shadow diving

another scuba site

2005-07-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

I just discovered another site geared toward scuba diving.

Check Mikey out at www.scubapro25.blogspot.com for a look at day-to-day recreational diving as it transitions into the wonderful world of tech.

Well written, very informative and some really good pictures.

Thanks, Mikey.

celebration time

2005-06-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

All three of my candidates sailed through the IE with flying colors.

Not a big surprise because they came to class well prepared and motivated.

What was surprising is that not only do they all have job offers already, one of them was offered a job at a school with three candidates of their own. None of those candidates have offers.

Very interesting.

Am now looking forward to an EFR Instructor class which will also be fun and interesting.

It's funny how people have no problem performing cpr on an adult mannekin but they almost always get nervous around Baby Anne although she , too, is a mannekin. Or babykin.

Fun times.

down to the wire

2005-06-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the orientation for the Instructor Exam. Candidates usually begin to get a little worried at this point.

Today is pool work so they can feel the difference between salt water and fresh water.

Fine tuning water skills and presentation skills.

Fun for me but this is about the time the candidates start to doubt themselves. All of a sudden they decide that maybe they aren't that ready after all. Now is when they "need" to do everything over again. And again. And again.

Stress levels reach maximum intensity for two days, they pass the exam, and the warm fuzzy feeling of being a scuba instructor begins to sink in.

As soon as the hangover goes away.

Fortunately for them PADI fully understands this phenomenon and makes adjustments for high stress environments.

But I try not to let on. It's too much fun watching them dance.

picking up speed

2005-06-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to pick up again on the teaching front.

I now have two candidates for the IDC (Instructor Development Course) and four people waiting for an EFR (emergency first response) Instructor class. Plus whatever instructor level specialty courses they want to take.

This is called con. ed. (continuing education) and is highly prized among the denizens of the PADI community.

Although I'm allowed to teach eight candidates at a time I really do prefer small classes.
Less stress and more fun for them as well as me. A lot of extra time for practice and remediation.

This makes for comfortable candidates at the Instructor Examination. Having fun at an IE is not exactly a common experience but it's certainly possible when you take your time and do everything right during the IDC.

Plus I can always use some of the newer instructors to help play student during the water work segments. They make mistakes gleefully and (I suspect) with just a touch of devilishness.
They also act as advocates when I tell the candidates they are ready for the IE. The general reaction is "What!? It can't be that easy!" They tend to trust my judgement more when I can introduce them to some of my former students who've been through the whole thing.

Mentoring is a good thing.

The current candidates are already certified Assistant Instructors so they've already been through the
"how to teach the PADI way" portion of the course. This makes it a lot easier and gives you more latitude for fun. They're not quite as stressed out as a total newbie would be.

Anyway...Let the games begin!

memorial day

2005-05-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

To all those who have served, are serving, and will serve.

Thank you.

water work

2005-05-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today I'm looking very forward to being in the water with some instructor level students.

This is what I live for.

Although teaching entry level scuba classes definitely has it's own quite significant rewards, watching the light come on in instructor candidates takes it to a new level.

This is the point when they fully realize that, not only is diving a business, it's a responsibility.

Teaching people to function safely in AND appreciate what is essentially a hostile environment is something that most divers don't fully absorb (sorry about the sponge joke) until they reach this level of training.

It's fun to watch them step up to this level of expertise and awareness. Most of them take their duty of care to their students very seriously. The ones who don't find themselves back in the "real world" pretty fast.

Today we're working on control and delivery problems. This means the instructor not only has to respond to student problems quickly and effectively, he/she has to be able to communicate to the student what was done incorrectly and also how to complete the performance objective comfortably and in a reasonably fluid and repeatable manner. Underwater.

You see some pretty creative sign language during these dives.

You also see a lot of team building and mutual support systems at work. They usually realize they're working toward a common goal (becoming a PADI Instructor) against a common enemy (me).

The only thing I really have be pissy about is reminding them that it's ok to have fun.

the empire crumbles

2005-05-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Deadwood's Empire continues to rapidly decay and is , in fact, picking up speed.

Apparently the promises he's made (and never intended to keep) are catching up to him.

Certain favored employees (girlfriends) are being paid bonuses for doing nothing and actual skill set employees are being pressured more and more to conduct extracurricular programs for free.

In all fairness the Barbies are not exactly doing nothing. They are taking an active part in the destruction of the realm through backbiting, infighting, and generally spreading mayhem and madness wherever they go.

