GoneTrending

It seems like so many iterations of unfettered joy from our childhood haven’t made it to the modern age, and playgrounds are no exception.

Gone are the days of metal slides that scorched the derriere in the summertime, seesaws that doubled as human catapults and the notorious merry-go-rounds that separated the weak from the strong. Good old fashioned character building—safety be damned!

As it turns out, a few of these old relics are still standing. And footage of kids playing at one of these bygone parks is filling adults—particularly Gen Xers—with sweet nostalgia.

---

Dubbing it the “Last Gen X Playground” by Ronda Schofield filmed a video of the local haunt in all its rusted glory.

As the iconic 80s song “Maniac” plays in the background, we first see some kiddos swinging on a very odd contraption that sports a generic clown face.

Then the camera pans out to reveal a metal slide weighted down by a concrete cinder block (classic), dilapidated rocking horse swings, and a spinning seesaw that’s certainly seen better days.

But you know what? The kids today seem to like it just fine.

@over40_slbmom Last GenX Playground!❤️ #genx #genxtiktokers #over50 #bestgenerationever #genxkid ♬ Maniac (Flashdance Version) (Re-Recorded / Remastered) – Michael Sembello

While plenty of these staples have been replaced by safer alternatives, viewers on TikTok couldn’t help but reminisce about their childhood favorites.

“The lunch ladies at my elementary school would give us waxed paper so we would slide faster down the slide,” one person recalled.

The horse swings were my favorite,” add another. “Impossible when you get bigger, no knee room!”

One even quipped “Metal slides on a hot summer day… getting blinded and burnt at the same time.” Ah yes, a simpler time.

As people shared their recess war stories, it became all the more clear why many of these fixtures are no longer around.

“Broke my leg on the spinning thing and got stitches in my chin from the teeter totter,” one person joked.

Still, folks definitely felt their childhood come alive again after Schofield’s clip. Many felt it should be restored and kept a historic landmark of sorts.

The pre-internet days might have been a little rough around the edges, but there was an undeniable rugged charm about it all. In many ways, it was easier for kids to just be kids, allowing for social interaction, reckless abandon and learning that a few knee scrapes doesn’t signal the end of the world.

Those days might be behind us—and probably for the better, ultimately—but it’s still nice to hop back in from time to time.

Now, where’s the vintage mall with cheesy glamor shots, vinyl shops, video game arcades and RadioShacks?

This article originally appeared on 9.21.23

The music of Queen has a profound visceral effect on everyone. Few pieces of art can cause complete strangers to put aside their differences and come together in song, but by golly, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of them. It would be cheesy if it weren’t so absolutely beautiful.

This pertains even to non-English-speaking countries, it appears. Recently, thousands of Harry Styles concertgoers in Warsaw, Poland, began cheering as those iconic beginning piano notes penetrated the air.

---

It wasn’t long before the entire stadium was singing along to that beloved tune and acing every single lyric. As one person commented on YouTube, even though most people in Warsaw don’t speak English, “they sing Queen.”

The passionate impromptu performance serves as a reminder of how special both Queen and the late Freddie Mercury remain today.

“No other band will ever come close to Queen. They were lightning in a bottle and Freddie was a whale in a teardrop. Once people keep singing his words, FM will live on forever,” another YouTube viewer wrote.

Indeed, seeing an entire stadium come alive with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” you can’t help but feel Mercury’s soul return to the mortal plane, as if we’ve all been transported back to that historic Live Aid concert in 1985 when he had the entirety of Wembley Stadium wrapped around his finger for 21 glorious minutes.

Watch below, and try not to sing along. Scratch that—sing your heart out.

This article originally appeared on 7.14.23

As the great Peanuts creator Charles Schultz once wrote, “In life, it’s not where you go. It’s who you go there with.” To the seasoned traveler, nothing is more true.

A vacation where everything goes wrong can be a joy when you go through the coaches with the right people and trips that were supposed to be spectacular can be ruined by the wrong company.

To further complicate things, even though someone may be your best friend or favorite family member, they may not be the best person to take on vacation. The best folks to travel with are flexible, full of energy and enjoy the same types of adventures you do. They’re also patient during the unexpected and always ready to share a laugh, no matter what complications you face.

---

In a viral post with over 1.8 million views, TikToker Ben Keenan further explored this topic by calling out the types of people that you should “absolutely not go on a trip with.” Keenan is a travel influencer with over 135,000 followers on TikTik and the blogger behind the “I’ve Been Traveling” Substack.

Here’s his list of people you want to avoid taking on your next vacation.

