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It's Not Too Late To Get Free Queso At Chipotle & All You Gotta Do Is Dress 'Cheesey'

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Free queso is being offered at Chipotle on Tuesday (Dec 12) — and all you have to do is wear your cheesiest sweater. According to the chain’s website, at participating locations tomorrow, the cheesy-dip will be served for no addition charge with the purchase of a regular-priced entrée to folks who dress "cheesy." (Whatever the heck that means.)

“[W]e’ll hook you up with FREE QUESO on your entrée when you buy a burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos,” the website said. “What do we mean by cheesy, you ask? Well, just like your burrito order, it’s what you make of it. (Surprise us.)”

Hey, if you wear your cheesiest sweater to Chipotle on Tuesday, December 12th, we’ll hook you up with FREE QUESO when you buy an entrée. Check it out: https://t.co/ttuKVrjlZtpic.twitter.com/Uz3wDSKs66

— Chipotle (@ChipotleTweets) December 6, 2017

Chipotle hasn’t had the best run with its attempts at queso. Customers went to Twitter to call the all-natural dip anything from “gritty” to tasting “like crayons” after the first batch came out in September. There was even one tweet with a video of a lady throwing out the queso, captioned “the best way to eat Chipotle queso…”

The company responded to a few of the displeased customers, stating that their queso is different because of the use of only real ingredients and that they “like that difference.” But Chipotle had promised to “keep working on it,” in a tweet from September. And they seemed to have. They went behind the scenes and changed their recipe—and it’s apparently for the better.

"Back when we first launched queso, we said we'd continue to tweak the recipe, and that's exactly what we've done," a Chipotle spokesperson told The Daily Meal. "Chipotle's queso is creamier but still has a really delicious flavor and is still made with all real ingredients."

According to the test-tasters, the new queso recipe is “substantially less grainy” and has an “even, overall heat.”

This is all in the wake of Chipotle trying to regain its customers’ trust from its numerous, multi-state E. coli outbreak within the past two years. The offer is good for in-restaurant orders only and may be used once per customer. Happy cheesing!


Wait, So Apparently We've All Been Using Escalators Wrong This Whole Time?

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You know that feeling you get when you see someone walk past you on an escalator? The feeling that you’re a lazy bum? Turns out you’re not lazy, you’re just correctly using the escalator.

According toThe Guardian, the practice of using the left side of the escalator solely for walking increases the amount of people waiting and slows down the entire riding process.So, the amount of time the person who passed you would take to walk up/down the escalator had already been wasted waiting in line to get on. However, if all passengers stood on both sides of the escalator, there would be less congestion at the entrance, reducing the total amount of time it took to use the escalator. No need to run to get to work on time!

via GIPHY

Some specific calculations were done at a particularly congested commuter entrance at the Holborn station in London, which over 56 million passengers use every year: It turned out that if riders stood on both the right and left sides of the escalator, 31 more passengers, or 28%, would be able to get on the escalator per minute, especially since more riders of the riders were less willing to walk and were more likely to stand.

This new process was implemented at the Holborn station between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., peak commuting hours.But the commuters weren’t too keen on it...after being told to stand still on the left side, one rider flipped staff off, and many complained that it was “terrible”, “loopy,” “crap”, “ridiculous”, and just a “very bad idea.”In fact, 18 people called it stupid in one hour, says The Guardian. Maybe in a few years we’ll all have adopted the practice and it’ll feel more normal.

The real question is will this prompt the creation of an escalator just for those who need to walk? Or maybe more people will end up using the stairs—but what are the odds of that happening?

10 Beauty Products You Need If You Have Dry Skin

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The Game of Thrones motto, “winter is coming,” is more than just a catchy meme or trendy caption for your Instagram. It’s also the thought tons of women have in the weeks leading up to colder weather for one looming reason: it means their dry skin is going to get even drier. Even if you aren’t predisposed to dry skin year-round, experiencing rosier skin-coloring or chapped lips is pretty common during the winter months. Get ahead of the season with these product recommendations that college students swear by!

1. Pearlessence Balancing Facial Oil, Argan + Vitamin E

If your skin is in dire need of extra hydration, opt for this hydrating oil that restores moisture to depleted, dry skin. Arizona State University student Marisa Pieper uses this everyday before bed and under her makeup, “It makes my skin smooth without that feeling of excess product, says Pieper. This oil is a great way to add additional moisture without the heavy feeling that can sometimes accompany thick creams, and will leave your face feeling naturally radiant and quenched.

2. Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil

This face oil is perfect for all skin types, whether you have super dry or super oily skin. If you’ve noticed your skin looking uneven or particularly dull, then this will be your new go-to. It’s ingredients; certified organic noni extract, rosehip oil, pomegranate oil and sea buckthorn oil, ensure fast absorption into dry skin and a softer, smoother feel. Lia Fatica, a junior at Pennsylvania State University, can’t live without this product, “I use it before bed and wake up with my skin feeling so more smoother!” she says. Waking up with a fresh face makes every morning routine that much easier. 

3. Lancôme’s Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Face Cream

There’s nothing worse than walking to class through strong gusts of wind while knowing that it’s causing your already-dry-skin to become that much drier. If you’re always trying to protect your skin from harsh weather, then this Lancôme moisturizer is perfect for you. It’s one of Sephora’s top-rated moisturizers because of its ability to protect your skin from unwanted environmental stressors. 

4Créme de la Mer

If your skin is in need of some intense rejuvenation, the Créme de la Mer can help. It’s formula is made using the brand’s nutrient-rich Miracle Broth, which promises to improve fine lines and wrinkles while hydrating the skin for a more youthful look. University of South Carolina Senior Abby Givens likes this product for the winter, "It doesn’t make my skin oily and fills in the lines on my face,” said Givens. You better save up though, because just 1 oz. of this will run you $170. 

5. Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Lotion

Cetaphil’s moisturizer is a great product for students who are on a budget. It works to protect and enhance the skin’s natural moisture while simultaneously replenishing sensitive or very dry skin. Senior Morgan Wilkinson from the University of South Carolina swears by this daily moisturizer: “I’ve re-bought it so many times, I just love it,” she says. Plus, you can buy this product almost everywhere, including drug stores, Target and places like Sephora and Ulta.

6. Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Aside from providing coverage from outside factors, like winter weather, for up to 24 hours, this moisturizer also restores the skin’s natural pH balance thanks to the main ingredient, oatmeal. Addie Jonas, a senior at Drexel University, swears by this product. “It smells a little bit weird, but it works the best for my skin," says Jonas. "I use it all the time.” So whether you’re an oatmeal lover, or just crave smooth, hydrated skin, this is the product for you!

7. H2O+ AquaDefense Matcha Essence

This spritz is the perfect addition to your daily moisturizer for some much-needed hydration throughout the day. Voted as one of Allure’s Best of Beauty winners, the H20+ AquaDefence Matcha Essence creates an invisible barrier between your skin and the toxins around it. It also minimizes the appearance of pores, so it’s definitely a must-but. 

