Well the results have been announced. I didn't win.
But I did get second place :)
I'm not sure of the emotions that I'm feeling right now. Incredible sadness, devastation, surprise, acceptance. Losing is never an easy pill to swallow but pills are meant to cure us right? I'm not sure what ailment coming in second will cure but I guess I'm going to find out.
Initially I'd like to thank everyone who helped me out and say I'm sorry that I didn't acheive what all of you were hoping I would. I feel guilty that I harrassed and bothered you all for so long, that I took so much of your time to film me and comment for me and take photos for me only to not deliver in the end (at least to the level that you were all hoping) I wish I could make a gift for every one of you in thanks (but there are too many of you!).
I'm not sure what Blue Season was looking for but I guess I wasn't it. As I said before, there's no shame in that right? I am who I am and I think Joe Zeiler is pretty fun and cool and inspiring. I guess I'm just meant to channel that energy in another way. Now the next battle begins...what to do? What to do? I'm not sure what the future holds for me now. I've quit my job to become a diver but now that the cost of it looms heavy I'm going to have to "re-assess" the plan. Where is my money tree?
In the end my faithful fans and followers, I may not be #1 in the eyes of Blue Season Bali but everyone who helped me win surely is. You helped promote their company endlessly around the world and I'm sure they are eternally greatful for your support of them. They are a great dive operation, and excellent place to dive and a great place to learn. Don't let my not winning stop you from heading over to Bali to visit and dive with them. You won't regret it, guaranteed!
I'm now going to put this little piece of cyberspace into short term retirement but I do have a second place prize to claim. I'm not sure when in Plan B that will happen but when it does, I'll be sure to post about my month long adventures in Bali, diving and learning about my fishy friends and how to protect them.
Thanks for the trip
J
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The final countdown
Alright fans and followers (and most importantly Tom and Jonathan from Blue Season Bali),
By this time tomorrow I will know who the winner of the Best Dive Job in the World is. I'm nervous, excited and feeling a sense of relief that I will finally be able to know what my future is going to hold whether it's the Best Dive Job or not. There isn't really anything else that I can do to prove my case. I think it's all been done by now and all that's left to do is wait and see if I'm what BSB is looking for. So I thought I would use this opportunity to do a little round up of what I've done over the course of this competition. Just a little reminder...
I have managed to collect 613 fans and 331 support photos from over 20 different countries. Pictures have come in from people, cats, dogs, fish, camels, hamsters...even microbes!! I've been photoshopped, cropped, and manipulated by creative and silly people from all over the world and have managed to spread my humour and enthusiasm for diving, The Best Dive Job and Blue Season Bali from one end of the globe to the other.
I've posted blog posts on diving, Bali's marine life and Blue Season Bali and it's partners and I've had over 850 hits on my blog from 37 different countries.
I've created 5 pieces of sheer cinematic mastery (don't laugh! They are true genius!!) to promote myself and Blue Season Bali which have combined, gathered over 1400 views. I've also pulled in a few surprise vids from fans that have seen an additional 660 hits....that's over 2000 views for me and Blue Season!!
I've also gathered close to 2000 comments on my Blue Season Bali application and finalist pages. Thousands and thousands of people have joined the battle to bring Joe the Blue Season Bali. That's dedication :)
But I think in the end it doesn't matter how many people are behind me if I don't fit what BSB is looking for. Luckily for me, I think that I am what they are looking for. I'm laid back and approachable, I'm responsible and mature (in a good way, not a boring old person way!), I like to have a good time in everything I do (even when it's not something I'm too thrilled about doing), I'm inspiring, I'm a good teacher and a dedicated friend, colleague and employee, I'm ready for a challenge and crazy enough to give up everything to follow my dream. I'll never complain and never go back on my word. I'll promote your company in a way that makes people laugh, makes people curious and above all makes people excited and inspired to do exactly what I will be doing if I win - Dive with Blue Season Bali over and over again.
As I've said, I think Blue Season has everything they need to make up their mind. Here's hoping I fit what they are looking for. If not, well the last 5.5 months have been a trip; hilarious at times, frustrating at others, humbling and amazing at others. I've gotten a lot out of this experience regardless of the outcome and I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do it again.
Cheers Tom and Jonathan and thanks for the trip. It's been long and at times bumpy but it's been great the whole way through.
Here's hoping that as of tomorrow I'll be preparing to continue the journey!!
J
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Fingers crossed!
Hard to believe but tomorrow is the FINAL day of the competition. That's right my loyal fans and followers, soon your inboxes and facebook homepages will be free of Joe Zeiler for Best Dive Job posts. You are all breathing a sigh of relief I'm sure but you'll miss my constant harrassment...just you wait. As for me, I'm looking forward to finally hearing the announcement. Whether it's me or not I will finally be able to start to look towards next year. My life has been on hold for the past 5.5 months waiting to see the outcome of this long journey, I am excited at the fact that I'm finally going to know. If I win, I will be looking forward to the most amazing opportunity imaginable - diving, learning, living in Bali with one of the best dive companies around. It would be such an amazing opportunity, not just for diving but for so many other reasons. I'd be learning about so many other things as well. Being the face of a company, promoting, blogging getting people excited and interested about diving, Bali and Blue Season. I can't even begin to imagine what the 7 months would hold for me.
There is of course a 9/10 chance that I don't win! Which is a reality that I need to accept as well. I've always strived to be myself in this competition, I've never done things because others did them first (even if they were a really good idea!), I've tried to be original and down to earth and have not tried to artificially fit into a mould that I thought Blue Season was looking for. In the end they have to live with me for 7 months so they should know who I really am and I have to live with them! I would hate to have to keep up a facade for 7 months! Better to be myself and hope that's what they are looking for :) if I'm not, well there's no shame in that is there. I will follow my dream regardless of the outcome. In the end, I didn't sit down and say "hey I want to do something cool...oh hey look at this neat competition, I'll be a diver!"
I sat down and said "I'm going to be a pro diver....oh wait, check out this competition that's perfectly suited for me!"
So the answer to the eternal question "what came first the competition or the diver?" in my case, is "the diver" and after the competition is over the diver shall remain....hopefully diving in Bali with Blue Season.
You have all been amazingly patient and understanding over the past 5.5 months. Thank you so much for posting and reposting and liking and sitting back silently while I annoyed you with my constant messages, emails and blog posts. My friends are pretty cool (and tolerant!!).
So in celebration of your soon freedom from my constant harrasing, post a comment for me!!
Here's the address (again!)
http://www.bestdivejob.com/2012/?p=90
It's time for the final push ladies and gentlemen!!
Gooooo ZEILER!
J
Best Dive Job, I love you so!
Check out my latest video in my battle for Bali!
It's silly. Enjoy!
:)
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Taking a moment
Today is an important day that cannot be overlooked or played down.
One year ago today the lives of so many of my friends and adopted family were thrown into chaos and irreconsiliable grief as the earthquake, Tsunami and meltdown and the Fukushima nuclear plant changed the course of Japanese history forever. I can remember sitting in a restaurant across from school watching the footage on CNN...at first I couldn't even begin to absorb what was happening to a place that I called home for years. I, along with the rest of the world, simply sat in shock and disbelief. How could a single moment in time be so incredibly destructive?
One year on as I've been battling away at this competition I have had some of the most incredible support from my Japanese friends, their friends, and those who I met while living there. Amidst all the chaos of their lives, the constant stress and struggle they face each day, they have managed to find the time to help me. This is truly what the Japanese people are all about. They are the most resilient, positive and forward thinking people I have ever had the priviledge of meeting. Their ability to look beyond themselves, to share whatever they have is something everyone in the world could learn from. I still cry sometimes when I see those images on TV. If my heart aches one year on, I can't imagine how the Japanese people must feel.
