Snowpocalypse

Happy Sunday, my favorite people!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy your time together—whether you’re staying warm under a blanket or stealing a quiet moment with your coffee. The following stories will make you curious and maybe even smile. We discuss winter storms, toilets, and Pickleball (and why everyone's talking about it). Let’s dive in!

Here's everything you need to know today:

It’s official: winter is here and making quite the entrance. After Black Friday shopping and leftovers, Mother Nature reminded us who's in charge. Parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have been blanketed in snow, creating a winter wonderland—if you're inside. For those trying to navigate the roads? It's more of a white-knuckled adventure than a wonderland.

Over two feet of snow are falling in some areas, and cities like Erie, Pennsylvania, are declaring travel emergencies. And it's not just the snow; an Arctic blast is dropping temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees. It's perfect for hot cocoa but terrible for getting home.

Even football fans aren’t spared. Buffalo's Bills called reinforcements to shovel snow out of the stadium—not for their game plan. They're paying $20 an hour and throwing in free drinks. Honestly, it's not the worst gig if you love football.

If you’re in the affected areas, stay warm, stay safe, and maybe think twice before heading out. Even though the roads aren't pretty, the view might make it worth it.

Dink Happens

Here’s the thing about pickleball: it’s everywhere. In 1960, it was a quirky backyard game. Now, it's America's fastest-growing sport. Seriously, over 13.6 million Americans played last year. That’s a 223% growth in three years—wild, right?

And it’s not just retirees chasing wiffle balls in Florida anymore. Agassi plays exhibition matches and bets on its rise. Celebs like LeBron James and Eva Longoria are investing. Fashion brands are cashing in with “tenniscore” looks. You can find pickleball courts in parks, gyms, and even old big-box stores. It’s becoming a social game for all ages.

But of course, there’s drama. Tennis purists are NOT happy about their courts being turned into pickleball zones. The U.S. Tennis Association even launched “red ball tennis” to compete, but let’s be honest—pickleball’s accessibility is hard to beat. There is no fancy gear, no years of practice, just a paddle and a little willingness to dink.

I’ve got to say, I get it. It's easy to pick up, fun to play, and you can trash-talk your friends while playing. So, if you haven’t tried pickleball yet, what’s stopping you? It’s affordable, it’s social, and who knows—you might just become the next Andre Agassi of your local park.

Porcelain Prison

Let’s be honest—how many of us turn a quick bathroom break into a scrolling session? Doctors warn that spending more than 10 minutes in the toilet could harm your health, not just your TikTok watch history.

Prolonged sitting can confuse your body's natural signals and cause hemorrhoids. Your digestive system can slow down, and let’s not forget the hygiene risks—your phone isn’t the only thing getting dirty.

The good news? You can avoid these risks with a few simple adjustments. First, leave the phone (and Marvel Snap matches) outside. If nothing else, it’ll help you stay mindful of time. If nothing happens after 10 minutes, get up, hydrate, and try again later.

The message is clear: Less is definitely more regarding bathroom time. So, the next time you’re tempted to linger, remember—your body (and your phone screen) will thank you for keeping it short and sweet.

What We Learned This Week?

1. Macy’s $154 million accounting mystery uncovered.

2. Unpacking Trump’s lightning-speed cabinet choices.

3. Sing, fight, debate: How civility is making a comeback?

4. Why do women swipe left on AI?

5. Are you really middle class? Here’s the truth.

6. Australia takes on big tech with under-16 ban.

7. Apollo’s viral Pyramid adventure.

8. Bird flu found in California’s raw milk.

9. Hollywood’s latest blockbuster battle.

10. 2024’s quirkiest Uber finds.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 winners.

🧮 Core Count: 13

A chicken's longest recorded flight in seconds.

🗓️ Flashback:

1913 - Ford Motor Company installs the first moving assembly line for the Ford Model T.

1953 - Hugh Hefner publishes Playboy magazine's first issue with Marilyn Monroe as the centerfold.

1955 - In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.

1988 - The first female leader of a Muslim nation, Benazir Bhutto, becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1990 - British and French workers meet in the Channel Tunnel under the English Channel.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran