Quantcast
Channel: Business Insider
Viewing all 116489 articles
Browse latest View live

I tried 'goga,' or goat yoga — and it was more fun than fitness

$
0
0

IMG_2152 (2)

Pet fitness classes seem to have become all the rage.

You can work out with your dog, cat, bunny and hamster. Ok, maybe not your hamster. But you can definitely do yoga with some baby goats.

I got the chance to try goat yoga or "goga" on a recent trip to Austin, Texas, where I attempted to do some sun salutations and other asanas with a baby goat plonked on my back.

Contorting your body in awkward poses isn't easy in the first place, so doing it with little goats on your back can get interesting — to say the least. But thankfully, the Pygymy baby goats at "GogaGoatYoga" were not just adorable, but also well behaved.

Goat yoga isn't all fun and games either. While this may be the latest fitness fad, turns out hanging out with pet animals has tons of health benefits.

It can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels as well as feelings of loneliness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — all of which make them the perfect fitness companions.

While I didn't exactly get to check my blood pressure and cholesterol levels afterwards, I left the studio feeling pretty damn happy.  

Here's how I spent a spring afternoon doing yoga with baby goats:

I headed to the Goga studio close to the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater near downtown Austin at noon. There were a few people already there, with three baby goats roaming about.



Here they are...



Rachael Phillips started Goga back in September 2017 with her boyfriend Trey Kitchen. It started as a fun activity to raise money for Hurricane Harvey victims but has become a flourishing business since.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Chipotle is going through a painful existential crisis — here's why you should eat at its biggest Tex-Mex rival instead (CMG)

$
0
0

Qdoba


Chipotle isn't the shining star it used to be. 

Its founder and CEO, Steve Ells, was officially replaced by former Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol in March. Niccol has his work cut out for him as he aims to recover Chipotle's bruised reputation in the wake of its 2015 E.coli outbreak, and many predict big changes could be on the way.

Yet in spite of its numerous struggles, Chipotle has lingered in the public consciousness and maintained its grip on the Tex-Mex fast-casual market. 

Merely two years after Chipotle was founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1993, another Tex-Mex chain, called Qdoba, sprung up in the same city.

While it has labored more or less in Chipotle's shadow, Qdoba is, without a doubt, superior in nearly every way. It has a more interesting menu, less fuss, and a sterling reputation — not to mention free guac. 

Having recently revisited Chipotle to see how the chain is doing, I decided to go back to my one true Tex-Mex chain love to compare:

SEE ALSO: Taco Bell's newest menu item paid off big for the chain — here's the secret to its success

DON'T MISS: We tried the iconic New York chicken-and-rice chain that's expanding across the country — here's what it's like

Qdoba is a national chain with over 700 locations — a far cry from Chipotle's 2,200-plus restaurants, but nothing to sniff at. It's the same idea as Chipotle: fast-casual assembly line with burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, and the like. Qdoba also has taco salads, quesadillas, and soups, though — a key difference.

Source: Qdoba



I decided to get a simple chicken burrito to compare to my recent Chipotle burrito review. Nothing fancy, and almost exactly the same ingredients: chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, pico de gallo, salsa verde, guac, queso, cheese, and lettuce.



But before even tasting the burrito, I noted that Qdoba already has a huge advantage over Chipotle: the guac and queso are free add-ons. That's right, free. Chipotle's guac can cost over $2 as an add-on, and so does the queso. Tacking nearly $4 on to your burrito, just for some delicious cheese and cool, refreshing guacamole? That's heinous.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's the best way to mix the legendary mint julep for your Derby Day party this weekend

$
0
0

Mint Juleps

  • Walker Percy was a great, cosmopolitan southern novelist and essayist who died in 1990.
  • Born in Alabama, he lived much of his life in Covington, a town near New Orleans.
  • That's pretty far from Kentucky and the annual Run for the Roses, which takes place on Saturday at the magnificent Churchill Downs racetrack.
  • But the signature drink of the Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, is the mint julep. And Walker Percy knew mint juleps.

Derby Day is upon us! And with it, the mint julep.

A julep is actually a pretty simple variation on the basic whiskey cocktail. We're talking about Kentucky here, so the whiskey of choice is Bourbon.

Typically, some sugar and mint is muddled at the bottom of a glass, and then in goes the ice and the booze. Cool, sweetened Bourbon, a good bit of it. A couple of these on a warm day and you're feeling no pain.

There is a more refined and meditative way to consume a mint julep, requiring a bit more time than it takes a pack of three-year-old Thoroughbreds to traverse a mile-and-a-quarter.

As it turns out, the recipe for the more elegant and literary julep comes from Percy, who won the National Book Award for his very first novel, "The Moviegoer," and who for a generation of readers defined a post-William Faulkner variety of thoughtful southern writing. I first encountered Percy's recipe back in the 1980s, when I picked up a collection of his essays, "Signposts in a Strange Land."

Walker Percy

It's simplicity itself, although you have to be patient for the alchemy of bourbon, ice, sugar, and mint to occur. And mind you, this is a Bourbon drinker's mint julep — there isn't enough sugar in it to take the edge off the liquor. In fact, it comes from Percy's short 1975 essay "Bourbon."

You need excellent Bourbon whiskey; rye or Scotch will not do. Put half an inch of sugar in the bottom of glass and merely dampen it with water. Next, very quickly — and here is the trick in the procedure — crush your ice, actually powder it, preferably in a towel with a wooden mallet, so quickly that it remains dry, and, slipping two sprigs of fresh mint against the inside of the glass, cram the ice right to the brim, packing it with your hand. Finally, fill the glass, which apparently has no room left for anything else, with Bourbon, the older the better, and grate a bit of nutmeg on the top. The glass will frost immediately. Then settle back in your chair for half an hour of cumulative bliss.

I love that last line! Cumulative bliss! Sounds pretty good to me. I think I'll be making Percy's mint julep this weekend — as I have quite a few times before.

SEE ALSO: 9 simple and classic cocktails every adult should know how to make

DON'T MISS: The Kentucky Derby is selling a $1,000 cocktail to support Jennifer Lawrence's charity

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: You have to break codes to get cocktails at this spy-themed bar

Costco employees share their 11 best food court secrets and hacks

$
0
0

Costco Food 7

  • Costco's food court has attracted many fans.
  • Some of the Costco food court's biggest fans may be the employees themselves.
  • Some employees say you don't even need to be a store member to grab a hot dog or a slice of pizza at Costco's food court.
  • The chain deliberately keeps prices low to better customers' shopping experiences.


