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This delightful animation by Tomer Eshed looks at the mating habits of the water shrew in a way you've never seen before. http://www.bitfilm.com/festival/member.php?page=fd&fid=2098&id=116416&category_token=3D -via Metafilter

Some famous people were born on notable days like Christmas, or The Ides of March. Which one of the famous folk in today's Lunchtime Quiz at mental_floss was NOT born on a notable day? I scored 50%, which surprised me because I didn't know half of them. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/16085

These smokestacks in Bagnolet, France were transformed into a work of art by Frederic Gracia. You'll also see artwork on a dam and nuclear cooling towers in France at deputy dog. http://deputy-dog.com/2008/06/25/how-to-disguise-an-industrial-eyesore/

Between 1850 and 1950, most electronics used glass vacuum tubes, such a cathode ray tubes (CRT). Henk Dijkstra has an extensive collection of such tubes on 28 pages, with the history behind them. Pictured is a liquid-filled Geissler tube, designed by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Geissler in Germany in the early 20th century. Link -via Everlasting Blort

Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot races in England was last week. Tradition dictates that you wear your best hat for the occasion. Best Week Ever posted the Top 10 Silliest Hats in England spotted at the event. Link -via Digg

This is from the Cattle Network, so the prices are wholesale for farmers. But the real story is the change from a year ago. The post also has prices for livestock, fruits, and vegetables. Lemons are up 155%! Looks like we will be eating fewer lentils and lemons and more tangerines and bacon. Bacon? Yes, bacon is the only meat that has decreased in price! Mmm... bacon. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=230814 -via reddit

The biggest, prettiest, and most interesting bridges all have stories behind them. Frikoo has ten of them with pictures and history, in a continuation of an earlier post also linked in this article. Pictured is Stari Most in Bosnia-Herzegovina, originally commissioned by Suleman the Magnificent in 1557. http://frikoo.com/10-more-stunning-bridges-from-around-the-world -Thanks, Andy!

Matthew Stromberg is a professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). He also creates "explosive art".

Matthew Stromberg uses a wide variety of powerful and volatile substances, including rocket fuel, explosives, gunpowder, propellants and bullets, aka energetic materials, in order to create art rather than destroy. The Savannah College of Art and Design professor utilizes these forceful methods to apply his mark to wood, metal and paper. The results are quite visceral and evocative of the violent patterns of nature-- images seared and impressed in high-energy events. They kick ass, too.

Uncertain Times has videos of Stromberg at work with rocket fuel, homemade explosive, and a submachine gun. Link -Thanks, John!

The world famous Cyclone roller coaster opened 81 years ago today at Coney Island in New York. Today's Lunchtime Quiz at mental_floss will find out how much you know about Coney Island and its history. I scored 58%, better than the average, probably because I'd done some research for an article on Coney Island a couple months ago. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/16051

Lowe Ad Agency sent samples of laundry detergent to potential customers in Thailand. They wrapped the sample with a new t-shirt and addressed it with washable ink. By the time the samples arrived, the shirts were pretty dirty. Then voila, the solution was right there inside! Clever marketing. See more pictures at Ads of the World. Link -via Unique Daily

Soon, you can have your very own 8 inch Dude! The Big Lebowski action figure set with the Dude and Walter is $39.99, or you can get the Dude alone for $24.99. Available in August; preorders are now being taken. Link -via Geek Like Me

A 60 centimeter crocodile wandered into a pub in Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia on Sunday evening. He almost made it to the bar when he was grabbed by patrons. They posed for pictures with him while waiting for a Parks and Wildlife agent to come.

The little punter was sent off to start a sober life out at Darwin Crocodile Farm.

The saltie saga is a first for the tavern, which has hosted horses and buffalo in the front bar over the years.

Tavern owner Tony Innes said crocs were welcome to visit the pub as long as they were all under a metre long.

Link

The pattern of recent disasters in China has had many superstitious people concerned about the Olympic Mascots (the Fuwa) - claiming that each of the five reflects/predicts a particular disaster.

The five mascots of the Beijing Oympics are each blamed for a recent natural or man-made disaster in China. Blogadilla has details. Link -via Dump Trumpet

The customs of dealing with earthly remains of the departed vary widely around the world. Most are rites handed down over hundreds or even thousands of years. Brave New Traveler takes a look at ten cultures and their funeral and burial practices. Link -via Digg

(image credit: aarrgh)

Chase is a cat with no face. She was in an accident that left her without a nose, cheek skin, or eyelids. She also lost one leg.

I was in an accident when I was 4 wks, I became disfigured. I have a Furry Will to survive and I am completely healed now at age 3. I require medication during the day to keep my eyes moist. I will always look different but I am in NO PAIN! I have seen 10 vets and they can attest to that! I'm a happy kitty and hope to help other humans (especially those disfigured) thru my work as a therapy cat feel just as great about themselves and realize that not everyone looks perfect and that is OK.

Now Chase has her own blog called Daily Tails of Chase. Some images may be disturbing to the sensitive. Link to story. Link to blog. -via Arbroath