“Come in,” She Said, “I’ll Give You Shelter From The Storm.”

July 21, 2012: Five years ago today, when blackness was a virtue and the road ahead seemed full of mud, who struts into my life but the woman who has turned out to be both my best friend, and my one true love. I truly don’t think I could speak so endlessly positive about anyone else on this planet as much as I can about, my wife, Kathryn. The writer in me knows there are not enough words in any language that could fully describe her essence. Her love, warmth, compassion and charity towards others have no border, nor boundaries. She is the mother my son, Danen, deserved to have in his life and she cares about him as a mother does for a baby that she bares. I could not be luckier. I could not be happier. Tonight, I will toast and celebrate our good fortune with this remarkable woman and indulge in some fine dining at a fancy shmancy French restaurant in Vancouver that has become one of our guilty pleasures. These are, the best of times!

Bob Dylan: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, October 12th, 2012.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the poet laureate of rock 'n' roll. The voice of the promise of the 60s counterculture. The guy who forced folk into bed with rock. Who donned makeup in the 70s and disappeared into a haze of substance abuse. Who emerged to find Jesus. Who was written off as a has-been by the end of the '80s, and who suddenly shifted gears releasing some of the strongest music of his career beginning in the late '90s. Ladies and gentlemen — Columbia recording artist Bob Dylan!”  

Earlier today, my darling young wife, scored us front row seats for this Dylan show!!!!!!

Diver Magazine: Our Elegant Shrimp Feature.

DIVER Magazine just ran this quick creature feature piece of ours in their Eau Canada parting shot section in the July 2012 issue.

Published! - Campbell River's Discovery Passage Diving Story.

Harbors - The Kenmore Air Destination Magazine has just published our story, "Campbell River's Discovery Passage", in their summer issue. Here's some quick & dirty screen captures from their online e-zine. I'm sure we'll receive our hard copy soon :)

The Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years In Music!

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Circa, 1963. The matching Tweed suits would eventually go.

July 12, 2012: My absolute favourite band, The Rolling Stones, will celebrate 50 years in the music business, marking the anniversary of their very first stage performance.

On July 12, 1962, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones with three others played their first ever performance at The Marquee Club on Oxford Street, London, It was the first time they performed under the band name, The Rolling Stones. Childhood friends Jagger and Richards were just 18 years old at the time and Jones, who drowned in the swimming pool at his home in 1969, was 20-years-old.

On February 16, 2006, “The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band in the World” played a free concert to the biggest public audience of their career, an estimated 1.5 million people, on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

After five epic decades of music and 29 studio albums that changed the world forever . . . The Rolling Stones  are gearing up to hit the road again in 2013!  And let’s hope, not for the last time. ;)

Bard On The Beach: The Taming Of the Shrew.

Kathryn and I went to “Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival’s” performance of Shakespeare’s romantic romp, "The Taming of the Shrew." This is a play that shines a comic spotlight on the pleasures and perils of the search for the perfect mate. A thoroughly entertaining evening, especially if you you happen to be out on a date, on a lovely Vancouver evening, with your perfect mate!

Kelp-Aholics Anonymous - Northwest Dive News June 2012!

We were away in the Philippines much of June and I only now just learned that Northwest Dive News Magazine published our story, "Kelp-Aholics Anonymous" in their June 2012 issue! An editorial piece about the joys of diving in Kelp Forests, not snorting it. ;) Also, snagged the magazine's cover shot!

Here's a link to the online edition of the story: Kelp-Aholics Anonymous

"The Diving Britnell's!"

Our good friend, Stewart Sy, posted this image on FACEBOOK of Kathryn and I beneath the dive skiff in Cebu, Philippines. His tagline, "The 2nd best Husband and Wife diving team I know... ;-) — Stewart Sy. To which, I replied, "Self portrait??" ;)

"Time? Who has Time!?"

We have a story about Campbell River's Discovery Passage in the summer issue of Kenmore Air's HARBORS Magazine at the printers. AROUND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST magazine will also be publishing one of our diving in Alaska stories in their next issue!

Look Mom, No Hands!

My lovely and talented wife took this picture of me during a safety stop in Anilao, Philippines. I have a home-made float attached to my camera housing that allows it to hang next to me. I'm using this image on my Facebook Timeline.

