In a scene that seems straight out of Tomie dePaola's classic children's book Strega Nona, where a magic pasta pot overflows and threatens to engulf a nearby town, residents in Old Bridge, New Jersey, found mounds of pasta dumped next to a river. And by mounds, we mean 500 pounds of spaghetti, elbows, and alphabet pasta. The story went viral when public official Nina Jochnowitz posted about the mysterious pasta dump on Facebook.

After a concerned citizen mentioned it to her, Jochnowitz went to the area and snapped some photos, sending them to the mayor's office. While a crew was sent down to clean up the mess, that still didn't answer the burning question of who had left all that pasta. Local Facebook groups were filled with questions about it, and people wandered down to take photos of the few strands of pasta that remained behind. Reddit was also rife with theories about the origins of the pasta. Some figured it was waste from a restaurant or a large catered event, while others joked about it being left behind as an offering for the cast of Jersey Shore.

Eventually, a local NBC affiliate solved the mystery by simply talking to a neighbor. Keith Rost, who lives nearby, cleared up the macaroni mystery by stating that he knew who had left the pasta behind. He claimed that it all came from a house that is up for sale and was being cleared out by a military veteran after his mother has died. Apparently, she'd left behind quite a stockpile of food and he disposed it in the woods.

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by u/New_pollution1086 from discussion 500 lbs of pasta dumped in New Jersey woods.
in interestingasfuck

“I mean, I really feel like he was just trying to clear out his parents' house and they were probably stocked up from COVID,” he shared in an interviewing, saying it's a generational thing. “My grandparents always had a cupboard full of cans and pasta, just to be safe.”

While the pasta appears cooked in the photos, that was actually not the case. It had been thrown into the woods dry, but became limp after several days in the rain. For Jochnowitz, the event is another reminder about the lack of bulk-garbage pickup for the town of nearly 70,000 residents. Old Bridge is the only town in its county that lacks this service. “It’s been a point of contention for many years,” she told The New York Times.

While the person responsible for “Pasta-Gate” probably meant no harm, Rost is breathing a sigh of relief that the mess is gone. “I just moved in right next door so that would have been a big mess to start cleaning all the flies in the house, maggots,” he said.

Jochnowitz, who said she was in touch with the family to discuss the matter privately, had a good sense of humor about the ordeal. “My hope is that whoever did it is not eating as many carbs as they cooked.”

h/t: [Yahoo, Buzzfeed]

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READ: Mystery Behind 500 Pounds of Pasta Dumped by a New Jersey River Is Finally Solved

A cockroach slays on the Met Gala red carpet pic.twitter.com/eN2CdtGIIE

— Vulture (@vulture) May 2, 2023

Of all the invited guests to the 2023 Met Gala, there was one infamous party crasher. And no, it wasn’t a snubbed A-lister. It was a confused cockroach that was trying to escape the crowds but found itself at one of New York City’s biggest events. The insect tried its best to flee on-lookers and the camera, but its brief brush with fame was captured by amateur and professional photographers alike. By the end of the evening, the cockroach was a bonafide star.

At an event that’s all about the ensembles, the obvious question was, “Who was it wearing?” Well, artist Travis Chapman has an answer for us. He painted a portrait of the cockroach striking a pose on the “Colgate carpet” wearing a fashionable—if not a bit revealing—gown with a train and tiny jewels. Alone on the carpet, all eyes are on it, just like in the viral video shared online.

As strange as the painting is, it highlights the creativity and the fun of sharing a creation like this online. Chapman’s artwork has been popular on Reddit, where commenters have played along with his image. “She still looks great though,” one Redditor wrote. “Like, 40 days old great. Whoever said roaches are not in their prime after day 100 should be fired.”

Online fans were also calling for this image to be released as a print. Chapman listened, and you can now buy a print of the painting in his Etsy shop.

