Author: Cortlyn McCarthy

Confused Chicken Shows Up at Buffalo Wild Wings

If I was walking into Buffalo Wild Wings and saw this, I’d still eat there. But I’m probably getting a burger.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa got a call after someone spotted a chicken hanging out by the front door of a Buffalo Wild Wings in Des Moines.

They noted the hen must have been “confused,” since B-Dubs is the last place a chicken would want to be caught hanging out.

“WHAT THE CLUCK? Talk about a chicken on the wrong side of the road!”

How the chicken got to Buffalo Wild Wings is anyone’s guess, and whether it crossed the road to get there is also a hot topic.

People on Facebook were quick to offer up their own theories – a common theme being she’s finally buckled under the crushing weight of existence, and can’t deal with the unrelenting nature of life itself.

“She’d just given up. Was like ‘Just take me Lord!'”

“It wanted to be someone’s dinner.”

“How 2025’s been going, she just wanted to be done with it all!”

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa was able to catch the chicken, adding that she was safe and receiving the care she needed. And the best news is it appears the wayward fowl never made it inside the restaurant.

Imagine the level of PTSD you’d endure if you realized you’d been just a few short steps away from becoming a combo meal.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: June 22-28

Spider-Man, fo’ shizzle, Diddy crime, and mattress actors. Here are 10 things that happened 10 years ago this week.

The new Spider-Man was an actor you’d never heard of.

19-year-old Tom Holland was relatively unknown, but did have some cred for his performance in 2012’s “The Impossible” with Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. (Really needed his web slingers in that one. Spoiler: the tsunami wins.)

Leonardo DiCaprio invested in a mattress startup.

He knows his way around a bedroom, so folks laughed. Fellow mattress enthusiasts Adam Levine and (ex Spider-Man) Tobey Maguire were also early investors. The up-and-coming mattress company was Casper.

Diddy was maybe going to jail.

He got arrested for aggravated assault after a dust up with a coach at UCLA, where his son was playing football. The charges were eventually dropped due to a “lack of evidence,” but it was later alleged he’d fought the coach, choked out an intern, and put another staff member in a headlock. The good news is he was able to put his legal troubles behind him…

Dustin Diamond was definitely going to jail.

He got four months for stabbing a dude in a bar brawl on New Year’s Day. Served three, got out on probation. Sadly, we lost Screech less than six years later. Dustin (who was not a smoker) lost a battle with lung cancer in early 2021.

“Fo’ shizzle” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Even the snobby, fancy dictionaries had caved and were leaning into the new 21st century vocab. “Sext,” “hot mess,” “autotune,” and “stanky” also made it in that year.

A cat won Dog of the Year.

You’ll know why when you remember the footage. A loose dog tried to rip a kid’s leg off in Bakersfield, CA, but the family cat kicked its ass. 7-year-old tabby Tara took home spcaLA’s highly coveted National Hero Dog Award. Ask your pup, it’s quite the honor.

Paris Hilton wasn’t in a fiery plane crash.

An Egyptian prank show caught heat for making her think her plane was going down. But TMZ later reported she was in on the prank, supposedly pocketing a cool $1 million for the stunt. The collective reaction was wow… she’s a better actress than we thought.

Rumor had it Tom Cruise might do a “Top Gun” sequel.

The rumor picked up steam when he later said he’d do it if there was “no CGI on the jets.” “Top Gun: Maverick” came out seven years later in 2022 and grossed $1.5 billion at the box office. They did use real jets – with a dash of CGI.

The first “Inside Out” was a huge hit with (most) kids.

Unfortunately, a group of excited kiddos in Ohio were left traumatized after a projectionist accidentally screened the horror flick “Insidious: Chapter 3” instead. Scarred for life.

Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris were together and rich as hell.

“Forbes” named them the world’s highest-paid celebrity couple with combined earnings of $146 million. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were next at $110.5 million.

Taylor and Calvin dated for just over a year. She eventually moved on to car wash owner and Campbell’s Chunky souperfan Travis Kelce. “Forbes” doesn’t do the list anymore, but Tay Tay and Trav would be high up on it.

The 10 Best Backyard Games of All Time

Summer is here! So we ranked the 10 best backyard games of all time.

Quick Disclaimer: Any list like this is going to be subjective, and personal preference comes into play. But that being said, we friggin’ nailed it. So if you disagree with these rankings, you might need to take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Have I lost touch with my inner child? Do I still know how to have fun? Am I dead inside?”

