Those who say the past is not dead, Stop and smell the smoke
You keep on saying the past is not dead, Come on and smell the smoke
You keep saying the past is not even past
You keep saying
We are, smoke 
- ben folds

 It must be time once again to check in here at KayakQuixotica.com.  Yeah, I here ya.  Folks who’ve tuned into this blog since way back in 2004 had grown used to a new post nearly every day.  Had to believe that was over a half decade ago.  Blogging is that old? Really?  Well, anyway, we’ve got a lot to catch up on so let’s get started… 

Part 1.  Blogging Sucks

Well, no.  But  writing about one single, solitary subject day after day does suck.  When I started blogging, nobody ever read what I wrote.  I could write about anything and no one cared.  As time went by, people somehow did start finding my insane ramblings.. Well, things change.  You start seeing emails from people who hate your politics, hate your hair, hate your boat and hate stupid face.. and yet, they keep coming back and reading what you write.  What’s more, they continue to tell you NOT to talk about anything but what you’re supposed to talk about.. “KAYAKING”… O.K. but that’s not really what I was “supposed to talk about right? I mean, those guys are not paying me to do this right? If they want to send me a big fat check, then we’ll negotiate content… Until then, stuff ‘em.

Well, that’s when I started working on other blogs, other projects and started to slip further and further away from this one.. Well, I’m claiming my world back..  I’m getting to old too worry about pleasing some bone head who’d I’d never paddle with anyway.. Chill dude! Yeah, I’m going to mostly write about kayaking.. but maybe I’ll write about why Ghost Hunter’s is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen since William Shatner did his version of My Way for George Lucas.  Now that was funny!   Did you just touch me?

Part 2. Ad Nauseum

Another reason I don’t blog about paddling every day anymore is that, let’s face it.. kayaks are kayaks, they go forward, back and sideways.. It does NOT take 5 years and 1175 blogs to share what you know.  Sure certain bits change now and again.  We’ve certainly seen a revolution in coaching techniques in the last 5 years.. Traditional paddling has finally taken its rightful place as just “kayaking” like any other “kayaking”.. but man, you don’t need me or anyone else just writing the same stuff over and over in annual cycles just to sell ad space or curry the favor of sponsors.  Bah!  Listen guys, I love you all.. but the secret to Zen Kayaking is butt in boat time.. Paddle a lot,  stop and see the world around you.. and slaughter your inner gearhead with a bloody vengeance..  By now, I think I’ve written just about every basic lesson or idea that has run through my silly brain.. It’s there and the stats say, everyone is finding the information they are searching for.  What’s more, these days my blog is just one insignificant speck in the exploding world of social media.. Sort of like,  well…

I’ll be doing a lunch time cage match with David Johnston on this very subject at the Great Lakes Sea Kayaking Symposium, July 18th – 22nd in Grand Marais MI.  We’re going to talk about paddling, social media, and social-maniacal egos..  and if any of it is really of any value..

After I get the spaghetti off of my head, I’ll be doing some classes intended to help you take better pictures on the water without spending a ton of money.. Photography is all in the mind after all.

Part 3  High Anxiety

If you were around back when I started writing here on Quix, you’ll remember that I used to talk a lot about taking classes and the crazy anxiety I had in those situations which often led to me doing some really stupid things… Well, the anxiety still lingers.. in fact, it’s been back with a vengeance for some time.. So, If I randomly decide to walk out of room and head out into the woods.. It’s not you, your guests, or the cheese platter… (Well, maybe…) No, it’s just that my heart is racing at ten million miles an hour and I need to go away for a bit and hit the reset button..

Part 4.  Staying Out Doors

Since panic attacks keep me outdoors here at home nearly every day.. (Even though I’m not always Paddling).. I’m still writing.. I’m sharing pictures, videos, and all sorts of outdoor stuff on my Skillet Creek Facebook page and over on my blog at DevilsLakeWisconsin.com.  I’ve also started a new YouTube channel for Skillet Creek as well. Oh, then there’s Flickr, Instargram.. (voice  trails off naming every social media outlet…)

Part 5.  Review This!

Oh man, speaking of gearheads.. I’ve backed up on product reviews.. Too much time walking around the woods and not watching vids.. Well.. those reviews are coming..  And the fact that I sat down long enough to watch them given my new-found aversion to sitting… well… stay tuned…

Part 6.  QajaqTC

August 17th – 19th I’ll be attending the Qajaq Training Camp in Michigan.  My job there is to mentor.. while holding a camera and getting great shots of Maligiaq Padilla beating Nancy Thorton over the head with a lake trout.. Or maybe that was Nancy beating Maliqiaq.. I really need to check my notes..

Part 7. Appologies

You know, sometimes you can’t bring yourself to say a word and sometimes you can’t shut up.. Sorry… really…

Part 8, and then there’s this…