Today is an important day to stop and take a moment to reflect on the tens of thousands of people who lost their lives and the millions more who are now living in the shadow of such an overwhelming event.
We as divers spend our days in awe of the beauty Mother Nature. We fight to preserve her and protect her. We enjoy her when she is calm and tranquil. But we need not forget that she can also be a powerful beast and that should be a constant reminder that we need to respect her all the more.
To all my friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances in Japan. My heart goes out to you today. You have forever left an imprint on my life with your kind nature, your strong spirit and your resilience in the face of chaos. You truly are an amazing country full of some of the most amazing people I've ever met.
I wish you great strength today as you take time to remember and pray. I am right there with you.
J
Thursday, March 8, 2012
What's a Mola-Mola???
Greetings faithful fans and followers!!!
The reason why so many people come to Bali to dive is the prospect of seeing one of the most amazing fish in sea. The Mola Mola (or Oceanic sunfish, or "mambo") can be seen around the waters of Bali mostly during the summer months and early autumn. People make the treck to Bali in hopes of being able to spend a dive getting up close and personal with this rare, almost prehistoric looking fish (and then going home and bragging to all their friends about it).
So why is the Mola Mola so cool? Well firstly it looks like no other fish in the sea. Imagine a big flat pancake (and by big I mean 2 meters from top to bottom), now imagine two long fins, one on the top and one on the bottom sticking out perfectly straight from the centre of the pancake. Now, give the pancake and eye and a mouth. Voila! Hello Mr. Mola Mola.
"But where's the tail Joe??? My God! Where's the tail!!!???"
Well curious onlooker, there isn't really one...well there is but for whatever reason, the Mola Mola was left out of the evolutionary "here you go have a tail" party. So now it just has a litttle stumpy that all the other fish make fun of.
"Ha! You call THAT a tail!!" Bah!!
Poor Mola-Mola....
In addition to being the lame kid at the party who shows up with no tail, the Mola Mola also has the unfortunate circumstance of suffering from one of the highest rates of parasitic infections in the sea. Ya, ya I know you're thinking...man, what a catch! No tail, parasites, big, round and flat. This guy is definitely the one at the party who hangs out at the refreshment table, dateless and awkward.
Unfortunate for the fish yes, but not unfortunate for us voyeuristic divers. You see, the Mola Mola has come up with an incredible work around for his rather unsightly skin issues. As we all know, Bali is famous for its cheap and luxurious spas and skin treatments. Well, the Mola Mola has apparently decided to take part in the action as well. During Mola Mola season, these fish follow the thermaclines to the shallower waters around Nusa Penida in Bali for a little bit of pampering thanks to the hundreds of banner fish that live in the local reefs.
Once they hit a shallow enough level (often around 20m in Crystal Bay) they stop still in the water and float motionlessly. This allows schools of bannerfish to surround them and get about the business of picking off all their parasites. Not exactly my idea of a tasty meal but the bannerfish seem to enjoy it and the Mola Mola gets a good cleaning. The bonus side effect? If you're lucky enough to stumble by one of these spa treatments in action, you are pretty sure to be able to spend a good chunk of time just floating beside one of these gentle giants. They are truly amazing.
It was the Mola Mola that first brought me to Blue Season Bali. I did tons of research on the internet and all signs pointed towards Blue Season as being the best. Their Mola Mola and Manta Madness dive safaris promised to offer the best chance of seeing not only Mola Mola but also giant manta rays at "Manta Point"
Well I was sold!
And I wasn't disappointed either. Over my three day dive safari I spent 2 days with the mola mola. Up close and personal with the tailess, parasite infested wonderfish!! It was amazing. Yes, I know that it is in Mother Nature's hands what we run across in the sea but Blue Season Bali's dive guides know their stuff and seem to have an uncanny ability to spot what their clients are looking for. I have since been back to Blue Season twice, once in October and once in February. In October I was once again lucky enough to have an amazing Mola Mola encounter. We spent at least 10 minutes hovering within 1-2 meters of a giant Mola Mola in crytal clear visibility. I was truly amazing.
This is just one of the many reasons why I want to win The Best Dive Job so badly. It was after my Mola Mola dive safari that I spoted the poster for The Best Dive Job on the wall of the dive centre. It was calling to me like a lighthouse in the fog of my rather uninspiring life. I had to seize the chance. The thought of being able to spend my working day with these amazing fish is more than I can imagine! The thought of being able to take divers, new and old, out to see them for the first time is even better.
Help me win Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job in the World so that I can live out my dream. I've never wanted anything so badly in my life.
Please take a minute to like my facebook page
and comment on my application page on the Best Dive Job Blog by clicking HERE scrolling down to the bottom of the page and telling Blue Season why I deserve to win.
Please share my battle with all your friends and colleagues. There are only 7 days left in the competition and I am still in it to win it!! Please help me stay at the top!!
Also take minute to check out Blue Season Bali's Website. They aren't just in the business of Mola Mola. They have tons of different dive safaris and dive excursions around Bali as well as internships for those of you who are looking to go pro (like me!!!) Check out the website, find a safari you like, vote for me and then come after I win. I will be your guide!!! :)
The reason why so many people come to Bali to dive is the prospect of seeing one of the most amazing fish in sea. The Mola Mola (or Oceanic sunfish, or "mambo") can be seen around the waters of Bali mostly during the summer months and early autumn. People make the treck to Bali in hopes of being able to spend a dive getting up close and personal with this rare, almost prehistoric looking fish (and then going home and bragging to all their friends about it).
So why is the Mola Mola so cool? Well firstly it looks like no other fish in the sea. Imagine a big flat pancake (and by big I mean 2 meters from top to bottom), now imagine two long fins, one on the top and one on the bottom sticking out perfectly straight from the centre of the pancake. Now, give the pancake and eye and a mouth. Voila! Hello Mr. Mola Mola.
"But where's the tail Joe??? My God! Where's the tail!!!???"
Well curious onlooker, there isn't really one...well there is but for whatever reason, the Mola Mola was left out of the evolutionary "here you go have a tail" party. So now it just has a litttle stumpy that all the other fish make fun of.
"Ha! You call THAT a tail!!" Bah!!
Poor Mola-Mola....
In addition to being the lame kid at the party who shows up with no tail, the Mola Mola also has the unfortunate circumstance of suffering from one of the highest rates of parasitic infections in the sea. Ya, ya I know you're thinking...man, what a catch! No tail, parasites, big, round and flat. This guy is definitely the one at the party who hangs out at the refreshment table, dateless and awkward.
Unfortunate for the fish yes, but not unfortunate for us voyeuristic divers. You see, the Mola Mola has come up with an incredible work around for his rather unsightly skin issues. As we all know, Bali is famous for its cheap and luxurious spas and skin treatments. Well, the Mola Mola has apparently decided to take part in the action as well. During Mola Mola season, these fish follow the thermaclines to the shallower waters around Nusa Penida in Bali for a little bit of pampering thanks to the hundreds of banner fish that live in the local reefs.
Once they hit a shallow enough level (often around 20m in Crystal Bay) they stop still in the water and float motionlessly. This allows schools of bannerfish to surround them and get about the business of picking off all their parasites. Not exactly my idea of a tasty meal but the bannerfish seem to enjoy it and the Mola Mola gets a good cleaning. The bonus side effect? If you're lucky enough to stumble by one of these spa treatments in action, you are pretty sure to be able to spend a good chunk of time just floating beside one of these gentle giants. They are truly amazing.
 |
| It's no coincidence that the Blue Season Bali logo includes a Mola Mola |
It was the Mola Mola that first brought me to Blue Season Bali. I did tons of research on the internet and all signs pointed towards Blue Season as being the best. Their Mola Mola and Manta Madness dive safaris promised to offer the best chance of seeing not only Mola Mola but also giant manta rays at "Manta Point"
Well I was sold!