Without further ado, here are the 10 best backyard games of all time, ranked according to fun, accessibility, and overall popularity.

1. Cornhole

It’s the undisputed king of the backyard. Whether you’re at a barbecue or a tailgate, cornhole is almost guaranteed to be there. Modern cornhole originated in Cincinnati in the 1960s, but a similar game with square holes was patented way back in 1883. History aside, it’s easy, addictive, and oddly competitive even before you start drinking. (Bonus points for being able to play with a beer in one hand.)

2.  Bocce 

The beauty of bocce? You don’t need a perfect lawn or even grass. A patch of dirt or gravel works just fine. It’s perfect for all ages, and vibes somewhere between lawn chess and bowling for grownups. (Pro tip: beach bocce sets are lighter and easier for kids.)

3.  Wiffle Ball

A dad in Connecticut came up with it in the summer of ’53 and made backyard baseball possible. If you haven’t swung one of those skinny yellow bats in a while, it makes you feel oddly strong. There were also the big fat red ones – the perfect weapon for toddlers looking to attack Dad’s knees, ankles, and groin.

4.  Two-Hand Touch / Flag Football

An American classic. All you need is a ball (preferably a Nerf one) and maybe a couple rags to tuck in your waistband. Bonus points if you have that one cousin who takes it way too seriously.

5.  Kickball

A gym-class hero that never lost its charm, it’s a game played worldwide. Brits call it “football rounders,” Canadians call it “soccer baseball.” 😑 But everyone everywhere calls it a great excuse to sprint around your yard like it’s third grade again.

6.  Horseshoes

A little more advanced and not quite kid-friendly (those things are heavy). But if you’ve got a sandpit setup, horseshoes are peak chill-and-throw fun.

7.  Badminton

Not as trendy as it once was, and setup takes a minute. But it’s a whole lot of fun if you’re willing to go through the hassle of putting up the net. Once you’re rallying, it’s hard not to get competitive, and the boing sound of a shuttlecock hitting your racket is just oddly satisfying. (Plus, who doesn’t love saying “shuttlecock.”)

8.  Ladderball

Invented by a Pennsylvania mailman and made mainstream by Ladder Golf LLC in 2005, ladder toss has carved out a permanent spot on the backyard game roster. It’s simple, weirdly strategic, and totally addictive.

9.  Lawn darts

Yes, the OG version was basically a weapon. But honestly, wasn’t that a plus? The lawn darts of today are kid-safe and just as fun. (Lies.) Toss them into a target circle to start racking up points – and memories.

10.  Croquet

Sure, it’s old-school… and no one plays it anymore. But croquet was incredibly popular in its heyday and still brings a fancy twist to the backyard. It’s low-impact, slow-paced, and ideal for those sipping something out of a glass with a garnish.

It’s undoubtedly the fanciest pick on the list – the type of game that makes you feel like a member of the aristocracy. But while the word is French, the game actually originated in England in the 1800s. So… not as fancy.

Honorable Mention: Playing Catch

It’s not exactly a “game,” but throwing a ball back and forth has always been part of the backyard DNA. Maybe not Top 10 material, but definitely top vibes.

The Snubs

A few more games that almost made our cut include hide-and-seek, tag, Spikeball, Kan Jam (a.k.a. “Garbage Can Frisbee”), and beer pong if your backyard hangs are more 21+. Ultimate Frisbee also rules if your yard is a full acre.

Modern Trends We’ll Soon Be Regretting

Trends come and go, but some age like milk. Think back to the early 2010s when people were planking on countertops and filing cabinets for internet glory—what felt edgy and hilarious then now looks… a little embarrassing.

Reddit users recently chimed in on which current trends people are most likely to regret a decade from now, and their answers were more thought-provoking than meme-worthy. Here’s a snapshot of what we might look back on with a mix of regret, confusion, and disbelief:

1. Oversharing Online
Documenting every detail of life may come back to haunt you. “The worst parts will resurface,” one commenter warned.

2. Exploiting Kids for Content
Filming children during meltdowns or punishments for likes? Nope.

3. Bullying Educators Out of the Classroom
Teacher shortages are growing—and this trend may only accelerate it.

4. Devaluing Skilled Work
Fast and cheap has replaced handcrafted and long-lasting. But at what cost?

5. Taking TikTok Over Trusted Advice
Influencers are not medical professionals, no matter how many followers they have.

6. Cosmetic Surgery Fads
Procedures like buccal fat removal may not age gracefully, and reversing them isn’t always simple.

