Tesla boss Elon Musk, the man involved in ventures ranging from electric cars to establishing a colony on Mars, is now creating battery-powered homes.
Elon Musk recently announced that his firm has designed a Tesla home battery (lithium-ion battery), which will likely be built on the packs used in Tesla’s range of electric cars, and it is expected to go into production by the summer.
This lithium-ion battery will be used for energy storage in homes and businesses, and it will most likely act as a generator during a power cut.
Tesla batteries could be huge, and possibly a much bigger product than its cars.
Theoretically, a homeowner could capture energy in a solar panel on the roof of their home, and store it in a Tesla battery. This would would be necessary because one of the main problems to date with solar power is that the sun isn’t always shining when you need it to. By storing this energy, you are avoiding that problem.
In addition, Mr. Musk is already the chairman of SolarCity- a company that offers solar power systems for homes, and this home battery could be an extension of this.
These home batteries will help people sell excess energy back into the grid, and save money on electric bills.
But, what about the threat that Tesla could pose to electricity utilities by helping people go off the grid?
In 2014, Morgan Stanley estimated that by 2028, Tesla’s US fleet of cars will have an energy storage capacity of 237GW which is equal to 22% of US production capacity, and nearly 10 times larger than existing US grid storage capacity.
Tesla Motors even unveiled plans for a $5 billion gigafactory, which will help the firm ramp up production of batteries for its electric cars, and now homes. Tesla said the factory will cut current battery production costs by up to 30 per cent, and will be powered predominantly by renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.
While we still have a couple of months until these batteries go into production, in the meantime we can get excited over the possibility of lower electric bills, in addition to helping the environment.
If you are living in a Latin American Country, chances are you’re among the happiest people on the planet.
The rest of us, well..I guess we’re out of luck.
According to the latest poll data released from Gallup, Latin American countries top the list as the 10 happiest countries in the world:
Image Credit: gallup.com
This happens to be the first time in a decade that every one of the top 10 countries on Gallup’s Positive Experience Index are from Latin America.
At the top of the list is Paraguay, which received the highest score of 89, followed by Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala which all tied at 84.
The scores were compiled from five questions Gallup asked adults ages 15 and up (shown above)- 1,000 people from 143 countries were polled, and they were asked questions either over the phone or during in-person interviews. On a global level, Gallup says that their margin of error is less than 1%.
Out of all the respondents, 70% said they experienced enjoyment, were treated with respect, felt well rested, and smiled or laughed. In addition, 50% of respondents said they learned or did something interesting the day before the interview.
On the other hand, the Gallup study also revealed the countries most likely to experience negative emotions:
Image Credit: gallup.com
The least happy people were, not surprisingly, from countries engaged in war and conflict like Afghanistan and Sudan. Sudan, which recently split into two countries- Sudan and South Sudan, has the lowest score of all the 143 countries surveyed- with a score of 47.
Keep in mind, the median score for highest positive emotions worldwide is 71- a score which has remained consistent over the years.
Gallup mentions that Syria, the country with the lowest positive emotions ever reported last year, is absent from this list only because this report was issued before that data was finalized.
While this data may not be 100% accurate- (taken by individual country, each had varying degrees of margin of error, some as low as 2.1%, others as high as 5.3%), it still gives us a pretty good idea of the happiest countries and also the saddest.
This mother got the surprise of her life when her son Ryan delivered her the best Mother’s Day gift.
This story and video will really touch you, as this man named Ryan is a Navy Commander who has not been able to see his mom in two years! The last time he saw her was when she drove two hours to meet him at the airport during a layover just to have coffee with him and chat for a few minutes about each others lives until his plane had to take off.
Ryan gives the most amazing gift to his mother when he delivers a beautiful video to her through the flower company Telefora.
She is basically brought to tears from the the beginning, when Ryan talks about how she sacrificed her whole life for him- as she raised him as a single mom. Ryan recalls the number of wonderful values his mother has taught him, and we were brought to tears as well while watching this video.
The best part is one that we cannot reveal yet- you have to watch it for yourself!
Mom..although there are 1 million reasons why you are the best friend I’ve ever had, I’ve composed just 10 to keep it short and sweet.
1. You give me the best advice
Even though I don’t listen to it most of the time, I know in the back of my head you are always right.
2. You know absolutely everything there is to know about me
From my first crush in school, to every scar, beauty mark, and imperfection on my body, you know it all.
3. You are my #1 detective
The CIA has nothing on you, and I have rarely ever gotten anything past you. Still to this day, you find out everything and it both scares and amazes me.
4. You are always my shoulder to cry on
If the world is cruel to me, you are who I turn to, and it is after talking to you that I know that everything will be ok.
5. You buy me the stuff that I can’t afford
Most of the clothing, toiletries and furniture I own is because of you- you are more concerned with how I look than I do.
6. You’re the woman behind all my success growing up
That science fair I won..yea, that was you. And those cupcakes that I made for my class…that was you too. Thanks mom!
7. You remind me how beautiful I am
You remind me that I am perfect just the way I am, and that I should never compare myself to anyone else because I wouldn’t be me if I did.
8. I’m becoming more and more like you each day
While I never thought it could happen, it did! I see glimpses of you in me everyday- in all the things that I do and say.
