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5 Most Expensive Anime Series

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While North America and Europe have plenty of animated television shows, many of them are done digitally to save money, which can end up losing the sort of character and quality that many of us were accustomed to in the 1990s and years prior. In Japan, however, animation is still very much a big deal with detailed drawings and a lot of legwork put into each episode of anime.

As a result, there have been some very expensive anime series over the years in Japan, with some costing six figures per episode to create. Out of the many popular and expensive anime series, these are the five most expensive on a per-episode basis. We’ll show you just how much they cost while you judge whether or not the investment has paid off in the long run.

Black Clover

Black Clover began as a manga created and illustrated by Yūki Tabata. The animated series quickly grew in popularity, with a movie coming to Netflix in 2023. The series was released in early 2015 and is still going strong to this day. It takes a whopping $140,000 to create each episode of the beloved anime. The plot is an intriguing one, probably why the company is putting so much money toward the production. Black Clover follows the lives of orphans Asta and Yuno, one born with magic abilities and one born without. Asta stumbles upon a treasure that gives him an advantage. He and his friend Yuno make it their goal to become the next Wizard King, battling enemies and going through trials along the way. 

Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan is not only one of the most popular anime series in recent years, it’s also one of the more costly series. The incredible series was written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, who has won multiple awards for his mind-blowing manga, having sold over 110 million copies as of 2022. In the series, people are forced to live surrounded by gigantic walls that keep out the ravenous and murderous titans. The making of the animated series cost around $150,000 per episode, making it one of the most expensive anime series to date. 

Dragon Ball Super 

Dragon Ball is an anime series that has stood the test of time. Extremely popular among young and old, it’s no wonder why the company behind the production spent about $160,000 an episode. One of the many Dragon Ball series, this variant has run since 2017 and continues to produce new and exciting high-quality episodes that fans love. The series follows Goku as he battles yet another foe, the God of Destruction, Beerus. Beerus seeks a battle with Goku, threatening earth’s annihilation if he loses to Goku. 

My Hero Academia 

My Hero Academia is an incredibly popular anime series among today’s youth and cosplay goers. It started off as a manga series created and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The still-running animated series aired in 2016 uses around $110,000 to make each episode. It follows Izuku Midoriya, a young schoolboy who, unlike most of the population, lacks a superpower, or “Quirk”. After meeting his hero, All Might, he’s gifted powers passed down from his idol and then goes on to attend an academy for those bearing powers. The children within the school are often joined together with law enforcement to aid in the capture of villains who use their powers to commit horrible crimes. 

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an intriguing anime series, originally a popular manga created and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. There have been many animated series to come from the manga throughout the years. One of the more recent adaptations cost around $120,000 per episode and truly shows how much the fanbase has grown and continues to do so. They keep coming back for the twist and turns of the series that showcases paranormal, comedic, and sometimes outrageous storylines. 

5 Best Android Apps To Get More Out of Life

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These days, our smartphones are mostly used for texting and hopping on social media. However, many studies have shown that spending too much time on social media can be bad for your mental and physical health. That doesn’t mean that all apps are bad for you, though, as there are plenty that are helpful, enriching, and even downright calming.

The app store on Android has a lot of options to choose from if you’re looking for something in any of these categories. Whether you’re looking to beat traffic or simulate life on a quiet little farm, here are the five best Android apps to get more out of life while getting away from Facebook and Twitter.

Waze

Waze is a free and handy navigation app that everyone with an android should download. It was developed by the Israel-based company Waze Mobile. Waze relies heavily on its user base, giving regular people the ability to provide real-time traffic updates and possible obstacles that other motorists can use to plan their route or reroute their journey if needed. The fun thing about the Waze app is the function that allows users to customize the voice of the GPS. There are tons of celebrity GPS voice options available on the app and you can even record your own voice. 

Signal 

The internet can be a dangerous place if you’re not careful. Internet safety and privacy are more important than ever these days. One of Signal’s goals is to keep your data secure and out of the wrong hands. Signal is a useful app for those trying to keep their personal messages, files, pictures, videos, and calls encrypted and private. The app was developed by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit based in California and founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton. It launched in 2018 and has been downloaded over 105 million times, with over 40 million regularly active users. 

