Ever since she took over as White House press secretary just over a year ago, Jen Psaki has had a consistent frenemy: Peter Doocy, son of Fox & Friends’ Steve Doocy. Rarely a press conference goes by without Doocy getting on Psaki’snerves, forcing her to issue patient but stern and a little annoyed corrections to his rightwing talking points. But on Monday, it was Biden’s turn.
At the end of a Biden photo op, when reporters shouted Q’s hoping he’d respond, Fox’s Peter Doocy asked, “Do you think inflation is a political liability in the midterms?” Biden deadpanned: “It’s a great asset—more inflation. What a stupid son of a bitch.” pic.twitter.com/Tt4ZVz5Ynj
Biden had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretaries, which included a photo op to which the press were invited. Some of them tried to fire off some questions, including Doocy, who asked him about one of the major issues plaguing his administration: “Do you think inflation is a political liability in the midterms?”
Biden responded with dry sarcasm. “That’s a great asset. More inflation,” Biden replied. “What a stupid son of a b*tch.”
As per The New York Times, inflation — which involves the American dollar decreasing in value, resulting in higher prices — is currently at the highest it’s been since 1982. Officials don’t see the current inflation rise as becoming permanent, and it may simply be a result of the economy wildly fluctuating during a once-in-a-century public health crisis that is still not over. But Biden’s the one in charge when things are in flux, which surely doesn’t make him look good to some voters.
Look, it’s a sad situation for anyone to hear that Adele will not be gracing the stage any time soon. The beloved singer woefully announced on Instagram last Friday (Jan 21) that her planned residency in Las Vegas “wasn’t ready” due to coronavirus. Half of her crew had been infected, making it “impossible to finish the show.”
But for one fan in particular, who has tried—and failed miserably—to catch Adele live on three separate occasions, the news hit particularly hard. Luckily, her sense of humor proves that any tragedy can turn into comedy gold.
This story, with all its hilarious twists and turns, is quite the delightful saga. And though it doesn’t erase all the gutting disappointments left from pandemic cancellations, it does serve as wholesome entertainment.
Eleni Sabracos (@elenisabracos) shared her doomed journey on TikTok, which began in 2016.
Sabracos purchased tickets to see Adele at Madison Square Garden. Fake tickets, it turns out.
“Nobody felt bad for me because I bought them off Craigslist so that was my own doing,” Sabracos declared sarcastically.
Attempt #2: Sabracos bought tickets (legitimately this time) to see Adele in concert at Wembley Stadium in London the next summer. Got a confirmation number and everything.
Deciding to raise the stakes, she even upgraded to the very VIP “golden circle” seat, which would, theoretically, have Sabracos so up close and personal with Adele she’d probably know what perfume she was wearing.
The impassioned “I WAS IN THE GOLDEN CIRCLE!” gets me every time.
That should make up for the previous blunder, right? Wrong.
Just one day before the concert, Adele canceled the show “on medical advice” after damaging her vocal cords. To be fair, Adele did not take this lightly either, and was “devastated” to let her fans down.
Unfortunately, Sabracos had already crossed the pond to see her.
“Mind you I risked my life to be there,” Sabracos exclaimed, “on this cardboard airplane called WOW airlines.” She then pointed to a headline showing that the carrier company had since been discontinued. Yikes.
“The only thing wow about it was that it was surprising the airplane could fly!” This girl is a natural comedienne.
One last twist of the proverbial knife: Deciding to give herself a comfort meal, Sabracos requested an uber driver to take her to a nearby restaurant. That driver’s name, eerily enough, was Adeel. Will this pain never end?!
At this point, Sabracos had become a viral sensation, even making a guest appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
She had T-shirts printed, which read “I love Adele like Adele loves Beyonce,” and everything.
Cut to 2021, when Sabracos’ brother gave her tickets to Adele’s Vegas show. Third time was certainly not the charm in this case.
Already in her hotel room in Las Vegas, Sabracos yells at the top of her lungs “WHYYYYY?” like a thwarted cartoon villain on hearing the news. And then she whispers in a tiny voice, ”I still brought the shirts.”