My opinions on this are extensive #traveltiktok #travelinspo

@ivebentraveling

My opinions on this are extensive #traveltiktok #travelinspo

1. People who require bed rest

“People that need to recharge their battery in the middle of the day and force you to go back to the hotel or Airbnb to do that,” Keenan said. I’m sorry you’re telling me you can’t not speak to me in a park or at a café, or with a glass of wine somewhere outdoors? You have to be in your bed?”

2. People who sleep in

“Unless you have been up until 4 in the morning, there is absolutely zero reason that you need to be sleeping in until 10:30 or 11 every single day. I can absolutely promise you I did not pay for this trip to New York for you to lay in bed,” Kennan said.

3. Picky eaters

Keenan has a real problem with those who want to eat at the place where they are staying instead of going out. “Having food on hand is fine, but the people who actually want to go to the store and pick up, like, pasta supplies and then go back to your Airbnb and cook at home instead of going and trying local restaurants,” he said. “That’s an immediate no for me, dog.”

​4. People who are unclear about the budget

“If you know you cannot spend more than $100 a day, let me know that upfront,” Keenan said. “I don’t mind reducing what I’m spending or I don’t mind increasing what I’m spending if I’m capable of doing that and keeping up with your idea of this vacation. But don’t surprise me with a budget that is really high or a budget that’s really low once we’re there and I spent months planning everything that I want.”

He finished the video by adding that people with specific names are better depending on where you travel.

“If you’re going international, anyone named Rachel. If you’re staying domestic, anyone by the name of Brad or, Chad, or Thad,” Kennan said.

Getting teens to stop smoking seems to be an unending battle for parents. Just as the allure of cigarettes began to fade away after the year 2000 or so, e-cigs took on the “cool status” among Gen Zers—especially when they got a candy coated makeover and became hyped up by celebrities and influencers.

Now, vaping is as prevalent as ever among younger generations, despite overwhelming evidence showing the health risks and environmental damage, not to mention government crackdowns. But while none of these factors have convinced teens to kick the habit, social justice might actually do the trick.

---

Now, vaping is as prevalent as ever among younger generations, despite overwhelming evidence showing the health risks and environmental damage, not to mention government crackdowns. But while none of these factors have convinced teens to kick the habit, social justice might actually do the trick.

Currently there’s an online movement happening on TikTok where Gen Zers are encouraging each other to stop vaping in order to help support people in the Democratic Republic of Congo—where cobalt is mined to produce lithium-ion batteries which power a large portion of the world’s electronics…including major single use vape brands like Juul, Elf Bar and Geek Bar.

As young people discovered the inhumane working conditions cobalt miners faced in DCR, likened to “modern day slavery” by the BBC, a viral boycott was born.

Twenty-five-year-old Kristina amassed 1.8 million views for her passionate video plea.

@itskristinamf #freecongo ♬ original sound – Krizztina

“I’m genuinely disgusted,” she says in the clip, having recently learned about DRC’s business practices, and realizing that of all her cobalt-utilizing electronics, her disposable vape was the only item that she consumed regularly enough to really contribute to the issue.

“If you look up what’s going on in congo right now, and you look at your vape, I swear to god you will never see it the same.”

Kristina’s sentiments are reflected in several other people her age who have made efforts to raise awareness of DRC’s plight and share how the knowledge has completely changed their perspective.

@kissuonurforehead @Sincerely Awa @simplysimone #cobalt #vape #foryoupage #fyp #tiktok #congo ♬ original sound – zoe elizabeth 🇵🇸

@iyjonah I love how yall are quitting for Congo 🫶🏾🇨🇩 #congolaise🇨🇩 #freecongo #democraticrepublicofthecongo #congogenocide ♬ original sound – Iyjonah

@chris.crochets #stitch with @Sèrge ♬ original sound – Chris🍄

If these videos are any indicator as to what kids these days really care about, freedom appears to be paramount. Several Gen Zers chimed in to say that previously, they would thwart quitting for health purposes using the mantra of “my body, my choice.” However, learning that so many continue to endure in the Congo without choice made it impossible not to be the vape pen down for good.

Empathy-focused action is another major factor. Gen Zers appear to be more engaged in activism than in previous generations, and TikTok is a major platform used to ignite deep conversations about social injustices. Basically, Gen Zers know how to use the voice, and tend to want to use it to stop suffering.

And while this movement might mean a resurgence of teens smoking cigarettes, the wrongdoings in that industry are no secret either. So maybe this time, we can all get on board with something that does a little good for everyone.

With a story that highlights some not-so-good aspects of humanity, it’s nonetheless heartening to see that generations to very well might be able to unite thanks to shared compassion.

It’s not a surprise to pet owners that sometimes pets get on your nerves. Every pet has their own personality and can sometimes be a pain in the posterior when their quirks clash with yours. But you’re the human and the one with opposable thumbs so you adapt to their weird habits while continuing to be the one to open their treats.

