There is an echidna in my patio

 I couldn't get a decent photo without disturbing him.  He waddled off into the garden. Very cute.

Emergency Plus app update

I've just received good feedback. Thanks, Katie. 

If you are short on time, go directly to the Playstore or Istore and get the App....Emergency Plus.  It is easy to operate.

It uses four ways of locating finding a location. 

1. Your address
2. Latitude and Longitude
3. The Map
4. What3Words.

The "What3Words"  idea actually originated in England.

You never know when an emergency is around the corner.

Emergency plus App - uses What3Words

 

“Emergency Plus” App

At a recent First Aid course, I learnt about a new method of precisely determining a location. 

Emergency Plus App - uses what 3 words

The entire map of Australia has been divided into a map of 3-metre grid squares.  Each square has been allocated three words. So, it is possible to navigate precisely to, say, our lounge room, our front gate or the north western corner of our backyard. These each have a discreet three-word label.

This is a plus for a groups who exercise or walk together.  If an ambulance or police are needed, tell the operator the three words and, say, the ambulance will know precisely where to go.  This means there is no need to send somebody to the front to wave them down.

For example, the back entrance to the Sandgate Town Hall – I’ve just looked it up is "seated-detail-libraries"

Here is the link:-

https://w3w.co/seated.detail.libraries

It was suggested, at the First Aid course, that at a workplace, the three words could be posted, up on a wall, in plain sight.

Meanwhile, don’t take my word for it.  Look up “what3words.com” for yourself. You could try finding your own front door. It's fun.

While you are at it – why not download the Emergency Plus app on your phone. Especially helpful if you do a lot of highway driving or bush walking  It gives easy access to the emergency services, without the need of typing in numbers.  Just hit the icon.

You can share your location using the three words. 

ps I've just received good feedback. If you are short on time, go directly to the Playstore and get the App....Emergency Plus.  It is easy to operate.

Habit of the Week - move your ribs

Let's move our ribs in a special way.  

We want to release the tension in our upper shoulders and release the tension in our ribs- mid chest.

It is easy.

Elbows tucked in - palms up

Rotate the arms out, slowly, leading with the thumbs.

Not even a habit, but a posture reset that is quick and easy.

What I am reading

 Winter time is indoor time.

Here is a random list of my activities:-

What I am reading:-

Now that I am no longer physically and mentally preparing for a Federal election, I have stopped reading my newspapers so much - Though the New York Times is still a thrill.

I am reading "Still Life" by Sarah Winman.  I love travelling to Italy with all its little quirks and its big art. This book is like a fairy tale for Italianophiles like me.  I love "Ciao Bella" by Katie Langbroek, too.  I don't want it to end. So I am dreaming about a trip to Italy next year.  Vorrei andare in Italia.

I am singing:-

"Ombra Mai Fu" in other words, Handel's Largo. And in choir "This is me"

I am listening to:-

Andrew Huberman's podcast.  He is a Neurobiologist and Opthamologist at Stanford.  His Huberman Lab Podcasts are worth a listen. Here is a link:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNCwdFxPtE8

What I am growing:-

What a summer we had! Or didn't have!  So much has gone wrong, weather-wise, that I am humbled by the failure of the plants - I'm licking my wounds a little. I am preparing to plant the Ranunculus for spring and summer flowers.  I am watching my broccoli very closely.  It is so cold, here that it is all growing very slowly. 

Habit of the Week - Put your head on top of your body

 

Our heads are very heavy. Even heavier when we look down. When we have our head forward or buried in a phone, we can't see our periphery very well either.  Mary Bond says watching for the bigger picture improves our posture and helps make us be more creative. 

Here is an update of a previous blog post.   

The Guardian , 25th November 2014 had a great article Homa Khaleeli:- " Tech Neck,  How smart phones are damaging our spines".

We now know that "tech neck" gives us a pad of fat just below the neck, as well as the headaches and back aches between the shoulder blades.   Head forward posture is the gift that keeps on giving.  No thanks.

Here's the graphic from the article:- sorry about the pounds.

Posture Ideas from Mary Bond

"The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit Stand and Walk - Talks at Google  - Mary Bond"

"Pandiculation -Most mammals do this 50 times a day. We feel a little sheepish doing this in public"

It is the stretch and the tension at the same time.  Mary suggests we probably do some form of this when we wake up.  I have this combination when I yawn. It does feels good.

Another interesting thought from Mary Bond:-  Our periphery.  

Those human ancestors of ours had to forage and hunt. So we are very good at regarding the periphery while we do another task.  For instance, unlike the famously clumsy Gerald Ford, we can walk and chew gum at the same time.  Or we can easily walk AND talk. Mary says when we take in our wider horizon, even while we look at the mobile, we are more creative.  

Micro movements

Discover what these movements in the "Google Talk".  Here is the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7emPAZByLk