My Fitness Pal

Myfitnesspal is a helpful tool for those wanting to keep track of their nutrition and exercise goals. The app offers free and premium services, with the premium of course allowing access to more features on the app. On the app you can enter your weight loss or weight gain goals, then the app will give you daily goals to stick to so you can achieve said goals. Some fun features, like being able to scan the barcode of a package and enter the servings you consumed, the detailed nutrition map, recipe ideas, and the ability to connect to other smartphone fitness devices and apps, make it an easy and quick way to track your meals, activity, and overall progress. 

Calm

Our highly stressful, chaotic, daily lives can give way to so much tension and pent-up emotions. To combat the stress, we need an outlet to release all of that tension. One way to help you do that is the Calm app. Calm is an app developed to aid in the sleep health, meditation, and relaxation areas of your life. The app provides calming audio-book sleep stories and ambient noise recordings to listen to while you drift off to sleep. Some are even read by celebrities and ASMR content creators. There are also guided meditation sessions you can use throughout the day to keep your head straight and remain relaxed the entire day. 

Stardew Valley

Did you know Stardew Valley was available as an app? If you didn’t know, now you know  Stardew Valley is a comforting and cute farming simulator that will provide you with a relaxing escape when you have a moment to relax with your phone or tablet. In the game, you take over your deceased grandfather’s run-down farm. You can interact with the townspeople, farm, fish, cool, raise your livestock, and even create a little virtual family of your very own. 

5 Names That Only Old People Seem To Have

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There are certain names that come to mind when you think of someone that’s incredibly young, particularly in Generations Z or Alpha. Names like Aiden, Aurora, and Grayson come to mind with the younger generation, but what about the Baby Boomers and the generations before that? There are some names that were incredibly common in the early 20th century and before, but have, for the most part, gone away.

Some of these names have staged a comeback over the years, while others are associated with older people and are considered to be incredibly rare. While there are dozens of names that make you think of someone on the elderly side, there is a handful that really stands out. Here are our picks for five names that you almost immediately think of when talking about older people, and how those names came to be.

Beatrice

Do you know anyone named Béatrice? Are they old? Probably. That’s because the name Beatrice dates back hundreds of years ago, gaining popularity between the 1920s and 1930s. Beatrice is a female given name, of Latin, French, and Italian origin. It means “she who brings happiness”. It was derived from the Latin name Beatrix, which is thought to be a variation of the name Viatrix, the feminine version of the Latin name Viator, meaning voyager, or traveler. The name Béatrice has been rising in popularity since 2010.

Hershel

Hershel Is a Hebrew name, often possessed by the sturdy and hardworking generation of older men. The name simply means “deer” and has similarities to the strong Jewish names Herman and Menashe. The name Hershel can alternately be spelled “Herschel” and gained popularity between the early 1900s and 1940s. A well-known Hershel in pop culture, the Walking Dead character Hershel Greene, coincidentally an old man who lived on a farm. Another famous Herschel is everyone’s favorite Herschel Krustofski, better known as Krusty The Clown in the Simpsons television series.   

Eugene 

A name most often associated with nerds, or old men, Eugene is actually a noble name. It’s derived from the Greek name eugenēs, which means “well-born” and “noble”. It’s sometimes shortened to Gene and there are a ton of variations of the name throughout different cultures. The popular female variations are Eugenia and Eugenie. Some popular characters that share this same name include Gene Belcher from the Bob’s Burger adult animated series, Eugene Fitzherbert, or Flynn Rider from the Disney movie “Tangled”, Eugene H. Krabs from the SpongeBob cartoon, and the dorky Eugene Horowitz from the Hey Arnold cartoon. 

Eleanor 

When you think of the name Eleanor, your mind probably goes somewhere before the 1970s. Of course, there was former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as the hit song “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles. As a name, Eleanor maintained its popularity for a very long time since it was associated with royalty throughout Europe. During the turn of the 20th century, Eleanor picked up steam and became one of the most common female names in the United States. Variations such as Ella or Ellie started to take off during the 1970s, knocking Eleanor far down the list before it started to have a bit of a resurgence in recent years.

Edith 

Edith is another one of those names you can’t help but picture belonging to a cute little old lady. The name Edith gained popularity in the early 1900s. It comes from the Old English word Eadgyð. The first half, ead, means “blessed” and the second half, gyð, means “war”. The two combined create a name that stands for being prosperous in times of struggle, a very strong and stoic name indeed. Some women in history who’ve shared the name include Edith Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson, and Edith Roosevelt, second wife of Theodore Roosevelt. 

