Admittedly, for a time, said “hipsters” did like to go around wearing animal heads.

And “hipsters” also really like folksy songs … played by bearded British dudes … with … guitars? They like beards, right? Read that somewhere, maybe. (F’real though, the song by Alexi Murdoch that Sean and Mandy here chose to soundtrack this proposal video is super great. You guys have good taste in proposal video songs.)

But … that’s all we’ve got. Pretty sure getting married is not high on the list of ways to be nonconformist that the hipster canon demands, which brings us back to point A) The American Hipster is dead.

But we digress. The point here — that we were trying to make before getting distracted by spirit hoods and very decent indie-folk music — is that this proposal video, while undeniably adorable and heartwarming, if you’re into that kind of thing, is not hipster. We’d argue that enlisting a group of people in giant animal costumes to converge upon the unsuspecting object of your affection as a way of saying “I’ll love you forever and ever, want in?” is actually a little bit terrifying.

But maybe that’s just because that pink elephant is bringing back some disturbing flashbacks. But also, maybe that’s just us.

(Oh hey, Sean and Mandy, congrats by the way. You crazy kids are going to do great.)

The post [VIDEO] ‘Hipster’ wedding proposal is adorable, but also a little frightening appeared first on Metro.us.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted state lawmakers Wednesday for blocking a proposal to place speed-tracking cameras on city streets, blaming them for the future deaths of children killed by speeding cars. 

The next time a child dies from being struck by a speeding car, “why don’t you pick up the phone and call your state senator and ask why they allowed that child to be killed,” he said at a news conference, according to The New York Times.

The mayor even said his office would provide the contact information for three senators: Republican majority leader Dean Skelos and Brooklyn’s Simcha Felder and Martin Golden.

“Maybe you want to give those phone numbers to the parents of the child when a child is killed,” he said. “It would be useful so that the parents can know exactly who’s to blame.”

Speed cameras were included in a budget package in the State Assembly, but it recently became apparent that they are not included in the budget that is expected to be approved this week.

Felder said the mayor’s comments were “inflammatory, reckless and out of touch, as usual,” the Times reports. Golden said Wednesday other cities that use speed cameras have found them to be “unreliable.”

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With hidden camera rolling, Pilot Ryan Thompson took his girlfriend, 28-year-old Carlie Kennedy, for a joyride in a tiny plane above Chicago. As seen in the clip, the couple is enjoying the scenery from above until the plane begins to jerk and the look on Kennedy’s face quickly turns to one of doom.

Thompson tells Kennedy that the flight controls aren’t responding and asks her to remain calm, fully knowing that the plane is perfectly fine the whole time.

He then asks her to read from a list of emergency instructions.

She then reads through the list’s “ring engagement procedure.” The paper instructs her to determine whether the pilot in command is a “good mate.”

Still not quite catching on, she then reads, “Note: He will always love and honor you.”

Just as Thompson reaches for a ring, Kennedy reads the final item on the procedure list: “Will you marry me?”

Rejoiced, and far less angry than we would be, Kennedy laughs and cries at the same time and says “yes.”

Spoiler Alert: They didn’t crash.

The post VIDEO: Pilot Ryan Thompson fakes plane trouble before proposing to girlfriend appeared first on Metro.us.

Today, though, our attention is drawn to a proposal on the opposite end of the spectrum. A man in Russia faked his own gruesome death, complete with a fake accident scene, before getting down on one knee.

“He said he wanted to make her see what her life would feel without him,” the user who uploaded the video said.

The clip, which was posted on Live Leak today, shows the man covered in fake blood and bandages before he gets into an ambulance. His girlfriend rushes away in tears, under the impression that her boyfriend just died, and he then follows her with balloons and flowers (like that’s going to make up for it?).

At first, she furiously pushes him away. But she can’t resist her undead boyfriend for long, and her demeanor changes when he gets down on one knee and pulls out  a ring.

Spoiler Alert: She says yes. Seriously.

The post Worst proposal ever?: Russian man fakes death before popping the question appeared first on Metro.us.

After one too many interviews in which Russell Brand ran his mouth about their failed 14-month marriage, Katy Perry has reportedly called in the lawyers to gag the British comedian, according to the Daily Star. “Katy is fed up with Russell constantly making reference to their marriage in interviews,” a source tells the newspaper. “While it’s mainly harmless and often even complimentary, she’s sick to death of his comments being splashed all over the news and magazines.” So the “Fireworks” singer is taking matters into her own hands, according to the source: “She called lawyers and told them to put a gagging order on Russ to prevent him from speaking [about] her in public again. Katy vowed never to reveal the ins and outs of their marriage breakdown or speak about Russell in any way. All she wants is the same in return.”