“Adele is part of the most elaborate April Fools prank ever,” one person commented. And hey, he might be onto something.
In a follow-up video, Sabracos did in fact get to FaceTime with the British pop queen. And it sounds like there will be a meet-and-greet in the future, complete with wine and shirt giving.
Beware, well-deserved shrieks of excitement ensue.
Though Sabracos has yet to be successful in her original mission to see Adele live, this series of unfortunate events led to having one truly unique fan experience.
You know what they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Similar to bourbon in the U.S., single malt Scotch whisky has a few rules and regulations. To be defined as “single malt” Scotch whisky, it must be distilled in Scotland (obviously), come from only one distillery, be made from 100 percent malted barley, have a minimum alcohol content of 40 percent, and must spend at least three years aging in oak barrels.
While many distilleries opt for American oak, Spanish oak, or ex-bourbon barrels, some distilleries add unique flavors by gaining or finishing in barrels the formerly held cognac, port, sherry, beer, various wines, and much more. The use of these other vessels imparts different flavors and aromas to the whiskies while also adding some serious depth.
To find the best single malts aged in these “special” barrels (the parameters are wide for this!) we reached out to a few of our favorite bartenders. Check their picks below.
The Balvenie 12 Double Wood is aged in two different casks (hence the name). This 12-year-old single malt whisky first ages in ex-bourbon barrels before spending nine months in Oloroso sherry casks. It’s an easy sell from the popular brand and the Sherry makes for an easy finish.
The Macallan Rare Cask is aged exclusively in first-fill Sherry casks. I feel that the chocolate, vanilla, and spices really stand out which makes this a fantastic sipper.
Many people will be familiar with The Dalmore, and for good reason. The 12-year Single Malt is split and finished in both ex-bourbon casks and sherry casks (including the Dalmore exclusive Matusalem Oloroso sherry casks which are aged thirty years and seasoned with both Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry). Then, the whiskies are combined to bring us one of the most well-known sherry finished scotches on the market.
There’s a bountiful collage of citrus and chocolate (enhanced by the sherry cask finish) with the vanilla and caramel notes found from the bourbon casks. I definitely recommend giving this stag a try if you haven’t yet.
This year has seen the release of plenty of mouthwatering scotches from across the pond. But one stood out to me, Lagavulin 11-year-old Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish. This release was brought to market at an unusual age (eleven years) and aged in Guinness stout barrels which rounds off the edges of its youth.
If you’re a fan of peat and barley, this dram is a must-try.
This single malt whisky finished in Sicilian Marsala barrels is a great one, taking the heart of Glenmorangie and layering in traces of the luscious, nutty, dried fruit notes from the wine.
The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve
The Dalmore
Subhash Sankar, head mixologist at Alaia Belize in San Pedro Town, Belize
The Dalmore’s already intensely fruity and complex single malt offers striking notes of ripe plum, cherry, and dried apricot in the Port Wood Reserve expression. This non-age statement whisky is initially aged in bourbon barrels before being finished in Tawny Port pipes from W & J Graham’s winery in Portugal.
Aberlour A’bunadh
Aberlour
Christopher Devern, lead bartender at Red Owl Tavern in Philadelphia
Aberlour A’bunadh is my pick. Cask strength and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, this is a special scotch to taste. This single malt Speyside whisky is pleasantly rich with an ample amount of fruit and dried fruit flavors. You’ll find flavors of cacao, spices, cherry, baked pie, sherry, and oak. This is a unique bottle that stands out from other Sherry finished scotches for its complexity and richness.
Longrow Red
Springbank
Mark Phelan, beverage director of 16″ On Center in Chicago
One of my favorites is Longrow Red from Springbank. The most recent release was finished for two years in Cabernet Franc barrels. The juicy notes and subtle tannins of the wine balance beautifully with the peated single malt. It’s a magical sip, especially in winter.
Arran Sauternes Cask Finish
Arran
Ally O’Keefe, bartender at The Bower in New Orleans
Arran Sauternes Cask Finish has beautiful notes of oak and peat intertwined with honeyed apricot, pecan, golden raisin, and caramel cookie. It’s an elegant expression with the boldness of scotch and the delicacy of dessert wine.