Surely there are things about humans that pets probably don’t like but since they can’t talk, we will likely never know. It doesn’t make their behaviors any less annoying so one cat mom decided to get back at her cat Aurora for all of her cat behaviors–like biscuit making.

Of course it would be much more beneficial if the biscuits Aurora made were real, edible and brought in a decent income but alas they are not. They’re simply imaginary biscuits made on the soft smushy flesh of humans.

---

Cats “make biscuits” or kneed when they’re feeling happy and feeling secure according to Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital. It’s a sweet show of affection that can be painful for the person on the receiving end. It’s also an activity that seems to be timed for maximum inconvenience so Aurora’s mom decided to return the favor.

She waited until the cat was sleeping to make her move, sneaking up on the comfy feline to make biscuits on her belly. The pay back shenanigans didn’t stop there, though. Aurora’s human wanted the cat to get the full affect of what it was like to be interrupted with the goings on of felines so in another video, she had to get a hairball out right next to the resting cat’s head. You know, it wouldn’t come out anywhere else.

@roro.cat

NOT SO FUN NOW IS IT #catsoftiktok #cattok

“I didn’t see her spring into action and tote you off to a safe place to expel your fur ball,” a commenter writes.

“Ugh they’re so dramatic when you do anything back to them,” someone comments.

In one video, Aurora’s mom gets random nigh-time zoomies during the day. Annoyingly running quickly back and forth, spinning in circles as the tabby cat looks unamused.

@roro.cat

I awoken the locus outside 😂 #catsoftiktok #cattok

The cat was equally unimpressed with her mom’s hunting skills when she brought Aurora a dead bug as a gift. Maybe she thought the gift could’ve been bigger or maybe she didn’t like mom encroaching on her hunting territory. The world will never know.

“She’s like how dare you think I’m a bad hunter,” one person laughs.

“She said this is why I bring you food and not the other way around,” another person says.

You can follow Aurora and her human on their TikTok page roro.cat to see some of the latest shenanigans they’re up to and maybe join in on their fun.

@roro.cat

I think she liked it! #catsoftiktok #cattok

It’s been around 20,000 years since dogs were first domesticated to live alongside humans as companions and helpers. But dogs’ ability to detect specific medical problems and alert people to them has only been purposefully honed in the past 100 years or so.

Thanks to social media, the incredible abilities of trained dogs to do life-saving work is becoming more visible. People who use medical alert dogs to recognize signs that humans might miss have been sharing what it looks like when their dogs are doing their job, and it’s quite remarkable to witness.

In a video that’s been viewed 2 million times on Instagram, one family shared what happened when their English lab, Spy, sensed something wrong with his family member who has type 1 diabetes. The young girl was asleep, and her parents had just done a pump change and given her insulin an hour before, so they had no reason to think anything might be wrong.

---

But Spy knew otherwise. Diabetes service dogs can tell when something goes awry with a diabetic person’s blood sugar. According to The diaTribe Foundation, Diabetic Alert Dogs (or DADs) are trained to smell compounds that are released from someone’s body when their blood sugar is too high or too low. Scientists aren’t entirely sure what the dogs are smelling, but the research indicates it’s likely ketones for high blood sugar and a natural chemical called isoprene for low blood sugar. Whatever it is, dogs can smell it, and when they do, they’re trained to alert someone.

Watch Spy get her owners’ attention and lead them to their daughter’s room where something had gone wrong:

See on Instagram

A normal blood sugar ranges from around 70 to around 150, so well into the 300s is not good. Spy was so diligent in getting her people’s attention, taking them to where the problem was and and making sure they were attending to their daughter, and people loved seeing her in action.

“This gives me chills, good Spy! She takes such good care of her girl,” wrote another.

“Does Spy have a medical office, because I’m only trusting his medical advice from this day forward…” wrote one commenter.

“That’s cool, my dog’s special talent is vomiting when she doesn’t get enough attention,” joked one person.

“For those who don’t know, a medical alert animal will always come and find someone when their person needs help. So if you see one looking at you, follow them. You will help save a life,” shared another.

Some people shared that they’ve had or known dogs who could detect when a diabetic family members blood sugar was off, even when they weren’t trained for it, showing how some dogs seem to be made for this kind of service. It’s been estimated that a dog’s sense of smell is 1,000 to 10,000 times stronger than a human’s. Dogs also have good scent memory, which makes them ideal helpers for medical conditions that include body scent signals that humans can’t detect but dogs can.

People often say we don’t deserve dogs, and when you see a medical alert dog in action it’s hard to argue otherwise. Learn more about medical service dogs here and follow @ouronederfulboggslife on Instagram, where Spy helps her family educate people about living with type 1 diabetes, here.

