The Great Escape Room

Have you ever been to an escape room?  If so, how was your experience?  Would you go again? 

 

Think About This. . .

***Purpose***

         1. What is an Escape Room?

An escape room is a live-action game in which participants work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and complete a mission before time runs out.  Wholebrainescape.com talks about this.   A theme is chosen, you meet the gamemaster, learn your mission, attempt to escape the room, and receive clues as needed.    Have you ever been to one?   There are several in Michigan.  I went once with my family.  I wasn't too interested, but it was impressive how some family members excelled at decoding and solving codes. Also, we were given a time limit in the room.

The room that we were in had a supposedly deadly chemical that would be released if we did not escape.  One of the family members was encaged within the room near the furnace which was another part of the puzzle.   We had to rescue him as well.   The scenario makes you think about real life situations.  That day it was kind of hot in the room too.  We finally found a way out.   

            2.   When Were Escape Rooms Invented?

The first real-life escape room was created by Japanese game designer Takao Kato in 2007. By the mid-2010s escape rooms had exploded in popularity worldwide.  This is talked about at cognitionescapes.com.  They further added that some of the escape room themes involve horror-themed, historical and adventure, sci-fi, and immersive experiences with actors. 

            3. Where can I find escape rooms near Flint?

Escape Rooms near Flint are as follows:

·        Spymaker Escape Room, 1235 S Center Road, Burton, Michigan

·        Adventure Mode Unlocked, 725 N. State Road, Davison, Michigan

·        Great Lakes Escape Game, 566 S. Main St. Frankenmuth, Michigan

·        Escape Rooms at Crowne Pointe Center, 3045 Grange Hall Road, Holly, Michigan

·        Michigan Escape Games, 9023 Davison Road, Davison, Michigan

Michigan Escape Games was the room I attended.  Escape room prices range from $30 to $40 per person and require appointments.  

               4. Benefits of an Escape Room

Are there benefits of playing in an escape room?  Sure.  Escape rooms boost communication, build trust, and develop problem-solving skills, all of which help teams solve puzzles more effectively.  Numberanalytics.com further adds to remember to stay calm and have fun.  

               5. Cognitive Augmentation:   Sharpening the Mind Through Play

Can Escape Rooms Sharpen the Mind?  Sure.  According to Masterescaperoom.com escape rooms foster problem-solving and critical thinking, enhances memory and pattern recognition, cultivates creativity, and forges bonds under pressure.

This brought to my mind the scripture Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing  soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   This reminds me because I believe God’s word is alive I know that I can search His words for problem-solving and critical thinking.

                 6. What are Some of the Themes of Escape Rooms?

This is something to think about.  Some themes might reflect real-life situations.   Escape room themes include:

·        Kidnapping

·        Haunted schoolhouse

·        Rescue mission

·        Espionage

·        Christmas

·        Wild West

·        Runaway Train

·        Egyptian Explorer

·        Search for a Cure

These are just a few.  Teambuilding.com gives much more information about the themes.  I really can relate to the runaway theme.  As I watched the movie Unstoppable with Denzel Washington, it was amazing to see a man attempt to control a runaway train that was speeding out of control.  Watching the movie reminded me that this movie was based on a real-life situation where a runaway train traveled nearly 66 miles through Ohio.  It could have been you, me, or a loved one on that train.

7. Escape Rooms During the Pandemic (COVID-19)

COVID-19 had a great impact on everything and everyone.  In order to keep customers safe escape rooms offered private experiences only, booking in advance, sanitizing with disinfectant the doors and windows after every game, mandatory temperature checks for all the employees and players, players were asked to wash their hands with soap and water upon entering the venues and once again before playing the game, and hand sanitizer was made readily available everywhere.   