Costco food courts have a bit of a cult following.

The retail chain is well-known for hawking cheap eats you can grab once you wrap up your shopping spree. But these food courts aren't just some tacked-on idea to help the store make a quick buck. They're kind of a big deal. In fact, in the pizza business, Costco is actually the 14th-largest pizza chain in the US.

If you're looking to grab something tasty and cheap, it's definitely a good option.

Costco employees have shared a number of tips that can help you make the most of your food court visit.

Here are a few things you should know before you visit Costco's food court:

SEE ALSO: 11 insider facts about shopping at Costco only employees know

DON'T MISS: We ate at a Costco food court, and it was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had

You don't always need a membership to shop there

A standard Costco membership, which costs $60 a year, can help a customer rack up huge savings.

But you don't necessarily need one to grab a bite to eat at the chain. Non-members also have a chance to swing by the food court, Business Insider's Jessica Tyler reported.

On Reddit, Costco employees said that, while the food courts are supposed to be members-only, the rule is rarely enforced in some stores.

"When I was a greeter, we didn't care," wrote one Costco employee in a Reddit AMA. "A couple years later they changed it to require a membership. I think we're being lenient again."

The food court is supposed to be a membership perk, so it's possible that you'll get turned away at the door if you show up just hankering for a hot dog. But if the food court is located outside, all bets are off.



The food is incredibly cheap but still delicious — and yes, employees eat it

You get a ton of bang for your buck at Costco food courts.

A hot dog and a beverage will cost you $1.50. A giant slice of pizza goes for $1.99, and a full pie is $9.95.

When Business Insider's Hollis Johnson visited a Costco food court in Brooklyn, he ordered practically everything on the menu. The whole smorgasbord came out to just over $25.

And, what's more, the food's pretty good, considering the deal.

"Costco's pizzas are pretty incredible considering the price," Costco worker Stefan Winter wrote on Quora. "Crust is yummy, toppings are good quality, what's not to love?"

"I eat at the food court more then I would like too," an Ontario-based Costco employee told Business Insider. "It's so good! The cheapest menu I have ever seen. I love the pepperoni pizza. It's very cheesy with nice and juicy, crispy pepperonis."



There are more great options other than the pizza or hot dog, and some depend on where you live

While Costco's pizza and hot dogs might be the chain's most famous selections, there are a number of other options, too.

BBQ brisket sandwich, turkey-and-provolone sandwiches, a "confusing yet delicious" chicken bake, and massive churros are all on the menu, too.

Regional and temporary menu items also include poutine, clam chowder, piña colada-flavored smoothies, and fries.

Former Costco employee Robert Lu wrote on Quora that he typically hits up the store's food court during his lunch break. His favorite menu staple was the $1.99 slice of combo pizza, followed by gelato.

"Regardless of what you eat as the 'main course', the pistachio gelato — or any gelato — is to die for," he wrote.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Kate Middleton took the first official photographs of newborn Prince Louis — including a tender moment with sister Princess Charlotte

$
0
0

Prince Louis

  • The British royal family released the first official photographs of the newest family member, Prince Louis. 
  • Princess Charlotte, 3, is also seen holding her baby brother.
  • Both photographs were snapped by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.


Kensington Palace on Saturday released the first official photographs of Prince Louis, born on April 23.

The first photo shows Louis at three days old, wearing a white jumper and trousers. 

The second photo shows Louis being cradled and kissed by his older sister, Princess Charlotte.

Both of the photographs were taken by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, at her and Prince William's home in Kensington Palace.

Louis, who is fifth in the line to the throne, will stay at home while the rest of his family, including four-year-old Prince George and three-year-old Princess Charlotte, attend the at the May 19 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle..

SEE ALSO: 15 iconic photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton as parents

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What Trump University was really like — according to a former professor

Target employees shared 4 of their worst horror stories — and it will make you appreciate how hard their job is

$
0
0

target employee c

  • Target store employees told Business Insider about some of the worst things they've seen on the job.
  • A total of 21 Target team members shared their experiences with Business Insider.
  • From thieving store newbies to slur-slinging shoppers, here's what they've had to deal with.


Target store team members sometimes have to deal with pretty trying situations.

Business Insider recently corresponded with 21 Target employees to get a sense of the worst things they've ever seen while working at the retail chain.

And, from the sound of it, they've seen it all.

Previously, we asked the Target employees about what they'd like to tell shoppers, but can't. Most of the Target team members said they'd like to ask customers to be nice and pick up after themselves. A number of these experiences reflected why they'd be inclined to worry about guests behaving rudely and leaving a mess.

From vomiting kids to to shelves stocked with discarded Starbucks cups, here's a look at some of the worst things Target employees have had to confront at work:

SEE ALSO: 2 major things Target employees wish they could tell shoppers, but can't

DON'T MISS: 8 insider facts about shopping at Target that only employees know

SEE ALSO: Costco moves items around to get you to buy more — here are employees' best tips on navigating the store

Persistent shoppers

A Pennsylvania-based Target team member described confronting a store patron who was wandering around the backroom — a restricted area.

"I'm like, 'You can't come back here. It's a safety issue,'" the Target employee told Business Insider. "She goes 'I know but I need someone to help me.'"

They added that patrons will also sneak into the team member bathroom — which is "strictly" for employees only. The employee said that the intruders are easy to spot based on their dress.

"They are strolling in the back room with jeans," the employee said. "No red and khaki."



Abuse hurled at team members and shoppers

Four Target team members from Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina told Business Insider about exchanges with shoppers that became heated and profane.

"I've had many people come in and just scream and yell at anyone they can to get their way," the North Carolina-based employee told Business Insider.

The team member from Texas told Business Insider that they had witnessed a customer hurling homophobic slurs at a fellow employee.

And the harassment isn't limited to store employees. A Georgia-based Target team member told Business Insider about seeing a customer harass another customer for speaking a language other than English on the phone.

The employee said they were also once confronted by an angry, screaming shopper after they closed down their lane.

"It was the only time I've raised my voice at a guest," they told Business Insider. "That experience really stuck with me for a while. It just makes you feel horrible to have to deal with that."



Trash strewn about the store

Three Target team members discussed seeing shoppers leave trash and discarded products all around the store.

