Bout time for an update

Its been a couple weeks since I have arrived and things are going nicely.

My divemaster training is going well and I guess I am ahead of the game in having things done. Just completed my swimming tests today and they went pretty well. The 400m free swim was a little brutal and only got 2 out of 5 points on it but made it up on the 15min float/tread water test, the last 3 minutes you have to keep your wrists out of the water. The 800m mask/snorkel/fin swim was my game though. Completed it in just over 16 min and missed a perfect score by 18 seconds.

In the gear exchange/buddy breathing test I got a 4 out of 5 because I showed no anxiety and was in control during the test. I lost the one point because my buddy and I didnt make a through plan, which is silly because if your going to swap gear in real life its not like your going to have a plan made up, but oh well. All that is left is a 100y diver tow which I kinda did during my rescue class, not all that worried even though it will be tiring.

As for other matters things are going good. Have 4 roommates right now and will be getting 2 more by this weekend. They're all different which is nice but I am currently the oldest in the house by about 5 years and that keeps thing interesting, sometimes I just shake my head at these youngins.

A typical day for me is pretty nice. Leave for the shop around 7:30 and if we are lucky the managers have the truck and we ride in the back. Spend about 30 minutes getting the boats ready in the morning before the customers show up. So far i've been getting at least two dives in the morning and training stuff in the afternoon. Around 3 we start getting the shop set to close and home by 4:30.

The house is a bit of a shack and could use some basic work to start with. There is a bathroom in every bedroom with a shower and sink which is really nice cause they can take up to 10 people here.

Im pretty happy with the way my life is going at this point. Kinda looking around for work as a DM elsewhere but will stick around if I can find something local for a bit, though I will try to find a better place to live if I can.

As for this blog, I can't really tell if anyone is actually reading it. Im getting pageviews but they could just be bots or something. I know it would be better if I had photos on here but it takes forever to get them up on blogger for some reason. If you want to to see pics them check out my facebook page cause thats where allmy pics have been going. If I dont seem to get many visitors then I wont be posting much, so if you actually read this post and want me to continue then leave a quick comment.

Till next time. Thanks

Dolphins Den, Roatan

My Favorite Dive to date! Dolphins Den.



Promise to update soon.

Plane ride update

Just a quick update while cruising at 30k feet going 500mph. The flight is completely full, we have the standard happy stewardess and the more strict one.

As it usually goes, after you find your seat, you survey all the oncoming passengers hopeing you get one that doesn't stink, isn't morbidly obese, or anything else that will make myself uncomfortable. Well folks I got quite lucky. I noticed him in the terminal and he looked like a fellow traveller and after he settled in I learn he is a pastor on a misson to help out the local orphanage and clinic to bring medicine and supplies to help provide clean water.

We shared pleasantries and ended up chatting for most of the flight and swapping info towards the end. I hope to be able to volunteer with his group while we are both on the island, I really like what they are doing there to help.

Should be landing in about an hour, just flew over the Yucatan peninsula. So if you end up reading this; thanks for the great company Brian and good luck with the mission work, it has been nice having you as my seat neighbor and you've been added to my list of interesting people.

And the true adventure begins!

Sitting here enjoying the comforts of Bush international airport and chatting with some fellow travellers on their way to Roatan. Just a quick note to all airport managers or whatever they are called......supply free terminal wide WiFi you greedy bastards, it can't be all that expensive.

Oky doky...anywho..getting pretty excited, literally have a stomach full of butterflies and my whole body is buzzing. Have had to verify my passport a couple times to make sure my identity hadn't magically changed in the last few minutes. Its been about 4-5 years since I got it and I dont match the picture as well with my long hair, might need to trim it up some.

Nothing else to really post. Have about 30 mins or so before we start boarding. The airport is pretty good sized but as it goes they are all kinda boring to spend much time in. I arrive around 12:45 - 1 and will try to get an update later tonight.

Houston bound.

On our way to Houston for the weekend to check out the town and to meet up with someone.

Had a good last night in Austin. Went out with some of my brothers friends to grab some drinks. Ended up wandering away with some people, ate some tasty tacos and ended up a Craft Pride on Rainey Street. Met a cool bartender, Hey Ben!, had some delicious local brews, and stayed until close.

Bright and somewhat early the next morning we are on our way to Houston. We check into our hotel to find that downtown Houston is like a ghost town on the weekend. Headed over to Saint Anthony Brewery to meet up with my brothers friend and to check out their tasting party. Word of advise.....I found SA Lawnmower beer rather undrinkable. It was a bitter, hoppy, mild flavored liquid that was not pleasing to my tastebuds.

After a little break back at the hotel we headed over to the Montrose area for a Gay Pride Parade. Now I'm totally straight but that parade was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. The energy of the crowd was unbelievable with everyone making tons of noise and just their overall excitement. Other than just the general energy of the crowd, my favorite part was all the wild dress most were in. Granted I saw things I didnt want to see, from both men and women, but it was still blody awesome.

After the parade we meet up with some more people and headed to the bar that was along the parade route.  Again the energy was ridiculous in that place. Dudes dancing and making out, chicks doin the same, and the amount of pepole on the lofted dance floor made you question the structural integrity.
A few beers and booty shaking hours later we left and we walked back to the hotel, grabbing some breakfast at a diner along the way, and finally getting to sleep around four in the morning.

Sunday was pretty noneventful except for the Pink Floyd planetarium light show. Talk about some vertigo inducing moments, but I totally want one in my future house. Imagine playing a flying game in there or watching an epic movie.....poof...mind blown!

Well heading out on Monday to Roatan and just getting more and more exciting everyday. Still hard to believe I'm doing this and dont have any real expectations except for a bunch of diving, so unless something terrible happens its glong to be a blast.