Latest news with #Jenn
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
FedEx driver spots woman's dogs, doorbell cam captures what happens next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. TikTok viewers instantly became obsessed with a Ring doorbell camera perfectly capturing a delivery driver's reaction after spotting dogs sitting at the front door. Dog owner Jen told Newsweek via TikTok that she was sitting on her couch when she heard the doorbell sound go off. Curious as to who was there, she pulled out her phone to check the Ring camera. "I brought it up on my phone and saw her and could hear Louise, she's the Frenchie in the video, I babysit her for a friend of mine," she said. "But she was so excited." The Ring camera footage, which was shared in an April 28 TikTok video under the account @hiimjennifer20, showed the driver bending down in disbelief. She started laughing at the sight of the dogs, admiring their precious faces. Meanwhile, you could hear the French Bulldog scratching at the door in a desperate attempt to say hello. Jen realized both the driver and the dogs needed more than a quick glance at each other. They needed to meet. "I saw the FedEx driver so excited and seemed to want to meet her, so I got up to let her meet my dogs," she said. "It made her whole day." Screenshots from an April 28 TikTok video of a FedEx delivery driver stopping and admiring the dogs waiting at the front door. Screenshots from an April 28 TikTok video of a FedEx delivery driver stopping and admiring the dogs waiting at the front door. @hiimjennifer20/TikTok The first dog ran out to greet the driver, sniffing and inspecting her. Jenn held the other dog as she stepped outside. The driver immediately went to give the dogs pets, obsessing over their smushed faces, a distinguishing characteristic in these canines. Jenn shared in the caption of the video that the driver's reaction also made her whole day. FedEx provided Newsweek with the following statement regarding the video: "What a heart-warming interaction! We're proud of the hard work of our team members, and we're thankful when customers, fur-covered and otherwise, show their appreciation." As of Tuesday, the clip reached 125,200 views and 10,300 likes on TikTok, with viewers falling in love with the genuine joy the delivery driver had when meeting the dogs. "Omg you can hear the tappy toes!!" wrote one user. Another pointed out: "When she tucked the tag in so she could enjoy the full experience." A third person said: "I would be the worst FedEx driver wanting to pet all the puppies!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
The Spinoff
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
The Weekend: What does ambition look like?
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. Over new years, I was in Japan on a lovely trip, waiting outside a tiny cafe run by an old man. He didn't have a website or anything, but had recently gone viral on TikTok for one of the few dishes he made. When we arrived, his store was closed, but the sign said it would be open that day. So we waited, and over the next 40 minutes, tourists came and went, some knocking on the glass, others grumbling about the inconsistent opening hours. Eventually, he emerged, took one look at us and crossed his two index fingers. Closed. Someone tried to protest and he just shook his head before shutting the door behind him. Part of me was gutted because we'd travelled specifically to try his dish and now wouldn't be able to. But I loved his refusal to cater to his newfound popularity. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and wasn't going to change, no matter how many people were waiting grumpily outside, desperate to give him their money. I've been thinking a lot about ambition lately, as I've been planning my exit from The Spinoff. This idea of ambition and a need to always be moving up in the world or 'making an impact'. Ambition is so tied up in capitalism that it's taken me months to even start untangling the two in my mind. One of the exciting things my partner Jenn and I are doing later this year is moving to a much smaller city. I spent weeks plotting in my head how I would be able to make up my current salary in remote freelance and contract work when the job market is so quiet. Spoiler: it would be extremely difficult. I quietly stressed about this until Jenn asked me why I was trying to earn the same amount when our living costs were about to halve and the whole point of moving was to have less stress and financial pressure. I didn't have an answer except to think that it seemed like something I should do. Otherwise I'm just quitting. Reading Hera Lindsay Bird's advice this week to a reader asking 'am I squandering my potential?' was a perfectly timed reminder that ambition can be directed anywhere. Yes you can be ambitious in a professional sense, but just as many people are equally ambitious in their home lives, in their hobbies, in their friendships and in their health. Over the past few months I have developed an even bigger admiration for those who know what they want and do precisely what they need to get it – whether it's fame, fortune or having time for fun. That man in Japan would be considered unambitious by many (though one could argue limiting supply increases demand and is a business masterstroke) but it takes a lot of strength to stick to your wants and not be swept along by the ambitions others have for you. In 2016, I asked a stranger for an opportunity because it was exactly what I wanted to do. To my surprise and delight, he said yes. That is probably the last time I felt truly ambitious, going after something brand new that I deeply wanted but didn't know if I would ever have. After a decade of saying yes (and don't get me wrong, benefitting hugely from it and