World of Ong

Eeesh! Wow it has been a while. Well my friends, I have a lot to for you! It's been 4 months since my last entry…. And where do I begin?

August was fairly tame; I can barely remember it now so let's move onto October. Ah yes, as was last year, this is the start of the 3 months of hell. Holidays, parties, yada, yada, etc., etc… you get the picture.

In the beginning, I took on a new challenge. I decided to participate in one of those beer drinking clubs. So, in 3 weeks I drank 40 beers; thus, becoming a proud member of the Beer Hunters Club. So, if you are ever in the neighborhood of the Duchess Bar and Grill, somewhere on a bronze plaque on the wall is my name - for eternity. HA! Also, I got a new white baseball cap that says I am in. I guess its sort of like the golden jacket of golf - but this is to beer.

Halloween was a blast. Sort of a last minute party and costume deal. The kind of partying where I didn't get home until the next day only wearing pantyhose on my head, lipstick still smudged across my face, in man knickers and a lacy shirt. Along with the realization that all of my belongings and personal effects where scattered around King County Washington. Car in Capitol Hill, wallet in Greenwood, car keys in Ballard, me in University District, and my integrity - well, not on this planet. After a 4 hour scavenger hunt - I finally become whole.

Early November, I participated in a new startup scuba group. This was a fun time, 5 of us headed out to Alki Beach in Seattle in search for an overturned tugboat. My navigation skills were a little rusty and we missed it by 5 degrees. But I got to see a lot of dead things, such as a dead harbor seal and a bunch of dead octopus. Plus, I made a bunch of new diving buddies which rocks! (pics are on the upper right)

A week later, I FINALLY got to head out for a vacation. 3 countries in 2 weeks. Not too shabby.

First stop, Puerto Vallarta. Waking up at 4am getting a ride to the airport and leaving at 6am. 4 Vodka 7's already in my gullet. Flight was delayed by a dog. Yes a dog. Now there were 2 things I can blame on a dog. Met some really wonderful people on the plane - in fact so wonderful, we drank the plane dry of all the vodka. It was a great flight. You can see how fun it was in the picture.

Puerto Vallarta was a blast except for all the usual family turmoil. Did a little zip lining in the Jungle Canopy, a little scuba diving, a little beach time and relaxing on the beach. Even was there during the Mexican Independence day. Lots of margaritas, lotion and sweat. Personally, I will never head back there - at least at the place I was staying. It was pretty much the 51st state of America. Obese, oiled up white tourists running around everywhere! Just could not get into it. Only Mexicans I saw where waiting on us - I can get that in Arizona, thank you. Although, there was Mariana the Canopy tour guide I fell in love with instantly. Oh, and Manuel! Our waiter… he kept the margaritas pouring. He waited on me for 6 days straight. With all the crazy tips I gave him, I could of bought himself a nice 72" plasma screen.

Met some really wonderful people while scuba diving. Although visibility below was only at 10 - 20 feet, it was fun nonetheless - with all the underwater thermal currents it was really interesting from going from hot ocean water to cold. Saw a sea turtle, lobster, Green Moray Eel, and a variation of puffer fish. The flow and ebb was crazy considering we were only at 25-40 feet deep.

End of Vallarta and I then proceed to the airport to buy 2 bottles of tequila, 2 cartons of cigarettes - sit down at an airport bar and drink a lot of margaritas, smoking cigarettes and watching Mexican T.V. with 30 Pesos to my name.

Finally arrive in Seattle, only to head to my bedroom, unpack my summer luggage and re-pack with the ski gear, to wake up at 6am and head to Whistler Canada for the opening ski season.

Whistler was another drunken haze as usual. Snow wasn't as epic as last year, but it was nice snow. It reminded me of Rocky Mountain skiing - sun was out, hard pack with a little slush on top. It brought back memories. Once again, I wont expand too much on this trip because - What happens in Whistler will stay there.

Now I sit in my library in Seattle, writing this to you in detox. Scuba gear is finally washed up, dives are logged, ski gear put away, clothes washed and drinking a nice beer. Only 3 more weeks till I head out again for the Christmas holidays to Phoenix. Also, I will see if I can get some more local dives in within the 3 weeks here, but first I have to change my scuba rig to fit my dry-suit and my tanks.

Until next time mi amigos, la vida viva y tiene diversion!

# posted by Juanito the Bandito @ 6:42 PM