A California-based employee described "the annoying amount of empty Starbucks coffee cups that 'guests' leave on the shelves when they've finished drinking."

Another Target employee in Colorado said they once watched a man pick up a weight "pump it once, and try to put it back on the shelf and fail before leaving it on the ground."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 25 most fun cities for new college grads where jobs are abundant and housing is affordable

$
0
0

Brown University graduates

  • A recent report from SmartAsset reveals the 25 best American cities for recent college graduates to live.
  • These cities are affordable, have good job opportunities, and are fun for new college grads.
  • Three Ohio cities made the list, including Columbus and Cincinnati in the top two spots.

 

Graduation is coming up and many college students may find themselves asking, Where do I go from here?

SmartAsset recently released a list of the best cities for new college grads — places with ample jobs for college-educated people, affordable housing, and a fun atmosphere.

To determine the ranking, SmartAsset looked at 10 metrics including the number of Indeed job listings, cost of living in the city, and concentration of entertainment and dining establishments.

Ohio may be the best state for recent college grads; three Ohio cities make the top 25, including the top two spots. The Midwest is responsible for six of the 10 best cities for college grads. Meanwhile, coastal cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami didn't make the top 25.

Take a look at the 25 best cities for new college graduates, along with each city's unemployment rate for people with bachelor's degrees, median rent, and the percentage of the city's population that is in their 20s.

SEE ALSO: Many millennials are itching to become homeowners — here are the 17 best cities to put down roots

DON'T MISS: The 50 best college majors for finding the highest-paying jobs after graduation

25. Atlanta, Georgia

Unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders: 2.6%

Median rent: $904

Population aged 20-29: 20.1%



24. Seattle, Washington

Unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders: 2.8%

Median rent: $1,360

Population aged 20-29: 21.3%



23. Boston, Massachusetts

Unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders: 3.3%

Median rent: $1,369

Population aged 20-29: 24.1%



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This 32-year-old tech CEO lives in a San Francisco home with 9 roommates, and it speaks to the length millennials will go to live in cities instead of suburbs

$
0
0

zero cater office catering startup 4907

  • In San Francisco, a 32-year-old tech founder and CEO says that moving into a communal living or "co-living" space is one of the best decisions of his life.
  • ZeroCater's CEO Arram Sabeti shares a house in San Francisco with nine roommates. He told Business Insider that it has cured his loneliness.
  • More and more co-living spaces are sprouting in San Francisco, where a critical lack of housing has caused rent prices and the cost-of-living to soar.

 

After spending about eight years in the San Francisco Bay Area as an ice cream scooper, office manager, and eventually, founder and CEO of a successful tech startup, Arram Sabeti moved into an apartment in the city's tech-centic SoMa neighborhood with three friends.

"I moved in there, and I'm like, 'Wow. This is great, but you know what would be even better? More friends,'" the 32-year-old founder remembers thinking.

Sabeti, whose startup ZeroCater takes care of the logistics of office catering for other companies, launched a community living (or "co-living") space where 10 roommates cram into a single-family home in the Mission District. Called The Archive, the house has its own constitution, house rules, and membership fees for cleaning services and hosting events.

More and more co-living spaces are sprouting in urban areas like San Francisco, where a critical lack of housing has caused rent prices to soar. Startups have launched with the single goal of meeting demand for co-living. Some tout their affordable prices, while others charge a premium for fully furnished rooms and sweet perks, like maid service and free internet.

The Archive is the eager kid-sister in the co-living space compared to competitors Common and WeLive, the co-living offering from $20 billion office-leasing startup WeWork. Ten roommates make up Archive's community, while Common gets over 1,000 applications per week for a bed.

20171201 WeLive Wall St   Kitchen 6

The most obvious appeal of co-living is that renters might save money paying cheaper rent.

But Sabeti said he doesn't actually save by sharing a eight-bedroom house in San Francisco, where the median two-bedroom rent of $3,060 is more than double the national average of $1,170. Surrounding himself with nine roommates, however, has made him happier and less lonely.

His first apartment in San Francisco was a two-bedroom in North Beach (where the median rent is $4,704) that he shared with another startup founder. They both worked long hours.

"We hardly ever saw each other so it was kind of lonely," Sabeti said.

At The Archive, he runs into friends in the living room and the kitchen. They share a family-style dinner on Thursdays and open the doors for a potluck with friends on Sundays. It's not uncommon that the house's tech workers share what they're working on and ask for feedback.

"Our whole house is a very, very ambitious group of people. We think of ourselves as both friends and allies over the long term and hopefully, for the rest of our lives," Sabeti said.

Not everyone is fit for co-living. According to The Archive's constitution, the single biggest expectation of residents is that they will "put in many hours" into sourcing new roommates.

"One of the key characters that we filter for is conscientiousness, which is basically like being a good human and being on top of your s--t. That ended up working out very well," Sabeti said.

The only downside? Sabeti said he sometimes has a hard time finding his blender bottle.

Recently, he added, "I was assessing the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Number one was moving to the Bay Area to start a company, and number two was starting this house."

SEE ALSO: This founder went from scooping ice cream to running a $250 million startup that caters lunch for Salesforce, BuzzFeed, and Fandango — here's how he did it

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: LinkedIn's gorgeous San Francisco offices are unlike anything we've ever seen


Psychedelic drugs appear to fundamentally reorganize the brain — and they're starting to turn into approved treatments

$
0
0

shrooms magic mushrooms psilocybin


Like a May shower, the studies on psychedelic drugs' potential therapeutic benefits came — first as a sprinkle, then a steady downpour. Between 2012 and 2017, the papers abounded. One, published in 2016, suggested that magic mushrooms might alleviate anxiety in cancer patients; another in 2017 indicated that ecstasy could help veterans cope with PTSD symptoms; and one in 2012 hinted that ketamine might curb major depression.

Recently, the shower has turned into a trickle. But that spate of published research on psychedelics now seems to be leading to the development some promising potential treatments.

Drugs based on the effects of shrooms and ketamine are being tested for their potential to treat mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Some are being studied in the types of clinical trials that could eventually make them candidates for federal approval, while others could get a green light as soon as this summer.

Ketamine is inspiring a handful of novel drugs for depression

dancing partyingA widely used anesthetic that is also known as a party drug, ketamine was shown to have benefits as a rapid-fire antidepressant nearly a decade ago. Early studies suggested ketamine could help people who failed to respond to existing medications or were suicidal. 

