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5 Tips For Improving Your Bumble Profile

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There are plenty of dating apps available for smartphones around the world, but one that typically results in the most actual relationships is Bumble, which has well over 40 million active users around the world. Bumble is a bit different than apps like Tinder as a woman who matches with someone has to be the one that sends the first message and the users are typically looking for serious relationships instead of something more “casual.”

Whether you’re new to the dating scene and want to give Bumble a try or have been using the app and want to get more matches, making some tweaks to your profile is a great place to start. Here are five tips for improving your Bumble profile that will lead to you getting more matches, messages, and even dates, in the near future.

1. Fill Out Your ‘About Me’ Section and Prompts

There’s nothing worse than coming across a bland and empty dating profile. Even if they’re cute, how are you supposed to know if they’re worth pursuing unless they catch your eye with an interesting profile containing at least a few details about them? If you want to get noticed more on Bumble, one surefire way is to fill out that bio, update it as needed, and fill out the prompts on your profile with intriguing and humorous responses. A pretty face can get you far, but you won’t get dates if you don’t put in the proper effort. 

2. Verify Your Profile

Catfishing unassuming hopeless romantics online isn’t as easy as it once was. There are plenty of ways to properly verify the person you’re talking to online is who they say they are. At least for the most part. Verifying your dating profile is an instant game changer and will help you gain more attention. People aren’t nearly as hesitant to communicate with verified profiles as they are with those unverified ones. It helps to ensure some form of early trust. Although, you should always stay vigilant and never trust someone upfront, and always meet in a public place until you really know who you’re dealing with. 

3. Post a Variety of Unfiltered Pictures

Filters are cute and you can use them if you please, but dating sites have begun cracking down on the use of heavily filtered pictures due to the difference in how someone looks online and in person. Besides, when searching for a lover, you really want them to see the real you and not a facade. It’s far better to be real with someone upfront and they’ll appreciate it more than you think. So try posting a variety of unedited pictures, full body pictures, candid shots, and whatever pictures make you feel good about yourself. 

4. Message First (For the Ladies)

One crucial tip for getting your profile to stick out is by messaging first. It’s usually a stand-off to see who will message first, so it’s a good idea to rip off the bandaid and be the first to reach out. It will help your profile stand out in a sea of people trying to impress the person you’re interested in. The recipient is sure to appreciate the welcome change of pace in their inbox. 

5. Don’t Be Hateful

Skimming through dating profiles, you end up seeing a lot of different people with a lot of different opinions. It’s okay to be passionate and put your truest self out there, just keep in mind how your words come off to others. Most people looking for a relationship won’t want to swipe right on someone who is ignorant, or offensive. Be kind to those you interact with on the dating app, don’t post hateful stuff in your bio, and keep a level of self-awareness. You don’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea, as long as you’re respectful. It will undoubtedly attract more people to your profile. 

5 Best Attractions Along Route 66

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If you were to ask someone in the United States to name the first road to come to mind, it would almost undoubtedly be Route 66. The highway which stretches all the way from the Chicago, Illinois area to Santa Monica, California has had songs written about it and plenty of movies and television shows filmed on it, as well.

Though it’s no longer the only major way to get from the central part of the country toward the west coast thanks to the advent of the Interstate Highway System, Route 66 remains a piece of Americana that many travel from around the world to see for themselves. If you’re making the trip and want to get your kicks along Route 66, here are the five best attractions to see along the way.

1. Cadillac Ranch 

In Amarillo Texas, along the 2,448-mile stretch of road that makes up Route 66, lies an intriguing art installation called Cadillac Ranch. Artists Hudson Marquez, Chip Lord, and Doug Michels formed a group they named Ant Farm in 1974. 

The group of artists took ten Cadillacs, splattered with an array of colors, buried front-first in the ground in a line reminiscent of the pyramids of Giza. Tourists and artists alike stop and take in the view of the interesting piece of art while on their way down the historic highway. 

2. Wigwam Motel

The historic Wigwam Motel along Route 66 is listed as being located in Rialto California, although its physical address is in the bordering city of Rialto California. The motel chain was constructed between the 1930s and 1940s, made to look like a group of tipis, tents often used by indigenous people many years ago. 

Although referred to as the Wigwam Motel, wigwams are mostly wooden structures built in a dome shape. The motels underwent renovations in the early 2000s and are a popular destination for tourists. In 2012 they were listed under the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Santa Monica Pier 

Santa Monica California is the last stop or commonly referred to as the “end of the trail”, on the western side of the historic Route 66. There lies the Santa Monica Pier, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The pier is a wonderful spot to end your trip or to take a break before making your way back East. 