                 7.  Virtual Escape Rooms

Have you ever been to a virtual escape room?  The first type of virtual escape room is similar to the in-person version and is hosted through a video platform and the group controls a “field agent” in real-time, directing the agent to complete the challenges instead of doing it themselves. The second variation  is a fully virtual experience where the individuals are completing challenges on a virtual platform to solve the escape room.  This is talked about at bookelevent.com. They further added that the cost may range from $20-$50 per person.  Now this to me sounds very interesting.  A Virtual escape room is something I would try.   Also, you can view a virtual escape room experience below on youtube.

https://youtu.be/ZmAvNC8P0aA?si=t1BGi-wreXeM6Yfv

                    8.  Team Building

Are virtual escape rooms good for team building?   They surely are.  Bookelevent.com states that team activities help members communicate effectively and create learning opportunities together.

                    9.   Theme Rooms for Virtual Escape Rooms

Did you know that there are theme rooms for virtual team building?  Some of the virtual escape rooms might include Snowglobe slip-up, All I want for Christmas is to get out of here, Escape the Yeti, and Honey I shrunk my coworkers.  This is all talked about at letsroam.com.

     

 

Source:

 

What is an Escape Room? - Whole Brain Escape

Escape Room Socializing 101

Unlocking Potential: The Multifaceted Benefits of the Escape Room Experience - Master Escape Room

21 Creative Escape Room Themes for Teams

COVID-19 AND Its Impact On the Escape Room Industry

 Virtual Escape Room FAQs

 Virtual Escape Room

 

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The Importance of Playfulness

Did you know that a playful spirit opens the door to laughter, learning, and a lighter heart- nurturing both emotional well-being and childlike faith?

 

Did You Know?

***Intentional***

1.      Play at Work

You could remark, "I have a demanding job and don't have time to engage in play while working."   Have you considered work can become monotonous and stressful? According to youministries.com when employees have opportunities to play together through team building activities, office fames, or fun competitions, it helps them see each other in a more positive light.  They further added that making space for playfulness to coexist alongside serious work demonstrates that employee happiness and wellbeing matter; play should not be confined to childhood, as we all need it throughout our lives, even at work.

I recall one incident at work.  I do not remember the details, but I do remember one of the officers telling me, “Betty I have never seen this side of you.”  “You need to show this side more often instead of always being so serious.”  I did not realize that I was so serious.

 2.      What Does Play Mean to You

Play can mean different things to different people, because everyone is different and unique.  You might ask yourself:

·        What activity, when you do it, refreshes and revives you?

·        When do you lose track of time and feel most connected to yourself? (if not now, when did you feel this way as a child?

·        What did you love to do as a child, what were you passionate about?

·        Which activities do you cut from your to-do list or schedule when you are busy or feeling overwhelmed? Play is usually the first thing to go.

·        What have you stopped doing or never started because you do not feel like it is productive?  Caseyjacque.com talks about this.   This is something to think about.

As a child I always loved to roller skate.  Each day after school, I would go roller skating.

3.      What is the Importance of Play?

Play is important because it boosts your overall well-being and helps you cope with stress.  Psychcentral.com talks about this.   They further added that possibly instead of swimming laps, you might have a swimming or diving contest with your children. You could try a rock climbing gym rather than weightlifting.

4.      Why Don’t You Play?

Have you taken time to think about why you don’t play?   Could it be that you feel you have a too busy lifestyle, societal expectations, work-related stress, digital distractions, fear of judgment, lack of opportunities, negative past experiences, a belief that play is unproductive, or burnout and mental health issues.  Livingmarvelously.com talks about this.  She further added that you can change that by walking in nature, sledding, ice skating, fishing, Legos, playing with your pet, watching funny videos, or photography and music.

I recall I had a Doberman that weighed about 94 pounds.  I weighed just 110 pounds then.   Her idea to play with me was to hit me in my knee just enough to let me know she could knock me down if she wanted to, but not enough to make me fall. She loved to run or retrieve a ball when I threw it.   I appreciated her kindness toward my children.

 

5.     How Playfulness Benefits the Brain

Did you know that engaging in playful activities triggers neurochemical responses in the brain?  Biologytinsights.com talks about this.  Beyond dopamine, playfulness stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, contributing to well-being and stress reduction.  They further added that Oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” is also released, fostering connection, empathy, and trust.  Do you recall experiencing this?  Possibly you were hurting and after engaging in some type of playful activity you forgot all about your pain.

