Hi all,

We're getting pretty close to releasing our membership version of the Bonaire WebCams site, and starting early next week we hope to be ready to have the system banged upon and tested, which brings me to this message.

We're looking for a handful of people who were planning on becoming Bonaire WebCams members anyhow ($24.95 for a one year membership) and are willing to help us out by testing the interfaces and software we've designed and written.

These beta testers would be given access to a private section of BonaireTalk to post error reports, comments, etc., and would be required to process a membership on their credit cards (via a secure Web page) as part of the testing process.

Active testers would receive a little thank you of a sort yet to be determined (perhaps an extension of the membership term they've purchased or a BWC t-shirt when they become available).

If you're interested, please e-mail me at jake@caribbeanwebcams.com, and please include your BonaireTalk User ID in the message.

Any questions you don't mind posting publicly should go in this thread that I just started here.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Jake

Jake and Linda,
Thanks for the nifty little icons on the cam pictures. It makes things alot easier!!!
Freddie

Hmmmm...Am I missing something? I don't see any little icons.

Jake,

I am interested. Tried to email you, but my server is doing some changes and can only receive email, not send. Add me to the list of testers if a west coaster can help out. By the time I get to the cams it is usually dark there.

Viv

Will there still be a non-membership version of the web cams? I really appreciate the ability to have a daily look at life in Bonaire but find that being charged for it leaves a foul taste in my mouth. This web site has probably created a sustained base of dedicated return visitors to Bonaire who are allowing you (meaning Bonaire in general) to overcome the post 9/11 effects that many other island destinations are experiencing. Your business friends and associates on Bonaire are receiving big time benefits from your efforts. Perhaps you should be soliciting revenue from them instead of starting up a pay site. Beware that you don't kill the goose that lays many golden eggs.

I agree with Megan & Eric whole heartedly. I feel it helps keep me interested in Bonaire. I can look at the front gate or the underwater cam and feel like I am there. Do you think that you will get enough revenue to make it worth while or as they said will it kill the golden goose? How will you get new subscribers if one can't see it or doesn't know it exists? I know I have introduced many people to Bonaire through the cams. I will be arriving next Wednesday afternoon with a newly certified diver that first saw Bonaire on the Webcams. I will have a dozen or so people from 4 states looking at the street cam on Saturday morning to see us there. That's great pubilicity for Bonaire

I also think charging for the webcam will do more harm then good. Today I mentioned to a fellow diver who visits this site that there is going to be a charge for the webcam and his response was "well I guess I can remove Bonaire Talk from my favorites list". I know all the devoted Bonaire talkers will be up in arms to defend Jake and all his hard work and I too only wish him success. However I'm sure many visitors to this site are not as passionate and will be easly turned off by the fee, actually I'm pretty passionate about Bonaire and I'm a little turned off.

Hmmm...Interesting times lie ahead methinks.
Ironically, I'd been thinking that I might have to start charging the site for some of my input.
I can't believe that any of us feel that Jake & Linda don't deserve to make a handsome profit from the ingenuity & effort they've put into this project, but how they make it's going to be the tricky bit.
The various cams which were the initial draw, have lost their hypnotic appeal to many of us. Sure, I'll glance at them occassionally but I'm sure that I'm not the only one who who logs on simply for the entertainment of "chatting" with like minded (& not so like minded) folk scattered around the Globe, who have Bonaire as a common interest.
If & when membership fees are introduced, (& let's be fair, it's not a new idea. Jake has always made it clear that it was the long term plan to charge us.) it won't be long I'm sure, before new "pirate" chat pages start up to tempt some of us away.
Me? Well as you know, I'll talk to anyone, strangers or not. Despite the warnings Mum gave me! But I'm damned if I'll pay them for the priviledge of listening!
Yep.....it's going to be interesting.

Sorry about the "d" in privilege.

If you guys read back to this tread you can read there is a extra for those who pay, the current level of acces is still free.....

Thanks for the clarification Martin.
Actually, I'm a little saddened. It promised to make for some interesting conversations & was bound to bring the "Anonys" out in force.

