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March 12 2023

What you need to set up an ergonomic office

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When you get into a car to drive it for the first time, what do you do? You adjust the seat so you can reach the pedals and see the road easily, as well as feel comfortable. You move the mirrors to make sure you have a clear line of sight behind you and to either side. You might even change the headrest position and move the seat belt to be at the right height on your shoulder. These customizations make driving safer and more comfortable. When you work from home(Opens in a new tab), it’s important to make similar adjustments.

Anyone can set up their workspace to be safe and comfortable with a few ergonomic tips. Doing so reduces your chance of injury and increases your comfort, all of which helps you stay productive(Opens in a new tab) and focused.

You don’t need to spend a bundle on a special chair. The right office chair(Opens in a new tab) will help some, but you also need to think about how your feet hit the floor, whether your wrists bend when you type or mouse, and other factors. You can make many of these adjustments using items from around the house or with inexpensive purchases.

Got a sore neck or sore back? Here are some tips(Opens in a new tab) for a better office, courtesy of PCMag’s Jill Duffy.

Making Do With What You Have

To learn how to set up an ergonomic home office, I spoke with Alan Hedge, a professor emeritus at Cornell University in the department of design and environmental analysis. I originally interviewed him in October 2020, when this article first ran.

He asked what kind of setup I was using in my home office, and I sheepishly admitted that I was probably in a terrible position. At the time, I had just moved to a new apartment and had nothing more than a laptop on a kitchen table with a straight-backed chair.

“If it so happens that when you sit on that chair you can put your hands flat on the table, then that laptop with a pretty thin keyboard is probably going to be ok,” he said. He added that home tables are often a few inches lower than office desks, making something like a keyboard tray unnecessary for some people working from home.

Whether the table is the right height is relative, of course. It depends on how tall you are. Hedge also had some tips for using inexpensive items, like a rolled-up towel for lumbar support and a laptop riser, to make any home office more ergonomically friendly. It doesn’t take a lot.

There are four areas to focus your attention on when setting up an ergonomic home office, according to Hedge, but before you get started, it’s just as important to consider what kind of work you do and what kind of equipment you need(Opens in a new tab).

What Equipment Do You Need? What Type of Work Do You Do?

What equipment do you need to work? Do you have a desktop, laptop, or tablet? How many monitors do you use? Do you look at books and physical paper often? Are there other peripherals you need, such as a microphone or stylus?

Additionally, what type of work do you do with that equipment? “The posture of the person sitting down really depends on what they’re doing with their hands,” Hedge said. So before you make any changes, consider how you spend the bulk of your work time. Do you type for hours at a time? Are you a graphic designer who relies heavily on a mouse(Opens in a new tab) or stylus? If there is a task that you do for extended periods of time, then customize your setup to be safe and comfortable for that task. For example, if you read physical paper, you might need to add a lamp to your desk.

4 Areas of Focus for an Ergonomic Office

Just as you make many adjustments in a car to fit your body, you should customize your home office to a similarly fine degree. In fact, good ergonomic posture for an office is not all that different from sitting in a car, with your feet flat but legs extended and your body not vertical but tilted slightly backward.

Focus on making adjustments to these four areas to get a good setup.

1. Head and Neck

To keep your neck, shoulders, and back free from injury, your head should be vertical to your neck. This position creates the least amount of strain, according to Hedge.

“Unfortunately, if you’re working with a laptop computer on a kitchen table, that screen is going to be way too low. You’re going to forward-flex your neck,” Hedge said.

For short periods of time, it’s probably harmless, he added. For a long-term setup, though, consider mounting your laptop on a laptop riser and using an external keyboard(Opens in a new tab) and mouse. If you have a monitor, use books to raise it to a comfortable eye level, one that keeps your head and neck in that neutral, stacked position.

2. Hand and Wrist Position

Your hands and wrists should be in a neutral posture, similar to your head. Extend your arm and hand forward to lay them flat on the table. The hand, wrist, and forearm are practically flush, which is what you want. What you don’t want is a hinge at the wrist.

“Make sure any input devices you’re using, you can use with your hands in what we call a neutral posture for as much of the time as possible,” Hedge said. So adjust your workspace accordingly. You might have to change the height of the table or chair if possible, or move your keyboard and mouse closer or farther away from you.

Hedge says to keep your arms and wrists nice and straight. The arms shouldn’t bend out to the side or across the midline of the body.

3. Seated Posture and Back Support

“There’s a myth out there that you should sit at 90 degrees,” Hedge said, meaning with the trunk of the body perpendicular to the floor. “Most of us [ergonomics experts] have spent a lifetime trying to tell people that’s not how you should sit.”

Better: Find a posture that allows you to see the screen while sitting back in a way that provides lower back support. You might find it’s similar to sitting in the driver’s seat of a car, slightly leaning back.

If you don’t have a fancy office chair that rocks back, try putting a cushion, pillow, or towel behind your lower back. That will do some good. You can buy inexpensive chair cushions that are designed for lumbar support. Hedge also suggests looking into orthopedic seats (for an example, see BackJoy’s line of posture seats(Opens in a new tab)). These saddle-like products work with any chair, and they tilt your pelvis into a more ergonomic position. Shorter people might also find that having a footrest helps them achieve the right posture.