And I wasn't disappointed either. Over my three day dive safari I spent 2 days with the mola mola. Up close and personal with the tailess, parasite infested wonderfish!! It was amazing. Yes, I know that it is in Mother Nature's hands what we run across in the sea but Blue Season Bali's dive guides know their stuff and seem to have an uncanny ability to spot what their clients are looking for. I have since been back to Blue Season twice, once in October and once in February. In October I was once again lucky enough to have an amazing Mola Mola encounter. We spent at least 10 minutes hovering within 1-2 meters of a giant Mola Mola in crytal clear visibility. I was truly amazing.
This is just one of the many reasons why I want to win The Best Dive Job so badly. It was after my Mola Mola dive safari that I spoted the poster for The Best Dive Job on the wall of the dive centre. It was calling to me like a lighthouse in the fog of my rather uninspiring life. I had to seize the chance. The thought of being able to spend my working day with these amazing fish is more than I can imagine! The thought of being able to take divers, new and old, out to see them for the first time is even better.
 |
| A Mola Mola enjoying one of Bali's famous skin care spa treatments.... |
Help me win Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job in the World so that I can live out my dream. I've never wanted anything so badly in my life.
Please take a minute to like my facebook page
and comment on my application page on the Best Dive Job Blog by clicking HERE scrolling down to the bottom of the page and telling Blue Season why I deserve to win.
Please share my battle with all your friends and colleagues. There are only 7 days left in the competition and I am still in it to win it!! Please help me stay at the top!!
Also take minute to check out Blue Season Bali's Website. They aren't just in the business of Mola Mola. They have tons of different dive safaris and dive excursions around Bali as well as internships for those of you who are looking to go pro (like me!!!) Check out the website, find a safari you like, vote for me and then come after I win. I will be your guide!!! :)
Only 7 days until the winner is announced!!!
Joe Zeiler is the best choice for the final prize!! Let's make sure Blue Season Bali knows it!!!
COMMENT, SHARE, COMMENT, SHARE, COMMENT, SHARE, COMMENT, SHARE!!!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Joe Zeiler - The final countdown to the Best Dive Job in the WORLD!
Being a finaslist in Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job in the World takes tireless dedication and training.
Here's a taste ofmy daily training regime as we lead up to the announcement of the winner on March 15th, 2012!
I still need you to keep up the support to push me to the finale. You can help by doing a couple of things
1) like my facebook fan page
2) comment on my application page (you can do this every day
3) spread the word. Get all your friends to do the same!!
4) Take a support picture! Just write " ___________ (you fill in where you are) supports Joe Zeiler for Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job 2012"
Thanks everyone!! We're almost there, only 7 days left!!!!
Monday, March 5, 2012
The world supports Joe Zeiler for Best Dive Job in the WORLD!!!
Thanks so much to my lovely friend Ms. Carrie Sammut and some of my many international supporters for putting together this little support video for me!
The contest is winding down but my support is still going strong!
Blue Season Bali!! THE WORLD SUPPORTS ME! YOU SHOULD TOOOO!
Friday, March 2, 2012
TOP TEN FINALIST - JOE ZEILER!!!
This is serious friends and fans. I have made it to the final round, made the final cut, been thrown into the fiery depths of the battlefield. It's time for TEAM ZEILER's last push to victory.
I am so excited and nervous. Over the past 5 months I have battled hard and endlessly with the hopes of being able to finally trade in my mark book for a SCUBA tank. For most of the time, the end has seemed so far away that it wasn't really real. Now, with only 14 days left, all the pressure, expectation and the fear of a possible disappointment have become too real! There is some fierce competition happening as all of us are starting to feel the pull of the finish line and the exhaustion from the long race. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't scared that all my hard work will not pay off. I am. I want this so bad, I don't think I've wanted something this bad in a very ,very long time. I've pretty much ate, breathed and slept this competition since before it even opened and I've dragged all of you along with me. You've all been so amazing I cannot thank you enough.
I know you're all tired, I know you all feel like you've done your part, you posted a comment, you've liked my fanpage. But now as we push towards the end, we need to show that we've all still got the desire to win. Please help me get over this last hump. There are people in the competition who have not been involved for nearly as long as me. Their fanbase is still fresh and excited. Let's show them that even though I've been in this for what seems like a lifetime, me and all my friends, fans, supporters and family are just as excited and inspired for me to win as they were 5 months ago.
LET'S ROCK THIS PEOPLE!!! LET'S MAKE MY DREAM A REALITY!!!
so.... before you do anything else,
and leave a comment telling Blue Season why I need to win. Tell them why I stand out from the bunch, why I would make an amazing ambassador for BLUE SEASON BALI (click the name to see what they're all about), why I deserve this amazing opportunity. I need all of you to get me to the Island of the Gods.
My goal is to get at least 300 comments by the time the top ten finalists are all announced. Please help me not only meet my goals but far exceed it.
Also, please take a support picture for me. You can hand make the sign if you don't have the word version. People have been coming up with all sorts of wacky and creative things to take pictures with .Go for it, try to take the best, wackiest, silliest, most amazing support photo you can.
Just write:
" ____________________ supports Joe Zeiler for Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job in the World 2012."
Snap a pic and post it on FB or email it to me. Need my email address? Post it in a comment on this page and I'll send it to you.
Thanks again everyone. This has been the biggest battle of my life and all of you have been amazing people to bring along on the journey!
BATTLE ON TEAM ZEILER!! BATTLE ON!!!
Look how sad I am on the surface!! Help me get under the waves!!!
J
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The lowdown
Well the day has finally arrived. Blue Season Bali's Best Dive Job in the World 2012 contest is officially closed. That means that as of midnight last night the folks at Blue Season no longer accepted applications. Starting tomorrow they will release one name on the list of the top 10 finalists a day leading up to the final announcement of the winner on March 15th. Although the contest is officially closed, all of the applicants are going to be continuing to capaign and promote ourselves in the hope of finally convincing Blue Season Bali that we are the one.
I am pretty convinced that it is still anyone's game at this point. There are so many cool and interesting people who have applied and all of us have our own little niche. One applicant has made dozens of super cool posters about diving and Blue Season Bali, another has managed to get all her friends to log swimming miles that equal the entire coast of Bali, another has a smile that seems to know no end and organized a very cool looking party to promote her and Blue Season in her hometown. Others are travellers, bloggers, divers of all levels of certifications, university students, people looking for their second career, people looking for the first career they always wanted but never had the opportunity to pursue. It clear from this contest that diving is something that appeals to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. It's something that pulls people together through a common language (hand signals!!) and a common interest. When we are all underwater we are all speaking the same language and we're all on the same level - visitors in a world that inspires, intrigues us.
But in the ends, we need to realize that this is a competition and it's a competition that I am desperate to win. Considering the diversity and the dedication of all the applicants, I thought I would give everyone the lowdown as to why JOE ZEILER is the one that should be handed the golden regulator and welcomed into the fold at Blue Season Bali.
1) I have been in the contest for the entire 5 months. I first heard about the competition when I saw a poster for it on the wall of Blue Season's Sanur dive centre when I was diving there last July. I returned to Bangkok with one goal and one goal only. Enter, campaign and WIN! I have been capaigning tirelessly the entire time, I have never given up, never taken a break, never stopped promoting Blue Season Bali and myself around the world. Even through difficult times (my evacuation from Bangkok due to floods) and distracting times (transglobal holidays, work stress, deadlines) my capaigning has never wavered and neither has the support of my many fans. If this doesn't show how dedicated and passionate I am about winning this thing, I don't know what does.