June 18, 2012: Sir Paul McCartney Turned 70 Today!

 

Happy Birthday and thanks for the music, Paul!

Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.

"Shining Through" - Philippine Airlines.

 

Thank You!!!, Philippine Airlines for the two free upgrades to Business Class for our flight home between Manila and Vancouver today. Kathryn said the smoked duck and lobster salad was divine...as was the wine...the Grand Marnier...cheese plate with Artisan breads...etc!

Words To Live By: I Really, Really, Like The Message Henry Rollins Conveys Here.

SportDiving In Australia June/July2012 Issue: We're In It!

SportDiving in Australia magazine published two of our stories in their latest issue. The main story is "Liquid Rush!", which is about diving British Columbia's infamous Nakwakto Rapids. The second story is a sidebar article about British Columbia First Nation's burial sites.

Got The Moves Like Jagger! Well, The Owner Of Ocean Quest Dive Centre Sez So!

We had a "Full House" for our "Shoot Like A Pro - Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Underwater Photography" presentation last Wednesday night! Thanks to all who came out and extra "mucho thanks" to Ocean Quest Dive Centre for hosting the event.

"Happy Mother’s Day" To My Darling Wife, Kathryn.

John Lennon once said, "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” Thanks for being the woman of my dreams and for turning those magical dreams into reality. XOXO

Happy Mothers Day! ~ Here's To My Mom And Loving Mothers Everywhere.

Yup, this is my my mom. Unfortunately, we are unable to get together tomorrow on Mothers Day. But truly, every day is like Mothers Day for us. It's been said, "A man who treats his woman like a Princess, was surely born and raised in the arms of a Queen!" Thanks, mom for being a Queen as well as a mom who has always demonstrated grace and courage in the cold stone face of adversity. And just look at me...I'm married to a Princess and I know how to treat her royally. Love you and we'll see you soon. Happy Mothers Day!

Free Underwater Photography Seminar At Ocean Quest Dive Centre May 23rd!

"Overture, curtain, lights! This is it. The night of nights.” The online registration sheet for our presentation, “Shoot Like A Pro – Tips & Tricks To Improve Your Underwater Photography”, at the iconic Ocean Quest Dive Centre on May 23rd is, huh, well, online at the following link:
 

Registration Link
 

Cost is FREE! I know what you’re thinking? An evening presentation of this magnitude would normally cost hundreds, or dare we say, thousands of dollars and include some Gypsy circus carnies that smell like cabbage and have small hands and also feature a photo op with a winged unicorn. While this presentation is FREE!!!, the tips & tricks you will learn are absolutely priceless. Seating is limited, so sign up soon; otherwise, it may cost you a second mortgage on your home next time. And hey, we’ll be there!

You Must Have A Fantastic Camera!: I've Always Chuckled Inside Whenever Anyone Has Said This To Me.

R.I.P. Neville Coleman (1938 - 2012)

Disheartened to learn that another diving legend has passed away. Regrettably, Neville and I never met in person. However, our paths once crossed when he published one of my British Columbia diving stories in the January 1992 issue of an Australian magazine he was publishing at the time called Underwater Geographic. It was a great thrill for me at the time that someone of his stature on the international diving stage would deem my words and images to be so worthy that they would grace the pages of one of his publications. He seemed to be a “good bloke.” R.I.P. Mr. Neville. And, thank you, for helping me along… way back when.  

I can't imagine that there are many underwater photographers in the universe who are not aware of Neville Coleman's massive body of work. Check out his website and you'll be awestruck by his many accomplishments http://www.underwatereguides.com.au/index.html 

An Underwater Photographer Is Born!

Kathryn took this image of me while we were diving over the eel grass beds and patch reefs in Cozumel last Christmas. This was the first time Kathryn ever used an underwater camera system. While I can wax poetically about how natural and fluid the underwater model appears to be, the truth is my talented young wife snapped this picture while I was not aware she was doing so.

