Shark bait ooh ha ha

At least two of the three people that read this blog have probably never seen "Finding Nemo". I love this movie, and am sad that I loaned it to *somebody* and can't remember who it was. I'd watch it tonight if I had it. Why, you wonder? Because of this clip. It's only 12 seconds long and gives you no idea what the movie is about, but this little clip is the inspiration for Pete's new nickname: "Sharkbait ooh ha ha".

His leg does look a bit like he was attacked by a shark. Which would makes a good story anyway, because cancer surgery talk makes people uncomfortable.

Actually, he did come close to being attacked by a shark when he lived in Florida as a child. Part of the deal about swimming on the beach in Florida is understanding the rules - and in particular, this very important one: when the lifeguard blows the whistle, you swim for shore NOW. No lollygagging, just swim hard and get there quick. But who can hear a whistle when you're exploring the briny deep with your new snorkel and mask and flippers and lost in your own world and who would ever notice that you were drifting a little too far out? And who can hear the lifeguard screaming at you with the bullhorn to GET OUT OF THE WATER HEY YOU OUT THERE ARE YOU LISTENING?!? Why no, because it is so quiet and serene out there and who knew you could watch fish swim right by you and the snorkel must be the coolest invention ever. At which moment, he happened to finally look up, and hmmm...isn't that odd? There's nobody else in the water - well, except for those two lifeguards in the canoe paddling toward him with all their might while a third one is smacking the water with an oar. What could this possibly mean? Being a very bright child, he quickly deduced that no, this was not a drill, and began swimming toward the beach for all he was worth. Not being a very fast swimmer, and being at a bit of a disadvantage (only made worse by the fact that he felt more than a little clumsy in his big flippers), it became obvious that the shark was trailing him. Pan to the beach, where his mother has fallen to her knees screaming and crying, sure that her only son will never make it back alive. Back to the lifeguards, who are dragging the errant snorkeler into the boat with understanding and compassion for his plight ("Hey! Moron! Yeah, YOU! What is your problem? Do you WANT to get bit by a shark?")

All's well that ends well, and Pete will still swim in the ocean if given the opportunity (as long as the water is warm enough). He was rescued from the shark that almost ate him, and now, whenever he looks at his leg he can think of that fateful day long ago when he really was shark bait. Almost.