Daily Archives: February 28, 2022

Attack on Titan Episode 83 Pride: Episode Synopsis and What You Need to Know – Outsider Gaming

Posted: February 28, 2022 at 8:15 pm

Heres everything you need to know about episode 83 of Attack on Titan, the eighth episode of the second half of The Final Season, Pride.

The first half of the episode focused on Annie whose hardening crystal was undone by Erens Founding Titan power telling her life story to Hitch. The second half of the episode showed some dissension between the remaining of the core four (now three) with Armin, Mikasa, and Jean. Mikasa implored Armin to stay rather than chase Connie who abducted Falco to feed to his mom in Ragako Village while Jean yelled at Mikasa to think for herself.

Connie was shown riding with Falco on horseback, telling Falco hes taking them to a special hospital to treat his amnesia. Connie steeled himself to his self-imposed task. As the episode ended, Hange, with an injured and mangled Levi in tow, approached Pieck and Magath.

The episode opens with a flashback of a Survey Corps soldier running toward his fallen comrade named Oliver only to be shot down himself. The shooter is shown to be Hange, with tears running down her face for killing her former comrades. Hange then uncovers Levi, stitches his face up some more, and begins talking to herself, wondering if the two of them should just stay in the wilderness.

Suddenly, theyre taken to the Coordinate. When they return, Levi raises himself and laments his failure at killing Zeke, saying he didnt notice Zekes resolve to die for his cause. He then asks Hange what they would have left if they continue to run, saying he must have been listening to her talk to herself as she smirks at his antics. She also tells him its been half a day since Zeke left with the Jaegerists.

They cut back to the present, where Levi tells Pieck and Magath his goal is to kill Zeke and as such, their goals align. Magath marvels that Levi, one whose skill rivaled even that of the Nine Titans, can be so easily shot down in this state, asking what Levi would do to dodge the bullet. Levi replies he cant dodge, but hes presented himself to his enemies in this miserable state and its up to Magath whether to shoot or listen.

Magath asks if he intends to kill Zeke, then where is Zeke? Hange surmises that Zeke has been absorbed by Eren to use Zekes royal blood to activate the Founding which Ymir bequeathed to Eren instead of using the power to enact Zekes euthanasia plan. Hange says she knows that the Founding is extremely large and seems impossible to beat, which is why she implores them to join forces just before the opening credits play (Rumbling, Rumbling, its coming!).

After the intro, the Rumbling is shown at night as Jean and Mikasa wait it out in separate rooms. Annie watches the Rumbling as Hitch sleeps peacefully in a bed beside her. Reiner is still unconscious after the battle with Eren and his hardening being forcefully undone, but this time there are two apples shown next to him, presumably from Gabi, who is shown riding to Ragako Village on horse, Armin leading the way.

Connie is then shown next to a campfire, Falco sleeping against a tree. Connie plots the best way to feed Falco to his mother. He then has a moment of moral anguish as he says Falco is a good kid and may actually trust a guy like me. He speaks out for Sasha, asking if she would understand his feelings.

The next scene is in the morning as Connie and Falco stroll through the village. They stop in front of Connies house, which has big white coverings over it, and Falco asks if this is Ragako, which shocks Connie. He asks how Falco knows and Falco responds he heard Connie talking to himself during the night. Falco asks if Sasha is the one who Gabi killed on the airship, then asks if this is all so Connie could get his revenge.

Connie responds hes not here for revenge. He removes the coverings to reveal his mother staring right at Falco (upside down). Falco asks what Connies intentions are in showing Falco the Pure Titan, and Connie responds with a humorous expression change that he wants Falco to help him brush her teeth. Connie adds its not an experience you have every day. He gave Falco a long brush and told him to climb up on the plank above to start brushing.

Suddenly, Armin and Gabi ride in and yell for Connie to stop. Gabi yells to Falco that Connie is going to feed him to the Titan, so Connie grabs Falco and uses his sword as leverage. He begins climbing up the ladder, telling the two not to move or hell kill Falco. Gabi yells for Falco to use the power of the Jaw Titan, but a confused Falco just asks about Galliard.

Armin, with anguish in his eyes and a flashback of Erwin Smith in his mind, asks Gabi to forgive Connie before taking off, looking like he was going to attack Connie. Instead, Armin lands on the plank just above Connies moms mouth. He stares into the abyss, then with tears in his eyes, says hell show Connie through his actions. He begins falling toward the mouth. In slow motion, Connie realizes whats happening, tosses Falco aside, and saves Armin just before his moms mouth clamps shut.

The next scene shows Gabi consoling Falco as she informs him of Colts fate. Connie asks Armin what he would have done if he hadnt saved him, and Armin coolly responds that Connies mom would become human. Connie says he should have known it would make her suffer more. Connie adds his mom sent him off to be a good soldier, yet her son was so close to killing children and his own friend. He says thats the type of soldier hes become. Armin adds he couldnt be a replacement for Commander Smith. Connie says he wants to be a soldier his mom can be proud of, one who helps those in need.

The mid-episode infographic was on Ragako Village.

Mikasa is shown visiting Louise in a medical ward. Louise is wearing the red scarf Mikasas had since Eren wrapped it around her entire head when he saved her from her parents killers. Louise says she met Eren once, who told him to toss the scarf, but Louise kept it because she wanted to be closer to Mikasa. Mikasa takes back the scarf, then Louise adds that a piece of Thunder Spear is in her gut, unable to be removed. The only thing she regrets is not being able to see the free world that Eren Jaeger will make.

