Category Archives: Golden Rule

Homes Under The Hammer host calls out buyer for 'breaking golden property rule' as he's left wincing by nine-b  Daily Mail

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Homes Under The Hammer host calls out buyer for 'breaking golden property rule' as he's left wincing by nine-b - Daily Mail

The joys of traveling solo are endless. It is freeing to explore new places aloneyou can go where you please, eat when you want, and enjoy quality time with yourself uninterrupted. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, in tandem with the desire for deeper, slower, more connective travel. For many, solo travel is the perfect way to achieve thisit provides an opportunity to trust your instinct, go with your gut, and get lost in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on others whims or desires.

But, if youre not a seasoned solo traveler, it can be a daunting prospect. In an age of constant connectivity, the idea of being alone for an extended period of time is stark. Below, we spoke to travelers who frequently book solo trips about their golden rules for traveling alone.

For most people, the thought of dining alone is one of the biggest barriers to traveling solo. But once you get past the conviction that everyone is noticing or judging you, its a totally freeing experience. Dining alone isnt as uncommon as you might imagine, says Este Lalonde, a creative director and influencer with a passion for solo travel. I personally find it empowering! Sometimes I bring a book with me or watch an episode of my favorite show on Netflix with my headphones on, but other times I just enjoy the atmosphere and end up chatting to the people at the table next to me.

If you are someone who does feel uncomfortable about dining alone, opt for a bar or counter seat. Its much less intimidating than having a whole table to yourself, and you are more likely to end up chatting to the staff or the person sitting next to you. "The first time I went out for a meal alone, I went to JG Melon on the Upper East Side of New York City, Sarah James, Cond Nast Travellers deputy digital editor, says. I took a book, and nervously shuffled onto a bar stool for my burgerbut ended up chatting away to the charming bartender and the women sat next to me. Now I often opt for a counter seat when eating alone, and no longer take a book with me. Either I end up talking to someone or just enjoy the peace. A general rule I live bywe're all so wrapped up in our own lives, no one is paying much attention to other people."

Not only are hostels affordable, but they're also great places to meet fellow travelerswhether they're in the same solo boat as you or not. Many have a cheap bar onsite that allows you to fall into natural conversation with compatriots who may become friends, or at least will have great tips for things to do.

Most people feel nervous about meeting new people, and introverts especially struggle to make the first move when in a new place. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most solo travelers will have experienced those same emotions. The first five seconds are the hardest, but once youve introduced yourself, youll quickly realize it wasnt as big a deal as you originally thought. Youd kick yourself if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as the motivation you need to approach a fellow traveler. And remember, if you present with confidence, that will showfake it til you make it is a reliable life rule to follow.

This is a lesson that I learned the hard way after getting pickpocketed in a crowded Jerusalem marketplace, says global digital director Arati Menon, I had stupidly carried all my credit cards and cash with meluckily no passport!in a single wallet and as a result, had no way of paying the hotel bill later that day when I checked out. Now, I always split my cards and cash (and IDs) across various places: wallet, purse, luggageand if possible, store at least one of these in a locked safe back at the hotel.

Remember that a bit of loneliness can be bracing and character-building, says Toby Skinner, Cond Nast Travellers features director. My experience traveling is generally that people are decent, kind and interestingand you found that out most acutely by being alone (whereas everyone leaves couples well alone.) Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been on my ownlike when I was stranded in Nanjing at 2 a.m. by a delayed train in 2001, and a local student let me bunk in his dorm room for the night.

While even the most extroverted of travelers avoid chit chat like the plague on a plane, I have found traveling by train to be a much more social means of transport," says associate editor Hannah Towey. "Last summer, I traveled solo on the Amtrak Coastal Starlight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco and spent the entirety of the 9-hour journey in the communal observation lounge, where fellow travelers rotated in and out, sharing tables and playing cards while admiring the views. As the sun set on the second half of the trip, a few musically-inclined passengers formed an impromptu band complete with an acoustic guitar and mandolin. Word slowly spread and others trickled in from other parts of the train to take turns singing songs in different languages. It might take a few more hours than a flight, but who knows, you might even find the Ethan Hawke to your Julie Delpy and spend a spontaneous evening together in Vienna.

Arriving at a destination just as the locals are gearing up for an important cultural event can be an incredible way to immerse yourself straight away. Look up religious festivals, bank holidays, and street parties to see what time is best to visit and plan accordingly. Youll get a real flavor of the people, the food, and even the music, and you might end up making friends along the way.