A cockroach went viral as it scurried across the carpet at the 2023 Met Gala. Artist Travis Chapman imagined the creature as an attendee—gown and all.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Travis Chapman (@travis_chapman_artist)

Chapman shared his painting on Reddit, where commenters had fun playing along with his handiwork.

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by u/Calm_Entrepreneur_83 from discussion I painted that cockroach from the met gala
in popculturechat

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by u/SakuraTacos from discussion I painted that cockroach from the met gala
in popculturechat

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by u/justreddis from discussion Met Gala Roach, me, acrylic,2023
in Art

Travis Chapman: Instagram | Etsy

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

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READ: Artist Reimagines the Infamous Met Gala Cockroach Dressed as a Fabulous Attendee

Photo: Screenshot from TikTok

For many dog parents, bathing their pets or taking them to a grooming salon is a whole ordeal. But the results are worth it for a squeaky clean pup that smells nice and has a fluffy coat. Unfortunately for some, there's little time to enjoy it before their pooches decide to roll in the dust, make a hole in the garden, or get soaked in the rain. One particular dog named Luna decided she had had enough of being clean—much to the dismay of her human—who captured a painfully funny video of her pet having the time of her life playing in the mud.

Luna's owner, Fernanda Kreibich, had just had the dog washed and groomed; her white coat was extra shiny and soft. The pair then decided to pay a visit to Kreibich's fiance's outdoor worksite. Since it had rained, many puddles had formed on the premises. Suddenly, the pooch decided to follow two other dogs at the worksite into a large puddle. In a matter of milliseconds, the once spotless white pup was covered in mud.

The craziest part? Kreibich describes Luna as averse to getting dirty, usually keeping herself clean and going as far as avoiding getting her paws wet. “She doesn’t like it,” Luna’s mom explained. “She won’t even step on the grass after it’s rained. She’s super clean.” That's why her reaction to seeing her pet have a change of heart regarding dirt led her to react to her new love for mud with the words, “My god.”

“I don’t know what happened. I couldn’t believe it. She was having fun [in the mud],” Kreibich said, still finding it hard to believe. “She was super proud.”

While many would only sigh at having to take their pet back to the groomer, the dog mom is happy that Luna has let go of her phobia of dirt and is willing to support her through her muddy adventures if that'll keep her heart full. “I want her to have fun! I will definitely take her back to the mud puddle to play.”

This is Luna, a pup who used to hate being dirty—until she one day had a change of heart.

Photo: Screenshot from TikTok

Just after being washed and groomed, she followed two dogs into a large puddle. In a matter of seconds, the once spotless white pup was covered in mud–but having the time of her life.

@fernandakreibich♬ Funny Song – Cavendish Music

Her human mom shared the aftermath on TikTok. Despite having to clean her again, she supports her newfound love for mud.  “I want her to have fun! I will definitely take her back to the mud puddle to play,” she said.

@fernandakreibich Respondendo a @mariaisabelguaran #cachorro #arte #spa #linda ♬ Pagodão do Birimbola (Tchubirabirom) – Os Quebradeiras & Machadez & Mousik

h/t: [The Dodo]

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Most fun things might feel out of reach when you're strapped for cash, and cosplay is one of them. Creating an elaborate costume can be expensive—and not to mention time-consuming. But not for Anucha Saengchart, aka Lonelyman. For years, the ingenious creative has assembled low-cost cosplay that requires very little in fancy materials. With some everyday household items, body paint, and clever camera angles, he recreates characters from popular culture with a surprising amount of faithfulness.

Saengchart shares his cosplay transformations in a four-panel format. This allows us to fully appreciate how low-budget and inventive they are. A perfect distillation of his artistry and philosophy is in a tiny cosplay featuring Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) as the superhero named Black Adam.

