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  • The world’s smallest Costco is in Juneau, Alaska. Tour the ‘tiny but legendary’ location.
    Photo credit: YouTube/LeggLife (with permission) – The world's smallest Costco in Juneau, Alaska.
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    The world’s smallest Costco is in Juneau, Alaska. Tour the ‘tiny but legendary’ location.

    “It is roughly half the size of a normal Costco.”

    Emily Shiffer

    Costco is beloved by its loyal customers around the world. There are more than 800 locations worldwide, according to Costco.

    The world’s smallest Costco warehouse is located all the way in Juneau, Alaska. The Juneau Warehouse was opened on November 4. 1993.

    YouTuber Adam Legg (@LeggLife), a creator from Anchorage, Alaska, gave a full-fledged tour of the big box store dubbed a “tiny but legendary Costco location.”

    “I think it is also one of the most beautiful settings of any Costco,” says Legg in the video, as he later shows the building’s backdrop that features an evergreen forest, fog, and snow-covered mountains. “This is a unique one. It is roughly half the size of a normal Costco.”

    For reference, a typical Costco warehouse is around 160,000 square feet.

    Products in the world’s smallest Costco

    Despite its size, the world’s smallest Costco is still impressively stocked.

    “It carries more than half the amount of products. So most ‘normal’ Costco’s carry right around 3,800-4,000 products,” says Legg. “This Costco carries about 3,200. So even though it is half the size, it carries more than half the amount of products.”

    When it comes to prices, Legg explains that “everything in Juneau comes in either by ship or by plane. There are no roads to Juneau, Alaska.”

    As he walks in, there is the familiar electronics section with TVs and more, including some massive inflatable water toys for the yard that Legg did not expect.

    Unique items

    Immediately, Legg notices some items ‘unique’ to the Juneau location. These include some XTRATUF rain boots that Legg himself is wearing to the store, a necessary staple for Alaska’s climate. There’s also some University of Alaska-Fairbanks clothing. Legg notes that the clothing section is “smaller than most Costcos.”

    There are also home goods items, furniture, and mattresses. Legg then shows some other “interesting” regional necessities: bear spray and mosquito/tick repellant.

    Legg explains that there are also many summer Alaska essentials, like backpacks, coolers, and “giant family tents and canopies.”

    Food items

    Legg makes his way to the grocery section. He points out that a large watermelon is $12.99, and bananas are $2.99 a pound. Moving on to the prepared meat, the baby back ribs are $7.99 a pound, and chicken wings are also available.

    However, one iconic Costco item is not available at the location: the rotisserie chicken.

    “The rotisserie chickens was one of the things I was wondering about, but they don’t have them,” Legg says.

    There are still many meat and seafood options available, including plenty of the prepared meal kits. As he ventures to the frozen and refrigerated section, he reassures viewers: “If you were wondering, yes they do have samples.”

    Two dozen organic brown eggs cost $7.69, and, in the dry goods section, the big box of Lucky Charms is on sale for $5.39. Additionally, Legg points out that customers can also purchase alcohol at the Juneau warehouse.

    Additional comparisons and contrasts

    Legg points out the Juneau Costco does have a pharmacy, as well as an optical department and Tire Service Center. Hearing aids are also available there. However, there is no bakery.

    The food court also has classics like the infamous Costco hotdog and chicken bake. However, there is no pizza available. “There is no seating inside the food court, but they do have tables outside,” says Legg.

    After shopping the entire warehouse, Legg gave his final thoughts:

    “I absolutely loved that…it was super simple. It has the vast majority of stuff you want your Costco to have,” he says. He points out that there are only three cities in Alaska with a Costco: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and of course, Juneau.

    “I love this concept. I bet not every town could support a full-sized Costco, but I bet a lot of towns could support something this size,” he shares. “I hope Costco starts doing more things like this. Not every Costco has to be the huge, giant, over-the-top warehouse.”

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  • Stop struggling with self-doubt by using this simple ‘care less’ practice
    Photo credit: Canva – A woman walking with confidence.
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    Stop struggling with self-doubt by using this simple ‘care less’ practice

    “How do you accept yourself when you don’t like yourself?”

    Tod Perry

    There are many reasons why most of us struggle with self-doubt, and much of it has nothing to do with our own choices. Self-doubt is often a symptom of being raised by hypercritical parents, and it can also be caused by trauma or bullying in school.

