HOLIDAY PARTY - 2003


This year our Holiday Party was held at Moody Gardens in Galveston.  One of the highlights was a Christmas poem read by Robin Rhea, co-chair of the Christmas Party.  I have reproduced the poem surrounded by some pictures of the HUC members who attended the party.  A good time was had by all.  Thanks to Robin and Diane Adams for a great Christmas Party!

THE NIGHT DIVE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
As borrowed and butchered by Bob Miller, and performed by Robyn Rhea at the 2003 Houston Underwater Club Christmas party.

‘Twas the night dive before Christmas, when all through the sea
Swam a swarm of strange creatures, all from H.U.C.
The tanks were lined up by the bulkheads with care,
In hopes that somebody would fill them with air;

The crabs were all nestled, quite snug in their beds,
While divers descended just over their heads.
My buddy and I in our goddess dive skins
Were keeping a lookout for sharp teeth and fins.
When down on the reef rose a bubbling cloud,
I signaled Diane and we split from the crowd.
Around coral heads we swam like a fish,
To see this thing first was our fondest wish.
A trickle of moonlight allowed us to see
Some urchins and sponges and anemone.
When suddenly zooming on strong current forces
A miniature chase boat and eight tiny sea horses.

With a little old driver, so ancient and wizened,
It could have been Zingula, but I know it isn’t.
His seahorse team shimmied as onward they came,
And he bubbled and laughed as he called them by name;

Now Bobby! now, Margie!, now, Mildred and Ron,
On Monica and David!, on Kathy and John.
Through sea grass and algae, around coral heads,
Across sandy flats, like dolphins they sped.

Ahead of the team, with a red nose much rounder,
Swam a fish I knew must have been Berko the flounder.
The driver I guessed, even there in the dark
Just might be St. Dorsal, the great Christmas shark.

He was dressed all in gray, from his gills to his fins
I said to myself, “Now the real fun begins!”
A twinkle of starfish lit the reef like bright day
With a canopy cover from a huge manta ray.

I couldn’t believe the strange sight in my mask
“What was it?” you say; I’m glad that you ask.
A bundle of toys he had hung from his fin
And I swear that he smiled as he waved us all in.
My mind was a-spinning, I bubbled a sigh,
Could this be all true, or was I Nitrox high?
I started to wobble, I felt rather seasick
When a strobe light went off and I saw Ken Knezick.
His film would make SeaSpace a huge hit, of course,
And right there beside him were Terri and Ross.

St. Dorsal reached in his pack, drew gifts off the top
And handed them out near the first safety stop.
“Here’s a camera for Carlos, trip tickets for Mark.
And a dive light for Page; it’s not safe in the dark.
A fancy new dive knife you strap on your leg;
The tag says that that one is for Jean and Greg.”
He handed a BC to Sally Kneer
Soon everyone bubbled with the shark’s Christmas cheer.
On and on came the presents, I really was floored
When he handed a speedboat to Larry LaBorde.

“Now for my gifts,” he said, giving smiles all around.
When Teresa swam by, he just gobbled her down.
“See, I hate milk and cookies; they’re really so phony,”
And just for good measure he ate Charlsey and Tony.

The others, they fled, up the line to the boat
But I was too petrified, barely afloat.
When he turned back to me, with a grin ear to ear
Saying, “Don’t let that spoil your Holiday cheer.
Remember this lesson before you embark.
I may be St. Dorsal, but I’m still just a shark!”

He sprang to his craft, to his team gave a sign,
And off they all swam, leaving me far behind.
But he winked and he smiled and gave me a high five
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Great Dive!”