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5 Morning Hacks to Make Getting Ready for Work a Bit Easier and Faster

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There are around 115 million employed people in the United States, and a staggering 29% of them are late for work at least once a month!

Are you one of the people struggling to get leave the house on time in the mornings?

We take a look at how getting ready for work can be faster and easier to get you where you’re going on time.

Getting Ready For Work

Everyone hates getting out of bed in the morning for the rush to work. But with tips from prepping the night before to popping on your favorite tunes, we have you covered.

1. Super Charge Your Alarm

You know how you feel when your favorite song comes on? Set your alarm to something fun and upbeat to make you want to get out of bed and start dancing to it.

A sure-fire way to help you ditch the snooze button and get pumped the second you open your eyes.

2. Plan Your Outfit

It only takes a few minutes to check the weather app on your phone and plan your outfit for the next day. Get all the items out and ready for the morning.

In the winter you could even hang them over your radiator so they’re nice and toasty for you to put on. A bonus tip is so pop your clothes on before you leave the bedroom. It saves on time coming back to dress later and is a good morning routine!

3. Ditch Breakfast

If you think you can manage it, ditch breakfast first thing. It’s actually good for your body to be able to wake up before eating and will help you get ready faster.

Pre-plan your breakfast on the go so you can grab it as you leave and enjoy it on your journey or even when you get to work.

4. No Makeup

Are you brave enough to leave the house without your face on? Take charge of how beautiful you are and try skipping makeup once in a while.

If that’s not your thing, you could apply your foundations on the bus. Be careful with your lipsticks, eyeliners and mascara though, it can be tricky to stay steady on public transport!

So, whether you choose to go makeup-free or opt for a minimalistic approach, consider enhancing your natural beauty with a simple touch such as the best natural lashes Lilac St. Just a gentle accentuation can make all the difference without wasting your time.

Pre-planning what you need and having it laid out in order will also help. You might find liquid foundation takes too long so switch to powder. You can also make sure your nails etc are done the night before.

5. Shower Before Bed

If you shower the night before it saves tons of time and makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. If that’s not an option, try in shower moisturizers to be even quicker and brush your teeth while you’re drying off and give hair plopping a go to get your locks dry in no time.

No Excuses!

Unfortunately, you now have no excuse for leaving the house late! Check out our other great articles and leave your top tips for getting ready for work faster in the comments below.

How Marijuana is Becoming More Popular in Pop Culture

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Cannabis in pop culture isn’t exactly a new concept. You’ve probably heard plenty of songs and seen a variety of movies where people talk about weed. However, the influence of this substance on pop culture might be bigger than you’d think. It turns out that almost half of all the US hip-hop and R&B songs in the industry have some mention of cannabis. Historically, people have largely referenced marijuana in the same vein, connecting it to lazy stereotypical stoner types. This concept is something that many people appreciated several years ago, but it’s quickly becoming outdated in a world where scientific research is beginning to demonstrate the potential of this natural substance for medical purposes. As the benefits of marijuana continue to be researched and proven, people seeking a natural healing process have obtained a medical marijuana card in order to get relief from pain, anxiety, and depression. Things are beginning to turn a corner in the pop culture landscape, but it’s a slow process, and we have a long way to go.

The Changing Presence of Cannabis in Culture

Say the word marijuana to most people and they’ll think of old-fashioned stoner portrayals that represent anyone who uses this drug as lazy and under-educated. Over the years, the way that we view this product has been mostly negative, thanks to the way that television and movie producers used the drug to represent a very specific kind of character. Today, studies indicate that pop culture is referencing weed more than ever before, but the general attitude to it might be changing.

We’re beginning to see the substance from a new perspective on the television and movie screens, because the attitude of the public is changing. These days, it’s becoming much more acceptable for people to use natural products like marijuana for the treatment of various conditions. You can get your Nevada medical marijuana card in a matter of minutes online from NuggMD, with a quick and easy process that only bills you on approval. It’s part of everyday life for a lot of individuals. As laws around the drug continue to change, so too do the opinions of the people who view this product as a pop culture icon.

Taking on a New Light

Scientific study and access to more data about the benefits that the right strain of certain substances can have on particular diseases is leading to a more educated community. We know today that there’s more to this plant than we originally thought, and many experts believe that it could be the key to managing some very serious and life-changing conditions. The people who use marijuana today aren’t just college kids looking to pass time or get high between classes.

