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It’s no secret that the present day news cycle is more depressing than the last season of Breaking Bad. While it’s inarguable that bad things happen every day, the rate at which horrible news is thrust into our viewpoint seems to be ten times that of anything positive or uplifting.
I’ve touched before on cable news operating like a prime-time drama series, which prioritizes fear and sadness. It’s hard to turn on the TV, pull up a news website, or even scroll Twitter without feeling the weight of everything bad happening in the world being on the forefront of your mind 24/7. Just look at this brief photo essay from Wired; we’re constantly subjected to a shitstorm.
Everyone deserves a break from this dismal onslaught, so I’ve tracked down a few good nuggets from the last week or so to give everyone a pick-me-up. We all need a bit of optimism or cheerfulness sometimes.
This 11-Year-Old Getting Adopted
Adoption videos are up there with soldier homecomings in the Crying At Your Desk Hall Of Fame. Watching this sweet girl jump into that woman’s arms had me playing this thing on a loop for ten minutes.
Sunday. Red. Tiger. Swinging. Driver.
Holy glorious nostalgia and excitement. Golf is in a great place right now, but a competitive Tiger charging down the back nine wearing his Sunday best would take things to a new level. It’s been a long road for Big Cat, and hopefully this is a positive sign towards a comeback.
This SBNation Piece On Animals Running Onto The Field
This isn’t technically “recent news,” but it’s a recent piece of journalism that’ll put a little pep in your step if you read it. There’s nothing cuter or more entertaining than animals finding their way onto the gridiron.
Vegas Shooting Victim Wakes From Coma
A small ray of sunshine from the horror of two weeks ago, 27-year-old Tina Frost awoke from a coma on Friday night. From the extent of her injuries detailed in the article linked, that in itself seems like a miracle.
“Today has also been a big day for our TT – she is now waking up!” the spokesperson wrote. “She opens her left eye just a lil and looks all around the room at us, taps her feet whenever music is playing, continues to squeeze our hands, and even gives [boyfriend] Austin [Hughes] a thumbs up when asked. She sometimes taps to music and also took her first steps today with the assistance of the nurses – 3 steps to the chair and 3 steps back to the bed.”
There’s also a link in the piece to a GoFundMe for her medical expenses, as she’s got a long road ahead, but it was positive to hear about this first step.
ICU Grandpa
Sweet Jesus this is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen. this guy has been cuddling newborns in ICU for the last 12 years. I need less stories about violence and more stories about ICU Grandpa.
Guy Fieri Taking Flavortown To Those Who Need It Most
Unless your only source of news is the President’s Twitter feed, you’ve heard that there’s been a massive wildfire disaster in California. Take a look at this link to see how you can help.
Per the tweet above, one person who went all out to help was beloved celebrity chef and Mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri, who made the best out of a bad situation and treated victims and first responders to what I’m sure was a sorely needed good meal.
High Schoolers Raise Money To Help Substitute Teacher
Talk about destroying a narrative. I’m the first person on the “Teenagers Suck” bandwagon, but sometimes they can do a bit of good too. Raising $14K so their 80-year-old beloved substitute teacher can get some much-needed surgery for his wife definitely earned these kids a bit of respect in my book. The video in the link will make you feel the warm fuzzies for at least thirty minutes.
City Of San Diego Finds Housing For 1,000 Homeless Vets
A little older than a week, but too good to pass up.
Although the original deadline was missed, San Diego’s Housing Our Heroes initiative has hit its goal of helping 1,000 homeless veterans secure rental housing.
“It’s fantastic news,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “We’re getting people housed and getting them off the street.”
We’ve all missed a deadline before, so don’t sweat it, San Diego. Good on you for fighting the good fight and helping the troops get back on their feet. And they ain’t done yet:
Gentry said he expects an additional 1,000 homeless people to be housed within the next 15 months using the formula created by Housing Our Heroes.
Have a good news story you think everyone needs to see? Email it to kyle.bandujo@gmail.com. .
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Kyle Bandujo
The artist formerly known as Crash Davis. My kid doesn't think I'm funny.
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Need this to become a weekly column.
It’s a great Monday pick-me-up.
Hmmm this sure does smell like a weekly column.
My wife works tonight, Dave, so I think I’ll enjoy some Zaxby’s chicken with a few beers during the Astros game. Thanks for asking.
I had some air sautéed ice cubes in a cup, drizzled in Russian water glaze….4X
Decided to try meal prepping for the week. Chicken burrito bowl from the tasty app
I had a burrito last night and now my plumber is about to get a check that will pay for his kid’s first semester at private school. :/
Players reacting and trying to catch animals on the field is probably one of the funniest things ever
Please keep doing this.
I haven’t even open this yet but we 100% need this to be weekly
The fact I really was just dicing up onions for my chili did not help the tears on the first video.
Thank you Mr. Bandujo. I haven’t smiled this much on a Monday since Labor Day.
Absolutely needed this today. We put my family’s dog down. 12 years/half my life spent with her.
ICU grandpa is the best. Congrats on roping yourself into a weekly column
I’m not crying, you’re crying!