having a lot of fun along the way doing exactly what I dreamed of), I've realised that exactly what I want now is the opposite. And suddenly I feel ambitious again. The stories Spinoff readers spent the most time with this week Feedback of the week 'Related to this so much. This is why we need to regulate the companies and not the users. I have managed to curb some of my phone addiction through a lot of work and full deletion of all social media apps, but now I literally (not kidding) obsessively check the spinoff. Comments section doesn't help lol. Next step is to get to the heart of what I'm avoiding by being on my phone…' 'As someone who is currently studying towards a MIS (Master's in Information Studies) to hopefully gain a professional-level librarian position I am fuming. The time and expense to do this qualification is being undervalued by this government, as is my career pathway of choice. Most professional librarian positions need the MIS, and to say that we don't deserve to be paid as much as fisheries officers is deeply offensive. Librarians don't spend their days reading or checking out books. It is far more complex than that -and the assistants who check out the books deserve more pay too – their jobs are also technically complex, misunderstood and undervalued'
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's first ever festival for dogs featuring music, art and dog-themed tarot readings
'I wanted to create a day that celebrates the special bond we have with our dogs — while also being fun, inspiring and inclusive for all dog lovers, whether they have a pup or not." Scots will be able to enjoy the country's first ever festival for dogs and dog lovers, which will be staged this summer. Barklove 2025 is the brainchild of dog lover and music publicist Jenn Nimmo-Smith who will stage the indoor and outdoor festival at the SWG3 venue complex in Glasgow. Her festival for dogs, and also dog lovers, will also feature music as well as dog-themed art and even dog-themed tarot card readings. The festival, which is being held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, has a full canine-themed program of events taking place throughout the day. However, Barklove founder Jenn is keen to stress that people who don't own dogs are also welcome. Jenn said: 'I've had a lifelong love of dogs. We grew up with a springer spaniel. Dogs have always played a prominent role in my life. And then when my dad was sick, we got Scout who is a golden retriever. 'When my dad passed away I found all these old photos and realised that when he was growing up he had a golden retriever as well. 'So there have been all these mental health benefits to having a dog. Scout has been a total lifesaver. 'Scout has been great and she gets me up and out every day, taking her for walks, coming home every day to someone who has this unbridled love for you 'It's unparalleled, and you get to meet a lot of people in your local community. I could tell you the name of every dog in Govan, maybe not the owners, but definitely, definitely their dogs. 'It's brought a great sense of community in terms of connection with the local area. 'I've always wanted to do a music festival and I work in PR. I've always had a really lifelong love of events running alongside my lifelong love of dogs. So I thought, why not combine the two? 'And I came up with the idea for Barklove and it grew arms and legs and paws.' Even if people don't have a dog of their own, Jenn says there will be a chance to get up close with therapy dogs and enjoy the atmosphere of a family and dog friendly day out. Taking over the full of Glasgow's SWG3 complex, the festival will feature a packed day of feel-good experiences, from DJ sets and dog care demos to wellbeing sessions, tasty food stalls, and creative activities. Highlights include the lighthearted Barklove Fun Dog Show, where attendees will be invited to get involved by voting for their favourites across a mix of fun, feel-good categories. Bearsden Dog Training club will host a fun agility area while Barkworks is a hands-on art space created in collaboration with Yardworks, where both dogs and humans can get stuck into making dog-themed art. Stylish dog gear, luxury hand baked treats, lifestyle finds, and a dog-friendly campervan will also be on site as well as therapy dogs. Paws & Reset classes led by Fi Duffy of Scottish Canine Wellness will offer a pause, or should that be paws, in the day for both dogs and their guardians. Tarot by Peachy will offer dog-themed tarot readings. Jenn said: 'Combining my lifelong love of dogs with my background in events, Barklove is something I've dreamed of bringing to life for a long time. 'SWG3 have such a great creative space. It's an iconic space that is one of the most creative venues in Scotland. I've worked closely with them before, and I knew that it was like the perfect setting to bring something like Barklove to life in terms of having it indoors and a mix of outdoors. 'I wanted to create a day that celebrates the special bond we have with our dogs — while also being fun, inspiring and inclusive for all dog lovers, whether they have a pup or not. 'Scout will be on the guest list. She is the official mascot. I don't know how she'll feel about me with all these other dogs. 'Barklove is celebration of the joy and connection that dogs bring into our lives, inspired by my lifelong love with them and what they mean to me. 'I really set out to create something fun, welcoming, a little bit different. It's not just for dogs and dog owners, but for anyone who loves being around dogs. 'So it's a chance to spend quality time with your dog, connect with other like minded people, other dog lovers also discover really local businesses. 'I can't wait to welcome everyone to SWG3 this summer for the very first edition.'