Although there are still many states that offer the product recreationally, it also has much more important benefits that are worth considering too. Not only is cannabis a great medicine, but it can also be a product that helps to relieve anxiety and reduce inflammation. People are even discovering new ways to experiment with the product in the form of CBD oils and various edibles. The landscape is beginning to evolve, and soon, the demand for a new view of weed in pop culture will be greater than ever.

In With the Old – The Eccentricities of Generation Z

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Gen Z is….strange.

Born at a time where the Twin Towers were gone, Limp Bizkit were popular and Manchester United were kings of Europe, the genesis of Gen Y was certainly an exercise in the bizarre.

It’s no surprise, then, that those born at the turn of the millennium have no shortage of quirks.

Whether it’s the surreal sense of humor, ‘depression memes’, mumble rap, or hydro flask stickers, the self-expression of Gen-Y’ers is certainly much, much different than previous generations.

Why Are Gen-Z’ers So…Weird?

I don’t mean to use the word ‘weird’ in a derogatory fashion, much the opposite. This generation is more in-tune than ever in noticing, documenting, and even embracing, the absurdness of the human condition in the form of social media and news outlets – and their methods of self-expression are something that Existentialist philosophers would turn their heads at. Maybe this is due to the abnormal cauldron that was boiling away during Gen-Z’s formative years, and what ongoing events are continuing to influence the young minds of Gen-Z.

The 2000’s were a strange decade for us Westerners. We were getting to grips with the Internet, and the juggernaut of social media was in its infancy – never before was it so easy to connect with, talk to, and even stalk, our friends, families, and our friends’ friends. With the all-seeing visibility of social media platforms, Gen-Z developed a level of expectation and social pressure that was completely unknown to their predecessors.

Generation Z was the first generation whose presence was truly immersed in the Internet. The effect of the Web can be seen not only in their sense of humour, but also their fashion choices, too.

Gen-Z’s Value Comfort Above All Else

The rise of athleisure clothing in recent years has brought with it a level of comfort that other styles simply can’t offer.

Though wearing gym-gear to the office sounds like something out of 1990s Silicon Valley to some, it’s become the norm to arrive at the office wearing yoga pants and a T-shirt.

The rise of social media influencers have definitely had a part to play, too. Celebrities are often seen in public wearing candid, gym-based uniforms, and actors like Dwayne Johnson and Hugh Jackman have helped make healthy lifestyles cool.

Not only does athleisure provide comfort, some of it is pretty damn stylish nowadays – and both are attributes that Gen-Z’ers value.

Are The Early 2000’s Back?

The fact that the early-2000s were twenty years ago is unfathomable for most of us.

Simpler times, they were, but at least the 2020s have resurrected some nostalgia-inducing outfits for us to remember days long gone by. Whether it’s tiny sunglasses, low rise jeans, or mesh tops (for both men and women) some of the outfits worn by Gen-Z’ers are enough to usher in years of nostalgia, for better or worse.

Luckily for us, frosted tips, and baggy, Eminem-esque t-shirts remain on the ash heap of history, for now anyway.

Perhaps this return to the early-2000s is simply Gen-Z’s returning to the outfits they saw in their youth – perhaps it’s meant as an antidote to today’s current crazy climate, one that will unquestionably define their twenties and thirties. On the other hand, it could be neither of those – and Gen-Z’s are simply wearing them because they like them. Either way, retro-inspired get-up is all the rage in 2020.

The Gen-Z Story Continues to Get Stranger

Those who are a part of Generation Z have had lives book-ended, so far, by two world-defining events – the 9/11 attacks and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It will be interesting to see how this weird and wonderful generation deals with the latter – and what social, personal, and political repercussions they have to deal with. Generation Z have always had their own way of doing things, and their thirst for eccentricity shows no signs of slowing down.

Grow Your Spotify Plays Overnight

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If you are looking for more Spotify exposure, then you can join the millions of other Spotify artists that are trying to do the same thing. However, it feels like all we are ever doing is just treading water. We post songs and playlists only to have them fall into oblivion. They never see the light of day and never get a hit.

Promotions seem to go nowhere. It doesn’t matter how many times you Tweet out a link to your music. It all ends up the same way, low plays, low streams, and low follows. It doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be so hard. You have to be proactive about your marketing, but you also need to focus on the metrics that will actually improve your Spotify rankings. Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are all great places to start but you won’t grow a following unless you hit the below metrics. Once you understand what you need to do, just rinse and repeat. You will soon be basking in the glow of plays.

