Chatroulette

Not sure if any of you have heard of Chatroulette yet. It's an interesting concept, with limitless interactions available. I recommend reading this article at CNET.com to get a feeling of what the site is about, and to see a few videos of it in action. I think the whole idea is phenomenal. Random meetings with total strangers anywhere in the world. If you need a good laugh, watch both the YouTube Videos embedded in the article. So funny!

I'm too chicken to try it, are you?

Blindness

While I sit here tapping away at the keys of my laptop, I want you to know I am enjoying a piece of nearly the best cake I have ever tasted. This is not your usual Superstore frosted cake. You know the kind. Halfway through a piece you realize the frosting tastes like what you'd imagine Diabetes tasting like, and you start to scrape it off or pass it on to a young child. Preferably the child of someone else. This cake... the frosting is that fancy Fondant stuff they apply in sheets, and it has little flowers stamped on it. Its sweet, but not too sweet. The cake itself... Chocolate. Fluffy, moist, rich. I had a piece for breakfast, and surprising even myself, I saved this one for later. Later being now! The cake is from my Boss' wife's birthday party I attended last night.

The party was an uneventful one. Took place outside, around a wonderful fire. The alcohol flowed freely enough to let the conversation flow as freely. A variety of snacks were set out for the night, and the cake arrived with a tray of matching cupcakes. I had 2 of them. It was a nice little party, with a nice little hangover had by all this morning.

I spent my day on the couch watching a movie and reading a book. The movie was City of God, and I have been hearing mention of this movie for a while now. One of my friends even described it as the best film he had ever seen, and I nearly agree with him. City of God is now up there among my top favourite films. Not the top, but damn near close. It follows the rise of gangs in the slums of Rio de Janeiro from the 60's though the 80's, and we see the story unravel through the eyes of narrator Rocket. Rocket aspires to avoid the violence and crime around him to one day become a professional photographer. The whole film has a grittiness about, a roughness... One particular scene of excessive violence against a young "Runt," the children gangsters, was particularly intense. I highly recommend you see this movie now! ASAP


The book? Blindness, written by Jose Saramago. It was made into a film not too long ago, and I wanted to see it (ironically enough, the film was directed by the director of City of God!), but decided to read the book first. Its the tale of a wave of blindness, affecting a few citizens of a city. This blindness is apparently infectious, so all those affected are quarantined in an abandoned mental institution. As their numbers grow, with the army waiting at the gates to kill any of those attempting to leave, food running short, and tempers short, let the mayhem begin. So far, a good read.


We're working in Revelstoke for the first few days of this week. Its about an hour away, so my day is starting at 6am tomorrow. Fun. I do get paid for the drive there though... I'm looking forward to having a new guy working with us. He starts tomorrow, and from the sounds of it, he and I will be working on a few projects alone this week. He's my age, so will be a good change from working with 2 older family men! We'll see how he works out though. Our work is not for everyone. Matt has had guys walk off the job after 3 hours!


Okay, I need to get off here so I can get back to my book before I crawl into bed super early tonight. Up just after 5 tomorrow!


See you soon, B

It's about bloody time...

Actually, it's been ages. For the first time in my entire blogging career I actually procrastinated. That led to more procrastination, which brings me to this point - Trying to squeeze 2 weeks worth of stories into one writing session. It feels like homework now...

So in the past 2 weeks I have:

• Hung out with my little sister while she was here visiting. We took my Jeep out for a spin in the mud after I had it worked on again at the mechanic. She got to drive - 

• I've fully moved into my own Bachelor Pad. It. Is. Awesome. I've got it all set up how I like it, with my very own book case with all my own books out of their boxes. I've printed out an array of photos from my  various travels of the past 4 years, all mounted in some nice collage like frames. I'll take some pictures of the various rooms when I get a camera.
• I spent half of last week and the weekend with my mom, her boyfriend, my sister and her boyfriend in Sun Peaks while they worked a conference. I got to ski Friday and Saturday. I. Was. Awesome. If I'm never able to dive, I'll sell all my kit and buy some skis and go be a ski bum. It is so much fun, dodging trees, making fresh tracks in newly fallen Snow. 10cm worth. Its another lifestyle I could see myself gravitating towards. I also drank lots, and hung out with my Aunty Nette, who I have not seen in 6 years! Good week/weekend all around.

