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Listen to these delightful renditions of 'Old Town Road' in different musical genres
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YouTuber Seth Everman understands pop music clichés intuitively — and that's what makes him so good.
Everman once showed people how to make Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy" from scratch using everyday objects and a synthesizer. Recently, the YouTuber decided to play Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" on his synth in different musical genres.
Watch him crank out "Old Town Road" as if Eminem crafted it or if it were part of a French film's musical score.
Encore, please.
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Watch this over-the-top dog become a tourist attraction
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Some dogs really know how to draw a crowd.
In the Abkhazia territory in the country of Georgia on Saturday, a group of tourists stopped to take photos of a particularly performative dog that had rolled onto its back. Forget the sights, this dog is the tourist attraction.   
Mind you, nobody actually pets the dog. They're just here to stan. 
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Taiwan legalizes same-sex marriage
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Taiwan has legalized same-sex marriage. The bill goes into effect on May 24. 
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Elizabeth Warren has a plan to fix everything, even our sad love lives
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Elizabeth Warren is all about making plans, and she's bringing her expert policy-making skills to social media.
The 2020 presidential candidate has plans to forgive student debt, rebuild the middle class, and even end the opioid crisis. But she's also open to helping people navigate their tricky love lives.
On Saturday, comedian Ashley Nicole Black asked her 88,000 followers if they thought Warren had a plan to fix her love life. On Sunday, Warren, queen of policies, unexpectedly replied to the tweet directly.
"DM me and let's figure this out," Warren tweeted. Simply iconic.
DM me and let’s figure this out.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 19, 2019
SEE ALSO: Elizabeth Warren takes a ‘hard pass’ on Fox News town hall
Black was absolutely shook upon receiving Warren's response, and she tweeted a screenshot of the exchange, along with the words, "I am deceased. And ready to welcome new love in my life. And then get our new pres elected. #shehasaplan"
We stan a Queen. Nay, a PRESIDENT. https://t.co/WIPCbUzWNJ
— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) May 19, 2019
Other Twitter users were equally impressed by Warren's hilarious tweet, and digitally bowed down to the Democratic candidate by showering her with praise.
Welp, she did it. Elizabeth Warren just won the presidency. Give her the White House, the Iron Throne, a Nobel prize, a pony, whatever she wants. pic.twitter.com/AlKOC9oFDy
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) May 19, 2019
This is the most magical thing I’ve ever seen happen on this website or anywhere
— Katie MacBride (@msmacb) May 19, 2019
How effin' awesome is this?! A POTUS with a heart, a mind, a sense of humor and two X chromosomes. Yes! We are so ready for this! #ElizabethWarren #Warren2020
— Annie Fox (@Annie_Fox) May 19, 2019
All hail.... pic.twitter.com/RCNOy0SzMp
— Isaac Butler (@parabasis) May 19, 2019
This is the kind of leadership I want for this nation pic.twitter.com/3aVFYd88ki
— Karen Kilgariff (@KarenKilgariff) May 19, 2019
First, this is hilarious. Second, if you give folks student loan debt relief, some help with higher wages and access to affordable housing and daycare, all those things give space to actually wanna go on dates and make it possible to build a family. So she kinda does have a plan! https://t.co/Nrs0w74xiJ
— Brittney Cooper (@ProfessorCrunk) May 19, 2019
She has a plan for EVERYTHING! https://t.co/0fsaqJAuQD
— Jenny Han (@jennyhan) May 19, 2019
Whoever says women candidates aren't relatable or likeable or funny is nuts. I adore this woman. https://t.co/AJtlEhbRiR
— Belle 🌹 Resists (@BelleResist) May 19, 2019
Many were well aware Warren has established herself as the 2020 election's Sam from Holes by saying "I can fix that" in the face of any challenge. But to see her keeping things light, acknowledging, and extending her own strong policy plans to social media was a delight.
Warren, the American people stan you giving relationship advice, but can you please make it public next time so we can all benefit? Thanks.
WATCH: Beto O'Rourke announces $5 trillion climate crisis plan
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The Tati Westbrook vs. James Charles feud ends in the Notes app
The infamous Beautube feud that began at Coachella has finally ended— in the Notes app. 
Tati Westbrook and James Charles have been playing a high stakes game of back-and-forth for a couple of weeks now. What started with Charles taking on a forbidden sponsorship with Sugar Bear Hair vitamins escalated into a spat that, across all videos involved, has racked up over 164 million views. Westbrook's scathing 43-minute video, "BYE SISTER..." is now unlisted, but has gathered over 50 million views. 
On Sunday Charles uploaded his own 40-minute video in which he defends himself against the myriad of accusations, which range from alleged sexual harassment to entitled behavior. 
"There's nobody that wants this over with as much as I do," Charles begins. "Unfortunately, there have been allegations made against me and I don't really feel comfortable just 'moving on' from those. I would like to take this video today as an opportunity to kind of explain everything that has happened," he continues.  
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The video contains screenshots, timestamps, dates, and details that would make any uninformed person scratch their heads and wonder, "Why do I care about 'the Seattle trip?'" To viewers that have been keeping up with the drama, though, Charles' explanations offer a different perspective of what may have happened behind the closed doors of YouTube's beauty elite leading up to the feud. 