Floch is then shown presiding over the remaining military members, all Jargerists, basically as pseudo-commander. Jean is shown behind him, but Mikasa is shown in the back of the crowd. Floch gives a fiery speech about the century of Eldian persecution being over all thanks to Eren. One Jaegerist asks Mikasa if she will join Floch as a commander and be a ruler, but she says bluntly shes not interested. The Jaegerist points to Jean, saying Jean seems up to the cause.

With the last of the Colossal Titans gone, the remaining people in Paradis celebrate with drinks and food. Armin, Connie, Gabi, and Falco are shown eating some savory pies. Armin mentions that Annies hardening was undone, and the person sitting next to him chokes on their food; its Annie, furiously eating a pie! Connie bursts into laughter at the sight. He calls her a sloppy eater, but Armin comes to her defense saying she hasnt eaten one in four years.

Hitch approaches the table where Annie was only to find her gone. She reads a note from Annie, saying she met up with Armin and Connie unexpectedly while eating and decided to go with them. She thanks Hitch for keeping her company for all those years. Hitch grabs a slice of pie, takes a bit, then asks how she is supposed to eat the whole thing herself.

Floch is shown with Yelena and Onyankopon on their knees, surrounded by Jaegerists, as he and Jean stand behind them with guns. Floch says they will execute the two and carry forth Erens plans. Floch says Yelena is a criminal who worked with Eldians only as a cover to help Zeke enact the euthanasia plan. The crowd lobs insults at her as she wonders aloud why Floch hasnt shot her already.

He turns to Onyankopon. He says Onyankonpon was ignorant of Zekes ultimate plan, but refuses to live in the Eldian empire. Onyankopon turns to the crowd and says he wanted to help his people, but now, his homeland and everyone he loves will be trampled. He says because of that, the only people left are a bunch of pathetic, xenophobic scoundrels! He asks how they, of all people, cant see how unreasonable it is to be killed in such a sudden, indiscriminate manner.

Jean then points his gun at Onyankopon. Four shots ring out, then its shown that Jean shot four bullets into the ground between the two captive. When Floch asks what happened, Jeans simply responds, Oh shoot, I missed. Suddenly, Pieck in her Cart Titan form charges in, bashing Jaegerists aside. She opens her mouth and Jean pushes Floch out of the way. Jean, Yelena, and Onyankopon are gobbled up by Pieck as she escapes the fort.

Floch yells for everyone to go after the Cart and to find Mikasa. He says to find Mikasa, then in a sudden shock of realization, asks, Where is Mikasa? Mikasa is shown with Connie and Armin loading food and supplies into two separate horse-drawn loads, Annie, Gabi, and Falco beside them. They say four shots is the signal from Jean and that everyone should have their attention drawn to the other side of the fort. They leave from the other end, but Annie notices someone watching them in the window. Armin says they have to continue on as they look back at the shadowy figure in the window.

Jean and Onyankopon are shown in a stream, Jean letting out a continuous stream of vomit. He says hes never getting into a Titans mouth again as Hange asks if Pieck brushes her teeth after being able to stay in the Cart form for months. Pieck responds thats a very rude question to ask a lady. Onyankopon asks Jean when he partnered with Marley, to which Jean says last night. Onyankopon says Jeans position was secure, but Jean says if he just stayed on, the burnt ashes of the dead would never have forgiven me. Yelena, in shock, asks why she was saved, and Hange says they wanted her to survive. Yelena turns to find Magath staring daggers at her.

A boot kicks Reiner in the head quite a rude alarm for someone whos been unconscious for days and he awakes to see Annie. In shock, he turns to then see Gabi and Falco, along with the others, as the two reassure Reiner theyre all on the same side and to relax. Connie says theres no time and they need to go. When Reiner asks where, Connie responds, To save the world. The episode ends.

She is saying basically that Zeke is now absorbed into Eren Jaegers body and mind. Because he used Zekes royal blood to not only reach the Coordinate, but then convince the Founder Ymir to bequeath the Founding to him, Eren gained all of the power even without royal blood. As the Founding manifested from Erens severed head to save him, which was in Zekes hand, this was the moment that Eren absorbed Zeke and, by extension, the Beast Titan to himself, though it should be said that Zeke is still the Beast Titan and not actually dead.

The next two sentences will contain spoilers from the manga, so read at your own discretion. In the final battle in the manga, Zeke does appear from one of Erens extensions, though Zeke appears as a human. He show up just to say his last words to Levi, who swiftly decapitates Zeke, thus ending the Beast Titan. It remains to be seen how the final battle will play out in the anime and if Levi will get his ultimate revenge.

The figure is presumably Floch after realizing that Mikasa was nowhere to be found. However, it is also very likely his comments were placed as a red herring to distract you from who is actually watching from the window. The identity of the individual should be revealed next week.

As far as it can be surmised, the person appeared to have the sharp shoulders indicative of someone wearing a military uniform, so while Floch is a safe bet, it could be any number of named characters still left.

Simply put, they now have one overarching common enemy: Eren Jaeger. Eren is the person responsible for the oncoming mass genocide of the human population. For Levi, Eren is also the vehicle to reach his ultimate foe, the man responsible for many deaths in Levis core squad, Zeke Jaeger. Further, for Marleyan soldiers like Magath and Pieck, they feel utterly betrayed by Zeke, the man they placed their utmost confidence, respect, and trust. They also know the best people to bring down Eren Jaeger are the ones who have been working with and fighting him most closely.

It remains to be seen why Magath and Pieck wanted Yelena alive as she was working closely with and tied everything she had to Zekes euthanasia plan. Magaths glare is one of fury, but in this time of cooperation, Yelena may yet survive.

