Author: stuart

Try out these 3 popular apps in the App Store when in Poland

by stuartTechLeave a Comment on Try out these 3 popular apps in the App Store when in Poland

Our lives have changed dramatically in all aspects, thanks to the discovery of apps. Irrespective of whether you are shopping, traveling, communicating, online gambling on https://polski-sloty.com/aplikacja-kasyno/, transacting, or simply entertaining, you will need an app to do it. 

The Most Popular Polish Apps in App Store

Technology and mobile applications have truly redefined how we live in the modern world. That’s true around the world. App developers strive to come up with the best ones every single day. In Poland, the three popular apps in the App Store are Biedronka, SHEIN, and Duolingo.

Biedronka

Biedronka is a Polish supermarket regarded as the most popular in the country. The supermarket chain has stayed at the top of the Polish market due to its unique proposition. It specializes in the supply and distribution of affordable groceries and products.

Biedronka has come up with a loyalty card with an individual number and EAN barcode. The card is available as both a physical and a virtual card, courtesy of the advancement in technology. The virtual card is presently the available option, provided in their application.

Shoppers can also get a physical Biedronka card. Three cards under the same user can be issued meaning three users can use the same card and earn points for one account. The card is issued to anyone and can be applied for at any of the supermarket’s checkout points.

Features of the Biedronka App

  1. Works just like a physical loyalty card.
  2. Shows available discounts at top of the card.
  3. History of purchases is saved on the app for ease of traction and budgeting.
  4. Used to scan barcodes of the products and the price of the product is displayed on the phone screen.
  5. A customized weekly newsletter is circulated for shoppers to browse through the latest offers.
  6. Biedronka discount offers are not available in English within the app. Only the automated cashier machines have an English option.

Biedronka App Brands

Using the app shoppers can get discounted prices on products from top Biedronka brands listed below:

Go vege

Marletto

Tutti

Biedronka-vegetables and fruits

Go Bio

Delikate

Bideronka Readt soups

 Helcom

Glodniaki

Vitanella

Kraina wedlin

FruVita

Sottile Gusto

 

SHEIN

SHEIN is a popular application in Poland and is primarily focused on the latest clothing and fashion for women, kids, and men. The online platform provides a wide spectrum of affordable and trendy fashion attire and accessories in Poland. It keeps a keen eye on the changing fashion trends and shares them with its users.

Within the fashion app, there is a section for men’s and kids’ clothing, shoes, and accessories. In total, there are 20,000 and more fashion styles on T-shirts, dresses, blouses, and swimming costumes. The mobile application with its user-friendly interface makes it easy to browse through trending fashion categories.

Features of SHEIN App

  1. Flash deals of up to 80% every day.
  2. App notifications, sale alerts, and promotions to keep the user updated.
  3. Secure ordering and payment. Client data and payment is safe and secure.
  4. Supports secure Credit card and PayPal payments.
  5. Risk-free placement of orders via the application.
  6. In-app performance improvement for easy navigation through the various pages and categories.
  7. In-built Live chat service and 24/7 Customer service to address shopper issues.
  8. Daily 1000 plus new arrivals to keep shoppers up-to-date with the latest fashions.
  9. Verified reviews, guides, and styling tips are available on the website and application to guide and inspire shoppers.
  10. You can reach out to SHEIN through a “Contact Us” form on their website, Instagram page, Email, or Facebook page.

Duolingo 

With over a million applications to choose from online, Polish online users appear to have loved Duolingo, making it the top application in AppStore. The app provides a free, fun, and effective way for users to learn a language in Poland.

With Duolingo, you can learn a number of languages for free. Here are some of them:

Arabic

Japanese

Dutch

Welsh

Danish

Espera

Czech

Greek

Indonesian

Korean

Swahili

Swedish

Turkish

 Esperanto

Finnish

Irish

Scottish Gaelic

Hungarian

Hindi

Hebrew

Haitian Creole

Hawaiian

Latin

Polish

Russian

Yiddish

Note-and many other languages

Features of Duolingo Polish App

  1. Users can learn a language of their choice through simplified bite-sized lessons.
  2. Lessons are presented in an exciting way and learners earn points and unlock new levels upon completing lessons. This is similar to gaming and therefore practical and exciting for learners.
  3. Learners are effectively and efficiently taught reading, listening, and speaking skills. The lessons are simple and practical making it fun and easy to grasp.
  4. The use of Artificial intelligence and language science to deliver lessons in a personalized manner. This allows learners to be taught within the required level and pace. Everyone with a different IQ can be able to learn and master the language of their choice, for free.
  5. Curated lessons to keep learners motivated. Game-like features with reminders and fun challenges keep the learner glued to the app.
  6. Engaging exercises and playful characters are provided to help build language skills. This helps to keep lessons simple and memorable for learners.
  7. Downloadable for Android and iPhone mobile devices to make learning easy at any time and anywhere.
  8. The application is available for use in schools to help students learn in and outside school. With the use of smart devices, it becomes easier for learners to access the learning material within and outside school.
  9. A Duolingo English test is available for learners. This a globally accepted test for English learners.

Conclusion

There are about 7 million mobile applications in Google Play and Apple App Stores. This number keeps changing every minute since software developers are working all around the clock to ensure users enjoy the best experience with mobile applications. Polish users enjoy a number of applications ranging from Gaming apps, Gambling apps, shopping apps, banking apps, travel apps, education apps, health and fitness apps, and many others. The above top three applications are the most popular ones in Poland at the time of this writing.

 

Tagged : / /

Here’s some proven tips that’ll help you pick high-quality CBD massage oil

by stuartHealthLeave a Comment on Here’s some proven tips that’ll help you pick high-quality CBD massage oil

One of the main concessions of the past couple of years is that CBD is not going anywhere. Even before its legalization in 2018, its use was skyrocketing. The main propeller for this increased use is the assumption that cannabidiol has health-promoting properties. The result has been producing a range of commodities from edibles to tinctures, and now we have creams and oils.

The intersection between CBD and the beauty industry is one that we all saw coming. The outcome has been the release of certain lines, such as CBD body massage oil, eye creams, and more. Should we all join in on this infused oil hype?

What is CBD Massage Oil?

Before you can even think of trying the benefits of CBD massage oil, one of the lingering questions will be what exactly it is. To answer this common question, you need to be aware that the oil is the product of the hemp plant. Hemp growing is now legal in the United States following the 2018 Farm Bill.

The process of getting the infused products starts with the hemp flower or bud. The bud gets decarboxylated and then placed in fats, which gets heated to come up with the CBD massage oil of varying potencies. You should note that this is the basic process. There are other processes where CBD gets extracted through CO2 or solvent and combined with fats.

The chances of getting high from using these CBD-infused products are low. The potency of THC in the hemp flower rarely ever exceeds 0.3%. In instances where it does, the extraction process ensures that the end product is well within the legal limits. With such levels of THC, the psychotropic effects will not get felt with massage oils or even CBD-infused edibles.

Due to the popularity of infused products, there has been a rise in companies selling the same. As a result, there are several confusing labels in the market. In 2017 a study in the Journal of American Medical Association found that 70% of 84 CBD-infused products did not contain the ingredients on their labels. In addition, these products claim to do and have false properties.

Knowing your hemp terminology is one of the significant ways to escape the risks and problems of mislabeling. When some users see the word hemp on the label, they assume it is automatically CBD infused. While this is true for some commodities, it does not work for all.

For instance, there are hemp seed oil products, cannabis Sativa products, and CBD oil products. Hemp oil is the same as the CBD one, but hemp seed oil is different. The latter refers to oil obtained from hemp seeds. This oil is not as strong as that from hemp flowers.

You want to use the hemp flower variety for your CBD massage oil effects. Cannabis Sativa compounds are full-spectrum products and may contain THC levels higher than 0.3%. They may not get you high, too, due to the application on the skin.

How to Pick Quality Infused Massage Oil

You should target high-quality products with anything you use on your body. Low-quality commodities may result in side effects of CBD oil massage, which you want to avoid. Due to the hundreds of types on the market, knowing which ones are high quality can be challenging. Here are some tips you can use to decipher their quality.

Certificate of Analysis

Reputable companies make it their priority to provide users with a certificate of analysis. This document lists all the ingredients in their products and in which percentages. If they have any THC, they will clearly state how much. Analyzing the COA is one of the ways that you can determine whether a product suits you or not. Make sure to review each of the cannabinoids with extra scrutiny.

Third-Party Testing

One of the ways that companies enhance their credibility is by making the results of third-party testing accessible to their users. These lab tests are extensive, and the professionals from the other labs weigh in on the effectiveness of the products. In addition to reviewing the COA, it is also helpful to check their third-party lab tests. This way, you have two documents to compare.

Potency Levels

Though high potency does not automatically denote high quality, it does help. The higher the potency of the oil, the more likely it is to be effective. People choose to go through deep tissue procedures because they want to feel relaxed. High levels of CBD will get you more relaxed faster compared to lower potency ones. It is always advisable to go high, especially since there is zero chance you will get high.

Hemp Source

The source of the hemp used in making your oil determines the quality of the end product. What you want to go for is organically-grown hemp. Organic hemp uses natural methods of pest and disease control. The use of harmful chemicals is thus minimal. You will not end up ingesting pesticides and chemicals that may harm your skin. Avoid any product that does not state their hemp is organically grown.

Natural Ingredients and Additives

In addition to the main ingredient, CBD oils include other additives in their final products. Each of these additives adds to the relaxing properties of cannabidiol. Regardless of the same, it is essential to note that some people may be allergic to certain additives. Before buying an infused product for your deep tissue session, try and look through the ingredients to be on the safer side.

Effects of Using CBD Massage Oil

Word on the street is that CBD oil is helpful for a range of issues. From the top of most searches, you will see that CBD massage oil for pain relief is among the main ones. Do massages with infused oils have safe effects on the body?

The short answer to that question is yes. CBD oils contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are pretty compelling. Besides pain relief, CBD massage oil for anxiety is also entirely plausible.

Those who have a deep tissue session know that the end goal is relaxation and stress relief. This aspect is possible through the reduction of muscle and joint tension. As the masseuse works through your body, they ensure that any tension build-up gets done away with altogether.

CBD oils help with this relaxation process as they also contain properties that induce the same. Anti-inflammatory properties ease the body of pain in the joints and muscles. Also, they have a soothing effect that helps you release any stress and anxiety you may be experiencing.

Another significant effect is the mode of application. As the oil gets applied to your skin, you will feel more hydrated and smoother at the end of the session. Besides reducing redness and inflammation, CBD oils ensure that your overall skin gets moisturized. With frequent use, your skin adopts a silky and smooth texture.

Other Ingredients in Infused Oils

Most of the beauty products on the market contain more than one ingredient. The main reason for this is to enhance the entourage effect. A single component can only do so much. When used in combination with others, they enhance each other resulting in heightened positive benefits. Following this effect, most CBD oils contain more than one natural ingredient. The following are some of the significant oils and additives in infused products.

Beta-Caryophyllene

This ingredient is a naturally occurring terpene. Its main properties include: antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. All these contribute to easing a person’s stress and pain.

Tumeric Root Oil

Tumeric root is a commodity that is famous in alternative medicine circles. Not only does it reduce pain, but it also has anti-fungal properties. When used with CBD in massage oil, it increases the procedure’s effectiveness.

Apricot Oil

Apricot oil is primarily a skin-protecting ingredient. It acts as a natural skin toning reagent, promoting an even glow in the user. Also, it helps the skin heal from wounds faster.

Juniper Oil

With this ingredient, the main goal is usually to help with muscle pains. It also targets fatigue and skin flare-ups and can be effective for people who have arthritis.

Vanilyll Butyl

Vanilyll Butyl is an ingredient that warms up the skin and muscles so that CBD can penetrate your joints and muscles easily. It is effective in pain and stress relief.

Conclusion

Though some people like the psychotropic high of using weed, some do not. With the popularity of CBD massage oil, the latter would be interested in knowing whether a deep tissue procedure can result in them getting high. Infused products contain less than 0.3% THC, which cannot get anyone high. This potency means they can enjoy the beneficial properties of high-quality CBD oils without suffering the unwanted high.

 

 

 

Tagged : / / / / / /

When is Bitcoin Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2023?

by stuartMoneyLeave a Comment on When is Bitcoin Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2023?

Bitcoin Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is an annual event that celebrates the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The celebratory event sponsored by Frontier Bank takes place on the last Saturday of August each year.

In 2023, Bitcoin Day is set for August 23, 2023.

This day serves as a reminder to people living in Sioux Falls about how far Bitcoin has come since its inception back in 2009. Today, Coinplay as the great BTC gambling site reveals all the info regarding this popular holiday. 

A Look Back at Bitcoin Day 2022

The first ever Bitcoin Day in Sioux Falls, was held on May 21st, 2022 and it featured numerous events such as educational seminars about investing into cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies; live music performances from local artists; panel discussions with industry experts discussing various aspects of digital currencies; networking opportunities for entrepreneurs interested starting their own businesses utilizing cryptocurrencies or blockchain technology; food trucks serving up delicious eats throughout the day; vendors selling crypto-related merchandise like t-shirts and hats adorned with logos related to different coins or tokens available on exchanges around the world; And even a hackathon where attendees can create innovative applications using distributed ledger systems. 

