Welcome to the Bright Side, a weekly roundup of all the good news and ideas you might have missed from the past week.
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Along with sky-gazing in search of real celestial events like the solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower this week, it seems some of us have been googling the Aquarius zodiac sign with the phrase “red flag.” I don’t buy into future-telling constellations, but I do take offense to the “red flag” description (unless it’s this sketch from “SNL”). Having made my debut during the Aquarius part of the year, I find this assumption to be a bit … rude.
So I accidentally slipped into a Reddit rabbit hole, noting the supposed worst qualities of my people. But as I weeded through questionable relationship “advice,” I came across a description that read: “They see what’s special about you … but to them, you’re one of many stars in the sky, not the Sun.” I think that’s supposed to be bad. But dusting the astrology off of it, I see this as more of a green flag. What a beautiful depiction: each of us, a star, dazzling the universe with our own unique sparkle, journeying along our heavenly path. Yes, there can only be one sun, but it wouldn’t be the Milky Way without all of us shining bright like diamonds.
Momota, the bear cub who loves traffic cones
Okay, are Japanese animal habitats just more fun? First, we had Punch the monkey, and now Momota the polar bear cub is turning traffic cones into the hottest accessory of the summer.
He started out by impressing visitors at Japan’s Akita Prefecture aquarium with his playful antics, and now he’s breaking the internet. The only downside is that traffic cones have no eye holes, and Momota’s been known incidentally to boop his mom in the behind. I remember unintentionally running into my mom’s ankles with a grocery cart as a kid. This is much cuter.
Grandma’s not leaving without her happy hour
This 82-year-old wasn’t about to spend her best years teetotalling it up in assisted living. So she changed state law to include her favorite conversation starter: a glass of pinot grigio.
Minnesota resident Anita LeBrun even testified before Congress to make the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill happen at her retirement home (without legally requiring an expensive alcohol license). “My friends and I love happy hour just like many of you do, I am sure,” she said. Love her. “Over a shared drink, we get to reminisce about parts of our life, military service, raising a family, the loss of a friend, and celebrate the golden phase of our lives, too.” Proving it’s never too late to “be the change,” she now has more time for her other favorite hobbies, like reading and gardening. “You got to keep plugging along. Even if you’re old,” she said. Cheers to that.
Would you bust a move for a tank of gas?
I’m a fan of forcing non-dancers to dance on camera. It’s always hilarious, and I like to think unsuspecting strangers might discover a hidden talent. But the people who danced for 20% off a fuel-up at a New York gas station deserve extra credit because they tore it up at the cash register without music. That’s how expensive gas is right now.
It was all meant to “brighten everyone’s day” and take the edge off gas prices that tipped $4 in Halfmoon, New York. Ryan, who improvised the running man with a “Michael Jackson spin,” said the challenge was “liberating.” He added, “You get back in the car, and you’re in a better mood and a better place to get back to work.” You’ll have to do the math to see if driving to upstate New York is worth the discount when you get there.
A police officer saves a man’s life by offering a hug
When Metro Nashville Police Lieutenant Mike Hotz noticed a man on the verge of jumping off a bridge spanning the Cumberland River, he offered a lifeline like no other: a hug. “You’re gonna be alright,” he said, as the man, Gary Butler, walked away from the edge to embrace him.
“I was going to jump off the bridge,” Butler later said. “I stopped to get me a three piece chicken and decided it was going to be my last meal … I was telling officers not to come closer. ‘I’ll jump if you come any closer.’” He’s now getting the help he needs to keep believing that “life is important.”
For his part, Lt. Hotz recalled having served with many brothers overseas in whom he recognized a similar struggle. “At the end of that call, I kind of stepped away … and said a short prayer and thanked God for having me in the right place at the right time,” he said. I’m not crying; you’re crying. Okay, we’re all crying.
Penguin greets friends after life-saving “cruise”
It’s about 7 million degrees outside right now, so even just thinking about swimming in Arctic waters is giving me life. But one penguin turned into a lucky duck when he escaped the mouth of a hungry seal by hopping onto a nearby boat and sailing to safety.
I’m living for the simple delight of the boaters. And I’m entertaining myself by imagining the shock of the other penguins watching everything play out via iceberg. Their friend just escaped certain death, got his 15 seconds of fame with the “press” on a luxury cruise, and then showed up at the pre-determined meeting place like nothing happened. Cool, cool, cool — at least everyone paid attention to the family group text and wore tuxedos as they planned.
Here’s hoping to spread so much joy that every hour is a happy hour. Hit us up in the comments to share the best part of your week, or feel free to email me, too. I’m taking a gracious bow like this two-year-old girl after blowing out her birthday candles and wishing you all a wonderful weekend! — Lauren