The character is from a DC comic and appeared in a 2022 film of the same name. To recreate the bald-headed Johnson, Saengchart didn’t bother shaving his black hair. Instead, he found a dark gray sock with a hole in it and pulled it over one of his toes. He then distressed the sock even more and painted a portrait of Black Adam onto his toe, taking care to emulate the gold patch that’s found on the character's suit. The final form showcases a close-up view of his toe and the tattered sock that mimics Johnson and his outfit in the film.

Another benefit to Saengchart’s low-cost cosplay is that these projects don’t take as long as some more elaborate costumes, which allows him to keep us continually entertained. Scroll down for some of his hilarious recreations and then follow his popular Instagram account for more.

The ingenious creative Anucha Saengchart, aka Lonelyman, assembles low-cost cosplay that requires very little in fancy materials.

With some everyday household items, body paint, and clever camera angles, he recreates characters from popular culture with a surprising amount of faithfulness.

The budget-friendly cosplay is as funny as it is ingenious.

Saengchart is a prolific creator who keeps us continually entertained.

We can't wait to see what he does next.

Low Cost Cosplay: Facebook | Instagram

All images via Low Cost Cosplay.

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READ: Creative Cosplayer Will Make You Laugh With “Low Cost” Costumes of Pop Culture Characters

Costco will give you exactly what you know you didn't need.
by u/FlipDemStocks in funny

Throughout the years, cake decorators have fed the internet with (mostly unintentionally) funny creations. Nevertheless, this may be the first time a confection has elicited laughter due to its no-nonsense interpretation of a costumer's request.

For practicality purposes, Costco has customers submit their cake requests via a paper form, which offers little room for more specific customizations. That's why a man named Stephen Walker figured it was best to add some notes and a drawing on the back of the paper. His order reads: “No writing/no designs. Only request red frosting on perimeter for top/bottom.” To get his message across, he drew a rectangular sheet cake with a black pen, and used his daughter's magic marker to highlight the edges he wanted to be red. “I was like, ‘I got directions and a little illustration here. They can’t mess this up. Right?’” the man said in an interview with Today.

Walker showed up to pick up the cake, which was meant to celebrate his daughter's third birthday, a couple days later. “I picked it up Saturday morning and I was in a time crunch,” the man recalled. To his surprise, the red border that would match the cake topper he had selected wasn't there. Instead, an exact replica of the drawing he made on the back of the form shone bright in the center of the cake. The Costco artist managed to keep the proportions on Walker's sketch and even included the black lines of the original drawing.

Confused, but in a hurry, he decided to shrug it off. He made a joke to the cashier about it, who offered to call someone from the bakery about it, but Walker declined. “We were in a hurry, so I was like, ‘Well, I’ll just scrape it off.'”

The man then decided to make lemonade out of these lemons, and shared the funny experience on Reddit. He posted the cake form alongside a picture of the cake with the message: “Costco will give you exactly what you know you didn't need.” His post quickly went viral, earning over 110,000 upvotes and some hilarious takes. “Task failed successfully,” said one Redditor. Meanwhile another commenter appreciated the details of the drawing: “Lol, i’m impressed that they even transferred the flawed perspective.”

The comment section is filled with funny quips and considerations. “I wonder if they would have understood if you didn’t include the drawing,” one person wrote. Walker cheekily replied, “Should I try that next time?”

Despite the minor inconvenience, and the Internet's search for ways this could have been avoided (e.g. flagging an employee before submitting the form, calling the bakery, etc.), he is happy about how it all turned out. “Regardless I got an amazing cake and story to go with it,” he said in a comment. He then added, “Next time I'll stick with getting the Costco Bear.”

A man named Stephen Walker submitted a cake request with special instructions: “No writing/No Designs. Only Request Red frosting on perimeter for top/bottom.” To be extra sure, he added a drawing of what he wanted.

Photo: Screenshot from Reddit

To his dismay, the cake artist then replicated his diagram, down to the red borders and proportions of the original drawing.

