Author: Matt Gilligan

Posted on

A Couple’s Wedding Photo Captured the ‘New Normal’ of Wildfires in California

A couple’s California wildfire wedding photo has gone viral in a huge way, as it’s the perfect example of the “new normal” for many Californians.

California is once again being ravaged by multiple fires across the state, including the Getty fire, the Hill fire, the Maria fire, and the Easy fire.

One of the largest fires is the Kincade fire in Sonoma Country. It has blazed over 77,000 acres worth of land and destroyed at least 352 structures so far.

On Saturday, a couple from Chicago got married at the Chateau St. Jean vineyard in Sonoma County, just miles away from the Kincade Fire. Photographer Karna Roa took this photo at their wedding.

In the photo, Katie and Curtis Ferland wear masks to protect their lungs from the smoke. The wildfire is seen blazing in the background in hues that resemble a dystopian sunset.

“I immediately thought of the American Gothic painting from the 1930s and how that couple at that time represented the normal America,” Karna told ABC 7. “And all of a sudden, in a very strange way, this has become our new normal of the wine country.”

Karna says this is the fourth wedding in three years that she’s photographed that was threatened by wildfires.

The wedding vendors had to evacuate hours before Katie and Curtis’ wedding, forcing their wedding planner to re-do the entire event on the fly. Somehow, they pulled the wedding off.

The next morning, the newlyweds evacuated too, along with all of their guests.

They say the now-viral wedding photo is a reminder of all the people who came together to make this wedding happen. For Karna, it’s a possible way to draw attention to the wildfires in Northern California.

“As long as it can bring more attention to the wildfires and the problems that Sonoma and Napa County and Northern California are facing, then I would love more people to see it,” Karna said.

The post A Couple’s Wedding Photo Captured the ‘New Normal’ of Wildfires in California appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

This Is Why You Cry More Easily on Planes

Are you an emotionally stable person? Someone who doesn’t cry easily?

But what about when you’re on a plane? Have you noticed that you tend to tear up over nothing?

Recent research shows that this is absolutely normal. There are scientific reasons why you might suddenly be overcome with emotion – and not just because flying can be scary.

Let’s break it down. The main reason is altitude. It’s not often you’ll find yourself at 30,000 feet in the air, so when you do fly, the altitude makes your body react differently to how it usually does. While cabin pressure  make passengers a little more comfortable, it doesn’t fix everything – including the emotional aspect.

Kate Sullivan, MSc, Head of Experience at Secret Fares told Reader’s Digest, “It’s a bit like having climbed a pretty high mountain.”

Oxygen is thinner the higher the elevation. So for someone like a mountain climber (or airplane passenger), there is a lower amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.

“With less oxygen available, your body goes into conservation mode,” Sullivan explains. “It takes care of essential functions first, like your circulatory and respiratory system, and ramps down some of the less crucial functions…including emotional regulation.”

But that’s not all. The air is extremely dry while flying. This can cause dehydration. Send in the drink cart!

“Because the air circulated in the cabin is very dry…we get pretty darn dehydrated on a plane,” Sullivan says.

And yes, the stress of flying itself can cause emotional disruption. Maybe you almost missed your plan or you said good-bye to a loved one before boarding. Whatever the reason, your nervousness may heighten, leaving you tired. And once you’re in the air, the altitude strips your body of some of its normal capabilities for regulating emotions.

Photo Credit: Unsplash, Bambi Corro

“From a psychological perspective, the mere act of flying can make you more likely to cry,” Sullivan says. “Even if you’re not afraid of planes, it’s a stressful situation.”

There are ways to combat stress and emotions, though. Drinks lots of water before and during the flight. Staying hydrated may mean more trips to the teeny tiny flight bathroom, but – hey – at least you’re not crying in the aisle to get there. You can also break out a sudoku or crossword puzzle to keep your brain occupied. And, lastly, kick back with in-flight entertainment. Watch movies that are light-hearted and comedic (your emotional side will thank you).

So no matter the reason for pesky tears to surface, know it is okay! This totally normal.

Everything is under control.

The post This Is Why You Cry More Easily on Planes appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

These ‘Woman Yelling at a Cat’ Memes Should Tickle Your Funny Bone

Sometimes, a meme grabs the public the throat and refuses to let go. Kind of like the guy ignoring his girlfriend meme, or the girl grinning in front of the fire. Remember those?

