GoneTrending

It has to be incredibly frustrating to be a deaf child who can’t tell Santa exactly what they want for Christmas. That’s why a community’s work to ensure that Emily Andrews, 4, from East Yorkshire, England, had a British Sign Language (BSL) translator at a Santa event was so special.

A video shared by Southwest News Service shows Andrews speaking to Santa with the help of Melanie Boyeson, also known as Holly the Elf, who knows BSL. Through Boyeson, Emily could tell Santa that she wanted a doll, a stroller, earrings and a ring on Christmas morning.

---

“It was just a magical experience. Emily being able to communicate freely with the elf and tell Santa what she wanted was just amazing,” Tanya Ansrews, the girl’s mother, told SWNS.

Deaf girl meets Santa properly for first time – thanks to signing elf 🥰🎅🎁 | LOVE THIS

The moment was even more meaningful because on 4 occasions the family had been promised that a sign language worker would be present to help the young girl communicate with Santa, but it never worked out.

Emily’s brother goes to Airmyn Park Primary School, and when the head teacher, Natalie Dodd, heard about her struggles, she reached out to the community to find a translator for their school’s Santa event.

“Through the power of Facebook, we found Holly the Elf, whose real name is Melanie Boyeson, and she volunteered to visit our grotto and interpret for Emily,” Dodds said. “Even though Emily isn’t a pupil here, she is part of our extended school family. As a small school, we are privileged to be able to embrace the wider school and village community, and we wanted to provide this experience for Emily.”

Tanya told the BBC that there should be more holiday events with BSL interpreters for deaf children. “Everyone should be treated equally,” she said.

In 1986, The Guardian, a mainstream left-wing newspaper in the UK, created a campaign to show the importance of having as many perspectives on world events as possible. The ad focuses on what appears to be a skinhead wrestling the briefcase out of an older man’s hands.

The ad was recently resurfaced on X by Massimo, a popular account that curates videos on science, art and technology. The video received over 150,000 views in a single day.

“An event, seen from one point of view, gives one impression,” the narrator says, as we see a skinhead running towards a man in what appears to be an attempt to steal his briefcase. “Seen from another point of view, it gives quite a different impression,” the narrator says as the angle shifts to show that the skinhead’s motivation is much different than most initially assumed.

When we see the incident from both angles, the skinhead saves the older gentleman from being hit by a load of bricks falling off a broken scaffolding above his head. “It’s only when you see the full picture that you can really understand what’s going on,” says the voiceover.

The ad is one of the most influential in UK history because it’s a dramatic reminder for people to reevaluate their prejudices, remain open-minded and see things from other people’s points of view.

Speaking of perception, it’s worth noting that there is a difference between UK and American skinhead cultures. In the UK, skinheads are a working-class subculture that is not traditionally racist. However, there are racist factions, as opposed to the US, where the subculture is synonymous with white racism.

Wednesday night’s NBA slate includes a pretty fun game atop the Eastern Conference, as the Philadelphia 76ers made their way down to Orlando to take on the Magic. Both teams currently sit in the top-4 of the East and have aspirations of playing a lot of basketball once the postseason rolls around, and Wednesday is the first time all season that the two sides are going up against one another.

A fun subplot to this game revolves around Sixers reserve big man Mo Bamba, who spent the first 4.5 years of his NBA career in Orlando before getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last February. This marks the first time since that trade that Bamba has gone up against his old team, and apparently, one of his old teammates wants to make sure that he doesn’t feel too much love while the game is going on.

It is unclear how much Anthony is going to fine his teammates or coaches in the event that anyone says anything to him, but this is certainly a fun way to bust an old teammate’s chops. At least Bamba can take some solace knowing that he’ll be able to chop it up with people once the game comes to an end.