    For others, self-doubt can stem from negative self-talk, perfectionism, unrealistic expectations, or good old-fashioned overthinking. Self-doubt can severely limit how we show up in the world by preventing us from pursuing our dreams, taking chances, and reaching our full potential.

    How to overcome self-doubt

    In a recent appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast, Dr. Shadé Zahrai explained how a clear acknowledgment of our doubts, paired with a simple practice, can help us become more self-assured and confident. Zahrai is a former lawyer who transitioned into a self-leadership expert, researcher, and author of Big Trust.

    Step 1: Acknowledge your doubts

    It all began with a big question from Robbins: “How do you accept yourself when you don’t like yourself?”

    The first step, according to Zahrai, is to clearly acknowledge our self-doubt.

    “The first one is that you need to acknowledge that until you accept yourself, nothing will change,” Zahrai said. “A lot of people don’t actually want to acknowledge their fears because they’re afraid that they’ll make them real.”

    confident man, business man, self-assured, healthy confidence, man in suit
    A confident man. Photo credit: Canva

    Zahrai is on point with her advice here, as the influential psychologist Carl Jung once said: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Psychologists call this practice emotional labeling. Putting our feelings into words can reduce activity in parts of the brain associated with fear and increase activity in areas linked to emotional regulation. Dr. Daniel Siegel calls this the “Name it to tame it” strategy.

    Step 2: Write a “care less” list

    “What you’re gonna do is grab a sheet of paper divided into two columns. On the left, I want you to write down all the things you want to care less about,” Zahrai said. “‘I want to care less about my physical appearance. I want to care less about what people in the street think of me when I walk by. I want to care less about what my family keep saying about my acne or my weight, or how I look.’”

    confident woman, flexing woman, strong woman, self-assured woman, woman in sweatdhirt
    A woman flexing her arm. Photo credit: Canva

    Step 3: Write a “care more” list

    “The next step is, ‘okay, what do I wanna care more about? What do I actually want to shift my attention to?’ Because attention is such a superpower. If we’re not aware of it, we’re going to be stuck in patterns that keep us stuck. But if we can become more aware of it, be a bit more curious about how we’re thinking,” Zahrai said. “This is called metacognition. It’s the ability to think about your thoughts. And it is a fundamental superpower, cause the moment you start thinking about your thoughts, you’re no longer in your thoughts.”

    A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that people with healthy self-esteem are better at “decentering,” or stepping back to view negative thoughts more objectively. Therefore, learning to use metacognition can boost mental health and emotional resilience in people with low self-esteem.

    Ultimately, Zahrai’s advice is to clearly identify what you don’t want and focus on what you do. Once we have a clear roadmap for where we want to go and what we want to leave behind, the journey becomes much easier than fighting against the things we’re afraid to confront.

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  • 11 sneaky ways to save money on gas when ‘drive less’ just isn’t an option
    Photo credit: Canva – Gas prices have people looking for ways to save.
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    11 sneaky ways to save money on gas when ‘drive less’ just isn’t an option

    Tips for when gas prices are ridiculous and every dollar counts.

    Annie Reneau

    Gas prices always fluctuate, but when the price at the pump approaches an all-time high, we all feel it. The road trip this summer feels like a budget buster, and even a quick drive to the grocery store requires a second thought.

    Using less gas is smart both environmentally and economically, no matter what gas prices are doing. But when gas prices are ridiculous and every dollar counts, it becomes a necessity. “Drive less” is obviously the best approach, but that’s not always an option.

    Here are 11 lesser-known ways to maximize your gas dollars:

    1. Drive the highway ‘sweet spot’ speed as much as possible

    Bad news for leadfoots: Speeding on the highway is bad for fuel efficiency. And it’s not a tiny difference.

    According to the Department of Energy website, “It can be assumed that each 5 mph driven over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.27 per gallon for gas.” But that’s assuming gas costs $3.83 a gallon. When gas prices are closer to $5.00 a gallon, or in some places over $6.00 a gallon, slowing down on the freeway becomes an even bigger savings.

    2. Stop ‘topping off’ the tank

    For many people, topping off the tank by giving the gas pump a few extra squeezes after it stops is habitual. Stop it.