Well, here’s another one that people are fascinated by for one reason or another. Heck, one guy even pulled it off for Halloween.

So enjoy the “woman yelling at a cat” meme because you never know when it made fade away forever…

1. Please don’t eat it like that.

2. Hahahaha.

3. Which one do you prefer?

4. Which will come out on top?

5. Doing good work.

6. Is Google listening?

“Woman yelling at cat eating food” from dankmemes

7. It’s pronounced “zink”.

8. Grammar wars.

9. This one is good.

View this post on Instagram

#lmao #thatsagoodone #womanyellingatcat #meme #?

A post shared by Sherie (@sh.er.ie) on

10. See, it’s totally harmless!

I usually don’t get too interested in trendy memes, but this one is hilarious to me, for some reason.

What do you think? Share your favorite one that you’ve seen in the comments!

The post These ‘Woman Yelling at a Cat’ Memes Should Tickle Your Funny Bone appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts a Wild Winter This Year

After you read this year’s weather forecast, you might not feel so prepared for winter….

The Old Farmer’s Almanac — a traditional source of weather predictions that was founded in 1792 — says that this winter is going to be a real mess.

The Almanac was first created to help farmers anticipate how the weather would impact the upcoming growing season. Today, it remains a remarkably reliable source of weather predictions for each season; last year’s predictions for winter were 80.5% accurate.

The publication recently released a press release with its winter 2019 predictions, and it’s slightly fear-inducing, to say the least.

Photo Credit: Pexels

The press release says that this winter, there will be “no escape from shivers, snowflakes, and slush.”

There will be “no fewer than seven” major snowstorms this year. The snowstorms are predicted to hit Washington state, plus other northern states all the way to Michigan. Other areas of the country, like the Deep South and New England, will have slush and sludge instead of snow.

Plus, “bone-chilling cold” is a major theme across the country. Even Hawaii is expected to have cooler temperatures and heavy rain.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

To make matters worse, the winter chill is expected to last well into March – even into the first days of spring.

“Is this the winter that never ends?” the Almanac asks.

By the end of winter, we’ll probably be aching for warmer temps…

But the Almanac says that summer 2020 is going to be hell, too, with “scorching” temperatures. Sigh. I’ll just stay inside until further notice, thanks!

The post The Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts a Wild Winter This Year appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

15 Acts of Vandalism That Could Be Considered Genius

Take note: not all graffiti has to be huge, intrusive, offensive, or ugly. There’s a way to do a little bit here and a little bit there so it can be classified as “genius vandalism.”

And I think we can all agree that these examples fall into that category, and, frankly, they are just too funny for anyone to get into trouble for.

Take a look.

1. All it needed was a pair of eyes.

How to cause heart attacks Watch Here :https://youtu.be/Iiy8w-0DHQY

2. Is that the Empire State Building?

Mini Kong. from pics

3. That is very impressive.

Alligator from pics

4. This guy doesn’t look thrilled about it.

Subtle yoyo vandalism from pics

5. Marge’s hair is large and in charge.

Whoever did this deserves a fucking beer from pics

6. Time for a shave.

Sculpture hack. from funny

7. Be careful out there…

Drop-in from pics

8. I sure am…

Aren’t we all? from funny

9. Goats Butter!

If There’s Something Strange, In Your Neighborhood from MildlyVandalised

10. Someone went to a lot of work printing those stickers.

No bills from MildlyVandalised

11. That is good advice.

What a great life hack! from funny

12. Uh oh…now what?

NOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?! from MildlyVandalised

13. Got a little too wasted.

One too many…

Posted by Street art of Aiden Glynn on Wednesday, August 21, 2013

14. That looks cool.

Creative painting on barrier bars from pics

15. There’s the culprit.

Posted by oakoak on Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Those are really impressive!

Have you seen some good examples out and about in your town? If so, share them in the comments so we can all see these unique works of art.

The post 15 Acts of Vandalism That Could Be Considered Genius appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Coal Miners Are Becoming Beekeepers in West Virginia

Many miners remain out of work in West Virginia as coal mines have shut down. To combat jobless in coal territory, a new nonprofit has stepped in offering training in beekeeping and assistance in selling any resulting honey. It’s good income and good for the environment!

The program is offered by the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective.

In West Virginia, high levels of poverty and lack of jobs make survival for rural families a struggle. But keeping bees and harvesting the honey for selling is a sweet way to make ends meet.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Coal mining was a major part of the economy until 2005, when the rate of mine closures began to tick up, leaving many workers without a steady paycheck. Employment in the coal industry decreased by 27 percent according to a study conducted by West Virginia University.

