Category: News

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The blended-yet-divided family lifestyle started to take its toll on young Michael. Stortz told Good Morning America that “he didn’t want to express that he was having a good time at each household because he was just worried about upsetting the other house.”

Finally, Stortz decided to reach out to Paskas in the friendliest way possible—by sending gifts. It is one of the five love languages, after all.

“I sent her a bottle of champagne and a card. On the inside of the card it said, ‘thank you for being such a positive influence on my son’s life. He loves you,’ you know, just ‘thank you,’” she told WFLS.

Stortz and Paskas began “testing the waters” by sending gifts back and forth. It wasn’t until the pandemic, however, that their relationship would fully blossom. When both of their husbands got COVID-19 at the same time, the women ended up quarantining together. It was then that they discovered their shared love of makeup. Paskas, who had created her own beauty channel on TikTok, invited Megan to create videos together. Because, as we know, nothing says “friendship” quite like a TikTok duet.

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Paskas’ followers took notice. And when she revealed that her TikTok buddy was her husband’s ex-wife, people were eager to learn more. Inspired, Paskas and Stortz put the Moms of Tampa on social media and it quickly went viral. They even created a podcast, “From Blended to Besties,” available on Spotify, where they discuss their life together as co-parents.

If I had to guess, I’d say it was the genuine love and respect these women have for one another that helped make their channel so contagious. Just take a look at this beautiful “open letter to my son’s other mom” that Stortz posted to Instagram on Mother’s Day. It’s the sweetest.

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Stortz often gives Paskas the nickname “bonus mom” rather than stepmom.

The Moms of Tampa give audiences much more than co-parenting advice and wholesome content. Above all, they offer a refreshing take on what life can look like as a healthy blended family.

@momsoftampa Lessons we learned through healthy coparenting #coparenting #blendedfamily #exwife #bonusmom @momsoftampa2 @momsoftampa @momsoftampa ♬ Dougie x Breakfast x Chosen – Kuya Magik

While their relationship isn’t necessarily realistic for everyone, it’s certainly possible if you want it to be. And the benefits might far outweigh the initial discomfort, particularly for children.

But how does someone even begin to make this happen? Fostering healthy relationships isn’t exactly part of the typical curriculum, least of all nontraditional ones. The Australian parenting website Raising Children advises that a functional blended family dynamic, much like any relationship, boils down to two elements: communication and respect. Both of these qualities are evident in Stortz and Paskas’ relationship.

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It’s amazing how much stronger we can become simply by coming together. Co-parenting isn’t always easy, but, as the Moms of Tampa would argue, it can be oh so rewarding.

If you’ve never seen “Les Miserables,” you may not know that the musical includes one of the saddest songs ever written. “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” which is sung by a young man (Marius) after his friends had been killed in a battle in the French Revolution, is a heart-wrencher both with and without the context of the story.

In the show, Marius sings the song as he sits alone in the cafe where he and his friends had gathered to sing and plan and gather support for their cause. He sings to the ghosts of his friends, lamenting that he lives while they are gone and questioning what their sacrifice was for. It’s a haunting moment of despair and grief that even the hardest of hearts can’t help but feel.

We’ve experienced no shortage of despair and grief in the past two years, as the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed a million lives in the U.S. alone and millions more around the globe. Add in the social and political upheaval of recent years, the continuing dire effects of climate change and scenes and stories of war, and there’s a clear, collective need for a catharsis of some kind.

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That’s where Cormac Thompson comes in. The 13-year-old from England recorded “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” as a charity single to raise money for Acting for Others, and it’s giving people a release for some pent-up emotions.

Thompson gained internet fame when he was 11, after a video of him singing “Danny Boy” for his Irish grandparents during pandemic lockdowns went viral. People loved the angelic nature of his voice, and the video led to Thompson getting a record deal.

His rendition of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” was shared by The Music Man Facebook page on May 13 and has been viewed more than 2.6 million times. The video alternates between Thompson singing in the studio and clips of empty streets and scenes with healthcare workers, drawing the connection between the loss spoken of in the song lyrics and the loss of humanity during the pandemic.

