VIDEO: The Original Poetry Of Cory Booker (Is This Man For Real??!)

Just when you want to whack-a-mole every politician in the country, Cory Booker busts out this soulful performance. More importantly, can we clone him?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TrlupMyvhKw
  • Millennials are ditching ‘boring grey’ for this joyful mid-century color
    Photo credit: Mike Shaw, Wikimedia CommonsRetro '50s-styled bathroom.
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    Millennials are ditching ‘boring grey’ for this joyful mid-century color

    Just a few tweaks can bring this look into every bathroom.

    Everything old is pink again, to paraphrase a famous adage. This applies even in bathrooms. Neutral colors have ruled the interior design of powder rooms for quite some time. But some Millennials (and Gen X-ers too) are ready to swap the greys and tans for vintage pops of mid-century pinks, yellows, and bright greens.

    While of course Millennials had their own brand of pink (which has been popular since around 2016,) they did often flock to neutral colors, perhaps for a sense of serenity. But as is the case for all generations, it can be fun to dabble back into the vintage pool.

    Where did these bright colors come from?

    In the piece “The Retro ‘50s Pink Bathroom is Back and Designers are Giving it a Deluxe New Twist,” Contributing Lifestyle Reporter Wendy Rose Gould shares the history of the design. “Pink bathrooms are an icon of mid-century Americana, rising in popularity from the 1940s through the 1960s. Pam Kueber, founder of the original ‘Save the Pink Bathrooms’ website (now called Retro Renovation), writes that pink was the single-most popular color for bathrooms in the 1950s. And that an estimated 5 million pink bathrooms went into the 20+ million homes built in the United States from 1946 to 1966.”

    The “Save the Pink Bathrooms” movement Gould is referring to was the brainchild of Kueber, who felt that builders and designers were getting rid of historical mid-century design too quickly. On her site, Kueber claims that, like other fans of the style, they were concerned that “original vintage pink bathrooms were being ripped out of post-war American homes way too hastily.”

    This of course didn’t just apply to bathrooms. The site, as previously mentioned, became Retro Renovation. It gives all kinds of tips on how to bring kitchens, bedrooms, and dining rooms restored to a long, lost era.

    Adding a modern twist

    But back to those bathrooms, the vintage color pops are coming back swiftly. In a piece for Better Homes and Gardens, E-design Consultant Maria Sabella shares that as is the case with most resurgences of old designs, there can be a modern twist. “When you think of retro bathrooms, chances are you picture floral print wallpapers and salmon pink tiles. While these iconic features are making an updated comeback (spoiler alert!), experts say nostalgic decor classics are returning in a more stylish form.”

    She quotes design expert Daniel Siegel, who gives excellent tips on how to pair the old with the new. “When paired with clean lines, thoughtful lighting, and modern details, these retro touches feel timeless rather than trendy.”

    Retro wallpaper patterns

    While not everyone can re-tile a bathroom, especially renters or those who don’t have tons of remodeling money laying around, there are super easy ways to grab the vibe.

    Wallpaper is one simple way to jump on the retro train. The article shares designer Thecla Glueck’s thoughts on the trend. “Layered thoughtfully, retro and vintage-inspired patterns bring intimacy and warmth, transforming the bathroom into a cocooning retreat rather than a purely functional environment.” She even adds specific patterns, noting, “Checkerboard in classic black and white marble or jewel-tone checks, small geometric shapes such as penny rounds or hexagon, pastel mosaics, floral, or softly faceted subway, are returning with a more restrained, contemporary lens.”

    Easy ways to bring in the look

    Skirted sinks are also an easy way to bring back the mid-century flair. In another quote, Glueck explains how useful these can be. “They discreetly conceal storage and reinforce the idea of the bathroom as a thoughtfully designed room, not just a utilitarian space.”

    Oval mirrors are mentioned as well, as something that can be mixed and matched into a room without commitment. The same goes for accessories like tissue boxes and perfume caddies. Pinks, buttery yellows, greens, and blues can all be mixed and matched to create a more vibrant feel without spending too much money.