There’s a small attraction, Pacific Park, within the pier, with a carousel, arcade, solar-powered Ferris wheel, and a roller coaster. There are also food vendors, places to fish, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, and much more to provide entertainment and fun while you’re traveling the iconic highway. 

4. Seligman

The tiny town of Seligman has a lot of history behind it. It also just so happens to be the inspiration behind Pixar’s animated film, Cars. In the heart of Route 66 is the barbershop owned by the man who founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, of which Seligman was the first to become a part. 

The following year, the rest of Route 66 joined.  Angel Delgadillo is the barber whose foundation and stories became the inspiration for Cars creator John Lasseter. The stretch of road is adorned with the old barber shop turned gift shop and is a must-see for those passing through.  

5. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum 

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in the city of Clinton, is one of many museums along the stretch of highway that is dedicated to its history. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and charges a small entry fee. 

The museum has a retro look and feels to it, transporting you to the days when the highway was first hailed as the “Mother Road” and scattered with attractions. It’s THE place to get your fill of knowledge and come as close to the retro experience as possible. 

5 Most Famous Missing Persons Cases

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In the United States alone, there are nearly 100,000 missing person cases each year. While many of them are solved rather quickly, there is plenty that goes unsolved for years. Along the way, there have been some cases of very notable (and some infamous) people that have gone missing without a trace.

Throughout American history, there have been certain missing person cases that have captivated the entire country, with massive search parties launched. Out of all of those cases, these five stand out as the most talked about, dominating headlines around the nation for weeks, months, and even years.

Amelia Earheart

Amelia Earheart’s disappearance is one we’ve all learned about in school, or heard about in one way or another. She was famously the first woman to complete a solo, nonstop transatlantic flight. She carried many accolades and was and is an inspiration to women everywhere. She and navigator Fred Noonan went missing when they attempted to make a trek around the globe in 1937. They were last seen in New Guinea where they had stopped before continuing the remainder of their travels. There are many theories as to what happened to the two, but it’s most likely the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and took the two brave souls with it. 

D.B. Cooper

In November of 1971, a man who called himself Dan Cooper was aboard a flight from Oregon to Washington. During the flight, he hijacked the plane with claims he was carrying a bomb on board. He demanded $200,000 in cash and parachutes. He then managed to instruct the pilots to land and let the passengers loose, ensuring workers refueled the aircraft, as well as obtaining the money and items he previously demanded. When over Washington, Cooper fled with his ransom by jumping out of the plane with a parachute.  No trace of him was ever found and nobody truly knows the identity of this mystery man. 

Jimmy Hoffa

Jimmy Hoffa is a name you’re surely familiar with. Hoffa was a man caught up in a slew of messes. Once the International Brotherhood of Teamsters leader, he was involved in organized crime which may have been how he met his assumed demise. 

After his time in prison for charges like fraud and jury tampering, Hoffa attempted to regain control of the organization. His attempts were unsuccessful and he went missing in 1975, presumably murdered by the mafia. Although, nobody knows what really happened to him. 

Natalee Holloway

Natalee Holloway’s disappearance is one of the most well-known cases in modern history. In 2005 Natalee joined her classmates from Mountain Brook High School on a graduation trip to Aruba. She was a beautiful girl who had so much to offer the world, but she would never get to it after she went missing before her flight home on May 30th, 2005. She was last seen getting into a car with prime suspect Joran van der Sloot and two of his friends. 

They denied involvement, but their stories changed over time. Natalee has never been found and has been presumed dead. Sloot wound up being convicted of the murder of a woman in Peru years later, making it very possible he is also responsible for what happened to Natalee. 

Madeleine McCann

The gut-wrenching case of a child gone missing in the night. Madeleine McCann was only three years old when she went missing in the middle of the night.  Her parents, two younger twin siblings, and family friends had taken a vacation to Portugal in May of 2007. 

One night, while the adults dined at a restaurant only 180 feet from Madeleine’s bedroom, her mother went to check on her and found she was missing and the window in the room was wide open. She has never been found, although as of 2022, police in the German city of Braunschweig believe they may have a new suspect in the disappearance of the sweet young girl. 

5 Korean Celebrities Who Crossed Over To Stardom In China

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On a global scale, few countries are seeing the type of mainstream reach as South Korea in recent years. Thanks to the rise of Korean filmmakers and artists, there are a lot more celebrities from the country that are making it big more than ever. This includes China, where several Korean celebrities have become megastars thanks to their talents.

Out of all of the Korean celebrities that have achieved stardom in China, which ones stand out the most? Here is a look at five that have transcended pop culture to become icons in their native South Korea, as well as China.