Watch and listen:

The Music Man

Thompson’s pitch-perfect performance has received thousands of comments from people thanking him for the song and describing how moving it was.

“Visions of hospitals, ventilators and so many gone,” wrote one commenter. “Visions of so many buildings destroyed, homes, schools, factories, bodies in the streets, so many gone. Covid. Ukraine. Hauntingly beautiful performance bringing chills and tears, so many tears.”

“I’m in tears!” wrote another. “Although written for Les Miserables, this song and the words is so relevant today with all that’s going on in the world. Wonderful performance!! Bless.”

“He is AMAZING!” wrote another. “Having worked on Les Miserables for 17 years I thought I was immune to it but this is extremely emotional!”

“Amazing talent Cormac! You brought tears to my eyes,” shared another. “The echoes of your beautiful voice will linger in people’s minds as they reminisce the loss of their loved ones. Wishing you the very best for the years ahead.”

Music can be a powerful way to process emotions, and we’ve been living through a time of heightened emotion. Perhaps we could all use this kind of release for our collective pain and grief and sadness. Thank you, Cormac Thompson, for the gift.

Blame it on the pandemic, the Great Resignation or simply the ever-changing times, but the way we view work is quite different now than it used to be. Employees are striving for more work-life balance, four-day work weeks, union protection… In short, it’s no longer just about the daily hustle and grind. People are starting to redefine what work means to them beyond the paycheck.

But if it’s not just for the money, what do we look for in a job?

A comic strip titled “Why people leave even the most high paying jobs” by Woke Salaryman does a great job of answering that question.

The illustrations begin with two co-workers talking. One of them is packing up his things after taking on a new job that would involve a paycut. The other is in disbelief. Sure, the workplace is toxic, but at least it pays well.

A paycut? What madness is this?!All images from wokesalaryman.com

It’s here that the enlightened exiting co-worker states, “Money is not the ONLY thing that matters in a job.” Here are other things to consider:

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1. Culture

Even in the work-from-home age, culture is a major factor for workplace fulfillment. How your boss interacts with you, whether or not you receive credit or support and who you get to learn from all make an impact. Woke Salaryman suggests to look for these two types of healthy company cultures:

Collaborative, where there’s an even exchange of trust, accountability, credit and responsibility. No more micromanagement, gossip or working in silos. Of course, you can work independently and still be collaborative, but I don’t believe the author was trying to dissuade anyone from that. The point is, a collaborative culture instills a sense of safety, rather than fear.

Transparent, where information is freely and honestly exchanged between colleagues and departments. An example of this could look like a visible salary description on a job post or being able to express feedback to the company without fear of retribution.

2. Meaning

As the comic points out, most of us will spend the majority of our waking lives working. So it helps a lot if what we do feels meaningful. Some are more driven by inner passion, others might be motivated by a sense of purpose to better the world. Neither are necessarily better or worse than the other. But it does help to know your own motivations in order to shape a life (and job) that reflects them.

However, though meaning is important, it’s not necessarily required—or even possible at times—to get that from work. Having a job purely for the sake of income is OK too. Some people have no problem compartmentalizing themselves in a healthy way, deriving meaning from their family, their hobbies or other activities outside of work (to these people I humbly ask … please show me your ways). Hopefully the job at least provides support and space to pursue those interests.

3. Opportunities for growth

Woke Salaryman suggests that people usually define growth as either acquiring new skills or responsibilities, which overlooks network and perspective.

Networking at a good company offers the chance to find quality mentors, clients and partners, all of which can lead to future opportunities.

Perspective is equally vital as the world becomes more connected. The open-mindedness gained through being exposed to new perspectives can help someone become more empathetic, collaborative and versatile … rather than simply tech savvy.

4. Money isn’t everything

Of course, the caveat to all this privilege: Though these choices are certainly aspirational, they are not exactly accessible to everyone. Furthermore, money might not be the only reason to choose a job, but it does play a major role in our lives. What the comic is really preaching is to ask ourselves, “What will help me achieve a life well lived?” When we ask ourselves this simple question, money no longer becomes the ultimate or only resource.