At the height of the feud, fellow beauty YouTuber Jeffree Star, for unknown reasons, decided to insert himself by tweeting some since-deleted tweets aimed at Charles and his younger brother, Ian. In the tweets he called Charles a "danger to society" while backing Westbrook's initial accusations. Star released his own video, titled "Never Doing This Again," on Sunday night in an attempt to explain just why he felt the need to intervene. 
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"Today I would like to shed some light on the entire experience. Because I think that things are getting, crazy, dangerous, and we need to have a conversation," Star says gravely. He goes on to apologize for his participation in the dispute, and express how his temper got the best of him. Star never apologizes to Charles specifically.
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Sunday night, the choppy waters of the beauty community finally came to a glassy still. Westbrook took to her Notes app to type out a statement, calling for an end to the drama. You know it's serious when a celebrity busts out the Notes app. 
"I have been in communication with James Charles through an intermediary for the last week, and we believe it is in the best interest of our community, our viewers, and our own mental health to put this matter to a rest," the so-called Mother of YouTube wrote, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. 
💔 pic.twitter.com/G8Gsqv4diT
— Tati Westbrook (@GlamLifeGuru) May 19, 2019
SEE ALSO: What are we willing to cancel people over, anyway?
"Even in this moment, I still have so many things I'd like to clear up, however the continued call for 'receipts' is nothing more than a call for never-ending bloodshed," she continued. 
Amidst the drama, Charles and Westbrook both saw their subscriber counts fluctuate, though Charles took the biggest hit initially, loosing over 4 million. However, he's gained at least 1.5 million back, according to Social Blade, and his numbers continue to rise. After gaining over 5 million subscribers on YouTube, Westbrook's count is beginning to fall. Star's is also beginning to dip. 
Alas, it's time to put the popcorn down and dismiss any more rumblings of cancelations. All parties involved have expressed interest in taking some time off, so don't be waiting with bated breath for the next installment— it's done. For now.
Game of Thrones is over and so is the beauty community drama. I guess we'll just have to twiddle our scrolling thumbs until something new happens. I just can't wait until this feud is memorialized in a Lifetime movie. Maybe Lori Laughlin could make a return to play Westbrook. 
Until then, bye sisters.
WATCH: YouTuber James Charles loses 3 million subscribers amid scandal
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Grad attempts a backflip during graduation ceremony, and it doesn't go well
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After slogging through four (or more) years of all-nighters, unforgiving professors, and incomprehensible readings, college grads deserve to jump for joy. 
Or perhaps, backflip for joy?
Twitter user @viridianna_g captured a moment of pure graduation elation at the El Paso Community College ceremony — that is, until their hype came tumbling down.
SEE ALSO: 15 perfect graduation cap designs for fans of 'The Office'
Walking across the stage, the stereotypical scene plays out. Names are read, hands are shook, and useless pieces of paper worth thousands of dollars in debt are given out. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, save one administrator attempting to be hip with the kids and fist bump the grads. 
That is, until one grad goes for it, the perfect physical representation of years of being released from the confines of higher education. A backflip. What could go wrong? 
Well, just about everything. And Twitter absolutely lost it. 
“Yea that’s me in the air. You’re probably wondering how I got here” pic.twitter.com/SDGX7pEABY
— Ahmed☜ (@maulid_80) May 19, 2019
It was at this moment the “Demetrius” realized that he done f*&$ed up.
— Damu K. Bobb (@DamuBobb) May 19, 2019
His parents when he get home 😂 pic.twitter.com/oRspZIb6Uz
— 👑† (@Taj_Uub) May 19, 2019
I was looking at the dude giving everyone a "pound"🤜🏿 instead of a handshake then I saw some dude flying in the air 😭😭
— please say sike (@fatherrs) May 18, 2019
Mans said: pic.twitter.com/MFmvdMRwJA
— Ivin Setnomarim 🌌 (@IvinSetnomarim) May 18, 2019
I'm.worried about this guy's knee.
— jonoski (@jonoski7) May 18, 2019
He almost had it. Whyyyy? pic.twitter.com/1UWnAHLVoI
— Padrino 💭 (@wagush) May 18, 2019
reaction* and I wasn’t even expecting that...I thought one of the girls would trip over their heels or something. 💀
— Nyawira (@GraceJustBeing) May 18, 2019
I was watching the whole thing wondering when something was gonna happen. pic.twitter.com/ueJsDw03V0
— Padrino 💭 (@wagush) May 18, 2019
What's hilarious is the fact he said "wait" to the dean only for that!
— Mzee Edd 🇰🇪 (@005e5n) May 18, 2019
Boutta be in his seat like this afterwards😂😂 pic.twitter.com/amMFbSEfe0
— Damian Ruvalcaba (@cashmoneydame) May 18, 2019
His family in the crowd like pic.twitter.com/4zZzuchSua
— Blu’ P.R.I.N.T (@richthanfamous5) May 19, 2019
In an attempt at sticking it to the system, he only stuck it to himself. So for anyone about to graduate, let this be a reminder to save the theatrics for when you're not in front of thousands of people who can clown you about it later. 
