Nothing much to report folks... Same same for me, but I do have some UK work to do...
Jenny is in the water, today she is taking a Chinese girl for a "Discover Scuba Diving"... while I get get on with some DVD authoring for the UK.
My mum is in hospital today, having an operation on her shoulder... So we are thinking of her and wish her a speedy recovery...
Lots of love
S and J
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Day 236 - 27th September 2010
Not much new... Ears still the same....
Jenny however is in the middle of teaching, so afterwards, she checked the post and had a parcel waiting for her!
Jenny however is in the middle of teaching, so afterwards, she checked the post and had a parcel waiting for her!
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Day 25 - 26th September 2010
Jen had an idea the other day, to paint the back of the bar as it was looking shabby. So after getting the paint sorted, she began the long task of sanding, painting etc.
Most of the day was spent applying 4 coats (and still needs a few touches).
This is just the base, as some drawing will be applied over the next few days (weeks?)
At 5pm after spending all day painting, we headed home for a quick shower and off to the film festival.
By the end of the night, some pretty good movies had been viewed. Apparently the winner came down to 1 vote.... I came 2nd.
There was a bit of an uproar about the winner not being deserving, but I think its best to just be satisfied and proud of all 3 movies that I was involved in... mine, Jens, and a Deep Down Productions student video.
x
SD
Most of the day was spent applying 4 coats (and still needs a few touches).
This is just the base, as some drawing will be applied over the next few days (weeks?)At 5pm after spending all day painting, we headed home for a quick shower and off to the film festival.
By the end of the night, some pretty good movies had been viewed. Apparently the winner came down to 1 vote.... I came 2nd.There was a bit of an uproar about the winner not being deserving, but I think its best to just be satisfied and proud of all 3 movies that I was involved in... mine, Jens, and a Deep Down Productions student video.
x
SD
Friday, 24 September 2010
Day 234 - 25th September 2010
International Clean Up Day..
And while we are busy with that, here is Jens submission for the film festival tomorrow.
And while we are busy with that, here is Jens submission for the film festival tomorrow.
Bro Post!!! Finally
Well, Roy thought he had posted some mail to me a few weeks back.. but it had been mislaid!
Anyway, the deed was done last week, and it turned up today.
So, as promised, here is the video of me opening!
x
SD
Anyway, the deed was done last week, and it turned up today.
So, as promised, here is the video of me opening!
x
SD
Day 233 - 24th September 2010
Ear update time.
We got up, and headed to Crystal so Jen could get on arranging the Eco stuff while Nathan is away.. in particular, the International Clean Up Day dive..
I left her there and went back to the clinic for my first check up in a week. Initially, the signs were not good, lots of oohs and aahhs. Too much wax in my ear (again) prevented them from seeing the eardrum, and they could not understand why I had developed so much wax.
So began another irrigation session, initially with some saline solution, but when that wasn't shifting they moved onto the hardcore de-waxing solution. 1 hour later, and multiple syringing, the nurse cried out something in Thai, and everyone came to look. I could just see something in the corner of my eye that he/she (ladyboy nurse) was holding with some surgical pincers.
Finally, syringing finished, and feeling rather dizzy from vertigo ( it happens sometimes during syringing), I was able to get up. The nurse then showed me a rather disgusting looking piece of paper about half the size of my thumb, all black and foul. It looked like a small slug to be honest... Horrible.!
Anyway, the doctor checked my ears again, and examined the eardrum. Perforation seems to have healed, but equalisation is still not possible. The doctor says 10 more days for the ear canal to heal and then back for final checkup (hopefully!)... so I'll go back in 8 days, I think!
In the few hours since the treatment, my ear feels like its already improving, with less constant flow of fluid from my ear, and the itchiness has decreased dramatically. I envisage a couple of days of some pain due to the instrusive nature of the procedures, and hope that from then on, an exponential pace of improvement.
Cross your fingers folks!!!!
x
SD
We got up, and headed to Crystal so Jen could get on arranging the Eco stuff while Nathan is away.. in particular, the International Clean Up Day dive..