Photo: Screenshot from Reddit

h/t: [Reddit]

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READ: Costco Misinterprets Man’s Instructions for Birthday Cake and Results Are Hilarious

@lifeoftanyamarie Best grandpa award goes to you dad🥹🫶🏾 #storytime #familyvacation #peppapig #familytrip #grandparents ♬ Married Life (From “Up”) – Sergy el Som

The love of a grandparent knows no bounds. They can be very warm, pampering, and creative in their ways to show the little ones how much they are loved. A California man named David Zielke is the ultimate example of this, as he went to great lengths to put a smile on his 5-year-old granddaughter Lisette’s face. Now, one endearing project he set up for himself recently is making the rounds on TikTok, warming the hearts of anyone who comes across his story.

Zielke was bound for a 10-day trip to Cabo San Lucas along with other family members to go to a wedding. Lisette had to stay behind, but she found a clever way to make herself present during the getaway—she slipped four of her beloved Peppa Pig toys into her grandpa's suitcase. “Our initial reaction was that (Lisette) wanted to come so bad, that she (gave us) her toys,” Tanya, Lisette’s aunt and David's daughter, told Today. “If she wasn't able to go, well then, the toys had to go on this adventure.” The grandpa didn’t discover the stowaways until he was sorting his belongings on the first night of the trip.

This sparked an idea, and Zielke decided to take the toys with him throughout the vacation. The devoted grandpa then filmed what Peppa Pig and company were up to, like going for a swim, sunbathing, having Mexican delicacies for lunch, and even attending the wedding reception. Like any good movie director, Zielke worked patiently with his plastic stars, lovingly giving them directions, like, “Don’t go too far out in the middle,” while the toys floated in the pool. He then aimed to edit a video featuring all the different places the cartoon characters went to.

Knowing they had to keep the figurines safe, the family decided to keep them by their side at all times in a black tote bag, popping them out on dinner tables and poolsides. While the rest of the party felt a little self-conscious about having the toys around, it quickly faded when strangers realized what was going on. However, Zielke didn't mind what others thought from the start. “My dad is a goofball and he doesn’t care what people think of him,” Tanya says. “He had no shame in pulling out those toys.”

Noticing the warm response his dad's actions were sparking, the equally loving aunt decided to share the story on TikTok. “So you guys want to see the sweetest thing?” she wrote in a video that has now been watched over 13 million times. Tanya captioned it: “Best grandpa award goes to you dad.”

Once the vacation was over, the loving grandpa and aunt organized a video premiere. Hoping to give little Lisette her own adventure, Tanya bought her a Peppa Pig-printed dress, as well as stuffed toys for her and her brother, and planned to take them out to eat burgers. She also shared the finished video featuring the granddaughter's reaction to it all.

As if the dedication shown by the grandpa throughout the trip wasn't moving enough, he left a loving message for Lisette in the video voice over. “You were in my heart the whole time we were gone,” David states. “Thanks to your little toys, hopefully you enjoyed this video. This is a souvenir for you that you’ll be able to look back on, maybe long after I’m gone. It’s just a little sign of love that I have for you and your little brother.”

When a grandpa named David Zielke discovered his granddaughter had slipped her beloved Peppa Pig toys in his suitcase before a trip, he decided to film the figurines having adventures on vacation.

@lifeoftanyamarie Replying to @manichebennett the grandbabies he did it for 🥹🫶🏾 #peppapig #familyvacation #familytrip #grandparents #storytime #part2 #wholesome ♬ Married Life (From “Up”) – Sergy el Som

On his return, his daughter Tanya edited the videos together and got his approval before unveiling it to little Lisette.

 

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A post shared by LIFE OF TANYA MARIE (@lifeoftanyamarie)

They even had a premiere, which they were clearly hyped up for.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LIFE OF TANYA MARIE (@lifeoftanyamarie)

You can watch Peppa Pig's adventures as filmed by the loving grandpa on vacation and edited by a loving aunt, as well as the granddaughter’s reaction to it, below.