9. You are the first person I always call
House phone rings, You: “Dad, can you put mom on the phone.” Mom: “Hello” You: “MOM!!!! I need you!”
10. You want to listen to me brag more than anyone else
Besides Grandma, you will never get tired of hearing about all of my accomplishments. It makes you happy to hear about how good I’m doing, and nothing makes you prouder.
This Mother’s Day is Best Friend’s Day too Mom, because you’re not just my mother, you’re my best friend, and so much more.
Clumsiness is not a bad habit; it’s a way of life.
And those who suffer from the inability to not hurt themselves, fall over, or break things, have an original outlook on life. There are some things that clumsy people just get, and no one else ever will. Do you identify with any of these things? Then you might be clumsy.
1. You always have a bruise (or two) that you can’t identify.
Waking up every morning is like a game of connect-the-dots. There’s no way of knowing what injury caused each cut, scrape, bruise, mark, etc.
2. You’ve at least once had a bruise on your face from dropping your iPhone on it.
Because you can’t even lay down without hurting yourself.
3. Table corners are not your friends.
For that matter, neither are desks, chairs, door frames, stairs, uneven ground, sidewalk edges, high heels, alcohol or the dark. Because one, if not all, of those things have caused you pain in the past.
4. You can’t have nice things.
Because you will break them. Anything made of glass is a HUGE no-no.
photo by 123inspiration.com
5. Your roommates hate you.
Because when you’re not waking them up tripping over something on the floor (or your own feet), you’re waking them up by tripping over something and using their sleeping body as a softer landing.
6. You DEFINITELY can’t buy white furniture.
Because it won’t stay white for long. And white clothes are even worse, because you’ve never gotten through a meal without at least one spill.
7. You get anxiety going to nice restaurants.
Between the white tablecloths, the glasses, and the other people, how could you possibly remain calm? You already know the worst is coming.
8. Dancing is a nightmare, and you avoid it at all costs.
Even Taylor Swift dances better than you. And she is probably your idol, because she’s the only one that really ~gets~ it.
9. If you don’t live somewhere warm already, you dream about it constantly.
Not because of the actual warm weather. No, you covet ice-free ground. Because slipping on ice is inevitable for you.
Photo by imgkid.com
10. Your friends get scared any time you have a story to tell.
Because you are so animated, and you wave your arms around so much, which leads to you breaking everything in sight. Alternatively: they move to shield expensive things with their bodies.
11. You spend a large part of your day apologizing.
Even to the desk you ran into. “I’m sorry” is an automatic response at this point.
12. You have the largest collection of cleaning products of all your friends.
Because, duh. You need them the most.
13. You have a great imagination.
Because you’ve spent so much time trying to think of a better story to tell when someone asks how you hurt yourself. Because the truth is so sad.
14. You no longer have a sense of embarrassment.
Because you’ve fallen down so many times in front of huge crowds that it’s just no longer a thing.
This Brazilian family has decided to take the trend for exotic pets to new extremes.
Aryas Borges, the father, began his love affair with these tigers when he rescued two of the big cats from the circus, where they were living under poor conditions.
The Borges family now owns SEVEN tigers- all of which have a home in their backyard, although the tigers are frequent visitors inside the home as well.
Aryas’s daughters- Nayara, 20, Uyara, 23, and Deusanira, 24, grew up sharing their meals, beds and playtime with the large tigers, and even walking them on a leash.
Nayara, the youngest daughter, even regularly dips in the pool with one of the tigers, who she says will not go in the swimming pool now without her.
At last! Kate and William’s baby daughter, and Prince George’s new little sister has arrived!
Giving birth on Saturday, Princess Kate left the hospital looking flawless, and like a proud mom for the 2nd time. The Royal family is probably delighted, as well as fans around the world, which is why we are here to share this news:
Image Credit: bostonherald.com- AP photo
Meet the new royal baby named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Image Credit: John Stillwell/AFP/Getty Images
This beautiful new princess is 8lbs, 3 oz, and she was born at St. Mary’s Hospital at 6:00 am, London time.
Image Credit: WENN Images
It is reported that Kate gave birth to baby Charlotte naturally, and she opted for the nitrous oxide “gas and air,” option as opposed to an epidural.
Image Credit: newsamericasnow.com
It is also reported that Arona Ahmed and Jacqui Dunkley-Bent, (the same midwives who helped deliver Prince George, were in attendance for Princess Charlotte’s delivery, in addition to a team of doctors including Alan Farthing, Dr. Sunit Godambe, Guy Thorpe Beeston and Huw Thomas, who were ready to give their assistance if it was needed.
Image Credit: abc7chicago.com
Kate looked beautiful only hours after giving birth.
Image Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo
The baby Princess’s first visitor was none other than her older brother George! George is 1 year old, and he sported a Mimi cardigan from Amaia, matching Rachel Riley shorts, and Blue France Amaia socks, color-coordinating his look with his father.
Image Credit: chatterbusy.blogspot.com
Once home, the princess received visits from her grandparents, Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales, the Dutchess of Cornwall, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her Aunt Pippa.
[Featured Image Credit: E Online-AP Photo/Alastair Grant]
Hangovers are literally the worst. And, although drinking a lot tends to lead to a pretty bad hangover, there are certain tricks that can help you wake up feeling better after a crazy night out.