5 Emojis That Can Cause Misunderstandings Across Generations and Cultures

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You may be surprised to learn that emojis have been around since 1997 when they were first introduced on Japanese mobile phones, but it wasn’t until the early 2010s that they really started to take off in popularity. Since then, almost everyone with a mobile phone has used emojis at some point, though it seems like Generation Z is the final authority on each emoji.

As a result, each generation has its own interpretation of what emojis mean, and it has caused a lot of misunderstandings over the years. Certain emojis can be seen as lighthearted to some while passive-aggressive or downright mean to others. Let’s take a look at five emojis that are causing misunderstandings across generations and cultures around the world.

1. Thumbs Up

For some generations, the thumbs-up hand gesture is a symbol of something good or that you understand what someone said. Oftentimes, it’s used as a way of saying “got it” to someone. It’s short and sweet, and for the most part, nobody means anything negative behind it. Out of all of the emojis on smartphones, though, Generation Z has dubbed it as the most passive-aggressive of all.

What makes it so negative, though? Some of those that were polled said that they weren’t quite sure, but it seemed hostile and rude. Younger people that are entering the workforce for the first time and receiving instant messages from older bosses are saying that they have to train themselves to know that there’s no hostility behind the thumbs up.

2. Shrugging

The shrugging gesture is one of those things that certainly comes across better in person or over the phone than in an emoji. If there’s a question where you don’t know the answer, you can give a friendly “I’m not sure” or “let me check,” or even shrug your shoulders in person. That doesn’t quite translate in text, and the recipient might think you’re annoyed with them.

The emoji has been adopted as a sign of being passive-aggressive or sarcastic, especially on social media. For example, people will often use the shrugging emoji posted with a news article asking “Why aren’t people talking about this?” or “just saying.”

3. Upside-Down Smiley

On its surface, the upside-down smiling emoji is incredibly harmless. Everyone loves a cute smiley face and it looks downright silly when it’s upside-down. That’s not what it means to younger people, though. The emoji typically indicates sarcasm or frustration, with people often using it when they feel defeated.

However, older generations have their own use for the upside-down smiley. It’s typically used for someone that’s simply being goofy with their texts and means nothing negative in their message. If you receive one from an older person, you’re probably in the clear.

4. Checkmark

The checkmark emoji and the thumbs-up emoji tend to go hand in hand, with most people (especially in the working world) using it as a form of saying “understood.” The checkmark can be used in several different ways than the thumbs-up emoji, too. It can be used for personal checklists, and for the most part, it means that everything is good.

There are certain circles in which the checkmark can be seen as a form of passive aggression, though. Around 17 percent of people who were polled said the standard checkmark was passive-aggressive, while the version with the green background being the more universally accepted of the two.

5. OK Hand

The OK hand symbol is something that used to have almost no negative connotation, but has gone the way of the thumbs-up by being packed with sarcasm. Even worse, the OK symbol has been said to be used by certain ethnic groups in a less-than-savory way. With that in mind, it might be best to stay away from the OK hand if it’s someone that you don’t know.

The same can be said with any of these emojis, too. If you know the person that you’re sending them too on a personal basis, there’s really not much to worry about. When you’re using them with a stranger, though, always air on the side of caution. 

5 Highest Grossing Movies in Chinese History

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For decades, China was a bit of a niche market for cinema in the eyes of Hollywood, but things changed dramatically at the start of the 21st century. Chinese-made films were starting to earn big numbers at the box office domestically, with many even making their way into the west. The reverse has also been true, with Hollywood movies earning more in China starting in the 2000s.

Films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with the “Transformers” and “Fast and Furious” franchises, have done extremely well in China. However, it’s some of the homegrown films that have stood out as the highest-grossing in the country’s history. Here are the five highest grossing movies in Chinese history with a little bit of background on how they came to be and how much money they pulled in.

The Battle at Lake Changjin

Sitting at the top of the list of highest-grossing films in China is “The Battle at Lake Changjin”, released in 2021 and written by Lan Xiaolong and Huang Jianxin. This film follows the dramatized events of the real-life Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the midst of the Korean War. It had a budget of $200 million and earned a whopping $913 million worldwide, the second-highest-earning film in 2021 and the highest-earning film of all time in China. 