While Vanessa Paradis is out promoting her new movie, “Cornouaille,” she can’t seem to dodge questions about her recent split from longtime partner Johnny Depp. “I don’t want to talk about him. Who said that artists should sell their soul, expose everything about themselves?” Paradis asks in an interview with French Elle. “It’s my duty to promote this movie and my albums, but you can imagine what it feels like to see people making a business out of your pain.” She does offer some insight, though, into what makes relationships work — and not work: “I hate, for example, whenever you hear someone say, ‘You have to work at being a couple.’ No, you have to want to be there,” she says.

Newlyweds Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied are getting an early start on exposing their baby boy to culture, taking in a concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl recently, according to People magazine. The Oscar-winning actress “looked pretty chilled out,” a source says. “She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, her hair was down. She looked more concerned about keeping [infant son Aleph] quiet and not disturbing anyone than anything.

Macaulay Culkin‘s reps may insist that reports of the former child star’s drug problems and failing health are bogus, but photos of the “Home Alone” star looking gaunt have his estranged parents worried. “I hope that he has the right people looking after him,” Kit Culkin, who hasn’t spoken to his son in 15 years, tells the Sun. Macaulay’s mother, Jeanette, adds that they fear their son is “dying of some disease of heavily into drugs,” based on recent photos.

The post Monday gossip roundup: Justin Theroux proposed to Jennifer Aniston on his birthday appeared first on Metro.us.

If the White House has its way, then maybe so.

After a firestorm of controversy following a report that revealed the income taxes on medal winners’ earnings (up to $8,986 for gold medal winners), Florida Senator Marco Rubio proposed the Olympic Tax Elimination Act last week. Olympians who rank in the top three of their event are also awarded cash prizes, which are subject to tax, which could get pretty pricey for athletes like, say, Michael Phelps. The proposed plan would eliminate the tax burden on U.S. medal winners.

“Our tax code is a complicated and burdensome mess that too often punishes success, and the tax imposed on Olympic medal winners is a classic example of this madness,” Rubio said.

Now the senator has at least one heavy-hitting supporter: President Barack Obama. According to the Atlantic Wire, the president said he would throw his support behind Rubio’s proposal. However, as noted by the Atlantic Wire, the idea has not come without criticism. Bloomberg’s Josh Barro pointed out a few discrepancies in Rubio’s position:

Rubio said just last week that America needs “real tax reform that simplifies the tax code.” That’s true. So why is he proposing to introduce a stupid new complication into the tax code? Tax reform means removing deductions from the tax code, not adding them.

What do you think? Should Olympians be exempt from taxes on their medals and cash prizes?

The post President Obama supports tax exemption for Olympic medal winners appeared first on Metro.us.

First, she joined Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger to announce that the company will stop accepting some junk food advertisements on TV, radio and online programs aimed at kids.

Then, the first lady offered her support to Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his proposed ban on sugary drinks in servings larger than 16 ounces. In an interview with the Associated Press today, the first lady, who focuses the power of her office to fight against childhood obesity, said that while she doesn’t support a ban of its kind at the federal level, she “applauds anyone who’s stepping up to think about what changes work in their communities,” and used New York as an example.

The mayor’s proposal would ban sales of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces in most restaurants, movie theaters, bodegas and food carts in an effort to cut back on New York’s obesity rate.

Other prominent names, both locally and nationally, have thrown their support behind the proposed ban.

“As usual Mayor Bloomberg is taking strong, decisive action to meet one of our nation’s most serious challenges – obesity and the damage it is doing to our children,” Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said in a statement. “He is breaking new ground in what will serve as a test case for cities throughout America.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer also praised the mayor for the bold plan, saying “If public health is our goal and obesity our enemy, we must be creative and aggressive to fight and win this war.”

“That’s why I commend Mayor Bloomberg for drawing a line in the sand and taking on the soda cartel which is driving the obesity epidemic in this country,” he added.

The post Michelle Obama applauds Bloomberg’s large soda ban appeared first on Metro.us.

After successful campaigns against trans-fat and smoking, the mayor has set his sites on a bevvy of beverages that he blames for contributing to New York’s obesity rate. If Bloomberg gets his way, New Yorkers will no longer be able to purchase a select group of these “sugary drinks” in bottles or containers larger than 16 fluid ounces, according to the New York Times. The ban would affect what restaurants, bodegas, street carts and even movie theaters could sell.

Bloomberg’s announcement was foreshadowed by a series of ad campaigns launched by the city’s Department of Health over the past year, including one called “Pouring on the Pounds,” aimed at alerting New Yorkers to the consequences of consuming sweetened beverages.

On one poster, a route from Union Square to Brooklyn is highlighted on a map of the city, along with the message that you’d have to walk that far (3 miles) to burn the calories from one 20-ounce soda.

But not all soda and “sweet” drinks would fall under the ban. Here’s a list of drinks that would and would not be included in Bloomberg’s plan.

