Month: April 2020

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You Can Enroll in Hogwarts Potions, Herbology, and Other Classes Online

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to attend classes at Hogwarts, well, now is as good a time to start remote schooling from the castle, too.

And you guys – I know that you spent half of your time in actual school wishing you were sitting in Potions or Defense Against the Dark Arts instead.

There are seven online classes offered through Hogwarts Is Here, an online social network created in 2014. It’s sort of a cross between an open online course and a role-playing game as you enroll as a first year student, sort yourself into a house, and begin virtual classes.

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Ayy petey teyo dyen. #hogwartsishere

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You can even compete to be Head Boy or Head Girl, if that’s your thing.

An aside about the sorting process – there’s no hat, sadly, so you sort yourself into the house of your choice. That said, most everyone who is signing up for classes on Hogwarts Is Here is likely already a big enough Potterhead to know exactly where they belong. You do get to hang out in the common room with fellow students, though!

After enrolling and being sorted, you’ll need books (time to visit Flourish and Blotts!) before deciding whether you want to enroll in all of the courses, fill up your schedule, complete assignments, and get your grades or basically mess around in the castle, read books in the library, and do your own thing.

If you want to help your house earn points that go toward the House Cup, though, you’ll have to actually earn your grades.

The online “school” offers Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology. Every course contains 9 lessons that consist of reading, writing essays, and taking quizzes and exams.

You can actually continue to Year Two, Three, and so on until you graduate from Hogwarts at the end of your 7-year tenure.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan who has some time on their hands, Hogwarts Is Here is the place to be, whether you’re into school like Hermione or more into goofing off with your friends, like the Weasley twins.

See you at school!

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Pictures of Rescue Pets That Will Make You Want to Head to the Shelter

One of the greatest things about our modern world is that more and more people are realizing that a dog’s pedigree doesn’t matter all that much if you’re not looking to put it to work doing what it was bred for. Purebred dogs as pets can present problems, especially if the breeder is less than awesome and genetic issues come into play, and all of this together adds up to people deciding to rescue their dogs and cats instead of buying them.

Not only do you save one life (or more), you also free up a spot in a shelter for another animal who needs a place to stay and some food in their belly.

If you’ve been on the fence about adopting a new family member, well, these 18 pictures might make up your mind.

18. He found his forever home.

This is Ruger. We rescued him in August. He was found in a box on the side of the road. NO fault of his own. This poor boy would have died. I can’t even think of it without crying. He is now one of our children and will never go anywhere else. from rescuedogs

17. This cat, who realized a scared kitten just needed a hug.

The time I rescued a crying kitten outside my cat cuddled her ❤ from aww

16. Oh my goodness, their little faces.

Karen and Kevin. Adopt, don’t shop. ? from aww

15. He’s saying “we’re family now.”

my rescue cat assuring my recently adopted pup that she will be all right and is now in a home full of love. from aww

14. Hey, it was a big day!

On our way home from adopting her. Like father like daughter. from aww

13. Bahaha they already look alike!

My friend just texted "Adopted a dog yesterday"…. with this pic from aww

12. This is the sweetest thing.

We rescued a terrified Australian Shepherd as a friend for our dog. Now he doesn’t leave his side. from aww

11. He missed his best friend.

We adopted an 11-year old cat from a Chicago shelter. He and my 13-yo daughter fell in love. This is them after she got back from a week at camp. from aww

10. Older animals deserve loving homes, too.

I adopted a senior cat. He’s 11 years old and 19 lbs. The shelter told me he is skittish and it would be a slow intro. His last family returned him after 6 months. He is my shadow- woke up at 4am to all 19 lbs sleeping on my chest, face an inch away from mine. Goose was always meant to be mine. from aww

9. I mean, what sort of person could say no?

Today, I adopted two 8 week old kittens who are brothers. I originally applied for one but when I got the call about being accepted to adopt, I was asked if I wanted to adopt the brothers together because the people adopting his brother backed out. Meet Kingston and Derby! from cats

8. I wanna rub his tummy.

Adopted this guy a week ago. Was scared of everything, but decided to trust me. Four days later, and he is a very good boy with his very first OWN squeaky toy ❤ from aww

7. He already trusted him.

Rescued him from the streets. Vet visit was great despite skin issues. from aww

6. Give that dog some head scritches!

Adopted this sweet boy yesterday and couldn’t be happier! His name is Moose. from aww