As obvious as do your research sounds, its an important step to remember. Look at online forums and speak to people who have previously visited the destination. What safety precautions should you be taking? Is it safe to walk between locations, or is it better to use taxis? Are taxis easy to find? What is the destination's culture like after dark? For women, in particular, it is best to plan ahead to avoid getting stranded in remote neighborhoods after dark.

It can feel daunting waking up in a brand new destination and not knowing where to start, so make sure to create vague itineraries for your trip. What are your non-negotiables in this destination? Any big attractions you want to tick off? Restaurants youve been desperate to try? Beaches youve always wanted to visit? I like to have 3-5 little activities in mind for each day, like visiting a particular store or trying the local cuisine, Este tells us. If you have a bit of direction you can leave space in between each activity to be spontaneous and discover the local area.

Booking tours and group events is a great way to meet other travelers. Most hostels have a list of activities available for guests to sign up for, and if not, then there are walking tours or live music events at local bars. Try to see people as opportunities," Toby advises. I'd build in communal activities to your itinerary and remember that youll probably never see these people again, so you have nothing to lose in almost any interaction and possibly a lot to gainthough there might be a touch of male privilege in that.

Sometimes when I travel to a new place, I can be nervous to leave my bed as a solo traveler, Este admits. As soon as I get outside and start walking I feel betterlike Im part of the city and that I belong there! Exploring by foot is a great way to get to know the bones of a destination. Youll soon create a mental map of the area nearest your accommodation and might stumble upon some hidden gems you wouldnt have come across otherwise.

On that note, try to allow yourself some spontaneity. Having a rough plan is definitely advisable, but dont stop yourself from following your gut if you have a sudden urge to pop into a shop, follow the sound of the crowds or head for the beach. Its often the spur-of-the-moment decisions that result in the best experiences.

Its easy to whip out your phone and rely on scrolling when youre by yourself, and while that is a great way to decompress if youre feeling jittery, there are few things more romantic than settling in at a street-side cafe and getting lost in the pages of a good book.

Journaling has become a popular pastime of late, and keeping a travel journal is a great way to combine the mental health benefits of getting out your thoughts and feelings with the memories and emotions of traveling solo. I find all of that time alone enables me to clear my head, and journaling is a great way to regulate those emotions, Este explains.

Sounds old school, but in lieu of printing out paper copies of all your bank details, phone numbers, and accommodations details, try keeping a document of all your information and emailing it to yourself. This way, if you lose your phone, you can ask the reception of your accommodation or staff at a hotel/restaurant/bar to borrow a phone and log into your email account to access anything you need. Its also worth memorizing your card details and any emergency phone numbers (both personal and local emergency service numbers).

There are plenty of ways to protect yourself when traveling alone. Sharing your location with your friends and family back home is a lovely way to keep in touch without having to actually message themthey can watch your journey from afar and keep track of your whereabouts if you havent contacted them for a while. Remember to bring a padlock for your backpack and lockers if youre staying in hostels, and study basic phrases in the language of your destination, just in case you get lost and need some help.

Theres always something that doesnt go to plan on any trip, and as a solo traveler, youll want to make sure you mitigate any stress that comes from changing itineraries. Buying travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself from any transport cancellations and unforeseen circumstances, and will cover any costs from injuries or thefts. Sounds scary, but itll be worth it if the worst happens!

A version of this story originally appeared on Cond Nast Traveller.

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The Golden Rules of Solo Travel | Cond Nast Traveler - Cond Nast Traveler

(Credits: Far Out / Exclusive Media Group)

Wed 29 May 2024 21:00, UK

While all rock stars are rock enthusiasts or at least should be Dave Grohl seems to be the most humble and reverent. Like the musical Keanu Reeves, the Foo Fighters frontman never shies from applauding his fellow musicians, whether its The Beatles or an unknown teenage band in Washington trying to make their first mark on the world.

From the days of his youth, keeping his parents awake as he drummed along to Led Zeppelin albums, Grohl dreamt of becoming a rock star. When he joined Nirvana to replace Chad Channing in the run-up to Nevermind, he achieved just this but was seemingly never blinded by fame and fortune.

It is difficult to say how much the hardship of Kurt Cobains 1994 death influenced Grohls down-to-earth, humble demeanour. What we can be certain of, however, is that the tragedy had an irrevocable impact on the young musicians life, most evidently in encouraging him to re-establish his career as a singer and songwriter in Foo Fighters.