2) I have a pretty impressive fan base! At the time of writing my facebook fan page had a total of 604 fans. Not too shabby! That means that every time I post about my battle for Bali and Blue Season 604 people hear it and potentially share it with their friends. Even more exciting is that of the 604 fans I have, only 208 of them are my personal friends. That means that I have been able to pass the word out far beyond my own group of friends and have inspired people I've never met to support me and Blue Season. I've also managed to get over 1300 comments on my Blue Season application page - not too shabby either!
3) I'm a passionate writer. I started this blog not long after I joined the competition and have tried to use it as a platform to promote myself and my love for diving, but more importantly all the cool stuff about Blue Season and their partners. Not only do I love to write but people actually enjoy reading it! Just check out my hit map in the top right hand corner. At the time of writing I have over 720 hits from 35 different countries!!! How's that for some global PR?? I spend a lot of my time saying that I wish I had more time to write but work gets in the way. If I win that won't be a problem because writing will be part of my job!!! How cool is that!!!
4) Joe Zeiler's global appeal. As I said earlier, many of the applicants have a particular "niche" that their campaign has revolved around. Something that has made them stick out from the pack. For me, I decided to grab onto Blue Season Bali's desire to choose someone who could get the word out about their company and the amazing diving opportunities offered in Bali. And so, on December 5th "The World Supports Joe Zeiler" campaign was born. Since then I have received 261 photos from around the world showing support for my Battle for Bali. I have received photos from across Canada and America, Spain, Armenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Thailand, Slovenia, Germany, Singapore, Bhutan, Kazhakstan, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Burma, the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Germany, Abu Dhabi and Qatar just to name a few. I've also received photos from tops of mountains, wedding chapels, science labs, jungle retreats, dive shops and spots, boats, beaches, living rooms, bars, backyards and motorscooters, with totem poles, murals, family pets, snow forts, sacred temples and busy streets. Dogs have supported me, hamsters have heralded my talents, cats and fish, girlguides, scientists, babies, toddlers, moms, dads and gramas...even a giant hotdog have supported me throughout my campaign. The photos are still coming in as we speak. New countries and new supporters are being added to the list daily. Months on, the excitement has not died down. Joe Zeiler's global domination continues...if I win, imagine how far I will be able to spread the word about the amazing things Blue Season Bali has to offer!
oh...and let's not forget my amazing Lithuanian musical tribute video!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPE-MizWL0
and the Vancouver street beat boxers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGNP7nBbTP4
5) Steven Spielberg has nothing on me! Yes, that's right, I am a cinematic genius; master of the silver screen who, armed with my digital video camera and nimble fingers sweeping through the tabs and icons of Windows MovieMaker, have created promotional videos that are beyond compare. Part of the job description for the Best Dive Job is to create a weekly video blog. Just look at my movie mastery!! How could Blue Season say no! Actress, director, producer, editor! I'm the whole package!!
Check out my videos here and be a part of the magic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jApUUCPVu8&list=UUg7-3k_iNVw6QVr_Dt1VTOQ&index=33&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnwWcYrJYFU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HPm0bPxULo&feature=related
6) I love diving! I have only been diving for 2 years but in that time I have managed to log almost 150 dives. Every vacation I have I can't wait to strap on a tank and hit the deep blue. Even better, I LOVE diving in Bali. For the past two years I spent a full month of my summer vacation in Bali diving Nusa Penida, Amed, Tulumben, Menjangan and Pemuteran. I can't get enough! Every time I descend under the Balinese waves I see something different, I remain completely inspired by Bali's ocean critters and I can't wait for more. I'm incredibly passionate about diving in Bali which I think has become pretty clear through my blog and FB posts. If I win, I will be able to pass that excitement and passion on to my students and guests.
7) I DON'T:
smell, have strange habits, have an annoying laugh, dress like a wierdo, talk too much, think that I know everything, lie, cheat, steal, dance like an old person at a wedding, sleepwalk, pee in my wetsuit, yell at people, make fun of others, take candy from babies, kill spiders because they're creepy, come to work drunk, call in sick when I'm hungover, blame others for my mistakes, take life too seriously, mind the rainy season.
like to have fun, love to travel, enjoy a few beers with friends, love to dive, know the names of lots of fishies, study hard, love to laugh, have a nice smile, look ok in a wetsuit, have a secret obsession with nudibranchs, admit when I'm wrong, have a sweet tooth, floss my teeth daily, speak English, French and Japanese, feel fine living amongst spiders and cockroaches and other tropical creepy crawlers, love Bali, love Blue Season, think that Jonathan Cross and Tom West are cool guys, write well, know how to teach, promise to prove that I am the best choice for the Best Dive Job.
So, is there really any question as to who Blue Season Bali should pick for their top prize? I think not. I've got what it takes to make the best of this opportunity. So pick me! There really is no other choice!
Please, please, please continue to support me by liking my FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joe-Zeiler-for-Best-Job-in-the-World-2012/175807769165257
Leave a comment of support on my Blue Season application page by scrolling all the way down to the bottom and posting a little note of support:
http://www.bestdivejob.com/2012/?p=90
Take a support picture from where you live. If you dont' have a sign just make one!!! If you're my FB friend and want a copy of the sign you can send me a message and I'll send one along.
Thanks again everyone only 15 days of battling left!
Don't forget to check out BLUE SEASON BALI while you're at it!!
Cheers from the stress zone
J
Friday, February 17, 2012
Help Save the reefs around Koh Tao!!
As part of the Best Dive Job contest, the folks at Blue Season Bali have asked for us to submit a local marine conservation project that could need some support and financial help. They will choose one to support through their media outlets.
Of course, considering it's a contest there is no guarantee that they'll chose my submission so I'm posting it here so that it can get out to the world regardless of whether it makes the cut or not.
The following write up is about the battle to rebuild the coral reefs around Koh Tao, Thailand. I learned to dive there and it holds a very special place in my heart. I want to make sure that the reefs around Koh Tao remain vibrant and alive so that others can learn to dive there and have their eyes opened to the amazing world under the waves.
So there you go! Help out my favorite little fishies and coral buddies!!!
Oh, and while you're at it. HELP ME WIN so that I can help the fishies and coral in Bali too!
We're down the wire. I need the big push to the end.
Like my page, post a comment, take a picture, make a video. I need you to help me WIN WIN WIN.
I am leaving in about 6 hors to head to... BALI! ya that's right. Half-term so I'm heading back to my home away from home to get a bit of diving in (with Blue Season Bali of course!) and to see some of my Balinese buddies. Put the Bintang on ice...HERE I COME!!!
Cheers from the Battlefield!
J
Of course, considering it's a contest there is no guarantee that they'll chose my submission so I'm posting it here so that it can get out to the world regardless of whether it makes the cut or not.
The following write up is about the battle to rebuild the coral reefs around Koh Tao, Thailand. I learned to dive there and it holds a very special place in my heart. I want to make sure that the reefs around Koh Tao remain vibrant and alive so that others can learn to dive there and have their eyes opened to the amazing world under the waves.
Help Support the Coral Nurseries of Koh Tao, Thailand!!!
Koh Tao is a small island located off the western coast of mainland Thailand. Known as the diving mecca of the country, Tao boasts good diving and affordable dive certifications year round. One of Tao’s many draws is its close proximity to a variety of excellent dive sites, coral gardens and reefs. For the people of Tao ,the reefs and the marine life that call them home are not only important for their economy but also for their identity. Unfortunately, global climate changes as well as local stressors such as overfishing, the pollution from the exponential growth of tourism in the area has resulted in the wide scale degradation of the local marine ecosystem. Coral cover around Koh Tao is sadly being lost at a rate faster than it can recover and faster than the local business and dive operators can protect it.
