The one simple choice that could transform your workday
Zoom and other video call mainstays – like Google Meet or the blighted and forbidden Microsoft Teams – have cemented their place in work culture, thanks to the rise of remote work and the legacy of COVID lockdowns.
For many, this means much of your day is spent staring at your co-workers shrunken into tiny grey squares, microphone muted, an open tab with a beguiling lamp for sale demanding your attention.
No matter how exciting, fun or satisfying your career is, the day-to-day drudgery of the 9-to-5 can swiftly become a monotonous bore. The office transforms into a depressing, yoghurt smelling cage, your desk a yoghurt-spattered shackle; and Cindy from HR, a nightmare who keeps offering you yoghurt. It's easy to get bored. I once worked in an office where a truck got stuck in the street, and we all gathered to watch it fail to budge for about four hours – seriously, a stationary truck was more interesting than our jobs.
This begs the question: why are we letting our video calls remain such a dull punishment when, with just a click of a button, they could easily become a fun and whimsical experience?
For most professional situations, you're presented with two key video options: the ever-mysterious blurred background or the bold declaration of going au naturel, an untouched background that offers a brief and usually uninteresting window into your co-workers lives, minus the celebrity cameo from an angry, food-begging cat or a glimpse of a snoozing dog.
The blur is an incontrovertibly untrustworthy move to make. What are you trying to hide from the greedy eyes of your co-workers? A scary hoarder's house full of filth? Or perhaps you're 'working from home' from a pristine island beach somewhere.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden marries again
Brian McFadden has married for a third time. The former Westlife singer - who was previously wed to singer Kerry Katona from 2002 to 2006 and later got engaged to Delta Goodrem before marrying model Vogue Williams in 2012, only to separate three years later - has tied the knot with Danielle Parkinson after nine years together. The couple, who are parents to Ruby, four, were joined by friends and family including Brian and Kerry's daughters Molly, 23, and Lilly, 22, at the nuptials on Lusty Glaze Beach in the English coastal town of Newquay on Saturday. Both McFadden and Parkinson have shared photos and videos from the wedding on their Instagram accounts, showing their matching white outfits, as well as sharing photos from their guests on their Instagram Stories. The 46-year-old pop star proposed to the PE teacher in 2019 and the couple originally planned to marry in 2021, but pushed back their plans by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And they then decided to further delay the wedding until their daughter was old enough to join in and guests could mingle freely without worrying about social distancing. Speaking to OK! magazine in June 2021 after the first postponement, he said: "We've moved it again. We were meant to get married in South Africa this coming January but with Covid and Ruby only being nine months old by then, it could be difficult. "So we've put it back another year to 2023. "Ruby will be walking by then and hopefully the world will be in a different state, and people won't have to worry about testing and isolating as we're having 50 guests." McFadden recently admitted he regrets not being around much for his eldest daughters when they were young. In an interview with Closer magazine, he said: "I was only a kid myself when I had Molly and Lilly, and I was at the height of my career in Westlife then - we were literally working 365 days a year, and there was no FaceTime so I couldn't speak to the kids. "I could only see them when I came home. So it was a lot harder and I missed out on a lot of the stuff that I would have loved to have seen with the girls." McFadden revealed things are very different with his youngest girl - and he's determined to be a hands-on father. "With Ruby, I have a lot more time so I can be at home and be a hands-on dad," he said. "It's the only thing I like about modern technology, that I can speak to all my children now whenever I want - which is a luxury we didn't have in the past." Brian McFadden has married for a third time. The former Westlife singer - who was previously wed to singer Kerry Katona from 2002 to 2006 and later got engaged to Delta Goodrem before marrying model Vogue Williams in 2012, only to separate three years later - has tied the knot with Danielle Parkinson after nine years together. The couple, who are parents to Ruby, four, were joined by friends and family including Brian and Kerry's daughters Molly, 23, and Lilly, 22, at the nuptials on Lusty Glaze Beach in the English coastal town of Newquay on Saturday. Both McFadden and Parkinson have shared photos and videos from the wedding on their Instagram accounts, showing their matching white outfits, as well as sharing photos from their guests on their Instagram Stories. The 46-year-old pop star proposed to the PE teacher in 2019 and the couple originally planned to marry in 2021, but pushed back their plans by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And they then decided to further delay the wedding until their daughter was old enough to join in and guests could mingle freely without worrying about social distancing. Speaking to OK! magazine in June 2021 after the first postponement, he said: "We've moved it again. We were meant to get married in South Africa this coming January but with Covid and Ruby only being nine months old by then, it could be difficult. "So we've put it back another year to 2023. "Ruby will be walking by then and hopefully the world will be in a different state, and people won't have to worry about testing