The Denver Broncos swung for the fences last offseason when it acquired Russell Wilson and, eventually, signed him to a contract extension worth up to $245 million. It was quite the statement of intent from Denver, which gave up a ton to acquire one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, but things haven’t worked out as anyone hoped, as the Broncos went 5-12 last year and currently sit at 7-8 with an outside shot of making the postseason.

While Wilson has been better this year, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks he looks like the guy who led the Seattle Seahawks to multiple Super Bowl appearances. And on Wednesday, the Broncos decided to go in a different direction down the stretch, as the team decided to bench Wilson and make him the backup to Jarrett Stidham.

As it turns out, Wilson doesn’t just think he’s getting put on the bench for a few weeks. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Wilson expects to be released following the 2023 campaign.

Russini also became the latest NFL insider to report that the Broncos wanted Wilson to adjust the injury guarantees in his contract, and went as far as to threaten to bench him earlier this year if he did not.

Stidham’s first game under center will come on Sunday against the Los Angeles Charges.

Offset rewarded everyone for their patience in October. He finally released Set It Off, his sophomore solo LP and followup to 2019’s Father Of 4. The album was well-received, making Uproxx’s “Best Album Of 2023” list and peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, headlines have not been about Offset’s music since early December, overtaken by salacious rumors and Cardi B, his wife of five years, confirming she had “been single for a minute now.”

Most recently, Cardi and Offset spent Christmas together but don’t appear to be reconciling. Is it anyone’s business? Nope. Will people continue to pry? Yup. So, understandably, Offset is trying to steer the focus away from his personal life.

Is Offset Dropping New Music?

On Wednesday, December 27, Offset teased new music on X (formerly Twitter). First, the former Migos rapper posted a portrait alongside “Studio mode.” Six hours later, he posted another photo of himself — this time, wearing a gas mask with a very swanky tuxedo — with the message, “War zone ….. [three musical notes emojis].” And one hour after that, Offset made it even more explicitly clear that he’s working on something, writing, “New music…. [several musical notes emojis].”

So, after the exhaustive investigative reporting of scrolling Offset’s X (Twitter!) account, I can confirm that he’s working on new music. He probably has a lot to get off his chest. Will he drop new music anytime soon? Who knows. But something tells me we won’t have to wait another four years.

On Wednesday, December 27, Glock confirmed the death of its namesake, Gaston Glock, on its website’s homepage. The Austrian inventor was 94 years old. Several reputed outlets, such as ABC, Reuters, and The New York Times, offered detailed obituaries. But many people were more interested in Key Glock‘s reaction.

“RIP UNK,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) — a very simple message that has since gone viral. Born Markeyvius Cathey, the Memphis rapper has previously explained how he got his Key Glock stage name. When asked about it for Gutta TV’s YouTube channel in September 2017, he said, “Right here where you’re standing, in these streets of Memphis. I ain’t gonna go into details, but I got that joint.”

Glock’s post earned several clever responses. “rip to the real OG GLOCK,” the X user @sincerelydylan wrote. Someone going by Spiffy Global chimed in, writing, “Just heard they giving you the company gang. Congratulations.” Meanwhile, many other people suggested that Key Glock should drop a song in honor of Gaston Glock. Someone even tossed out the not-so-bad idea of a future album titled Glockfather.

As per ABC News, Glock founded his handgun company in 1963.

Reuters added:

“The Austrian won loyal followings among police and military across the world with the weapons that bore his name. Forbes estimated his and his family’s fortune at $1.1 billion in 2021. His rise began in the 1980s when the Austrian military was looking for a new, innovative weapon. Up until then, the Glock company had made military knives and consumer goods including curtain rods. But he assembled a team of firearms experts and came up with the Glock 17, a lightweight semi-automatic gun largely made of plastic.”

It’s the holidays, which means Home Alone and its near-copycat sequel Home Alone 2 have been in heavy rotation for the last handful of weeks. But the latter has a sight more disturbing than the part where poor Daniel Stern gets nails shot into his face: Donald J. Trump. (At least he loves it.) Recently the film’s director, Chris Columbus, once again talked about how that cameo only came about because the future 45th president demanded it or he wouldn’t let them film in the glorious Plaza Hotel, which he then owned. Now, of course, Trump is furiously denying that.