I left her there and went back to the clinic for my first check up in a week. Initially, the signs were not good, lots of oohs and aahhs. Too much wax in my ear (again) prevented them from seeing the eardrum, and they could not understand why I had developed so much wax.
So began another irrigation session, initially with some saline solution, but when that wasn't shifting they moved onto the hardcore de-waxing solution. 1 hour later, and multiple syringing, the nurse cried out something in Thai, and everyone came to look. I could just see something in the corner of my eye that he/she (ladyboy nurse) was holding with some surgical pincers.
Finally, syringing finished, and feeling rather dizzy from vertigo ( it happens sometimes during syringing), I was able to get up. The nurse then showed me a rather disgusting looking piece of paper about half the size of my thumb, all black and foul. It looked like a small slug to be honest... Horrible.!
Anyway, the doctor checked my ears again, and examined the eardrum. Perforation seems to have healed, but equalisation is still not possible. The doctor says 10 more days for the ear canal to heal and then back for final checkup (hopefully!)... so I'll go back in 8 days, I think!
In the few hours since the treatment, my ear feels like its already improving, with less constant flow of fluid from my ear, and the itchiness has decreased dramatically. I envisage a couple of days of some pain due to the instrusive nature of the procedures, and hope that from then on, an exponential pace of improvement.
Cross your fingers folks!!!!
x
SD
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Day 232 - 23rd September 2010
No news folks.
2 days of hardly any power.. the island is bonkers!
Jen has been editing (power providing) to meet the deadline of the 24th of Sept (festival is on the 26th).. I have been giving advice, and generally chilling.. working on ways to make easy money (it never is!).
So, as I type, the power has just come on... its midnight... and I was proper sweating my cahonas!! Air con on for a hour or so I think... YEAH!!
Night Night!
x
SD
2 days of hardly any power.. the island is bonkers!
Jen has been editing (power providing) to meet the deadline of the 24th of Sept (festival is on the 26th).. I have been giving advice, and generally chilling.. working on ways to make easy money (it never is!).
So, as I type, the power has just come on... its midnight... and I was proper sweating my cahonas!! Air con on for a hour or so I think... YEAH!!
Night Night!
x
SD
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Day 230 - 21st September 2010
Whilst still being unable to get in the water.... We managed to get the old truck floating, using some muscles, old washing powder tubs (38 to be exact)... and a little bit of luck.
Stripped of all its parts... its just an empty shell, and was added to Junkyard by Nathan and other divers while we watched from the shore.
Stripped of all its parts... its just an empty shell, and was added to Junkyard by Nathan and other divers while we watched from the shore.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Day 228 - 19th September 2010
Not much to report as we are both out of the water...
Jen has been hard at work with editing her movie for the film festival...
Mine is kinda finished... here is the first draft!
I hope to bring you more news soon... but for now... its a case of waiting for pus to stop coming out of my ear.!
x
SD
Jen has been hard at work with editing her movie for the film festival...
Mine is kinda finished... here is the first draft!
I hope to bring you more news soon... but for now... its a case of waiting for pus to stop coming out of my ear.!
x
SD
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Day 226 - 17th September 2010
Si spent most of the morning editting and whilst I did some chores.
Around midday, we rode down to Crystal to say our goodbyes to Dom, whom we did our DMT with last year. He's off snowboarding in New Zealand, so dont feel sorry for him at all ;-D
After grabbing a cheese and onion toastie at 'Safety Stop' we headed home where Si continued to edit.
Later that afternoon we met Nath at 'Choppers' to watch some of the Aussie Rules ...I glanced at the game a few times and it seemed to be a corker but as I'd taken my laptop and Si's headphones, I spent most of my time searching the net for an appropriate song for the Eco film that I'm making
As there's so many people with Birthdays in September at Crystal a drinks evening was arranged, so very much looking forward to that.
Around midday, we rode down to Crystal to say our goodbyes to Dom, whom we did our DMT with last year. He's off snowboarding in New Zealand, so dont feel sorry for him at all ;-D
After grabbing a cheese and onion toastie at 'Safety Stop' we headed home where Si continued to edit.