You need to market your music by increase your play and follower metrics. You need to buy Spotify plays. This common practice will get your listings over the hump to be seen by a new crowd.

Why Improve Your Plays?

The Spotify algorithm is specific to Spotify platform metrics. This means that you need to focus on improving your Spotify platform numbers. Like what was mentioned above, exposure on other platforms is great but it will only get you so far. You need those marketing events to convert into Spotify metrics.

The first metric you need to improve is the play count. This could be connected to an album, playlist, or a specific song. It all depends on what your goals are for your artistic talents. Song pay count tells the Spotify algorithm that people are listening to your stuff. It shows that you are relevant and significant to the current music scene. It could be based on a genre of music or just the industry as a whole.

Plays matter over the course of time. If you have a bunch of plays in a single day, it isn’t going to boost anything for very long. You may appear higher in the algorithm for the next 24 hours, but afterwards you will be forgotten, again. Instead you want to think about the long term. More plays overtime is the better philosophy. So, if you got 100 plays, it is better to have 1 a day for 100 days than all 100 plays in the same day.

Why Improve Your Followers?

Remember that it isn’t just about plays. If you stuff gets played a bunch, that is great, but it isn’t the end of the story. If you are looking to solidify a top spot in the Spotify algorithm, you need to show that it isn’t just about your music, it is about you as an artist. Take a band like Radiohead. Their music is wildly popular. However, Radiohead as a band is popular as well. So, if they were still making music, they would be recommended alongside similar artists because the “followers” action shows that it is more than just a single song or two that makes them so important.

This is obvious. When you look at other social media platforms you see the same actions taking place. Instagram and Facebook are the best examples of the potential for ranking improvements when there are more followers, not just likes or shares. Instagram like increasing services like Buzzoid are often talked about, but few can deliver on the promises that Buzzoid does, say experts. Their real Instagram likes are the best on the market, and when used in combination with a Spotify boosting service it is a wonderful sight. The Spotify algorithm takes in the totality of the artist’s metrics in order to decide how worthy they are to be recommended to other listeners. Once you get there, royalties will start to improve as organic listeners start to steadily increase with time.

Are Certain Listeners Better Than Others?

Yes, certain Spotify listeners are more important than others. However, you want a mix of all types of listeners in order to really impress the algorithm. What does this mean? There are generally two types of Spotify listeners and they can interact with your account in one of two ways. So, basically, there are four different results that could happen. Let’s go through them.

First, you could have a free listener listen to a song once. This individual has the least amount of impact on your account. Second, you could have a free listener continually listen to your music. This has more impact because it shows that an individual really likes your stuff and wants to listen to it more and more.

Third, you could have a paid premium listener listen to a song once. This has some impact due to a higher royalty payment that comes from premium members. Fourth, you could have a paid premium listen subscribe and continually listen to your music. This has the largest impact of all of them. Make sure that when you are buying Spotify plays that you focus on the mix of different listeners.

Tooth Discoloration Types & How To Get Better Looking Teeth At Home

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If there’s one thing the importance of which we cannot deny, then it’s our smile. It shows our personality and makes other people comfortable around us. When it is beautiful, it makes a long-lasting impression on the people we meet. In other words, beautiful smiles are the smiles that are never, ever forgotten.

What does a beautiful smile start with? Sure, it also has to do with your eyes and your charm, but the truth is that you teeth play the major role in the appearance of your smile. To put things simply, if you want a beautiful smile, you will have to have beautiful teeth. It’s completely logical, isn’t it? The one usually doesn’t go without the other.

There is no one rule for how your teeth should look in order to be regarded as beautiful. There are no formulas or sets of criteria that you should follow so as to check whether your particular teeth fall under the category of beautiful. We cannot all be the same and it would be pretty boring if everybody had the same smile. Go here to learn how to have great teeth.

While it’s true that we cannot talk about specific rules when the appearance of your teeth is in question, there is one thing that we certainly can talk about when it comes to that appearance. I’m talking about the discoloration and the stains on your teeth. Those definitely play their part in making your whole smile less beautiful than it can be and, the worst part is, discoloration is bound to happen overtime, no matter how hard you try to fight and avoid it.

Just because it is bound to happen, though, it doesn’t mean that it cannot be solved. Luckily, people are no longer willing to put up with discoloration as if it were something completely normal, which led to scientists figuring out a few whitening methods that are nowadays used by individuals all over the world. Before we get to learning about those methods, though, let us quickly check out the types of tooth discoloration that you might be affected by.

Discoloration

Tooth discoloration can happen for many different reasons and the good news is that most of the stains that appear are perfectly treatable. Of course, different stains require different attention. Due to that, we will now take a look at the different discoloration types that exist, so that you can figure out what causes specific types and how each of those are supposed to be treated. So, let us get started.

Extrinsic

Extrinsic stains are those that usually only affect the enamel, or the surface, which is a good thing, since removing them will be much easier. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. These particular stains are caused by certain foods, beverages and, of course, tobacco. This means that you will have to avoid some ingredients if you are planning on whitening your teeth. Those include colored beverages, as well as some red and dark-colored fruit and other types of foods.

It goes without saying that these stains cannot actually be removed by simply avoiding tobacco and some foods and drinks. This is the right step towards preventing the stains from appearing, but if you want to remove the ones that have already appeared, you will have to put in some more effort than that. We will, however, explain some of the at home whitening methods that will help you get better looking teeth, so let us not dwell on that now.

Intrinsic

Before we get to those methods that I have mentioned above, we need to take a look at the two other common discoloration types. The second type are intrinsic stains that go a little deeper than the first one. In other words, these are located within the tooth, meaning that they might be a bit harder to remove than the first type. Let’s see what these are caused by.

Tooth decay is, of course, the first cause of these stains. In addition to that, certain types of medications that people take in order to deal with some illnesses and diseases they are affected by can also be the cause of intrinsic stains. On top of all that, genetics play a huge role here, meaning that poor genetics can definitely be the cause of these types of stains.

Age-Related

There’s one last type that we have to mention. As you become older, the enamel is bound to wear away, which frequently results in yellowish teeth. These particular stains are rather difficult to avoid since, well, we do all celebrate our birthdays and get older year after year. Age-related stains can be caused both by certain intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Luckily, some of the methods that we are about to look into can definitely be successful in removing these stains.

Take a peek at some of those methods: https://www.insider.com/how-to-whiten-teeth-naturally-at-home

Get Better Looking Teeth At Home

It’s important to remember that regular dental checkups are a must. Skipping your appointments will lead to a lot of issues with your teeth and those issues can definitely affect their appearance as well. So, do yourself a favor and stop finding excuses to miss those appointments. If you do regular examinations, your teeth will be much healthier and thus better looking. Not to mention the fact that dentists are the experts that can give you the best advice on how to improve the look of your smile.

As true as that is, I understand the necessity of most people to search for at home whitening methods that can help them. I am definitely not the only one who understands this, since a lot of professionals have decided to create whitening products that could assist those people in this process. Some of those are more and some are less successful, but it ultimately all depends on you, your determination, as well as the particular stains that you are dealing with.

There certainly are, however, certain at-home methods that you can use in this endeavor. So, if you really want to get better looking teeth and thus a more beautiful smile, I suggest you take your time to research and try out some of those methods. You will find some of those below, so take a look at those and decide for yourself which ones you would like to try out.

Oil Pulling

I’m not sure if you have heard about this method yet or not, but oil pulling actually goes way back. It is actually a traditional Indian method for removing toxins from the body and improving overall oral hygiene. These people usually used sesame or sunflower oil, but the truth is that any oil will actually work and, nowadays, coconut oil is the most popular option since it comes with a lot of health benefits.

Basically, what you have to do is swish the oil around your mouth in order for it to remove any bacteria that can easily turn into plaque and thus cause discoloration and other oral issues. Studies show that this can be done on a daily basis for the maximum effect. In fact, practicing this daily decreases the risk of developing plaque and gingivitis.

Whitening Kits

Since everybody is perfectly aware of our desire to get better looking teeth, there are now a lot of at home teeth whitening kits on the market and most of those can significantly affect their color and the overall appearance. These are usually also designed to be used on a daily basis, but the method of use depends on the specific kit that you decide to get. People often go for whitening gels and trays since those are pretty easy to use and don’t require you to devote a large amount of time to the practice.

The most important thing that you need to remember, though, is that there are various manufacturers out there and that not all of their products can be of perfect quality. What does this mean for you exactly? Well, it’s simple. If you really want to get the best results, you will have to do your research on those manufacturers and their products and then make an informed decision and buy the kit that has proved to be helpful.