Additionally, Hedge cautions to make sure the seat is not hitting the back of your knees because it can reduce blood flow and cause your feet and ankles to swell.

4. Behavior

The last area of focus has to do with behavior. Take frequent but short breaks(Opens in a new tab).

“From the research we’ve done, the ideal routine is about every 20 minutes, take a short break where you stand up, stretch out a little bit maybe for a minute or two. Or even better, walk and make a cup of tea or coffee,” Hedge said. Movement improves circulation, comfort, and performance. It also decreases the risk of injuries.

Hedge also recommended other changes you can make that limit the length of time your body will be doing one repetitive action. For example, if your job involves excessive typing, consider using a voice-to-text app or dictation software. That way, you can cut down on the total amount of time your fingers are on the keyboard.

I asked Hedge about standing desks(Opens in a new tab) and sit-stand desks (which can be raised and lowered), and he said while it doesn’t hurt to have one, you have to use it properly.

“Standing puts more strain on your body than sitting. The reason we have chairs is because if you had to stand all day to do your work, that’s much harder on your body than sitting down all day to do your work,” he said. “Sitting is not bad for you. What is bad for you is sitting all day long, just the same as standing all day long without moving is bad for you.”

If you’re going to use a sit-stand desk, the optimal cycle is 20 minutes of seated work followed by 8 minutes of standing, followed by 2 minutes of moving around. Standing longer than about 8 minutes, said Hedge, leads people to start leaning. Additionally, every time you change the desk height, you must make sure you adjust all your other workstation components, like the keyboard and the monitor, to put your posture into a neutral position again.

Cumulative Efforts

Hedge suggested that creating an ergonomic office was like fitting together the pieces of a puzzle. He said people commonly make the mistake of buying an expensive chair and calling it a day.

“If you don’t do all four [of the recommended customizations], you’ll never get the best results. If what you do is adjust the computer screen to a good height, but you never adjust how you’re sitting or you never adjust your keyboard or your mouse, you’ll never get the optimal results,” he said. “The combined effect of everything to put you into a neutral posture and to keep you moving throughout the day is much greater than the effect of any one individual change.”

The Right Equipment for Your Ergonomic Home Office

Here’s a summary of some of the equipment and tools mentioned that might help you customize your home office to be more ergonomic:

For more advice on working remotely, learn how to make meetings more accessible(Opens in a new tab) and what employers can do to make hybrid work policies a success(Opens in a new tab).

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com(Opens in a new tab), Mashable’s sibling site. PCMag.com(Opens in a new tab) is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services.

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March 11 2023

Netflix’s ‘I Think You Should Leave’ set for May 30 season premiere

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Netflix’s ‘I Think You Should Leave’ set for May 30 season premiere

The last time I was this excited was when I heard Paul Bufano and Roy Donk on the Colgate Comedy Hour.

The highly popular and extremely awkward hit Netflix sketch comedy I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson finally has a premiere date for season 3, the streaming service announced on Friday. Almost a year after it was announced that fans would see a season 3, the comedy series created by former SNL alum and Detroiters star Tim Robinson is set to release on May 30.

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The series is a collaboration between Robinson, who stars in almost every sketch, and SNL producer Zach Kanin. According to an interview the duo did with Variety in 2022(Opens in a new tab), the pair write every single sketch. The series is primarily known for its sketches that start out normal but soon devolve into chaos as one or more characters become unreasonable. Hit sketches include “Baby of the Year,” “Brooks Brothers,” and “Prank Show.”

Fans have shown their excitement on social media as they look forward to the return of one of the more unique and creative sketch comedy series to be released in the past couple of years.

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The first two seasons have been well-received, and you still have time to watch the series in full before the season 3 premiere date. Each episode is only around 16-18 minutes in length with 6 episodes per season. You can finish that in a day. In fact, you should watch it right now. Like right now. Do it you coward.

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March 2 2023

How to set up two-factor authentication on your online services

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Recently, it was announced that Twitter would only offer SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) to its Twitter Blue members (those who are willing to pay $8 a month on Android or $11 a month on iOS). To tell you the truth, my first reaction was: just as well. If you want to use 2FA to secure your social media or another account, using text messaging is not the way to go. You’re much better off using either a third-party authenticator app or a hardware security key.

What are security keys?

Security keys, such as the ones sold by Yubico, are the safest method to use. They can connect to your system using USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, or NFC, and they’re small enough to be carried on a keychain (with the exception of Yubico’s YubiKey 5C Nano, which is so small that it’s safest when kept in your computer’s USB port). They use a variety of authentication standards: FIDO2, U2F, smart card, OTP, and OpenPGP 3.

When you insert a security key into your computer or connect one wirelessly, your browser issues a challenge to the key, which includes the domain name of the specific site you are trying to access (which prevents you from accidentally logging in to a phishing site). The key then cryptographically signs and allows the challenge, logging you in to the service.

Many sites support U2F security keys, including Twitter, Facebook, Google, Instagram, and others. The best thing to do is check the website of your security key of choice and see which services are supported — for example, here’s a link to the apps supported by YubiKeys.

What are authenticator apps?

