***RANT***

OMFG!!! I am so highly annoyed right now that I can’t control myself.

Now, I’m well aware of copyright laws, why people copyright their stuff, and even – with Al Gore inventing the Internet – getting permission to post things on a website…. BUT M@THER F*CK*NG BL@@DY HE11!!! This is so absurd, you won’t believe it. Well, maybe some of you will.

No, I didn’t do anything wrong. No, I wasn’t accused of doing anything wrong.

So, I’m checking out this site, based on a joke my dad sent me. It had the dudes little copyright mark and name, so, I wanted to see more about them. On the site, I see this pretty un-funny stuff, but notice a big statement: “All ….. on this site are © Dumb Ass. Any use without permission is prohibited. Reprint rates.” I like my choice for his name better. hehe

Being beyond bored, I clicked on the hyperlink - ‘reprint rates’ -  which I have intentionally UNLINKED. Rates are fine. I’d do it if I thought my stuff was worth charging for, which it is not. So, anyway, this arrogant bastard has his rates broken down as such:
1.) every form of media known to man (I’m surprised he doesn’t try to charge for viewing or memory!)
2.) ‘for-profit’ and ‘non-profit’… how generous of him *snark*
3.) color and black & white
4.) quantity
5.) some even require you to get a quote! 

What an idiot to waste so much time on something that most people aren’t going to give a flying flip about. People don’t have any regard for copyrights. Trust me, I’ve fallen victim to ‘thieves’.

Even if you find all of this well and good, which is fine, stay with me here. Remember these are for jokes, thoughts, pictures, cartoons, or something of the like. Although they are, for the most part, “original” – they aren’t that damned unusual or riveting. Lemme give you a highlight…

EXAMPLE:
For the fabulous one-time payment OF (Charlie, tell them what they’ve won…) $10 WITH the following descriptions/limitations:
- a blog post (d1ckh@d even has one for emails. WHAT-EVER!!!) *rolls eyes*
- 1 year max display time
- less than 5,000 visitors/month
- black and white ONLY (add $10 for color)

Dude, if you read this, take a flying leap… 

I mean, seriously – it’s not like he’s a writer or published or something. I’m sure that even Gary Larson (think that’s his name), creator of “The Far Side”, doesn’t have all this bullshit limitation crap!

Some people, UGH!

Scuba Life

I love to scuba! If you’ve looked at anything on my blog, you already know that. Everybody knows that…

I’m fortunate enough to live in the Philippines, South-East Asia, South Pacific, etc. Not only are there great places to travel to quickly and inexpensively, the diving around here is FANTASTIC! How lucky am I to get to “dive right in” any day of the week, several times a week?!?!

Right now, I’ve changed the path to my diving future. Originally, I set out to obtain a Master Diver certification. It is the highest certification level for recreational (non-professional) divers. I mean, hey, I’m from Lexington, KY… what am I going to do about diving there? I DON’T do lakes! So, a vacation in the Caribbean is the closest I would come to diving when I move back to the USA. 

With each dive, I love the theory, skills, responsibility, etc. as much as I love the view. So, I’ve started getting additional “Specialty” certifications. Things like Wreck Diving, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Deep Diving, Underwater Naturalist, etc. have course work – specific dives, lecture(s), independent study, and a written exam to gain a certification in that specialty. It’s kind of nice and I enjoy the extra focus and skills obtained.

I’ve changed my path now. There is a shortage of native English speaking Dive Masters (guides) here. Although I could go along with a group and assist the DM with any language barriers, I figure that I may as well have the diving education to assist them as well. I won’t ever take any money for it, just the chance to dive is plenty!

So, Jules is heading down the “professional path” in diving. I plan to complete coursework through “Specialty Instructor”… just one step beyond a regular instructor. There aren’t many DM’s in the area who are certified in specialties. I would love to share that skill with the Filipinos that I’ve met. I have quite a road ahead of me, but I’m truly looking forward to it.

Wish me luck. It won’t be hard… it never is when you are doing something you love. I love to dive, I love physiology, and I love to learn. Can’t get any better than this!