Sunday Overnight Open Thread - February 15, 2026 [Doof]

Welcome to the Sunday ONT. Cupid has returned to wherever it is he dwells. Presidents' Day is tomorrow. It's still winter for a lot of us. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Let's just get into tonight's content.

Food Thread Reject

Daring cook makes frozen iguana tacos after falling from trees in Florida

TikTok creator Gray Davis has gone viral with a series of videos documenting the “raining iguanas” phenomenon in Florida — and then eating them.

When the Sunshine State experiences unusually cold weather, the cold-blooded reptiles can wind down their systems to conserve energy, and almost literally freeze up in the process. As they stiffen, the iguana popsciles will topple from their perch onto the ground.

While they may look dead, the iguanas are technically alive and will literally thaw back to normal once the weather warms.

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Davis showed off the iguana he chose to use to make tacos, but he chose not to show the process of humanely dispatching and cleaning the iguana for its meat.

He shared that he found 20 eggs inside the iguana, “so by removing this one iguana, we actually saved the environment from over 20 iguanas come spring.”

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He started the process of making the tacos, simmering the iguana meat in a pot with onion, garlic, a bay leaf and some salt.

He then soft boiled the iguana eggs to blend with avocado, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and lime juice to make a sauce.

Putting the cooked meat into a frying pan with his favorite seasonings, Davis let the meat get crispy before adding it to the taco shell.

“Now that right there is a Florida man taco,” he quipped. “If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.”

More at the link. Also a link to TikTok for those of you who are so inclined.

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Mind status = blown

Did you know about this feature? I sure didn't!

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A peek inside the world of professional protesting

Not at all surprised by this.

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I gave you a break from this sort of content for a while, but the algorithm wins tonight.

Up first, another example of "Why?!?!?"

Man Hospitalized with WWI Artillery Shell In His Butt Triggers Evacuation at French Hospital

A hospital in southern France had to be evacuated after a bizarre and dangerous incident involving an artillery shell.

Late one Saturday night, a 24-year-old man showed up at the Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse complaining of intense abdominal pain. Medical staff soon discovered the shocking reason: he had inserted a World War I artillery shell into his rectum.

Doctors quickly moved to perform emergency surgery. During the operation, they identified the object as a live, 8-inch-long artillery shell from 1918. Due to the risk of detonation, the bomb squad and fire department were immediately called, and the hospital was evacuated as a precaution.

Authorities secured the area around the hospital while experts assessed the situation. Fortunately, the explosive—though old—was not considered an immediate threat and was safely removed by the disposal team.

The French man, who remained hospitalized to recover from the operation, will reportedly be questioned by police. He may face legal consequences for possessing and mishandling a Category A munition, which includes devices like the artillery shell found inside him.

Officials believe this may have been a reckless act, possibly tied to some sort of party stunt. Though unusual, this isn’t the first time a French hospital has faced such a situation. In 2022, a separate hospital in Toulon was partly evacuated when an 88-year-old man arrived with another World War I artillery shell in his body.

Did you read that last line? Previously an 88 year old dude did something similar? WTF, France?!?

Up next, as a resident of MD, how was I not aware of this research going on here in the Old Line State?

Smart Underwear Reveals We Fart Twice As Much As Previously Thought

Turns out, we fart way more than we thought. And thanks to a team of researchers at the University of Maryland, we now have some high-tech underwear confirming it.

Previously, scientists estimated the average person let out about 14 farts a day. But with the help of a newly developed device — informally dubbed “Smart Underwear” — that number has been updated to about 32 times a day. That’s more than double the earlier guess.

The device, which clips onto regular underwear, uses electrochemical sensors to track gas levels and hydrogen in real time — though it interestingly can’t capture data while the person is on the toilet.

Why does this matter? Because flatulence can actually offer clues about gut health, digestion, and even mental wellness. Some studies suggest that certain gases may play a role in conditions like Alzheimer’s and postpartum depression. But still — we fart a lot, and maybe more than we’re comfortable admitting.

The team launched this project in part because past data was often inaccurate. Self-reporting can be unreliable, and older testing methods weren’t very effective. Back in 2000, a gastroenterologist known as the “King of Farts,” Dr. Michael Levitt, admitted there was no objective way to track excessive gas. That’s changed.

King of Farts. Is there a queen? Prince or princess? Duke or duchess? As a MD taxpayer, I demand to know these things!

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How about some boozy content?

CBD has some questionable taste in music, but his taste in bourbon has proven to be stellar. He and I talk bourbon frequently, and we have given each other many recommendations of stuff to buy and also stuff to avoid. A few years ago, he had me hunting for a particular bourbon that I had never heard of. I was able to find a bottle for him, and he was nice enough to let me try some. It was very good, and apparently he is still a fan.

So what was he talking about last night?

What Happens When Bourbon Is Made With a Nearly Extinct Corn

One of the first things you learn when you start drinking American whiskey is that bourbon is, of course, made from corn. The grain gives the liquor its signature sweetness that drinkers around the world have come to recognize and love.

