OUT Magazine Encourages Readers to ‘Drop’ Gay Republican Friends

[OriZ 3,157]

3 minutes ago, IAMX said:

Figured as much. To live in any region near the East Bay with those kind of crime rates tends to require 1 million+.

To have an ocean...would be worth it. The dives here are mostly wreck dives. Since we've lived here I've literally seen 2 fish underwater...whereas before in the mediterranean and red seas I was used to seeing all kinds - clownfish, parrotfish, lionfish, comb jellies, you name it. Not that CA has all that stuff...but it will be close to HI as well to even just go there for a week or two out of the year.

 

Check this video out I went diving there 2 weeks ago...this isn't my video but same location same everything. Skip to 1:35. It rained alot this year so when we went down there it was about 85 ft, not 70 like the video says

 

 

Edited July 28, 2017 by OriZ

[IAMX 3,055]

The advantage the Mediterranean has is the water is much warmer, and more hospitable to more various marine life. Despite the fact that much of California's climate mirrors Greece's, the marine temps are vastly different.. talking like 20-40 degrees F. Greece's seawater also aesthetically looks way better than the ugly Pacific.

 

The coast of California isn't that marine life friendly until you reach the southernmost quarter of the state. At that point the state gets a lot of its ocean currents from Hawaii, Mexico, etc. It's also where people see an uptick of sharks and such. In Norcal chances are the marine life you'll encounter are seals, otters, orcas, etc. Other than the orcas, the others have a deceivingly "cute" look.. they're actually extremely annoying. If you've ever been to the wharf in Monterey you'll know exactly what I mean.

Edited July 28, 2017 by IAMX

[IAMX 3,055]

I find in the northern quadrant of the state (as mentioned before) there is a lot more political diversity.. the house prices are a little more reasonable, along with the cost of living. They're a bit less tolerant to illegals. While the income isn't nearly as high as the Bay Area, it more reflects economic restraint, which to me, as a classical economist, signals a more realistic economy rather than one in a bubble. It's also the part of the state that gets the most rain (which for California is a good thing, they rarely get rain altogether), has the most agriculturally viable land, and so on. 

Edited July 28, 2017 by IAMX

[OriZ 3,157]

9 minutes ago, IAMX said:

The advantage the Mediterranean has is the water is much warmer, and more hospitable to more various marine life. Despite the fact that much of California's climate mirrors Greece's, the marine temps are vastly different.. talking like 20-40 degrees F. Greece's seawater also aesthetically looks way better than the ugly Pacific.

 

The coast of California isn't that marine life friendly until you reach the southernmost quarter of the state. At that point the state gets a lot of its ocean currents from Hawaii, Mexico, etc. It's also where people see an uptick of sharks and such. In Norcal chances are the marine life you'll encounter are seals, otters, orcas, etc. Other than the orcas, the others have a deceivingly "cute" look.. they're actually extremely annoying. If you've ever been to the wharf in Monterey you'll know exactly what I mean.

 

2 minutes ago, IAMX said:

I find in the northern quadrant of the state (as mentioned before) there is a lot more political diversity.. the house prices are a little more reasonable, along with the cost of living. They're a bit less tolerant to illegals. While the income isn't nearly as high as the Bay Area, it more reflects economic restraint, which to me, as a classical economist, signals a more realistic economy rather than one in a bubble. It's also the part of the state that gets the most rain (which for California is a good thing, they rarely get rain altogether), has the most agriculturally viable land, and so on. 

Yeah hence why I said I know CA doesn't have those things, but it would still be good to even just be able to go "wave jumping" - as my wife and I would call it back in Israel - again. Plus like I said it will get me closer to HI so I can always just hop over for a week or so to get my fix, in addition to diving on our longer trips(for example I have 5 days of two tank dives planned in the galapagos next year). On the surface which is all I need when not diving temps in the bay seem to be around 60 in the summer which is fine, esp with a 5mm if needed. Greece is mediterranean which is much closer to what I'm used to so makes sense. 

[IAMX 3,055]

23 minutes ago, OriZ said:

 

Yeah hence why I said I know CA doesn't have those things, but it would still be good to even just be able to go "wave jumping" - as my wife and I would call it back in Israel - again. Plus like I said it will get me closer to HI so I can always just hop over for a week or so to get my fix, in addition to diving on our longer trips(for example I have 5 days of two tank dives planned in the galapagos next year). On the surface which is all I need when not diving temps in the bay seem to be around 60 in the summer which is fine, esp with a 5mm if needed. Greece is mediterranean which is much closer to what I'm used to so makes sense. 

