Our World Underwater 2012 - "Won't You Please Come To Chicago!"

“From the bottom of the ocean


To the mountains on the moon


Won't you please come to Chicago


No one else can take your place”



- lyric from CHICAGO by CSN&Y



OUR WORLD UNDERWATER 2012 in Chicago is now less than one month away. If you believe the Mayans have accurately "predicted" the end of the world on December 21, 2012 with one of their calendars, then this will surely be the last Chicago Dive Show you will have the opportunity to attend. This annual consumer dive show features two excellent Film Festivals, over 80 Seminars and Workshops and Special Events, including an Art Fair for the adults and the Radio Disney Road Crew Show for the kids at the Show on Saturday.



Kathryn and I are presenting three seminars:



• Shoot Like an Underwater Pro: Tips for Getting Your Images Published in Scuba Diving Magazines.
• 

Working with U/W Models: Tips & Tricks for U/W Models & Photographers.


• Descent into the Maelstrom – British Columbia’s Nakwakto Rapids.



For more information, go to the OUR WORLD UNDERWATER website: http://ourworldunderwater.com

The Alaskan Ronquil: Bathymaster Caeruleofasciatus.

Alaskan Ronquils inhabit rocky reefs and retreats into holes or crevices. They are found only in North Pacific and Arctic waters and are most closely related to eelpouts and prowfish. The name, ronquil, derives from the Spanish ronquillo meaning "slightly hoarse". The family name Bathymasteridae can be translated from the Greek to mean "deep searcher". Not sure what this has to do with this particular ronquil that I photographed on an Alaskan shipwreck other than I was pumped to see my first one.

Whispering Words Of Wisdom.

Great words of wisdom. I would add, "Strive to be noble and, by your words and deeds, make those who love you, proud."

 

"Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

Randomly came across this today and liked the message it conveys...

Seeing Red - Light & Motion's Sola 600 Dive Light!

Canada's DIVER Magazine published our review of Light & Motion's SOLA 600 Dive Light on their October 2011 issue. The review is now posted on DIVER's website at the following link:

www.divermag.com/seeing-red

James Dean As Jett!

Throughout my entire lifetime, people have often asked, "Where does your name come from?"

My first name, Jett, comes from the name Jett Rink, a character James Dean portrayed in the 1956 movie, "Giant", which also starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in an epic tale of a multi-generational Texas cattle baron family led by Hudson and Taylor. "Giant" was the last of James Dean's three films as a leading actor, and earned him his second and last Academy Award nomination – he was tragically killed in a car accident before the film was released. Nick Adams was called in to do some voice-over dubbing for Dean's role.

Following his untimely death, Dean was nominated for two Oscars – one for "Giant" and one for "Rebel Without A Cause". In 2005, the film "Giant" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Underwater Council Of British Columbia: Dropped Weight Replacement Program.

The Underwater Council of British Columbia (UCBC) recently implemented a FREE weight replacement program for any diver who drops their weights in an emergency situation. Establishing positive buoyancy at the surface is one of the most important things you can do to survive a diving emergency. Please note the fine print:

 

"Requests to replace lost weights can only be accepted from certified divers who are current residents of British Columbia (proof required). Weight will be replaced at no cost to the individual but UCBC request consent to publish for educational purposes, a report detailing events and conditions that led to the emergency situation."

Please share this and help UCBC spread the word to all your buddies. More details about this program can be found at:   www3.telus.net/smeixner/ucbc/weights

Cressi Sub - Travel Light Buoyancy Compensator.

Picked up a Cressi Sub Travel Light BC before leaving for our Cozumel adventure and I've got to say I'm really very pleased with it. Apart from packing up small, it performs well above and below the surface.

Caribbean Puffer Fish - Up To 1,200 Times More Poisonous Than Cyanide.

Although they look cute, Puffer fish are generally believed to be the second–most poisonous vertebrates in the world, after the golden poison frog. Certain internal organs, such as liver, and sometimes the skin, are highly toxic to most animals when eaten.

Almost all puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. The toxin paralyzes the muscles, including the muscles in our diaphragm, which is essential for breathing. The victim eventually dies of asphyxiation. It is estimated there is enough toxin in one puffer fish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

Symbiotic Fish Behavior.

Witnessed a lot of symbiotic fish behavior during our Christmas trip to Cozumel. Kathryn and I did one dive in front of the resort over the eel grass bottom and photographed numerous fish species. This Puddingwife wrasse was being closely shadowed by this Bar Jack. The Bar Jack is using the wrasse for cover to be able to get close to unsuspecting prey species. This is similar to what trumpetfish do.

Feliz Año Nuevo 2012 From Cozumel!

Feliz Año Nuevo 2012! to all our friends and family. We'll be in downtown San Miguel, Cozumel tonight ringing in the new year. Have a safe New Year's Eve and we hope 2012 brings you much joy, success & happiness!

Christmas in Cozumel - The Gifts Are Underwater!

Palancar Reef is Cozumel’s most famous diving attraction with massive housed-sized coral buttresses. Palancar’s reef structure is comprised of a three and a half mile long stretch of patch reefs, sand channels, impressive drop-offs and towering coral ramparts, the peaks of which rise to within 60 to 100 feet of the surface.  The walls of these monolithic edifices are honeycombed with tunnels, ballroom-sized caverns and passageways.  Look over the edge of Palancar’s abyssal drop-off and you will be gazing at the Undersea Temple of the Mayan Gods, the 3,000 foot ocean trench that separates Cozumel from the Yucatan Peninsula.