Wolf Warrior 2 

Released in the summer of 2017, “Wolf Warrior 2” is the second-highest-earning film of all time in China. This action-packed film is directed by Wu Jing, who also co-produced, co-wrote, and stars in the movie. The movie follows the adventures of Jing’s character Leng Feng, a Chinese soldier who doesn’t play by the rules. 

In this sequel to the first “Wolf Warrior” that came out in 2015, Feng must protect himself and those around him as he makes his way through an unknown location in Africa that’s being attacked by mercenaries and Somalian pirates. The film had a budget of $30.1 million and earned an incredible $874 million. 

Hi, Mom

“Hi, Mom” is a Chinese comedy released in February of 2021. It was written and directed by Jia Ling, who also stars in the movie. The film’s budget was $59 million and it earned $850 million, making it the third-highest-earning film in China. 

The film follows Ling’s character Jia Xiaoling transported back in time to the 1980s, twenty years prior to her mother’s fatal car accident. She does her best to befriend her mother in hopes of redeeming herself, feeling she hasn’t been a good enough daughter to her mother. She attempts to alter the course of history to give her mother a better life than she has in her future. 

Ne Zha

Ne Zha, also spelled Nezha, was released in 2019 and is the fourth highest-earning Chinese film in history and the only 3D animated film on our list. The action-packed film had a budget of $20 million and earned an astounding $742.5 million. It follows the intriguing journey of Ne Zha, born with a demonic nature from the Demon Orb, having been told he is full of good and was born of the Spirit Pearl.   

The Wandering Earth

“The Wandering Earth” is a Chinese sci-fi film released in 2019, directed by Frant Gwo. The film has a $50 million budget and earned $700 million, making it the fifth highest-earning Chinese film of all time. 

The intense sci-fi film takes place in the year 2061, when a global crisis takes place. The sun is dying and ready to form a red giant that will destroy the earth and everything that inhabits it. Scientists come up with a plan to relocate Earth to another solar system in an attempt to save it. The sequel, “The Wandering Earth 2”, was subsequently announced after the first film’s success and given a 2023 release date.

5 Best Metal Album Covers

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There are certain genres of music where the album covers just mean a little more. In metal, an album cover is one of the most important aspects of the album itself. Many metal albums are epics that tell an entire story and have themes, and the covers tend to match those themes. Because of this, there have been some truly iconic metal album covers over the years, but these five really stand out as the best.

5. Leviathan by Mastodon

The newest album to be included on the list is 2004’s “Leviathan” by Mastodon, which was a concept album that was based on the famous novel “Moby Dick”. With songs such as “Iron Tusk” and “I Am Ahab”, “Leviathan” has a cover that matches the theme of the entire album.

Philadelphia native Paul Romano is the man responsible for the cover art for “Leviathan”, and much of his work has been featured on album covers throughout the years. The album itself only shows a small portion of the full picture, which can only be described as truly epic. The mix of colors and clashing themes seems like it’s straight out of a fantasy story and makes “Leviathan” really stand out.

4. Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest

Judas Priest was still in the early years as a band when they released “Sad Wings of Destiny” in 1976, which was just their second album. “Sad Wings of Destiny” had a little something for all metal fans no matter the mood, and the album was propelled by memorable songs including “Deceiver” and “The Ripper”.

Patrick Woodroffe was tabbed to create the cover art for “Sad Wings of Destiny”. The official title of the painting is “Fallen Angel”, which shows the band’s symbol within the imagery. Woodroffe would also create cover art for bands including Budgie, Mike Batt, and even Tiesto. Still, it’s his “Fallen Angel” piece that fans remember the most.

3. Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? by Megadeth

Following the success of “Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!”, Megadeth released “Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying?” the following year in 1985. The album was commercially successful thanks to the title track and other songs including “Wake Up Dead” and “The Conjuring”.

Megadeth loved using artist Ed Repka and their mascot Vic Rattlehead, and that’s how the cover of “Peace Sells” came to be. Repka drew Vic in front of a destroyed United Nations Building and set up a sign to sell the real estate. Repka said it was a cornerstone moment for his career, and he’d go on to create art for several Megadeth albums including “Hangar 18”, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “From Beyond”.

2. Master of Puppets by Metallica

There’s always a debate amongst Metallica fans as to what the best album in the band’s catalog is, with many making a case for “Master of Puppets”. Released in 1986, the album received near-perfect reviews across the board thanks to songs including “Battery”, “Welcome Home”, and “Disposable Heroes”.

