Category: Trending

The 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class has been anticipated for quite some time. Because of the mandatory waiting period for retired players, it is relatively easy to project at least some of each class and, with a few prominent names now eligible, assumptions were already being made for who might headline the group.

On Tuesday, word began to break from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on the individuals that will be included, and the class includes Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki.

Wade and Nowitzki, who famously faced off in the 2006 NBA Finals, are joined by Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich. The group could also expand from this report, as Wojnarowski notes the official announcement is still to come on Saturday with the annual gathering at the NCAA Final Four.

This is a class with a great deal of star power, as Wade and Nowitzki both operated as the best player on an NBA title team, with Gasol and Parker earning multiple titles along the way. Hammon is an unequivocal legend in the basketball world, and Popovich is on the short list of best NBA coaches of all-time.

The real fun begins when the induction ceremony takes place and the public can hear from the inductees. In the meantime, this is a great honor for all involved and anticipation can build until the ceremony.

The NFL has a pretty big change coming to its Thursday Night Football broadcasts next year. While a proposal to flex late-season games to Thursdays with enough of a heads-up during the season has apparently been tabled until May, the league determined that teams can now play two games a year on a short week on Thursdays.

As Pelissero noted, the way this worked in the past — even before Amazon acquired the rights to Thursday Night Football last season — was that teams could only have this sort of arrangement once in a season. It has not been especially popular among players, who have noted that there are legitimate safety concerns that surround playing a game on a Sunday, packing an entire week’s worth of recovery and preparation into three days, and then playing again on a Thursday.

You can, apparently, count Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes among those who isn’t a fan of playing on this short of a week. Mahomes took to Twitter after news got out of the new arrangement and expressed his disappointment with one emoji.

We’ll have to wait and see on whether or not games will end up getting flexed to Thursdays, which we have to assume Mahomes will not like, either.

Disney has been putting gay characters in their movies and shows for a while now. (Although you may not have noticed the first ones, two deer in Zootopia, who were subtly a same-sex couple.) They’re LGBTQIA+ advocacy has even enraged the governor of the state they’re based in. In a very different era of just a decade-plus ago, one beloved Disney Channel show quietly had a bisexual protagonist, though because of the times they had to be so subtle about it that the public didn’t know until now.

That show was Wizards of Waverly Place, and that protagonist was Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo, a teen witch living in Greenwich Village. The revelation of her sexual orientation was revealed by executive producer and head writer Peter Murietta on the Wizards of Waverly Place podcast. Over its four seasons, Alex had her share of boyfriends. But in Season 3 she made friends with Hayley Kiyoko’s Stevie Nichols. Murietta said they wished they could have taken their relationship further.

“I wished we could have played more with what was quite obvious to a lot of us was the relationship between Stevie and Alex,” Murietta confessed. “But we weren’t able to in that time…it was pretty clear to all of us what that relationship was. That would’ve been fun.”

Stevie only lasted four episodes, but Jennifer Stone, who played Alex’s best friend on the show and now co-hosts the podcast, speculated that she would have remained if the culture had been like what it is now. “If we were just a few years down the line,” she said, “we maybe could have played with that.”

“At the time it wasn’t a thing,” Murietta said. “But, we got as close as we could. I mean it was pretty close. It was pretty much right there.”

Gomez’s Waverly Place character isn’t the only major character to be retroactively made LGBTQIA+. Before she went off the deep end into transphobia, J.K. Rowling famously revealed that Dumbledore was gay.

(Via Variety)

Although traveling alongside a group of friends and family creates shared memories that last a lifetime, traveling alone comes with its own set of joys. As a young female, I found that waiting around for people to agree and commit to a trip – whether some new domestic destination or international excursion – usually ended up with disappointment and having to sort out a list of conflicting schedules, expectations, and accommodation preferences. Once I made that initial solo trip, I never looked back, and instead found myself navigating the world as a solo woman. Believe it or not, traveling alone in 2023 can actually help you save money on your global journey.

That’s not to say there aren’t challenges that come with being a solo female traveler. Like all things, there are risks involved — which we’ve covered a fair bit, BTW. But with some planning and prep, the joys far outweigh the challenges and risks. I feel certain of that.