Jaemin 

South Korean-born Na Jae-min, also known as Jaemin, is one of the many members of the boy band NCT(Neo Culture Technology)and a sub-unit of the band, NCT Dream. He’s a talented singer, actor, dancer, and rapper. K-pop is one of the most popular genres of music among today’s youth. Jaemin in particular is one of the biggest stars to come out of the K-pop world. In 2020 he was ranked #2 in China’s AiMan Commercial Index, a ranking system for celebrities based on their popularity level in China. 

Jimin

Park Ji-min, primarily known as Jimin, is a singer and dancer from South Korea. He’s one of seven members of the worldwide sensation BTS(Bangtan Boys). I’m 2022, his Chinese-based fan club PARKJIMINBAR went as far as setting up what they call Jiminland, a decked-out party for the singer’s birthday. It took place from October 9th to October 15th in the seven-story P.Ark cultural center at Yeongdo in Busan, South Korea. Something that had never been done before. Jimin’s incredible influence and love for his home of South Korea convinced the center to hold the party in honor of him. 

Jungkook

Jeon Jung-kook, known as Jungkook, is the youngest member of the worldwide phenomenon BTS. In China, the South Korean singer is the most popular member of the boy band. His first solo collab topped multiple charts on one of China’s biggest music streaming services, QQ Music. Jungkook also holds the title of the most followed member of BTS on QQ Music, Netease, and a few other popular music streaming services. He also became the sole K-pop solo artist to reach #1 on QQ Music’s Western Hot 100. He has had a successful career thus far in South Korea, China, and the US. 

Lee Dong Wook

Lee Dong Wook is a South Korean entertainer, actor, and model. He’s had a successful and busy career thus far, starring in shows like My Girl, Hotel King, Life, Hell is Other People, The Fugitive of Joseon, Scent of a Woman, Nine Tailed, and the most recent Bad and Crazy. He’s had growing success in China, with Hotel King receiving 200 million views on China’s popular streaming service Ai Qi Yi. He also appeared more recently in GQ China, where the magazine interviewed the actor after recently reaching the age of 40. 

Jennie (BLACKPINK)

Jennie Kim, known primarily as Jennie, is one of the four members of the all-female group BLACKPINK. She later debuted her solo single “Solo”, which found success on the Circle Digital Chart, a music record chart in South Korea ranking in the top 200 hits. She’s set to show off her acting prowess in 2023 on HBO’s “The Idol”. BLACKPINK made their long overdue comeback with their recently released album “BORN PINK”, having sold over 800,00 digital albums in China following its release. Making BORN PINK this year’s best-selling female album in China. Even passing Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” album sales by nearly 300,000. 

5 Billionaires And How They Made Their First Million

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Think about how hard it is to make $100,000. Even if that’s your annual salary, all of the taxes and expenses that you have will make your net worth far less than that. Now think about how much it would take to do that ten times over and officially become a millionaire. That’s the goal that a lot of people have, but for many, the goal is astronomically higher.

To become a billionaire, you have to become a millionaire 1,000 times over. Every billionaire got their start somewhere, and it’s usually the first million that meant the most to them and allowed them to shoot for the stars. Here’s a look at five of the world’s most notable billionaires and how they made their first million.

Richard Branson

Nobody took advantage of the old forms of music media quite like Richard Branson, who started the Virgin brand back in the early 1970s and saw it transform into megastores and even transportation throughout the years. 

When he was just 16 years old, Branson started a magazine called “Student” after his initial idea of selling Christmas trees didn’t pan out. The magazine sold well enough to earn Branson some revenue from advertising space, but it was what it turned into that made Branson rich. He used the magazine to start a mail-order business, selling music records for less than stores were charging. Soon enough, Branson started his own record shop and, thus, Virgin was born.

Elon Musk

Some billionaires are perfectly content with running operations while receiving no public attention, but not Elon Musk. The South African-born Musk is the founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, two cutting-edge companies that have received global attention.

Musk had multiple business ventures during his teenage years, which even included selling the rights to a video game he developed for $500. It wasn’t until he received a loan of nearly $30,000 from his father that he was able to hit it big, starting the company Zip2 which served as an online city guide. Musk founded the company with his brother Kimbal Musk and Greg Kouri, with Elon making $22 million when the company was sold to Compaq in 1999.

Mark Cuban

One of the most accessible billionaires in the world, Mark Cuban is known for his time on the television series “Shark Tank” and his ownership of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Cuban also started the Cost Plus Drug Company that took the internet by storm.

Cuban always had a mind for business from his childhood when he was selling everything from stamps to garbage bags. Cuban worked several jobs in early adulthood and eventually started his own company called MicroSolutions. The business created a lot of technologies that are still used today, and revenues were large enough for Cuban to earn $6 million from the company’s sale to CompuServe. In turn, he was able to launch Audionet and Broadcast.com which would make him incredibly rich.

