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The Couple That Gossips Together, Stays Together

If you and your partner love bonding over a little tea-spilling about other people, you’re not toxic—you might just be building a better relationship.

A new study out of UC Riverside found that couples who gossip together tend to be happier together. According to researchers, trading hot takes about friends, coworkers, and that one couple from the party last weekend can actually be good for your love life.

The research involved 76 couples, each wearing devices that recorded snippets of their conversations throughout the day—around 14% of their total talk time.

On average, people spent 38 minutes a day gossiping, and about 29 of those minutes were with their significant other. So yes, your partner is officially your gossip BFF.

The researchers think this behavior helps strengthen romantic relationships because it creates emotional intimacy and a sense of “us versus the world.” Whether the gossip is lighthearted or a little more savage, the key is that you’re doing it together.

And it doesn’t have to be mean-spirited. Positive gossip can extend the fun of shared experiences (“I love how funny your coworker is!”), while negative gossip can affirm that you’re on the same page about the people in your orbit. For example, griping about a mutual friend on the ride home from a get-together might reinforce your bond more than pretending everything was great.

The takeaway? Venting, judging, or laughing about other people might actually be one of the secret ingredients to a solid relationship—as long as you’re doing it as a team.

So the next time you and your significant other are on the couch dissecting someone’s awkward toast at a wedding, just remember: it’s not petty, it’s partnership.

Lefties Unite! 10 Sneaky Things Designed for Right-Handed People

International Left-Handers Day (August 13th) is one of those silly holidays no one pays attention to, except the 1 in 10 folks – like myself – who have to spend every day operating in a world that’s basically a giant right-handed playground.

If you’re a righty, you likely don’t realize how many small, everyday things are stacked against us. I’m not saying we deserve our own handicapped spaces, but living in a world designed for righties comes with all sorts of disadvantages we just learn to adapt to.

Even a lot of left-handed folks don’t fully realize how many products are designed and engineered without even the slightest nod to the the sinistral portion of the population that makes up roughly 10% of the world.

Fun fact: The scientific term for left-handedness – “sinistral” – comes from the Latin “sinister,” meaning “left”… because ya’ll used to think we were witches and warlocks. Seriously.

Sure, the big offenders like scissors and can openers get all the press. But the real betrayals are sneakier. Let’s take a tour of the subtle design choices that feel like a personal attack if you’re a lefty.

Zippers on jeans

That flap covering the zipper? It’s always on the left, which means trying to zip with your left hand is basically an Olympic-level sport.

Credit card machines

The swipe slot is always on the right side. And if there’s a pen, it’s tethered to the right too. Same story at banks.

Measuring cups

Hold it in your left hand and suddenly you’re measuring in milliliters instead of ounces. Not a problem if you’re doing metric, but this is ‘Merica! (Luckily, left-handed bakers do have options now.)

Car fobs with flip-out keys

The switchblade-style ones are designed so righties can flip them open smoothly. Lefties? It opens into the palm of your hand unless you do it upside down and push the button with your finger instead of your thumb.

Microwaves

Hit the open button with your left hand and get smacked in the arm by the door. Every. Single. Time.

Rulers and tape measures

Use one left-handed and the numbers are upside down. Why you gotta be sabotaging my DIY projects all the time!?

Power tools

This one’s a serious safety issue! Chop saw handles are commonly on the right, meaning lefties have to cross their arms over the blade like they’re auditioning for a workplace safety video.

Novelty coffee mugs

If there’s only printing on one side, it’s usually placed for righties so everyone else sees the funny design. Lefties get to see it, but don’t get to share. Everyone else just sees the blank side.

Playing cards

Many decks only have numbers in two corners, which means if you’re playing left-handed, you’re basically flying blind.

Serrated knives

The teeth are angled for right-hand cutting, so lefties end up slicing bread thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. Seriously, it’s a thing that even most lefties don’t know about. They sell special left-handed knives now that would cause the same issue if righties tried to use them.

Yes, it’s a right-handed world out there, and lefties have to adapt every day. So if there’s a special lefty in your life, maybe buy them a pair of lefty scissors and a mug with printing on both sides. It’s the little things.

The Four Commandments of In-Flight Eating

If you’ve ever cracked open a tuna fish sandwich at 35,000 feet—or sat near someone who did—then you already know: certain foods should never fly.