So next time you’re bookmarking the cheap jungle bungalows of Southeast Asia, longing for a visit to the sandy shores of Costa Rica, and wanting to lessen the language barrier between you and the cities of the world, go back to this article and get inspired by these women travel influencers who have taken the world in the palms of their hands.

“Learn to be social” & “Enjoy your solitude” — KRISTIN ADDIS (@bemytravelmuse)

I’ve been solo traveling for over 10 years now and the biggest challenge I think is that you need to learn to either be really outgoing or enjoy your solitude. I would really say both. It is easy to be outgoing because travelers tend to be friendly people but if you’re not willing to put yourself out there at all then you will be spending a lot of time truly by yourself. Now I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, I think it’s actually one of the beautiful things about traveling alone. It can really be a joy, actually. But eating alone and making all of the choices yourself can be hard.

I feel the joys are much more than the challenges. I think everyone should do it at least once in life because you really become aware of what you’re capable of. You realize you don’t need anyone else to be successful in life. It encouraged me to try so many things that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have done if I didn’t have that self-efficacy that I built through traveling alone. It allows you to be totally selfish, which I don’t think is always a bad thing. It’s important to have that experience and be whoever you are without other people’s opinions or ideas coloring your experience. You get to know yourself on the most intimate level possible.

“Rely on the kindness of strangers” — LUCY RUTHNUM (@absolutelylucy)

After seven years of living as a nomadic solo female traveler, I’ve definitely had my fair share of challenges. But I’ve also experienced so much joy in solo travel. As a solo female traveler, it can be challenging at times to be fully responsible for yourself. There’s no doubt the world can be a difficult place for a woman on her own and when you’re traveling you experience the best and the worst of people. That’s not to say it’s something you shouldn’t do though.

If anything, I think the challenges you face bring you so much closer to strangers and it really shows you the kindness of other people. The amount of times that I was struggling being a solo female traveler and someone has come to my rescue by inviting me into their home and making made me feel completely welcome, even we don’t speak the same language. People welcomed me into their country, shared food, and introduced their friends to me. It really reminds you that although the world can be a difficult place, just how positive it is and that it’s full of kindness.

You can rely on the kindness of strangers which is something that, quite frankly, growing up in the UK was told to avoid. I think that’s the most heartwarming thing about solo female travel is finding good-hearted people. I highly recommend traveling alone, it is without a doubt the best investment that I’ve ever made and it was worth every penny.

Face your “fear of the unknown” — ZOE GATHI (@zoe_gathi)

As a solo woman traveler, I’ve experienced so many emotions while exploring different parts of the world. On one hand, there’s the thrill of exploring new places, getting to know new cultures, meeting interesting people and — why not — making new friends. But on the other hand, there’s also the fear of the unknown and all the possible dangers that come with traveling alone.

One of the biggest challenges that a solo female traveler faces is the fear of the unknown. When you’re traveling by yourself, there’s no one to rely on but yourself, which can be discouraging at times. Research and planning ahead of time can be very useful and go a long way in easing some of these fears.

Despite the challenges, travel has definitely filled me with joy and brought me personal growth. It has allowed me to push myself out of my comfort zone and experience new cultures and ways of life. I’ve learned to be self-sufficient and independent. I’ve met incredible people along the way who have enriched my life in countless ways. Ιt has changed my perspective on life and the way I see things. Travel has taught me respect. Ιt has made me wiser and a better human being.

Being a solo woman traveler has taught me that anything is possible if I believe in me and I’m willing to take the risk and put myself out there. While it’s not always easy, the rewards of solo travel are more than worth it.

“The feeling of accomplishment” — EMILY HART (@emilyventures)

The challenges of solo travel are often the same things that bring joy – I get to do everything by myself, but I also have to do everything by myself. When I’m sick or tired or confused or out of service, solo travel can easily turn from an empowering experience to one that is frustrating if I don’t work at keeping a positive mindset.