Exploring the Concept of a Bitcoin Day

Bitcoin Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was an exciting event that brought together members of the cryptocurrency community from all over the US. The day began with a panel discussion featuring local experts on blockchain technology and Bitcoin’s potential implications for businesses and individuals alike. Attendees were treated to presentations from leading figures in the industry, including representatives from Coinbase, BitPay, Kraken Exchange and more. Afterward, there was a networking session where people could mingle with each other while enjoying light refreshments provided by sponsors like BlockFi and LedgerX. 

The highlight of Bitcoin Day came during lunch when attendees had the chance to hear keynote speaker Greg Foss.

Overall it was a great day full of learning opportunities for everyone involved. People left feeling inspired by what they heard throughout the course presentations and discussions – not only did they gain new knowledge but also made valuable connections within their own network too. For those interested or curious about cryptocurrencies this event certainly gave them plenty of food-for-thought regarding its future prospects at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Purpose and Objective Behind Bitcoin Day

This event is sure to be one not only full of fun activities but also one filled with knowledge regarding this new form of currency which many people are still unfamiliar with despite its growing popularity over recent years. The goal behind hosting this type of gathering is twofold: 

  1. To educate those who may not fully understand what Bitcoin actually is 
  2. To provide an opportunity for individuals looking to get involved within this space by connecting them directly with resources that could help them do so more easily than before. 

Hopefully after attending these festivities everyone will have gained valuable insight into what makes cryptocurrency tick – making it easier than ever before to invest wisely when dealing with digital assets.

Interesting Facts About Bitcoin Day

  • Bitcoin Day is celebrated annually by the cryptocurrency community to commemorate the creation of the first decentralized digital currency.
  • The goal of Bitcoin Day is to raise awareness about the benefits of decentralized digital currencies, as well as to promote their widespread adoption.
  • Bitcoin Day is not a nationally recognized holiday, but is celebrated annually by the cryptocurrency community.
  • The celebration of Bitcoin Day has grown over the years, with events being held in various countries around the world.
  • Some events include conferences, meetups, and educational sessions to promote the use and understanding of Bitcoin.
  • Some enthusiasts also mark the occasion by buying or holding onto Bitcoin as a form of celebration.
  • Despite not being a formal holiday, Bitcoin Day has gained significant attention and recognition within the crypto community.

How does Crypto Gambling Coinplay Celebrate Bitcoin Day?  

Coinplay Crypto Casino is a leading online casino that celebrates Bitcoin Day every year.. CoinPlay Casino has been celebrating this milestone since its inception and does so with great enthusiasm each year.

On Bitcoin Day, CoinPlay offers players a range of bonuses and promotions to help them get more out of their gaming experience at the site. These include free spins on popular slots games such as Starburst or Gonzo’s Quest, deposit bonuses for new players as well as reload bonus codes for existing customers who want to top up their accounts with extra funds before playing any game from the wide selection available in the lobby area.  

Additionally, there are also tournaments running throughout Bitcoin Day where participants can compete against one another for big prizes. 

Furthermore, CoinPlay Crypto Casino also runs exclusive events around Bitcoin Day such as live streams featuring influencers within crypto space talking about all things related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency trading strategies — perfect if you’re looking to learn more about these topics while having some fun at an online casino too. All these activities make sure that everyone involved can have an enjoyable time while learning something new along the way – making it easy for people to come back again each year just to celebrate this important date together.

Tagged :

These 7 SEO strategies will help improving your search engine rankings

by stuartSEOLeave a Comment on These 7 SEO strategies will help improving your search engine rankings

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of improving the ranking of a website on search engines like Google. When a user searches for a particular term or phrase, search engines use algorithms to determine which websites are the most relevant and should appear at the top of the search results.

By optimizing a website for search engines, businesses and organizations can increase their visibility and attract more qualified traffic to their website.

There are a number of factors that search engines consider when ranking websites, including the quality and relevance of the content on the website, the structure and organization of the website, and the number and quality of links pointing to the website from other sites.

1. Keyword Research

One of the critical components of SEO is knowing how to do excellent keyword research. Keywords are the terms and phrases that users enter into search engines when they are looking for something.

By identifying the most relevant and popular keywords for a business or organization, it is possible to optimize the website’s content and structure to rank well for these keywords. This involves creating new pages or content specifically around these keywords, or updating existing pages to include them more prominently.

Why I choose SEMRUSH over AHREFs for keyword research.

2. Content Marketing

Once you have your list of keyword targets, you leverage that list to do content marketing. When it comes to SEO, content marketing an effective strategy for improving a website’s ranking in search results. It involves creating and distributing high-quality, relevant, and valuable content on a regular basis, with the goal of attracting and retaining a clearly defined audience.

By creating content that is informative, engaging, and valuable to users, businesses and organizations can improve their ranking in search results and attract more qualified traffic to their websites.

It doesn’t matter what industry, whether for finance or even online casinos, content is king. For the latter, the key is having a mix of educational and entertaining content.

Comparison sites that put all the best sportsbooks in one place is a great example of this, especially when the content needs to be localized. For example, finding the best sports betting sites in India will take time, but comparison sites offer a solution.

On these platforms, each safe bookmaker is expertly reviewed, and advice is given on how to play legally. In addition, you’ll even find the latest promotions available, which is a massive help for Indian players.

3. On Page Optimization

Another important aspect of SEO is on-page optimization. This refers to the process of optimizing individual web pages to rank well in search engines.

On-page optimization can involve a number of different tactics, including optimizing the title and header tags, using appropriate keyword density, and including internal and external links. By optimizing each page on a website, it is possible to improve its ranking and attract more qualified traffic.

Ensure you’re fully optimizing the content that sells and converts.

4. Off Page Optimization

In addition to on-page optimization, it is also vital to focus on off-page optimization. Otherwise known as link building or link development, this refers to the process of building links to a website from other websites.

Search engines view links as a vote of confidence in a website, and the more high-quality links a website has pointing to it, the more likely it is to rank well. There are a number of different ways to build links, including guest blogging, content marketing, and link building campaigns.

5. User Experience

A crucial aspect of SEO is user experience (UX). Search engines consider the overall experience that users have on a website when ranking it in search results. Therefore, always ensure that the website is easy to use, visually appealing, and provides a positive user experience.

This involves optimizing the website’s layout and navigation. Furthermore, making sure the page load speed is quick on the sites as well as being fully optimized for mobile devices make a difference in ranking.

6. SEO Analytics

Now that you’ve done your keyword research, created content, optimized that content on-page and off, ensure that users are having a good experience on the site, you let that content sit for a few weeks to see how the search engine receives this content. Meaning how well is your content ranking?

To track this, businesses and organizations should track and analyze their SEO efforts to see what is working and what is not. There are a number of tools available for this purpose, including Google Analytics and other web analytics platforms, which helps businesses and organizations to understand how users are interacting with their website. True SEOs will use a mix of SEO-specific tools like SEMRUSH, AHREFs, Screaming Frog, Moz, and STAT.

7. Competitive Analysis

By looking at your analytics and ranking performance three weeks after publication, say a blog post that’s ranking at #18 – that tells you that Google likes the content, but not enough to rank it #1. You can use this as direct feedback. Look at how other pages and sites are ranking to see where you can improve.

For example, longer articles typically rank better than shorter articles.

To optimize a website for search engines, it is paramount to focus on these factors and to make sure that the website is as attractive and user-friendly as possible.

Tagged :

How do you report a predatory payday lender?

by stuartMoneyLeave a Comment on How do you report a predatory payday lender?

Risk is inherent in any short-term loan, and payday loans are no exception. You need all the facts and assurances you can pay it back – short-term is the key here.

Some predatory payday lenders take advantage people in financial trouble. They leverage desperation to gain profit and throw ethics out the window. There are plenty of responsible lenders in the UK, but their businesses get tarnished by the low standards of others.

If you have a negative experience with a payday lender, reporting is a means of justice. You may be entitled to compensation and reporting it will help your legal cause. So how does one report a predatory payday lender? Here is a quick overview to help you.

Report Them to the Financial Conduct Authority

The best short-term loans companies are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is a mark of compliance and professionalism. Even if a predatory lender is unregistered, you can still report them to FCA.

The UK reformed regulations around payday loans back in 2013. The FCA then imposed price cap rules to protect consumers. Before this, many predatory lenders added adding huge costs, confusing consumers and filling their own pockets.

Under FCA rules, a bank or lender must reply to your complaint within 8 weeks. Many have teams and protocols to handle complaints, but predatory lenders may lack the means for this. Even so, after filing our complain with the lender, the FCA is your next port of call.

Keep Cool and Gather Evidence

The FCA can advise you on what evidence you need. Even before contacting the lender, you can search your records. Look for all correspondence, marketing communications and legal paperwork.

Find evidence of your financial position before the loan and any damage you have suffered since. This can be financial, mental or physical suffering due to the loan. If you have seen a doctor for stress-related ailments, ask them for a report of this.

Type up a detailed letter of your complaint. Keep digital and paper copies for records. Make clear the reasons for your complaint, detailing the events leading up to your loan.

Avoid sharing any information online. We know that sounds obvious, but in the heat of the moment you may make mistakes. Keep it all confidential.

The same applies to criticizing the company online – even though you are entitled, unproven claims can provoke a defamation lawsuit, and social media is technically published content.

Contact the Financial Ombudsman

Once you have tried everything with the payday lender themselves, refer to the Financial Ombudsman (FOS). Send your evidence from before, during and after your complaint. Make clear that 8 weeks have passed without satisfactory reply.

Call (800) 342-3736 for free help in your language. If you need a document translated into your language, send an email to consumers@dfs.ny.gov.

You can also complain to the FOS if your card issuer failed to cancel a continuous payment authority. They have a duty to do this, so ask your bank where to direct FOS-related complaints.

Move On to a Brighter Financial Future

Despite governmental regulation of payday lenders, predatory firms still exist. In your desperation, you could turn to the wrong sources. But even then, the right help is still available.

Financial companies have a duty of care to their clients. If you find you have been taken advantage of, you should follow these steps. Resolution is closer than you think, so never give up!

Tagged : / /

The Zombie Effect: Understanding the Link between ADHD and Brain Fog

by stuartHealth / ZombiesLeave a Comment on The Zombie Effect: Understanding the Link between ADHD and Brain Fog

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the most common symptoms of ADHD is difficulty with focus and attention, which can lead to a feeling of brain fog or mental fatigue. In recent years, the term “ADHD Zombies” has been used to describe this effect that common ADHD medication may have.

What is the “Zombie Effect”?

The “Zombie Effect” is a colloquial term used to describe the feeling of mental fatigue and lack of focus that can be associated with the side effects of ADHD medication. It is characterized by a lack of energy, motivation, and cognitive clarity, and can make it difficult to complete tasks or stay focused on a task for an extended period of time.

How does the “Zombie Effect” affect people with ADHD?

The “Zombie Effect” can have a significant impact on the daily lives of people taking prescription drugs to treat ADHD. It can make it difficult to complete tasks at work or school, leading to feelings of frustration and failure. It can also affect relationships and social interactions, as the person may have trouble staying engaged in conversation or remembering details from previous interactions.

In addition, the “Zombie Effect” can also have a negative impact on self-esteem and self-worth. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. People with ADHD may feel that they are not living up to their potential or that they are not as capable as others.

How can the “Zombie Effect” be managed?

While the “Zombie Effect” can be challenging to manage, there are several strategies that can help. These include:

  • Stopping Medications: Ending use of stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall can help to improve focus and attention in people impacted by the Zombie Effect
  • Therapy: Behavioral therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help to teach people with ADHD strategies for managing their symptoms and improving their ability to focus.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity can help to improve focus, attention, and overall cognitive function.
  • Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is essential for maintaining cognitive function and managing symptoms of ADHD.
  • Diet: Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help to support cognitive function and improve overall health.

It’s important to note that different individuals might have different triggers and solutions for their symptoms, and that it’s important to work with a healthcare professional to find the best strategy for managing the “Zombie Effect” in their specific case.

Conclusion

The “Zombie Effect” is a common symptom of ADHD that can have a significant impact on daily life. It is characterized by feelings of mental fatigue and lack of focus, and can make it difficult to complete tasks or stay engaged in social interactions. While it can be challenging to manage, there are several strategies that can help, including medications, therapy, exercise, sleep, and diet.

By working with a healthcare professional and implementing these strategies, people with ADHD can improve their ability to focus and reduce the effects of the “Zombie Effect.”

Tagged : / /

Wait, How Much Do Barry’s Bootcamp Instructors Make?!

by stuartHealth / MoneyLeave a Comment on Wait, How Much Do Barry’s Bootcamp Instructors Make?!

Barry’s Bootcamp is a popular fitness company that offers high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes. The company has locations all over the world, and many people are interested in becoming instructors at Barry’s Bootcamp. One question that people often have is how much money instructors at the company make.

