Beware of Facebook’s Metaverse ?

It’s why I detest the concept of Meta being used by Microsoft for the workplace.

Virtual reality isn’t bad per se but when it goes to the hands of the few who start to use it for nefarious purposes, that’s where it goes to crap. Like pretty much everything else. It always gets spoiled by business and advertising.

I don’t mind VR. We have a PS4 VR kit and I visit virtual worlds for a bit of fun but I draw the line when I’d have to interact with my colleagues in a Metaverse. When a working relationship is based on trust and working together towards a goal, putting another complex layer of a fake environment plus having to account for how your avatar acts in this environment is a bit too much.

(For now, it’s early years so the concept is still all new and exciting to enter these meta worlds for work and some virtual conferences. I’d hope by the stage they become commonplace for work, that I’m well and truly out of the workforce).

Reasons to read Michel Houellebecq (who believes humanity’s going to hell)

I’m watching this utterly ludicrous program on Netflix called Love and Anarchy (I wrote about this in my last post). They mentioned Houellebecq and I think, “I’ve heard his name a few times before so this is a sign to explore!”

First I head to GoodReads to find some of his books and then see i have a notification. Someone wants to connect with me. I check out the books they’re reading. What is the book they’re reading? Platform by Hoellebecq. Second sign.

https://youtu.be/2HPJto2vNi4

I start to go down the rabbit warren of YouTube and Google for the next couple of hours watching and listening to reviews and interviews – enough to make the determination….. I don’t need to read Houellebcq. It’s about the similar situation that I came to with Charles Bukowski. And HP Lovecraft.

Making Ice Cream

Making ice-cream with just yogurt, cream and condensed milk. How easy is that?

Listening to French

I’ve been seriously reconsidering whether I continue the Alliance Francais courses for next semester. I might give it a miss and just do my own thing. Formal classes, although interesting haven’t been as fun as doing my own learning plan. To be honest, the AF full immersion program is a bit “hit and miss” for me because it’s simply too much, not enough practice, feedback and very little talking. I’m old school which means sitting down and doing drills, practice, feedback and written exercises. However I have been following this channel for a couple of years (and ordered a couple of the courses). I watched this video (smart use of stock video to put over the dialogue).

So chuffed to listen to this without subtitles and understand what they’re saying. ?

Food Hacks

This video channel has me salivating. Quiet sensual to watch. The slow motion, the hands, the sizzle. He can come and cook for me in my kitchen any day. He makes cracking eggs sexy.

Check out how he has some food hacks. Why are those eggs so brilliant white? I’ve never seen eggs like this in my life.

Making Crunch Bars with 3 Ingredients

Use a can of chickpeas, melted chocolate and a bit of salt! Genius. Guess what I’m making tomorrow during my lunch break.

Downton Abbey A New Era

We went and saw this movie at the cinema on Saturday night. (Yes, I was fully masked throughout). What I love about this movie are the stunning costumes. The designs and how they drape plus the level of details on the dresses and hats are beautiful. In some way, I’m sad we have lost the ability to appreciate beautiful clothes and to wear these during the day. I spent some time searching for the pattern of a crochet top that one of the characters was wearing.

I don’t know how to crochet but I think it’s high time I now learn. If I find a pattern, this will be my new learning challenge.

My French friend (who lives in Spain) is also a keen knitter and crocheter and she let me know if this YT (albeit Spanish) who has the most wonderful crochet tops that aren’t “Mumsy” looking. Guess it’s high time for me to learn Spanish (through crochet ?) I’m thinking that I’d like to give this a go. If I’m stuck, luckily my father is a fluent Spanish speaker. He’ll be able to help – or maybe not. ?