Planes are basically flying sardine cans with wings. Air circulation is minimal, escape options are nonexistent, and there’s no such thing as a personal exhaust fan. That’s why travel etiquette experts say when it comes to in-flight dining, the golden rule is simple: Keep it in your bubble. That means your noise, your elbows, and especially your smells.

According to one etiquette pro, there are four sacred rules for eating on a plane. And yes, they read kind of like airline commandments.

1. Thou shalt not bring smelly food aboard.
This is the big one. No tuna, no garlic-heavy leftovers, no sulfur-scented hard-boiled eggs, and definitely no fish of any kind. Think less “flavor explosion,” more “neutral and forgettable.” If your meal could clear a room, it doesn’t belong in the sky.

2. Thou shalt not eat like an animal.
Messy foods = a messy cabin. Sticky ribs, powdered donuts, spaghetti, and anything that drips or splatters should stay on the ground. If it requires a bib or three napkins minimum, rethink it.

3. Thou shalt be allergy-aware.
This one’s less about manners and more about safety. That innocent peanut butter snack might trigger someone else’s serious reaction in a confined space. Stick to safer options if you can.

4. Thou shalt not go full “open bar.”
Alcohol dehydrates you and hits harder at high altitudes. One too many mid-flight cocktails could leave you woozy, rude, or even kicked off the plane. So sip smart and hydrate often.

So what should you eat up there?

The best in-flight snacks are simple, compact, and inoffensive: crackers, pretzels, fruit (dried or fresh), a granola or protein bar, maybe a meat-and-cheese snack pack. Even a muffin or piece of chocolate is fair game.

Bottom line: if your food passes the “would I want to smell this in an elevator?” test, you’re probably safe. Happy flying—and even happier snacking.

AOL Pulls the Plug on Dial-Up Internet, Ending a Noisy Era

Gen Z may love their wired headphones, thrifted cameras, and all things retro, but if they ever wanted to experience ‘90s-style Internet, that door just got a little harder to open.

AOL has officially announced it will shut down its dial-up Internet service on September 30, 2025. Yes, somehow, this was still an option in 2025.

For millions of Americans in the 1990s, “America Online” was the on-ramp to the World Wide Web. Before broadband and Wi-Fi, you got online through your telephone line — complete with that ear-piercing chorus of digital screeches, beeps, and static that meant you were connecting. And if someone in the house picked up the phone, well, you were instantly disconnected.

Back in the day, AOL flooded mailboxes with shiny CDs promising free trial memberships — often boasting “100 free hours” — before charging a monthly fee. The service peaked when logging on meant chat rooms, AIM messages, and the thrill of hearing “You’ve got mail.”

AOL shortened its name in 2006, but by then broadband and wireless Internet had already taken over. According to U.S. Census data, only about 160,000 Americans were still using dial-up in 2023, making up roughly 0.1% of all Internet connections in the country. It remains most common in rural or remote areas where high-speed options are limited, and satellite is the only alternative.

Dial-up’s one big selling point has always been price — sometimes under $10 a month — but that comes with a glacial speed limit of 56 kilobits per second. At that pace, a single song takes around 12 minutes to download, and a high-definition movie? About 170 hours. That’s over a week of your computer working harder than you do on Monday mornings.

AOL says the shutdown is part of its regular evaluation of products and services, and while this is the end for their dial-up, other companies like Microsoft and NetZero still offer similar connections for the few who want or need them.

So, farewell, America Online. Thanks for the nostalgia, the CDs we used as coasters, and for making us believe the Internet was a place where “getting mail” was exciting.

If you never got to hear that iconic dial-up handshake sound, just know: you really missed out… and also, you’re probably better off.

Jen Pawol Makes MLB History as First Woman Behind the Plate

Jen Pawol handled Sunday’s Miami Marlins–Atlanta Braves matchup like she’d been calling big-league games her entire life. In reality, the 48-year-old umpire was making history becoming the first woman to call balls and strikes in a Major League Baseball game.

It capped off a landmark weekend for Pawol, who on Saturday became the first female umpire to work a regular-season MLB game, calling the bases during a doubleheader. Less than 24 hours later, she was behind the plate, stepping into the most scrutinized role in the profession.

Granted the very first strike called was a bit inside, but she did great after that.

