Little wonder there needs to be public service announcements advising against drinking and driving (while operating water vehicles).  The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) occupies prime real estate in popular lakeside locations.  In Killarney and Port Carling, their properties are waterfront.  Look at Port Carling’s pick-up dock (in the photo posted above).  On a recent road trip through Northern Ontario, no matter the basics communities seemed to lack, government liquor stores appeared prominent and dominant.  Maclean’s Canada Day double issue, with a feature offering the "startling facts" about Canadians vs Americans" gave interesting statistcs. Apparently, 27% of Canadians conusme alcholhoic drinks "at least ‘a few times a week’" compared to 19% of Americans.  Also, 1.3% of Canadians’ household expenditure goes on alcohol compared to 1% of Americans’.

Apple raises the bar on customer service and satisfaction, encouraging repeat business and spontaneous purchases. Win-win for everyone!

With their Procare and One to One assistance, you can get Apple technical support (for 15 mins) and/or personal instruction (for one hour) weekly.  Annual fees are very reasonable, and trainers savvy, friendly, and versatile.  Also, depending on location, canine assistants have been known to enjoy participating too!  

Lev and Sage are always eager to learn, and happy to observe from their travel bag.

 

Lev (as editor in chief of this blog) is pensive. 

Sage (as editor in chief of the DocSusan website) takes his job seriously (sometimes).

p.s.  Please note that the Eaton Centre Apple Store will be "undergoing renovations" mid-August for 10 weeks, so their space and services will be reduced during that time.

Tis the season when artists get solicited to apply to art shows.  And, when you’re juried in (supposedly chosen by noteworthy judges, due to your artwork being of a particular standard) it’s easy to feel chuffed.  In fact, the excitement might help you overlook how much you then have to pay to register (on average, between $1000 and $3000) exclusive of accommodation, transportation, importation tarifs, printing, and other costs.  

Having participated in three international shows, back to back (December 2007 - April 2008), Florence Biennale, Toronto Art Expo, The Artist Project (Chicago), I’ve had ample chance to discover the expectations and disappointments such experiences can generate.  While the organizers make money (mostly from the artists), artists can feel short-changed and become frustrated for a variety of reasons:

1.  Feedback isn’t seen to be responded to, or remedied, when things go wrong, or aren’t as suggested.
2.  Conditions (for setup and takedown) can be as exhausting as they might be chaotic.  There are a lot of logistics, but not every protocol is logical.
3.  Booth location might be unfair (yielding unequal opportunities)—attached to seniority of participants, favoritism, or the luck of the draw.
4.  Advertising and ticket sales (on the show’s part) might be insufficient.
5.  Inconsistencies (who gets away with showing/selling reproductions) or expands beyond their allotted physical space could be overlooked.
6.  Excess charges for sundries, like lighting, electricity, flooring and furniture, usually supplied by third parties (that aren’t as good quality as advertised) can mount up, unnecessarily.
7.  Out-of-towners travel expenses receive little, if no, subsidy.
8.  Shipping (from out-of-town) is problematic, organizers neither subsidizing charges nor helping resolve practical/procedural complications.

Of course, the above is just a partial list.  The photos included below (taken at The Artist Project, 08) reveal additional glitches. All photos were taken during show hours, and this is just a small selection:

1. Busy aisle (but booth 4123A was almost the only booth not in an aisle).  Caution:  Object to being isolated. Neighbors matter!

2. Display and cleaning closet alongside each other. Caution:  What’s next to you is important.

3. Empty café opposite the booth.  Caution:  A café might appear like an attraction, but only if people go to it…

4. Garbage bin infront of display frequently. Caution:  Nice to have amenities close by, but not that close…

5. Endless cleaning stuff passing in front.  Caution:  In an out-of-the-way booth, distractions like these don’t make things any better!

6. Open closet and show guests, side-by-side.  Caution:  Not every booth can be ideally placed, if organizers are maximizing on floor space (and revenue).

7.  Traffic flow to the aisle marked "exit" (misses the booth completely).  Caution:  Organizers might argue that this is not a "problem," but when they bypass the booth, themselves, distributing "feedback forms" it’s a little ironic.

8.  Raised wall joints that make hanging difficult.  Caution:  After-the-fact, you might be told that these could have been attended to.  But, by whom and how at a time when any "special request" makes it seem like you’re a "fuss-pot"?

 

Typically, show organizers, no matter the stature of their show, appear unconcerned about responding to individual artist feedback post show, or prepared to compensate for problems.  Instead, it seems, their focus is on group solicitations for follow-up shows (expanding revenue options). There are plenty of fresh artists eager to exhibit their work who’d be thrilled to have it accepted (regardless of organizational issues and expense)!

With all the thunderstorms of late, there’s also been a lot of rainbows.  Hopefully, that means (a lot of) good luck is on its way.  Check out this rainbow on a usually drab section of Yonge Street (close to Yonge/St Clair).  An ordinary evening can become special in an instant, if we’re open to acknowledging it…

 

 

The more time I spend in Chicago, the more I like it!  The architecture is amazing at any time of day.

The skyline can be magical, especially at sunset.

Lakescapes are full of surprise:  a pink sail on a pink night.

Even a hotel room view can be cause to marvel. (This shot was taken from the Holiday Inn, Merchandise Mart Plaza).

 Then there are the juxtapositions.  Man and naure come together in interesting ways.  An early morning stroll through Millenium and Grant Parks led me to a wildflower paradise, gardeners already busy at work.