Speaking to the NME in a past interview, Grohl reflected on his eureka moment while mourning Cobains death. That was a funny time with me musically because I just didnt really want to hear any music, he said. Then I realised, Oh wait, its music thats going to heal me. What am I doing? I should be listening to music. I should be making music that will make me feel better. And it did.

Over time, Grohl worked exceedingly hard to reconstruct his career, battling against stressors in his personal life. In 2022, he once again endured unspeakable tragedy when Taylor Hawkins, his longstanding drummer in Foo Fighters, passed away during a tour stop in Colombia.

The endurance of pain is a fact of life, and it isnt distributed equally. During such times, it is nigh on impossible to divine a positive, yet, as Grohl has shown, hardship and resolve create the perfect environment for wisdom. People who have had to deal with certain issues are usually best equipped to offer counsel and support to those enduring similar woes.

When Grohl looked to form the Foo Fighters in late 1994, he received an outpouring of support from fellow musicians, including Tom Petty, who offered him a place to drum in his band, The Heartbreakers. In a recent interview with Fearne Cotton, Grohl reflected on his decision to stick with the Foo Fighters plan.

In his reasoning, Grohl revealed his golden rule for a life without regret and the key to satisfaction. I usually steer myself towards things that Im not entirely sure I can do, he explained. Because its so much more fun. Theres no safety net. Why the fuck not? Lifes too short to just do the thing that you know how to do all the time. Fuck that. Lets do something that we have no idea whats going to happen.

Later in the conversation, the Foo Fighters frontman remembered a punk band from Washington, DC, called The Bad Brains, whom he adored as a teenager. The band promoted the idea of a PMA, which was positive mental attitude. Grohl recalled always feeling that he could achieve what he set his mind on. I do believe that if you put the thought or that energy out there, there is some sort of return, he added, importantly. Concluding the point, the pair agreed that childhood dreams fall to the flames of adulthood fear. Presumably, the trick to a happy and rewarding life is to dream like a child and throw logic to the wind.

Originally posted here:

Dave Grohl reveals his one golden rule to live by - Far Out Magazine

You dont have to listen too intently to hear the drums beating when it comes to the state of the game. Even if you have a passing interest in footy, youll be aware that people are not happy.

Its not a new thing, either every year there seems to be something that has people up in arms about where the game is headed and how it is losing too much of what it once was, in order to cater for what could well become.

However, when there are people complaining, you usually get a good helping of others who see sense in what the league is doing and how they are managing the game. It balances things out.

This is not the case, this time.

Not at all.

At the moment, there is as close to a consensus as youre going to find amongst the players, coaches, media, and supporters that the game is on the verge of a crisis. And that crisis revolves around what constitutes holding-the-ball.

Now, I know there will be some who scoff at that notion. Crisis? A bit melodramatic, HB, right?

Perhaps I do have a tendency to get a bit caught up but what were seeing over the past few seasons is a radical change in the way the rule is being interpreted, and it is having a profound impact on how individual players are playing the game, how coaches are planning, and how supporters are viewing the spectacle.

And it all seems to revolve around frustration.

The frustration of seeing good tackles go unrewarded.

The frustration at good tackles actually being punished.

And the frustration that there seems to be a push more towards careful and soft tackling than the aggression that made the sport so bloody great to begin with. People are standing in tackles and being afforded the opportunity to dispose of the ball because the tackler doesnt know if he can really take the ball-carrier to ground without facing suspension.

Its a lottery. And like all lotteries, you lose way more often than you win.

This past weekend, Chad Warner laid a good, hard tackle on Laith Vandermeer, who saw him coming at the last second, braced, got nailed, and somehow ended up with the free kick. From what I saw, the umpire paid the free kick against Warner for too high, but it really looked as though he was penalised for tackling too aggressively.

Umps are jumpy about concussions. Anything that even remotely looks high or dangerous is bring punished. So much so, that they are penalising tackles that dont actually impact the head.

We move onto the Carlton v Gold Coast game, where there were a combined 131 tackles laid by both teams. In anyones language, thats a shitload. Of those tackles, just four resulted in a free kick awarded for holding-the-ball or incorrect disposal. The umpires seemed more interested in giving the player with the footy every chance to spin around, check out his options, smile about it, do a little dance, make a little love, and either hold the footy in or eventually get a disposal away. Or worse, simply allow the footy to spill out.

