PhotoComment Magazine March 2013 Cover Features One Of Our Images.

PhotoComment photography magazine in South Africa has published our image of a Clownfish on the cover of their March 2013 issue. The subject has to be the most photographed clownfish at the Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia. A couple of our images of a grouper and a tiger shark were published inside the magazine with some underwater photo tips we provided.

Protecting Dive Sites In British Columbia’s Emerald Sea.

The Underwater Council of BC maps 175 dive sites on Northern Vancouver Island to help protect them for future generations. You can help.

Northern Vancouver Island has the best cold water diving on the planet, some say. But who is protecting these ancient and beautiful sites for the future?  The UCBC has just submitted a report to the Marine Planning Partnership which is documenting precious marine resources from Campbell River to the Haida Gwaii. The dive site report, written for the UCBC by Gary Marcuse, features the photos and videos of Paul Sim and Rob Roy.  The report shows how rare and beautiful these sites are.  You can watch a 2 minute video, download the report and view the dive sites, below. 

tinyurl.com/Protect-BC-Dive-Sites

Going Down On The President - Diving Vanuatu's SS President Coolidge Shipwreck.

Depth Magazine, an online scuba magazine, has published a story I wrote called, "Going Down on the President" in their spring 2013 issue. This little ditty is all about diving one of the larger World War II shipwrecks in the world, Vanuatu's SS President Coolidge. Certainly a wreck dive worthy of being on a diver's bucket list. You must register for free to see the story at www.depthmagazine.net

British Columbia's Legendary Browning Pass.

Northwest Dive News Magazine ran a story Kathryn and I wrote called, "Legends of the Pass", in their January 2013 issue. Browning Pass Hideaway Lodge is the diving operation that can take you there. For more information, contact www.vancouverislanddive.com

Our Fall 2012 Concert Roundup!

Way behind on posting comments about some amazing shows we attended during fall 2012.

A Maelstrom Of Distortion - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

November 11^th - “No more sad songs for a little while,” smiled Neil Young towards the end of his masterpiece of a concert at Rogers Arena. “Here’s a song about a pretty girl with castanets.” This evening was a Tour de Force 70s Rock Show of Distorted Guitars!

“Ho Hey Ho, Ho Hey Ho” – Paul McCartney at BC Place Vancouver!!!

November 25th - Kathryn and I had left side stage seats this magical, once in a lifetime, night at the Paul McCartney concert. Maybe, we’re amazed? Hell yeah, damn right we were! What a really big nostalgic show!

Set List

1. “Magical Mystery Tour”
2. “Junior's Farm”
3. “All My Loving”
4. “Jet”
5. “Drive My Car”
6. “Sing The Changes”
7. “The Night Before”
8. “Let Me Roll It”
9. “Paperback Writer”
10. “The Long & Winding Road”
11. “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five”
12. “My Valentine”
13. “Maybe I'm Amazed”
14. “I've Just Seen A Face”
15. “And I Love Her”
16. “Blackbird”
17. “Here Today”
18. “Dance Tonight”
19. “Mrs. Vandebilt”
20. “Eleanor Rigby”
21. “Something”
22. “Band on the Run”
23. “Ob la di ob la da”
24. “Back in the USSR”
25. “I Got A Feeling”
26. “A Day In The Life”/“Give Peace a Chance”
27. “Let It Be”
28. “Live & Let Die”
29. “Hey Jude”

Encore #1

30. “Lady Madonna”
31. “Day Tripper”
32. “Get Back”

Encore #2

34. “Yesterday”
35. "Mull of Kintyre"
36. “Helter Skelter”
37. “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight”/”The End.”

“10th Avenue Freeze Out" - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band! 

November 26th - The previous night it was Macca at BC Place, and this night it was Bruce Springsteen at Rogers Arena. Not often do you get to see two major rock legends perform on back to back nights. Springsteen’s performance was Over The Top, WOW!

Stuart McLean - The Vinyl Cafe 2012 Xmas Tour!

December 12th - Canada’s favourite storyteller, Award-winning author, journalist and humorist AND host of the popular CBC radio show, The Vinyl Café, brought his Christmas Show to Vancouver’s Orpheum theatre. A wonderful Christmas performance with uproarious laughter throughout!

“King Of The Keyboards” - Burton Cummings At The Red!

December 14^th – A two hour non-stop show, Burton Cummings continues to sound as he did in the halcyon days of The Guess Who. A master showman who really appreciates his fans and the musical career he has lived. Be sure not to miss him if he comes to your town.

 shot by ShayMoyer.

A Legendary Evening With Gordon Lightfoot!

 

Scored some primo seats in the 7th row to see the legendary Gordon Lightfoot, arguably Canada's greatest songwriter, at Coquitlam's Red Robinson Theatre last night. Bob Dylan once opined, "Gordon Lightfoot, every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever." Though Lightfoot's voice at age 74 may have lost some of it's lower register, he is still thoroughly entertaining. And to echo Dylan's platitudes, few songwriters in history can even come close to Lightfoot's ability to write songs that are drenched with heartfelt emotion. Give a listen to "The Last Time I Saw Her" 

NEW YEAR'S DAY 1981.