Faced with severe bleaching during the summer of 2010 due to a rise in ocean temperatures and the increasing loss of coral in the area due to the activities of inexperienced divers and tourists, several dive operators on the island have taken action to bring the reefs of Koh Tao back to life. Big Blue Diving, one of the largest dive operators on the island, is a main player in the island’s “adopt a reef” program. The program’s aim is to set up coral nurseries around the island’s major dive sites in addition to teaching local dive operators and businesses about data collection, coral transfer and preparation techniques.
Koa Tao currently has a number of coral nurseries around the island utilizing and testing various restoration techniques. The aims of the program are three fold. Firstly, the coral nurseries provide a means for repairing and “replanting” the coral that is being lost around the island. Secondly, these coral nurseries provide an excellent opportunity to test and research various approaches to coral restoration and thirdly, the nurseries provide an invaluable opportunity to educate divers about the fragile ecosystem on which their hobby/employment depends. By the end of last year, Koh Tao had 48 coral nursery tables in place with very promising results. For example, the tables tended by the eco staff at Big Blue had several excellent samples of threatened corals growing quickly and even a school of 21 juvenile tiera batfish who have taken up residence in the nursery. These scenes are being played out around the island in nurseries set up by a variety of Tao dive operators.
Unfortunately, these nurseries cannot flourish without consistent care and tending by individuals who are dedicated to repairing and revitalizing Koh Tao’s ecosystem. The program is also always in need of publicity and financial donations which can be used to build more nurseries and fund larger research projects in the area.
Koh Tao is a “gateway” into the world of diving for thousands of people every year. With every new diver certified, another pair of eyes is opened to the beauty of the sea and the fragile ecosystems that exist there. Unfortunately, as Koh Tao certifies more and more divers, the reefs that have been their classrooms are slowly fading away. I am submitting the coral nurseries of Koh Tao (under the umbrella of the Save Koh Tao Group) for consideration because I believe that the first step to conservation is creating an awareness of and appreciation for the beauty of what is being destroyed. We need to keep the reefs around Koh Tao vibrant and alive so that more divers can learn to dive there. I’ve never met a certified diver who didn’t feel passionate about protecting marine ecology. If we can continue to create new divers, we can continue to create new conservationists. Keeping the reefs of Koh Tao alive is a major step in this battle.
If you’d like to learn more about the efforts of Save Koh Tao to rebuild Tao’s reefs please visit the following websites:
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| tending to some little babies on their way |
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| tending to the coral being regrown |
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| given a second lease on life - Koh Tao coral nurseries |
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| The new guards of the coral nursery on Sairee Beach - 21 tiera batfish! |
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| Some of the folks at Big Blue Diving building the nursery tables |
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| Grow babies! Grow!!! |
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| Installing the nurseries around Koh Tao |
Oh, and while you're at it. HELP ME WIN so that I can help the fishies and coral in Bali too!
We're down the wire. I need the big push to the end.
Like my page, post a comment, take a picture, make a video. I need you to help me WIN WIN WIN.
I am leaving in about 6 hors to head to... BALI! ya that's right. Half-term so I'm heading back to my home away from home to get a bit of diving in (with Blue Season Bali of course!) and to see some of my Balinese buddies. Put the Bintang on ice...HERE I COME!!!
Cheers from the Battlefield!
J
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
SHORTLISTED!!!
Hello fans and followers!!
First off, Happy Valentines Day!!!
Well today has been an action packed day indeed!
Firstly it was Valentine's days and I spent it in the hallowed halls of a high school where we had to continually mop up the hormones and melodrama as roses, chocolates, teddy bears and cliches were delivered by cupids and cupidettes alike. Concentration in the halls of The Regent's School was at an all time low and hormone/chocolate induced squealing was at an all time high. There truly is no better place to spend your Valentine's day than in the halls of a high school. It's truly ridiculous.
Secondly, a crazed Iranian decided to start tossing bombs around in Bangkok. By the time it was all over 3 innocents were injured and the bomber managed to blow his own legs off when a bomb he tossed at the police hit a tree and bounced back towards him. In the land of Karma some things aren't terribly surprising.
But...but...but!!! Most importantly, today is the day I made the shortlist for Blue Season Bali's BEST DIVE JOB IN THE WORLD 2012!!!! Yipeee! That's right ladies and gentlemen I'm on to round 2!! So that means that you have at least another 2 weeks of me harrasing you! JOY!!!
The people at Blue Season Bali have been a bit cryptic about the whole thing so I'm not sure how many of us are actually on this shortlist but I guess they want to keep it a bit under wraps until the competition officially closes on the 28th of February and the finalists are officially announced.
SOOOO!!! Here's the deal. All the amazing members of Team "Joe Zeiler for Best Dive Job" need to kick things up a notch. We need to keep the campaign going, keep the comments flowing, keep the support pictures from around the globe streaming in. It's time to get creative, time to get wacky and time to get serious about getting me into the winner's circle.
So your homework for the next few days is to think about how you can convince Blue Season Bali that I'm the one! Make a video clip? Take a crazy photo? Write a silly/inspiring/unbelievable support comment? Think about how you can help me to get my name and Blue Season Bali around the world. Let's get my campaing rolling even more globally than it already is.
Please continue to post comments on my application page and get your friends to like my fanpage on Facebook. Also remember to keep those support pics coming in from cool and amazing places around the world!!
I can't do it without all your help! Let's do it Team Zeiler!!! Let's get me to BALI!!!!
Cheers from Round 2!!
J
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Zen Resort and Spa - yet another perk of winning The Best Dive Job 2012
Greetings fans, followers and admirers,
Well, there are officially only 5 days left until the shortlist of candidates is selected for Blue Season Bali's The Best Dive Job. It's been a LOOOONG journey getting this far. I've been battling away for the past 4 months spreading the word about Blue Season Bali, getting people to like my facebook page, comment on my application and view my blog. I think this could go down as the longest ongoing job application ever but if I'm successful it will all be worth it. Even if I don't win I must admit that the whole adventure has been pretty fun. Getting people interested in diving and Bali and the whole lifestyle of being a dive professional. I think I've inspired a few people to take the plunge already! I also can't lie, I have enjoyed getting up every morning to check my fan page to see if there are more fans and check my email to see new support photos from around the world. It's like a never ending advent calendar, a treat every day for month and months!!!
People often say that technology has made us grow further apart, moving away from face to face contact, making us less civil, less polite. We tweet and post, and like and poke but nothing of much more depth. This whole experience has taught me that nothing could be further from the truth. I have, through the magic of social media, taken my dream around the globe to a level I never thought possible. I've received comments of support, pictures, videos, "likes" and emails from friends I haven't spoken to in years, family of friends and friends i've never met. It's amazing how people can get so inspired by someone taking a risk and pursuing their dream.
Anyway, I'm waxing poetic a bit which is not the reason why I started this post....I actually want to write about another cool bonus that I will get if I win!
A while back I told you all about The Menjangan Resort in the North West of Bali...well that's not the only fancypants resort that Blue Season Bali (and consequently the Best Dive Job Winner) is affiliated with. They also have a dive operation running out of Zen Resort and Spa in Puri Jati which is about a 40 minute drive from the docks to Menjangan island. Zen isn't primarily a diving resort, instead it's an ayurvedic, yoga and nature resort that offers all sorts of activities and treatments to help you get down with mother nature whether it's through an early morning yoga session, meditation, an ayurvedic spa treatment, rice paddy treking, eco-forest walks or a trip to the hot springs. Of course let's not forget the most important thing Zen offers - good diving.