 Juvenile Spotted Drum - They're a bitch to photograph!

Nassau Grouper - famed underwater photographer, Stephen Frink, kindly commented on this image: "Outstanding composition, Jett. Makes you want to be there."

 Palancar Reef

 Splendid Toadfsh - they are indigenous to Cozumel and not easy to find.

 Kathryn's photo of Jett at work.

 Kathryn diving Palancar Reef.

 Kathryn diving Palancar Reef.

Christmas Eve in Cozumel - Midnight Mass.

Cozumel, Mexico: December 24, 2011: The alter at the beautiful Cathedral of Corpus Christi in San Miguel, Cozumel. I took the family here for Midnight Mass. Though the service was entirely in Spanish, everyone enjoyed the once in a lifetime experience. The church was beautifully decorated and there were children dressed for their Christmas pageant, with little Mary, Joseph and Angels & Shepherds.

Feliz Navidad! - Christmas In Cozumel 2012

 

As I was taking this picture of my mom and Kathryn on Christmas Eve with one of the local police officers on Cozumel's main street, I was thinking, "Yup, if I had an Uzi submachine gun, I'd hang it over my chest for all the world to see too!"

One Of Our Images Used For A Puzzle!

Majestic Puzzles, in Kansas City, Missouri, used one of my images for one of their puzzles about this time last year. I only came across this photo of the puzzle while doing a random Google search. Photo was taken while diving with the Wakatobi Dive Resort, Indonesia.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

"Vancouver, My Name Is Prince. Are You Ready For Me?" Apparently, We're NOT!!!

While many in the audience were deliriously excited with what Prince was delivering on stage at Rogers Arena last night, I gotta say he fell well short of our expectations. And, I know, I'm not alone in that opinion given the negative reviews voiced by others during his "Welcome 2 Canada" Tour.

What a disappointing performance from someone of his caliber. I would highly recommend that Prince takes in a Taylor Swift concert as soon as possible to witness a true star who respects and appreciates their fans. Miss Swift puts on a show that WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. Regretfully, last night was my first... and LAST... Prince concert.

Absolute highlight of the evening last night was having a pre-show dinner with Kathryn at the Black & Blue Restaurant on Alberni Street. Great food, wonderful atmosphere, and the prettiest view of all, my darling wife!

Prince, here's what I'm ready for. I'm ready for you to reimburse us $123 Canadian dollars for having to witness the PRETENTIOUS train wreck you were trying to sell at Rogers Arena last night. Dinner with my wife is happily on me.

BC Association Of Travel Writers - Director At Large.

"Congratulation!" to my wife, Kathryn, who is now serving as Director at Large for the BC Association of Travel Writers.

The BC Association of Travel Writers (BCATW) is a non profit association duly constituted under the British Columbia Societies Act. Presenting a platform for BC-Based travel journalists to network together in the common cause of promoting the profession. As a group, and through travel industry contact, to support members in marketing their work.

Continuous Lighting in Underwater Still Photography.

An excellent article on Continuous Lighting in Underwater Still Photography by fellow underwater photographers, Andy Sallmon and Allison Vitsky, is posted on the DIVE PHOTO GUIDE website. Their story features Light & Motion’s Sola Lights which are awesome!

Here’s the link: www.divephotoguide.com/underwater-photography-techniques/article/still-photography-continuous-lighting/

Broughton Islands Cruising Guide: A New Book By Peter Vassilopoulos.

Peter Vassilopoulos, former publisher of Canada’s DIVER Magazine, has released an updated version of “Broughton Islands Cruising Guide”, one of his popular boating guidebooks. To celebrate its arrival, Peter and his wife, Carla, held an informal book launch/social at their home in Tsawwassen today. 

Peter has long been an avid boater and has authored several Pacific Northwest boating guidebooks. I first met Peter & Carla over two decades ago when they added me to DIVER Magazine’s masthead as a contributing editor. Peter & Carla became good friends who always lent support and encouragement as I learned the craft of writing scuba diving magazine editorial. I was happy to contribute three photos to Peter’s latest book and welcomed the opportunity for Kathryn to finally meet them today.

“Broughton Islands Cruising Guide” is available at many local bookstores and Amazon at: www.amazon.com/Cruising-Broughton-Islands-Desolation-Discovery/dp/0919317464

Our World Underwater 2012: Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town!

Just learned that Kathryn and I have been selected to present three seminars at OUR WORLD UNDERWATER in Chicago in February 2012. We're thrilled as this marks the third time we will be participating in this annual consumer dive show. We're also looking forward to dining out at some Chicago's fine Italian restaurants.

The seminars we're presenting are:

Dive with A Pro Seminars:

Shoot Like an Underwater Pro.

Working with U/W Models:  Tips & Tricks for U/W Models & Photographers.

Dive The World Seminars:

Descent into the Maelstrom – British Columbia’s Nakwakto Rapids.

For more information, go to the OUR WORLD UNDERWATER website:

www.ourworldunderwater.com/Attendees/Saturday-Sunday-Seminars/ 

Northwest Dive News - Published Our Nakwakto Rapids Story in December 2011 Edition.

Dive News Network just published our story, “Life in the Fast Lane - Descent into British Columbia's Nakwakto Rapids” in their December 2011 issue of Northwest Dive News.