Cookiecutter shark is not as cute as it sounds....

Mike Spalding was about 11 miles into his  nighttime Alenuihaha Channel crossing when the attempt was cut short by a bite from a cookiecutter shark.  This shark, only about 20" tops,  is known for taking deep round  bites out of seals, dolphins, tuna.  It mistook Mike for a tasty snack. He thinks perhaps the lights from his support boats attracted other snacks, and he just got in the way.  He made the record books, but not in the way he intended--he's the first living human to have been bitten by this shark.  

Photo: Maui News

Mermaid tail for amputee

Nadya Vessey's legs were amputated below the knee when she was a young child.  A curious boy once asked her why, and she replied that it's because she was a mermaid.  The idea stuck with her, and she eventually contacted a famous special effects company if they might make her a prosthetic, realistic mermaid's tail.  To her surprise, they said yes.  Weta, the company who did work for "Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" made her a custom, fully functional mermaid's tail, complete with an attached suit.  It's wonderful to hear about companies that take the time/effort to make people's dreams come true.....especially mermaid dreams.....

photo: stuff.co.nz