6.      Playfulness Not Just for Kids

Is playfulness an attribute exclusive to children?     Did you know playfulness is just as important for adults as it is with kids.  I recall as a child wanting to play outside with my friends all day and never wanting to come in.   I would have so much fun.  The days did not seem to be long enough.  I remember as an adult, my ex took our children to the arcade while I sat off to the side.    He encouraged me to play along with him.  In my mind I thought, “No that is just for the kids.”  I played one game and I was hooked.  I realized I really like the arcades.  I also then recall we decided to buy an Arcade game to play at home.   We bought Atari.   Now when I told my grandchildren about this their first question to me was. “Granny what is an Atari?”  Therefore, I explained.   I forgot that it is now pretty much extinct.  I had four children, so after finishing homework and playing Atari, it was their bedtime.   I did not start playing it until later in the night.  My ex would laugh at me saying, “He reached for me in the bed and I was not there but instead up playing Atari.  This is the woman who said the games were only for the children, not herself.

This is a classic example showing that games aren't only for children.    Somewhere inside of every adult a child still roams around. If you do not already know the games that you like to play you may have to experiment to find out what it is that you like.   Everyone is different.  The main thing to remember is that you do not want to become all work and no play.   You want to have a balanced life.

  

 

Source:

Play is Important at any age

Play: The Foundation of Internal Vibrancy (and The Magic Pill)

The Importance of Play for Adults

The Surprising Benefits of Play for Adults

What Is Playfulness?  The Science and Benefits for Your Brain

https://biologyinsights.com/what-is-playfulness-the-science-and-benefits-for-your-brain/

Not just for Kids:  Why Playfulness Helps Adults Tackle Adversity

 

 

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The Pros and Cons of Voice Recognition

Do you use voice recognition?  What do you feel the benefits are?  Have you considered the pros and cons of voice recognition?

 

 Did You Know?. . . 

***Intentional***

 

1.        A Few Pros and Cons of Voice Recognition

Voice recognition technology enables hands-free operation, enhances accessibility for individuals with disabilities, offers time-saving features, supports multilingual communication, and provides convenience in daily activities, according to prospluscons.com.   They further add the cons include privacy concerns, accuracy and misinterpretation, limited use in noisy environments, potential for security vulnerabilities, and accessibility barriers for non-native speakers.  

I can really identify with privacy concerns.  Besides the fact that the voice is listening in the environment, there is no privacy around others.  That is most distracting for me.   I do, however, use voice recognition for watching my television pictures.  It's annoying to repeat myself because voice recognition often misunderstands me and gives unexpected results. So, I practice remembering to enunciate.

Beyond Voice Recognition:

2.     Hands Free Driving

Beyond voice recognition is hands-fee driving.  Although I will use cruise control I continue to keep my hands on the wheel.   I am not quite on board with hands-free driving yet.

 

3.     Digital Tools

Why are digital tools important?   Digital tools make work faster and easier, they improve how companies operate and make decisions, they aid in decision-making, and much more according to digital-adoption.com. Are you aware that you are using digital tools?  Some examples of digital tools include, Google workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, Video calls, chatting, sharing files, MailChimp, HubSpot, buffer, Shopify, One Drive, and YouTube, according to pwskills.com.   Do you recognize any of these?    I love Microsoft Office 365.  Technology is advancing rapidly.   The iPhone you purchase today can be outdated tomorrow.

Do you remember when iPhones came out?   They were free.  Now they are $1,000 or more.  What was free is no longer free.

4.       Security

How is voice recognition used for security?  Research.aimultiple.com talks about a person’s speech to authenticate them. Users might be required to say their name aloud during log-ins rather than typing a password.  They further added that speech biometrics can be used to authorize transactions and verify that they are authorized by the account owner.

5.      Learning a New Language

Were you aware that voice recognition is used to teach a new language?  Learning apps such as Babbel, Audio notes, Rocket languages, Rosetta Stone, and many more all use voice recognition.  Fluentu.com talks about this.  They further added that the app provides a flexible study option which means you can cram in a little extra speech practice whether you are waiting in line at the store or relaxing in bed.  

6.      History of Voice Recognition

The first voice recognition was designed by Bell Laboratories in 1952 and it could understand 9 digits spoken by a single person.  Ten years later, IBM developed Shoebox, which could perform mathematical functions and process up to 16 words in English. G2.com talks about this. In the 1970s and 1980s (DARPA) the United States Department of Defense and Defense Advance Research Projects Agency launched the Speech Understanding Research (SUR) Program. This program gave birth to the Harpy speech system capable of understanding 1,000 words.  In 1990 and 2000’s several applications like Dragon Dictate, Plain Talk, and Via Voice by IBM were launched.  These applications were able to process nearly 80% of human speech. By 2009 Google launched Google Voice for IOS devices.   Three years later, Siri was born. They further added that some of the companies that provide accurate voice recognition are Google voice, Open Text Corporation, LumenVox, Sestek, and Acapela Group.

7.      Voice Recognition vs Speech Recognition

Is there a difference between voice recognition and speech recognition?     Voice Recognition you will use with devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Dot, it listens to your voice in real-time and responds, it has limited functionality, usually restricted to specific tasks. Whereas (ASR) Automatic Speech Recognition recognizes speech.  It uses natural language processing, it can accurately generate a transcript of audio, creating real-time captioning, but is not 100% accurate.  Verbit.ai further states it can contain many errors although it is fast and inexpensive way to convert speech to text.

Whether you want it or not it appears it has been integrated into many facets of our lives. 1,000 or 100 years ago who would have thought? You may not use social media or even watch television, but many businesses are using this.

Also, have you noticed when using your gps (global positioning system) that some of the streets are mispronounced?  For Example, Grand Blanc, Michigan is pronounced on the gps as (Grand Blonk) instead of Grand Blank. Clio, Road is pronounced (Klee- 0 Road instead of Kly-0 Road.  I guess that is a subject for another post.

8.      Online Banking

Does voice-enabled online banking exist?  It sure does. According to some reports, banks in North America allocated over $20 billion in 2017 alone to incorporate voice recognition into their apps and services.  Fireflies.ai further added that major payment companies like Venmo and PayPal, as well as banks like N26 and Bank of Canada, offer customers the option to process transfers and payments using voice assistants like Siri.  I have found this to especially be true on the weekends, such as on Sunday.  It has become increasingly rare to encounter a live person available for direct communication.    It seems like that is a thing of the past.  I truly miss talking to a live person on the weekend if I have a problem regarding my banking.  At least some banks are open on Saturday just not on Sunday.

Source:

21 Pros and Cons of Voice Recognition

 Digital Tools

 What are Digital Tools? Types, Examples, How to Find Best Tool

Top 11 Voice Recognition Applications & Examples

How to Learn Languages with Speech Recognition Tools

 What Is Voice Recognition?   Types, Features, and Systems

 Voice recognition vs speech recognition:   The difference and why they matter

 

Top 20 voicerecognition software uses

 

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Asphy Family

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Asphy Family.  To my followers I say Thank You.  Jesus is the reason for the season-our hope, our peace, and the greatest gift ever given.   

 

 Something to Think About. . .

 

***Intentional***

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Hope for Every Season-Evergreen blogging

 Did you know that evergreen blogging keeps your message timeless, because the content will inspire in every season?

Did You Know?

***Intentional***

 

 

1.       Timeless

Did you know that evergreen blogging is timeless?  In fact it is not only timeless, but valuable, and always relevant.  Enevergroup.com talks about this.  They further added that there is SEO (search engine optimization), long-term value, and educational.

 

2.     God

Sharing wisdom, hope, and God’s truth is something that never fades.  The Bible and religion have existed for centuries.  Biblegateway.com talks about the books of the Bible were written over a period of over a millennium and a half; the oldest parts composed around 1500-1400 BC (before Christ) and the most recent from the late first century AD(Anno Domini) a Latin term meaning the year of Our Lord.  Even though there are different religions throughout the world, everyone believes in their religion.

 

3.       Religion

Christians believe in their religion as do others such as Judaism, Islam, and many more believe in theirs.  Each party may engage in a reasoned discussion, seeking to persuade the other of the validity of their respective religious beliefs.  Have you ever thought about how many religions there are in the world?  According to learnreligions.com there is an estimated more than 4,000 faiths across the world.  They further added that more than eight in ten people or about 85% of the world’s population, identify with a religious group.   

4.     Churches

I recall the first time I went to church.  I had no idea what church was.   My parents did not attend.  My neighbors went every Sunday.  I started trying to read at age 3.  The Bible was the sole book available in our household, so I chose to read it.    I learned about God.  I was curious why my neighbors went to church every Sunday, though I knew little about it.   I loved church.  I eagerly attended every Sunday.   I was not aware at the time that it was a Methodist Church.  I saw babies getting sprinkled and we would go to the altar and kneel while the priest gave us communion.  I loved the taste.  

Subsequently, I relocated to Michigan accompanied by my aunt and grandmother.   They did not attend church.  I had purposed in my mind I needed to find a church immediately.  Any church was fine with me.  I just knew that I needed to attend one.   There was one on the corner. I was still a young child.   I walked there every Sunday.  I discovered this was a Baptist church.   It was then I discovered some churches are different with different teachings.  That was the place where I was baptized and chose to accept Jesus as my personal savior.  I waited 1 month to be baptized.  It seemed like eternity to me.  Our church did not have a pool.  So we used the pool at another church, Metropolitan Church.   I was not sprinkled but dunked under the water.

After becoming an adult, I still moved to another church that my daughter attended and where I presently reside.  Now I was totally confused in the beginning.  I thought this church was sanctified, because they clapped and moved when singing.  I was not used to clapping or moving.  I was used to just sitting and listening.  This clapping and rocking were entirely new to me; however, I found the experience quite enjoyable.   I felt alive praising the Lord.  As you can see, I could go on and on about this.

5.     Promises of God

I believe the promises of God will never fade or become old.  There are numerous promises of God in the Bible.  Some of my favorites are as follows:

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply ally my needs according to the riches of glory in Christ Jesus. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

When I think about it, these are only a few of the many promises. 

6.     School

Do you remember your first day of school?  How was it?   How did you feel?  I started school at age 4.  I loved school.  The school was 4 or 5 blocks away and my grandmother always walked me to school and picked me up afterwards, because we did not have a car.  At the age of four, I experienced a sense of independence when I informed my grandmother that I already knew the way.    She did not have to walk me to school.   My grandmother was not having that.   She walked me anyway.  I told her she was treating me like a baby.

One day she allowed me to walk by myself to school.  I decided to stop by the store on my way home.  That did not work out too well.   The store was crowded with children, and it took a long time to get waited on.  I bought penny candy.  Candy dots aka(candy buttons) on paper to be exact.  Anyway, my grandmother told me I was home too late.   She asked me what took me so long.  I told her I bought some penny candy at the store.  She was upset with me and that day I got a “whooping.”   It was worth it, because I fell in love with that dot candy on paper.  My father would work every day as a Porter on the train.  My grandmother would tell me to get a switch from the tree in our yard.  I would pick the smallest switch I could find.   She would then go out and pick a bigger one.  When she “whooped” me I would become drama.  I would fall out on the floor and tell her she hit my ear.  Her response was, “If you would hold still that would not happen.”  Well can anyone relate to this?  Do you remember getting a switch from your tree in your yard?  Do you remember your first day at church?  I believe these are evergreen moments. 

 

 

 

Source:

The Power of Evergreen Content: Timeless, valuable, and always relevant

 When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?

 How Many Religions Are There in the World?

https://www.learnreligions.com/how-many-religions-are-there-in-the-world-5114658

 

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