Salary Information

Instructors at Barry’s Bootcamp typically make a base salary, as well as commission on sales of class packages and merchandise. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a Barry’s Bootcamp instructor is $35,000 per year. However, this number can vary depending on factors such as location and experience.

In addition to the base salary, instructors can also earn commission on sales of class packages and merchandise. The amount of commission earned will vary depending on the instructor’s performance and the sales targets set by the company. Some instructors may earn as much as $15,000 or more per year in commission.

Other Compensation

In addition to salary and commission, Barry’s Bootcamp instructors may also receive other forms of compensation. For example, instructors may receive free or discounted memberships at the gym where they work, as well as discounts on merchandise and classes. They may also receive health insurance, retirement benefits, and other benefits depending on the location they work.

Factors That Affect Earnings

There are several factors that can affect how much money a Barry’s Bootcamp instructor makes. One of the most important factors is location. Instructors who work in major cities or high-income areas are likely to earn more than those who work in rural or low-income areas.

Experience is also an important factor in determining an instructor’s earning potential. Instructors who have been working at the company for a longer period of time are likely to earn more than newer instructors. Additionally, instructors who have certifications or other qualifications may earn more than those who do not.

Finally, an instructor’s performance can also affect their earning potential. Instructors who are able to consistently meet or exceed sales targets and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction are likely to earn more than those who do not.

How to Increase Earnings

If you are a Barry’s Bootcamp instructor and want to increase your earnings, there are several things you can do. One of the most important things is to focus on building a strong customer base. This means providing excellent customer service, responding promptly to customer complaints, and creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in your classes.

Another important step is to develop your teaching skills. This means continuing your education, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in fitness, and being open to feedback from your colleagues and customers.

Finally, it is important to be proactive about sales. This means promoting class packages and merchandise to your customers, and finding ways to increase sales in your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much do Barry’s Bootcamp instructors make per class? The amount instructors make per class varies based on factors such as location, experience, and performance. The company pays a base salary and commission on sales of class packages and merchandise.

Q: Is the salary at Barry’s Bootcamp negotiable? The base salary may not be negotiable, but the commission earned on sales of class packages and merchandise may be open to negotiation depending on the instructor’s experience and performance.

Q: Are benefits provided to Barry’s Bootcamp instructors? A: Benefits provided to instructors may vary depending on the location they work. Some instructors may receive benefits such as health insurance,

Tagged :

The NBA’s most memorable moments of the 2022 calendar year

by stuartBasketballLeave a Comment on The NBA’s most memorable moments of the 2022 calendar year

If we are to look at the most popular sports in America, the NBA will enter the conversation on every single occasion. Alongside the National Football League (NFL) and the Major League Baseball (MLB), it has been a staple of American culture for over 75 years.

Every NBA team plays 82 games in a sixth month season so there are hundreds of NBA highlights throughout the more than 2,500 games played in a season. We’ve curated those NBA plays, storylines and highlights into five of the biggest moments that have shaped the NBA in 2022. This includes some of the biggest individual moments and some of the biggest games. 

The NBA has provided us with some of the greatest moments and greatest characters in the history of sport. Today, we will look at the huge moments that have unfolded throughout 2022.

LeBron James 38th birthday antics

Many legendary athletes begin to slow down once they hit their mid-30s. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the biggest soccer stars in the world who turns 38 in 2023, has signed for a completely unknown club team in the Middle East.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t considered one of the favorites to win the title this year, LeBron James is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. NBA betting apps allow you to check out some of this season’s favorites and other individual markets, such as MVP or outright match betting.

Compare Ronaldo’s recent experience to that of LeBron James, who scored a season-high 47 points against the Atlanta Hawks on December 31st. This isn’t the first time the Hawks have felt the wrath of LeBron on his birthday. 

Strangely enough, back in 2009, he scored 48 points against them on his 25th birthday. It doesn’t look like he is slowing down as he heads towards his 40th birthday.

Golden State Warriors – Champions again

The dynasty of the Warriors team from 2014 onwards will go down in the history of the NBA. Through this period, they have been led by the iconic Steph Curry and coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time in Steve Kerr.

Lifting their fourth title in eight years, the Warriors have proven they are their generation’s greatest team. Following their blistering and frightening form between 2015 and 2018, it appeared as though this legendary team was beginning to lose its killer edge. 

However, an iconic return to the pinnacle of basketball was in store for Steph Curry and his teammates as they lifted the title again. This had another great moment and that was Steph Curry finally winning a much-deserved NBA Finals MVP.

The return of Klay Thompson

Sticking to the Golden State Warriors theme, the return of Klay Thompson was a huge boost for the franchise and its fans. Having been sidelined for over two years with a debilitating injury, many analysts and experts were concerned it could spell the end of his career. 

However, Thompson managed his return with the same tenacity and skill that made him such an important piece of the Golden State Warriors over the last few years. 

His return has galvanized the team. Although the Warriors are rank outsiders for this year’s title, nobody could completely write them off, given the level some of their players have operated at over the last eight years.

Taking a look at favorites for the league and taking a pick of the outsiders can be a fun pastime. Gambling on NBA games can add excitement to an already enthralling sport which is constantly full of twists and turns. 

However, if you feel as though you are becoming overly reliant on gambling to make the games exciting, or you are in a position where you are placing too many wagers on basketball, then taking stock and curtailing your spending is important.

Even though millions of people place wagers on sports and set time and spending limits, some unfortunate gamblers become addicted and lose a lot of money. It is important to spot the early warning signs.

Chasing losses is one and spending too much time gambling is another. If you feel you have an issue with your gambling, reaching out to a professional counsellor or a trusted friend or family member is a good place to begin addressing your problem.

Continuous rise of European players

This generation of NBA superstars consists of more internationals than ever before. Looking back through history books highlights that many top superstars were of American origin. However, as we look at some of the all-stars in the modern game, they come from countries such as Slovenia, Serbia and Greece.

Slovenian hero Luka Doncic is regarded as one of the rising stars of the NBA. Despite only being 23 years old, he has been named to the NBA All-Star team three times. There’s plenty more to come from him, and his career looks destined to become one of the top careers in the next decade. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo is another all-star who is of Greek and Nigerian heritage. Much like Doncic, he has been named to the NBA All-Star team on multiple occasions and is widely considered one of the best players in the league. 

He has been named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team too, which shows just how much ability he has. 

Another player who has featured in multiple All-Star teams and hails from the European continent is Serbian center Nikola Jokic who plays for the Denver Nuggets and was named MVP for the second consecutive season. The influence of these players has been profound in the league, resulting in seismic change.

Going into the 2022-23 season three of the five most-likely MVP candidates are European players Jokic, Giannis and Doncic.

Gregg Popovich sets a new record

One of the most legendary coaches in the game set an incredible record in 2022. Popovich has been involved in top-level basketball for nearly 50 years. He is one of only five coaches to have won five NBA titles as a head coach. 

His name is cemented into the legacy of the San Antonio Spurs, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the league’s history. Popovich will likely rank up a few more wins before he retires as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. 

It is a record that will likely stand the test of time for a considerable period before any other coach gets near.

The Alien Unicorn

Basketball heads have known about Victor Wembanyama for a couple years now, but 2022 was when the hype for the 7-foot 4-inch French prospect went wild. The 18-year-old has caused mass hysteria with his size, skill and all-around ability. 

Wembanyama might be the best NBA prospect in the history of fantastic prospects and unless something crazy happens, he’ll be the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Some teams have been accused of tanking to get the first choice of Wembanyama next season in the draft pick due to the incredible talent of the precocious young French star. His offence and defense are already of a frightening standard, and his ethereal movement is that of a man who is two feet smaller.

Conclusion

Plenty of NBA fans and enthusiasts are looking toward the future to discover what teams or players will deliver the iconic moments that will shape the sport in 2023. Don’t be surprised to see some of the names that have appeared in today’s article in the headlines over the next 12 months. 

As some of the older legends in the league, such as LeBron James and Steph Curry, reach the twilight of their careers, it will be down to players like Wembanyama to inject fresh excitement into the league. He is already doing this without ever playing a single NBA game. The future is looking bright.

Tagged : / / /

Full List: Rolling Stone’s ‘The 200 Best Singers of All-Time’ (2023)

by stuartCityLeave a Comment on Full List: Rolling Stone’s ‘The 200 Best Singers of All-Time’ (2023)

Rolling Stone has been causing a stir with their lists and when there’s any type of ranking coming from a popular music magazine, it’s going to get people angry, bothered, emotional and annoyed – especially when those people are fans of the slighted song, band, TV show, or album. All those feelings really came to the fore for Rolling Stone’s The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time list they released on January 1st, 2023.

Most of that negative emotion seemed to be focused on the exclusion of a really really good singer in Celine Dion.

In fact that’s how I even knew this list existed — the deluge of social media posts speaking to the absence of the skinny Canadian pop singer behind songs like “My Heart Will Go On,” “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” and several other big singles was louder than Celine belting out the chorus at her first Las Vegas residency show.

Here’s the offending full list including Rosalia, Michael Stipe, Brenda Lee, Debbie Harry, Luther Vandross, Dolly Parton, Thom Yorke, Frank Sinatra, Gladys Knight, Beyonce, and Ozzy Osbourne.

Rolling Stones 200 Best Singers of All-Time
Rank Singer
200 Rosalía
199 Glenn Danzig
198 Billie Eilish
197 Burna Boy
196 Paul Westerberg
195 Poly Styrene
194 Kelly Clarkson
193 Brandy
192 Anohni
191 Jung Kook
190 Frank Ocean
189 Joan Baez
188 Fela Kuti
187 Bonnie Raitt
186 Ofra Haza
185 Alicia Keys
184 Karen O
183 Solomon Burke
182 Jazmine Sullivan
181 Bob Seger
180 SZA
179 Martha Wash
178 Tabu Ley Rochereau
177 Patty Loveless
176 Iggy Pop
175 Lana Del Rey
174 Buddy Holly
173 Marianne Faithfull
172 Juan Gabriel
171 Odetta
170 Chris Stapleton
169 Sylvester
168 Debbie Harry
167 Marc Anthony
166 Morrissey
165 Ronnie James Dio
164 Sandy Denny
163 Bobby “Blue” Bland
162 Françoise Hardy
161 Brenda Lee
160 Mercedes Sosa
159 Mississippi John Hurt
158 Carrie Underwood
157 Robert Smith
156 George Strait
155 Corin Tucker
154 Dion
153 Mahlathini
152 Michael Stipe
151 Martha Reeves
150 Bryan Ferry
149 Wanda Jackson
148 Levon Helm
147 Barbra Streisand
146 Ruth Brown
145 PJ Harvey
144 Darlene Love
143 Luciano
142 Russell Thompkins Jr.
141 Christina Aguilera
140 Bono
139 Rocío Dúrcal
138 Merle Haggard
137 El DeBarge
136 Lauryn Hill
135 IU
134 Axl Rose
133 Neil Young
132 Loretta Lynn
131 Jeff Buckley
130 Courtney Love
129 Rob Halford
128 Florence Welch
127 Tammy Wynette
126 Donny Hathaway
125 Joe Strummer
124 Robert Johnson
123 Karen Carpenter
122 Donna Summer
121 Jackie Wilson
120 Charlie Rich
119 Barrington Levy
118 John Fogerty
117 Patti Smith
116 Chet Baker
115 Erykah Badu
114 Chrissie Hynde
113 La India
112 Ozzy Osbourne
111 Fiona Apple
110 The Weeknd
109 Roger Daltrey
108 Caetano Veloso
107 Lou Reed
106 Bill Withers
105 Eddie Vedder
104 Aaron Neville
103 Leonard Cohen
102 Taylor Swift
101 Gladys Knight
100 Elton John
99 Clyde McPhatter
98 Bob Marley
97 Usher
96 Chuck Berry
95 Vicente Fernández
94 Toots Hibbert
93 Stevie Nicks
92 Anita Baker
91 Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
90 Gal Costa
89 Selena
88 Jimmie Rodgers
87 Diana Ross
86 Michael Jackson
85 Johnny Cash
84 Lata Mangeshkar
83 Amy Winehouse
82 Steve Perry
81 João Gilberto
80 Chris Cornell
79 Emmylou Harris
78 Janis Joplin
77 Bruce Springsteen
76 Wilson Pickett
75 D’Angelo
74 Patti LaBelle
73 Héctor Lavoe
72 Muddy Waters
71 Roy Orbison
70 Ronnie Spector
69 Youssou N’Dour
68 Rihanna
67 Dennis Brown
66 David Ruffin
65 Minnie Riperton
64 Björk
63 Robert Plant
62 George Michael
61 Umm Kulthum
60 Kate Bush
59 Howlin’ Wolf
58 Lady Gaga
57 Brian Wilson
56 Barry White
55 Tina Turner
54 Willie Nelson
53 Miriam Makeba
52 Mick Jagger
51 Sade
50 Joni Mitchell
49 Rod Stewart
48 Toni Braxton
47 Linda Ronstadt
46 Mavis Staples
45 Ella Fitzgerald
44 James Brown
43 Ariana Grande
42 Teddy Pendergrass
41 Etta James
40 Aaliyah
39 Louis Armstrong
38 Curtis Mayfield
37 Van Morrison
36 Kurt Cobain
35 Dusty Springfield
34 Thom Yorke
33 Bessie Smith
32 David Bowie
31 Luther Vandross
30 Hank Williams
29 Chaka Khan
28 Mahalia Jackson
27 Dolly Parton
26 Paul McCartney
25 Mary J. Blige
24 George Jones
23 Smokey Robinson
22 Adele
21 Nina Simone
20 Marvin Gaye
19 Frank Sinatra
18 Celia Cruz
17 Elvis Presley
16 Prince
15 Bob Dylan
14 Freddie Mercury
13 Patsy Cline
12 John Lennon
11 Little Richard
10 Al Green
9 Otis Redding
8 Beyoncé
7 Stevie Wonder
6 Ray Charles
5 Mariah Carey
4 Billie Holiday
3 Sam Cooke
2 Whitney Houston
1 Aretha Franklin

Does Celine Dion belong on a list of 200 of the best singers of all-time? I don’t know. I love the music I like but I don’t put much thought into who the best singers in the history of singing are. I imagine that after the first two dozen most well-known vocalists, it gets pretty subjective after that and there are just so many good singers globally that have existed in the history of time.

