Chris Pratt and Anna Faris were generally regarded as one of the sweetest couples in Hollywood. They shared their love of dead bugs, their "ritual" of Pratt braiding Faris's hair, and her love of feeding him, even as he dropped weight for roles. 

That's why so many were stunned when the couple announced their split on social media. They filed for divorce in December 2017, allegedly because they both had different goals for their family life. If you're hurting as much as we are, lick your wounds with us and take a look back at the couple's love story in happier times. 

2007: They met on the set of "Take Me Home Tonight."

Though the pair grew up in Washington state about 20 minutes away from each other, they didn't meet until they were both in Los Angeles and filming the movie "Take Me Home Tonight." 

Faris was still married to actor Ben Indra at the time and the pair has sworn nothing happened while she was still married. 

Though they made the film in 2007, the film was released in 2011 after being stalled for the depictions of cocaine use. Pratt shared their love story at the premiere, saying, "This is a pretty spectacular moment for us, to be able to come to this movie that we met on and fell in love making." 

2007: Anna left her husband and Chris said he always knew they'd be together.

Faris and Indra filed for divorce in 2007. Pratt said that he knew she was "The One"the moment they met and that once Faris was single, the two of them were going to be together. 

2007: They had an adorable dating period.

Pratt and Faris are two self-described goofballs and it make sense that while they dated, they showed that side off. 

Pratt recounted how before they were officially dating, he left pornographic magazines out and Faris didn't seem to mind. 

Once they began dating, Pratt also left out his framed African stick bug and Faris told The New Yorker she got emotional because she found someone else who collected dead bugs like she did. 

Faris and Pratt also had a day called "sex-text Wednesday" where they would designate time to sext each other, she told the AP. That came to an end when she sent a "small child" a text about getting drunk. 

• American Express Travel looked at flight-booking data and found the 10 destinations with the greatest increase in bookings during this year's fourth quarter.
• Some appeal to those who like the cold and others to those who want to escape it, but each offers unique cultural experiences.
• Many will allow travelers to break out of their vacation routines and travel to destinations that are not often associated with holiday travel.

It's not too late to book your holiday vacation. 

Whether you want to celebrate Christmas, ring in the New Year, or skip both and avoid the holiday vacation crowd, there are plenty of options around the world that can provide unique cultural experiences. 

American Express Travel looked at the 10 destinations that have experienced the greatest increase in flight bookings during this year's fourth quarter, and it found a wide range of cities across the globe. Some provide opportunities for skiing and unique holiday celebrations, while others allow travelers to get out of the cold and catch some sun.

These are some of the destinations that travelers are flocking to this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: 10 massive New Year's Eve parties that are worth traveling for

Aruba

Increase in bookings: 31%

Travelers looking to escape the cold have been flocking to this Caribbean island to relax on its pristine beaches. Aruba also has the advantage of being undamaged by this year's hurricanes.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Increase in bookings: 28%

The capital of Argentina is a haven for design enthusiasts with its creative architecture and fashionable residents.

Reno, Nevada

Increase in bookings: 78%

Reno offers the excitement of a major city and the laid-back vibe of a ski town. The city features a number of gastropubs with excellent craft beer and plenty of opportunities to ski in the Sierra Nevada.

With Week 13 nearly in the books, it's time for another all-important waiver cycle in the world of fantasy football.

We're only three-quarters of the way through the NFL regular season, but for fantasy owners, this is as tense as it gets. Some leagues have their postseasons scheduled to begin as early as this week; others are in the home stretch before the playoffs start. Whether or not your roster is set to freeze after this week's cycle, there are a number of important pickups to be made.

Below, read up on 10 players worth adding ahead of Week 14.

Peyton Barber, RB

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13 stats: 102 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards, 4 receptions

One thing to know: Barber made the most of his first start of the year, receiving the lion's share of the carries while torching the Green Bay defense for over 100 yards on the ground. That's something the injured Doug Martin hasn't done even once since signing a five-year, $35.75 million extension with the Buccaneers in 2016.

Dede Westbrook, WR

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 13 stats: 78 receiving yards, 6 receptions

One thing to know: Westbrook is only just beginning his professional career, but with 25 targets through his first three games, he has already established himself as one of Blake Bortles' preferred targets. He gets a tough matchup against Seattle this week, but his outlook should improve significantly after that.