Depending on the amount of drinks you throw back each night, it can be inevitable to wake up with a pounding headache and a fear of bright lights and loud noises (not to mention the worst hangover symptom: becoming great friends with that porcelain throne). But worry not, there are a few tips and tricks to help you avoid these awful problems, and wake up fresher and happier. Follow this advice if you want to avoid the worst symptoms the day after drinking. While they aren’t actually magic, they will make your life a lot better.
1. Eat first.
This one seems obvious, but a lot of people ignore the advice. A big dinner is important before drinking because it will help your body absorb alcohol slowly, as long as it’s a meal full of protein and healthy acids. Foods to avoid: salad and carbs. Neither will help you.
photo by pregprep.com
2. Pop some vitamins.
Getting some extra vitamins in your system before drinking can really help, since alcohol does such a number on your body. Specifically, try Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, and Vitamin B, which helps your liver stay strong. Foods with antioxidants are also important, because they help alleviate the damage alcohol does to your body.
3. Avoid carbonation.
This includes alcoholic beverages like Champagne, and mixers/chasers like soda. The bubbles make your stomach expand and therefore, the alcohol absorbs quicker. Pick juice instead, which has extra vitamins.
4. Splurge for the more expensive liquors.
Obviously, this isn’t always an applicable tip, but the cheaper liquors haven’t been filtered as much as their more expensive counterparts. So the cheaper your drink, the more toxins you’re allowing into your body, the more likely you’ll wake up with a hangover.
photo by onnit.com
5. Include other non-alcoholic beverages in your nightly routine.
You’ve definitely heard that you have to drink water while you’re drinking to avoid a hangover. And, while water is SUPER important because you need to stay hydrated, choosing a Gatorade or coconut water (both full of electrolytes) in between each drink can help, too.
6. Choose the lighter liquor.
No, we’re not talking about alcohol content. We’re talking about color. Lighter liquor like tequila and vodka have less congeners that the darker stuff like rum or whiskey. Congeners are the byproduct of fermentation, and are one of the things that lead to severe hangovers. So you’d be better off with a drink you can see through.
7. Take an ibuprofen before bed.
In case you didn’t know, painkillers can help. While you sleep, the meds can take care of that pesky headache, so that you wake refreshed, instead of hating yourself. But word of warning: never take acetaminophen (like Tylenol) because it can cause severe liver damage when mixed with alcohol.
Photo by goodmusicbrighterchildren.com
8. Eat eggs in the morning.
When you wake up, instead of opting for that greasy bacon, order eggs. They contain taurine, which is proven to reverse liver damage. Its a healthier choice for the day after drinking.
9. Go outside.
Fresh air makes you feel better, because it speeds up the rate your body breaks down toxins like alcohol. Exercise also can help because of the release of endorphins, so you might consider going for a walk or jog when you wake up.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady may be suspended for four regular season games due to “conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL,” but his life is still better than most of ours ever will ever be.
Here are 10 reasons why Tom Brady’s is still winning at life:
Image Credit: sensacionalista.uol.com.br
1. His wife is Brazilian super-hot supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Have you heard of her?
Image Credit: Getty Images
2. Brady earned $38 million in 2013 alone, making him the 11th highest-paid athlete in the world. His total NFL career earnings already total $152 million.
Image Credit: cbssports.com
3. Brady earned a $30 million signing bonus from the new Patriots contract, which was designed to help the Patriots salary cap situation.
Image Credit: pinterest- nikolodim
4. Brady earns an additional 7 million a year in endorsements like UGGS and Under Armour. Under Armour even giving him his own logo.
Image Credit: trbimg.com
5. Even though Tom can afford to spend like Mayweather, his only big purchases are homes. He built a massive 14,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles from scratch and sold it to Dr. Dre for $40 million.
Image Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
6. Brady’s earnings however don’t even compare to his wife’s! Gisele made $47 million last year, and she is on track to make $1 billion in earnings in her career.
Image Credit: hollywoodlife.com
7. Tom fathers two beautiful children with Gisele, and one from a previous marriage, and they all sport Patriots jerseys.
Image Credit: instagram.com/giseleofficial
8. Tom doesn’t need an entourage to make him happy. He is perfectly content with his wife, kids and football.
Image Credit: dailymail.co.uk
9. He is an amazing father. Here he is with his two boys.
Image Credit: Ramey Photo
10. And he is a kick ass husband who’s wife isn’t so bad either.
These 10 reasons make it pretty apparent that despite Tom’s four game suspension, he is still a winner.
[Featured Image Credit: Getty- Jim Rogash/ Stringer]
It’s not every day that you find someone brave enough to quit their job and travel the world, all for the sole purpose of lifting other people up. But that’s just what photographer Mihaela Noroc did when she set off to create ‘The Atlas of Beauty.’
The 29-year-old left her home in Romania to follow her dream of seeing the world. Along the way, she discovered a new dream: to show the world that there isn’t just one definition of “beautiful.” Choosing to focus on young women, she started taking pictures that represented different cultures, styles, and the natural beauty of women as a gender.
Along the way, she visited 37 countries across 6 continents, and took hundreds of photographs. She captured the beauty of women she met on the street, and other’s she tracked down through social media. Her knowledge of five languages helped in her travels, as she convinced every day women to become her models.