Tanya Marie: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
h/t: [Today]

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By the end of the Oscars, there are always numerous moments worth talking about, and this year was no exception. Before the awards were even handed out, British actor Andrew Garfield became an instant internet sensation when the camera cut to him during the monologue and he flashed an awkward and very meme-able smile.

The hilarious expression was shown during Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue, where the comedian and TV host brought up last year's infamous “slap” incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock. He playfully mentioned that at this year's Academy Awards, there are plenty of celebrities who play characters capable of protecting Kimmel from an assailant. “You're going to have to get through the heavyweight champ, Adonis Creed [Michael B. Jordan], before you get to me; you’re going to have to do battle with Michelle Yeoh before you get to me; you're going to have to beat the Mandalorian before you get to me; you are going to have to tangle with Spider-Man,” he said.

It was at the very end that the camera cut to Garfield, who played the Marvel hero in The Amazing Spider-Man series between 2012 and 2021. However, the crowd—who was likely expecting to see Tom Holland's face on the screen—did not clap right away, so Garfield filled the silence with his uncomfortable, slightly apologetic grin. And people online were instantly charmed by the expression. “Everyone else is ready to go and then there's Andrew Garfield regretting every decision he's ever made in his life, help,” says one Twitter user. Another person comments: “New memes unlocked, thanks to Andrew Garfield and Pedro Pascal.”

This is also the second Oscars in a row where Garfield has unintentionally become a meme by being himself. Last year, he was photographed texting on his phone very soon after “the slap.” This year, it's because of his toothy grin. Hopefully, he continues the trend into the following Oscars.

Actor Andrew Garfield made a big impression at the 2023 Oscars.

Andrew Garfield's face during the #Oscars. Instant meme. pic.twitter.com/6dtma4gNQu

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) March 13, 2023

The camera cut to Garfield during Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue.

EVERYONE ELSE IS READY TO GO AND THEN THERE’S ANDREW GARFIELD REGRETTING EVERY DECISION HE’S EVER MADE IN HIS LIFE HELP pic.twitter.com/3wkGetL9rL

— Shan 卌♡ mandalorian (@ShanLFTV) March 13, 2023

Garfield immediately flashed an uncomfortable grin when the applause died down.

Still thinking about when Jimmy Kimmel said Spiderman and then the camera cut to Andrew Garfield and the crowd was silent because they were definitely expecting Tom Holland and then he made this face #oscars pic.twitter.com/73jH7OsByG

— BachShitCray (@Bach_ShitCray) March 13, 2023

And people online found the toothy smile hilarious.

News memes unblocked, thanks Andrew Garfield and Pedro Pascal #oscars #oscars95 pic.twitter.com/dGP5TwmalI

— Garf (@garfieldcomfy) March 13, 2023

For the second year in a row, Garfield has managed to become a meme.

Andrew Garfield being the Oscars meme for the 2nd year #Oscar pic.twitter.com/RKuLw1dbIa

— I’m not the werewolf (@PadaleckixSofer) March 13, 2023

Nicole Kidman hearing the Tom Cruise jokes tonight #oscars pic.twitter.com/0nKmDCNsjs

— Ringer Dish (@RingerDish) March 13, 2023

h/t: [Upworthy]

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READ: People Can’t Get Enough of Andrew Garfield’s Smile at the Oscars

 

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Una publicación compartida por Matheus Senna (@cjbodybuilderoficial)

Some of the most memorable advertisements draw from pop culture and nostalgia to reach their customers. That's why companies tend to hire legendary actors and incorporate iconic moments into campaigns. A Brazilian driving school took this to the next level and produced a brilliant tribute for its latest marketing stint. Autoescola Brasiliense released a spot that, at first glance, looks like footage from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, until it becomes clear that this is an all-original video starring real people and featuring the graphs and sounds from the video game.