And it’s not just West Virginia; Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming all felt the economic loss of energy going green.

The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective was formed within the nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters, which is working to develop sustainable economic opportunities there. The collective operates over 17 counties in WV and offers classes in beekeeping basics and bee biology. Upon graduation from courses, new beekeepers become part of the collective, where they can receive more training, bees, supplies and resources to start their own honey businesses.

Photo Credit: Max Pixel

Because the collective offers free and reduced-cost beekeeping training and supplies, what once was an opportunity with a high cost of entry is now completely doable for many low-income families.

That’s how White Oak Bee Company started. John Young and his daughter enrolled in classes and received 12 hives. Now, he is a part of West Virginia’s robust honey industry – Young even has his own signature honey roasted coffee for sale.

We've got more honey! Local pickup only. Order yours at this link: https://www.whiteoakbee.com/collections/honey-bee-products/products/raw-honey

Posted by White Oak Bee Company on Monday, July 29, 2019

The bees also benefit local forests; as the farmed bees collect nectar from the forest’s flowers, they are pollinating their surroundings and helping them diversify and grow.

But for the rural families that share the forests, the bees are chance at growing a business and fueling sweet hope. Because an economy that leaves so many people behind isn’t really flourishing at all.

The post Coal Miners Are Becoming Beekeepers in West Virginia appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Ten Tons of Trash Have Been Brought down from the Slopes of Mount Everest

The “highest dumpster in the world” recently had a big clean out.

More good news: the trash is getting upcycled into goods for homes and hotels all over Kathmandu.

Everest had a serious trash problem – thousands of climbers were bringing stuff up that they weren’t taking down with them. Nepal recently forbid single-use plastic in the area to try and prevent the issue from recurring.

Now, empty cans, bottles, canisters and abandoned camping materials are finding new life as drinking glasses, pots, lamps and other housewares. This approach represents the latest innovation in dealing with the environmental damage caused by the climbing industry.

Nabin Bikash Maharjan of local recycling organization Blue Waste to Value (BW2V) told AFP, “We received a mix of materials from Everest — aluminium, glass, plastic, iron — much of which could be recycled. We need to up-cycle and add value to them.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

The government of Nepal and some of the mountaineering outfits coordinated on a massive, six-week long clean-up after getting hit with heavy criticism about the conditions of the magnificent mountain.

A team of 14 scaled over 26,000 feet – from base to the camp closest to the summit – to remove ten tons of garbage. That’s the trash that ended up in recycling centers in Kathmandu.

Workers sorted through the pile by hand. Iron was transferred to rod manufacturers, aluminum cans went to utensil manufacturers, and bottles were turned into products for homes, hotels and restaurants. There is even global consumer interest in buying upcycled goods made from Everest waste.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

There is also some bad news, though: the trash collected is only a fraction of what’s on the mountain. The slopes are littered with decades of garbage and abandoned campsites that still need removal.

Agencies involved in cleaning Mount Everest are imposing rubbish deposits and requiring climbers to carry a kilometer (2.2 pounds) of trash with them on their descent. The challenge here is that when climbers are paying tens of thousands of dollars to ascend, another few thousand as a deposit isn’t a guaranteed motivator to bring their trash down.

Perhaps the only real long-term solution to Mount Everest’s garbage problem is to reduce the amount the climbing polluters take up with them.

Or reduce the number of climbers altogether.

The post Ten Tons of Trash Have Been Brought down from the Slopes of Mount Everest appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

10 Random Facts About All Sorts of Stuff for You to Ponder

We’re serving up some good facts for you here today!

So sit back, relax, and let’s learn about a bunch of different subjects together.

Start now!

1. Do you know anyone who might need this?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

2. That makes sense…

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

3. Placebo sleep.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

4. I’ve always wondered about that…

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

5. This can’t be real!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1

6. You’re not alone, fruit flies…

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

7. Two kinds of nostalgia.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1

8. I love this!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

9. I did not know that!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

10. Please don’t tell me this.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

Nothing like a good fact set. NOTHING.

Please feel free to share with your family and friends…it might do them some good.

The post 10 Random Facts About All Sorts of Stuff for You to Ponder appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Map Outlines What People Think Is the Worst City in Each State

This chart is sure to cause some serious disagreements among people. It comes to us via Matt Shirley, who makes a new chart on his Instagram page every day.

