Doug is in the process of getting Scuba certified. and because he loves me, he wants me to join him so I can enjoy it too. and because I am claustrophobic...I don't wanna do it. LOL so I told him I'd be perfectly fine sitting in the boat, sun tanning and reading and watching his bubbles. and that when I stopped seeing his bubbles? I would pull on that rope he's going to attach himself to and get his ass to the surface and then? I would be a hero! I would save the day!!

when that argument didn't work (and I knew it wouldn't) I told him that there was nothing under the water that I couldn't watch on the Discovery Channel. and when that argument didn't work? I told the truth...I was terrified at even the THOUGHT of being 20 feet under water trusting my life to something as simple as Scuba gear. hells no!!! but even THAT argument didn't work. hrmm. think, Liz, think! and then I had my moment of brilliance.

"I have always wanted to try sky diving. I tell you what...if you go jump out of a plane with me, I will go scuba diving with you."

and my man, him whom I adore above all others, who is afraid of heights, gave me exactly the answer I was looking for..."only if the pilot jumps out first!!!" argument over. I will not be Scuba diving, thank god. oh, but then....

BUT THEN? last night he told me that the average sky dive only lasted 8 minutes...he'd lived through eight minutes of hell before in his life and he was willing to do it again. oh, and did I want to go sky diving THIS WEEKEND? I'll be damned if he didn't call my bluff and stump my ass.

think, Liz, THINK! so I did the only thing I could...I BACK PEDDLED AS FAST AS I COULD!! of course. but what if I cough under water? finish coughing and start breathing through your regulator again. but what if I have a panic attack under water? breath deep until it passes. but what if I THROW UP under water? you won't. but what if I do? *exasperated* you won't. BUT I COULD. and AHAH. I stumped his ass.

but then. (yes, he's a smart boy, that one) he said...well, would you try snorkeling? thinking I saw an out, I said YES. and he said, I'll go sky diving, and you'll learn how to snorkel, and if you like it, you'll try Scuba diving...fair enough? DAMNIT. yes, that's a good deal. so now I just have to not like snorkeling.

but then...WHAT IF I DO? (like snorkeling) *sigh* there are too many what ifs in life. something tells me this time next year I just might be a certified Scuba diver...I know I'm stubborn, so shhhhh. don't tell the boy. but I'll probably love it.