  • ‘MIT Monk’ shares his VIBE method for choosing the perfect adult hobby
    Photo credit: Canva PhotosThe 4-part VIBE framework can help you choose the perfect adult hobby for your life.
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    ‘MIT Monk’ shares his VIBE method for choosing the perfect adult hobby

    Hobbies matter more than ever. Here’s how to pick one that’s meaningful to you.

    A survey found that about 15% of adults have no hobbies to speak of. The same survey found that people overwhelmingly agree that having hobbies is important, and also, that they wish they had more time for them.

    Anecdotally, those numbers feel low. It’s rare to find someone juggling career, a household, kids, pets, family, and friends who still manages to spend time daily in the woodshop or quietly crocheting.

    “MIT Monk” says hobbies matter more than ever

    Hobbies still exist, of course, but we have less time for them. Another study found that time spent on socializing, hobbies, and offline activities has decreased over the last few decades while time spent on TV and phones has shot up.

    That’s a trend that severely needs reversing. It’s a simple calculus. Doing real things is good for your brain. Screens are not.

    “The most successful people fiercely protect their seemingly useless hobbies,” says Sandeep Swadia. “That’s their best defense against brainrot.”

    Swadia goes by “MIT Monk” on YouTube, a reference to his time spent both in Himalayan monk training and receiving his MBA from one of the world’s most prestigious Ivy Leagues. He’s also a technology executive and investor, so he meets a lot of high-performing people. His unique background makes him not only an expert in “success,” but also in inner peace and happiness.

    Swadia says all of smartest people he meets have at least one frivolous hobby that they make time for. And not just CEOS and billionaires, but Nobel Prize winners too.

    Perhaps even more importantly, hobbies are fun. They bring us joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment that’s difficult to recreate on an app or a website. Plus, they’re great for our health.

    But a lot of people simply don’t know where to start when looking to take up a new hobby, even if they’re willing to make the time and put in the effort.

    The “VIBE” framework for choosing the perfect hobby

    Swadia says you don’t have to just hope you have a passion for something. A hobby can actually be a way to improve your life in the very specific ways that it’s lacking.

    But you have to pick the right hobby for you. And Swadia says in order to pick the right hobby, you need a framework. He calls his VIBE.

    Vitality

    “Are you running on empty? Then pick a hobby that gets your heart rate up,” he says.

    It can be fitness and exercise directly, as in implementing a workout routine at the gym or taking a group fitness class. Or you can enjoy active hobbies that have a physical side effect, like hiking.

    Vitality hobbies are something fun, challenging, and non-digital to do, and they have the added benefit of improving your physical health and energy levels.

    hobbies, joy, happiness, mental health, wellness, fun, monk, MIT, expert, chess, gardening, art, color, adult hobbies
    A running club is a perfect hobby that checks multiple boxes. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

    Inquiry

    “Are you easily bored? Then pick a hobby that forces you to be a beginner again.”

    Swadia suggests learning a new language, picking up chess, or taking a formal class on just about anything. Crucially, being a beginner as an adult requires courage. It requires you to fail and face your shortcomings head on. But that’s exactly why being a beginner again is so powerful.

    “Your brain doesn’t adapt or grow when you’re comfortable,” Swadia says. “A hobby allows you to struggle, to be surprised. It forces your brain to upgrade.”

    hobbies, joy, happiness, mental health, wellness, fun, monk, MIT, expert, chess, gardening, art, color, adult hobbies
    Chess will make you feel like a humbled beginner, and that’s the point. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

    Belonging

    If you have a lot of acquaintances and distant friends, you may need to find activities that help you find deeper connections in your community.

    “Try a hobby that weaves you into a tribe,” Swadia advises.

    Anything group-centered works here: a book club, a running group, volunteering, etc. Anything that’s fun, challenging, interesting, or meaningful that you do specifically with other people will bond you to them in surprising and profound ways.

    Expression

    “Do you consume more than create? Then try a hobby that pulls something from inside of you and puts it out into the world.”

    These are the classics: creating and the arts. Woodworking, painting, photography, pottery. Even cooking can be a form of self-expression.

