Ten years ago today would forever change the landscape of the Internet. YouTube was officially founded by three former PayPal employees. The first video, however, wasn’t upload until April 23, 2005 by one of the co-founders. If you’re curious, “Me At The Zoo” can still be viewed on the video-sharing website.
5. Charlie Bit My Finger Again
4. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
3. Dark Horse - Katy Perry
2. Baby - Justin Bieber
1. Gangnam Style - PSY
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Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2015
Friday, October 3, 2014
Signature DC dishes
DC isn't just about half smokes (it's definitely all about the half smokes, but that's different). The dishes that define our burgeoning culinary scene range from old-school to cutting edge, from spicy to sloppy. How many of these 15 signature DC dishes have you eaten your way through?
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Classic childhood books that will grow with you
Remember the books your parents/teachers/babysitters read to you when you were a kid? When it came to my parents, they chose the books they had loved as children themselves. When my mother read these to me, she would often end up crying at the end. Just imagine my six-year-old confusion: Why were happy endings sad? I didn’t get it.
Looking back on those books now, and even on what I read in my tweens and early teens, I start to understand. Go reread the ending of The House at Pooh Corner—it’s a weepy one for sure. Reading old favorites as an adult is satisfying, heartbreaking, and often mindblowing.
Chances are you’ve read these classics, but prepare to discover the rollercoaster ride of feels when you reread them.
Dr. Seuss
Kid Read: Bedtime stories like The Sneetches, Yertle the Turtle and The Lorax were all fun. Everything rhymes, half the words are gibberish, and even though you sensed the moral buried in there somewhere, it was all part of the hilarious shenanigans.
Adult Read: Get ready to have your innocence ruined. Dr. Seuss is all politics. The Sneetches is about the futility of the Cold War’s unarmed struggle between the USSR and the USA. Yertle the Turtle—come on, it’s a huge turtle sitting on top of all the little turtles, can you say “monarchy”? As an adult, sure, but you definitely couldn’t as a kid. The Lorax? You guessed it. The saddest of Dr. Seuss’ books—it’s even pretty tough for some kids to get through—is about a conversation that’s especially vital today: preserving the environment, and the cost of not doing so.
Little Women
Kid Read: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women starts on Christmas Eve, and that is exactly what reading the book feels like: comforting, like hot cocoa on a freezing winter afternoon. The novel’s four sisters, their loving mother, their doting father, and the boy next door have adventures, trials and tribulations, and (almost) all of them live happily ever after. It’s the kind of novel you read after being tucked in and kissed goodnight.
Adult Read: Though people say Alcott was forced to write this book by her publishers, she still took the opportunity to show off her belief in women, long before the word “feminism” was coined. You’ll notice that the sisters and their mother work in Mr. March’s absence during the Civil War, which presents them as equal to him and the other men in their lives.
Alcott handles religion, immigration, and death as well as grownups’ need to get over the castles in the air you built as a child. Not only is the novel rich with meaningful historical context—it will also break your heart to realize you’re old enough to read about children leaving home with a pinch in your heart, because you see yourself (and your own children) in them.
The Little Prince
Kid Read: Despite it being written by some French guy whose name you can’t pronounce, you recognize a cool adventure story when you read one. Besides, The Little Prince proves to you that being an adult sucks, because they ask you stupid questions and never get what you’re trying to draw.
Adult Read: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who wrote the book, was one smart cookie. Now that you have some idea of what the world is like, you see what he’s doing here. He’s urging you to never stop asking questions the way kids do. He’s telling you that love is difficult and that hoarding money is like trying to count the stars in the sky. As a philosophical discussion for basically everything, The Little Prince will make you nostalgic for your lost innocence.
Patricia Polacco
Kid Read: Were you scared of thunder? Thunder Cake made sure you thought of a delicious chocolate cake instead.The Keeping Quilt inspired you to consider the old objects in your house in a whole new way. Mrs. Katz and Tush had a cat and a sweet old lady and a shy little boy who you liked. You ran your hands all over the pictures because they looked soft.
Adult Read: Patricia Polacco’s books are all about family, cultural traditions, and the warm fuzzy kind of love all people share, no matter where they come from. She tackles big issues like race, differing cultures, and the idea of death in ways that your kids can understand. And you? You will bawl like a baby at the happiest ending now that you’re old enough to understand the painful beauty of life.
Harriet the Spy
Kid Read: A girl who spies on people! She has a really pretty attic room! She writes things down in a notebook! She has a BAMF nanny! She has an imagination like Anne of Green Gables but is way cooler because she gets into trouble and toughs it out!
Adult Read: Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was way ahead of its time. It deals with difference in class: Harriet is upper-middle-class, whereas her best friend has an absent mother and an absent-minded father, and knows how to pay bills and balance a budget at the age of 11. Fitzhugh has Harriet go to a therapist long before this was the thing to do with “problem children.” The issue of privacy—which is on everyone’s minds recently—comes to the forefront when Harriet’s secret notebook is passed around between all the kids in her class who then stop talking to her because she wrote mean things about everyone. It’s a book to pick apart (a new way to enjoy it) now that the years of wanting-to-be-Harriet have passed.
Source
Looking back on those books now, and even on what I read in my tweens and early teens, I start to understand. Go reread the ending of The House at Pooh Corner—it’s a weepy one for sure. Reading old favorites as an adult is satisfying, heartbreaking, and often mindblowing.
Chances are you’ve read these classics, but prepare to discover the rollercoaster ride of feels when you reread them.
Dr. SeussKid Read: Bedtime stories like The Sneetches, Yertle the Turtle and The Lorax were all fun. Everything rhymes, half the words are gibberish, and even though you sensed the moral buried in there somewhere, it was all part of the hilarious shenanigans.
Adult Read: Get ready to have your innocence ruined. Dr. Seuss is all politics. The Sneetches is about the futility of the Cold War’s unarmed struggle between the USSR and the USA. Yertle the Turtle—come on, it’s a huge turtle sitting on top of all the little turtles, can you say “monarchy”? As an adult, sure, but you definitely couldn’t as a kid. The Lorax? You guessed it. The saddest of Dr. Seuss’ books—it’s even pretty tough for some kids to get through—is about a conversation that’s especially vital today: preserving the environment, and the cost of not doing so.
Little Women
Kid Read: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women starts on Christmas Eve, and that is exactly what reading the book feels like: comforting, like hot cocoa on a freezing winter afternoon. The novel’s four sisters, their loving mother, their doting father, and the boy next door have adventures, trials and tribulations, and (almost) all of them live happily ever after. It’s the kind of novel you read after being tucked in and kissed goodnight.Adult Read: Though people say Alcott was forced to write this book by her publishers, she still took the opportunity to show off her belief in women, long before the word “feminism” was coined. You’ll notice that the sisters and their mother work in Mr. March’s absence during the Civil War, which presents them as equal to him and the other men in their lives.
Alcott handles religion, immigration, and death as well as grownups’ need to get over the castles in the air you built as a child. Not only is the novel rich with meaningful historical context—it will also break your heart to realize you’re old enough to read about children leaving home with a pinch in your heart, because you see yourself (and your own children) in them.