8. Clarins's Multi-Active Day Cream SPF 20

If you’re looking for a moisturizer that treats a variety of problems, this day cream is your best bet. Plus, it comes with varying degrees of SPF, so you can pick out the amount you’d prefer. “I love that it has SPF in it because it’s easy to forget about that in the winter,” said University of South Carolina senior Reilly Tuccinard. She also tells us that “a little goes a long way,” which is great if you’re not a fan of having to re-buy products often.  

9. Estee Lauder’s NightWear Plus 3-Minute Detox Mask

This Estee Lauder mask dries in minutes and works to draw out the skin’s impurities for a fresher, clearer complexion. It also works to diminish pores by absorbing any toxins or debris that have accumulated. Next time you have a few minutes, relax and treat your skin with this quick face mask. 

10. Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar

This multitasking moisturizer was originally created for medical professionals in order to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration and dehydration, but it's available at Ulta or Sephora for less than $40. The serum contains alpha hydroxy acids, works to improve skin, leaving the skin feeling smoother and more hydrated. 

Don’t let the winter weather dry out your skin once again; choose from any of these products and trick your skin into thinking it's still summer!

Chrissy Teigen Gave Us a Glimpse of Her Bare Baby Bump on Snapchat & We're Feeling ~Blessed~

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Since announcing her pregnancy with her and John Legend's second child late last month, Chrissy Teigen has been ~blessing~ the red carpet and her Instagram with some seriously amazing maternity style moments— but on Monday, the model took to Snapchat to show off an adorable first glimpse of her bare baby bump.

In the video, Chrissy can be seen with her plaid shirt dress half unbuttoned to reveal her growing baby bump. At first, when she's facing the mirror, it's a big difficult to see — but when she turns to the side for a profile view, things definitely look a lot more obvious.

“It doesn’t look like anything from here," she says in the video before turning. "But then you go here…"

It's truly adorable how excited Chrissy is to show off her second pregnancy on social media. While she and John were in Oslo, Norway for the Nobel Peace Prize banquet, Chrissy and her baby bump served yet another ~lewk~ on Instagram, this time in a sparkly fuchsia gown, along with a hilarious caption referencing her well-known dislike for President Trump.

"#NobelPeacePrize banquet," she wrote. "Thank you for having us, Oslo! Congratulations and well deserved #ICAN! #bannuclearweapons #tinyhandsonbigbuttons."

LOL. Could we love her any more? (Spoiler: no.)

CNN's Jake Tapper Totally Shut Down Roy Moore's Campaign Spokesman When He Tried to Argue That Muslims Shouldn't Be Allowed in Congress

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All eyes are on Alabama as the state tallies up the votes in its special Senate election between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican (and accused child molester) Roy Moore. With that, CNN's Jake Tapper interviewed Ted Crockett, Moore's campaign manager on Tuesday evening — and as you might expect, things got very cringe-worthy very fast.

Among the many controversial statements Moore made prior to running for Congress, one was that the now-candidate believes that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to be members of Congress — when Tapper confronted Crockett about this statement, he quickly defended Moore.

"Because you have to swear on a Bible," Crockett says, when asked for clarification on Moore's statement. "I had to do it, and I'm an elected official three times. You have to swear on a Bible to be an elected official in the United States. He alleges that a Muslim cannot do that ethically." Say what?

And then came what might be the best moment in all of CNN's history when Jake Tapper completely shut down Crockett by reminding him that, yes, members of Congress can, in fact, swear on a religious text of their choosing when being sworn into Congress.

"The law is not that you have to swear on a Christian Bible. That is not the law," Tapper says prompting an awkward, seven-second-long blank stare silence on Crockett's end — and, just, LOL.

As the Huffington Post points out, Article VI, clause three of the Constitution blatantly says that, while all Senators and Representatives are required to take an oath, "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim member of the House of Representatives, was sworn in with his hand placed on a Quaran that was once owned by Thomas Jefferson — and some lawmakers have even chosen to forgo religion altogether in favor of placing their hands on the Constitution instead of a religious text.

Meanwhile, I'll just be over here watching the clip on endless loop for the rest of the night and hoping that Alabama voters make the right choice — because TBH, the only way this would be funnier is if these people weren't on the verge of possibly running the country.

Democrat Doug Jones Has Defeated Roy Moore in Alabama's Special Senate Election

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In Alabama's special Senate election on Tuesday night, Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore, becoming the state's first Democratic senator in 25 years after a controversial campaign in which Moore continued to stay in the race despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against him, the New York Times reports.

The election was a high stakes one for both Democrats and Republicans, as Republicans attempt to pass their tax bill, which the Senate will likely vote on next week. Following Alabama's election, Republicans will only narrowly continue to hold a majority in the Senate, 51 to 49. Jones's win could also pave the way to a majority in Congress for Democrats in the 2018 elections next year.

Moore was endorsed by President Trump, who rallied behind him throughout his campaign, often defending Roy Moore against allegations that he sexually assaulted women as young as 14. At one point last week, he even went as far as to basically place greater importance on passing the GOP tax bill over the multiple allegations against Moore.

As the Huffington Post points out, despite the fact that Trump originally supported his opponent in the state primaries, Moore's campaign mirrored Trump's 2016 presidential campaign in many ways. He refused to step down even as allegations against him came out, and he frequently accused the media for fabricating those allegations against him. (Sound familiar?)

In contrast, Jones is known for being the U.S. attorney who prosecuted Klu Klux Klan members in 1963 after they bombed a church and killed four young African-American girls.

The loss will be a difficult one for the GOP, who have typically counted on Alabama as a "red" state. Thankfully, voters used the election to send a message that someone who has been accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct does not belong in Congress. If only the same message could also reach the White House.

Why You Need to Start Using a Face Oil

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Face oil has been taking the beauty industry by storm as a multi-use product. While it's commonly known to be used as an effective makeup remover, it has recently earned praise for being a healthy moisturizer as well as a gentle cleanser. Everyone from celebrities and dermatologists to average collegiettes uses this beauty hack, but how do you know when (or how) you should use face oil? We're here to break down the benefits, costs and uses for all types of face oils—even the ones you may not have known existed.

Why should you use face oils?

According to Dr. Debra Jaliman , assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules, “the benefits of using facial oils are that they are moisturizing and many contain antioxidants. If you’re using anti-aging products, they can prevent some of the irritation caused by these products.”

Face oils are able to absorb into the skin faster and more effectively than a cream or gel moisturizer. While over-the-counter moisturizers typically contain a mixture of oil and water, face oils are purer and are able to penetrate the surface of the skin in a quicker and gentler way.

How much do face oils cost?

“Coconut oil is probably the least expensive oil to take out of the jar and use on your skin,” says Jaliman.  “It’s when these oils are made into a skin product that they become more expensive.”

