Classic video games and retro consoles are all the rage once again — think Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Brothers. So what’s the appeal?
Gen-Xers were the first generation of kids to grow up with video games in their homes. What used to be a special trip to the arcade or pizza joint became a fun, daily habit. Now that these kids are middle aged, video games are no longer seen as just kids’ stuff; they’re just another fun way to relax, like watching Netflix or doing puzzles. (Cut to 30 years from now, and we’ll likely see game consoles in seniors’ homes!)
These ’70s kids are now running big electronic and tech companies, and they are reliving their childhoods by reviving their favourite old video games and consoles, and designing retro-style games for modern systems.
You read To Kill a Mockingbird in school, right? Your parents probably did, too. Over time, quality art and media endure and are enjoyed by generation after generation. So why not video games? Many people now see a well-designed video game as a legitimate piece of art. Think of Pac-Man as the video game equivalent of The Great Gatsby.
While most popular modern games have a steep learning curve with their complicated controls and multi-layered plots, older video games are tailor-made for bite-size gaming sessions.
In modern games, you spend a lot of time just learning which button does what, scrolling through multiple functions and views, managing a huge weapons arsenal, or stopping to search through a massive inventory. In a retro game, all you really need to learn is how to go up, down, forward, backward, and jump. Maybe throw in an A or a B button if you want to get really fancy.
Modern gaming systems have loads of memory, so there is room for saving game checkpoints. If your character dies, you can just go back to a checkpoint and keep playing pretty much where you left off.
Retro games didn’t have that capacity for saving, so players only had a few chances to complete the game. Blow those chances and you’re forced to go back to the beginning. With higher stakes, bragging rights about levelling up are about skill and endurance, which appeals to many gamers’ competitive sides.
Nostalgia is another strong appeal for retro video games. Sure, getting the newest, hottest game on the market is fun, but there’s nothing like re-living that feeling of being in your pyjamas on the carpet in front of the TV, eating cereal while battling a barrel-tossing gorilla. Feeling like a kid again can be worth a hundred Fortnite victory dances.
If you’re interested in picking up where you left off 30 years ago, or introducing your kids to your favourite video games, London Drugs has some great gaming options to fuel your nostalgia.
Social media is now a part of nearly everyone’s lives (Facebook alone has 2.27 billion monthly active users), and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great way to pass the time when you’re bored, you can stay up-to-date on the latest headlines, and staying in touch with friends is easy when life keeps you busy.
Despite its popularity, experts now agree that excessive social media use can have profound impacts on your health and well-being. With this in mind, many people resolve to reduce social media time. Whether it’s a full “detox” month or just a long-term reduction, how do you know if you need to go on a social media diet? Here are some signs that you might need to slash your app time.
If you have a lingering to-do list of things that you never seem to be able to get to, reducing your social media use might help. The average North American spends almost 2 hours a day checking social media accounts. (Pssst…that adds up to five years over a lifetime.)
Imagine what you could do with your life if you had an extra hour or two a day to do whatever you wanted? You could hit the gym, clean out your fridge, take a friend out for coffee – the possibilities are endless.
Sure, following celebrities and fashion brands on social media can be a fun escape from our humdrum 9-5 lives, but studies have shown that there is a direct connection between body dissatisfaction and social media usage, especially in young women.
Comparing our bodies to the ones we see we see on social media is harmful for many reasons. Celebrities and models have unlimited access to physical trainers, nutritionists, dermatologists, hairstylists, and makeup artists, not to mention the rampant photo retouching. Comparing ourselves to the people in these photos is like comparing apples to porcupines, and we will never live up to their standards no matter how hard we try.
Has this ever happened to you? You decide to have one last quick look at the Twitter headlines before turning out the light, then cut to two hours later and you’re watching old movie trailers on YouTube.
Social media is designed to keep you coming back for more, so it’s not entirely your fault, but if you’re checking your accounts right before bed, you’re likely eating into that healthy 7-8 hours of sleep that you need.
Many people’s new year’s resolution is to connect with friends and family more. Social media has a weird way of making us feel like we’re connecting with the people in our lives by liking their photos or wishing them a happy birthday on Facebook.
In reality, those digital gestures are essentially empty because they don’t have the real connection like a like a shared story, a supportive hug, or just a friendly chat about the weather can have. And ironically, the time used for checking social media (remember that 2 hours per day?) takes away time that could be spent actually seeing friends and family in person.
It’s the best time in history to be a human, but we sure wouldn’t know it by reading our news feeds. We are inundated with shocking and upsetting news headlines because they get lots of clicks, and the more something gets clicked on, the more often it will appear in your feed. The sheer volume of this kind of content can make us feel overwhelmed, and it’s not because there is more bad news out there.