The Little Prince
Kid Read: Despite it being written by some French guy whose name you can’t pronounce, you recognize a cool adventure story when you read one. Besides, The Little Prince proves to you that being an adult sucks, because they ask you stupid questions and never get what you’re trying to draw.Adult Read: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who wrote the book, was one smart cookie. Now that you have some idea of what the world is like, you see what he’s doing here. He’s urging you to never stop asking questions the way kids do. He’s telling you that love is difficult and that hoarding money is like trying to count the stars in the sky. As a philosophical discussion for basically everything, The Little Prince will make you nostalgic for your lost innocence.
Patricia Polacco
Kid Read: Were you scared of thunder? Thunder Cake made sure you thought of a delicious chocolate cake instead.The Keeping Quilt inspired you to consider the old objects in your house in a whole new way. Mrs. Katz and Tush had a cat and a sweet old lady and a shy little boy who you liked. You ran your hands all over the pictures because they looked soft.Adult Read: Patricia Polacco’s books are all about family, cultural traditions, and the warm fuzzy kind of love all people share, no matter where they come from. She tackles big issues like race, differing cultures, and the idea of death in ways that your kids can understand. And you? You will bawl like a baby at the happiest ending now that you’re old enough to understand the painful beauty of life.
Harriet the Spy
Kid Read: A girl who spies on people! She has a really pretty attic room! She writes things down in a notebook! She has a BAMF nanny! She has an imagination like Anne of Green Gables but is way cooler because she gets into trouble and toughs it out!Adult Read: Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was way ahead of its time. It deals with difference in class: Harriet is upper-middle-class, whereas her best friend has an absent mother and an absent-minded father, and knows how to pay bills and balance a budget at the age of 11. Fitzhugh has Harriet go to a therapist long before this was the thing to do with “problem children.” The issue of privacy—which is on everyone’s minds recently—comes to the forefront when Harriet’s secret notebook is passed around between all the kids in her class who then stop talking to her because she wrote mean things about everyone. It’s a book to pick apart (a new way to enjoy it) now that the years of wanting-to-be-Harriet have passed.
Source
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Eleven budget-friendly alternatives for expensive ingredients
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| Shutterstock |
Who can afford a $200 vegetable anyway? Porcini mushrooms will provide you with the rich flavor that your dish needs.
2. Ditch the saffron. Use turmeric.
Turmeric has a beautiful flavor that creates an ideal substitute for any rice dish or paella.
3. Choose skirt steak over filet mignon.
Not everyone can afford a filet mignon, but don’t worry: Skirt steak is just as tender.
4. Try peanut butter and water instead of tahini.
This is a great tip because peanut butter will always be in your pantry, so you don’t have to stare at a dusty, barely used jar of tahini for three months.
5. Apples are the new berries.
Seasonal berries are wonderful for tarts and pies, but if you’re looking to save some money without losing flavor, substitute apples into any recipe.
6. And rosemary is a great substitute for juniper berries.
Juniper berries tend to linger in your fridge for weeks. Rosemary is an ingredient you can use in countless recipes, which makes it an ideal grocery list item.
7. Whole milk and lemon juice > buttermilk.
Real talk: No one uses all of the buttermilk that they buy for a recipe. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to each cup of whole milk.
8. Like maple syrup? Brown sugar mixed with water is just as good.
Organic maple syrup can cost as much as $14 a bottle. Brown sugar’s rich flavor is an ideal substitute.
9. Add pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts.
Pumpkin seeds provide the same crunch and a similar flavor. You won’t even miss ‘em.
10. Invest in soy sauce over Worcestershire sauce.
If you’re deciding between the two condiments, you’ll definitely use soy sauce more. It’s an ideal placeholder for any marinade — and you won’t tell the difference.
11. And cream cheese mixed with some heavy cream is the perfect substitute for mascarpone.
Mascarpone is tasty but cream cheese and heavy cream are an insanely delicious alternative option. Trust us, try it.
Source
Friday, March 28, 2014
The secret behind seven secret recipes
Proclaiming that your product contains secret ingredients is a tactic as old as marketing itself. These seven restaurant chains, drink manufacturers, and food companies have exploited the fact that "the unknown" will always be more exciting than, "just some mayo and paprika."
2. BUSH'S BAKED BEANS SECRET RECIPE
Bush's Baked Beans' ad campaign centers around Jay Bush and his corporate snitch of a dog, Duke. According to Duke's self-penned bio on their website, "Back when Jay shared the Secret Family Recipe for Bush's Baked Beans with me, his best friend, he didn't know that I could speak. And ever since, I've been trying to sell the recipe."
The original recipe was invented in 1967 and a copy of Bush's recipe book (minus the actual baked beans recipe), is on display at their visitor’s center in Tennessee. Why is it kept secret? Try to think of another company's baked beans ad, and therein lies your answer.
3. COCA-COLA'S "MERCHANDISE 7X"
Coca-Cola's long-guarded "secret formula" has a weapons-grade name, "Merchandise 7X," and enough cloak-and-dagger lore to make Ian Fleming blush (he died in 1964, so that's a whole lotta lore). The recipe famously sits in a bank vault in Atlanta, and ad campaigns have focused on how only two company execs have access to two separate halves of the secret formula (this isn't true).
In 2011, This American Life uncovered an alleged version of the original formula (or a precursor to it) that was copied by Coca-Cola inventor John R. Pemberton's friend. This document wasn't hiding in a bank vault, but in a newspaper—in 1979, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution printed a photo from an old notebook that, upon close inspection, seemed to match the famous secret formula. You can check out the recipe here (and yes, it includes FE Coca, a.k.a. the fluid extract of coca leaves).
4. DR PEPPER'S 23 FLAVORS
If urban legend is to be believed, Dr Pepper is just a soda-fied prune juice. If Dr Pepper's website is to believed, this is flat-out untrue. "Dr Pepper is a unique blend of natural and artificial flavors," they assert. "It does not contain prune juice." Then what does it contain? The soft drink boasts 23 flavors, and the specifics of these is considered "proprietary information" by the company.
Keep in mind that "flavors" doesn't necessarily mean "ingredients," so it could all be subjective. A quick Google search will uncover some guesses (although we're not sure apricotis any more refreshing than prune juice).
5. COLONEL'S "SECRET BLEND OF 11 HERBS AND SPICES"
In 1940, Colonel (née Harland) Sanders whipped up a "secret blend of 11 herbs and spices" for his now-ubiquitous Kentucky Fried Chicken. The recipe is locked in a vault at the company's headquarters, and it's said that the ingredients are made and processed by separate manufacturers who are unaware of what the others are producing in order to prevent the mysterious concoction from ever being revealed.
In their ingredients list, KFC merely lists this as "Secret Original Recipe Seasoning." However, for his book "Big Secrets," William Poundstone took a batch of the Colonel's chicken to a lab for testing. According to Poundstone (via LiveScience), "The sample of coating mix was found to contain four and only four ingredients: flour, salt, monosodium glutamate, and black pepper. There were no eleven herbs and spices—no herbs at all in fact."
6. BARR'S IRN-BRU
Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru was invented in 1901, and its secret recipe "is held under lock and key in a vault in Switzerland." According to their website, only three people know the recipe: Former Chairman Robin Barr, his daughter and Legal Affairs Manager Julie Barr, and one other board director "whose identity remains confidential." Irn-Bru does concede that iron is one of the drink's ingredents (hence the name).
