Socyberty » street vendors

Street Vendors Who Kill

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:40:45 +0000

Imagine you are vacationing in another country. You are taking in the wonderful sights and enjoying mingling with the locals. You stop and purchase meat from a street vendor….

picture source

Vendors have been selling Puffer fish disguised as salmon. They dye the color of the fish and the unknowing consumer becomes deathly ill and even have died after eating the meat. While there are specially trained chefs in the culinary arts of preparing this fish it is a highly trained art, and even then is not fool proof.

The crime outweighs the punishment.

According to an article found at Jaunted local doctors advise there have been 15 deaths and at least 115 illnesses contributed to by the consumption of Puffer fish within the last three years. The Public Health Ministry of Thailand prohibits the production, sale, export and import of the fish and offenders can face two years in prison and a 20,000 baht fine.

picture source

Sales have been banned, now what?

“Although banned since 2002, puffer fish continue to be sold in large quantities at local markets and restaurants, said Narin Hiransuthikul of Bangkok’s Chulalonkorn University Hospital.” USA Today

picture source

Puffers are the second most poisonous animal.

Columbia Encyclopedia advises the puffer fish which also goes by the name of “blowfish,” “globefish,” “swellfish,” “porcupinefish,” and so on are one of the most potent poisons in nature.

This poisononus fish is cooked as a delicacy.

The fish is prepared as a delicacy (fugu) in Japan and Bogeo in Korea. and elsewhere by specially trained and licensed chefs. People intentionally eat puffer fish for the culinary thrill, which when causing the sought-after effects, generates a set of minor, non-debilitating symptoms but can very quickly become a extremely serious, and an even fatal intoxication . Not only is consumption of puffer fish responsible for the deaths of humans but some sea life including dolphins have died after eating puffer fish. Remains of puffer fish have been found in dolphins found dead in Florida waters.

picture source

Victims can die in as little as ten minutes.

The toxin Tetrodotoxin is found throughout the fish with the greatest concentration in the liver, intestines, reproductive organs, and skin. The victim may react in as little as ten minutes or as long as a few hours. Symptoms include numbness and tingling around the mouth, feeling lightheaded, drooling, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, difficulty walking, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and final collapse. It may induce a coma that the victim never awakens from. The Indo-Pacific blue-ringed octopus also contains this poison and it is the reason the bite can be lethal.

picture source

The fish contains two dangerous toxins and one is lethal.

Another poison found in the puffer fish is that of saxitoxin. This is another toxin that cannot be cooked out of the fish. This toxin initially causes numbness and tingling of the lips, then paralysis and death if left untreated. It is thought to be responsible for the poisoning of sixteen people in Titusville and near the Pineda Causeway in Florida. mrcirl.org

If you know of someone who may be suffering from puffer poisoning get them to the hospital immediately. Observe their breathing and assist if necessary. It is preferable that a mask is used when offering resuscitation.

There are no known antidotes for these poisons.

While there are no known antidotes for this poisoning, medical care is recommended so the patient can be monitored and properly cared for.

picture source

According to Rita Putatunda who published Puffer Fish in January of 2008 there are around 100 varieties of puffer fish with most of them inhabiting tropical and sub-tropical waters, including coral reefs in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.

Rita offers a few interesting facts about Puffer fish:

About 39 species of Puffer swim in fresh water.
When alarmed they can “puff up” to double their size.
They can only swim half as fast when alarmed or inflated.
In some species the body appears smooth until alarmed and then the spines cause it to take on a porcupine look.
It only takes seconds to inflate.
They range from 3 inches to 3 feet in length.
The Puffer fish does not have a pelvic bone or ribs.
It prefers to inflate with water which it can expel through its mouth and gills but can inflate with air.
The skin is so tough that it is nearly impenetrable.
One Puffer, the Takifugu is not poisonous and specially farmed ones are not.
The fish can be tamed and raised in an aquarium, but should not be hand fed as they have very sharp teeth.

For a slide show of puffer fish as a screen saver log on here. Puffer Fish screen saver

In conclusion it is not the fishes fault there are illnesses or fatalities. The fish is just practicing its instinct for survival.

Seven Low Cost Dating Ideas

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:40:07 +0000

Picture Source

Between the cost of living and the high price tag involved in almost every aspect of going out, it can be difficult to come up with inexpensive dating ideas. The following is a list of fun, low cost to no cost activities you can share with a significant other or creative ideas for those who are actively dating. Enjoy!

Sports and the Outdoors: For people who love exercising, asking that special person on a date to go for a jog, hike, rollerblade ride, or a nice walk along the beach, a nice bike trail or around your neighborhood can be a great way to spend time with another person. It is absolutely free and it gives you a nice workout at the same time. So, even if you don’t have the best condition with your date, you will at least enjoy a nice workout!
Museums: Many museums are reasonably priced and can make for a very low key, nice way to spend a date. You can learn much about a person in a short period of time by what type of art and artifacts they are drawn too. You can also see if they are interested in you and what you think of different museum pieces. It can be an activity that lasts all day long as many museums have refreshment stands and movies you can watch as well as nice shops you can browse. Why not start by Viewing Beautiful Treasures from the J Paul Getty Museum?
Short Day Trips: Why not take a short driving trip to a beautiful location you have heard about? Maybe you know some cliffs that have an exceptional view at a particular time at night. Or maybe you know a driving area that has a nice view along the way. This can make for a nice casual date.
Rent a Movie: Yes, it might sound too simple, but sometimes the simplest things in life can be the most special. Why not rent his favorite movie? And, next time why not opt for her favorite movie? It is a very low cost way to spend time with that significant person in your life.
Recreational Room: Many apartment complexes have a recreational room that has a billiard table, ping pong table and sometimes other great activities you can participate in. Why not invite that special person over and share some time in the room playing a few competitive games free of cost? It can be a nice, casual date.
Street Vendors & Entertainers: Depending where you live there may be some local, popular areas where there are a constant stream of street vendors and entertainers that you can spend the day watching and browsing amongst. Browsing can be a fun way to get to know your significant other’s tastes and watching entertainers can be fun. Just think that you can see so many unpredictable sites in one contained area for free!
Make a Homemade Meal: How romantic!? You can prepare your significant other’s favorite meal or cook up one of your best dishes. It can be a nice way to show that special person that you want to make them something nice in a low key inexpensive fashion. You will have complete privacy with your date. It is also nice to know that you will not have to worry about dress codes or reservations. It can make for a much less stressful date situation.

These are just some great, inexpensive ways to spend quality time with that special person in your life! “Money can’t buy you love” and spending time with someone does not have to break the bank.

So, take the time to stop and smell the flowers with that special person and focus on what’s most important; time with the person who makes your heart flutter and brings butterflies to you stomach. Love, and be loved.

==================================================================

Dreams of the Heart – volume I by Joie Schmidt is available:

* Volume I: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks

Dreams of the Heart – volume II is available:

* Volume II: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader

———> Stay tuned . . . vol. II will soon be available on iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks!

(*In memoriam of the tragedy in Japan all proceeds from – volume I – sales will go to the relief efforts until 3/11/12)

==================================================================

For more great reading:

Do you have a story, poem, artwork or photography you’d like to share and earn residual income for life? Please check out this site to earn limitless income for life: Triond