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5 Best Simulation Games

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When people think of video games, they tend to think of the standard platformers or shooters like “Super Mario Bros.” or “Call of Duty”. While simulation games have been around for decades, they really started to take off during the 2000s and have been growing ever since. From seeing what it would be like to run a farm to flying the largest jets in the world, simulation games have a lot to offer.

Out of all of the simulation games that have been made, though, which ones truly rank among the best? Here are our picks for the five best simulation games and what makes them so special. Some of the honorable mentions include “Roller Coaster Tycoon”, “Animal Crossing”, and “Euro Truck Simulator”.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator has been around since the late 1970s, developed by the owner of the Sublogic Corporation, Bruce Artwick. Players fell in love and 21 million games were sold by 1999 when it was also crowned the best-selling flight simulator by The Guinness Book of World Records.  In 2019 it was announced that Microsoft has plans to release a new and improved version of the flight simulator. In 2020 the standard, deluxe, and premium deluxe versions were released for the PC, with the Xbox Series X edition later released in 2021. 

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is the wholesome creation of Eric Barone. In the game, you’re responsible for caring for your late grandfather’s run-down farm. Inspired by Harvest Moon, the simulation role-playing game allows you to tend to your farm by growing crops, raising livestock, mining, and foraging. As well as everyday activities such as cooking, chatting up the townsfolk, fishing, and even getting married and having children. The game quickly became a hit for its relaxing and therapeutic gameplay, selling over 20 million copies by 2022. Stardew Valley is playable on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, iOS, Android, PC, PlayStation Vita, and PS4

PowerWash Simulator 

PowerWash Simulator was developed by Futurlab and first released in 2021 for Steam users. It’s a very straightforward game where you do just that. You’re given a variety of locations and objects to fully clean via your handy dandy power washer. The levels vary in difficulty as well as the size of the projects as you progress in the game. The interesting messes become more difficult to clean, so you’ll need to purchase certain chemicals to aid in the cleaning process. It’s also a good idea to use different nozzles when cleaning a specific surface, or a mess from afar. 

The Sims

“The Sims” has become one of the most popular simulator options as players create an entire living town filled with people and homes while also getting a glimpse into their lives despite speaking a language of gibberish. The newest entry, “The Sims 4” is the fourth addition to the social simulation games, developed by Maxis, then released in 2014 for the PC and in 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

The game has since become free to play in late 2022, making most of its money off players’ in-game purchases. Over 36 million players have joined the gaming sensation and spent over $1 billion on copies of the game and expansion packs. 

Farming Simulator

Farming Simulator is a relaxing farm-based simulation game developed by GIANTS Software. It was first officially released in 2008, re-releasing every couple of years with new content, updated graphics, and tasks for players to enjoy. So far over 25 million copies have been sold and it has over 90 million downloads for the iPhone, Android, iPad OS, and Kindle. 

“Farming Simulator” allows players to know the feeling of growing crops and operating a farm with top-of-the-line equipment. It’s the ultimate game of relaxation for those of us that live in apartments or condos instead of sprawling farm landscapes.

5 Players You Forgot Were Baltimore Orioles

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There have been hundreds of players that have been able to say they played with the Baltimore Orioles. From legends like Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray to Brooks Robinson and Jim Palmer, there hasn’t been a shortage of franchise greats. 

There have also been some legendary players that you may have completely forgotten wore an Orioles jersey at one point, though. Here are five forgotten Orioles that made their way to the Hall of Fame.

5. Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz may go down as one of the most underrated players of the 21st century. After beginning his career with the Brewers, Cruz spent the bulk of his career playing with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners from 2006 to 2018. For one year (2014) in between, though, Cruz became a member of the Baltimore Orioles after becoming a free agent.

Cruz had been under investigation for use of performance-enhancing drugs and was looking for a one-year deal with any team willing to take on the risk of having him. Cruz signed with the Orioles, making $8 million in the process. The gamble paid off for the O’s as Cruz was an All-Star in his one season and set a career-high for games played with 159. He’d finish with an impressive .271 batting average, 40 home runs, and 108 runs batted in.

4. Sammy Sosa

You don’t have to go very far down the list of career home run leaders to see Sammy Sosa’s name as he is a member of the rare 600 club, hitting 609 dingers in his career. Sosa, of course, is most known for his days as a Chicago Cub where he led the National League in home runs twice (2000 and 2002).