7. Face Tattoos
While tattoos are more accepted than ever, some placements still carry long-term baggage.

8. Unrestricted Tech Access for Kids
Unlimited screen time might be easier now, but could lead to developmental issues later.

9. Child-Led Households
Letting kids make all the rules? Some worry we’re raising tiny tyrants.

10. Cringe-Worthy Baby Names
Creative? Sure. But your child might not thank you later.

11. Letting Go of Privacy
We’re voluntarily giving up personal data—and some believe the trade-off isn’t worth it.

12. Sending DNA to Corporations
Curious about your ancestry? So is the insurance industry.

13. AI as a Crutch
Students and professionals alike are leaning heavily on AI tools—at the risk of losing foundational skills.

14. Anti-Intellectualism
Distrust in science, experts, and institutions is on the rise—and many think that trend is dangerous.

15. Sports Betting Normalization
Gambling has gone mainstream, but its addictive potential remains.

16. Having an OnlyFans
Some users worry their content might follow them long after they’ve logged off.

17. The “Broccoli” Haircut
Trendy today. Awkward high school yearbook photo tomorrow.

18. Buying NFTs
Good luck with that $300 pixelated monkey.

19. Cybertrucks
Don’t we already regret these?

20. All-Gray Home Décor
A full-gray palette might feel sleek today—but throw some color in there! Spice it up.

Whether it’s digital footprints or questionable purchases, the internet never forgets. Should we all try to “touch grass?”

Amazon Prime “Day” Is Now 96 Hours Long

Despite the name, Amazon has officially confirmed Prime Day 2025 will last a whopping four days, from July 8th through the 11th.

That’s 96 hours of deals, doorbusters, and digital cart chaos. And yes, that’s still apparently considered a “day.”

The name hasn’t changed, but the math sure has.

Originally launched as a single-day event back in 2015, Prime Day started off as a 24-hour sales blitz. But Amazon doubled the length in 2017, and just doubled it again.

We’re now at four full days of shopping, and Amazon doesn’t seem interested in giving the event a more time-appropriate title. “Prime Week” anyone? (I’d even take “Prime Long Weekend.”)

It’s not even the only Prime Day anymore.

To make things even murkier, Amazon added a fall version in 2022 called “Prime Big Deal Days,” which most people just call “Fall Prime Day” or “October Prime Day.” Then they tossed in a “Big Spring Sale” every March, aka “Spring Prime Day.”

Throw in all the “early deals” that drop before each event and… yeah, it’s basically a never-ending discount cycle. So while Prime Day technically still exists, it might be more accurate to call it “Prime Year” at this point.

To be fair, the word “day” is subjective.

Sure, 24 hours is a day… on Earth. But a day on Venus lasts 5,832 hours. So if you know any higher-ups at Amazon, please let them know they could go way bigger with this.

Technically, they could make Amazon Prime Day 243 days long, and “day” would still be accurate assuming you’re logged on from the Second Rock from the Sun. (I hear the 5G is spotty up there though.)

How to Make a Tequila Turkey (And Maybe Burn Down Your House)

Here’s how to make sure there’s a throw-down, knock-out fight at your next family Thanksgiving. Help your drunk uncle along by sneaking some booze into his main course.

Alcoholic poultry, anyone?

We just learned you can marinate a turkey in tequila, and it’s all thanks to a brave Midwesterner who did it and almost set their apartment on fire. When you’re an innovator, you’re gonna break a few eggs along the way. (And maybe explode a few birds.)

Tequila turkey nearly blows up oven.

Firefighters in Madison, Wisconsin, had to step in after a dangerously boozy bird almost turned a kitchen into a fireworks display. A local resident decided to try a tequila-marinated turkey recipe, but it backfired spectacularly. (And also literally.)

Just eight minutes into roasting, the oven door blew open with such force that they felt their only option was to call 911. Then firefighters showed up, and when they opened the oven, blue flames shot out.

The culprit? Vaporized alcohol.

The bird had soaked up so much tequila that the booze turned into flammable vapor in the oven. And once that vapor mixed with oxygen? Boom. A fireball.

The person cooking the tequila turkey said they’d used the recipe before without issue. So authorities think it may have been caused by poor ventilation in the oven, which allowed the alcohol fumes to build up to explosive levels. It’s also possible they used way more tequila than the recipe called for.

Firefighters ultimately removed the oven from the apartment to prevent any further risk. Despite the dramatic blast, the incident thankfully didn’t spark a larger fire. And as far as we’ve heard, no fowl play was suspected. (Sorry, I’ll see myself out.)