The cover of “Master of Puppets” fits the theme and name of the album, showing subconscious manipulation. The white crosses mark all of those that were being controlled by higher powers, including those having their lives ended by war. “Master of Puppets” was actually designed mostly by Metallica, though they enlisted the help of Peter Mensch and painter Don Brautigam to bring their idea to life.

1. Holy Diver by Dio

“Holy Diver” was the result of Ronnie James Dio wrapping up his first stint with Black Sabbath, using many of the bandmates that he had worked with up to that point. The album produced a lot of memorable tracks, including the title track, “Stand Up and Shout”, and “Rainbow in the Dark”.

Dio used a mascot named Murray that was prominently featured in much of the band’s work, and that includes the “Holy Diver” album cover. Randy Berrett was the artist that brought Murray to life in this one, which shows him wrapping up a priest with his whip-like chain from a mountain high above the water. Naturally, this cover drew some controversy, but it was very much on-brand for Dio.

5 Abandoned Olympic Venues Perfect For Olympic Explorers

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Urban exploration and abandoned buildings go hand in hand, and there are no better-abandoned places quite like sporting venues. While places like the United States tend to demolish or repurpose sporting venues, many other countries leave their venues to be taken back by nature. This is especially true for the Olympics, which have a lot of niche sports in countries that don’t excel in them.

For every Los Angeles, California there’s an Athens, Greece that doesn’t take full advantage of the venues that were built. If you’re an urban explorer and want to see some great abandoned Olympic venues, check out these five cities around the world.

1. Sarajevo, Bosnia

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina was awarded the 1984 Winter Olympics, and at the time, put on a masterclass on how to hold an event. Things went great for the Olympics, but the venues wouldn’t hold up for very long. That’s because the Bosnian War broke out less than a decade later, lasting for over three years.

The country became torn by the war, and the venues that were still standing from the Olympics were mostly destroyed, while others were left standing and simply abandoned. The ski jump area serves as a monument to what was once a great moment in time for Bosnia while the bobsled track has been graffitied multiple times over.

2. Athens, Greece

The 2004 Summer Olympics were a big deal for the games as they returned to Athens, Greece, the home of the Olympiad. To get the city ready for the Olympics, Athens built several new venues and went into tremendous debt so that everything was sparkling and brand new. While some of the venues are still being used, there were many that were left abandoned.

Some of the areas that have been completely abandoned include the softball stadium, field hockey center, and canoe/kayak venue where it’s hard to tell what events even took place there. The economic situation in Greece following the Olympics caused many of these venues to fall into shambles.

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro became a surprise choice for the 2016 Summer Olympics and the country of Brazil quickly had to construct several new venues that included a 16,000 seat basketball arena and even a golf course. Many temporary venues were also erected, but many were left to the elements just a few months after the Olympic closing ceremonies.

The Olympic Aquatics Stadium looked like it had been abandoned for years by the time 2017 came around with the lights turned out and the pool drained. The beach volleyball stadium became overgrown with seats quickly collapsing. Brazil also hosted the World Cup for soccer around the same time and had similar problems with maintaining venues.

4. Beijing, China

China had a huge coming out party to the world when the country was chosen to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The city was awarded the games in 2001, giving them plenty of time to build new venues. It cost almost $2 billion for China to construct the venues, some of which are still in use.

Beijing, which also hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics, left many of its summer venues behind, especially the beach volleyball stadium. While the interior seats are still fine, the field is overgrown and the exterior is covered in layers of grime. Some of the venues have been totally reclaimed by nature after being blocked off to the public and never reopened.

5. Berlin, Germany

In 1936, Germany hosted the Summer Olympics in what then-leader Adolf Hitler considered to be a showcase of Nazism. The venues for the most part were at least partially destroyed as World War II followed shortly after the Olympics, especially the Olympic Village. 

The standing venues have been mostly abandoned and serve as a harsh reminder for the German people. Venues like the swimming center and Village are worn down while Olympiastadion is still standing and frequently used after undergoing several renovations.

5 Best Mountain Biking Trails in the World

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One of the best physical activities that you can do with your free time, mountain biking is also one of the most accessible due to the abundance of trails around the world. Some trails offer the best visual scenery, while others have great wildlife, and there are even some that offer up varying challenge levels for bikers.