Jaliman says that many oils that can be used on your face can be found at the grocery store. One example is olive oil, an inexpensive product that can be used as an effective makeup remover, as it's able to cling to oil-based products, like eye makeup, on your skin. And if you're looking to find a face oil with extra health benefits and are willing to spend more money, try an oil chock-full of antioxidants (to repair and protect skin cells while maintaining your youthful glow) like grape seed oil. “Grape seed oils are more expensive because they contain a high concentration of antioxidants,” Jaliman notes.

Some well-known brands also offer face oils for those who are willing to invest in more high-end beauty products. Bridget Higgins, a sophomore at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, picked up a pricier oil to use as a moisturizer.“I use Tarte Maracuja Oil ($48, tartecosmetics.com) for my face and it’s so much more moisturizing and nonirritating than lotion in my opinion,” she says. “It makes your face look so much brighter!”

So, there are a wide variety of options for every collegiette’s budget, meaning face oil doesn’t have to be just for the rich and famous; you can try it yourself by spending anywhere from $5 to $50 and still get great results!

Related: 5 Mistakes You're Probably Making When Washing Your Face

How can you use face oils?

As a moisturizer:

You know that gross, sticky feeling that comes with using a thick cream moisturizer on your face when you are experiencing super dry skin? Well, oil may just be your new best friend. While many people think that oil can turn dry skin into greasy skin, it can actually leave you with a moisturized, healthy glow! By using an oil (such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or vitamin E oil) on your face, you can eliminate that feeling of dryness while also avoiding rubbing a thick and sticky moisturizer all over.  

Courtney Klauber, a graduate of Rowan University, says she uses vitamin E oil to moisturize her skin. “It's great because it's lightweight, prevents and heals any discoloration or scars from acne or any other marks, it never makes me break out and it helps with my dry skin,” she says. “I've also used organic Moroccan oil as well on my face and it made my skin really smooth and evens out my pores.” 

To use an oil as a moisturizer, simply soak a cotton round in the oil and apply the desired amount to your face as needed.

As a makeup remover or cleanser:

When you think of oil, you probably imagine the type you are trying to get rid of, like that pesky variety that shows up on your skin midday. But believe it or not, oils such as jojoba oil and coconut oil are wonderful makeup removers and cleansers that can be used to effectively and easily get rid of that unwanted oil, while also removing dirt and makeup! 

Dani Kluss, a sophomore at California Lutheran University, describes why coconut oil works the best for her. “The organic coconut oil naturally [combated] the oil that my skin produced, which solved a lot of my problems,” she says. But how does it work? Apparently, face oil can be used to combat naturally occurring oil by restoring the balance of your skin in order to slow down oil production. However, Jaliman cautions that she does not recommend using too much oil on oily skin, as overuse may clog pores or even make acne worse in cases of excessive use.

Nonetheless, “using coconut oil as a makeup remover has many perks,” says Kluss. “It softens and moisturizes skin, doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, is super effective and easy to use. Organic Coconut Oil works fantastically as a natural makeup remover to remove makeup instantly and effectively.”

Coconut oil often comes in a solid form, and the way it is used varies by personal preference. If you prefer to use your hands when moisturizing or removing makeup, use a spoon to scoop a small amount of coconut oil onto your hands and slowly warm the product with your fingers before gently applying it to your skin or eye area. You can also use coconut oil on a cotton round by scooping a small amount into a bowl and microwaving it for a few seconds until it adopts a liquid form. Let it cool before soaking a cotton round in the oil and then use as desired!

As an antioxidant booster:

Sometimes, your skin is just begging for nutrients, and one way to provide your skin with what it needs is through using an antioxidant-rich oil. Argan oil, borage seed oil, cranberry seed oil, rosehip oil and seaberry (or Sea Buckthorn) oil are all rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial for your skin. Why? Antioxidants form a complex with free radicals in order to prevent damage to the collagen and elastic tissues in your skin, causing you to appear more youthful and radiant, says Jaliman. 

Sydney Brodie, a senior at the University of Florida, uses antioxidant-rich rosehip oil habitually. “It's totally changed my skin!” she says. “My skin tone has really evened out and I definitely wake up every morning with a glow. It's also helped the hormonal breakouts I used to get on my chin.” 

And because rosehip oil is so rich with beneficial antioxidants, it can help with anti-aging by improving the overall appearance of the skin, including reducing fine lines. Rosehip oil also contains fatty acids that are essential to skin health and can be used as a healthy addition to your skincare routine in order to prevent blemishes from emerging and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Let it be known, however, that if you choose to use rosehip oil, you may have to adapt to the distinct and sometimes off-putting scent.

To use an antioxidant-rich oil, simply apply the oil to the face as needed, using a cotton round or cotton swab for larger or smaller affected areas, respectively. 

So, whether you're trying to improve the appearance of your skin, moisturize or simply effectively remove makeup, oil may be the best decision you've ever made. Select a budget and a desired result and try any of these oils to supplement your skincare routine—it's about time you took advantage of this incredible beauty obsession!

How She Got There: Ann Mashburn, Chief Creative Officer at Mashburn

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Name: Ann Mashburn
Job Title and Description: Chief Creative Officer, Mashburn
College Name/Major: The University of Colorado Boulder, Business
Website: www.annmashburn.com
Twitter Handle: @SidAnnMashburn 
Instagram Handle: @sidandannmashburn 

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day? 

AM: A typical day is that it is not a typical day!  Having your own business means you wear a lot of hats. That being said, my actual title is Chief Creative Officer. I end up doing a lot of work on directing and ideating the creative assets we have for email campaigns and website. As head of my design label, I spend at least a part of every day in fit meetings, concept meetings, I travel for work all over. I visit stores in our other cities, go to New York for market and PR appointments – go to Europe to source fabric and factories. I spend a lot of time on the business side of things discussing sales and business strategy as well.

What is the best part of your job?  

AM: As I said above, the best part is wearing a lot of hats! I get to use the creative and business side of my head, and that is amazing. Truly though, one of my favorite parts of my job is working with my daughters. A few of my five girls work with us and it is so wonderful...working with my husband is harder!

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it? 

AM: I worked as the assistant to the Fashion Editor of Vogue, Polly Mellen in the '80s. I got it like every other Conde Nast fashion assistant did––by taking the typing test and interviewing!

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable? 

AM: "Check your work and check it again." 

"On time is late and early is on time."

"Stay later and get there earlier." 

The thing I heard Polly say the most is stuck in my head forever. “Run!"

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it? 

AM: I think I assumed too much in thinking that other people were doing their job. If someone told me they were sending something, or had packed something for me for a photo shoot, I smiled and went on my way. When I arrived at the shoot, to find no stockings or mismatched shoes it became MY problem and had very bad consequences. I thought I was hurting people’s feelings by not trusting them. In the end, it was my responsibility to deliver – and you usually have to check to make sure things are done well until you develop a real trust.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far? 

AM: Shaving the armpits of a very beautiful German actress before a photo shoot. She claimed she did not know how!

What do you look for when considering hiring someone? 

AM: I try to ask questions to make sure the person is curious and thinks in big picture. Someone who doesn’t just do “their" job, but someone who can add and notice when we can all do things better. 

