Late Winter carries a certain hysteria with it. It's a combination of desperation, boredom, cabin fever and yearning. This hysteria has resulted in, at one extreme end of the spectrum, murder, mayhem, suicide, heavy drinking. At the other end of the spectrum we get strange, strangely desperate acts of creativity.

Such as: in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, as part of their Winter festival there's the (are you ready?) International Hair Freezing Contest. Yup, you read that right. People hop into the local hot spring to get all wet, then mold and shape their hair (and beards) into bizarre shapes as it freezes. Pictures are taken, judging occurs and prizes are awarded. Want to enter? Get tips from winners? See pictures of winners? takhinihotpools.com/hair_freezing is where to go.