7. CHARTREUSE
The legend of this liqueur is long and complex, and it goes something like this: In 1605, the Marshal of King's Henri IV artillery gave a secret manuscript for an "Elixer of Long Life" to the monks of a monastery outside Paris. The monks couldn't immediately decipher the combination of 130 herbs, but in the 18th century the recipe was sent to a separate monastery where its apothecary, Frère Jerome Maubec, learned how to make a drink from the list. In the years that followed, the liqueur underwent changes to produce different varieties (green, white, and yellow), but Chartreuse is still made by monks—and the recipe is still secret—to this day.
Source
1. BIG MAC SPECIAL SAUCE
While not explicitly secret, the "special sauce" found in McDonald's Big Macs is the most mysterious ingredient of its "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions—on a sesame seed bun." In 2012, McDonald's executive chef Dan Coudreaut released a YouTube video explaining how to make a Big Mac at home—and how to make your own special sauce. Confirming many folks' suspicions, the sauce is just a variation of Thousand Island dressing: mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (although, depending on the country in which it's sold, the restaurant throws in some preservatives and other stuff you'd be more likely to find in a chemist's lab than at a market).
While not explicitly secret, the "special sauce" found in McDonald's Big Macs is the most mysterious ingredient of its "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions—on a sesame seed bun." In 2012, McDonald's executive chef Dan Coudreaut released a YouTube video explaining how to make a Big Mac at home—and how to make your own special sauce. Confirming many folks' suspicions, the sauce is just a variation of Thousand Island dressing: mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (although, depending on the country in which it's sold, the restaurant throws in some preservatives and other stuff you'd be more likely to find in a chemist's lab than at a market).
2. BUSH'S BAKED BEANS SECRET RECIPEBush's Baked Beans' ad campaign centers around Jay Bush and his corporate snitch of a dog, Duke. According to Duke's self-penned bio on their website, "Back when Jay shared the Secret Family Recipe for Bush's Baked Beans with me, his best friend, he didn't know that I could speak. And ever since, I've been trying to sell the recipe."
The original recipe was invented in 1967 and a copy of Bush's recipe book (minus the actual baked beans recipe), is on display at their visitor’s center in Tennessee. Why is it kept secret? Try to think of another company's baked beans ad, and therein lies your answer.
3. COCA-COLA'S "MERCHANDISE 7X"
Coca-Cola's long-guarded "secret formula" has a weapons-grade name, "Merchandise 7X," and enough cloak-and-dagger lore to make Ian Fleming blush (he died in 1964, so that's a whole lotta lore). The recipe famously sits in a bank vault in Atlanta, and ad campaigns have focused on how only two company execs have access to two separate halves of the secret formula (this isn't true).
In 2011, This American Life uncovered an alleged version of the original formula (or a precursor to it) that was copied by Coca-Cola inventor John R. Pemberton's friend. This document wasn't hiding in a bank vault, but in a newspaper—in 1979, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution printed a photo from an old notebook that, upon close inspection, seemed to match the famous secret formula. You can check out the recipe here (and yes, it includes FE Coca, a.k.a. the fluid extract of coca leaves).
 |
| Wikimedia Commons |
If urban legend is to be believed, Dr Pepper is just a soda-fied prune juice. If Dr Pepper's website is to believed, this is flat-out untrue. "Dr Pepper is a unique blend of natural and artificial flavors," they assert. "It does not contain prune juice." Then what does it contain? The soft drink boasts 23 flavors, and the specifics of these is considered "proprietary information" by the company.
Keep in mind that "flavors" doesn't necessarily mean "ingredients," so it could all be subjective. A quick Google search will uncover some guesses (although we're not sure apricotis any more refreshing than prune juice).
5. COLONEL'S "SECRET BLEND OF 11 HERBS AND SPICES"
In 1940, Colonel (née Harland) Sanders whipped up a "secret blend of 11 herbs and spices" for his now-ubiquitous Kentucky Fried Chicken. The recipe is locked in a vault at the company's headquarters, and it's said that the ingredients are made and processed by separate manufacturers who are unaware of what the others are producing in order to prevent the mysterious concoction from ever being revealed.
In their ingredients list, KFC merely lists this as "Secret Original Recipe Seasoning." However, for his book "Big Secrets," William Poundstone took a batch of the Colonel's chicken to a lab for testing. According to Poundstone (via LiveScience), "The sample of coating mix was found to contain four and only four ingredients: flour, salt, monosodium glutamate, and black pepper. There were no eleven herbs and spices—no herbs at all in fact."
 |
| Wikimedia Commons |
6. BARR'S IRN-BRU
Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru was invented in 1901, and its secret recipe "is held under lock and key in a vault in Switzerland." According to their website, only three people know the recipe: Former Chairman Robin Barr, his daughter and Legal Affairs Manager Julie Barr, and one other board director "whose identity remains confidential." Irn-Bru does concede that iron is one of the drink's ingredents (hence the name).
7. CHARTREUSE
The legend of this liqueur is long and complex, and it goes something like this: In 1605, the Marshal of King's Henri IV artillery gave a secret manuscript for an "Elixer of Long Life" to the monks of a monastery outside Paris. The monks couldn't immediately decipher the combination of 130 herbs, but in the 18th century the recipe was sent to a separate monastery where its apothecary, Frère Jerome Maubec, learned how to make a drink from the list. In the years that followed, the liqueur underwent changes to produce different varieties (green, white, and yellow), but Chartreuse is still made by monks—and the recipe is still secret—to this day.
Source
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Six clever items to simplify your life
Corkcicle Chillsner Set
Forgot to stick the six-pack in the fridge? Just pop this frozen wand, which features a drink-thru spout, into a bottle of beer to enjoy a cold one whenever you’re in the mood.
To buy: $30 for two, surlatable.com.
Tile Tattoos
Taking your kitchen from drab to fab doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. For a low-cost upgrade (and a renter's dream come true), use water to apply these non-permanent decals over 4-inch-square tiles to add a decorative touch. The tattoos easily remove without leaving any residue.
To buy: $18 for six, 2jane.com.
Inflight Comfort Kit
Up your comfort level with this convenient travel bag, which includes a jersey eye mask, inflatable neck pillow, and soft foam ear plugs for drowning out the sounds of a crowded plane.
To buy: $12, seejanework.com.
Forgot to stick the six-pack in the fridge? Just pop this frozen wand, which features a drink-thru spout, into a bottle of beer to enjoy a cold one whenever you’re in the mood.
To buy: $30 for two, surlatable.com.
Stretch N’ Twist Silicone Bag Ties
Tightly secure opened bags of food (cereal, chips, loaves of bread) with these colorful and flexible bands, which are much studier and easier to use than twisty wire ties. Ties are refrigerator and freezer safe.
To buy: $7 for 10, solutions.com.
Tightly secure opened bags of food (cereal, chips, loaves of bread) with these colorful and flexible bands, which are much studier and easier to use than twisty wire ties. Ties are refrigerator and freezer safe.
To buy: $7 for 10, solutions.com.
Spink
For the clumsy at heart: If you accidently bump your beverage, this cup holder, which suctions to most smooth surfaces, ensures your drink won’t tip and spill all over your desk, keyboard, or lap.
To buy: $25, dreamfarm.com.
For the clumsy at heart: If you accidently bump your beverage, this cup holder, which suctions to most smooth surfaces, ensures your drink won’t tip and spill all over your desk, keyboard, or lap.
To buy: $25, dreamfarm.com.