There are some players in the league who are not exactly Rhodes Scholars (Mike Fitzpatrick retired a long time ago) but theyre not silly. They know how to manipulate the rules and how best to work around whatever interpretations the umpires are instructed to use. As a result, we have a game where tackling has been relegated to being as important as affordable food prices at the venue. Its like a professional cuddling club, and damn it, if I want to watch that, there are sites that cater for it.

Or so Ive heard.

Watching the decline in rewarding tackles is like watching a part of the game die.

Or be killed, more to the point.

The league has in its possession a Golden Goose. Its a privileged position. Theyve been afforded a gift like no other.

The product that has been so good over the life of the AFLs custody of it that they have been given numerous passes by supporters on so many aspects of the game theyve tinkered with.

The highlights, the close results, the great teams, and the amazing players they continue to draw people to the sport. But so does the physicality of the game, and as that continues to be the target of the league, are we nearing the point where the AFLs mismanagement of this aspect of the game could see people switching off?

Could they be strangling the Golden Goose as they attempt to care for it? Are they fixing the sport until its broken?

The numbers indicate thats not the case at the moment, with several rounds posting record attendances early in the season, but there is a growing sense of resentment toward the games administration, currently, and I reckon the league is lucky to have such a loyal and committed supporter-base. People are almost bred into the game, with teams allocated at birth, just as regularly as middle names. That might be the AFLs only saving grace having a team is almost part of the Aussie lifestyle.

But things change, and there is a generation of people who see the game slipping away from the sport they loved into something that may end up resembling Gaelic Football.

And I dont know about you, but I am not at all interested in watching Gaelic Football.

A couple of years ago, I made the decision to analyse a good sample size of games for the purpose of seeing how many holding-the-ball free kicks were paid. From Round 5-23 in 2022, I watched every single game of footy. Suffice to say, a commitment of that magnitude ate up a lot of time and was not well-received in the Mongrel household, so the experiment ended after the 2022 season, but I have retained the data for moments such as this.

The results were alarming, even back then.

In Round Five, 2022, a total of three holding-the-ball free kicks were paid in a game pitting St Kilda against Gold Coast in which 99 tackles were laid.

In Round Eight the same year, the Collingwood v Richmond game saw another three paid. This time it was from 87 combined tackles. Thats 3.44% of tackles that were rewarded. The Saints v Suns game had 3.03% rewarded. And this weekends Carlton v Gold Coast game saw 3.05% of tackles rewarded.

Pretty poor, huh?

Why bother tackling?

I also used the data to discover which players were actually effective at laying tackles that were rewarded with free kicks. The most effective turned out to be Liam Ryan at West Coast. Over a period of 18 weeks, Ryan was successful in 27.8% of his tackling attempts.

The biggest loser was Matt Rowell, who had a 1.5% success rate at that point. My guess is he is more effective now.

But that is just an interesting aside.

So, where do we go from here?

How do we get a balance between rewarding good tackles that get an opponent cold or cause an incorrect disposal, without the umpire yelling he tried like he is adjudicating an Auskick session?

What are the answers?

To that, I throw it open to you you are the people who keep this league alive. You are ones who feed the Golden Goose, even as the league, its rule-makers, its officials, and its potential litigants wrap their hands around its throat and squeeze ever tighter.

How do we fix it?

I am eager to hear your takes. Youre the ones who pay to watch. In the end, the game without you well, how do you like your goose cooked?

Like this content? You could buy me a coffee I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I wont use it to buy a doughnut I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes or Bet365, or any of them.

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Strangling The Golden Goose - The Holding The Ball Rule - The Mongrel Punt

Tulsa, Oklahoma -- Third-seededOral Robertsbroke open a tight game with a 12-run outburst in the eighth inning to advance to beat fourth-seeded Northern Colorado 14-0 and reach the Summit League Baseball Championship title game.

Golden Eaglestarter Brooks Fowler tossed 5.1 innings scoreless innings and allowed only one hit to improve to 6-4. ORU has reached the finals in all 23 Summit League Tournaments they have participated in dating back to 1998.

Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings.

ORU rallied for one run in the fourth, then garnered another in the fifth when Sam Thompson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Still, all the Golden Eagles would get across home plate.

They took a 2-0 lead into the sixth.

ORUs Fowler yieldrf his first hit of the game in the sixth whenCarter Mondahit a line drive to center field. The right-hander then left the mound. He gave up just the one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings, while striking out eight.

Then came an eighth inning for the ages. ORU bats produced 12 runs on nine hits off of three UNC relievers.MartellDavishad two run-scoring hits in the frame and finished the contest with a career-high three RBI. ShortstopDavid Herringblasted a three-run homer in the frame andKole Duddingcapped the scoring with a pinch-hit homer run that was the first of his collegiate career.

