<*)) >=<

That's a fish rendered in typographical symbols.

I'm utterly charmed by this explanation of the difference between English and Japanese emoticons. (link from Maud Newton)

I remember discovering proto-emoticons in Lois Lowry's children's book All About Sam, where a toddler gets into his father's typewriter and delights in how the symbols can wink and frown. A highly nostalgic child, I immediately pined for a past time when I could clatter around on a typewriter. Now I'm deeply suspicious of emoticon use, except when it's manga-inspired.

No, that's not even true.

I'll deny it strongly (>_< )( >_<): it's only the typographical fish that charms me.