Easily, The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year. It’s exceptionally smooth and complex, slightly smoky with a hint of caramel and vanilla that comes through from being finished in Caribbean Rum barrels. There’s a reason this is one of the most popular single malt whiskies on the market.
Travel is often thought of exclusive to the wealthy.But f*ck that noise. There are deals. There are hostels. Your adventures are never quite as expensive as they seem at first glance. If they really are that costly, stay closer to home and travel your state. Roadtrip. Hit a national park.
Washington, D.C.-based travel blogger Marissa Strang knows that anyone can create a life full of travel and exploration and she’s dedicated her career to educating people about how to make travel more accessible while holding down a nine-to-five job.
“I’m on a mission to empower others to make their travel dreams a reality,” she says. “No matter what you look like. No matter what your socioeconomic status. No matter your age. I’m a strong believer that anyone — yes, absolutely anyone — can and should revel in the joys of seeing the world.”
To that end, Strang shares insightful travel tips and resources with her followers, from one-of-a-kind city guides and destination inspiration to budget-friendly travel hacks for aspiring travelers. And her favorite U.S. destination is one of the country’s oldest cities, Boston — a hub for history, delicious grub, and sightseeing.
If you’re planning a trip to the Northeast, Boston needs to be on your itinerary. So we asked Strang to share her expert guide on where to eat, stay, drink, and play while you’re in Beantown.
WHY BOSTON?
Marissa Strang
One of the coolest things about Boston is that it’s steeped in history! America’s City of Firsts tells the story of the beginning of our country — with America’s oldest restaurant, first public market, first public park, first public school, first subway system, and more. Aside from being steeped in history, I love the layout of the city, and their seafood scene is insane!
What’s one thing that every first-time visitor should see or do in Boston?
Marissa Strang
Be sure to check out Little Italy! Walking into the North End feels like stepping right onto a movie set. The neighborhood is filled to the brim with authentic Italian ristorantes, pizzerias, and bakeries. One of the most hailed spots in the neighborhood is Mike’s Pastry, dubbed the “Home of the Cannoli.” Turns out I don’t like cannolis very much, but people who do like them rave about how good they are. Keep in mind they’re cash only!
For the best pizza in the North End, head over to Regina’s Pizzeria on Thatcher Street. They’re slinging up greasy, cheesy, tasty goodness that any pizza-lover would regret missing.
The best way to experience the core history of Boston is by taking a walk through the past. The iconic Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk, snaking its way through to 16 major sites relating to the city’s founding and the Revolutionary War. You know that little part of your brain from middle school history class that goes off when you hear “Boston Tea Party” and “Paul Revere”? These stories, and more, come alive on the Freedom Trail tours.
You’ll stop by America’s first public park, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Massachusetts State House, and more. I recommend taking a free tour with Free Tours By Foot (just make sure to tip your guide!). Alternatively, you can walk the trail on your own with the online brochure as your guide.
Where to get the best lobster roll and clam chowder?
If there’s one restaurant I’d proclaim a “must-eat” in Boston, it’s Union Oyster House. Having opened in 1826, the eatery has been serving up traditional New England seafood for over 160 years. It’s officially the oldest continually-operating restaurant in America and a National Historic Landmark. Perched upon cobblestone streets, the authenticity of the building is preserved with its classic brick façade and antique interior. You can slurp oysters at the famous semi-circle bar, sit at John F. Kennedy’s favorite booth, and stroll the two floors of artifacts and oddities that pepper the walls.
Don’t forget to try the creamy clam chowder (with a dash of Tabasco, of course) and the lobster rolls!
Tucked away in the Seaport District neighborhood is the Aloft Boston Seaport District hotel. Known for its modern design, bright flashes of color, and tech-forward amenities, the hotel gives off a buzzy and colorful vibe. Upon walking into the hotel, you’re greeted by high ceilings, mural art, a grand industrial staircase, and polished concrete set in an open-concept lobby.
It was a really awesome stay with great customer service, and centrally located too!
A must-see museum in Boston?