If you’re planning your next mountain biking trip and want to visit some of the world’s best destinations, we have five that every biker needs to check out. While some are considered to only be for experts due to their difficulty, there are still parts of the trails that can be enjoyed by all. Without further ado, here are the five best mountain biking trails and what makes them so great.

Copper Harbor Trails 

Based in Copper Harbor, Michigan, Copper Harbor Trail offers a lot for thrill seekers and outdoor lovers. There are hiking trails, skiing in the colder months, mountain biking trails, and tons of lush Midwest forest scenery to enjoy. 

The mountain biking trails have downhill tracks, flow trails, cross-country, and technical options. They feature expert trails like the Black Diamond, as well as some beginner-level trails such as Little Loon, Moose on the Loose, and Chipmunk Run. Enjoy a day out with friends and family and get a taste of Michigan while you practice your mountain biking skills. 

Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail is a 500-mile stretch of mountain biking goodness that is only able to be trekked throughout a small portion of the summer months when the snow melts and reveals a great trail for long distance mountain biking fanatics. 

The trail stretches from the town of Durango, Colorado to Littleton, Colorado right outside of Denver. The Colorado Trail features a path through an insanely gorgeous landscape, with glorious mountain ranges, flowing rivers, and national forests. It’s not a trail for beginners and is rated 9/10 in difficulty, so make sure you’re prepared and skilled enough to make the journey. 

Kingdom Trails

East Burke, Vermont is home to the Kingdom Trails. The trail comprises over 100 miles of lovely New England terrain and goes through many plots of land owned by locals who generously allow the trails to pass through. 

The Kingdom Trails have been in development for over 25 years and claim to be one of the first trails built and excavated for the purpose of mountain biking. It’s known for its incredible scenery, trail quality and options, and generous community that enables the trail to thrive. 

Moab

Rated the number one mountain biking activity trail by many, The Moab in Utah offers all you could want. Try out four-wheeling, ballooning, bird watching, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and of course mountain biking. 

The views are to die for and the trails are some of the best in the country. There are over 100 tracks that range from easy to difficult. Great for families looking to enjoy the Utah landscape, or masters of their craft wanting to challenge themselves. The National Ability Center ensures even those with limited mobility can enjoy the activities. 

Pisgah

Located within the Pisgah Forest in Transylvania County in North Carolina, the Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures has some of the country’s best biking trails. They are a locally owned mountain bike guide company, offering private and personalized guided mountain biking trips.

Perfect for those who want to venture out into the mountain biking scene, but are hesitant to do so alone. The beautiful North Carolina scenery will be enough to make you want to sign up for a trek through the different trails within the lush forest. It’s a safer and more reliable option for those who aren’t familiar with the mountain biking trail scene but still want to enjoy it. 

5 Birthday Ideas For Your Mom

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There’s nobody in our lives quite as special as our mothers. After all, these are the women that gave birth to each and every one of us. While growing up, our moms do a lot for us, so as adults, it’s only right that we return the favor.

This is especially true when your mom is celebrating a birthday. While your mom may not like to be reminded of her age, you can always do something special for the big day. Just how do you do that, though? Moms can usually see surprises coming from a mile away so it can be difficult. However, we have five birthday ideas for your mom that she’s sure to love.

Memento With Children’s or Grandkids’ Names

Moms are notorious for loving all things sentimental and that have meaning. Especially if those things involve their children or grandchildren. There’s a variety of websites that give you the option to personalize gifts. Whether it’s jewelry, a painting, clothing, or whatever gift you think your mom would love to receive on her special day. If she’s a grandmother, include the grandkids’ names as well to make your personalized gift even more special for her. Mothers tend to be the backbone of the family and will appreciate the sentiment when they are reminded of their loved ones every time they look at their gift. 

Spa Day

Mothers take on more responsibility and stress than anyone truly understands. No matter how much they love and appreciate their family, the emotional, mental, and physical work it takes to raise children, tends to the household, and possibly holds down a job, can leave moms stressed and tense. So for their birthday, treat them to a day of relaxation and bliss. Spas offer an array of packages and treatments that you can purchase for your mom, depending on what she wants to be done and is comfortable with. 