5. Love at first sight.

The way our new puppy looked at me the whole ride to her new home melted my heart from aww

4. Made himself right at home.

Just rescued this puppy from the streets. That is it first nap after a shower and food from aww

3. He knows he has found his place.

Adopted him last week from a shelter. I think he’s happy about it. from aww

2. Still so tiny!

We rescued him at just a couple weeks old and now he thinks I’m his momma, he’s my paracat from aww

1. There’s always room for one more.

Jubilee got adopted!!! from aww

I’m bringing home a puppy in a few days and y’all, I could not be more thrilled.

Share you adorable pictures of you and your rescue pets (and your stories!) in the comments!

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Classic Video Games You Can Play Online for Free

Modern video games are fun and their graphics and interface and interactive components are light, but if you grew up in bygone era, there’s nothing like playing a game that reminds you of the good ol’ days.

And there’s good news – since those games are old and worn, you can play a bunch of them online for free at the Historical Software Collection.

8. Castle Wolftenstein

This classic introduced concepts that were later used to develop first-person shooter concepts – but consult the reviews here so you can understand the controls.

7. PAC-MAN (1982)

The ultimate classic video game, though Atari’s version wasn’t as nice as the ones you played in the arcade. Keep in mind that F1 is the start key and the number pad is used for movement.

6. Choplifter (1982)

A game that made the rare leap from personal computer to arcades, Choplifter lets you rescue tiny hostages (you’ll need a number pad for this one, too).

5. Pitfall! (1982)

Pitfall! was one of Atari’s most successful games, selling more than 4 million copies during its lifetime. It’s nearly as old as I am, but I loved this one most of all.

4. The Hobbit (1982)

This illustrated text adventure follows the popular novels but it’s really hard to play before of the keyboard’s weird layout. They do provide a map with the game, so you can give it a try if it’s a classic favorite of yours!

3. Word Munchers (1985)

If you spent time in a school computer lab in the ’80s, then you’ve got fond memories of this game that taught you grammar and punctuation.

2. Number Munchers (1986)

You played this sequel, too, which you liked even though you were doing math!

1. Karateka (1984)

This was my friend on the Apple IIe, and at the time, the gameplay and cutscenes were completely fluid and cutting edge.

Well, I know what I’m doing the next time I feel like being unproductive for hours on end!

Which one are you going to play first? Let’s debate bests and worsts in the comments!

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16 Fun Questions You Should Ask Alexa

There are two kinds of people in the world – those who are paranoid and wary of the government (and everyone else) spying on them and refuse to let Alexa into their homes, and those who have an Alexa in every room even though they know she’s listening to what they say.

I suppose there could be a third group who think Alexa will one day join the robot revolution and set our houses on fire, which is also fair.

Image Credit: Pixabay

If you have an Alexa (or 5), chances are you’re continually delighted by all of the things she can do for you and your family – and if you haven’t asked her these 16 questions, now is the time to give it a try!

16. What’s the traffic like on the way to the airport?

Much more efficient than turning on the news and wading through their nonsense to get to the traffic.

15. What’s the mass of the sun in grams?

The answer bends linguistic limits but she knows it – and you can ask for the mass of more practical items, too.

14. Are you blue?

In case you’re wondering how she feels.

13. Are you a robot?

She might not want to tell you the truth, but she will.

12. What won Best Picture in 1991?

Never Google your trivia answers again.

11. Surely you can’t be serious?

One answer is serious, the other references the movie Airplane!

10. Will you be my girlfriend?

I mean, it worked for Joaquin Phoenix in You. For a while.

9. What do you think of the shirt I’m wearing?

Unlike your spouse, she’ll tell you the truth (but keep in mind that she doesn’t have eyeballs).

8. Can you read my ebook?

Yes, Alexa can read your Kindle ebook, not just play Audible books. Who knew?

7. What is the meaning of life?

She’ll give you one of two answers, depending on her mood.

6. Do you like pizza?

She won’t answer questions about her favorite kind, though.

5. How much do you weigh?

And no, she won’t simply give you the mass of an Echo.

4. Do you know Cortana?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Z1HZihxo4/

Spoiler alert: she definitely does.