In Rolling Stone’s defense, they did say that having a great voice doesn’t mean they’re a great singer. That’s a difference that they called in the third paragraph of the article:

“…keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent. Sure, many of the people here were born with massive pipes, perfect pitch, and boundless range. Others have rougher, stranger, or more delicate instruments. As our write-up for the man who ended up at Number 112 notes, “Ozzy Osbourne doesn’t have what most people would call a good voice, but boy does he have a great one.” That could apply to more than a few people here…”

It seems that the most-outraged internet commenters didn’t read that or doesn’t understand that context.

Other supposed snubs on the list include Jennifer Hudson, Tony Bennett, Madonna and Justin Bieber. This isn’t the first time Rolling Stone published a list of the greatest singers; the magazine ranked the 100 Greatest Singers back in 2008.

List: 50 Companies That Have Stopped Advertising on Twitter Since Elon Musk Took Over

by stuartTech / TwitterLeave a Comment on List: 50 Companies That Have Stopped Advertising on Twitter Since Elon Musk Took Over

Even to the most objective person, Twitter has been nuts the last couple months. The platform has been in utter chaos since Elon Musk was forced to buy the social media company for $44 billion. From firing half the company to tweeting racist signals to giving space to conspiracy theories to allowing anyone to get a checkmark for $8/month, Musk clearly believes that any press is good press.

That’s simply not true in this scenario.

Instead of playing legitimate and legal roulette at https://www.bestonlinecasinos.com/roulette/, Elon seems to be playing Russian Roulette with the company; saying and tweeting as he pleases as the company seemingly hemorrhages users and advertisers.

Twitter Losing Advertisers: A List

Musk taking over Twitter and making such drastic changes has rocked the company in and out. Musk’s decisions have certainly has won over a specific segment of the population, but the combination of losing both users and advertisers is not sustainable for a company of Twitter’s size.

Simply put: fewer users equals lower ad rates and fewer advertisers which in turns means less money coming into the company. The more Musk treats Twitter as his personal bullhorn to allow controversial segments of society to amplify their fringe viewpoints, the more company will move their advertising budgets away from Twitter.

That has accelerated in the last few weeks. According to Media Matters, half of Twitter’s top 100 advertisers have “either announced or seemingly stopped advertising on Twitter.” The following 50 big name companies and corporations have left Twitter in the last month.

Company
Abbott Laboratories
Allstate Corporation
AMC Networks
American Express Company
AT&T
Big Heart Petcare
BlackRock Inc.
BlueTriton Brands Inc.
Boston Beer Company
CA Lottery
CenturyLink
Chanel
Chevrolet*
Chipotle*
Citigroup Inc.
CNN
Coca-Cola Company
Dell
Diageo
DirecTV
Discover Financial Services
Fidelity
First National Realty Partners
Ford*
Heineken N.V.
Hewlett-Packard
Hilton Worldwide
Inspire Brands Inc.
Jeep*
Kellogg Company
KFC (Yum! Brands)
Kohl's Department Stores Inc.
Kraft Heinz Company
Kyndryl*
LinkedIn
MailChimp
Marriott International Inc.
Mars Petcare
Mars Incorporated
Merck & Co.*
Meta
MoneyWise
Nestle
Novartis AG*
Pernod Ricard
Pizza Hut (Yum! Brands)
PlayPass
Taco Bell (Yum! Brands)
Tire Rack
Verizon
Wells Fargo
Whole Foods
Yum! Brands

Together these companies made up approximately $2 billion in advertising on Twitter since 2020. This year alone, these 50 advertisers accounted for over $750 million in advertising on the social media platform. Roughly, Twitter will lose an estimated quarter billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2022. This in an economy that’s not doing so great and when bigger, more-profitable companies are laying off thousands of employees.

For someone that considers themselves a businessperson, it’s mind-boggling that the significant loss of revenue doesn’t seem to bother Musk whatsoever. He continues to crassly troll politicians, celebrities and users.

Tagged :

 4 critical things you may not be told when seeking a Visa for the USA

by stuartTravelLeave a Comment on  4 critical things you may not be told when seeking a Visa for the USA

Many UK citizens visit the USA for a variety of reasons. The USA offers many tourist attractions, academic or business opportunities, and more. Many British citizens travel using valid e-passports or other machine-readable cards. 

This is an issue that leaves many people with one key question. Do UK citizens need a visa for USA? The most straightforward answer is that citizens of the United Kingdom are privileged regarding travelling to the USA. 

The UK is part of the list of nations where the USA allows visa use. In addition, the US utilizes the visa waiver system, which allows visitors to apply online for travel authorization. Therefore, UK citizens can enter and visit different parts of the USA by air, sea, or land. 

Key Things to Know Before Using a Visa for the USA

The same way that there are things that visitors should know when traveling to the UK, there is a lot for UK citizens to know before going to the USA. A UK citizen doesn’t have to worry about applying for a visa to the USA. You’re not required to apply for the visa since the United Kingdom is one of the reputable 40 countries enjoying the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). 

This program makes it easy to enter the USA with a visa and stay while exploring the country’s beauty for up to 90 days. But how do you make this a reality? First, travelers need to apply for travel authorization and pursue the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) program. 

Further, there is a criterion UK citizens have to follow to enjoy their three-month stay in the United States. The USA has a good relationship with the United Kingdom, so you don’t need to apply for a visa. Well, the document you’ll need to carry with you is the stamp on the UK passport that attests that you are eligible for the VWP. 

Because you already know that enrolling in the ESTA program is integral, don’t just stop there. Here are other facets that will help your pursuit to travel to the USA a dream come true:

  1. Enroll in the ESTA program via a safe and secure database. The website is run by the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), so you don’t have to worry about disclosing personal information.
  2. Important items you submit will include a valid visa from the UK, email address, phone number or home address. 
  3. What makes you eligible for the VWP program? A key requirement is you MUST be a citizen of the UK. You’re staying in the USA for 90 or less. In addition, you’ll need an e-passport to sign up for the VWP program. 
  4. State your reasons for visiting the USA. Activities to undertake through VWP vary from attending social events, medical treatment, vacations or visiting relatives or friends. You may also be in the country for an educational conference, short-term training or consulting with business partners.

To Sum Up

If you’re wondering whether UK nationals can apply for an ESTA visa waiver, stress no more. Yes, UK citizens are privileged to be a part of 40 countries enjoying the Visa Waiver Program. The scheme will help travel to the USA for 90 days. Therefore, don’t shy away from applying for an ESTA, but confirm you’re eligible. Most importantly, feel free to consult experts in the field if you need help figuring out where to start. 

 

Tagged :

We Got The Email Too: How much is Comcast Xfinity Prices increasing in 2023?

by stuartTechLeave a Comment on We Got The Email Too: How much is Comcast Xfinity Prices increasing in 2023?

You’re here at this article because you recently received a cryptic email from Xfinity (previously known as Comcast Infinity) with a subject line titled “Important information about Xfinity 2023 pricing.” If you’re like me you immediately interpreted that into “We’re raising your prices so we want to let you know you have no choice.”

The raising of the prices is only half the issue. The other half is that there’s no transparency. When I opened up the email and scanned the body content for a table showing me the percentage or how much the increase was going to be, I couldn’t find anything.

This forced me to mark the email unread and come back to it so I could actually read the entire email which maaaaaaybe provided a PDF with some useful information but you would have to sign into your Xfinity account to download it… or you can read this USELESS pricing FAQ

Since I read the email, you hopefully won’t have to suffer through the weird bragging (“the ultimate, most reliable internet experience”) and attempts to sandwich the price-gouging with talks of how they’ve improved their offerings (“we’ve recently increased speeds on most of our internet packages”).

Here’s the three sentences that says they’re going to raise their already-expensive prices for Internet and TV.

As we strive to bring you the best services possible, we must also periodically review our prices and update them in response to the rising costs of programming and increases in other expenses impacting our services. These updates will go into effect December 18, 2022, and will appear in your January bill. To see the details of these changes, please see the section titled “Upcoming price changes to your Xfinity services” within your current bill.

Oh great. Thanks for basically telling us you’re going to increase our prices without actually giving us the numbers.

The Xfinity Price Increase for 2023

So I had to search for the actual details that Comcast Xfinity refused to give out. And of course Reddit was there for us. We found this screenshot of the Xfinity price increases for 2023 – we don’t know if it’s real or not, but at least it’s something we can talk about.

If we can take this image as the true price increase, it looks like Xfinity is raising the price across the board. Not only will their TV monthly pricing increase by $3-6.50, but their fees will go up to. Same goes with their Xfinity Internet offering; each plan going up $3. And if you rent equipment like a TV box or remote? You’re getting hit there, too.

Just so you know, Comcast isn’t struggling mom and pop store. The corporation recently reported that their revenue increased 5.6% to $90.9 billion for the first nine months of 2022. Not to mention they’re pretty much is a monopoly in many of their service areas. Between Comcast and Charter Communications, they accounted for 95% of new user signups to their service — and that’s not because their customers love them.

Anyways Comcast Infinity Xfinity whatever they call themselves, they all suck. Will suck. Always suck.

Tagged : / /

Full List: Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2022 (with Spotify Playlist)

by stuartMusicLeave a Comment on Full List: Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2022 (with Spotify Playlist)

A quick question to start this all off: So who made Pitchfork the gatekeeper of good music, or as they put it “The Most Trusted Voice in Music”? Whether you believe Pitchfork is the arbiter of great music or not, if you’ve ever visited pitchfork.com you’ve pushed that idea. Clicks are how the internet works.

Listen it’s not a bad thing — just asking the question about who determines what’s good and what isn’t. I agree that Jack Harlow isn’t great, but I don’t necessarily have Sudan Archives on repeat.

I accept the fact that the online music publication knows more about what goes into innovative, interesting and well-done music than I do.

That’s not to say that I have bad taste in music – not at all — it’s just that I have a different taste in music. I prefer music that is high energy and inspires me to dance, and the music Pitchfork typically loves is too slow and gray for me.

List of Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs

Even with our differences of opinions, when Pitchfork releases their annual list of the best songs, I always add all 100 songs to a Spotify playlist so to hear what “good music” came out in 2022 and I always discover 5-7 songs that will be played deep well into 2023.

I also try to create a new post that shows off the full list without the editorializing so so anyone looking to view the best songs in one scrollable, comparable list, they can. Here you go.

