I need to get back into the swing of things.

I need to start diving at least a couple times a week, otherwise I see myself just getting older and withering away.

The sun really didn’t come out this morning, so it was hard to get up, but I was determined.

Not many regulars appeared – Dr. D (aka Dennis G.), Kenneth and a couple others, but mostly new faces; at least new faces to me.

I accompanied Dr. D., with Pinky and New Dry Suit Chris to 120 reef.

Logged SCUBA Dive #425

Dove with Dr. D, and “Pinky” and New Dry Suit Chris
Terranea Resort. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 43 feet
Waves: Pretty flat, maybe two foot swells
Visibility: Up to 20 feet
Water Temperature: 64 degrees
Air Temperature: 65 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 39 minutes

For whatever reason, I had a hard time keeping my footing on entry.

Visibility sucked in the cove, but cleared to 20 feet of visibility further out; we could see the bottom.

We swam to the rocky finger outside of pigeon shit cave and descended.

We followed Dr. D. who lead us to places of 120 Reef that I forgot existed.

This was a pretty routine, uneventful dive.

The other two divers apparently had only a dozen dives after certification, but did extremely well.

A perfect dive with a perfect exit, too – no casualties!

Debriefing was with Budweiser and ghetto grill cooked spicy sausages.

I was talking to yet another Bob about the differences between Divets and the now defunct “Sandeaters” dive club.

“The Sandeaters would meet once a week at a different location, but nobody knew who was part of the club… different people would show up and some you would never see again…”

“…and as soon as the dive ended, people would get in their cars and leave; you never got to debrief or get to know anybody.”

If it wasn’t for the post dive debriefing, I probably would just dive solo.

Dr. D and Pinky were so macho, they did a second dive.

October 18, 2012

As a result of my much publicized diving trip to Albania, I was honorably invited to be the guest speaker at the October Dive N Surf club meeting.

How could I not refuse?

This is the place that started recreational diving in this area!

And even though they refuse to fill my 30 year old Luxfer Aluminum tanks, that still pass hydro and VIP, I could not refuse a platform on how macho of a diver that I really am.

I spent several hours making a PowerPoint presentation complete with photos and video.

The club announcement went like this –

“Recently Jeff returned from an exploratory dive trip to Albania, and he has agreed to share his excellent photos, and his stories of triumph and misadventure while trying to dive in this former Eastern Bloc country. Since the fall of Albania’s communist regime in 1990, only a few brave westerners have toured this isolated land on the Adriatic Sea, and even fewer have tried to scuba dive there. But that’s just the kind of challenge that inspired Jeff to risk all on a trip to Albania.. and he also heard they have cheap beer there.”

Come see Jeff’s photos and videos, listen to his amusing stories, get his tips on how to plan dive excursions to exotic off-the-beaten-path foreign locations, and listen to his unique philosophy on diving, travel, and living the adventurous life.

By the way, “Jeff” is my real name.

So, anyway I knew they planned on me showing videos, and I verified that the laptop that was going to be provided had PowerPoint.

Well, I didn’t verify that they would actually have an amplification system for the audio on the videos.

Well, there were no speakers – at least nothing that could amplify the sound to an entire room.

I was told by someone that “only four to ten people show up,” so I thought maybe everyone could squeeze tight and listen to the tiny speaker on the laptop.

About 35 people showed up – I think.

I will go with that number, even though it may have been less.

The presentation went well, even though I had tried my best at an impromptu measure to compensate for no fucking audio on the videos.

Over all, it was a “good” presentation from what I heard.

The audience was not able to hear the video narration, the Muslim call to Prayer in Tirana or the Albanian music that accompanied the diving scenes.

I should have brought a fucking megaphone!

Anyway, again, those who are interested in the videos of my trip can find it here:

Jeff In Europe

Thanks to all who attended, and sorry it wasn’t an “excellent” presentation.