Drinks that fall under the proposed ban:

• Soft drinks with sugar, more than 16-ounces
• Bottled soda, more than 16-ounces
• Sweetened coffee or tea, more than 16-ounces
• Energy drinks, more than 16-ounces
• Fruit drinks with sugar, more than 16-ounces

Drinks that do not fall under the proposed ban:

• Diet soda
• Milkshakes, dairy-based drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Lattes
• Cappuccinos
• Fruit juice with at least 70 percent real juice

The post Which drinks would be included under Bloomberg’s proposed sugary beverage ban? appeared first on Metro.us.

With that out of the way, we can go on to say that hopeless romantics’ hearts were crushed Monday night on the season finale of ‘The Bachelor.’

Wine maker  Ben Flajnik had to make the tough decision of proposing to one of two beautiful women. 

After traveling through Puerto Rico and Switzerland on ABC’s dime (be sure to send them a ‘Thank You’ card, Ben!), it was time for Flajnik to announce who he was in love with.

For weeks tabloid magazines had Courtney’s face all over the cover with headlines like “IN IT TO WIN IT,” and “HOW SHE TRICKED BEN.” Apparently, this girl sucks. She was mean, manipulative and “in it for all the wrong reasons.”

That didn’t stop Flajnik from getting down on one knee and declaring his love for the model.

“It’s been an incredible road getting to this point with you,” he told Courtney. “But I promised myself that I wouldn’t get down on one knee again unless I was certain it was forever, and I want to tell you that you are my forever. You are my forever. And I have waited a really, really long time – a really, really long time to tell you that I’m in love with you more than you’ll ever know and that this whole experience and journey has been worth it every step of the way.”

They hugged, they kissed and then Courtney made a tacky, superficial comment about the diamond ring. Oh, and she said ‘yes.’

Don’t worry, Lindzi, real, non-televised love exists.. You’re still young, you’ll find love. And we’re willing to bet you don’t have to travel all the way to Switzerland to find it.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

The post Who won ‘The Bachelor’? Surprise, surprise: It was model Courtney Robertson appeared first on Metro.us.

In an attempt to cash in on those who might find it hilarious to gift greasy fast food to their Valentine, these chains are offering special packages for this romantic holiday. At least, we hope that’s the only reason someone would choose to do this on Valentine’s Day…

Let us begin with Pizza Hut. Valentine’s Day will be no regular pizza night with the help of the Engagement Party Package. If you’ve been trying to dream up the perfect way to pop the question, look no further — for just $10,010, the Pizza Hut proposal is just one terrible life choice away. You’ll get a fireworks display, a ruby ring (who wants a diamond anyway?), a limo ride, flowers, a photographer, a videographer and a medium pizza with breadsticks and cinnamon sticks. For that price, you’d think they’d at least make it a large pizza, but oh well.

Another option is a candlelit dinner at Waffle House. Who says your favorite drunk food can’t double as the most romantic meal of your life? Waffle House is taking reservations for dinner with white table cloth service and a special Valentine’s Day menu.

Or make your Valentine’s Day “hot and steamy” with the help of White Castle. Those mini burgers are meant to be shared, right? The chain is offering reservations for a special meal that features free dessert. There’s also a promotion for couples who submit a photo of themselves enjoying their Valentine’s Day dinner — if you’re chosen, you could win the dinner kit, plus two adorable matching t-shirts “to be enjoyed at home.” Wink, wink, White Castle…

The post Fast food franchises cash in on Valentine’s Day appeared first on Metro.us.

We see the man, who introduces himself as Arvin, hop on the intercom during a flight from Chicago to New York, and give the other passengers some brief background on his relationship with his girlfriend, who quickly goes from being confused to sweetly emotional as she realizes what is happening.

“From the moment that I met her that night, I knew I never wanted to spend a second without her,” Arvin said over the loudspeaker. “Alex, you’re the most beautiful girl in the world, and you make me so incredibly happy. So would you marry me?”

Alex says “yes,” the plane erupts with applause and Arvin rushes back to their seats to give her a ring. Then a flight attendant announces there will be champagne all around, per the happy couple’s wishes. Meanwhile, we’re tearing up at our desks.

MSNBC reports that Delta surprised the couple over the weekend by offering to pay for their honeymoon. Hey, it’s the least the airline could do, considering this video has probably made Delta the #1 preferred airline among singles everywhere.

The post VIDEO: Sky-high proposal on board Delta flight appeared first on Metro.us.

Well here is something that warmed our heart. Amidst plans to potentially move the protest to Lincoln Center, one man found the time to ask his girlfriend to “Occupy my life.”

At Liberty Plaza, using his fellow protesters as a human microphone, one man got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in this movement, but I hope it’s half of successful as our marriage is going to be,” he said.

The video was posted on YouTube with the following caption:

‘I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make this moment in history a part of our story. I love you, Deb Zep.’

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