Have you seen the latest Old Spice commercial everyone seems to be talking about? It lambastes moms who struggle to let go of their grown sons. Depending on which team you find yourself, the ad is either freaking hilarious or disturbing.
According to an article in Today, the men's deodorant commercial has already enjoyed close to one million views since going live on January 3rd. Clingy moms variously lose the plot as they sing about losing their grown boys to girlfriends, to manhood itself.
One of the stalker moms is even—SPOILER—seen riding the bumper of her son's car as it drives away.
Testament to a mom's unwavering love, or has mom gone deranged? You tell us.
More videos gone viral.
A picture is worth a thousand words. That's definitely the case for parents of a 20-year-old man, who disappeared without a trace from his small upstate New York home on New Year's Day.
According to an article in the Toronto Star, in the days since he vanished Nicholas Simmons evaded police searches, so imagine his parents utter disbelief when they spotted a photograph of their son in USA Today.
Apparently an Associated Press photographer captured a candid shot of a homeless Simmons warming himself on a steam grate in Washington D.C.
“It could have been months before we had a lead on his whereabouts," wrote mom Michelle Simmons on the Facebook page set up to find her son. "My baby looks so lost and I will be spending the rest of my life making him well.”
By the time Michelle Simmons spied the photo in the newspaper, Nick had been missing for four days.
The AP photographer, Jacquelyn Martin, claims Simmons stood out among other men because he looked so young.
“It's really gratifying to see that a photograph can make a tangible difference in someone's life," said Martin. "That's a really amazing thing to have happened. I'm happy and touched that the photograph could help reunite this family.”
Though the circumstances surrounding his disappearance aren't clear, Simmons has now been reunited with his family. Police called the incident "pure dumb luck." We prefer "happy ending."
Have you heard of the Buddy Bench? Neither had I. But thanks to the work of a second-grader featured on the Today show, with any luck the bench will one day come to schools near you.
According to an article in YDR, Christian Bucks first noticed the buddy bench while surveying international schools in Germany, where his family was considering a work-related move.
The concept behind the bench is simple: kids feeling lonely or left out on the playground sit on the bench, sending a clear message to other kids that they want to talk or play. Two kids who find themselves on the bench at the same time can initiate an interaction, maybe even spark a friendship.
Immediately Christian knew his school, Roundtown Elementary, needed a buddy bench. He approached his principal, Matthew Miller, who showed no hesitation in ordering and allowing Christian to customize the seat.
"We encouraged and supported him every step of the way," said Christian's mom, Alyson Bucks, "but it was the Roundtown faculty and staff who brought the idea to fruition. We are so thankful for their support in embracing this idea."
"I also hope that new friendships will be made because of the buddy bench."
What a wonderful step to combat the bullying and isolation that drives many great kids to despair. The simplest ideas are sometimes also the most effective.
Principals, board members and fellow parents: if you're reading this, let's get a bench put in every school in every district.
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