googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTAT_ATF’); }); If you ask most people, they’ll tell you girls are supposed to like pink. They’ll say that girls are supposed to tick the boxes on their bucket lists next to “big white dress” and “fairy-tale wedding.” Girls are supposed to throw tea parties and dress dolls and giggle and cry and sit on the sidelines while boys score goals and go home covered in grass stains. And that’s where most people are totally wrong. In an effort to highlight the strength and joy that comes with playing “like a girl,” Always proves that those three words are far from insulting. They’re full of so much power. While other people are busy telling girls to quit, they’re busy telling each other one simple thing in response: “Don’t you dare.” If girls enjoy princesses and tea parties, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. What’s wrong is forcing all girls to stand behind walls built with stereotypes and expectations. To learn more about the Always #LikeAGirl campaign, be sure to check this out. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/like-a-girl/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTBT_ATF’); }); As an artist myself, I’ve received quite a bit of flack from fellow artists because I tend to work in a more realistic style. And that’s nice and annoying, because it’s hard to do. The criticism stems from the fact that this approach apparently isn’t creative enough (to which I say SHOVE IT). My personal pettiness aside, however, I guess I can see where they’re coming from. For that reason, I want to introduce nay-sayers to an artist by the name of Howard Lee. He works in a hyperrealistic style, and I dare anyone to tell me that his creations aren’t…well…creative. I mean, look at this. It’s fun, amazing, and way better than anything most of us could ever pull off. YouTube / Howard Lee googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCBM_BTF’); }); Satisfying, isn’t it? YouTube / Howard Lee There’s only one real piece of candy in this pile. Just let that sink in. YouTube / Howard Lee googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCI1_BTF’); }); But watching him work is where things get really dumbfounding. Check out the process he used to draw that bafflingly realistic Coke can and bask in his artistic glory. The hot dog video is making me so jealous. So, so jealous. Why not keep this attack on my self-confidence going? To learn more about Howard Lee, be sure to check him out on YouTube! If you need me, I’ll be busy feeling bad about myself. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/realistic-still-life/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTBT_ATF’); }); Bob Dylan’s lyrical prowess has never been kept secret or overlooked, and the Nobel Committee just honored the prolific singer-songwriter with the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature. While the win has kicked up some controversy in literary circles, it’s easy to argue that Dylan’s songwriting stands at the helm of his success. Very few artists adjust to the ebb and flow of musical tides quite like he’s done since the early ’60s. Fewer still pen lines that never lose their consequence or relevance in changing times. His strange, relentless cadence is instantly recognizable. His iconic tracks continue to fill coffee shops, ride on radio waves, and fly in the face of generational difference. But sometimes, mastery is found in the last place you’d think to look. To honor his Nobel Prize win, let’s leave no stone unturned. Here are six Bob Dylan songs made famous by other artists. 1. “Wagon Wheel” — Old Crow Medicine Show Dylan wrote what is now the chorus of this country-tinged favorite and ultimately scrapped it. Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show built it out with verses and released the final version of the track in 2013. 2. “The Mighty Quinn” — Manfred Mann Dyan wrote and recorded “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)” in 1967. The following year, Manfred Mann released a cover that charted well in the United Kingdom. In 1970, the original version was added to Dylan’s “Self Portrait.” 3. “All Along the Watchtower” — Jimi Hendrix googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCI1_BTF’); }); Although Dylan’s original version is one of his most beloved songs, Jimi Hendrix gave it new life with his cover, which made it onto the guitar legend’s 1968 “Electric Ladyland.” 4. “Make You Feel My Love” — Adele Fans go crazy when vocal powerhouse Adele performs her rendition of “Make You Feel My Love,” but she always gives Bob Dylan due credit. He wrote the song in 1997. 5. “Love is Just a Four Letter Word” — Joan Baez Baez effectively helped Dylan get his career off the ground in the ’60s by covering his work, but this cover of “Love is Just a Four Letter Word” gained the most traction in 1968. 6. “Mr. Tambourine Man” — The Byrds While it’s one of Bob Dylan’s most popular songs, the track didn’t make it to number one on the charts until The Byrds covered it. That being said, both versions did receive Grammys. Read More: You’ve Heard These 10 Smash Hits, But Did You Know That Prince Brought Them To Life? To learn more about Bob Dylan’s historic win, you can read this announcement from the New York Times. (via Mic) Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/bob-dylan-nobel-prize/