“30 years ago (how time flies!), Chris Columbus, and others, were begging me to make a cameo appearance in Home Alone 2,” Trump posted on his rinky-dink social media service. He claimed he “was very busy, and didn’t want to do it.” But they were “persistent” and “the rest is history!” (Verily.)

Trump also claimed the cameo “helped make the movie a success,” which seems a stretch considering it was a sequel to the second highest-grossing movie of 1990.

He also questioned whether Chris Columbus is his real name. (It is. His name is Christopher Joseph Columbus.)

As usual, it’s not hard to spot a Trump lie. When he owned the Plaza, he had a habit of insisting productions that wished to shoot there would include him in a cameo. Usually they would film them then never put them in the final cut.

One such film was Scent of a Woman. Matt Damon, who appeared in the film, told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 that to film at the Plaza the crew had to “waste a little time” filming Trump and then-wife Marla Maples getting out of a limo.

“You have to waste an hour of your day with a bulls*** shot: Donald Trump walks in and Al Pacino’s like, ‘Hello, Mr Trump!’ – you had to call him by name – and then he exits,” Damon recalled. “You waste a little time so that you can get the permit, and then you can cut the scene out. But I guess in Home Alone 2 they left it in.”

Chris O’Donnell, one of the film’s leads, verified that they filmed a Trump-Maples cameo that never made the finished product.

But Trump knows that his die hards will buy anything he tells them, hook, line, and sinker.

(Via The Daily Beast)

You’ve probably heard the Dies Irae dozens of times, even if you don’t recognize it by name. The iconic melody can be found in The Shining, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Lion King, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (and others in the Harry Potter franchise), The Lord of the RIngs and other films with scenes that evoke a sense of terror or tragedy

It’s technically only four notes, though the films above may embellish or extend it in their themes. Meaning “day of wrath” in Latin, the Dies Irae comes from a 13th-century Gregorian requiem—a Catholic mass traditionally sung at funerals.

---

Many classical composers used the Dies Irae in their famous requiems. You can get a sense of the dark, intense melody from Mozart in 1791 here:

As Vox explains, we’ve been associating the Dies Irae with death for almost 800 years, thanks to Gregorian Catholic monks. From the very beginning of cinema, when silent films were accompanied by live orchestras, the Dies Irae was used to create the dark intensity a filmmaker was going for. And here we are today, still using it.

What is it about four simple notes that evokes a sense of dread in us? Berklee College of Music professor Alex Ludwig explains that those notes are in “Dorian mode,” which is a minor mode, with notes right next to each other on the keyboard. The notes are also descending.

“Minor music has always had this connotation of sadness, of darkness,” Ludwig says. “Our ears are trained not to like those sounds together. Musical lines that descend are sad, whereas music that ascends, that rises, is much happier.”

Once you hear the Dies Irae, you’ll recognize it in so many movies. Watch Vox’s explanation of how it works:

In late March, Chloe Bailey, better known as Chlöe, delivered her debut solo album, In Pieces, which made Uproxx’s “Best R&B Albums Of 2023” list. In late September, Tyga and YG dropped their joint project, Hit Me When U Leave The Klub. Those two releases do not seem correlated in any way, and they would never be mentioned in the same vicinity if Chlöe, Uproxx’s August 2022 cover star, and Tyga weren’t just spotted leaving the same club in West Hollywood, California last night, December 26.

Are Chloe Bailey And Tyga Dating?

According to TMZ, “The two music stars were spotted leaving the Bird Streets Club in WeHo Tuesday night for a sweet meetup … Tyg’s carrying 2 bags of candy as he headed to his car. Chloe was all smiles — likely anticipating the treats ahead — as she slid into the front passenger seat of T-Raww’s whip before they jetted off into the moonlight.”