If some of the people around you have used these kits in the past, then you can talk to them and let them give you their point of view on the specific types of kits, as well as the manufacturers. This will bring you one step closer towards choosing the perfect product. Of course, you can also find a lot of useful information online and those are certainly going to help you make the right decision. So, do your research and get the best whitening kit for you.

Baking Soda

Let us now get back to a method that requires you to do nothing more but use the products that you already have at home. I’m sure that this won’t be difficult for you to try, since you don’t really need to shop for anything in particular. Whether you knew this or not, baking soda is a rather popular ingredient contained in many commercial types of toothpaste. This means that you can easily use the baking soda you have at home in order to affect the color of your teeth.

Baking soda cannot only help scrub away the stains that you are bothered with, but it can also prevent bacteria from developing and growing, which means that it will have an overall great impact on your oral health. Keep in mind, though, that this ingredient won’t exactly whiten your teeth overnight. You will have to be persistent and patient, but you will surely notice the change for the better over time.

Now, the last thing that you have to remember is that you shouldn’t just pour baking soda on your toothbrush and try to brush that way. This would be rather ineffective and a complete waste of time. Instead, you can mix it with water and create a slightly firmer, gel-like substance that you can easily use to brush your teeth with. Doing this a couple of times a week should be enough to help you get the results you want.

Hydrogen Peroxide

I suppose you are already aware of the effects that hydrogen peroxide can have on the appearance of your teeth. In fact, this substance is known to be contained in most whitening products out there. If you aren’t keen on using those particular products, you can easily get yourself hydrogen peroxide at home and work towards removing the stains your own way with the help of this product. Here’s how you can do it.

For starters, you can just buy hydrogen peroxide and use it as mouthwash. It would be wise to mix it with water, so that you dilute the solution you can get at a drugstore, since it might be a bit stronger than you need it to be. In addition to doing this, you can also mix hydrogen peroxide, water and baking soda together and make your own toothpaste that will definitely help you whiten your teeth at home (additional info) and get the smile that you want.

Certain Fruits And Vegetables

I have mentioned above that certain types of foods can actually cause your teeth to stain, but here’s the thing. There are also some ingredients that can actually help you whiten them. Those include certain fruits and vegetables, with strawberries and pineapples being the most popular options that are claimed to be able to whiten your teeth. Including these in your diet will also be useful for your overall, and not just your oral, health.

Flossing

While brushing is something that everybody does, some people tend to neglect or underestimate the importance of flossing. Don’t be one of those people. Flossing can help you prevent plaque buildup and get rid of the bacteria in your mouth, which certainly plays a huge part in the teeth whitening process.

Important Tips When Vacationing with Your Special Someone

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Traveling is an enjoyable activity, most especially if you are with the one you love. Sunrises and sunsets become more beautiful, the food seemingly tastes better, and any cultural barriers become more of an experience to laugh at than an irritant.

So, all your custom research papers are written, vacation is about to start, your clothes are ready and tickets are waiting for you to take them and go. But if you are together and unprepared, things might not go the way you planned. Here are some things to consider when vacationing with your special someone.

#1 Agree upon what you’d like to do together

A common source of conflict when vacationing together is that one person is dictating the terms. He or she says what tourist sites they will visit, where they will eat, what souvenirs to buy, and even what time of the day they will do all these things. While the other partner may give in at first, it eventually becomes a pain.

Instead, the couple should discuss what they’d like to do together before going on the trip, including possible dos and don’ts. While spontaneity can be fun and romantic, if your partner is really against doing something (swimming with the sharks, jumping out of a plane, or eating scorpions), then there should be no reason to force them.

#2 Be patient when difficulties crop up

When traveling, difficulties of some sort usually crop up, such as misplacing your tickets, leaving the cellphone charger at the hotel, or forgetting to pick something up on your supply run at the local store. It is important to stay patient. Snapping at each other over such minor inconveniences will ruin the mood for your trip.

This patience is also necessary when dealing with the locals. Cultural and language differences may cause you to become impatient. But dealing rudely with them may get you into further trouble, or it may even irritate your partner who just wants to have a good time.

#3 Give each other space

Even in your locale, it is important to give one another space.