    First of all, you may actually be doing damage to your car by topping off the gas, according to Consumer Reports. Secondly, you’re wasting gas. When the pump automatically stops, it means the tank is full, so anything you pump doesn’t actually go into the fuel tank. It spills over into your vapor canister and ends up releasing toxic gas vapor unnecessarily.

    At least one state, Oregon, has made it illegal to top off your gas.

    3. Don’t idle more than 10 seconds

    There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about how long you should let the car idle before it becomes a waste of gas. Obviously, leaving the car running for long periods of time wastes gas, but since it takes an initial injection of gas to start up an engine, how long makes sense to wait before turning the engine off instead of idling?

    It might be less time than you think. According to a report shared by the Deaprtment of Energy, the threshold is only 10 seconds.

    “Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and
    emits more CO2 than engine restarting,” the report reads. So if you’re waiting in a drive-thru, picking up a kid, or otherwise waiting in your car, if it’s going to be longer than 10 seconds, turn off the engine.

    4. Ditch the junk in your trunk

    The weight of your car affects its gas mileage, and unnecessary weight just makes you waste fuel for no reason. If you have something heavy in your trunk, take it out. If you store stuff to take to Goodwill in your car for months, maybe prioritize that drop-off.

    5. Only use Premium gas if your car requires it

    Consumer Reports says that if your car manufacturer only recommends Premium gas, it can run just fine on Regular. They tested whether Premium made fuel efficiency difference and found that there was no performance or fuel-economy benefits for many cars. And the price difference can definitely add up.

    So basically, check your manual and don’t feel pressured to use Premium gas unless the manufacturer requires it.

    6. Check your tire pressure

    An often overlooked source of fuel inefficiency is underinflated tires.

    “When your tires aren’t at the proper pressure, your engine is working harder to move the same speed and distance. This means more fuel consumption and, ultimately, lower MPG,” Firestone shares on its auto care website.

    Many tire companies will let you check your tire pressure and use their air pumps for free. Some will even do it for you, so make it a monthly habit for the best gas mileage.

    7. Buy gas on Sunday or Monday

    The gas price comparison app GasBuddy analyzed the data to see which day of the week gas tends to be cheapest. Here’s what they found:

    Sunday = cheapest

    Monday = also cheap

    Tuesday and Saturday = fluctuates, so compare prices

    Wednesday, Thursday, Friday = most expensive

    (Of course, these are based on averages, so good to do your own comparison in your local area.)

    8. Open windows instead of using A/C

    Obviously, on very hot days, windows simply aren’t going to cut it. But the more you can roll down windows instead of using your car’s air conditioning, the better when it comes to gas usage. Your car’s A/C doesn’t use gas directly, but the power it requires means the car uses more gas when it’s running.

    People might ask if having the windows open creates drag that would affect fuel economy. According to Consumer Reports testing, the effect of opening windows didn’t affect fuel economy, even at 65 mph. (However, your hair probably won’t love that speed.)

    9. Coast more.

    Hard braking wastes the gas you used to get to the speed you’re driving. In other words, you held the gas pedal longer than you needed to. Adjusting your driving habits to take your foot off the gas earlier and coast more before braking means using a bit less gas overall.

    Note: Coast in gear, not in neutral. Old advice would tell you to put the car in neutral to coast, but in newer cars, that actualy is less fuel-efficient than keeping the car in gear.

    10. Accelerate slowly.

    Some of us fancy ourselves efficient drivers by doing everything quickly. But accelarating quickly is actually less efficient when it comes to gas. According to the Department of Energy, aggressive driving (which includes rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding) can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

    gas pedal, driving, gas prices
    Go easy on the accelerating. (Photo credit: Canva)

    11. Don’t sleep on loyalty programs and warehouse discounts

    While loyalty programs at gas stations and grocery stores that sell gas might seem like a gimmick, there is genuine savings to be had through them. And memberships at warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club can also save you money at the tank. Some people like to stack those savings with credit card rewards as well, with some rewards cards offering extra points or cash back for gas purchases.

    While we wait (or at least hope) for gas prices to drop, these tips can hopefully help ease the pressure on the pocketbook a little bit.

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  • Colorado elementary school puts on 75-minute Phish musical, and it was delightfully epic
    Photo credit: @erathpercussion/Instagram, used with permission – Who knew Phish's Gamehendge worked so well for a kid's musical?
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    Colorado elementary school puts on 75-minute Phish musical, and it was delightfully epic

    This music teacher deserves all the praise.

