I am from Long Beach MS - that was right where where hurricane katrina hit. we are just now kinda recovering and starting to build again. I have over a 120 dives logged and have been diving since 2002 -- had to take a few years off due to katrina and getting pregnant at the same time (hey what else is there to do when you go 3 weeks without cable LOL). he is my blessing.
that being said, i have been a solo diver all my career and i am now looking for someone to dive with. I have all my gear except a tank and a integrated computer (which is on my b-day list). not to mention a new car. my engine blew up in my mazda....sigh.
anyhoo. enough about me. its nice to meet you all
cheers
Hello Jennifer aka urbaneve, and welcome to our community of safe, friendly but (like you and I) generally buddyless divers. We are happy you found us! A couple of questions, and tips:
- Some members find our New or Returning Forum on their own, but we make a point of mentioning it in our newly launched Welcome (direct) email initiative. We'd be grateful to know if you got our email message, many mail servers set their SPAM filter so tight our messages have been found in the SPAM folder weeks after sending, if at all...
- You should also receive an email alert that someone has Quoted a post you made (in this case me quoting this post). Just FYI, the system does NOT email alerts for simple reply posts, so be sure to check in occasionally to see who else chimes in to welcome you aboard! 
- Although our primary goal is to offer amazing dive trips to world class destinations (Fearless Leader Kamala aka WreckWench keeps a batch queued up usually up to a year in advance), we do also support local members reaching out to pair up and dive local sites. Bear in mind however there is no Dive Preference survey involved at that level; Kamala's unique Dive and Rooming surveys that provide the best match for dive buddy and (same gender) roommate only apply as a feature with our trips. 
(Dance lessons (clearly) not included.) 
As it happens I am just down the coast in Panama City, and include Pensacola diving in my range of local dive opportunities. I know other divers in both towns as well, even a couple in your neck of the woods. We can talk more about this and them if you like. 
What we would really like is the chance to introduce you to SingleDivers.com style dive trips, where Kamala and volunteers like myself and many others put in the extra effort up front to remove potential trip ruining calamities, most notably the pot luck roommate and cattle boat last second buddy assignment but also fun post dive activities and the chance to network with other divers of all experience and certification levels in a relaxed, low stress atmosphere. Check out our Upcoming Trips via the "TRIPS" link on our Home Page and we hope you will be able to join us! 