WATCH: Harvard, MIT alumnus donates $4.5 million to each school for cannabis research
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25 tweets about glasses to read while your glasses slide down your nose
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Glasses wearers face a highly specific set of glasses-related issues. We've got lens fog, we've got rain spots, we've got the general oppressiveness of summer. Plus, we remember when people used to call us four eyes.
So as your own glasses slip down the bridge of your nose, transforming you into an even less authoritative Chuck Schumer, please take comfort in these glasses-related tweets. We need something to get us through those moments when our shirts are not the right fabric to clean our lenses, after all.
Please put your glasses on before you begin reading.
the most unrealistic part of harry potter was that nobody asked to try on harry’s glasses and make fun of how blind he was
— Conall Keenan (@_conallkeenan) May 17, 2016
#growingupwithglasses "Hey,can I try on your glasses" *passes them around the whole class*
— taskeen.🦋 (@taskeenkh) January 16, 2019
how weird is it that i have to have two pieces of glass sitting in front of my eyeballs so i don't mistake a small child for a garbage can
— kay (@kailywasserman) November 10, 2014
#GrowingUpWithGlasses when you have to clean your glasses but your shirt isn't the right material pic.twitter.com/BK2rj001aT
— Princess Anna (@ItsPrincessAnna) July 21, 2015
SEE ALSO: The boys' locker room meme is a sh*tposter's dream
#GrowingUpWithGlasses "can I try on your glasses?" pic.twitter.com/RWndnzLoY5
— K£N (@KenMwendwa) July 21, 2015
I made a huge mistake setting up my iPhone X facial recognition when I was in full makeup about to go out, instead of with no glasses, a faint mustache, and my face half-smashed into a pillow
— Rebecca Watson (@rebeccawatson) October 24, 2018
#growingupwithglasses Gotta remove those glasses during a haircut and it the haircut looks fine untill you put those glasses back on and realise how shit they look🤦🏼‍♂️
— JJ (@jainjenil237) February 5, 2019
#GrowingUpWithGlasses when you first got them vs 2 years later pic.twitter.com/fHmIOJONtD
— agent darkbooty (@LenfantSausage) July 21, 2015
#GrowingUpWithGlasses what you see when you lean too close to your bowl when eating soup pic.twitter.com/7xV7ExZzE8
— plinth🌹 (@plinthcedd) April 24, 2018
im going to superglue my glasses to my face so they cant slide down my nose anymore
— BbyShibe (@BbyShibeBH) May 8, 2019
Just seen a character on TV remove his glasses and actually have those two little red marks on either side of his nose where the frames were resting, and I am delighted to finally have representation on screen.
— Steven Perkins (@stevenperkins) April 23, 2019
Every time I try to function without my glasses I remember why average age expectancy used to be 35.
— kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) July 6, 2017
[first date] HER: fake glasses don't really make u seem smarter ME:[peering at menu thru 2 donuts] what are u implying?
— a ghost, online (@AbrasiveGhost) December 27, 2016
Eye doctors : can you read the last line without your glasses a h f I k g h b n c Me : 7
— Queenie👑 (@Goddess_Mykell) May 12, 2016
when I forget my glasses @ tha drive thru pic.twitter.com/9IhlwamEeq
— st e v. e (@yungpunkbxtch) May 8, 2019
in movies, why do people take their glasses off when they see something incredible? wouldn't putting them on make more sense
— Gil Ozeri (@gilozeri) June 5, 2017
Face recognition on my device doesn’t recognize me with reading glasses
— Pati Jinich (@PatiJinich) January 19, 2019
[in a world without ears] Inventor: We need to design some sort of eyeglasses that will stay on people's faces Assistant: WHAT??
— Stevem (@SteveMarriott) April 24, 2017
Summer is just constantly pushing your glasses back up your face cos the sweat makes them slide off
— James (@jamesab_) May 23, 2018
tfw your glasses fit you really loose and your face is a little too greasy so your glasses just slide off at any given point
— k☀️ with luv (@rrelacksing) May 13, 2019
Do y'all not understand how much of a struggle this is? 😭 pic.twitter.com/17DgKbREVK
— Jarrel (@slimrel__) January 3, 2017
#GrowingUpWithGlasses nothing could beat the struggle of trying to drink something hot and this happens pic.twitter.com/lKsLm2ZHeN
— Steve Stifler (@StevStiffler) April 22, 2018
Sometimes I forget that there r ppl who don't wear glasses/contacts. Like they can literally just wake up and see, what a wild concept
— Mik (@mikaylapettipas) January 4, 2017
#GrowingUpWithGlasses going to a 3d movie like pic.twitter.com/QEDbknFfNj
— michelle (@mishadoodle) July 21, 2015
How do I keep from these glasses marks on my nose? Is this my life now?
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 3, 2018
WATCH: Comedian Janelle James proves that she is amazing at everything — The Bob Ross Challenge
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Brienne of Tarth writing about Jaime Lannister's legacy gets the meme treatment
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This post contains spoilers galore. If you've not watched the very final episode of Game of Thrones, I'd recommend averting your eyes immediately. 
It just wouldn't be a Game of Thrones finale without the creation of a brand new meme. 
And the very last episode of the beloved show did not fail to deliver on that count. 