Pitchfork's 100 Best Songs of 2022
Rank Artist Song
1 Alvvays “Belinda Says”
2 Destroyer “June”
3 Glorilla / Hitkidd “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)”
4 Alex G “Runner”
5 Beyoncé “Alien Superstar”
6 Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” [ft. Perfume Genius]
7 Rosalía “SAOKO”
8 Alan Braxe / DJ Falcon “Step by Step” [ft. Panda Bear]
9 Bad Bunny “Tití Me Preguntó”
10 Hikaru Utada “Somewhere Near Marseilles”
11 Ethel Cain “American Teenager”
12 Aldous Harding “Fever”
13 The 1975 “Part of the Band”
14 Pharrell “Cash In Cash Out” [ft. 21 Savage and Tyler the Creator]
15 Rachika Nayar “Heaven Come Crashing” [ft. Maria BC]
16 Kendrick Lamar “The Heart Part 5”
17 Nilüfer Yanya “Midnight Sun”
18 Björk “Ancestress”
19 Beth Orton “Friday Night”
20 Caroline Polachek “Billions”
21 Monaleo “We Not Humping (Remix)” [ft. Flo Milli]
22 Two Shell “home”
23 Weyes Blood “It’s Not Just Me It’s Everybody”
24 Daphni “Cherry”
25 Burna Boy “Last Last”
26 Cate Le Bon “Moderation”
27 Steve Lacy “Bad Habit”
28 Soccer Mommy “Shotgun”
29 Jockstrap “Greatest Hits”
30 Ice Spice “Munch (Feelin’ U)”
31 Charli XCX “Constant Repeat”
32 Chief Keef “Bitch Where”
33 Big Thief “Spud Infinity”
34 Grace Ives “Shelly”
35 Special Interest “Midnight Legend” [ft. Mykki Blanco]
36 yeule “Bites on My Neck”
37 Sudan Archives “Home Maker”
38 Angel Olsen “Big Time”
39 Megan Thee Stallion “Plan B”
40 Yaya Bey “keisha”
41 Charlotte Adigéry / Bolis Pupul “It Hit Me”
42 MJ Lenderman “Tastes Just Like It Costs”
43 Carly Rae Jepsen “Western Wind”
44 Taylor Swift “Anti-Hero”
45 Lucrecia Dalt “El Galatzó”
46 Drake “Sticky”
47 Maren Morris “Circles Around This Town”
48 Ravyn Lenae “Light Me Up”
49 Jessie Ware “Free Yourself”
50 Danger Mouse / Black Thought “Belize” [ft. MF DOOM]
51 KH “Looking at Your Pager”
52 Fontaines D.C. “Jackie Down the Line”
53 FKA twigs “honda” [ft. Pa Salieu]
54 DJ Python “Angel”
55 Black Country New Road “Basketball Shoes”
56 Beyoncé “Break My Soul”
57 Camp Cope “Running With the Hurricane”
58 Kehlani “melt”
59 Alabaster DePlume “Don’t Forget You’re Precious”
60 Plains “Problem With It”
61 Amber Mark “What It Is”
62 Fever Ray “What They Call Us”
63 Azealia Banks “New Bottega”
64 Perfume Genius “Ugly Season”
65 Arctic Monkeys “Body Paint”
66 Hagop Tchaparian “Right to Riot”
67 Koffee “Pull Up”
68 Dehd “Bad Love”
69 Mavi “Baking Soda”
70 Oso Oso “Computer Exploder”
71 Shygirl “Coochie (a bedtime story)”
72 Eliza Rose / Interplanetary Criminal “B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)”
73 Babyface Ray “Sincerely Face”
74 Ibibio Sound Machine “Protection From Evil”
75 Earl Sweatshirt “Tabula Rasa” [ft. Armand Hammer]
76 Mabe Fratti “Cada Músculo”
77 Porridge Radio “Back to the Radio”
78 Yung Kayo “hear you” [ft. Eartheater]
79 Gilla Band “Backwash”
80 Kelela “Washed Away”
81 Animal Collective “Royal and Desire”
82 Bandmanrill “Real Hips”
83 Cole Pulice “City in a City”
84 Sharon Van Etten “Anything”
85 Ka “Ascension”
86 Burial “Strange Neighbourhood”
87 MUNA “What I Want”
88 Panda Bear / Sonic Boom “Edge of the Edge”
89 Pusha T “Diet Coke”
90 Joe Rainey “bezhigo”
91 Two Shell “Pods”
92 Wednesday “Bull Believer”
93 4s4ki “Punish”
94 Julia Jacklin “Lydia Wears a Cross”
95 Horse Lords “May Brigade”
96 Ela Minus / DJ Python “Pájaros en Verano”
97 Tomberlin “happy accident”
98 Phoenix “Tonight” [ft. Ezra Koenig]
99 Black Midi “Welcome to Hell”
100 Harry Styles “As It Was”

Here’s a Spotify Playlist I created with almost every song (in 1-100 order) except for Azealia Banks’ New Bottega which for some reason isn’t on Spotify. if you want to listen to Pitchfork’s 100 top songs from the year. Here’s a link to the full playlist that is 7 hours and 7 minutes long.

In another example of where we diverge, Beyonce’s Alien Superstar is one of her most-stylish songs, but is it the one I like the most off her Renaissance album? Certainly not. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great song, and absolutely doesn’t mean I have poor music taste. Music is one of the most subjective mediums out there.

 

Tagged : /

Did the WeWork at 1460 Mission St. Close?

by stuartCityLeave a Comment on Did the WeWork at 1460 Mission St. Close?

I often travel to San Francisco for work and would often stay in the Mission or Haight area. Though my company had an office in SoMA, I prefer to work at a co-working space. Thankfully my company allows me to work remotely even when in San Francisco.

They also provide access to WeWork. When in San Francisco, the closest WeWork to the neighborhoods I stay in was the one on 1460 Mission St. located on Mission St. between 10th and 11th street.

Not only was the proximity a big benefit, but it was my favorite San Francisco WeWork because the space was huge with lots of windows, stocked Oat Milk regularly and was one of the few WeWorks that had decaf espresso.

Did the WeWork at 1460 Mission St. Close?

During Thanksgiving week I was in San Francisco to visit family. I arrived Tuesday morning and needed to get to work. I opened up my WeWork app to reserve a desk, but it wasn’t showing 1460 Mission as available.

That’s not unusual in populous cities where WeWork has a large footprint. Sometimes the more popular WeWorks aren’t available as the allotted “hot desks” are all booked out. Other times a company comes and subleases some of the space.

What told me that something else was up was when I tried to book a meeting room – 1460 was missing. Even the WeWorks that run out of available daily desks have meeting rooms available to rent out throughout the day. I looked online to see if I could find any information and the Google listing for 1460 Mission showed that it was temporarily closed.

So I went to my second favorite WeWork located at 44 Montgomery St. in downtown. When I arrived, I asked the front desk if they had any more information on the 1460 location and they informed me that corporate decided to permanently close the location.

That’s not an official statement, but the fact that you can’t find 1460 Mission St. anywhere on WeWork’s website and the fact that the company recently announced they would be closing 40 locations worldwide that were “obsolete” or where they had “oversupply”.

Why Did WeWork Close 1460 Mission Location?

I’m not sure what WeWork considers full capacity, but anecdotally the 1460 Mission WeWork location was always busy in terms of hot desks. Still thae community area is half of the space. The other half was reserved for office space leases so perhaps they didn’t get as many tech companies and startups to sign contracts.

Without any details, I assume that WeWork committed to this location during their rapid growth phase and because of the pandemic, the slower-than-expected move back into office space, high rents, and their sliding stock price forced WeWork to make some tough decisions.

WeWork hasn’t put out a list of the 40 locations they planned on closing, but sounds like 1460 Mission was on the shortlist.

Tagged :

Live Rosin: All There Is To Know About The Concentrate And Its Pain Relief Potential

by stuartHealth / StuffLeave a Comment on Live Rosin: All There Is To Know About The Concentrate And Its Pain Relief Potential

You’ve probably noticed that more and more people today swear by live rosin gummies and similar products as pain relievers. What is this trendy concentrate exactly, and does it really work? Here’s everything you need to know about this concentrate and how it might help to improve your quality of life.

What Is Live Rosin?

For those who are new to the world of cannabis concentrates, the array of options can be daunting. One of the most popular types of concentrates is live rosin, which comes in many forms from gummies to syrup.

The high-pressure, low-temperature extraction process preserves the plant’s terpene profile, resulting in a product that is rich in flavor and potency. For many cannabis enthusiasts, the appeal of this product lies in its natural flavor and potent effects.

How Is Live Rosin Produced?

The unique feature of this concentrate is that it is made using fresh, undried cannabis flowers. Its production can be broken down into four major stages:

  • The process begins with freezing the flowers to lock in the terpenes and other flavorful compounds.
  • The flowers are then placed under vacuum pressure, which extracts the rosin.
  • The final product is a sticky, amber-colored concentrate that has a strong flavor and aroma.

This process preserves the cannabinoid-rich trichomes, which give the concentrate its potent psychoactive effects. Besides, the product features a unique flavor and aroma, which is often described as being reminiscent of freshly squeezed citrus fruits. Compared to other concentrates, the product is relatively new on the scene. However, it has quickly become popular among dabbers and cannabis connoisseurs due to its exceptional potency and flavor.

Effects of Live Rosin

The concentrate is often lauded for its potent aroma and flavor. But what about the effects? In general, it tends to be more psychoactive than others. This is due to the higher concentration of THC. However, the effects also vary depending on the strain of cannabis used to make the rosin. So if you’re looking for a strong high, the product might be worth checking out. Just be sure to start with a small amount, as it can be very potent.

The Concentrate’s Use Cases

While the concentrate can be used in a variety of ways, all of them can be divided into two large groups: recreational use and therapeutic purposes.

Recreational use

The product is most commonly consumed via dabbing or smoking. For recreational users, it provides an intense and unforgettable high. The potent cannabinoids in the concentrate can produce powerful psychoactive effects, including euphoria, relaxation, and increased appetite.

Therapeutic purposes

For therapeutic users, the concentrate can provide relief from a wide range of ailments, including pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Additionally, the terpenes it contains can provide benefits like increased focus and concentration.

The Potential for Relieving Pain

Due to its potent combination of active ingredients, the product has emerged as a popular choice for those seeking natural relief from pain and inflammation.

How it works

So, how does the product work as a pain reliever? When applied topically, the active ingredients are able to bind to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in regulating pain perception, inflammation, and other important bodily functions. By interacting with this system, the concentrate is able to provide natural relief from discomfort and inflammation. Besides, some people also find that the act of applying the product helps to reduce stress and tension, further easing discomfort.

Side effects and risks

The product is generally considered safe and effective but it is important to remember that its use can cause addiction and intoxication. The side effects may include dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue. It is also important to note that the product is not currently approved by the FDA for medical use. As such, it is always important to consult with a medical professional before using any type of cannabis product to get rid of physical discomfort or for other therapeutic purposes.

More Cannabis Products That Relieve Pain

As a bonus, here are three more types of cannabis products that might be worth trying if you’re looking for relief from aching.

CBD oil

CBD oil is one of the most popular forms of medical marijuana. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that does not cause a psychoactive effect. The oil is thought to have several medicinal benefits, including pain relief. It can be taken orally or applied topically to the affected area.

THC Oil

THC oil is another form of medical marijuana that contains the compound THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. The latter is the compound that does cause a psychoactive effect. THC oil is effective at relieving pain because it binds to receptors in the brain that control perception. THC oil can be taken orally or applied topically to the affected area. However, it is important to note that THC oil can also make people feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Edibles

Edibles are another option for those looking for pain relief. Cannabis edibles are foods or drinks that contain CBD or THC. Edibles can be a good option for those who do not want to smoke or vaporize cannabis. They can also be helpful for those who want long-lasting relief, as the effects of edibles can sustain for several hours. However, it is important to start with a low dose of edibles as they can cause drowsiness and impair coordination.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up, while more research needs to be done on the effects of live rosin, it seems to be a promising option for those in search of pain relief. If you think the product might be right for you, make sure to consult your healthcare provider before using it. They can help you understand how it might interact with any other medications you’re taking and advise you on the best dosage.

Tagged : / / /

List: The 65 Biggest Tech Layoffs in 2022 including Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and DoorDash

by stuartTech1 Comment on List: The 65 Biggest Tech Layoffs in 2022 including Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and DoorDash

From seemingly never-ending supply change issues, lower spending, high gas prices, and a cratering stock market 2022 has been a horrible year for the global economy. Despite the U.S. Dollar being the strongest it’s been in a very long time, the United States hasn’t been impervious to economic issues.

Companies seeing their stock ticker symbols sink while profits shrink are doing their best to cut costs in preparation for uncertain times ahead. They can only restrict travel, freeze hiring, cut benefits, and break leases so much until they have to look at their headcounts to see where they can stay above water.

Tech Layoffs 2022

In particular, the tech industry has suffered as consumer spending and remote work has changed the landscape. From Facebook/Instagram to Peloton to Shopify to Amazon, some of the biggest technology companies have announced layoffs. Here’s a list of the 57 biggest layoffs (by number of people laid off) that have been announced this year. You can also sort by the percentage laid off based on their workforce.

All numbers are approximate based on reported layoffs from available announcements, articles and/or filings.

