Fresh Sheets!
Day: May 11, 2025
What I Imagine…
Daily Throwback @ The Pie!
On May 11th, 2009, the world was a different place. The global economy was reeling from the 2008 financial crisis, Barack Obama had just begun his first term as U.S. President and a 15-year-old Canadian teenager named Justin Bieber was about to make a small but significant mark on the internet. At exactly 8:27 PM, Bieber sent out his very first tweet, a simple message promoting his debut single, “One Time.” Little did anyone know, this moment would mark the beginning of a meteoric rise for one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century.
The tweet was short and sweet: a link to his new single and a call to action for fans to check it out. At the time, Twitter was still a relatively new platform, having launched just three years earlier in 2006. It was a place where celebrities, brands, and everyday people were starting to connect in real-time, and Bieber’s entry into this digital space was perfectly timed. His YouTube covers had already gained traction, catching the eye of talent manager Scooter Braun and, eventually, Usher, who signed him to a record deal. But this tweet was a pivotal step in building his direct connection with fans.
“One Time,” the song he was promoting, was a catchy, upbeat pop track about young love, perfectly tailored to his growing fanbase of teens and tweens. Released as the lead single from his debut EP, My World, it became a chart-topping hit, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum certifications in multiple countries. The tweet wasn’t just a promotion—it was a spark that helped ignite what would become “Bieber Fever.”
Looking back, Justin Bieber’s first tweet wasn’t just about promoting a song—it was a cultural milestone. It showed how a young artist could harness the power of social media to build a global brand. That night, he wasn’t yet the superstar who would sell out arenas or rack up billions of YouTube views. He was a teenager with a dream, a catchy single and a new Twitter account. But that small action at 8:27 PM set the stage for everything that followed.
Today, Bieber’s Twitter presence (now on X) is massive, with over 100 million followers. His career has evolved through ups and downs, from chart-topping albums like Purpose to personal struggles and comebacks. But on May 11th, 2009, it all began with a single tweet, a song called “One Time,” and a kid who believed in his music.
So, let’s raise a glass to that moment—a reminder that even the smallest steps can lead to something extraordinary.
Ring The Doorbell!
A McDonald’s on Franconia Road in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Thomas Edison High School, has implemented a 21+ policy for indoor dining due to repeated incidents of student violence.
The policy, effective immediately, requires customers to be 21 or older to dine inside, with a doorbell system and ID checks in place.
The decision was made in collaboration with local school officials and law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for staff and customers.
Customers under 21 can still use the drive-thru, order via the mobile app for curbside pickup, or dine inside if accompanied by an adult, with up to four minors allowed per chaperone.
The policy is described as a temporary measure while a long-term solution is sought.
AI Funeral Planning?
NBA superstar Russell Westbrook, alongside former Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker and childhood friend Donnell Beverly Jr., launched Eazewell, an AI-powered funeral planning startup, on May 7th, 2025.
Based in Los Angeles, Eazewell uses artificial intelligence to streamline the funeral planning process by curating options based on budget and preferences, handling paperwork, and managing tasks like canceling utility bills and social media accounts. The platform also features a voice-activated AI agent that communicates with funeral homes to gather quotes and coordinate logistics.
College vs. Prison?
A recent study highlights a striking cost comparison: sending a student to a top-tier college for four years is significantly cheaper than incarcerating an individual for the same period.
According to the analysis, the average cost of tuition, room and board at an elite university runs around $200,000-$250,000 over four years. In contrast, the annual cost of imprisoning one person averages $35,000-$50,000, totaling $140,000-$200,000 for four years—and that’s before factoring in additional societal costs like lost wages, recidivism, or long-term economic impacts.
Investing in education over incarceration not only saves money but also yields better outcomes. College graduates contribute to the economy, with higher earnings and lower unemployment rates, while incarceration often perpetuates cycles of poverty and crime.
The study underscores a clear choice: funding opportunities for youth through education is both fiscally smarter and socially transformative.
I’m A Little Confused…
The Barber…
Hulk Smash?
A Message In A Bottle?
In 2025, brothers Clint and Evan Buffington found a message in a Pepsi bottle on a remote beach in the Bahamas, written in 1976 by Peter R. Thompson, then a 14-year-old student from West Newbury, Massachusetts.
The note, part of a school oceanography project, was launched by a Coast Guard ship and requested the finder to return it with details of where and when it was found.
The brothers, avid beachcombers, tracked down Thompson, now 63 and living in Leominster, Massachusetts, with help from social media and Boston journalist Emily Maher.
Thompson, who didn’t recall writing the message but remembered the class, was amazed by the find nearly 50 years later. The bottle had traveled over 1,000 miles, and the discovery connected the men across decades, highlighting the human stories behind such finds.
The Social Pie Network! 