SEE ALSO: 'Game of Thrones' fans spot a plastic water bottle in the finale
The subject of the meme is a scene showing Ser Brienne of Tarth using a feather quill to pen Jaime Lannister's legacy in the Book of Brothers. 
Brienne was ensuring that time does not forget Jaime's bravery, so she adds a number of his achievements to the entry. Like the time Jaime lost his hand while getting himself and Brienne released as prisoners. 
The internet, of course, had other, more creative ideas about possible entries into the book. 
Like this Sex and the City-inspired entry. 
'i couldn't help but wonder... by writing him even further into the historical record, was i accidentally writing *myself* OUT?' pic.twitter.com/foZqllfSEt
— Bim Adewunmi (@bimadew) May 20, 2019
Big fan of this To All The Boys I've Loved Before-inspired one. 
pic.twitter.com/NxuIrFRFaU
— Jenny Han (@jennyhan) May 20, 2019
Mean Girls made its way in there, too. 
What I really thought Brienne was going to write.. #GOTFinale #GOT pic.twitter.com/OzZmjBDv1h
— Anna (@Annamarie2426) May 20, 2019
Props to this Jersey Shore fan. 
What Brienne was really writing #GameOfThrones #GameOfThronesFinale pic.twitter.com/Lrq5AdEidL
— cory (@coryiams) May 20, 2019
There was a nod to The Snowman.
pic.twitter.com/3nVjX7S3PI
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) May 20, 2019
And Good Will Hunting. 
I can't stop making Brienne writing memes pic.twitter.com/FkoZW3Exdl
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) May 20, 2019
A+ for effort, internet. 
WATCH: 'Game of Thrones' Season 8 The Final Episode Recap — The Iron Throne
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New photos of George, Charlotte and Louis frolicking in a garden are an absolute delight
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If you're heartbroken that Game of Thrones is over forever, well here's something to soothe your soul. 
Kensington Palace has released a series of new pics of the royal brood — AKA Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. 
SEE ALSO: Princess Charlotte looks just like the Queen in these new photos
In the photos, the royal kids are seen frolicking in a garden. Not just any old garden, mind. This garden was designed by the Duchess of Cambridge for the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. 
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A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 19, 2019 at 2:31pm PDT
The Back to Nature Garden is described in an Instagram post as "a woodland setting for families and communities to come together and connect with nature."
"Her Royal Highness is a strong advocate for the proven benefits the outdoors has on physical and mental health, and the positive impact that nature and the environment can have on childhood development in particular," the post continues. 
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A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 19, 2019 at 2:31pm PDT
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A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 19, 2019 at 2:31pm PDT
Anyone for a game of Poohsticks? 
WATCH: Princess Charlotte and Prince George's balloon game reminds us of what childhood's really like
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Race horse loses rider but wins our hearts by racing without him
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They're calling him a dark horse, but we see nothing but a bright beacon of what perseverance in the face of adversity looks like.
At the Preakness Stakes show Saturday on Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course, the take-no-sh*t horse named Bodexpress bucked off his rider before even leaving the gate. But he wasn't gonna let the split on the account of their creative differences keep him from doing what he does best: racing his goddamn heart out. 
Embodying the #resistance movement, Bodexpress persisted, completing the entire race without his jockey.
The jockey didn’t even make it out of the starting gate with Bodexpress #Preakness pic.twitter.com/ysqzl7vMl1
— Someone's An Idiot (@SomeonesAnIdiot) May 18, 2019
His joyride of freedom might not have been within the rulebook of the Pimlico Race Course, but it was a victory for the spirit. Bodexpress became an internet sensation, even getting his own Twitter moment. 
Despite stealing the show, though, he was ultimately disqualified for not finishing the race (which is BS, if you ask us). Ironically, the much less strong-willed horse named War of Will took the prize home instead.
Bodexpress' jockey, John Velazquez, was thankfully uninjured — aside from the hurt to his pride.
Wow never seen this happen!!! #bodexpress left the gate without his jockey 🏇 #preaknessstakes2019 #preakness2019 #Preakness pic.twitter.com/hFfDNWcr7C
— Chetan Rakieten (@chetanrakieten) May 18, 2019
"When the doors opened, I was off right from the start. He kind of jumped sideways," he told ESPN about their disastrous start. "I had my feet out of the irons, so I lost my balance then, I went off."
But honestly we get it. Maybe Bodexpress just got tired of only getting half the credit while doing most of the work. Maybe he's a symbol of the proletariat revolt that late stage capitalism needs. After all, it's the horse who's out there busting his ass winning races yet this guy gets all the fame and glory? Not in our America, buddy.
"He was just not behaving good in the gate. He was not sitting really well," said Velazquez, in a completely incorrect assessment of this very good boy horse's behavior.
We don't care if you didn't officially win, Bodexpress. You're a hero. And you don't let The Man tell you what races you can and can't participate in.
WATCH: Nickelodeon releases official SpongeBob meme figures
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Guy wearing red tie becomes a meme after witnessing a brutal knockout punch
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You never know when you might become a meme.
During a hard-hitting match between heavyweight boxers Deontay Wilder and Dominic Breazeale Friday night, Wilder landed a nasty right hook on the jaw of Breazeale in the first round, sending him to the ground in a daze. That knockout punch garnered quite the reaction from spectators, but one guy in particular made the most perfect face.
