By Noni Kigera
The new Austin Recycles App is the easiest and fastest way to get important alerts and reminders about your City of Austin trash, recycling and compost services. The app is available for Apple and Android devices, so download it today! #KeepingYouCollected
If you’re bored in the house and in the house bored, here are some low effort and commitment activities so you can stop freestyling at your dog. BONUS: these are all pajama and overgrown haircut friendly!
Online Classes
Photo by Eugene Chystiakov on Unsplash
Days are running into each other, and the only changes might be from “umph” to “eh” every now and again. You’re missing the gym but video exercises just aren’t hitting – or maybe even a pandemic can’t motivate you to workout. If you’re dying to engage your mind with something new, check out online education courses on interesting skills. You might be familiar with Master Class, but Skill Share is another online education platform that currently has a free two month trial. Here you can get motivated with lessons on productivity, minimalism, and more, or you can learn how to DJ from the Young Guru and bring the club to your house.
Binge Watch New to Streaming Movies
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
The reality is you just might not want to move, and that’s okay. Rather than calling it binge watching, upgrade it to a ~movie marathon~ and stream some of your old favorites online. First, set the scene of a movie theatre and get all your favorite movie snacks (that shouldn’t cost an arm and leg to begin with) neatly laid out. Bring out all the coziest blankets, shut the blinds, and pour yourself a drink. If you’re lucky enough to hunker down with the family, watch new additions on Disney+ including National Treasure and Doctor Doolittle. Kicking it alone? Showtime has Panic Room and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Hulu just added Parasite and Get Smart, and HBO Now has Slumdog Millionaire and American Pie.
An extended version of the list is available here.
Photography Challenge
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
2020 has been a year of many firsts, but at least we still have technology. You’ve already been glued to your phone, so you might as well try something actually challenging and stimulating (other than Candy Crush). Do a #stayhome photography challenge by using your phone camera to create interesting scenes around your house. You can recreate old family photos from years ago, make your living room look like a fortress, or place your cat perfectly in the grass so it looks like a roaring beast. TikTok may be known for corny jokes and endless dance moves, but the trending #mirrorchallenge is a place to start your photography adventure. All you do is take a mirror outdoors and take a mirror selfie with the scenery in the background. Sounds kinda corny, but you could recreate the George Lopez show introduction.
Memory Lane
Photo by Laura Fuhrman on Unsplash
Take a trip down memory lane since you can’t go anywhere else. Dust off the old photo albums and reminisce about good times and loved ones, and rediscover your past. You may find something you’ve been looking for, something you never knew about, or a deeply buried memory. Now is also a good time to digitally back up those photos to secure their existence for generations to come. You can also give them new life by finding new and interesting ways to repurpose and display the items. Easy Canvas Prints is having a 93% off sale on all their sizes. Keep in mind, Mother’s Day is around the corner and this could make the perfect gift.
Play Old Video Games
Photo by Ryan Quintal on Unsplash
Sticking to the memory lane theme – do you remember the younger, fitter, more-hairy version of you? The guy that could blast rock music all day and play video games all night? Before you get lost in the sauce, you can’t bring him back but you could play old video games. Classic games with low quality graphics and high quality excitement are a fun way to pass the time. If you’re lucky enough to have an original system that works then more power to you. Bust out the O.G games like Super Mario 64, Sonic, Doom, Goldeneye 007, and Tekken 3. If you’re not as lucky hit the online versions instead like Pokémon Red. Either way it’s just a friendly game to pass the time … or is it?
Chef it Up with 101X
Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash
Last but not least, get creative in the kitchen while you bump 101X on your virtual assistant (Hey Google, play 101X radio!) Our disc jockeys are on-air to keep you company while you ignite the culinary genius within. You may not be able to travel the world, but you can travel to the grocery store and bring some of the world to your plate. Watching endless hours of Chopped or No Reservations to get inspiration, then hop on YouTube for the skills necessary to bring it to life. Cool “foodie” Youtubers include Matty Matheson, Terri Ann’s Kitchen, and Bon Appetit. Once you get the hang of it, you’re fellow hunker downers will appreciate you greatly.
