The End of the Line? A New Start

I've had this feeling rising up in me for some time now. I'm not proud, or happy about this feeling. In fact I feel sad, upset, and frustrated over it. Above is a picture of a shortfin mako shark. This year I vowed to take a stand against the Mako Mania Tournament, but I wound up valuing my freedom more than taking a stand for this animal. What did I learn from it? Basically that my freedom was more important to me than joining a bunch of PETA supporters. The end result? I've some to see that there really isn't much further I can go as far as saving sharks here in New Jersey.

So what more can I do? I've been to stores trying to deliver the message about shark products. I've tried to educate people on the facts of shark finning. I've managed to get over 2,000 people to sign a petition to help put an end to finning. I've helped put together week long events to further educate children and adults alike on shark finning and sharks in general. I've spammed the word of the plight of sharks all over the internet. I've done a lot of good in the fight for sharks in this small town, but I feel like I've run into a wall. Literally I feel like I'm standing on a beach looking out over the ocean and knowing I'm just unable to get to that horizon.

So the new plan is this... While I am mired here in New Jersey I am going to begin a new mission while continuing to deliver the message of shark conservation. I am going aim my educative goals on one particular shark that I see as the most beautiful animal in the entire ocean. I want to tell people about where these animals live, what they eat, how they live their lives. I want to learn more about this specific fish and help to save them from the very extinction they are threatened by. This fish is none other than the whale shark, the biggest and most beautiful of all sharks.

My mission is simple. To show the people of New Jersey these animals for what they really are. I helped bring the plight of many sharks into the limelight for the people of Point Pleasant and its visitors. I will continue to help sharks in whichever way I can, but I will make a point to educate people on these gentle giants in anyway that I can. Long ago I called my mission operation No Surrender. I'd say that mission was a success and continues to be one to this very day. Now I embark on a new mission. Operation Gentle Giant is a go!

The Story Goes On and On...

So I finally have a little bit of a chance to sit down and type a blog for the first time in oh over a month. I have been so busy that I have literally had no time to do much outside of work and school. The off time that I do have I would rather spend with Lauren or Matt than sit in front of a computer screen. Anyway vacation was GREAT!!!! Here's a little overview...

We arrived in Mexico as Tropical Storm Arlene was developing and soaking the resort area. So the first few days were quite wet, but it was not a bad thing as we took Sunday afternoon and Monday to relax. The fun really began on Tuesday as we snorkeled in three different places. All of which had incredible visibility and a very diverse population of fish. The underground rivers we snorkeled were simply amazing to see stalactites that were several hundred years old and still growing. Not to mention all the bats. I also conquered jumping out of a tree into a massive crater lake. The next day Lauren and I went to some Mayan Ruins that did not disappoint either as we climbed over 125 stairs to the top of Coba. What a view... That's all that can be said about it. Friday was a bit of a disappointment as the storm had driven away the whale sharks and we spent 8 hours on a boat to try and find them. Sadly we never did find them. Saturday was another highlight as I went snorkeling with the guys on two reefs and saw a massive barracuda, stingray, sea turtle, and literally thousands of other fish. Sunday we came home and Monday was a nice relaxing day at home.

So that's a quick little overview on how my vacation went with Lauren and her family. So with that being said.... I've been swamped with work and class since I got back and it looks like it will continue for a few more weeks as Shark Week is just around the corner and I have a lot of preparations to do. At least I enjoy doing the work. If I didn't like my job I'd be a much more angry person. As a result... my videogame systems have been quiet for the past week. I'd love to play the game I picked up last week, but I've been virtually unable to do anything in it. Hopefully this week will present a little bit more opportunity to relax and play. Time will tell and hopefully my next blog entry will not be a month away.