They could certainly teach the Iraqi insurgents a thing or two about effective undermining of reason and rational thinking.

Actual talented staff are jumping off of this cliff like lemmings.

It's a joy to behold.

In a truly Herculean effort to strike back at these recent setbacks Emperor Deadwood has unilaterally declared his facility the only "official" Whaleshark and Oceanic Research Center in the entire universe.

Nevermind the fact that neither he nor his staff are even remotely qualified or trained for this kind of work.
"Don't confuse me with facts; my mind is made up!" is the battlecry of the day.

At least the Light Brigade had honor and nobility on their side.

learning new dances

2005-03-15T05:25:00.000-08:00

Things are smoothing out. Less turbulence, more clear direction.

Lately I've been getting e-mail from people I haven't been in touch with for years. All very affirming and supportive. None of them know what my situation is at the moment but they all send the same message. Synchronicity. If I didn't already know about this I would be just a little freaked out.

Am almost completely removed from my former situation. Stress levels are way down, the fog of misplaced loyalty is clearing, and am re-discovering that things always work out. Usually for the better. Always a learning experience if you're willing to look closely.

I'm enjoying the time I can now spend with friends and students. Hoping it doesn't end too soon.
Staying aware of the fact that everything is fleeting and trying to hold on to sincere intentions.

Remembering why I came here in the first place.

I'm seeing the greed monster more and more clearly. It amazes me that people actually do work themselves to death for money and never take time to live. In a place like this.

It's not like they're surrounded by cold grey steel and concrete. This is an island in the sun.
Populated by friendly people who are loving life and are willing to share. Full of natural beauty both on the reef and on the island. If you can't be happy here you can't be happy anywhere.

Unfortunately the greed monster has plenty of food here and is growing bigger and stronger by the day.

A lot of people are going to destroy themselves for the satisfaction of leaving something to children who neither appreciate it nor care about it.

Sad.

kicking back

2005-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Going through a slowing down phase.

A little time for relaxing, reading, imbibing, and a little good music.

Away from the chaos and confusion of the dive shop.

Solitude.

My life is definitely taking a turn for the better. I have time for friends, for myself, and for my geckos. Not that they notice or care but that's not the point. A brief escape from the rat race of the diving business.

At the grinch dive shop whose motto has become "We take the fun out of diving because this is a business, not a country club." things are looking more and more like a 'Laurel and Hardy' movie.

They are now serving lobster sushi on Fish Identification night. Now I'm not the brightest bulb on the string but isn't that a conflict of interest? Maybe I just don't understand something really fundamental here but I've always thought that divers, especially dive professionals, were supposed to be stewards of the reef. After all, if you talk to a marine biologist, they will probably tell you that coral reefs are an endangered species. Estimates I've read (some of them) put the life expectancy of the worlds coral reef systems at less than 50 years.

That's pretty scary.

It's somehow comforting to know that I'm probably not going to live long enough to see that.

deadwood takes a break

2005-02-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

Deadwood has decided to take a break from all of his hard work as a dive shop manager in the form of a two week vacation back home. After eight long months of totally destroying a previously highly respected and highly competitive dive operation he feels he deserves a break.

The rest of the dive shops on the island are praying fervently for his return.

Their business has exploded since his arrival. I guess he really does know what he's doing.

One of the secrets to his success is his inestimable talent in the area of employee retention. He gets them in the shop, makes a lot of promises he can't keep, and gets them out the door well before their expiration date.
This is usually for a span of two to three months. This way they aren't burdened down by a lot of excess knowledge concerning what the dive sites are like. Or what they're called. Or what a reef is. Very efficient.

Instead, they focus most of their energies on hosting a pub quiz one night a week, serving lobster sushi, having a live (?) music night, and generally just getting shit faced and playing loud (bad) music they download from the internet. It's called riding the gravy train.

I bow to his superior knowledge and skill set. I am not worthy.

I will, however, profit from this series of lessons and take advantage of my newly acquired knowledge by making sure my divers visit his dive shop often. In the glow of his brilliance my humble skills will shine like the Hope Diamond.

I am just having too much fun.

cold front

2005-02-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

A cold front has just moved in reminding us that rainy season isn't quite over. This applies to my personal life as well as the weather. A few more bumps in the road and I'm completely out of here. Like the song says "What a long strange road it's been".

Looking back I find a lot of things that I wouldn't change for the world. The people I've met, the diving, the things I've learned. Although I'm not leaving the island I still can't help but feel there's been a death in my family. And even though it's been a long time coming watching this part of my life take its last breath is still something of a shock. I'm looking forward to the newborn life to come.