Puri Jati is well known for its excellent "macro" and "muck" diving. Yes, I know - the first thing you probably are thinking is "Muck! Yuck!" but muck diving is actually pretty cool! I haven't been able to do a lot of muck diving in my short and unillustrious career as a recreational diver but from what I've experienced and what I've heard about Puri Jati, it's not to be missed. Muck diving is not for those who want to spend their time getting up close and personal with the big guys, instead it's all about hunting for the elusive little things. Octopus, snails, nudibrances, scorpion fish, dragonets, ornate and ghost pipefish. These things take patience and a sharp eye to find but are well worth it when you do. It seems as though the most intricate and detailed creatures come in small (and often well hidden) packages. The "scenery" of muck diving isn't the spectacular coral gardens that come to mind when you think of Bali diving but is instead usually muddy bottom, sometimes strewn with debris of old bamboo or wood...and at times, unfortunately, rubbish discarded by boats. But this can actually make the dive more interesting because it all provides cracks and crevices for interesting little creatures to snuggle into. This is real underwater treasure hunting!
The most exciting thing in the sea around PJ (as lazy people such as myself - and mostly everyone else calls it) is the incredible mimic octopus. Discovered only about 20 years ago, this is arguably the coolest thing in the sea. For reasons beyond anyone's understanding, the mimic has somehow evolved into an expert copycat. It can mimic over 15 different species of animal under the water chosing which one it wants to be based on the situation (and the predators) it finds itself amongst. They are shy and rare but they are in the waters around Zen Resort and I'M GONNA SPOT ONE! I have amazing diving karma, the cosmos owe me a mimic for sure....right after that ayurvedic spa treatment and 4 course meal I'll be hitting up as part of what Zen has to offer.
The winner of the Best Dive Job gets to spend a little bit of time at Zen not only hunting for the mimic but also get pampered and spoiled as only Zen can.
So help me win win win so that I can find the mimic and find "myself" ayurvedic style at Zen Resort and Spa!!!
And just in case you didn't believe me, here's a video to prove it!
Well, there are officially only 5 days left until the shortlist of candidates is selected for Blue Season Bali's The Best Dive Job. It's been a LOOOONG journey getting this far. I've been battling away for the past 4 months spreading the word about Blue Season Bali, getting people to like my facebook page, comment on my application and view my blog. I think this could go down as the longest ongoing job application ever but if I'm successful it will all be worth it. Even if I don't win I must admit that the whole adventure has been pretty fun. Getting people interested in diving and Bali and the whole lifestyle of being a dive professional. I think I've inspired a few people to take the plunge already! I also can't lie, I have enjoyed getting up every morning to check my fan page to see if there are more fans and check my email to see new support photos from around the world. It's like a never ending advent calendar, a treat every day for month and months!!!
People often say that technology has made us grow further apart, moving away from face to face contact, making us less civil, less polite. We tweet and post, and like and poke but nothing of much more depth. This whole experience has taught me that nothing could be further from the truth. I have, through the magic of social media, taken my dream around the globe to a level I never thought possible. I've received comments of support, pictures, videos, "likes" and emails from friends I haven't spoken to in years, family of friends and friends i've never met. It's amazing how people can get so inspired by someone taking a risk and pursuing their dream.
Anyway, I'm waxing poetic a bit which is not the reason why I started this post....I actually want to write about another cool bonus that I will get if I win!
A while back I told you all about The Menjangan Resort in the North West of Bali...well that's not the only fancypants resort that Blue Season Bali (and consequently the Best Dive Job Winner) is affiliated with. They also have a dive operation running out of Zen Resort and Spa in Puri Jati which is about a 40 minute drive from the docks to Menjangan island. Zen isn't primarily a diving resort, instead it's an ayurvedic, yoga and nature resort that offers all sorts of activities and treatments to help you get down with mother nature whether it's through an early morning yoga session, meditation, an ayurvedic spa treatment, rice paddy treking, eco-forest walks or a trip to the hot springs. Of course let's not forget the most important thing Zen offers - good diving.
Puri Jati is well known for its excellent "macro" and "muck" diving. Yes, I know - the first thing you probably are thinking is "Muck! Yuck!" but muck diving is actually pretty cool! I haven't been able to do a lot of muck diving in my short and unillustrious career as a recreational diver but from what I've experienced and what I've heard about Puri Jati, it's not to be missed. Muck diving is not for those who want to spend their time getting up close and personal with the big guys, instead it's all about hunting for the elusive little things. Octopus, snails, nudibrances, scorpion fish, dragonets, ornate and ghost pipefish. These things take patience and a sharp eye to find but are well worth it when you do. It seems as though the most intricate and detailed creatures come in small (and often well hidden) packages. The "scenery" of muck diving isn't the spectacular coral gardens that come to mind when you think of Bali diving but is instead usually muddy bottom, sometimes strewn with debris of old bamboo or wood...and at times, unfortunately, rubbish discarded by boats. But this can actually make the dive more interesting because it all provides cracks and crevices for interesting little creatures to snuggle into. This is real underwater treasure hunting!
The most exciting thing in the sea around PJ (as lazy people such as myself - and mostly everyone else calls it) is the incredible mimic octopus. Discovered only about 20 years ago, this is arguably the coolest thing in the sea. For reasons beyond anyone's understanding, the mimic has somehow evolved into an expert copycat. It can mimic over 15 different species of animal under the water chosing which one it wants to be based on the situation (and the predators) it finds itself amongst. They are shy and rare but they are in the waters around Zen Resort and I'M GONNA SPOT ONE! I have amazing diving karma, the cosmos owe me a mimic for sure....right after that ayurvedic spa treatment and 4 course meal I'll be hitting up as part of what Zen has to offer.
The winner of the Best Dive Job gets to spend a little bit of time at Zen not only hunting for the mimic but also get pampered and spoiled as only Zen can.
So help me win win win so that I can find the mimic and find "myself" ayurvedic style at Zen Resort and Spa!!!
And just in case you didn't believe me, here's a video to prove it!
You guys know the drill:
1) like my facebook fan page
2) go to my application page, scroll WAY down to the bottom and leave a comment of support
3) post it on your Facebook page, ask your friends to support me too.
Let's make the 4 months of battling for Bali worth it. Get me to Bali so I can chill with octopuses.
Cheers from a very un-ayurvedic, smoky, tuktuk filled city
J
Take Joe Zeiler on for Best Dive Job in the World!!!
Here's my latest attempt at moviemaker cinematic mastery!
Hope it gets you stoked to vote for me!!!
Only 5 days until the shortlist!!!
Let's get me on it!!!!
Hope it gets you stoked to vote for me!!!
Only 5 days until the shortlist!!!
Let's get me on it!!!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Lithuania supports Joe Zeiler!
One of the joys of social networking is that sometimes things begin to take on a mind of their own. This morning I woke up to this in my inbox and posted on my fanpage. Word of Joe Zeiler's battle for the Best Dive Job seems to be travelling far and wide. I expected lots of pics from around the world but I never expected this!!!
May it inspire more musical tributes! Thanks to these two lovely Lithuanians for their Grammy caliber performance.
...and the Grammy goes to:
"Lithuania Supports Joe Zeiler"
Thanks boys. This makes me smile every time I watch it.
Cheer from the global support project
J
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Looking back to see the future....
Hey everyone,
So I was sifting through my personal blog and found this post from November. I think that it really brings home what I'm doing and why I'm doing it so I've decided to repost it here.