The man in the front row with the red tie was astounded. Wide-eyed and open-mouthed in shock, he looks like he's just seen a god appear on Earth. 
pic.twitter.com/jNfF4H8xTH
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) May 19, 2019
That hit that Wilder landed was certainly amazing to witness, and getting a front-row view of a first-round knockout in a championship match is not exactly an experience that's easy to come by.
This man, this red tie guy, appears to have seen one of the most astonishing things he's ever witnessedin his life. I mean, look at that hit. If Breazeale didn't go down after that punch there'd be something wrong with him.
SEE ALSO: Arnold Schwarzenegger is so buff he didn't realize somebody dropkicked him
With that hit, Wilder held onto his championship title for the ninth consecutive time. Breazeale was on a three-match win streak before he met Wilder's right fist at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn.
Boxing fans will remember the match for the match, but the rest of the internet just found a great new reaction image.
WATCH: Lightsaber dueling is officially a competitive sport in France
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Melt over these newly released Meghan and Harry royal wedding photos
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It's the one year anniversary of the royal event that finally brought America and the UK together. Our metaphorical King and Queen, Harry and Meghan are taking the occasion to remind you that they're goddamn adorable and their wedding was perfect.
A video on the official Sussex Royal Instagram account compiled a number of beautiful behind-the-scenes black and white photos of the day. One includes his Royal Highness Duke of Sussex apparently hailing a taxi in full military garb like a commoner. Aren't they relatable?!
In fact, they are not. They are literal royalty. But also, that's why we love their best attempts at relatability.
View this post on Instagram
Happy one year anniversary to Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! Today marks the one year anniversary of the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at St George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th, 2018. The selected song “This Little Light of Mine” was chosen by the couple for their recessional. We hope you enjoy reliving this moment, and seeing some behind the scenes photos from this special day. A message from The Duke & Duchess: Thank you for all of the love and support from so many of you around the world. Each of you made this day even more meaningful. Photo credit: Chris Allerton/Joe Short (B&W); PA (color) ©️SussexRoyal (B&W images and video)
A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on May 19, 2019 at 12:53am PDT
"This Little Light of Mine" plays over the brief but lovely video because, as the caption describes, it was the song chosen for their recessional.
Of course, Prince Harry and Meghan were already in the news earlier in May for the birth of their royal baby, Archie. Since his reveal to the world on May 8, the Sussex Royal Instagram account also posted a shot of his little feet, because he might be in line for the throne but we can all come together over the universal appeal of tiny baby toes. 
SEE ALSO: The first photos of Harry and Meghan's new baby are finally here
In a statement on the wedding video, the Duke and Duchess said, "Thank you for all of the love and support from so many of you around the world. Each of you made this day even more meaningful."
WATCH: Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey to collaborate on new mental health series
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Family of ducks makes a heart-melting annual parade through this hospital
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Each year, a duck visits the courtyard of Thompson Health in upstate New York to lay her eggs. Once the fuzzy little ducklings hatch, they have a little parade through the hospital's nursing home, the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center.
Is there a better way to ring in the spring season every year? No.
The University of Rochester Medicine Thompson Health Facebook page shared a little story on Thursday that would thaw the winter out of anyone's heart, sharing pictures of 2019's family of ducks and their journey through the facility's hallways and out a door.
The mother of the ducklings will tap on the glass door of the courtyard when her ducklings hatch, according to the post, and the staff allows them to walk through the facility to get out into the big wide world.
The first picture shows the matriarch and her crew of 13 children waddling through the hall as staff guide them with old signage in case they stray from their annual path. It looks like both staff and visitors are smitten by the intrepid water fowl.
North American mallards like these migrate hundreds (and even thousands) of miles in the fall and spring, according to Ducks Unlimited, so the return of ducks and duckling sightings are pretty good signs that warm weather season is here to stay.
SEE ALSO: A once-extinct bird returned from the dead in a rare evolution process
As far as nesting goes, it's pretty common for mallards to nest around human structures, especially when there's vegetation around. And ducks that live in populated areas are usually pretty comfortable and docile around people, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
To have ducks nest in one courtyard, knock on a door, and have a parade year after year is a special kind of magic, though.
WATCH: Park ranger’s gorilla selfie goes viral
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Inside the online communities where straight guys help other straight guys get off
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May is National Masturbation Month, and we're celebrating with Feeling Yourself, a series exploring the finer points of self-pleasure.
B, a 23-year-old man who identifies as straight, really likes looking at dicks. 
Although he isn't romantically or sexually attracted to cis men, B says his fascination to "strictly penises" began when he started watching porn in high school. 
"For a very long time I just brushed it aside and ignored it," B told Mashable through a Reddit DM. To maintain anonymity, he asked to only be referred to as one of his initials. "It wasn't till around the middle of college that I discovered there were communities online filled with people like me that had very similar attractions." 
That's when B found r/jobuds, a NSFW subreddit for "mostly straight guys who happen to like jerking off with others." 
