The Office Australia: A mixed bag of nostalgia and novelty

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I love The Office. Whether it is the original starring Ricky Gervais or the surprising US version starring Steve Carel, I could not get enough. So the recent release of The Office Australia on Prime Video had me very excited to see if they could strike gold again. As the 13th adaptation of the iconic series originally created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, this version attempts to carve out its own identity while paying homage to its predecessors. Here’s a look at what makes it stand out and where it falls short.

What TV shows I am watching right now

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Happy day after Family Day. It’s back to the normal grind for most after a long weekend of family activities, the usual weekend stuff, and catching up on TV shows.

While things were looking pretty empty for a few weeks, the TV show library is starting to pick up the pace again.

The streamers are starting to release new shows on the regular after the various strikes from last year slowed everything down.

Here’s what I have been watching in 2024 so far.

Getting to know ChatGPT

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Good morning all, happy Thursday. It’s the day before an extra-long weekend in our house. PA Day tomorrow and Family Day on Monday. So that gives today a bit of a Friday feel.

For today’s post, I wanted to share with you my learnings of using ChatGPT, the AI tool that is taking over the world.

In the early days, I used it mostly for playing around and testing what it could do. Writing silly emails to friends and seeing what it would say when you asked it subjective questions.

It’s been a huge help in resume creation and cover letter writing, as well as kick-starting some idea generation.

I still think it’s pretty obvious when you read it that a computer created it, but it’s getting better.

Why did Apple add a new Journal app to my phone?

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So last night my iPhone updated. No big deal right. Usually it’s about a securty patch and there is nothing really different after the fact.

But this morning I noticed a new app on my phone that I did not download. It’s called Journal.

I did not continue that far, but it looks like it’s a place to write about your day and add photos.

Really? In 2024, the big update to our phone is an app to help you journal? Are there not enough places to share about yourself, document your life and just write your thoughts? Really Apple?

#WealthSimple: Keep Calm & Carry On

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This is a repost of an article I published on LinkedIn.
Please go and like the original and connect with me on LinkedIn.

In early 2018, I finally gave in to all the ads where a young person talks about their thoughts and worries about saving money while a beep bop tune plays in the background. The ads were for WealthSimple, an online platform to make saving for retirement easier. I knew you have heard of it.

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I like tucking away money for the future. I like online platforms that make things easier. I like bread and butter.

Then one day at work, coworkers were talking about it and the success they were having compared to a person managing their savings and that’s all it took. I finally decided to give it a try.

I have become a huge fan of WealthSimple because of its simplicity. Hence the simple in their name. Duh. But it’s 100% the truth.

Getting Nutritional Advice From A Dietitian is Easier Than You Think

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Have you ever wanted to book an appointment with a registered dietitian and figured it would be too costly? Well what would you say if I told you there is a place that offers the service where you already go for your groceries? Yes, it’s true.

The dietitian program I am speaking of is offered at many of the Loblaws stores across Canada. In fact, the Loblaws we shop at weekly has the service and I had no idea it existed or that many of the services were free to the public until recently. Now that it has been pointed out, it’s like, I see that sign all the time.

I was given the opportunity to have a consultation with an in-store dietitian at Loblaws and I wanted to share my experience with you. I did learn a few things I was not expecting.

As a bonus, I also got some great tips on how to make Thanksgiving leftovers a little healthier. Don’t worry, I know Thanksgiving for us Canadians is long gone, but I will include some easy ways to take some classic comfort food dishes and make them healthier.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Now On DVD and Hero Edition Blu-Ray

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captain underpants

Our boys love screens. Our boys love superheroes. Our boys love silly. So, with that said, the movie Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie checks all the boxes in our house. Have you seen it? For those who missed it in theatres, it is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray as well as digitally on itunes.

For a classic family film, this one is great to sit and watch with the kids. It has laughs and a few catch phrases that will stick for a while.
For those not familiar with Underpants, it is based on the bestselling book series by Dav Pilkey. The outrageous comedy tells the story of two overly imaginative best friends. Yes, now you can see why our boys are fans. They are like the two main characters, just brothers.

Ramp Up Back to School Reading with a Kindle Paperwhite & FreeTime App

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kindle paperwhite

How is back to school going for everyone? For us, it has been smooth sailing. In year’s past, the start of school was always tough on our oldest, because it meant getting back into reading.

But this year, our oldest son has not missed a beat with his reading as he practices a lot. Over the summer he really got into reading what he calls chapter books. These are stories he actually follows chapter by chapter and not the quick reads we have done in the past.

To help his interest, we were lucky enough to try out a Kindle Paperwhite and the FreeTime feature it has. While our son’s interest for holding a book and reading was good, holding a screen really blows up the interest level.

Like all Kindle devices, it’s easy on the eyes and meant for reading, not playing games or surfing the net.

Then add in the FreeTime app and this device is a major hit.