But while physical security keys are the safest method, they are not the most convenient. If you don’t want to carry around (and possibly lose) a physical key, using an authentication app on your phone is the best way to go.

Authentication apps generate one-time numerical passcodes that change approximately every minute. When you log in to your service or app, it will ask for your authenticator code; you just open up the app to find the randomly generated code required to get past security.

Popular options include Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator. These apps mostly follow the same procedure when you’re adding a new account: you scan a QR code associated with your account, and it is saved in the app. The next time you log in to your service or app, it will ask for a numerical code; just open up the authenticator app to find the randomly generated code required to get past security.

Here is how to set up 2FA on some of the more popular online accounts. Not all of them allow for authenticator apps; in that case, we list what is available. (If you’re just interested in using an authenticator app for your Twitter account, you can go directly to this article, which gives you all the steps needed — however, just to be convenient, we’ve included Twitter with the others here.)

Note: most of the following directions are for websites; if you can use a mobile app, directions will be given for that as well.

Amazon

Log in to your Amazon account.
Hover over Accounts & Lists (in the upper-right corner) and go to Account > Login & security. (You can also simply follow this link.)
Scroll down to 2-step verification and click the Edit button. (You may be asked to reenter your password.)
Click Get Started, and Amazon will walk you through the process of registering your preferred authenticator app by syncing it through a QR code.

If you wish, you can also register a phone number to use as a backup text 2FA. Amazon also lets you opt out of 2FA for any specific devices.

Amazon lets you register your phone number for a backup text 2FA.

You can also activate 2FA on the Android and iOS Amazon apps.

Tap the person icon on the bottom (second from left).
Go to Your Account > Login & security.
The same 2-step verification selection, with the same Edit button, should be available.

Apple iOS / macOS

If you use any Apple devices, you turn on 2FA through your Apple ID — you can do it either on your mobile device or on the web. You also receive any verification codes via Apple’s system; there are no third-party authentication apps here. (Apple recently added the ability to use physical security keys if you have an iPhone on iOS 16.3 or later, an iPad on iPadOS 16.3 or later, or a Mac on macOS Ventura 13.2; you will need to have at least two keys in order to use this feature.)

A few other things to note (as detailed on Apple’s support page): if you turn on 2FA, you have two weeks to change your mind, and after that, it’s a done deal — you can’t turn it off. Once 2FA is established, then every time you sign in using your Apple ID on a new device, you’ll get a notification on a trusted device, and you’ll have to okay the sign-in. and finally, once you sign in to a device with the verification code, it will be considered a trusted device, and you won’t have to use a code again (unless you sign out, change your password, or erase the device). Finally, you’ll need a trusted phone number to establish 2FA.

iOS

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.
Select Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, and follow the instructions.

macOS

From your Apple menu (the Apple icon in the upper-left corner), go to System Settings (or, for older macOS versions, System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID).

If you turned on 2FA over two weeks ago, you don’t have the option of turning it off.

Select Password & Security.
Look for Two-Factor Authentication. Select Turn On, and follow the instructions.

Dropbox

From your Dropbox homepage on the web, click your profile avatar and select Settings.
Click on the Security tab.
Find Two-Step Verification, toggle to turn the feature on, and select Get Started.

You can choose to receive 2FA through a text or your authenticator app; obviously, we recommend the latter.

Dropbox also lets you use a text or authenticator app.

Facebook

The way to access Facebook’s 2FA settings is a bit different depending on whether you’re using the mobile app or the web app (and Facebook tends to update both layouts often).

On the mobile app

Access your privacy settings by tapping your personal icon on the upper-right corner (Android) or the lower-right corner (iOS).
Scroll down to the bottom to find the Settings & privacy menu. Tap Settings > Security and login, and select Set up two-factor authentication.

You can opt for a text message, an authenticator app, or a security key; you can also use one of these as a backup method.

On the web

Click your personal icon in the upper-right corner.
Select Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and login.

Facebook lets you use a text message, an authenticator app, or a security key.

Under the Recommended heading, you will find Set up two-factor authentication. On the next page, click the Setup button next to Authentication app to start the process.

Note: if you scroll down in the Security and login page, you’ll find a section dedicated to two-factor authentication. It offers Use two-factor authentication (which leads to the same setup page as mentioned above) but also lets you establish Authorized logins, a list of devices where you don’t have to deal with 2FA.

Google

You can easily turn 2FA on across your Google accounts (e.g., Gmail, YouTube, or Google Maps).

On the web

Head over to your Google account page.
Click on Security > 2-Step Verification, and follow the directions.

After that, Google will first send prompts to your phone that allow you to select “Yes” or “No” when a login attempt occurs. If that doesn’t work, it will call or send a text message.

Like Apple, Google has its own 2FA system — but unlike Apple, you can use an authenticator app as a backup, alongside text, backup codes, or a security key (either a physical key or your phone). If you have an iPhone, you’ll need to install the Google Smart Lock app.

You can choose a variety of backup security methods for your Google accounts.

You can also generate backup codes for offline access. Google generates 10 codes at a time, and they’re designed to be single-use, so once you’ve successfully used one, cross it out (assuming you’ve printed them), as it will no longer work.

Instagram

Instagram added 2FA to its mobile app in 2017, but you can also activate it through the web.