Elijah Rodriguezjoined Davis with three hits in the contest as the Golden Eagles outhit the Bears 14-2.

The Golden Eagles have advanced to all 24 Summit League Championship title games that they could have as a league member and won 20 of those, including a season ago inFargo.

The last shutouts in the tournament happened in 2021 whenSouth Dakota Stateput one together againstOmahain a loser's bracket game andNorth Dakota Statefollowed with one in a winner's bracket game against Oral Roberts that same year.

ORU has scored double figures in four consecutive tournament games dating back to last season.

Second-seededNorth Dakota Stateovercame a five-run, ninth-inning deficit to stave off elimination and oust top-seededOmaha7-5 Thursday in the loser's bracket game atJ.L. Johnson Stadium.

TheBisonoffense did not have an answer for Omaha starterHarrison Kreiling, who pitched a gem for theMavericks.

The right-hander allowed just two hits over eight scoreless innings and his 13 strikeouts were the second most in a tournament game in League history.

North Dakotas bats woke up in the ninth. Twelve batters went to the plate, scoring seven times on four hits, three walks and two hit batters. Three Maverick hurlers could not prevent the stunning comeback.

Carter Hakestarted the rally with a pinch-hit single and would draw a bases loaded walk later in the frame that squared the game at 5-5. Fellow pinchhitterKyle Lawalso came through with a two-run single early in the inning beforeSam Cantondelivered the game-winning RBI with a two-out, two-run single through the right side.

With a 7-5 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth,Skyler Riedingerthrew his second scoreless inning to earn the win in relief. He followed Bison closerJoey Danielson, who had entered the game in the third with his team trailing 5-0. Danielson held the Mavericks scoreless and scattered four hits over 4.1 innings, which was his longest outing of the season.

Kreiling's offense gave him that early cushion, striking for four runs in the bottom half of the first and adding one more in the third.

In that four-run first,Grant Sommersdrew a bases loaded walk that was followed by a two-out, bases-clearing double fromHaiden Hunt. Sommers' free pass came after a nine pitch at-bat that saw him foul off three consecutive pitches before seeing a fastball from NDSU starterLandon Koenigmiss the zone high.

The Mavericks added to their advantage in the third on a RBI-single byJack Trout. Danielson was brought into the game with two outs and runners on the corners and was able to keep the deficit at 5-0. He replaced Koenig, who had seen his pitch count rise to 72 through his 2.2 innings of work.

Kreiling had multiple strike outs through each of the first four innings and did not surrender a hit until a one-out single byGarret Hillin the top of the fifth. He saw the Bison load the bases off him in the bottom of the eighth but he picked up his career-high 13th punch-out to end the threat.

With 13 strikeouts, Kreiling now owns the second most in a Summit League Tournament game and strung together three consecutive starts with at least nine strikeouts to close out his senior season.

For the first time in tournament history the top seed has finished the tournament 0-2.

Danielson, who has double-digit saves on the season, threw a season-high 4.1 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Bison in the game, and lay the basis for victory.

North Dakota State will play Northern Colorado, in Fridays play-in game. The loser is done.

The winner will get one more shot at ORU on Saturday.

(https://thesummitleague.org/news/2024/5/23/baseball-summitbsb-championship-recap-3.aspx )

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Oral Roberts Golden Eagles run-rule Northern Colorado, to advance to Summit League title game on Saturday - Oklahoma City Sentinel

The joys of travelling solo are endless. There is something truly freeing about exploring new places alone you can go where you please, eat when you want, and have uninterrupted quality time with yourself. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, but new data from UK-based travel organisation ABTA shows that 16 per cent of travellers went on holiday by themselves in 2023, a five per cent increase from the previous 12-month period. Plus, there is a huge increase in solo travel from those aged 35-44, where solo traveller numbers more than doubled to 13 per cent in 2023 from just 6 per cent in 2022.

Alongside this shift is a need for deeper, slower, more connective travel. For many, solo travel is the perfect way to achieve this it provides an opportunity to trust your instinct, go with your gut and get lost in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on others whims or desires.

But, if youre not a seasoned solo traveller, it can be a daunting prospect. In an age of constant connectivity, the idea of being alone for an extended period of time is a convoluted one. Below, we spoke to travellers who frequently book solo trips about their golden rules for travelling alone.