If you would like to take a look at the full comic strip, you can check out Woke Salaryman’s website here.

It’s been about two weeks since a sweet 6-year-old pup named Baby Girl was found tied to a fire hydrant in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The story went viral after the Wisconsin Humane Society shared a post about the dog. Now there’s good news to report: Baby Girl has found a new home. The organization announced on May 12 that the dog had been adopted by a new family, only a few days after becoming eligible. That is great news!

“UPDATE 5/12/22: Baby Girl was made available for adoption today and had a few folks eagerly waiting to meet her right when we opened She has officially found a new home! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” it wrote in a Facebook post.

In an update on Baby Girl that was dated May 10, the Wisconsin Humane Society shared more info about the pup ahead of her being available for adoption.

“After abnormalities in her initial assessment, our veterinary team worked with a consulting clinic and determined that Baby Girl has Diabetes mellitus (canine diabetes) which causes elevated blood sugar,” they wrote.

“Her future adopter will need to work with their veterinarian on a plan, which is expected to include daily glucose monitoring, a restricted diet, and at-home insulin injections. It can be an expensive disease to manage, requiring a monthly purchase of insulin and potentially other medical supplies (in total, it’s possible this could cost hundreds of dollars a month, depending on your own veterinarian’s assessment and cost of supplies in your area).

“She will also need routine veterinary visits with full physical exams, bloodwork, urinalysis, and/or other diagnostics as deemed appropriate by the primary veterinarian. WHS will provide initial prescriptions and a glucose sensor. While diabetes can be costly and tough to manage, we know there is a loving adopter out there for this special girl!”

Canine diabetes is similar to human diabetes in that it is a disease of the endocrine system where the body fails to produce enough or respond properly to insulin. Similarly to humans there are three types, including gestational diabetes. According to PetMD, there are certain breeds that are predisposed to canine diabetes, as are female dogs and middle aged to senior dogs as well. It is definitely manageable with a care plan from your dog’s veterinarian.

Baby Girl has definitely had a very intense couple of weeks. On May 5, the Wisconsin Humane Society posted a picture of her secured to a fire hydrant in the middle of the road with a backpack placed next to her and indicated that the dog’s previous owner had left a note explaining why they could no longer care for the pup.

“First and foremost, we are so sorry you had to part with your best friend. It’s evident just how much you loved her and we can see you did your best while struggling with your own medical complications and challenges of life,” the Humane Society’s wrote in a compassionate public message to the owner.

The Wisconsin Humane Society did indicate in its update that it had been in direct contact with Baby Girl’s previous owner, and that it was “grateful for the chance to connect with her, and honor her wishes for Baby Girl to find a new home.” It’s good to hear that not only is Baby Girl doing well, but that she has found a new family to love her.

Pearl Jam have already been making lemons of lemonade on their current tour. When Drummer Matt Cameron tested positive for COVID-19 recently, the band welcomed replacements in original battery-mate Dave Krusen for their Fresno show, and made 18-year-old high school drummer Kai Neukermans day (life?) when he was chosen to play drums for the band at their Oakland show. Even Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist Josh Klinghoffer took a turn on the drums on this tour.

But now, as the band has announced that bass player Jeff Ament has also tested positive for COVID-19, Pearl Jam made the difficult decision to cancel the final US dates on the current tour. Both Sacramento and Las Vegas shows on May 18th and May 20th, respectively, have been cancelled and refunds will be offered to all ticket holders. “Our attention to staying inside the bubble has been constant,” the band said in a statement. “We have truly done all that we could have to remain clear of infection.” Sadly, Pearl Jam’s US tour has come to a bitter end. They’ll be heading off to play in Europe next month.

Read the entire statement posted to the band’s social media accounts below.

Important Cancelation Notice for Sacramento and Las Vegas

Dear PJ fans and ticket holders,

While the band battled through Oakland after drummer Matt Cameron tested positive for Covid, and Fresno where Ed and the band got through it with the help of Dave Krusen as special guest drummer, they now have to present the heartbreaking news that this morning bassist Jeff Ament has tested positive for Covid.