On the mobile app

Tap on your profile icon in the lower-right corner and select the hamburger menu in the upper-right corner.
Select Settings > Security.
Choose the menu item for Two-factor Authentication.
Tap on the Get started button. You can toggle on one of three types: an authentication app (Instagram will either choose one that is already installed or recommend one to download); use WhatsApp to generate a login code; or use a text message.

On the web

Click on your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
Select the settings cog from the drop-down menu.

As with most other apps, Instagram lets you use either an authentication app or text messaging.

Select Privacy and Security, and scroll down to Two-Factor Authentication. You can choose either an authentication app or a text message as your 2FA method (but WhatsApp is not available on the web).

Mastodon

Mastodon doesn’t mess around with SMS; you can use an authenticator app or a security key.

If you’re a Twitter user who has moved to Mastodon — or if you’re an original Mastodon user — you can enable 2FA from the standard Mastodon web app. (Note: because the features of Mastodon can vary depending on which instance you are using, there is a possibility 2FA may not be available. Also, it will probably not be available in a mobile app, although again, that may vary.)

Access your Preferences, either by clicking the three dots opposite your personal icon or by clicking on Preferences at the bottom of the right-hand main menu.
In the left-hand menu, click on Account > Two-factor Auth.

You can enable an authenticator app or a security key. You can also generate recovery codes to hold on to in case you lose your phone.

Microsoft Windows

Log in to your Microsoft account and find the Security menu. (There are several ways to get there; click on this link for the easiest.)

You’ll find the link to establish 2FA for your Microsoft account at the top of the Security page.

You should see Two-step verification in the main header to the right of Security and Change password. If it’s not there, scroll down to the Additional security section. Look for Two-step verification, and click on the setup link.
You’ll be walked through the steps needed to use either the Microsoft Authenticator app or a different authentication app. You’ll also be able to create passwords for apps that don’t accept 2FA.
In the Additional security section, you can also make your account passwordless; in other words, you would sign in with an authentication app, Windows Hello, a security key, or SMS codes.

Nest

Current Nest users will have signed in to the app via their Google accounts and will be using Google’s 2FA feature (see above).

If you’ve resisted migrating your existing Nest account to your Google account, you are required to use 2FA — and, in fact, you were probably emailed about it as of May 2020. In the unlikely possibility that you still haven’t switched:

From the homescreen, go to Settings > Account > Manage account > Account security.
Select two-step verification, and toggle the switch on.
A series of prompts will ask for your password, phone number, and the verification code that will be sent to your phone.

Keep in mind that all of your devices will be automatically signed out, so you’ll have to sign in again using two-step verification.

If all your family members don’t have their own logins and have been using yours, it’s a good idea to set them up with separate logins using Family Accounts. Otherwise, when they try to log on using two-step verification, the necessary code will be sent to your phone, not theirs.

PayPal

On the main Summary page, click the gear icon and select the Security tab.
Look for the section called 2-step verification, and click on the Set Up link.

You’ll be able to choose whether to have a code texted to you, use an authenticator app, or use a security key. (PayPal also offers to find an authenticator app if you want one.)

PayPal offers to find you an authorization app if you don’t have one.

If you lose your phone, change numbers, or decide to revoke authorization rights, come back to this menu to make adjustments.

Ring

Ring has made 2FA mandatory. If you haven’t activated it yet (or if, for some reason, you were not asked to do so when you first installed the software), then once you’ve made sure your Ring app is up to date:

Go to your app’s Dashboard and tap on the hamburger icon (the three lines) at the top left.
Go to Control Center > Account Verification.

You can use either a text message or authentication app for your required 2FA.

You can choose to use an authenticator app or text messaging. Select the one you want to use (as always, we suggest the former), and follow the directions.

Once you use 2FA to log in, you won’t have to do so again unless you haven’t logged in for over 30 days, logged out, or deleted all your authorized devices. (Note: previously, you could also opt to have the codes sent to your email address; that is no longer available.)

Slack

To enable 2FA, you’ll first need to find the Account Settings page. There are several ways to access this:

You can click on your username or profile picture in the Slack app to open a drop-down menu, and then select Profile. Your account information will now display on the right side of the chat window.
Or, under your avatar next to the View as button, click the three-dot icon and select Account settings.
You can also head straight to my.slack.com/account/settings.
However you get there, you should immediately see the selection for Two-Factor Authentication.
Select Expand on Two-Factor Authentication and hit the Set Up Two-Factor Authentication button to verify your information via an SMS text message or authenticator app.

Like most other apps, Slack lets you use either SMS or an authentication app.

If you can’t find the option for 2FA, check whether you have a work account. Some employers may use single sign-on services that bypass the need for 2FA, which would remove this option from Slack’s account settings page.

Snapchat

From the app’s main camera screen, tap your profile icon and find the gear icon to access your settings. Select Two-Factor Authentication, and then tap Continue.

If you select Two-Factor Authentication, you’ll first get an explanation of what it is.

You can find an installed app automatically, choose one manually, or download a new one.

Choose whether to use SMS verification or an authenticator app. If you choose the latter, you can either have the app automatically hook up to an already installed authenticator app, set one up manually, or find an app.