Later that afternoon we met Nath at 'Choppers' to watch some of the Aussie Rules ...I glanced at the game a few times and it seemed to be a corker but as I'd taken my laptop and Si's headphones, I spent most of my time searching the net for an appropriate song for the Eco film that I'm making
As there's so many people with Birthdays in September at Crystal a drinks evening was arranged, so very much looking forward to that.
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Day 225 - 16th September 2010
Jen woke with a very sore head, then went back to bed!
Getting up for a second attempt at midday, she managed to get to the clinic for syringing (she is outta the water for 5 days due to a mild ear infection) and then Crystal to check the post... and she had some!!!
First a card from Rosie, then pressies from Mum, Pat, and Liz.. lucky girl!
Here is the vid of her opening them, please excuse the sound its quite low, and I had Nick the Belgium getting excited next to me because he had just received some meat from his parents .. weird...
Oh, and Liz... she found your card after I stopped recording and we both read it together..
Many thanks guys!
x
SD
Getting up for a second attempt at midday, she managed to get to the clinic for syringing (she is outta the water for 5 days due to a mild ear infection) and then Crystal to check the post... and she had some!!!
First a card from Rosie, then pressies from Mum, Pat, and Liz.. lucky girl!
Here is the vid of her opening them, please excuse the sound its quite low, and I had Nick the Belgium getting excited next to me because he had just received some meat from his parents .. weird...
Oh, and Liz... she found your card after I stopped recording and we both read it together..
Many thanks guys!
x
SD
Day 224 - 15th September 2010
Happy Birthday Jenny!!!
Today, I woke with some hardcore pain in my ears and jaws, but put a brave face on since it was Jenny's special day.
I went and got some flowers, croissants, and a little cake... before waking her with a fresh cuppa.
She also got a card the evening before, which turned out to be from Mum and Del (thanks guys!)
I then offered to take her to a spa day, at one of the islands classy hotels... but she declined, wanting to wait till I am better and we can enjoy it together.. bless..
We then headed to Crystal in case any more post had come in (it hadn't) and went to the shops to get her pressies... she was expecting a bikini ! Instead, she got a brand new BCD and regulator, which was much needed as our equipment is wearing out quickly!
A very pleased Jen can't wait to dive using her new gear but will have to wait 5 days with a slight ear infection...
Later on that evening, we attended a Snorkel Test, where new Divemasters have to drink a bucket of alcohol through a snorkel... there was an extra chair for Jen... She drank the lot, and felt extremely bloated after....
Even later on, after a rather large amount of booze, I dragged her home to bed...
Today, I woke with some hardcore pain in my ears and jaws, but put a brave face on since it was Jenny's special day.
I went and got some flowers, croissants, and a little cake... before waking her with a fresh cuppa.
She also got a card the evening before, which turned out to be from Mum and Del (thanks guys!)
I then offered to take her to a spa day, at one of the islands classy hotels... but she declined, wanting to wait till I am better and we can enjoy it together.. bless..
We then headed to Crystal in case any more post had come in (it hadn't) and went to the shops to get her pressies... she was expecting a bikini ! Instead, she got a brand new BCD and regulator, which was much needed as our equipment is wearing out quickly!
A very pleased Jen can't wait to dive using her new gear but will have to wait 5 days with a slight ear infection...
Later on that evening, we attended a Snorkel Test, where new Divemasters have to drink a bucket of alcohol through a snorkel... there was an extra chair for Jen... She drank the lot, and felt extremely bloated after....
Even later on, after a rather large amount of booze, I dragged her home to bed...
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Day 223 - 14th September 2010
We spent the morning indoors.. I was up about 5:30 with bad pain in both ears, across my jaw to my front teeth. Taking some painkillers took the edge off but was still not going back to sleep.
I utilised my time by editing the narration for a film I am making for the Save Koh Tao film festival in a couple of weeks.
When Jen was up, breakfast eaten, and Eastenders watched. We went to the clinic. Another round of syringing, both ears this time. Nothing. So they put oil in my ears and sent me off for a couple of hours.
Deaf as a post in both ears, we returned a couple of hours later, more syringing and this time the doc (?!) removed cotton from my other very infected ear. After cleaning out as much as possible (still not completely), she examined both ears, and found that my right ear has a ruptured eardrum (no diving incident, so I have to assume the infection caused it). My left eardrum is still not visible so we have to wait for the swelling to go down...