It goes without saying: Chlöe and Tyga (allegedly, seemingly, reportedly) casually hanging out once does not mean they are dating. But, for the sake of answering the proposed question, this feels like a solid “well, maybe, I guess.”

Tyga was most recently publicly involved in an on-and-off again relationship with Avril Lavigne. On October 13, People exclusively confirmed that they were “totally done,” citing an anonymous source.

Meanwhile, around the release of In Pieces, rumors swirled around a possible romance between Chlöe and Quavo, her co-star in the Peacock musical comedy Praise This. She was asked about it by Latto and Cosmopolitan, and while she was playfully ambiguous about it with Latto, she put all speculation to bed with Cosmopolitan, as excerpted below.

“Sadly, I have not been seeing anybody for almost a year now. Your girl has just been working on herself, and I wish I was lying. I tell myself, God, I know what you’re doing. You’re sifting out the BS, so I can find good lovin’. When you don’t know your worth and when you haven’t mastered the art of loving yourself, you question why others would love you. I think that’s why I’m single right now, so I can grasp that concept a little more, because I can’t expect someone to love me wholeheartedly when I’m not there yet within myself.”

Getting into tequila might seem like a difficult task. The key for a tequila beginner is to be informed and understand exactly what you’re buying, as there are different classifications that a newbie needs to understand. It’s important to know what type of tequila you’re looking to start with.

Do you want a blanco for cocktails? A dual-purpose reposado for mixing and potentially sipping. Or possibly an añejo or extra Añejo for sipping neat or on the rocks. Richie Barrow, general manager and food & beverage director at Tribe Hotels Group in Nairobi, Kenya believes that going cheap isn’t a good idea.

“With any spirit, I would recommend that everyone starts with high quality and with a spirit that gives them a proper introduction to that particular category.”

Another key is to not get overwhelmed. Sure, there are different terms to distinguish the various ages, but there aren’t that many. Once you get the hang of them, it’s pretty easy to know exactly what you’ll find when you crack open a bottle. But as a beginner, you still likely want a little help. That’s why we asked a few well-known bartenders to tell us their picks for the best tequilas for those new to the spirit. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Siete Leguas Añejo

Alex Barbatsis, bar director at The Whistler in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $54

The Tequila:

Someone new to tequila would probably be comfortable starting with an añejo tequila since it’s been aged in barrels and has a bit of a softer edge with some sweeter tones. A great place to start is Siete Leguas Añejo which is aged 18 months in used American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes:

This tequila has a great burst of agave flavor that’s supported by the sweet caramel tones from the oak.

Don Julio 70

Alli Torres, operating partner and head bartender at Freehold in Miami

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $65

The Tequila:

One of my personal favorites is Don Julio 70. This is especially true for a newcomer to tequila. Most novice drinkers prefer a soft, sweeter flavor profile and Don Julio nails this without additives. It’s also an approachable price tag for more luxury drinkers so it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for the whole table.

Tasting Notes:

This cristalino tequila has notable flavors like cooked agave, vanilla, oak, and gentle spices. It’s a great introduction to the spirit. The primary flavors are what I equate to a gentle bedtime tea – vanilla, honey, and light oaky notes. Very soft and sippable.

Mayenda Blanco

Ena Kitanovikj, bartender at La Grande Boucherie in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $63

The Tequila:

Mayenda Tequila Blanco is rich, complex, and elegant sipping tequila. Crafted at Casa San Nicolas, using a pioneering process that adds two extra steps of craft and care to extract more flavors from the agave. They produce each small batch with the aim of capturing the aromatic, caramelized agave notes that are typically lost in the production process. The result is a unique, agave-forward sipping experience with new and unexplored flavors from the heart of the agave.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is Wildflower honey, cinnamon, and more subtle top notes of orange blossom and fresh grass. The palate has undertones of baking spices, fresh herbs, and pepper that weave their way through caramelized agave notes. Finishes with a lingering echo of citrus, honey, and baking spices.