This is horrible for everybody involved and we are especially sorry to those out there who have made plans to attend these shows.

Our attention to staying inside the bubble has been constant. We have truly done all that we could have to remain clear of infection.

Regretfully, the Sacramento and Las Vegas shows are canceled. Ticket refunds will be automatically processed to ticket holders’ method of purchase. We are so very sorry. Be safe out there.

Reported drama on the Fast X set (including the cited reason, alleged Vin Diesel diva-dom, for longtime franchise director Justin Lin stepping away from the project) won’t deter a good time for Vin and Jason Momoa. And who could blame them from having fun when it’s possible for Momoa to rip his shirt off (like he did while apologizing for taking photos at the Sistine Chapel) and distract everyone?

No complaints there. Vin posted a video of this happening with Momoa pulling his best Tawny Kitain and declaring that he was “trying to do the new Whitesnake video.”

“Week 5, day one of an intense new action sequence!!” That’s how Vin described what’s happening on set, although Momoa isn’t looking too villainous, as his character’s existence would suggest. There’s no telling when, exactly, this video footage was captured, but it wasn’t posed in real time. Momoa has revealed on his Instagram that he’s back in the U.K., where he was greeted by mac and cheese and tamales.

Fast X pretty much stars everyone, though. Charlize Theron will return to the franchise, and Brie Larson joined in the fun, and Louis Leterrier signed on as the new director while probably needing to reel in the shirtlessness as one of his first tasks. I’m frankly not sure how any work gets done around there, but you know, when in Rome, maybe do as the Momoa does.

Drake’s penchant for sports betting is becoming almost as well known as his biggest hits. Likewise, Jack Harlow’s admiration for Drake has become common knowledge. However, Jack recently learned the hard way that following in his hero’s footsteps isn’t always the best move.

During an interview with The 85 South Comedy Show he admitted that trying to keep up with Drake — who has a lot more money to blow at this stage in his career than Jack Harlow — lost him “a lot of money” recently at the Kentucky Derby. “I just told Drake I would bet what he bet,” he confessed. “So I copied him.”

Meanwhile, the two rappers have spent a lot more time together, vacationing in Turks & Caicos, visiting the Kentucky Derby, and of course, working on music. Their collaboration “Churchill Downs” — named for the Kentucky Derby’s famous racecourse — appeared on Jack’s new album, Come Home The Kids Miss You, after leaking early a week before its release.

That’s where knowing Drake came in handy; Jack shared the encouragement Drake gave him after the leak, which helped him put the disappointment in the past. Maybe the next bit of advice Drake can give him is how to turn his most recent faux pas, when he admitted to not knowing Brandy and Ray J are siblings, to his advantage the way Drake always has. Although considering his recent Instagram response to Brandy’s battle challenge, maybe he’s already getting some guidance in that respect as well.

Elon Musk is not having a great day. Following reports that Twitter plans to “enforce the merger agreement” that Musk has attempted to back out of by suddenly becoming concerned with the social media company’s bot problem that he vowed to fix, Tesla shares plummeted on Tuesday after it was knocked off of the S&P Dow Jones’ ESG index. The ESG is a “global list that ranks companies based on their environmental, social, and governance standards,” according to Mediaite, and Musk is absolutely raging at the development.

Adding insult to injury, Exxon was left on the ESG index, and that was enough for Musk to start firing off pouty tweets on Twitter, the platform he may soon own whether he wants to or not.

“Exxon is rated top ten best in world for environment, social & governance (ESG) by S&P 500, while Tesla didn’t make the list!” Musk tweeted. “ESG is a scam. It has been weaponized by phony social justice warriors. @SPGlobalRatings has lost their integrity.”

In a move that brings back memories of his Mother’s Day tweet where he hinted he might be killed by Russia, Musk complained to his followers that he’s now a “political” target. “Political attacks on me will escalate dramatically in coming months,” he tweeted.

Musk then returned to attacking the ESG list and accused of it ranking “how compliant your business is with the leftist agenda” in a meme featuring The Rock.