3. What day of the week does the Fourth of July fall on?

You’re going to like the answer in 2020.

2. Do you know Siri?

This is one of my favorites.

1. Thank you.

I like to tell her thank you in order to model good manners for my toddlers, but it definitely feels weird.

I’m definitely going to try these (and teach my 3yo how to ask, too!).

What’s your favorite thing to ask Alexa? If it’s not on the list, share it with us in the comments!

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Bad News…The Apostrophe Protection Society Is No More

Grammar nerds everywhere are mourning the loss of the Apostrophe Protection Society, an online organization founded by retired journalist John Richards in 2001.

Richards intended the organization to be a resource for writers, but as he advanced in age (he was 96), he was starting to think there was no point in persisting with this whole grammar thing.

He wrote on the site,

“Fewer organizations and individuals are now caring about the correct use of the apostrophe in the English language.

The ignorance and laziness present in modern times have won!”

Many of the ensuing news articles have boiled the statement down to one essential question – do we really need the apostrophe at all?

The (totally unsatisfying) answer is that it kind of depends on whether or not you think written language should reflect spoken language or not – and most people say not. We don’t pronounce apostrophes, just like we don’t say ‘period’ or ‘question marks’ at the end of a sentence.

Many people feel that apostrophes are still important in writing, though, and head of English Colin Matthews explained to the BBC that they are about “clarity in meaning.”

Which, okay, but clarity in meaning isn’t exactly something the English language has been concerned about, historically.

Also, the claim that the modern world is killing the apostrophe also isn’t technically correct – Merriam-Webster has pointed out that apostrophes have been debated for hundreds of years, and even Shakespeare didn’t always seem convinced they were necessary.

It’s definitely plausible to suggest, however, that the digital nature of so much of our media consumption has opened the door for more people to use apostrophes (or not) willy nilly. You can’t use them in hashtags (annoying!), and with character constrictions, they’re an easy thing to leave out.

And that’s the thing about language – it’s always changing to fit how people are currently using it, confirms NYU linguistics professor Laurel Mackenzie.

“The evolution of language is nothing that we can try to stop, it’s inevitable.”

Which is all to say, RIP Apostrophe Protection Society.

I do believe, though, that more grammarians and apostrophe lovers will rise to take Mr. Richards’ place in the world of asserting correct punctuation and grammar. And others will continue to shrug it off.

Thus is the world, apparently, that we have always lived in, whether we knew it or not.

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Here’s How Central Park Lamp Posts Can Guide You Safely Home

There’s always something new and interesting to learn about New York City!

In this case it’s that all 1600 cast iron lamp posts in the park are there to help you find your way should you get lost.

And let me be the one to tell you that even seasoned New York walkers have been known to get turned around in Central Park.

So, if you should find yourself in that unfortunate situation, just make sure to bend down and check out the four numbers in the base of the nearest lamp post.

The first two tell you the nearest street, and the second two tell you whether you’re closer to the east or west side of the park – even for east, odd for west).

In this day and age of GPS, you might think that you’re never going to be in a situation when you need to pull this bit of knowledge out of your pocket, but you should know by now that cell phones always die at the least opportune moment.

Also, you never know when the apocalypse is going to happen and the lights are going to go out – no cell towers, no GPS, and the zombies are hot on your trail in Central Park – this is how you make it to safety, my friends.

This writer just had an idea for a scene in book.

I hope this cool little NYC tidbit will come in just as handy for you one day – zombie apocalypse or a day out on a regular walk sans cell phone, that the lamp posts of Central Park can light your path in more than one way is good knowledge to have.

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8 Strange and Compelling Documentaries You Can Stream Right Now

There’s a pretty good chance you’ve already watched Tiger King at this point (how on earth can you talk to anyone else online these days if you haven’t?), and, if you’re like many people, it’s only whetted your appetite for too-crazy-to-be-fake stories.

Lucky for all of us, there is no shortage of batsh*t humans out there, and not shortage of people making films about them, either.

So, if you’re raring to watch something else, here are 8 more totally insane documentaries you can dive into today.

8. My Kid That Could Paint (Amazon)

Marla Olmstead was 4 years old when she began painting sprawling, abstract art that her parents sold for pretty big price tags. A later report questioned whether Marla really did them alone or had help from her parents, and this documentary looks at the validity of the claims, and whether or not it really matters if her parents “helped” a little.