Everyone has that friend who seems to have the perfect life. All we see is endless photos of angelic children, dreamy beach vacations, and perfect dinner parties. Makes your life seem pretty messy, right? Well, people rarely show the messy bits of their lives on Instagram. You’re not going to see the 17 previous photos of screaming kids and arguing parents that it took to get that immaculate family photo.
Since you only see these people on social media and hardly ever in real life, your brain fools you into thinking that this is what their lives are like all the time. Believe us, they’re not. They’re complaining about poopy diapers and bad hair days just as much as you are.
If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness like anxiety or depression, social media use can exacerbate your symptoms because of the skewed version of reality that it presents. Researchers have proven that the more time someone spends on social media, the more unhappy they become.
Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash
Before you decide if you need to go on a diet, check your usage. Your phone likely already tracks this in your battery settings with a break down of how much juice you use for each individual app. Also, most iOS devices have a screen time tracker built in, and there are many apps on the market to help track your habits. If you’re well above the average, or even if you’re not but you feel like you could use a change, read on for some tips on how to curb the social habit.
To get started, it’s best to set limits on screen time before bed. Get an old-fashioned alarm clock, shut your phone off at least an hour before lights out, and leave it in another room. Do something else for that hour instead: some gentle yoga, read a great book, chat with your partner, or pack your lunch for the next day. You’ll be surprised how much better you sleep and how good you feel in the morning.
If you want to go further, decide what a reasonable amount of time is for your life. If you think you have the willpower for the full detox, you can stay off social media completely for a short period of time – try a week or 30 days.
If you think that’s unrealistic or you need to use social media for work, you can set different limits, like No Social Sundays, or stay off social media after dinner. The apps mentioned above have functions that can help you set time limits for specific apps or screen time altogether, and will remind you when your time for the day is up.
A great tip to cut down on social media time is to delete the apps from your phone completely and only use them occasionally on a computer. If that’s not possible, at least clear them off your home screen and throw them in an obscure folder on the third page of your apps. That way they’re not staring you in the face as soon as you look at your phone.
Instead, fill your home page with useful and enriching activities:
If you like to stay on top of current events, take a cue from your grandparents and read the paper. Newspapers are designed to give you a broader picture of the news, not just to get as many clicks as possible. With sections like Business, Arts & Life, Sports, Politics, Travel, etc., you can see what’s happening in your city, country, and all over the world in all different areas of interest.
If you only get the news from your Facebook feed, you’re only getting part of the picture. First, your algorithm for Facebook is designed to show you content based on things you’ve already interacted with, so you won’t find new things to learn about by passively scrolling through your feed. Second, your feed has no distinction between reliable and unreliable news sources, so it’s difficult to figure out the quality of the news you’re getting. Most popular and established Canadian newspapers have high standards for research and reporting, so the content you get from your local paper is likely far more informative than a random click on Facebook.
Yes, smartphones conveniently show the time, but if you are trying to free yourself from the tethers of phone addiction, get simple wristwatch. (No, an Apple Watch doesn’t count!) A watch will keep you from pulling out your phone whenever you need to know the time and then “just quickly check” an app while you’re there. Besides, a nice watch is a great way to show your style.
Another way to keep your phone out of reach is to take it out of your pocket and put it in your bag. Unless you’re an emergency heart surgeon or your partner is about to go into labour, you don’t need your phone at your fingertips all times. If you carry a bag, keep your phone in there until you need it. That way, you’re less likely to look at it every time you put your hands in your pockets or pull it out to sit down.
You may think the accounts or people you follow are just for fun, but if scrolling Instagram sometimes leaves you feeling empty or sad, it’s time to trim your Following list. If that perfect friend with the perfect life makes you feel like your life is a dumpster fire in comparison, unfollow them. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you’re not friends anymore; it just means you’re taking care of yourself.
If you still want to stay connected, give her a call or a text instead to see how she’s doing. You might be surprised to get the real, behind-the-scenes story and not the curated, art-directed story. And celebrities’ accounts? We promise you won’t even miss them. (If your feed is feeling empty after the cleanse, fill it with these ‘good vibes only’ accounts.)
Social media apps are designed to keep pulling you back in, and having those beeps and buzzes turned on doubles up on the fake sense of urgency to check the accounts. Go ahead and kill those little red dots – you can turn off all notifications in your phone’s settings.
If your FOMO (fear of missing out) is getting too much without them, you can set a reminder notification to check your accounts once a day for an allotted period of time, then put your phone away when the time is up.
We know social media can be fun and informative, and it certainly won’t hurt you in moderation. But if you feel like it’s getting in the way of enjoying your life, we hope these tips can help you go on a diet that actually might stick.