My class is going really well. Everyone is getting stronger and more confident. They're starting to question me, no longer taking everything I say as gospel, thinking for themselves. It's a transformation I never get tired of seeing. A bright spot in an increasingly dark existence. They, of course, can see what's happening with my relationship to the shop and the other people who work there. They know it's my last class here. They're calling themselves the "untouchables" because of my despised status. Very supportive.

Today will be another administrative battle. The last paycheck. There are bets being taken as to whether they will hold it all or let me have enough to do things like pay the rent. Odds are heavily in favor of "hold it all". At least that will leave my conscience clear. Worth more than money.

Birds are singing and roosters are crowing. It's a new day. Time for battle.

stirring it up

2005-02-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

The "team" sent their spy out last night to find out what I'm thinking and what my plans are.

The person on the mission is supposedly a "really good friend and cares so much about me that she can't bear to see me leave" who can't quite seem to carry off the righteous indignation act. I give it a 3.

But I just happened to let slip a couple of key words and phrases to see just how fast she goes running back to her handlers.

It's amazing how suddenly this is all my fault. Business is down because I am just not a team player. People aren't signing up for courses in droves because of my "juvenile ego".

Why do they think I'm going to let go of this newfound freedom just because they need a scapegoat?

Games. I do love them so.

On a brighter note my class is doing really well. They're having fun and making fun of the system at the same time. A sure sign of confidence. An easy slide home.

onward and upward

2005-02-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

Physics has been fully overcome and we have moved on to some of the waterwork skills.

Everyone is now much more confident and the rest of the course is taking on characteristics more inline with a welcome and even eagerly anticipated challenge. They're starting to get cocky.

They have finally come to grips with the fact that there are no mental giants in the dive industry.

I'm still being approched with new opportunities for employment. Some in areas I hadn't even considered. A few even sound like a lot of fun. Something I haven't found in the workplace in quite a while.

The island is still relatively quiet. Not a lot of tourists lately. That's ok, though, it gives me more time to explore different paths in my life. I've even started meditating on a more regular basis.

Interesting how life can get in the way of itself.

I've started to suffer from blog withdrawal the last couple of days. Sometimes I find myself thinking "I can blog about this!" Very scary!

More cold beer, more magical sunsets, more time on the reef.

This is my new mantra. Making other people rich is now officially a thing of the past.

classroom time

2005-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

I love teaching physics (as it relates to recreational diving).

Most people come into this class thinking "Shit! Physics! That's math for crying out loud! I couldn't even do that in high school!"

Then we talk about how it relates to diving and it all falls into place. Epiphany. The magic goes out and the light goes on. Great stuff.

When we finish this we'll get in the water and work on demonstration quality skill circuit stuff. This is another area of high anxiety. Divemaster candidates tend to be scared of the way they think PADI wants these skills performed. They tighten up when it's "official". They forget they're divers and they've been doing these things all along. And they've been doing them right.

After the first fifteen minutes in the water they'll start having fun again and start dishing out the cheese.

This really is a fun life. In spite of all the political bullshit you have to put up with from small people with big egos. That's ok, though, I can play that game. I can even have fun with it. Sometimes that bothers me.

Most times it doesn't.

Intentions

2005-01-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

I'm still kind of reeling from the unexpected outpouring of support in this community.

From the time I first got here I've always tried to be supportive and non-judgemental of everyone I've met regardless of which dive shop they worked for or patronized.

Apparently this has given me something of a reputation that I wasn't aware of. In a good sense it seems.

Out of these last several days has evolved a new way of thinking about how I fit in here.
It occurs to me that I have an opportunity to freelance courses and not be "officially" linked to any one dive school. This is a decided departure from the usual paradigm on this small island.

But then, I've never been a fan of the "but that's the way it's always been" school.

I believe that , if you just treat people with honesty and respect, everything else will fall into place.

It seems to be true.

Tomorrow I meet with my first "freelance" class to talk about what we'll be doing, answer their questions and, hopefully, allay any fears they may have. The mental aspect of learning to dive seems to be the most difficult part for most people. It's sometimes hard to get your head around the fact that, although you're not supposed to be able to breathe underwater, you can. Quite comfortably.

I've been teaching diving for several years now and I still get that warm fuzzy feeling when I see the light go on. Watching someone go from wide-eyed fear to wide-eyed awe in just four days is something I just can not put into words.