Get All of the Family Together

Once the kids grow up and the nest empties, it can get pretty lonely. Most moms dedicate their lives to raising their children and putting their needs by the wayside. When the house slowly empties, moms can struggle with the distance between the family. For her birthday, try getting all the family together in the same place so you can all make more cherished memories and give your mom time with all of her loved ones. You can even make it a surprise party if you really want to catch her off guard and make her day. 

Take Care of Chores For the Day

You may, or may not already take care of your own chores, but there’s something incredibly generous about cleaning up after other people. Something moms often do without a peep. There are probably chores you don’t even think about doing, because mom always takes care of it. Ask your mom what chores you can take on, or surprise her by observing her routine and doing the chores without her knowing. Let her relax for the day, or a few, while you put in the elbow grease to get the job done. 

Treat Her To A Wine Tasting

Moms are often found enjoying a glass, or more, of wine after their many responsibilities are done for the day. What better way to treat your mom for her birthday than bringing her, and maybe some of her girlfriends, out to a wine tasting. She can relax and enjoy an array of wine and food pairings, letting loose and unwinding without worrying about all of her daily tasks. You can even purchase some of her favorite wine as a gift before leaving the event so she can leave with something for later. Of course, make sure you have a designated driver available before making plans. 

5 Greatest Managers in Orioles History

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When your baseball franchise has lasted well over a century, you’re bound to have plenty of managers along the way. A lot of them end up being not so great at the job and don’t last for very long, while others become Hall of Famers. The Baltimore Orioles have had dozens of managers to lead the team throughout the franchise’s history, some of which stuck around for just a couple of games.

Out of all of the men that have managed the Orioles, though, which ones are the best? Here are our picks for the five greatest managers in Baltimore Orioles history.

5. Joe Altobelli

Detroit native Joe Altobelli had a lengthy playing career but spent most of his time in Minor League Baseball. He hit .210 for the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins over three different seasons between 1955 and 1961. In 1977, Altobelli became a manager for the first time, spending three seasons leading the San Francisco Giants.

Altobelli finished with a record of 225-239 with San Francisco and after a few years away from managing, he took over the Orioles in 1983. In his first season, Altobelli won the World Series with the Orioles after a 98-64 regular season. The following season, the Orioles finished 85-77 and in 1985 he was fired after the team started 29-26.

4. Paul Richards

Despite not playing between 1935 and 1943, Paul Richards spent a lot of time in the Major Leagues from 1932 to 1946 as a player for four different franchises. He became the manager for the Chicago White Sox in 1951 but resigned following the 1954 season despite posting a career-best 91-54 record 

Richards was hired by the Orioles prior to the 1955 season and was also given the title of general manager, and he spent seven seasons leading the O’s. During that time, Richards had a record of 517-539 before resigning toward the end fo the 1961 season even though the team was on its way to its best record under his leadership.

3. Hank Bauer

Hank Bauer was a fine ballplayer in his time, spending most of his career with the New York Yankees following World War II. Bauer was a three-time All-Star in New York, and he went immediately into managing at the end of his playing career, spending 1961 and 1962 leading the Kansas City Athletics.

In 1964, Bauer made the move to Baltimore where he found immediate success. Bauer won 97 games in his first season, which was followed up with a 94 win campaign. In 1966, Bauer led the Orioles to another 97-win season, but this time they made the World Series and swept the Los Angeles Dodgers for the franchise’s first World Series.

2. Buck Showalter

It seems like the list of teams that Buck Showalter hasn’t managed would actually be shorter, as he’s spent time leading five different franchises in the MLB. From 1992 to 1995, Showalter had the difficult task of managing the Yankees under George Steinbrenner, and from 1998 to 2001 he led the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Following a four-season stint in the mid-2000s with the Texas Rangers, Showalter became manager of the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. He would stay with the team through the 2018 season. It was clear that the Orioles were tanking in his final season and going in a new direction, and if you take out the 47-115 record in that last year, Showalter finished with an impressive 622-569 mark.

1. Earl Weaver

There’s almost no debate that the greatest manager in Orioles history is Earl Weaver, who first took over the team in 1968 and continued his career through the 1982 season. After leaving the franchise for two seasons, Weaver returned to manage the 1985 and 1986 seasons before calling it a career that got him into the Hall of Fame.

Weaver’s Orioles won the American League East six times while he was in the dugout, and made it to the World Series four times. Weaver had one World Series win which came in 1970 after the Orioles defeated the Cincinnati Reds to cap off their 108-win season.