If she felt the weight of the moment, Pawol didn’t show it. Her poise impressed both dugouts.

“I think Jen did a really nice job,” said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough after Atlanta’s 7-1 win. “She was very composed and managed the game well. Big day for her, big day for Major League Baseball.” Braves manager Brian Snitker echoed that sentiment, saying simply, “You can tell she knows what she does.”

Pitchers had little to argue with. Between Braves starter Joey Wentz and Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill, there were only three total strikeouts. The first called third strike — a borderline pitch on Miami’s Kyle Stowers in the fifth inning — drew a subtle question from McCullough, but nothing heated.

Pawol’s journey to the majors began in 2016, when she joined the Gulf Coast League. She’s worked her way up through the minors, including the Triple-A championship game in 2023, and has called MLB spring training games in 2024 and 2025. Her current role is as a rover umpire, meaning her next big-league assignment isn’t set yet.

Quantrill noted her extensive experience: “We certainly didn’t call her up from A ball. She was well prepared, and I think she did a quality job. If this becomes normal, we treat it normal.”

Fans seemed to understand the significance. Over the weekend, Pawol received cheers from both sides, and some held “Way to go Jen!” signs in the stands.

On Saturday, she summed it up with a mix of joy and gratitude: “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment.”

Whether her next game is next week or next month, Pawol’s debut made one thing clear… the big leagues just got a little more inclusive.

WNBA Faces Ongoing Battle With Sex Toys

The WNBA has a bizarre problem on its hands: a wave of fans throwing sex toys onto the court during games.

Over the past week and a half, arenas in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Phoenix have all dealt with these disruptions. The most recent incident came Thursday night, when an object hit the court in the final seconds of the Atlanta Dream’s win over the Chicago Sky. In Los Angeles, a tossed toy nearly struck Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during a game against the Sparks.

Police say a man in Georgia has already been arrested for two separate incidents, including the first known court hit in Atlanta on July 29. He reportedly told officers the stunt was “supposed to be a joke” meant to go viral.

He now faces four misdemeanor charges, including public indecency and indecent exposure, which could carry fines, jail time, and even sex offender registration. In Phoenix, an 18-year-old was arrested for throwing a sex toy into the crowd, striking a fan in the back. He told police it was part of a trending prank.

Security experts say these items are notoriously difficult to detect because they contain no metal, meaning arena scanners can’t pick them up. Short of full pat-downs or bag bans, it’s challenging to stop them at the door. Ty Richmond, president of Allied Universal’s event services division, says legal consequences may be the strongest deterrent.

“The decision to prosecute and show examples of how people are being handled is very important,” Richmond explained. “Without a doubt, it will make a difference.”

The WNBA has made its stance clear: anyone caught throwing objects on the court will be banned for at least a year and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.

“The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority,” the league said Friday, adding it’s working with local and federal law enforcement to pursue felony charges where applicable.

For players, it’s not just a safety issue — it’s a respect issue. “Everyone is trying to make sure the W is not a joke and it’s taken seriously, and then that happens,” Cunningham said on her podcast. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called the trend “the latest version” of the long-standing sexualization of women in sports.

Despite arrests and league warnings, at least one crypto-based prediction market is now letting users bet on whether sex toys will appear at future WNBA games — a reminder that for some, this dangerous stunt is still being treated as entertainment.

This strange saga isn’t just a PR headache. It’s forcing the WNBA to confront both fan behavior and deeper cultural attitudes toward women’s sports — all while trying to keep the focus where it belongs: on the game.

Social media reaction from players has been blunt. Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison wrote, “ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. Never was funny.”

We definitely agree with her. But this meme is still funny.

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A Woman Got Trapped Inside a Chuck E. Cheese Kids’ Game

Chuck E. Cheese is the place where a kid can be a kid. And where an adult can be… a cautionary tale.

Last Thursday in California, an unidentified woman decided she just had to try a kids’ game called Snow Day. It’s a small room where fake snowballs rain down, and kids try to grab them and toss them into a hole before the clock runs out. Unfortunately, this woman took “get the ball in the hole” a little too literally and ended up putting her entire arm in there. 🧐

And it wasn’t coming out.

