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When you think of Los Angeles, what comes to mind? Probably glitz, glamour, traffic that makes you question your will to live, and maybe a celebrity sighting or two. But what if I told you that in the midst of all this, the city also boasts a full-scale animal rescue operation so dramatic, even Hollywood couldn’t script it? Enter: The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, where horses, pigs, donkeys, and a rogue miniature cow named Cuddles have turned the place into something straight out of the Old Testament. The Scene: Fire, Panic, and a Whole Lot of Hoofbeats Picture this: Flames creeping over the hills, smoke blanketing the city in an apocalyptic haze, and trailers stuffed with frantic animals rolling in like a last-minute evacuation scene from a disaster movie. It’s LA, so naturally, there are probably at least three people live-streaming it for TikTok clout. Jennie Nevin, spokesperson for the equestrian center, described the first 48 hours as "chaos." Which is PR-speak for: ab...

Ah, Writing for Queer Teens of Color as a Black Lesbian . A guest post that takes itself so seriously, I half-expected it to come with a cape and a monologue about saving the world. Don’t get me wrong—this is an important topic, and Shelly Page clearly has her heart in the right place. But sometimes, even the noblest of efforts deserve a side-eye, particularly when they meander through clichés, serve lukewarm takes as groundbreaking insights, and awkwardly elevate personal anecdotes to universal truths. So buckle up for a no-holds-barred, takedown. Let’s dive into this mix of earnest advocacy, preachiness, and just enough self-congratulation to make you wonder if we’re here for the audience or the author. The Sob Story Opening: A Tale as Old as Time Shelly starts by recounting her childhood disappointment at not seeing herself in books. Groundbreaking stuff—who among us hasn’t heard this lamentation a thousand times? Yes, representation in literature is vital. Yes, the lack of diverse ...

Look, we all know time is money, and money is… usually spent on overpriced coffee. But who cares about finances when you can fill your brain with gloriously useless facts? Impress your friends, baffle your enemies, and give yourself an excuse to skip the gym because, hey , you're lifting all this knowledge. Ready for this weirdly wonderful journey? Let’s go! 10 of the Best Random Facts for People Who Pretend They're Not on Their Phone Right Now Avocados Are Fruit, Not Vegetables. Yes, Karen, your guac counts as dessert now. The Eiffel Tower Grows in Summer. Thermal expansion, baby. The iron heats, expands, and suddenly, you’ve got a 15 cm taller romantic cliché. Trypophobia is the Fear of Holes. But who actually likes staring into a honeycomb of existential despair? No crumpets for these folks. Australia Is Wider than the Moon. Who knew Down Under could flex on the entire solar system? Shrimp Hearts Are in Their Heads. So next time you’re feeling emotional, imagine a shri...

The Fallout of AAA Gaming: Too Big to Succeed? Ah, the AAA gaming sector, once the glimmering jewel in the crown of the entertainment industry, now resembles a bloated dragon choking on its own hoarded treasure. It’s no secret that the big-budget gaming industry has been teetering on the edge of collapse for years. With development costs skyrocketing into the stratosphere—case in point, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s whopping $700 million price tag—and massive studio closures leaving thousands jobless in 2024 alone, the cracks in the foundation are no longer hairline fractures; they’re gaping chasms. Of course, it’s not just about the money hemorrhage. It’s about the creative stagnation that comes when every game is forced to be a safe, sure bet to please shareholders who probably think “game engine” refers to the motor in their golf carts. It’s a far cry from the days when new ideas and experimental gameplay could actually find a foothold in AAA development. But don’t worry—this ...

Ah, travel. That seductive siren song luring you out of your sweatpants and into the wild unknown, where you can Instagram your way through history, culture, and overpriced coffee. Each year, the New York Times compiles a list of 20 Places to Go, ostensibly to inspire your wanderlust but really just to test your ability to ignore your dwindling bank balance. This year’s list for 2025 is no different. Let’s take a tour through the highlights with a healthy dose of cynicism, shall we? 1. Jane Austen’s England Ah, the rolling hills of Hampshire, the cradle of Austen’s biting wit. Sure, you could go for the literary connection, but let’s be honest: you’re really here for the Bridgerton-core vibes. Put on a bonnet, clutch a paperback of Pride and Prejudice , and prepare for disappointment when you realize Mr. Darcy isn’t real. But hey, there’s a Jane Austen-themed fair, so you can buy expensive trinkets while pretending you’re cultured. 2. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Nothing screams “eco-to...

There’s something inherently disturbing about the trajectory of modern television hardware. What used to be a straightforward product category—screen, pixels, maybe a few HDMI ports—is now a Frankenstein-esque mishmash of "smart" features no one asked for. Worse yet, these features seem more like Trojan horses for targeted ads and surveillance capitalism than anything genuinely useful. But fear not: Apple Television might be the antidote to these absurd trends, or at least it could offer a break from the sheer madness of CES announcements. Let’s dig into the problem, revel in the absurdity, and explore why Apple might be uniquely positioned to fix—or at least laugh in the face of—what’s happening in the TV market. TVs Have Gone from "Smart" to "Big Brother, but Dumber" Every year, CES provides a dystopian glimpse into how TV manufacturers aim to ruin a perfectly good viewing experience. This year was no exception. Instead of focusing on essentials like bet...

Welcome to Journalism’s Hunger Games Ah, journalism. That noble profession—once the cornerstone of democracy and scourge of the corrupt—now a scrappy underdog battling algorithms, influencers, and the irresistible pull of TikTok dances. As we stumble into 2025, the news industry finds itself clinging to the frayed edges of relevance, trying to outpace AI-generated slop and convince people that, no, real journalism isn’t optional in a functioning society. This year promises a buffet of chaos: an unleashed Trump, elections powered by TikTok montages, and a battalion of AI systems hell-bent on rendering reporters obsolete. Buckle up, because the news business is hurtling toward the future with all the grace of a teenager trying to parallel park. The Rise of AI and the Fall of Newsroom Confidence If you think chatbots like ChatGPT are just here to help you write emails, think again. They’re gunning for your headlines too. AI now churns out “story-like answers” to news queries, blending re...