It also delves into the difficult question of who gets to decide the worthiness of abstract art.

7. The Wolfpack (Hulu)

The seven Angulo sibings had to understand life through movies because their parents, wary of the outside world, confined the lot of them to their Manhattan apartment for years. The documentary follows their struggle to enter reality after being liberated from their forced exile..

6. Beware the Slenderman (HBO/Hulu)

In 2014, two young girls in Wisconsin attempted to murder a classmate to appease “Slenderman,” an internet boogeyman. The victim survived, but obviously all three lives have been forever changed.

The documentary examines how mental illness, social media, and urban mythology can be a dangerous cocktail indeed.

5. Three Identical Strangers (Hulu)

If you think a movie about how three identical triplets who were separated at birth and then found each other 18 years later is going to make you happy, well, it might for a minute.

Then the investigation takes a turn toward the reasons they were separated to begin with, and you’re suddenly watching a very different story.

4. The Iceman Tapes: Conversations With a Killer (HBO/Hulu)

Richard Kuklinski was a contract killer for organized crime families in New York and New Jersey, all while maintaining a “normal” life with a wife and children. In the documentary he discusses his homicidal tendencies, how he balanced his two lives, and his unusual methods for disposing of his victims.

3. Tickled (Hulu)

New Zealand journalist David Farrier set out to document a silly story about the world of “competitive endurance tickling,” but as he crosses paths with more and more people who don’t want to be exposed, things grow tense and even dangerous.

2. Perfect Bid (YouTube Movies)

When you’re a superfan of The Price is Right, you spend your free time analyzing price tags in the hopes that one day, you’ll make it up onto the stage and be able to to wow Bob Barker and everyone else.

This the story of Ted Slauson and his nearly perfect Showcase Showdown.

1. Hands on a Hardbody (iTunes)

Would you be willing to stand with one hand on a pickup truck for hours or days in order to win one?

If so, you’d learn what these people did – that a bunch of people who want a free truck quickly turns into a battle of attrition, complete with psychological games and mental fortitude.

I kind of hate myself for saying this, but most of these are going on my to-watch list.

Which are you going to watch first? Did we miss one that should be on the list? Tell us in the comments!

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This is Adorable…Pregnant Dolphins Sing to Their Babies in the Womb

When I was pregnant, there was all kinds of literature on how and when babies can start to hear you talking or singing or reading while in the womb. It’s supposed to help them recognize your voice, start learning before they’re even born, and to help parents bond with those babies before they can hold them in their arms.

I always felt kind of silly doing it (and with my second one I didn’t have time), but it seems that human science must be onto something – because dolphins do this for their unborn babies, too.

New research has found that dolphins use “signature whistles” to identify and communicate with one another, sort of like human beings use names, and that pregnant females begin using a unique whistle to address the baby in the months before and weeks after the birth.

The researchers, from the Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi, presented their findings at the American Psychological Association conference.

Audra Ames, the lead researcher, said,

“It’s been hypothesized that this is part of an imprinting process.

We actually do see that human babies develop a preference for their mother’s voice in the last trimester.

We don’t know if that’s something that’s going on here, but it could be something similar.”

To come to their conclusions, the team studied 80 hours of audio surrounding the birth of the calves, from captive dolphins in Vallejo, CA.

Not only did they observe mother dolphins using these unique whistles to “talk” to their babies, they also noted that other dolphins in the area were quieter during the few months before the birth.

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Have you ever seen a dolphin calf?⁣ ⁣ The milk produced by a calf's Mom is mostly made up of water, but it also contains the fat and protein the babies need to grow. ⁣ ⁣ Dolphin calves will stick around their Mom for the first several years of their lives and like some humans, will nurse from their Mom for up to 4 years. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Photo: @waterlogged1313 ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #dolphins #dolphin #baby #mom #dolphincalf #cutebaby #water #babyanimal #babies #bb #waterloggedlife #cutebabyanimal #marinebiologist #dolphintrainer #marinemammal #mammals #mammal #animalsofinatagram #waterlogged #Delfin #scicomm #wisskomm #nature #science #cute #babyanimals #love #milk #nursing #motherslove

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A few weeks after birth, the mother’s repetitions tapered off and the other dolphins increased their own whistles once again.