The next episode, number 84 titled Night of the End, seems to revolve around the new cooperating faction sitting around a bonfire. It seems to suggest they will discuss their plan of attack and what roles each should play.

Catch Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll.

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Parent-Of-2 Refuses To Attend Sister’s Childfree Wedding …

Posted: at 8:14 pm

When making plans for a special event, there are all kinds of reasons for who will or will not be invited.

But not everyone may appreciate the invitation decisions that are made, pointed out the Am I the A**hole? (AITA) subReddit.

Redditor Throwaway_Reddeddit wasnt pleased with her sisters decision to have a child-free wedding.

But when she considered not attending the wedding because of it, the Original Poster (OP) realized it was hurting the brides feelings.

She asked the sub:

WIBTA (Would I Be the A**hole) if I just chose not to go to my sisters wedding?

The OP was expecting a wedding invitation from her sister.

My sister has a wedding coming up this summer. Its not a destination wedding, it will be in a local park/pavilion, and she just told us about it recently and told us to expect the invitations.

We knew it was a possibility, since I heard recently her boyfriend asked our dad about how he would feel if they got married (essentially asking for her hand in marriage, old-fashioned but I guess whatever).

But she didnt like what was included in the invitation when it arrived.

Well, when we received the invitations, it said this wedding will be childfree.'

Once I got my invitation, I called my sister up just to discuss the wedding and give her my response by phone.

I didnt mention the childfree part, just asked about the wedding and how her planning was going.

She seemed excited and told me she cant wait to be the center of attention on her special day.

I congratulated her, but I told her as its childfree and I have two sons, I wouldnt be able to make it. I would send a gift with our parents though.

The bride was surprised.

She kinda got upset and asked why I wasnt going to come.

I simply told her weddings are family events for me, and if its not a family event, I dont see the point (i.e. kids being allowed).

Our parents are the important people to be there for her special day, so I dont feel my presence as direly needed.

My sister was very unhappy about this, and she yelled that I never even tried to find babysitting or come to her wedding.

She got angry because last year I attended our cousins wedding, and she feels hers should be more important and one I should want to attend.

The OP didnt see an issue with this.

I pointed out their wedding wasnt childfree, my kids were there, they were very well-behaved, and it was definitely a family event.

I dont feel that I should shell out money to have someone watch my kids, just to watch her get married, and honestly I just dont want to.

I didnt mention her changing the rule, I just told her I wouldnt be attending.

She got angry and is now involving my husband and parents in my decision, saying if I choose not to come, she wont speak to me again (her hill to die on, not my problem).

My parents would like me to come just to keep the peace, and my husband says its really my decision and he backs me either way.

Personally, I dont feel like an a**hole because Im not asking her to change anything, Im just making a personal decision.

WIBTA for not attending?

Fellow Redditors weighed in:

Some said the OP was way too focused on including her children at every event.

YTA. Children do not have to be part of everything that happens. You are showing your sister how little you care for her. ollygollymolly

The If my children cant go, I wont go attitude rarely works out in the long run. This is how mothers end up losing their identity and being completely lost as their children grow up and become independent.

Its also how they end up lonely and lamenting on social media how nobody invites them anywhere. bakerowl

Shes the sister of the bride. She should make more of an effort to go than a regular guest.

It doesnt sound like she wants to, because her stance is basically I dont go where my children arent welcome.' emi_lgr

Her children wont remember one afternoon they were with a babysitter for a few hours, but her sister will ALWAYS remember that she willingly chose not to attend her wedding.

YTA. beloved_wolf

The kids probably dont even want to go. Even if she hyped them up for it, eventually they would be bored.

Since it is outdoors, at a park, the longing to run around and do what kids want to do would be torture. If she lets them, it will be disruptive, no matter how well-behaved they are.

OP seems to think that because it is at a park, the kids should go. I also find it fascinating that she has to put in a snide comment about the fianc asking her dad for her sisters hand. Why is it necessary to sneer?

Or even the venue? Or that they suspected the engagement was coming? It sounds like shes salty about everything and is making this the point of contention. HappyLucyD

That and all the sneering at the sister for being excited to be the center of attention on checks notes her wedding day. Like? Okay? Shes excited to have a big day celebrating her. Thats normal.

I was really excited on my wedding day, too, and I did sort of expect it to be more or less about me and my husband not random family members and their children.

I mean, I had kids at my wedding, but their parents all kept them super in check. I was actually the one periodically reassuring parents that the kids werent bothering me and winking conspiratorially to the kids and involving them a bit more, because their parents were so, so careful not to let them run the show to the point of overcorrection.

Including my nieces and nephews. I have a feeling OP would extend no such courtesy.

Im often in a supporting role in my daily life. Once in a great while, I do enjoy having people celebrate me and my achievements. On my day, I like having the day be about, well, me. Thats not selfish; its normal.

Not everything has to be about OPs kids. boudicas_shield

Others said the OP was definitely wrong to not attend.

This is her sister and the wedding is not a destination wedding. Id be p**sed and hurt if my sister didnt come to my wedding. No excuse. She has plenty of time to find a sitter. Aware_Voice_6043

I remember when my brother announced his engagement, they asked us about anything that we needed to be able to attend (if certain dates were off-limits or whatever). My response to him was that the wedding could be on Christmas Day on the moon and I would still find a way to be there.

When you love someone, you are willing to do at least the bare minimum to attend their special events. In the case of the OP, that would be asking the children to stay home with their father for a single day. kennedar_1984

Weddings seem to bring out the absolute worst behavior in people. I could not fathom missing my sisters wedding even if I had hated the dude she was marrying (I dont, my bro-in-law is great). Id have had to be on my death bed.