    Heather Wake

    Sure, you could venture to Vegas to experience Phish’s legendary Gamehendge saga in 360 at the Sphere…but it would all pale in comparison to the palpable, electric joy that permeated throughout the audience after an elementary school cast decided to bring it to life. 

    A small town teacher with a big idea

    Every year, music teacher Kirk Kubicek, the leader behind this massive project, tries to give his students in the smaller schools throughout the mountains of Colorado something special for their year-end musical production, despite them not having access to the same resources that other schools in the flatlands might have. 

    “They have heart, they have courage, and they deserve every bit as much ambition and opportunity as anyone else. Every year I try to give them something bigger, something that asks more of them and leaves them with something they carry forever,” he wrote in an Instagram post. 

    This year, that meant telling the tale of Colonel Forbin, Icculus, and the Mockingbird, who help the “Lizard” community regain their sacred “Helping Friendly Book” stolen by the greedy King Wilson. With DIY costumes, cardboard sets, a four-person instrumental backing band, and a passionate teacher orchestrating it all, start to finish. 

    The result was something spectacular and heartwarming, whether you’re a card-carrying Phishhead/Phan or have never heard any of their songs. 

    “I wanted to recreate what it feels like to be at a Phish show,” Kubicek told Rolling Stone. As you can see in the video above, that mission was certainly accomplished. 

    Not only did Kubicek and his merry band of kindergarten through 5th graders recreate peak Phish vibes, but they stayed true to the themes presented throughout the album (and arguably through all of Phish’s work), including community, sharing wisdom, and, most importantly, “surrendering to the flow.” 

    “This elementary adaptation celebrates those same values: that knowledge shared becomes more powerful, that true importance comes from connection rather than control, and that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is remember to have fun and embrace the vibration of life,” the program reads. 

    Why Gamehendge means so much to fans

    For longtime Phish fans, Gamehendge occupies an almost mythical place in the band’s history. The rock opera originated as guitarist Trey Anastasio’s senior thesis project at Goddard College in the late 1980s and became the foundation for some of Phish’s most beloved songs.

    Instead of releasing it as a traditional album with widespread radio promotion, Phish allowed the story to evolve through live performances over the years. That helped turn Gamehendge into something fans passed down almost like folklore, with audiences eagerly waiting for rare full performances.

    The story itself blends fantasy, humor, and surprisingly heartfelt messages about kindness and knowledge. Which, in hindsight, makes it a pretty perfect fit for an elementary school production.

    A wholesome, inspiring memory for all 

    Part of what makes the video so charming is how fully committed the students are to the material. Nobody appears self-conscious. They sing, dance, act, and throw themselves into the wildly imaginative world with complete sincerity, thanks in no small part to the teacher who gave them the encouragement to do so. 

    That enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on the crowd as well, many of whom can be heard cheering throughout the performance like proud parents witnessing the world’s sweetest jam band concert. 

    And then for us online viewers, we got to witness how live music, when performed with passion, still brings people together in the best possible way. Basically, for everyone involved, the production became something much more magical than a simple school activity. 

    Graciously, the full production of Gamehendge was posted on YouTube and is available for viewing below. Enjoy. 

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  • A seemingly innocent painting of a farmer and family member caused outrage in 1930
    Photo credit: Grant Wood/Wikimedia Commons – American Gothic by Grant Wood.
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    A seemingly innocent painting of a farmer and family member caused outrage in 1930

    When looking at “American Gothic,” context is everything.

    toddp

    One of the most iconic American images is American Gothic, a 1930 painting by Grant Wood of a farmer holding a pitchfork, standing next to his annoyed daughter (or wife). It’s been parodied everywhere from Homer and Marge standing in the pose on The Simpsons, to advertisements for Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton’s The Simple Life (2003 to 2007), to Magenta and Riff Raff recreating the painting in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).

    To modern eyes, the painting appears to be a traditional depiction of a couple living on the farm. It’s as wholesome as America gets. However, when it was first hung in the Art Institute of Chicago, it was a cultural Rorschach test that offended rural Americans and delighted city slickers. “We should fear Grant Wood. Every artist and every school of artists should be afraid of him, for his devastating satire,” writer Gertrude Stein said of the painting.

    Why was American Gothic so controversial?

