volante - You need ot MAKE the time for diving!
I'm Advanced, btw, and soon to be Master. I will be finishing my Rescue Diver in about a week, which is all I need, since I've already got 5 specialties.
Immediately after that, I'm going for my divemaster. Just got the books... damn it's a lot of reading! You also have to do 4 timed swims: 800 yards mask/snorkel/fins, 400 yards with nothing, 100 yard tired diver tow in full gear, and 15 minutes of treading/floating with your hands out of the water for the last 2 minutes. Should be fun...
As for my favorite places to go, I too am a warm water kind of guy. I love Cozumel (drift diving rules). The Caymans are great, and southern Florida (West Palm down through the Keys) is good too...
One of my all time favorite dives was last year in Key West. We got on the boat and the guy said, "Oh, by the way. We've got a lobster license for the entire boat, so if anyone wants to try lobstering, just let me know." I was the only one interested at first (my friends were actually making fun of me), but once I had that first lobster in the bag, everyone jumped on the band wagon. Let's just put it this way - we ate very well for two nights!
If any of you will be in Key West for Fantasy Fest next year, we should meet up for some lobster dives. I know I'll be there.
TB