Tile Tattoos
Taking your kitchen from drab to fab doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. For a low-cost upgrade (and a renter's dream come true), use water to apply these non-permanent decals over 4-inch-square tiles to add a decorative touch. The tattoos easily remove without leaving any residue.
To buy: $18 for six, 2jane.com.
Inflight Comfort Kit
Up your comfort level with this convenient travel bag, which includes a jersey eye mask, inflatable neck pillow, and soft foam ear plugs for drowning out the sounds of a crowded plane.
To buy: $12, seejanework.com.
Avoid TV Spoilers
If you’re planning to DVR the latest episode of your favorite television drama, ensure chatty friends don’t reveal all of the latest juicy details on social media. This free app is designed to block any post (on Facebook and Twitter) that could potentially spoil a show or game. Available for iPhone and Android.
If you’re planning to DVR the latest episode of your favorite television drama, ensure chatty friends don’t reveal all of the latest juicy details on social media. This free app is designed to block any post (on Facebook and Twitter) that could potentially spoil a show or game. Available for iPhone and Android.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Translation of hit foreign songs
Foreign language hits don’t often break onto Top 40 airwaves, but when they do, they’re usually loaded with earworms and make terrific karaoke fodder. But when we start singing along, what exactly are we saying? Probably not what you think. Here are five hit songs in other languages and what the heck they actually mean once they’re translated.
3. PSY, "GENTLEMAN"
The “Gangnam Style” rapper staved off one-hit wonder status when his video for “Gentleman” caught fire on YouTube. While “Gangnam Style” mocked Seoul’s pseudo-high-class district, “Gentleman” satirizes boorish boys claiming to be gentlemen who are anything but. The Korean sensation keeps his chorus classy, shouting, “I’m a mother-father gentleman” instead of another F-word that fits the blank.
Psy’s satirical (okay, silly) lyrics translate into eyebrow-raising one-liners like, “I’m a cool guy with courage, spirit and craziness” and “Damn girl! I’m a party mafia!” Like the social consciousness of “Gangnam Style,” Psy’s subversive sense of humor might only exist for the love of a good translator, save for a music video where a gleeful Psy plays ungentlemanly pranks on unsuspecting women.
Falco’s only number one stateside hit was a synthpop love letter to countryman Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who Falco describes as “ein Punker” (a punk), “ein Rockidol” (a rock idol), and “ein Mann der Frauen” (a women’s man). Taking a few pages from the book of period drama Amadeus, Falco painted the composer as a rock ‘n’ roll rebel and a prodigy from Vienna who drank, got the girls, and wrote totally punk symphonies.
1. NENA, “99 LUFTBALLONS”
Run Nena’s chirpy 1983 pop song through a translator, and the cheery German hit gets pretty sinister, pretty quickly. Nena guitar slinger Carlos Karges drew inspiration for the anti-war protest tune when he watched an army of balloons get released at a 1982 Rolling Stones concert in West Berlin.
His musings on the balloons’ ascension over the Berlin Wall (“99 balloons on their way to the horizon / People think they’re UFOs from space”) and into the Soviet Bloc gave way to lyrics about war and paranoia—99 luftballons become 99 fighter jets, war ministers, and years of war as the hysterical overreactions in the lyrics escalate.
Nena recorded an English version, retitled “99 Red Balloons,” but argued that the satirical rewrite felt unfaithful to the German meaning. The less cutesy German cut became an American smash, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Like “The Twist” or “The Cha Cha Slide,” “La Bamba” steals its name from a dance—one it doesn’t bother teaching listeners how to do. The term comes from the Spanish verbbambolear (to swing), and apparently all we need to dance it is “una poca de gracia” (a little grace). Valens doesn’t give away the moves, but la bamba is a traditional wedding dance for newlyweds in Veracruz. The Ritchie Valens hit started as a Mexican folk tune hailing from Veracruz and is now a mariachi staple.
Run Nena’s chirpy 1983 pop song through a translator, and the cheery German hit gets pretty sinister, pretty quickly. Nena guitar slinger Carlos Karges drew inspiration for the anti-war protest tune when he watched an army of balloons get released at a 1982 Rolling Stones concert in West Berlin.
His musings on the balloons’ ascension over the Berlin Wall (“99 balloons on their way to the horizon / People think they’re UFOs from space”) and into the Soviet Bloc gave way to lyrics about war and paranoia—99 luftballons become 99 fighter jets, war ministers, and years of war as the hysterical overreactions in the lyrics escalate.
Nena recorded an English version, retitled “99 Red Balloons,” but argued that the satirical rewrite felt unfaithful to the German meaning. The less cutesy German cut became an American smash, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. RITCHIE VALENS, “LA BAMBA”
3. PSY, "GENTLEMAN"
The “Gangnam Style” rapper staved off one-hit wonder status when his video for “Gentleman” caught fire on YouTube. While “Gangnam Style” mocked Seoul’s pseudo-high-class district, “Gentleman” satirizes boorish boys claiming to be gentlemen who are anything but. The Korean sensation keeps his chorus classy, shouting, “I’m a mother-father gentleman” instead of another F-word that fits the blank.
Psy’s satirical (okay, silly) lyrics translate into eyebrow-raising one-liners like, “I’m a cool guy with courage, spirit and craziness” and “Damn girl! I’m a party mafia!” Like the social consciousness of “Gangnam Style,” Psy’s subversive sense of humor might only exist for the love of a good translator, save for a music video where a gleeful Psy plays ungentlemanly pranks on unsuspecting women.
4. FALCO, “ROCK ME AMADEUS”
Falco’s only number one stateside hit was a synthpop love letter to countryman Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who Falco describes as “ein Punker” (a punk), “ein Rockidol” (a rock idol), and “ein Mann der Frauen” (a women’s man). Taking a few pages from the book of period drama Amadeus, Falco painted the composer as a rock ‘n’ roll rebel and a prodigy from Vienna who drank, got the girls, and wrote totally punk symphonies.
5. LOS DEL RIO, “MACARENA”
After mumbling a whole bunch of Spanish words, “Hey, Macarena!” is a fun thing to shout in the dance hit’s chorus, until you realize you’re shouting the name of a girl cheating on her boyfriend. When Vitorino, Macarena’s beau, enlists the army (“en la jura de bandera de muchacho”), she takes up with his two of his friends (“se la dió con dos amigos”).
So when the chorus kicks in a second time with “Dale la cuerpo alegria Macarena,” ("Give happiness to your body, Macarena"), there’s some serious double entendre going on—it’s probably not just the dancing Los Del Rio are singing about. Poor Vitorino: Even with the army angle cut from the U.S. remix, Macarena still cheats when he goes out of town for a weekend.
Source
After mumbling a whole bunch of Spanish words, “Hey, Macarena!” is a fun thing to shout in the dance hit’s chorus, until you realize you’re shouting the name of a girl cheating on her boyfriend. When Vitorino, Macarena’s beau, enlists the army (“en la jura de bandera de muchacho”), she takes up with his two of his friends (“se la dió con dos amigos”).
So when the chorus kicks in a second time with “Dale la cuerpo alegria Macarena,” ("Give happiness to your body, Macarena"), there’s some serious double entendre going on—it’s probably not just the dancing Los Del Rio are singing about. Poor Vitorino: Even with the army angle cut from the U.S. remix, Macarena still cheats when he goes out of town for a weekend.
Source
Friday, March 21, 2014
How to cheat your way to perfect hair
If you have fine hair...