“When I photograph a woman I talk a lot. I try to to make her feel special, proud and unique. I can get along in five languages and this helps me a lot, but in some countries, talking becomes body language,” she says, reported in The Telegraph. She focuses on natural beauty, preferring to shoot the women with little to no make-up, and in their natural habitats.
“My goal is to continue and take photos of women from each country of the globe, making “The Atlas Of Beauty” a mirror of our diverse societies and an inspiration for people that try to remain authentic.”
Rio de JaneiroLos Angeles, CaliforniaColca Valley, PeruTbilisi, GeorgiaAustralia
“I prefer to photograph natural faces, without a lot of make-up, and to capture that moment of sincerity and serenity that is so specific for women.”
Nasir al Mulk, IranEcuadorNorthern RomaniaBaltic SeaHarlem, New York
“Global trends make us look and behave the same, but we are all beautiful because we are different. In the end, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the beholder is always somebody else.”
“Sometimes I have only 30 seconds to make a portrait, because I meet an interesting woman, by chance, on the street.”
Mawlamyine, MyanmarTibetan PlateauSumatra, IndonesiaHavana, CubaLima, Peru
“Through The Atlas of Beauty, I wish to compare the faces of the world and to show that all the women from my photos have something beautiful.”
Brooklyn, New YorkMexico CityMaori, New ZealandYangon, Myanmar
Though Noroc has captured many young women over the last two years, she knows the project is not done yet. Recently, she has raised over $35,000 to continue her journey through her Indiegogo page. She writes, “Together, we can show to the world that beauty is everywhere.” And, if the first half of her project is any indication of the work she will continue to do, that statement is definitely true.
Some of us have been blessed to have a close-knit group of friends for most of our lives. If you’re lucky enough, you might have one BFF. The one who has been by your side since you could remember.
There are stories of babies meeting each other in diapers, only to grow up and remain close throughout the rest of their lives. It’s really a beautiful thing, to have someone who knows you so well, and has been through some of the best and worst moments of your life, thus far.
Here are some relatable signs that let know you have been friends for over ten years:
1. If you’ve grown up together, you’ve been through the “awkward phase”. Frizzy hair, pimply faces, braces, and puberty- you’ve seen your BFF at their worst, and you’re still friends. Here’s to never having the relive the awkward age of middle school, again.
2. You can be extremely honest with each other. If your hair’s greasy- your BFF will have no problem telling you to get in the shower. If your outfit doesn’t match, she’ll dress you to make sure you look your absolute best. If you’re in “dating limbo” with a guy who’s not worth your time, she’ll be sure to tell you that you can do much better than what you’re settling for. Having someone by your side who will be completely honest with you, all the time, is a true friend.
3. You’ve been adopted into the family. You don’t knock when you enter their house anymore, you just walk in, say hi to their parents, sit down and chat. You fight like siblings would; over clothes, shoes, boys, etc… your parents are lucky that you weren’t born sisters, otherwise, they’d be in for it.
4. You’re extremely comfortable with them. When you’re angry and your face turns red, they know how to calm you down. They know just what you need, when you need it. They’ve seen you in all your moods- happy, sad, anxious, embarrassed, and they love you anyway.
5. Best friends, give the best compliments. They say just what you want to hear, and they know exactly what will make you smile.
6. Your BFF has seen you at your worst, and celebrated you at your best.
7. You’ve had plenty of firsts together; first time you got drunk, first kiss, first love, first heartbreak, all of the firsts, you’ve experienced together.
8. With ten plus years of friendship, BFF-telepathy becomes a real thing. You know exactly what the other is thinking with just a blink, wink, or eye-roll.
9. Along with BFF-telepathy, at this point, you share a brain. You can finish each others sentences without batting an eye.
10. Mi casa, Su casa. Your house becomes their house. Your belongings become their belongings. Your closet, becomes their closet. (two times the clothes, and shoes if you’re lucky!)
11. If you happened to separate for college or your best friend moves away, when you reunite, you pick up right where you left off. It’s like no amount of time has passed at all.
12. Your BFF has your back, if you don’t like someone, they automatically dislike that person too. It’s principle really.
13. If she happens to get close to a new friend, it isn’t ok. You get extremely jealous and protective of your bestie. She’s yours, and you will not share.
14. If you two share the same style, accidentally wearing the same outfit out has happened to you…more than once.
15. No one can make you laugh until you cry, quite like your BFF can.
16.Dare someone to say something bad about your bestie in front of you… you’ll gladly throw down if necessary.
17. If someone tells you to keep their secret, it’s an unwritten rule that you will run and tell your best friend as soon as you can.
18. Major crisis’ have been averted because your BFF was right by your side.
19. Your BFF knows all the right things to say, and when you need to hear them. She can instantly cheer you up when you need it most.
20. You know you’ve found a friend for life, and nothing matters more than that.
[ Featured Image Credit: www.pixshark.com ]
Share some of your favorite BFF moments, in the comments below!
Society today is arguably less trusting than it has been in centuries past, and reasonably so. But is that all changing? Companies like Uber and AirBNB are allowing us to put our faith in strangers, with (usually) very few consequences.
The idea is simple: by using the internet, you can get anything you want. That’s been true for awhile in terms of finding products you need (hello, Amazon). But now, with such companies like Uber and AirBNB, you are one click away from a ride anywhere you want, or somewhere to stay while you travel.