Biggest Tech Layoffs 2022
Company Layoff Month %
Amazon 20,000 Dec 6%
Meta 11,000 Nov 13%
Better.com 5,000 Several 35%
Micron 4,800 Dec 10%
Peloton 4,100 Feb 32%
Cisco 4,165 Nov 5%
Carvana 4,000 Nov 20%
Twitter 3,700 Nov 60%
Cazoo 3,500 Jun 30%
GoPuff 2,200 Oct 13%
Crypto.com 2,000 Oct 40%
Microsoft 1,800 Jul 1%
Redfin 1,310 Nov 13%
Snapchat 1,280 Aug 20%
DoorDash 1,250 Nov 7%
Ola 1,200 Sept 40%
Robinhood 1,120 Aug 23%
Lacework 1,100 May 20%
Coinbase 1,100 Jun 18%
Noom 1,095 April 10%
Stripe 1,050 Nov 14%
Salesforce 1,000 Nov 1.3%
Shopify 1,000 Jul 10%
OneTrust 950 Jun 25%
Wayfair 870 Aug 5%
Rivian 840 Jul 6%
GoHealth 800 Aug 20%
Twilio 800 Sep 11%
Lyft 760 Nov 13%
Reef 750 May 5%
Klarna 700 Sept 10%
DocuSign 671 Sept 9%
Vroom 670 Aug 14%
HelloFresh 611 Oct N/A
Gannett 600 Dec 6%
Opendoor 550 Nov 18%
GroupOn 500 Aug 44%
Netflix 450 May 2%
Hootsuite 400 Aug 30%
Cerebral 400 Oct 20%
MindBody 400 Oct N/A
Juul 400 Nov 30%
Pluralsight 400 Dec 20%
Zendesk 350 Nov 5%
UnAcademy 350 Nov 10%
Freshly 329 Dec N/A
Zillow 300 Oct 25%
Nuro 300 Nov 20%
Plaid 260 Dec 20%
AirTable 254 Dec 20%
Booking.com 225 Nov 25%
Oracle 201 Dec >1%
Unity 200 Jun 4%
Beyond Meat 200 Oct 19%
Roku 200 Nov 7%
Buzzfeed 180 Dec 12%
PolicyGenius 170 Jun 25%
Chime 160 Nov 12%
Thumbtack 160 Dec 14%
Asana 144 Nov 9%
GoodRx 140 Nov 16%
Upstart 140 Nov 7%
Dapper Labs 135 Nov 22%
StockX 120 Jun 5%
MasterClass 120 Jun 20%
TikTok 100 July 1%
Patreon 80 Sept 17%

Companies started to tighten their belts earlier in the year as restructurings and workforce reductions but really accelerated the second half of the year as straight layoffs. Tthe vast majority of the major layoffs from the bigger-name recognizable companies occurring in August and September, but really peaked (so far) in October and November especially with Meta laying off 11,000 of their members and Salesforce – San Francisco’s biggest employer – going through a rare wave of layoffs.

In October and a week into November, Meta, Salesforce, Stripe, GoPuff and Twitter announced layoffs that totaled nearly 20,000 tech employees alone. With continued uncertainty about how the economy will recover this may not be the worst of the layoffs.

What About Google, Amazon and Apple?

The remaining big (HUGE) tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple haven’t announced any large workforce reductions. Google recently released earnings that showed weakness in their business and their CEO is looking to cut costs by 20% that could include layoffs in the future.

* Despite reports of layoffs from Amazon, they’re not confirmed. This may be due to a comment made during their earnings call, the big tech company mentioned that it’s adding jobs at the slowest rate in years. Amazon was relying on natural attrition to shrink its staff across all levels The Mercury News reported that Amazon now has about 100,000 fewer employees than in the previous quarter.

The e-commerce giant’s bottom line is most directly connected to consumer spending, so if the populace is being laid off and anxious about their money, it’s a matter of time before Amazon has to respond to ensure their viability and profits. Update: Amazon announces biggest layoffs.

Apple seems to be the best positioned to make it out of this mostly intact though Apple can certainly expect to see fewer people upgrading their $1000 iPhones in a recession.

If all the different economic factors continue trending downward, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear these larger companies announcing layoffs.

Thanks to Protocol and Layoffs.FYI for the all the great research they’ve done chronicling (and doing the math) on the tech layoffs this year. Highly recommend checking out their comprehensive coverage.

Tagged : / / / / / / /

What is RNG? The Technology Behind the Hidden Randomness in Gaming

by stuartTechLeave a Comment on What is RNG? The Technology Behind the Hidden Randomness in Gaming

Avid players will know that some games rely on elements of chance as well as skill. In certain genres more than others, many of the outcomes are determined randomly within a set of parameters. The technology behind this randomness is the random number generator (RNG).

Where they are used, RNGs can determine many of the possible outcomes in a game, such as whether or not an attack hits or misses, whether a particular character shows up, and what loot a box contains.

What is an RNG?

A random number generator takes a seed number and extrapolates it with additional data to produce a new value. This new number is used as the next seed to generate the next part of the sequence, and so on, until the outcome produced is ‘random’ – or close enough to random that it cannot be exploited.

RNGs are essentially algorithms. The more secure and fair an outcome needs to be, the more sophisticated the algorithm required. Once the final number has been generated, this will then be used to decide on the outcome.

To illustrate – let’s take a scale of 1-100. Every number 1-80 gives common loot. Every number 81-98 gives a rare item. If the end value is 99 or 100 then the player receives a legendary item.

RNGs in casino games

In casino and card games, the action is randomized by the roll of dice, the shuffle of cards, or the spin of a wheel.

Online casinos and poker rooms use RNGs to replicate this process. When a player clicks a button on an online slot machine, the RNG is busy working behind the scenes to churn out a number – this number represents an outcome which is presented to the player visually as the spinning of the reels.

Similarly, in online poker, the RNG creates a random sequence of numbers which comes to determine players’ starting hands, as well as each subsequent card dealt after that.

Players of online casino games criticize RNGs, but when it comes to reputable sites the randomness of the algorithm is independently verified. The RNG is actually “shuffling the deck” more rigorously than the dealer in the casino.

Role playing games (RPGs)

As direct descendants of tabletop adventures like Dungeons and Dragons, role playing video games replicate the rolling of dice to randomize outcomes such as whether an attack hits or misses, or whether a particular accessory appears in a chest.

RPGs are very much about leveling up and preparing well enough to overcome any unfortunate randomness that comes along the way. If a boss critically hits you three times in a row, your characters still need to be able to handle it.

The randomness also brings more playability to the game, though often at the cost of repetition. If you only have a ten percent chance of winning a certain item, you might have to dedicate more than one attempt to get it.

RPGs are the genre of video game most known for utilizing randomness as an essential part of the gameplay.

Examples of RNGs in games

When it comes to role playing games, RNGs are a necessity, even more so when it comes to real money casino gaming and poker. But often the RNG is there as part of the entertainment, simply to mix it up a bit. Here are a few more examples of how RNGs are used in video games:

  • Fortnite – Aside from loot boxes, you wouldn’t imagine first person shooters like Fortnite to utilize many random variables. But actually, the random distribution of weapons across different areas of the world, along with the chance to find legendary gear, is what keeps players exploring and approaching each battle differently.
  •  XCOM – Yup, we’ve all been there. You missed a 90% shot. It happens. This is the type of game where randomness can be frustrating, but ultimately it makes the game more challenging and enjoyable.
  • Counter Strike: Global Offense – CS:GO takes the use of RNGs one step further. Whether or not a bullet hits the target is determined with an element of randomness. Being closer to the target and using the right weapon improves the odds of direct hits. This use of RNGs has been criticized by some players for taking the pure skill out of the FPS.
  • Pokémon – Technically a role playing game (RPG), Pokémon uses the random number generator to determine the chances of Pokémon appearing in a particular area and the gender of them, as well as the likelihood of attacks hitting.

 

Tagged : / / / / /

Full List: The 100 Best Songs of the 1990S (As Voted By Pitchfork Readers)

by stuartMusicLeave a Comment on Full List: The 100 Best Songs of the 1990S (As Voted By Pitchfork Readers)

Another week, another list. This time it’s a list of the 100 best songs from the 1990s from the folks at Pitchfork Media. What makes this list different is that Pitchfork took a democratic approach (and eschewing responsibility) by compiling this ranking via votes from their Pitchfork readers. Not only will they get the clicks and ad revenue, but they can don’t have to take any of the vitriol or blame when butthurt Blur fans take offense that Oasis has double the songs on the list of 100 best.

Pitchfork's 100 Best Songs of the 1990s
Rank Songs Artist
100 EX-FACTOR Lauryn Hill
99 FROZEN Madonna
98 HUMAN BEHAVIOUR Björk
97 HYPNOTIZE The Notorious B.I.G.
96 ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY? Aaliyah
95 KOOL THING Sonic Youth
94 AUTUMN SWEATER Yo La Tengo
93 BUDDY HOLLY Weezer
92 THE RAIN (SUPA DUPA FLY) Missy Elliott
91 BETWEEN THE BARS Elliott Smith
90 GROOVE IS IN THE HEART Deee-Lite
89 SOON My Bloody Valentine
88 SPOTTIEOTTIEDOPALISCIOUS OutKast
87 FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE The Cure
86 NOTHING COMPARES 2 U Sinead O'Connor
85 ALISON Slowdive
84 BASKET CASE Green Day
83 CHERUB ROCK Smashing Pumpkins
82 SCENARIO A Tribe Called Quest
81 SHOOK ONES PART II Mobb Deep
80 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE FLOATING IN SPACE Spiritualized
79 MAYONAISE Smashing Pumpkins
78 RAY OF LIGHT Madonna
77 BORN SLIPPY (NUXX) Underworld
76 TODAY Smashing Pumpkins
75 HURT Nine Inch Nails
74 WHERE IT'S AT Beck
73 DOWN BY THE WATER PJ Harvey
72 BACHELORETTE Björk
71 GOOD MORNING, CAPTAIN Slint
70 DA FUNK Daft Punk
69 GIRLS & BOYS Blur
68 MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD DJ Shadow
67 UNDER THE BRIDGE Red Hot Chili Peppers
66 WOULD? Alice in Chains
65 LITHIUM Nirvana
64 CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA Oasis
63 ROSA PARKS Outkast
62 SOUR TIMES Portishead
61 CHERRY-COLOURED FUNK Cocteau Twins
60 RID OF ME PJ Harvey
59 SOMETIMES My Bloody Valentine
58 SONG 2 Blur
57 WHEN YOU SLEEP My Bloody Valentine
56 STREET SPIRIT (FADE OUT) Radiohead
55 LIVE FOREVER Oasis
54 CARRY THE ZERO Built to Spill
53 ONE U2
52 DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER Oasis
51 VOGUE Madonna
50 CALIFORNIA LOVE 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
49 SUMMER BABE Pavement
48 CREEP Radiohead
47 ARMY OF ME Björk
46 N.Y. STATE OF MIND Nas
45 CRIMINAL Fiona Apple
44 RACE FOR THE PRIZE The Flaming Lips
43 …BABY ONE MORE TIME Britney Spears
42 NIGHTSWIMMING R.E.M.
41 COME AS YOU ARE Nirvana
40 CAN I KICK IT? A Tribe Called Quest
39 ALL APOLOGIES Nirvana
38 AROUND THE WORLD Daft Punk
37 EVERLONG Foo Fighters
36 HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS Cocteau Twins
35 IN THE AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA Neutral Milk Hotel
34 YOU OUGHTA KNOW Alanis Morissette
33 WINDOWLICKER Aphex Twin
32 JÓGA Björk
31 WONDERWALL Oasis
30 HEART-SHAPED BOX Nirvana
29 KILLING IN THE NAME Rage Against the Machine
28 JUICY The Notorious B.I.G.
27 SAY IT AIN'T SO Weezer
26 DOO WOP (THAT THING) Lauryn Hill
25 UNFINISHED SYMPATHY Massive Attack
24 BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY The Verve
23 C.R.E.A.M. (CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME) Wu-Tang Clan
22 NO SURPRISES Radiohead
21 TEARDROP Massive Attack
20 HOLLAND, 1945 Neutral Milk Hotel
19 ONLY SHALLOW My Bloody Valentine
18 CLOSER Nine Inch Nails
17 LOSING MY RELIGION R.E.M.
16 CANNONBALL The Breeders
15 ENJOY THE SILENCE Depeche Mode
14 GLORY BOX Portishead
13 NUTHIN' BUT A 'G' THANG Dr. Dre (ft. Snoop Doggy Dogg)
12 LET DOWN Radiohead
11 LOSER Beck
10 FAKE PLASTIC TREES Radiohead
9 FADE INTO YOU Mazzy Star
8 SABOTAGE Beastie Boys
7 KARMA POLICE Radiohead
6 HYPERBALLAD Björk
5 GOLD SOUNDZ Pavement
4 1979 Smashing Pumpkins
3 COMMON PEOPLE Pulp
2 PARANOID ANDROID Radiohead
1 SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT Nirvana

One thing is for sure, every article that approaches the topic of the best music that came out of that decade is going to include some of the bands that released the most-critically acclaimed albums that also had crossover appeal between 1990 and 1999. Who comes to mind for you? You would get a bonus 25 if you guessed Radiohead who had the most-representation on this list with seven songs. Tied for second place are Björk and Nirvana each clocking in with five songs each. The diehard fans of Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine came out to the polls; giving those three groups four songs each in the top 100.

The 1990s Saw Hip Hop Cross Into Mainstream

The 1990s can be argued as the decade when music became much more varied with Grunge/Alternative, R&B, and Rap crossed over into the mainstream. If you listened to a mainstream top-40 radio station in the early 1990’s you could hear songs from Dr. Dre, Britney Spears, Notorious B.I.G., Weezer, Outkast, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, Lauryn Hill, Rage Against the Machine, and Alanis Morissette all within the same hour.

The best-selling artists of the decade also illustrates the variety of music that had mass appeal. According to Chart Masters, these were the 25 most-successful artists in the 1990s using the CPSC Method.