Since fine hair tends to be oily, turn to dry shampoo to get the job done. "Instead of waiting to use dry shampoo on the second or third day, use it on the first day as a styler and to start the process of soaking up oils," Gibson recommends. After you blowdry, spray a bit at the roots, and use your fingers to work it in, while making sure to keep the focus on your roots. This will add volume to your style and help soak up any moisture. Baby powder works just as well, but Gibson has Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo and Pssst Instant Dry Shampoo Spray in his kit.
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $19.50, available at Drugstore.com.
Curly Hair
"Because it's highly porous, curly hair needs added moisture to help create a curl and add definition," explains Gibson. "It's the lack of moisture in the cuticle that makes curls dry and frizzy." To ensure your curls are healthy and have tons of bounce, wash your hair just once or twice a week, and use a leave-in conditioner each time. Or, you can use your regular conditioner on just your mid-shaft to your ends, and skip washing it out. "This will make sure your curls have life to them, but not weigh your hair down," says Gibson.
DevaCurl B'Leave-In, $19, available at Sephora.
Thick Hair
Smoothness and shine are the two elements you need to achieve great-looking, thick hair. Use an oil like L'Oreal Professional Mythic Oil before you blowdry. Then, making sure to stay away from your roots, apply a tiny dollop onto damp hair from mid-shaft to the ends. "Oils are hot right now, because they smooth the cuticle and add shine, which is what everyone wants," Gibson says. Finish by using a straightening iron to lock in the shine.
L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, $25.90, available at Amazon.
Natural Waves
While we all want to look like we just rolled out of bed with perfect waves, it takes a bit of finesse to get them to look just right. "A curling iron is the most important tool for women that have a naturally wavy texture," says Gibson. To help define your waves take 1 1/2-inch sections and go over them using a medium-to-large sized iron.
T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Curling Iron, $149, available at Sephora.
Processed Hair
Whether colored or chemically treated, processed hair needs extra TLC, starting in the shower. "You want to look for both a shampoo and conditioner that have moisturizing effects on the hair to fill in the open cuticle at the start," Gibson says. Starting with the right foundation will ease your styling process and leave you with healthy looking, shiny hair in the end.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Moisture Velvet Nourishing Conditioner, $58, available at Birchbox.
Relaxed Hair
"Since relaxers pull all of the moisture and protein out of your strands, it needs constant replenishment," explains Gibson. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner like Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath Gentle Rather Rinse and Moisturfusion Silk Cream Conditioner Dry & Brittle Hair Treatment.
Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath, $11.89, available at Sleek Hair.
Grown-Out Bangs
All you need is a blowdryer and a round brush to put your frustrations at ease and avoid looking like an Old English Sheepdog. Side part your overgrown bangs and use a round brush to create volume at the root when blowdrying and give them a lift. "The longer they get, the more of a lift they'll need until they're at a length that can be pulled off as a layer," Gibson says.
DryBar Full Pint Medium Round Brush, $40, available at Sephora.
Short Hair
When you have short hair, no matter what the style, you want to show off your cut. To highlight the ends, make sure they're defined. Try using a flat iron on the bottom only to make sure the edges look clean or if you have a pixie style, a texturizing paste will help give you the definition you want.
Sedu Revolution Compact Styler, $70, available at Folica.
Layers
To help showcase your layers, take a wax or pomade and soften it by rubbing the formula between your hands. Then, run it through the ends of your hair to help create texture, which will help define your layers. Gibson recommends Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade because it offers control and shine.
Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade, $21, available at Nordstrom.
Since fine hair tends to be oily, turn to dry shampoo to get the job done. "Instead of waiting to use dry shampoo on the second or third day, use it on the first day as a styler and to start the process of soaking up oils," Gibson recommends. After you blowdry, spray a bit at the roots, and use your fingers to work it in, while making sure to keep the focus on your roots. This will add volume to your style and help soak up any moisture. Baby powder works just as well, but Gibson has Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo and Pssst Instant Dry Shampoo Spray in his kit.
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $19.50, available at Drugstore.com.
Curly Hair
"Because it's highly porous, curly hair needs added moisture to help create a curl and add definition," explains Gibson. "It's the lack of moisture in the cuticle that makes curls dry and frizzy." To ensure your curls are healthy and have tons of bounce, wash your hair just once or twice a week, and use a leave-in conditioner each time. Or, you can use your regular conditioner on just your mid-shaft to your ends, and skip washing it out. "This will make sure your curls have life to them, but not weigh your hair down," says Gibson.
DevaCurl B'Leave-In, $19, available at Sephora.
Thick Hair
Smoothness and shine are the two elements you need to achieve great-looking, thick hair. Use an oil like L'Oreal Professional Mythic Oil before you blowdry. Then, making sure to stay away from your roots, apply a tiny dollop onto damp hair from mid-shaft to the ends. "Oils are hot right now, because they smooth the cuticle and add shine, which is what everyone wants," Gibson says. Finish by using a straightening iron to lock in the shine.
L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, $25.90, available at Amazon.
Natural Waves
While we all want to look like we just rolled out of bed with perfect waves, it takes a bit of finesse to get them to look just right. "A curling iron is the most important tool for women that have a naturally wavy texture," says Gibson. To help define your waves take 1 1/2-inch sections and go over them using a medium-to-large sized iron.
T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Curling Iron, $149, available at Sephora.
Processed Hair
Whether colored or chemically treated, processed hair needs extra TLC, starting in the shower. "You want to look for both a shampoo and conditioner that have moisturizing effects on the hair to fill in the open cuticle at the start," Gibson says. Starting with the right foundation will ease your styling process and leave you with healthy looking, shiny hair in the end.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Moisture Velvet Nourishing Conditioner, $58, available at Birchbox.
Relaxed Hair
"Since relaxers pull all of the moisture and protein out of your strands, it needs constant replenishment," explains Gibson. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner like Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath Gentle Rather Rinse and Moisturfusion Silk Cream Conditioner Dry & Brittle Hair Treatment.
Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath, $11.89, available at Sleek Hair.
Grown-Out Bangs
All you need is a blowdryer and a round brush to put your frustrations at ease and avoid looking like an Old English Sheepdog. Side part your overgrown bangs and use a round brush to create volume at the root when blowdrying and give them a lift. "The longer they get, the more of a lift they'll need until they're at a length that can be pulled off as a layer," Gibson says.
DryBar Full Pint Medium Round Brush, $40, available at Sephora.
Short Hair
When you have short hair, no matter what the style, you want to show off your cut. To highlight the ends, make sure they're defined. Try using a flat iron on the bottom only to make sure the edges look clean or if you have a pixie style, a texturizing paste will help give you the definition you want.
Sedu Revolution Compact Styler, $70, available at Folica.
Layers
To help showcase your layers, take a wax or pomade and soften it by rubbing the formula between your hands. Then, run it through the ends of your hair to help create texture, which will help define your layers. Gibson recommends Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade because it offers control and shine.
Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade, $21, available at Nordstrom.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Six clever items to simplify your life
Splash Shower Tunes
If you like to sing while you scrub-a-dub-dub, suction this waterproof Bluetooth speaker to the wall of your shower. In addition to changing the song and adjusting the volume, you can also answer a call through the speaker’s microphone.
To buy: $40, freshetech.com.