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations? 

AM: Start working. Don’t be too choosy about diving into something, even if it is not your dream job. Just get the experience and keep asking questions and one thing will lead to the next.

What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume? 

AM: I always notice when people have service oriented work on their resume. Waitressing is fantastic! I love that.


HC Wake-Up Call: New York Subway Bomb Suspect Says Trump 'Failed to Protect' the US, Mom Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight for Breastfeeding & Instagram Now Lets You Follow Hashtags

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Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Subway Bomber Says Trump "Failed to Protect" the US

As police have been investigating the man who was accused of injuring four in a New York City subway station on Monday when he strapped a pipe bomb to himself, more information about his motive for the attack are coming to light. Authorities say Akayed Ullah, who has been charged with five federal counts, made a post on Facebook on his way to detonate the bomb in which he said, "Trump you failed to protect your nation." Ullah also reportedly told authorities from his hospital bed that carried out the attack on behalf of the Islamic State.

Mom Says She Was Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight for Breastfeeding

A Houston woman is claiming she was kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight last week because she was breastfeeding her son. Mei Rui, a cancer researcher who was on her way from Houston to New York to participate in a clinical cancer study, says she started to breastfeed her baby on the plane before the cabin door was closed. According to KHOU, flight attendants allegedly asked the woman to stop so the plane could take off, but Rui asked for a few more minutes to finish so her son wouldn't wake up. Rui then filmed both she and her son being kicked off the plane — and in the video, airline officials seem to refuse to provide her with a reason for her removal from the flight, other than her "refusal to be compliant." Hmmm...

You Can Now Follow Hashtags on Instagram

On Tuesday, Instagram released a game-changing update: in addition to being able to follow users, you can now follow your favorite hashtags. To do this, all you have to do is search for a hashtag and tap the new blue "follow" button at the top of the page, which will cause top posts from that hashtag to appear in your feed. Don't worry about getting your hashtag follows mixed in with your account follows, though — Insta has also conveniently separated the two on your following list, as shown below:

What to look out for...

The latest Star Wars film, The Last Jedi, is set to be released this Friday — and considering the amazing reviews it's already getting from critics, we already know what our Friday night plans are.

Joe Keery Says He'll Shave His Head If David Harbour Wins a Golden Globe for 'Stranger Things'& Fans Are Devastated

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There are many reasons we love Steve (a.k.a. Joe Keery) on Stranger Things. For one, he's earned the nickname "Dad Steve" for a reason, putting his own life at risk to protect the boys in the upside down, and adorably giving Dustin advice on everything from Dart to how to get the ladies. Oh, and he has great hair.

Knowing this, it's no surprise that the internet was collectively losing it yesterday over Keery's comment on Sheriff Jim Hopper — I mean, David Harbour's — Instagram celebrating his Golden Globe nomination for playing the character.

"I tip my hat to you @goldenglobes for the nomination," Harbour captioned the post, featuring him in a holiday sweater that is definitely Sheriff Hopper-approved. "My Christmas present came early this year. You got me feeling all the holiday feels."

As Refinery 29 noticed, Keery responded with a devastating comment. "If you win David the Duffer's [sic] get to shave my head."

Um, excuse me but WHAT? I, along with thousands of other Stranger Things fans, definitely did not agree to this arrangement. As the comments section following Keery's comment would indicate, fans are already mourning the possible loss of Keery's hair.

"Shave your head and I'll sue," one commenter wrote, basically summing up our feelings about the whole thing. Joe, please don't do this to us — it would truly be a tragedy.

Tinder's New Feature Lets You Reconnect With The Matches You Thought You'd Lost Forever

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On its app store description, Tinder boasts that “with 20 billion matches to date, Tinder is the world's most popular app for meeting new people. Think of us as your most dependable wingman.” It looks like our wingman is stepping up its game once again, as Tinder announces that it will be introducing a new feature called Feed.

Feed is a page of Tinder that will feature all of the people with whom you’ve matched–yes, even that hot guy from last summer who you never got around to meeting up with. The Feed page will look similar to an Instagram feed, but instead of showing you the posts from people you follow on Instagram, you’ll see updates from the people you’ve matched with on Tinder. These updates include Instagram photos, top Spotify Artists and Anthems, and new Tinder photos. You can then reply to your match’s feed updates, and start up a conversation.

Tinder’s blog describes it as, “An exciting new way to see more of what someone is all about by giving you a true glimpse into their world—their passions, their personality, their latest adventure—all leading to better conversations and deeper connections.”

Mary*, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, is hesitant about the feature: “I just don’t feel like I’m going to look at the Feed that much. It feels creepy. I don’t want to know about my Tinder matches on that personal of a level.”

“If I want to follow them on Instagram and Spotify, I’ll just follow them on Instagram and Spotify," Carly*, also a sophomore at the University of Michigan, agrees.

Regardless of how Feed ends up working out, it will be interesting to see all your matches' posts congregated in one place. Social media is definitely a great way to get a better feel for a person's personality.

Feed is currently being tested in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and there is not yet a set release date for the United States.

*Names have been changed to protect innocent online daters.

Merriam-Webster's Word Of The Year Is 'Feminism'& That Says A Lot About 2017

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2017 began with a Women’s March that was the largest single-day protest in United States history, and ended with the “Silence Breakers” who spoke out against sexual assault being named TIME’s Person of the Year. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year is "feminism."

“No one word can ever encapsulate all the news, events, or stories of a given year,” explained Peter Sokolowski, Editor at Large for Merriam-Webster, in a press release. “But when we look back at the past twelve months and combine an analysis of words that have been looked up much more frequently than during the previous year along with instances of intense spikes of interest because of news events, we see that one word stands out in both categories.”

Feminism is defined on Merriam-Webster as both “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” and “organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.” According to Washington Post, “lookups for the definition of feminism increased by 70 percent over last year” and “there were also several major spikes that coincide with major news events.”

The first of these news events occurred in January, when thousands of women attended the Women’s March following Donald Trump’s inauguration. During this march, women wore pink “pussy hats” in response to a leaked tape which caught Trump claiming to grab a woman by her private parts when he finds her attractive. Many also held signs that said “nasty woman,” as an ode to Trump’s referring to Hillary Clinton as a “nasty woman” during his campaign.

The 2017 definition of feminism is also huge on the concept of "intersectionality"— a term coined by black feminist scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the ways different kinds of oppression (like racial, class, gender, religion and sexuality) further marginalize vulnerable groups on systemic levels. On its website, the Women’s March stated that it “is committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect.”

Another spike in searches for “feminism” occurred when Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, claimed that she didn’t consider herself a feminist in “the classic sense.” She stated during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, “It’s difficult for me to call myself a feminist in the classic sense because it seems to be very anti-male and it certainly is very pro-abortion, and I’m neither anti-male or pro-abortion. So, there’s an individual feminism, if you will, that you make your own choices…. I look at myself as a product of my choices, not a victim of my circumstances.”