Firefighters had to be called, and it took them 22 minutes to free her… probably because they had to keep stopping to wonder, “How… exactly?” She was fine afterward and even stayed to enjoy the rest of her visit, which is bold. (Most of us would have ghosted the place and started a new life in another state.)

No one knows exactly why she reached into the hole… Confusion about the rules? Retrieving a ball? Spontaneous lapse in judgment?

But Chuck E. Cheese shut down the game until technicians could make sure that no other grown-ups were going to “Winnie the Pooh” themselves into it.

A spokesperson emphasized the game is perfectly safe, adding that the “young adult” was “playing one of the games intended for children” and chose to stick her arm in “a hole not intended for hands or arms.” Which is corporate-speak for “we design our games for pre-teens, not adventurous adults with bad ideas.”

Naturally, a crowd of smartphone-wielding onlookers filmed the whole ordeal. The video went viral, making her the latest entry in the internet’s ever-growing library of “Adults Stuck in Things They Shouldn’t Be In.”

Your Dog Could Be the Next “Air Bud” Star

The search is officially on for the furry lead in “Air Bud Returns”, and yes, it’s just as adorable as it sounds.

A few weeks ago, producers announced the beloved basketball-playing pup would be returning to the big screen in a brand-new movie. Now they’re looking for the next golden retriever to step into those pawprints.

To stay true to the character, casting is only open to purebred golden retrievers. If you think your dog has the looks, charm, and on-screen presence to carry a movie, you can submit an application online.

Even if your dog isn’t chosen for the role, entering still comes with perks. Prizes include Air Bud jerseys, signed movie merchandise, and even a trip to the Los Angeles premiere.

The original “Air Bud” debuted in 1997 and became a family favorite, spawning multiple sequels and spin-offs. Now, “Air Bud Returns” is set to bring the magic back to theaters next summer — and one lucky golden will be front and center.

So if you’ve got a photogenic pup and a little patience for auditioning, this might be your chance to see your dog’s name up in lights. Just be warned: competition could get “ruff.”

Are Electric Vehicles Making Us More Carsick?

Electric vehicles might be kinder to the planet, but for some passengers, they’re far less gentle on the stomach. If you’ve ever stepped out of an EV feeling a little woozy, you’re not alone… and there’s some solid science behind it.

Studies have found that motion sickness tends to be more common in electric cars than in their gas-powered counterparts. One big reason is the lack of familiar sensory cues. In a traditional car, the rumble of the engine and subtle vibrations give your brain advance notice when the car is speeding up or slowing down. In an EV, that noise and vibration are basically gone, leaving your senses flying blind.

Then there’s regenerative braking, a standard EV feature that slows the car down more gradually than a typical brake system. While it’s great for energy efficiency, it can confuse your body’s internal navigation system.

Your eyes, inner ear, and sense of balance—collectively known as the vestibular system—are getting different messages. Scientists call this a neural mismatch.

Your brain can’t reconcile what it sees and what it feels, which can trigger that dreaded “I might lose my lunch” sensation.

In short, EVs can unintentionally create the perfect storm for queasiness: quiet rides, smoother stops, and fewer physical hints that a change in motion is coming.

The good news? Researchers are already working on ways to fix it. Ideas include adding subtle vibrations to mimic engine feel, adjusting interior lighting to give visual motion cues, or even creating dashboard displays that visually predict acceleration and braking. All of these could help passengers’ brains sync up with what the car is doing.

Until then, the best seat in the house might actually be the driver’s seat.

Driving requires constant visual and physical engagement, which helps prevent motion sickness. Passengers prone to carsickness in EVs might also benefit from looking at the road ahead, cracking a window for fresh air, or avoiding backseat phone scrolling marathons.

So, while EVs are leading the charge toward a greener future, some of us may need a little time—and maybe a few engineering tweaks—before our stomachs are fully onboard.

NASCAR Driver Celebrates Win, Breaks Collarbone

NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch won the Xfinity Series Mission 200 on Saturday, August 9th at Watkins Glen, and celebrated by immediately breaking his collarbone.

He’s seriously lucky it wasn’t worse, because it looked really bad – like “is he still alive” bad. But thankfully the answer was yes, very much so. Connor’s dad, Jim Zilisch, even took time out that night to joke it was his son’s new low.

Connor returned to the track for an interview the next day and said he was feeling fine. (I’m guessing he was on some painkillers by that point, so… yeah.)

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