Musk eventually capped off his meltdown with a vow to never vote for a Democrat again. “In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican,” Musk tweeted before, once again, painting himself as a political victim. “Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold.”

(Via Elon Musk on Twitter, Mediaite)

Last November, revered Montreal band Ought announced they were officially breaking up. But fans weren’t totally at a loss because shortly thereafter, the new group Cola was born. A trio consisting of former Ought members Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy along with US Girls/The Weather Station drummer Evan Cartwright, Cola craft charged and hypnotic post-punk. After building anticipation with the droning-yet-melodic debut track “Blank Curtain,” the band officially announced their debut album Deep In View, which is out Friday via Firetalk Records.

Deep In View was born out of a creatively invigorating period for the band. Darcy and Stidworthy would send demos back-and-forth every week, building on a foundation of crisp, streamlined chords and angular guitars to create layered vignettes of the absurdity of modern life. Like their music, the band name Cola itself has many interpretations. Of course, the sugary beverage is what first comes to mind. But the name can also be broken down into the acronym Cost Of Living Adjustment, a term used in the social security sector which relates to the commentaries on consumption made throughout the band’s music.

Ahead of the release of Deep In View, Cola sat down with Uproxx to talk about hometown shows, being inspired by politically-charged punk music, and their love of the late ’90s California music scene in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Rustic, melodic, moody, spry

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

I hope my music is remembered as true to myself. That it gave me a feeling I wanted to share.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Hometown Montreal shows are scary but always special. Leeds, London, Paris, Mexico City, and Copenhagen have all been so memorable over the years.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Probably Joe Strummer and The Clash, with their infusion of politics and genre beyond the punk world, their music never stopped being meaningful to me.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Homemade pasta alla Bottarga on a patio with Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, Ought, and friends in a courtyard in Sardinia late at night.

What album do you know every word to?

13 by Blur.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

D Double E at Newspeak in Montreal.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Pants, shirt, and jacket. I try to get myself warm and sweaty cause I hate playing with dry, cold hands.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

@stephenkb on Twitter.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

“Inspector Norse” by Todd Terje came out right before Ought’s first record and we would listen to it after a long drive on tour as we were approaching the venue to get the blood flowing again. I love the emotional ambiguity of this track.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

Multnomah County election guide.

What album makes for the perfect gift?

The Ethiopians’ Engine ’54

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

A monastery in Germany with our friends Yung in 2015.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I got my first tattoo in an apartment in Mexico when I was 17 but the sands of time have eroded it.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

All the California late ’90s stuff like Sugar Ray, No Doubt, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Cake, etc…

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Everything my mother has done.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

It doesn’t all come naturally, especially love.

What’s the last show you went to?

Ms. Nina in LA.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Oceans 11

What would you cook if Obama were coming to your house for dinner?

Fresh mushroom white wine pasta, herbal salad, fennel, mint, parsley, and arugula with a lemon and white balsamic dressing, roasted chickpeas and carrots, with arak and dark chocolate.

Deep In View is out 5/20 via Firetalk Records. Pre-order it here.

The thing I like about The Flight Attendant is that it is deeply committed to being nutty as hell. The first season was wild, for sure, all the way through. Kaley Cuoco’s character, the titular flight attendant, woke up next to a dead guy in the series premiere and we were on a rocket ship from there. There were spies and assassins and visions of both the dead guy and gigantic rabbits, sometimes together. By the end of the season (I swear this next part is all true), Kaley Cuoco had been recruited to work for the CIA by a second flight attendant who was undercover to investigate a third flight attendant — played by Rosie Perez, which we’ll come back to — for kind of accidentally selling aerospace secrets to the North Korean government. It was a really good time.