Jake,
After I ante up my 24.95 am I still going to have to put up with pop ups, unders, overs, or arounds?? I won't be charged for the privelege of watching commercials.
Bob

Martin, thank you for posting the note of clarification for those who had not seen previous references to the plans. I knew of the plans and was somewhat taken back by the quick negative reactions seen above. As many have said before; I am a strong Jake and Linda fan with a deep appreciation for their time/energy/financial investment for this site. Denise

To address some of the concern. I've stated in multiple areas that the current level of access will remain free, and that's not going to change. Membership is purely optional, but will entitle people to extra features they won't otherwise get access to.

In fact, we will also be offering one level better than that - a Basic membership, which will still be free (but you have to register for it), which will give you access to the previous hour's archive images for the current day.

Bob - good question. We've been wrestling with that issue ourselves. We're thinking that with an annual membership or higher that you will have the option to turn ads off (there are also weekly and monthly memberships), but haven't finalized any thoughts on that. Let me turn the question around - how much would you be willing to pay to help support the Bonaire WebCams in order to avoid seeing ads come up? :-)

BTW, we have our core group of testers, so that solicitation is over.

And again, for everyone not paying close attention above - the current level of WebCam access will remain free indefinitely - so, Mr. Whatever Happens, please clarify the situation for your friend. If you want more features, however, you'll have to at least register, and except for the very basic Basic Membership, pay a membership fee.

And as far the Bonaire WebCams being good for Bonaire (in reference to Megan, Eric's, and Marty's comments), I'd agree wholeheartedly, but good intentions don't pay our bills (which are sizable and so far have been coming out of our own pockets, one way or another). Keep in mind that the Bonaire WebCams (and BonaireTalk for that matter - see this thread) are privately owned and operated, with no financial support or interference from the Bonaire tourism community.

We've certainly not seen any volume of offers (even after active solicitation) of financial assistance (via advertising or sponsorship) from any Bonairean business (except for Carib Inn), so, in order to keep the cams running we have had to devise a means to keep the project funded, while striking a balance with what people have already come to expect and rely upon and get for free, hence the upcoming optional membership program so people who like the cams and want to see them continue to exist, can help that continuation via a small annual financial contribution (and get extra features to help justify the expenditure as well!). And, if we get enough financial support, it may allow us to add new cameras (and/or upgrade existing ones).

And, as a completely (from a legal perspective) Web site, BonaireTalk is not in any way affected by any of this (and will also remain free indefinitely).

I hope that helps clarify things. If not, please ask for further clarification on the topic(s) you don't understand.

Jake

Jake
I think that the 24.95 price tag would be worth not seeing the pop ups. To tell the truth I haven't been going to the cams that much lately. Check my IPP on the logs to see what I mean.
Bob

Jake, I've often mused over this.....Can you see the identities of Anonymous posts?
I guess it's not in your interest to say even if you can, eh?
I ask because there's the identity of just one message that I'd dearly love to know.
You could probably even persuade me to part with $24.95 for it!

Yes, Andy, Linda and I both can look up the identity of Anonymous posters, however we rarely waste our time doing that, unless we suspect it's someone abusing or misusing BonaireTalk (e.g. self-promotion, degrading a competitive business, libeling someone, etc.). For a valid anonymous post, we would not disclose the information on who the poster was to anyone. See our privacy policy (click at link at bottom of page) for more information.

Jake

I just gotta say it...as it is often frustrating to see thing mis-interpereted when someone mentions "membership"...Jake and Linda know that I work for an internet company. Believe me, it is not cheap running a site of an size. Our site also has a membership, and like Jake and Linda's will be, our site gives the member access to products, and services that are not offered otherwise (and were only made available when we launched our membership, so those viewers that previoulsy had been going to the site were not "cut off" from any access they had previously). Plus, it gave a chance for those that go to our site often to support our efforts as they are very costly (we continue to produce fresh content each month which is produced by board certified physicians which is expensive).

I think a lot of you are missing the point. what you have access to now at this point, will continue to be FREE...no change there...so put a sock in it and get over it. For those that want to support the efforts of this site and have some "new options" available to them there will be an anual membership fee (btw Jake, our membership environment is advertisement free...so for folks that complain about the ads, they can easily join the membership and not see them).

Sorry if i sound harsh, but it is frustrating to see folks jump to conclusions when they hear membership. Jake has stated what it would and would not be several times on this site...for at least the last year it has been discussed.

As for all internet sites out there, if you have a site you like, i guarantee you that you will eventually see adds, and membership because it costs money to run any business, and believe it or not folks, just becuase you pay for your internet access does not mean that the "internet should be free." the sites behind the screen are businesses...just like your corner market or pub you frequent...sorry if i sound frustrated, but I am!