I think that's you all about caught up. Having my own place that lacks both Cable and Internet (still, leading to my procrastination) has allowed me to start catching up on some long overdue reading. Now, I've been a Dive Professional since late 2007 when I became an SSI Dive Control Specialist. In 2008, I became a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. It's far too easy for someone of my age to feel near invincible in a sport where pushing limits is the norm, though frowned upon. Once becoming a "Pro," it was far too easy to believe I knew it all, and that I could handle any situation like many of my colleagues. Simple to forget that holding an Instructor Card, like a Driver's License, should only allow you to go out and gain experience.

All new dive professionals need to pick up this book, and read it through cover-to-cover - Diver Down: Real-World SCUBA Accidents and How to Avoid Them. I'm only half way through, but I have learned invaluable lessons on nearly every page. The author has a way of writing that makes even the most mundane bits of information (Cave Diver Certifications) an exciting read. The book is divided into short chapters, each dedicated to a single incident. As a pro, I was able to identify with each situation, some hitting too close to home and seeming all too familiar. Go get this book now, especially if you think you know all there is to know in the dive world.


Then, pick up this book - The Last Dive. I began this one a few weeks ago and finally finished it in Sun Peaks over the weekend. Though not nearly as well written as Diver Down, this book delves deep (bad pun) into the history and origins of the more extreme segments of our sport, cave diving and tech diving. Bernie Chowdhury has a habit of repeating himself every few chapters, as if the reader would have forgotten the science behind something, which I found annoying. He does offer an excellent story mixed with a mystery, leading to a terrible accident can't help but know is coming. It's his chapters dedicated to the accidents that truly bring the book alive, and any pro would be foolhardy not to read this book. Especially if you still feel invincible after reading Diver Down. Maybe not the best read for anyone interested in becoming a diver...


As is my usual, here is a song I love RIGHT NOW. The Artist, Phoenix. The song, 1901. It's from that super cool Cadillac Commercial. Enjoy -



See you soon, hope to write sooner, B

I'm workin' on it!

I'll write a full blog post soon. Really, I will! I've been super buys this week sorting out a place to live. I found a nice suite for $525 month, about a 5-10 minute walk from my Boss's house where I start work every morning. I've spent most of the week moving boxes over, setting things up, and trying to scrounge up some furniture with help from my family. Should be ready to move in this weekend, as I managed to get a queen size mattress, box spring, bed frame, desk, dresser and coffee table for $55 at the second hand store! I'll be buying myself a nice sheet set tomorrow and 2 more pillows, then I just need to do a grocery shop on Saturday.

Very much looking forward to having my own space for the first time, ever! Exhausted now and must sleep after a very tough (physically) week at work, and late nights getting my place ready.

Will right more soon, promise!
B

Crazy Cat Lady

Well, it has been a few buys days. I'm currently in the process of trying to find my own place, and it's been interesting to say the least. First place I checked out? Yes, Crazy Cat Lady. I kid you not. I should have backed right out of the driveway when I saw 2 cat-scratch posts in the window, and 2 hair covered cat beds sitting outside the front door. The house was nice, if not a bit messy. The stench of cat wee did hit my like a brick when I first walked in, and as soon as I was warned to keep my door shut to prevent one of the cats spraying on my belongings, I realized it probably wasn't for me. Oh! Crazy Cat Lady's 98 year old mother also lives in the basement. My kind of company! Partay!

   I checked out one nice guy's place, but he was a bit older and we'd have to share the kitchen and entryway. Very nice place, with lots of room to myself, but if I wanted to live with my dad, I'd stay here. The winner though, would have to be my visit to a brand new, two floor home, with huge bay windows looking down the length of Shushwap lake's Salmon Arm (the arm of the lake, not the city) with mountains framing the view. Beautiful home, but she was older than my Grandmother, and seemingly a whole lot stricter. Once again, not my thing! Today I went to Blind Bay, about 20 minutes away to see about a room to rent in a split level home. Very nice.  Two guys in their early 20's live there full time, and the homeowner is 30ish, and splits her time between Kamloops. I had the choice of a very small room for $375/month, or a Master Bedroom w/Ensuite, newly renovated for $575 a month. Newly Reno'd to the max. Stunning place. Almost a lake view from the huge deck with BBQ, and a large backyard. I think the single thing holding me back from jumping on it is the 20 minute drive, and the amount of fuel I'd end up paying for this summer for all the back 'n' forth. I've got a full 1 BDRM Suite to look at tomorrow not far from here (my Dad's house) and even closer to my Boss's house, where I start work each morning. Maybe that will end up being perfect? Cross your fingers for me!