    You don’t need to be good at something in order to use it to express yourself. And getting better slowly over time is a huge part of the fun.

    hobbies, joy, happiness, mental health, wellness, fun, monk, MIT, expert, chess, gardening, art, color, adult hobbies
    You don’t have to be good at art to express yourself through it. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

    You don’t need one hobby per category, Swadia reminds us. Many hobbies can fill multiple needs at once. Joining a running club, for example, can improve your vitality and your sense of belonging all at once. Depending on your starting point, it can also make you feel like a total beginner (Inquiry) again.

    It’s hard to go wrong when picking a hobby

    VIBE is just one framework, and it can help you identify what’s missing from your life and figure out how a new activity can challenge you and make you feel more whole.

    Psychology Today notes, however, that hobbies don’t have to be challenging or designed to stimulate and rewire your brain. They can also be mindless and relaxing, like coloring or reading “trashy” novels.

    More important than picking the right or perfect hobby is picking one at all. Unless there are huge costs involved, you can always try something else down the road if the first one doesn’t work out. What matters is taking care of yourself in order to be at your best.

    “Our 24/7 culture tells us hobbies are selfish. They’re extra. It’s time stolen from work or the people that need you,” Swadia says. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

  • Former flight attendant says families should board last. Does she have a point?
    Photo credit: CanvaThree kids look out the window of an airport at an airplane landing.

    Families with small children are usually among the first to board a plane, the logic being that it allows time to install any necessary kiddie seats, place strollers or other kid-centric luggage in the overhead bin, and get settled before takeoff.

    However, one mom and former airline worker argues that doing things the opposite way would allow for smoother travel for all.

    Laura, an ex-British flight attendant currently living in Florida and raising a family, recently shared on TikTok, “Okay don’t come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST.”

    @laurainsouthflorida

    Okay don’t come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST. I know. I KNOW. And yes I used to be a flight attendant. I have seen things. I have opinions. This is one of them. Every time we pre-board Oliver we spend an extra 25 minutes strapped into seats going absolutely nowhere while every other human slowly files past us making faces at him like he’s a zoo exhibit. He’s fine for the first 10 minutes. Then he’s done. DONE. And we still haven’t even pushed back from the gate. I spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door. Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference. Trust the ex-flight attendant on this one. The pre-board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I’m only now admitting that. You’re welcome. Or I’m sorry. Depending on how strongly you feel about this. #flyingwithababy #travelingwithababy #babytravel #exflightattendant #flightattendantlife

    ♬ original sound – laurainsouthflorida

    First recalling her own experience as a traveler, Laura noted that every time she brought her young son, Oliver, they would pre-board, as many parents do. However, getting on the plane early just meant that Oliver had an extra hour of being cooped up. 

    “We’d spend an extra 25 minutes strapped into seats going absolutely nowhere while every other human slowly files past us making faces at him like he’s a zoo exhibit,” she wrote in the caption.

    Naturally, Oliver would become restless

    families board last, flight attendant, viral video
    Two kids looking out an airplane window while mom watches. Photo credit: Canva

    “He’s fine for the first 10 minutes. Then he’s done. DONE. And we still haven’t even pushed back from the gate,” she wrote. 

    Laura then drew upon her professional experience of witnessing other families going through similar struggles: “I spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door.”

    Both of these factors left her with only one conclusion: “Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference.”

    “Trust the ex‑flight attendant on this one,” she concluded. “The pre‑board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I’m only now admitting that. You’re welcome. Or I’m sorry. Depending on how strongly you feel about this.”

    Of course, reactions to this stance were mixed

    Some commenters agreed that it would be less anxiety-inducing for parents concerned with “holding people up,” while others worried about keeping families seated together or potentially losing storage space if they boarded last.

    And then came the inevitable question: Why not seat the back row first? 

    Online, you’ll find a slew of explanations, from “it makes the plane tail-heavy” to “back-to-front boarding is actually slower.” However, Japanese airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL) commonly use a back-to-front boarding process, often starting with rear seats, window seats, or specific boarding groups. This method is sometimes combined with window-to-aisle boarding in the name of efficiency.

    So while we may never come upon a universally beneficial boarding order, there are at least a few things parents can do to make the process easier. 