Rank Artist
1  Céline Dion
2  Mariah Carey
3  Garth Brooks
4  Whitney Houston
5  Nirvana
6  Michael Jackson
7  Metallica
8  Backstreet Boys
9  Madonna
10  Shania Twain
11  Guns N’ Roses
12  Red Hot Chili Peppers
13  Alanis Morissette
14  Oasis
15  Spice Girls
16  Green Day
17  The Cranberries
18  U2
19  TLC
20  Sting
21  Bon Jovi
22  Bryan Adams
23  Aerosmith
24  Santana
25  Enya

And the above artists don’t even include some of the more popular artists from different genres that were at the forefront when talking about the 1990s including the top grunge artists and most-popular hip hop hit makers like Nirvana, Dr. Dre, N’Sync, Boyz II Men, Britney Spears, Pearl Jam, Puff Daddy, and Janet Jackson.

And that brings up an interesting contrast. Critics love to heap praise on the links of Radiohead, Outkast, Fiona Apple, Nirvana, Lauryn Hill and Dr. Dre, but when it came to the mainstream it was all about Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, The Backstreet Boys, Guns ‘N Roses and Whitney Houston.

It’s also fun to compare the 71 songs from the 1990s that made Rolling Stones’ top 500 songs list released earlier this year (that’s 14%!!). U2’s “One,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thing” had overlap on both lists but even though Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” was #5 ALL-TIME on Rolling Stone’s list, it doesn’t make Pitchfork’s Readers list.

It goes to prove there’s a lot of subjectivity and bias when it comes to the word “best.” There are only a few rare artists that made Pitchfork’s list and were considered popular by CPSC (true crossover appeal) and they were all white artists: Nirvana, Madonna, U2, Green Day and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. CPSC’s list trended away from Hip Hop (A.K.A. Black artists).

There’s a lot of reasons for that divide, but that’s a topic for another day.

Tagged : / / / / /

Here’s 4 Places To Consider When Visiting The United Kingdom

by stuartCulture / Travel1 Comment on Here’s 4 Places To Consider When Visiting The United Kingdom

The four nations that make up the island country, the United Kingdom, make the region an amazing place to visit for a multitude of reasons. There are many restaurants, cafés, bars, and clubs throughout England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, and the landscapes are beautiful.

When the natural beauty of the area is added to the mix, you have a top-tier tourist destination.

The United Kingdom is a small country, but its scenery is big and full of incredible variety: from lush green hills and old woods to towering mountain peaks, picturesque lakes, and rocky moors. Take a trip through one of the United Kingdom’s fifteen national parks to get a feel for the wide range of terrains that call the UK home, from the lowlands of the Norfolk Broads and the hinterlands of Exmoor to the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District and the world-renowned dark skies of Northumberland.

There is so much excitement that for every proposition in the UK, there will be a case for a better one. Nevertheless, here are the top 4 things, besides the pleasure of no deposit bonuses in the UK, which you simply cannot miss out on. With these bonuses, you get to enjoy your favorite games without spending anything from your pocket. A great way to enjoy your trip and win UK style. Just find the best sites and you are good to go. Any list of the top attractions in the United Kingdom is certain to spark a lively debate, and this one is no exception but here we are with top 4 recommendations.

Go for a stroll in a Welsh town that seems like it was lifted straight out of Italy. Rather than North Wales, you may be excused for believing you’ve landed in southern Europe if you find yourself in the heart of Portmeirion.

The brightly painted, Italian-style town seems like it belongs in another universe. Located on a tranquil peninsula that juts out into an estuary, Portmeirion Village is a kaleidoscope of buildings designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, a Welsh architect, and painted in all the colors of the rainbow. Beautiful homes, verdant gardens, and sandy beaches make up for the fact that it’s not the best picture of Welsh life.

Dine at a Balti restaurant in Birmingham’s historic Balti Triangle. There are pork pies available in Melton Mowbray. Cheese is available in Wensleydale. The balti is a specialty of Birmingham. It was created by the city’s Pakistani minority in the 1970s, and it now ranks with Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, the Industrial Revolution, and Peaky Blinders as among Birmingham’s most famous exports.

Visitors from all over the world go to the curry capital of the United Kingdom for the chance to try the region’s famous baltis, dosas, and thalis. The famous “Balti Triangle” is close to Balsall Heath. It is a group of curry restaurants that serve delicious food from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Try your hand at mountain climbing at the highest point in the United Kingdom. Put on your hiking boots and go to the top of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak at 1,345 meters above sea level. The Mountain Track is the most popular route. However, climbing the Carn Mor Dearg Arête is a more arduous climb for expert jammers and hill hikers that may take more than 10 hours to finish. You can reach the top of Snowden, Ben Nevis, and Scafell Pike, the highest points in Wales, Scotland, and England, all in one day if you plan ahead or join a group trip.

Go to Madchester for some unrivaled raving. It’s true that both the Hacienda and Factory Records have likely closed down by now. True, you’re more likely to see a Happy Monday on daytime television than at a live performance. Still, this northern dynamo boasts a diverse and dynamic mainstream and underground nightclub culture that draws partygoers from around the world.

The Warehouse Project is a series of club nights held every fall and winter at the huge Mayfield Depot, which is near Piccadilly station. If you want to get the most out of it, you shouldn’t miss it.

Summing Up There is no shortage of magnificent scenery in the United Kingdom. Learning about the history, culture, companies, and commerce of the UK can be intriguing, and visiting the country for a long vacation is a great way to do so. For your convenience, we’ve listed the top things to do in the above list.

 

Word Count: 756

Tagged : /

The 10 MCU Disney+ Shows (and Special Presentations) Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Score

by stuartComic BooksLeave a Comment on The 10 MCU Disney+ Shows (and Special Presentations) Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Score

Marvel movies have proven to be so successful that after Disney acquired the Marvel Studios and their cinematic universe, they wanted more than just the three movies being released annually by Kevin Feige. So Disney+, Feige and their teams sat down and decided that they would expand the offerings exclusively onto Disney’s yet-to-come streaming platform.

Talking to Variety’s PLAYBACK podcast back in 2017, Feige acknowledged that the Marvel and Disney combination would play a big part in the MCU.

When asked whether or not streaming platforms would be a big part of Marvel Studios’ future, he replied:

“(Disney+) is another exciting avenue and another exciting thing about being at this place at this time and goes back to the amount of characters we have and the amount of stories we could tell.”

Little did we know how things would turn out a few years later. That’s not entire true, coming off a all-time record-breaking Avengers: Endgame box office take, it was an easy bet at neue casinos that the shows would draw a massive audience.

Several Disney+ Marvel shows have since aired and the likes of WandaVision, She-Hulk, Loki, Ms. Marvel, Werewolf By Night and What If…? haven’t just exponentially expanded the MCU’s roster, but provided important context and storylines that is critical for a confusing concept such as the multiverse.

MCU Disney+ Shows Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Score

Sometimes you see a trailer for an upcoming film and it looks interesting but then it bombs with a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score. What do you do? It really depends on the genre, but anything below a 50% score on RT is usually a no-go for us (outside of Eternals).

We often use Rotten Tomatoes to not make our decision, but to help supplement our decision-making when it comes to which movies or films to watch.

This ranking would be useful for all types of shows, so we wanted to provide a list of MCU Disney+ shows ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes score. Similar to what we’ve done with RT scores and Marvel movies in this post.

Highest Rated MCU Disney+ Shows
# SCORE DISNEY+ SHOW YEAR
1 97% MS. MARVEL 2022
2 94% WHAT IF…? 2021
3 92% LOKI 2021
4 92% HAWKEYE 2021
5 91% WANDAVISION 2021
6 91% WEREWOLF BY NIGHT 2022
7 87% I AM GROOT 2022
8 86% MOON KNIGHT 2022
9 84% THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER 2021
10 72% SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW 2022

Again Rotten Tomatoes isn’t the end-all, we certainly have our disagreements. For example, we’ve watched all these MCU TV shows and there’s certainly a varying success. I would personally rank the Disney+ MCU shows as follows:

Stuart's Rankings
Rk Show
1 WANDAVISION
2 WEREWOLF BY NIGHT
3 SHE-HULK
4 MOON KNIGHT
5 MS. MARVEL
6 WHAT IF…?
7 LOKI
8 HAWKEYE
9 THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER
10 I AM GROOT

I’m very much biased. If Marvel decided to put out a show with Asbestos Lady (yes that’s a real character), I would watch the hell out of it if only to see how this cancer-causing superhero ties into the larger universe (and multiverse).

And off the top of my head, these couple handful of shows haven’t just introduced us to Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Werewolf By Night, and Moon Knight, but also core Marvel characters Agatha Harkness, Kate Bishop, U.S. Agent, Man-Thing, Echo, Elsa Bloodstone, Swordsman, and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and have re-introduced us to Wanda, Vision, Hawkeye, Sam Wilson as Captain America, Daredevil and Kingpin.

With shows like Secret Invasion, Echo, Agatha Harkness, Iron Heart, and others in the pipeline for 2023 and 2024, we’ll continually update this list to see where these new MCU Disney+ TV shows ultimately land on the Fresh/Rotten scale.

Tagged :

NBA Players to Watch: Ben Simmons Will Have Revenge Season in 2022-23

by stuartBasketballLeave a Comment on NBA Players to Watch: Ben Simmons Will Have Revenge Season in 2022-23

It’s crazy how much controversy there’s been with the Brooklyn Nets this offseason. With Kevin Durant requesting a trade and putting out ultimatums and Kyrie Irving’s inability to not say something controversial, the New York City borough has been in the news the last two months.

Lost in the Brooklyn Nets drama is Ben Simmons. Hard to believe considering Simmons’ saga was the talk of the league for the first quarter of the season.

There’s a lot of things working for Simmons, he can get back into playing shape for the season with KD and Irving providing unintentional cover. It won’t be hard either, the 6-11, 26 year old fits perfectly with an offense filled with shooters dotting the three point.

You have Durant and Kyrie, but you also have Joe Harris, Patty Mills, and Seth Curry. Getting back into the flow of the game should seamless for Simmons, with the roster surrounding him, to get back to his all-star level will be learning how to play blackjack online or remembering how to ride a bike.

With three of the league’s most-feared three point shooters spacing the floor along with two of the best players in the league, it gives Ben Simmons multiple options when he grabs a rebounds, gets downhill and forces the defense to collapse.

Brooklyn's Three Point Bombers
Player G 3P 3PA 3P%
Seth Curry 19 3.1 6.5 0.468
Joe Harris 14 2.9 6.3 0.466
Kyrie Irving 29 3.4 8.2 0.418
Patty Mills 81 2.8 7 0.400
Kevin Durant 55 2.1 5.5 0.383

Add to their roster a strong three and D guy in Royce O’Neal (who also shot .398 from three) and you add another versatile swingman that you can’t consistently leave open.

Ben Simmons Mental Health

The good news for Brooklyn Nets fans (and Ben Simmons) is that he seems to be in a much better place now.

Simmons recently say down with former teammate J.J. Redick on his Old Man and the Three podcast to provide color and detail to a lot of what happened last season between him and the Philadelphia 76ers including whether he left the team’s group chat, whether he brought a phone to practice, and whether he should have dunked the ball instead of passing it off in the now-infamous play against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. All the components – including Doc Rivers — that contributed to the broken relationship with his former team.

Here’s a few clips from the podcast that goes over some of the more juicier moments from last season’s standoff in Philly.

Just because Simmons seems to be in a better headspace, that doesn’t mean he’s going to come in and start shooting ten threes a game. Redick and Simmons cover this on their podcast too. The good news is that because of how the Nets are currently constructed, Simmons shooting, or lack there of, will be much less of an issue with the Nets.

Another reason why we think Simmons is going to have a season of redemption is that he’s playing alongside Kevin Durant one of the top players in the league that is more than happy to take up shots and shoulder responsibility for the team’s shortcomings and successes. Yes, Simmons was paired with Embiid, but Durant is a perimeter player like Simmons. Embiid was a post player that, when double teamed, would need shooters to pass out to — something we are well-aware that Simmons is not. In fact Simmons just recently joked about taking shots away from Durant.

With Simmons 100% healthy, motivated, paired with other good defenders, and shooters on the offensive side, on paper that looks to be a recipe for success for a player with Simmons’ talents are.

Full List: Rolling Stone’s “The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” (2022 Ranking)

by stuartCultureLeave a Comment on Full List: Rolling Stone’s “The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” (2022 Ranking)

Rolling Stone is on a roll. Following the popularity of their recent ranking of the top 500 songs of all-time and their list of the 200 best hip hop albums in history, the music and culture magazine decided to try their hand at television shows.

Their The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time list was compiled with feedback from a “panel of actors, showrunners, and critics” features all the modern classics including The Game of Thrones, Atlanta, Succession, and Veep to the older sitcoms that made their marks on televisions such as Seinfeld, I Love Lucy, and The Odd Couple all with Rolling Stone writer Allen Sepinwall providing commentary on every one of the shows that made the list.

