Tacoma Dive & Travel Show 2010 - It's A Wrap!

Kathryn and I have returned home safely from the Tacoma Dive & Travel Expo. Thanks to all those who attended my seminar on "Getting Published - Tips For Getting Your Words & Images Published in Scuba Magazines." I noticed several attendees making notes during my talk so lets hope that leads to some getting their work published for the first time.


Crazy time as we ran into several old diving friends who I had not seen for more than 20 years. Also, made some new industry connections. Another great dive show!




























Kudos to Rick Stratton and his team of volunteers for putting together such a successful event for the Pacific Northwest diving community. Rick promised that the show would get even bigger and better over time and he surely delivered. Congrats to all!

Amuse Consulting is 5 years old!

May 19, 2010: Vancouver’s Harrison Galleries was the place to be last Wednesday evening when founder of Amuse Consulting, Marc Smith, threw a an amaze-balls party to celebrate the anniversary of being in business for five years. Amuse Consulting is a full-service event planning company.

My wife, Kathryn, and I had a most enjoyable evening and we were particularly pleased to participate in one of Marc's featured events; a wine tasting that demonstrated the fine art of wine blending.

Proceeds from the evening, along with a generous donation from Marc, went to two very worthy charities that he supports, Kids Up Front Vancouver & A Loving Spoonful. If you're looking for an experienced event planning company, that provides exceptional service, look no further than Amuse Consulting. For more information go to: www.amuseconsulting.ca

Chalk Up Another Book Review!

Focal Press has been a leading publisher of Media Technology books for 70 years. They specialize in publishing high quality books filled with practical hands-on information, dealing with cutting-edge and converging technologies from the experts in the field.

Through a strange twist of fate, I became one of their go to people to provide feedback on new books that are being developed. This past week, I was asked to review a book draft for two very well known wildlife photographers. Unfortunately, I cannot yet mention who these individuals are, or say anything about the book in development. But I do enjoy doing these reviews and eventually seeing how the final product turns out.

Get a FREE copy of the Diving Almanac at the Dive & Travel Expo!

Jeffrey Gallant (Editor-in-Chief) of the Diving Almanac & Book of Records has just announced he will be handing out a free copy of the Diving Almanac & Book of Records to the first 500 attendees at the Dive & Travel Expo in Tacoma, Washington (May 21-23), the largest consumer dive show in the Pacific Northwest!

Jeff has done an excellent job with gathering all the information that is pressed between the pages of this book. I happen to have a copy myself and I can state that it is well worth twice the sale price. So...this free offer from Mr Gallant makes getting to the show early a must!

For more information, go to: www.divenewsnetwork.com/expo

An Early Mothers Day Treat - Dinner at Little Billy's Steakhouse!

Kathryn and I enjoyed a sumptuous steak dinner at Little Billy’s on Hastings Street last Friday night. And, as always, what a superb meal it was. In my opinion, this is one of the best mouth-watering steak houses in Metro Vancouver. Quaint, out of the way, and exemplary service!

Little Billy's is a hybrid steakhouse with an "uptown" feel. It offers a cutting edge menu of the finest prime steaks and fresh seafood and a touch of traditional Greek food accompanied by great dining music seven nights a week.

Just before we were about to leave, Billy came by our table to ask how our dinner was? He then asked if we would like to sip some special blueberry wine he had just come across. We were delighted when two glasses of wine arrived at our table with smoke from dry ice cascading over the lip of the glasses. This wine reminded us of some fine ice wines we had enjoyed in the past. Exceptional!

Billy does not know that I am a card carrying member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. As I said the service and quality of the menu items are the hallmarks of their business... and something they take enormous pride in delivering to their dinner guests.

Little Billy’s is one of our favourite places to dine when we want to go out for a romantic dinner. And since the romance in our marriage seems never ending... we will surely be back again and again. For more information: www.littlebillys.com

2010 BC Travel Writers Association Annual Symposium

May 8, 2010: We attended the annual travel writers symposium at Robson Street’s boutique Listel Hotel. This symposium provides an opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow BCATW members. During the afternoon we were able to speak one on one with two of the travel writing panelists who were chosen to present at this event.

JOHN LEE, spoke about cultural travel. John is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in the Lonely Planet Travel Guides, National Geographic Traveler, the Globe and Mail, Chicago Tribune and US Airways in-flight. As well, he has written the books Walking Vancouver and Drinking Vancouver.

LORI HENRY, spoke about ecotourism/adventure travel. Lori is the Western Canada Travel Writer for www.Suite101.com. Her guidebook work includes publication in Fodor's Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada. She has also written for Reader's Digest, Western Living, VIA destinations, West, FLARE and Western Living.

Always an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon and come away with a few gems of wisdom. This year, my wife, Kathryn, and I won two different prize draws. The first was a two day Hop-on, Hop-off, city tour of Vancouver with The Vancouver Trolley Company (www.vancouvertrolley.com).

The second prize was a romantic weekend for two at Adventure B&B at Rockwood Retreat (www.adventureb-b.com) in Powell River, along with the choice of either doing a nature hike or an ocean kayaking adventure with a local nature tour operator. There is also a 9-hole golf course next door and Powell River's ocean shores also has some very fine scuba diving sites. We can’t wait!














