My best friend lives in San Diego. One day a few years ago, her teenage son came home and told her he'd made a new friend at the skate park. He talked about how they had struck up a conversation, the guy had given him some pointers, and they'd chit-chatted about this and that. "He was really cool," her son said. Then he showed her a selfie they'd taken together.Yeah, his "new friend" was the skateboarding icon Tony Hawk. True story.Tales of Tony Hawk not being recognized as Tony Hawk—even for people who actually know who Tony Hawk is—have become the stuff of legends. The 56-year-old made a name for himself in the skateboarding world decades ago and is credited with bringing the sport into the mainstream. Even in 2020, he was listed among the Top 10 skateboarders of all time. He's had his own video game, cameos in film and television shows, his own clothing line—everything, apparently, but a recognizable face.The "people not recognizing Tony Hawk as Tony Hawk" thing is so common it's become a meme of its own. Hawk himself jokes about it all the time, sharing hilarious interactions he has with people on his Twitter account. — (@) This one from a couple of years ago has re-gone viral: — (@) Which is just one of many similar stories. Hawk told Business Insider that it happens often, but he only shares the interactions that are the funniest. — (@) — (@) — (@) Now the meme itself results in some funny interactions with people. — (@) — (@) People's funny reactions to the meme are becoming their own meme: "I will know Tony Hawk when I see him." — (@) — (@) — (@) — (@) Part of what makes the whole thing so delightful is that Tony Hawk himself is so delightful. He's down-to-earth, friendly, doesn't take himself too seriously, does a lot of connecting out in the community, and is just a genuinely likable guy. — (@) And to top it all off, he's still a heck of a skater. Though he retired from the pro circuit in 1999, he still skateboards for fun and charity. In fact, he recently landed a 720—two full 360-degree turns in the air off a ramp—which isn't easy for even a young skater to pull off, and then auctioned the board to raise money to help build more public skateparks. (He did say it might be his last time pulling off that trick, but who knows. Good for him for pushing the age envelope.) — (@) Tony Hawk—skating legend, father of five, nice guy to all, supporter of community parks, and man that everyone adores but nobody recognizes—thanks for being such a ray of sunshine in our world. May we know you when we see you, or at least be entertaining enough to make your Twitter account if we don't.This article originally appeared on 3.12.21

Anyone paying attention would have long ago concluded that LeVar Burton is a national treasure, and President Joe Biden just made it official. Burton, best known for his roles in Roots, Reading Rainbow, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, was recently awarded the National Humanities Medal. Recognized for his contributions to promoting literacy and advancing the cultural landscape, Burton accepted the prestigious honor during a private ceremony at the White House. As his shipmate, Mr. Worf, might say, "It is a great honor." Burton’s wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton, shared her excitement on social media. She posted on X: "Proud of my hubby ❤️ We just left the Oval Office where President Biden awarded him the medal of Excellence in Humanities for the work he’s done in the field of literature and expression in arts. He’s the best of us. ? " — @StephanieCozartBurton This recognition is just one of many highlights in Burton's extraordinary career, which spans more than four decades of work in education, film, and television. Why LeVar Burton's influence matters LeVar Burton has made a significant impact on multiple generations. As the host of Reading Rainbow for 23 years, he encouraged children to explore new ideas through books. The show earned 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, becoming a crucial tool for promoting literacy. Fans remember Reading Rainbow fondly, with many crediting Burton for their love of reading. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Cozart Burton (@scozartburton) Reddit user @Mariner4LifetilDeath shared: "I would watch his show and run to the library to check all the featured books out!" — @Mariner4LifetilDeath Through his work on Reading Rainbow, Burton made reading accessible, engaging, and fun, sparking a lifelong love for books in many of his viewers. An inspiring career, from Reading Rainbow to Star Trek Beyond Reading Rainbow, Burton is widely known for his role as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and his portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the critically acclaimed series RootsRoots. His ability to take on such diverse roles while remaining a steadfast advocate for education has made him a cultural icon. One Reddit user, u/rtsarecool, put Burton among other greats: "Well deserved! Right up there with the other wholesome greats like Mr. Rogers, and Bob Ross." — u/Ortsarecool LeVar Burton’s warmth, kindness, and commitment to storytelling resonate with people of all ages. He has expanded his influence with LeVar Burton Reads, a podcast aimed at adults, which has been downloaded more than 25 million times. For many, this podcast serves as a continuation of the magic of Reading Rainbow but is tailored to a more mature audience. via GIPHY A legacy of excellence and cultural enrichment LeVar Burton’s influence extends far beyond his television roles. In addition to his National Humanities Medal, Burton’s accolades include a Grammy Award for his spoken word album Aftermath, three NAACP Awards, and 13 Emmy Awards. His other achievements include the Fred Rogers Award and the Inamori Prize for Ethics in Entertainment. One Reddit user, @SereneVega, summed up Burton’s impact beautifully: "LeVar Burton, Fred Rogers, and Jim Henson raised American children better than 99% of actual parents. LeVar deserves every accolade and more." — @SereneVega Burton’s dedication to storytelling and education has made him a beloved figure in American culture. As the recipient of the National Humanities Medal, he joins an elite group whose work has expanded the nation's understanding of literature, history, and the human experience. His lifelong advocacy for literacy will continue to shape future generations, just as it has for decades. Burton’s trek is far from over While Burton has received numerous honors, he remains as active as ever in the entertainment and education sectors. His recent launch of the LeVar Burton Book Club and continued podcasting show his commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning in people of all ages. via GIPHY Whether it’s his work on screen or his commitment to promoting literacy, Burton has inspired millions, proving that one person truly can make the world a better place. His recognition with the National Humanities Medal is a testament to his lifelong passion for education and cultural enrichment. Here’s to many more years of inspiring future generations to take a look—because it’s all in a book.

The answer for it all. The post Mike Patton on his “philosophy” as a vocalist first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

"Absolutely not." The post “You can’t compare”: the hit Linda Ronstadt thought never measured up to the classics first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

They were cheering and waving. The post “Absolutely amazing”: The Radiohead song Thom Yorke thought got better live first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

A pro-porn advertisement titled “Republicans Rubbing You The Wrong Way” framed the GOP as an enemy that wants to ban porn nationwide. The ad is a $2.5 million campaign by two Democratic PACs, Progress Action Fund and Defend the Vote. The ad shows a young man masturbating before he is interrupted by a fictional Republican congressman. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the advertisement and the negative publicity it has garnered from the public. Ellie and Lyrah also discuss the Left’s disdain for laws that require age verification on pornographic sites. Tune in to hear their discussion! Read Ellie and Lyrah’s writing here and here. Listen to the Spectator P.M. Podcast on Spotify. Watch the Spectator P.M. Podcast on Rumble. The post <i>The Spectator P.M.</i> Ep. 87: Democratic Pro-Porn Ad Targets Young Men appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

“Lovin’ It,” editorial cartoon by Yogi Love for The American Spectator, Oct. 28, 2024. The post Lovin’ It appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Sonic dropped its winter menu just in time for chilly weather. See if the new festive drinks and cheesy smash burger will get you ready for the cozy season.

by James Roguski, Activist Post: The World Health Organization is working to finalize the “Pandemic Agreement” by November 11, 2024 in the hopes of adopting it at a special session of the World Health Assembly in December. STEP #1: CLICK HERE to read the the latest available version of the “Pandemic Agreement” and comprehend what it is […]