Cupcake Corer
What’s better than a cupcake? A cupcake filled with a delicious surprise inside. Use this tiny dishwasher-safe kitchen gadget to remove the center from cupcakes or muffins and stuff with your favorite filling. Available in red and black.
To buy: $7, oxo.com.
Baby Shower Cards
Planning a baby shower for your sister, BFF, or co-worker? Celebrate baby-to-be by having guests fill out these adorable keepsake cards. Each one has three prompts—“I hope you always…”, “I hope you learn to…”, and “I hope you never forget…”—for guests to finish off with well-wishes.
To buy: $20 for 24,uncommongoods.com.
Triple C for J. Crew Universal Charger
Stop carrying a mess of tangled wires around with you just to keep your phone charged. This stylish universal charger is compatible with most mobile phones and mp3 players, and is tiny enough to fit into a clutch. Available in black, mint, and red.
To buy: $29.50, jcrew.com.
Tonfisk Newton Milk & Sugar Set
Functioning as a sugar dish and milk pitcher in one, this pretty porcelain server lets you pour milk without removing the sugar bowl that balances and swivels inside.
To buy: $60, amazon.com.
On-the-Go Translator
Whether you’re traveling and want to order a coffee or trying to translate an email from home, this free app helps you communicate in over 70 different languages—no internet connection needed. Simply speak, type, write, or take a picture (perhaps a sign you can’t otherwise read) and the app will translate to the language of your choice.
If you like to sing while you scrub-a-dub-dub, suction this waterproof Bluetooth speaker to the wall of your shower. In addition to changing the song and adjusting the volume, you can also answer a call through the speaker’s microphone.
To buy: $40, freshetech.com.
Cupcake Corer
What’s better than a cupcake? A cupcake filled with a delicious surprise inside. Use this tiny dishwasher-safe kitchen gadget to remove the center from cupcakes or muffins and stuff with your favorite filling. Available in red and black.
To buy: $7, oxo.com.
Baby Shower Cards
Planning a baby shower for your sister, BFF, or co-worker? Celebrate baby-to-be by having guests fill out these adorable keepsake cards. Each one has three prompts—“I hope you always…”, “I hope you learn to…”, and “I hope you never forget…”—for guests to finish off with well-wishes.
To buy: $20 for 24,uncommongoods.com.
Triple C for J. Crew Universal Charger
Stop carrying a mess of tangled wires around with you just to keep your phone charged. This stylish universal charger is compatible with most mobile phones and mp3 players, and is tiny enough to fit into a clutch. Available in black, mint, and red.
To buy: $29.50, jcrew.com.
Tonfisk Newton Milk & Sugar Set
Functioning as a sugar dish and milk pitcher in one, this pretty porcelain server lets you pour milk without removing the sugar bowl that balances and swivels inside.
To buy: $60, amazon.com.
On-the-Go Translator
Whether you’re traveling and want to order a coffee or trying to translate an email from home, this free app helps you communicate in over 70 different languages—no internet connection needed. Simply speak, type, write, or take a picture (perhaps a sign you can’t otherwise read) and the app will translate to the language of your choice.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Six clever items to simplify your life
Aquala Bathtub Caddy
With everything you need to unwind within arm’s reach—a wine glass holder, foldaway book support, and a soap dish—it’s easy to enjoy a little R&R while taking a warm bubble bath.
To buy: $50, umbra.com.
Nikki’s Magic Wand
When your favorite foundation or lip gloss is just about empty, use this flexible and reusable beauty tool to easily reach every last drop of makeup.
To buy: $10, nikkismagicwand.com.
Pet Food Can Cover
Cover opened, unfinished cans of pet food with these adjustable refrigerator-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe silicone lids to keep Fido and Fluffy’s food fresh (and the odor of pet food out of your refrigerator).
To buy: $10 for two,containerstore.com.
Savino Wine Preservation Glassware
Want to drink today’s wine tomorrow? Pour any leftover vino into this carafe and insert the included float at an angle to minimize oxygen contact. Keeps wine fresh for up to one week.
To buy: $60, savino.com.
The Signature Duvet Cover
Unlike most duvets, which close towards the bottom of the bed, this bedding features a hidden zipper towards the top. The zipper is covered by a layer of fabric that mimics the look of a perfectly folded flat sheet, so you can show off a perfectly made bed without the hassle.
To buy: Starting at $89,craneandcanopy.com.
Outfit Recommendations
If you can’t settle on an outfit, get a second opinion with this free app. Simply upload two pictures—one of each outfit—and let other users vote on their favorite style.
Source
With everything you need to unwind within arm’s reach—a wine glass holder, foldaway book support, and a soap dish—it’s easy to enjoy a little R&R while taking a warm bubble bath.
To buy: $50, umbra.com.
Nikki’s Magic Wand
When your favorite foundation or lip gloss is just about empty, use this flexible and reusable beauty tool to easily reach every last drop of makeup.
To buy: $10, nikkismagicwand.com.
Cover opened, unfinished cans of pet food with these adjustable refrigerator-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe silicone lids to keep Fido and Fluffy’s food fresh (and the odor of pet food out of your refrigerator).
To buy: $10 for two,containerstore.com.
Want to drink today’s wine tomorrow? Pour any leftover vino into this carafe and insert the included float at an angle to minimize oxygen contact. Keeps wine fresh for up to one week.
To buy: $60, savino.com.
The Signature Duvet Cover
Unlike most duvets, which close towards the bottom of the bed, this bedding features a hidden zipper towards the top. The zipper is covered by a layer of fabric that mimics the look of a perfectly folded flat sheet, so you can show off a perfectly made bed without the hassle.
To buy: Starting at $89,craneandcanopy.com.
Outfit Recommendations
If you can’t settle on an outfit, get a second opinion with this free app. Simply upload two pictures—one of each outfit—and let other users vote on their favorite style.
Source
Thursday, March 13, 2014
What you should not order at a fast food restaurant
The following question was posed on Reddit:
"Fast food workers of Reddit, what should we NOT order at your restaurant? Why not?"
While it's important to know that none of these claims have been verified, we do recommend bookmarking this thread. Just in case. Tons of answers were submitted,we picked the most curious below.
Anything McCafé at McDonald's
"I work for Mcdonald's and make sure everyone that matters to me never orders anything that comes out of the 'McCafe' machine as these are routinely neglected, in practically all the McDonalds. Not only are staff not properly trained in its cleaning and maintenance, at almost every McDonalds I've had experience with, the managers in charge of training them don't know fuck all either...All McCafe beverages run through a horrifically dirty machine - we're talking 5+ inches of uncleaned, liquid bullshit making up its inside parts"
Do. Not. Order. Hot Dogs. At. Baseball. Games. Period.
"I used to work in a baseball park concession stand. The short answer is not to order anything, but if you absolutely have to buy something, don't buy the hotdogs.
Do not. Buy. The Hot Dogs.
They made it out of the package okay, and might even have been edible after we finished grilling them - and then they went into the water. We kept three pans of water at the back of the grill that held the hot dogs. Any hot dogs left at the end of the day went back into the fridge, and came out again the next day. Me and the other cook put our feet down on throwing out the water and old hotdogs after two full days, but the management didn't want to let us."
On steak and beans at Taco Bell
"I worked at taco bell a little bit ago and I warn everyone to stay away from both the beans, and the steak. The beans start out looking like cat food, and the directions are, 'Add water and stir until you can't see white anymore.' The steak was just the worst on dish duty. If it would sit too long it would become like hair gel. It was the worst."