Such a statement led many people to wonder what exactly a feminist is and whether it really is “anti-male” and “pro-abortion.” Campaigns like UN Women’s He for She claim that feminism is intended to benefit men just as much as it benefits women, as it gives men the opportunity to express a full range of emotions because emotion is no longer associated with “femininity” and therefore “weakness”. In his TED Talk at TEDWomen 2017, Justin Baldoni challenged his listeners to “See if you can use the same qualities that you feel make you a man to go deeper. Your strength, your bravery, your toughness: Are you brave enough to be vulnerable? Are you strong enough to be sensitive? Are you confident enough to listen to the women in your life?"


As far as the Merriam-Webster definition of “feminism” goes, there is no mention of abortion, although it is undeniable that the vast majority of feminist organizations consider themselves to be strong proponents of women’s reproductive rights and the ability to access safe and legal medical procedures. 

In a press release, Merriam-Webster stated, “More recently, lookups of feminism have increased in conjunction with the many accounts of sexual assault and harassment in the news, the willingness of women to share similar stories using the #MeToo hashtag, and the breaking news regarding the resignations or terminations of the men charged or accused.” During the #MeToo movement, countless women shared that they, also, had been victims of sexual harassment or misconduct. This movement occurred in response to a news cycle that seemed to discover each day that another powerful man was, in fact, a sexual harasser. These men included feminists like Matt Lauer, democrats like Al Franken, republicans like Roy Moore, and all kinds of celebrities, like Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., and, of course, Harvey Weinstein. It became evident that our culture somehow makes it accepted for men to assault women, and feminism was presented as the solution for this problem.

The culmination of this feminist movement occurred when TIME announced that its 2017 Person of the Year is the Silence Breakers, or those who have spoken out against sexual assault. Far from coincidentally, the vast majority of these Silence Breakers are women. As TIME stated in its Person of the Year article, “This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries...These silence breakers have started a revolution of refusal, gathering strength by the day, and in the past two months alone, their collective anger has spurred immediate and shocking results.”

Although 2017 was far from perfect, it is pretty cool to think of how far we came in terms of women’s rights in just one year. We still have a long way to go, and hopefully one day “feminism” will drastically decline in searches, because gender equality has been attained and we no longer need a word for it. However, until that day, it’s important that people continue to educate themselves on what a feminist is — so shout-out to Merriam-Webster for keeping the conversation going.

After Reportedly Being Escorted Out Of The White House, Omarosa Has Resigned From The Trump Administration

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Early Wednesday morning White House press secretary Sarah Sanders released a statement that White House aide (and former contestant on "The Apprentice") Omarosa Manigault Newman plans to leave the White House next month, CNN reports.  Manigault Newman’s reason for leaving (on paper) is to pursue other opportunities — and her departure will be one year to the day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office.

It is not uncommon for an administration to see a string of departures from staff members, but the Trump administration has certainly had more than usual. Business Insider reports 14 members of President Trump’s staff have either been fired or resigned in the last year, making Manigault Newman the 15th to go. White House insiders are saying this is just the beginning, as CNN reports that President Donald Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser, Dina Powell will be leaving next month as well. 

While Manigault Newman is slated to stay on staff until January 20, 2018, the announcement this morning was anything but calm or professional. Cue White House correspondent and CNN political analyst, April D. Ryan’s Twitter updates.

According to Ryan’s Twitter page, General Kelly fired Manigault Newman and she responded by acting, “very vulgar and cursed a lot.” Minutes later Ryan tweeted, “According to multiple sources Omarosa did not resign. She was even escorted out of [t]he building and off campus.”  

 

 

 

 

While the White House has yet to make an official comment, we can certainly hold our breath for President Donald Trump’s tweet storm that might emerge soon. Until then, let us all take solace in at least one  informative, entertaining and properly punctuated Twitter feed. (Here's looking at you, Ryan.)

The 10 Best Things About Being An Introvert

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This article has been syndicated from Glamorously You, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

I know sometimes we introverts can be pretty hard on ourselves. We often have to face criticism, bullying and rudeness about our introverted nature, which can put a negative tone over our whole being. Take it from me, I didn’t start embracing myself completely until the past year or so, and I’m 22 years old! That was about 21 years of low confidence and sometimes even low self-esteem. It wasn’t until I learned more about myself that I discovered how awesome being an introvert really was. There were so many things I had never noticed about myself or passed off as nothing special that were just that – special. And all of those things can apply to you too!

In the spirit of the holiday season, I want to talk about the best things (or gifts!) that come with being an introvert. 

Inside My Sparkly Shell: The 10 Best Things About Being An Introvert

1. When we speak, people listen

We are often the quietest people at the table and sometimes people forget we’re even there. The great thing about that is that people will listen when we speak. They are usually pretty interested in what they’ll hear coming from the “mysterious, quiet one.” So take of advantage of this and let them hear you roar.

2. We don’t have to worry about getting in trouble for what we say

Something extroverts often have to deal with is diarrhea of the mouth. This is when they have no filter and say the first thing that comes to their mind. This gets them heard in social situations, but it is also the best way to offend people or say the wrong thing. Introverts, on the other hand, are so introspective and observant that we think (and sometimes overthink) about the things we want to say, often down to the exact wording we’ll use.

3. People are fascinated by us

Because we are so quiet, people are often fascinated by our nature.They want to know how we function and are always curious to hear what we have to say. Introverts aren’t usually attention-seekers, so this can make for an uncomfortable situation for us. Nonetheless, it’s always nice to have people who are interested in––rather than turned off––by us.

4. We are constantly beating people’s expectations 

Speaking of those who are turned off by us! There are some individuals out there who truly believe that being introverted is a weakness and will prevent any success in life. So, it’s always fun to prove these people wrong! Personally, I love public speaking and making presentations (evidence of my extroverted side). When I was in school, my teachers and fellow students were so surprised at my confidence in front of the crowd, which was always super satisfying.

Read the full post here

What Career Path You Should Take, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

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Are you struggling to figure out what career is the best for you? Have you changed you major so many times you have lost count? Maybe you just need to sit back, and let the stars guide you down the right path.

HC consulted Kelli Fox from The Astrologer's website to find out what careers work best for each zodiac sign! 

Aries (March 21 - April 19) 

According to Kelli Fox, “Headstrong, competitive Aries thrives in a dynamic occupation that makes use of your leadership skills.” Aries should not settle for jobs that do not challenge them. “A career that encourages you to be competitive allows you to bring your sharpest instincts forward,” says Fox. Aries succeed when they are in charge or are in a position of independence.

Fox says Aries “can thrive in a field like sales or real estate that allows you to put your enthusiasm to work; commission-based occupations also stimulate your drive to work harder and earn more than your colleagues. You’re a hero at heart and would enjoy any career that allows you to show your true colors, such as a police officer, paramedic, or rescue worker. You would also make an excellent politician because you possess sharp wits, competitive streak and strength of will needed for this difficult field.” So basically, either become a masked vigilante or the next POTUS, okay, Aries?