OP YTA and one of the reasons weddings have become toxic and s**tty. peteywheatstraw1

YTA.

Weddings are not a family event (by OPs definition must include children) by default. Also did you know you can be a family without children (mind blown).

Another astonishing fact is that parents dont have to do everything with their kids.

And the fact that you keep belittling it by saying just a wedding shows how little you care about your sister but then again it sounds like you dont like her and am doing this to hurt her. Baaastet

Fast-forward 16 years or whatever and your kids will be jumping at the chance to attend parent-free activities, and who will you call?

Certainly not your sister or any other friends who you let down by taking a moral stance against their child-free weddings or other activities. Relationships require an investment of time and effort and sometimes participating in special life events that youre not really interested in attending.'

YTA all the way and this is just dumb. RabbitHole-Ninja

Its fine for someone to not go to a wedding but to say there is no point in seeing my sister get married it my kids cant also be there is such an a**hole move.

Either you want to show love for your sister or you dont. I get that sometimes money, travel, work, logistics, and even childcare can preclude attending a wedding, but just on principle to say, if it is no kids, Im not going because weddings are for families is such an entitled attitude. melodypowers

OP seems a little jealous maybe that the attention for the day will be on sister. Seems weird she wouldnt want to honor her sisters choices on her own damn wedding day. Your choice if you dont want to go, but YTA because your attitude sucks. starswar77

While the OP was insistent that it didnt matter if she was at this wedding and that her sister had made her decision for her, the subReddit did not agree. To not even attempt to find a sitter was telling, and to speak the way she did about her own sister spoke volumes, as well.

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Lovers of sunshine and attention: Meet the dairy goats at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs Gazette

Posted: at 8:14 pm

Cotija is perched on a walkway high above the Goat Playground at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, waiting patiently at the wheel of treats.

The dairy goat sticks her head through the railing to look down at Bailey Jones, the zoos domestic goat lead keeper, whos standing on the ground getting ready to pour a handful of hay pellets into a cup. Cotija will then use her front hoof to pedal a bicycle wheel to work a pulley system that pulls the cup up to her mouth, where she knows the exact spot to stop the cup so the treats slide perfectly into her mouth.

Colby, the queen of the goat yard, is no dummy. If she stands beneath Cotija, she knows shes likely to be showered in whatever pellets dont make it into her buddys mouth.

Theyre fast learners, said Jones, whos also lead keeper for Australia Walkabout and Scutes Family Gallery, where she cares for superslow sloths who are decidedly not fast learners. They learn in two to three sessions. I love to train them. Theyre super food-motivated.

Bailey Jones, the zoos domestic goat lead keeper, puts a cup of hay pellets at the base of the wheel platform for Cotija, the dairy goat, to pedal a bicycle wheel with her front hoof that works as a pully system to pull the cup up to her mouth at the Goat Playground at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. The eight female dairy goats came to live at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo from a diary farm in 2016. The ladies are nicknamed the The Cheese Girls because they are all named after different types of cheese, Ricotta, Asiago, Muenster, Colby, Queso, Mozzarella, Cotija and Brie.

What the heck are domestic goats doing at a zoo?

The eight ladies Ricotta, Asiago, Muenster, Colby, Queso, Mozzarella, Cotija and Brie are nicknamed The Cheese Girls, because theyre dairy goats who would normally make goat milk and cheese. The 5-year-olds, who arent related, came to the zoo from a Colorado dairy farm in 2016 to provide an interactive experience for zoo guests. People are welcome to pop into their yard and brush and feed the 120- to 160-pound creatures, as long as an attendant is present. Its a popular exhibit for the smaller folks in the crowd, and usually open on weekends and whenever its above 40 degrees.

Will the zoo be selling cheese anytime soon?

No. Much like dairy cows that produce milk when theyre brewing babies, these girls only make milk when babies are in the picture. And because the zoo said no thanks to boy goats, the ladies will remain childfree.

Junior zookeeper Jacqueline Kerrigan, 15, hangs out with Mozzarella, one of The Cheese Girls at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

A recipe for goat happiness

These sturdy creatures are simple. They want to hang with their human friends, get brushed or scratched, relax in the sunshine and chew their cud. The rich mahogany-colored Queso is Jones favorite, due to the way she happily hums when shes found a particularly sunny spot to lie in. And when somebody happens to brush her while shes sunbathing, all the better. Her head tips back and she opens her mouth in a goat smile, flashing her pearly whites. Ricotta also is a zoo keeper and visitor favorite. She loves nothing more than to follow people around in the hopes of being loved on.

They remind me of a house cat and how they follow the sunbeams around the yard, Jones said.

No Michelin-star meals needed

The girls mostly eat grass hay and a bit of produce, such as apples, carrots and romaine lettuce. Hay pellets are a special treat, as well as plain air-popped popcorn. And when a keeper drags out an old firehose dosed in blue raspberry Gatorade powder, watch out. Thats a little slice of goat heaven. And their blue tongues afterward make them even more adorable.

And let us not forget about tree boughs. When the boughs coordinator walks by, carrying their precious parcel, the goats yell at him to fork over the goods: Theyre like heeeeey, Jones said.

Queso the dairy goat hums in the sun at the Goat Playground at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.

Why the obsession with climbing and standing on stuff?

Theyre made for it. On the bottom of their hooves is a soft pad that molds to whatever surface theyre on. Thats why they can stand on super-small surfaces and be totally comfortable. Their vision also helps. They have mesmerizing rectangle-shaped pupils that take in light differently and give them wider peripheral vision. They can see to their back feet, which also helps them climb, as well as keep a lookout for predators.