This is also true when visiting a new place. If the place is safe, it is good to allow one another to explore the area alone for a time. If not that safe, then give one another time to lounge alone, read a magazine, or even watch a favorite show. You will find that after some alone time, you and your partner will be ready to enjoy things together again.

#4 Enjoy your time together

A vacation together is supposed to strengthen your bond as a couple. So ensure that you are both having fun. That’s why it is inadvisable to bring work with you as much as possible.

If you notice that one of you is not enjoying the trip, find ways to make it more fun. Think of what you can both do to bring more life to your trip. It could be visiting something not on your itinerary, having a coffee at a local café, or just watching the sunset together.

Summary

It’s a blessing to have the chance to travel together. Take advantage of such time, and make it enjoyable by considering the tips above.

Has eSports Become a Part of Pop Culture?

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A couple of decades ago, when video games burst into the mainstream audience for good, everyone could have guessed that gaming would soon become an important part of the entertainment industry. But what no one could have predicted is just how popular it would become not to play video games yourself, but to watch other people play. So popular in fact, that competitive video gaming, i.e. eSports, has slowly but steadily grown to become an important part of pop culture. But how and why did eSports gain so much momentum?

eSports expand their reach into the mainstream audience

When the first organized competitive gaming tournaments emerged where professional players vie for a prize, analysts very aptly dubbed the new practice “eSports”. And research reported by the Influencer Marketing Hub reveals that this new industry has quickly expanded its appeal and gained unprecedented growth. In 2017, eSports reached an audience of 335 million viewers, which climbed to 380 million in 2018. It is now estimated that until 2021 that number will reach roughly 557 million, exhibiting an annual growth rate of 14%. Out of those, 250 million will be regular viewers but another 307 million will be casual spectators. This means that casual viewers will constitute the majority of the eSports audience.

Furthermore, according to the same source, even people who do not watch eSports have still heard of them. In 2015, an impressive 800,000 people were aware of the industry. But a year later, over a billion people have reportedly heard of eSports – a jaw-dropping growth. In 2019 alone, eSports awareness was estimated to have reached 1.57 billion people around the world. The combination of these two facts, i.e. the number of casual viewers and the tremendous growth in awareness, lead us to the conclusion that eSports has now become an important part of pop culture.

How eSports became a part of pop culture

But if you want even more proof, just take a closer look at eSports betting. That’s right: betting sites now consider eSports as a sub-category of the traditional realm of sports betting, and punters can place wagers on the biggest eSports tournament just like they would on the NBA finals or the Super Bowl. It is no surprise, when you consider the hype surrounding the biggest eSports competitions. In 2019, the League of Legends World Championship gathered an audience of almost 4 million viewers, and the Fortnite World Cup Finals amassed an impressive 2.3 million. Speaking of Fortnite, it is perhaps the game that best encapsulates how video gaming and eSports are now part of pop culture in their own right.

Who could forget the iconic and hilarious scene in Avengers: Endgame that saw Thor compete against “Noobmaster69” on Fortnite? Just like people are still not over the live concert series that now takes place within the Fortnite game. Travis Scott was the first to take the leap of faith and performed virtually to raving reviews. Now, the digital concerts continue, with J Balvin reportedly set to headline the Fortnite Halloween Concert series, in a perfect blend of these divergent strands of pop culture that has had audiences going wild. Much like the music industry, other sectors have realized the potential of eSports and gaming that allows them to reach to a wider audience and are jumping at the chance. For example, Oakley has already announced that they would launch a new type of lenses specifically designed for gaming.

If we want to understand better how eSports have so quickly become a part of pop culture, we also need to look at the channels that enabled them to connect with their audience. Millennials are now in their 20s and 30s, and they have grown up in an increasingly digital world. Watching their favorite gamers play live on Twitch or YouTube, and interacting with them on chat or social media was an organic way for them to connect. Steven Spielberg’s recent blockbuster Ready Player One took the concept one step further. In a dystopian future, taking place in a VR gaming tournament has become the one shot its protagonist has at fixing everything wrong with the world – competitive gaming has somehow turned into something more real than real life itself.

For the young adults that are right now the driving force behind market trends, and are shaping pop culture, eSports are an integral part of life and culture.

Sportsbooks favor LeBron and the Lakers to go back-to-back

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The Los Angeles Lakers ended their decade-long wait for a 17th NBA Championship in October and with LeBron James and Anthony Davis set for another year in LA, they are favorites with the bookmakers to win another title in 2021.