Tonight (December 12), iHeartRadio is bringing its Jingle Ball Tour to Philadelphia, with a complete lineup of performers to carry the holiday cheer. The event, which is being held at Wells Fargo Center, also selected the acts to span genres, giving a wide-ranging selection for those in the audience.

Here’s what to expect.

What Is The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Philadelphia Lineup?

Tonight’s lineup for the Philly stop of the Jingle Ball Tour will feature Usher, who was previously continuing his Vegas residency. OneRepublic and Jelly Roll are set to play, too. Some other acts on the bill include Big Time Rush (who got their start as a band through a Nickelodeon show), rising rapper Doechii, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, and David Kushner.

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. ET, according to iHeartRadio’s website. Tickets for tonight’s event are also still available for those considering attending last-minute, starting at $46, with more information available through Ticketmaster.

For those who are attending another upcoming stop of the Jingle Ball Tour, the lineup varies from city to city, so be sure to check elsewhere to see who’s made the list for the selected show. (The final Jingle Ball Tour date is this Saturday, December 16, in Florida.)

Las Vegas residencies are all the rage these days after formerly being thought of as the realm of the washed. Adele just extended hers another several months, Usher just wrapped his up, and the Sphere’s owners are allegedly looking into the pricey proposition of convincing Beyoncé to take her talents to the Strip.

But if those big-voice singers aren’t your wave — let’s say you’re looking for something… grittier — I have some good news: Hip-hop is getting in on the action, beginning with Wu-Tang Clan, who announced a four-show homestand at Virgin Hotel to kick off (heh) Super Bowl weekend, with more dates to come.

Tickets for the residency go on sale on Friday, December 15, while the four shows will include February 9 and 10 and March 22 and 23. Future dates are expected to be announced in the coming months (presumably after receipts from the first four shows are tallied up).

The Clan has been active creatively lately, with RZA producing a symphony concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the group’s seminal debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and the group as a whole touring throughout North America with De La Soul and Nas. The group also participated in the BET Hip Hop Awards’ Hip-Hop 50 tribute.

You can find more info about Wu-Tang’s upcoming residency here.

New TV releases taken a bit of a breather for the holiday season, but Amazon Prime subscribers will still find some Jack Reacher under their trees. The hulking loner with massive hands will return alongside members of his old U.S. Army Special Investigations unit as the attempt to solve a new mystery together. Yep, it is officially teamwork time, so get ready for some jokes at Reacher’s expense.

Don’t worry, you don’t actually have to wait until Christmas Day for Season 2’s premiere unless you want to do so. The series has been officially set in stone for a December 15 release, which still stands, but a slight shift is also available. The season will actually bump up to “December 14, 7:00 PM ET” for those who want to get a jump on watching Reacher eat a horrible diet while still somehow staying cut. This season is based upon the Bad Luck and Trouble book from Lee Childs, and here’s the synopsis:

Reacher reunites with three of his former teammates turned chosen family to investigate, including Frances Neagley (Maria Sten); Karla Dixon (Serinda Swan), a forensic accountant for whom Reacher has long had a soft spot; and fast-talking, switchblade-wielding family man David O’Donnell (Shaun Sipos) … Reacher will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and protect the members of his unit. If there’s one thing Reacher and his team know for certain, it’s that you do not mess with the Special Investigators. This season, get ready for Reacher and the 110th to hit back hard.

Reacher returns on December 15 14 with three episodes and weekly followups.

Are you still looking for the perfect gift to give to your insufferable MAGA-loving relative this Christmas? Well look no further!

On Tuesday, former president Donald Trump announced that he’s selling NFTs of his scowling, internet-breaking mugshot. If you act now, you can even get a piece of the suit that he wore when he surrounded to authorities. “Due to the great Excitement and Success of my previous TRUMP DIGITAL TRADING CARDS, we’re doing it again – The MugShot Edition, available RIGHT NOW,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Plus, buy 47 cards and get a piece of the suit I wore for the ‘Mugshot Photo,’ and also get an invite to a Gala Dinner with me at Mar-a-Lago! Don’t wait, they’ll go FAST (I believe!). I’m happy if you’re happy. Have fun. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

In a video to accompany the post, Trump referred to himself as “your favorite president” before describing the cards, many of which have him dressed up as off-brand superheroes. “Some people call these cards pop art or modern art. I wish I looked as good as I do on those cards, that I can tell you. They give me muscles where, believe me, I don’t have them.” That’s the most humble thing Trump has ever said — unlike on the website for the cards, which describes the suit and tie he wore in his mugshot as the “most historically significant artifact in United States history.” Take that, U.S. Constitution.

You can see the hideous cards for yourself here.