Toronto Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
After spending my teen years feeling like an outcast, I vowed to fit in at all costs. Then, a Toronto improv class pushed me out of my comfort zone — and into a new community
Better Friends Better Friends — part of our Toronto the Better project — is a yearlong series of risk-taking and new adventures. Every month, a Star staffer tries an activity that pushes them out of their comfort zone and into a group of new people: a swordplay class, a ballet lesson, improv. The goal: Make friends and feel more connected to Toronto. What do an engineer, an accountant, and a drag queen all have in common? Like me, a multimedia journalist at the Star, they signed up for a beginner improv class at Bad Dog comedy studio, a small theatre academy in the heart of Chinatown. As we waited for our first class to start that Tuesday night, eight of us — representing a variety of ages, gender expressions and backgrounds — sat wordlessly in a circle of folded chairs in the bright, white room. The silence was broken when our instructor Jenn burst into the room with a smile, and asked us all to introduce ourselves and share what inspired us to try improv. There was a U of T professor from Brazil who wanted to be a better teacher, an artist hoping to curb her perimenopause-induced brain fog, a 23-year-old computer scientist looking for a new hobby. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW As my turn approached, I noticed I was nervously wringing my hands as my heart pounded in my chest. It was a feeling I knew all too well. In fact, it was the reason I was here. 'Just be yourself, they'll love you!' my mother yelled from the car window as she dropped me off at my new school. I believed her — after all, I'd switched schools before and always managed to make friends. But this was the seventh grade, the brutal limbo between childhood and adolescence, and I was the eccentric new girl from out-of-province, wearing a Transformers T-shirt and cargo shorts. I never stood a chance. It went badly. So badly that within six months I transferred schools again. This time, I decided that being accepted was more important than being myself. I also vowed to avoid any social situation that would put me at risk for mass rejection ever again. Well, until I signed up for improv. After we had finished our introductions, Jenn started the class off by sharing the most important 'gift' we could give ourselves: to suspend all judgment. This was a good place to start, since we very quickly proceeded to make fools of ourselves. We took turns doing rapid-fire word associations, improvising interpretive dances, and butchering tongue twisters until my face hurt from laughing. We ended with a scene in which two classmates and I were accused of straightening all the paper clips in our imaginary middle school. 'Do you really think I've made anything more straight in my life?' retorted Andre, our resident drag queen. The class erupted with laughter, and we successfully evaded the charges. Over the next few classes, Jenn emphasized the importance of connecting with your scene partner: 'If you feel lost, you can often find the answer in your partner's eyes.' This was tough for me: I had long struggled to make eye contact, even before becoming a social pariah in high school. So when Jen introduced a game called 'mind meld' where we stared into each other's eyes and attempted to say the same word at the same time, I was nervous. The task seemed as impossible as it did uncomfortable. But to my surprise, after only a few rounds my partner Shakir and I got it on the second try. Perhaps poetically, the word was 'mirror.' McKenna Hart, surrounded by members of her improv class at Bad Dog comedy studio in Chinatown. Hart, McKenna Throughout, we were reminded of improv's golden rule: 'yes and,' which challenges actors to accept their partners' 'offerings' — no matter how outlandish — and build on to them to keep the scene afloat. In order to get comfortable saying yes, we played a game called 'Yes, let's!' where one person would propose an activity and the group would enthusiastically agree to act it out. 'Let's rob a bank!' rose a voice from the back of the room. 'Yes, let's!' the rest of us cheered, as we donned imaginary balaclavas and shovelled invisible wads of cash into bags. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Still, the principle often proved harder to apply in a scene. After all, how could you use a VCR to stop a hurricane? Or what do you do when someone brings a cat to the Westminster dog show? It turns out that it's often easier to reject an idea than to figure out what to do with it, but also that the introduction of the unexpected creates the conditions for stories to emerge. Through these scenes, and Jenn's infectious appreciation of the art form, I started to understand that improv isn't just about being funny, it's about building a world with someone. After every class, I stopped for a solo drink at El Rey in Kensington Market to take notes on the day. After my third lesson (and second drink) I worked up the courage to strike up a conversation with the person next to me. What would have felt like an impossible feat only a few weeks before suddenly felt easy. In the Uber home, I had an epiphany. Ever since I was 12, I had been telling myself that people would always judge me for being myself. But what if I was the one judging them by assuming that? What if in my efforts to self-preserve, I had been closing myself off to a different story? And so, I decided to break my routine. After our last session, I invited all of my classmates to join me for a drink. To my delight, almost all of them said 'Yes, let's!' Toronto the Better I always wanted to be a medieval knight. When I took longsword classes with a group of wonderful weirdos, I followed my dream — and expanded my world Susan Kao As we sipped spicy margaritas, I looked around the crowded tables and smiled. A month ago all of us were strangers whose lives may have only ever intersected on an overcrowded streetcar car or in adjacent self-checkouts at a Shoppers Drug Mart. Yet here we were, sharing an evening where tales of terrible roommates and psychedelic frogs in South America flowed as freely as the tequila. In class, the collective agreement to remove judgment made that room feel like a sacred space, but we didn't need the classroom to connect; just permission to be ourselves. Trying something new is scary. Being vulnerable with strangers is even scarier. Taking an improv class forced me to do both, but it also showed me what magic can happen when we all agree — even for a few hours — to let go of judgment and be radically receptive. After all, isn't life just one extended improvisation? The least you can do is be a good scene partner.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Celebrity hair stylist hit by drunk driver sustains ‘devastating injuries'
A hair stylist for the stars is recovering from several 'devastating injuries' after being hit by a drunk driver. Jenn Lagron sustained 'a severely damaged arm' and 'a fractured vertebrae in her neck' after she was struck by a vehicle while walking in California on Sunday, April 27, according to a GoFundMe campaign. The incident happened while Lagron was walking along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Los Angeles, the New York Post reported. 'While we are endlessly grateful that Jenn survived, her road to recovery will be long and incredibly difficult,' the GoFundMe reads. 'Jenn has always been a light in the lives of everyone around her full of heart, creativity, and kindness. Now she needs our help more than ever.' A Tuesday update indicated that Lagron had a successful surgery and has started physical therapy. The stylist could face at least a year of rehabilitation, during which she will be unable to work or support herself. Therefore the purpose of the GoFundMe is to help cover Lagron's medical bills, physical therapy, rent and other daily expenses. 'Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean the world to Jenn,' the campaign page reads. 'Thank you so much for being part of her support system during this unimaginable time.' The GoFundMe has raised more than $54,000 of its $60,000 goal as of Wednesday morning. Lagron's celebrity clients include Selena Gomez, Stassie Karanikolaou, Shay Mitchell and Chrissy Teigen, according to PEOPLE. Fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk acknowledged the incident in her Instagram story. 'My girl @jennlagron was hit by a drunk driver last night. Sick to my stomach,' she wrote, according to Daily Mail 'She is the most amazing person and incredibly talented hair artist.' Renowned actress dies in New England weeks before turning 101 Frontman of popular '80s new wave band dies from cancer at 66 Actress who starred in popular '80s slasher film, soap opera dies at 63 Oscar winner retorts President Donald Trump's taunt with just three words TV star calls for band's visas to be revoked after political Coachella performance