The authors of one paper called ketamine "the most important discovery in half a century."

As opposed to existing antidepressants, ketamine acts on a brain mechanism that scientists have only recently begun to explore. Homing in on this channel appears to provide relief from depression that is better, arrives faster, and works in far more people than current drugs. 

After a lack of new drugs for depression spurred scientists to go back to the drawing board, pharmaceutical companies like Allergan and Johnson & Johnson are now in hot pursuit of new blockbuster depression drugs that take after ketamine. Allergan's drug is in the last phase of clinical trials and has received a key FDA designation designed to speed it through the approval process. Johnson & Johnson presented promising research on its drug on Saturday and told Business Insider that it expects to file for FDA approval this year.

A compound in marijuana is showing promise in some forms of epilepsy

cannabisMarijuana has been anecdotally linked with numerous health benefits. But the comprehensive science backing up those claims has been scarce, in large part because of federal laws restricting research on the drug. Despite this, some pharmaceutical companies and startups have charged ahead.

GW Pharmaceuticals is a British drugmaker that's working on a medicine derived from the marijuana compound CBD. That drug, called Epidiolex, is designed to treat two rare forms of childhood epilepsy.

Epidiolex recently won a major green light from the FDA that could set it on the path to be the first federally approved cannabis-based drug. A final FDA decision on the drug is expected this June.

A type of ecstasy might accelerate PTSD therapy

Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies — a leading nonprofit behind psychedelic research —  believes ecstasy is the "most likely" psychedelic to get adopted first by mental health professionals.

Ecstasy, otherwise known as MDMA, was created by pharmaceutical company Merck in 1912. As both a stimulant and a psychedelic, the now illegal drug has energy-raising and hallucinogenic properties. In the brain, MDMA amps up the activity of chemical messengers involved in mood regulation. It's also been known to be dangerous when used without medical supervision because it raises body temperature and blood pressure

mdma, molly, drugsYet researchers who study it say a formulation of the drug could make for an ideal treatment for some types of mental illness. One arm of Doblin's research involves studying MDMA in people with PTSD in a setting that combines the drug with traditional talk therapy. In three of the sessions, patients are given the drug or a placebo and talk therapy; in another 12 sessions, they are given talk therapy alone.

Results of one of those studies, published this month in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry, suggest that adding MDMA to standard therapy works fairly well — after the year-long study, roughly two-thirds of the 26 participants no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis. Those who retained their diagnosis said they experienced a reduction in their symptoms. But the treatment was tied to some unpleasant side effects including insomnia, tiredness, and headaches.

The results and the fact that MDMA received an FDA "breakthrough therapy" designation— a label designed to hasten the research and approval process — convinced some experts that the drug will be approved as early as 2021. The next phase of research is set to begin this summer and will involve roughly 250 people.

A compound in magic mushrooms is showing promise for anxiety

Last year, researchers studying psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, likened its quick effects on cancer patients with anxiety and depression to a "surgical intervention" for the mental illness.

Brain scan studies suggest that depression ramps up the activity in brain circuits linked with negative emotions, and weakens the activity in circuits linked with positive ones. Psilocybin appears to restore balance to that system.

With that in mind, a company called Compass Pathways, which is backed by entrepreneur Peter Thiel, has plans to start its own clinical trials of magic mushrooms for depression later this year.

Some researchers have high hopes that a psilocybin-inspired drug will get approved within a decade. David Nutt, director of the neuropsychopharmacology unit at Imperial College London, told Business Insider last year that he believed psilocybin would become an "accepted treatment" for depression before 2027.

SEE ALSO: Why psychedelics like magic mushrooms kill the ego and fundamentally transform the brain

DON'T MISS: Pharmaceutical giants are sidestepping US marijuana restrictions to research cannabis-based drugs

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How humans evolved to become the best runners on the planet

Disney cast members share their 9 best tips for getting the most out of your visit

$
0
0

Frozen Anna Elsa Disney World

  • Walt Disney World cast members know what it takes to have a good time at the theme park.
  • Business Insider reached out to a number of former cast members to get their best tips on making the most of your Disney vacation.
  • From avoiding unnecessary stress to embracing Florida's unpredictable weather, here's what they had to say.

Walt Disney World trips are a major investment for many guests.

If you're going to throw down thousands of dollars for you and your family or friends to enjoy yourselves at the resort, you're going to want to make sure you're getting the best possible experience.

You're going to need some insider information to take advantage of hidden hacks and avoid common pitfalls. And who knows the ins-and-outs of Walt Disney World better than cast members?

Business Insider recently reached out to a number of former cast members who worked at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios and asked them about their best tips for park-goers.

Here's what the cast members had to say:

SEE ALSO: Disney World cast members share the 7 annoying things they wish park-goers would stop doing

DON'T MISS: 15 insider facts about working at Walt Disney World only cast members know

SEE ALSO: Disneyland is home to a squad of feral cats who have free rein in the park — and you can adopt one if you work there

Stay hydrated

Orlando is a hot place. Average temperatures can spike into the 90s in the summer.

So it's important to stay hydrated as you're maneuvering around Walt Disney World.

Devin Melendy, a former cast member who wrote "Devin Earns Her Ears: My Secret Walt Disney World Cast Member Diary," told Business Insider that she often saw "a lot of dehydrated-looking people walking around." She noted that guests are welcome to bring their own water into the park.

But don't worry if you somehow forget your water bottle.

"Every quick-service location will give you tap water, free of charge," a former cast member who used to work in the Magic Kingdom told Business Insider.

Chantelle Judd, a former cast member who worked in Frontierland, added that "you can go to a restaurant and ask for cold water — they will give this to you in a cup and this saves you money."

Judd also recommended, wearing "light clothing," bringing sunscreen, and drinking water throughout the day.



Don't get too upset about the rain

Don't be surprise if a little April shower dampens your trip. Rain in Florida isn't exactly an unheard of phenomenon.

Missy Farni, a former Disney cast member who worked at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, recommended always checking the weather before heading out.

"Florida rain is unpredictable, but being able to know when you need a poncho or an umbrella before you go to the park would probably be really beneficial to you as well," she told Business Insider. "Just so you're not taken off guard when it rains."

That being said, she said sporadic, five minute bouts of "torrential rain" are always a possibility, "because Orlando."

