and while we're on the topic...

Right.  So I feel it only appropriate since I posted earlier today about one half of my twin fears (that being aliens, of course), that I now address the second half.  

The scary, scary ocean.

For as long as I remember, I've been afraid of fish.  Even tiny ones.  It's not a crippling fear, really.  At least not in fresh water.  I mean, my family has a cottage on a lake and I've always enjoyed swimming there.  Sure, when we had the raft, I would carefully note the pirhanas (see: minnows) circling the raft, waiting for me to dive in, and I would gather all of my courage and swim like hell for shore.  And yeah, when I went snorkeling with my dad in Hawaii, I did kind of snap at the snorkel rental guy when he offered to sell us fish food.  But seriously?  I don't need to carry chum into the water with me and hope for the best.  You know what I mean?  And ok, so when we did get into the ocean on said snorkeling trip, and I happened to look over my shoulder and see about a thousand great white sharks (see: ocean minnows) right on my tail, following me, I did almost drown my dad, trying to get myself to safety.  

So yeah, it's a manageable fear.

But when I read stories like this one, it just reaffirms that my fear is valid.  There are scary ass creatures swimming in those waters.  Creatures that don't need to come up for air like we do.  Creatures we don't fully understand.  Creatures that can strike without you even knowing they're below you.  And yes, even creatures, deep down in the depths, that you couldn't even imagine in your wildest dreams.  

My favorite part of the article, incidentally, is the warning at the very end.  Kudos to those good folks, trying to keep the fools safe.  And so subtle.

Update: apparently they have now revised the article by removing my favorite part at the end.  Sadness.