    With American Gothic, context is everything. The painting was released on the precipice of the Great Depression at a time when the Dust Bowl was killing American agriculture. It was also after a great migration when Americans left farms in droves for city life. Rural Americans were mocked for their simpler, conservative ways, with cultural voices such as H.L. Mencken referring to rural Americans as “booboisie.” 

    The painting showed a dour, joyless couple wearing simple clothing and was painted in a style that could be called medieval—no doubt, a comment on their traditional ways. After the painting caught the public’s attention, an Iowa farmer’s wife phoned Wood and didn’t hold back. “She claimed she wished to come over and smash his head for depicting her countrymen as grim Bible-thumpers,” Art History School host Paul Priestley said, according to Open Culture.

    american gothic, grant wood, american art, art gallery, paintings
    Museum patrons looking at American Gothic. Credit: Kevin Dooley/Wikimedia Commons

    The artist’s background also plays a big role in how the painting is interpreted. Wood grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but often traveled to Europe to study Impressionism. This meant that he had one foot in the world of Bohemian Europe and another as an Iowa farm boy. 

    Wood would never admit that his painting was anything but an expression of genuine affection for its subjects. Wood “said he painted American Gothic to extol rural American values, real people in their well-ordered world: an image of reassurance during the onset of the Great Depression,” Priestly continues. 

    american gothic, american gothic home, artwork, famous homes, iowa
    The home that inspired American Gothic. Credit: Ser Amantio di Nicolao/Wikimedia Commons

    How American Gothic’s meaning changed over time

    “American Gothic” was born at the beginning of the Great Depression, and its meaning would evolve over the difficult period. By the end of the decade, working people of the Midwest had begun to be seen as noble by city dwellers, who embraced folk music and workers’ rights. Further, mocking the “yokels” who were devastated by a natural disaster felt rather cruel. 

    The painting’s meaning evolved “because over the course of the thirties in the context of the depression and throughout World War II, it changed from being that satirical image to a national symbol of stability, order, prosperity, virtue and wholesomeness,” Steven Biel, historian and author of American Gothic: A Life of America’s Most Famous Painting, told Pop Entertainment. 

    Great pieces of art can mean different things to different people and evolve with the times. For many, in 2026, American Gothic is seen as simple American iconography and little more than a template for satire. But those who intend to tap into its cultural cache should first understand that it has undergone an incredible cultural arc: it redeemed those it intended to mock while softening the hearts of its jaded first audience. That’s something that the farmer’s wife (or daughter?) probably couldn’t even scoff at. 

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  • Thimbles, sapphires, and other things that served as engagement rings long before the diamond reigned supreme
    Photo credit: Canva – An engraved ring (left) Woman from the Medieval era (right)

    Thimbles, sapphires, and other things that served as engagement rings long before the diamond reigned supreme

    Maybe diamonds aren’t forever after all.

    heather

    Many of us know that diamonds weren’t always considered the go-to stone for engagement rings. In the grand scheme of things, they haven’t even held the title that long. It was only thanks to a certain clever marketing ploy in 1948 that convinced us diamonds were “forever” that they became the standard in the first place. 

    Before that, engagement rings have come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials throughout history…some interesting, some inspiring, and others a bit more baffling when viewed through a modern lens. 

    No stones, no problem

    Ancient Egyptians, for example, exchanged braided hemp or reed rings, believing the circle symbolized eternity. Romans adapted this by giving iron or copper betrothal rings often featuring tiny keys, symbolizing that the wife was her husband’s property. Perhaps some rituals are best left in the past. 

    Puritans in the 1600s, on the other hand, gave engagement thimbles, which wives would use to sew their own wedding dress. While not the most romantic upon first glance, that thimble would then be cut into a ring. All in all, a pretty clever way to serve both practical and sentimental purposes…which sounds very on brand for Puritans. 

    wedding rings, diamond alternative, diamond ring
    A thimble in front of a sewing machine, Canva

    When rings delivered tiny poems

    Meanwhile, in Medieval Times all the way through the Renaissance, brides-to-be were given gold-banded posy rings (derived from the French word “poesy,” meaning poetry) featuring short, intimate inscriptions engraved on the inner or outer surface. These could be romantic promises, religious sentiments, or even secret messages.

    According to jewelry site Berganza.com, it’s likely that goldsmiths of the day had a book of stock phrases from which the customer would pick, two of the most popular being “A true friend’s gift” and “a loving wife during life.”

    wedding rings, diamond alternative, diamond ring
    Two engraved gold bands, Canva

    In some ways, these rings feel ahead of their time, considering personal messages engraved inside jewelry are still a popular choice today. 

