Growing Older

You know you're starting to get a bit older when you just don't care what other people think of you anymore. I am on a hunt for #1 Mom's birthday present. I know what I want to get her, but it is becoming harder and harder to find it. I did actually find it today and that's when I noticed, I must be getting older. I can't tell you what it is because she reads this page every 10-12 weeks whether she needs too or not, and this might be within that time frame. I asked the salesman how much it was. With a straight face, he spoke a number that left me speechless. I asked him to repeat his price, thinking I added a zero or two in my mind and misheard him. He repeated the same astronomical number and all I could do was laugh at him. I laughed my ass off at him. I politely told him thanks for his time and I would not be back. In my younger years, I would have played off the price and acted like I expected that kind of price and would tell them, I'd think about it and get back to them. Not now, Bubba. I think you're stupid, I'm gonna tell you that I think you're stupid.

As for the birthday present: Back to the drawing board. I better hurry.. Her birthday is the 30th.

Congrats to another diver..

Congratulations to my friend and co-worker, Sid, on getting his PADI Open Water certification this past weekend. He took the confined course back in July and went on his check dives this past weekend. I was there with him as I was doing my Divemaster Candidate internship this weekend also. So, I actually got to help out with his class.
It was a good trip. We went to Blue Grotto on Saturday. I had been wanting to dive Blue Grotto ever since Scuba Steve told us about it during my Advanced O/W class. I finally got my chance and it was cool. Since we had students, we didn't get to go in the deepest part of the cavern, but I did get to see "Peace Rock" and take a few pictures while we were waiting on one of the groups of students to get in the water. I'll make another trip down there to see the whole thing next time. We stayed in Crystal River that night and ate at Crackers. That is some good eatin'!!! Then we hit Troy Springs the next day for the students to do their last check dive. After they completed their last skill, they were all able to do a dive as newly certified divers. I buddied up with Sid and took him on his first certified dive.
We met some cool folks this weekend and had a great time. I'm ready to go again. But, the next class I help out with will be the Rescue Diver course in September. My brother-in-law is in that class, so I get to help out another familiar face.
Congrats again to Sid for becoming a PADI Open Water Diver!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my "baby" sister, Leslie. She turned the BIG 4-0 today!!! Although some people may dread turning 40, after two bouts of breast cancer in 5 years, 4 or 5 surgeries, countless rounds of chemo and 1 full regimen of radiation, we're just counting our blessings that she is here to turn 40. And, with everything, including the last surgery, behind her now, she will have MANY more to come!! Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes from everyone out there. Happy Birthday Sis!!!!

The picture was taken last October when she was about to start her chemo. I decided we could be bald together, so she shaved my head for me. Of course, she's grown hers back now and I've kept mine off.

Another Diver Soon

I forgot to mention that I will have a new Dive Buddy soon. Sid took his confined water class last weekend with ScubaSteve. Everything went well and he is ready for his check out dives the 18th and 19th of August. He had a few things he wanted to work on prior to the trip, so we have been going to my parent's pool and doing just that. We worked on weighting and other things today. He's going to upgrade a couple things tomorrow and then we'll hit the pool again later this week to make sure everything is good to go. Congrats on the Confined portion and good luck with the Check Dives.

USS Oriskany

As you all know, I'm an avid scuba diver. The weekend of 27-29 July, myself and a group from work went to Pensacola, FL to dive, what is known right now, as the Recreation Dive Site of the World, the USS Oriskany. It is an aircraft carrier that was sunk 24 miles off the cost of Pensacola back in June, 2006 as part of an artificial reef program. It's in 212 feet of water, with the control tower being as high as 68 feet and the flight deck is at 137 feet. Below is my write up I put on my Scuba Forums.. The detailed write up is on my website linked from the "Trips" page.