That said, her is a cute picture of my favorite Power Puff girl...Yana...give her a hug for me Linda, off to my friends funeral...

I see. Very noble of you. I won't put the checque in the post quite yet then :-)

Jake, Thank you very much for the explanation, I had not made note of the previous posts regarding the membership option. It's a real shame that the business community there doesn't do more to support your efforts, but I suppose the upside to that is that it allows you more independence from them. I hope this all works out all right for you and Linda - I may even come up with the $$ despite Cynde's rant.

Thanks :-) (And Cynde's rant is actually on the money - she just vents better than I do [grin])

Jake

As far as I can tell, there has been no mention of the coming membership option other than in a thread titled "Tuesday 8th AM". I don't see it mentioned on the home page. I don't see it mentioned in the updates. This is not exactly the way I would go about announcing this.

So, when people get upset and say they will stop visiting if it becomes a members only site, don't get mad at them for being misinformed. I don't see how they could have reasonably been informed. I don't go to the webcam site very often, but I visit the message boards daily. I assumed as others did that the webcams were going to be members only. Had there been some better publicity of the proposed new membership system, this would not have happened.

P.S. I am over it, but will never put a sock in it.

I think Cynde Lee came up with a great slogan for WebCam advertising "Put a sock in it and get over it" After all who wouldn't want to join a site where the slightest dissension gets you a tounge lashing about how misinformed you are. I knew the charge was only for the Webcam and I was simply trying to give Jake some feedback. Anyway best of luck Jake, back to lurking, posting is to traumatic on this website.

I have been a Bonaire-talker for almost a year, sometimes regular and sometimes irregular - no puns intended. I am going to take a stand here and say that I feel we have been very informed of upcoming changes. The pop-up ads don't bother me at all - they are not very big and they do not cover the thread titles, etc. The $24.95 annual fee is less than I pay for most periodical subsriptions, less than I pay for a good hardback book, less than I pay for my monthly YMCA membership, and less than I pay for a bottle of good wogga wogga.

This website gives me a break from my regular routine as well as allowing me to increase my love for and knowledge of the ocean and its critters (look Josie, no apostrophe!) It has provided a window on the world for my land-locked students. It gives me a chance to hobnob with fellow snorkelers, divers, and sun worhippers (sp) I have increased my vocabulary (hi hosey, whilst, and Cecil's Navy speak) and have become more inspired to learn about fringing coral reefs. And most importantly, the conversations never fail to make me smile. I consider THAT to be priceless. $24.95 is a bargain.

When I saw the notice of impending "fees" I thought - "This is like the pusher charging for crack to the addict!!" I was ready to hand over the $$$'s right away!! Glad to support the web cams and BT effort. I think I can manage $24 USD, even though it is like a million Canadian Dollars!! When it is -10 Celcius (14 F) and shovelling snow is "exercise", who can live without the web cams? Besides if the cams and BT disappeared I'd HAVE to move to Bonaire.

Cheers,

Bill

Greg,

Good point - those who have been reading all the various discussion groups over the last year may recall the various discussion about this topic, but newcomers would not have the benefit of such prior discussions.

Incidentally, I just did a search on membership, and the topic as it relates to the Bonaire WebCams site (and BonaireTalk where people have mistakenly confused the two), comes up in well over a dozen different threads over the last 16 months.

We haven't formally announced a membership program because all the details aren't finalized (and won't be until we formally launch), and seeing as I've been writing code for this on and off over the last year, the end (of the programming for the first phase of the BWC membership set-up) wasn't in sight until just recently.

I apologize for any confusion I may caused by not being clearer on this, but to echo Cynde, it frustrates me when people jump to conclusions without asking any questions or eliciting any clarifications, and then spread misinformation (especially when its detrimental). I know I am occasionally guilty of that too, and it's something I work to overcome. Still bugs me (in others and myself).

Jake

From a lurker. I was in Bonaire in June and we enjoyed it so much we are coming back next month. I don’t know that before one pic earlier today and this note that I have every posted to the site. I will say this, I have enjoyed this site since before our first visit and plan to keep on enjoying it. I have paid for other sites, of far less value, why not pay if you want the extras. There is no free lunch in life. This site is by far one of the few truly worth paying for. Oh, Jake we got to meet you at the gate last year, look forward to seeing you (and maybe meeting the rest of the gang) next month. Too bad we cant bring the Great Danes with us .
Steve

Welcome Steve.