Marissa Strang
Don’t forget to visit the site of the world’s largest art heist – seriously, there’s a Netflix documentary about it and everything! Every room at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum is a work of art, meticulously curated to delight the senses. Over a dozen rooms, passageways, and galleries are nothing short of spectacular. Not to mention, the heart and soul of the museum: a spectacular courtyard featuring ancient Roman sculptures and lush greenery.
Whether you’re an art aficionado or just like to look at pretty things, the Gardener Museum is a must-see stop!
Best time of year to visit?
Between June and October! If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, go right after the summer around August and September, when kids go back to school.
From the start of his career, Peter Dinklage has always challenged stereotypes about people with dwarfism. In his first screen appearance, in the 1995 indie comedy Living in Oblivion, he played an actor furiously railing against filmmakers who cast him in a lazy dream sequence. The award-winning actor can currently be seen in a revamped musical version of Cyrano de Bergerac. And he’s using his press tour to, among other things, point out that such laziness is still in full effect.
On his recent appearance on Marc Maron’s podcast WTF (as caught by Variety), Dinklage — who has no qualms about calling people out — tore into one of Disney’s next live-action remakes, namely the one for the company’s first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It stars West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler, which is a big get for Latinx representation. But so far they have yet to announce if they’re doing anything with the seven gentlemen who come to her aid.
“There’s a lot of hypocrisy going on,” Dinklage told Maron. “Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. But you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”
He went on:
“You’re progressive in one way but then you’re still making that f*cking backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I’m not loud enough. I don’t know which studio that is but they were so proud of it. All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But I’m just like, what are you doing?”
Again, Disney has yet to reveal more details about how extensively they’re reworking the movie that eight-and-a-half decades ago made the company bigger than all its animation house rivals. Dinklage said he’d love if they put some “f*cked-up, cool or progressive spin on it.” They may do the latter but Disney is probably not the company to do “cool,” let alone “f*cked up.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson calls his company Seven Bucks Productions because that’s how much money he had in his pocket when he was cut from the Canadian Football League at the age of 23. It was at that moment he decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling, where he quickly became one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE history.
Then he became an actor and has been the star of some of the highest-grossing films of the past 20 years.
Johnson attributes his success to the incredible work ethic that his father taught him. As a wrestler, before every match he prayed for “the strength to leave it all in the ring—whether I was wrestling in flea markets or sold-out stadiums.”
That type of dedication and effort begins with a person’s attitude. Johnson recently shared a simple trick that he uses to reframe every situation into a positive experience. He replaces the phrase “I have to” with “I get to.”
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This type of reframing is used by people who practice positive psychology, so Johnson probably didn’t come up with it on his own. But it’s great that he can use his tremendous platform to share it with people who may be unfamiliar.
He shared this simple but powerful advice on his Instagram page.
I’ll share a little philosophy with you guys that’s helped me achieve some success over the years.
When it comes to hard work and things I’m passionate about – years ago, I stopped saying “I have to” and started saying “I get to”.
Big psychological shift on how you approach the daily grind of shit we gotta get done
I “get to” train hard and push myself to the breaking point.
I “get to” get my ass kicked and come back stronger.
I “get to” be the hardest worker in the fucking room.
Because when you “get to” do the things you love – it’s a privilege.
Try switching “have to” to “get to” and start to feel that grind, gratitude & growth.
Johnson’s philosophy doesn’t just work for people who need the motivation to bench press 450 pounds. It can be used to change any situation into something you’re doing begrudgingly to an opportunity for growth. Focusing on the negative aspects of a situation prevents us from seeing opportunities or simply enjoying the moment.
For example, I “have to” write a paper for class can be easily reframed as I “get to” work to improve my writing skills and learn about something new. You could “have to” go to the DMV or you could “get to” spend 45 minutes reading a book while you wait.
Gillian Behnke, founder and CEO of Mom Camp, does a great job explaining the concept for parents on Thrive Global.
“One simple change of a word can help to reframe it and remind you that there is potential benefit in every situation,” she writes. “What might feel like an inconvenient favour at first might actually bring another person joy, and as a result, bring you joy in the process. I get to help someone who needs me.”
This change in perspective is also a way to practice gratitude. Studies show that gratitude opens the door to new relationships, improves psychological health and improves our self-esteem.