Kids make messes. It’s their only job. By age 10, they already have a decade of experience when it comes to wreaking havoc on walls, floors, and even ceilings. While I don’t have children, I vaguely remember ruining my parents’ lives by taking crayons to fresh paint and caking furniture in Play-Doh. And if there’s one thing I’ve heard parents say over and over again, it’s that having kids and pets living in the same house is a recipe for messy disaster. That’s why this dog is basically an angel. Every night before bedtime, the meticulous pup runs around and collects every toy in sight. Not many human children are on this level (or have any desire to get there). If only kids could be satisfied with biscuits and human affection after a job well done. At least they’re cute, right? Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dog-cleans-up/
There are endless treasures to be found in our grandparents’ attics. While digging through these family heirlooms and artifacts, we’re lucky if we come across a few tattered photos from the war, or a chipped teacup from an old collection. Although substantial finds may be few and far between, these relics help us piece together the stories of our lives. But one man hit the jackpot one day while rummaging through his grandparents’ things. What he discovered sent him on a stunning journey back in time. He found a perfectly preserved film of his grandparents’ wedding that dates back to 1944. Vimeo / Bliss Productions Although this footage was captured decades ago, the affection shown by these two lovebirds is timeless. My Grandparents Wedding :: 16mm from 1944 from bliss* productions on Vimeo. Grandparents are often viewed as the pillars of the family. They’re seen as sage, wizened monuments to everything that younger generations stand for. It’s rare that we get to peek behind the curtain and marvel at who they were before we were born, and now that this man has stepped back in time, he will be able to move forward with a whole new perspective on who he is and where he came from. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/family-history/
Firefighters put their lives on the line each and every day so that we can stay safe in our homes. It’s so heartbreaking to see these men and women lose their lives and sustain devastating injuries while doing such selfless work. One man who knows that all too well is Mississippi-based firefighter Patrick Hardison. While responding to a call for a massive house fire back in 2001, the roof caved in on him, and the scalding materials melted straight through his mask. The resulting injury changed his life forever. Hardison — always a kind and gentle family man — decided to dedicate his life to helping others. NYU Langone via IFL Science But on that fateful day in 2001, he sustained an injury that totally changed the course of his life. He suffered massive burns that effectively stripped away his entire face. Not only did the wound wreak havoc on his physical health, but it also destroyed his self confidence. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center His emotional health was so shattered that he couldn’t even bear to look at himself in the mirror. One horrible accident robbed him of his personal identity. With support from his family and the tireless physicians at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, Hardison underwent the most intense facial transplant procedure in medical history. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center The operation took the team of 100 physicians and nurses 26 hours to complete, but fortunately, the strong guy made it through the entire ordeal without any complications. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center After 14 years, Patrick Hardison was able to see his reconstructed face for the first time in what proved to be a powerful moment for everyone involved. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center As he recovers, firefighters who were with him at the time of the accident come and spend time with him every week. While Hardison needs time to adjust to his new face, he’s so thankful to his loved ones and his dedicated medical team for helping him start this exciting new chapter. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center To hear more of Hardison’s incredible story, check out the video below: (via IFL Science) It’s absolutely incredible to see what physicians can do today to improve the lives of those who protect us. Patrick Hardison risked everything to help those in need, and it’s only fair that these amazing doctors returned the favor. We wish this brave firefighter and his family all the best! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/face-transplant-miracle/