Sometimes products come along that are so amazing and so useful, you just can’t live without them. These tiny tech toys won’t take up a lot of space but they will add a whole lot of functionality — and fun — to your life. Check out our tiny tech must-haves for 2019.
This candy-bar sized hand-held camera will help you capture all of life’s big moments whether you want video or still photos. This is the smallest handheld camera DJI has ever designed and while it’s tiny in size, it delivers quality video and detailed images. The OSMO Pocket Camera shoots 4K/60fps video at 100 Mbps and photos at 12 MP.
The Ring Video Doorbell Security Camera allows you to connect your doorbell to a video system, which you can monitor from your PC, smartphone, or tablet. With mobile alerts and two-way talk you can answer the door and speak to your visitors from anywhere. The system also includes motion sensors, infrared night vision, and live, view on-demand video and audio.
Here’s a fun gift for the little ones in your life. The Furo Music Headband is a set of comfy headphones, worn the same way you would wear a headband. It comes in fun colours with animal motifs and is soft to the touch. The headbands also feature a high-quality speaker and a built-in microphone so your mini tycoon can take calls on the go.
Next time you take that perfectly shareable pic, you can print off copies to share with your friends and family. HP’s Portable ZINK Photo Printer weighs just 6 ounces and is the size of a smartphone! This fun, sleek printer instantly prints 2 x 3 inch photos from your smartphone or tablet with the HP Sprockett App and Bluetooth technology.
Google’s Home Mini Voice Assistant Speaker is the assistant you never knew you needed. Ask it questions, like “Google, will I need an umbrella today?” or “Google, what does my day look like on Saturday?” Your Google Assistant will have all the answers and will become an invaluable member of your home. And this assistant doesn’t ever ask for a raise.
Whether you’re equipping yourself for fun, safety, or your everyday needs, London Drugs has all the tiny tech you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
Stuck indoors this winter and frustrated about not being able to travel and snap some great photographs? While winters are the perfect time to cozy up indoors, it doesn’t mean that photography needs to take a back seat. We’ve got just what you need to embrace indoor photography and keep the shutterbug in you happy all winter long! From creative shooting ideas to tips on how to work with low lighting, our LDExperts in the Photolab are sharing everything you need to know to set up the perfect shot, in the comfort of your home!
When shooting indoors you have to explore your working space, as the best spot to shoot may be the last place you think of! While the living room often has the best lighting, the kitchen, front foyer, hallways, bedroom and even the bathroom may sometimes be a great place to experiment. Bathrooms usually have a lot of white and there are also mirrors which reflect the light, making it a great place to get creative. While taking shots in a mirror, make sure your reflection isn’t making a cameo. It can take some patience to get the angles and reflections, but it’s definitely worth it.
With the limited lighting available in winter, window light is just what you need to create the perfect ambience. Natural lighting doesn’t like competition though, and electric lights can affect your white balance. Look for spots that have patches of light coming in through the doors and windows and place your subject accordingly. Place your subject a foot or two away from the light source. This way you’ll make the best use of the natural light, and avoid the harsh contrasts that can be created by being too close to the window or door. It also helps to take note of what kind of light enters each room throughout the day.
You can also utilize light sources you would never have considered before such as computer and iPad lights, oven lights, night lights, torches and candles. What’s great about this is that you don’t necessarily have to be taking photos during the day – it can even be while reading bedtime stories to the kids! Just make sure you watch your white balance when dealing with artificial light.
When using natural light coming in through a window, you may find the issue of uneven lighting, which creates shadows on the subject. While this does look good in some instances, there’s also an easy fix for it. Use a piece of white poster board to bounce the light around and brighten up the side of the subject that isn’t facing the window. Mirrors are another great way to control lighting.
Blinds and curtains also help control the amount of light entering the room. If the sun is beaming directly into the room, the light can blow out your photos. Proper exposure and curtains can help soften that light.
Playing with angles helps with achieving different perspectives. You can shoot up close to capture details or further back to include environment for context. Shooting from different eye levels can also be explored – up high, down low, or over the shoulder, for example.
You can also play with the angle of your lighting. If the light is on your subject directly, it will create the most even lighting across them. Meanwhile, light coming in from the side at an angle creates some great shadows and depth. If your camera is facing the window with the sunlight at your subject’s back then make sure you’re exposing for your subject’s skin. Otherwise, your camera will read the light behind them and underexpose your subject.