Margaret Wente, writer for The Globe and Mail, argues that these peer-to-peer based companies are changing the world. Uber is a lot easier than waiting around for a taxi, and AirBNB makes your stay in a foreign country feel like home. In today’s society, where we expect everything to be as quick as our internet connection, these companies are thriving.
“When you stop to think about it, it’s amazing. Millions of people are willing to take a chance on renting places they’ve never seen from people they’ve never met, and to be chauffeured around by unregulated strangers. They’re pretty confident that it will all work out, and it usually does.”
Wente makes the point that this interaction with strangers requires a high level of “social trust.” But most Internet-users already put their trust in strangers, when they use Amazon, Trip Advisor or Yelp. Reviews from strangers help us decide what restaurant to try, and what products to choose. A lot of people are hesitant to use these types of services, mostly because they don’t actually know the people they will be interacting with. But these companies aim to remove that fear, with built-in features to give your Uber driver or AirBNB host a rating.
Photo by gigaom.com
AirBNB CEO Brian Chesky thinks that companies like the one he runs will indeed change the world, and he wants them to. His aim is to go back to the type of society we had pre-industrial revolution, where small villages were more common than sprawling cities. VB News explains his goal as creating a society that is “highly trusting and filled with micro-entrepreneurs who shared their assets to make a living.”
Chesky says that he often receives emails from hosts who have been able to keep their homes thanks to the money they make from renting on AirBNB. The company makes people into businesses in just one click, and the tradeoff seems to be positive in Chesky’s mind. His aim is to fill the world with smaller businesses that function on openness and avoid discrimination, as opposed to the way government-run businesses operate now.
But these “mutually beneficial” services are forgetting one thing: the industries that they are forcing to shut down. The taxi service industry is really struggling, and hotel chains are reeling from the empty rooms. Cities across the world are trying to make these sharing companies illegal–Uber is already being attacked in Toronto, while New York City is taking AirBNB to court.
But the people seem not to mind. Society is choosing ease over brand names. The 55,000 locations on AirBNB have a market valuation of $10 billion. Uber, despite it’s only 550 employees, is valued at $18 billion.
So are sharing companies like Uber and AirBNB the future? Most experts say yes. It’s hard to know for sure, especially if cities work together to shut them down now. But if it were up to the people, it looks like a resounding ‘yes’ to keep them going for a long time to come.
Traveling can be expensive, and sometimes, if you’re living on a budget, it can be out of the question. While it might not be as nice as visiting these places in real life, these 10 online webcams show you a glimpse of what’s beyond your horizon while you stay in the comfort of your own home. No plane ticket required.
10. Space, Low Earth Orbit
Photo by www.thedigitel.com
Many of us had dreams of becoming an astronaut as children, but sadly only a select few have been chosen in our history to make the voyage. For the inner child in all of us that still wishes to visit space, this webcam from NASA shows what Earth looks like in orbit. Four cameras are attached to the exterior of the space station and are enclosed in temperature specific housing, which streams live video of Earth for our viewing.
Maybe you’ve watched one episode too many during Shark Week, but if you’ve ever been inspired to o diving with sharks but are too scared this webcam is perfect for you. Cape Fear is is mainly formed from barrier beaches and the outwash from the Cape Fear River. The underwater webcam features different views of marine life in Cape Fear, and frequently shows sharks swimming right up next to the cameras. The best viewing hours are between 7 AM and 5 PM EST.
Katmai National Park and Preserve, in southern Alaska, is most notable for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and for its Alaskan brown bears that can be seen walking the preserve and hunting salmon. There are approximately 2,200 bears in the preserve, and the prime bear watching months are in July and September through October. These webcams show the Alaskan brown bear, who can eat up to 40 salmon, or about 100 pounds of fish per day, in their natural habitat.
In the 1980s, pandas were classified as an endangered species, and today is one of the most critically endangered species on the planet. Today, it is estimated that there are 1600 pandas in the wild, and 325 in captivity. This webcam is in the Bifengxia Panda Center, the world’s largest panda reserve and research center, and features pandas in Old Leopard Mountain.
6. Coral Reef, St. Thomas Bay, British Virgin Islands
Photo by www.ipsnews.net
This underwater webcam is located in St. Thomas Bay, which is off the southwest coast of Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. The webcam features a diverse coral reef, with a variety of coral species as well as overhangs where different species of tropical fish hide. Skip the plane ride to a tropical location, and enjoy the reef while you stay dry.
There’s a reason African safaris are a bucket list favorite. Most people have never seen lions, elephants, and giraffes in their natural habitat, but thankfully a South African company called Africam allows you to see your favorite wild animals in their natural habitat. Africam webcams stream live video and sound at a variety of locations 24 hours a day thanks to night vision equipped cameras.
The Northern Lights, otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, is a naturally occurring, dancing light show. Aurora Borealis appears in many colors, although pale green and pink are the most common. Shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet are less common, but have been reported. To see this incredible light show, you need to travel to areas close to the Arcits, like Canada, Alaska, Northern Scandinavia, and Iceland. This webcam is based in Sweden, and helps predicts when the northern lights will occur. The main dark season runs from September 15th to March 30th.
Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. Its peak is 29,029 ft above sea leveland is the 5th furthest summit from the center of Earth. Everest was first conquered in 1953, and since then it is estimated that 4,000 people have reached the mountain’s summit. This webcam is aimed directly at the summit and is live from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Nepal Standard Time.