Contact the writer: jen.mulson@gazette.com

London Bockenstedt checks out Mozzarellas ears at The Goat Playground at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. The eight female dairy goats came to live at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo from a diary farm in 2016. The ladies are nicknamed the The Cheese Girls because they are all named after different types of cheese, Ricotta, Asiago, Muenster, Colby, Queso, Mozzarella, Cotija and Brie.

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Mum perplexed as pal bans her from birthday party – after planning a trip away – The Mirror

Posted: at 8:14 pm

The mum said she planned a holiday for herself and her best friend to celebrate her pal's birthday and in return, the friend chose not to invite her to her party

Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

A mum has been left baffled after her best friend decided to ban her from attending her birthday party - even though she'd planned an entire holiday for the two of them to celebrate the occasion.

The woman took to Mumsnet to vent her frustration after her friend told her she hadn't received an invite to her upcoming 40th birthday party because they were already going away together, and she didn't want her to attend both celebrations.

Sharing her post anonymously, the woman claimed the party is taking place just 10 minutes away from her house and said other mutual friends of theirs are invited - but she won't be going as the birthday girl has banned her.

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Explaining the situation, she said: "I've been friends with this woman for years and we had booked a trip away together in 2021. It got moved from 2021 to 2022 due to Covid and has landed on the week of her 40th.

"She's single and childfree so I checked she was happy with the date change and she said 'as long as you promise to make a proper fuss of me!'.

"We are away for 5 days and her birthday is in the middle of the trip. I found out through a mutual friend that she has booked a party for two days after we come back. It's a pub so she's not paying per head and it's about 10 minutes from my house.

"I asked her why I wasn't invited and she said it's because we're going away that week. We do have mutual friends that have been invited. Is it unreasonable to be a bit hurt/annoyed by this? I'm also now not sure what to do for her actual birthday."

The mum insisted she's friends with people who have been invited to the party and has no idea why she wouldn't be invited herself - but thinks it could be because she would have technically "already celebrated" her birthday.

She added in follow-up posts: "I don't have beef with anyone at the party and one person is more my friend than hers.

"I think the reasoning was more that we would have already celebrated her birthday."

Comments on the Mumsnet post were equally baffled by the friend's actions, as no one could work out why the mum wouldn't be invited. Might make the last couple of days of your holiday a bit awkward, but who needs friends like that?"

One person said: "That's a bit mean, odd and petty. If I wanted to be mean, odd and petty back I'd completely ignore her birthday on the day.

As another added: "I wouldn't make a fuss on her actual birthday. Maybe get her a card. If you aren't a good enough friend to be invited to her birthday party then you don't need to buy her a present."

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com .

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No, the Proud Boys aren’t going to Ukraine: how a small troll went viral – Crikey

Posted: at 8:12 pm

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A post from an Australian Proud Boys account pretended they were flying overseas to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. And a lot of people bought it.

A trolling post from an Australian Proud Boys social media account pretending that they were flying overseas to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine has gone viral, amplifying the accounts false claims and helping them grow their audience.

Late last week, a tiny Twitter accountclaiming to belong to a local chapter of the far-right group Proud Boys made a series of posts saying that their members were flying overseas to Poland to join other international members of the group on the ground in Russia -- a meme that had also been made by other Proud Boy chapters.

Crikey has chosen not to specify which account to avoid amplifying it further.

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Cam Wilson

Associate Editor @cameronwilson

Cam Wilson is Crikey's associate editor. He previously worked as a reporter at the ABC, BuzzFeed, Business Insider and Gizmodo. He primarily covers internet culture and tech in Australia.

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Caribbeans Top Food Influencer, Natasha Laggan Shares Her Love Of Trini Food With The World – Forbes

Posted: at 8:11 pm

Im going to try not to cry! Natasha Laggan smiles at me from the opposite end of a Zoom screen. Heart ever-present on the sleeve of her red shirt, her hair up in a simple clip Behind her are workmen doing maintenance and she tells me that she has promised to feed them some doubles, a Trinidadian street food made of dough and curried chickpeas or channa, when they are done This is the set of Trini Cooking with Natasha and it is also the kitchen in which her family breaks bread every night.

But despite hosting the Caribbeans most popular online cooking show, boasting 1.1 million Facebook followers and 242 thousand subscribers on YouTube and counting making her the number one food influencer in the Caribbean, Natasha Laggan is the humblest of people. She is simply a girl from Couva Trinidad with an insatiable appetite for cooking, and an unwavering love for her fans, her country and her food.

But this story begins long before cooking shows were even a thing more than 6000 years before the arrival of Columbus to Trinidad and Tobago.

Trini food is a melting pot of South Asian, African, Amerindian, European, Chinese, American, Latin American and Arab cuisines Corn pastelles or farines were introduced by Trinidads native Amerindians; one-pot medleys such as pelau, callaloo and oil down were brought to the New World by enslaved Africans; curries, aloo pies, rotis and doubles came over with laborers from India, and sweet n sour pork, fried rice and chow mein made their way over with Chinese indentured servants

These localized dishes are the product of a rich multicultural history and Natasha immerses herself in all the multifaceted flavors, textures, and smells.

Natasha Laggan, in the kitchen

Born in Trinidad to an Indo-Caribbean family that consisted of seasoned cooks, home economics teachers and restaurateurs, one can almost say that a profession in food was Natashas birthright.

I grew up in food, she laughs.

