The World through our Lenses

Normally in town two days of bad weather is followed by a Monday, this weekend was not that case at all. I actually got in 5 dives on the weekend, got most of my camera working again and even certified a student with a few courses.

It got to do these dives on the weekend

What was odd is the water is still pretty cold for End jun and the vis is still holding. But just because the lake is calm doesn’t make it all calm. Looks like old bullshit among the charter boats hasn’t changed from what was transpiring on the radio I could gloat and say I told you so but the work is done out there and we have returned to the norm.

Elsewhere in latin america a coup was held and now Canadians of connivence are seeking help from the government. I say if you hate Canada so much that you run off home to spend your money and refuse to do patriotic duties like flying flags, to HELL WITH YOU. If your just there on a vacation and this happens let us know we our own and should help you. It amazes me that these people love the EI, cheap health care, immigrant loans and grants but run home for months at a time and bash Canada just because they can. You have that right that is what freedom of speech is about(perhaps one of the reasons you came here) but if you don’t like the rules stay home.

As a vet the hardest thing is to attend a repat for a fallen solider, even harder is to watch soldiers drive by and not even stop to pay respects. This repat was even worse as several Vet MC clubs did not send representation as well. Making the decision to re-up with the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle club a wise and the right choice. I hesitated about re-upping this year as local politics in the mc world spiraled out of control. Now in the end only one is doing what they all claimed to be doing, Maybe they all just didn’t get the email. At least a five year girl with a heart condition made it from Brockville.

Some of the most interesting people come to pay respects, American’s from Niagara Falls, Boeing Plant workers from the US working at the Airbase, passerby’s, a tour company puts on a free ride for legionaries from TO to attend both ceremonies and even pets. This repat a retired Captain from Ottawa drove by and handed the boys a couple of coffee cards for Tim Hortons to show them respect in return.

KINGSTON BIKE NIGHT

Wednesday nights Chris Graham(Cookie, aka Sarge) puts on a bike night which has attracted the local hot rod community as well. Nothing outlandish just like Friday’s in Market square it’s just something else in the riding community to attend. The addition of the hot rods draws attention as well. AW throws it’s support behind it and 60′s music was played in the AW theme. All that is asked if one would like is to bring a canned vegetable for Martha’s table a local food bank. If you don’t get told in advanced on what veggie to bring canned tomatoes always are welcome.

So after a busy day yesterday i finally crawl out of bed at 1030 looking for meds and a purpose today

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So this morning after a very busy weekend I dragged my ass out of bed and headed to they gym for a 10km workout. This weekend was busy for lots of reasons.

Friday Night – Kingstons Biggest Bike Night (MSBN)

MSBN was a combined effort of several business and like minded persons headed by the Memorial Veterans Riders. The idea a non partisan night for all to enjoy in a public place. Any biker, fancy car or passerby is welcome to come and join in. No beefs about who’s badge is on your vest, no beefs about whos store you visit and so on. Since it’s inception it constantly has the highest turn out rate of any bike gathering in the area.

Dragonboat Races in the Morning and Diving in the Afternoon

This gathering there was a few hundred people attending and I was in took my pictures and got out just as I started to vibrate from the amount of people around. As I was packing my stuff up I got the chance to listen to an organizer talk to an other fundraiser on how to gain the status the dragonboaters got.
“Simple” he said.

1. Always send a leader with your group anytime they go fundraising, supporting someone else especially if the anyone in the group is associated with other organizations. That way you can be seen supporting the others.

2 If your organization is supporting a cause for a certian region be seen supporting and purchasing in the region this includes all your members. Don’t expect local coffiers to open up when your spending all your time and monies in another region.

3. Make sure all your members are respectfull of other agencies and groups in public Nothing will dwindle your donations and needs if you go banging on Ford’s door wearing a shirt from Toyota.

4. Don’t make rules that only you need to follow and not your supporters. like don’t tell people not to wear socks in sandels and your voluteer staff all wear socks in thiers at an event.

5. If you put all your eggs in one basket prepare to pay the price many business will not support you if you have a major sponser from out side the area and your asking them to pay the bills.

6. The coolest thing he said is that you and your representives are nothing more then buskers and in todays economy people want something in return. A simple thank you publically goes a long way, if you keep forgetting to thank the big guy on the block or pussy foot around thanking them and thier supporters, next time the pot will be empty or close to it.

7. If you and your supporters not buying locally and looking locally for funding, don’t even bother getting out of bed your wasting your time.