But a rainy day at Disney doesn't have to be a complete washout.

"Honestly, if you come on a rainy day you'll have a great time," Meghan O'Neill, a former Disney cast member who worked in Future World in Epcot, told Business Insider. "There are a few rides that go down due to weather, but there will be significantly less people at the parks."

So, to paraphrase Disney's "Winnie the Pooh," if you're adverse to crowds, you're better off hoping that the rain, rain, rain comes down, down, down in rushing, rising rivlets.



Bring in your own food and drinks to save money

The food at Walt Disney World is often tasty, and some of the park's restaurants serve up delicious meals.

But it's also incredibly expensive. If you're looking to save money, you're better off bringing in your own food.

That's right. You're free to lug a cooler loaded with snacks and drinks into the park.

"Most people don't realize that and, of course, the company doesn't advertise it," former Walt Disney World cast member John Quagliano, who worked in the Magic Kingdom, told Business Insider. "You can physically bring in an entire cooler full of snacks, water, whatever you want."

He used to work near the storage area where cast members would store guests' items. Once you check in your cooler, cast members will put a tag on it and store it in the back.

"You can come back at any time of the day and pick up your water and your food and save yourself a crap ton of money throughout the day," Quagliano added.

Judd also recommended bringing your own food and drinks.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Infinity War' easily repeats as weekend box office champ and is the fastest movie ever to hit $1 billion worldwide (DIS)

$
0
0

Thor Infinity War

  • "Avengers: Infinity War" earns $112.47 million over the weekend to win the box office for a second-straight weekend.
  • Over the weekend the movie became the fastest ever to $1 billion worldwide.

"Avengers: Infinity War" continued its dominance at the box office in its second weekend.

The latest juggernaut from Disney/Marvel studios took in an estimated $112.47 million over the weekend, according to boxofficepro.com, on over 4,400 screens.

The movie won the domestic weekend box office for a second-straight weekend and now has a domestic total of $450.8 million.

And on Saturday night, the movie hit the $1 billion mark worldwide. That makes it the fastest movie ever to hit that coveted milestone.

Domestically, the movie's $112.47 million take is the second-best second weekend ever, passing the $111.6 million second weekend by "Black Panther." "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" still owns the top second weekend spot with $149.2 million.

Overboard MGMDespite "Infinity War" sucking up most of the screens in North America, there was still a little room for a few new releases the earn some coin.

MGM/Lionsgate's "Overboard," a reboot of the 1987 Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell comedy starring Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez, took in a respectable $14.75 million to come in second place. For a movie made for around $12 million that's a good start.

"Tully," Jason Reitman's latest collaboration with "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody and "Young Adult" star Charlize Theron, took in $3.1 million.

That's a little below industry opening weekend projections, but this is a movie that can possibly find success going forward with its strong Rotten Tomatoes score and continued word of mouth.

SEE ALSO: The 100 best movies on Hulu right now

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why the Saudi crown prince met with Trump, Oprah, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos

I asked Silicon Valley relationship experts who have been married for decades for their 3 best pieces of relationship advice

$
0
0

marriage advice pearson and bader

  • Marriage can be hard, but couples therapists have tips to make it easier.
  • Peter Pearson, PhD, and Ellyn Bader, PhD, run The Couples Institute in California. They've been married to each other for decades.
  • I spoke to Pearson and Bader and learned some of the best strategies they use, both in their practice and in their own relationship.
  • Those strategies include: choose your decision-making strategy, know the "why," and listen with curiosity.
  • This is the first installment of Relationships 101, a series which aims to help us all be happier and healthier in love — and to stop fighting over who should take out the trash. 


Last November, I got married.

In the months leading up to the wedding, I was mostly consumed with floral arrangements, and invitation fonts, and shoes that wouldn't cause me to trip while walking down the aisle. Now that those details are behind me (whew!), I'm on a new quest: Searching for the best marriage advice I can find.

To that end, I recently interviewed a series of relationship experts who are married… to each other. I asked them about the strategies they not only preach, but also practice behind closed doors.

Two of my most fascinating interviewees were Peter Pearson, PhD and Ellyn Bader, PhD, who run the Couples Institute in Menlo Park, California, and work with many entrepreneur couples in Silicon Valley. Pearson and Bader have seen it all, and they've come up with creative strategies to help resolve conflict, both in their clients' marriages and in their own.

Three insights from the interview stood out to me:

1. Before you do any big project, decide which of 3 decision-making strategies you'll use

Bader shared a technique she and Pearson teach many of the couples they see: Decide in advance of a big undertaking (like a home renovation) which of three decision-making strategies you're going to use.

a) unilateral

b) equilateral

c) 51/49%

Unilateral means one partner gets to make the decision and the partners don't have to agree. Equilateral means each partner has an equal say, and they're "willing to hash it out and stay with it until they both agree."

51/49% is the most interesting, and often the most effective, Bader said. The partner with 51% of the say gets to make the final decision, but the partner with 49% trusts that the 51% partner will take into account what they want.

In the example of home renovations — which, by the way, can be a huge source of relationship conflict— it makes sense for the 51% partner to do more of the work. For example, they might be the one to choose the sinks and the color palette.

"They can solicit input, but they don't have to get into the conflictual discussions," Bader said. "It makes things go a whole lot easier smoother and it supports that kind of interdependency of 'Okay, I'm going to trust you and rely on you and let you carry the load for this project.'"

2. Know the 'why' in your relationship

Pearson and Bader have different feelings about clutter: Pearson doesn't mind it; Bader can't stand it.

The only way to reach an agreement about the level of clutter that's acceptable in the house, Pearson said, is to figure out and keep in mind the "why."

"Why would I be interested in putting forth the effort of less clutter? Why would Ellyn be interested in relaxing her standards a bit?" Pearson said. "We need a bigger picture."

In the case of any disagreement, the question that both partners should be asking themselves is, "How does changing this dynamic, this problem, improving this area fit into a bigger picture of what we want to create in our marriage?"

The "why" varies from couple to couple, Pearson said. It's about what you want to create more of as a twosome, whether that's peace, happiness, or personal fulfillment.

3. Listen to your partner with curiosity

Pearson admitted this tip can be hard to implement — even for people who are trained in the science of relationships (ahem).