    For example, if both parents are traveling together, they can adopt a “divide and conquer” approach, with one parent boarding early to manage bags and seats while the other lets the kids walk around, expend any extra energy they might have, and minimize sitting time. Bringing a “surprise bag” of snacks and small, new toys reserved only for plane rides can also offer some soothing distractions.

    travel, flying with kids, flight attendant
    A father entertaining his son on a flight with animal puppets. Photo credit: Canva

    And as any parent will tell you, often no matter what strategy you try to implement, sometimes you still gotta adapt to what’s needed in the moment.

  • Welfare check on a 91-year-old woman ends with funny twist police never saw coming
    Photo credit: CanvaAn older woman plays a video game.

    Many communities are trying to provide quality attention and care to their elderly residents. For example, seniors in Westlake, Ohio, can sign up for a program that provides frequent welfare checks. But when the police were sent on a welfare check for a 91-year-old woman after multiple unanswered phone calls, they couldn’t have expected a better, funnier result.

    The woman was safe and sound in her bedroom, playing video games

    “Everyone was a little bit alarmed that she was missing these contacts,” Westlake Police captain Jerry Vogel told News 5 Cleveland. “It turned out to be okay. Everyone got a good laugh out of it.”

    The elderly gamer was a part of Westlake’s “Are You Okay?” program for senior citizens and other qualified residents. Upon signing up, elderly residents receive a daily phone call to answer, ensuring that they are safe and okay. If the call goes unanswered, the police do a welfare check. After multiple missed calls, including a follow-up from police dispatch and one from the woman’s daughter, the police entered the woman’s home to find her trying to beat her record in a “bubble pop” video game.

    The police and the woman both laughed in relief, and the woman thanked the police for checking in through the “Are You Okay?” service. To protect her privacy, the police shut off their body cams and aren’t releasing the 91-year-old gamer’s identity.

    Seniors are a growing demographic in video gaming

    While this welfare check ended in a funny result, the police shouldn’t have been too shocked to see a person over 90 playing a video game. In fact, seniors are a growing demographic in video gaming. An Entertainment Software Association report found that 28% of gamers in the United States are over the age of 50.

    The reasons why more elderly people play video games are numerous. Some play video games involving hunting, fishing, bowling, etc., since they can continue their favorite pastimes regardless of their mobility or accessibility. Other older gamers play to connect with their grandkids or just younger people in general.

    There are also studies showing and encouraging seniors to play video games for health benefits, including improving their social lives through in-person or online gaming. Some games are mentally challenging, helping seniors’ cognitive health as well.

    So the next time you log in to play Call of Duty, Minecraft, Fortnite, or another game online, there’s a chance that one of the people you’re playing with could be a senior. Who knows? It could be a 91-year-old woman in Westlake.

  • ‘Hecka tight, bra’: Millennial teacher bridges generational gap by translating ’90s slang to Gen Z speak 
    Photo credit: CanvaA teacher's lesson on 1990s slang.

    These days, there’s a lot of love for the 1990s, especially among younger generations, who fantasize about the last decade before smartphones and social media upended society. In fact, a 2023 study found that 60% of American Gen Z adults “wished they could return to a time before everyone was ‘plugged in.’”

    Kaity Broadbent, a microschool teacher and head of learning at Prenda, had a really fun lesson with her students by showing them the parallels in slang among Gen Zers, Gen Xers, and Millennials who were young during the golden era of the 1990s.

    The interesting thing about her lecture is that it showed how young people, regardless of generation, create their own slang terms for the same words.

    In her Instagram Reel, Broadbent bridged the generational divide by noting that “bruh,” a popular term among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, sounded different in the ’90s, when it was pronounced “bra,” like the ladies’ undergarment. Although the pronunciation is different, the meaning is the same. She put it in a sentence, asking her students to say, “Hecka tight, bra.” (It seems she substituted “hella” for “hecka” to be more classroom-appropriate.)

    She also introduced her students to the term that kids in the ’90s used to reveal they’d fooled someone: “Psych!” which is a shorter version of saying, “Psyched you out.”