After more than a decade with the Cubs, the team traded the former franchise cornerstone for Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Fontenot, and Dave Crouthers. While none of those players really panned out for the Cubs, Sosa didn’t do much for the Orioles, either. Sosa played just one season, hitting a paltry .221 with 14 home runs and 45 runs batted in before he took a year off of baseball and ended his career where it started, with the Texas Rangers.

3. Jim Thome

Another member of the 600 home run club, Jim Thome was a beloved franchise player for the Cleveland Indians from 1991 to 2002 before heading to the Phillies and White Sox for a few years. Thome became a journeyman toward the end of his career, adding stints with the Dodgers and Twins while even returning to Cleveland and Philly.

Thome ended his career with the Orioles, however. The Orioles were in line for a playoff run and wanted to acquire someone that has played in many playoff games, so they dealt for Thome for the final half of 2012. In 28 games with the O’s, Thome hit three home runs while batting .257 as the team made its way to the postseason.

2. Vladimir Guerrero

One of the most unique free-swingers in baseball, Vladimir Guerrero is a Hall of Famer that split the first 14 years of his career between the Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Angels. Before his son, Vlad Jr., made it into the league, Guerrero had one year with the Texas Rangers in 2010, and when he became a free agent, he signed with the Orioles for one year and $8 million for the 2011 season.

It would be the final season in Guerrero’s career, and he actually fared quite well at 36 years old. Guerrero had a .290 average while only missing a couple of games, but the power was mostly gone as he hit just 13 home runs at the Orioles but came up short of the playoffs.

1. Reggie Jackson

The man known as “Mr. October” thanks to his time with the New York Yankees was also known for being a mainstay of the Athletics franchise as they moved from Kansas City to Oakland. Jackson wrapped up his career with the Angels and a return to the Athletics but had a short stint between Oakland and New York when he played for the Orioles.

In 1976, Jackson played 134 games for Baltimore where he had a solid season, hitting .277 with 27 home runs and 91 runs batted in while stealing a career-high 28 bases. Jackson became a free agent after a fallout with the front office following the season, though, and signed with the Yankees.

5 Romantic Gestures That Go A Long Way

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For some, romance can come naturally, while others can spend days or weeks trying to rack their brains coming up with ways that they can be more romantic for their significant other. Thankfully, there are many small gestures that you can make every day that end up going a long way and showing your partner that you love them.

If you feel like you haven’t been showing the type of affection that you want for your significant other, we have some ideas that will make sure that you’re setting your relationship in the right direction. Here are five romantic gestures that go a long way with your partner, many of which won’t cost you a single penny.

Writing Love Letters

Writing and exchanging love letters is a timeless way to show your partner how special they are to you. It really is an extraordinarily romantic and old-fashioned act of professing your love to one another. You can step it up a notch and buy cute paper, pens, envelopes, or maybe even a journal the both of you can take turns writing in. Love letters are something you can both save and compile into a scrapbook, a memory box, or even showcase at your future wedding to remind you of where you started and how you got to that point. It’s a sweet and everlasting act of love. 

Cooking a Meal

Cooking your loved one a delicious meal is a fantastically loving gesture they will thoroughly enjoy. It’s a more personal way to show your love, as well as provide a tasty treat you both can enjoy. We all show love in our own special ways, sometimes using art forms, like the art of cooking. Cooking is often more than just the simple act of heating up food and eating it. It’s a form of expression and nurtures those we feed with our home-cooked meals. Cooking in all forms typically comes from a place of love and passion, making it a much deeper act than one might think. 

Creating a Cozy Environment

Feeling cozy and comfy is one of the best feelings. It’s even better when your significant other creates a more calming and cozy environment for you. Some ways you can do this are by running them a warm bath with bath bombs, bubbles, or Epsom salts. Putting their towel in the dryer so it’s warm and comforting when they’re done. Give them a romantic rub down with moisturizing lotion. Light some scented candles, grab them a snack, and maybe watch some movies with them in a bed with fresh sheets, blankets, and tons of pillows. It will show them you care and want to make them feel good. 

Buying or Making Gifts

Gifts aren’t always necessary, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t excited when someone we love gives us a present. Buying gifts, or making a more personalized gift is something that will make anyone feel special and loved. The feeling of gift-giving is sometimes just as rewarding as being the recipient of a gift. Put a lot of thought into your gift, no matter how simple or lavish, to show your partner you truly know them and their heart. It will have a lasting impression on your loved one, knowing you put so much effort into making them smile. 