Codigo 1530 Rosa

Federico Doldi, food & beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York City

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $60

The Tequila:

A beautiful tequila for a person who is new to the category is Codigo Rosa. Codigo 1530 Rosa is a Blanco Tequila that undergoes a brief one-month aging process in Cabernet French white oak barrels from California’s Napa Valley.

Tasting Notes:

This results in a delicate pink color and imparts subtle red wine-like flavors to the tequila. It offers aromas of agave, fruit, and pepper with a delicate floral taste.

Don Julio Reposado

Tracy Javier, lead mixologist at VUE Rooftop at Hotel Washington in Washington DC

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $49

The Tequila:

Blanco tequila is great for shots or cocktails but when trying to appreciate the flavor of tequila, Reposado is the way to go. Don Julio Reposado would be my choice. It’s aged for eight months in an American white-oak barrel.

Tasting Notes:

This gives it a golden color tasting of vanilla, butterscotch, and cooked agave. It has a nice complexity to it highlighting the classic flavors of a well-made tequila with just enough age that it’s approachable.

Lalo Blanco

Chris Cutjapan, general manager of Carbon Beach Club Restaurant in Malibu, California

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $44

The Tequila:

Lalo blanco is made by the original family that started Don Julio, who really maintains the integrity of the agave. You get to truly appreciate and taste the agave.

Tasting Notes:

It is wonderfully smooth, and tropical, with a hit of white pepper. It’s a great choice for drinkers new to the agave-based spirit.

Patron Reposado

Richie Barrow, general manager and food & beverage director at Tribe Hotels Group in Nairobi, Kenya

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $59

The Tequila:

Patron Reposado – The reason I would push people who are first trying tequila here for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, availability. Patron is on the back bar of a vast majority of bars. Nothing is worse for someone new to a spirit asking for that spirit and being told it’s not available. The next is that Patron as a brand works with 100% Blue Weber agave tequila. This means that the expression in their bottles is a 100% representation of tequila in its truest form without any additive or rounding off ingredients. The reason I have opted for the Reposado is that it’s a nice intro or halfway point between the two styles of tequila: blanco (or unaged tequila) and añejo (or aged).

Tasting Notes:

Reposado fits smack in the middle and has been in oak for about 4 months. On the nose, expect nutmeg and allspice, roasted agave, pepper and honey. The palate is vibrant with pineapple, apple, mild oak, and black pepper notes.

El Tesoro Reposado

Bradley Stephens, USBG bartender at Cereus PDX in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $55

The Tequila:

A great starter tequila in my books is El Tesoro Reposado. With all the craziness surrounding the premium tequila world, it’s hard to keep up with what is the “good stuff.” El Tesoro is one of the real deal bottles.

Tasting Notes:

Its wild fermentation and copper pot-made juice is loaded with character with notes of black pepper and vanilla that go for days.

Arette Reposado

José Medina Camacho, co-owner and mixologist of Adiõs in Birmingham, Alabama

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $60

The Tequila:

I like to start people with a reposado or añejo. Arette Reposado to me is smooth and approachable. It gets its flavor from being rested in American oak barrels for six full months. It’s just enough to give it a well-rounded, sippable flavor.

Tasting Notes:

A nose of roasted agave, vanilla, and oak makes way for a palate of buttery caramel, vanilla beans, sweet agave, and gentle spices.

Casa Del Sol Añejo

Phil Castello, owner and bartender at The Side Lot in Chicago

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $88

The Tequila:

Casa Del Sol Añejo, is very smooth on the palate with excellent dried fruit flavors. This complex, sweet-sipping tequila was matured for a full fourteen months in American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes:

Dried fruits, oak, vanilla, roasted agave, cacao, butterscotch, and light, wintry spices, this tequila has everything you could ask for in a gateway sipper.