I’ve had a rather bad cold for a week, and honestly I have no clue as to how I got it, however some have speculated that since I have quit drinking draft beer, the cold may be just symptoms of withdrawals.

I arrived at Terranea Resort at 8:15 AM to an almost full parking lot with about 40 divers gearing up.

I believe more than three diving clubs were there, including one group that wheeled their gear down to the beach in baby strollers, where their shore support set up camp.

I decided to go it alone; I was still slightly congested, but not to the point that I couldn’t get down – I just didn’t need a dive buddy, in case I was wrong and had to call the dive just after entry.

The ocean was literally as flat as a lake and entry was extremely easy.

Logged SCUBA Dive #436

Solo Diving/SoCal Buddy Diving
120 Reef, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 750 psi
Max depth: 40 feet
Waves: No waves, flat as a lake
Visibility: 10-15 feet
Water Temperature: 62 degrees
Air Temperature: 72 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 43 minutes or so

I kicked out to the rocky finger just outside of Pigeon Shit cave and submerged.

Visibility was good, however a little green – nothing that Photoshop can’t handle.

Star Fish make their home on a reef.

A passing Sun Star.

I passed by some stirring sand; as I approached, I noticed it was a huge Bat Ray burying itself in the sand for a probable nap.

The Bat Ray took off as soon as it spotted me.

I am going to apply for a $2 million government grant to study why sea urchins climb sticks.

After about 30 minutes I headed back in, surfacing twice to get a bearing.

The exit was extremely easy.

I noticed that there are still fishermen here, even though this area has been declared a marine preserve almost two years ago.

I had some kids who were interested in what was off the coast; “Fish, Bat Rays… I was hoping to find some sunken treasure, ” I said.

Coming from my dive, still wet and geared up, I was walking to my truck in the parking lot when a car pulls up along side of me.

“Are you leaving?” the driver asked.

Really? This guy thinks I’m going to throw my tank in the back of my truck and speed away still wearing my weight belt and wetsuit?

“Uh, no,” I responded.

Reverend Al found an extremely rare something – nobody knew what it is; someone guessed it might be the inside of a conch.

I called it “God’s cork screw.”

The debriefing starts!

Today’s group of divers and support crew, minus the other 20 divers who were there.

I had to cut the debriefing short and go visit my father.

May 1, 2013

Here I go again, another Chamber Night to benefit the USC Hyperbaric Chamber in Catalina – this time the Divevets had two full tables and a couple of really hot women in attendance.

Professional Debriefer Paul and I took a taxi from the ghetto in Long Beach to the Aquarium, hopefully to prevent a DUI.

We met the group at Bubba Gump’s.

Richard the Brit was nice enough to pick up the tab for everyone – I think he paid in English Pounds.

PDP was so happy to be around hot diver chicks.

Donna The Hot Biker Chick bought $100 worth of raffle tickets to try and score the diving trip to Yap, or something almost as cool.

They packed the tables so tight, fat people had to sit on the outside, near the walls.

The staff dug through the tickets, to see who they wanted to win.

An anonymous, but VERY SMART Divevets Member back packed some Heinekens in.

He was thrown against a wall, and harassed by security, for being a potential terrorist bomber – they searched his back pack, and apparently, they were looking just for bombs, and not the beer that was contained within.

The last time this very smart person went to Chamber Night, they only served Heineken cans – that is why he brought Heineken cans, and not the King of Beers – Budweiser.

Unfortunately, from years past, people got disgusted at the “beeramids” that the Divevets made, so the bar was selling only bottles.

Hanging out with Donna The Hot Biker Chick and Wrinkles was worth the $90 admission for me.

The conversation goes between tables.

After most participants finished their salad, the salad dressing arrived.

Dinner is served! Chicken and mashed potatoes.

Smiles for the camera!

Getting way too much fun, and we’re almost out of the discount beer!

Alcohol fueled arguments ensued between tables.

Divevets get recognized for their contributions – as I remember it was like $50,000.

At the raffle, I was amazed that my name actually got called!

I need doubles and a dry suit, and they had neither.

I hesitated, the MC said, “This is taking too long, what do you want?”

“Uhm” … Something that had “Dry Suit” listed, I took.

It was a Dry Suit inflator system – something that I found out later, I didn’t need for a dry suit, it is completely an option.

Shit, I thought I was getting my dry suit stuff piece by piece!

Yep, we took a Taxi, but I still got a DUI.

$125,393 raised for the Chamber!

After the dinner, we were told we could walk around the Aquarium for an hour.

PDP said, “Feel this, it is really gross.”

“The sign says, ‘Don’t touch,'” I responded.

“Oh, I didn’t see that”

Walking around the Aquarium in the dark really was only good for about ten minutes.

Great event, great people and a great time!

If I ever get bent here, the Chamber will be there for at least another year.

PDP’s video: