Oddities, curiousities and strangness in history

Strange ?

I'm going for an odd reflection in the car window.

Those who spent the weekend waiting impatiently for the mystery of the softball-sized eyeball in Florida to be solved can now start the new week with a sigh of relief. It in all likelihood came from a swordfish.

“Experts on site and remotely have viewed and analyzed the eye, and based on its color, size and structure, along with the presence of bone around it, we believe the eye came from a swordfish,” said Joan Herrera, curator of collections at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., said in a statement Monday.

The giant blue eye was found washed up on Pompano Beach north of Ft. Lauderdale by Gino Covacci while out for a stroll. However, the identity of the creature that lost the eye has, until now, remained a mystery.

The eye was fully intact and, according to Covacci, “it was fresh,” which begs the question: how did it wind up there? That mystery has also been solved, says Herrera.

“Based on straight-line cuts visible around the eye, we believe it was removed by a fisherman and discarded.”

Experts will conduct genetic testing to verify their findings. It wasn’t immediately clear how large a swordfish this eye might have come from, but the species can grow as large as 1,400 pounds.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:I'm going for an odd reflection in the car window.

My guess as well, though it did seem to stick with the clouds despite camera motion.

Its easy to take the feat of getting rovers on another planet for granted- but its really pretty impressive.

Singing frog and 'walking' catfish among 126 new species discovered in Mekong basin – in pictures

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2012/dec/18/new-species-discovered-mekong-basin?CMP=twt_gu

How does this work ?

I've seen stuff like that before. It has something to do with the cells in your eyes that detect light "remembering" an image for a while if you stare at it for long enough.

That was great fun Chris ! I know theres a scientific reason for this, but, it makes a fun party trick ! ('ere, Ive got "blip blops" in front of my eyes now ?)

I seem to remember this coming up before and our Mayor Kafria giving a biological explanation for it, um, wish I could remember what it was.

IRAN BANS THE MULLET

Islamic republic aims to free itself of 'decadent' western hairstyles

Phil Daoust

The Guardian, Tuesday 6 July 2010


Imagine a country where a man with a ponytail could have it cut off by the cops, as could one with a mullet, or one whose hair was slathered in gel, fancifully spiked, or simply too long. Repeat offenders would face stiff fines, while their barber-accomplices would have their shops closed.

It may sound like paradise, especially if your own crazy-haired days are behind you. It's actually the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose cultural ministry has just unveiled (although that's perhaps not the most appropriate word in this context) a list of approved hairstyles in an attempt to free the country of "decadent" western cuts.

Jaleh Khodayar, who's in charge of the government- backed Modesty and Veil Festival, explains that the styles "are inspired by Iranians' complexion, culture and religion, and Islamic law".

It's not all good news for fans of the short back and sides, however: 1980s-style floppy fringes are acceptable, as are quiffs. And, worryingly, there seems to be a lamentable softening of Iran's hard line on goatees.

In an effort to rid the country of "decadent Western haircuts," the Iranian government has unveiled a new list of state-sanctioned hairdos . Unfortunately for some, mullets, ponytails and eyebrow plucking didn't make the list. This is the first time an approved hair catalogue was issued since the 1979 Islamic revolution

Well I'm glad somebody is doing something.

The ball's in your court now, world leaders.

Balls should have been cut when the mullet was invented, & men sporting dum f**k ponytails when they are clearly going bald, aged 50 & think they can pull girls of 19 !

Having been subjected to female mullets I can well understand the feminine rage when confronted with the male mullet. I once turned down a second date with a woman (we got along fabulously) simply because her hairstyle was too horrid to contemplate. There are other things as bad as mullets, I'm afraid.

BTW Figgy, were we supposed to be enraged by the Iranian government action?

just a fun fact.

does this mean you have a Mullet Dave?

How can a girl not fancy that.

I was gonna get my hair cut, but then I decided to mullet over.

*groan*

Mrs Figg wrote:

does this mean you have a Mullet Dave?

{{{Ponytail. I'm working on another crop of hair which I periodically donate to Locks of Love which makes them into wigs for young chemo patients. Please don't tell Azriel though. It's not worth risking my jewels. }}}

chris63 wrote:

How can a girl not fancy that.

Actually, that one's not bad, Chris. When they become reprehensible is when they are made so that the hair can only fall behind the shoulders without spilling coyly over the front.