When we were little, our stuffed animals served as fluffy confidantes. They sat with us at our tea parties, they stayed close at night to fend off bad dreams, and they comforted us when we were sick. What they didn’t typically do, however, is teach us important lessons that would ultimately stick with us for a lifetime. But one Japanese organization aims to change all that. Second Life Toys allows parents to send their kids’ damaged stuffed animals in for “transplants” to teach them about the beauty of organ donation. While thousands of people are registered organ donors in the States, the issue gets little attention in Japan. Second Life Toys There are quite a few reasons why Japanese people have mixed feelings about organ donation. For one, belief systems in Japan dictate that bodies should be whole upon cremation, which understandably discourages them from registering. Second Life Toys Along with that, the 1968 Juro Wada case, which involved harvesting organs from a braindead patient at a point when the determination of brain-based death was still hotly contested, embedded an association between organ donation and unethical activity deeply into the cultural consciousness. Representatives from Second Life Toys believe that they can flip the script on this pressing issue by teaching kids the importance of organ donation at a young age. Second Life Toys Their program walks little ones through the process in a way that they can understand. Here’s how it works. Second Life Toys A parent sends photos of their child’s damaged toy to the company, and upon approval, they mail the stuffed animal in for “surgery.” Using parts from donated toys that look much different than the rest of the recipient, they repair the defect and mail it home. Second Life Toys And the program works the other way, too! Those who choose to donate unused toys receive letters from the company explaining how their toys were used to save stuffed animals in need. Their goal is to help young people develop positive attitudes toward organ donation. Second Life Toys For more information about the initiative, check this out! The best way to make change is to work from the ground up. After all, children are the ones who will build a better future someday. If you want to learn more about this project, be sure to check out the company’s website. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/organ-donor-toys/
As someone who gets winded walking up the stairs, I deeply admire athletes. And as someone with a serious binge-watching problem, I admire athletes who also happen to perform stunts on hit TV shows even more. You might not know Jessie Graff’s name, but if you’ve watched “Supergirl” on CBS, you’ve definitely seen her work. This stuntwoman and all-around force to be reckoned with recently broke a record at the qualifiers for “American Ninja Warrior” by becoming the first woman to conquer the show’s new Warped Wall obstacle. If seeing her in action isn’t girl power at its finest, then I don’t know what is. My favorite part of this whole thing (aside from her killer outfit) is listening to the announcers freak out at every turn. So who wants to be my gym buddy? I clearly have some work to do. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/supergirl-ninja/
“I’ve never had my ear licked before by an ocelot — first time for everything,” is one of the things that actually came out of Coyote Peterson’s mouth during a real-life encounter with a young jungle cat. While roaming around in the rainforests of Costa Rica doing things that someone named Coyote Peterson would definitely do, the adventurer and his companion were stopped in their tracks by a baby ocelot with seemingly insatiable bloodlust…or a strong desire to play with some weird-looking animals. Either one. While picking up wild animals with sharp teeth is never really a good idea, there’s no harm in watching someone else do it, right? Pleasant! YouTube / Brave Wilderness You know what’s especially dumb? Playing with small predators that may have much larger moms lurking nearby. In any case, I’m glad this is a thing that really happened and I’m glad it didn’t happen to me. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/ocelot-attack/
Everyone who has ever helped plan a wedding knows how many exhausting hours go into ensuring that the day goes off without a hitch. The amount of people who have to be hired months in advance — like caterers, florists, tailors, and planners — is staggering. One of the most important decisions that every couple has to make centers around picking the perfect photographer. But Addie and Marshall Burnette decided to avoid that issue completely. That’s because they had a less conventional photographer at their disposal…and she happened to be of the four-legged variety. YouTube / Marshall Burnette This adorable pair decided to strap a GoPro to their Siberian husky, Ryder. She captured their entire wedding day. YouTube / Marshall Burnette Ryder filmed every special moment from a completely unique perspective, bringing the occasion and its beautiful backdrop to life. YouTube / Marshall Burnette It took Addie and Marshall hours to pore over Ryder’s footage, but the end result is absolutely stunning. Check out the beautiful video in its entirety below: What a great way to incorporate their favorite pup into their wedding day! How cute is it that her little ears show up in every frame? When it comes to unique touches, this couple’s wedding takes the tiered cake. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dog-films-wedding/