It's only traumatic if you don't have faith in your opinion Whatever. (Hope you don't mind me using your first name, when I hardly know you?)
I've been dying for a scrap for ages & this looks like a great opportunity!
I really don't understand your huffing & puffing Cynde.
I run my own business as you already know. I like to think that I do a good job. In fact I'm so confident that I do, that I've happily made fun of it myself....."Happy Holiday Home For Pets Pie Company", or Meryls suggested "Doggy Bags Are Us" are fine by me. Even the suggestion that I use a hydrotherapy pool to clean the little darlings up before I parcel them off home, is ok. Several of my customers have read the pages containing these comments. Maybe I'm in for a drastic downturn in my bookings for the year ahead, but I very much doubt it.
In short, I welcome any criticism, whether it be over my fees, the conditions I keep these pets in, or just the bedside manner I adopt when attempting to extort the afore mentioned fees from their owners.
I honestly don't care whether that critisism is good or bad, as long as (& it's a big "as long as") I'm given the right to reply in my defence.
As far as pricing goes, no matter what the service or product may be, I maintain that if your customer feels he or she has good value for money, then you'll be able to demand it successfully.
In my eyes, critisism of any kind is good. If it's good, it's a compliment to you. If it's bad, then its an oppotunity for you to blow your own trumpet in reply, to an interested audience.
All of which brings me nicely back to an old chestnut.
You'll remember a few weeks back that I was eager to burden you all with the tale my unhappiness at the Habitat? The tale went untold. If I had been IC there I'd have been desperate to hear the gripe, for the reasons that I've already given.
Nothing but negative vibes radiate from its suppression.
Maybe you disagree? I say my way works...I'm proof of it!

The Defence have no more to say on the matter, Maam. We rest our case.

Jake -

I just started visiting here a couple months ago, so I have not noticed the talk about membership to the webcam site. As I said in my previous message, I see no mention of this on the webcam site. It has come up on this message board, though. Seems to me that you shouldn't have to go to a different site (message board) to find out info about the one you are visiting (webcam). What about people who visit the webcams but not the message board? They, presumably, have no idea that membership and its expanded options are upcoming...

And, until we have membership ready to launch, they won't find out about it unless they come here - we've been pinging ideas and concepts off the more active viewers (who tend to also be BonaireTalk participants) here in order to finalize what we want to offer as part of membership on the WebCams site.

It doesn't make sense to announce membership on the WebCams site until it's ready. Here it's part of a 2 way discussion...

Of course, once membership is ready, it will be very obvious that that is an option on the BWC site.

Jake

OK, Jake. I'm in for a membership. I VERY much appreciate all you and Linda do/have done to make me feel at home on Bonaire (as I've said before, we've never visited the same place more than twice before -- Feb will be trip #5).

I'd very much prefer no pop-ups with the membership, but recognize the economic realities you deal with, and will live with what you feel necessary to keep BT and the cams going without it being an economic negative for you two personally.

Oh boy...money money money.. I hate it when it comes down to that...we are all here most every day..I myself...feel very much at home..we have all had a few good times here, and we do continue to come back,some more than others.....I agree, Andy...you have had your day in the sun..and maybe you should get two more breaths of air under the cams then the rest of us for the wonderful stories you have contributed( and they are wonderful!)...maybe if more people click on to yours or anyones rants..they could get some sort of recognition (or shock therapy) Jake and family are in the spot light day in and out..think of what it must be like having a camera outside your house....sharing your life, cleaning the cams and answering tourism questions.. constantly....29 dollars a year seems pretty reasonable to me....for a YEAR...alot less than you would spend in a bar in A night.....I give my wogga wogga money freely....even if it was just one night for the year..Jake and Linda for 29 dollars...thats a pretty cheap (but wonderful) date...Thanks again....

For those that have a problem with the $24.95 annual fee, maybe we can ask Jake to offer gift certificates and perhaps if someone else buys it for them they won't have a problem with the fee.
I think that would be a nice birthday, xmas or just because gift!

Hmmmmm...the Bonaire Webcam Gift Shop...yahooo!!
I can see the bumper stickers already...I'd rather be camming at www.bonairewebcam.com!