Theo Riddick, RB

Team: Detroit Lions

Week 13 stats: 21 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards, 5 receptions, 1 touchdown

One thing to know: Ameer Abdullah should be ready to go in time for next Sunday, but given the starter's struggles before going down with a neck injury, Riddick remains a good candidate to do some damage. With the Buccaneers on tap, the Lions offense will likely spend a lot of time on the field.

• Relationships are complicated, and they take a lot of work.
• But that work can be fun — and easy.
• Here are some easy strategies for strengthening your relationship on a daily basis, from saying "thanks" to putting a ban on talking about housework.

Relationships take work. A lot of work. But a week at a couples' retreat — while potentially nice — isn't the only way to reestablish intimacy.

You have multiple opportunities every day to show your partner you care, get to know them better, and defuse petty arguments.

Below, find seven strategies for strengthening your relationship, none of which take more than 10 minutes.

SEE ALSO: 10-minute changes to your daily routine that can make you happier

Try 'mindful conversation'

"Mindful conversation" isn't designed to help romantic couples, per se — but it's a useful exercise in learning to actually listen to what your partner is saying, instead of tuning out or waiting for your chance to jump in.

Here's how it works (one of you can be "A" and the other can be "B"):

1. A talks and B listens for a set time period (say, three minutes)

2. B responds with, "What I heard you say is …"

3. A gives feedback and B responds until A is satisfied.

4. A and B switch roles. 

It might be awkward at first, but it gets easier over time.

Hug or kiss your partner

Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin previously told Business Insider that she and her family make a habit of practicing "warm greetings and farewells." Every time someone comes or goes, everyone gives a sincere hello or goodbye.

It's a habit most couples could stand to adopt. According to IKEA's "Life at Home" report, while most people surveyed say it's important to hug or kiss their partner in the morning, far fewer people report showing this kind of physical affection before heading out the door.

And yet research suggests that physical affection is related to greater satisfaction in romantic relationships. So take a minute or two to show your partner how much you care about them.

Say 'thank you' for something small

In "The Gratitude Diaries," journalist Janice Kaplan chronicles her yearlong experiment with being more grateful for everything and everyone in her life — including her husband.

She writes that thanking her husband for something as small as fixing a leaky faucet ended up improving her overall marriage.

As Business Insider's Erin Brodwin has reported, psychologists have known for a while that couples who express gratitude toward each other are more likely to stay together. In fact, thanking your partner even once can bring you two closer months later.

That's possibly because a single act of gratitude sparks a cycle of gratitude and generosity: You thank your partner, so your partner feels appreciated and invests more in the relationship, which in turn makes you feel more grateful to them.

• President Donald Trump on Monday will announce the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument by up to 90%, in what will be the largest reduction of a national monument to date.
• He'll also announce plans to cut Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in half, in a push led by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. 
• Bears Ears, declared a National Monument by former President Barack Obama in 2016, is sacred to the local Navajo tribes and a popular destination for rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Beyond its beautiful sandstone buttes and canyons, Bears Ears holds numerous culturally-significant archaeological sites, including ancient Anasazi cliff fortresses and petroglyphs recording thousands of years of history. 
• A coalition of local tribal leaders and outdoor enthusiasts have vowed to fight Trump's decision in court, setting up a showdown over who controls these public lands, and what they are really for. 

Take a look at the stunning Bears Ears landscape below: 

SEE ALSO: Trump is shrinking two national monuments cherished by Native Americans — here are the US presidents who protected the most land

The Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah protects one of most significant cultural landscapes in the United States, with thousands of archaeological sites and important areas of spiritual significance for the Navajo and other local tribes.

Bears Ears is named for a pair of buttes that rise over 2,000 feet above the surrounding valley. Many of the Native American tribes in the region held the formations as sacred.

This is the scenic "Valley of the Gods," boasting wide open spaces and towering sandstone buttes. The area rivals Monument Valley, though it is far less traveled.

The animal kingdom is home to one remarkable fact after another.

To name a few: Sperm whales can hold their breath for an hour, the most venomous animal on Earth is a snail, and tiny freshwater hydras can live so long they may as well be immortal.

But for each surprisingly true assertion about animals, there's invariably another that's exaggerated, misguided, or just plain wrong.

Here are a handful of the most popular myths about animals and the truth behind them — or the closest thing we have to it.

Have any favorites we missed? Send them to science@businessinsider.com.

Jennifer Welsh, Sarah Kramer, and Sean Kane contributed to this post.

