It’s Friday evening, March 7th, and after getting checked in at the Fairmont and setting up the Liquid Assets booth, all I want is my bed. The concierge staff is graciously running around Copley Square to get me medication. I’ve been running a fever for two weeks straight, coughing up small woodland creatures from my chest cavity and generally feeling lousy. You’ll forgive me, then, if I disclose that I’m in no mood to be at a dive show and talking for 8 hours straight with the (enter your part of the country here)’s greater scuba population.

But this is Boston. These are my people, and we are not a meek tribe. This town and its surrounding community - from Berkshires west to White Mountains north to Narragansett Bay south - have taken me under its wing and into its bosom in a way that I can never fully express thanks for. Whether it was Still On Her Keel’s premiere here at Sea Rovers in 2006 or the countless speaking engagements and classes I have taught, sometimes I feel like I know every diver here by name. In many ways I owe these people my career. So, yeah. Calling in sick just isn’t an option.

I’d like to tell you that I somehow found the strength to get through the weekend by my own sheer will and dedication, but that’s not being honest. The truth is that I got out of bed, popped some meds and hit the show floor because I knew that my New England family would lift me up, carry the weight and make me feel better just by hanging out and talking. They did not let me down.

The greatest thrill of Sea Rovers 2008 was meeting so many great new people. We are an ever-growing brood, New England divers. What an amazing thing. Many with their kids, some with loved ones who are new to the sport, some just lifelong friends and dive buddies. In the elevator, at the bar over a round, as I was walking through the lobby or at the Liquid Assets booth, I want to thank all of you who stopped me to talk and hang out. There were many. You allowed us to share with you the amazing plans we have for the future, and in return we were lifted up by your overwhelming and infectious excitement for the road ahead. It is groundbreaking television with a scuba flair and we are amped about the fall. The more of you I meet that are heading out with us, the more excited (and bewildered) I get at what adventures (and drama) are yet to unfold on the deck of my favorite liveaboard. You will keep us all busy, that’s for sure.

Speaking of which…things are beginning to heat up for the shooting schedule already. Along with a few other surprises TBA, I can tell you that there’s a video contest the second week, a photo contest the last week and we’ve got Scuba Radio on board the week of the 20th. At the very least, there’s evidently going to be enough going on that none of you will notice the camera following you around all day. Kinda.

From all of us - but especially me - thank you. Providence. Hartford. Worcester. Hyannis. Rockport. Gloucester. Portsmouth. Salem. Boston. You have my heart and my state income tax. I couldn’t have done it without you. We won’t do it without you.

Go Sox! -Aaron Faulls

Currently listening to Sing Loud, Sing Proud! -The Dropkick Murphys