"The Cove" Just released on the Discovery Channel

With the release of "The Cove" on the Discovery Channel, and the new series "Blood Dolphin", I thought it would be a good time to resurrect the letter I wrote to President Obama, Senators Boxer and Feinstein and my local Represenative. I am also going to fax a copy over to Amassador Fujisaki today (the Japanese Ambassador to the US, based in Washington DC)!

The following was a letter I wrote to The President of the United States after viewing the movie, The Cove. I strongly urge that you see this movie, it is truly eye-opening! And please go to The Cove's website...there are several easy ways to make your voice heard.

Dear President Obama,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you sincerely for taking the time to read my letter. And I have to say, that never in my life has anything moved me so profoundly, as to incite action on my part, even in this simplest form. I recently saw the movie “The Cove”. This movie was an eye-opening, lump in my throat, pit in my stomach depiction of the thousands of dolphins that are being slaughtered each year off the coast of Japan. Not only does this movie portray the horrific decimation of a huge number of dolphins, but it also sheds light on the fact that a large quantity of the dolphin meat is being sold to the Japanese people and unbeknownst to them, it contains toxic levels of mercury.

If we allow this to continue, not only will we be responsible for the brutal, inhumane killing of a species of marine mammal, but we will most certainly be responsible for the alarmingly high increase in the number of birth defects in Japanese babies that is sure to follow. This is not just an “animal rights” issue, this is also a “human rights” issue.

Although I know I should be asking you what I can do to help stop these and other atrocities from happening around our world, I instead, am going to ask something of you. Please go see the movie, Mr. President. I am convinced that if you do see this movie, you will be compelled, as I am, to stop the systematic killing of one of the oceans most spectacular creatures by whatever means possible. And let’s face it Mr. President, you have quite a bit more pull than I do!

I would like to end with a few quotes from several people much smarter and wiser than I;

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But can they suffer?” ~ Jeremy Bentham

“If you have men who will exclude any of Gods creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men” ~ Saint Frances of Assisi

“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Respectfully,

Brennda Corrie

PS….I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I voted for you!

Back From Kauai...Gina is Certified!

On a recent trip to Kauai with Alison Ulshoffer Events, the girls and I were able to squeeze in a couple of days of diving; Cause let's face it, there is always time for a little diving! On the first day out, I was able to certify my good friend, Gina. With only two open water dives left to complete, she finished up in the warm clear waters of Koloa Landing. Alison and Penny joined us after Gina
aced her skills and while we were diving, the girls and I saw tons of fish, turtles and even a small free swimming spotted moray eel.
On the second day out, we got to practice our buoyancy skills and search for Whitetips while gliding through the beautiful rock formations of Tunnels Beach. To Alison's relief, we didn't find any sharks, but we did find more turtles. Those little guys LOVE it in Hawaii!
After a fantastic day of diving...and a very long hike up the shore, we relaxed with Jen who whipped up a few of her phenomenal mai tais! We needed a mai tai after lugging all that gear up the beach. It almost looked like we should have had some James Bond theme music playing in background!
Sand, surf, great friends, yummy tropical drinks and an amazing panoramic view of Kauai's north shore. It truly does not get any better than that!

Monterey Weekend With The Besties

Getting ready for a trip to Monterey to certify new students makes me happy, but getting ready for a trip to Monterey to certify and dive with my best friends, makes me really happy!
This weekend I get to certify one of my "besties" Gina with her open water cert, while my extremely talented boyfriend, Ben, will be certifying my other bestie's husband and son with their advanced certification. I feel lucky that I have such great friends in my life and even luckier that they love to dive as much as I do!
Aliee and I will be diving with Gina at Breakwater and after Gina's checkout dives this weekend, we girls are headed to the Garden Island of Kauai for a week of great diving and fun.
Ben will also be at Breakwater working with Kris and Jordan, Aliee's husband and son, then all three boys are off for a long weekend of wreck diving in San Diego.
Even though we don't leave for four days, I already have my gear packed up and set aside by the door. Friday afternoon can't come soon enough!!

First Dive of the New Year!

It was a great start to the new year, when Ben and I did a little snow diving in Lake Tahoe, NV, on New Year's Day. We had been talking about doing a treasure-hunt dive at Chamber's Landing for quite a while, so we thought what better time! The water temp was a chilly 37 degrees with visibility reaching about 75 feet. Unfortunately, I didn't find much treasure, only a few golf balls, but Ben found what we think is an elixir bottle, that looks to be fairly old!

Thanks to our support team...Aliee, Kris, Trevor and Gina, for having warm drinks waiting for us when we got out of the water!

Happy Diving In 2010!

Avalon Harbor Cleanup 2010

This year I've decided to start the New Year off right and volunteer my time for the Avalon Harbor Cleanup on Catalina Island. When I told my boyfriend about it, he was immediately excited since he has been to Catalina Island before but has never actually had the chance to dive Catalina Island!
The two of us will take part in one of the worlds largest organized dive events, that was "started in the 1970’s by the local dive community in an effort to cleanup Avalon Harbor, and this event is the only time diving is permitted in the Harbor. Over the years, this event has grown to become one of the most publicized and popular dive events in Southern California".
Its no secret that Catalina Island is my favorite place in California to dive. I have had the opportunity to see some of the most amazing creatures there, so it is without hesitation that I am spending Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 picking up trash underwater! And who knows, maybe I'll be the winner of the "most unique item found" award! If not, I will still be happy to help cleanup and protect the waters I love!


x0x0 ~ Conserve and Preserve!

Seahorse Annual Christmas Party

The Seahorse Christmas Party was a huge success this year. Tons of fun was had by all, and lots of spirits were flowing! Notables worth mentioning; Winners of the photo contest: Above water - Dennis Wade; Under water - Dennis Wade; Almost anything goes - Margie Tomenko. The Big Ab contest was also won by Mr. Dennis Wade (Hey, was this rigged? Lol!) and his girlfriend Bess had us all in stitches with her rendition of White Christmas!
The best part of the night for me, was during the White Elephant gift exchange, when I was able to steal the cute little sugar cookie cutters from Michelle Johnson. I made Christmas cookies in the shape of dolphins, whales and sharks...my friends loved them! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and wishing everyone a safe New Year of diving!!

Private Open Water Class

Several weekends ago I taught a private Open Water Class and had an exceptional student pass with flying colors. Erik is one of PADI's latest open water divers! Even with less than two feet of visibility, Erik was able to navigate underwater like a pro! Hope you have fun on your vacation Erik...take lots of pictures for us!