
Why Am I Like This?

Go Ahead, Get Yourself A Slice!

On May 17th, 2025, four high schoolers from Whitesboro High School in Marcy, New York (Aiden Kane, Morgan Randall, Donato Jellenich, and Tyler Sojda) were returning from their junior prom when they spotted a garage fire. Mistaking the orange glow for a bonfire at first, they quickly realized the danger and took action.
Kane alerted the family by shouting, “Your house is on fire!” as seen in cellphone footage, ensuring a father and his two daughters evacuated safely. Jellenich called 911, while Randall comforted the children, and Kane checked for pets inside.
Their quick response prevented the flames from reaching the main house, averting a potential tragedy. No one was injured, and the Maynard Fire Department Chief, Jared A. Pearl, praised their leadership and teamwork.
Kane, inspired by his father’s work in police and EMS, said the experience motivated him to help. The teens are being celebrated as heroes for their swift, selfless actions.
McDonald’s avoids calling its shakes “milkshakes” because they don’t meet the strict legal or traditional definitions of a milkshake in some regions.
A true milkshake typically requires milk, ice cream, and flavoring, blended to a thick consistency. McDonald’s shakes, however, use a soft-serve base made from a mix that includes dairy but also stabilizers, emulsifiers and other ingredients to achieve a consistent texture and shelf life.
In some states, like Massachusetts, regulations define a milkshake as containing a minimum percentage of milkfat, which McDonald’s shakes may not always meet.
By calling them “shakes” instead, McDonald’s sidesteps potential legal issues or customer expectations about traditional milkshake standards. The term also aligns with their branding for a quick, dessert-like beverage that’s distinct from their McFlurry or other frozen treats. This naming choice reflects both regulatory compliance and marketing strategy to emphasize a unique product.


The 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings, as outlined by sources like U.S. News & World Report, evaluate 250 major U.S. cities based on criteria such as value (affordability, cost of living), desirability (resident satisfaction, amenities), job market strength (employment opportunities, economic stability), and quality of life (education, healthcare, safety, and recreation).
Cities are scored using a methodology that weighs these factors, often incorporating data from public sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI crime statistics, and resident surveys.
For example, a city like Boise, Idaho, frequently ranks high due to its affordable housing, growing tech job market, access to outdoor recreation and high resident satisfaction.
Similarly, places like Raleigh, North Carolina, score well for their robust economies and family friendly environments. The exact rankings depend on how each city’s metrics (such as median home prices, unemployment rates, or school quality) stack up against others in the dataset.
Follow the link below to see a list of 250 best places to live!
During the University at Buffalo’s College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony on May 18th, 2025, graduate Jean Paul Al Arab, a criminology major, was chased across the stage by a university police officer after bringing his 6-month-old son, Mtanos, with him to collect his diploma.
Both were dressed in matching blue caps and gowns. The university’s rules prohibit anyone other than the graduating student from walking across the stage, citing safety and to avoid disruptions. Al Arab ignored multiple directives from event staff and police, leading to the brief foot chase.
A viral TikTok video showed him sprinting with his baby, shaking hands with officials and waving to a cheering crowd before being escorted off. Al Arab claimed it was a misunderstanding, stating he had asked about bringing his baby during a prep class.
The university decided not to penalize him, and he will receive his Bachelor of Arts degree as planned.
In an inspiring story of dedication and environmental consciousness, 36-year-old Damian Gordon from Australia’s Central Coast managed to purchase a two-bedroom house by recycling approximately 450,000 cans and bottles over seven years.
Utilizing New South Wales’ Return and Earn program, which offers 10 cents per eligible container, Gordon amassed around AU$70,000 (approximately €41,000 or $44,000 USD).
Initially, his recycling began as a way to unwind after work, collecting containers during beach walks and at music festivals. This habit grew into a significant endeavor, enabling him to save enough for a house deposit.
Even after achieving his goal, Gordon continues recycling to help with mortgage payments, demonstrating how consistent small actions can lead to substantial financial and environmental impacts.
Alan Davis, dubbed Seminole County’s “junk man,” has been a persistent thorn in the side of local authorities and neighbors for 25 years due to his cluttered, debris-laden yard in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
To mark the anniversary of his first county code violation in April 2000, Davis unveiled a provocative 6-foot-tall fiberglass sculpture of human buttocks, adding to a collection of similar sculptures he’s displayed over the years.
His property, overflowing with scrap metal, PVC pipes, rusted appliances, junked vehicles, and overgrown weeds, is both a personal statement and a legal battleground, as he claims his “art” is a First Amendment-protected protest against county regulations.
At the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, staff are wearing bear costumes to rehabilitate a two-month-old orphaned black bear cub found alone in Los Padres National Forest on April 12th, 2025.
The cub, the youngest ever cared for by the center, was rescued after his mother didn’t return despite efforts to reunite them. To prevent the cub from bonding with humans, which could hinder his ability to survive in the wild, staff don bear masks, fur coats, and leather gloves, and rub themselves with black-bear-scented hay. This minimizes human imprinting, crucial for his eventual release in about a year.
The cub, initially fragile at three pounds, has gained nearly 10 pounds and is thriving with round-the-clock feeding and enrichment activities mimicking natural behaviors, like climbing and foraging.
The center, the only facility in San Diego County permitted to rehabilitate apex predators, relies on donations for its efforts, as it receives no state funding.