Prognosis - 4 weeks before I can dive again, I am going to aim for 2. If, I reach 4 weeks and am still unable to dive, then we may return home to get a proper examination.
Sorry for the crap news...
:-(
SD
I utilised my time by editing the narration for a film I am making for the Save Koh Tao film festival in a couple of weeks.
When Jen was up, breakfast eaten, and Eastenders watched. We went to the clinic. Another round of syringing, both ears this time. Nothing. So they put oil in my ears and sent me off for a couple of hours.
Deaf as a post in both ears, we returned a couple of hours later, more syringing and this time the doc (?!) removed cotton from my other very infected ear. After cleaning out as much as possible (still not completely), she examined both ears, and found that my right ear has a ruptured eardrum (no diving incident, so I have to assume the infection caused it). My left eardrum is still not visible so we have to wait for the swelling to go down...
Prognosis - 4 weeks before I can dive again, I am going to aim for 2. If, I reach 4 weeks and am still unable to dive, then we may return home to get a proper examination.
Sorry for the crap news...
:-(
SD
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Day 222 - 13th September 2010
Well as promised, here is Jens Open Water video...
Today is a rest day, as both ears are now infected for me (bloody sore!) and Jen is tired from her weeks worth of early morning... Chores and stuff to do around the place....
Enjoy the vid!
Today is a rest day, as both ears are now infected for me (bloody sore!) and Jen is tired from her weeks worth of early morning... Chores and stuff to do around the place....
Enjoy the vid!
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Day 220 - 11th September 2010
Jenny has completed her first unsupervised Open Water Course.
A challenging introduction with one particular student who was very nervous, but Jen performed outstandingly. All students are continuing onto Deep Adventure dives tomorrow. WELL DONE JENNY!!
Video to be posted in the next day or 2, but while Jen was busy with Open Waters, I was finalising the build of the Twins Coral Nursery with the Eco Team. Here is a small snippet....
Thanks to Debbie Gotendenker for filming and Dan for the inspirational music (new band called "The XX")
Enjoy folks!
x
SD
A challenging introduction with one particular student who was very nervous, but Jen performed outstandingly. All students are continuing onto Deep Adventure dives tomorrow. WELL DONE JENNY!!
Video to be posted in the next day or 2, but while Jen was busy with Open Waters, I was finalising the build of the Twins Coral Nursery with the Eco Team. Here is a small snippet....
Thanks to Debbie Gotendenker for filming and Dan for the inspirational music (new band called "The XX")
Enjoy folks!
x
SD
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Day 218 - 9th September 2010
More building coral nurserys... while Jen is in the middle of an Open Water Course.
I spent the morning with a few people constructing the final nurseries that will go in to the Twins dive site.
Then, while Jen was in the pool with her 4 students, I went with a few people to Junkyard, to finish off a few bits and bobs. Getting back to the beach, I thought I would take the time to go to the clinic to check my still not quite right ear.
The doc checked my ear but it was too blocked to see, so commence with a session of syringing. Then digging around she started to pull out some paper... 1 hour later, it was getting sore, so she put some oil in my ear and told me to come back in an hour. I did, and another session of pulling crap out of my ear commenced.
Finally, she had cleared most of the gunk, paper etc away from my eardrum, and could see there was no visible damage. 3 days out of the water I was told, and then return for check up. NOT A CHANCE! I am having a day out of the water before the Nursery deployment on the 11th. Then on the 12th, back to the clinic.
The moral of this story is... don't clean out your ears with toilet paper!
x
SD
I spent the morning with a few people constructing the final nurseries that will go in to the Twins dive site.
Then, while Jen was in the pool with her 4 students, I went with a few people to Junkyard, to finish off a few bits and bobs. Getting back to the beach, I thought I would take the time to go to the clinic to check my still not quite right ear.
The doc checked my ear but it was too blocked to see, so commence with a session of syringing. Then digging around she started to pull out some paper... 1 hour later, it was getting sore, so she put some oil in my ear and told me to come back in an hour. I did, and another session of pulling crap out of my ear commenced.