Logistically being solo can be challenging as some restaurants don’t want to seat solo travelers at a table, some excursions require two people (or make you pay for two) and some hikes just aren’t safe solo. When I recently visited American Samoa the park was nearly deserted, and with no search and rescue on the island, I decided not to do many hikes even though I had a satellite device. The unnecessary strain on resources I might cause as a solo traveler was not worth it.

Oh, the joys!

Too many to accurately express really – if that wasn’t the case I wouldn’t have traveled this way for a decade. I think, for me, what it comes down to is the feeling of accomplishment and confidence that solo travel creates. It is a cycle that repeats itself and continues to level up – I feel accomplished and confident from doing things on my own, which leads to more of the same. I have this great well of trust within myself because I know I have faced things that at one point I didn’t think I could. I have solved all of the problems that have come at me thus far – one way or another – on my own. I’m not bound by anyone else’s plans or schedules or preferences – I can just be me.

Take the difficult “first step” to meet people — OLIVIA CHRISTINE (@ochristine)

Traveling as a woman in today’s world is so different than even a decade ago. There are so many more platforms, apps, and communities that uplift women explorers. I have met people along my adventures that I’ve stayed in touch with and reconnected with years later, in random parts of the world! If I was traveling with a group of friends, that likely wouldn’t happen.

Traveling as a solo female can be extra special because it helps you unlock fears, leave your comfort zone, and get to know yourself. I am introverted in unfamiliar situations plus I don’t come from a traveling family, so taking chances and socializing are not naturally in my vocabulary. Solo female travel helped me step out of that mindset by making me believe in myself one trip at a time. You don’t have to be a fearless social butterfly to solo travel.

The biggest challenge I’ve come across is myself. I really enjoy being by myself so sometimes I have to give myself a pep talk to go out, but once I am there and comfortable I am just fine. That first step is hard. To get over that hump while traveling, I’ll befriend a couple of people (this is where hostels, co-working spaces, and group tours are super useful) and then I use those friendships to motivate me to get out. It is like a domino effect thereafter.

Enjoy being a “clean slate to each new person you meet” — SOJOURNER WHITE (@thesojournies)

I’m Sojourner White — a Black woman traveler who travels solo via plane, bus, and train (which is my favorite) around the world. I love meeting new people and trying new things. But one of the biggest joys of solo traveling is creating my own itinerary and no one can tell me I have to change it or I can decide to completely abandon it and sleep all day. It’s freeing to get up and decide that I want to take a twerk class in New Orleans, a cooking class in Mexico, hike a volcano for pizza in Guatemala, or do a street food tour in Panama, just for the fun of it. I feel like society tells women we have to be caretakers for everyone all the time. But when I solo travel I can take up as much space as I want and be selfish with my own time. You’re a clean slate to every new person you meet and that’s so cool to me.

Some early challenges in my solo woman traveler journey really had to do with me being a Black woman traveling solo in places where there aren’t many Black people. I had to deal with people staring at me, questioning if I was really born in the U.S., or trying to touch my hair or skin. Lots of these interactions are out of curiosity, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. And at the end of the day, I’m never letting those experiences stop me from seeing the world and doing what I want to do. A consistent challenge is always navigating new places solo where I don’t know the language and learning how to trust strangers in the moment when I don’t know anyone else. I’ve learned over time though that people are more genuine and nicer than you think.

I’ll also add that I’ve found so much joy in doing scenic train rides solo and I think they’re an interesting experience to do solo. I’ve done them around the U.S. (Amtrak’s California Zephyr and Coast Starlight) and the El Chepe Express through Copper Canyon in Mexico. There is just something about being solo, through the middle of nowhere, on a train watching the sunrise that is so serene and simple. Oddly enough I think a scenic train ride is a great solo trip option because they’re easy to plan and you can really see if you like to be solo.

Recognize that the “experience is what you make of it” — MELANIE SUTRATHADA (@melaniesutra)

I used to be afraid of solo traveling. The idea of going to a new city or country alone would give me debilitating anxiety that left me with more questions than answers. What if I got lost? What would people think about me eating alone? Would I be safe? Would I get lonely? There were so many fears.