The spot, produced and edited by filmmaker Anderson Mascarenhas, nails the look and ambiance from GTA: San Andreas down to the littlest details. The way the camera moves behind the vehicles and how the scenes fade is reminiscent of the 2004 video game. However, none of this would be possible without its star, bodybuilder and cosplayer Matheus Senna. He not only captures the look and outfit of GTA: San Andreas‘ protagonist, CJ, but has mastered the awkward and uncanny way the characters moved in video games almost 20 years ago—from the gravity-defying jumps to the way CJ opens a car door.

The video is reminiscent of the driving school side mission in the video game. In this live-action version, CJ has to take some theory lessons in a classroom, which he doesn't enjoy at all. He then learns how to drive a motorcycle, a car, a bus, and a branded trailer truck. Portuguese dialogue pops up to point out what needs to be done to obtain all the driver's licenses as the timer progresses. In the end, the signature “mission completed” graphic appears to celebrate CJ's success.

This isn't the first GTA-inspired video Mascarenhas has starred in; he has also done spots for a car shop and a dealership. He also has recreated the “oh sh** here we go again” meme, complete with running into the wall the way characters in vintage video games did.

One thing is clear—if Rockstar Games ever thought to produce a live-action film of this game, they should bring Mascarenhas in for an audition. To stay up to date with this amazing cosplayer, you can follow him on Instagram.

A Brazilian driving school released an advertisement inspired by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and the result is uncanny.

Photo: Screenshot from Reddit

At first glance, the ad looks like footage from GTA: San Andreas until it becomes clear that this is an all-original video starring a cosplayer named Matheus Senna.

Photo: Screenshot from Reddit

The video is reminiscent of the driving school side mission in the video game.

This isn't the first GTA-inspired video Mascarenhas has starred in; he has also done spots for a car shop and a dealership.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Matheus Senna (@cjbodybuilderoficial)

Autoescola Brasiliense: Website | Instagram
Matheus Senna: Instagram | TikTok
h/t: [Reddit]

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READ: Brazilian Driving School Advertises Itself With a Brilliant Spot Inspired by ‘Grand Theft Auto’

My son when I tell him to smile vs when I yell out “poop!” pic.twitter.com/ui6TuPOaC5

— Adam Perry (@misterperry) September 14, 2022

Imagine that you're trying to take the perfect photo of your child, and they're supposed to flash their biggest, brightest, and most natural smile. But, more often than not, what ends up coming out on camera is something forced. Many of us have been there. Author and designer Adam Perry has developed his own trick when photographing his son, and the results speak for themselves. So, next time you want to take a good picture of your child, you might want to take a cue from Perry and shout “poop” before you snap away.

If imagining the scenario makes you giggle, that's actually why it works so well. Perry posted the evidence on Twitter, where side-by-side photos of his 5-year-old son show the effect of this toilet humor.

“He has the cutest ‘strained’ smile, almost like Hide the Pain Harold,” Perry shared. “My wife and I discovered a few years back that if we yelled out something funny and mildly inappropriate and were ready to snap right away, we could get something good out of it.”

Sadly, Perry also confessed that this hack stopped having an effect on his older son, who no longer finds “poop” so amusing. But, since tweeting his tip, he's heard from a lot of other people who have used his “poop” trick to get a great photo of their kid.

The portrait, which was taken on the first day of school, instantly went viral. Parents everywhere related to his struggle to get a good photo, and photographers applauded his ingenuity. Many also commented on the funny, and inappropriate, words that use to elicit smiles when it's picture time.

And, if you are interested in the logic behind how this works, psychologist Sam Gosling chimed in with an explanation. “Smiling on demand and smiling naturally happen via different neural pathways in the brain. In some people, one of these pathways is impaired. For your son, it's his smiling on-demand pathway. You tell him to smile, he can't.”

One dad discovered a hilarious way to get his son to smile naturally in a photo.

My son when I tell him to smile vs when I yell out “poop!” pic.twitter.com/ui6TuPOaC5

— Adam Perry (@misterperry) September 14, 2022

People chimed in with their own techniques for getting a good kid's portrait.