SEE ALSO: 49 'facts' about health we often believe that are misleading, inaccurate, or totally false

DON'T MISS: 17 'facts' about space and Earth that you thought were true — but have been debunked by science

MYTH: Beaver butt secretions are in your vanilla ice cream and other foods.

You've probably heard that a secretion called castoreum, isolated from the anal gland of a beaver, is used in flavorings and perfumes.

But castoreum is so expensive, at up to $70 per pound of anal gland (the cost to humanely milk castoreum from a beaver is likely even higher), that it's unlikely to show up in anything you eat.

In 2011, the Vegetarian Resource Group wrote to five major companies that produce vanilla flavoring and asked if they use castoreum. The answer: According to the Federal Code of Regulations, they can't. (The FDA highly regulates what goes into vanilla flavoring and extracts.)

It's equally unlikely you'll find castoreum in mass-marketed goods, either.

Sources: Business Insider, Vegetarian Resource Group, FDA, NY Trappers Forum

MYTH: Dogs and cats are colorblind.

Dogs and cats have much better color vision than we thought.

Both dogs and cats can see in blue and green, and they also have more rods — the light-sensing cells in the eye — than humans do, so they can see better in low-light situations.

This myth probably comes about because each animal sees colors differently than humans.

Reds and pinks may appear more green to cats, while purple may look like another shade of blue. Dogs, meanwhile, have fewer cones — the color-sensing cells in the eye — so scientists estimated that their color vision is only about 1/7th as vibrant as ours.

Sources: Today I Found Out, Business Insider

MYTH: Humans evolved from chimpanzees.

Chimps and humans share uncanny similarities, not the least of which is our DNA — about 98.8% is identical.

However, evolution works as incremental genetic changes add up through many generations. Chimps and humans did share a common ancestor between 6 and 8 million years ago but a lot has changed since then.

Modern chimps evolved into a separate (though close) branch of the ape family tree.

Sources: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, American Museum of Natural History

As the year ends, so do some of your favorite TV shows.

We said goodbye to a lot of shows in 2017, and with this being the first year Netflix decided to start canceling shows, it may seem like more shows are falling by the wayside compared to previous years.

The networks, as usual, axed plenty of shows old and new, like the comedy "2 Broke Girls," which faltered in ratings later into its run. One of CBS's new show,"Wisdom of the Crowd," was cancelled after its star, Jeremy Piven, was accused of sexual misconduct in the wake of its premiere in September.

We've also included in this roundup the shows that knew their end was coming, like  "Orphan Black,""Girls,""The Vampire Diaries," and "Bloodline." HBO's "Vice Principals," for example, was always set to be finished after two seasons. 

Here are all the shows that were canceled this year, from broadcast to Netflix:

SEE ALSO: The best TV show of every year since 2000, according to critics

"Wisdom of the Crowd"— CBS, one season

"Me, Myself & I"— CBS, one season

"Me Myself, & I" hasn't been officially canceled, but it might as well be: after six episodes, it was pulled from the schedule. 

"The Blacklist: Redemption"— NBC, one season

Warning: There are potential spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead" season eight mid-season finale.

AMC released over a dozen new photos for "The Walking Dead" mid-season finale on Sunday, and many of them revolve around one character — Carl.

Is Carl in danger next week? Maybe! Or Carl could be a focal point of the episode. As Negan and the Saviors bring the war to Rick's community of Alexandria, keep reading to see what's in store next weekend.

It looks like Daryl, Michonne, and the others will make it back to Alexandria after their adventure to the Sanctuary.

They won't be sitting comfortably for long. At least they still have some of those armored cars?

Michonne looks like she may be regretting Daryl's decision to let the walkers attack Negan's men.

She'll probably regret that decision more as the episode continues.

They'll be visited in no time by Negan and the Saviors.

We know from the end of Sunday's episode that they escaped the Sanctuary. Negan told Eugene that payback was coming for Rick. A scene teased on "Talking Dead" showed Negan at Alexandria asking to be let inside.

• NBC seems to have some serious blindspots regarding sexual misconduct.
• NBC said it received the first complaint against Matt Lauer last week, but the victims of Lauer's alleged inappropriate behavior toward women suggest otherwise.
• NBC News did not go forward with Ronan Farrow's report of sexual harassment and assault against Harvey Weinstein, which ended up being published by The New Yorker.
• In 2016, NBC held the "Access Hollywood" 2005 tape in which then-presidential nominee Donald Trump made crude comments about women. The Washington Post was first to publish.