 

For more about Chicago, please check out this blog’s June 5 entry, Chicago, My Kind of Town.

An evening stroll along one of Newport’s beaches, last Friday night, led us to a sandcastle.  From the front, it was a work of art.

Around the back, there was a marriage proposal inscribed (to which the answer was "yes," of course)

The shore line and waves looked pink, as did seaweed deposits washed up there—part of the red tide phenomenon.  

Then there were the clams; their shells, at least.  Gulls were fat, happy, and plentiful!

 

Older dogs are like well-worn gloves. They fit perfectly, but shouldn’t be taken forgranted.   We don’t know when they’ll fall apart, or how. But, if we are careful with them, they can enjoy long happy and healthy lives.  

As shown throughout the DocSusan blog and website, Lev and Sage are my best friends, room-mates, editors, studio assistants, exercise coaches, and a whole lot more.  Most days, all is well with them. They know my quirks and I know theirs. But, as they’ve gotten older, I’ve become a little more cautious and concerned at the least sign of illness. Because of their size and age, I realize that things can happen very quickly, and signs and symptoms must be taken seriously and acted on without delay. On April 2nd 08, I posted a blog entry about this, Veterinary Emergencies. Three months later, I’m already reporting fresh developments…

From the end of May through June, Sage had had a strange sneeze. First it was every few days. Then it was a couple of times a day, and only coming from his left nostril. His eating and walking seemed normal, and he was sleeping well at night (not snoring, as others with congestion might). However, I was still anxious. Round one of trips to the vet led us to Children’s Benadryl.  Doctor Rachel Wolfson, a dedicated young vet at Rosedale Animal Hospital was very attentive.  As well as presribing this allergy medication, she also took bloodwork. We stayed in touch as Sage’s condition, despite clear bloodwork (and the Benadryl) didn’t seem to change. Doctor Cindy Kneebone at East York Animal Hospital added homeopathy to the mix, as well as giving Sage a head Xray, where nothing unusual was found. For three weeks after this, we carefully monitored developments. Then, finally, no improvement, and with more obvious discomfort shown by Sage—not being able to walk more than a few steps without sneezing—we sought specialist help.

Doctor Doug Mason at Toronto’s Veterinary Emergency Clinic gave us a same day appointment, and performed investigative surgery. After a Catscan and numerous other tests, an abscess (and related build-up) were removed from behind one of Sage’s teeth (which had to come out). A complete course of antibiotics and pain killers followed. Now, we are looking more closely at Sage’s entire mouth and gums, to determine if other teeth need to be extracted or not. Doctor Sharon French, a veterinary dental specialist who consults with Toronto Zoo (and is also at Toronto’s Veterinary Emergency Clinic) is now involved with Sage’s case, and has prescribed Maxiguard Oral Cleansing Gel.  So far, so good. We like her, and her approach!

Apparently, gum disease is not an uncommon problem with older small dogs, like Sage.  Unfortunately, undetected, it can be life-threatening.  I realize, because of the expediency and caring of a diverse group of of vets, and my constant vigilance and concern, Sage’s life has been saved.  I caution other pet owners not to overlook any of their pets’ symptoms, however fussy they may believe other people think they are. Our pets mean so much to us!

Unfortunately, veterinary interventions come at a price. Future blog articles will look at typical pet healthcare costs.  It is sad to know how many dogs are put to sleep, owners (understandably) unable to keep up with the bills for  treatment, or prepared to administer (complicated) medications.

p.s.  End of August update: Our claim through PetCare (all parts of it, including those not related to dental/mouth conditions) was denied.  There will be a lot more in future blog entries about this, as well as a closer look at veterinary practice, procedures, and accountablity, as well as insurance company savvy.

Long solo drives (like Chicago-Toronto) require easy snacking and easy listening.  When there’s no one sitting next to you to pass treats, change a CD, or take over the driving, it’s important to know how to be self-reliant.  Experience has taught me to eat right and light.  Pringles’ small Grab and Go containers (2.8oz/80g) are about as easy a solution as possible for a quick tasty bite that doesn’t make the steering wheel sticky.  They’re also easy to get out of the pack—wedge between the legs and don’t crumb. The Sour Cream and Onion have just enough seasoning, without leaving a strong after-taste.  For entertainment, the Ipod works great—that is if you’ve programed a play-list.  No CDs to change or screen to look at. Just plug in and go!

Summertime in Canada, (particularly Ontario), at first glance, seems to divide the population into two:  those who have cottages and those who don’t.  Those who have cottages enjoy miles of private shorelines.  Those who don’t can find it hard to gain access to a lot of areas—no parking allowed without resident permit and scant public facilities.  Even when a beach is public, regulations can be prohibitive—with limited hours, no pets, parking and entry charges, and more. A  Sunday afternoon trip to West Kirby, last month, prompted me to think about summertime phenomena and marvel at the old-world charm and simplicity of the setting—few obvious restrictions and daytrip fun for all without fees or memberships.  Please look below to glimpse (on-going) pleasures of British yesteryear:  families, dogs, adult kids, fisherman, and sailors welcome.

 

 

Keep your eyes open—and camera handy—wherever you are, even close to home.  Nature will surprise, delight and astonish if you give her time and consideration.

Some things are easy to pass by. Others make us stop and pay attention:

• Tree stumps by a dried up river bed:  Connecticut, US, November 07

• Frost coated fallen apples:  Liverpool, UK, December 07