2012 BC Association Of Travel Writer’s Annual Symposium.

Kathryn and I attended the 2012 BC Association of Travel Writer’s annual symposium today at the Listel Hotel in Vancouver. Some excellent presentations by: Owen Clark, Julie Ferguson and Mari Kane on the subject of Social Media. We also came away with two tickets to a "Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Play" along with a one-night stay at Victoria’s "Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel". I’m thinking... a night dive at Victoria’s Ogden Point Breakwater, or perhaps, a run out to Race Rocks is in the cards.

“Shoot Like A Pro: Tips & Tricks For Improving Your Underwater Photography" Seminar At Ocean Quest Dive Centre On May 23rd!

Yup, it's confirmed, we will be presenting our seminar, “Shoot Like A Pro: Tips & Tricks For Improving Your Underwater Photography" at Ocean Quest Dive Centre on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 at 6:30 pm. This will be the same presentation we gave to a packed room of underwater photographers at the Northwest Dive and Travel Show in Tacoma last weekend, only we anticipate there will be a noticeably larger number of Canucks in attendance. Ocean Quest (#107 - 3790 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC) will send out an email to their customers approximately two weeks before zee really big show with an online registration link to keep track of numbers. Off-duty members of the Vancouver Police Department will likely be onsite directing traffic and assisting with crowd control. ;)

Salmon Run: An Oil Painting By Canadian Wildlife Painter, Erica Nuemann.

Several weeks back we received a request from a Canadian wildlife painter in Calgary, Alberta, who asked if they could use one of my sockeye salmon images as reference for an oil painting she wanted to create.

Inserted above is the finished work, “Salmon Run”, a 60x30 oil painting by artist, Erica Neumann. For more information about Ms. Neuman’s artistic work, go to:

www.ericaneumann.com

R.I.P. Albert Falco (17 October 1927–21 April 2012).

“Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure.” - Another diving legend left this world yesterday when pioneer diver, Albert Falco (17 October 1927–21 April 2012), passed away. For nearly four decades, Falco was Jacques Cousteau’s first diver, expedition chief and captain of the Calypso.  As a kid watching each fascinating TV episode of  “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”, Falco always seemed to be the “go to guy” aboard Calypso. He not only helped reveal the mysteries of the ocean realm, but also seemed to epitomize the spirit of camaraderie that exists amongst divers. R.I.P. Mr. Falco and thanks for creating for me, some boyhood wonder.

Tacoma Dive & Travel Show 2012: We Were There!

 

Earlier today, we presented a seminar on "Underwater Photo Pro Shooting Tips" to a packed room of underwater photographers at the Northwest Dive and Travel Show in Tacoma. We actually could have filled a larger room as several attendees had to stake out a place to stand in the back of the room. It was also nice to see many old friends and get to know some new ones. This also marks our fifth consecutive year presenting at this fabulous West Coast dive show.

Some very nice early feedback too!

“Thanks so much for the seminar on Saturday at the NW Dive Expo.  My wife and I got a ton of info!  I remember thinking when the Expo rep said it was time to wrap it up, that it was advertised as an hour seminar, not 10 minutes!  The time flew by. Thanks again for a great seminar!” - Steve Zedekar, Battle Ground, Washington.

Harbors Magazine Newsletter: The Kenmore Air Destination Magazine.

Looking forward to seeing our story about diving in Campbell River's Discovery Passage published in Harbors Magazine, The Kenmore Air Destination Magazine's 2012 Summer issue!

Judging Annual Underwater Photo Contest: Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2012 Photo and Video Competition!

 

Spent some time contributing today to judging Dive News Network's Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2012 Photo and Video Competition. Always interesting. Some word of advice to those entering photo contests, be sure to doublecheck that you are entering your images in the right category.

Southeast Dive News: "Feliz Navidad From Cozumel" Story.

Here is a FACEBOOK posting announcing that Dive News Network has published our story, “Feliz Navidad From Isla Cozumel” in their April 2012 edition of Southeast Dive News. This is the same story that appeared in the February 2012 issues of Northeast Dive News and Midwest Dive News. Here's the first page of the magazine story.

Indonesia Diving: Wakatobi - Almost At The End Of The World.

Sportdiving Australia has published my story about diving at the fabulous Wakatobi Dive Resort in their May 2012 issue. Here's a download link to the article:  

http://www.divetheblue.net/pdf/151artWakatobi.pdf