As more and more reports of sexual misconduct go public against powerful men spanning many industries, it has become apparent that NBC has some serious questions to answer when it comes to its reporting (or lack thereof) on these stories, and holding its employees accountable for their behavior. 

From holding the "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump, to not going forward with Ronan Farrow's story detailing accusations against Harvey Weinstein, to the suspicious circumstances surrounding Matt Lauer's treatment of women during his 20-year career at the network, NBC has demonstrated it may have blindspots when it comes to sexual misconduct.

As the details of Lauer's alleged sexual misconduct continue to come forth, the spotlight will be on his close personal friend, NBC News boss Andy Lack.

Here are a few instances that NBC News and Lack might face some tough questions about:
Business Insider has reached out to NBC for comment and will update this post if we hear back.

SEE ALSO: Sexual harassment isn't a Hollywood, tech, or media issue — it affects everyone

Matt Lauer's alleged sexual misconduct spanning years.

In late November, Matt Lauer, who hosted NBC's "Today" for 20 years, was fired overnight. 

NBC News chairman Andy Lack issued a statement that he "received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer."

Lack's statement said it was “the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News" but NBC had "reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."

The day after Lauer's firing, Variety published a report detailing several allegations against Lauer. In its report of the allegations against Lauer, Variety wrote:

"Several women told Variety they complained to executives at the network about Lauer’s behavior, which fell on deaf ears given the lucrative advertising surrounding 'Today.' NBC declined to comment. For most of Lauer’s tenure at 'Today,' the morning news show was No. 1 in the ratings, and executives were eager to keep him happy."

After the Variety report, NBC released a second statement saying, “We can say unequivocally that, prior to Monday night, current NBC News management was never made aware of any complaints about Matt Lauer’s conduct.”

Note that NBC changed the wording from "over twenty years" to "current NBC news management."

Politico reported that a source at NBC said Lauer, senior leadership, and HR officials were called in for questioning when the network became aware that reporters were investigating Lauer's behavior toward women. The source told Politico that everyone, including Lauer, denied any knowledge of sexual harassment. 

But Lauer's behavior toward women was questionable throughout his two decade career at NBC.

Katie Couric, Lauer's former cohost on "Today" for 15 years, told TMZ in 2012 that Lauer "pinches me on the ass a lot." You can read more instances of Lauer's controversial behavior, specifically toward women, here.

The big question: How much did NBC executives know about his behavior?

Letting Ronan Farrow walk out the door with his explosive Harvey Weinstein report.

In early October, shortly after The New York Times published a bombshell report with allegations of sexual harassment against producer Harvey Weinstein, The New Yorker published a report detailing more accusations against Weinstein, written by Ronan Farrow.

Farrow's report included three allegations of rape. After the story was published, questions were raised as to why Farrow, who worked as a regular correspondent for NBC News since 2013, decided to publish the Weinstein story in The New Yorker.

Farrow told Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC show that he worked on the story for NBC News for several months, but NBC ultimately decided to pass. According to HuffPost, NBC had concerns about Farrow's sources.

Farrow disagreed.

“I walked into the door at the New Yorker with an explosively reportable piece that should have been public," Farrow told Maddow. "In fact, there were multiple determinations at NBC that it was reportable."

Farrow had also arranged for eight interviews on camera with accusers while working on the report for NBC News, according to an industry insider that spoke to The Daily Beast. In The New Yorker article, Farrow spoke to multiple women on the record about their alleged experiences with the producer, including Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, and Asia Argento.

But NBC said Farrow's story was simply nowhere near as complete as the piece in The New Yorker, claiming Farrow didn't have accusers willing to go on the record.

For weeks, Farrow and NBC producer Rich McHugh's sources and scripts were fact-checked and legally reviewed at NBC News, according to The Daily Beast. But in the end, NBC was unsatisfied with the material.

The big question: Farrow and NBC have distinctly different takes on why the network chose to pass on his Weinstein story. Whose version is more accurate?

Holding the 'Access Hollywood' tape.

In October 2016, just a few days before the first heated debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, a 2005 tape featuring Trump making lewd comments about women was leaked to The Washington Post. 

The recording happened while Trump was talking with Billy Bush of NBC's "Access Hollywood."  

"I moved on her and I failed," Trump said. "I'll admit it. I did try and f--- her. She was married. And I moved on her very heavily. In fact, I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said, 'I'll show you where they have some nice furniture. I moved on her like a b----, but I couldn’t get there."