Romantic Picnics

Arguably one of the most romantic and low-key activities you can plan for your partner is a picnic. Picnics are always a hit and show your loved one how much thought and planning you put into the romantic endeavor. Gather a cute basket of their favorite foods, grab the classic checkered sheet, and maybe some adult drinks. Take a stroll to a scenic area to set it up while they sit back and relax. Enjoy the fresh air and close personal time with your loved one. 

5 Menu Items McDonald’s Should Bring Back

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As the largest fast food chain in the world, McDonald’s has a long list of fans for every item on its extensive menu. However, the menu tends to change on an almost weekly basis, with some items that were beloved by many suddenly disappearing. Some end up returning on a temporary or permanent basis, while others are gone forever.

Out of all of the menu items that McDonald’s has ripped away over the years, there are some that haven’t come back and it’s puzzling to people. These items tend to have social media pages devoted to bringing them back, but McDonald’s has yet to have them make their triumphant returns. Here are five menu items that McDonald’s should bring back sooner rather than later (or never).

Snack Wraps

McDonald’s snack wrap was introduced to the menu in 2005 and served as a smaller portioned, quick bite for those wanting something different and slightly healthier than the fast food restaurant’s usual fare. It consists of a small flour tortilla, a chicken select tender, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and ranch. The option for grilled chicken, or another sauce was also available. McDonald’s slowed the production of snack wraps in 2016 and completely discontinued the item in the US in 2020. Mcdonald’s in the UK and Canada still sell the item, one that customers in the US hope makes its way back onto the menu. 

Salads

Mcdonald’s introduced salads to their menu in the 1980s and since then have come up with a few creative ways to sell the healthier alternative, like the nostalgic salad shakers released in the year 2000. The salad shakers have moved on to the fast food restaurant in the sky and McDonald’s stuck to selling normal salads, but just like the snack wraps, the 2020 pandemic resulted in the end of salad sales for the time being. Although not known for their health-conscious menu, many customers enjoyed the lighter fare and variety of McDonald’s salads offered. 

Snack Wraps

McDonald’s introduced their premium McWrap in 2013, years after the simpler and petit snack wrap version. The McWrap consists of a large flour tortilla filled with sliced crispy, or grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, bacon shredded cheese, and ranch. It came in a fun tube-like packaging that you tore the top part off of, leaving the bottom part to use as a vessel to hold your McWrap while you ate it. Many McDonald’s outside the US still serve the McWrap and continue to produce more varieties of the easy to eat treat, even some breakfast popular versions. 

Better Happy Meal Toys

One thing that remains on the menu, but has drastically plummeted in quality is the restaurant’s sad excuse for happy meal toys. The nostalgic, higher quality and fun array of happy meal toys make up some core memories for today’s adult population. Through the years McDonald’s has put little effort into the toys provided with every kid’s favorite fast food meal. The toys have shrunk in size, have less cool features, and are plagued with the boring repetitive re-release of previously sold happy meal toys. Although the kids might not mind, McDonald’s proved in the past that they can do better and have clearly stopped caring about quality. 

Fried Apple Pie

The sweet treat everyone loves after their salty fast food meal is McDonald’s apple pie. The apple pie currently remains on the menu but has changed over the years. The pie is now a baked item, prepared ahead of time and left to sit and get stale over time. Before the change, the pies were deliciously crispy with a bubbly fried outer shell and warm apple pie filling inside, in a more cooked-to-order style rather than previously baked. The new style of pie makes for a lower-calorie option, but customers mourn the departure of the caloric beauty that is the fried apple pie. 

5 Fastest BMWs Ever Made

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BMW is one of the most well-known names in luxury cars, but it’s also one of the best in producing the fastest cars. Throughout the years, BMW has created several models that prove their worth on the toughest tracks and reach top speeds that some of us can only imagine driving. Which BMW models are the fastest, though? Here are the five fastest BMWs ever made.

5. BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition (F82)

At the 2016 DMSB Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Championship, German driver Marco Wittmann took home the title by racing in the BMW M4. To commemorate the win, BMW released the DTM Champion Edition of the M4 with improvements that included a 69 horsepower increase and a rise in the maximum torque 600 Nm.

