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Ah, Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving when people wake up at an ungodly hour, fueled by leftover pumpkin pie and caffeine, to elbow strangers for discount TVs and socks. It’s a battlefield of consumerism, but this year, the real winners weren’t humans dragging home flat-screen TVs—they were the dogs and cats of Cincinnati Animal CARE. Because, let’s face it, who needs a 4K TV when you can have a furry, four-legged companion who will judge you for binge-watching the entirety of The Crown instead of going outside? Cincinnati Animal CARE took a page out of the retail playbook and went full send on Black Friday, dropping their adoption fees for pets older than six months to a mere 99 cents. That’s right, folks, less than a McChicken or your go-to vending machine snack. The result? One hundred animals trotted, waddled, or pranced out the door into their new homes. A record-setting day! But let’s unpack this remarkable feat with the skepticism and side-eye it deserves because, hones...

The allure of writing has long been wrapped in mythos—a romanticized ideal of brooding authors scribbling feverishly by candlelight, perched at desks adorned with typewriters, and gazing out of windows overlooking scenic vistas. Yet Hattie Crisell’s In Writing punctures this bubble with poise and precision, offering readers a refreshingly grounded exploration of what it means to be a writer. Through interviews with over 50 authors, screenwriters, and columnists, Crisell unveils a world far removed from lofty imaginings and shows writing for what it is: a job, both ordinary and extraordinary. The Persistent Appeal of Books on Writing Books about writing occupy a unique corner of the literary world. Their readership typically includes two camps: practicing writers seeking camaraderie and inspiration, and aspirants longing to decode the secrets of their heroes. Crisell’s In Writing caters to both, demystifying the craft while celebrating its subtleties. This genre thrives because writin...

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into an AI’s fever dream and accidentally call it “gaming,” Oasis is here to answer that question—loudly, and with questionable aesthetics. This isn’t just a Minecraft clone; it’s Minecraft’s existential crisis, complete with misshapen sheep and physics that were clearly skipped in AI kindergarten. What Oasis lacks in logic, it makes up for in sheer, unfiltered absurdity. Welcome to the dawn of AI-generated gaming, where you’re not just playing the game—you’re negotiating with it. Minecraft Meets Dali on a Bender Let’s set the stage: Minecraft has been a juggernaut of creativity and survival fun since its release. And why not? It’s charming, user-friendly, and deeply satisfying to build your own blocky utopia. Oasis, on the other hand, has taken that formula, fed it into an AI model trained on endless Minecraft gameplay, and said, “Let’s make it weird.” The result? A world that looks familiar until it decides not to be. A staircase might ...

Gather around, gamers, developers, and retro enthusiasts alike. The games publishing industry has decided that we’ve had it far too good for far too long. In an act of corporate honesty so rare it might qualify for an anthropological study, publishers have essentially admitted why they loathe retro games: it threatens their bottom line and their bloated, misguided visions of what gaming should be. To paraphrase their stance, they’re terrified that if you get a whiff of the classics, you’ll see right through the money-draining mediocrity that passes as "modern gaming." Let’s break down the absurdity, shall we? The Archive Apocalypse In case you missed the news, a legal ruling has effectively stomped on the idea of archiving retro games for public access. This decision isn’t just a slap in the face of game preservation; it’s like setting fire to the entire library of Alexandria and then throwing in a corporate-sponsored fireworks show to celebrate. According to GamesRadar , the...

Ah, Black Friday and Cyber Monday: two glorious days when capitalism throws a glitter bomb of "deals" in our faces, and we collectively lose our minds trying to snag bargains we’ll probably regret. If you’re not elbowing Karen in electronics for a discounted TV, maybe you’re scrambling for a too-good-to-be-true vacation package you won’t use until next year. Lucky for you, I’ve sifted through the travel deals (you’re welcome), so you can skip the drama and jump straight to the FOMO. Whether you're dreaming of sipping margaritas on the beach or Instagramming from a posh hotel you can’t pronounce, here's your guide to Cyber Week’s finest travel savings. Let's dive into this frenzy of fine print and blackout dates. Sandals Resorts: Because the Caribbean Isn’t Going to Post Itself 65% Off Vacations + $1,500 Credit Feel like royalty with overwater villas and fruity cocktails. Sandals is practically paying you to show up—with up to $1,500 in credits and 65% off your st...

Oh, the humble television repairman—a relic of a bygone era, now nearly as extinct as Blockbuster Video or landlines that don’t call about your car’s extended warranty. In Youngstown, Ohio, the quiet death of Doc’s Radio & TV wasn’t just a retirement party; it was a funeral for an entire trade. Let’s pour one out for Doc’s, which hung up its tools after 73 years of saving TVs from the brink of oblivion. Or maybe don’t. The note on their door reads less like a goodbye and more like a parent dropping their kid off at college: “Thanks for the memories. We’re done. Good luck.” The End of an Era For anyone out there who remembers when televisions were considered an investment —yes, those days existed—it’s no surprise this industry is fading faster than a plasma screen with burn-in. Back in the mid-20th century, a TV set wasn’t just a purchase; it was a lifestyle choice. You didn’t just pick one up at Costco on a whim. You agonized over it, maybe took out a loan, and probably talked ab...

Welcome to the Sports and Outdoors Gift Guide for 2024, where we sort the wheat from the chaff, the winners from the wildly unnecessary, and the gifts your friends and family will actually use from the ones destined to rot in a gear closet. This year’s list promises everything from "game-changing" gadgets to what can only be described as yuppie camping essentials. Let’s dive in, shall we? 1. Dometic GO Compact Camp Chair - $149.99 Oh, joy, a chair! But not just any chair — this is the Dometic GO Compact Camp Chair . What sets it apart, you ask? Why, it’s the “heavy-duty 600D fabric” and “lightweight aluminum” that make it worth dropping $150. Because when you’re roughing it, you need armrests made of beechwood — you know, for that authentic lumberjack chic. Don’t forget, it folds! Groundbreaking stuff. 2. Something Silver Mountain Pendant - $38 Is your favorite hiker tired of actual mountains? Then let them wear one around their neck instead! The “detailed mountain scene” on ...