When shooting indoors, you will have to bump up the ISO to make the most of the ambient light. When your image is too dark when you take your photo, and you try to bring up the exposure in post processing, you end up introducing more grain and defeating your original purpose! Don’t underexpose your image for fear of bumping your ISO “too high”. Ensure your image is properly exposed, even if that means a slower shutter speed (within reason) or a higher ISO.
Colour temperature plays an important role while shooting indoors. It works best to shoot in natural light, turning off lamps and overhead lighting. While correcting white balance is possible during editing, it is best to achieve as much as possible with your camera settings. Setting your camera to custom white balance and using a white wall usually does the trick.
So the next time you’re stuck indoors on a cold day, pick up your camera and gear to snap some great shots! And once you’re done capturing those cozy new snapshots, you can simply visit our London Drugs Photolab website or upload your photos to the London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android. From there, you can select from multiple print options, like wall decor, prints and enlargements, mugs, coasters and even keychains. Or, if you need the help of our LDExperts, just visit us in the Photolab in-store!
Parenting comes with many challenges. From breastfeeding to potty-training to behavioural issues, it can sometimes feel like at each milestone, one challenge is merely exchanged for another. One of the biggest hurdles many parents now face is protecting their children online.
The internet can be a minefield for children and teens who don’t understand the consequences of their online behaviour. We’ve all heard stories about young children or teens being lured to danger by online predators, or teens engaging in risky online behaviour, leading to very real life consequences. Our kids may also encounter cyberbullies or scammers, so how can we keep them safe when they are online?
One of the best ways to keep on top of your child’s online presence is to know exactly what they’re doing. If you set the boundaries early, it makes it easier to stay involved.
Set very hard and fast rules about internet usage. Ensure that computers, laptops and tablets are used in a common area and not in bedrooms. Ask for passwords. Let them know that you won’t use them to spy, and that when you do check their devices, you will make sure they know you’re doing it. Your child’s safety is paramount and if you explain the rationale behind your safety measures, then everyone is on the same page.
Your child may not always understand your vigilance and concern, so it’s helpful to teach them basic safety rules when they’re online. A few things they should know before going online:
One of the first things you can do to ensure your children aren’t stumbling on inappropriate content or risky sites is to set restrictions on your search engines. We’ve all heard about the ubiquitous search engines and social media sites that are constantly collecting our data, so in order to keep our children’s personal information private you should alter your privacy settings.
Here’s an in-depth tutorial on changing the privacy settings on various search engines and social media platforms.
There are many apps and programs designed to block inappropriate content from filtering in to your home. Some will allow you to monitor all your kids’ devices and their social media interactions, or even track their devices.
From Net Nanny to Phone Sheriff to TeenSafe, there are a lot of security programs available. One that is frequently cited as a reliable tool is Norton Family Premier, which offers security across 10 devices (including your PC, Mac, Smartphone, or tablet).
Ultimately, there are many tools available to help you and your child navigate the online world with all its pitfalls, but communication is paramount, and keeping the conversation going about online behaviour and resulting consequences is the most important tool of all.
If you have any questions about how to set up security measures on your child’s devices visit any of our London Drugs locations and speak to our technology experts.
As cool temperatures set in across the country, Canadians are getting re-acquainted with that slick and slippery old friend: ice. Sure, ice can be treacherous for walking or driving, but it can also be stunningly beautiful. Here’s a collection of ice-inspired photos from around the country, and a reminder that we’re lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
Photo by @lara.melnik
Strapping on the skates and spending the afternoon with friends on the pond is a quintessentially Canadian pastime.
Photo by @highpinephotography
This impressive shot of ice forming around a rock is a gentle reminder that the cold winter is well on its way (especially for our friends in Alberta).
Photo by @cmh_heli
Adventurers who take skiing to extreme heights are bound to find something spectacular to look at on the way. The glacier in the background of this gorgeous photo is a reminder of our tiny place in this great wide world.
Photo by @kwasy.morley
Alberta and British Columbia are filled with hidden gems like this frozen waterfall. Winter explorers are bound to find something interesting like this.
Photo by @dcranephoto
This incredible photo of Bear Glacier in British Columbia is yet another example of the beauty hidden within our country’s borders.
Photo by @timbanfield
Only for the experienced climber, ice climbing is an extreme sport that is truly beautiful to photograph. Just imagine climbing up a frozen waterfall! There are many spots to get your ice fix in Alberta, like Kananaskis Country.
Photo by @explorecanada
Yes, you heard right! Check in to the only ice hotel in North America, Hôtel de Glace, based in Quebec. Discover ice-filled hotel rooms, ice sculptures, and even a wedding chapel.
Photo by @ananya.ray
Find the frozen bubbles at Abraham Lake in Alberta that make for a beautiful photo, and an even better story. Do you know how these bubbles are formed?
