Photons and the loss of determinism

May God bless those of you who have chosen to continue learning throughout your life....especially if you are way past your college or university years. I applaud you.

There are so many new options for these kind of self led learners.

As clipped above...this is any example of the free online classes that anyone with an internet connection can view for free. This past week, it also occurred to me to check to see if these classes have written transcripts and turns out they do!! So, now if I am struggling to spell something that I have heard in these classes, I can simply scroll down underneath the video and click on the transcript, find the corresponding words that connect with the timestamp I am listening to, and find the accurate spelling and wording.

Thank you M.I.T.

Thank you youtube!

Peacefully productive,

Carla

Don't ever talk yourself out of listening in on new things, things that you think are beyond your "ken".

Easy Cheapskate Hat with ONE Ball of Yarn

Hi Friends, I seem to back in knitting mode. And joy oh bliss, I made my way finally over to the legendary store called Len's Mill Store in Ontario, Canada. 

Not sure if these kind of stores are all over the world and frankly not gonna google it today. But hopefully you have discount arts and crafts stores or warehouses in your region of the world.

Since many years ago, I have gravitated to things that are easy to do, easy to learn and easy to master. Not because I don't like difficult challenges, but because I like to choose my battles. Knitting is a hobby, an enjoyable and practical creative outlet. If God allows me to make money from it some day, then so be it. I do so enjoy knitting and making something that is useful and I can taylor it to suit an ideal in my head and in my chosen budget. I will always be in the mode of discovery and exploration in the world of 

"cheap diy knits". I love the challenge of making something that makes sense to my wallet as well as to my skill level. I have refused to become  a "pattern slave" and make whatever I wish, whenever I choose. I do not compare myself to other knitters.  I knit for the happy of it all.

Did I mention that I don't really like to follow a pattern? I prefer to catch only the basics from better knitters and then make up my own designs along the way. I don't like the way modern knitting patterns seem to simply be a mathematical formula, which takes the creativity pretty much out of the equation.

With social media being so strong and prevalent, it is so easy to get caught up in some kind of bragging race to the top. But does this competition help us or hurt us? Not sure yet. All I can say is....if you are trying to create a hobby or art work for yourself to enjoy and to develop your own creativity, don't let anyone else set the standards for your art. Be yourself and create something that makes YOU happy....not the professional knitter on youtube or facebook. 

Knit at your own pace with the tools that you are most comfortable with.

 Knit for fun and relaxation.

 Any who, back to this simple one ball hat. All I used was one ball of Bernat Softee Chunky acrylic yarn. I don't really use the word "skein"....I still prefer to call a ball of yarn....a ball of yarn.

I cast on 48 stitches onto my metal circular knitting needs and I was off to the races. I did  a bit of ribbing with knit 4  purl 4 pattern until I felt that there was enough of a brim on the hat and then the rest was simple knitting. Eventually I  reduced stitches gradually by knitting 2 together occasionally with a bit of consistency until the crown of the hat was covered.  When I start reducing stitches I take care to do this with somewhat equal spacing between the reductions, so as to not produce a lop sided hat.

All the supplies I used are feature in the photos above.

I know that folks who like to think of themselves as "professional" knitters tend to use more fancy and expensive yarns, but for now, I am happy with using 100% acrylic...because the texture is consistent and the yarn does not cause any kind of allergic reaction to me or anyone else. And of course, this yarn is nice and cheap for a "super bulky" yarn.

The price for one ball of Bernat Softee Chunky yarn at the Len's Mill Store in Ontario is currently 3.99 per ball (you may call it a skein) plus tax. 

Other chain stores sell this type of yarn too, but at a higher price point. 

Well, that's all for now. Do you like to knit simple hats with cheap yarns? Do your friends and family wear them happily? Do tell!

May God bless your productivity and artistic adventures.

Peace,

Carla

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Cheapskate Review... Monthlies

This post is not for those who are trying to increase their monthly expenses. This is for the other group of humans who are trying to urgently reduce their monthly bills, so as to get a hold of their finances and have more money left at the end of the month.....that they can choose to spend freely in a manner that pleases them personally.

We live in an age of subscriptions. Everything can be ordered as a recurring monthly subscription program...... including cat food, online weight loss programs,  film streaming, social media memberships and gyms. If you don't pay attention, you may be paying for a lot more monthly subscriptions than you need or want.

So, let's pretend you are trying to completely eliminate your recurring monthly non essential services. What things can you do without?