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For most people, the thought of dining alone is one of the biggest barriers to travelling solo. But once you get past the conviction that everyone is noticing or judging you, its a totally freeing experience. Dining alone isnt as uncommon as you might imagine, says Este Lalonde, a creative director and influencer with a passion for solo travel. I personally find it empowering! Sometimes I bring a book with me or watch an episode of my favourite show on Netflix with my headphones on, but other times I just enjoy the atmosphere and end up chatting to the people at the table next to me.

Most people feel nervous about meeting new people, and introverts especially can struggle to make the first move when arriving in a new place. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most solo travellers will have experienced those same emotions. The first five seconds are the hardest, but once youve introduced yourself, youll quickly realise it wasnt as big a deal as you originally thought. Youd kick yourself if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as the motivation you need to approach a fellow traveller. And remember, if you pretend to feel confident, that will show fake it til you make it is a reliable life rule to follow.

If you are someone who does feel uncomfortable about dining alone, opt for a bar or counter seat. Its much less intimidating than having a whole table to yourself, and you are more likely to end up chatting to the staff or the person sitting next to you. "The first time I went out for a meal alone, I went to JG Melon on the Upper East Side of New York City, Sarah James, Cond Nast Travellers deputy digital editor, says. I took a book, and nervously shuffled onto a bar stool for my burger but ended up chatting away to the charming bartender and the women sat next to me. Now I often opt for a counter seat when eating alone, and no longer take a book with me. Either I end up talking to someone or just enjoy the peace. A general rule I live by we're all so wrapped up in our own lives, no one is paying much attention to other people."

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The golden rules of solo travel - Cond Nast Traveller

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MUSIC

Back in 2022, Peloton removed all of Kanye Wests music from its on-demand library following his antisemitic remarks.

Haile and Evan have been together as a couple since 2016 and got engaged last February.

Rock discussed a short film hed made with Sean Penn, the message of which was: Dont Let Politics Divide Us. Thinking Differently Is What Made This Country Great. He commented: That things more relevant now than when we made it. The message isnt getting across.

Lenny Kravitzwill play a five-night run at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on October 18th, 19th, 23rd, 25th and 26th

The Black KeysandJelly Rolllead a multi-genre lineup of guest performers on tonights finale of NBCsThe Voice. Theyll be joined byKate Hudson,Lainey Wilson,Muni Long,Thomas RhettandGina Miles. The show will also gather a selection of coaches from previous seasons, includingBlake Shelton,Gwen Stefani,Adam Levine,CeeLo Green,Niall Horan,Jennifer Hudson,Nick JonasandKelly Clarkson.Theyll appear, but wont perform.

TV

Chris Hemsworth is playing the ferocious warlord Dementos in the upcomingMad Max: Fury RoadprequelFuriosa,but even he might be no match for the new lineup of spicy wings inHot Ones.Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga comes out on Friday, May 24.In other Chris Hemsworth news, On Thursday, Chris Hemsworth is receiving a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame! LINK

MOVIES

Jason Momoa shared photos from a trip to Japan and some feature actress Adria Arjona LINK

67 Year Old, Tom Hanks texted his rapper sonChet Hanksto get some insight on the latest diss tracks being discussed,and saidBig Main, can you explain the Drake / Kendrick Lamar feud to me?Then, Chet texted back a quick summary of the beef, ending with Kendricks recent diss tracks, which he described like this:Pretty much the sonic equivalent of when you took me to your high school in Oakland and we walked in on the basketball game and everybody started going nuts. Like if you heard it you would just automatically know how to Crip walk with a stank face while clutching an Oscar in each hand with Marshawn Lynch, then dap him up and tell him Town Bidness. Which solidified the win not only for Kendrick, but the entire West Coast.Then daddy Tom Hanks responded with,Holy cow! These are fighting words. People taking sides?? Whos winning??To which Chet could pretty much only reply, quote,Did you not just read what I said? LINK

MISC

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My Golden Rule, Live Mas! 105.7 The Point - 105.7 The Point

Enjoy a safe, entertaining summer with these essential swim safety tips

CHANHASSEN, Minn. , May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether enjoying your favorite pool, lake or river this summer, a safety-first mentality is where it begins. Life Time (NYSE: LTH), offers several safety tips, including the most important 25:10 rule . This means if a child can't swim a standard 25-meter pool length without stopping, a parent or guardian must always be within 10 feet and, preferably, be right in the water with them.

Life Time swimming b-roll footage can be downloaded at this link .

