In other news, my car currently smells like the inside of a dive shop.

Two gigantic neon tanks of compressed air (properly braced)? Check.

Regulator? Check.

20 pounds of weights and weight belt? Check.

Buoyancy Control Device (aka scuba life vest)? Check.

Mask, fins, snorkel? Check, check, check.

7 mm wetsuit that adds the blubber equivalent (BE) of a pilot whale? Check. I’ve tried that puppy on, and all I can say is that there is clearly a reason sea creatures look doofy anytime they try to get around on land. This is about as thick as wet suits come, but in the Blue Hole (average temperature: 62-64F) where I’ll be diving, I’ll be glad to have it. 62F is trout country.

Spirit of Adventure? Check.

Remember when I discovered the Pelagic Magic blackwater dive? Well, I’m halfway to my dream. I finished the classroom and pool work for SCUBA certification in February, and this weekend I’m traveling to Santa Rosa, NM to complete my open water certification dives. My plane tickets are booked for Kona, Hawaii for April 17. I’m on my way.

As for the rest of you, I want reports on the first episode of “Life”! I won’t be around to post this weekend, so cozy up at home Sunday night for some Life on Earth goodness, and then report back here what you thought. See you next week!