One of Natashas most cherished memories from childhood was her time spent in the kitchen with Mama, her paternal grandmother who passed away when she was a teen.

I can still taste her pumpkin and rice, she says, tears coming to her eyes. And it was just that pumpkin and rice. I dont even understand what she did, but it tasted so good.

From as far back as she can remember, Natasha was heavily immersed in her parents food business. As a child, she would accompany her mother to the market to shop for fresh produce and her parents made sure that she played a role in the family trade.

I would wake up at 5am every morning to help my mother make sandwiches for the business, she explains, painting images of a young girl in her school uniform helping her mother in the kitchen before the crack of dawn. She would also spend most evenings helping her parents at the family restaurant until it closed.

It was our livelihood, and I knew that, she says.

At Couva Junior Secondary School, Natasha would relish Home Economics classes, making lasagna, muffins, and simple meals. This was where she truly fell in love with the art of cooking.

At home, I would try recipes that I learnt, and I would watch Food Network religiously, she laughs. I would pretend I had my own show, and my younger sister Nicole was my audience.

When she graduated from high school, Natasha would join the family business full time in the capacity of General Manager, where she would remain for more than ten years.

But as fate and marriage would have it, Natasha would leave Trinidad in 2009 and migrate to Fort Lauderdale Florida. Leaving her parents eatery meant she had extra time on her hands, and she could finally explore cooking on her own terms. She began to compile personal recipes with the intention of publishing a cookbook. But over time, so many new entries had been added to her collection that her visit to the printers kept getting delayed.

At the end of this year, it is my goal for it to be published, she says, laughing.

From her new home, Natasha also began to support family and friends via video conference in their efforts to create home cooked Trinidadian meals. It seemed logical that she should begin videoing herself making some basic dishes rather than having to repeat herself over and over.

My initial thought was that my family and friends could now pause and rewind and cook at their own speed, she recalls.

On October 29, 2015, Natasha would load her very first recipe to the Trini Cooking With Natasha YouTube page.

I decided that I would video myself making my favorite food cassava pone, she recalls. Hesitant to be exposed on camera, a shy Natasha found a way to only show her hands as she demonstrated how to make the dense pudding of sweet cassava, pumpkin and coconut.

It might be tedious, but its worth it, she said to her small audience, as she demonstrated how to grate cassava in just the right way, and although her voice quivered slightly, her commitment to her craft was clear.

You are going to absolutely love this, she said at the end of the 6-minute video.

She might as well have been speaking to herself.

As I got into it and added more videos to YouTube, others outside my personal circle began to find me. People expressed that they liked that my videos were short and sweet, she explains. There is not a whole lot of storytelling so if people are in a hurry, they can watch the video and learn quickly so that they can get it done.

In 2020, during the pandemic, when people all over the world were confined to their homes due to global movement restrictions, Natasha decided to begin making better use of her Facebook channel and started sharing old YouTube content.

I just decided to flood the page with videos, she says, shaking her head with an air of disbelief. That was when everything took off. I started with about 4000 followers and then I began getting like 1000 followers a day, and then one day it got to 100,000 and then a million. It just kept adding up. I didnt use ads or anything. I just kept posting videos constantly and people would share them, and more people would start to follow.

People were home and embracing home cooking, and everyone was joining online communities. People needed to be comforted and were yearning for a sense of nostalgia. It was the perfect storm. A movement had begun.

Natasha Laggan, filming Trini Cooking with Natasha (Photo by videographer, Brandon Woods)

As her following grew, companies began to reach out to Natasha and she would partner with many of the regions big names such as Karibbean Flavours, Trinidads second largest spice company, and American brand, Big Green Egg.

Her viewer base would also grow to include international audiences in addition to Caribbean viewers both at home and in the diaspora, all from a variety of walks of life.

I am creating a sense of comfort and home in people, she says, of the sense of nostalgia that can be sparked by food.

A popular post like her recipe for Seafood boil can have hundreds of thousands of views, and a typical video, like her recipe for Dhal Dumpling soup, can have thousands of likes and shares. Hundreds of comments can follow from a single 5-minute video, ranging from basic questions about equipment or technique, to others that share personal stories and recollections, such as how a grandmothers recipe might have resembled or differed from hers.

And then there are the thousands of private and public letters of appreciation from those who have set up businesses using Natashas recipes or from those who have been able to rekindle family legacies of Trinidadian cooking that might have otherwise gotten lost.

Thank you, says one viewer in response to a simple recipe for garlic sauce. I love garlic sauce, but never realized it's so easy to make. This kind of comment, to Natasha, means she has done her job.

Natasha has over one million old friends who share in her love for Trini cuisine, and to her they are all like family. She tries to use ingredients that are easy to find and affordable and if they might not be accessible, she will offer a substitute.

What is most important is that it must taste really, really good, she says. There must be a lot of flavor and even if it is a complicated recipe, I want it to be easy to execute.

Her step-by-step instructions are simple and so easy to follow, says a reader in Facebooks online reviews. Great inspiration to have with me in my kitchen.I have learnt so much and have gained confidence in adding new twists to recipes.

Natasha Laggan is unapologetically Trinibagonian with an uncompromising devotion to local traditions, flavors, and seasonings such as pimento peppers which she says bring that Trini flavor to her food. She celebrates the patience required to unlock the distinct flavors of the region, sauting fresh garlic and onions before they are added to a recipe, instead of using powders, and embraces the Indo-Caribbean flavors created by methi (fenugreek), geera (cumin) and roucou (seasoning from the seeds of the achiote tree).

I want people to know about our food. I want people to taste our food. I want people to say, oh its so easy to make, says Natasha about indigenous Trinidadian food.