8. Always smile even if you don’t agree with the sponsors, your next group of sponsors are always watching.

Then some diving in the Afternoon to repair lines on the local wrecks got me thinking of this conversation this morning. Good and bad news I guess for some local agencies.

Sunday – Demo days for Harly Davidson

So I woke up vibrating and I wasn’t even going to get out of bed but I promised Jacqui that I would take some pictures for them. I grab my meds and noticed that I had indeed missed a day which now will take a couple of days for my body to forgive me on it. It was hot and busy lots of people, bikes and activities including a band for all to enjoy. Pictures from the day here.

Sean and Dan left early to go to the store when Sean lost control breaking a few ribs and pieces on his bike. Other then that he’s ok. Jamie and Fitz came up with a great idea and I have decided to throw my support behind it Kingston Area Motorcycle Association (KAMA)

Just a basic area on the web to host everyone’s rides, events and all other stuff bike related in the Kingston Area, not just the city itself. Good luck and I hope all groups will support it. The start up will be on Facebook under groups Kingston Area Motorcycle Association.

Canada loses another son defending peoples freedoms and rights. While natives protest armed border guards and blocking highway bridges stating they don’t need armed border guards in Canada.

Students from various universities around the country in conjunctions with peace activists all think that protecting and aiding people in Afghanistan is senseless and fruitless. If they wanted freedom they would have asked for it, right? But these same people want troops in Africa to help them win their rights and freedoms, forgetting all about Somalia and Rwanda. At least in Afghanistan progress is being made even if its very slow.

What really is unfortunate is that A five year girl with a serious health problem has her self taken from the hospital in Brockville to make it to the repat, a dog in a doggie wheelchair and a cat all came to pay their respects, However some people in the biker community along with thousands of educated and everyday Canadians couldn’t even be bothered to remember what Pte Peloquin lost his live for.

For them a lesson in history may be in order. complete photo shoot here.

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So today i got on the bike, skipped the gym and headed west on a ride. First stop camp 30 in bowmanville. More on that later. Then north to Lakefield to see the old cement plant which will have to be a weekend or holiday ride to get the pics. I stopped for gas and headed east towards home after a few roundabout ways back to Lakefield i made it to cordva Mines and back on 7.

Camp 30 was a WW2 POW camp which housed high ranking nazi officers. During my exploration I couldn’t help but think just as Canadian as maple syrup they had it a lot better then our guys did in Europe. Snr Officers had individual rooms, a gym, rec center, soccer fields and basketball courts. even with all that the Nazi’s took over the camp and held the locals for 3 days before surrendering. The only enemy action in Ontario. In recent years the muslim community used it for a Islam University and when they left they left everything behind. the locals had a great time destroying it all as well.

when i got home it was off to the Hog meeting for a burger and chat. So all in all a good day and night. Pictures from the BBQ here.

Today the motorcycle community in Kingston did a charity ride for prostate cancer. Motorcycle charity work began with the Hells Angels looking to change their rep and a Toy drive was the result of it. It took off in the biking world as many groups and people banded together to promote charities and goodwill.

730 AM at the Thompson drill hall on the base it was rough at first old feelings and a long night made the start pretty rough for me. As people cycled in and out of the registration tables and bikes kept coming and coming and coming. They say about 770 bikes took part many with rider in tow.

Many and I mean many volunteers at work, The home depot workers manning the souvenir table. Jojo and his band setting up for a free concert, Radio Stations, Bike stores all sent their vehicles and workers took the day off to participate. We got off to a later start as more bikes showed then was participated I left for Fort to take some oncoming shots.
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Then i jumped in with the blockers and rode with Randy to the Rio Can Center where even more bikes had amassed. On the way into the parking lot a cancer survivor stood silently with a homemade sign thanking the riders, it moved alot of people and it was mentioned a few times on what little thanks goes a long way. After a pep talk and group photo with the proclamation from the crier. The poker ride was on. At 3ish most of the riders returned to the drill hall for a burger and wind-down with Jojo and boys playing up a storm.

It was amazing to see the work Brian P put into this event and a job well done as well. i spoke with him near the end and am sure he’s taking a break for a bit. Most all the other riding organizations took part, talked and told stories of days gone by and to come. All except one group which is beyond me. I mean if your looking for members, donations and help for your events wouldn’t one come and play with others even if it’s just a handshake and smile.

Home for nap and now i am off to join the Timmie’s gang at the local hangout.