TikTok

To set up 2FA on TikTok (in this case, we’re assuming a mobile device), tap your profile icon on the lower right, then click the three lines in the upper right of the screen.
Go to Settings and privacy > Security and look for 2-step verification.

Unfortunately, TikTok only offers to send a verification code via a text message or email.

Twitter

Using the mobile app

Tap your personal icon at the top left of the screen and select Settings & Support > Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security.
Tap Two-factor authentication. You have the choice of using a text message, authentication key, or security key; you can also get a single-use backup code just in case.

Using the web app

Click on More in the left-hand menu.
Just as in the mobile app, go to Settings & Support > Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security. (You can also just follow this link.)
Click on Two-factor authentication. You will get the same choices as in the mobile app.

Twitter lets you use a text message, an app, or a security key for authentication.

As with other services mentioned above, you can generate a backup code to use when you’re traveling and will be without internet or cell service. You may also see an option to create a temporary app password that you can use to log in from other devices. This can be used to log in to third-party apps if you have them linked to your Twitter account. Note that the temporary password expires one hour after being generated.

Open WhatsApp and find the Settings menu under the upper-right dots icon.
Look under Account > Two-step verification > Turn on.
The app will ask you to enter a six-digit PIN to use as verification; after that, it will request it the next time you register your phone number and also every once in a while (so you don’t want to forget it). You can optionally add an email address in case you forget your PIN.

Having an email associated with your WhatsApp account is important — if you don’t have one and forget your PIN, you’ll have to wait seven days before you can reset it. In the same vein, be cautious of emails encouraging you to turn off 2FA if you didn’t request it yourself.

Did we miss your favorite apps?

For more information, check out the 2FA Directory, which categorizes and lists companies that support 2FA and gives you the option to message a company on Twitter, Facebook, or email to request that 2FA be added.

A final note: while adding 2FA is great for an extra layer of security on all your accounts, remember that you should be changing and updating your passwords regularly even with 2FA enabled just to stay in tip-top shape. If that’s not your style, you can also use a password manager to automatically take care of it for you.

Update March 1st, 2023, 4:43PM ET: This article was originally published on February 28th, 2023, and has been updated to add the fact that Apple now offers 2FA with security keys.

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March 1 2023

Audible set to launch its first audio-only singing competition series with judges Kelly Rowland & Sara Bareilles

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Audible today announced that it would launch its first-ever singing competition series as an exclusive podcast featuring artists Sara Bareilles and Kelly Rowland as judges. “Breakthrough” will premiere on the Amazon-owned audio service on June 1.

On the podcast series, Bareilles and Rowland will mentor five artists over the course of nine episodes. The host of “Breakthrough” will be “Hamilton” star Daveed Diggs.

The undiscovered musicians will have to compete in a series of challenges, including covering well-known songs, experimenting with genres, writing original songs and more. Prizes include vocal coaching sessions, studio recording time and recording equipment. At the end of the competition, one artist will be crowned the winner.

“‘Breakthrough’ pushes the boundaries of audio even further and invites music lovers to participate in the first of its kind, audio-only singing competition,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios, in a statement.

Since it’s audio-only format, both the listeners and the judges won’t know what the performers look like. Slightly similar to the hit competition series, “The Masked Singer,” concealing their identities will likely help Audible users better connect with the music. However, with “Breakthrough,” Audible is giving up-and-coming artists the chance to, like the title says, potentially get their big break.

As of 2020, Audible’s paid membership plan, Audible Plus, had approximately 300 million monthly active users.

“I love that the creative team are on the same journey as our audience – getting to know these artists without seeing them – developing a sense of their artistry through only their music and storytelling,” Bareilles added. “These five incredible souls showed up to each challenge with courage and vulnerability that invited us all into a remarkably intimate space, and I learned so much from them. No matter where you are in your career, it is always inspiring to witness someone reach for the deepest parts of themselves and be willing to share that tender space.”

The singing competition series joins over 760,000 audio programs on Audible, including a slate of original content from its “Words + Music” series that features popular musicians like Mariah Carey, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrissette, Sting, Alice Cooper and more.

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February 11 2023

Magic’s latest set has turned me into a monster (and I like it)

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I haven’t logged into Marvel Snap for about a week now — just when the new Quantumania-themed season has begun. Now what, you ask, could be powerful enough to drag me away from a game I have made my ministry since its launch?

The big daddy, the OG, the original Magic: The Gathering.

Magic’s latest set, Phyrexia: All Will Be One, has gotten to me in a way that defies even my expectations. I play paper Magic in casual in-person games with friends pretty regularly and have been content with that. But there’s something that’s irresistible about this set, with its horrifying flesh creatures with too many teeth, that has compelled me to play the digital version, Arena, non-friggin’-stop.

This all started when I told my husband that I wanted to do a prerelease event. I’ve been playing Magic off and on for about 13 years now, and the last prerelease I remember going to was likely for the Core Set 2011. Even though I can get my fix playing with friends as I normally do, I wanted the challenge of playing against people who aren’t going to look at me with big puppy eyes and ask for a gentleman’s mulligan. So, our group of Magic-playing friends got together for a Phyrexia prerelease at the local game shop.