Then, Trump and Bush noticed an actress, Arianne Zucker.

"I've gotta use some tic tacs, just in case I start kissing her," Trump said. "You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful . . . I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it," Trump said. "You can do anything . . . grab them by the p---y. You can do anything."

According to the Post, NBC was aware the tape existed days before it leaked, but held it while lawyers were reviewing its material. The Post also reported that NBC News first became aware of the tape after producers at "Access Hollywood" gave them notice. "Access Hollywood" producers combed their archives of interviews with Trump after hearing about inappropriate remarks he made about female contestants on his NBC reality show "The Apprentice."

The big question: Did NBC hold the tape for longer than it needed to, and if so why?

• The worlds major luxury auto brands have all introduced SUVs.
• Even supercar-maker Lamborghini has joined the party.
• Ferrari is the odd man out.

Lamborghini unveiled it's long-awaited Urus SUV on Monday, leaving only Ferrari as the major holdout in high-end SUV country. (Well, Aston Martin is also SUV-free, but it's a stand-alone luxury brand, unaffiliated with a big-time carmaker.)

The Ferrari SUV is coming,  if CEO Sergio Marchionne is to be believed.

While we wait, let's review all the other luxury SUVs that have landed in the past few years, all from brands that would never have been associated with SUVs before the boom in sales of the post-financial-crisis era.

SEE ALSO: The $350,00 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso might be the most offbeat Ferrari a lot of money can buy

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The best of the bunch, as far as I'm concerned, is the beautiful Ian Callum-designed Jaguar F-PACE.

Read the review.

Here's the latest arrival to the luxe-SUV party: the Lamborghini Urus.

Alfa Romeo recently brought us the Stelvio.

• Famous landmarks are decorated with stunning displays during the holidays.
• Religious sites like the Vatican, St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, and the Cathedral of Funchal in Portugal are lit up for Christmas.
• The White House and Buckingham Palace also celebrate with festive decorations.

Famous landmarks around the world go all out for the holidays.

From breathtaking lights to ice skating rinks, even those who don't celebrate the winter holidays can enjoy the festive decorations.

Here's what 20 iconic sites look like when they're all decked out.

Christmas lights illuminate Town Hall at La Grande Place in Brussels, Belgium.

The London Eye glows blue on the South Bank in the UK.

The Arc de Triomphe shines in the background of Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, France.

• Walt Disney is both a beloved and controversial figure in American history.
• Over the years, there have been many conspiracy theories, rumors, and myths surrounding both his life and death.
• For example, many believe that Walt Disney cryogenically froze himself, which is not true.
• There are books, podcasts, movies, and websites all dedicated to figuring out who the real Walt Disney was.

The life and times of Walt Disney have always been a popular topic of discussion.

After all, he embodies the American Dream: he started as a poor student in the Midwest, and ended up being one of the most influential people in history. The theme parks he created are some of the most visited places in the world.

The downside? This notoriety makes him the subject of hundreds of rumors and myths, most of which are untrue. 

In honor of Walt Disney's 116th birthday, here are the top 9 myths about him that are simply false.

MYTH: His body is cryogenically frozen somewhere on the grounds of Disneyland.

This is probably the most famous of all the myths surrounding Walt Disney — though some believe his whole body is frozen, and others believe it's just his head.

The story goes that after his death in 1966, Disney was cryogenically frozen until the day that re-animation was possible. He had a private funeral, and the lack of public information has been the perfect breeding ground for conspiracy theories.

However, this is not true. Disney was cremated after dying from lung cancer, and his ashes are interred in Glendale (you can actually find his memorial). His daughter stated: "There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that my father, Walt Disney, wished to be frozen."

MYTH: He created Mickey Mouse by himself.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse are synonymous at this point. But he wasn't the one to come up with the character: Ub Iwerks, a lesser-known figure in Disney lore, did.

After losing the rights to "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit," Disney's actual first creation, Disney asked Iwerks to come up with a new character, and Mickey Mouse was born. Over the years, Iwerks felt he wasn't getting enough credit for his creation, left Disney, and eventually came back — but he refused to work in animation again.

MYTH: He lives on as a bust in Disneyland's "Haunted Mansion" ride.

While this would be such a good Easter egg, sadly, Walt Disney does not appear in the ride at all. In fact, he died before the ride was ever completed. 

Apple's iPhone now has a built-in way to send cash via a text message.