Came across this old image of me by the roadside at California’s Redwood Forest National Park on New Years Day 1981. A buddy and I left Vancouver on a road trip to Carmel, CA in the wee hours of the morning after closing down a rocking New Years Eve party. Hey, it was the 80’s, we were young, we hadn’t slept a wink, it was freezing cold outside and if I do say… I was something to behold with that bed head mane of hair. Hahaha ☺

"Exposure" - Get The Message Across!

The attached has been circulating on FACEBOOK. Worth sharing.

Whoo Hoo!, Our Budweiser Hockey Red Light Arrived Today.

"With just a beer light to guide us..." Whoo Hoo!, our Budweiser Hockey Red Light arrived today. This clever replica goal light can be synced to your favourite team, or teams. It will flare and a horn will blare whenever your team puts one in the net, even if you’re not actually watching the hockey game. Fortunately, you can adjust the volume on the buzzer because at full volume it would surely wake up the neighbors. :)

Valentine's Dinner at stately Britnell Manor tonight!

A diabolical Yeeehahaha for a plan that comes together :) Two dozen white and pink roses and spa therapy foam bath for the lovely Mrs. Britnell not to be outdone by Iron Chef Jett's amazeballs menu for Valentine's Dinner at stately Britnell Manor tonight!

 

Happy Valentine's Day - "I Just Love The Wife I've Got!"

"Happy Valentine's Day!", to my Über sexy, utterly amazing wife, Kathryn! Paul Anka may have penned the following lyrics, but I'm living them with you. Every night, and every day! XOXO

"About as sacred as a hymn.
And a Bible full of prayers.
From a whisper to a roar.
Very much, and even more.

And I shall show it with my eyes.
And I will share it with the night.
If in death, the good Lord is kind.
You'll be the last thing on my mind."

~ Do I Love You - by Paul Anka

Row B - An Evening With Martin Short!

 

Comedic brilliance! Martin Short killed it as the host for the The Vancouver Comedy & Arts Festival's opening gala. Here’s the comedic genius at work in the “Royal Family Doctor” skit when he hosted Saturday Night Live in December 2012. Martin kicks the skit into high gear at the 1.04 minute mark.

Happy New Year 2013!

"In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want." - Irish Toast.

We Are Featured In The November Issue of Pacific Northwest Diver e-Magazine.

Pacific Northwest Diver e-Magazine has a feature on Kathryn and I in their November 2012 issue. It is available for download at http://pnwups.com/. Pacific Northwest Diver is published by the Pacific Northwest Underwater Photographic Society (PNWUPS), an organization formed to encourage interest and participation in underwater photography.

Show Time! - Mission Library, November 14th!

 

Kathryn and I are presenting a digital slide show, “Tropical Splendor in A Cold Sea”, at the Mission Library in Mission, BC on Wednesday, Nov 14th, 7:00pm-8:30pm. Discover one of sport diving's best kept secrets - British Columbia's ocean realm!

Mission Library
33247 - 2 Avenue
Mission, B.C.
V2V 1J9

Ghostly Depths: Around The Pacific Northwest Magazine.

The current issue of Around The Pacific Northwest Magazine has published our shipwreck story and images about the tragic sinking of Princess Sophia on October 24, 1918. This incident still ranks as being the worst maritime disaster in Alaska’s history.

Savoring An Exquisite Cup Of TeaGala Tea!

Can't think of anything better to do on a rainy west coast Sunday afternoon!

www.teagala.com

Apparently, Dolphins Maintain Awareness For 15 Days.

Some very interesting news. Recent research suggests that dolphins can maintain vigilant behavior through echolocation for 15 days without interruption or cognitive impairment. It is believed that dolphins may continuously echo-locate and accurately report the presence of targets for at least 15 days without interruption.

For more information, go to: www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047478

British Columbia Association Of Travel Writers Fall Gala 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn and I attended the BC Association of Travel Writers Fall Gala yesterday afternoon. During this event, there was a brainteaser contest wherein we were all separated into random teams in order to quiz this illustrious roomful of travel writers on their collective knowledge about some rather obscure geographical and historical facts. As evidenced by this picture you can see, "The Aardvarks" triumphed!

FRONT ROW! - Bob Dylan at Vancouver's Rogers Arena.

Bob Dylan's performance last night at Rogers Arena far exceeded my expectations. Kathryn really enjoyed the show too. Surprisingly, despite releasing his 35th studio album, Tempest, in September to critical acclaim and seemingly endless positive reviews, Mr Zimmerman did not play one new song. 

Mark Knopfler also played a killer set from his solo catalog to an approving audience.

Thanks baby for scoring FRONT ROW seats. What a fun night!

"Nature Might Stand Up And Say To All This World, THIS WAS A MAN."

