I also use Zenfolio and like it, I tried flicker and didn't like the way photos are linked to other users. Plus Zenfolio gives you more control over the layout of the photos.

I am not a professional, but I like to take the best quality photos that I can. I don't care about impressing anyone, except with the final product.
Much of the time I like to combine two of my favorite hobbies, photography & motorcycle rides. When I ride out with my sidecar rig, if the main purpose is to take photos, then my SLR & gear is packed on the bike, along with hiking gear in case I want to leave the rig and hike somewhere.
However, if I decide that I want a 500-600 mile ride that day, then all I take along is my little Canon G-9, to keep me from changing my mind.

Yes, thank you for posting the pictures, sure easier to understand.

Another good place to buy camera stuff is Fred Miranda's site:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/

The buyers & sellers are rated, and to sell you have to buy a membership (not needed to purchase). Just sign up for the forum, like you do here, it's free.

I had looked at the Cotton Carrier while back and didn't see where it could be used with a quick release plate. Did they make a improvement on it? I will have to check it out again. Thank you for the info.

http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v35/p501911477-3.jpg

http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v40/p497567998-3.jpg

Here is one

http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v41/p332437017-3.jpg

I was questioned once while photographing at a local railroad station, and the guard was aware that I was a retired LEO. He said their rules was no photographing while on the property. No problem if I wanted to use a good zoom and just stay on the sidewalk. I told him if I was up to something, I would just use "Google Earth", get street level views and save myself a lot of trouble. I continued to take photos.

I would go ahead and attempt to repair it myself. If I fail, then I am no better off and can still use the camera with Canon Loyalty Program to trade it in for another Canon camera. Here is a site that explains it in detail:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1088761/canon-loyalty-program-faqs-originally-from-potn
This site has several links for the program.

and a site from Canon that explains it too:
http://canonloyaltyprogram.org/

Here is one I got at the Sound Trainsit train station in Edmonds, WA.
http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v0/p1073254108-3.jpg

Here is one I got while on the way home from Ohio a few years ago:
http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v6/p588930927-3.jpg

Here is Clear Lake with Mt Rainier in the background
http://wingincamera.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v0/p325911029-3.jpg

You also might want to join the Lightroom forums:

http://www.lightroomforums.net/forum.php

I don't use Carbonite or the cloud, just two external drives for backups.
One problem I heard about using cloud type backups is to check your internet provider and know if there is any band width restrictions for uploads or downloads.
There was an article in the paper about a user who used one of the cloud type back programs and he exceeded his allowed band width and his provider terminated his contract (read the fine print). A few years ago one of my friends posted something on his web site that got sent around the country with everyone linking to it and he experience over a $1000.00 in charges for excessive band width use.
Just something to know about.

Here is a link to using a coffee filter for white balance:

http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/2008/11/product-comparison-white-balan-1.html

I have used it a few times to set a custom white balance in the camera when taking a large number of photos where there is artificial lighting even if shooting raw. It just saves time in post processing for me. I do have a gray card, which I do use once in a while. The coffee filter is cheap and easy to carry.

Also, good luck on selling prints, that must be a thrill. I had a chance once to sell one of my Mt Rainier photos and was very excited about it, until I found that my backup CD's had become corrupted and I lost about five years of photos. Now I use two USB external drives for duel backups.