Jeff Bezos

You can’t take three steps in any direction or make three clicks on the internet without running into Amazon. The man behind the company is Jeff Bezos, who has often found himself at the top of list of the world’s richest people.

Bezos wasn’t exactly poor due to his experience in finance in his 20s but still needed money to help boost Amazon after its creation in the mid-1990s. After receiving $300,000 from his parents, Bezos launched Amazon but was losing money at first just to get its name out there. It wasn’t until 1997 that Bezos became a millionaire after the first Amazon initial public offering in 1997.

Steve Ballmer

These days, Detroit-native Steve Ballmer is known for being the owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers after retiring, but he’s made billions thanks to his innovations in software and was the face of Microsoft for more than a decade.

By the time the 1980s rolled around, there were only a couple of dozen employees at Microsoft. Ballmer became the 30th after he had dropped out of Stanford graduate school and left Procter & Gamble. Speaking of gambling, Ballmer risked his career by making the move, but his devotion to Gates and Microsoft paid off. In 2000, Ballmer became the company’s CEO and in 2003 sold most of his shares that earned him nearly $1 billion in one transaction.

5 Worst Contracts In Orioles History

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Almost every team in Major League Baseball has signed a player to a contract that they would come to regret for years. From the Mets still paying for Bobby Bonilla well after his retirement to Washington Nationals giving $175 million to an already-injured Steven Strasburg, there has been a lot of overpays in baseball history.

The Baltimore Orioles are no stranger to these types of deals, either. While some of the other teams in the division like the Yankees or Red Sox are more known for being free agent destinations, there are some Orioles signings that have been head-scratching in retrospect. Here are the five worst contracts that the O’s have given out.

5. Brian Roberts

When there’s a beloved player in the franchise that has been there for years, you tend to do whatever you can to keep them happy and have them stick around. That’s what the Orioles did for second baseman Brian Roberts in 2010. Leading up to that point, Roberts was a two-time All-Star who could hit for average and routinely flashed the leather.

The only problem, though, was that Roberts was already 32 years old by the time the 2010 season came around, but the Orioles gave him a four-year contract worth $40 million. Over those four years, Roberts played in fewer than 200 games, including one season with just 17 games. After his contract, Roberts finished his career with the Yankees to nullify being a potential Orioles lifer.

4. Ubaldo Jimenez

Ubaldo Jimenez spent much of his career with the Colorado Rockies where he defied the odds by being a good pitcher at Coors Field, posting a 3.66 earned run average and a 56-45 record in five-plus seasons. Jimenez was dealt to the Cleveland Indians where he remained through the 2013 season before the Orioles signed the former All-Star to a four-year deal worth $50 million.

Jimenez struggled right out of the gate, posting a 6-9 record with a 4.81 ERA, but would have a bit of a rebound in his second year. Over the final two seasons of his contract, though, things fell apart quickly and he combined to go 14-23 with an ERA over 6. Jimenez’s career was finished as soon as his contract was following the 2017 season.

3. Sidney Ponson

Sidney Ponson is one of those stories of what could have been in Major League Baseball. He started his career with the Orioles in 1998, and the Aruban was a fine pitcher that finished the 2003 season with a 14-6 record and 3.77 earned run average. During that season, however, Ponson was traded to the Giants before becoming a free agent.

Ponson returned to Baltimore as the team offered him $22.5 million over three years, but he would only last for two trouble-filled years. Ponson had several run-ins with the law, including two arrests for driving under the influence. When he was on the field, Ponson posted a record of 18-26 during those two years and an ERA close to 6 before the Orioles cut their losses.

2. Albert Belle

Albert Belle was known for being a bit of a hothead, but an overall great player during his time with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. A five-time Silver Slugger Award winner and All-Star, Belle had actually signed a five-year deal with the White Sox but it was nullified after two due to a stipulation about his salary.

When Belle became a free agent, the Orioles gave him $65 million for five years. Just like he did in Chicago, though, Belle lasted for just two seasons. Though he was solid in those two years, Belle’s degenerating hip cost him the remainder of his career after 2000 and he missed the final three seasons of the contract before heading into retirement. Had he continued to produce the way he did at the start of his deal, Belle would have been worth it.

1. Chris Davis

After starting his career as a slugger for the Texas Rangers where he hit 42 home runs, Chris Davis was traded to the Baltimore Orioles during the middle of the 2011 season for Koji Uehara. Davis had a strong rest of the season over 31 games and then put together an All-Star campaign in 2013 with 53 home runs and 138 runs batted in.

Davis saw a huge drop in his batting average the next year but rebounded nicely in 2015 to earn himself a seven-year contract with Baltimore for $161 million. Much of the contract was deferred, and Davis was done by the end of the 2020 season and at his worst was batting just .168 over a full season.

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.