On Monday, the company launched Apple Pay Cash. The feature allows users in the United States with an up-to-date iPhone to send money to other iPhone users through the company's Messages app. 

A direct competitor to other digital cash apps like Venmo and Square Cash, Apple Pay Cash was first announced in June, at Apple's annual developer's conference. It was originally supposed to launch with iOS 11, the latest version of the operating system underlying the iPhone, which Apple released in September. But the company delayed its launch until the release of iOS 11.2, which the company made available over the weekend. 

Unlike its competitors, Apple Pay Cash doesn't work on Android devices. However, you can send payments using the service via an iPhone, iPad, or an Apple Watch.

Apple said in a tweet it will be rolling out Apple Pay Cash to iPhone users over the course of this week. We were able to use it on Monday, but it's not available to everyone yet.

Here's how it works:  

You access Apple Pay Cash through the app drawer in the Messages app.

First, tap the App Store icon next to the box where you type messages. Then, tap the black Apple Pay icon in the dock.

You might have to set it up first.

You can set up Apple Pay Cash in the Wallet & Apple Pay area inside the Settings app.

You'll need to verify your identity.

You'll have to confirm your legal name and address and type in the last four digits of your Social Security number.

There's nothing more magical than holiday time in New York City — that is, until you have to push yourself through hordes of tourists and mouth-breathers.

The Grinchy, TLDR-version of this article is that virtually everything you plan to do in NYC over the holidays that usually draws a crowd is overrated. Sorry.

But take heart! There are some exceptions to this rule — and plenty of alternatives to choose from that won't result in you and yours getting overheated, trampled, mobbed, and then some.

To find them, Business Insider consulted staffers who live and work in and around New York City.

Here some of the most overrated things to do in NYC over the holidays, along with some caveats and alternatives.

SEE ALSO: 31 of the most bizarre holiday gifts employees have ever received from a coworker

DON'T MISS: 15 things you should never do at the office holiday party

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

"The event packs all the blocks around the tree with selfie-stick-wielding tourists, creating a crowd that can induce claustrophobia, especially for those who (like me) don't care about oversized Christmas trees that much," Science and Innovation Editor Dana Varinsky said. 

"And the thing is: The tree will be up for the entire season, all lit and everything, exactly as it looks on that first night, but with less crowds and better photo ops."

Intagramming the perfect picture of the Rockefeller Tree

"It's always super crowded in Midtown during the holidays, and there's no such thing as the perfect shot — unless you want it to include a bunch of random tourists in the background," said Insider Picks Editor Ellen Hoffman, who's been in New York for more than eight years.

An anonymous Business Insider employee who has lived in New York for five years suggested going to see the Washington Square Park tree instead.

Going anywhere in Midtown

In fact, Hoffman said going anywhere in Midtown ever, but especially during holidays, is a nightmare.

"The massive crowds will swallow you whole if you're not used to walking around NYC," she said. 

• President Donald Trump is a big fan of fast food.
• A new book outlines Trump's favorite McDonald's order: two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fishes, and a large chocolate milkshake.
• I ate that all in one sitting, and it was a gastronomic nightmare.

It's a well-documented fact that President Donald Trump lovesfast food.

And as attested to in a new book written by two of his former campaign aides, his go-to from McDonald's is quite the tall order. 

The president's typical order at the Golden Arches is two Big Macs, two Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, and a large chocolate shake — malted, according to the book. That's a lot of calories for one meal — 2,430 in all. 

I'm a big fan of McDonald's myself — my shameless love of the Big Mac is public knowledge. It's my go-to order at McDonald's, no less. Of course, I only order one, but who's counting? I'm assuming running a global business enterprise takes a lot of energy, never mind leading the free world. 

So, I decided to try Trump's beefy and brash lunch choice to truly immerse myself in the down-to-earth culinary tastes of one of the most powerful men in the world. 

SEE ALSO: We visited America's most famous 'breastaurant' for the first time — and what we found shocked us

DON'T MISS: Chipotle is facing a reckoning — and I saw why it may never again be the chain it once was

Trump is a man of controversial tastes. From well-done steaks to gaudy gold Louis XIV chairs, his choices in food and aesthetics are polarizing. But, his favorite fast food is much more approachable.

Two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fishes, and a large chocolate shake — this is no casual snack. This is a powerful and intimidating meal.

This spread would have cost nearly $30 at a New York City McDonald's. Luckily, the current McPick 2 deal covered both the two Big Macs and the two Filet-O-Fishes, making all four sandwiches cost only $10. Now that's the art of the deal. 