So next time you have to do something you dread, take a minute to find a way to reframe it as an opportunity for fun, growth or an opportunity to challenge yourself.
Back in November, fans of the Mighty Ducks franchise received some bad news: Emilio Estevez, who starred in the original 1993 movie and who had returned for the Disney+ TV revival, would not be coming back. At first it was reported that it the reason involved the show’s vaccine mandates. Estevez later denied that, saying it was a “good old fashioned contract dispute” and saying he was not “anti-vaxx.” But he’s still out and the show has only now found the show’s replacement male lead.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Duhamel — handsome dude, Transformers franchise alum, and star of the undeservedly jettisoned Jupiter’s Legacy — is going to fill the void left by Estevez’s untimely departure. He’ll play Gavin Cole, a former NHL pro who now runs the “super-intense” summer hocky institute where the Ducks wind up in season two. But he’s no drill sergeant. As per THR, Cole is a combination of “inspirational, charming and hardcore.”
When his departure from the show was announced, Estevez revealed that he tested positive for COVID in the early days of the pandemic and that he spent the remainder of 2020 suffering from long COVID symptoms. Despite this, he still semi-reluctantly reported to work on the show that fall. Estevez was vague about what exactly caused him to drop out of the show’s second season, and though he repeatedly claimed he wasn’t against vaccinations, he did cryptically declare he was “anti-bully.”
The first seasons of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, with Estevez, streams on Disney+.
Cardi B won her libel case against YouTube blogger Tasha K today, according to TMZ. Tasha — also known as Latasha Kebe — was found liable on three claims of libel and ordered to pay at least $1 million to Cardi B for alleging Cardi had been a prostitute and a drug addict and had contracted an STI. Cardi sued Tasha in 2019 after the vlogger refused to delete the videos in which she made the claims. Tasha countersued, but her own case was struck down, and after a week-long trial in which Cardi claimed Tasha’s comments made her suicidal, Cardi emerged triumphantly.
Meanwhile, her own experiences probably informed her recent defense of other stars from internet bullying. Last year, she defended both Lizzo and Lil Kim from online trolls, and earlier this year, she spent some time trying to refute claims from fellow rapper Cuban Doll, who accused her husband Offset of infidelity (again).
And just like that, Damon Albarn has sincerely and, uh, swiftly, apologized to Taylor Swift for some pretty thoughtless comments about her songwriting. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Damon put his foot in his mouth by implying Taylor doesn’t write her own songs, mostly by bringing up her practice of collaborating with others. Yet, he spent the bulk of his next answer praising Billie Eilish for her songwriting, all the while noting that she almost constantly collaborates with her brother Finneas?
He was echoing the feelings of plenty of Swifties at that point, but only a few minutes later, Albarn himself responded, apologizing with a bit of hedging that he wa trying to have “a conversation about songwriting” and claiming his point was “reduced to clickbait.”
“I totally agree with you,” he began. “I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. – Damon.”
I totally agree with you. i had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. – Damon
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rough past month as they’ve floundered around at or below .500 for most of January, unable to string together wins to climb the standings in the West.
LeBron James is carrying an immense load for L.A., putting forth some of the most gaudy offensive numbers of his career, but without much help around him, the Lakers star has not been able to do anything but keep the team treading water. There is some good news on the horizon for James and the Lakers, as Tuesday night they’ll likely be getting reinforcements in a big way, as Anthony Davis was upgraded to “probable” on their Monday evening injury report ahead of their visit to Brooklyn to face the Nets.
Anthony Davis has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday’s game in BKN, per the Lakers.
Davis has missed a little more than a month after spraining his MCL in December, and while it remains to be seen what level he’ll be at immediately upon return and how many minutes the Lakers will be willing to play him initially, his return is the first bit of positive news in some time for the Lakers. The team has been dealt some ugly losses in recent weeks, which have turned up the heat under head coach Frank Vogel and led to some eyebrow raising rotation choices, most notably the benching of Russell Westbrook down the stretch of a loss to the Pacers.
With Davis back, they can start trying to piece together some wins again, with the expectation of more moves to come in the next few weeks before the trade deadline.
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