I think it is worth every penny of the $24.95!
20 days and counting.....

andy, i still like you and you will always be fancypants to me oh, Jake, my check is in the mail

Edina, you know that I would give everything I own, just to be allowed the chance to inhale your exhaust bubbles, but come on woman....I was hoping for a few rounds of bare knuckle fighting. Not a barrage of smiley faces.
Ah well...guess I'll have to hunt around for another adversary.
Where the devil's Dave when I need him?

(-: What if we start another deep dive thread. Would that bring Dave back?

Forget my previous post. I got Dave mixed up with Barry.

Well now, there's a funny thing Peter.
The Anonymous post I was hoping to find the author to, I thought might be Barry.
I miss his input a lot & as I know that he loves to write, I've always felt that he'd still be lurking out there somewhere, & maybe just maybe (on the occasion I'm thinking of) he simply couldn't stop himself putting pen to paper.
It's a great pity that he's too proud to mumble a few apologies for throwing every last one of his toys out of the pram, & rejoin the fold. I for one would welcome him with open arms.

I may have the quote somewhat wrong here, but... from an old screwball comedy, "My Man Godfrey":

"Money, money, money! The Frankenstein monster that eats men's souls!"

spoken by a freeloading pianist "protogee" who'd been leeching off a dizzy old rich woman for years while "practicing" for his breakout concert. This was brought to my mind after Meryl's post. I miss this kind of intelligent humor in movies these days. Anyway...

I think if people don't want to pay, fine - don't. You'll still get to reap some, if not all of the rewards available on this wonderful site.

It's pretty reasonable for Jake and Linda to not want to see their kids college money be frittered away in ISP or server costs to please a lot of selfish people who can't seem to get it into their heads that that this service DOES COST THEM MONEY. We've all been freeloading for quite a while.

If it were me (so you're all probably glad it isn't ), you wouldn't get off so easily.

When you start the service Jake, I'll be ante-ing up the $24.95

andy...i figured i would hold my tounge and save my bare knuckle fighting for the back end threads that some folks don't seem to get to ;-) (that was a wink not a smile)...i was also wondering where dave was...to "whatever happens"...my only thought is why would you lurk, and only post when you think that your lurking will no longer be free...hmmmmm....and by your post you decided to tell several others of the misinformation ( not having all the facts)...thus spreading more misinformation that jake and linda now have to clarify AGAIN...and yes, on this board if you make a statement that is not exactly accurate, you will get "feedback." just try making the wrong fish ID

P.S. I did a "keword search" for "membership" and came up with a whopping 21 threads that talk of membership...

edina

If I created an appearance of being misinformed, I apologize. I seldom read these postings since they appear to be dominated by a few that speak in their own lingo and ignore anything that I as an outsider ever has to say. There I got that off my chest. Back to the fee.

I read the first post by Jake about the subscription early last year but did not remember the details. I was simply brain storming some ideas or possibilities in the event they had not been covered. Regardless what one pays for a product and the perceived value, FREE is still the best price to pay for anything. In this country we enjoy freedom and will always defend the right of it. Free speech, freedom of religion and so forth. 9/11 has proven that. As a former broadcast engineer I have always advocated free TV & radio. We have pay cable and now pay radio has hit but I hope we can still maintain the free services and so brings me back to why I was giving reasons for keeping the site totally free.
I am not dening that it costs to keep such a site but would rather see the over head covered in a way other than subscriptions. Maybe sponsorship should be addressed from a different angle.

Jake I will be at the street cam on Saturday morning at 11:00 AM and if you are around and only if you have the time I would like to discuss your rates for web site advertising. If not we can exchange email. Thanks, Marty

But, Marty, there really is no such thing as "Free-TV". It's either paid for by the ads (which are disgustingly-frequent), by cable fees in some way or by financial supporters of public TV (of which I am a devoted one). I don't have a TV myself, but do support our local Public TV/Radio station, because it's important to me that it be there (I do listen to the radio).

Other than the intangibles such as free speech, etc., NOTHING is free --- we pay for it one way or another. My family in England are astounded that we pay for trash pick-up, which for them is "free". Of course, they pay for it --- in their taxes one way or another. They also don't get "free" health care. Just pay for it differently. And, don't get me started on the subject of National Health. Suffice to say, my family in England buy private insurance if at all possible, because the National Health care is getting pretty sick. As I said, don't get me started....