To quote some of my students "That's fucking awesome!".

What a life!

wars and rumors of wars

2005-01-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

The rumors are flying fast and furiously on my little island.

I can hardly keep up with them.

Since I no longer work at dive shop "A" people there are walking on eggshells every time they see me.
Most want to know where I'm going to be working so they can join me. A few just want to know how bad I can hurt them.

I've already got a big class scheduled at another shop on a freelancing basis. Another school has asked if I can do a few classes with them as well.

There is even an offer on the table to start up a new shop from scratch.

God help me I love it.

All in all this has been a very positive and uplifting experience. I know in my heart that one door has to close before another one opens but it still amazes me when I experience it. This is definitely an affirmation.

It has also fanned the flames of dissension in shop "A" . People are becoming more and more vocal about being lied to and used. It's not a happy shop.

When do owners snap to the fact that a happy staff is a productive staff? Am I missing something here?

Do the veils of greed never come off?

winds of change

2005-01-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in the last few days.

Mainly in the area of rumors.

This whole experience has certainly opened my eyes in a completely different way regarding the community of this small island.

I'm amazed at the amount of support I'm getting from people I hardly know.

It's really gratifying to know I have so many options. In fact, that seems to be my biggest problem right now.
So many choices, so many options.

The only downside is that I can't decide.

But I have time.

moving on

2005-01-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official (sort of). I've been asked by three people this morning why I'm no longer working at the dive shop.

It's a sign of the character of the new "management team" that they have to fire me by rumor.
Not that I expected anything else.

Relief at having the decision made. Worried (a little bit) about where next months beans and rent are coming from. That will take care of itself.

I do get paid a little bit for working at the Trauma Center and that is good since a couple of dive shops on the island have been keeping us busy since Christmas. It's just not steady and not enough. This, too, will take care of itself.

So, I've jumped off the cliff (or been pushed) and the wind is whistling through my ears.
On one hand I'm grateful that I will no longer be associated with this shop because I really do believe that it's about to crash and burn. On the other hand I'm sad for the same reason.

You can't fill a cup that is already full so I'm looking at this as a case of pouring out the Thunderbird to make room for the Bordeaux.

I know other shops on the island will let me teach classes, at least on an overflow basis, so I'm not really worried.

There are also other islands yet to explore.

Keep breathing.

slowing down

2005-01-08T05:16:00.000-08:00

Much like my life at the moment business in the shop is slowing down.

This is normal for this time of year but the new people are starting to get a little antsy. They were promised untold riches at this "best of all dive shops" and they're starting to wonder where the tourists are (it's the rainy season).

Talk has turned from "How terrible the tsunami situation!" to "I wonder if we're going to be getting the tourists that had planned to go there?". With time on their hands they're starting to scheme and plot against each other for the few meager scraps there are. They've already started to spend a lot more time drinking and thinking.

Thoughts like "Man! She's pretty good looking without all that salt water in her hair all the time!"
and "Yes, I know he's really an asshole but I've got to do SOMETHING or I'll just go crazy." are evident around the bar. People are starting to dance around each other like high school students at a junior prom. This little island gets very incestuous when people don't have a lot of students to pick from. It's all pretty entertaining.

New management is already starting to show a few cracks in the facade of infallibility. For the first time in years safety has become a concern of the owners. Not because they don't care but because it's always been a first priority with previous managers. Lately it's becoming more and more obvious that the new management team is only concerned with "the party" and, in the diving business, you only have to look away for a second. Mr. Murphy thrives in situations like this.

Fortunately, we do have a couple of instructors who keep a handle on this but they can't be on every boat and I'm afraid our much vaunted safety record is about to go down the tubes.

reflections on a diving lifestyle

2005-01-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

Day two of the "flu" or whatever this is.

Plenty of time for reflection on the current situation here.

I've figured out that I do have a good knowledge base about several aspects of the diving business, a lot of friends made over the years (very important), and I'm a good instructor.

Shouldn't be too hard to market. My problem is loyalty.

I've put a significant amount of myself into this particular shop. This is my major hurdle.
And my feelings are more than a little hurt that that fact isn't appreciated. I realize this is only an ego thing and I can now move on. I've talked to a few people in other shops on the island and have gotten some pretty positive responses. So, in spite of being sick, I'm feeling pretty good.

Thank all of you, by the way, who've taken the time to read my blog and leave comments.

I'm still amazed at the power of a positive word from someone I don't even know!

Onward and upward.

the new year

2005-01-04T04:19:00.000-08:00

I was hoping 2005 would be better than 2004.