B had his first sexual experience with another man after connecting on a spinoff subreddit, r/jobudsmeetup. After messaging each other for about a week, they met up at the other man's empty apartment. B was so nervous, it took him "a little while" to be comfortable enough to even get an erection. While they settled down on the other man's couch after a few drinks, B grappled with his own sexuality, wondering if he was gay despite his relationships with women. The two eventually slid off their pants and began masturbating side-by-side.
"We would take turns choosing clips of porn to watch, but we were very much doing our own thing for the first 30-ish minutes," B said. Then, the other man reached over and began stroking B. "I was surprised at first, but then I realized I was supposed to return the favor so I did. That lasted for 10 or 12 minutes, we both orgasmed, I got dressed, said 'thanks' and left." 
SEE ALSO: 10 different but equally enjoyable kinds of masturbation sessions
They fell out of touch, but B tried it again about a year later. This time, he made a post seeking a partner and "certainly achieved an erection much quicker" when he and another man met up. B says the mutual masturbation lasted longer than his first time, and he was more comfortable with the notion of jerking off another man. He notes that after they both finished, they ended up chatting for a bit afterwards — a much less awkward conclusion than his first r/jobuds meetup. 
"It felt more right this time around," B reflected on the experience. "Maybe I had a better connection with my partner or maybe I was just more turned on ... maybe I had just changed a bit." 
Neither encounter turned into anything longterm, and contact fizzled out after a few weeks. But while B recently posted in r/jobudsmeetup under the name u/abc_throwawayx, seeking another man to get off with, he doesn't see himself going as far as having sex with another guy. Not every r/jobud experience is like B's — some users prefer to limit the mutual jerking off to video calls or live texting instead of in-person meetups.
"It stops at the base though," B said, while describing the parameters of his attraction to penises. "It's really like this sort of primal attraction just to male sexual organs." 
Cornell University psychology professor Ritch Savin-Williams unpacks the delicate nuances of sexuality in his 2017 book Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity Among Men, noting that the 40 young men he interviewed for the book didn't quite fit in the labels of straight/bisexual/gay, and were reluctant to confine themselves to one of the "Big Three" categories.
Savin-Williams had subjects watch porn of women masturbating and of men masturbating, measuring attraction based on the subjects' dilated pupils. He says the men who identify as "mostly straight" had relationships with strictly women, but in some cases, were aroused by seeing a penis. 
"They're just very erotically turned on by penises," Savin-Williams explained in a phone call. "Somehow in their development, the penis became an object of great fascination [and] arousal."
He doubts that the men he profiled are closeted or in denial about their attractions, and he emphasizes the spectrum of sexuality. Granted, his study was tiny and more anecdotal than based on clinical trials. Also, not all of the self-identified straight men on r/jobuds may experience attraction the way B does. Arousal is incredibly complex, Savin-Williams says, and can't be explained by a simple psychological theory. But people are becoming more open to admitting their sexual fluidity. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poll conducted between 2011 and 2013 found that 6 percent of men 18 to 24 reported they were mostly attracted to the opposite sex, while 87 percent said they were only attracted to the opposite sex.
For B, being able to get lost in a fantasy is what makes mutual masturbation so appealing. He feels like "everyone fantasizes a little bit" when they're engaging in any sort of sexual activity, but he has more license to when he's masturbating with another man than when he's having sex with female partners because he isn't focused on the other person's orgasm.
"Things are more geared toward each other's bodies and working towards pleasuring each other," B said. When he's engaging in mutual masturbation, the "combined fantasy" allows for more space to explore roleplay and kinks. "We'll often obsess a bit over the porn we're watching and really let ourselves get lost in the fantasy that it's presenting. It's much more cooperative."
But coming to terms with those desires can be a struggle. Savin-Williams notes that since the confines of traditional masculinity hold men back from pursuing new experiences, they have difficulty expressing their wants to potential partners. 
"They can't tolerate telling anyone or acting on them, but they still have them in their fantasy worlds," he explains. 
Where else is there for someone to anonymously seek out fulfilling sexual experiences without meeting in person than in niche internet communities? B says r/jobuds may seem like a "hive of scum and terrible people," but it still provided somewhere for him to explore without being slapped with unwanted labels. 
Having a dedicated, moderated space to do so is a "great tool in growing or confusing times," said r/NSFWskype mod xluckis4losersx. In a (SFW) Skype call, he said the subreddit sees many first-time posters looking to feel out the boundaries of their sexuality.
"Whether or not that's true, or playing into some sort of fantasy, there are people who use [r/NSFWskype] to experiment," xluckis4losersx said, referring to the self-identified straight men seeking out other men to masturbate with like on r/jobuds. "To be able to take this baby step forward instead of jumping to Grindr or in-person encounters, it's certainly a great tool to explore themselves safely."
Safety is key, especially when experimenting with anything sexual. While mutual masturbation over a video chat holds its own risks, like catfishing or blackmail, there's little chance of any physical danger in these meetups. B says he keeps an eye out for "negative behavior traits," as he's heard horror stories of no-strings-attached hook ups that ended up getting obsessed. But xluckis4losersx remarked that the added anonymity of Skype sessions where participants can obscure their face or show just their genitals, unlike during in-person experiences, may make people feel more at ease discussing consent. 
"If anonymity makes you more comfortable to lay yourself out and say these are my boundaries, that's great!" he said. 
