#diving tales

[sohannabarberaesque]

But then again, have you heard any of the rather fascinating diving-type tales related by the several constituent components of the Hanna-Barbera Dive Club?

Which, as reminder, constitutes--

Peter Potamus' Good Time Divers (as in Wally Gator, Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har, Magilla Gorilla, Breezly and Betty Bruin and Squiddly Diddly)

The Three Wolves (as in Loopy De Loop, Hokey Wolf and Mildew Wolf) and the Divin' Wolf Pups (as in Bon-Bon, Loopy's cheeky nephew, and Ding-a-Ling, Hokey's boon companion)

Emmy Lou and Jenny Lee

The Hair Bear Bunch

Captain Caveman and his prehistoric cousins, The Slag Brothers (as in Rock and Gravel)

Scooba-Doo, from the same whelping as brought out Scooby-Doo

The Catalina Diving Clowder

[sohannabarberaesque]

GAGA WOLF, companion to the Three Wolves in diver mode, relating an Interesting Diving Experience: There was that one time when I had Bon-Bon join me for some SCUBA close to a wreck off the Florida Keys as was rather esoteric, come to think of it ... and can you imagine the mermaids guarding the wreck site being the rather lovesick sort, perhaps wanting to teach Bon-Bon some fascinating sexual lessons?

[sohannabarberaesque]

WALLY GATOR, in a bull session with some divers in a Florida diver's bar of the worst possible sort: Believe you me, THIS alligator can't resist the sheer experience of swimming with a mermaid ... and in a remote diving-hole spring, don't you know! A STUNNED DIVER, somewhat drunk and confused: Just imagine, an alligator in love with a mermaid! [Laughs throughout] WALLY GATOR, elaborating: Now mind you, this is NOT a mermaid of the Weeki Wachee sort!

[sohannabarberaesque]

Meanwhile, at the Catalina Dive Story Slam (co-hosted by Peter Potamus and the Catalina Diving Clowder's ever-energetic leader, "Bubbles") ...

PREFERRED: Tales of actual diving experiences, especially such as draw on diving and the diving experience. Anecdotally amusing and revealing all the more so.

DISCOURAGED: Exaggerated or otherwise sensationalised quasi-adventure diving tales whose tone and nuance reek of such as would have appeared in mens' adventure magazines (the "sweat" genre) wholesale back in the day, and may have been inspired by influence of liquor, narcotics or a need to stay afloat financially (especially when you consider such magazines probably paid about a nickel a word).

[sohannabarberaesque]

During a discussion between dives vis-a-vis Peter Potamus and Squiddly Diddly

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY: Peter, I do have to acknowledge that when you're a squid like myself, being underwater comes naturally. And so does diving!

PETER POTAMUS: How obvious for a squid like yourself ... but nothing against you, understand.

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY: And I have to agree with you on the notion that diving is just an amazing experience ... imagine, just experiencing the sheer sensation of a weightless world and the awe inherent!

PETER POTAMUS: Understood like a true diver!

[sohannabarberaesque]

So Top Cat and clowder are heading back to Hollywood from another diving holiday on Catalina with the Diving Clowder when the following exchange ensueth:

TOP CAT, just seeking out memories from that particular weekend: Fancy-Fancy, may I just ask how it was exactly with Jolene?

FANCY-FANCY, excitedly in the Cary Grant stylee: Make no mistake--Jolene was as much impressive underwater as in bed! And I wonder if it was my own feline charm initiative that made Jolene all the more attractive to the desires of yours truly!

TOP CAT: So I take it that you and Jolene were making love at least once?

FANCY-FANCY: I should say so, TC ... and how could any queen on Catalina or elsewhere resist this tom cat's charms? And I should admit that, when it came to the dive experience, Jolene and I couldn't have been more intertwined, even as we were hugging our way underwater!

TOP CAT: And is is any wonder "Bubbles" can't resist yours truly in kind, Fancy-Fancy? Meanwhile, I have to wonder how Chooch made out ...

[At any rate, Choo-Choo was sitting nearby sipping on some iced tea and taking in the view of the Pacific when he was asked to explain his most memorable moment of another Catalina diving weekend--]

CHOO-CHOO: I have to admit that Jayne was quite impressive in bed, and then some--no wonder she has plenty of impressive diving tales to relate! Especially of that one time when a certain sea lion proved rather attractive to her as she was diving off Seal Rocks, and for some reason, the two couldn't help but feel so romantic!