Report from the Oriskany, 28 Jul 07.
Booked the Charter through MBT Divers in Pensacola. We were charted on the “Tech Rec” with Capt Chris Wachtel and deck mate, his very attractive, yet under-aged, daughter, Erin. They were most excellent hosts and provided a great day on the water. The charter had my group of 4 and two other divers from NC and PA. The 6 of us enjoyed a looong 2 hour ride out to the “Mighty O.” The Tech Rec isn’t the fastest boat to charter to the “O”, but it was the slowest either. In it's favor, it does had a head and cushioned bunks below for those that wanted to nap.
We got above the “O” and Erin tied us off to a buoy. We first splashed at 1100 local with 27% NITROX. We went straight to the Flight Deck. The down line was tied off on the ship at 111 feet, so by the time we got to the end of the line, we could see the flight deck. We jumped down, took a reading showing 137 feet as we stood on the flight deck, and then took a few pictures. With our profile, we only had 9 minutes of bottom time at 137 fsw, so right after pics, we started to spiral our way up and around the island. Vis was only about 60 feet on this dive. Capt Chris said it was the worst vis he had seen in a few weeks. (Lucky us).. We worked our way up and ended the dive 1152 local. Saw a bunch of amberjack, bleemies, triggerfish, and a good number of barracuda.
1.5 hours surface interval and we splashed again. This time we were running 30% and kept our max depth above 100 feet. This dive concentrated on the swim-thrus all along the island. We entered the bridge and took a couple pictures and then hit just about every door we could find working our way up. There was one that allowed you to go up a stairwell and another that took you from one side of the island and out the other. It was an awesome time going into the wreck with no chance of getting trapped or lost. From every open door in the island you can see another door way or opening to the outside. They planned this wreck well for Recreational Divers. Vis, unfortunately, dropped to about 40 feet near the end of this dive. We were all getting low on air, so we called it and ascended to our safety stop. For the most part, uneventful and very cool dive. We had a couple “operator error” minor SNAFU’s, but nothing that caused any harm or danger to anyone in our group. After the diving, there was a loooong 2 hour ride back to the Marina. But, we had a blast on the trip.!!! All in all, a VERY exciting day.
In case anyone is interested, we also ate at two really good joints: The Fish House and Trigger’s Seafood. Both highly recommended. The Fish House is a bit more upscale that we’re used too, but Trigger’s is a down-home “Mom and Pop” type joint that is some good eatin’!!! To finish up the story, we stopped by Morrison Spring and did a dive to rinse the gear on our back to GA. 3 of the 4 of us had never been and the other had been over 4 years ago. Nice dive, but it got crowded near the end. We were running 32% there and got an hour, 27 minutes on that one dive out of an AL80. Afterwards, we loaded up the gear and headed back to GA.. I was back home in enough time to tuck my 13 month old into bed that evening.

All in all, it was an AWESOME trip!!! Thanks to Dive Buddy Dee, Mark M2 and Bill F+10 for going with me. Good dives, good times and good Buds!!! Thanks to all!!!

The pictures are: (top) Me on the Flight Deck of the Oriskany 137 feet down taknen by Mark M2. (Yes, I know my head looks like a glow stick) :) And (bottom) the flags draped off the side of the "Mighty O" in honor of those that served on her. Isn't that just a cool picture?

**D**

Requip

Have y'all seen the commercial for this drug? It's a drug for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) First off, I'm not real sure what restless leg syndrome is. I know the symptoms they show on TV, but is it really a disease?? Well, other than the fact of not knowing what RLS really is, they have this drug that's supposed to help you sleep when you suffer from RLS. Ok, that I can understand.. But, as you know, nothing in this life is free, so for you to be able to sleep, you must also suffer the side effects. This is taken directly from the Requip site:

Prescription Requip is not for everyone. Requip Tablets may cause you to fall asleep or feel very sleepy during normal activities such as driving; or to faint or feel dizzy, nauseated, or sweaty when you stand up. Tell your doctor if you experience these problems or if you drink alcohol or are taking other medicines that make you drowsy. Also tell your doctor if you experience new or increased gambling, sexual, or other intense urges while taking Requip. Side effects include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, and dizziness. Most patients were not bothered enough to stop taking Requip.

Increased GAMBLING, SEXUAL or other intense urges???? How, in God's green earth, does a sleep medication make you want to gamble or have sex? Can someone explain that to me?

"Honey, I really didn't want to come to Vegas and blow our retirement on Roulette and the Bunny Ranch. It's the REQUIP!!!!"

August 2

I had my 43rd birthday back on August 2nd. Yep, 43 years ago, in 1964, I came into this world. My lucky parents. LOL...

I try to make an effort every year NOT to work on my birthday. I was able to do just that this year. Me and group of folks from work went to Six Flags Over Georgia for the day instead of working. I had a blast and really enjoyed the company. Sid, Yo-Yo and Cornholio, I appreciate y'all taking the time off and spending the day with me on my birthday. It was a great time. Thank You All!!!!

I also want to thank my family and my In-Laws for the dinners and time spent over the weekend to celebrate also. And, all of those that sent, emailed or MySpace commented me for my birthday. We don't make a big production out of birthdays. Shoot, we're just happy to make the next one. But, when someone does remember it, it is appreciated. Thanks to everyone!!