At the end of the day, someone's sexual identity is nobody's business but their own. While internet drama curator KeemStar set off a heated debate earlier this week when he insisted on Twitter that "No straight man in the history of mankind was bi curious," and claimed that men who had experimented couldn't possibly be straight, Savin-Williams says sexuality is more complicated than the black and white categories we automatically put people into. He says that younger generations are much less likely to confine themselves to labels, and compared to their parents' generations, self-identified straight millennials are more likely to approach attraction to someone of the same gender as "very unlikely, but not impossible."
"Contrasted with previous generations, young people today are more confident, connected, introspective, and open to change," Savin-Williams wrote in a Time essay. During the call with Mashable, he said he and his husband were mindblown that sexual fluidity is so much more "ho hum" now — he credits pop culture for normalizing it through ads, entertainment, and celebrity relationships. 
Although society still has a long way to go in terms of accepting the sexual fluidity displayed in r/jobuds and r/NSFWskype into the mainstream, Savin-Williams believes Gen Z will lead the way.
"I have great hope that these guys will be much better off in the sense of allowing themselves to explore the full range [of attraction] that they have," he raved. "I think the millennials are going to be shocked." 
And for B, having a platform to facilitate same-sex mutual masturbation wasn't necessarily a life-changing revelation — he still considers himself straight, not bisexual — but it did put him at ease with his body.
"It really just made me comfortable with my own sexuality," B said. "It helped define the borders of my sexuality a lot."
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12 interesting gadgets to spice up your self-love life
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May is National Masturbation Month, and we're celebrating with Feeling Yourself, a series exploring the finer points of self-pleasure.
Your sex life can always use a little spicing up, even if the only person involved is, well, you. 
Yes, even masturbation is something that sometimes needs a little something extra so you don't grow so bored of the same routine.
SEE ALSO: How mutual masturbation can help close the orgasm gap
Luckily, just as it was with DVDs and the internet, the sex industry is at the forefront of the evolution of gadget technology. And that means some ingenious tools for making masturbation fun again.
1. Pornhub's Virtual Blowbot Stroker
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Behold, the Blowbot
Image: Pornhub
Leave it to Pornhub, the most popular adult entertainment site on the world wide web, to not only have its own toy line but to have a device with the great name "Blowbot." This device for men can sync up with certain, compatible videos on the site to simulate the action you see on screen. And you can use the Feel Connect app to pair your Blowbot with a wide range of other toys for a mutual experience with a partner.  
Price: $118 at PornhubToys.com
2. blueMotion NEX|1 vibrator and app
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A simple, discreet app-based vibrator that lets you or a partner control the fun
Image: blueMotion
Speaking of remote play, the blueMotion NEX|1 vibrator allows for just that, letting whomever you connect to the app to control the settings for this small, silicone, Bluetooth-enabled vibrator. Whether that's a partner or just yourself is up to you, but the size and shape of the device allow you to be discreet in your enjoyment. 
Price: $129 at Lovelife
3. iGasm Spinning Stimulator
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Multiple uses!
Image: Kinky Store
The key to any good sex toy is versatility, and the iGasm Spinning Simulator accommodates certain self-pleasure needs for both men and women, depending on the fold-out attachment. It's a simple tool with multiple uses even when you're alone. 
Price: $77.25 at Kinky Toy Store
4. Smart Doll World's AI sex doll
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Is that 'Harry Potter' that you're reading?
Image: Smart Doll World
AI is the wave of the future and that applies to sex dolls, too. Take, for instance, the above doll, named Alison, which is said to include "responsive artificial intelligence, interactive voice communications, facial movement, body temperature control, and touch sensors." That's a pretty impressive list, which probably explains the steep price. But, for you, it may be worth it.
Price: $3,689 at Smart Doll World
5. Hush Vibrating Butt Plug
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A versatile butt plug
Image: Hush
Like a lot of items on this list, this particular butt plug, advertised as "The World’s First Teledildonic Butt Plug," allows remote access to the controls for yourself or a partner via an app. But there are other features that make it worth a look, like the option to sync to music or to activate via sounds. It also comes in two different sizes for your comfort.
Price: $119 at Lovesense
6. Pornhub's Virtual Rabbit
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One rascally Rabbit
Image: Pornhub
The partner to the Blowbot, Pornhub's Virtual Rabbit is a vibrator that has a lot of the same features, including video syncing and pairing via Feel Connect. Equipped for both clitoral and G-spot stimulation, the Virtual Rabbit has multiple functions and vibration patterns for all your self-pleasure needs. 
Price: $102 at Pornhub Toys
7. Hot Octopuss Pulse III Solo Guybrator
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Wrap your head around the guybrator. Or is it the other way around?
Image: OhMiBod
What's a guybrator? A vibrator for men, of course. In case you can't tell how it works from the photo, the Guybrator is a "revolutionary male stimulator that uses oscillation movement to stimulate a man." It's a brand new world for guys looking for something a little different.
Price: $119 at Hot Octopuss
8. Lovesense VR Toys
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New tools for your VR masturbation session
Image: Lovesense
Take your solo flights one step further with the Max (for him) and the Nora (for her), self-love toys that sync up with VR porn clips and enable you to really feel like you're in the film. Compatible with Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear, and Google Cardboard, among other VR options, it's not hard to, uh, get hard yourself. 