Roughly 99 percent of corn grown in the United States is the high-yielding yellow dent variety, which almost all distillers use to make bourbon. If you drive through the midwest in the summer you’ll see acre after acre after acre of yellow dent stalks shimmering in the wind.

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Some pioneering American distillers are working with historians, agriculturalists and farmers to identify and grow heirloom varieties of corn suitable for whiskey.

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To help High Wire figure out what corn to grow, Roberts baked more than three dozen breads each made from a different variety of the grain. “We went through many of them, and then we got to a Jimmy Red Corn bread and he said, ‘this is the one that was famous for moonshine: James Island Red Corn” said Marshall.

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The accolades for their 100-percent Jimmy Red bourbon started pouring in before it even went into the barrel. After meeting Julian Van Winkle III, president of the legendary Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, they shipped him a flask of their unaged spirit.

“A few days later, I walk over to my desk and my phone has two missed calls and a text message from Julian,” Blackwell says. “He goes, ‘This is the best white dog I’ve ever had.’”

After aging in new American oak barrels, the whiskey emerged brimming with notes that Blackwell says ranged from peanut brittle and baking spice to blueberries. “I think of the difference between Jimmy Red and traditional yellow corn like white sugar versus Demerara sugar,” Blackwell says. “The sweetness you get from a number of yellow corn bourbons is kind of a one-note, but the sweetness you get from Jimmy Red has a richness and complexity that really stretches your brain to pinpoint it.”

So yeah, I have to give The Dildo credit for finding this damn fine bourbon.

Speaking of Julian Van Winkle...

How Pappy Van Winkle Became the Ultimate Cult Bourbon

Julian Van Winkle III is grandson of Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr. Check out the link for a bit of history and some explanation of how the Van Winkle line of bourbon has become so sought after.

A bit more on the subject of bourbon. Two articles about Harry Truman and his favorite bourbon and his favorite recipe for an old fashioned.

Harry Truman's Favorite Bourbon Brand Is Still Popular Today

Why President Truman's Old Fashioned Would Put Modern Cocktails To Shame

'Ette Couture (Courtesy of Piper)

It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.

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Frosty Couture: The Chicest Olympic Kits at Milano Cortina 2026

From February 6 to 22, the opening ceremony at San Siro turned into a full-on runway moment, with countries serving cultural heritage, tech-savvy performance gear, and major style points. Milan being the host? Of course the vibes were elevated. Brands like Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani, and Moncler went all out.

Starting with the stars of the show: Team USA (because we're biased but also they nailed it). For the 10th time, Ralph Lauren delivered timeless Americana perfection. Think winter-white wool duffel coats with wooden toggles, cozy flag intarsia sweaters, and red-white-blue accents that offer patriotic without trying too hard. The closing ceremony vibes? Graphic color-blocked puffers and vintage ski energy—pure nostalgia with a modern twist.

You can snag your own pieces on the Ralph Lauren site (the toggle coat at $1998 is already sold out in women's).

Italy, as the hosts, went full poetic tribute to the late Giorgio Armani's legacy with EA7 Emporio Armani. All-white everything evoking those snow-capped peaks, oversized bomber jackets with heat-printed "Italia," tricolor knit collars (red-green-white, obvi), and even national anthem lyrics hidden inside. Classy, emotional, and chic.

France brought the artistry via Le Coq Sportif collab with Stéphane Ashpool. Ethereal topographic map inspo meets Olympic Truce vibes—soft gradients fading blue to pink/white, textured fabrics, and fluid lines that basically say "elegance in motion."

Great Britain kept it playful with Ben Sherman on ceremonial duties (Adidas handled performance). 1960s mod energy all the way: structured outerwear, zip-up sweaters, patterned coats, and oversized scarves rocking Union Jack elements. Formal? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Now, Team Canada with Lululemon... listen, they went bold. Deep reds, giant maple leaf motifs, quilted puffers that look like wearable art (or, let's be real, a very cozy Tim Hortons cup). Interesting is the polite word—we're here for the drama of it.

Brazil made a splash with Moncler (teaming up with Oskar Metsavaht) for their big return to Olympic uniforms after decades. Puffer-heavy everything—jackets, skirts, capes—in voluminous white with green-yellow-blue flag linings. Luxury winter maximalism at its finest.

And because we can't talk Olympics without a VIP moment: Usha Vance showed up supporting Team USA (and looking effortlessly put-together while pregnant—queen behavior). Her style during the trip leaned toward practical, elegant winter dressing—prioritizing warmth and sophistication while accommodating her pregnancy—with a focus on neutral tones, classic layers, and subtle patriotic touches.

Polo Ralph Lauren Team USA Wool Turtleneck Sweater in Cream Combo

The 2026 Games proved once again: Olympics fashion is where national pride gets a couture upgrade. I'm dying to know if you're team USA toggle coat or full Moncler puff!

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Thanks, Piper!

DJ Doof - Guess The Theme

Medium-difficult on the easy/moderate/difficult scale.

What's the common thread / common meaning / common leitmotif?

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