Missing: The East Texas Coast Line

National Geographic News
Hurricane Ike will be entered into the record books for the severe damage it inflicted in and around Galveston, Texas, experts say.

Then can someone please explain to me why we haven't seen more? Heard more? Why did the networks (NBC - but I'm not mentioning names)announce on Friday (9/19/08) that they apologize for not being able to cover the devistation but due to other news all of their teams were tied up... With what? Duct Tape...

"This one's going to be famous for a long time, if for no other reason than it hit Texas, which hadn't gotten a strike by a damaging hurricane in 25 years," ~ Jeff Masters, Director of Weather Underground.

Masters also noted that the cost along the Gulf Coast could reach U.S. $22 Billion (yep with a "B"), which would make it the third costliest hurricane on record. The other two are: Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew

With Katrina I couldn't blink without seeing images or hear news reports/updates. The media was beside themselves that the Bushies had focked up yet again... where's the news and updates and overviews, flyby's - wheres the news?

Watergate Summer: Did IKE Storm Wallstreet ?

Watergate Summer: Did IKE Storm Wallstreet ?

I'm so pissed I can't even think. Fortunately I'm going to the woods for the rest of the week with a boatload of 6th graders so I really wont have to think (just watch for flying objects)...

Anyway, I got turned onto this blog "Watergate Summer" and the story I linked to is just one of many posts that are worth spending time reading.

If your concerned about what the Government is doing to you get involved. Speak out.

International Clean Up Day

"Project AWARE Foundation spearheads global underwater cleanups during International Cleanup Day and year round. This annual volunteer event addresses the devastating impact of marine debris on the aquatic environment." (source: ProjectAWARE.org) Additionally, local dive shops, divers and active environmentalist enlist the support of divers, snorkelers and water enthusiast to clean the shorelines. A diver can spend several tanks of air below the surface removing debris, but without the support of those on the shorelines removing debris from the surface their work may be for naught. Your involvement is needed, diver or not, find out more information at: Cleanup day locations

Being active in maintaining our environment is not a one time deal, get active and stay active. Ok, I know we're all busy, taking kids here and there, running around in circles with our hectic lives, business, clients it all gets way to crazy sometimes. Point understood and lived firsthand, so why not take a break, it's a couple of hours out of your life - just commit to once a year to start with, give it a try: The International Cleanup Day is held annually on the 3rd Saturday in September but cleanup and data collection activities are supported by Project AWARE, partners and volunteers on an ongoing basis.

The world population is an estimated 6.6 Billion people and in 2007 there were a total of 358,617 recorded volunteers that participated in the International Cleanup Day. In 2007 those volunteers cleaned 34,560 miles of shoreline and remove seven million pounds of garbage from the waters of the world.

I know that 2008 can be a bigger success, contact your dive center and get involved. If you dive; hey, it's another logged dive and most centers offer free air! If you don't dive; it's just a great day outside doing something positive and setting a great example for others to follow.

Get involved, become AWARE.


Project AWARE Foundation,garbage,world population,International Cleanup Day

Richard Wright - Rest in Peace

A moment of sadness for Floyd fans;

Richard Wright, the keyboardist whose somber, monumental sounds were at the core of Pink Floyd’s art-rock that has sold millions and millions of albums, died Monday in London, where he had lived. He was 65.

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s guitarist and singer, said in a statement on Monday: “In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick’s enormous input was frequently forgotten. He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognized Pink Floyd sound.”

excerpts from JON PARELES NYTimes article
Published: September 15, 2008 NYTimes

Project Aware September 20th 2008

If you've looked at my profile you'll know that I have a wide variety of interest/hobbies. I am fortunate enough to be able to follow my interests and at least dabble in them as the urge hits me. One that I wish I could dabble in more and ultimately would like to expand into a profession is Scuba Diving.

Scuba ties directly into some of my other interests, marine life, exploration and conservation of our natural resources. My certifications hopefully reflect my belief in these areas. I am certified in several areas - some that people tried to talk me out of because "they were basic" no thrills certifications. I believe that we all should be active in maintaining and understanding our planet, groups like Project Aware and other conservation awareness programs that PADI and other dive organizations promote offer us an avenue to support our planet.



On September 20th Project Aware is doing a Clean Up. This is not romantic but it's necessary. This is an event where divers and non-divers alike join to clean the beaches, banks and shores as well as the environment below the surface of the water. An opportunity to remove some of the debris that people discard and that pollutes the habitats of marine animals. You don't need to be a diver to do this, it doesn't even need to be organized for us (the people of this planet) to do this, but if you want to have a reason to get outside and enjoy the company of others check with your local Scuba Dive and come out and join us on September 20th.

You can find more information on The September "Splash for Trash" day here

scuba, marine life, Project Aware, Splash for Trash