Then, one day, I decided that the only way to know was to do it. So I booked a solo trip to Iceland and jumped right in. It took me out of my comfort zone, and it challenged me, changed me, and ultimately made me a better person. I came home with new friends that I still keep in touch with, stories of once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and more faith in the kindness of humanity than I ever expected. Since that trip, I’ve traveled to about 15 other countries completely solo and haven’t looked back.

Solo traveling can be freeing, empowering, and inspiring at times. It can also be tiring, overwhelming, and exhausting at times. There are days when solo traveling might mean going for a magical night hike to see the Northern Lights or cathartically crying as you sit underneath a waterfall that looks straight out of a postcard. And there may be other days where you spend an exhausting night in a laundromat because of a bedbug problem at your hostel or have to teach yourself how to change a flat tire through a buffering YouTube video in the middle of nowhere. The beauty of solo travel is that the experience is all your own and is what you make of it.

Deciding to go alone is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever given myself, and I hope you’ll decide to take the leap. You won’t regret it. I know I haven’t.

Ed Sheeran is one of the most streamed artists of this era. Although Jay Z respectfully passed on laying down a guest verse on the singer’s Grammy Award-winning track “Shape Of You,” many artists would die to collaborate with him. Sheeran is a hit-making machine (with a few slated to be released after his death) and a media darling. However, in his latest interview with Rolling Stone, it doesn’t seem like that love is reciprocal.

When asked about the media, specifically music critics, in the age of streaming, his response was simple. “Why do you need to read a review? Listen to it. It’s freely available,” said Sheeran adding, “Make up your own mind. I would never read an album review and go, ‘I’m not gonna listen to that now.’”

To be fair that wasn’t the only spicy take he had during the sit-down. “I think there’s two genres. It’s good and bad,” he said. “And I don’t think kids believe in genres anymore, either.”

Sheeran added, “Now it’s just playlists, and kids are like, well, I like this song by this artist, and I like this song by that artist. And it might be a Skrillex song next to a Doja Cat song next to a Kendrick Lamar song.”

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

There are kitten lovers…and then there are Ricky’s grandparents.

When Izzie Grass left her kitten, Ricky, with her parents for two weeks, she had no idea what was in store for her after she got him back. Not only had RIcky been well taken care of, but his adventures with his human grandparents were fully documented in a photobook created by Grass’ mother, which she titled “Ricky Goes to Gramma’s and Grampa’s.”

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The photo album that reads like a children’s book first went viral when Grass shared it on TikTok in 2020. Now it has resurfaced again, and people are clamoring for more riveting Ricky content after reading about how the kitten “helped Gramma do the dishes” and how “Cousin Jasper and Charlie ate most of” the pancakes Gramma made for him.

Check out how adorably extra Gramma is:

@goldfishclub

I’ll never run out of content. #Rickythesquittenkitten #cats #kitten #animals #pets #fyp #foryou #cute #happy #teachersoftiktok

Has any kitten ever been more loved?

“I would die for Ricky, Gramma, and Grampa,” wrote one commenter.

“This is GOLD. I want to see ‘Ricky Learns to Drive.'” wrote another.

“My parents didn’t even put this much effort into making scrapbooks for ME,” shared another.

Grass told Newsweek that her mom told her she made the book because “that’s what she does,” adding, “She is known for creating very sentimental gifts.”

Grass also shared that the book almost didn’t get made because Ricky almost didn’t make it as a kitten. He was brought to the veterinary clinic where Grass worked when he was 9 weeks old to be euthanized.

“The individuals who dropped him off reported that they found a kitten with broken legs and that was throwing up everything they tried to feed him,” she said. “I came back from my lunch early to care for this kitten and in the kennel was Ricky.”

As it turned out, Ricky had some birth defects and health problems that required specialized care, but he didn’t need to be euthanized. Grass took him home but needed a little time to prepare to give him the care he needed.

“My mom stepped up and offered to watch him for a couple weeks while I got a handle of my schedule,” Grass told Newsweek. “It was during this time that she created the book.”

The fact that Ricky had specialized care needs at the time makes Gramma’s photobook all the more endearing.

Now Ricky is now 3 years old and is doing remarkably well considering his health challenges as a kitten.