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Fox claims, “The Bull would do well in any career featuring tactile or sensory pleasures, such as a gourmet chef, a florist, a chocolatier or a potter, all of which benefit from a Taurus’s natural creativity and eye for aesthetics. When you become the next Willy Wonka, make sure we get a golden ticket, Taurus!

Fox goes on to say, “You might also love working in a bedding store specializing in fine linens, or a yarn store featuring gorgeous colors and all-natural fibers. You have excellent physical endurance and can excel at jobs requiring energy and stamina, including professional golfer or endurance athlete. Considering that many Taureans tend to be sedentary, a physical career can also be a real benefit to your health. Finally, a job that offers you good benefits and financial stability, such as a career in banking or real estate, could be quite fulfilling due to the comfortable lifestyle it affords you.” Wherever they end up, Taureans are sure to dedicate their heart and soul to their work!

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) 

According to Fox, Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. Now, this doesn't mean you have to be a comm major, Gemini. Rather, "Gemini is all about intellect - specifically, receiving and communicating ideas that are fascinating, hilarious or otherwise mentally stimulating." Gemini are inherently personable, witty, and sociable and should find a career that uses this to their advantage, such as "an event planner or owner of a bookstore, or a career in public relations." Whatever career path a Gemini chooses to take, it should definitely include words - either written or spoken - perhaps in the form of a "writer, librarian, journalist, singer or blogger, or even a politician." Hmm, we wonder how many of our HC bloggers are Geminis? 

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) 

Suprisingly, Fox does not claim that Cancers would do well as crab fisherman.

Instead she says, "Ruled by the emotional Moon, Cancer is a deeply feeling sign and a nurturer at heart." As a Cancer myself, I immediately thought that this meant that I was born to be a mom. It made me think back to every nurturing moment I have every demonstrated - comforting a friend who was going through a hard time, covering a friend's soup at dinner so it didn't get cold, even loving my dogs as though they are my children. Fox's prediction that Cancers would do well in any occupation in which they could support others, such as a teacher, therapist, social worker, homemaker, or nurse, suddenly made a lot of sense to me. Fox also says that Cancers are natural leaders and "possess the skills needed to be the head of anything from a volunteer soup kitchen to the human resources department at a large corporation - or, for that matter, the company's CEO." And all these years I thought I was just a control freak when I took the lead on group projects! 

Related: Here's Which Grey's Anatomy Character You Are, Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Leos love the limelight, according to Fox. “Stylish, passionate, dramatic and dynamic, Leo can thrive in any career that allows you to show others the bright, wonderful stuff you’re made of — especially if you can do so in the broader public eye. You’re made for any occupation that lets you get out into the spotlight, such as actor, musician or any other type of performer; director of a theater or dance troop; theater teacher or dance instructor; product spokesperson; or politician. As stylish, artistic and creative as you are, you’re also well cut out for a career as a visual artist, gallery curator, high-end boutique owner or manager, or interior decorator.”

If theater isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry, Leo. “Since you’re unusually charming and charismatic, you can also thrive in a leadership position; thus, you would make a passionate and effective CEO or political leader. You thrive on positive feedback from your colleagues or audience, so be sure to seek out a supportive work environment that brings out your best side.”

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) 

Fun fact: Virgo's Type-A personality can serve them well in the professional world. In describing Virgos, Fox says, Meticulous, detail-oriented Virgo is both keenly intellectual and highly service-minded. You thrive in a career that utilizes your facility with detail and organization, such as office manager, copyeditor or personal organizer, or one that allows you to put your keen critical faculties to use, such as restaurant critic, Health Department inspector, accountant, editor or detective." Needless to say, Virgos definitely aren't one for surprises - they need a consistent, dependable everyday job. Didn't Bella from Twilight exclaim that she was a Virgo to settle the whole vampire/werewolf thing? Her life definitely wasn't consistent and normal, that's for sure. Stephanie Meyer must not have consulted the stars before designing her character. 

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Libra is the social butterfly of the astrological universe, and needs a career that will let them put their socialization skills to the test. 

Fox says, “Ruled by Venus, the pleasure planet, sociable Libra knows just how to put people at ease and bring groups of individuals together in a pleasurable, harmonious way. You thrive in a career that utilizes these skills, such as a party, wedding or other event planner; head of a company’s human relations department; manager of a team of employees; or even international diplomat or ambassador." Libra is first and foremost a people person, and therefore might do well in a career such as retail, customer service, or restaurant host or waitress. In other words, jobs that might drive other people crazy, Libras would be well equipped to handle. 

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) 

Nothing is ever easy with you, Scorpio. 

In a word, Scorpios are complicated. In another word, they are complex. Scorpios have so many different skills and strengths that they could really succeed in any path they embark upon. Fox says that Scorpios are known for their emotional depth and drive to understand deeper truths, so I concluded that they should be philosophers, right? Not quite. Fox says Scorpios could "find great satisfaction in a career that draws upon these qualities, such as detective, therapist, counselor, physician, or nurse." In addition, Scorpios are not ones to run away from danger and they have an innate urge to help others, which makes them great candidates for careers as an ER doctor, a SWAT team member or bodyguard. 

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) 

The sign of the Archer, so clearly you should become Katniss Everdeen, right? Close. 

Always shooting for the stars, Fox says Sagittarius are seekers and adventurers. From her description of Sagittarius as being able to "thrive in a career that taps into your love of knowledge, experience, athleticism or the outdoors," I'm picturing a real-life Tarzan as a Sagittarius. Fox says these G.I. Jane types would succeed as an "adventure guide, travel writer, teacher, professor or coach." But even though Sagittarius women are born to explore, they have a clear moral compass to guide them there. Their strong ethical beliefs would suit them in a career in law enforcement, such as a judge, police officer, or attorney. 

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) 

Just think of Capricorn as the ladder-climber of the astrological universe. 

According to Fox, Capricorn is ambitious, dependable, and always seeking improvement. Fox warns that although Capricorns may be overworked, "as long as you're doing work you love, your dedication won't be in vain." Any career in which the Capricorn can see a fast-track of promotions to the top would be perfect for their excellent work ethic. Naturally competitive, Capricorns are focused on status and reputation, and are sure to hone their skills to "reach an important position of power" within their field. 

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) 

Keep on keeping on, Aquarius. 

Aquarius is naturally progressive, Fox says, and is always seeking to improve the status quo. Therefore, Fox says they would thrive as a "scientist, an inventor or the founder of an Internet startup company." Add in their natural humanitarian instincts and Fos says they could also enjoy a career as "an animal or human rights activist, a politcian, an organic farmer, a city planner, or an architect specializing in sustainable design." Fox adds that Aquarius is a people person who loves to be in a crowd, and therefore would make an excellent fundraiser or event planner. Whichever path Aquarius chooses, it should not be in a "stuffy corporate environment," as Aquarius needs to have plenty of autonomy and freedom to do their own thing. 

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) 

"In a world of pure imagination..."