On Wendy's chili
"I used to work at Wendy's. The meat used in the chili, yeah that comes from the meat on the grill top that expires and dries up that's put in to a warming drawer until you have enough for a batch of chili, which we first freeze and then thaw the next day. Also if the chili sitting in the warmer doesn't sell fast enough we just added hot water to it to mix it up."
For the love of God, don't order anything off the Starbucks "Secret Menu""Former starbucks worker here. Please don't order anything off the 'Secret Menu'. It doesn't exist. If you want a snickerdoodle, nuttella, or captain crunch frappuchino (or whatever other overly sugery thing someone has since come out with), know the base drink and the modifications, and order that. If you just say the name, it's up to the barista to come up with what's in the drink, and it may not be what the last barista you ordered from put in there."
On movie theatre popcorn
"I worked at a theater, don't get popcorn for the first showing- that's all just last night's popcorn put into giant garbage bags and then reheated in the warmers in the morning.
Oh yeah and remember that sticky floor in the aisle of the theater? Well what do you think would happen if you had that at your house. YES THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS... and cockroaches, and everything else. Plus it's in the dark most of the time. It's like a bug buffet once the lights go out and the movie starts."
Skip the pasta at Panera, stick to the sandwiches
"Panera- pasta; it's all microwaved, this includes Mac and cheese. Smoothies/frozen drinks- nasty base crap that smells and it's sticky. Cupcakes/coffee cakes- all come frozen. Best items are the real sandwhich/ salads. Real ingredients and usually fresh."
Always ask for "fresh" chicken nuggets at McDonald's
"I used to work at McDonalds. If you order, especially chicken nuggets, just ask for them fresh. Otherwise they've been just sitting in their container in the heat. They have a timer, but 9/10 times when that timer goes off, people just reset the timer instead of making new ones. This could go on until all the nuggets are sold."
Steer clear of beans at Taco Johns
"Taco Johns reporting for all you midwesterners. I would steer clear of the beans, at least outside of peak hours, because they sit on the hot table for a long long time and when they dry out, just add water. Everything else is pretty solid though. Worked there a couple years back in 2007-2009 and still love going back to get my fix."
BBQ Sandwiches at KFC
"Worked at KFC for ~4 years. The BBQ sandwich is actually made from chicken too old and stale to give to the homeless shelters, so they soak it in BBQ sauce until it can be pulled and then they keep it on the heater for a month.
I still order it through"
The quesarito at Chipotle. Mostly because everyone will hate you.
"It backs up the line like no other. If it's not busy, you're fine but PLEASE do not order a quesorito during our peak hours. Employees will hate you. The people behind you in line will hate you. Everyone will hate you. There's nothing wrong with it health/sanitation wise, but too few people order it for our damned managers to rearrange and optimize our food line for quesorito production."
The eggs at Einstein's
"I worked at Einstein's bagel place which is basically fast food. Don't order anything with eggs, they aren't real eggs and if business is slow they could have been sitting in a container for hours after they are microwaved."
On gas station Slurpees
"Gas station slurpee's. The amount of mold in those machines would crush your childhood to a pulp."
The doughnuts at Dunkin (Warning: this will break your heart)
"Currently employed at Dunkin doughnuts and it's sad but true all the doughnuts and baked goods there come to us frozen."
"Fast food workers of Reddit, what should we NOT order at your restaurant? Why not?"
While it's important to know that none of these claims have been verified, we do recommend bookmarking this thread. Just in case. Tons of answers were submitted,we picked the most curious below.
Anything McCafé at McDonald's
"I work for Mcdonald's and make sure everyone that matters to me never orders anything that comes out of the 'McCafe' machine as these are routinely neglected, in practically all the McDonalds. Not only are staff not properly trained in its cleaning and maintenance, at almost every McDonalds I've had experience with, the managers in charge of training them don't know fuck all either...All McCafe beverages run through a horrifically dirty machine - we're talking 5+ inches of uncleaned, liquid bullshit making up its inside parts"
Do. Not. Order. Hot Dogs. At. Baseball. Games. Period.
"I used to work in a baseball park concession stand. The short answer is not to order anything, but if you absolutely have to buy something, don't buy the hotdogs.
Do not. Buy. The Hot Dogs.
They made it out of the package okay, and might even have been edible after we finished grilling them - and then they went into the water. We kept three pans of water at the back of the grill that held the hot dogs. Any hot dogs left at the end of the day went back into the fridge, and came out again the next day. Me and the other cook put our feet down on throwing out the water and old hotdogs after two full days, but the management didn't want to let us."
On steak and beans at Taco Bell
"I worked at taco bell a little bit ago and I warn everyone to stay away from both the beans, and the steak. The beans start out looking like cat food, and the directions are, 'Add water and stir until you can't see white anymore.' The steak was just the worst on dish duty. If it would sit too long it would become like hair gel. It was the worst."
On Wendy's chili
"I used to work at Wendy's. The meat used in the chili, yeah that comes from the meat on the grill top that expires and dries up that's put in to a warming drawer until you have enough for a batch of chili, which we first freeze and then thaw the next day. Also if the chili sitting in the warmer doesn't sell fast enough we just added hot water to it to mix it up."
For the love of God, don't order anything off the Starbucks "Secret Menu""Former starbucks worker here. Please don't order anything off the 'Secret Menu'. It doesn't exist. If you want a snickerdoodle, nuttella, or captain crunch frappuchino (or whatever other overly sugery thing someone has since come out with), know the base drink and the modifications, and order that. If you just say the name, it's up to the barista to come up with what's in the drink, and it may not be what the last barista you ordered from put in there."
On movie theatre popcorn
"I worked at a theater, don't get popcorn for the first showing- that's all just last night's popcorn put into giant garbage bags and then reheated in the warmers in the morning.
Oh yeah and remember that sticky floor in the aisle of the theater? Well what do you think would happen if you had that at your house. YES THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS... and cockroaches, and everything else. Plus it's in the dark most of the time. It's like a bug buffet once the lights go out and the movie starts."
Skip the pasta at Panera, stick to the sandwiches
"Panera- pasta; it's all microwaved, this includes Mac and cheese. Smoothies/frozen drinks- nasty base crap that smells and it's sticky. Cupcakes/coffee cakes- all come frozen. Best items are the real sandwhich/ salads. Real ingredients and usually fresh."
Always ask for "fresh" chicken nuggets at McDonald's
"I used to work at McDonalds. If you order, especially chicken nuggets, just ask for them fresh. Otherwise they've been just sitting in their container in the heat. They have a timer, but 9/10 times when that timer goes off, people just reset the timer instead of making new ones. This could go on until all the nuggets are sold."
Steer clear of beans at Taco Johns
"Taco Johns reporting for all you midwesterners. I would steer clear of the beans, at least outside of peak hours, because they sit on the hot table for a long long time and when they dry out, just add water. Everything else is pretty solid though. Worked there a couple years back in 2007-2009 and still love going back to get my fix."
BBQ Sandwiches at KFC
"Worked at KFC for ~4 years. The BBQ sandwich is actually made from chicken too old and stale to give to the homeless shelters, so they soak it in BBQ sauce until it can be pulled and then they keep it on the heater for a month.
I still order it through"
The quesarito at Chipotle. Mostly because everyone will hate you.