“He has made so much progress,” Grass told Newsweek. “His esophagus works significantly better, he has learned how to walk, climb and run, and he continues to help me raise other foster kittens. Ricky is very loved and lives the life he deserved to have.”

With a mom and grandparents like he has, it’s not a surprise. Find more videos of Ricky and the animals Grass fosters on her TikTok channel here.

Deadpool 3 has been shaping up slowly but surely. It was all the way back in September of last year that they added Hugh Jackman, who will dust off Wolverine after killing him off back in 2017. Some six months later and they’re still adding actors to the mix. The Crown’s Emma Corrin was tapped as a likely villain back in February. And on Tuesday, a mere two days after Succession’s final season kicked off, they added one of its many top shelf cast members.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Macfadyen, the show’s resident weaselly future divorcee Tom Wambsgams, is joining the much-anticipated threequel. Who he’ll play is unknown, but THR claims he’ll be a “third wheel” character for Ryan Reynolds’ title antihero and Jackman’s rage-filled mutant. Does that mean he’s another superhero? Or perhaps some meddling bureaucrat forced for whatever reason to tail around with them on whatever misadventure they’re getting into this time? Maybe he’ll play a fastidious dreamboat, as he did when he took on Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice.

The third Deadpool will be Macfadyen’s maiden voyage into the world of superhero movies, though it won’t be his first blockbuster. Back in 2011, he was Athos in Paul W.S. Anderson’s supersized The Three Musketeers. He also had a role in 2017’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. In any case, welcome to the world of capes and stuff.

(Via THR)

To some, gin has a reputation for being a floral juniper bomb and not much else. People who love gin can’t get enough of it neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a classic gin and tonic, gin gimlet, or myriad other gin-based drinks. They love it for its botanical, floral, and earthy flavors. People who don’t like it think it tastes like someone poured a bowl of grandma’s potpourri into a neutral grain spirit and then shook it up and dumped it into a bottle.

While those rare few are entitled to their opinion, we feel bad for them because they’re missing out on some great, complex, flavorful gins.

Sure, juniper is the first (and sometimes dominant) flavor you’ll notice when you sip any gin. But, depending on the gin, there are seemingly countless other flavors like coriander, angelica root, orris root, licorice, orange peel, ginger, and even strange ingredients like sea kelp and Cascade hops.

The multi-layered, complex nature of a well-made gin got us thinking about the best sip we’ve ever had. And while we could regale you with random artisanal gins we’ve tried along the way, we figured we’d let someone else chime in. We asked a few well-known bartenders to tell us the single best sip of gin they’ve ever had. Keep reading to see what they said.

Whitley Neill Original Dry Gin

Amanda Swanson, USBG president of Philadelphia and bartender at Parc in Philadelphia

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $28

The Gin:

Whitley Neill Original Dry Gin. So, I am actually (mildly) allergic to juniper, so I very seldom taste gins at all, let alone side by side, but a taste that sticks out in my memory was when I tasted Whitley Neill’s dry gin that uses baobab was one of their botanicals.

Tasting Notes:

It was soft and approachable and made me wish I could take a few more sips. Other flavors include lemon peels, orange zest, juniper, and cardamon.

Ewing Young Mianda’s Oregon Summer Gin

Augustina Elizabeth, bartender at SIM Golf in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 42%

Average Price: $38

The Gin:

Mianda’s Gin by Ewing Young Distillery in Oregon. This 84-proof, “western style gin” gets its bright, floral flavors from the addition of Italian juniper, Oregon-sourced hyssop, rosemary from the distillery’s farm, and even Cascade hops.

Tasting Notes:

This gin is floral with hints of orris root, cardamom, and juniper. It’s simply lovely. Perfect for sipping or mixing into your favorite drink.

Hendrick’s Gin

David Miller, beverage director at Pennydrop Bar + Kitchen in St. Louis

ABV: 44%

Average Price: $36

The Gin:

The best sip of gin for me was the sip that opened my mind up to a completely different approach to spirits. It was the early 2000’s and I was in my early 20s still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. At the not-so-glamorous bar I was working at as a server, we started carrying this new product called Hendrick’s. I didn’t think much of it because, at the time, I had always thought of gin as ‘an old timer’s spirit’ and something that I didn’t particularly care for. We did a tasting, and I was shocked at how different this was than any other gin I had tried before.

