Severed Feet and How We All Look Forward to CSI

If you live in British Columbia, you've probably heard about this story. Since last August, a series of severed feet, still in their shoes, have been washing up on British Columbia beaches. They have been found in Richmond, on two smaller islands, and on Vancouver Island near Campbell River. (Here is a CBC map with the locations of where the feet have been found. You can also check out the Global News map.)

I have been only following the story here and there but not that closely. But, in the last couple of days, two more feet have been found and I can't help but feel like this is becoming an episode of CSI. Actually, not so much an episode, but one of those recurring characters or events that happen over the course of a typical television season. The reason I have been thinking this is a trend that I have noted about people's reaction to the feet: each of them transforms into a member of some elite CSI team. Well, a CSI team without training or education - but their hearts are in the right place.

Here is the process:

1. I mention the severed feet story.
2. The show is mentioned almost within the first 30 seconds.
3. Some episode is compared to the reality of these ocean-going feet.
4. Some kind of map is displayed.
5. Ocean currents are talked about, although, no one appears to know much about ocean currents in our local waters.
6. The disgust of decomposing feet hits each of them.
7. Someone shivers or says the equivalent of "Ewww."

It strikes me as funny since a series of television shows that have been dominating the air waves (or digital cables) for the last few years are mentioned. No one seems to think about who the real investigators are or what they may be doing about this foot problem. It just struck me as interesting.

It is quite chilling to know there are random feet floating around Georgia Strait. As I was reflecting on the horror of these feet, it got me thinking about what else may be floating around out in the water.

I did a three minute bit of research on the web here is what I found:

• Letters to God End Up in Ocean, Unread
• Trash Continent In Pacific
• Plastic Duck Armada
• 9 Months at Sea
• 60,000 Shoes In The Ocean

It is amazing that these floating feet were found at all. To be lost at sea for months at a time? I hope they find out what is going on and put a stop to it.

UPDATE: The sixth severed foot has been revealed as a hoax.

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