For more information about the BC Travel Writers Association go to: http://www.bctravelwriters.com

Judge Jett - Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2010 Photo and Video Competition

Ahhhh... Saturday morning. A fresh cup of java, my adorable wife by my side, and my Macbook Pro laptop loaded with entries for the Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2010 Photo Contest.

I was asked this year to sit on the photo contest judging panel. This annual Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo photo and video competition is open to all amateur underwater photographers and videographers.

I have submitted my selections. Looking forward to seeing how the other judges voted. As is often the case in these matters.... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hmmmm...I wonder what the chances are that all the contestants were woman?

Speaking Engagement: Northwest Dive & Travel Expo, May 21-23, 2010

The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is scheduled to be held at the Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Wash., May 21-23, 2010. I am honored to again be invited back for the 3rd year in a row as one of the show’s guest speakers by show organizer, Rick Stratton, who also happens to be the publisher of Northwest Dive News.

This show is the largest consumer diving and travel show in the Pacific Northwest, and Rick promises that the 2010 show will be even bigger and more fun-packed. The venue, a new, world-class convention center, features an upscale and attractive environment in the heart of vibrant downtown Tacoma, Washington. Just 30 minutes south of Seattle, this high-tech center offers 132 Exhibitor Booths in 32,000 square feet attractive and up scale meeting space. For more information, go to www.diveandtravelexpo.com

My seminar topic this year will be "Getting Published ~ Tips For Getting Your Words & Images Published in Scuba Magazines"

Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? ~ Just My 2 Cents On A Great Book

It seems that I’m only able to catch up on my reading during long cross country flights between Vancouver’s International Airport and far away destinations.

During my most recent flight, I found myself chuckling to the Hunter S. Thompson-esque bawdy misadventures as penned by travel writer, Tom Kohnstamm., in his book, "Do Travel Writers Go To Hell?"

One could well wonder if travel writers go to hell after the author highly entertains his readers with his experiences while he journeyed in Brazil on assignment for Lonely Planet Guide Books. Mr. Kohnstamm’s well-written book exposes the seedy underbelly of travel writing with sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and freewheeling depravity that kept me page turning right up to when the plane taxied to the gangway. Pass the rum baby and pour me a glass... this is a killer read!

Depth Magazine ~ Published My Story on Cozumel

Depth Magazine, an online internet scuba publication, has published my story, "Cozumel ~ Undersea Temple of the Mayan Gods" in their May/June 2010 issue.

Jett Britnell: Member Ocean Artists Society

April 30, 2010: WOW! Today, I was welcomed into the distinguished ranks of the Ocean Artists Society, a unique alliance of the world’s top marine life artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, and writers coming together to use ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our need to protect and preserve our natural world.

Once per year, all new members being considered must be nominated by OAS founding members and unanimously voted in to become an official member. It is an honor to be part of an organization that includes several of my peers along with such world-renowned members as marine life whaling wall artist, Wyland, National Geographic’s, David Doubilet, marine photographer, Bob Talbot and my boyhood heroes, Ron & Valerie Taylor to name a few...

Here is what the OAS promotes:



The Ocean Artist Society was created to foster an appreciation
and develop continued interest in the ocean arts.

Our Mission:
Artists united for the oceans.

Our Vision:
Using ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness
of our need to protect and preserve our natural world.

Our Theme
Art that celebrates the beauty of the sea - both above and below.

Our Values
As artists of the sea it is our responsibility to protect what we love
by sharing the beauty of the oceans with other
Like I said, WOW!

www.oceanartistssociety.org

The Merchant Of Venom - Mr. Don Rickles

I’ve always thought that in order to be successful underwater photographer one must maintain an admirable sense of humor. And what better way to hone that skill than to watch some masters of comedy practice their unique art. Hence, April 2010 turned out to be a month of comedy as were entertained by both Conan O’Brian and Russell Brand on different nights this month.

Tonight my lovely wife and I were entertained by the legendary Don Rickles, aka "Mr. Warmth" who unleashed his infamous insult comedy schtick before adoring fans at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia. As the band struck the opening chords to "La Virgen de la Macarena," Mr. Rickles sauntered onstage to standing applause. The “Master of Insults” was akin to a Spanish bull who would soon be metaphorically goring some front row audience members. However, everyone was soon to discover that behind Mr. Rickle’s sharp barbs was a deep affection and love for those whom he taunted.

"If I were to insult people and mean it, that wouldn't be funny." Rickles once told an interviewer. "There is a difference between an actual insult and just having fun." Don Rickles brought the house down with a lot of fun and along the way... garnered several standing ovations for his sheer comedic genius. Indeed, tonight we were entirely entertained by a legendary performer!

Rusty Rocket's Red Glare - Russell Brand Plays Seattle's Moore Theater

Seattle, April 23, 2010. Whooo Hoooo! We saw British comic, Russell Brand (aka his handle on Twitter, rustyrockets), perform live stand up at Seattle’s Moore Theater!

Outlandish, outrageous and utterly funny!!!!