Trump is a steak man, so I decided to start with a Big Mac. Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun — what's more American than that?

Netflix has done some house cleaning in 2017, cutting high-profile, expensive shows like "Sense8" and "The Get Down."

It's also killed flops like "Girlboss" and "Gypsy" after only one season, and old favorites like "House of Cards," which will end after its sixth season.

Over the weekend, Netflix announced the cancellation of "Haters Back Off," a scripted comedy based on YouTube star Colleen Ballinger's character, Miranda Sings. The show had two seasons.

In a tweet following the announcement, Ballinger wrote that she was "absolutely devastated" by the news.

Netflix historically has canceled very few shows — only about ten (or up to 13, depending on how you count). But if CEO Reed Hastings gets his way, expect more in the future.

"We've canceled very few shows," Hastings said at the Code Conference in May. "I'm always pushing the content team. We have to take more risk. You have to try more crazy things. Because we should have a higher cancel rate overall."

Here are the ten shows Netflix has killed, along with their critic and audience ratings from Metacritic.

Additional reporting by Jethro Nededog.

SEE ALSO: All the TV shows that have been canceled in 2017

"Longmire": Canceled after six seasons (three on Netflix)

Netflix description:"This contemporary crime thriller focuses on a Wyoming sheriff who's rebuilding his life and career following the death of his wife."

Critic rating: 75/100

Audience rating: 9.2/10

"Lilyhammer": Canceled after three seasons

Netflix description:"They killed his dog. They made him run. Now he's living a new life in a strange land ... like a boss."

Critic rating: 68/100

Audience rating: 7.6/10

"Hemlock Grove": Canceled after three seasons

Netflix description:"A quaint town links a mangled corpse to a dark outsider with a carnivorous secret. But monsters come in many forms."

Critic rating: 37/100

Audience rating: 6.7/10

A few weeks ago, one of my worst tech fears was realized: I cracked my iPhone screen. 

In three years of owning iPhones, I've never cracked my screen or significantly damaged my phone in any way. So when my iPhone 6S broke my fall on the subway steps recently — an embarrassing and slightly painful way to crack my screen — I was bummed to say the least.

As I contemplated the future of my phone (to repair or not to repair?) I figured it was as good a time as any to test out the new iPhone 8 Plus. 

I ended up using the phone for about a week, swapping in my own SIM card and using the phone as my full-time device. When the week was up and it was time to switch back to my own phone, I figured I'd feel a bit sad giving up a gorgeous, flawless device and going back to my older, damaged one. Instead, I felt the opposite.

Here's why:

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The iPhone 8 Plus is still just too big for me.

The 8 Plus was a big change for a lot of reasons, the main one being the size of it compared to my standard-sized 6S. 

The phone felt gigantic to me. I couldn't get used to the size, even after several days of using it. I felt myself having to change almost every habit I had to accommodate the huge phone, and constantly felt nervous I was going to drop it. I have relatively small hands, and I had a lot of trouble using the device, even with Apple's Reachability feature that lets you better reach content towards the top of the screen by double-tapping the home button. 

I can't live without a headphone jack (yet).

Apple removed the headphone jack from its phones more than a year ago, and I'm still not used to it. I understand why they did it — it's where technology is headed, and I'm OK with that. My qualm is that it still feels premature. 

There were countless moments when I forgot I didn't have a headphone jack on the 8 Plus. When traveling home for Thanksgiving, I brought along my on-ear Sony headphones to use on the plane, since they're the best, comfiest headphones I have — and of course, they couldn't plug into the phone.

When trying to make a phone call, I grabbed the Apple EarPods that came with my 6S only to remember I couldn't use those, either. 

I know what you're thinking: Bluetooth headphones are the solution here. That's not the issue; I love Bluetooth headphones. I have a pair of Powerbeats, which are great for working out and listening to music, but they sound terrible when using them to make phone calls, so they can't be my full-time headphones.

For now, I prefer having a headphone jack too much to let go of my 6S.

The iPhone 8 Plus is too heavy.

The iPhone 8 Plus has a glass back, which makes it heavier than its predecessors — it weighs 7.12 ounces. 

That doesn't sound like a lot, but compared to the iPhone 6S, it feels like a brick. The 6S, with its aluminum body, weighs only 5.04 ounces. When I eventually switched back to the 6S, I laughed out loud at how light it felt in comparison. I never thought the weight of a phone would bother me, but I now realize I prefer a more lightweight device to something heavier like the iPhone 8 Plus. 