    She then rattled off some of the ’90s greatest hits:

    • “As if” (Cher from Clueless, you paying attention?)
    • “You da bomb” — a phrase meaning that someone is great or incredibly attractive. 
    @aliciasilverstone

    Ugh! As if… I wouldn’t join TikTok. 😉💛😘 #Clueless #AsIf

    ♬ Ugh… As if – Alicia Silverstone
    • She also noted that kids from the ’90s had their own version of one of Gen Z’s most popular slang phrases for questionable people or things. “So, instead of sus, we would say sketch,” she said in a very studious tone.
    • “I gotta bounce” or “I’m outtie” means that you have to leave. Extra ’90s points: If you’ve ever said, “I gotta go, Audi 5-thou.” This takes the term “outtie” and merges it with a popular luxury car at the same time: the Audi 5000.
    • She also noted that in the ’90s, your “crib” was your house, as evidenced by MTV’s popular show Cribs.
    @topwtf_

    Sad that’s most of these are fake 😪 #mtv #mtvcribs #topwtf_

    ♬ original sound – TOPWTF
    • “Home skillet” and “home slice” are two phrases that Gen Zers probably wouldn’t naturally understand, but they mean the same thing. It’s an evolution of the term “home boy,” meaning friend, which became “homie” or “home skillet.”
    • What would a ’90s kid say if someone was acting strangely or seemed confused about a situation? “You straight trippin’, G.” That means, “I believe that you are out of your mind, friend.”
    • She then asked a big question that makes little sense in the smartphone era: Why would we say ‘411’? Because “You would call 411, and you’d pick it up, and that was calling information.”

    The post sparked a great conversation among the commenters:

    “This is all that and a bag of chips,” Kid joked.

    “We stopped saying ‘psych’ when I was in 6th grade and switched to ‘NOT!’” Amanda clarified.

    “This is both amazing and hurts so much,” Mads admitted.

    Broadbent’s lesson is a great reminder for older people to stop being annoyed by younger generations’ slang, because when they were young, their trends were pretty cringey, too. It’s also a great lesson for the young people out there: Be careful how you judge your elders; one day you’re going to be just like them.

  • People in their 40s say these 5 unique life changes make it the weirdest and most diverse phase of life
    Photo credit: Canva & XA 42-year-old’s observations about his early 40s are striking a nerve on social media.

    Turning 40 marks a major milestone for many people. It can be an exciting time when your family, career, hobbies, and sense of self are finally falling into place. Unfortunately, it can also be the decade when your joints start hurting and your hair goes gray.

    In other words, your 40s can be a mixed bag. What’s especially fascinating is that everyone’s experience in their early 40s will be different. Some people say that’s exactly what makes it such an interesting season of life.

    Guy on X notices a few strange things about being in his 40s

    Ben Eisenhart, a self-described dad and husband who turned 42 earlier this year, recently took stock of his peers and found that there was a wild amount of variety.

    He realized that he’d reached a point in time when minor differences in life choices, luck, and genetics that were barely noticeable in his 20s were becoming massively evident.

    The post was a hit, racking up nearly two million views and hundreds of comments from people eager to share their own experiences and observations. Here are five things people say make your 40s the weirdest and most interesting decade of your life.

    1. Kids

    In your early 20s, the vast majority of your peers don’t have kids yet. In your mid-to-late 20s, the process begins, and newborns start crashing group hangouts. Late nights at the bar become lazy afternoons at the brewery as parent friends try to survive the early stages of parenthood. Others either aren’t ready for kids yet or have decided not to have them.

    In your 40s, it’s not nearly as simple.

    Some folks are still child-free. Others might have grown children who are out of the house. Some are even grandparents by this point. Others are just getting started in parenthood with their first newborn. In fact, the latter is becoming increasingly common, with over 20% of women now having their first child after the age of 35.

    2. Looks

    Some people look older, and some look younger. That’s just the genetic lottery, and it’s true at almost any age.

    But by your 40s, life choices and health issues have piled up and widened this gap. Some 40-year-olds could pass for being in their 20s, while others look 20 years older.

    Genetics alone can account for huge differences in how we age, and it’s a topic of great interest to scientists. But a few decades of staying fit, or smoking, or using or not using sunscreen really start to show up around your early 40s.

    3. Couples

    Similar diversity shows up not just in whether people are partnered up, but in the many different shapes and timelines of romance that appear.