There are a lot of good lakes in CA for water skiing and such. I used to go to both the Forebay and Delta. I dunno what their state is nowadays though. Never tried any of that in the ocean, but I do notice there are plenty of people who give that a shot. I have a huge problem with bodysuits and it's partly because of my attention deficit.. I can't stand clothing that pushes on my body hair, which is also why I can't wear tights, compression clothing, old school undies, manthongs (though I like the concept of a mankini - everybody should have one!) etc.

 

I never actually tried diving though. Skydiving, yes.. diving no.

 

Is there anything concrete about your plans?

Edited July 28, 2017 by IAMX

[OriZ 3,157]

2 hours ago, IAMX said:

There are a lot of good lakes in CA for water skiing and such. I used to go to both the Forebay and Delta. I dunno what their state is nowadays though. Never tried any of that in the ocean, but I do notice there are plenty of people who give that a shot. I have a huge problem with bodysuits and it's partly because of my attention deficit.. I can't stand clothing that pushes on my body hair, which is also why I can't wear tights, compression clothing, old school undies, manthongs (though I like the concept of a mankini - everybody should have one!) etc.

 

I never actually tried diving though. Skydiving, yes.. diving no.

 

Is there anything concrete about your plans?

Anything concrete about which plans?

 

I don't appreciate lakes as much as salt water bodies. For example in WA the area we were/are looking at is mercer island/sammamish/redmond/kirkland, they have some lakes there, but one of the reasons I lean more towards CA over WA is the fact as cold as the water in CA is, it's still warmer than Puget sound, and I really really want my sea back. So once you take into consideration the climate we're looking for and the fact there has to be an ocean you're not left with too many states to start with. Another advantage CA has is it's close enough to vegas that pretty much any time we wanna go see a show we can. Not to mention all the other attractions nearby(albeit quite a drive from where we'll be) like disney/seaworld/universal/etc. I know many people prefer fresh water because it bothers them if they get salt water in their eyes or mouth but I don't know to me it's just more authentic, maybe because it's what I grew up with, even the smell of it I miss. I can just see it now the first time I'm in one since we moved here which will be next year if I get anything in my eyes or mouth it will do nothing but make me smile!

[IAMX 3,055]

58 minutes ago, OriZ said:

Anything concrete about which plans?

 

I don't appreciate lakes as much as salt water bodies. For example in WA the area we were/are looking at is mercer island/sammamish/redmond/kirkland, they have some lakes there, but one of the reasons I lean more towards CA over WA is the fact as cold as the water in CA is, it's still warmer than Puget sound, and I really really want my sea back. So once you take into consideration the climate we're looking for and the fact there has to be an ocean you're not left with too many states to start with. Another advantage CA has is it's close enough to vegas that pretty much any time we wanna go see a show we can. Not to mention all the other attractions nearby(albeit quite a drive from where we'll be) like disney/seaworld/universal/etc. I know many people prefer fresh water because it bothers them if they get salt water in their eyes or mouth but I don't know to me it's just more authentic, maybe because it's what I grew up with, even the smell of it I miss. I can just see it now the first time I'm in one since we moved here which will be next year if I get anything in my eyes or mouth it will do nothing but make me smile!

Honestly I never really even considered the salinity of water. I just don't wanna freeze my nuts off. 

 

Regarding concrete plans like.. have you already decided,  like implementing plans already? 

[OriZ 3,157]

I know what concrete plans mean silly. I just wasn't sure if it was in regards to the diving or the trip itself including the diving or the moving or the million other things we talked about. If you're talking about diving then yes - Floreana one day, North Seymour Canal & Daphne another day, Gordon Rocks another day, Beagle & Guy Fawkes another day, North Seymour point & Mosquera another day. I just didn't think that would mean anything to you  Look em up, all awesome divesites. One day I would love to do a liveaboard to Darwin and Wolf as well, but I don't have an extra week right now.

 

I'm assuming you didn't mean the moving since I already said in the beginning we're still considering our options. Anyway in regards to diving I highly recommend. Truly one of the best things I have found to do with my time.

Edited July 28, 2017 by OriZ