The Waikiki Surf-cam overlooks the south shore of Oahu. This cam pans across the award winning Waikiki beach, and is available 24 hours a day. Enjoy views of Diamond Head,a volcanic tuff cone, popular surf spots, and the beach that has become a gathering place for people around the world.
Australia is known for having some of the best beaches in the world, and Byron’s are among the best in Australia. This webcam shows The Pass, known worldwide within surf culture, and is ranked in the top 15 of best surf beaches in Australia.
The story lines of movies like The Day After Tomorrow and 2012 may have seem far fetched, but if we continue to add carbon to the atmosphere, those movies may edge closer to the side of the truth.
In 2013, National Geographic showed how if all the ice on earth melted, sea levels would rise by 216 feet with an average global temperature of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 22 degrees higher than the current average.
Scientists say it would take more than 5,000 years to melt all of the earth’s five million cubic miles of ice, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimate that sea levels could rise by about a meter by the end of the century. The illustrations in the video show how dramatically different all of the continent’s shapes and coastlines would be once all the ice melts. Have you ever wondered what would happen to your city once all the ice on earth melted? Cities like New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Houston would be completely underwater.
Would your city survive if all the world’s ice melted? Let us know in the comments.
For Chicagoans, no weekend is complete without brunch. Although their sports teams may get a bad rap, if there’s one thing the city knows how to do right its brunch!
Eggs, pancakes, and mimosas are the name of the game. Maybe the Cubs can’t win a game, and Cutler is still the Bear’s quarterback, but these 12 Chicago brunch spots will give “eating for the insta” a whole new meaning.
What to try: Famous for their pannenkoken, which are Dutch open face pancakes topped with sweet or savory toppings. (Chocolate Banana Pannenkoken pictured)
I don’t know about your dad, but mine certainly would not let me frolic around the ocean in nothing but two little sea shells. I guess somehow falling in love with a human is worse than swimming around half clothed.
Talking to Animals is Totally Normal
Credit: disney.wikia.com
If you find yourself communicating with animals on a regular basis I suggest you seek professional help.
Living With Seven Men is an Acceptable Thing to Do
Credit: disneyprincessstory.wordpress.com
The original Frat Rat…Snow White. Because passing out in a house of seven men is a great life choice.
Your Long Hair Will Blow Perfectly in the Wind
Credit: www.fanpop.com
LOL right…If anyone with long hair has ever stepped outside on a windy day, not to mention wearing lip gloss, you know this couldn’t be further from reality.
Its Okay to Get Engaged to Someone You Just Met
Credit: pixgood.com
They finish each other’s sandwiches so it must be true love, right?
Your Lipstick Stays in Tact After a Make Out Sesh
Credit: www.lightheadedbeds.com
Not to mention after being asleep for 100 years…that’s some long lasting lipstick girl.
Cutting Your Own Hair Turns Out Flawlessly
Credit: galleryhip.com
Remember when you tried to cut your hair with the kitchen scissors? Not sure how Mulan managed to get such a chic bob…
You Should Completely Change for the One You Love
Credit: www.fanpop.com
Because all young girls need a role model who changes everything about herself for a man…
Your Make Up Comes Off Perfectly With One Swipe
Credit: galleryhip.com
Enough said.
Men Who Lie About Their Identity Make Great Boyfriends
These 15 Coolest Office Spaces In The World might make you reevaluate where you are currently working.
Image Credit: archdaily.com
1. Google (Tel Aviv, Israel)
When it comes to the coolest offices in the world, Google wins the top prize. In 2013, Google moved into an incredible new office space Tel Aviv, Israel. With incredible views of the city, the space is set to not only give employees the right tools for work, but also to ignite inspiration and creativity. Colorfully-themed rooms and local styling are something that one of the main designers- Camenzind Evolution, is known for.
Image Credit: inventionland.com
2. Inventionland (Pittsburgh, PA)
Inventionland is America’s largest invention factory, where corporations, retailers and inventors come for new innovative products. The employees at Inventionland work in 16 unique themed sets, such as a shipwrecked pirate ship, faux cave, treehouse, pet shack, giant shoe, cupcake kitchen, giant robot and a castle complete with turrets and drawbridge. The beautiful and inspiring setting includes three running waterfalls, life-like trees, butterflies and grass-lined sidewalks. Pictured above is the Think Tank Treehouse, where you literally go to think!
Image Credit: thecoolhunter.com.au
3. Vodafone (Porto, Portugal)
Vodafone is the world’s 2nd-largest mobile telecommunications company, and this Vodafone office in Porto, Portugal happens to be the coolest. It has been awarded first place in design on many different occasions, as its boldness, and irregular, out of balance designs cannot be missed. This memorable building includes office areas, a mega shop store, auditoriums, cafeterias, training rooms, warehouses, technical areas and parking all spread out through its eight stories.
Image Credit: designboom.com
4. AirBnB (San Francisco, California)
AirBnB’s 170,000 square foot headquarters is located in San Fran, California-a building which accommodates a staff of nearly 200 employees. The prouder you are of your company, the higher your work productivity and morale, and this travel-rentals service is a great example of that. Their meeting rooms are designed after some of their own listings, for example a mushroom cabin in California, and an art-filled apartment in New York.
