Smokers Controversy

First of all I don’t consider myself a “smoker” anymore. I used to hand roll up to 50 or 60 cigarettes a day and enjoyed every one of them. The only reason I quit was that it was starting to interfere with my job so much that I couldn’t get any work done. I first noticed this when I was sitting in a little back room one day surrounded by paperwork everywhere, plus an ashtray with a burning cigarette in it. Dumb idea, don’t you think? Then I started haunting the staff room every half hour or so just to have a smoke and eventually even moved in there with all my files which I then had to move around or clean up and clear out whenever someone wanted to come in for a coffee. Just another idea that wouldn’t work.

Quitting was actually easier than I thought it would be. I went to the local clinic and asked about the patch, which at that time was too expensive for my liking. Something cheaper perhaps? How about Nicorette? It only took half a pack during which time I discovered something else. You get a tremendous rush if you smoke and chew Nicorette at the same time. Yeah, I know, another dumb idea but the bottom line is that I am no longer a full time smoker but will confess to the occasional cigar or pipe full maybe once or twice a month.

Anyway, my opinion is that there is nothing wrong with designated smoking areas, restaurants, bars, bingo halls or whatever. The people patronizing these locations know going in that smoking is allowed so they have absolutely no right to complain about the atmosphere once they get in there. If they don’t like it then they can go to a location where smoking is not allowed. Same thing with bar workers and such being exposed to second hand smoke. Again, they know when they apply for and accept the job that it is a smoking establishment so can just keep their complaints for the person that has caused their problem. Themselves!

By the way… the day I retire and get away from the paperwork and whiners is the day I start smoking again. Is smoking good for me? Of course not, but it’s my right as long as I don’t force anyone else to inhale my problem. I promise not to smoke in your non-smoking home or establishment because that would just be bad manners and ignorant. On the other hand don’t expect me to butt out when you come over to visit. You’re responsible enough to know what you’re doing to yourself when you go to a smoker friendly location anywhere, so take some responsibility and don’t you dare blame your own actions on someone else.

Feel free to comment or add your own rave to this. I enjoy a good argument and don’t always win but it’s fun anyway. Oh… almost forgot… some may argue that smokers should be healthier than non-smokers because they get more fresh air standing around outside buildings! :-)

Cormorant Comments

OK, so as I understand it, and please correct me if I'm wrong...

The Ontario Government would like to go ahead and kill off all the cormorants in the Great Lakes in order to help the sport and commercial fishing. But, they want further studies first.

There is also another group that plans on going ahead right away (possibly outside the law) and are calling upon people to show up and help pick off as many of the birds as possible.

Personally I agree with a cull if it is justified and fish like our fantastic salmon are in danger, but I read an article somewhere or other that said the cormorants were not eating the salmon young but actually feasting on some nuisance fish or other. Am I correct? Comments?

Add Your Own!

Just add your own ramblings or comments to this one.

Wikwemkong Monster?

When questioning people about Manitoulin UFO's for my other posting I did find a couple people that said there used to be a "monster" in Wikwemikong Bay. Similar to the "Loch Ness" monster in appearance it apparently has not been seen in many years and rumor has it that bad luck happens to those who have seen it.

I know that the old legend says that the beaver originated in this bay and that the species spread out all over the world from here.

How about it... have YOU or anyone you know seen anything in the Wiky Bay?

Manitoulin UFO's ???

I did some exploring and found a number of references on the internet to UFO's over Manitoulin. One of these sightings apparently took place in Wikwemikong but when I mentioned this to a number of Wikwemikong people no one had ever heard of them. Anyway.... Manitoulin UFO's... hoax or legend? How about adding your comments? Have YOU seen a UFO... anywhere, anytime?

http://www.ourmanitoulin.com/UFO.html

Rainbow Country

Just to date myself... the first time I heard of Manitoulin Island was on the old TV show, Rainbow Country. Remember that? It was on CBC and filmed on and around the island. I actually became good friends with one of the stars later on while working for the Hudson's Bay Company up at Mistassini Lake, Quebec. Buckley Petawabano was his name and he also starred in a CBC movie called "Cold Journey" as well as in many other presentations. Anyone else remember this show?

Manitoulin Island

We recently moved to Manitoulin and built ourselves a small retirement home. Now, just to pass the time I have started a web site located at www.ourmanitoulin.com and plan to use it to promote all activities and happenings on the island.

Drop by and take a look, make a comment, send in your event, post a classified ad, criticize, suggest, and just generally participate in what I hope will be YOUR web site, not just mine. I'd like to have a listing of all people and businesses on the island and links to any web sites so drop me an e-mail with your information.

In short, I'd like "OUR MANITOULIN!" to be everyone's first choice when looking for information on our great area. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!