And if there is anything that Natasha loves just as much as the act of cooking food, it is the joy of eating it.

She recently developed a segment called Taste of D Town, where she showcases cities, restaurants and small mom and pop shops with a focus on food and hopes to eventually have her own show on Food Network or the Cooking Channel, where she can help spread the word about Trinibagonian cuisine and culture.

Natasha Laggan is not only a great chef, but she also has heart, soul and a deep love for family, her viewers, and her country.

I think people like me because Im just me. I am not scripted, and I still speak like a Trinidadian, she says. Im a mother, a wife, an influencer and an educator who is dedicated to making people happy. For me success is being able to balance your dreams and your goals while still having a happy family life. I just want to be able to do it all. But I never want to stop being humble.

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Caribbeans Top Food Influencer, Natasha Laggan Shares Her Love Of Trini Food With The World - Forbes

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Jamaica positioned itself to be Middle East gateway to the Caribbean and beyond – Travel Daily News International

Posted: at 8:11 pm

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Jamaica is being positioned to be the major aviation hub connecting the Middle East and the Levant countries of the Near East to the Caribbean and South American region. Extensive discussions are currently underway, with the second round of talks being held recently in Dubai with Emirates Airline, the largest carrier in the Middle East.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett had first-hand discussions with Chairman of Dubai World and Emirates Airline, His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The objective was to follow-up on our first meeting, which was very positive, and to get a second response at the level of Chairman to enable Jamaica to determine the possibility of a very early connectivity, Minister Bartlett explained.

He added that we were able to provide very solid data, which indicated that Jamaica had a presence in the Middle East that was quite significant and was strong enough to create a marketing arrangement that would allow for travel into the island, but more so that we would have abilities to move traffic from Jamaica into the rest of the region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon Kamina Johnson-Smith and Director of Tourism, Donovan White also participated in the meeting. The latest round of meetings comes on the heels of recent discussions with other carriers including Saudia and Qatar Airways.

Minister Bartlett also indicated that the Jamaican delegation also had follow-up discussions with officials from Royal Jordanian Airlines. We had a further meeting with representatives from the Royal Jordanian Airlines in Amman, which was our second meeting, following the one we had with the Chairman and his team, he outlined.

He explained that steps are being taken to utilize Jordans capital as a major hub. There is a very strong move to use Amman as a secondary gateway to gain access to countries such as Turkey, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and nations in that region, which are called the Levant countries. The data supports what we are doing. So, the Jamaica Tourist Board will follow-up with the technical teams, including those that are dealing with route planning and commercial arrangements, to move the process forward.

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Jamaica positioned itself to be Middle East gateway to the Caribbean and beyond - Travel Daily News International

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Wonder of the Seas Live Blog – Cruise Preview – Royal Caribbean Blog

Posted: at 8:11 pm

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship is ready to begin sailing, and I'll be onboard for her first two sailings to share with what it's like to experience this amazing ship.

Wonder of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale later this week, marking the beginning of her career with Royal Caribbean. Each of the two first two sailings are 7-night cruises, with the first going to the Eastern Caribbean and the second to the Western Caribbean.

New cruise ships are always exciting, because it offers the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean has to offer. Plus, the first sailing tends to be more of a celebration that has graduation, new baby, and homecoming vibes mixed together.

My cruise begins later this week, but here's a cruise preview to share with you what to expect on the trip!

Wonder of the Seas begins cruising with a 7-night sailing on March 4 to Labadee, San Juan, Nassau & Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Being the inaugural sailing, I booked this cruise so that I could be onboard the first chance I could get to explore and show all of you what's new, different and the same.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had originally booked this cruise on my own, but Royal Caribbean later invited a number of media to come aboard as a guest of the cruise line. It's an honor to be invited to not only sail, but meet and speak to the many people that worked on making Wonder of the Seas a reality.

As of the writing of this post, I'm not certain which cabin type I have, but every media sailing I've ever been on has been a balcony room. More details later as to what additional opportunities I'll have to share stories and insight from Wonder.

I'll be cruising without my family on the March 4th sailing, although RoyalCaribbeanBlog writer and YouTube Editor Jenna will be onboard as well. We'll be tag teaming this new ship to bring you as much coverage of what is happening onboard as possible.

For the second sailing, my family will be joining me as it coincides with my kids' spring break.

We booked the 2 bedroom AquaTheater suite to accomplish two goals on this sailing: explore the new Suite Neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas, and penance to my wife for me going on a cruise by myself for a week while she stayed home with the kids.

On the second sailing, it will be another 7-night cruise that visits Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.

In the case of both sailings, this will be my first opportunity to cruise with the relaxed Covid-19 protocols, including optional mask wearing, no vaccine wristbands, and more.

Having cruised without masks back in early summer 2021, it will be nice to get back to a more open cruise experience.

Anytime Royal Caribbean launches a new restaurant concept, I want to try it.

I remember when Royal Caribbean announced Oasis of the Seas would have a BBQ restaurant and I was not that excited because I don't each that much BBQ.

Then I tried it.

On Wonder of the Seas, a new southern American comfort food restaurant is available.

Looking at the menu, there's fried green tomatoes,po'boys, brisket, fried chicken and more. I can't wait to eat here a few times to sample as much of the menu as I can.

As a parent, I get a lot of satisfaction in taking my kids to places that they can't get enough of, and I think the new Wonder Playscape will be one of those places.

Royal Caribbean says this area will be anopen-air kids play area that has slides, climbing walls, games, puzzles, and an interactive mural activated by touch.