Tasting Notes:

The cucumber and rose petals were forward, as the juniper had a more subdued role in the spirit, compared to what I was used to. It was then that I realized that I should be more open to different varieties, brands, and flavor profiles of not only gin but all spirits.

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

Sean Noddin, principal bartender at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street in Tampa, Florida

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $60

The Gin:

Monkey 47 is an exquisite gin. I fell in love with it at first sip. It hails from Germany’s Black Forest, aged in earthenware casks, and is cut with the Black Forest’s famous water. 47 botanicals including honey pomelo and blackberry? Sign me up.

Tasting Notes:

A bold palate of flavors includes rosemary, juniper berries, spruce tips, and cracked black pepper, among many more aromas and flavors.

Leopold’s Summer Gin

Justin Hay, bar manager at Sky Bar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $40

The Gin:

Leopold’s Summer Gin is hands down my favorite gin to enjoy over rocks. The wild fermentation and blend of botanicals that grow at their facility are fun to see and honestly, the taste speaks for itself.

Tasting Notes:

As it’s not too juniper-forward, yet still contains those flavors. It’s definitely not only an easy gin for beginners, as I think one share will easily convert a newbie, as well as a gin that can still be enjoyed by seasoned drink lovers as well.

Beehive Jackrabbit Gin

Kira Collings, bar manager at Hearth and Hill in Park City, Utah

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $30

The Gin:

Jackrabbit Gin from Utah’s local Beehive Distillery is the best sip of gin I’ve ever had. This gin is made on a small batch, small scale, hand macerated, bottled, and labeled here in Salt Lake City. It also integrates well into cocktails. I love making a lavender gin sour with it.

Tasting Notes:

This gin has classic juniper flavors along with local sage showing off the region’s flavors, with bursts of floral, especially rose.

Gray Whale Gin

Alex Clark, lead bartender at Square 1682 in Philadelphia

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $35

The Gin:

The best sip of gin is Gray Whale gin. Created to pay tribute to the journey the gray whale makes up the Pacific coast. It’s made with ingredients found along this epic 12,000-mile journey.

Tasting Notes:

This gin is infused with botanicals from California and is very citrus-forward. The citrus aspect allows this gin to be smooth and complex at the same time. This product is in the same class as Hendrick’s and The Botanist.

Rabbit Hole Barrel Aged Gin

Andrew Bone, food and beverage manager at Deveraux in Chicago

ABV: 44.5%

Average Price: $33

The Gin:

Rabbit Hole Barrel Aged Gin is aged in rye barrels and is a fun one to try. I recommend it for the whiskey fan that wants to venture out or for a gin lover trying to enjoy a proper old fashion, this does the trick.

Tasting Notes:

It has all the tasting notes of a London dry gin. Particularly lemongrass, but you’ll get a smoother finish from the wood.

Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Gin

Donny Largotta, beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York City

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $33

The Gin:

Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, hands down, is the best I’ve had. This London dry gin is infused with Spanish Fino lemons, mandarin oranges, and Navel oranges from Murica. It’s a citrus lover’s dream gin.

Tasting Notes:

It has the components of the original soft juniper undertones but with a masterfully balanced citrus that enhances its flavor profile. It’s truly remarkable.

Los Principe los Apostoles Mate Gin

Alex Cuper, beverage director at El Che Steakhouse & Bar in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $35

The Gin:

Los Principe los Apostoles Mate Gin is my absolute favorite sip of Gin I have ever had. It is distilled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and distilled with mate and eucalyptus as the two major botanicals aside from the juniper.

Tasting Notes:

It is bright and refreshing and is so good neat, on the rocks, or simply used as the base for a delicious gin and tonic or any other classic gin-based cocktail.

Wonderbird Spirits Gin No. 61

Garth Poe, bar manager of Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $48

The Gin:

One of my favorite gins that I have tasted in recent years is Wonderbird Spirits Gin No. 61 from Oxford, Mississippi. This gin is a jasmine rice distillate and the texture of it is so velvety and fantastic.