“Up to now, none of our editions has been more directly inspired by sports racing,” BMW M Ltd CEO Frank van Meel said. Getting your hands on one wasn’t easy as production was extremely limited, with the release price sitting at over $163,000. All in all, just 200 of these were made and they could reach speeds of 190 miles per hour.

4. BMW M3 GTS (E92)

The M3 series is perhaps the most well-known out of all of the BMW productions, beginning back in 1986 and continuing ever since with the exception of 2019 and 2020. In 2009, BMW announced the GTS version of the series that was made in a coupe style and had 444 horsepower.

The GTS is a lighter version of the standard M3 and can reach speeds of 190 miles per hour. Surprisingly, this car is the most expensive one on the list with a tag of $200,000 at the lowest and upward of $280,000.

3. BMW M5 CS (F90)

Though the M5 was first put into production in 1984, it wasn’t until March of 2021 that the model got a CS edition with a massive upgrade. The engine power was increased and the overall weight was reduced to make the M5 CS faster. There were some other tweaks on this version, including four bucket seats and a pair of heat extractor vents on the hood.

Onlookers were floored when the M5 CS hit the Autobahn for the first time. This model is able to reach speeds of 189 miles per hour. The asking price for the M5 CS was $142,000 when first introduced, and held the title for most powerful BMW until the number one car on the list came around.  

2. BMW M4 GTS (F82)

This is neither the first nor last M4 to make the list. The BMW M4 GTS was first revealed at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2015, and the following year was put into limited production with 700 units being made. The engine is the same as the standard M4, but some adjustments were made to increase the horsepower and reduce the weight to make it faster.

Overall, the GTS version beat out the standard by 24 seconds on the Nurburgring Nordschleife track and reached a top speed of 190 miles per hour. A new version of the M4 GTS was introduced at $134,000, which was around twice the cost of the standard version.

1. BMW M4 CSL (G82)

Featuring a 473-horsepower engine, the BMW M4 will leave other cars in its dust as the fastest series production in the history of BMW, reaching top speeds of 191 miles per hour. The first M4 was released in 2014, with the CSL being announced at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. It wasn’t until 202 that the M4 CSL was introduced and immediately started dropping jaws.

The M4 CSL is a rear-wheel drive car with a curb weight of 3,583 pounds and 479 lb/ft of torque. Only 1,000 units were made, making this car a rare find for speed enthusiasts. Those able to get their hands on one were expected to shell out at least $140,000, with those searching on the secondary market paying much more. According to BMW, this version is “more stripped down” than the M2 CS and M5 CS, which is how it reaches higher top speeds.

5 Essential Pokemon Go Tips

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Since it was released in 2016 by Niantic, Pokémon Go has been one of the most popular games in the world, especially as smartphones have advanced to make augmented reality more accessible to people. The game has seen tremendous growth over the years, adding hundreds of Pokémon and introducing new features along the way.

While you may have a handle on Pokémon Go and how to level up your Pokémon, there are still some essential things you must do to truly be the very best (like no one ever was). Whether you’re new to Pokémon Go or a seasoned veteran, here are five essential tips to make sure that you’re playing to the best of your ability. 

Hatch Eggs

Eggs in Pokémon Go can be stumbled upon at PokéStops, gifted, or from Rocket Leaders. The eggs vary in color and you must hatch them by placing them in an incubator and walking the distance required until they’re ready. The green spotted eggs require 2km, orange-spotted. 5km, yellow with pink spots 7km, purple spotted 10km, and red spotted 12km. 

Walking outside, or even within your home will work just fine. Hatching the eggs as soon as possible will give you access to Pokémon, extra XP, and boost candies. The further the distance, the sweeter the rewards will be. With that said, make sure you invest in some comfortable walking or running shoes if you want to maximize your Pokémon Go time.

Transfer Weak Pokémon  

You can only carry so many Pokémon in Pokémon Go. Sometimes you’ll be faced with the decision to rid yourself of some Pokémon. You can transfer Pokémon to Professor Willow in return for candies that you can use to level up your Pokémon. 

Different Pokémon require certain amounts of those sweet treats to level up and evolve. Once you’ve collected an array of Pokémon, rummage through your collection and transfer the weaker ones so you can use the candies you get from doing so to make your other Pokémon stronger. 

Get to Know Your Pokémon

The world of Pokémon can sometimes be confusing if you’re not a frequent Pokémon player. Learning the tricks of the trade can start with getting to know your Pokémon. There’s a lot of information to be learned about the 905 different Pokémon within the game. 