Once again, a HUGE thank you for all the continuing support. Every comment, post, "like" and photo is bringing me one step closer to my dream coming true. There is officially one month left in the contest. Now is the time to push to the end. Please help me win this thing. I don't think I've ever wanted anything more in my life.
Here you go...
So it is official, today, November 21st 2011, the Princess has handed in her notice of resignation. In the land of international schools and especially in the land of the one in which I work, we need to let our employer know our plans for next academic year not too far after the current one has started. Surprisingly, it was harder to put the tick in the that "will not seek contract renewal" box than I thought it would be. I guess it's only natural to fear the unsurety of a blank slate but considering how dedicated I have been to the direction I plan on taking my life next year, I surprised myself as my shaky finger paused over the tick box. I guess saying you're going to do something a bit crazy and financially irresponsible is one thing, actually doing it is another.
But in the end, I put the tick in the box and sent it off to the higher powers in the headmaster's office. The truth of the matter is, this decision was made a long time ago. When the end of the academic year rolled around last June I left feeling...I don't know...a bit empty. I can remember saying to a coworker that I was desperately searching for a reason to stay, that I was hunting for something to keep me wanting more. But how happy are we when we are having to search for a reason to...technically, be happy. We shouldn't have to actively seek out happiness or contentment in our daily lives, if we are "there" then happiness should surround us, not hide in dark corners never to be found.
It didn't take long.(only about a week actually) of diving in Bali over the summer for me to realize that it was time to follow my heart and do something that truly made me happy...grow a pair of gills and live under the sea. Unfortunately, some goals are too lofty and I quickly realized that I needed to settle for the next best thing...turning my hobby into a job. It is time to trade in the Shakespeare for a regulator and the IB coursework marking for a weight belt; to finally take the plunge that I've been dreaming about for the last 2 years.
To many of you it might seem crazy to turn in my posh lifestyle of fancy condos, and maids and personal trainers for the gritty hand to mouth existence of a DM or dive instructor but in all honesty, my life at work is killing me. Teachers work hard, often too hard and it begins to show. I have more wrinkles than I like to think about and I've spent more hours between 5pm and 1am working than I care to calculate. Don't even get me started on weekends...what weekends???
Yes, yes I know we get lots of holidays and I'm intensely grateful that I have a job that allows to so much time off but when I started to think about it, I spent all my holidays diving...so why not turn my holidays into my everyday? Why not at least try it out??
I'm sure you all know by now that I've entered a competition to win a 7 months dive internship with Blue Season Bali. If I win it's an absolute dream come true, but if I don't I'm doing it anyway. Life is too short to live in fear of taking a risk. I know I'm standing on the edge of a very tall cliff, but I have a parachute on. I'll jump, it will be a thrill, it will be scary, I might even shit my pants, but in the end there's an extremely high likelihood that my chute will open and I'll land on my feet.
The last place I visited on my month long dive trip last summer was Blue Season Bali to go on a dive safari that, due to a crushing ear infection the year prior, had been two years in the making. I'm a firm believer in the idea that all things happen for a reason and this is no exception. On the last day of my three day visit there I looked up on the wall and saw the poster for "Best Dive Job" and thought....there's my chance. Had I seen it a year prior it would not have mattered because I knew I was heading back to another year in Bangkok...but this time, it was the right time. I can't ignore it.
As I've said, there's no guarantee that I'll win, it's a tough competition and I'm just an average Joe (no pun intended) but even if I don't, it was the push I needed to get me off the edge of the cliff and into the thrill of the freefall. One thing that I do know is that I'm not going to close my eyes for one second. I'm going to drink in every crazy, thrilling, terrifying, exhilirating moment of it.
The chute will open, I know it will. The exciting part is finding out where I'll land....
Cheers from the edge of the precipice
J
So I was sifting through my personal blog and found this post from November. I think that it really brings home what I'm doing and why I'm doing it so I've decided to repost it here.
Once again, a HUGE thank you for all the continuing support. Every comment, post, "like" and photo is bringing me one step closer to my dream coming true. There is officially one month left in the contest. Now is the time to push to the end. Please help me win this thing. I don't think I've ever wanted anything more in my life.
Here you go...
Leaping into the abyss...
So it is official, today, November 21st 2011, the Princess has handed in her notice of resignation. In the land of international schools and especially in the land of the one in which I work, we need to let our employer know our plans for next academic year not too far after the current one has started. Surprisingly, it was harder to put the tick in the that "will not seek contract renewal" box than I thought it would be. I guess it's only natural to fear the unsurety of a blank slate but considering how dedicated I have been to the direction I plan on taking my life next year, I surprised myself as my shaky finger paused over the tick box. I guess saying you're going to do something a bit crazy and financially irresponsible is one thing, actually doing it is another.
But in the end, I put the tick in the box and sent it off to the higher powers in the headmaster's office. The truth of the matter is, this decision was made a long time ago. When the end of the academic year rolled around last June I left feeling...I don't know...a bit empty. I can remember saying to a coworker that I was desperately searching for a reason to stay, that I was hunting for something to keep me wanting more. But how happy are we when we are having to search for a reason to...technically, be happy. We shouldn't have to actively seek out happiness or contentment in our daily lives, if we are "there" then happiness should surround us, not hide in dark corners never to be found.
It didn't take long.(only about a week actually) of diving in Bali over the summer for me to realize that it was time to follow my heart and do something that truly made me happy...grow a pair of gills and live under the sea. Unfortunately, some goals are too lofty and I quickly realized that I needed to settle for the next best thing...turning my hobby into a job. It is time to trade in the Shakespeare for a regulator and the IB coursework marking for a weight belt; to finally take the plunge that I've been dreaming about for the last 2 years.
To many of you it might seem crazy to turn in my posh lifestyle of fancy condos, and maids and personal trainers for the gritty hand to mouth existence of a DM or dive instructor but in all honesty, my life at work is killing me. Teachers work hard, often too hard and it begins to show. I have more wrinkles than I like to think about and I've spent more hours between 5pm and 1am working than I care to calculate. Don't even get me started on weekends...what weekends???
Yes, yes I know we get lots of holidays and I'm intensely grateful that I have a job that allows to so much time off but when I started to think about it, I spent all my holidays diving...so why not turn my holidays into my everyday? Why not at least try it out??
I'm sure you all know by now that I've entered a competition to win a 7 months dive internship with Blue Season Bali. If I win it's an absolute dream come true, but if I don't I'm doing it anyway. Life is too short to live in fear of taking a risk. I know I'm standing on the edge of a very tall cliff, but I have a parachute on. I'll jump, it will be a thrill, it will be scary, I might even shit my pants, but in the end there's an extremely high likelihood that my chute will open and I'll land on my feet.
The last place I visited on my month long dive trip last summer was Blue Season Bali to go on a dive safari that, due to a crushing ear infection the year prior, had been two years in the making. I'm a firm believer in the idea that all things happen for a reason and this is no exception. On the last day of my three day visit there I looked up on the wall and saw the poster for "Best Dive Job" and thought....there's my chance. Had I seen it a year prior it would not have mattered because I knew I was heading back to another year in Bangkok...but this time, it was the right time. I can't ignore it.
As I've said, there's no guarantee that I'll win, it's a tough competition and I'm just an average Joe (no pun intended) but even if I don't, it was the push I needed to get me off the edge of the cliff and into the thrill of the freefall. One thing that I do know is that I'm not going to close my eyes for one second. I'm going to drink in every crazy, thrilling, terrifying, exhilirating moment of it.
The chute will open, I know it will. The exciting part is finding out where I'll land....
