summertime, and the livin is easy

Ahh summer.

I was a little sad I was gonna miss out on summer in North Carolina this year, but I guess Australia isn't a bad trade. Not to mention its winter here and I already have the makings of a sweet tan. But nothing can top that feeling I get as soon as the wind starts smelling like the beach and that overwhelming feeling of finally being home. I realize I'm not really from the beach and I grew up in Greensboro, but the beach holds my fondest memories from when I was a kid, and feels more like home than anywhere else. Its my greatest memories with my family, and no matter where I live, Atlantic Beach will always be home.

One of our regular spots at the beach is Shackleford. Its a quick 10 minute boat ride from my parents house and we just anchor the boat in, break out the brewskies and float in the water or lay on the beach. There are wild horses there which still excite me even though I've seen them a million times. Its peaceful and beautiful . . . I guess its just "our place."

And now to shatter my peaceful memories. I got an interesting email from my cousin yesterday. It seems he has a friend who was out in a helicopter near my parents house on the coast for a boat shoot. He took some pretty interesting pictures, right off the edge of Shackleford.That, my friends, is what 300-400 sharks looks like. And to think I was worried about swimming in the water here in Australia. Granted, a 6ft nurse shark doesn't compare to a 25 ft Great White . . . but if I was getting attacked I think the type of shark would be the least of my worries. These pictures are also just a day after good ol daddio jumped off his boat to untie his line. Dad, I think you're one shark might have had some buddies you couldn't see. You're one lucky SOB, so stay out of the water. When I come back to the states it will be winter. Not really boating season and definitely not swimming season. And I'm sure by the time summer rolls around next year I will have regained my confidence in the water and jump right in. But for now, thats freakin scary.

So, today I headed over the the dive shop I've been meaning to go to for a few weeks now. Its walking distance from my house and has all the extras I might need for a dive and they also plan trips. Here in Australia I'm required by law to have a whistle and a safety sausage (a floating orange marker to signal I need help) to go diving. No offense, but I don't think my whistle would scare away a shark. So in addition to those items I bought this . . .Now, technically this is not for shark killing. Its in case I get tangled in a line, in rubbish along the bottom, or some other obstacle that keeps me from getting to the surface. BUT, in the event that I were ever attacked, I would much rather stab a shark in the eye with this than my finger. In honor of my beloved yellow xterra that died earlier this year, I have named my knife Zing. Its kinda like owning a handgun. You hope you never have to use it, but in the event that you do, you're damn glad you purchased it. I've never owned a handgun, but I assume thats what it feels like. Mom, I hope you can rest a little easier knowing I'll have this strapped to me when I'm diving. Maybe you should buy one for dad since he thinks he's invincible, I think it'd be a lot more helpful than his waterproof cell phone.

Lastly, some of you may know that I plan on writing a book at some point during my life. It was just going to be Momisms, but the Grandmaisms have started taking the cake lately. This book will be about my family, mainly my mother and grandmother, and the absolutely ridiculous things that come out of their mouths. For instance, while in Africa having breakfast one morning my mother announced to us "I think these eggs come from some kind of bird." Good one mom. Or theres the time I was having a going away dinner before I left for China and my grandmother asked if I was taking a train or plane to get there. The list goes on, and I may only sell 20 copies to my family, but it will make us laugh for years to come. So, I shall share with you the latest Grandmaism . . .

My mom called my grandmother the other day to check on her and make sure she had gone to eat lunch. She doesn’t cook for herself much anymore so my mom likes to make sure she’s eating. My grandmother then explained that she hadn’t gone to lunch because she had to go to a meeting. The meeting was for all the residents to voice their opinions about their rooms and if they wanted any changes. Everyone was at the meeting, including most of the staff and many residents. To this entire group my grandmother announced that she wanted the garbage that flies over her head at night to be removed because she was scared it would fall on her. . . All the other little ladies at Wellspring are now terrified that their garbage will start flying over their heads at night too. Sorry Wellspring, welcome to my family.