"Every month across our athletic country clubs, we teach more than 30,000 people crucial swim safety skills through our swim lessons and clinics," said Alicia Kockler , Life Time's Senior Vice President of Kids and Aquatics. "Among the most critical safety steps you can take are maintaining direct eye contact with your kids at all times when they're in the water and ensuring they've taken swim lessons."

Other key safety tips from Life Time's Swim team include:

Life Time is gearing up for another busy pool season at its more than 170 athletic country clubs across North America . With more than 500 outdoor and indoor pools and 30+ years of aquatics expertise, the Company certifies more lifeguards than any other business through StarGuard ELITE.

When swim time is over, kids and families can extend their fun for the entire summer with Kids studio classes, music, art, Parents Night Out, Kids Camps and much more. Additional information about Life Time's Kids and Aquatics programs is available here .

About Life Time Life Time (NYSE: LTH ) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs acrossthe United StatesandCanada. The health and wellness pioneer also delivers a range of healthy way of life programs and information via its complimentary Life Time app. The Company's healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem serve people 90 days to 90+ years old and is supported by a team of more than 39,000 dedicated professionals. In addition to delivering the best programs and experiences through its clubs, Life Time owns and produces nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country.

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Ready to Hit the Water for a Summer of Fun? Life Time Offers its Golden Rule for Swim Safety - 25:10 - InvestorsObserver

Summary

Madame Web has drawn a lot of criticism since its release, but one of the most egregious mistakes it made was breaking a 20-year-old Marvel movie villain rule. Madame Web remains one of the worst-rated superhero movies, all but sealing the fate of Sony's languishing Spider-Man Universe. Much of the blame for this state of affairs is leveled at the script, penned by the same writers who wrote Morbius. While Morbius was lambasted upon release, however, it at least handled its arch-villain, Milo, with a greater level of respect and nuance.

Madame Web details the origin story of Cassandra Web, indulging in ample creative liberties in adapting her comic book origins. The presence of the movie's villain, Ezekiel Sims, is one of the most notable of these, as the movie transforms him into an out-and-out villain instead of a positive mentor figure like he is in the comics. While this doesn't necessarily warrant criticism in itself, Madame Web failed in every conceivable way to justify his villainy, even at face value.

With an awful script and not a single ounce of charm among the star-studded cast, Madame Web feels like little more than a Spider-Man movie knockoff.

Aside from repeatedly stating that he "came from nothing," Ezekiel Sims reveals very little about his origins - making it exceptionally hard to invest in him as a character. His comic book connection to the mystical side of the Spider-Man mythos is severely underplayed in Sony's adaptation to the point of being nonexistent. Instead, the arch-villain is portrayed as possessing powers similar to Spider-Man without much elaboration, which he proceeds to employ in several attempts (thwarted by Cassie Webb's powers of precognition) to murder three teenagers. His motivations entail surviving a vision of his death at their hands.

In Marvel Comics, Ezekiel Sims is a mentor to and protector of Spider-Man, especially in his confrontations with the vampiric villain, Morlun.

While there is a semblance of sympathy to be found in these motivations, the distinct lack of backstory makes it exceptionally hard to see Sims as more than a villain in a suit hellbent on murder. Poorly executed moments of exposition (comprising most of Madame Web's worst lines) attempt to elaborate on Sims' background but fail to deliver any reason to care about Sims or his looming fate. His seemingly vast amount of wealth and excessive homicidal tendencies are just taken for granted, making him about as compelling as the universally panned portrayal of Bane in Batman & Robin.

All of this flies in the face of a well-established Marvel movie trope and intensifies the errors of Sony's ways. Ever since X-Men and Spider-Man launched the genre into the powerhouse it is today, Marvel movie villains have been at least somewhat sympathetic, with the most sympathetic Marvel movie villains being among the franchise's most iconic. Even if Ezekiel Sims had been a little less blas about murdering everyone (including a pregnant woman) he might have garnered some level of empathy. Instead, he is infuriatingly one-dimensional.

Even Marvel's worst cinematic adaptations of classic villains like Malekith or MODOK are capable of surpassing pantomime levels of villainy. Sony has itself shown that even villains with a one-track mind towards violence, like Carnage, can be compelling with enough backstory, while its second-worst-rated movie in the franchise at least had a sympathetic villain in the form of Milo. In its future attempts to portray the origin stories of villains-turned-antiheroes like Kraven the Hunter, the studio should learn from the mistakes encapsulated by Ezekiel Sims in Madame Web - although the prognosis looks bleak.

