Gosh, guess it's my turn...where oh where to start.
First, to those on the board "employed" to make this happen....Pete, Jenny, and those behind the scenes I am entirely unaware of.....the hours upon hours you obviously put into this shindig was glaringly apparent, and hopefully, the appreciation and THANKS shows.
Capt. Gary and the ever-ready and available Brenda leave me in awe. They were already there when we walked in in the AM and still there after the last person left at night...how you do it, I can only guess. Brenda, I can't imagine how you kept all our millions of reservations in order......every time I was in that office, someone was coming by asking, "What boat am I on?" (The moment at which my temper would have shown itself......). Yet she smiled and just kept on...........
To Walter and everyone who helped pull off my 200th dive......I'm still grinning and tearing up just a little.......the flag is already on the wall in my office. I greatly anticipate the picture that the Irishman so kindly orchestrated, and will have that framed asap as well.
The honor and simple joy of diving with such an incredible group just amazes me every time. We are a group that can go months, or years, without seeing each other, and the minute everyone gets together, it's right back to joking and laughs. And it's so great to welcome all the new additions.......how incredible to meet Mania, Laurens, divers from far away that I'd never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. And new honorary conchs like Ciret (congrats on your first wreck dive!) who I hope will continue to come join us often!!!
So, many thanks to the organizers and participants alike for reminding me of exactly why I love diving so much.
So, when's the next one? "D