Dreamy, creative Pisces lives in a world of the imagination. They may want to spend more time in fantasy than reality, according to Fox, which leads me to believe that Pisces would make a great writer. Fox says that Pisces love of illusion would make them a great children's book illustrator, magician, musician or visual artist, or photographer. Fox adds that Pisces have a way with animals as well as people and would "really enjoy working as an animal trainer, school counselor or social worker. In order to indulge Pisces' selfless side, Fox advises that they could also take on the role of "nurse, midwife or doula, verterinarian or therapist."

Horoscopes can be very helpful in dissecting your personality to find the perfect path - whether it be love, life, or career - that is right for you. Are you following the path that the stars set out for you? Let us know if we got it right in the comments below! 


It Seems Like There Might Be Some Bad Blood Between Selena Gomez's Family & Justin Bieber

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We already know that Justin Bieber's mom is a *huge* fan of his rumored girlfriend, Selena Gomez — but it sounds like Selena's family may not feel the same way toward Justin.

According to People, Selena's family seems less than thrilled that Jelena is back on again — which is likely why the couple will not be spending Christmas together this year.

"Justin’s family always loved Selena, but Selena’s family is still not happy about her seeing Justin," a source close to Justin and Selena told People. "Selena doesn't bring Justin to any family events. Selena is spending Christmas with her family. As of now, Justin is not invited."

Justin's lack of an invitation to the Gomez family's holiday celebrations could also just be part of Jelena's new low-key approach to their relationship this time around. After all, Selena also reportedly did not feel ready to bring Justin home for Thanksgiving this year either — which is totally understandable considering she only broke things off with The Weeknd just over a month ago.

Luckily though, it seems like Justin is taking the necessary steps to get himself back in Selena's fam's good graces. He is reportedly is trying to show Selena that he's changed and has become a different person throughout the years they've spent apart — so there's definitely still hope for a rekindled relationship, it just may take time.

Fans Are Very Confused Over This Fake Zac Efron Doppelganger Instagram Account

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It's not necessarily uncommon for random people to pose as celebrities on social media. What is weird, however, is impersonating a celebrity doppelganger's account — which is exactly what fans are realizing happened with this Zac Efron "lookalike" account.

As one Twitter user noticed earlier this month, the Instagram account of someone who looks a lot like Zac Efron had amassed a bunch of followers — over 20,000, to be exact. When she posted screenshots from the account, wondering how the heck it was physically possible for two people to look so alike, fans started to notice that something was off.

It turns out that this Zac Efron "doppelganger" was not only *not* Zac Efron, but he wasn't even someone who looked scarily like him. The account, @juanceponce, which has since gone private (possibly as a result of being called out), was taking photos from other Instagram users and very realistically photoshopping Zac Efron's face onto them. The dead giveaway was when one sleuth noticed one of the photos was taken from another celebrity's account, and matched it exactly with the exception of the male's face in the photo.

Meanwhile, we have so many questions. Manly, why? Was someone actually trying to catfish using Zac Efron's (v attractive) face? Just practicing their Photoshop skills? Attempting a social experiment? We may never know the answer.

Here's How To Watch The Geminid Meteor Shower & Even Score Some Space-tastic Shots For Insta

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The Geminid meteor shower is in full peak Wednesday night — and you can be front and center.

The shower is expected to make its annual debut around 7 p.m. EST and, according to Space.com, the shower will peak at 10 p.m. EST with “rates as high as one or two meteors per minute.” NASA said that the most meteors visible will occur from midnight to 4 a.m. on Thursday (Dec 14).

A meteor is a rock that enters the Earth’s atmosphere in space. The “shooting star” effect we see is the resistance of the air on the rock. The streak isn’t the rock but the hot air instead. A meteor shower, then, is when many meteors enter the atmosphere. But you don’t need to worry about a crater falling in your backyard. Meteors are typically small. They can range in size from a dust particle to a boulder, but they are always small enough to burn in the atmosphere. One almost never strikes the Earth.

Meteors are named after the constellations they appear from. Geminids look as if they are coming from the Gemini constellation.

“The Geminids are active every December, when Earth passes through a massive trail of dusty debris shed by a weird, rocky object named 3200 Phaethon up close in mid-December, when it passes nearest to Earth since its discovery in 1983,” NASA wrote on its website.

This year, astronomers are planning to study Phaethon up closer.

“Phaethon’s nature is debated,” Cooke said. “It is either a near-Earth asteroid or an extinct comet, sometimes called a rock comet.”

It is predicted to be a perfect viewing night. The Geminids are supposed to shine brightly due to no moonlight obstruction — and that is actually good news for photographers. Dark skies will help when trying to capture the Instagram-perfect photograph. Apps, such as NightCap Camera, can help take the best moment with low light. Under meteor-mode, NightCap Camera takes hundreds of photos (but only saves ones with the meteor in it) to ensure it gets the shooting star.

But if you’re unable to make it outside or the sky isn’t clear enough, you can check out the NASA livestream from the Automated Lunar and meteor Observatory at Marshal Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, which can be found here

“With August’s Perseids obscured by bright moonlight, the Geminids will be the best shower this year,” said Bill Cooke, who is part of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office.

Seeing the meteors should be easy. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, meteors should appear all over the sky. Southern Hemisphere observers, though, will see fewer Geminids because the radiant will not climb high over the horizon. The next meteor shower is expected January 3 and 4 when the Quadrantids light up the sky.

The Net Neutrality Vote, Explained (For People Who Have No Idea WTF Any Of This Means)

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Thursday's the day. On December 14, The Federal Communications Commission will vote on the fate of net neutrality and the internet as we know it in the United States could change forever.

In short, if the vote passes, companies like Comcast and Verizon will have the power to divvy up the internet, much like your cable provider requires you to select what channels you want to watch and then charges you based on what package you select.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, since you've definitely seen some impassioned posts and Twitter trending topics about this for a while, let’s break it down:

What is net neutrality? 

Net neutrality, or network neutrality, is open internet. It’s the belief that all Internet providers should give access to all legal content and applications equally. This means that internet service providers cannot block or slow down specific sites or allow companies to pay for special treatment. In short, it’s just allowing people who pay for internet access, access to the entire internet without paying additional or hidden fees. (Yes, it’s that simple.)

So what would a vote against net neutrality mean?

With the current regulations in place Internet providers are not allowed to charge you extra to visit websites like Facebook, Netflix, YouTube or HerCampus.com. And in turn, Internet providers are not allowed to charge websites like Facebook, Netflix, YouTube (and, yeah, even HC) to prioritize their traffic over other services they offer.

However, if tomorrow’s vote were to pass, Internet providers could begin to harness their money into power and make you pay extra to stream videos at a high enough rate so you could view them or make you pay extra to access your favorite websites.

The ACLU’s website described the vote as, “The quest for profits and corporate disfavor of controversial viewpoints could change both what you can see on the internet and the quality of your connection.” In other words, if you want Netflix to continue asking, “Are you still watching?” as you binge "The Crown" this Christmas break, this vote is crucial.

What's The December 14th Vote About?

