Signs and Portents

I woke up this morning to find a millipede crawling on the wall. I debated what to do, but considering what happened when I found a sweet potato weevil on my toothbrush, I decided to leave well enough alone. I was unsure if this was the right thing to do though.


I then went diving over in Waimanalo with A. It was flat but I started having problems. First, I couldn’t get my long fins on over my booty. Only the LEFT booty. So I took it off and figured I’d be OK. Then my mask started leaking (I had my hood on). It was OK as I was swimming out. I had tied a deflatable bottle of water onto my float along with my dying G7 to take pictures.


It had been looking good when we were driving but the swell was picking up but nonetheless we plowed on-- and plowed into waves. My asthma wasn’t doing all that great, but I knew if I kept at it the meds would kick in and I would be OK. My kicking was messed up. I couldn’t fall into a smooth rhythm. So I took off my right booty and stuffed it into my weight belt. Ah better. 


Then I realized I was off course. I had to start diving under waves. I was trying to just plow through but then I got caught and I realized later my float and I were just far enough apart that it got stuck and as I was hit by the wave, the float pulled me down and I got SLAMMED into the reef. My mask flooded and nearly came off my face and if I hadn’t had a wet suit... I don’t really want to think about it.


I got past it all though and it was good. I was tired but there it was... a fish for the dinner table. A nice goat, ripe for the picking. I dove down, but I was too tired, the asthma acting up and I just shot... and missed. It was OK. It took me forever to get the gun restrung. The new gloves didn’t give me enough sensation. 


Finally I had the string in place and I went farther out and decided I needed a drink. I went to my float and found that my camera was gone. The polycarbonate casing had BEEN RIPPED OFF. I was happy to note that the wrist strap was still attached though. My water bottle was also gone. I checked my weight belt and my right booty was gone. This was turning into a costly trip. 


Took my second shot at a touau and missed. Took my third shot and got something but not what I aimed at. It was a kill though so I’ll take it.


We went back in.


Then I did something really stupid. I partially washed my iPhone.


Yup, misinterpreted that damn millipede sign so I went and killed it. 

© Darcy Oishi 2020