Finally, she had cleared most of the gunk, paper etc away from my eardrum, and could see there was no visible damage. 3 days out of the water I was told, and then return for check up. NOT A CHANCE! I am having a day out of the water before the Nursery deployment on the 11th. Then on the 12th, back to the clinic.
The moral of this story is... don't clean out your ears with toilet paper!
x
SD
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Day 218 - 8th September 2010
For the last couple of days, we have been building some new coral nurseries sponsored by The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Here is a couple of clips from the 2 hours of footage that Jen has filmed and she is going to edit it down as soon as... but a little taster below!
Thats it folks... soooo busy at the moment... which is great considering the last couple of week!
Much Love
SD
Here is a couple of clips from the 2 hours of footage that Jen has filmed and she is going to edit it down as soon as... but a little taster below!
Thats it folks... soooo busy at the moment... which is great considering the last couple of week!
Much Love
SD
Monday, 6 September 2010
Pin Up of the Mutt
Congratulations to all the contestants in last months Pin Up contest.! It just goes to show that a chick in a bikini can get ya big votes! Tracy won by a landslide victory. Well Done!
This month, as you may have guessed... we have a slight twist.
Meet our 3 new contestants!
First contestant from Crystal Beach, Mae Haad is Jim Bob!
Jim Bob like most Thai dogs, has several owners or none... depending on how he feels. He has a penchant for nosing around innocently when is some food left over, before quickly making a getaway. A friendly, and well groomed dog, he has a nice temperament apart from 1 little growl at Jen on our first days on the island.
Number Two from Crystal Beach, Mae Haad is Ming Mong
A new addition to the pack, Ming Mong keeps himself quiet, unless one of the boat boys appears.. This can sometimes end in a very tense stand off, unless water or kick up the bum is quickly applied. Not know Ming Mong too well, I keep my distance. But maybe beneath that tough exterior there beats a heart of gold.... you decide...
And our final contestant is Mr Le Pew also from Crystal
Mr Le Pew, has a knack for sleeping. He's an expert at it, which I prefer to the moments when he is awake and yappy yap yapping.
A rather pungent dog, I keep my distance, just in case I catch something from this little stinker. But he is well loved by the Crystal Thai staff... I just struggle to see why!
Well, get voting folks... you have 1 week!
This month, as you may have guessed... we have a slight twist.
Meet our 3 new contestants!
First contestant from Crystal Beach, Mae Haad is Jim Bob!
Jim Bob like most Thai dogs, has several owners or none... depending on how he feels. He has a penchant for nosing around innocently when is some food left over, before quickly making a getaway. A friendly, and well groomed dog, he has a nice temperament apart from 1 little growl at Jen on our first days on the island.Number Two from Crystal Beach, Mae Haad is Ming Mong
A new addition to the pack, Ming Mong keeps himself quiet, unless one of the boat boys appears.. This can sometimes end in a very tense stand off, unless water or kick up the bum is quickly applied. Not know Ming Mong too well, I keep my distance. But maybe beneath that tough exterior there beats a heart of gold.... you decide...
And our final contestant is Mr Le Pew also from Crystal
Mr Le Pew, has a knack for sleeping. He's an expert at it, which I prefer to the moments when he is awake and yappy yap yapping.
A rather pungent dog, I keep my distance, just in case I catch something from this little stinker. But he is well loved by the Crystal Thai staff... I just struggle to see why!
Well, get voting folks... you have 1 week!
Day 216 - 6th September 2010
Today... its building work!
A university sponsored by the Department of Marine & Coastal Resources has donated some coral nursery "packs" for a scientific research project. Basically its a mecano set and we spent the morning constructing them.
After we had built them, Jenny and I went to Junkyard, to drop them in... It was my 1st dive in 2 weeks!!! 22 minute dive (very short, but all that was needed to put the items in) and NO problems!!! What a relief!
As soon as we got back from Junkyard, it was back onto the boat where Jen went down filming the rest of the divers bolting the concrete biscuit tins to the nurserys. Footage will be online soon.
