Timely nuggets of information and ideas we want to share with you.
Record thoughts and ideas in a disorganized, rambling manner and Audio Pen will clean up what you’ve recorded, remove any repetitions and filler words, and present you with a clear, concise, document. Free users get three minutes for each recording while Prime users have a 15-minute limit. Choose the format you’d like the document to be in, create emails and text messages. The process takes about 20-30 seconds, and you receive the AI cleaned up version as well as your original recording in text form, so you can compare and see the edits. If you are a Prime user, you have more options. You can make any changes – shorten a specific paragraph, convert to a different language, or choose a different style from the Style Library to name a few. Prime users can train the AI to write the way they do with Custom Style.
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I recently came across a clipping I’ve had since 2015. It is three quick exercises that can help us gauge our strength and wellness. They are:
The Sitting-Rising Test
While standing, cross your ankles and lower yourself to a seated position with your legs still crossed. Then stand up again, without touching or leaning on anything around you including your own leg or knee. Now try to switch how your legs are crossed. It is a good test of musculoskeletal fitness. For a video, click here.
The Smell Test
Do this with another person, who should NOT let you see what you are smelling. See if you can identify the following odors: peppermint, fish, orange, rose and leather. Your companion may add in some other odors to throw you off. Scientists aren’t clear what the connection is between smell and longevity, but there definitely is one.
The Reaction Time Test
Find a reaction time test online that asks you to click a button in response to a particular action. I took the Sheep Reaction Time Test where every time a sheep tried to leave the herd I shot a tranquilizing dart as fast as I could. The test results may be associated with the overall health of your cardiovascular system.
Invisible Danger Prank
I usually HATE pranks and practical jokes that are embarrassing to people. My daughters find this one hilarious, and I must admit, I do as well. It began as a TikTok series where an unsuspecting companion – spouse, friend, family member – is led to believe there is some kind of imminent danger, usually from some kind of small creature that is not easily visible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl2G2RcpXto
It’s called Revenge Travel and we are in the midst of it now. It is Americans making up for missed trips during the pandemic. A recent survey showed that 77% of those surveyed said that in 2023 they’re planning to spend the same or more on trips abroad than they did in 2022, with almost half (41%) planning on spending more.
If you are planning a trip, here is an interesting travel tip. Sign up for destination-specific alerts before you embark on a trip. Travelers may list their trip with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP will notify travelers of natural disasters, riots, protests and other civil unrest, or family emergencies while traveling. For no charge, travelers may enter addresses and phone numbers for each destination during their trip. Travelers can also sign up for a potential destination being considered in the future. https://step.state.gov/