Under the Obama administration, net neutrality was the law of the land. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission will vote to either uphold or repeal that. The FCC is made up of five commissioners appointed by the President. The current commission is skewed three to two in favor of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party —and current predictions have many thinking it will take something short of a Christmas miracle to see the vote go in favor of upholding the current regulations. 

So what is the FCC’s role in this?

The FCC is much like a referee in a heated game between internet providers and websites. While we (the spectators or internet users) don't want to be left hanging if the game goes into overtime or a fight breaks out, the presence of the ref helps keep the game moving and keeps everything fair. However, if the vote to repeal net neutrality were to pass the FCC would be shrugging off that duty of regulating the internet provider/website relationship. 

With the referee of the game gone, it would soon be a free for all — with the stronger team crushing the smaller team. (Something tells us Mike Pence wouldn’t walk out of that game.)

And what the heck happened with public comments? 

This is where things get messier. Turns out, during the open comment period, nearly 2 million of the comments filed to the FCC were faked and fraudulently filed under the identities of Americans without their consent, according to a letter from the office of  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

This comes after Bloomberg News previously reported that more than 400,000 of those comments came from Russian and German email addresses and long after Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel tweeted that  “There's something not right in the @FCC record on #NetNeutrality. Bots, bogus comments, and stolen names. A questionable distributed denial of service attack the @USGAO is investigating..." and linking to an open letter from Schneiderman.

So AG Schneiderman has been pretty adamant about not holding the vote based on these potentially fraudulent comments. Because, like, duh. 

So, is there any hope? 

If the vote to repeal net neutrality does pass, lawsuits against the FCC would quickly emerge from all sides stating that the FCC is not doing their basic duty. Ad Week put it this way, “In light of the decision, the agency will have to redefine its mission and may have to work with the rest of the federal government to implement new laws. The court also found that there is a basic mandate for the FCC to “promulgate rules governing broadband providers.”

So the silver lining to all of this is that even if the vote does go in favor of a repeal, we can expect see numerous lawsuits that would require the FCC to continue to do their job and uphold a civil and fair game for all involved.

5 Ways to Avoid Being Fake During Sorority Rush

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Whether you’d become a fifth-generation sister or don’t know your Greek alphabet, sorority rush can seem super intimidating. For an entire week, you essentially get all dressed up to answer the same personal questions about yourself while running from house to house. The recruitment process often gets a bad rap; critics call it petty, judgmental and fake. It’s true that sorority rush isn’t perfect, and there will be girls who make it competition to earn the most bids. However, there are ways you can avoid being one of the few fake ones and let your genuine self shine through.

1. Dress in something you’re comfortable in  

We all agree that wearing itchy or uncomfortable clothing can make your whole mood turn sour. Of course, beauty is pain, and sometimes you just have to grin and bear it, but sorority rush isn’t one of those times. If your prom dress poked you in all the wrong places, the bathroom was a constant safe haven. During rush, you won’t have much time alone, so sneaking off to adjust your skirt for the fourth time will be difficult.

Luckily, there will be a few instances when you’ll get to wear your recruitment t-shirt (can we say sweet relief?). For the other times when you’re expected to adhere to a high-stakes dress code, we’ve put together sample outfits complete with accessories. Just remember the more comfortable the outfit, the better you can focus on being in the moment.

2. Don’t treat the process like a series of interviews

Preparing for any type of interview is stressful, especially if you tend to freeze up under pressure. It’s typically smart to have practiced answers ready to go for questions about previous work experience and personal strengths and weaknesses. If you’re brand new to the sorority recruitment scene, a large portion of rushing might seem just like participating in several back-to-back interviews.

Stephanie Huynh, a sophomore at Lehigh University, emphasizes the importance of treating these interviewing periods like regular conversations.

“If someone asks [about] why you want to be in Greek life, a typical answer would be ‘Because I want to get more involved on campus and join a sisterhood.’ [A stronger answer might be] ‘I don't have any sisters in real life so having a strong sisterhood is something attractive to me,’” she says.

“These answers are similar but [the second] gives members more information about yourself. [You] should [also] ask questions so rush feels more like a conversation instead of an interview. People [who] appear uninterested and answer questions generically appear pretty fake in this regard.”

It’s quite possible that if you prepare seemingly cookie-cutter answers, none of them will fit the questions asked. You wouldn’t want to be left panicking, so treat the interview like a conversation with an acquaintance instead. Give yourself time to think of honest answers instead of shooting back a full-formed, rehearsed mini-speech.

3. Remember that the decision doesn’t define who you are

It’s easy to go into rush thinking you’ll be fine with whatever happens. Que será, será, right? When you get there and see all the other collegiettes looking to fill the very limited spots, you might begin to compare yourself, or even question your self-worth. In a state of insecurity, some girls take to badmouthing others they consider competition; this only makes them seem fake.

Courtney Douglas, a sophomore at Stanford University, remembers telling herself that sororities didn’t know everything about her.

“I tried to remember that no invitation or rejection would serve as an accurate reflection of my character or ability to form valuable female friendships, even though the results of recruitment truly can feel like judgment,” she says.

“Rush is essentially a blur at this point, but I remember accepting this ‘element of incompleteness’ allowed me to relax, come across as authentically as possible and ask questions about Greek life that I actually wanted to know the answers to.”

Throughout the entire experience, remember that the rush process is simply one optional part of college. You’re more than what happens at the end.

Related: Your Complete Guide to Sorority Rush 

4. Don’t set your eyes on only one sorority

It isn’t wrong to have an idea of which sorority you’d like to join. Maybe you have a ton of upperclassman friends in one or like the philanthropy mission of another. There are an infinite number of reasons why a certain sorority stands out among the rest in your mind. However, during the rush process, it’s best to give all the sororities a chance. If you don’t, you run the chance of appearing fake or even snotty.

“You shouldn't try to appeal to a certain house by acting a certain way. If you do and you join that house, you’re not going to fit in and that’s really sad because sororities are all about being with girls that mesh well with who you are,” says Anupama Shah, a sophomore at Georgia Tech University.

Sisters interacting with you on a one-on-one basis can also sense when you’re not completely enthused about the conversation at hand. Try to give every house a chance and put the same amount of effort into each. You’re more likely to get more bids and have a greater variety of sororities to choose from when the time comes.

5. Relax and let yourself enjoy the experience  

While it may seem impossible, staying calm throughout rush is optimal. You’re going to experience a range of emotions from excitement to disappointment. You might feel these emotions multiple times a day over the entire week of events. Especially during the first few days, it’s important to make yourself relax. The more relaxed you are, the more genuine you’ll seem. If you make yourself relax, you’ll probably have a better time talking to other potential new members and recruiters.

While sorority rush is often portrayed as fake, you can prove that stigma wrong. It’s possible to avoid fakeness all together by taking the whole experience with a grain of salt. Your main goal shouldn’t be coming out on top with the most bids; you should come out with the most memories. If you’re genuine, comfortable and happy to be there, you’ll have no trouble telling amazing and hilarious stories to your future sorority sisters.

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