How to make a tequila-soaked turkey

If you’re a risk-taker with a well-ventilated oven, you can easily find tequila turkey recipes online. But spoiler alert: they probably won’t get you drunk.

Most of the tequila turkey recipes we were able to find call for a very minor amount of booze. (Think tequila basting, or tequila glaze.)

TasteTequila.com modified a recipe from The Food Network… and we’re being generous with the word “modified.” They basically just say to use a lot more booze. The Food Network version calls for just 3 tablespoons, which isn’t going to give you much of a buzz unless you spoon them directly into your mouth.

The booziest real recipe we could find is from the Barefoot Contessa herself – proud drinker Ina Garten – whose Tequila Lime Chicken calls for a full four ounces of the good stuff. (Or technically, not that good… she says to use Cuervo Gold. 🤮)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup gold tequila (*or more if you’re willing to risk a structure fire)
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 to 6 limes)
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 whole (6 split) boneless chicken breasts, skin on

As fun as tequila turkey sounds, I bet there’s an 80% chance it’s gross… because who drinks any type of alcohol because it “tastes good”? No one. If you think you do, your decades of drinking have just obliterated your taste buds. (I’m talking to you, mezcal “fans.”)

So while it’s a fun idea, I think I’ll play it safe and stick to my normal Thanksgiving staples. First and foremost: rum ham.

Here Are the Most (and Least) Patriotic States in America

As the Fourth of July approaches and Americans gear up to celebrate their independence with backyard BBQs, booming fireworks, and maybe a regrettable injury or two, one study is taking a more analytical approach to patriotism—no sparklers required.

WalletHub just dropped its annual list of the most patriotic states in the U.S., based on 13 civic-minded factors, like: voter turnout, military enlistment rates, volunteer work, jury duty participation, and AmeriCorps service. So yes, it’s less about flag-waving and more about actually showing up for the country.

The 10 Most Patriotic States in 2025:

  1. Virginia
  2. Montana
  3. Vermont
  4. Colorado
  5. Oregon
  6. Washington
  7. North Dakota
  8. Maryland
  9. Minnesota
  10. New Hampshire

Virginia takes the crown this year, while states like Colorado and Oregon continue to earn high marks for civic engagement. Vermont and New Hampshire, small but mighty, also made strong showings.

At the other end of the spectrum, some states aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard.

The 10 Least Patriotic States:

  1. Arkansas
  2. New York
  3. Louisiana
  4. Alabama
  5. Florida
  6. Texas
  7. Indiana
  8. New Jersey
  9. Rhode Island
  10. West Virginia

California just barely missed the bottom 10, landing at 11th least patriotic. In general, larger and more populous states didn’t fare so well, possibly due to lower per capita participation in the metrics used.

One surprise from the report? When ranked based on how they voted in the last presidential election, so-called “blue states” edged out “red states” in patriotism—at least by this definition.

For those keeping score, South Carolina and Wisconsin landed right in the middle of the pack. Perfectly average, and maybe that’s something to be proud of?

If you want to see where your state landed, WalletHub has the full breakdown on their site. Just don’t blame us if your state’s patriotism didn’t make the fireworks-worthy list.

Source: WalletHub

10 Things That Drain Our “Social Battery”

One minute you’re chatting like a functioning adult, and the next you’re mentally pricing out cabins in the middle of nowhere with zero cell service. Congratulations, your “social battery” just flatlined.

The electrolyte and energy drink brand Zipfizz polled 2,000 Americans and looked at the little everyday annoyances that can completely zap your “social battery.” You know, the stuff that pushes you from “I got this” to “I need to live alone in the woods.”

Here are the top 10 culprits you might encounter today:

  1. Being interrupted or talked over. Honestly, is there anything more infuriating? At least let me finish my story before you jump in and try to top it, Chad.
  2. Awkward small talk. An occasional musing about the weather is excusable as long as it’s quick and painless. If you follow with “how was your drive to work,” my brain starts weighing the pros and cons of hitting you with my car.
  3. Dealing with customer service. You’ve been on hold for 20 minutes when a real human finally gets on the horn… and it turns out they’re an idiot. Bye bye, social battery.
  4. Talking to strangers. Some people love a random convo if you catch them at a good time. Otherwise, it can feel like you’re being forced to talk to someone you’ve never met, don’t care about, and will likely never see again. (Hence, the not caring part.)
  5. Unsolicited advice. Nothing more refreshing than someone “helpfully” telling you how to live your life when you didn’t even ask. Bonus points if their own life is in the crapper.
  6. Office gossip. The drama, the whispers, the alliances. I’d rather just watch more reality TV.
  7. Group video calls. The overlapping chatter, frozen screens, and “sorry, you go ahead” loops are enough to fry anyone’s brain.
  8. Oversharing coworkers. There’s TMI, and then there’s “things I can never un-hear.”
  9. When someone wants to show you something on their phone. It’s always a blurry photo, a too-long video, or a meme you saw three weeks ago. But they’re excited, so you have to be.
  10. Networking events. Nothing drains introverts faster than forced mingling, name tags, and small talk marathons.

