Oh, Chicago.

I found it mildly appropriate that - almost a year to the day - I was stuck in New York trying to get out of an airport. Last year at this time I was fighting to get to Cozumel to do a shoot for Scuba Diving magazine with my very good friend Nick Lucey. In keeping with still more tradition, I was the only one stuck. Frantically trying to book a plan B flight on the eve of Winter Vacation week for the northeast…not my idea of fun. Not in 2007, not in 2008, not ever.

The story ends with me getting there after all, just in time to enjoy my first Our World Underwater, an amazing dive show that is run with, I found out, military precision. A host of great speakers, vendors and general attendees. What a great experience.

On behalf of everyone at Liquid, I want to thank all of you who stopped by the booth to say hi or attended one of the seminars I spoke at. A shining example of why the midwest has a rep for good people with great attitudes.

It was our first public appearance and I have to say I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm all of you expressed for what we’re about to create. My promise - our promise - to you all is that we will deliver you the kind of programming and content you should expect (and demand).

The New Blood is here, Chicagoland. And we brought our cameras. - Aaron Faulls