Emerald Sea Magic: Diving British Columbia's Browning Passage!

I spent the first week of July diving with Browning Pass Hideaway Dive Resort (www.vancouverislanddive.com). We had some fabulous dives, great sunny days, but some high winds kicked up, so I focused on shooting macro images this trip. WHat better excuse than to return again in the fall to shoot some wide angle. Here are a few images from that trip.

Purple Ring Top Snail

Golden Dirona Nudibranch

Red-eyed Jellyfish

 
 Red Irish Lord Sculpin

Throw Roses Into The Abyss And Say.

I have a particular fondness for some of the quotes by Nietzsche. This is but one of them...

How To Impress A Woman Or A Man!

 

There's mucho wisdom in this...

HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN: Compliment her, respect her, honor her, cuddle her, kiss her, caress her, love her, stroke her, tease her, comfort her, protect her, hug her, hold her, spend money on her, wine and dine her, buy things for her, Listen to her, care for her, stand by her, support her, hold her, go to the ends of the Earth for her. HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN: Show up naked. Bring martinis! ;)

A Twist Of Lemon Shark!

Lemon sharks are short-nosed and stocky sharks that reportedly have a powerful bite. Their yellow-brown pitted skin has a lemon coloration helps them to blend in against sandy seafloors where they can lay motionless. Although they are often solitary, my experience with them in the Bahamas at an undisclosed location called Tiger Beach, proved otherwise. Amid the tiger sharks we were diving with, there were over 20 lemon sharks swimming around. They totally gave us no notice, nor did they display any threatening postures. A very cool experience!

Today Is Kathryn Britnell's Birthday!

A big shout out for my lovely wife, Kathryn, as today is Whooo Hoooo, her BIRTHDAY!!! (insert the sound of champagne corks popping everywhere). 

Okay, so you already received your presents early this year ;). Soooooo...I have to do something. Maybe something small like change our picture on Facebook today to one of me from the early 90s when I was ohhh, I dunno, 30-ish?  And Voila! You did say if you knew me back then you would have "totally hit that" so it seemed appropriate to post it just for you on your birthday.

 

Also, you know how I can be singing some obscure song in the morning and then you tell me later in the evening that it played in your head over and over throughout zee day. Today's song is the Beatles Birthday song. (Que the video). I dont know what the poster is talking about as this cut is from their White Album.

Anyhoo, what baby wants, baby gets. We indeed have dinner reservations tonight for 7PM at Horizons. And yes, as I do at every restaurant, I've boldly requested their most romantic table for two. What else??? Perhaps we learn how to do the Argentine Tango sometime, or when we are in Paris in August we stroll over to the Pont des Arts bridge (aka the lovers bridge) and put a padlock on the railing with our names on it then toss away the key (I think the French translation is, "how to get rid of a prefectly good padlock in Paris").

Strawberries, cherries, and an angel's kiss in spring. Livin' la Vida Loca with you is really made from all these things. Have an utterly faboosh birthday! And hey... enjoy today's song ;) XOXO

In Praise Of Underwater Models!

Underwater Modeling 101. Underwater models can convey so much with their body language. It is also vitally important for the Professional UW Photographer to discuss the anticipated shooting plan pre dive. Unbelievably, my ever-ready cooperative friend (Andrew Wieczorek, pictured here demonstrating his modeling skills) has been the model on 8 magazine cover shots of mine. Which only goes to prove that 1) He’s truly the self-proclaimed underwater modeling genius that he says he is, 2) I am a "Skip to my Lou" expert at coaxing the best outta self-proclaimed underwater modeling geniuses and coaching them through the pre-dive shooting plan, or, 3) I must have a good camera. ;) 

Pro Portfolio: PhotoComment Magazine June 2013.

The June 2013 issue of PhotoComment Magazine has featured some of my work in the Pro Portfolio section of the magazine. PhotoComment is a South African based photographic magazine with readers varying from mobile snapper to serious enthusiasts, students and professional.

From The Mouth Of Babes - Children Writing About The Ocean!

I had not seen this before. Hilarious!