Ah, Via Monte Napoleone , where luxury brands rub shoulders, rents soar to stratospheric levels, and even your wallet feels underdressed just walking past. In a shocking twist, this 350-meter stretch in Milan has usurped New York's Fifth Avenue to become the world’s most expensive shopping street . That’s right—Americans now have yet another reason to furiously clutch their Starbucks ventis and mutter about European sophistication. But how, you might ask, did a cobblestoned fashion catwalk barely the length of a morning jog beat out the global giants of retail? Let’s break it down with all the sass and cynicism this news deserves. From Pasta to Prada: Why Milan’s Wallet-Squeezing Real Estate Wins First, let’s get the obvious out of the way: money talks , and on Via Monte Napoleone, it screams in Italian. With annual rents hitting €20,000 per square meter (that’s £17,000 for the Brits and a good cry for anyone else), it’s clear that exclusivity is the name of the game. For perspecti...

China’s regional cities are throwing a party, and the invitation reads: "World Science Elite, BYO H-index." Once the quiet wallflowers of the global research ecosystem, these provincial capitals—places you’d mistake for mere logistical waypoints between Beijing and Shanghai—are donning the glitzy gown of scientific excellence and sashaying their way up the Nature Index Science Cities rankings . Hefei, Wuhan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Xi’an have moved in next door to global A-listers like Tokyo, Paris, and Chicago. But while this might sound like the plot twist in a feel-good underdog movie, there’s a bigger, savvier script at play. Let’s dissect this regional renaissance, shall we? Spoiler: It’s less about grassroots science magic and more about China’s top-down, iron-clad strategy to supercharge its cities, pacify its people, and outshine the West in one well-funded fell swoop. The Megacity Monopoly Breaks When we talk about science in China, most people instinctively think of ...

It’s 2024, and in true Trumpian fashion, the religious makeup of his proposed administration looks like a casting call for a show about America’s spiritual greatest hits—with a couple of plot twists thrown in to keep things spicy. Catholics dominate the list, evangelicals have their steady foothold, and a Jewish environmental steward plus a Hindu intelligence director round out the ensemble. It’s like Trump is hosting an ecumenical bake-off, except the stakes are way higher, and instead of cookies, we’re talking about political power. So, let’s dig in. The Catholic Power Surge: From "Faithful Supporters" to Cabinet Superstars In case you’ve been hiding under a rock (or tuning out to save your sanity), Trump owes a big thank-you to Catholic voters. These folks gave him a nine-point boost from 2020 to 2024, bringing his Catholic support to a solid 56%. Now, with five Catholics in top advisory roles, it’s clear that Trump isn’t just grateful—he’s doubling down on what works. JD ...

Ah, Generation Z, the cohort that managed to turn “What are we?” from an existential query into a panic-inducing buzzword. If you’ve spent any time around today’s twentysomethings—or God help you, dated one—you know that their love lives resemble Schrödinger’s cat: simultaneously alive and dead, defined and undefined, full of feelings and aggressively apathetic. Let’s not mince words: Gen Z has cultivated a relationship culture that no one—not even them—seems to enjoy. Situationships, the nebulous, DTR-avoidant cousin of relationships, have emerged as their defining romantic trope. A situationship is the perfect invention for a generation whose risk aversion is matched only by their mastery of irony. It’s commitment with plausible deniability, intimacy without responsibility, and heartbreak preemptively wrapped in bubble wrap. “Emotional trauma in a gift box,” as Urban Dictionary so aptly puts it. What’s driving this strange trend? Fear. And lots of it. Gen Z has become the most risk-...

Oh, Nashville, get out your tissues and maybe a cocktail — because Bill Freeman, the man who made your rent checks just a little lighter (unless you’re living in one of his nicer units), has passed away. A real estate juggernaut, Democratic fundraiser extraordinaire, and unapologetic pilot, Freeman left a legacy as wide as the Cumberland River and as complicated as the skyline he helped build. Freeman was no mere landlord. No, sir. This man co-founded Freeman Webb Co., a behemoth of a real estate firm boasting more than 18,000 rental units across five states. And if you’re wondering where your monthly check goes, just know that over 9,000 of those homes are right here in Music City. Thanks, Bill. A Legacy of Affordable-ish Housing Let’s talk about Freeman Webb for a second. The company is a paradox in motion. Freeman once proudly declared, "We’re a naturally affordable landlord," which, in real estate lingo, translates roughly to, “We’re not jacking up rents quite as high a...

Well, folks, here we go again. In a move shocking precisely no one, Donald Trump is gearing up to unleash another round of his greatest hits on immigration. Except this time, it’s less about chanting “Build the Wall” at rallies and more about digging up old playbooks, dusting off controversial executive orders, and supercharging the detention machine. Let’s break down this mess in all its grimy glory, shall we? A Familiar Tune: Detention for All, Compassion for None Trump’s big idea this time? Expand detention facilities, keep migrants penned up like it’s a new Olympic sport, and roll out the “Remain in Mexico” program 2.0. Because clearly, making desperate families live in limbo in dangerous border towns worked so well the first time. The plan includes mandatory detention for migrants, with Trumpworld dreaming of a utopia where no one is released into the U.S. to await their immigration hearings. It’s ambitious, I’ll give them that. Border facilities will overflow, legal challenges wi...