The second season has, somehow, against truly staggering odds, kept up this frenetic pace. It might have even surpassed it. Kaley Cuoco’s character is now working for the CIA, kind of, while also getting sober, kind of, but also all of these other things have happened:

• A car exploded in Berlin and Kaley Cuoco is the prime suspect because the person who did it was impersonating her
• She thought the impostor was a different coworker because that lady was acting all suspicious but it turned out that was just smuggling fentanyl lollipops, as one does
• There is a weird couple with matching bleach blond hair and leather outfits who is running around doing crimes and menacing her friends
• Her best friend is now kind of engaged to a computer hacker with incredible abs who got hit by a car and almost died but is fine now
• She slept with her CIA handler, who might be up to no good, which is all being investigated by Cheryl Hines from Curb Your Enthusiasm, who is also on this show now

Also, and I suppose I could provide context for this if I wanted to, which I do not even a little… this happened.

It’s a great show. I really think more people should watch it. It’s the biggest mess you’ll ever see, which I mean in the best way possible. The other week there was this devastating scene with one character and her mother, just like five minutes of raw and painful emotion, and then suddenly North Korean agents were storming the house and everyone got away by shoving a lit Roman candle into the gas tank of an abandoned truck and fleeing through the flames. All of these are spoilers, in the most technical sense of the word, but I assure you that knowing it all will not take away from your enjoyment at all. There’s so much more I haven’t mentioned. Again, perfect television show.

All of which is great. I could go on for an hour. And I might, if you come over with a pizza later. But right now we need to discuss Rosie Perez. Her character, I mean. But also Rosie herself, because Rosie Perez rules. She plays a lady named Megan who, as I mentioned earlier, accidentally sold aerospace secrets to the North Koreans. How does one accidentally sell aerospace secrets to the North Koreans? Glad you asked. Turns out she was bored in her marriage to some doof who works for an aerospace company, so she wanted some excitement, so she pulled files off his laptop and gave them to some mysterious man who approached her and whoooops the files were government contracts and the mysterious man was a North Korean spy. You’ve seen it a million times.

Anyway, cut to season two, where all of this is happening:

• She opens the season living in hiding in Iceland with a black market tuna smuggler played by Margaret Cho
• She picks a bunch of mushrooms from a forest, which we later see her mashing up into a fine dust/paste
• You guessed it, they are poisonous hallucinogenic mushrooms
• She is running around dosing people with them to keep her secret and/or investigate other secrets
• Her cover gets blown and she comes back to America using the pseudonym “Hildegard Bouffant”
• She goes hunting for a lockbox she hid in her friend’s strip club, but the friend sold the contents of the room to some strange lady, so Rosie and her stripper friend track her down to a weird trailer in the woods and, yup, you guessed it again, dose the woman with mushroom paste and steal back the lockbox while the woman has a full-on mental collapse on the woods

Again, these are all true things that happened. The woman started season one as a bored housewife who worked for an airline and she is now running around with strippers and tuna smugglers and slipping poisonous mushrooms to people as part of a plan to evade both a slew of North Korean spies — one of whom was named, I promise, “Hawk” — and the CIA, who wants to arrest her and now employs her dear friend. Also, she is wearing an incredible number of floppy hats while doing it like she’s Carmen Sandiego or something.

I repeat: incredible. I kind of need to know what the hat budget is for this show. It’s got to be obscene. Like, it would not surprise me for a second if another show gets canceled after one season because a rogue wardrobe coordinator got a little loose with the HBO Max corporate card. It’s basically this tweet but with “hats for Rosie Perez” instead of candles.

It dawns on me as I’m getting ready to wrap this up that I really glossed over the thing where a woman wanted by both the CIA and North Korean spies managed to fly from Iceland to America without getting caught. It says a lot about this show that I consider this to be information worthy of a back burner, especially when you consider how it happened, which I will once again lay out via bullet point:

• She and Kaley Cuoco worked with one of the assassins from season one — who originally wanted to kill them but is now their friend, sort of — to get out
• They stole a speedboat
• They took the stolen speedboat to a helicopter
• They took the helicopter to a private jet, which they flew across the Atlantic.

Also, and I don’t know why I feel like this is important to share but I feel deeply in my bones that I must, the helicopter they took the stolen speedboat to was just, like, waiting for them on a cliff.

So that’s what’s going on with Rosie Perez in The Flight Attendant. I mean, mostly. There’s still so much more I haven’t spelled out. We can talk about it when you bring over that pizza later.