    As Eisenhart notes, many people marry relatively young and remain together well into their 40s and beyond. Others are divorced, on their second or third marriage, or have been single the entire time. Even among those who are single, they may be dipping their toe in the dating pool of folks their own age…or, in some cases, much younger.

    It can make for some very interesting get-togethers.

    4. Career

    There’s a great camaraderie in your 20s when everyone you know is just getting started in their careers. Some are struggling through menial jobs, while others are in more prestigious fields but are grinding their way up from the bottom of the totem pole.

    You’re all in it together, in a sense.

    In your 40s, those career paths have diverged a great deal over the years. Some folks are executive-level leaders at big companies. Others have been doctors and scientific researchers for over a decade. Some have suffered setbacks or are in the midst of a career change, piecing together work the best they can. More and more people in their 40s are even going back to school.

    It can, and should, be a time of deep empathy and leaning on one another.

    5. Hope for all

    Ultimately, most people in their 40s who commented on the post agreed on one thing: it’s a pretty cool season of life.

    “All these are just lessons that we ain’t competing with anyone, at every age in our life just live your best and do things that makes you happy and always love yourself even more,” one X user wrote.

    Another said, “Life really doesn’t follow one timeline. People the same age can be in completely different seasons, and that’s normal.”

    “I turn 48 in July, and what ive gathered is wherever you find yourself during these years, as long as you find the joy, its all good,” another user added. “Out of all my decades, 40s have been surprisingly my favorite, mainly because ive learned to only worry about what i can control.”

    One person noted that your 40s offer an amazing opportunity for transformation: “Early 40s is the last time of a big ‘potential’ horizon. Where you could totally reinvent yourself and make it if you wanted to.”

    And finally, many wisely advised that your 40s are nothing to fear:

    It wasn’t just 40-year-olds who were drawn to the viral post, however. More than a handful of people in their 50s and 60s stopped by with just a few choice words: “Just you wait.”

  • Dog celebrates 5th birthday by going on an adorable ‘sniffari’
    Photo credit: @ladyandthepamp_/TikTok (used with permission)Lady the spaniel enjoys a “sniffari” for her 5th birthday.

    Many dog owners like to commemorate their fur babies’ birthdays with a party. But this doggy birthday party takes things to a whole new level. 

    Lady, an adorable spaniel turning five, didn’t celebrate her solar return with treats or costumes. Instead, her mom, Kat, arranged for her and her canine friends to go on a backyard “sniffari.”

    The sensory adventure featured fresh chicken eggs (the crowd favorite), as well as a small herb garden, old socks and shoes, a pile of sticks, and layers of cardboard with treats hidden between each layer. And of course, participants could refuel themselves at the “pup cup station,” where they’d be served whipped cream, aka “pupaccinos.”

    The TikTok video racked up over 500,000 views online, and people couldn’t help but praise Kat for her grade-A dog mom skills. 

    “What a unique and thoughtful birthday treat for your pup,” one viewer commented.

    Another added, “You rock as a dog mom I’m done. I thought my doggo was spoiled.”

    Why sniffing matters to your pup

    As PetMD explains, our dogs “see” the world through scent. They use their powerful noses to understand and interact with the world around them, increasing their mental stimulation while lowering their stress levels in the process.

    @ladyandthepamp_

    Lady’s sniffari in action 🐕 Thanks everyone for all the love 💕 she had the best day with her friends. I’m so happy so many of you have decided to try and recreate your own with your own dogs. Pressure is on for her 6th birthday… #dogtok #dogparty #dog #dogmum

    ♬ Alright – Supergrass

    So sniffing activities are like the upper echelon of enrichment. That’s why experts recommend owners be patient while taking their dogs on walks and even reward sniffing behavior. The olfactory fulfillment they receive from it is crucial to their well-being.

    Of course, that was just the beginning of Lady’s birthday celebrations

    @ladyandthepamp_

    If she can live until she’s 100, it really would be the cherry on top 🥰🐕 #dogtok #dogmum #dog

    ♬ original sound – Kat and Lady 🐕💕

    She and her mom also enjoyed some pampering during a beachfront hotel stay in England.