Learn their stats, which Pokémon they’re weak against, the Pokémon they are stronger than, and which move sets are most productive and effective for each of your Pokémon. Knowledge is power and it rings true in Pokémon Go. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the interesting creatures, you can use them more efficiently in battle. 

Travel to Find More Pokémon

Oftentimes your local spot can be flooded with the same kind of Pokémon. Traveling can help you to obtain the different varieties of Pokémon you so desperately seek. Try traveling to different areas within your city, going to visit friends and family outside of the city/state, or seeking out Pokémon whilst going abroad. 

You don’t have to travel just to find new Pokémon, but rather use traveling as a welcome excuse to play the game and see what you find in the new areas you’re exploring.   

Play At Different Times

Along with changing where you search for Pokémon, mixing up when you seek out Pokémon can be a helpful tool when looking to expand your collection. Of course be safe while doing so and don’t visit places that are off limits at certain times, or go out on your own somewhere sketchy. 

With that being said, try going Pokémon hunting in the morning, or later in the evening. Bring a group of friends to make it more fun and keep yourself safe. You’re more likely to find a unique selection of Pokémon when you switch up your routine. 

Why Community Is Important, No Matter Your Personality Type

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Community is an important and often overlooked necessity when it comes to the growth and survival of our species. A sense of community can be difficult to find in today’s society. People are more distracted, accustomed to convenience, and can have increasing levels of anxiety when in social situations. More than ever, the world is in desperate need of tight-knit communities and a sense of togetherness. With that said, let’s look at the benefits of forming tight communities and ways to enhance doing so. 

A sense of community can benefit all of those who are a part of it. One of the ways you and those around you can enjoy your community is by coming together in times of need. The old saying “it takes a village” rings true. When you and your family are struggling, or need assistance of any kind, it does take a village. Getting to know those within your community, creating a bond, and becoming a meaningful addition to the lives of those in the community, can save you when you’re down and need a helping hand. 

Another way you can benefit as a community is by creating a healthier, happier, all-around better environment for everyone who is a part of it. Communicating the needs of one another, coming together to build better recreational and outdoor areas, volunteering, getting involved in PTA groups in your child’s school, and tending to places throughout the community to ensure they’re well taken care of. All of these things allow the community to be productive members of their society while reaping the benefits. 

Raffles, contests, and events are a fun way to raise money for the projects and upkeep required to keep a productive community running. Putting together a group of people to form a committee can help turn ideas into reality and give the people around you an outlet to focus their energy on the wonderful things they can do for their community. 

As lovely as it is to come together as a whole, not everyone is willing and some people would rather focus on their own life and home. Or perhaps they suffer from anxiety, or shyness that prevents them from getting involved with community events. That’s okay and there’s nothing wrong with choosing your own path. It is helpful to extend gentle invitations to those people to let them know they’re welcome to join if and when they want to. Being sensitive to the needs of everyone in the community is important and takes hard work, but the pros typically outweigh the cons. 

In the end, a sense of community can change your life for the better and the lives of those around you. Nobody wants to feel alone in the world or like nobody has their back. Some people are tough to love and it can be a daunting task at times, but it’s all worth it in the end once you see the change that comes with coming together and working as a community to make your world a better place. 

Cesar Chavez said that “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community…Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” When one person is left behind in a community, the community at large is left behind.

People from all walks of life will be involved with a community, no matter what their personality type is. Everyone brings their own uniqueness to the table, and those from opposite ends of the personality spectrum will lean on one another to accomplish community goals. “What should young people do with their lives today?” author Kurt Vonnegut once asked. “Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”

5 Athletes That Akinator Guesses the Most

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Akinator continues to prove to everyone that dares challenge him that he truly knows just about every person in the world. Still, there are many people that think they can stump him with some really hard answers. On the opposite side, there are some names that pop into someone’s head right away and Akinator is able to guess them rather quickly.

The world of sports provides a lot of the most common guesses for Akinator, with a handful of athletes showing just how popular they are around the world when someone is tasked to immediately think of someone for Akinator to guess. Out of all of the athletes in the world, living or not, these five are the most common for the AI genie.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

The most popular response for Akinator in athletics is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer superstar that has played with several professional clubs during his career. Ronaldo became an icon when he first played for Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, then spent much of his prime with Real Madrid before heading to Juventus and eventually returning to Man U.