Image Credit: trbimg.com
5. YouTube (Playa Vista, California)
The YouTube division of Google Inc. has converted a 41,000 square foot aircraft hanger in Playa Del Ray into a state of the art production facility that is one of the largest in Southern California devoted exclusively to content distributed online. This office is undoubtedly beautiful, and makes work a whole lot funner, as if working for YouTube isn’t fun enough.
Image Credit: workflowmax.com
7. Dtac (Bangkok, Thailand)
Dtac is a mobile operator of the largest spectrum bandwidth to accommodate mobile internet growth in Thailand. This company has an entire level named Funfloor, which is how we know it’s one of the coolest offices around. The space is comprised of a mix of fun and games, including running track, indoor soccer, karaoke, and concert theatre, which makes it the perfect place for relaxation and team-bonding. This telecommunications firm also dedicated a massive area to a circular library-amphitheatre.
Image Credit: bustler.net
8. ANZ Centre (Melbourne, Australia)
This banking headquarters is anything but boring with its award-winning office design. ANZ Centre takes a modern interpretation of an urban campus, and makes it into a building is made up of “hubs”- each with its own look and feel serving different work purposes. It’s pretty massive, and pretty cool.
Image Credit: officesnapshots.com
9. Pixar (Emeryville, CA)
Pixar’s offices look like as much fun as the computer-generated animated children’s movies that they are known for around the globe. Upon entering the facility, you are greeted by an atrium-lobby that measures longer than a football field. The office is also designed with larger-than-life replicas of some of the company’s most memorable characters.
Image Credit: modernmagazin.com
10. Bahnhof (Stockholm, Sweden)
James Bond might need a license to work in this insane office! Located 30m underground, Bahnhof is a Swedish Internet service provider, whose office space used to be an anti-atomic shelter. This shelter was transformed into the White Mountain Office- a stunning workplace, whose design was inspired by Bond flicks, that looks more like a sci-fi movie set rather than a data centre.
Image Credit: rosanbosch.com
10. Mindlab (Copenhagen, Denmark)
MindLab is a Danish cross-governmental innovation unit which involves citizens and businesses in developing new solutions for the public sector. Their modern building also happens to house the offices of Denmark’s Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, whose offices feature egg shaped conference rooms with surrounding whip board walls. (Shown above is a cool brainstorming pod).
Image Credit: quadrangle.ca
11. Corus Entertainment (Toronto, Canada)
Corus Entertainment is one of Canada’s largest media companies with a focus on children’s television production. Known as Corus Quay, this headquarters is located on the city’s waterfront, and was designed by Jack Diamond, with an interior designed by Quadrangle Architects Ltd. This beautiful building brings life, energy, and business opportunities to Toronto’s waterfront neighborhood, and employs over 1,100 employees.
Image Credit: thecoolhunter.net
12. Atelier Exquise (Paris, France)
Atelier Exquise is a showroom, design studio, kitchen and a small apartment for Exquise Design in Paris. Exquise is a team comprised of three female designers focusing on designing contemporary lovetoys. Their beautiful space is a meeting place for creatives where they can cook both ideas and food. Designed by Stockholm-based Electric Dreams, this space hosts a feel of lightness and delight.
Image Credit: archdaily.com
13. Selgas Cano Architecture (Madrid, Spain)
Everything may be going green, but the offices of Selgas Cano Architecture nestled in Madrid, Spain take this trend to a whole ‘nother level. While it is common for corporations to knock an entire forest flat to the ground in order to make way for their offices, these designers have decided to create an office inside, rather than on top of an absolutely pristine wooded area.
Image Credit: businessinsider.com
14. Macquarie Investment Bank (Sydney, Australia)
Melbourne’s ANZ Centre has some competition in Sydney, because the offices of Macquarie Investment Bank rival its Melbourne counter-part as one of the most awesome offices in the world! The entire concept of the office centers on what the corporation calls a celebration of collaboration, in which the building features plush meeting pods and enough staircases to keep the everyones blood pumping.
Image Credit: customspaces.com
15. Dropbox (San Francisco, California)
Dropbox has designed this beautiful new 85,000 sq. ft headquarters, which provides flexibility for their fast-growing business. Their workplace has a very downtown style, which spaces include: phone, break, game, music, server, gym, kitchen, and dining. Their design reiterates their beliefs that all spaces, particularly the all-too-often neglected office, deserve real materials and attentive, appropriately-scaled interventions.
Let’s start by asking ourselves what makes a person a hopeless romantic . . .
Hopeless Romantic; This person is in love with love, they are idealists. They make love look like an art with their romantic gestures and their sweet nothings. They believe in old-school dating gestures, and romances that will make the classics, jealous.
If your heart flutters at sappy rom-com’s, or you still believe that somewhere out there your Prince Charming is waiting for you, you’re definitely a hopeless romantic.
There are a few tell-tale signs to know if you are a hopeless romantic:
5. You are in love with the idea of love
Hopeless romantics are in love with love. You fall hard and fast, love deeply and passionately, and put your entire heart and soul into relationships. The idea of loving someone with your whole heart, and being loved in return is what your dreams are made of. You wish for unexpected signs of affection, flowers on a Tuesday.