Strange, but true – of course, there’s surely much more to learn about dolphins and their parenting, but I, for one, no longer feel silly for all those hours I spent reading books to my swollen belly.

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Here are the 5 Rules For How To Eat Hot Dogs

There’s a good chance you’ve been eating hot dogs for most of your life if you’re an American. They’re not good for you, but they’re about as American as apple pie – and honestly, I don’t know how you really enjoy a baseball game without one!

So it would probably surprise you to know that, according to the experts at the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, you’ve been eating your hot dogs all wrong for years.

Here are the five rules of hot dog etiquette:

#1. How to Plate Your Hot Dog

You should use only plain or sesame seed buns, as “sun-dried tomato buns or basil buns are considered gauche with franks.”

#2. How to Dress Your Hot Dog

Wet condiments like mustard or chili go first, followed by chunky ingredients such as onions or sauerkraut. Cheese should go next, and finally your spices like pepper or celery salt.

I’m sorry to be the one to inform you that, according to the council, no person over the age of 18 should top their hot dog with ketchup (sorry to the 50% of Americans who do so – you’ve shocked council president Janet Riley).

“Ketchup’s popularly was the big surprise, considering our etiquette rules – and ketchup’s notable absence from regional hot dog favorites like the Chicago Dog and the New York Dog.”

#3. How to Serve Your Hot Dog

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Thinking of ways to change my menu options and work with what I have ?. Keto Hot dog ? in 90 second bread dough. Wow so good ?. I tasted it in my mind but really this was way better than I imagined it ?. Must be super delicious with sugarfee ketchup, onions, chili OMG just imagine all you can add ?. My daughther would say un hotdog "asqueroso" not "asqueroso" as nasty "asqueroso" as packed and yummy with all the works! #ketotransformation #ketoresults #ketoworks #keto #ketolifestlye #ketogeniclifestlye #ketosifunciona #ketooptions #ketodiet #ketogenic #ketoissimple #ketoboricua #quierorebajarpor #ketosifunciona #conketonohayexcusas #conketosisepuede #goalkeeper #goalsetting #goals #ketoshoutouts #nevergoingback #lbsgoneforever #mealpreps #mealideas #soyketo #ketohotdog #hotdogs #ketomealprep #ketomealideas #ketomeal #hotdogs?

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Low-maintenance dishes are best, like paper plates or your every day dishes.

Using china is a faux pas, as is using cocktail forks instead of (colored) toothpicks in the cocktail varieties.

#4. How to Eat Your Hot Dog

No need for a fork and knife (obviously), and it should never take more than 4-5 bites to each the entire dog – and leaving any leftover bun on your plate is a no-no.

Your beverage of choice shouldn’t outshine the food, either, so opt for beer, soda, lemonade, or iced tea.

#5. How to Clean Up Your Hot Dog Meal

You’ll want to use only paper napkins to wipe your face and any spills – but make sure to lick your fingers clean!

Things cloth napkins and thank-you notes “would not be in keeping with the unpretentious nature of hot dogs.”

I am gobsmacked, you guys! Who knew there were rules and that we were breaking them?!

How are you feeling about all of this? If you need a support group (I kind of do), let’s do it in the comments.

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5 Times the Olympics Have Been Canceled or Postponed

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have officially been postponed until summer 2021, and even though everyone – athletes and the pubic alike – is disappointed, it seems like it was the best decision for the times.

Since the Olympics began in 1896, they’ve only been postponed or canceled a handful of times – which means what’s happening now is extremely rare, and postponing for a pandemic?

Image Credit: Pixabay

This is the first time.

Every other postponement or cancellation has been due to war, as a matter of fact.

1. 1916 Summer Olympics

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

These were scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, and were canceled due to WWI.

2. 1940 Summer Olympics

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, these were postponed due to the war, moved to Helsinki, Finland, and later canceled all together.

3. 1940 Winter Olympics

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

These were also scheduled to take place in Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen this time, but WWII made it impossible.

4. 1944 Summer Olympics

London was too busy beating back the Nazis to host these games.

5. 1944 Winter Olympics

Cortina d’Ampezzo didn’t get to host these wartime games, either, as Italy had bigger fish to fry.

Do you love the Olympics? Does this change your opinion?

Let us know your thoughts on the decision in the comments!

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