Part of my job here is working in the local trauma center and , since christmas day, we've been very busy.

I have managed to squeeze in teaching an Open Water class and an EFR class but the number of patients we've had has taken the joy out of this "new start". I just hope this isn't the start of a new trend.

The new management just gets more and more idiotic. It's becoming increasingly obvious that they are just here to party and the threat to our own safety record is a serious one. They brag about doing a level of business that is average at best and, if they keep giving everything away and ignoring the students and clients they don't want to sleep with, this shop is going down the toilet.

I'm finally convinced that I need to look for another job.

Wish me luck.

the dark side of the diving business

2004-12-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

The tsunamis in Thailand affect us all.

The diving community is pretty small and a lot of instructors split their year between the caribbean and Thailand.

This is the busy season there so a lot of our friends are/were there.

Some of mine I've heard from. Some I haven't.

Most are pretty resourceful, some are lucky, some are not.

Hurricanes, typhoons, and earthquakes.

Someone you know is always "under the weather".

christmas diving

2004-12-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

A glorious day today.

The boat leaves later (10:00am) because of the parties on the island last night.

Beautifully sunny with just a few clouds, very little wind, so we should be able to go to the north side today.
A chance for whale sharks and dolphins. Yesterdays dive was phenomenal, great visibility, good variety of animal life (the usual suspects...nothing exceptional), and great weather.

Today looks to be the same.

Hope everyone has a great holiday week-end and give yourselves a double shot of happy today!

whale sharks

2004-12-22T10:04:00.000-08:00

Whale sharks are truly magnificent creatures. Being in the water with one is every bit a once-in-a-lifetime experience. (No matter how many times you do it!)

It is a real tragedy that they continue to be slaughtered for their fins.

Fortunately that doesn't happen in my little part of the world.

There's a good chance that I'll be able to swim with one on Christmas day.
(If my use of the word "Christmas" offends you, bite me!)

It certainly will take the edge off the fact that a vegan has taken control of the restaurant here.
Gone are the days of smelling burning chicken flesh and spicy bbq sauce. (wistful sigh)

The sounds of sizzling burgers are to be replaced by the sorrowful moan of a slow death by rust.
How can anyone be so heartless as to condemn a stainless steel bbq grill (with electronic ignition no less!)
to such a fate? Oh, the humanity!

Still, it's a beautifully sunny day which is a welcome break from the rain. Diving is good and (almost) all is right with this small part of the world. Maybe I will figure out a way to "liberate" the grill and save it from a fate worse than death. (I mean, come on! VEGGIE kebobs!?!)

Wish me luck.

2004-12-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Another day at the office.

feast or famine

2004-12-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year.

We're now going from 0 -60 in about 14 seconds. Tourists have started hitting the island again and I've gone from having way too much time on my hands to teaching three classes at once.

So it's back to 14 hour days (and as Saint Nate has pointed out, it sure beats accounting) and too much beer. (Is that possible?)

It's raining to beat the band but the diving is great. In fact the water is warmer than the boat.

That means long bottom times and snuggling for warmth during the surface intervals.
(Hmmm...that DOES sound like it beats accounting!) What a life!

Well, it's time to brief my class for the confined water dives. Then to the hot tub for debriefing.
And, no, that's not what you think. At least not yet.

Stay wet.

2004-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Just don't forget to breathe.

rainy season

2004-12-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

raining all day today. fortunately there are classroom lectures to do and oxygen administration to teach.

i don't mind the rain, though. the diving is just as good, sometimes better. it calms the sea down (like a nice scratching might do for a cat) and it's fun to watch and listen to the drops hitting the surface of the sea. and the visibility isn't degraded that much, don't need a torch, more like a nice dusk dive. plus the island needs the fresh water. another good thing.

the only negative thing is the christmas season. i miss family and friends. but it should be really busy since a lot of tourists come here this time of year. a month of diving your ass off and the occaisional (often) piss-up. those things have a way of keeping your mind off home. or just keeping your mind off.

i'm teaching the brand new PADI Rescue Diver course for the first time. i have to say they've made a great improvement over the old one. more real, more real world. if everybody teaches this the way the outline suggests it should be even more challenging and even more fun. i really am looking forward to it.

life is good.

scuba instruction as a lifestyle

2004-12-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

so you see all these ads telling you how wonderful it is being a scuba instructor in paradise.