4. You’re sensitive
You feel all the feelings. You cry at the drop of a hat. Inspirational quotes, movies, even commercials. You cry at the thought of Ariel and Eric’s marriage, Bella and Edward’s first kiss, or Noah and Allie dying holding hands.
3. You have high expectations
You’ve grown up watching some of the best love stories and you will not settle for anything less than the best. Your capacity for watching cheesy romantic comedies is immeasurable. Nicholas Sparks’ novels and movies speak to you on a spiritual level. You want to feel the butterflies, and if the spark isn’t there, it’s just not worth your time.
2. Your favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day
Ever since elementary school, when you exchanged paper valentines with your classmates, you knew it was your favorite holiday. Cupid, hearts, arrows, the color red, chocolate- all your favorite things wrapped into one perfectly pink and lacy package. You always made sure everyone felt loved on February 14th, because well, everyone deserves love.
1. You want your other half
All your life you’ve been told you’re eventually going to find your soulmate, your better half, your partner in life, “The One“. You are looking for that person you can be yourself with. The one you can travel with, laugh with, binge watch Netflix with, and cuddle up on a cold winter night. Settling just won’t do. You know that there’s a real love for you. You can’t wait to find it.
These Inspiring Procrastination and Productivity Quotes will definitely make you rethink your current behaviors.
Everyone has a little bit of procrastination in them- some more than others. What we need to realize is that when we procrastinate, it does absolutely no good for us, and it actually prevents us from living the life we truly want. Read these Inspiring Procrastination and Productivity Quotes to give you the gusto to get you started on the right foot.
David Allen
Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they started.
Peter Drucker
Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.
William James
When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that in itself is a choice.
Olin Miller
If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.
Stephen King
Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.
Denis Waitley
Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.
Martin Luther
How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never.’
Theodore Roosevelt
In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Karen Lamb
A year from now you may wish you had started today.
David Allen
If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Dale Carnegie
Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.
Portuguese proverb
Think of many things; do one.
Eva Young
To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.
Jim Rohn
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Pablo Picasso
Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
Thomas Sowell
The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings.
Anne Frank
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Denis Waitley
Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the ‘someday I’ll’ philosophy.
Many Americans already bow down to the famous and beautiful celebrities that walk down the red carpet. But it might surprise you to learn that many of Hollywood’s royalty actually have royal roots.
It’s shocking to learn that so many of the famous faces in our movies come from famous families of the past. From cousins of Kate Middleton, to distant relatives of the current Queen of England, a few of our favorite celebs are directly related to royalty.
1. Angelina Jolie-Pitt
Photos by gossipmagazines.net
The reigning Queen of Hollywood is actually descended from a King. The French King Philip II, who ruled 1180 to 1223, is an ancestor on her mother’s side.
2. Brad Pitt
Photo by huffingtonpost.com
Much like his “royal” wife, it makes sense that the second half of the power couple that is Bradgelina also comes from a line of royalty. Pitt’s mother has a direct line to King Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 to 1189.
3. Ellen DeGeneres
Photo by hollywoodreporter.com
DeGeneres is arguably the Queen of Comedy, but she is related to more than one royal. She is the 15th cousin of everyone’s favorite royal, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. She is also a descendant of King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 until his death in 1377.
4. Brooke Shields
Photo by evilbeetgossip.com
Arguably one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Shields has a few royal members on her family tree. She is a descendent of King Henry IV of France, who ruled from 1589 to 1610, and also has ties to Catherine de Medici and Lucrezia Borgia, some of the richest rulers of Italy.
5. Uma Thurman
Photo by telegraph.co.uk
Uma Thurman is related to Edward Longshanks. Don’t recognize the name? He was famously portrayed as the villain of the movie ‘Braveheart.’ He was also known as Edward I of England, and he ruled England from 1272 to 1307.
6. Tom Hanks
Photo by theguardian.com
Another celebrity whose ancestor is portrayed as a villain, Tom Hanks is a descendant of King John of England, who is often portrayed poorly in stories of Robin Hood.
7. Hugh Grant
Photo by gawker.com
Maybe best known for his amazing depiction of the British Prime Minister in “Love Actually,” it isn’t that surprising that Grant has some royalty in his blood. He is related to Henry VII, who ruled from 1485 to 1509.
8. Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal
Photo by zimbio.com
The famous brother and sister are also related to Edward III, much like Ellen DeGeneres. But because the duo are related to the famous king on their father’s side, they are also 19th cousins to the current ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth II.
9. Ralph Fiennes
Photo by telegraph.co.uk
Everyone’s favorite evil wizard, along with his actor brother Joseph, come from the line of James II of Scotland, who reigned from 1437 to 1460.
10. Hilary Duff
Photo by inquisitir.com
The “Younger” actress is another celeb that is related to King Edward III–which means that she is in great company. But the star is also apparently distantly related to Queen Elizabeth II, the current queen.
11. Michael Douglas
Photo by jewishbusinessnews.com
Adding to the list, Michael Douglas is another distant relative of the current Queen Elizabeth II, due to his lineage from King Edward III. Apparently, that’s a trait many Hollywood A-listers share.
12. Johnny Depp
Photo by bigissue.com
This actor is related to Queen Elizabeth II too, but in a different way. Depp proved in 2011 that his family comes from the Deppes family (maybe not that surprising) who were French Huguenots in the 14th century.