The house went even wilder when Russell called friend and fellow comedian, Jonah Hill, to the stage near the end of his set. A video snippet of this moment can be seen at the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTVXOl1lGc&hd=1

Conan O’Brien: Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour Conquers Vancouver!

Vancouver, April 13, 2010: Former late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien, (aka, Conando or CoCo) hit the stage at the Orpheum Theatre tonight and presented his fans to "a night of comedy n' guitar” The show also featured the comedian's longtime sidekick, Andy Richter, and the Max Weinberg 7 band from his former late night talk shows.

Conan was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation amid thunderous applause, Many of his popular Late Night and Late Show gags were resurrected. His trademark" string dance", Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog appeared in a video, the Masturbating Bear was transformed into the Self-Pleasuring Panda to dodge former employer, NBC’s, claim that Conan’s comedic fodder is their intellectual property. But nothing seemed to stop Conan and he endeared himself to the audience even more when he paraded down the theatre’s aisles playing his electric guitar while the band wailed on stage.

We were pumped to see this show and were thrilled with the opportunity to see Conan perform live in a stately 2800 seat theatre. Judging by the smiles on the show’s patrons, everyone got their money’s worth. What a night!

Respect! Leno sucks, CoCo Rocks!

Words Cannot Express The Awesome!

Philippines President moves to protect whale sharks!

Philippines - April 3, 2010: Concerned by the attacks on whale sharks in the country's waters, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an avid scuba diver, has mobilized government forces to reinforce measures to conserve and protect the gentle sea giants from extinction.

In Administrative Order No. 282, authorities were allowed to impose penalties to persons harming or killing a whale shark, locally known as “butanding,” and grant rewards to those who protect or rescue any wounded filter-feeding shark.

The President also released P15 million from her social fund to support capacity-building and monitoring and enforcement activities of the local government units and national government agencies in the protection of whale sharks, considered as the world's largest fish measuring 40 feet or more.

"The whale sharks that thrive in Philippine waters continue to be threatened and killed despite existing legal measures for their protection, the need to further intensify international and national protection efforts to conserve the species and to sustain the ecotourism development in certain coastal communities in the country has become manifest," the order read.

For more information, GENALYN KABILING’s full story appears at

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/250830/gma-moves-protect-whale-sharks

Wedded Bliss!

"Something in the way she moves,
Attracts me like no other lover.
Something in the way she woos me..."

Today was our 2nd wedding anniversary!!! Very few things in life can compare to waking up, or turning in each night, with your best friend. Thanks Katie, for making my life rich beyond compare! You are the best! XOXO

Wild Salmon Are Sacred - Get Out Migration!

Wild Pacific salmon stocks are endangered due to the impact of salmon farms on wild fish and ecosystems. There are some true blue grass root initiatives being actively promoted by British Columbia residents, Anissa Reed and Alexandra Morton of www.salmonaresacred.org

Check out their website for more information. The following posters highlight some of the good work these two guardians of the wild salmon are doing to draw attention to the plight of wild Pacific salmon.

Remember when sex was safe... and diving was dangerous?

40 Sites That Will Help You Become A Scuba Diver

Apparently, this site is one among the 40 listed...

"Hello, we just wanted to let you know that we have listed your site http://jettbritnell.blogspot.com/ in the article 40 Sites That Will Help You Become A Scuba Diver."

You can see the article at: http://www.onlinecertificateprograms.org/blog/2010/40-sites-that-will-help-you-become-a-scuba-diver/

Seas of Plastic - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

My friend, Gary Bridges, sent out an email today suggesting that people should Google the name "Capt. Charles Moore" and check out the two online videos that he has released. Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7K-nq0xkWY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrhXUB4UJAE

Some have dubbed it the world’s largest “landfill” – actually a huge water-bound swath of floating plastic garbage that is twice the size of stated of Texas. Trapped in an enormous slow whirlpool called the Pacific Gyre, a mostly stagnant, plankton-rich seascape spun of massive competing air currents, this Great Pacific Garbage Patch in some places outweighs even the surface waters’ biomass six-to-one.

The following animation shows how the Pacific Ocean's currents flow:

http://oceans.greenpeace.org/en/the-expedition/news/trashing-our-oceans/ocean_pollution_animation

For more information, go to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation's website:

Jett Britnell Photographics Magazine Ad - Depth Magazine March 2010

Depth Magazine Continues To Honor My Work!

After a very busy day today, I was delighted to open my emails and find that Depth Magazine has once again selected one of my images as a cover shot for their March/April 2010 issue.













Check it out at http://www.depthmagazine.ca Registration is free.

And That's All She Wrote - Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games have now come and gone. And what a historic finish. Team Canada's win over the USA hockey team earned Canada its 14th gold medal of the 2010 Winter Games, thus setting an Olympic record for most gold medals won by a single nation in the winter Olympics! Congrats must go out to John Furlong and his VANOC Team for putting together such a successful sporting event on the world stage!

Underwater Photographer Shark Defence Maneuver #7

Try to intimidate larger sharks by forming a human tripod...

Browning Pass HideAway - The ad says it all!