noisy summer beach crowds are long gone.  Always glad to see crowds gone no matter where it is:))

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I particularly liked what RETIRED ROD had to say in his post this morning when he wrote {QUOTE} "I feel as though I know you almost better than I would just sitting around a campfire.  There is something about writing our thoughts on a computer screen, that seems to mesmerize us into being almost more honest than we could be in person.  We explain our goofs, and dumb moves almost shamelessly and think nothing of it.  (I wonder if Rod was thinking of me here) Usually we get a bunch of comments, telling us not to be so hard on ourselves, and that the commenter's have done exactly the same thing.  Or encouragement and suggestions how to get out of our trouble.  So I have grown to really like blogging, and the friends it has brought me." {UNQUOTE}

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THE SALT MINE EXTENDS UNDERGROUND FOR MILES BENEATH THE LAKE OUT THERE

Well said & I totally agree with Rod's thoughts.  Whether it be blogging, emailing, messaging or commenting, etc the written word has a way like no other of leveling the playing field.  It is by far my favorite form of communication.  I do not have an A type aggressive personality & when I come into head on contact with those types of people I feel very uncomfortable & characteristically will clam up & immediately work on an exit strategy.  Yet, if I were in email contact with the same person I would feel much more comfortable.  It is one of the things I like so much about blogging.  A person can sit down in the comfort of their own home, compose their thoughts without interruption, intimidation or confrontation.  Words & paragraphs can be reworked, ideas clearly expressed, & emotions controlled.  For people like myself, honesty is much easier in written form.  Emotions are easier to express & I find it much more pleasant to meet & get to know new people with my keyboard.  But, put me in a room of strangers & I am toast.  Drop me into an RV rally setting with all it's social pressures & I am more than just toast.....I am burnt toast with mud on it!! 

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THAT LONG CONVEYER BOOM IS FOR OFF-LOADING THE SALT

So, when Rod wrote about probably getting to know people better than just sitting around a campfire, that struck a chord with me.  And it struck a another chord when he said, "there is something about writing our thoughts on a computer screen, that seems to mesmerize us into being almost more honest than we could be in person."  Well Rod, I know exactly what your talking about.........And a big 10-4 to all that too!!

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A SLIGHT MIST IN THE MORNING AIR

GROANER'S CORNER:((  My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and she kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.  I asked her, "Do you know him?"
"Yes
," she sighed,  "He's my old boyfriend.... I understand he took to drinking right after we
split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."  "My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And th
at’s when the fight started Officer!!
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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

27 comments:

  1. I am glad you have had a change of heart about the comment box. I enjoy reading the comments. The ineraction with other rv'ers is one of the best things about blogging.

    jean

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  2. Welcome back to a two way interaction. I have missed being able to make comments because it is my way of getting to know someone better. You can still be yourself and write your blog your way despite having the comment section open.
    Balance is always good.
    Mike & Gerri :>D

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  3. All's right with the world now!

    I understand and agree with your reasons for removing the comment section - I have considered dumping the entire blogging process altogether for a while now - but for the reasons you mention I am glad you're bringing it back.

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  4. And to the comments just above, I would like to add that I enjoy reading your blogs, especially when you write about my native state and all the areas I knew as a youngster. Seeing it from others' eyes makes me appreciate it all the more. Thanks for that. One more thing. You write well and with feeling. It's rare to read that unpaid type of writing. Thanks for ALL that.

    Now I go back to lurking.

    Emjay

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  5. I did miss the comments and am glad they are back. While I've never met any of your regulars, I did appreciate reading their comments. Yea!!!

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  6. I promise not to make any more needling comments on here!!! But I do enjoy poking fun at things, but folks often take me wrong!
    So since you put it back up, I'll have to be a good boy from now on.... well or at least a week or so....LOL

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  7. I thought when I retired that I was finished with having a boss. That was a short lived expectation. I have more adult supervision now than any time in my life. :)

    I enjoyed seeing the Canadian Transport, I did a survey on her some a few years ago, you know, back when I had a boss.

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  8. I would like to say that I to read the comment section. Usually they provide an extra smile or laugh. Thanks for putting it back on the blog.

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  9. Hooray! Welcome Back to the Comment World.

    Aunt Jean and Kelly were right-on with their thoughts. There are many of us out here who genuinely care about how Uncle Harry is doing and were concerned for Kelly while her Dad was so ill.

    Thanks Al. These comments are for all of us out here too.

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  10. Glad to see your comments section back on Al. I know from our emails, both before and after your decision to close the comments, that it had absolutely nothing to do with 'drawing attention' to you or your blog.

    Since I'll probably never attend a Rally, for some of the same reasons you give, I enjoy leaving comments on a lot of the blogs I read, yours included.

    I just glad you listened to some of the constructive criticism you received and had the courage to change your mind - that's not always an easy thing to do.

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  11. welcome back to blogcommentville!..how you made it back is your business...but we are glad you are back!..
    I had a rather difficult summer and some days the comments I received on my blog made a 'dark' day seem so much better...have a great day!!

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  12. Thank you Al for reopening your comments section. :) Comments allow for interaction between people. This is a really important part of communication and friendship.

    Again, thank you.

    Connie

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  13. OK,,whatever,,,,you scroggy ole son of a gun you!! LOL
    You remind me of ME!! I don't know if that's good or not???

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  14. Even a curmudgeon, eventually finds out "When Mama's not happy, nobody"s Happy".HEE-Hee, WELCOME BACK Al. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  15. Pressure may have been brought to bear, but Al, it was your decision either way and you made it after considering it all. Your blog, you're the man!

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  16. Al,
    May I suggest that you can reinstate the Comments and have a win-win in doing so. All you need to do is NOT read them! Let everyone else post and read them; they will be happy and you also.
    However, if you were following this advice you would not have read this Comment.
    Maybe I should send you an email?

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  17. Glad you brought back the comments Al. I don't comment often because I have to do itfrom my phone and it's a real PITA. I do enjoy reading them though especially after you stir the pot.
    --Rod

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  18. I loved the Sesame Street skit! Menamenaw! Thanks for reconsidering on your comment section.

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  19. Hey I am with Ed above, you don't need to read them but others sure seem to enjoy the experience. I know I was getting some "internal pressure" around here to get Al to turn his comment section back on.

    So thanks for solving the problem. I had an old boss who said "Make a decision, if it's not perfect, you can always make another decision to change it. The practise will do you good."

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  20. Oh, Al, too funny. I guess no curmudgeon is an island, huh? Well, it definitely is worth keeping Kelly happy.

    Safe travels,
    Laurie

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