With all the news of communism, US Government shutdowns, large, devastating storms in the Philippines, and other depressing reports, people need uplifting news for once.

Earlier in November, Sean Conway became the first human to swim the length of the United Kingdom, from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in northern Scotland. The journey began in June and was expected to last until August; however, the task actually lasted until November, when rough seas and jellyfish hindered Conway’s travel. The seas were reportedly so rough and the jellyfish so numerous that support kayaks were torn apart and Conway grew a beard to protect himself.

Also in November, five year old leukemia patient Miles Scott, with the aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, had the chance to become Batman in San Francisco for a day. Thousands of onlookers, a group of some of Batman’s famous villains, and even a special acknowledgment from the San Francisco mayor, Ed Lee, awaited Miles that day. Among the events were the saving of a damsel in distress along a cable car track, the kidnapping of San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, and the arresting of Batman villains the Riddler and the Penguin.

With all of the depressing news, sometimes it is nice to have a dose of happiness to remind us that the world is not such a bad place.