This article is part of Upstream, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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Welcome to the Bright Side, a weekly roundup of all the good news and ideas you might have missed from the past week.
I was watching a funk band at the Five Spot in Nashville a couple nights ago when I suddenly noticed people in the audience filming the show. Some held their phones horizontally, others vertically. Since portrait mode is now the go-to format for mobile screens, I wondered if we could assume anything about someone’s social media habits based on the direction they shoot video. I quickly set my phone screen-down on the bar so I could focus on the music and the one spotlight giving me unintentional Lasik. This weekend, I’m wishing you moments worth savoring — even if we never watch those concert videos ever again.
An inspirational quote from an entertainment legend
“Say your prayers, take your vitamins, and you will never go wrong.” — Hulk Hogan.
You don’t need to be an ’80s pro wrestling fan to relive its glory days in the Netflix doc “Hulk Hogan: Real American.” Maybe your dad took Hulk vitamins as a kid. Or your uncle had the action figure from Hulk’s bad-boy New World Order era. Ever tasted Real American Beer? That’s his, too. With a nostalgia-fueled legacy that’s lasted long past his prime, Hulk said it himself: “I really was here for a reason, more than just wrestling.” He wasn’t perfect, but we’ll never have an American hero like him again, brother.
The one-ton sea lion capturing hearts
I haven’t stopped thinking about this chonky chunk since I heard of him. “Chonkers,” as he’s known around San Francisco’s Pier 39, deserves his affectionate nickname. At 2,000 pounds, Steller sea lions like him weigh up to 10 times more than your average California sea lion. He “looks more like a bear” and “sounds like an oak tree falling” when he flings himself onto the dock. (Save yourselves, other sea lions!)
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Chonkers has been swimming around the Bay Area for years, but his recent visibility has drawn lookers from around the country. Tune into a live-stream to catch a glimpse of this endearing “sea-lebrity” in the AM before he heads off to fish for the day.
We’re making mint juleps for the Kentucky Derby
Give me sports but make it fashion with sun hats and fascinators. This might come as a shock, but I know nothing about horse racing and I base imaginary bets purely on the most fun horse names. Even if the odds are against them, my money’s on Right to Party, So Happy, or Chief Wallabee winning the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2. (They’re all winners in my book.)
Of course, the equine event of the year wouldn’t be complete without the official cocktail of Churchill Downs. Mix a mint julep by adding 15 fresh mint leaves to a julep cup or glass with one ounce of simple syrup. Gently crush the leaves with a spoon or wooden muddler, then loosely pack the glass with crushed ice, followed by 2 1/2 ounces of bourbon. With a mint sprig garnish and a drizzle of simple syrup, I won’t even be mad if Emerging Market (snooze) comes in first.
Stick the landing your next elevator entrance
The elevator called. It wants its mojo back. With a bad rep for being slow, “farty,” and having the world’s worst muzak, your nearest lift is getting a makeover thanks to the Nonchalant Elevator Challenge.
@karlieplace The last one ☠️ w/ @Colin Ringas #elevatorchallenge #elevator #nonchalant ♬ original sound – Karlie Place
The goal is to interrupt the closing doors of a waiting elevator with the most creative effortlessness. Toss a hat into the crack of the door, catch it before it falls, and flip it onto your head as you saunter in. Or just throw your shoe. You do you.
You catch more flies with White House honey
The British royals popped by America this past week (I assume it was mostly so Chuck could catch up with his cousin, Donnie). For their state dinner, the King and Queen dined on garden herb velouté with hearts of palm, herb ravioli, and Dover sole with snow peas and pavé potatoes.
But let me tell you about that dessert course. ‘Twas a beehive-shaped chocolate cake filled with vanilla custard and served with crème fraîche ice cream and floral White House honey. Tragically, you can’t buy White House honey online; only the Trumps can “bee”-stow it upon you. Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off the new White House beehive shaped like The White House.
Its two new colonies double the 70,000-bee program launched by Michelle Obama in 2009. If you’re jonesing for high-class honey, you can snap up a jar of Highgrove Royal Orchard Spring Honey straight outta King Charles’ backyard.
Honorable mention to the president for giving us another iconic image.
🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/bIusJjbnyc
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 28, 2026
Your name in satellites
I’m plugging everyone I know into NASA’s Landsat name generator. The satellite imaging program that started in 1972 is finally paying off. (Just kidding, geology!) Believe it or not, there’s a real portion of Earth out there (coordinates show exactly where each letter comes from) with your name on it.
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Throw tomato seeds to the wind with a chaos garden
Let gardening realize its stress-relieving destiny by leaning into the unhinged whimsy of a “chaos garden.” Sound a little wild? It’s supposed to be.
Tossing an assortment of seeds into fresh earth takes the edge off organizing potatoes, green beans, and flower beds, allowing everything to flourish where it may. Mix the seeds together in a bucket, sprinkle them over loosened soil like you’re feeding chickens on “Little House On The Prairie,” and let the beauty of nature unfold before your eyes.
Something tickle your fancy this week? Already got the makings for a chaos garden or a stunning elevator entrance? Tell us all about it by leaving a comment (you can email me too) and spreading the joy! — Lauren
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