Here are some past examples of charts he’s come up with in the past.

View this post on Instagram

?

A post shared by Matt Shirley (@mattsurelee) on

View this post on Instagram

Please note the purple line’s fluctuations.

A post shared by Matt Shirley (@mattsurelee) on

View this post on Instagram

Show me your bingos. @truly #TrulyPartner

A post shared by Matt Shirley (@mattsurelee) on

To create “The Worst City in Every State” map, Shirley asked his 292,000 Instagram followers to weigh in on the topic, so it’s not complete or scientific by any means. But it will probably get a lot of people talking.

Here is the full map:

And here’s an alphabetical list of the findings state-by-state:

Alabama: Birmingham

Alaska: Wasilla

Arizona: Mesa

Arkansas: Pine Bluff

California: Modesto (Northern) Bakersfield (Southern)

Colorado: Pueblo

Connecticut: Bridgeport

Delaware: Wilmington

Florida: Orlando

Georgia: Macon

Hawaii: Kalihi

Idaho: Caldwell

Illinois: Cairo

Indiana: Gary

Iowa: Cedar Rapids

Kansas: Topeka

Kentucky: Lexington

Louisiana: Turkey Creek

Maine: Rumford

Maryland: Poolesville

Massachusetts: Worcester

Michigan: Flint

Minnesota: Edina

Mississippi: Jackson

Missouri: Jefferson City

Montana: Browning

Nebraska: Fremont

Nevada: Sparks

New Hampshire: Manchester

New Jersey: Camden

New Mexico: Hobbs

New York: Albany

North Carolina: Gastonia

North Dakota: Grand Forks

Ohio: Dayton

Oklahoma: Ardmore

Oregon: Salem

Pennsylvania: Scranton

Rhode Island: Woonsocket

South Carolina: Greer

South Dakota: Brookings

Tennessee: Memphis

Texas: Dallas

Utah: Provo

Vermont: Rutland

Virginia: Virginia Beach

Washington: Spokane

West Virginia: Welch

Wisconsin: Manitowoc

Wyoming: Rock Springs

What do you think of this map and its findings?

Let us know in the comments, please.

The post Map Outlines What People Think Is the Worst City in Each State appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

20 Famous Men and Women You Might Not Know Were Adopted

You probably know at least a couple of people in your life who are adopted. It could be friends, family members, co-workers – anyone really.

There’s also a good chance that you know people who are adopted, but you don’t know it because they haven’t told you. Every adopted person is on their own journey and they can choose to divulge that information if and when they see fit.

Here are 20 celebrities that you might not know were adopted, and you might be a little bit surprised.

Take a look.

1. Steve Jobs

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Steven Paul Jobs ® (@stevejobsok) on

2. Frances McDormand

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Filmesantigosbr (@filmesantigosbr) on

3. Keegan-Michael Key

View this post on Instagram

At the London @lionking premiere with my Queen.

A post shared by Keegan-Michael Key (@keeganmichaelkey) on

4. Liz Phair

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liz Phair (@lizphairofficial) on

5. Faith Hill

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Faith Hill (@faithhill) on

6. Nicole Richie

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nicole Richie (@nicolerichie) on

7. Debbie Harry

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @blondieitalia on

8. Nelson Mandela

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Éric Lambert (@ericlamberteric) on

9. Melissa Gilbert

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Little House on The Prairie ? (@littlehouseontheprairie74) on

10. Sarah McLachlan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sarah McLachlan (@officialsarahmclachlan) on

11. Kristin Chenoweth

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kristin Chenoweth (@kchenoweth) on

12. John Lennon

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Lennon (@johnlennonofficial) on

13. Ray Liotta

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ray Liotta (@rayliotta) on

14. Jamie Foxx

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on

15. Andy Dick

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by andy dick (@andydick) on

16. Scott Hamilton

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scott Hamilton (@scotthamilton84) on

17. Dave Thomas

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sundown Window Tinting (@sundownwindowtint) on

18. Colin Kaepernick

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by colin kaepernick (@kaepernick7) on

19. Simone Biles

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on

20. Maya Angelou

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Guardian (@guardiannigeria) on

Do you know of any more famous adopted folks who we left off the list?

Share them in the comments! Please and thank you!

The post 20 Famous Men and Women You Might Not Know Were Adopted appeared first on UberFacts.