Cheers from the edge of the precipice
J
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bring Joe Zeiler to Bali - Application video #2!!!
My endless campaign to win The Best Dive Job in the World continues with my latest venture into cinematic genius. Check out my second video as partof my application.
Like it on Youtube, share it with your friends and post it on your Facebook wall so that others can get on the support Joe bandwagon.
Cheers and thanks for all your continuing support!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Yet another reason to help me win...The Menjangan!!!!
Hello there faithful fans and ceaseless supporters!
Well, the contest is quickly speeding to an end so I'm here to keep you up to date on all the reasons why I'm battling to win this amazing opportunity with Blue Season Bali and why you should support me to WIN WIN WIN!!!!
The Menjangan!!
Of course all of this is amazing but being a big ol' dive geek, I'm most interested in what lies under the water around The Menjangan.
Two Words pretty much sum it up - Mandarin. Fish!..or three words...Mating. Mandarin. Fish!!
For those of you who don't know, mandarin fish are shy, elusive little guys who don't like to come out until just before sunset. The divers who are around when they do decide to come out of their little hidey holes are a lucky bunch because not only are these little critters absolutely gorgeous, they also like to put on quite a show. Just before sunset the ladies of the neighbourhood come and gather around their favorite little coral hangout, gossiping and catching up on the day's events. They may seem unsuspecting and innocent but what they are all really waiting for is the local hunka hunka burning Mandarin Fish love to come strutting by. Of course, the men don't disappoint and sure enough, just as the sun is setting they take their little stroll along the main drag to check out the ladies. Now these are not picky fish. Instead, these fine young gentlemen are anything but! What follows is a bit of mass mating hysteria as the lucky gentlemen run from hangout to hangout getting 'jiggy' with as many ladies as they can get their multicoloured little fins on.
Of course out in the wild where bowflexes, makeup, high heels and spanx aren't readily available, these little fishies have to strut their stuff to attract each other so the show is beautiful. Once one of these eligible bachelors has chosen a bachellorette, "I'll take bachelorette number one, Chuck", they float in perfect balance above the coral side by side so that all the divers can get a good look at 'em. Such a special moment for them...until the man drops her like a sack of stones and moves on to her best friend (who doesn't blink an eye at betraying her buddy)
And so it continues until the sun sets and both divers and mandarin fish head home feeling satisfied, albeit a little tired.
Well, the contest is quickly speeding to an end so I'm here to keep you up to date on all the reasons why I'm battling to win this amazing opportunity with Blue Season Bali and why you should support me to WIN WIN WIN!!!!
Today's entry:
The Menjangan!!
One of Blue Season Bali's three dive outlets is housed at The Menjangan Hotel near Menjangan Island in the North West corner of Bali. It is the only hotel located within the borders of West Bali National Park and consequently has undisturbed access to some of the most picturesque diving and nature in all of Bali. This year as part of The Best Dive Job 2012 the winner gets to spend a bit of time here to check out what Blue Season has on offer at this amazing hotel. Now, as anyone who has travelled with me knows, I'm from the "who needs to pay more than 15 dollars a night for a hotel" school of travelling so the thought of being allowed to spend a night at a hotel like The Menjangan is beyond imagination for me. Of course, the accommodations are gorgeous - beach bugalows set up on white sand beaches, a gorgeous pool surrounded by the beauty of being nestled in a national park and undisturbed views of the crystal waters of Bali. Of course the other amenities are the stuff 5 star hotel dreams are made of like amazing restaurants and spas (in fact, one of the restaurants is actually in the treetops!) And all of this in the serenity of a national park with noone haggling you to buy anything, no potholed sidewalks to fall down in, no drunken 20 somethings falling down in the streets, no motorcycles with surfboards attached careening into unsuspecting pedestrians and best of all...no "transport, transport!" (anyone who's been to Bali will know what I'm talking about).
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| Ya, I could spend some time here.... |
Of course all of this is amazing but being a big ol' dive geek, I'm most interested in what lies under the water around The Menjangan.
Two Words pretty much sum it up - Mandarin. Fish!..or three words...Mating. Mandarin. Fish!!
For those of you who don't know, mandarin fish are shy, elusive little guys who don't like to come out until just before sunset. The divers who are around when they do decide to come out of their little hidey holes are a lucky bunch because not only are these little critters absolutely gorgeous, they also like to put on quite a show. Just before sunset the ladies of the neighbourhood come and gather around their favorite little coral hangout, gossiping and catching up on the day's events. They may seem unsuspecting and innocent but what they are all really waiting for is the local hunka hunka burning Mandarin Fish love to come strutting by. Of course, the men don't disappoint and sure enough, just as the sun is setting they take their little stroll along the main drag to check out the ladies. Now these are not picky fish. Instead, these fine young gentlemen are anything but! What follows is a bit of mass mating hysteria as the lucky gentlemen run from hangout to hangout getting 'jiggy' with as many ladies as they can get their multicoloured little fins on.
Of course out in the wild where bowflexes, makeup, high heels and spanx aren't readily available, these little fishies have to strut their stuff to attract each other so the show is beautiful. Once one of these eligible bachelors has chosen a bachellorette, "I'll take bachelorette number one, Chuck", they float in perfect balance above the coral side by side so that all the divers can get a good look at 'em. Such a special moment for them...until the man drops her like a sack of stones and moves on to her best friend (who doesn't blink an eye at betraying her buddy)
And so it continues until the sun sets and both divers and mandarin fish head home feeling satisfied, albeit a little tired.
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| Putting on a show for the local divers |
The house reef of The Menjangan Hotel is a apparently prime viewing of the nightly lust fest so you don't even have to go far!! BONUS!! There are of course many other beautiful dive sites in the area, with menjangan island only minutes away. Walls, drift dives, coral slopes and breathtaking dropoffs. I've dived Menjangan before and it doesn't disappoint. Bumphead parrot fish, white tip reef sharks, tuna, lion fish, honeycomb and giant morays, damselfish and surgeon fish and angel fish and..and..and... plus it's pretty nice scenery in which to spend your surface interval.
So my faithful readers...as you can see. There is more to Blue Season Bali and The Best Dive Job in the World than just hanging out in the training pool in their Sanur Career Development Centre. There are adventures on every corner of the island of Bali!
Help me to convince Blue Season Bali that I'm the lady who deserves to win this thing!!
Like my Facebook fan page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Zeiler-for-Best-Job-in-the-World-2012/175807769165257
Leave a comment of support on my application page here:
http://www.bestdivejob.com/2012/?p=90
And continue to check back to see what's new! The competition ends on Feb. 28th...we're into the final month so now's the time to race to the finish. Spread the word and get the world behind me!! Help me win so that I can hang out with fish doing the nasty!!!
Cheers from the battlefield
Joe
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| Menjangan Island, beautiful above and below the water line |
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| Just in case you needed a bit of protection, Lord Ganesha has a lookout point on Menjangan Island to watch over your every dive |
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| Local fishing boats around Menjangan Island |
So my faithful readers...as you can see. There is more to Blue Season Bali and The Best Dive Job in the World than just hanging out in the training pool in their Sanur Career Development Centre. There are adventures on every corner of the island of Bali!
Help me to convince Blue Season Bali that I'm the lady who deserves to win this thing!!
Like my Facebook fan page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Zeiler-for-Best-Job-in-the-World-2012/175807769165257
Leave a comment of support on my application page here:
http://www.bestdivejob.com/2012/?p=90
And continue to check back to see what's new! The competition ends on Feb. 28th...we're into the final month so now's the time to race to the finish. Spread the word and get the world behind me!! Help me win so that I can hang out with fish doing the nasty!!!
Cheers from the battlefield
Joe
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