    The vibrant era before diamonds took over

    When it comes to stones specifically, colorful, meaningful gems like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were among the most popular. Sapphires were particularly favored for their durability and symbolic meanings—representing love, commitment, and royalty. Sapphire engagement rings date back to Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Even today, they remain a top diamond alternative, celebrated for their rich, distinctive hues. 

    More than one way to symbolize commitment

    For all the cultural power diamonds hold today, history suggests that engagement traditions have always been quite flexible. Across different countries and time periods, people attached meaning to whatever felt valuable within their own communities, be it from rarity, usefulness, or how it told the story of a relationship. 

    If you yourself are not convinced diamonds are your best friend when it comes to an engagement ring, take comfort in the fact that there are countless other alternatives. 

    By the way, jeweler Mason Mignanelli, who made the video above going through some alternative wedding rings throughout history, has a pretty fascinating e-book delving even further into this topic, which you can read for free here. 

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  • Pianist stuns by using every part of his piano to perform ‘Africa’ by Toto
    Photo credit: via Peter Benace/YouTube – Peter Bence plays the entire piano, and he does it barefoot.
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    Pianist stuns by using every part of his piano to perform ‘Africa’ by Toto

    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone has so much fun playing the piano.”

    Tod Perry

    Upworthy Staff

    Peter Bence’s performance of “Africa” by Toto has over 19 million views on YouTube because of his creative reimagining of the song and, well, just about everyone loves “Africa.” Bence is a Hungarian composer and producer who has become a viral sensation for his Michael Jackson, Queen, Sia, and Beatles covers. He has over 1.1 million followers on YouTube and has toured the globe, playing in more than 40 countries across four continents.

    His performance of “Africa” is unique because it opens with him creating a rhythm track and looping it by strategically tapping the piano and rubbing its strings to create the sound of shakers and conga drums.

    The video eventually becomes rapturous, with Bence making the piano sound like an entire orchestra. 

    The comments say it all

    As the video caption says, “Toto x Peter Bence = Africa Piano Symphony.” Indeed. People were blown away by Bence’s impressive rendition of the classic 80s song.

    “I’m so glad to watch and see a fellow musician, that enjoys the music deep down. Excellent playing man!”

    “So fluid. The piano is an extension of your whole body. Amazing.”

    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone has so much fun playing the piano. You’re not just terrifically talented, I love the creativity.”

    “Brilliant! Loved it. It made me think what would J S Bach have done with looping on a piano/harpsichord?”

    “Mesmerizing! He became the music and the music became him.”

    “Are you kidding me!!!! This cover is incredible. Still listening to it, years after I discovered it.”

    “I return to this regularly, it’s absolute witchcraft levels of genius. This level of talent isn’t written in any handbook, it’s completely unworldly.”

    “I love how PB plays a piano worth more than my house in his bare feet like it’s an actual extension of his body. Pure brilliance.”

    baby at piano, toddler piano, piano prodigy
    Peter Bence was considered a musical prodigy as a child. Photo credit: Canva

    He has been a prodigy since toddlerhood

    If it seems like Bence was born to do this, that appears to be accurate. According to the bio on his website:

    “Starting as early as age 2 he already played back melodies by ear from his favorite cartoons and films on his grandparents’ upright piano. Showing serious interest and talent, he soon began his musical education at 4 in the local music school of his hometown, Hajduboszormeny in Hungary.

    He was considered a musical prodigy by teachers and peers, and was already accepted at Franz Liszt University of Music in Debrecen, despite he was still being enrolled at elementary school.

    At 7 he wrote his first composition, which was heavily influenced by the music of Mozart and Chopin, and at 11 he published his first solo piano album of his early compositions.”

    So yeah. The guy has had piano chops since toddlerhood, and he’s made the instrument his own with unique, edgy pieces like this one.

     

    And about the song itself

    Released in 1982 and peaking at number one in the U.S. in February 1983 and number three in the UK, “Africa” was Toto’s biggest hit, and the top 10 globally. It’s a stirring piece of music that’s beautifully arranged with an anthemic chorus. However, the lyrics aren’t that accurate.

    The song’s author, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, describes it as: “A white boy is trying to write a song on Africa, but since he’s never been there, he can only tell what he’s seen on TV or remembers in the past.”