Let's go back to the clutter example. Instead of lashing out and asking Pearson, "Why are you such a slob?" Bader might say, "It seems to me you have a pretty relaxed standard around clutter," and then ask a question like, "In your family of origin, how did they deal with clutter?"

"That requires a lot of emotional restraint, a lot of emotional editing, a lot of putting your ego out of the way," Pearson said. But the end result is that, instead of getting into a major blow-out, you actually have a productive conversation.

SEE ALSO: How to have a successful marriage that lasts, according to relationship experts who married each other

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 1,500 happily married people say the key to lasting relationships isn’t communication — it’s respect

Everything tennis icon Roger Federer eats and drinks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

$
0
0

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is skipping the clay season so that he can be as fit and fresh as possible for the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.

Even at 36, Federer continues to marvel on the courts, and he triumphed at the first major of the year, the Australian Open.

But to maintain his sporting dominance, Federer has to eat right. So what sort of food does a 20-time Grand Slam tennis champion eat?

Here's everything Federer likes to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

SEE ALSO: People are asking who would win in a match between Roger Federer and Serena Williams — and the winner is clear

DON'T MISS: This is the one record Roger Federer has set that future tennis players will struggle to beat

This is 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, who is widely considered as the best male tennis player of all time.



To start his day, Federer prefers to go sweet rather than savoury and reportedly enjoys homemade waffles with a fresh fruit compote on the morning of a match.

Source: The Guardian



To wash the waffles down, Federer has fresh juice, coffee, and a vinegar shot.

Source: The Guardian



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Inside the White House's sprawling secret grounds, which include a hidden garden

$
0
0

White House

The White House grounds were on full display in their springtime glory as President Donald Trump hosted his first state visit last week, complete with a tree planting (and disappearance).

But there's much more to the 18 acres enclosed by the White House fences that the public doesn't get to see.

Aside from special events like the Easter Egg Roll and the national Christmas tree lighting, the gardens are only officially open to visitors two weekends a year. See inside the sprawling White House grounds:

SEE ALSO: Inside the presidential guest house — the 'world's most exclusive hotel' that's bigger than the White House where Macron is staying during his official state visit

SEE ALSO: Inside Number One Observatory Circle, the often overlooked but stunning vice president's residence where the Pences live

The White House grounds are part backyard and front yard for a first family, part staging area for official events.

Source: White House



They're actually a National Park. The grounds are part of President's Park, which includes the Ellipse across the street from the South Lawn. National Park Service workers have them maintained year-round since 1933.

Sources: National Park Service, The White House Historical Association



The South Lawn is the largest part of the grounds.

Sources: National Park Service, The White House Historical Association



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 unusual travel habits of North Korea's Kim Jong-Un

$
0
0

kim jong un

  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un rarely leaves his country.
  • But when he does, observers have noted some of his unusual travel habits.
  • They include his insistence on having a "personal toilet" and bringing a special noodle machine from Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has reportedly agreed to meet with President Donald Trump in the Korean demilitarized zone, according to news reports on Tuesday.

For Kim, the meeting will mark a rare moment in the public eye. The enigmatic leader visited the DMZ last week to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-In, and in March he traveled to China to meet with President Xi Jinping, but otherwise has not left his native country since he took office in 2011.

Kim's previous turns on the international stage have revealed some of his curious travel habits, like his need for a "personal toilet" to accompany him and his insistence on bringing a special noodle machine on trips.

Read on to read about the unusual things Kim does when he goes on international trips.

SEE ALSO: Kim Jong Un reportedly agrees to meet Trump at the Korean DMZ

DON'T MISS: A chain-smoking Kim Jong Un was seen having just one cigarette break during the hourslong Korea summit — and his wife may have had something to do with it

A human motorcade surrounded his car

As Kim's car arrived at the start of peace talks with South Korean president Moon Jae-In last week, cameras caught an unusual sight: a fleet of 12 bodyguards, dressed in full suits and black dress shoes, surrounding the vehicle and running alongside it.

The "human motorcade," as some news outlets called it, kept pace with the vehicle and stayed in perfect formation as it drove around turns in the road until it finally came to a halt, giving the bodyguards a moment to catch a breath.



He rides a slow-moving, bulletproof train

Most world leaders travel by airplane, but much like his father and grandfather, Kim Jong-Un's preferred mode of transportation is private train.

Whenever Kim travels, as he did to China last month, three trains are needed: an advance security train, Kim's train, and another train for bodyguards and supplies, according to The New York Times.

Each carriage on Kim's 90 high-security carriages is bulletproof, and with all the extra weight, the trains top out at just 37 miles per hour, the Times reported.



He doesn't use public restrooms when he travels — he uses a 'personal toilet' instead

Apparently, Kim Jong-un doesn't use public restrooms when he travels, instead opting for a "personal toilet," Lee Yun-keol, a former member of the North Korean Guard Command unit, told The Washington Post. And the reason has nothing to do with cleanliness.

"Rather than using a public restroom, the leader of North Korea has a personal toilet that follows him around when he travels," Lee told The Post. "The leader’s excretions contain information about his health status so they can’t be left behind."

In 2015, South Korean news agency DailyNK reported that a customized bathroom is built into one of the cars of Kim's convoy of armored vehicles.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

4 tech innovations we saw at CinemaCon that could radically change the movie theater experience

$
0
0

4DX_with_ScreenX CJ 4DPLEX

Every year the movie industry goes to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, a convention where the studios show off their upcoming slate to the theater chains.

But it’s also where bold new innovations in the business are born.

Business Insider had a chance to look at a handful of them. From an interactive movie magazine to a company that’s looking to redefine the preshow experience at the multiplex, there could be a lot of changes coming soon to a theater near you.

Here are four things that grabbed our attention:

SEE ALSO: Thanks to Thanos, "Avengers: Infinity War" is Marvel's "The Empire Strikes Back"

4DX with Screen X

You may have seen a movie in 4DX (where the seats in the movie theater move with the action on screen) or a movie in Screen X (panoramic, 270-degree screen), but you’ve never done it at the same time!

That’s because both features have not been combined in any theaters yet. Business Insider got to experience a demo of a 4DX/Screen X viewing at CinemaCon and it’s certainly a different way to go to the movies. As your seat moves and rumbles with the action of, say, “Rampage,” you are immersed in the viewing as the movie picture expands to the sides of the theater.

