HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD
August 18, 2009
HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD Technical Mask
Yeah that’s right, DD (Double Dome) What does that all mean. It means my new dive mask is here! FINALLY. Another eBay special. I hope it’s not another eBay special that I end not being able to use… but I suspect that will be another post, another time.
So about three years ago while I was testing the diving realm, I first saw this mask on a local diver. It looked great, she liked it but Reid Brewer my instructor didn’t say much about it.
One of the things you learn in the PADI Diving Programs is to NEVER wear your mask above your eyes on your head. Why? if it falls of, its going to sink, Without a mask you cant really dive down to find it if your in deep water…. and to know more, take the class.
Why did I tell you that… well the same person I had seen the mask on, did just that. At the surface in about 15 feet of winter Bering Sea water had lifted the mask up above the eyes. It fell off and promptly sank to the bottom. – The mask retails for $215.00 – gone.
HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD Tech Black
A year and some change later someone in our local dive group found the mask – it was beat up pretty good and is now unusable. BUT I still found it to be very interesting. So… I looked on eBay to buy one. I was out bid three or four times until I finally one one last month. Yes it arrived today. In the next few days I plan trying it out – for now I’m happy looking at it across the office.
As Brandon Hunter pointed out. Because of it’s design I may need to temporarily make myself near sighted in order to use the mask. This is advertised on the HydroOptix website and is usually done with corrective disposable contact lenses. Not that I really want to do it, BUT I have the mask and I’ve been known to do weirder things just to see if it would work.
I’ll post back with either how great the mask is, or that I’m listing it on eBay for a steal of a deal!
Kalekta Bay
August 18, 2009
Well sort of. An un-named cove inside Kalekta. Last weekend the weather was great and the water calm so I decided to take the boat out of a long distance run of sorts. I called Aura who is always up for an adventure to let her know I was planning on a run towards Kalekta Bay. She was in. We met up at the hotel, dragged the boat to the launch and headed out. We stopped first at Constantine Bay, then north to Princess Head and Priest Rock at Cape Kalekta then in the Kalekta Bay. Looking for a place to take a break we found this cool little cove on the east side of the bay.
Aura was able to get out and explore a little bit and reported to me how great the place was. I’ll admit now ~ it is pretty cool.
Yesterday we decided to return to the cove to explore some more. This time we brought another anchor and our diving drysuits so we could anchor in the calm of the bay, then slip in to the water and wade ashore. We spent two hours exploring the cove and the green valley behind it.
You can see more images from the adventure in the photo gallery.
Heart Of The Aleutians Festival
August 12, 2009
This year marks the first in five that I’ve been here on the island during the festival. I have the special opportunity to play with some great musicians as well. In an odd turn of events the bass player in one of the bands that is going to perform Saturday at the festival has up and left without a trace.
I got an email the other day asking if I’d be willing and able to play with them. I admit I did not know at the time it ws for the festival, I was more than happy to play along on a jam night or something. It wasn’t until this morning did I piece it all together that the ‘gig’ was in fact the festival. Whoa. My first professional ‘gig’ in an open venue.
I’ve been learning the set list the past few hours, taking a break to post this and do a little cleaning, then back to the bass-ics (hahahahaha).
If you find yourself out at the festival – please come by and say hello!
Technology and I
August 6, 2009
It is safe to say that when it comes to computers, Internet, Software, Hardware – Pretty much anything related to Information Technologies, I’ve been there and done that. Every once in a while I check in a company I started almost 10 years ago. Digital Rage Internet Services (which is now a part of MTA Solutions) . You can see where they are today by visiting http://www.digitalrage.net
But for something truly special (more funny than special) – feel free to read this blast from the past article and make fun of me later.
Alaska Journal of Commerce ~ Business Profile: Digital Rage
Engine Power
August 3, 2009
'Kasper' - The Boston Whaler
Well after what seemed like forever, the new engine for my project boat has arrived. The Horizon Tacoma was late and our containers were some of the last to off load, so I had to wait until Saturday to pickup the beauty.
I ordered this motor for a variety of reasons. The company I ordered it from is based in Waterford Connecticut. Outboard Exchange, LLC has been rebuilding, refurbishing, servicing and selling outboards forever.
I had several options when it came to the engine I wanted. Evinrude, Mercury, Yamaha are the three they specialize in.
However, since I have an Evinrude and a Johnson v-4 88 SPL – I chose to have them send me an Evinrude that would bolt up to the OMC controls I already have installed on the boat.
It’s been six days since I installed the motor. I have had no problems at all with it. It fired right up, purred like a kitten and winked at me, like a taunt to take her out on the water to give her a test run. – Which is what I did.
Hiking Constantine
August 1, 2009
The hike from Morris Cove up and over in to Constantine Bay is one of my favorite hikes. It is one of the first hikes I found when I first moved to the island. A few weeks ago Dakota and I took a day to hike over, then over to Twin Bay Lakes and up towards Priest Rock at Princess Head. Ont he way back I was feeling a little tired, so instead of hiking back up from Constantine Bay, we hiked around the head of the bay and followed the coast back in to Morris Cove. The day was great and I found my first Japanese glass float on the beach of Constantine. You can see the pictures in the photo gallery or you can follow this link.
