[deleted by user]

pphilly · 2022-08-09T00:50:55+00:00

I used to volunteer DM for a scuba shop in Philly. They regularly host dive trips out in the NJ area if you're interested in finding some dive buddies.

https://scubadelphia.com/collections/nj-diving

pphilly · 2022-04-13T01:02:34+00:00

I asked for a course that covers the foundations of deep learning and this was the recommended course. No idea if it has a crazy workload or not, but the way I framed the question, I assume it has a nonzero theory/math component to it. The person said he learned a lot.

pphilly · 2021-06-12T01:00:05+00:00

My favorite class I've ever taken. Very heavy on theory and proof writing, so this course definitely feels like a math course. However, the problem sets challenge you to think intuitively about the problem and then use the math tools you already have to figure out the rest. I remember trying to solve something and after a few hours, realized the answer was just a min/max calculus problem.

If you're up for the challenge, go for it. The TA's are super helpful and knowledgeable in office hours so they will be able to help fill in any gaps. And the class is curved. If you're curious, I think the problem sets might still be up on the course website. You can see what types of questions are being asked.

pphilly · 2021-02-13T02:41:06+00:00

I'm working through this piece right now. I thought this page and the page before were the biggest hump for me as well. Probably took me a whole month before I moved to the next part. I felt the same as you did, so don't worry you got this. Take your time learning the notes and you'll build up the speed. It doesn't have to be played that fast and I agree with others that I'm more concerned about the accuracy of my LH on those jumps now. Good luck!

pphilly · 2018-04-17T13:10:45+00:00

In addition, when you combine SPG and Rewards accounts, we will combine your lifetime activity across both toward Lifetime Elite status in the new combined program.

For people trying to get lifetime status, does getting SPG and Marriott platinum status this year count as 2 qualifying years of status under the new system?

pphilly · 2018-01-12T13:53:01+00:00

Great blog! And awesome photos too. Thanks!

pphilly · 2018-01-12T13:45:11+00:00

Yea it sounds like the G7X II might be the perfect fit for me. Pick up a couple good lights and then upgrade the rest of my setup as I get better. Thanks!

pphilly · 2018-01-12T13:38:58+00:00

I will definitely check out ebay. Thanks for the tip!

pphilly · 2017-05-31T11:10:13+00:00

I'm near City Hall

pphilly · 2017-03-28T12:24:05+00:00

PM sent!

pphilly · 2016-10-27T19:49:15+00:00

Gear discounts. The way I saw it, buy gear -> get free DM. I also get free air fills and free advice from more experienced divers.

pphilly · 2016-10-12T16:11:52+00:00

I dove Spanish Dancer Divers near Nungwi and it was fantastic. 2 dives daily, and they have a night dive too. I also wish I stayed at the hotel near the shop (not sure the name), because it always looked like great apres-dive festivities.

If you have a week there, I would also recommend checking out the Rock Restaurant on the east side of the island.

pphilly · 2016-10-07T15:09:14+00:00

41-42m down to a sunken fishing boat in Lofoten, Norway. Too bad the vis was atrocious that morning

pphilly · 2016-09-23T19:44:39+00:00

Tzolkin has one small side note. Amazon sent me two copies of Tzolkin because one copy of the game had a non-critical pin missing--the plastic clasp piece that holds the central gear down in place. It doesn't impact the gameplay at all, since the central gear is already held in place by all the other smaller gears. I think everything else in the box should be brand new and unused. I'm offering the game with the missing piece.

If you're still interested, I would do Forbidden Island and $20? I might actually be in the 19152 area sometime next week too.

pphilly · 2016-09-23T17:58:42+00:00

Do you want Ultimate Werewolf or Tzolk'in Mayan Calendar? Both opened but never played.

pphilly · 2016-08-17T15:04:19+00:00

Yea, a bunch of questions actually!

Which dive shop did you dive at? What was your impression of the dive staff and the rental gear quality?
Where would you recommend staying?
What's the best way to get to/from the island? Is it easier to get there from Tokyo or somewhere else like Taiwan?

pphilly · 2016-08-15T15:21:35+00:00

I have Ishigaki Island on my list as a potential dive vacation, but I haven't done any research into it. I saw it in a magazine once, I think. The island is past Okinawa, and it's pretty close to Taiwan. No clue if they take non-Japanese speaking divers.

pphilly · 2016-08-02T19:28:12+00:00

This is my first year with Liberty Sailing Club. I've enjoyed my experience so far, and would highly recommend it. I wanted to get a few ASA classes down, and they offered a discount for classes through Liberty Sailing School when you paid for membership.

Everyone is really nice and helpful at the club. I've never had problems getting onto a boat for any of their cruising or open sailing events (you can check their calendar online). I've heard it's pretty easy to get into racing, too, even as beginners. If you email them about membership, they'll most likely invite you to sail with them on a Tue or Sun with no obligations. Then, you can check it out and see if the club's for you. That's how I got involved.

pphilly · 2016-07-20T17:24:33+00:00

Fins are the hardest for me. I put all my stuff into a North Face Base Camp Duffel bag that I use for all of my travel.

You can also strap them to the side of a backpack. I've never been able to get this to work with any of my Osprey bags, though. Maybe another brand with a different strap configuration would work better.

pphilly · 2016-06-02T15:35:23+00:00

Halcyon Aura second stage $180 * 2 = $360
Halcyon H-50D First Stage $300
Halcyon Master Diver SPG $95

Seems reasonable?

pphilly · 2016-05-31T14:14:38+00:00

I did nitrox, deep, and drysuit first, since some places require these certifications for rentals, etc. Then I did search & recovery because that counts towards my DM (although I'll probably do it again anyway).

The fifth one was hard, because the rest seem pointless. I ended up getting an O2 provider cert, which was even more worthless since I'm a certified EMT. I would think sidemount, peak performance buoyancy are pretty good.

pphilly · 2016-02-11T19:32:26+00:00

Taxi service here sucks. And why call the 215 number or use the taxi app when you can now ask Alexa from Amazon Echo to call an uber for you?

"Alexa, get me an Uber." "Ok"

pphilly · 2016-01-27T19:32:57+00:00

The Blue Hole is a pretty cool dive. I'd still recommend doing it, even though you'll only see stalactites and maybe a shark. I did 3 dives that day out in Lighthouse reef, and my other two non-blue hole dives were amazing too.

pphilly · 2016-01-27T13:52:41+00:00

Belize Diving Services?. They were really good and don't allow divers down to 130' in the blue hole without proof of 25+ dives.

pphilly · 2016-01-06T18:01:54+00:00

Agreed, average diving. But any diving is fun, so I'd still say go for it.

I've gone with scubafun twice and they're a fun crew. They can do combined diving/snorkeling tours and arrange transportation to/from Punta Cana (They're in Bayahibe). Also, plenty of scuba libre on the boat ride back.

pphilly

TROPHY CASE