Price: Max - $119 at Lovesense; Nora - $119 at Lovesense
9. The Autoblow
vimeo
OK, this one should be pretty self-explanatory. But this sex simulation tube has a few tricks in its skin sleeve to make it feel more realistic than most. 
Price: $159.95 at Robotic Blow Job
10. Dame Product's Pom
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Flexible vibrator? Yes.
Image: Dame Products
The Pom is a popular, flexible vibrator that's also waterproof and has five different settings. The product comes from Dame, the toy company founded by Alexandra Fine and Janet Lieberman. Mashable chatted with Fine for a story on women in sex tech back in 2018, which you can check out here.  
Price: $95 at Pom
11. LaunchPAD
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The Launchpad is here to solve an age-old problem.
Image: Fleshlight
This is for the prudent masturbator. Set up your iPad, insert penis, and thrust to completion. No fuss, no muss. Though it might take a bit of coordination so you can thrust and yet still see whatever video is playing on the iPad. 
Price: $19.46 at Fleshlight
12. SVAKOM Siime Eye Wireless Camera Vibrator
youtube
If you really want to take the mutual self-love thing one step beyond just an app, how about this vibrator that doubles as a camera? You can send video right to a partner's phone, giving them the pleasure of watching you pleasure yourself. It even has an "intelligent mode" that "simulates vibration frequency during the whole process of sex from beginning to orgasm," guaranteeing some fun regardless of whether or not you've got that camera on.
Price: $249.99 at SVAKOM
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'Game of Thrones' inspired dildo sword and more geeky sex toys on sale
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What if we told you that your Jon Snow sexy cosplay didn't have to end? 
We all have that one show or movie franchise that we like so much, we want every merch item available. You know, your classic shirts, mugs, doormats, lamps, sex toys...
If geeky fantasies are totally your thing, then the themed vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, and more at Geeky Sex Toys are about to blow your mind — and this sale couldn't come at a better time.
SEE ALSO: Best sex toys for women: Take pleasure into your own hands
Marvel, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Pokemon-themed toys are all up for grabs. Just use the code MASHABLE5 and you can take 5% off your purchase, plus get free delivery on orders over $100.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Blue LED Laser Sword Dildo — $149
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Image: geeky sex toys
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Image: geeky sex toys
It's about to be hotter than Mustafar up in here. These 6-inch lightsaber-themed dildos actually light up with LED lights and have a pretty realistic handle, complete with fake buttons. You probably won't be able to use the Force to summon it without getting out of bed, so just keep it in your night stand.
Choose from a blue one like Luke, a green one like Yoga, or if you're still mourning hot Hayden Christensen from Episodes II and III, grab the red Vader one. Use code MASHABLE5 to take 5% off of $149, and shop the other galactic toys here.
Captain Anal Butt Plug
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Image: geeky sex toys
Strength. Endurance. Agility. These are all powers that Captain America possesses, and they're all things you're going to need when you experience this Marvel-themed butt plug. The 3.5-inch tapered tip and soft silicone make it great for anal beginners, but lube is always a good idea.
Use code MASHABLE5 to take 5% off of $60 and shop the rest of "The Indulgers" line here.
Game of Moans Longclaw Dildo Sword
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Image: Geeky Sex Toys
The eighth season may not be much to get horned up about, but this dildo version of Jon Snow's sword is. It doesn't vibrate, but the long shaft will have no trouble hitting the right spots, and the sword's hilt (with an impressively detailed wolf head) makes it easy to control direction and penetration intensity. Winter is definitely coming.
It's regularly $150, but currently on sale for $110 — use code MASHABLE5 to get an extra 5% off the sale price.
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A Times Square billboard caught fire, and the tweets were lit
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New York City's Times Square is a famous for its towering digital billboards. However, they're typically not on fire. 
That all changed Saturday when a billboard advertising Skyy Vodka went up in flames around 3 p.m. The video ad, featuring drag queen Trixie Mattel, continued to play as the fire grew and tourists looked on. 
The resulting tweets, perhaps predictably, were lit. 
Keep your loved ones close and your billboards closer today. ❤️
— Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) May 18, 2019
@trixiemattel you were too hot to handle.
— Mia Helena Targaryen (@Mia_TheBlessed) May 18, 2019
holy shit we’re casually walking through times square and there’s suddenly tons of fire trucks and ambulances and BOOM! a big ass fire the next block up from the line friends store! pic.twitter.com/tAvuKyhvSw
— METLIFE | 🤪 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝𝓉𝒶𝑒𝚜𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚍 🤪 (@taesyellowberet) May 18, 2019
But Skyy Vodka didn't have all the fun, with the burning digital screen at one point switching to a whiskey ad and the request to "please drink responsibly." Is a flaming shot "responsible"? Asking for a friend. 
TIMES SQUARE: Video shows a billboard on fire in Times Square. The FDNY has responded to the scene at 43rd Street and Broadway. pic.twitter.com/irfAhuTmia
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) May 18, 2019
According to ABC 7, no injuries have been reported. Thankfully, tourists can now go back to their regular Times Square activities of photographing definitely not-on-fire billboards and people dressed up in costumes. 
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