1) - This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6)
2 ) - Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6)
3) - If you are surrounded by ocean, you are an island. If you don't have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. (Tommy, age 7)
4) - Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend any more. (Kylie, age 6)
5) - A dolphin breaths through an asshole on the top of its head. (Billy, age 8)
6) - My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and pots and comes back with crabs. (Millie, age 6)
7) - When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. (William, age 7)
8) - Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful and I like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? Like, really? (Helen, age 6)
9) - I'm not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mom, and my big sister has just got pregnant, so I can't think what to write. (Amy, age 6)
10) - Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves in to chargers. (Christopher, age 7)
11) - When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small. (Kevin, age 6)
12) - Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Divers can't go down alone, so they have to go down on each other. (Becky, age 8)
13) - On vacation my Mom went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won't do it again because water fired right up her big fat ass. (Julie, age 7)
14) - The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6)
15) - My dad was a sailor on the ocean He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. (James, age 7)

A Belated Mothers Day Dinner.

 

Out for a belated Mothers Day dinner on Sunday at Seasons in the Park restaurant. Kathryn and mom unwind with Velvet Jack cocktails after a whirlwind afternoon of retail therapy. They are BFF's :)

Denise Fleetham Knows How To Make Soap!

A quick shout out for our friend, Denise Fleetham, of Rainbow Ridge Farm on Maui, Hawaii. I recently placed a large order for a variety of her natural handmade soaps for Kathryn and my mom. Denise blends organic goat milk with natural tropical plant oils, nut butters, and essential oils. Some of her soaps also contain organic herbs, tropical fruit or nut seed grown in Hawaii. Having now lathered up with her products myself, and I can state with authority that this is one of the best soaps I have ever used.
For more info: www.rainbowridgefarm.net.

Wakatobi Dive Resort: I Could Sure Dive Into That Right Now.

 

One of my images from our 2004 assignment at the Wakatobi Dive Resort. At the bottom of the picture you can see the dark blue edge of Wakatobi's house reef that lies right in front of the resort. If you could only dive one site at Wakatobi for your entire stay, this would be the one!

Angelina Jolie Personifies Courage.

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“Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.” – Angelina Jolie.

Ms. Jolie revealed today in the New York Times that she had both breasts removed in February because she had an 87% chance of getting cancer.  In her own words,

“My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman. Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex. On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work….I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.”

Love her, or hate her, there is no denying this remarkable woman personifies courage. IMMENSE RESPECT!  

BC Association Of Travel Writers Spring Gala 2013.

This past Saturday, Kathryn and I attended the BC Association of Travel Writers spring gala. A highly informative afternoon. Kathryn and I won 3 door prizes between us.

The BC Association of Travel Writers is a non profit association that provides a forum for British Columbia's travel writers to gather, learn and share information with their peers. The BCATW offers three categories to become a BCATW member: Member, Associate Member and Industry Member. For more information, follow this link to the BCATW Website.

We also have two of our photos featured on the BCATW website:

Leaving Cebu, Philippines June 2012.

I'm with the best travel companion & wife a man could ever have. Our flight from Cebu City to Manila had just taken off as we journeyed onward to Anilao.

Batfish in Anilao, Philippines.

"Swimming with Batfish, they were really aware of us and would stay put for awhile unless I got too close. They soon returned and could have up to a dozen standing in this formation. Those guys are the reason I no longer like to eat fish!" ~ Kathryn Britnell 

Seeking Holy Matrimony Ten Fathoms Deep!

 

Nikonia Fantastico! (aka, my brand spanking new NIKON D800 DSLR), is seeking a single Aquatica AD800 underwater housing. Object: to travel, dive, write and create breathtaking images in the ocean's depths together. Owner, who is soon to be separated from his Nikon D700 has previous experience with housed Nikon F3's, D90, D70, and D200 systems. No weirdos, please. ☺

"Our Numero Cinco Wedding Anniversary!!!"

 

"I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it." ~ From the movie City of Angels

  

If I had to sum up my feelings about our marriage in one word, that word would be...

BLISS! 

Thank you, Kathryn, for being such an Über amazing wife and for choosing me to be your husband! Happy 5th Anniversary, baby!!

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.