and isolating as we're having 50 guests." McFadden recently admitted he regrets not being around much for his eldest daughters when they were young. In an interview with Closer magazine, he said: "I was only a kid myself when I had Molly and Lilly, and I was at the height of my career in Westlife then - we were literally working 365 days a year, and there was no FaceTime so I couldn't speak to the kids. "I could only see them when I came home. So it was a lot harder and I missed out on a lot of the stuff that I would have loved to have seen with the girls." McFadden revealed things are very different with his youngest girl - and he's determined to be a hands-on father. "With Ruby, I have a lot more time so I can be at home and be a hands-on dad," he said. "It's the only thing I like about modern technology, that I can speak to all my children now whenever I want - which is a luxury we didn't have in the past." Brian McFadden has married for a third time. The former Westlife singer - who was previously wed to singer Kerry Katona from 2002 to 2006 and later got engaged to Delta Goodrem before marrying model Vogue Williams in 2012, only to separate three years later - has tied the knot with Danielle Parkinson after nine years together. The couple, who are parents to Ruby, four, were joined by friends and family including Brian and Kerry's daughters Molly, 23, and Lilly, 22, at the nuptials on Lusty Glaze Beach in the English coastal town of Newquay on Saturday. Both McFadden and Parkinson have shared photos and videos from the wedding on their Instagram accounts, showing their matching white outfits, as well as sharing photos from their guests on their Instagram Stories. The 46-year-old pop star proposed to the PE teacher in 2019 and the couple originally planned to marry in 2021, but pushed back their plans by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And they then decided to further delay the wedding until their daughter was old enough to join in and guests could mingle freely without worrying about social distancing. Speaking to OK! magazine in June 2021 after the first postponement, he said: "We've moved it again. We were meant to get married in South Africa this coming January but with Covid and Ruby only being nine months old by then, it could be difficult. "So we've put it back another year to 2023. "Ruby will be walking by then and hopefully the world will be in a different state, and people won't have to worry about testing and isolating as we're having 50 guests." McFadden recently admitted he regrets not being around much for his eldest daughters when they were young. In an interview with Closer magazine, he said: "I was only a kid myself when I had Molly and Lilly, and I was at the height of my career in Westlife then - we were literally working 365 days a year, and there was no FaceTime so I couldn't speak to the kids. "I could only see them when I came home. So it was a lot harder and I missed out on a lot of the stuff that I would have loved to have seen with the girls." McFadden revealed things are very different with his youngest girl - and he's determined to be a hands-on father. "With Ruby, I have a lot more time so I can be at home and be a hands-on dad," he said. "It's the only thing I like about modern technology, that I can speak to all my children now whenever I want - which is a luxury we didn't have in the past." Brian McFadden has married for a third time. The former Westlife singer - who was previously wed to singer Kerry Katona from 2002 to 2006 and later got engaged to Delta Goodrem before marrying model Vogue Williams in 2012, only to separate three years later - has tied the knot with Danielle Parkinson after nine years together. The couple, who are parents to Ruby, four, were joined by friends and family including Brian and Kerry's daughters Molly, 23, and Lilly, 22, at the nuptials on Lusty Glaze Beach in the English coastal town of Newquay on Saturday. Both McFadden and Parkinson have shared photos and videos from the wedding on their Instagram accounts, showing their matching white outfits, as well as sharing photos from their guests on their Instagram Stories. The 46-year-old pop star proposed to the PE teacher in 2019 and the couple originally planned to marry in 2021, but pushed back their plans by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And they then decided to further delay the wedding until their daughter was old enough to join in and guests could mingle freely without worrying about social distancing. Speaking to OK! magazine in June 2021 after the first postponement, he said: "We've moved it again. We were meant to get married in South Africa this coming January but with Covid and Ruby only being nine months old by then, it could be difficult. "So we've put it back another year to 2023. "Ruby will be walking by then and hopefully the world will be in a different state, and people won't have to worry about testing and isolating as we're having 50 guests." McFadden recently admitted he regrets not being around much for his eldest daughters when they were young. In an interview with Closer magazine, he said: "I was only a kid myself when I had Molly and Lilly, and I was at the height of my career in Westlife then - we were literally working 365 days a year, and there was no FaceTime so I couldn't speak to the kids. "I could only see them when I came home. So it was a lot harder and I missed out on a lot of the stuff that I would have loved to have seen with the girls." McFadden revealed things are very different with his youngest girl - and he's determined to be a hands-on father. "With Ruby, I have a lot more time so I can be at home and be a hands-on dad," he said. "It's the only thing I like about modern technology, that I can speak to all my children now whenever I want - which is a luxury we didn't have in the past."
