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.

8) I DO:
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

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.

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:

http://www.marineconservationkohtao.com/

http://www.bigbluediving.com/category/conservation.html

http://www.savekohtao.com/

tending to some little babies on their way

tending to the coral being regrown

given a second lease on life - Koh Tao coral nurseries

The new guards of the coral nursery on Sairee Beach - 21 tiera batfish!

Some of the folks at Big Blue Diving building the nursery tables

Grow babies! Grow!!!

Installing the nurseries around Koh Tao

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

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

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!

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!!!!

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