There are 500 4DX screens in existence and 142 that are Screen X. It’s unclear when theaters will have the combined version (one is opening in South Korea), but it’s almost inevitable that it's coming.



myCinema

Though box-office numbers are high, there are fewer and fewer people coming to the movie theater. So myCinema thinks offering more alternative content to theaters could get more butts in the seats — especially during down times at the theaters.

Beginning in the coming months, Nagra — the digital TV division of Swiss company Kudelski Group — will launch myCinema, which will be offering thousands of shows, movies, and specials to movie theaters that can stream the content directly into their digital projectors. This will make the content easier (and quicker) for theaters to get compared to digital prints by services like Fathom.

With a library that will feature everything from kids content to faith-based titles to live concerts, you could see myCinema soon at independent arthouses that are always struggling to find audiences to come through the turnstile on a regular basis.



Noovie ARcade

Ever get to the movies early and have to sit through a bunch of boring commercials before the trailers start? National CineMedia hopes it has a better alternative.

NCM’s Noovie ARcade preshow lets you combine your phone with the big screen in front of you. Through downloading the ARcade app you are prompted to point your phone at the theater screen and play a variety of shooting, catching, and tossing games through your phone.

You are playing with everyone else in the theater who also has the app, so at the end of each game a leader board ranks everyone’s score.

Noovie ARcade has launched at 1,650 theaters nationwide through AMC, Cinemark, and Regal, as well as 50 regional and local exhibitors.

Check out if it’s available at your local theater next time you’re there.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 100 best movies on Hulu right now

$
0
0

Creed Warner Bros final

You probably head over to Hulu for all the TV it has to offer. But the streaming service also has a lot of great movies, too.

From classics like "A League of Their Own" and "Dirty Dancing" to modern favorites like "Zodiac" and "Creed."

Scroll down to check out the 100 best movies to watch on Hulu right now.

Note: Numerous Hulu titles drop off the streaming service monthly so the availability of titles below may change.

SEE ALSO: The 25 worst superhero movies of all time, ranked from bad to unwatchable

“10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016)

If “The Cloverfield Paradox” on Netflix left you with a bad taste in your mouth, rewatch the best movie in the franchise (so far).



“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” (2016)

Michael Bay turns serious for a sec as he looks back on the six members of a security team who fought to defend the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, during a terrorist attack in 2012.



“50 First Dates” (2004)

Following the box-office success of “The Wedding Singer,” Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore reteam for this cute romantic comedy.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A 23andMe competitor just launched its own cancer testing initiative — but it differs in a key way

$
0
0

Helix DNA 7

  • Consumer genetics company Color Genomics is rolling out services to test for genes linked to cancer and high cholesterol.
  • Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures announced the new feature at global health conference HLTH in Las Vegas on Sunday evening.
  • The announcement comes roughly a month after Color competitor 23andMe released breast cancer genetics results to consumers.
  • Color and 23andMe are taking different approaches, however. While 23andMe provides results directly to consumers, something experts have called "dangerous," Color is partnering with universities who will make the tests available to patients alongside a counselor.


The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but spit is increasingly the portal to your health. 

In an effort to give people information about everything from their ancestry to their genetic risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer, consumer genetics testing companies like 23andMe have been rapidly expanding their services.

On Sunday, another consumer genetics company called Color Genomics launched a plan to give people a peek at their genetic risk for two major conditions: hereditary cancer and high cholesterol.

The announcement was delivered by high-profile Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, who was speaking at global healthcare conference HLTH in Las Vegas and is one of Color's investors.

Color's move into cancer and high cholesterol comes on the heels of a recent decision by 23andMe to give customers information about some of their genetic risk for breast cancer.

But Color's approach differs from 23andMe's in at least one key way: rather than simply making the information available directly to the customer, Color is partnering with several universities so that patients of existing healthcare systems would be able to get their results only with the guidance of a physician or trained genetics counselor.

That last part is something outside experts say is key to avoiding endangering the health of consumers who could easily misinterpret their results.

The delicate business of disease genetics

AncestryDisease genetics are highly complex. Having a genetic variant, or a mutation on a chunk of DNA, that amplifies your risk of a disease like cancer doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop it; similarly, not having the variant doesn't necessarily mean you won't. 

But knowing whether or not you have a genetic tweak that's linked with a disease like cancer can be powerful medicine — when that knowledge is delivered in the right way.

Catching a disease early or preventing it in the first place curbs deaths and medical costs.

But giving people access to this kind of information without doing it alongside guidance from a trained medical professional could have the opposite of the intended effect, John Witte, the program leader for the cancer genetics program at the University of California at San Francisco, told Business Insider last month.

A customer who finds out they have zero of the breast cancer tweaks that 23andMe currently tests for might wrongly assume they're no longer at risk for the disease, Witte said. That could have the unfortunate result of making that person less likely to catch the disease earlier if they go on to develop it.

Color's approach has expert support

Instead of solely releasing hereditary cancer and high cholesterol risk results to its customers, Color is partnering with four large universities — the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Chicago; the University of Washington; and Thomas Jefferson University — to make them available to patients at those institutions for free alongside a genetic counselor from Color or the institution.

That is an approach that outside experts have said they stand behind, as it essentially places the information behind a gatekeeper who can translate the results and advise on any necessary next steps.

The new Color initiative will look at two conditions where genetics play a key role: cancer — breast, ovarian, colorectal, and prostate — and high cholesterol, also known as familial hypercholesterolemia, or FH. Several genes are involved in the development of both conditions, while other factors like diet and exercise can play a key role, too. 

Color is focusing on these two conditions first for several reasons. One is that the genes these conditions involve have been found to be closely linked with the risk of disease. Another is that well-defined preventive measures like dietary changes exist for both conditions, meaning that people who learn they are at higher risk for FH, for example, can take steps now to decrease their chances of developing it.

Color CEO Othman Laraki told Business Insider that the approach is one he stands behind.

"We want to focus on a few things with the highest quality possible and scale them, rather than going a mile wide and an inch deep on several," Laraki said.

SEE ALSO: Popular genetics testing company 23andMe has a new cancer test — and scientists say it's dangerous

DON'T MISS: How to delete your DNA data from genetics companies like 23andMe and Ancestry

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why you should never release your pet goldfish into the wild

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, Kate, and 11 other royals all live in the same palace — here's a breakdown of their lavish quarters

$
0
0

kensington palace map

  • Kensington Palace, next to London's Hyde Park, is home to a total of 15 high-ranking royals.
  • Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children share a grand 20-room apartment that spans four storeys.
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in a cottage on the palace grounds, which is where Harry proposed.
  • Princess Eugenie and her fiancé Jack Brooksbank recently moved in as well.
  • Six senior royals of the same generation of Queen Elizabeth II also have rooms there.
  • The Queen and Prince Philip live in Buckingham Palace, around 2 miles away.