Anyone, I think we're still pretty lucky that the current level of cam access is still going to be free, but for me, it's important to pay something for the service I enjoy. I'm a strong believer in personal responsibility and this is one way I'll practice it.

Jake & Linda.
Count me in too please Thanks

But Josie, when you pay for cable TV to bring the free off air channels into your home you are paying double. Agreed!! So why pay when you can get it free. Again if the cost of BWC could be covered by ads why have a subscription.

What if every time you went to a site on the web for research or pleasure you had to pay a fee? Why do you think there are so many pop ups??

Marty,

If you can help us sell ads (or would like to buy an ad), wonderful! In any event, I'll make sure I'm here at 11am on January 26th to talk to you - just ring the door bell :-)

And as far as free research remaining free with ads supporting content, see http://www.northernlight.com/docs/press_company_pr02_0108.html. I do a lot of research on-line for the technology litigation consulting that I do, and I should mention that the best sites I know of to look for publication content (articles, press releases, etc.) are all subscription based( either annual fees or per article fees, or a combination thereof), and almost always well worth the price. Just my two cents on that comparison.

Jake

Marty, you say "I seldom read these postings since they appear to be dominated by a few that speak in their own lingo and ignore anything that I as an outsider ever has to say." I would have to tend to disagree...I don't think that anyone that posts on this board would want anyone to feel like an "outsider."

I see I have shown up in the middle of a heated discussion.

Er, shall I enter?

The present sites are FREE. The membership will be for additional services not yet available (and eagerly awaited by many.) There is not going to be a fee to chat here or to look at the webcams. Some enthusiastic and supportive comments are inadvertently clouding the facts.

Mr/Ms Whatever was accidently spreading misinformation, but feels the response to be traumatising. That's the weird thing about typing these quips back and forth. They can seem awfully rude when meant humorously or only slightly sarcastic.

Andy, on the other hand, is disappointed in plain civility and says he's itching for a scrap. (OK, who's stopping you from posting about Habitat?) Look for provocative posts from people who need this to be an outlet for disputation. I choose to see it as a community of people sharing various aspects of Bonaire, and by the way, an avenue for potential friendships of substance. Thanks to many of you.

Niki!

Welcome back! We've missed you! Looking forward to seeing you again here on Bonaire soon!

Jake

PS Andy - if you really want to scrap with people on-line on dive topics, you'll want to try the Internet newsgroups like rec.scuba :-)

Thanks Jake! Hope you're all doing well despite the challenges.

Ho, I wish May were soon....

It's coming soon, Niki! Can't wait for it...something to look forward to, for sure! This time we will know enough to go to the lounge in MB to kill time!! Come join us, OK? Lorraine and Jim Meadows will be there the last week of May and possibly the first week of June, too, along with some other great BT'ers. We should all get together for a nice dinner while we are all on island simultaneously. Sounds like fun to me...How about it Niki, Meryl, Cnyde Lee??? Anyone else? Cnyde Lee...have you "convinced" Monkeyboy to travel during late May/early June?? I hope you have been able to persuade him! Tick, tock, tick, tock......Look out May...here we come! Carole (May 18 thru June 1)

shutterbug...sadly no...he wants to spend a week on catalina island diving this summer when the water is warm here (67 degrees) and then go back to boanire in the fall when it the water temp is cooler here (sigh)...we already have our reservations for catalina...cool thing is that we won't have air fare...car rental...etc. and can spend an awesome week diving the island

Jake:
Sorry if I upset anyone but it seems that no matter what I say I get defensive replys so I am backing out of this. I was only brainstorming but maybe it didn't come out that way. I'll see you Saturday. Anyone else on this forum that will be in Bonaire 23rd-30th let me know by Tuesday, I would like to meet and buy you an Amstel.

Of course, you're right Niki. No-ones stopping me posting my grievances & I freely admit to being a manipulative little so & so.
Jake have you checked out the newsgroups you mention?....There are some extremely weird people using them!
What's that you say ... "I should fit in just fine"?
OK, so I've got a few minuses in my character make up, but hopefully when you weigh up all my input, the scales settle just slightly on the plus side?
Josie, your contributions to local TV that you don't watch, remind me of my contributions to the upkeep of my local church. I don't have a religious bone in my body, but I regularly donate willingly. For two reasons really, I guess.
Firstly, its a fine six hundred year old building which sits handsomely in the centre of our community. I'd hate to see it fall into disrepair.
Secondly, on a Sunday morning when all the local God fearing souls are gathered inside it, for at least a couple of hours, the village is a wonderful place to be.
Whatever (no, not you Whatever) other faults I might have, I'd hate you believe that ingratitude was one of them.
Remember, back in November....I gave Jake a bottle of Singe Malt Scotch, which interestingly would have equated to the cost of the much talked about membership fee, if I hadn't helped him drink a few dollars worth of it!