The list covers the generations, multiple eras, a variety of genres including children’s shows, soap operas, family sitcoms, quirky comedies and dead-serious HBO dramas, from 1951 to the present. The magazine has attempted to capture the best television shows in a list several times. Prior to the current ranking, Rolling Stone last announced the top 100 TV shows of all-time back in 2016.

Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time

With all the great possibilities available, which show hit #1? Was it M*A*S*H, The Office, Mad Men or maybe cult favorite Freaks and Geeks? Thinking about the amount of amazing shows that have hit the small screen, that show would have hit the perfect combination of high-quality, cultural impact, longevity, creativity, and more.

Scroll down to see the full list of the best TV shows in the history of the game according to Rolling Stone.

Rolling Stone's 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time
Rank Show Channel Years
1 ‘The Sopranos’ HBO 1999-2007
2 ‘The Simpsons’ FOX 1989-PRESENT
3 ‘Breaking Bad’ AMC 2008-13
4 ‘The Wire’ HBO 2002-08
5 ‘Fleabag’ BBC/AMAZON 2016-19
6 ‘Seinfeld’ NBC 1989-98
7 ‘Mad Men’ AMC 2007-15
8 ‘Cheers’ NBC 1982-93
9 ‘Atlanta’ FX 2016-PRESENT
10 ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ CBS 1970-77
11 ‘Succession’ HBO 2018-PRESENT
12 ‘The Twilight Zone’ CBS 1959-64
13 ‘Veep’ HBO 2012-19
14 ‘The Americans’ FX 2013-18
15 ‘The Larry Sanders Show’ HBO 1992-98
16 ‘Twin Peaks’ ABC 1990-91
17 ‘The Leftovers’ HBO 2014-17
18 ‘Saturday Night Live’ NBC 1975-PRESENT
19 ‘I May Destroy You’ BBC/HBO 2020
20 ’30 Rock’ NBC 2006-13
21 ‘All in the Family CBS 1971-79
22 ‘Star Trek’ NBC 1966-69
23 ‘Watchmen’ HBO 2019
24 ‘Freaks and Geeks’ NBC 1999-2000
25 ‘M*A*S*H’ CBS 1972-83
26 ‘Sesame Street’ PBS 1969-PRESENT
27 ‘Deadwood’ HBO 2004-06
28 ‘Friday Night Lights’ NBC 2006-08
29 ‘Roots’ ABC 1977
30 ‘Parks and Recreation’ NBC 2009-15
31 ‘Game of Thrones’ HBO 2011-19
32 ‘Better Call Saul’ AMC 2015-22
33 ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ BBC 1969-74
34 ‘The Office’ (U.S.) NBC 2005-13
35 ‘Lost’ ABC 2004-10
36 ‘I Love Lucy’ CBS 1951-57
37 ‘Arrested Development’ FOX 2003-06
38 ‘Hill Street Blues’ NBC 1981-87
39 ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ HBO 2000-PRESENT
40 ‘The Good Place’ NBC 2016-20
41 ‘BoJack Horseman’ NETFLIX 2014-20
42 ‘Battlestar Galactica’ SCI-FI 2003-09
43 ‘Insecure’ HBO 2016-21
44 ‘Late Night With David Letterman’ NBC 1982-93
45 ‘Columbo’ NBC 1971-78; ABC
46 ‘The West Wing’ NBC 1999-2006
47 ‘My So-Called Life’ ABC 1995-96
48 ‘The Shield’ FX 2002-08
49 ‘Friends’ NBC 1994-2004
50 ‘Jeopardy!’ SYNDICATION 1984-PRESENT
51 ‘The X-Files’ FOX 1993-2002
52 ‘Barry’ HBO 2018-PRESENT
53 ‘The Office’ (U.K.) BBC 2001-03
54 ‘ER’ NBC 1994-2009
55 ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ AMC 2014-17
56 ‘Community’ NBC 2009-14
57 ‘Russian Doll’ NETFLIX 2019-PRESENT
58 ‘Six Feet Under’ HBO 2001-05
59 ‘Key & Peele’ COMEDY CENTRAL 2012-15
60 ‘Taxi’ ABC 1978-82
61 ‘The Underground Railroad’  AMAZON PRIME 2021
62 ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ CBS 1961-66
63 ‘South Park’  COMEDY CENTRAL 1997-PRESENT
64 ‘The Golden Girls’ NBC 1985-92
65 ‘Girls’ HBO 2012-17
66 ‘The Daily Show With Jon Stewart’ COMEDY CENTRAL 1999-2015
67 ‘NYPD Blue’ ABC 1993-2005
68 ‘Fawlty Towers’ BBC 1975-79
69 ‘Chappelle’s Show’   COMEDY CENTRAL 2003-06
70 ‘SCTV’   GLOBAL 1976-79
71 ‘Better Things’  FX 2016-2022
72 ‘Good Times’   CBS 1974-79
73 ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’  WB/UPN 1997-2001/2001-03
74 ‘The Honeymooners’ CBS 1955-56
75 ‘Frasier’ NBC 1993-2004
76 ‘Justified’  FX 2010-15
77 ‘The Jeffersons’  CBS 1975-85
78 ‘Sex and the City’ HBO 1998-2004
79 ‘Mr. Show with Bob and David’ HBO 1995-98
80 ‘Band of Brothers’  HBO 2001
81 ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’   FX 2005-PRESENT
82 ‘Party Down’  STARZ 2009-10
83 ‘I’m Alan Partridge’  BBC 1997-2002
84 ‘Fargo’   FX 2014-PRESENT
85 ‘Orange Is the New Black’ NETFLIX 2013-19
86 ‘The Bob Newhart Show’  CBS 1972-78
87 ‘The Kids in the Hall’   CBC 1988-95
88 ‘The Crown’  NETFLIX 2016-PRESENT
89 ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ CBS 1967-78
90 ‘The Wonder Years’  ABC 1988-93
91 ‘The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson’   NBC 1962-92
92 ‘The Muppet Show’   SYNDICATED 1976-81
93 ‘The Rockford Files’  NBC 1974-80
94 ‘NewsRadio’  NBC 1995-99
95 ‘Squid Game’ NETFLIX 2021-PRESENT
96 ‘Rick and Morty’  ADULT SWIM 2013-PRESENT
97 ‘The Odd Couple’ ABC 1970-75
98 ‘The Good Fight’ CBS ALL ACCESS 2017-20
99 ‘Oz’ HBO 1997-2003
100 ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ FX 2019-PRESENT

You rarely get to see the full list when these companies decide to cover and rank the best whatever because they have to spend a couple paragraphs explaining the significance and why the whatever landed where it landed on their list. With our full list, you might not get all the context, but often time you don’t need it. Readers want to know how the hell NYPD Blue (#67) is below The Good Place (#40) even though they’ve only seen the first episode and “hated it”.

How to Make Your Own Money Flower Bouquet in 8 Easy Steps (in 20 Minutes!)

by stuartMoneyLeave a Comment on How to Make Your Own Money Flower Bouquet in 8 Easy Steps (in 20 Minutes!)

We all love money and the more money we have the better. Those that say that “money can’t buy happiness” are right, but though you can’t literally buy happiness with money, you can buy time and convenience.

That additional time has been directly linked to improving your overall well-being that can improve one’s general happiness.

Are you looking for a special gift for that money-lover in your circle? Look no further than the homemade money bouquet. A money bouquet is basically dozens bills of paper money that are arranged to resemble a bouquet of flower. So instead of giving the traditional dozen roses for a loved (that will end up wilting in a week), you can choose to use that $39.99 on something exactly as valuable.

You can take that $50 and break up into single dollars and a few five dollar bills to create your own money rose. Don’t have enough money for a money bouquet You might have cash out your coins, work an extra couple hours at work, or trying your luck at a casino. Click here to learn more.

Okay now you have some duckets in your hand, so let’s talk about how best to arrange your money bouquet.

How to Make Your Own Money Bouquet

Now that you have your dollar bills (in multiple denominations) in hand, here’s how you can create your own money bouquet. First you need to think about the bouquet you want to create. Once you have an idea, here’s the six items and materials that are required:

  • Dollar Bills
  • Stems (wood, or other)
  • Tissue paper
  • Tape
  • Fresh or fake flowers
  • Rubber band

Instructions For Creating Money Bouquet At Home

  1. Set your flowers into a vase or similar (fresh flowers are always nicer).
  2. Create your money flowers. These can be simple cones or something more elaborate. Whatever you choose, tape the edges so that they don’t open up.
  3. Tape the money flower to the stem. Best to have an opening at the bottom of the flower so it can fit nicely onto the stem.
  4. Once you’ve finished creating the money flowers and taping them into place on the stems, add them to the flowers in your vase from step one.
  5. Arrange the money flowers with the real flowers
  6. Take them out of the vase
  7. Put a rubber band or two around the bottom of the stems
  8. Take your bouquet and wrap it into the tissue paper.

And boom! Just like that you have a basic bouquet of flowers. If you already have these materials (and money!) laying around the house, you can create a money bouquet in 20-25 minutes and it only costs a little more than the actual banknotes used. Here’s a great video on how to make your money bouquet.

If you want to make your money bouquet extra nice, you can spruce it up using these items:

  • Leaves or Greenery (can be fake)
  • Floral foam
  • Ribbon or other decorations
  1. Include some fresh or fake greenery
  2. Create more elaborate flowers with the dollar bills
  3. Include decorations
  4. Using the ribbon, tie a bow around the bouquet.

And that’s it. Depending on how detailed you want to be, you can create your own money bouquet in as short as 20 minutes (assuming you have all the requisite materials). It can take up to a couple hours if you’re making more elaborate flowers. And remember money can buy you happiness, indirectly.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that when people spend money on time-saving services such as a house cleaner, lawn care or grocery delivery, it can make them feel a little happier. By comparison, money spent on material purchases — aka things — does not boost positive emotions the way we might expect.

Tagged : /

The 5 Best Blackjack Dealer Costumes in Time For Halloween (or Casino Theme Party)

by stuartCulture / Extra / MoneyLeave a Comment on The 5 Best Blackjack Dealer Costumes in Time For Halloween (or Casino Theme Party)

You and your friends love getting together and heading to the local casino; spending hours on the reservation sitting down at the poker table, playing the slots, putting some cash down on roulette and getting free drinks. All that’s great fun, but what you all really enjoy is parking yourself down and getting comfortable at the Blackjack tables.

You can’t even count how many hours you’ve spent elbow-to-elbow with your buddies trying to get as close to 21 as possible. Now that September is coming to a close, it’s time to think about Halloween (or perhaps it’s a casino themed party) and you’re set on some form of casino theme costume.

Be a Real (Fake) Blackjack Dealer 

So what better, more-appropriate costume than dressing up as a blackjack dealer? You know all the nuances and motions and phrases that blackjack dealers do, so it shouldn’t be hard to get into character. Even if you’re not familiar with the twenty one card game, you can still be a Blackjack dealer, though you would definitely need to learn how to play blackjack online so you can be as convincing as possible.

Blackjack on the surface isn’t hard really: it’s adding up your cards in an attempt to get to 21 without going over (busting) and having your total be more than the dealer’s hand. Of course there’s nuances, but that, some basic blackjack vocabulary, and the right costume is all you need.

The Best Blackjack Dealer Costumes

Depending on how authentic you want to seem, you may have to get your education and vernacular elsewhere, but we got you on the blackjack dealer costume. We’ve scoured the net, Amazon, Party City, Etsy and Pinterest to find the best and most-convincing costumes for you to consider.

 

1. Blackjack Dealer Sequin Vest 

This leisure silk jacquard waistcoat may not actually be silk, but we love this one the best because for $30, you get 5 pieces including the vest (available in multiple colors), cufflinks, bow tie, neck tie, and cuffs. Just add shirt underneath (or not).

2. Blackjack Dealer Sequin Vest Costume 

The best costume is a combination of standing out and affordability. This shiny sequin vest will get you started. All you have to add is a white shirt underneath and standard bowtie. And it comes in multiple colors. All for approximately $30.

3. Playing Card Queen Women’s Halloween Costume

Who needs to be so straightforward? Let’s hit ’em over the head, get a little weird, and have a little fun. Be a playing card that’s also a dealer. Kind of like a cannibal dressed a human being or something like that. Pair this with a visor and ask them if they want to “hit” or “stay?”

4. Casino Dealer or Old School Gangster Costume 

What sucks about Halloween is that you spend all that time and money for what can be worn once. After that? It goes into a box somewhere maaaaaaaybee being resurrected four years later. Well this set allows you to use it a couple times – what’s the difference between a Blackjack dealer and a gangster from the 1920’s? A gun?

Not sure, but you get the point – there’s a lot of overlap going on. Check out this multipiece set that includes suspenders, a bow tie, pocket watch,  armband, garter, tie clip, cane and even a fake mustache.

5. Suspenders for Blackjack Dealer Costume (1PC)

Don’t want to invest in something too elaborate; you want to keep it simple and cheap? Here’s simple suspenders you can wear over a white or black shirt and most everyone will get the vibe you’re trying to give off.

Tagged : / / /