TOP CAT: And you wonder if the sea lion, perhaps, was lovesick.

CHOO-CHOO: Jayne didn't relate whether this was the case, but suffice it to say that the sea lion just took a liking to Jayne, and the two enjoyed quite the time together.

TOP CAT: At least what matters is that a good time was had by all....

[sohannabarberaesque]

You'll never guess who joined the Catalina Diving Clowder in some conversation on Catalina recently

"BUBBLES," ever the effervescent dive leader of the Clowder, starting the conversation: Well ... if it isn't the Banana Splits "themselves"! {Whereupon the quartet of Bingo, Drooper, Fleegle and Snorky--with Drooper interpreting--introduce themselves] And what finds you back on The Magic Isle?

FLEEGLE, trying not to get too ahead of himself as much as the Splits: A few days' rest, perhaps maybe some jamming around, and--

JAYNE, interjecting: Have you considered maybe joining us in some diving?

SNORKY: [Incessant honking]

DROOPER, interpreting: Snorky was just bringing up that time we were snorkelling with Peter Potamus in one of Minnesota's legendary Ten Thousand Lakes; I think you may have seen that episode.

JAYNE: I think I recall it now, come to think of it. All of you were rather amusing snorkelling as you were!

BINGO: What more could you expect from such like us?

[Laughter all around]

[sohannabarberaesque]

With the Hair Bear Bunch and Sylvia Barbanna (formerly child actress Twinkles Sunshine) on the former's return from their Polynesian dive experience with Peter Potamus ...

(The which takes place in the snug of a Malibu surfer's bar legendary for spreading some of the craziest surfing and diving tales ever told, such as could fill volumes ...)

SYLVIA BARBANNA, ever fascinated: So I hear that you bears spent some time on a diving adventure with Peter Potamus somewhere in Polynesia recently, I take it?

HAIR BEAR: That's quite correct, Sylvie baby--if we can call you so.

SYLVIA BARBANNA: That's alright by me, it's cas around me.

HAIR BEAR: At any rate, we've been sworn to secrecy as to the exact location of the atoll where we had this diving holiday ... but believe you me, for a diving experience as seemed like a weekend--and it WAS a weekend--such couldn't have been ever more magical!

BUBI BEAR, ever the excitable one: And there could be no doubt about the diving that we were experiencing throughout the clyde, such were the irresistable style of the reefs and the water against our naked bodies ... and Peter Potamus, quite the wonderful guide, rather patient and not like either Botch or Peevly!

SYLVIA BARBANNA, taking Bubi's remarks to heart: I have to admit that Bubi may not make much sense of it, but still, I take it the diving experience was most wonderful.

SQUARE BEAR: Yeah, just sleeping outside in the tropical breezes on a hammock just wearing ourselves ... just being surprised at perhaps being our first experience diving in a coral reef for some time ... being rather fascinated to see such pretty coral, especially the brain coral looking so groovy and so fascinating, I couldn't resist just "letting go" with a wet dream like I did!

HAIR BEAR: Sylvie, I have to admit that Square can sometimes get a little ahead of himself, especially when it comes to things like sex and "those feelings," but yet we like his company for it. Things seem a little more fascinating underwater, I have to admit, and with Square, such is no exception!

SYLVIA BARBANNA: And judging from what I've read in some of Peter Potamus' books about the uncharted reaches of Polynesia, such is still a rather fascinating part of the world ... and the natives can still get to be fascinating in themselves, especially when they're diving!

HAIR BEAR: At any rate, we couldn't resist the experience we had ... especially so when you had some of the dolphins in the local waters being especially friendly to the point where they just seemed to want a bear hug after just a short welcoming nuzzle on the chin ... how that must have felt!

SQUARE BEAR: O, to have enjoyed such wonderful time with those dolphins, swimming and playing around with them; they must have seemed rather friendly and then some!

SYLVIA BARBANNA: True, dolphins can get to be rather playful, and then some; I've had plenty of experiences in this regard as may have to be for another time.

BUBI BEAR: Well, THAT was certainly a crazy wonderful vacation we had there!

HAIR BEAR: Bubi couldn't have said better ...