So now that we have gotton all that off our chests....can we all go back to the fish pic's and beautiful sunsets! Bygone's will be Bygones...but please everyone stay! I think we have all had a good howl

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, or critisize anyone, I was just expressing my thoughts (though they may have been a little "passionite"). No hard feelings for anyone. Freedom of expression is part of living in a free country. Those that know me know I meant no harm...

edina

Cynde...no offense was EVER taken by me

I know Meryl

thanks

I'd like to have taken it, but being my usual generous self, I left it for someone else.

ok andy, taken what?

Jake,
Speaking as one of the original handfull of reefcam nuts, (remember the Baracuda?) I'm in for a subscription. Sadly, I hardly have the time to even lurk any more but I feel like I owe you and Linda for your effort and expences over the last few years. Feel free to contact me directly when you are ready with the subscriptions and I'll be happy to pass along credit card info. Best wishes from the frozen tundra home of the humiliated Packer fans.
Kevin

Cynde, knowing Andy a bit, I bet the answer to your question is offence...

Andy, am I correct??

lol Martin, of course! I was mistakenly thinking that he was talking about the single malt...hee hee...

You know? That Martin's not only got a nice zwembandje...He's smart too!

Andy, I bet you are thinking right now how to get a nice zwemband like I have in a verry short time....

Let me tell you, it takes years of heavy investments to get one!

hmmm...are we speaking of Martin's zwembandje that the iguana almost got?

I know nothing, not about an iguana, OHHH NOO!! You brought back the memories, Back to the coah and telling all about it....

Jeeez Cynde! You just made me "blow" a full mouthful of Scotch across my study carpet. (well, it is 21:00 here)
I know as much as Martin about the Iguana.
Pray, do tell.....
I'm beginning to think that Marty may have a point when he (?) says "a few that speak in their own lingo".

andy, geezz...don't waste the scotch! Go lick it up right now! I don't know what zwembandje is so I thought it was "your lingo" ...i just figured you were referring to something you were as dave would say "dribbling on about" in one of your lovely trip reports...where is that guy anyway????

yours truly (with bottle in hand),
edina

Cynde, Andy, Here's a virtual salut to the both of you.


(PS think of a zwembandje as a floatation device around the middle.... )

thank you Martin, I will take the gold label please ...flotation device around the middle, like a "life vest?"

Think more like "Spare Tire"

thank you Chet, sometimes I really have a thick head...

Martin,
Saving the Blue Label for yourself??? Don't blame you for that. ;-)

Chet, thank you so much for letting my secret out....

Martin...I think you are getting Zee bad rap....I don't see any floatation device...however "formally attached"..as others have commented on...again..I have not had the pleasure to see for myself...so I will take the neutral road...till the zwembangie (or however it is spelled) is experienced in "the flesh" so to speak...I will be bypartison... If true...does it help with the boiyancy factor....could be an asset.....

A BCD is covering most flesh around the middle from this angle... It is no aid in bouyancy but it sure is helping me stay warm during those long cold dives here....

Marcia's sitting here with a big grin on her face.
Yep...she's seen it, but I think she was more interested in his frank.
Speaking of franks. I trust that you've all seen the film "Something About Mary"?
I can't remember the characters names, apart from Mary of course, but wasn't it wonderful? My favourite moment was the toilet scene (well it had to be didn't it?) when the hero catches his trimmings in his zip. As he's being stretchered into the ambulance Mary's mentally deficient brother is chanting "frank & beans" in the background. Priceless stuff!
On a more serious note Martin...When am I going to start receiving the royalty cheques for the above pic that I took of you in front of the cam?
I think I know the answer already....When Jake pays you for cleaning the lens. Right?

Andy, I know, when Marcia is remembering me, she'll start laughing at you . Jake don't have to pay me for cleaning the lens. I will do it over and over again, as long as I can stay on Bonaire. The royalty can be deducted from my salary I earned for posing for your cam....