Frank Vogel’s team is priced at +350 to surpass the record of 17 chips which they share with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics fell to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals this year, but could certainly go one better next time around.

Boston is +1400 with Bet365 to win their 18th championship which, considering there are some +800 numbers out there, might be considered very generous odds.

But as far as the biggest challenger to the Lakers is concerned, they can look a bit closer to home at the Los Angeles Clippers. It remains to be seen what happens to their roster with Ty Lue taking over the reins as coach, but Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are expected to stay put.

The Clippers, who at various points during last season were favorites for the title, are +550 to make up for what was ultimately a disappointing 2019-20 campaign.

Fans of the Milwaukee Bucks were also underwhelmed with how things panned out despite another MVP season for Giannis Antetokounmpo. A 4-1 series defeat by Miami in the Conference Semifinals was not in the script, and with one year left on the Greek Freak’s contract, the Bucks are a best price of +650 to triumph 50 years on from their one and only championship win.

Injuries to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, coupled with the departure of Kevin Durant, meant that the Golden State Warriors took a year off from title contention but they are +800 to come back firing next season with what would be their fourth chip under coach Steve Kerr.

Golden State has the second overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, and whether they grab a highly-rated rookie or trade it away in a win-now move, they are a force to be reckoned with in 2020-21.

Another team many anticipate great things from is the Brooklyn Nets, who the sportsbooks seem to be having a tough time pricing up. Some betting sites have them at +600, but others have gone as big as +1200 which is surely too big for a roster that boasts two former NBA All-Star Game MVPs in the shape of Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Nets were swept by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs last time out, but the plan was always for 2020-21 to be the year in which they make a proper run at it.

Not many predicted that Miami would make it all the way to the finals and come close to denying their former star, James, but a heroic team effort led by Jimmy Butler saw them completely surpass expectations. Repeating that is a tall order, but +1600 is a more than fair price.

At +2000 is the Toronto Raptors, while the Denver Nuggets can be snapped up at +2500 and the Dallas Mavericks are +2800 if you shop around. Each of those teams has plenty of potential and star power – it’s just a case of putting it all together.

It’s surprising to see the Houston Rockets as big as +3000, and likewise the Philadelphia 76ers at +4000, but in such a competitive league, they are perhaps a bit off the pace.

The campaign will begin in late December at the earliest, and the regular season may be shortened so that the normal October-June timeframe can be in-play for 2021-22.

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A Very Sperry Fall

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By: Armon Hayes

“A wet deck was such a dangerous thing” said Paul Sperry.

Sperry is the story of an iconic American brand. Fashion and sustainability has been rooted within the brand since 1934, when Paul Sperry fell off the deck of his sailboat. He set out to design a non-slip boat shoe, which led to the birth of an array of styles that would accommodate lifestyles and seasons to come. For men, women, and children, he inspired everyone to find common ground.

Inspired by his dog’s grooved paws, which never seemed to slip, he carved grooves into a rubber sole then glued that to a canvas upper. The lugged rubber outsole with molded Wave-Siping™ known as the mother of invention provides no-slip traction. It has become an iconic American shoe, with partnerships in style with artists like John Legend. As of late, in celebration of 85 years of Sperry’s iconic and true innovation, and preparing for the fall season, I highly recommend their Avenue Duck boots. It serves as the quintessential item for a forever changing environment.

I chose the tan/brown, which fits true to size built with essential features and quality materials to provide comfort and sure footing in any conditions. Therefore, I spend less time worrying about the climate while spending more time enjoying each experience in #sperrystyle

Ready for anything, the Men’s Avenue Wool Duck boot is moderately priced at $109.95 and is available in Tan/Brown, Grey/Black, Olive/Brown and solid Brown. Four options thoughtfully designed with contrasting wool details adding texture and durability to such a fashionable shoe.

Key features include:

The lightweight duck boot that’s ready for anything. Looking for variety, also try the Saltwater Duck boot for Men, Women’s &Kids.
Waterproof EVA shell and premium wool upper keeps feet dry and warm in wintry conditions.
Non-marking, lugged rubber outsole with molded Wave-Siping™ provides no-slip traction.

So, no longer will you let cold temperatures and stormy skies stop you from embarking on your next journey. Take on the elements in Sperry boots designed to withstand wet weather and rugged terrain. So, you can worry less on how to keep it chic without shuffling aside your needs or, of course, safety.