I don’t remember prereleases in the past being as strict with time as this one was, but I was all out of sorts trying to put together a cohesive deck in the time allotted. I didn’t feel good about it. My deck was bad (so bad that I took the time to make another deck that was still bad), and I ended the night with an ignominious 1–2 score — that one win the result of a lucky bye. Usually, getting whooped like that turns me off. When I get on a losing streak in Snap, I usually don’t want to look at the game for a standard 24 hours. But even after that atrocious prerelease, I still hopped on Magic Arena the first day Phyrexia was out, and I haven’t stopped drafting since.

It definitely helps that Phyrexia favors my preferred archetype — playing big-ass creatures that do nasty things (i.e., your typical green ramp) — and that the archetype I don’t like — blue anything — isn’t that strong. But I think the problem is worse than simply that.

I think I might be… compleated?

From its definition on the MTG wiki (its lore definition, not its keyword meaning):

Compleation entails the replacement of much of a person’s organic parts with artifice, which typically causes the death of their original organic body. The being retains its memory and personality, but loses its soul and is endowed with a fanatical desire to serve Phyrexia.

That pretty much describes the fanaticism with which I have pursued playing this set.

There’s something about the H.R. Giger-like monsters in Phyrexia — the horrific Sheoldred, the tooth-filled arms of the Mandible Justiciar, or the haunting allure of the Mother herself, Elesh Norn — that are so friggin’ cool to look at that I can’t stop playing. Also, the many synergies of this set seem to work for me better than mechanics in other sets. I love toxic damage that allows me to kill my opponent whenever they accumulate 10 poison counters. I also enjoy the various neat things you can do with the oil mechanic. Equipment cards are not typically my jam, but the new For Mirrodin mechanic that allows equipment cards to, essentially, come with their own creature to wield them, is very nice. Who wants to spend mana to play an equipment card and then spend even more to attach it to something? Not me!

Phyrexia is my favorite set in a long while. It might be my favorite set ever. I have so much fun drafting, picking cards like this nasty, evil thing that lets me do double damage, that even when I lose (and, somehow, I lost with this deck), I just want to get back on the fleshless, bony horse and start again. and when I win? Whew. One of my first successful draft decks was one where I let this chonky boi run over every creature on the board to poison my opponent until they died.

In another draft, my opponent commanded the board with a horde of creatures I could not get through. I was dead in the water until I pulled a creature that allowed me to fly over a wall of monsters to damage my opponent directly. Even then, I was still dead, but my opponent conceded, granting me the win because they likely did their math wrong. I was one point of damage short of winning. I knew it; my opponent didn’t. My husband was hootin’ and hollerin’ as though he had won.

Phyrexia is somehow uniquely fun compared to most other Magic sets I’ve played. I have become a monster, so I feel right at home with Phyrexia: All Will Be One.

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January 22 2023

Friendshiplamp Friendship Lamps Set Up Capistrano Beach CA

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Friendship lamps are a special means to stay gotten in touch with the loved ones in our lives, even when we are far apart. When one person switches on their light, the other lamp will certainly light up in feedback, symbolizing the strong bond in between two people. This provides a tangible suggestion that even when we are not together, our connections continue to be solid as well as purposeful. This imaginative method to show our admiration for the people around us is a attractive method to show just how much we care, also when we can not be with them face to face. Relationship lamps are a unique and also effective means to reveal our support and also stay gotten in touch with those we hold close.

Relationship lamps are an amazing means to remain connected with those you appreciate, even from a range. They develop a physical symbol of the bond in between 2 people, giving a sense of warmth as well as convenience. They provide a concrete tip of the relevance of nurturing relationships and also demonstrate how much you care for individuals in your life. The lamps make it possible for quick and also simple interaction, with a solitary touch brightening the other person’s lamp as well as providing a message of love. They can keep track of various time zones, allowing you to remain linked no matter where in the world you are. Friendship lamps are a one-of-a-kind method to show appreciation and remain connected with loved ones, making them an important asset in our lives.

Friendship lamps are a special, interactive means to remain gotten in touch with individuals that might not be close by. When one person touches their light, the various other’s will certainly light up in reaction, creating a physical suggestion of the link between two people. These lamps can be found in different sizes and also shades, enabling individuals to personalize them to mirror their relationship. This is a terrific way to remain connected with a person and also to foster brand-new relationships. The light functions as a reminder to sign in on the various other person, thereby reinforcing the bond between them.

Relationship lamps are a way to reveal somebody you care about them and also appreciate their relationship. By trading lamps, you are producing a physical reminder of your connection and also a symbol of your bond. It’s a wonderful method to reinforce existing partnerships and also reveal your gratitude for someone. Offering a Friendship light can be utilized to share your appreciation and also enhance the bond between you and also the other person.

