Hello & Introduction

[Atlaua]

I'll follow my own advice and be the first to post here.

Anyone coming from ScubaBoard (http://www.scubaboard.com/) might already be familair with me, but here are some details:

Hi, my name is James Goddard and I'm a SCUBA diver...

I've been diving for a number of years. I started my Open Water training with Y-Scuba over the course of 6 weeks. I then went to Cozumel and completed my open water dives under PADI. I did my PADI Advanced Open Water & EAN training in an Arkansas lake called Bull Shoals. I did my NACD & PADI Cavern training in Peacock Springs in Florida. I did my Eqipment Specialist with a local shop that no longer exists. I did EFR with AED, DAN/PADI O2 Provider, and Rescue with a local shop in Quail Run Divers Quarry in Rolla. This year I have completed my PADI Divemaster training with Midwest Scuba (http://www.midwestscuba.net/). I have also done the SSI Divemaster crossover and completed my PADI Alantis/Dolphin Rebreather specialty, which qualifies me for Master Diver, someday I may turn in the paperwork :D.

I am currently on staff at Midwest Scuba (http://www.midwestscuba.net/) as a Divemaster. So I should say that any opinions expressed here are my own, and not those of my shop. I am a Moderator on ScubaBoard (http://www.scubaboard.com/) and the originator of this forum.

My short term goals are as follows:

In Janurary, I plan to complete my EFR Instructor rating, and attain several DAN (http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/) Instructor ratings. In May, I will be traveling to Akumal, where I will take the DIR-F course with DIR Mexico (http://www.dir-mexico.com/). I'm also considering a trip to Roatan in August just for fun...

By trade, I am a computer programmer. Personally, I am a 36 year old male, who is happily married. We had a daughter, Audrey, in September of this year. I have 2 dogs, a 6 year old white Lab, Auggie, and a 1 year old chocolate Lab, Kona.

I've been an active runner/triathlete. I've completed 3 marathons, and countless triathlons, however I did my last marathon with a stress fracture and have so far been unable to return to my former training schedule.

I consider myself to be a wine lover, and have a cellar that would hold over 1000 bottles if I could afford to fill it. I've rarely had over 200 in it.

Anyway, that's probably way more than you wanted to know about me so I'll shut up now. Welcome to the board and please, feel free to introduce yourself!

Oh yea, in case your wondering, my screen name is the Aztec God of Water...

[DeepDiverBob]

I did my Eqipment Specialist with a local shop that no longer exists.

That wasnt Innerworld, was it?

Welcome, James.

[Atlaua]

That wasnt Innerworld, was it?

Welcome, James.

The one and only... They were about a mile from my house...

James

[DeepDiverBob]

That is actually who I did my OW class with. That was a bad experience. I was very close to not going back on my second day of pool work, it was that bad. I'm glad I stuck with it now.

[Atlaua]

That is actually who I did my OW class with. That was a bad experience. I was very close to not going back on my second day of pool work, it was that bad. I'm glad I stuck with it now.

Well I don't like to speak ill of the dead...dive shop that is, but the reason I stopped using them is their overcharging. I bought a backup reg from them and then checked the MSRP. They were about 40% over MSRP. I then checked the stickers in the shop and basicly everything was over the MSRP.

I understand paying more from an LDS but....

[DeepDiverBob]

my first day inthe pool with them, the water temp was about 90, and they had me in a 7 mil. Very uncomfortable.

[Non-diver]

To James Goddard,

I happened to see your message on ScubaBoard tonight, that you had been trying to PM me. I am Teresa Mars, wife of Wave Dancer victim Ray Mars. I did not block any personal messages, but did discontinue my association with ScubaBoard after I felt I was treated so horribly by one of the moderators there, Kim. I had tried to simply give my opinion on that tragic loss of so many lives, but my opinions were apparently not welcome. When she decided to personally attack me in the open forum, misinterpreting what I had actually said, I finally gave up, and signed off. So, for several months, I wasn't allowed to even view the site. For some reason, I tried again tonight, and could read the forums. I had no desire to rejoin, but I did want to know what you wanted to say to me. My e-mail is marsrp@broadstarmail.com and please feel free to let me know what it was you were planning to say. I am interested, but I just had to stop any real association with ScubaBoard because it was very obvious that I could not say anything even hinting at disapproval of Peter Hughes, and others could say whatever they wanted. This is what I have experienced everywhere I went for any help or assistance in discovering the real truth, until the book No Safe Harbor. I have finally decided to cut my losses, and stop any further pain, by staying away from the Kim's of the world. I would be very interested in what you wanted to tell me, but please know that I am very opinionated about this horrible tragedy, as it took the most important person in my life, for absolutely no reason. I hope you can understand.

Teresa Mars

[Atlaua]

To James Goddard,

I happened to see your message on ScubaBoard tonight, that you had been trying to PM me. I am Teresa Mars, wife of Wave Dancer victim Ray Mars. I did not block any personal messages, but did discontinue my association with ScubaBoard after I felt I was treated so horribly by one of the moderators there, Kim. I had tried to simply give my opinion on that tragic loss of so many lives, but my opinions were apparently not welcome. When she decided to personally attack me in the open forum, misinterpreting what I had actually said, I finally gave up, and signed off. So, for several months, I wasn't allowed to even view the site. For some reason, I tried again tonight, and could read the forums. I had no desire to rejoin, but I did want to know what you wanted to say to me. My e-mail is marsrp@broadstarmail.com and please feel free to let me know what it was you were planning to say. I am interested, but I just had to stop any real association with ScubaBoard because it was very obvious that I could not say anything even hinting at disapproval of Peter Hughes, and others could say whatever they wanted. This is what I have experienced everywhere I went for any help or assistance in discovering the real truth, until the book No Safe Harbor. I have finally decided to cut my losses, and stop any further pain, by staying away from the Kim's of the world. I would be very interested in what you wanted to tell me, but please know that I am very opinionated about this horrible tragedy, as it took the most important person in my life, for absolutely no reason. I hope you can understand.

Teresa Mars

Teresa,

I am truly sorry for your loss. To be honest I don't recall what I was planning to say now that so much time has passed. At the time I was a mod on Scubaboard, which I no longer am, for reasons unrelated to your postings.

FYI, Kim is a he, and is a good guy. I believe there were some misunderstandings on both sides, and I probably wanted to let you know that there were no efforts being made to persecute you, enen though it probably appeared that way to you.

I understand that you are looking for a lot of things, closure, rationale, reprisal, etc. If there is anything I can personally do to help you and yours cope with your loss, please let me know.

James