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Why the location of actor Julian McMahon's shock passing has prompted social media theories over Nip/Tuck star's connection with controversial religion
The death of Australian actor Julian McMahon at the age of 56 in Clearwater, Florida, has prompted a wave of online speculation. McMahon's career took off with the hit supernatural television series Charmed before he gained wider recognition with Nip/Tuck, the medical drama in which he played the role of plastic surgeon Dr Christian Troy. The Fantastic Four star's wife Kelly confirmed on Saturday that her husband died following a private battle with cancer. While few details were released, one stood out to social media users: the location. Clearwater - a city on Florida's Gulf Coast - is widely known for being dominated by the Church of Scientology. Its world headquarters, Flag, is located in the heart of downtown, and its members reportedly own the vast majority of the surrounding real estate. The mention of Clearwater in Kelly McMahon's statement quickly ignited debate across social media and internet forums, with some questioning why the actor, who had no public ties to the area, would spend his final days there. 'I live in Clearwater... close to a house (Scientologist) John Travolta owns because we're about a mile from the Scientology center in downtown Clearwater,' one local wrote on Instagram. 'I was wondering if Julian McMahon was a Scientologist since (Kelly's statement) said he died in Clearwater, because why else would he live the last few months of his life there? The only celebrities that do are usually Scientologists. Surprised, that's for certain!' Another user on X posted: 'Why was Julian McMahon in Clearwater when he died? Like, that's Scientology city.' A Reddit thread also sprang up, with one contributor offering a more sceptical take on the theory: 'He was an Australian who loved the beach. I don't see him being involved with Scientology.' To date, there is no mention of Julian McMahon, his wife Kelly, daughter Madison, or ex-wife Brooke Burns in any publicly available Scientology records. does not suggest McMahon or his family are affiliated with Scientology. The town's deep ties to the church are well documented. A Tampa Bay Times investigation found that the Church of Scientology, along with its members and affiliated businesses, owns 185 properties in Clearwater's downtown core. Actor Tom Cruise, one of religion's most prominent public faces, reportedly resides in a penthouse apartment there with his son Connor. Fellow Scientologist Kirstie Alley also lived in Clearwater before her death in 2022 from colon cancer. She had purchased her waterfront mansion from the late Lisa Marie Presley, another well-known Scientologist, back in 2000. At this stage, it remains unclear whether Julian McMahon had been living in Clearwater in the months leading up to his death. His family has not commented further.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
UK pop star announces Aussie tour after two-year hiatus
Scottish singing sensation Lewis Capaldi has announced he'll be returning to Australian shores this December for his first national performances since 2020. Keeping a relatively low profile over last two years, the 28-year-old has returned to the scene with his new single Survive, complimenting his special appearance at Glastonbury Festival in late June. In true Capaldi style, the singer declared, 'My name's Lewis Capaldi and I'm f**king back, baby.' Lewis Capaldi will return to Australia in December. Credit: BANG - Entertainment News The star will travel to New Zealand in November, before touching down in Brisbane in early December where he will continue a string of singular performances in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, before playing his final tour show at Perth's RAC Arena on December 17. Aussies last saw Capaldi in action during Falls Festival in the summer of 2019/2020. Following his recent pause on live performances, the Before You Go singer returned to the stage in his home country as a guest of mental health charity CALM in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week. The self-deprecating singer has historically proven he doesn't take himself too seriously, but in 2023 was forced to address his mental health concerns while on stage at Glastonbury as symptoms of his Tourette's Syndrome overcame him. 'I feel like I'll be taking another wee break over the next couple of weeks,' he told fans at the time. 'So you probably won't see much of me for the rest of year, maybe even. But when I do come back and when I do see you, I hope you're still up for watching us.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. On June 27, Capaldi closed the loop and reassured supporters at the festival he hadn't forgotten about them in a powerful 30-minute set. 'Second time's a charm on this one,' he said. 'I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn't finish last time.' Fans who purchased tickets to the singer-songwriter's cancelled 2023 tour in Australia will be eligible for a Past Ticket Holders Presale on July 10. Tickets will be made available to the public from Monday, July 14. December 4 — Brisbane (Entertainment Centre) December 6 — Sydney (Qudos Bank Arena) December 12 — Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena) December 15 — Adelaide (Entertainment Centre) December 17 — Perth (RAC Arena)