Madame Web is now streaming on Netflix.

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Madame Web Broke The Golden Rule Of Superhero Movie Villains Marvel Spent 20 Years Protecting - Screen Rant

Our beautiful city was shaken Saturday, March 23, by terroristic threats of violence fueled by hatred toward members of the LGBTQ+ community. A planned Drag Queen Story Hour at Lancaster Public Library had drawn the wrath of some local elected officials and conservative Christians.

An email, which law enforcement officials believe originated outside the United States, warned that bombs had been placed in the library and in the homes of the librarys executive director, the president of Lancaster Pride (which had sponsored the story hour) and an LNP | LancasterOnline reporter, as well as in the LNP | LancasterOnline newsroom and the Starbucks at 101 N. Queen St.

I would not be surprised to learn that whoever sent the vile email had been influenced by right-wing extremists such as Chaya Raichik, Christopher Rufo and Matt Walsh. These individuals and others have been intentionally stoking bigotry and hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community. They claim they want to protect children, but their words and actions have the opposite effect. They vilify and demonize LGBTQ+ people and encourage what is called stochastic terrorism as Scientific American magazine explained, that is violence spurred by ideologically driven hate speech.

The unfounded opinions of Republican Lancaster County Commissioners Josh Parsons and Ray DAgostino also likely contributed to the fear and chaos downtown. One wonders whether the commissioners realize that performers be they actors or drag performers generally adapt their performances for their intended audiences.

Consider comedian and actor Lewis Black for instance. His acerbic and curmudgeonly stand-up routines are not suitable for children, and yet, he was cast in the delightfully poignant Pixar Animation Studios childrens film Inside Out as the character Anger and he did an outstanding job in the role. His performance as Anger was completely appropriate for children, just as a Drag Queen Story Hour would have been, had it not been canceled because of security concerns.

Parsons and DAgostino falsely equated Miss Amie Vanits planned Drag Queen Story Hour with drag performances that are clearly intended only for adult audiences. Whether wittingly or unwittingly, the Republican commissioners bore false witness against, and incited anger toward, Christopher Paolini, who performs as Miss Amie.

As a public theologian, it is part of my calling to stand up for those who are marginalized and oppressed, whether that oppression comes from governmental power or religious institutions. Current political discourse by so-called culture warriors from conservative Christian traditions is rife with hateful rhetoric toward LGBTQ+ people. This rhetoric often leads to the bullying of LGBTQ+ kids and has been proven to have detrimental effects on their mental health.

These misguided culture warriors not only seek to deny human rights and dignity to LGBTQ+ people but have also at times called for the violent eradication of gay and transgender people. In doing so, they misuse and weaponize the Bible.

While the Bible is a truly important anthology of texts, and has much to teach its readers, it is also a very human collection fraught with disparate theological ideas and replete with human frailties and failings.

Despite those failings, the Bible also teaches principles that, if truly followed, would radically alter human history and make life better for untold numbers of people. Following the golden rule and unconditionally loving our neighbors whether they look like we do, sound like we do, believe and worship like we do, or love like we do would profoundly change the social and political landscape. Treating others as we would have them treat us precludes misrepresenting people the way gay and transgender individuals are so often misrepresented.

In the early 1990s, I was taught dehumanizing anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry and hate by my Southern Baptist church. Fortunately, Gods grace has allowed me to put down the burdensome weight of that bigotry in order to be loving and fully accepting of the LGBTQ+ community.

Being gay or transgender is neither a sin nor a choice, regardless of how some people interpret the Bible. It is impossible to love ones neighbor while simultaneously denying their humanity or refusing to accept their lived experiences as true.

Diversity is the norm throughout all of Gods creation. A perfunctory look at the natural world shows this to be true from the oceans to the skies, we see biological diversity everywhere we look. This tells me that God delights in diversity.

Humanity is likewise diverse, and I hope that Lancaster Countys GOP commissioners and all other Christians come to understand this fact. Some of us are straight; some of us are gay. Some of us are cisgender; some of us are transgender. All of us are beautiful expressions of divine creativity and of Gods delight in diversity. I believe God calls us to embrace that wondrous diversity in order to create and revel in a world of radical inclusivity, where love of all our neighbors is the rule and not the exception. May it now be so in Lancaster County and beyond.

Dillon Cruz is a Lancaster city resident and the author, most recently, of the book Theological Musings: Collected Essays of a Tattooed Theologian.

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Misguided culture warriors should heed the golden rule [column] - LNP | LancasterOnline