    Nevertheless, the song is an iconic tune that captures a specific spirit of the early ‘80s when the world turned its focus to Africa. Over 40 years later, the song’s wholesome sincerity has made it a piece of music that every few years captures the hearts of a new generation.

    This article originally appeared three years ago.

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  • High school salutatorian’s Goth yearbook photo goes viral for the most inspiring reason
    Then-17-year-old Weronika Jachimowicz
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    High school salutatorian’s Goth yearbook photo goes viral for the most inspiring reason

    “I was always trying to please others and be like what everyone else wanted me to be.”

    Tod Perry

    Upworthy Staff

    Back in April 2021, then-17-year-old Weronika Jachimowicz got a lot of attention for subverting people’s expectations of who excels in high school—and that’s exactly what she wanted. Jachimowicz was named New York’s Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District’s 2021 salutatorian. Her yearbook photo next to valedictorian Luke Altman is going viral because of her dramatic Goth makeup and attire.

    It all started when assistant professor and writer Dr. Jules Lipoff’s tweet of the photo of the valedictorian and salutatorian he saw in a newspaper went viral. How many salutatorians have you seen wearing pentagram hoop earrings, a choker, and black devil horns? The juxtaposition of her next to the bowtie-wearing Altman makes the photo even more amusing.

    The Today Show reports that Jachimowicz at first took her senior photo dressed “normal.” During the retake, she decided to “go all out and be herself.”

    Jachimowicz wanted the world to know that there’s no one way someone has to look or present themselves if they want to be academically successful, or successful in any right.

    What research actually says about Goth kids

    In fact, it’s completely normal for kids who are interested in the Goth subculture, as well as any other clique or community, to be good students.

    “The scene has quiet middle-class values—education, highbrow culture, theatre, museums, romantic literature, poetry, philosophy, Gothic architecture,” Dr. Dunja Bril, who studies Goth culture in England, told The Independent in 2006.

    “Many Goths like classical music. It’s a status symbol to have a good collection of classical pieces—mostly requiems and darker pieces,” she added.

    “Going to do a university degree is encouraged,” Bril continued. “[Being Goth] doesn’t encourage people to drop out of school. Whereas in the Punk scene you turn down the normal educational values, in Goth you gain status if you’re perceived as being educated. You get people who are in it for the shock value, but they are usually the ones who grow out of it.”

    Another study found that joining the Goth subculture may be good for young people’s mental health, offering them protection in the form of strong peer support and community. “Rather than posing a risk, it’s also possible that by belonging to the goth subculture, young people are gaining valuable social and emotional support from their peers,” writes New Scientist, quoting the study’s author.

    The response from young people was overwhelming

    Since her photo went viral, Jachimowicz has received countless messages of thanks from young people who say she’s inspired them to express themselves.

    “In all honesty, that’s all I wanted. I wanted to help anyone I could who is struggling with expressing themselves because I’ve been in the exact same position,” Jachimowicz told Yahoo! Life. “When people message me telling me how I have given them the confidence to be who they truly are, I almost cry from happiness.”

    Jachimowicz says that she was able to be herself because she was encouraged by others, so this is her chance to pay it forward.

    “I was always trying to please others and be like what everyone else wanted me to be, or at least try to fit into what was ‘normal.’ However, I did slowly start to realize that it’s OK to be different,” she said. “I’ve met people in my life who gave me the confidence to fully be myself,” she added.

    By the way, her resume is incredible

    In addition to having an unweighted GPA of 97.27%, Jachimowicz was on the fencing, ping pong, and winter track teams. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Students Against Drunk Driving, and the Unity Club. The Suffolk Times says Jachimowicz had some of her hand-drawn art chosen to appear on the cover of the senior yearbook, as well.

    She told Fox 5 New York in a 2021 interview that she planned to major in biology and forensics after graduation, with hopes of becoming a forensic pathologist.

    Jachimowicz’s accomplishments are another reason to never judge someone for how they look or their interests. Just because someone is wearing satanic earrings doesn’t mean they aren’t highly intelligent or athletic.

    She believes the most important thing is to be yourself, regardless of what anyone else thinks. “Even if others don’t really like my style, it’s what makes me happy and I’ve worked hard to finally come to that conclusion,” she said.

    This article originally appeared five years ago. It has been updated.

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