Friendship lamps are an superb way to stay gotten in touch with loved ones, even when they are far. These lamps can be found in pairs and also when either person presses their light, the other one lights up, letting them understand they are being thought of. It is a excellent method to show somebody you care even if you can not be together. Along with staying on top of individuals you already recognize, friendship lamps can also be used to construct connections with brand-new individuals. You can add a special touch by sending creative messages with the lamps, such as establishing a pattern or message to reveal you are thinking about them. In general, friendship lamps are a terrific means to stay connected with enjoyed ones, regardless of the distance.
By using Friendship lamps, connections can be kept alive and strong. These lamps permit two individuals to show their dedication to each other, also when they are separated by range. The illumination of the light is a sign of the strong bond between 2 individuals, making it an efficient means to promote as well as maintain partnerships.

iHug’s Classic cross country relationships light helps you remain gotten in touch with individuals that are away. You can touch your lamp to let your liked ones understand that you are thinking about them, even if you’re miles apart. This is a fantastic means to talk as well as show your liked ones that you care.

Unlike various other far away touch lamps, these premium high lamps call for no complicated arrangement. All that is required to connect as well as program them is the mobile application. To trigger rest mode, a user just requires to touch as well as hold the lamp for 5 seconds.

Our special far away touch lamps are totally personalized and illuminate in a variety of shades. Each tone can be associated with a special message or meaning that can be shared with your loved ones. Let your enjoyed ones know that you’re thinking of them by utilizing the light touch light.

These lamps permit you to remain gotten in touch with your close friend or partner in spite of the range in between you. They are created to work throughout the world with an internet connection, so you can remain connected even if you are staying in different cities or countries.

Our unique lamps with customized styles make excellent presents for those you care about. They are unique and also heartfelt, ideal for individuals in a long-distance relationship, distant family members, or buddies. They make sure to be valued and valued.

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Ihug Friendship Lamps California

Ihug Friendship lamps for Orange County CA

Friendship lamps are a imaginative and also powerful method to stay in touch with our liked ones, also when we are miles apart. When a single person switches on their lamp, the other light will certainly brighten in reaction, representing the strong bond in between two people. This supplies a graph of our partnership, advising us that our ties continue to be strong as well as meaningful. This unique means of expressing our love as well as recognition for those around us is a gorgeous means to show our assistance, also when we can not be with them physically.

Relationship lamps are a unique method to stay close to those you love, even when you’re apart. They develop a physical representation of the bond between 2 individuals, providing a feeling of convenience as well as heat. They work as a tip that it’s important to nurture connections, as well as show your appreciation for those in your life. By just touching one light, both will certainly light up, sending out a message of love. Furthermore, they are able to adjust to various time zones, so you can continue to be connected in spite of the distance. Relationship lamps are a wonderful method to reveal care and admiration, as well as are an very useful part of our lives.

Relationship lamps are a unique kind of connection in between two people that might not remain in close closeness to each other. When one person touches their light, the various other’s will light up in action, showing a physical depiction of the bond between them. Different dimensions and also colors are available to make sure that the lamps can be customized to show the relationship. This is a terrific method to stay in touch with a person, and also to build new bonds. The brightened lamps offer to remind both celebrations to sign in on each other, and to reinforce the link in between them.

Relationship lamps are a one-of-a-kind way to reveal your recognition for someone’s relationship. By exchanging these lamps, you are developing a concrete tip of your relationship, along with a symbol of your connection. Use this as an chance to express your appreciation and enhance the bond that you have with that person. Giving a Friendship light can be an outstanding way to demonstrate how much you value your partnership.

Friendship lamps are a method to stay gotten in touch with individuals even when they are far. These lamps are available in sets and when one is pushed, the other brighten, allowing the individual understand they are being considered. They can be made use of to show somebody you care, to keep up with individuals you currently recognize, and to construct connections with new people. You can also send imaginative messages with the lamps, such as establishing a pattern or message, to show them you are considering them. Friendship lamps are a wonderful way to remain gotten in touch with loved ones despite just how much apart you are.

These Friendship lamps are a wonderful way for individuals to remain connected, no matter the physical range that might exist. Each light is linked to the various other, so when a single person transforms their light on or off, the other lamp will certainly react in kind. This develops a substantial connection, as each person can see the various other’s dedication and love also when they are not literally with each other. This allows them to continue to be close, also when apart.

iHug Friendship Lamp – Tall Classic

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January 22 2023

iHug Friendshiplamp Friendship Lamps Set Up Costa Mesa CA

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Friendship lamps are a special means to stay connected with the liked ones in our lives, even when we are far apart. When one person switches on their light, the various other light will illuminate in feedback, representing the solid bond between two people. This provides a tangible suggestion that also when we are not with each other, our relationships stay solid as well as meaningful. This innovative means to reveal our gratitude for the people around us is a stunning means to demonstrate how much we care, even when we can not be with them face to face. Friendship lamps are a unique as well as effective method to reveal our assistance and also remain connected with those we hold close.

Friendship lamps are an amazing means to remain gotten in touch with those you respect, also from a range. They produce a physical sign of the bond in between 2 individuals, providing a feeling of heat and also convenience. They provide a concrete reminder of the significance of nurturing partnerships as well as demonstrate how much you care for individuals in your life. The lamps make it possible for fast as well as easy communication, with a single touch illuminating the other person’s lamp and also delivering a message of love. Moreover, they can keep an eye on various time zones, permitting you to remain linked regardless of where in the world you are. Relationship lamps are a unique method to show appreciation and also stay connected with loved ones, making them an vital property in our lives.