Tasting Notes:

This is subtle gin with soft hints of juniper and tons of brightness. It’s a gin that you should definitely seek out. You’ll be glad you did.

Letherbee Gin

Alex Barbatsis, head bartender at The Whistler in Chicago

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $30

The Gin:

We carry a Chicago-distilled gin called Letherbee that makes amazing martinis and cocktails in general. It’s one of my favorite sips of gin ever. It is non-chill filtered so it has a richer body than some other gins.

Tasting Notes:

When mixed in a drink, you get that slight louche/cloudy effect where you can actually see how rich the gin is. It’s also phenomenal in a gin and tonic.

Last spring brought good news for Adnan Syed, who was convicted in 2000 of a murder he always maintained he didn’t commit: His conviction was vacated after a new investigation turned up evidence that exposed the sloppiness of the original trial. But about half a year after Syed was set free, his conviction has been, perhaps briefly, reinstated.

As per The Washington Post, a Maryland appellate court on Tuesday ordered a do-over of the hearing that set Syed free. The panel ruled that the circuit court judge involved in the hearing had violated the rights of Young Lee, the brother of the victim, Hae Min Lee, that Syed had been convicted of killing.

Young Lee had argued that he was only given less than a day’s warning about the hearing, which didn’t give him enough time to attend. The appellate court panel has now ordered that the circuit court a “new, legally compliant, transparent hearing,” with Young Lee given enough time to make plans to attend in person.

“All they are seeking is what the law requires — a full evidentiary hearing in which they can meaningfully participate and one that makes public the relevant evidence,” said an attorney for the Lee family.

As such, Syed’s conviction has been at least temporarily reinstated until after the hearing. It’s not entirely clear what will happen next, but the panel said the legal teams will be given at least 60 days to prepare for a redo hearing.

Following the news, Syed’s attorney Rabia Chaudry wrote on social media that “we stand by the integrity of the evidence that exonerated Adnan and urge the Baltimore Police and States Attorney’s office to find the source of the DNA on the victims shoes and find Hae Min Lee’s actual killer.” She later added, “Give up’ is not in my lexicon.”

Syed was 17 when he was arrested for the murder of Hae Min Lee and convicted the following year. His representatives spent years battling for his release. His case became national news after it was covered on the podcast Serial, whose team of researchers poked many holes in the case against him. Amy Berg, who directed the HBO doc series The Case Against Adnan Syed, announced last year that she was making another episode covering his release.

(Via The Post)

If you’ve ever traveled or gone out to a party or bar with a group of friends, then you’ve probably experienced the phenomenon of the “friend-parent.” Now, this is a term I totally just made up, but I bet you recognize it. The friend-parent is the one that takes on the responsibility of corralling any stragglers, tossing out drinks that have been left unattended and generally making sure everyone stays safe.

A friend-parent was recently caught on video being an “airport dad” to his group of friends. Usually, you hear about women looking out for other women in a mother-hen sort of way, but this guy group just proved the friend-parent knows no gender. In a TikTok video from Johannes2o that currently has over 8.4 million views, a small group of guys are standing near each other with “POV: our friend is an airport dad” in text on the screen.

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Before the crew heads into the airport, their friend collects everyone’s passports and boarding passes before checking his watch. He checks flight information one last time and then tries to have them all check in but they’re too early. The whole video is playing out to the tune of “Highway to the Danger Zone.”

At one point, the airport dad stands with his hands on his hips seemingly inspecting the plane from the large windows at the gate. If that’s not a dad move, I don’t know what is. One of the best moments that exemplifies “dad mode” is when the friend-parent realizes that one of the guys overpacked and he helps the friend repack while appearing stressed.

The guys had one job and it seems airport dad couldn’t trust them with that either. The overpacker will never live this down, and now weighing and measuring bags will likely become one of airport dad’s self-imposed pre-airport duties.

Watch the unexpectedly cute video below:

@johannes2o

Hes gonna be a great dad💀 #airport #airportdad