    In a heartfelt follow-up video, Kat was in tears as she shared, “I think I just peaked in life. My dog turns five tomorrow, and I’m just so happy.” 

    We get it, Kat. We really get it. 

    Fun ways to throw your own “sniffari”

    dog sniffari, dog birthday party, dogs
    A dog sniffing a hedgehog. Photo credit: Canva

    Inspired by Lady’s celebration, pet parents can easily create their own scent-based party at home. The key is variety and curiosity. Scatter safe, dog-friendly items with different textures and smells around your yard or living space. Hide treats inside boxes, under towels, or within layers of paper so pups can “hunt” for rewards.

    You can also create themed scent stations. A garden corner with herbs like rosemary or basil gives dogs new smells to explore. A “laundry pile” of worn clothing offers familiar scents that many dogs love. Even a simple cardboard maze can become an adventure when treats are tucked inside.

    For an extra special touch, invite a few canine friends and let them explore together at their own pace. Keep things relaxed and supervised so each dog feels comfortable.

    Truly, for birthday celebrations or otherwise, sometimes the best thing we can do for our pups is to let them experience the world as closely to how nature intended as we possibly can.

  • The Bee Gees’ 1973 acoustic performance of ‘Run to Me’ perfectly showcases their amazing harmonies
    Photo credit: via MIdnight Special/YouTubeThe Bee Gees singing "Run to Me."

    On June 22, 1973, the Bee Gees, brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, appeared on the TV show The Midnight Special and, throughout the 90-minute broadcast, showcased their humor, soul, and incredible harmonies. But, by far, the highlight of the night was a performance of their recent hit, “Run to Me,” off their 1972 release, To Whom It May Concern.

    The Midnight Special was a late-night music and variety show that ran on NBC for nine years (1972-1981). Along with “Run to Me,” on this episode, the Bee Gees played their 1968 hit “I Gotta Get a Message to You,” sang a duet with Wilson Pickett of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” and performed a medley which included, “Morning of My Life,” “Holiday,” “Let There Be Love,” and “My World.”

    The Bee Gees’ incredible ‘Run to Me’ performance

    Their performance of “Run to Me” is incredible because with the stripped-down, acoustic-guitar-only arrangement, you can really hear their amazing harmonies—especially when Robin and Maurice hop in on the chorus.

    “‘Run to Me’ was one of those songs that all three of us sang. It was never really written for one person. ‘I’ll sing the verses. You sing the chorus because they are much higher,’ Gibb recalled, as if speaking with his brothers. “Robin’s voice was much higher than mine … See, it wasn’t like a group. It was a family. And so, whoever wanted to sing, sang.”

    The origins of ‘Run to Me’

    “We wrote [Run to Me] at our manager Robert Stigwood’s house in Beverly Hills. He was a great visionary and championed our beliefs and chemistry as brothers. Lyrically, this song chronicles the wishes of a man who longs to be noticed by a broken-hearted girl,” Robin recalled.

    Even though the Bee Gees appear at the top of their game in the performance, it was a transitional point for the band. “Run to Me” would be their last significant hit for three years, until they transitioned into a more soulful, disco sound, with their 1975 hit “Jive Talkin’.” This would launch the band into superstardom, peaking with 1977’s Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack which featured three number one singles from the album contributed by the Bee Gees—”How Deep Is Your Love”, “Stayin’ Alive,” and “Night Fever.” The brothers also penned “If I Can’t Have You,” which became a number-one hit for Yvonne Elliman.

    Sadly, Maurice Gibb would pass away in 2003 and Robin in 2012. But “Run to Me” got a second life in 2021 when Barry re-recorded it with country singer Brandi Carlile for his solo album, Greenfields. Greenfields features reworked versions of his Bee Gees hits, sung with country collaborators, including Dolly Parton, Jason Isbell, and Miranda Lambert. 

    This new version of “Run to Me” features a similar vocal arrangement to the original, with Carlile filling in for the late Robin.

    Earlier this year, Barry spoke with Upworthy about his love for Bob Dylan and his opposition to the Vietnam War. You can read it here. 

    Here is the entire June 22, 1973, broadcast of The Midnight Special.

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