Ronaldo is one of those athletes that transcends culture and has been seen as one of the best soccer players of all time. The mainstream celebrity is the most well-known athlete on an international basis, which makes sense as he’s won the Ballon d’Or Award for the world’s best player and became a billionaire during his career.

2. Lionel Messi

Surprisingly, there are only two soccer players on the list despite Akinator’s global reach, but they do take the top two spots. Behind Ronaldo is Lionel Messi, the Argentinian star that made his way to Spain in the early 2000s to start his professional career with Barcelona. 

He remained with the club until 2021 when he went to Paris Saint-Germain, and like Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest to ever play. Messi scored more than 470 goals in La Liga and another 91 for the Argentina national team. He’s a true icon of the sport that like Ronaldo is also known by even the most casual fans.

3. Kobe Bryant

The rest of the top five is reserved for American athletes, with the top spot belonging to the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant spent 20 years in the NBA, all of which were with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant won five NBA championships and was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2008.

Bryant was one of those players that were so special that he had two jersey numbers retired with both 8 and 24 hanging in the rafters at the Lakers’ home arena. Sadly, Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, but his legacy has lived on.

4. Michael Jordan

Of course, you can’t mention professional basketball without mentioning the man that most consider to be the greatest player in the sport’s history. Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s while also winning league MVP five times between 1988 and 1998.

Jordan is the player that everyone who is in the league now looked up to while they were growing up, and although he hasn’t played professionally since 2003, everyone that knows what the sport of basketball is knows Michael Jordan and his legacy as a player. Currently, Jordan owns the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

5. Tom Brady

The only American football player on the list has been called the Michael Jordan of the NFL thanks to his endless string of accomplishments and league championships. Brady came out of nowhere to dominate the NFL as he was a late-round draft pick out of Michigan but wound up leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.

Brady added a seventh title to his legacy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has the career record for just about every major passing statistic. Brady is a three-time league MVP and is almost unanimously considered the greatest quarterback of all time thanks to his accomplishments.

5 Memorable Large Companies That Went Out of Business

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Businesses can succeed for decades and even over a century, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll live on forever. Over the years, we’ve seen many companies that had a stronghold on an international basis, only to quickly fall into despair and completely go away in the snap of a finger. Out of all of the companies that have had to shutter, there are some that really stand out. Here are five of the most memorable large companies that went out of business.

1. Lehman Brothers

When people think of financial companies that went down in the 21st century, the first thought might be a newly-founded hedge fund or cryptocurrency company, but that wasn’t the case for Lehman Brothers. The investment firm was founded in 1850 in Montgomery, Alabama, and became one of the largest institutions in the United States with more than 26,000 employees.

During the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008, many of the banks in the United States were bailed out as the feeling was they shouldn’t go under, but Lehman Brothers were left to collapse. The company officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2008 due to the subprime mortgage crisis and lost nearly $3 billion in just one quarter.

2. Blockbuster

Those that grew up in the 1980s and 1990s remember what it was like to head to Blockbuster after school on a Friday, pick up a couple of video games and movies, and be glued to the television screen for the rest of the rainy weekend. What millennials also remember is that unique smell that every blockbuster had, but the company founded in Dallas, Texas in 1985 lost all but one of its stores and the 84,000+ employees along with it.

Blockbuster had a great business model for its time but failed to adapt to changes. The company had a chance to acquire Netflix for a low price but didn’t feel that the model would work. Within just a couple of years, Netflix became a massive success while Blockbuster has just one store left in Bend, Oregon.

3. Borders Bookstores

For many years, Borders went head-to-head with Barnes and Noble as the leading book retailer in the United States, but Borders was the newcomer to the block. Founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1971, Borders expanded quickly but was gone by the early 2010s after opening more than 500 stores nationwide.

The rise of Amazon as an online book retailer during the 1990s all but sealed Borders’ doom, and the company was acquired by its arch-rival Barnes and Noble. Borders made a profit in 2006, but it only took a little more than four years afterward to go bankrupt and shut down.

4. Toys R Us

It’s hard to believe that there was a time when some considered Toys R Us to be a monopoly of the industry and had well over 60,000 employees at its peak. With over 1,000 stores worldwide, Toys R Us was the only place to find certain brands of toys and video games, but that would all change dramatically starting in the 1990s, marking the beginning of the end for the favorite of Gen X’ers and older millennials alike.