Friendship lamps are a special, interactive method to stay connected with people that might not be nearby. When one person touches their lamp, the various other’s will illuminate in response, producing a physical tip of the link in between two individuals. These lamps come in various dimensions and also shades, allowing individuals to tailor them to reflect their partnership. This is a fantastic way to remain connected with somebody as well as to foster new partnerships. The light works as a tip to sign in on the other person, consequently strengthening the bond in between them.

Friendship lamps are a means to show a person you appreciate them as well as appreciate their friendship. By exchanging lamps, you are producing a physical tip of your connection and also a icon of your bond. It’s a excellent method to reinforce existing connections and show your appreciation for a person. Providing a Friendship lamp can be made use of to reveal your thankfulness as well as reinforce the bond between you and the various other individual.

Friendship lamps are an exceptional way to remain gotten in touch with family and friends, also when they are far away. These lamps are available in pairs and when either person presses their light, the other one brighten, letting them recognize they are being thought about. It is a terrific way to reveal someone you care even if you can not be together. Along with staying up to date with people you already understand, relationship lamps can likewise be used to construct relationships with new people. You can include a special touch by sending creative messages with the lamps, such as establishing a pattern or message to show you are considering them. On the whole, relationship lamps are a fantastic method to stay gotten in touch with enjoyed ones, regardless of the distance.
By using Friendship lamps, connections can be kept alive and also solid. These lamps allow two people to reveal their devotion to each other, even when they are divided by distance. The lighting of the lamp is a sign of the strong bond in between two individuals, making it an efficient way to cultivate as well as keep relationships.

iHug’s Classic far away relationships light helps you remain connected with people that are away. You can touch your lamp to let your liked ones recognize that you are thinking of them, even if you’re miles apart. This is a wonderful way to keep in touch and also show your liked ones that you care.

Unlike other long distance touch lamps, these premium tall lamps call for no facility setup. All that is needed to connect as well as configure them is the mobile application. To turn on sleep mode, a individual just needs to touch and also hold the lamp for 5 seconds.

Our unique long distance touch lamps are totally personalized and also light up in a selection of colors. Each shade can be connected with a unique message or meaning that can be shown to your family and friends. Allow your liked ones know that you’re thinking of them by using the lamp touch light.

These lamps allow you to stay gotten in touch with your close friend or companion despite the distance between you. They are created to work anywhere in the world with an web link, so you can stay linked even if you are residing in different cities or countries.

Our unique lamps with custom-made layouts make best presents for those you respect. They are special and wholehearted, suitable for people in a long-distance relationship, far-off family members, or close friends. They make sure to be valued and also appreciated.

Like us on Facebook

Here

Like our Blogs Here

Ihug Friendship Lamps California

Ihug Friendship lamps for Orange County CA

Friendship lamps are a creative and also effective method to stay in touch with our liked ones, even when we are miles apart. When someone switches on their light, the various other light will illuminate in feedback, symbolizing the solid bond between 2 individuals. This offers a graph of our partnership, reminding us that our ties remain strong and also significant. This special means of revealing our love and appreciation for those around us is a lovely method to reveal our assistance, also when we can not be with them literally.

Relationship lamps are a unique method to remain close to those you like, also when you’re apart. They develop a physical representation of the bond in between 2 people, giving a feeling of convenience and also warmth. They serve as a reminder that it’s important to nurture relationships, and demonstrate your admiration for those in your life. By merely touching one lamp, both will certainly light up, sending a message of love. In addition, they have the ability to adapt to various time zones, so you can stay linked in spite of the distance. Relationship lamps are a terrific method to reveal treatment as well as admiration, and also are an important part of our lives.

Friendship lamps are a special kind of connection in between two people who might not remain in close closeness to each other. When one person touches their lamp, the various other’s will certainly brighten in reaction, revealing a physical representation of the bond in between them. Different sizes as well as colors are available to make sure that the lamps can be customized to show the relationship. This is a wonderful means to remain in touch with someone, and to develop brand-new bonds. The lit up lamps serve to advise both celebrations to check in on each other, and also to strengthen the connection between them.

Relationship lamps are a distinct method to show your recognition for someone’s relationship. By trading these lamps, you are creating a concrete reminder of your connection, as well as a symbol of your connection. Utilize this as an chance to express your gratitude and strengthen the bond that you have with that person. Giving a Friendship light can be an exceptional method to demonstrate how much you value your connection.

Relationship lamps are a way to remain gotten in touch with people also when they are far. These lamps can be found in pairs and also when one is pushed, the other lights up, allowing the person understand they are being thought of. They can be utilized to reveal someone you care, to stay on par with individuals you already understand, and also to construct connections with new people. You can additionally send out innovative messages with the lamps, such as setting up a pattern or message, to reveal them you are thinking about them. Friendship lamps are a fantastic method to stay gotten in touch with liked ones despite how far apart you are.

These Friendship lamps are a terrific method for individuals to stay linked, despite the physical range that might exist. Each light is linked to the various other, so when one person transforms their lamp on or off, the various other light will certainly react in kind. This creates a tangible connection, as each person can see the other’s commitment and also love also when they are not physically with each other. This permits them to stay close, also when apart.

iHug Friendship Lamp – Tall Classic

See more of our products page.