Tonight, we head to Choppers, where they are having a Crystal Staff & DMT buffet... hopefully some veggie food will be on offer!!
Ta
SD
A university sponsored by the Department of Marine & Coastal Resources has donated some coral nursery "packs" for a scientific research project. Basically its a mecano set and we spent the morning constructing them.
After we had built them, Jenny and I went to Junkyard, to drop them in... It was my 1st dive in 2 weeks!!! 22 minute dive (very short, but all that was needed to put the items in) and NO problems!!! What a relief!
As soon as we got back from Junkyard, it was back onto the boat where Jen went down filming the rest of the divers bolting the concrete biscuit tins to the nurserys. Footage will be online soon.
Tonight, we head to Choppers, where they are having a Crystal Staff & DMT buffet... hopefully some veggie food will be on offer!!
Ta
SD
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Day 215 - 5th September 2010
Yesterday, was a complete "non" day, relaxing... trying to get the ears all good, no internet for pretty much all day prevented the usual surfing and updating of the blog etc.
Today, it was time for a test dive, the first time we have been in the water for about 10 days.
We got our kit ready, and jumped on to the longtail to head out to Junkyard. Unfortunately we mistimed it and as we reached the site, the doom bringing clouds headed in. We waited for a while to see if the rain was going to miss us, but the wind picked up and the waves got bigger.
Deciding for the safety of the poor little longtail, we turned the boat around to head back to shore, only to get hit side on by a whopper of a wave! There was a moment of "looks like Junkyard will have a new wreck"... but out of it we came, and we shot back to Crystal with our tails between our legs.
So, no test dive, but at least my feet got wet!
x
SD
Today, it was time for a test dive, the first time we have been in the water for about 10 days.
We got our kit ready, and jumped on to the longtail to head out to Junkyard. Unfortunately we mistimed it and as we reached the site, the doom bringing clouds headed in. We waited for a while to see if the rain was going to miss us, but the wind picked up and the waves got bigger.
Deciding for the safety of the poor little longtail, we turned the boat around to head back to shore, only to get hit side on by a whopper of a wave! There was a moment of "looks like Junkyard will have a new wreck"... but out of it we came, and we shot back to Crystal with our tails between our legs.
So, no test dive, but at least my feet got wet!
x
SD
Friday, 3 September 2010
Day 214 - 3rd September 2010
Jenny's 1st video!!!
Unfortunately, I forced her to edit Dave Lyons naked dive!
Be thankful that the visibility was not good!
Unfortunately, I forced her to edit Dave Lyons naked dive!
Be thankful that the visibility was not good!
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Day 213 - 2nd September 2010
First things first.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL !!! (Jenny's brother)
Now to our day...
First stop was the clinic to get my ear looked at. The doctor (?!) informed me that there was still significant swelling, and although the pain has subsided greatly, I should stay out of the water a couple more days.
Next, we headed to New Heaven, at the south end of the island. It has a great view, and some good food.
Sarnies done, we popped to Deep Down productions to catch up with people and borrow some tools to tweak my bike. Then a quick check in at Crystal to see if there is any post.
Upon returning home, Jenny had her 1st editing lesson from me. She is learning the basics of a very hard program... and doing well... Her 1st ever edited video will be uploaded soon..
Thats it... takeaway in the evening, and bed!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL !!! (Jenny's brother)
Now to our day...
First stop was the clinic to get my ear looked at. The doctor (?!) informed me that there was still significant swelling, and although the pain has subsided greatly, I should stay out of the water a couple more days.
Next, we headed to New Heaven, at the south end of the island. It has a great view, and some good food.
Sarnies done, we popped to Deep Down productions to catch up with people and borrow some tools to tweak my bike. Then a quick check in at Crystal to see if there is any post.
Upon returning home, Jenny had her 1st editing lesson from me. She is learning the basics of a very hard program... and doing well... Her 1st ever edited video will be uploaded soon..
Thats it... takeaway in the evening, and bed!
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Day 212 - 1st September 2010
Another day out of the water...
Losing faith at the moment... Both of us on a bit of a low...
Tomorrow is another day though.
x
Losing faith at the moment... Both of us on a bit of a low...Tomorrow is another day though.
x
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