Toys R Us lost a lot of its luster thanks to online retailers and the conversion of stores like Walmart into supercenters that sold the same toys for lower prices. Toys R Us couldn’t keep up, and began closing stores down in 2017 with the last closing in 2021.

5. Sports Authority

The United States is never going to suffer a shortage of sports enthusiasm, and Dick’s Sporting Goods is still doing just fine in the country. However, Sports Authority is no more after having more than 15,000 employees and nearly 500 stores at the time they decided to shut down. After opening in 1928 in Denver, Colorado for the first time, the headquarters moved to Florida during the 1980s and was doing just fine until the 1990s when it was acquired by none other than also-defunct retailer K-Mart. 

In a confusing (at least in hindsight) move, Sports Authority merged with Gart Sports but took on a lot of debt in the process. More than a decade later, Sports Authority wasn’t able to climb out of its financial hole and closed down in the mid-2010s along with many other retailers.

5 Healthiest Menu Options At American McDonald’s Restaurants

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When healthy eating options come to mind, fast food isn’t really something that gets thought about. We tend to associate fast food with high amounts of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. There’s good reason for that, too, as some of the most caloric foods in the world can be placed in a bag and bought for cheap in a drive-thru.

McDonald’s is one of the places that people bring up constantly for having unhealthy food and was even the topic of the documentary “Super Size Me” which pointed out the food’s nutritional values. After all, McDonald’s is the top dog worldwide when it comes to fast food venues. Is it really all unhealthy, though? Surprisingly, there are some items on the menu that are surprisingly low in calories and high in protein. Here are the five healthiest menu options at McDonald’s when you’re really craving the golden arches.

Egg McMuffin

McDonald’s Egg McMuffin has been on the fast food joint’s menu since the early 1970s and is still going strong to this day. One of the most beloved of McDonalds’ highly sought-after breakfast items. The Egg McMuffin just so happens to be one of the healthier food choices on the menu. It consists of two buttered halves of an English muffin, one egg, one slice of Canadian bacon, and one slice of American cheese. Coming in at 290 calories, with 11g of fat, and 16g of protein. 

Sausage Egg Burrito

McDonald’s started off 2015 right when they first introduced their Sausage Egg Burrito on January 1st of that year. The breakfast item quickly became a customer favorite and remains on the menu as a healthier, quicker option to start your day. It’s made up of a warm tortilla filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, pork breakfast sausage crumbles, American cheese, and a mix of cooked green chiles and onions. It comes in at a reasonable 310 calories, with 17g of fat, and 13g of protein. Making for a healthier, protein-forward option when you’re on the go. 

Oatmeal

Added to McDonald’s breakfast menu in 2011, their Fruit and Maple Oatmeal is a warm and filling option for those wanting a more sweet, healthier, vegetarian bite to eat. The oatmeal bowl comes with two servings of whole-grain oats, cream, and brown sugar mixed together, topped with apple chunks, craisins, and two varieties of raisins. The hearty dish comes out to 320 calories, with 4.5g of fat, 6g of protein, and 31g of sugar. The Fruit and Maple Oatmeal is a comforting start to your day and a decently healthy choice compared to most fast-food offerings. 

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Since the 2020 COVID pandemic, McDonald’s has removed a majority of healthier menu options, particularly their salads and grilled chicken. Although, they haven’t rid their menu of chicken entirely. In early 2021, McDonald’s introduced their competition to the fast-food chicken sandwich wars. Their Crispy Chicken Sandwich quickly became a hit and remains on the menu today. It consists of two buttered halves of a potato roll, crinkle-cut pickles, Mayo, and a lightly breaded and fried chicken cutlet. It comes in at 470 calories, with 20g of fat, and 26g of protein. It’s a lower-calorie option compared to the rest of the menu, as well as a pescetarian-friendly one.

Filet o Fish

Another healthier McDonald’s menu item great for the pescatarian crowd, or religious folk who stray from regular meat on meatless Fridays, the Filet o Fish is a tempting option from the burger-focused joint. The Filet o Fish is the creation by McDonald’s franchise owner, Lou Groen, back in 1962. It’s made up of a fried square of Alaskan Pollock, topped with tartar sauce, and American cheese, on a standard hamburger bun. It comes in at 390 calories, with 19g of fat, and 16g of protein. This is a tasty and protein-packed sandwich for when you’re looking for something lighter and different from the usual fast-food fare.