"The other blokes spent their money on girls and cars and beer. I spent my money on cameras and lenses.” - Ron Taylor

We learned the sad news this morning that the great diving legend, Ron Taylor, has passed away. Sad news, indeed. Ron was my boyhood hero and his work an inspiration. A class act when I one day had the occasion to meet him and briefly chat about our local six gill sharks. Our deepest sympathy to his lovely wife, Valerie, and all those who knew and loved "the Shark Man."

Douglas David Seifert, World Editor, DIVE Magazine has posted an eloquent eulogy for Ron Taylor at the WETPIXEL website. Here is a link to this fine piece:

Ron Taylor Eulogy.

The Luckiest Guy On Earth? I'll Own It!

I read the news today on Facebook, oh boy! Turns out I won a draw sponsored by Cool Dives,  an interactive website operated by Paul Kennell that promotes British Columbia dive vacation planning. If you’re seeking quality information and useful tips for planning a scuba diving vacation in Beautiful British Columbia, Canada, check out Cool Dives website at:

www.best-scuba-diving-vacations-in-british-columbia.comhttp://www.best-scuba-diving-vacations-in-british-columbia.com/

Those With Small Minds Never Seem To Get It. ;)

Hello, My Name Is Jett!

According to Baby Names.com, the name, Jett, was most popular in the year 2011 and is currently ranked # 331 in U.S. births. Well, I guess you could say I enjoyed a relatively exclusive run with the name for 5 decades. Think I’ll go see what that little Lady Suffragette, the Major, is doing before I climb on the back and go for a ride in the sky.

Although The Original Quote Has Been Changed Somewhat, The Song Remains The Same.

 

~Buddha(563-483 B.C.), Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism.

John Lennon Had It Figured Out At An Early Age.

"Look More Closely - At Everything!"

Brooks Wetsuits Ltd., a well known local Drysuit and Water Paddle Sportwear manufacturer, just released one of their periodic newsletters to their customer base wherein they make reference to a story of mine that appeared in Diver Magazine Vol. 37 NO. 5.  The message is one worth sharing. Angela Lee wrote:

“Now Is Really All We Have”

As I admired a photo by Jett Britnell (www.jettbritnell.com) in the latest issue of Diver Magazine (www.divermag.com), something in the accompanying text caught my attention.

In his description of the photo and the process Jett went through to get it, he says ”the lesson we all learn eventually is to look more closely – at everything!” and this resonated with me, as my friend Ruth recently wrote a very compelling blog about the same idea.  http://lifecoachingwithruth.blogspot.ca/

We are all so busy with work, home life, kids, aging parents, extra-curricular activites, and the list goes on and on, that it is easy to get caught up in details pertaining to the future, all the while letting the present moment escape notice! 

On Tuesday, a customer dropped into our factory unexpectedly with a problem that he hoped we would be able to help him resolve.  We were busy.  We had orders that needed to get out the door, and this interruption had not been planned for.  However, we put on our friendly faces and started to work through things with this fellow.  One subject led to another, and another, and 45 minutes later, we were close to resolving his issue, had learned a lot more about him, and he had learned a lot more about us, our business, and new ways we could work together in the future.  It turned out to be a very pleasurable and interesting part of our day.  Despite the interruption we were easily able to meet our other commitments as well.  So, I was very glad that we had taken the time to really stop and listen to this customer and look more closely at the issue at hand. 

Eckhart Tolle, in his book “The Power of Now” said - “the present moment is all you ever have.  Make the Now the primary focus of your life.  Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.  Always work with it, not against it.  Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy.  This will miraculously transform your whole life.”

With all our day to day distractions, this is a challenge for most of us, but one worth pursuing!

Carpe Diem!

Angela Lee

Brooks Wetsuits Ltd.

1067 Churchill Cr

North Vancouver, BC Canada

V7P 1P9

angela@brookspaddlegear.com

www.brookspaddlegear.com

www.brooksdivegear.com

1-888-986-3441 Toll Free

604-986-3441 Local

604-986-3443 Fax

"Winning!" - Wine Is Poetry In A Bottle.

 

Kathryn won 50 bottles of wine and one bottle of cognac at a golf tournament today. Ooooh yeah, we're good for the next 100 days or so ;)

Childhood Living.

Smith Falls, Ontario: This WWII North American Harvard airplane (433 Squadron) memorial stands beside the Rideau Canal locks in the middle of Victoria Park. It is a tribute to all the armed services people who learned to fly in them during the war. Prior to being re-located here, the plane was a derelict that stood in a lot right next door to my Aunt & Uncle's home. We would play for hours on end in it when we were kids. Inspired more fun and imagination than any XBOX game if you ask me.

Everything Looks Better In Black & White.

 

Celebrating five years of bliss together on the anniversary of the night we first met, the lovely Mrs. Kathryn Britnell enjoying a Vesper Martini tonight at Vancouver's Le Crocodile Restaurant. Thank you!, for choosing me to be your husband. ;) Songs never sounded better and wine never tasted sweeter since I met you. You add so much color to my life, dahhhling! XOXOXO