   Feeling EXTREMELY Patriotic at the moment with all the GOLD our country has been winning lately. Our athletes have turned "Blown The Podium" back into the intended "Own The Podium!" We're currently one of 3 Nations to have ever won 13 Gold Medals in the Winter Olympics. Along with us are The Soviet Union in 1976 and Norway in 2002. Finger's crossed for tomorrow's Gold Medal game against the Yanks!

   Another quick note: My Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) is about to expire, so I'll be wiping my computer clean and starting anew with an old version of Vista, then possibly upgrade to Windows 7 Full. I may be out of contact for a while if the copy of Vista I got fails to work!

   Okay, time to get back to my book. I've (slowly) started reading The Last Dive, by Bernie Chowdhury. It's been on my "Must Read" list for quite awhile, and I'm happy to be finally digging into it. Not exactly an uplifting story, but one with a great lesson. I'll let you know what I think of it as I get deeper into it.

   While reading my book, I plan to listen to my new favourite acoustic artist, Joe Purdy. I imagine most of you may have heard this song, either from the DAWN Soap Commercial, or an older episode of LOST. I leave you with Wash Away (Reprise), by Joe Purdy. Enjoy,

See you later, B

A little bit of Affirmative Thought

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." - Moliere

   The wheels are turning... I'm thinking... Party. Memories. Friends. One night in June... Whitehorse, YT.

You in?

The Future Awaits

I, yes me, have spent the last 2 hours looking at... wait for it. Deep breath now... Oh the tension! University Courses. *GASP*

Yes. After 5 years of traveling the world, diving, working, living, I feel it's finally time to possibly, maybe, think about continuing my education. After a tough first week back at work, I had a few things to think about. Now, I love traveling, and losing the freedom to get up and leave at any point in my life to jet off to some distant tropical island scares me. But there are only so many times one can do that and return to what feels like a go nowhere job.

Don't get me wrong, my current position with Rampton Rockworks is okay. I make a great wage, get along with the people I work with, get fit, and receive 3 months off every winter. Sounds great, but for how long do I want to carry concrete blocks, dig, and generally wear my body out? It doesn't seem to provide much of a challenge, mentally, just being a labourer. My boss has been doing it for well over 16 years, and as far as I can see, he'll be doing it for that much longer. As long as his joints hold out. It'd be an excellent trade to learn, and I could work outside everyday - just like I promised myself I would do in my youth. I used to think I would do well in the trades too, I just feel... There has to be more. I want to know more about the world I love to explore.

Every trip, my book collection grows, and I want to devour more. I want to read all the classics, the books that have defined eras in their pages. Changed the way we look at humanity, the planet, the holocaust, ourselves. I want to know WHY. WHEN. WHO. Sadly, I get home from abroad and priorities change. The TV is on. The internet is readily available, distracting me for hours with articles on the latest DSLR's, films, or Olympic standings.

Thankfully tonight the blasted interweb took me on a path first to Okanagan College. What about some upgrading? But wait, I could do an Associate Arts Degree in English for 2 years in Kelowna, then transfer to a larger University for another 2 years. Sweet! In my excitement (1hr 45min ago) as I went to say Good Night to Dad and Colleen, I mention all this to them. Dad, the genius he is, recommended I look into UBC Okanagan. It looks like an even nicer school, and I could do a full Bachelor of Arts Majoring in English. School would provide me with the opportunity to discover all the things I want to unearth.

And I'm sure I'd still find the time to have a party or two, along with meeting new and interesting people...

I just have so many options available to me -

• Work for the summer in my physically demanding but well paying job, then go teach diving somewhere beautiful, but return in the spring to work another long season at the same physically demanding but well paying job to pay off incurred debt. Or, if I was lucky, move onto another beautiful locale and keep teaching diving.
• Work for the summer in said Job, then go to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa for a year, with a few side trips over to Australia (which I must visit again). Then, not sure. Maybe have to return to said Job.
• Work for the summer in damned Job, attend University in September for 4 years, then get a career. Perhaps as a writer, for an esteemed publication such as Scuba Diving Magazine, Sport Diver, DIVER or something in the travel/adventure vein. At the very least I'm sure I could secure myself a journalistic position with the Salmon Arm Observer.

The world is my oyster, and I have an abundant amount of serious thinking to do. The Future Awaits...

See you later, B
If you have any worldly advice that you think I may benefit from, please email me. DAMMIT! I was meant to start reading my new book tonight.