I hope the kids enjoy the experience and it becomes a fun sea day activity for them that they want to do a few times.

While I don't consider myself a "suite guy", I do appreciate how nice it is to stay in a suite when the chance presents itself.

Royal Caribbean has dedicated the most amenities yet to suite guests on Wonder of the Seas, and I'm excited to see how that differs from the suite experience on other ships I've sailed.

Our Wonder of the Seas cruise begins on Friday, March 4th, and I will be sharing the details on the blog, as well as across my social media channels. Be sure to follow me onFacebook& YouTubefor live updates throughout the day.

I invite you to share in this experience with me, by posting in the comments for any blog post questions and comments you may have. I try to make these live blogs as interactive as I can, so I want everyone to feel welcome to share their thoughts.

Thanks for reading all of this and welcome aboard our next fun live blog experience!

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Wonder of the Seas Live Blog - Cruise Preview - Royal Caribbean Blog

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RWS Entertainment Hires Royal Caribbean’s Ryan Saab, Other Execs Join – Cruise Industry News

Posted: at 8:11 pm

RWS Entertainment Group has hired Royal Caribbean Cruises executive Ryan Saab for its new Senior Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment role.

Saab will serve in this role for RWS and its subsidiary, Binder Casting.

Sean Webb, who serves as Senior Manager of Performer Casting, Dance, will join Saab at RWS and Amber Snead, Associate Casting Director, will join Saab at Binder.

These three additions come as RWS expands turnkey entertainment operations for theme parks, resorts, cruise ships and more while Binder Casting approaches its 40thanniversary milestone as the longest-running casting firm in North America, according to a press release.

RWS Entertainment Group will fill more than 6,500 roles around the world this year, creating opportunities for dancers, musicians, technicians and creatives on land and at sea.

As former head of Casting Operations for Royal Caribbeans entertainment division, Saab will now lead casting and recruitment for one of the largest entertainment talent providers in the industry.

Saab has nearly 20 years of experience as an entertainment production executive, responsible for product development, casting and strategic management. As Senior Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment, he will oversee casting and talent recruitment for RWS Casting, Binder Casting and RWS Fun Crew. Ryan oversaw the recruitment of all talent for the entire Royal Caribbean fleet, which included 26+ cruise ships worldwide with over 100 award-winning, internally produced entertainment programs and shows, including five Broadway licensed productions. In 2018 he was named Royal Caribbean Cruises Employee of the Year.

Ryans innovation and creativity are exactly what were looking for at RWS, said Founder and CEO Ryan Stana. With his international expertise in talent recruitment, his skill at organizing auditions, plus his ability to build a strong and diverse team, we are well-positioned to provide our clients with incredible talent.

Sean Webb has joined RWS as Senior Manager, Performer Casting, Dance. Webb joins RWS from bloc, a talent agency representing choreographers and dancers for film, theatre and television. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of North Florida.

Amber Snead joins Binder Casting as Associate Casting Director. Previously with 3-D Theatricals, Amber joins Binder bringing fresh perspective and dimension to the team as they embark on the companys 40thanniversary. Sneads unique experience, voice and talent, working in casting for nearly a decade, has been developed working on projects including Parade starring Davis Gaines, The Addams Family starring Rachel York and Kinky Boots directed by John Tartaglia. Snead holds a degree from CSU Fresno and is a member of the Casting Society of America.

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RWS Entertainment Hires Royal Caribbean's Ryan Saab, Other Execs Join - Cruise Industry News

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Video Tour of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Suite – disneydining.com

Posted: at 8:11 pm

Ahoy, me Hearties! Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel is a dream come true for many even pirate lovers! And now, Disney is giving us a look INSIDE its stunning Pirates of the Caribbean Suite that has us ready to spend some of our hard-earned gold doubloons.

RELATED: Sweet Video Goes Viral of Little Girl Scared of Jack Sparrow

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, weve seen new Resort experiences unfold such as new Moana-inspired rooms at Disneys Polynesian Village Resort and Incredibles-themed rooms at Disneys Contemporary Resort. Currently, Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is transforming several rooms for Disney Vacation Club Villas with a chance to win a stay in the new rooms!

While Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort offers pirate rooms, they dont compare to whats available at Disneyland Resort! Thats right, Disneyland Resort has a Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at Disneyland Hotel, and were arrrr obsessed over it.

Come along with us as we sing Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me as Disney provides a video tour of its impressive Pirates of the Caribbean Suite below or found here:

RELATED: Pirates of the Caribbean Boat Comes Off the Track With Guests Onboard

Arrgh! Were pretty sure if we stayed in this Disneyland Hotel suite, our family and friends would get sick of our pirate talk real fast.

Disney notes, The Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at the Disneyland Hotel recreates the exciting world of Disneys Pirates of the Caribbean films and attractions with unique furnishings and decor. Lodging fit for a pirate king or a loyal fan of Pirates of the Caribbean is found on the 11th floor of the hotels Dreams Tower.

From the doorbell playing Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me to the stunning Spanish colonial-style furnishings and more, this is truly a dream come true for any Pirate fan out there. The suite also boasts spectacular views of the Never Land Pool area below, Santa Catalina Island, the nearby San Bernardino Mountains, and fireworks over Disneyland Park.

Want to take another look at the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite? Heres another detailed video tour:

RELATED: Me Hearties, Theres a Petition To Rehire Johnny Depp For Pirates Of The Caribbean

The suite cost starts at around $2,500 per night and can accommodate up to six Guests. Ready to inquire about prices and availability? Call Disneyland at (714) 956-6425. Happy booking, Maties!

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Video Tour of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite - disneydining.com

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