"It backs up the line like no other. If it's not busy, you're fine but PLEASE do not order a quesorito during our peak hours. Employees will hate you. The people behind you in line will hate you. Everyone will hate you. There's nothing wrong with it health/sanitation wise, but too few people order it for our damned managers to rearrange and optimize our food line for quesorito production."
The eggs at Einstein's
"I worked at Einstein's bagel place which is basically fast food. Don't order anything with eggs, they aren't real eggs and if business is slow they could have been sitting in a container for hours after they are microwaved."
On gas station Slurpees
"Gas station slurpee's. The amount of mold in those machines would crush your childhood to a pulp."
The doughnuts at Dunkin (Warning: this will break your heart)
"Currently employed at Dunkin doughnuts and it's sad but true all the doughnuts and baked goods there come to us frozen."
Movies that weren't expected to do well...but smashed the box office
Many films that we now know better than we know ourselves once suffered from low budget or lack of faith from producers, or even total abandonment. Fortunately, the obstacles didn’t stop these movies from becoming smash hits, and let’s face it - it’s always fun to mock those who were so very in the wrong (just ask the twelve publishing houses that rejected the Harry Potter manuscript). So which movies that were expected to tank actually soared above and beyond expectation?The Sixth Sense
The Sixth Sense was written by the same guy who helped write Stuart Little (slightly different storylines, no?) and although the script was purchased by Disney, them of little faith lost confidence in the film and sold it off, keeping only a 12.5% investment. Unfortunately for them (Mwuahaha), the film was number one at the US box office was five weeks straight and was nominated for six Oscars.
The Blair Witch Project
First-time feature filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez began the trend of the shaky camera ‘is this real life’ footage style filming. Their viral marketing campaign included true-to-life reports and interviews, leaving audiences questioning if they really did just witness three teenagers go missing at the hands of a witch.
The actors were all pretty much improvised as well, and although the filmmakers were aiming for it to become a television movie, they ended up making an unbelievable $248 million from the film. Maybe we should go into low-budget filmmaking and see where we wind up?
Lord of the Rings
The now famous film trilogy really was in production hell for several years. Peter Jackson wanted to begin the project in 1995, but other projects got in the way, and the initial plan of having two films with Miramax pictures was pulled due to budget, with producers at Miramax suggesting they cut it down into one film.
Upset that he would have to “cut out half the good stuff”, Jackson met with other studios. It was New Line Cinema who suggested they make a trilogy, and the rest is history. Sucks to be you, Miramax.
The Lion King
The Lion King might be one of the greatest animated films of all time, and became the highest-grossing movie the year it was released (it’s still number 19 on the list of highest grossing films of all time), but plenty animators at Disney thought it was beneath them, hugely doubting their chance of success, and chose to work on Pocahontas instead.
Donnie Darko
This cult classic only opening in 58 screens in the US, and grossed next to nothing in its opening weekend. However, it eventually made its budget back and more importantly gained a devoted fan base, with a cinema in New York City showing midnight screenings of the disturbing teen movie for 28 consecutive months.
Napoleon Dynamite
Young filmmakers Jared and Jerusha Hess decided to celebrate awkward with Napoleon Dynamite. They could only pay their lead actor a measly $1,000 (that’s measly even by our standards!) and completed production in 22 days after editing the film in the cinematographer’s basement on a MacBook. Once the film premiered at Sundance, Fox won rights, and the film made over $46 million!
Paranormal Activity
This horror film going down the ‘found footage’ road cost next to nothing to make (seriously, we could get the budget after a few cake sales and perhaps a minor bank loan) but people went crazy for the horrendous haunting of the ordinary couple, with story of people fainting in the theatre selling MORE tickets, and the final box office grossed over $190 million.
Juno
The film director Jason Reitman didn’t have a single theatrical release under his belt, the budget was extremely low, and the script was basically just a sample to show what Diablo Cody could do. However, Juno rose above the ranks with amazing performances from Ellen Page and Michael Cera, and went above and beyond any expectations, grossing over $200,000,000.
Little Miss Sunshine
This quirky dark comedy premiered at the 2006 Sundance festival and was picked up by Fox Searchlight, despite it’s risky subject matter. This movie pretty much had to rely on critical reception and word of mouth, and ended up making $100,221,296 even though its budget was initially only $8,000,000. You go word of mouth!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The film had a teeny little budget, the director wasn’t exactly famous (Joel Zwick had mostly worked on television) and it was based on a not especially successful one-woman show.
On opening the movie made pretty much zero impact, but by the 20th week of its release it was number 2 in the top 10 US domestic chart, and remained in the top 10 for another ten weeks, something no other film has achieved with so little promotion.
Slumdog Millionaire
We lurve this film, but needless to say when it was released – a film about Who Wants To Be A Millionaire wasn’t exactly expected to break the box office.
But it DID and it’s modest budget of $15 million was catapulted to the final Box Office total of $377,910,544.
The King’s Speech
The King’s Speech was huge, won Colin Firth an Oscar and was generally always going to do well, but it opened to a limited released and grossed only $9 million. It was only when people got talking did the film skyrocket to fame, and The King’s Speech ended up spending ten weeks reigning in the top ten after its release.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Apps you never knew you needed
1. When you feel lost and directionless (and could really use a slice of pizza)…
Pizza Compass is everything you want in life. It literally tells you the closest pizza place. Run! Get that slice!
2. When you want to know the weather (and a little something more)…
7. When you feel like it’s impossible to get out of bed…
Pizza Compass is everything you want in life. It literally tells you the closest pizza place. Run! Get that slice!
2. When you want to know the weather (and a little something more)…
Well the weather outside is frightful… but at least we have a cute puppy telling us the weather! Also available in cute kitty form.
3. When you want to know the weather (and WHAT TO WEAR)…
3. When you want to know the weather (and WHAT TO WEAR)…
Do I need a sweater? Light jacket? An umbrella? Swackett suggests what you should wear based on the weather. Perfecto.
4. When you really are at a loss for words (because you don’t understand the language)…
4. When you really are at a loss for words (because you don’t understand the language)…
iTranslate can translate over 70 different languages for you. A MUST if you are traveling!
5. When you feel you should work out (your brain)…
5. When you feel you should work out (your brain)…
Your brain muscle needs a good workout every day too! Fulfill your brain potential with Lumosity Mobile. The app creates a personalized training program just for you!
6. When you really just don’t want to hold the phone…
6. When you really just don’t want to hold the phone…
7. When you feel like it’s impossible to get out of bed…
Instead of pressing your annoying alarm in the morning, play a GAME instead. TrySmile Alarm and make your mornings a little more delightful.
8. When you gotta go (during a movie)…
8. When you gotta go (during a movie)…
When you gotta go, you gotta go! Even if it’s during a movie. Find the best time for a quick run to the loo with this app.
9. When you just wanna pay your bill (with a large group of people)…
9. When you just wanna pay your bill (with a large group of people)…
Figuring out tax and tip for a large party is a huge pain. Make it simple with Billr. No more upset penny pinchers!
10. When you wanna go to bed (and play games on your phone)…
10. When you wanna go to bed (and play games on your phone)…
C’mon! I just wanna play a game in bed, but the screen HURTS MY EYES. Enter Screen Filter. It puts a filter on your phone so it won’t blind you in the dark. Now keep on connecting those dots.
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