On Sunday, the only visible Supermoon of 2017 cozied up to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter than usual in the night sky.  

This Supermoon didn't just light up the night skies, it also ignited tempers online, as astrophysicists argued the moon may not have been living up to its "super" name.

That didn't stop photo buffs from stepping out to examine the night skies as the moon reached what's called 'perigee,' or, the position on the elliptically-shaped lunar orbit when the moon comes closest to the Earth. And they weren't disappointed by what they saw. 

Take a look: 

SEE ALSO: The only supermoon of 2017 is happening this weekend — here's what a supermoon actually is

During a supermoon, technically called a 'perigee syzygy,' the moon can appear up to 30% brighter than usual.

The closer moon can prompt weird weather and cause stronger-than-usual tides to roll in. 

If you missed this one, there are two more Supermoons coming very soon in 2018.

The full moons on January 1 and 31, 2018 will both also be Supermoons. 

NASA says if you can only catch one of the upcoming January Supermoons, the one on January 31, 2018 promises to be especially magnificent.

That night will also feature a lunar eclipse, when the moon, earth and sun all line up. That often causes the moon to shine with a reddish hue, in what's known as a 'blood moon.'

"We’re seeing all of the Earth’s sunrises and sunsets at that moment reflected from the surface of the Moon," NASA scientist Sarah Noble said in a release.

• December 5th would have been Walt Disney's 116th birthday.
• We found some little-known and surprising facts about the iconic animator, theme park designer, and businessman.
• Walt Disney holds the record for the most Academy Awards wins by a single person ever.
• He also created propaganda for the United States government during World War II.

There are many myths around Walt Disney, the iconic creator of some of the world's most beloved movies, theme parks, and characters of all time.

In honor of Walt Disney's 116th birthday, INSIDER has rounded up some of the most surprising facts about the legendary businessman that may change the way you see him.

From dropping out of high school to collecting a record-breaking 32 Academy Awards over the course of his career, Disney's life was no ordinary one. 

Mickey Mouse was not his first cartoon — Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was

Did you think Mickey Mouse was Walt Disney's flagship creation? You forgot about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit! Oswald bears a striking resemblance to Mickey, but he was created in 1927 out of an animation agreement with Universal Pictures.

Unfortunately, thanks to some allegedly underhanded backdoor deals, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald in 1928 and Universal began making animated shorts without him. After this devastating loss, Walt and his team were forced to come up with a new character, which eventually became Mickey Mouse.

Disney actually got the rights back to Oswald in 2006 after trading an ESPN sports announcer for the black and white cartoon character.

Mickey Mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse until Walt's wife Lillian convinced him to change it

Mickey Mouse was originally called Mortimer Mouse, but Walt Disney's wife Lillian allegedly convinced him to change the name after she insisted that Mortimer sounded "too pompous," and that Mickey Mouse would be a more marketable name. 

Mortimer has since morphed into Mickey Mouse's wise-cracking rival with an annoying catchphrase: "ha-cha-cha!"

Walt Disney did not actually design the final version of Mickey Mouse

Even though we think of Walt and Mickey as partners, Walt Disney did not actually create the final design of Mickey Mouse, according to Disney archivist Dave Smith. He provided initial sketches and idea for the famous rodent, but it was Walt Disney Studios animator Ub Iwerks who animated the Mickey we know and love today.

In fact, Walt Disney allegedly never drew Mickey unless a fan specifically requested it for an autograph. 

In the UN of supercar makers, Lamborghini isn't just a member. It's got a permanent seat on the Security Council. Over the past 50 years, Lamborghini has firmly established itself as one of the most desirable and respected brands in the automotive industry. Like its archrival, Ferrari, the supercar specialists from Sant'Agata emerged from unlikely beginnings and have survived through great financial upheaval. 

In the process, Lamborghini has given the world some of the most insane and iconic cars in recent memory. 

Here's how Lamborghini became Lamborghini!

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For most people, this is the vision that comes to mind when you mention the name "Lamborghini." But that wasn't always the case.

After World War II, Ferruccio Lamborghini found great success making farm equipment for rebuilding Europe. As a result, the wealthy entrepreneur acquired a fleet of the finest sports cars the continent had to offer.

So how did Lamborghini go from tractor-maker to supercar legend? It depends on who you ask.