a pretty powerful message. appeals to a lot of different people. who wouldn't want to tell their asshole boss to shove his petty ass problems up his ass because you are going to be a scuba instructor in paradise?

what they don't tell you is it's a 14 to 16 hour a day job, 7 days a week, no time off for holidays (that's your busy time) and you don't make much more than enough to pay your bills (depending on where you work). then there are your collateral (no pay) duties. that's a whole nother story.

the good news is you're expected to party with your students (while they're sleeping it off you're loading the boat and getting ready for another day of playing "dodge the decompression sickness hit"). this is actually one of the best parts of the job as your student pool is also the best place to find easy sex. this is really the core reason most people become instructors...they couldn't get laid as civilians.

it's also a good way to sell more courses and sell more equipment. people tend to trust their instructors (they've already decided to trust them with their lives) so they're more likely to be
an easy sell.

i know this works because i've been doing it for quite a while now. it's low season and i already have two courses (8 total students) starting day after tomorrow. and they're already talking and asking me about the course after that. soon i will have 8 new divemaster candidates.
(is that the sound of a cash register ringing?)

but it's all good. i try my best to be a good instructor, i don't take food out of anyones mouth and I don't make it hard for them to pay the rent. i teach them things that are useful and make their diving more enjoyable and safe. they like what i do and most of them send their friends my way. i do love it.

teaching

2004-12-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

Just finished an Emergency First Response class.

Two interested, motivated students.

This is why I love teaching. The class was small (most Instructors whine and winge if they have less than10) but I prefer small classes. More time for discussion, skill practice and FUN!

The satisfaction I get from teaching is the reason all of the hype and the "make more money" aspect of this business is tolerable. Even enjoyable. Small classes are definitely the way to do this job. You don't make much money because you're paid on commission but you get the satisfaction of doing the job well and having students who feel the money they paid was well worth it.

This is also, I believe, the most efficient and productive advertising stream you can get.

Satisfied customers will send you motivated students.

Why does that seem like such a simple and obvious statement to me while at the same time being the most difficult concept to explain to my boss?

So I move through my days like a shark through a fleet of fishing boats...solitary...alert...watching my back...looking for an opportunity.

diving for dollars

2004-12-09T05:11:00.000-08:00

i'm a scuba instructor living on a small island in the carribbean.

yeah, i bought into the hype and jumped (dove) in with both feet.

and although i do love the lifestyle, i just can't get my head around the fact that it's all about the money.

in the begining i figured, "wow...what a deal. doing something i love, making a little bit of money, living in paradise."

but things have changed on my little island.

now it's all about politics and backstabbing, f###ing them before they f##k you, selling more courses and equipment to your "friends" so the owners can become rich, sell the business, retire to a small island in the carribbean, ad nauseum.

nobody realizes or enjoys the fact that they're already "there".

the owners, of course, came here because they loved to dive...haven't been diving in years.

don't have a clue who their customers are, don't like 'em anyway, and spend their time browbeating their employees to do more work for less pay.

then wonder why they can't get people to work for them for more than two months.

what's it all mean mr. natural?

people businesses

2004-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

have you ever noticed how people who own "people businesses" are the biggest, most self centered m###########s on the planet?

i work in one of these businesses (dive shop) and i am constantly amazed by the shit that is dumped on our customers in the name of "MAKE ME RICH RIGHT NOW, DAMN IT!"

now, i'm no spring chicken and, lest you think this is just another bunch of sour grapes,...well, maybe it is, but it's valid nonetheless.

diving is constantly sold as a way of life, do something you love, live in paradise, be carefree, escape the rat race of the corporate world

then, when they finally have convinced you to take all the courses they can possibly sell you, you realize just how backstabbing and cut throat a business it really is

because now you have to do the same thing to all your "friends"

does anyone in the dive business have any "friends" they don't make money off of?

i've been to several goat ropes, two hog fries, three divorces, and a starbucks and i've still never seen people as petty and self centered as this business

and most of them have never been successful in any business...they just happen to have nice trust funds

or they've done a midnight runner from the businesses they were bringing down before

i just turned around to look at the sunset...and honesty and respect have gone

what a f####d up world

random acts of kindness

2004-12-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

Try a random act of kindness.

Something totally selfless for someone totally undeserving.

Send me a dollar. I only need 10,000 of them to get out of this mess
I'm in.

Think of the amazing number of karma credits you will receive in
return.

Or do it for some other total stranger...see what happens.

community

2004-12-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

This is a story about community.

What it is.

How it functions.

It's a community like all others.

It just happens to be the one I live in.