Wastewater Plant Corners the Market on Spiders

If you’re afraid of spiders, you may want to skip this article. A nightmare straight out of Arachnophobia was discovered in Baltimore’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Researchers found spiderwebs covering 95% of the building’s interior — which spans a whopping four acres — and the plant is estimated to be the home of 107 million spiders. Most of the spiders found in the massive webs around the plant were orb weavers, which measure around a half-inch long. The brave experts that studied the all-encompassing webs estimated that around 35,176 spiders could be found in every cubic inch of space, possibly making the nest the most concentrated spider population in the United States. The massive webs were first discovered by horrified employees. In some places, the webs were so thick that they permanently damaged structure fixtures and lighting, pulling them down with their weight. When spun at that thickness, spider silk can be as strong as alloy steel. Left undisturbed, the spiders were able to thrive while feeding on other insects and the nutrient-rich water produced at the wastewater treatment plant.

 

 

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The Creepy and Creative Art of Victorian-Era Headless Portraits

The Victorian Era is known for its rather interesting pastimes, but one of the more macabre activities was sitting for headless portraits, known as the art of headless portraiture. With camera and film technology still in its infancy, photographers actively worked to advance their knowledge, and this allowed them to hone their skills in a pre-Photoshop world. Just because the nature of the photographs was morbid doesn’t mean those involved didn’t have fun. The individual being photographed – the “sitter” – sat for a couple of photos, allowing the photographer to have a number of samples to work with while in the editing room. Depending on the direction they wanted to take, the sitter could be shown holding their decapitated head in a variety of poses. Some kept it simple, holding their head in their hands or by their hair, while others were more creative, holding their head in one hand and the weapon used in their “murder” in the other. Some even had it look as if their heads were being served to them on a platter. The difficult part of the process came during editing. To create the illusion that the sitter was, indeed, headless, the photographer had to combine the photos by cutting and pasting them into one final image, which allowed it to appear as though only one had been taken. The demand for such photographs was so high that many Victorian photographers openly advertised this particular type of photography in newspapers.

 

 

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Army Unit Offers 4 Bonus Days Off to Play “Grand Theft Auto” For Soldiers Who Reenlist

It’s no secret that the military offers soldiers money to reenlist, but one unit is offering its troops a special bonus if they reenlist: four extra days off in November around the release of the video game “Grand Theft Auto VI.” Commanders of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, believe free time to indulge in the latest entry in the “Grand Theft Auto” series will sway some soldiers to extend their military commitments. A career counselor with the Army engineer battalion hatched the idea with commanders to tie a retention perk to the game's release, in part to remind soldiers of their approaching reenlistment dates. “The idea was to have a unique incentives program that connects to what soldiers are interested in,” said Lt. Col. Angel Tomko. She said at least 20 of the 130 eligible soldiers have signed up for the bonus. To qualify, they must commit to serving at least two more years in uniform.

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Pubs Are Upset With UK Politicians For Trying to Limit “Vertical Drinking”

London pub owners have sharply criticized Westminster City Council over a draft licensing proposal aimed at discouraging "vertical drinking” — the British term for standing up while having a pint. The policy urges new and modified venues in areas like Soho and the West End to prioritize seating and table service instead of open bar space. Westminster City Council stated the guidance aims to cut down on street crowding, excessive noise, and disorderly behavior. Pub owners argue that standing and mingling are essential to the classic British pub experience. They note that restricted capacity and mandatory seating make operations difficult and unprofitable given high rent and limited space. Longtime operators warn that strict rules will simply drive tourists and locals to drink in other parts of the city.

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