So if you’ve ever felt socially fried for seemingly no reason, now you know you’re not alone. It’s not that you hate people. It’s just that people can be a lot.

News Chopper Guy Rants About Failed Marriage, Bourbon

Fox 11 helicopter reporter Stu Mendel used his livestream chat like a personal therapy session this weekend while covering the protests in L.A., describing some of the “debacles” he’s had with his personal life. “”I just had a bunch of debacles with my personal life. “Do I get lonely? Of course! But I got cats.” Thanks for (over)sharing, Stu! 👀

https://twitter.com/BranPuffin/status/1933987044277268806

He also channeled Ron Burgundy with this line: “I love bourbon. I do. I do love the bourbon. Love the whiskey, love the bourbon, love the gin. Do love the gin.”

Here’s the full livestream:

Heinz Wants to Make “Breakfast Ketchup” a Thing

If you like ketchup on eggs, there’s a 1000% chance you’ve been shamed for it at some point in your life (Maybe many points.) But now Heinz wants you to start owning it and help them make “breakfast ketchup” a thing.

In a bold new move, Heinz is stepping in to defend ketchup lovers everywhere with a campaign that basically says: “Yeah, we do that. And shut up, it’s delicious.”

They teamed up with 100 Waffle House locations around the country to debut new “Breakfast Ketchup” labels. Their new line? “Ketchup at breakfast should be the norm, not the exception.”

Around 50 diners across the U.S. are also getting limited-edition bottles shaped like maple syrup containers. Because if syrup gets to sit on every breakfast table like royalty, why shouldn’t ketchup get a little shine too?

https://www.tiktok.com/@heinz_us/video/7515447720891452714

Okay, so what makes it “breakfast” ketchup?

Answer: Nothing. (It still works on hot dogs.)

The ketchup itself hasn’t changed. It’s just a clever marketing gimmick. Heinz is simply hoping to extend their main offering to that all-important first meal of the day… because 🤑.

If they really wanted to push the envelope, they could have gone with some sort of ketchup/syrup hybrid. But does ketchup and syrup on eggs somehow seem even grosser?

If you’re a ketchup-on-eggs fan, you’re not alone.

According to Heinz, one in four people already reach for the ketchup bottle at breakfast. So in their eyes, this is already a thing. They’re just trying to normalize it.

Wait, 25% already use ketchup at breakfast?

Is it possible? Yes. But only because hash browns exist.

Eliminate potatoes from the equation, and I’d posit the real number of breakfast ketchup indulgers is closer to 1 in 20. There’s just no way a quarter of the country is putting ketchup on their eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, granola, or cereal on a semi-regular basis. (If you’re putting it on your Froot Loops, bravo. You’re a true original.)

Ketchup on potato chips too?!

This isn’t the first time Heinz has tried to convince us that their signature product belongs on more than burgers, dogs, and fries. Just months earlier, they tried to convince America that dipping potato chips in ketchup was a thing that should happen.

@heinz_us

Dipping fries in ketchup isn’t weird. But what about chips? To find out, we asked people what they think of new HeinzChipDip. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think with #HeinzChipDipChallenge

♬ original sound – heinz

Breakfast ketchup people need not be ashamed anymore.

Obviously encouraging people to use your product in more areas of their life is a solid marketing strategy. (Waiting for them to tell me it’s a great moisturizer too!) But will all the ad dollars actually make more people believe ketchup on eggs is a good idea? Or did they just see the hot-sauce-at-breakfast trend take off, and decide it was an in?

Either way, the fact that the largest ketchup brand in the world has your back is no small thing. So if you’ve ever been side-eyed for putting ketchup on your eggs (or bacon, or anything else on your plate), you’ve now got Heinz in your corner the next time you hear it from breakfast ketchup haters.

Just don’t start putting it on Cheerios, or I’m out!

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