With two royal weddings on the horizon, not to mention a newborn prince, 2018 is shaping up to be a year of massive change for Britain's royal family.

And the royal property that's ringing in the changes more than any other is undoubtedly the historic Kensington Palace in London, now home to 15 members of the royal family, spanning three generations.

The palace, a royal residence since the 1600s, has taken on three new arrivals in the last month, making it easily the most bustling of the royal family's many grand homes.

Kensington Palace general view

Within its grounds are a host of separate properties, ranging from (relatively) humble cottages, to a grand, 20-room apartment occupied by Prince William, Kate Middleton and their young family.

As well as royal living quarters, which tend to be relatively sedately decorated, it is also home to lavish state rooms used for grand occasions, like this one:

Kensington Palace interior

Here's a breakdown of who's who, and where they live in Kensington Palace:



Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis: 
Apartment 1A

William, Kate, and their children are not only the largest group of royals in Kensington Palace, but the closest to the throne.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have the best rooms going. The family of five occupies Apartment 1A, a collection of 20 stately rooms with a commanding view of Hyde Park.

They moved to Kensington Palace full-time in October 2013, not long after their first child, Prince George, was born. Princess Charlotte followed in 2015, and Prince Louis in April 2018.

The public rarely get to see inside, but photographers were allowed to take photos of a reception room when William and Kate hosted the Obamas in 2016:

Kensington Palace Apartment 1A Prince William Harry Obama

We also saw another view (or maybe even another room) where Prince George played on a rocking horse before meeting the President. 

GettyImages 523284574

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Nottingham Cottage

Significantly less grand is the two-bed cottage inhabited by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which will also be their marital home after they marry on May 19.

The cottage, nicknamed "Nott Cott" and often described as "snug," has been Harry's home since 2013.

Meghan moved in just after their engagement was made public in November 2017. Harry proposed to Meghan when they were spending an evening together at Nottingham Cottage, surprising her while they were roasting a chicken.

After announcing their engagement, they gave an interview from the cottage, sitting on its sofa, which is one of the only times the public has seen inside:

Harry Meghan BBC interview Nottingham Cottage

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank: Ivy Cottage

The newest royals at Kensington Palace are Princess Eugenie, who is William and Harry's cousin, and her fiancé Jack Brooksbank, a London socialite.

According to The Sun, the couple moved in to a cottage right next to Harry and Meghan's around the same time Kate was in hospital delivering Prince Louis. 

princess eugenie engagement

The couple announced their engagement in January, a few weeks after getting engaged while vacationing in Nicaragua.

They are getting married at Windsor Castle in the same church as Harry and Meghan this October, but the occasion is likely to attract much less publicity.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester: Apartment 1

The Duke of Gloucester, one of Queen Elizabeth II's cousins, lives in Apartment 1 with the Duchess of Gloucester, his wife.

Duke of Gloucester Duchess of Gloucester

Like William and Kate's home at 1A, the dwelling is a large complex of rooms in the main palace building. The two used to be one enormous set of rooms until they were divided in the 1950s.

The complex has 21 rooms, slightly pipping the size of William and Kate's, but few details are available other than its overall size.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent: Apartment 10

Prince Michael of Kent, another of the Queen's cousins but from a more junior line, lives in the main palace building with his wife.

She is known as Princess Michael in the old-fashioned tradition by which the wives of princes take their husband's name.

Prince Michael of Kent Princess Michael of Kent

This same rule means that Kate can technically be referred to as Princess William of Cambridge, but the name is not widely used.

Their apartment, number 10, consists of five bedrooms and five receptions rooms. They used to have use of the property rent-free, but since 2008 they have been paying a reported  £10,000 ($13,600) per month in rent.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent: Wren House

The Duke of Kent, Prince Michael's older brother, also lives in the Kensington Palace grounds with his wife, the Duchess.

Their home, Wren House, is named after the famous British architect Christopher Wren, who built St Paul's Cathedral and a slew of properties for the royal household.

Duke and Duchess of Kent

Few details about their home have ever been made public. It is physically between Ivy and Nottingham cottages, and appears to be of a similar size.

What about the Queen?

Elizabeth II lives at Buckingham Palace with her husband, Prince Philip. It's around 2 miles from Kensington Palace, across Hyde Park and Green Park.

Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace.JPG

It's not quite as cosy as living on the same property — but if Her Majesty ever wants to drop in on her cousins, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, they aren't far away.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why the Saudi crown prince met with Trump, Oprah, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos

15 movie sequels that are better than the originals

$
0
0

Godfather Part II

Let’s start off by getting this out of the way: All of the original movies to the sequels in this list are amazing.

If they weren’t, there would never have been a sequel (or sometimes, three, four, or even seven more movies).

But in some cases, the sequels that push forward what's explored in the origin story are better. That doesn’t lessen the quality of the original, but we love these franchises even more because these subsequent movies were made.

Here we look at 15 sequels that did just that:

SEE ALSO: The 33 most important deaths in the Marvel Cinematic Universe history, ranked by how say they were

“Aliens” (1986)

James Cameron expands Ridley Scott’s original movie while also giving it a jolt of insane thrills. Taking us from a ship infected by aliens in the first movie to a whole planet in the sequel, the idea of a franchise that can go on for decades is realized. And the Marines getting attacked by the aliens in the beginning of the movie is one of the top anxiety experiences I’ve ever had watching a movie.



“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)

It’s only been out for a few weeks, but you can tell instantly that this movie is special. The original Avengers movie was a thrill because we got to see all of our childhood heroes on the screen at the same time. But “Infinity War” uses that to give us a punch in the gut that we won’t forget for a while.



“The Dark Knight” (2008)

It’s the high point of Christopher Nolan’s fantastic Batman trilogy. There’s the greatness of Nolan at the helm, but also the Oscar-winning performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker. With a talent like Christian Bale as Batman, putting him up against an equal talent like Ledger resulted in one of the best acted comic book movies of all time.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 116489 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images