My trick with my daughter for the last 15 years has been to say “poop and pee smooshed together” and it still works on her.

— Chad eats the sun and drinks the sky… (@chadsapieha) September 15, 2022

I used to use that technique on my kid too! ‘Dog poo bin' always got a laugh even during the most pouty sulks.

— Andrew Ferguson (@Penstrickenblog) September 15, 2022

For the last several years I’ve been asking my daughter (14 yo now) whether she prefers “burps or farts” when taking the first/last day of school photos. Works like a charm.

— bits and bobbins (@bitsandbobbins) September 16, 2022

We always tell our girl to say “corn” and then she yells “hot dog” and laughs at her own joke which results in a good picture. We’ll see how kindergarten picture day goes

— Fossilized Tree Resin (@Jamberee13) September 16, 2022

When I'm taking pics of children, I ask them to roar like lions: They breathe deep, throw their heads back, make a huge noise, and then they giggle about the grup that let them be silly. That's when I snap the pic. Works every time.

— Beth in Progress (@PhotoBethR) September 16, 2022

And a psychologist even explained why it's so hard to smile naturally on cue.

I haven't seen anyone explain this yet, so: smiling on demand and smiling naturally happen via different neural pathways in the brain. In some people one of these pathways are impaired. For your son, it's his smiling on demand pathway. You tell him to smile, he can't.

— Sam Gosling 〓〓 (@samgosling92) September 16, 2022

h/t: [PetaPixel]

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READ: Dad Shares the Hilariously Ingenious Way He Gets His Kids to Smile for a Picture

Photo: NPS Photo / Daniel A. Leifheit (CC BY 2.0)

The National Park Service (NPS) has an important message for the public: “If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down…even if you feel the friendship has run its course.” Anyone who has ever been the “slower friend” can sigh with relief that the NPS has their back via a viral tweet.

While it may seem like just a funny tweet, it was actually just the opener for a helpful thread about bear safety advice. Aas the NPS points out, bears are friend-shaped, but they aren’t our friends. “Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park. While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that bears in national parks are wild and can be dangerous.”

The timely message comes just as spring is about to arrive and many bears will become more active. Bears have attacked folks before, including a mountain climber in Japan and a Vermont woman hiking with her dog in the fall of 2022. (Her brave Jack Russell terrier saved the day.) So, while it’s fun to vote for the chonky champion of Fat Bear Week and admire the animal’s ability to take selfies, the NPS has published an important guide on how to stay safe around bears.

To cap off the educational—and funny—tweet thread, the NPS Twitter account took the time to reply to some burning questions from fellow users. Including, perhaps, the most pertinent one: What if you’re in the woods and you are the slower friend? To that, the NPS says, “Check in on the friendship before you head to the woods.”

Spring is about to arrive, and many bears will be more active. The National Park Service (NPS) wants to make sure you're prepared.

Photo: NPS Photo / Daniel A. Leifheit (CC BY 2.0)

It made a viral tweet reminding us to never push down our slower friend if there's a bear sighting.

If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down…even if you feel the friendship has run its course.⁣⁣

— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023

This funny tweet led to a longer thread of tweets about bear safety tips.

When spring arrives and the snow begins to melt, many bears become more active. Find bear safety tips at: https://t.co/SFBTo6hVR1

— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023

But it wasn't all serious. The account replied to some burning questions from fellow users.

Check in on the friendship before you head to the woods.

— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023

Do you consider yourself the faster or slower of the two friends?

— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023

What if you're the slower friend?

— Doug Jones (@Bprtch) February 28, 2023

What if I want to push my friend over but it actually has nothing to do with the bear?

— Patrick Barron 🐻🦬🏈 (@BlueBarronPhoto) March 1, 2023

h/t: [Neatorama]

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READ: National Park Service Tells Public To “Never Push a Slower Friend” in a Bear Attack