Social media premium level memberships. Some social media platforms are requesting their users to buy a membership which "enhances" their usage to a "higher" level than the "freebie" loving general public. Do you really need this monthly bill? Is it really adding value to your life? I am not going to type in the actual name of these social media platforms, but you know which ones they are. You don't need to be paying for usage, if there is a basic "ad based" format still available.  That's maybe 2 or 2 monthly subscriptions gone from your monthly billing cycle.

(CHEAPSKATE HACK) I recently discovered a site which allows you to watch and enjoy everything that is currently on the ad-based format of a very popular social medial site.....but without the ADS! I was thrilled to discover this worked well. I noted that it did not have 100% of the same functionality of the ad based platform, but it worked well enough to allow me to watch and/or listen to many of my favorite recordings without the  distracting nuisance of ads. Ad blockers may also help you survive through other annoying ad filled apps. Be sure that the ad blockers are legit and do not add viruses to your laptop/PC.

Next, Do you really need to subscribe to a monthly film streaming service? Have you looked into cheaper and/or free options? There are several film streaming services that offer free or cheaper versions, such as Roku (with purchase of unit) or Tubi. I also just noticed an ad for a free streaming service called Plex. Is it any good? Have you used it?

Does your local public library have free access to streaming services? 

Does your local public library have free access to CD's and DVD rentals? Do you still own a DVD or Blue ray player that you can dust off and put to good use? Must we really pay a monthly fee for entertainment when free or really cheap offerings are all around us?

Thirdly, have you signed up for some kind of monthly delivery of certain goods? Certain foods, or hats, or wine or cheese tastings? There is nothing wrong with any of these expenses, as long as we can afford them. I have even seen monthly subscriptions to dress or clothing rental programs. Don't sign up for these type of things carelessly by just throwing them on a credit card. Use these type of services when you can afford to use them. These monthly bills add up. Do the math today and add them all up. Print up a statement, a hard black and white copy of one month of transactions on your bank accounts and credit cards. Write down each one that make a debit deduction on a monthly basis. Add them all up. How much is being deducted automatically from your bank accounts and/or credit cards? How many did you find?  

I want you to be sure that you really want or need the items that you are paying for on a monthly basis. When you take control of your monthly bills, you may discover that you have more funds left over at the end of the month that you can use for investing or vacations or for building up a reserve fund to pay for those things we can't always predict....such as car repairs or a new lawn mower, or a better health care option.

Make your money obey YOUR own  commands....not the expectations of the ad companies that have targeted you because of your income or lifestyle profile. Algorithms are ruthless in how they target us night and day. Use discipline and self control to choose when and how you spend/save your money. Make your money make sense.

Have you signed up for magazine or newspaper subscriptions that you rarely read? Cancel them unless you use them often. Public libraries offer free alternatives, many of which may now be accessed online in the comfort of your own home. You can also buy a newspaper straight from your local convenience store, without subscribing to anything. Keep freedom in your wallet, and buy things without a monthly commitment.

Charities may target you with their fund raising appeals because you live in a certain area code. They may specifically ask you to become a monthly automatic donor. Be careful of these type of arrangements. An automated charitable gift will have the right to take money from your account because you have authorized their organization to do so. The system then becomes dehumanized and will continue to take your monthly donations even if you find yourself in a tight financial bind. I am not telling you to become selfish. I am not telling you to not give. But I am telling you to give on your own time table and in your own style. Don't let the person or organization who is the receiver of your generosity, determine how you give. Don't be manipulated by promises of "special premium donor status" which try to convince you to give higher amounts of money. If you want to give large amounts of money away, please go ahead and do so, but do so because YOU have chosen to do so, not because someone has manipulated you into making you feel guilty for the blessings you have. Do the charities you sponsor show proper gratitude for your gifts? Thankfulness and gratitude for your generosity is essential. Make sure to expect and accept thanks from those whom have benefited from your charitable giving.

Give when and how you choose, and in the amount you can afford.

If you prefer to write an old fashioned check, because it helps you balance your budget, then do that. You don't need to give in the manner that a certain charity prefers. Give as YOU choose, because God has given YOU authority over your own finances. There is a reason that you have what you have. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Last, but not least, have you signed up for a gym membership that you never go to? I have heard a horror story about a woman who cancelled her gym membership only to discover that the gym still kept taking money out of her account every month. She finally had to go to the bank in person to have the matter dealt with. Some folks have had to cancel their bank accounts, because a gym refused to cancel their monthly bill payments. Be careful what you sign up for, especially if it requires a monthly payment. Some gyms allow you to pay up front for one day or one week of usage. This allows greater control over someone who only needs a gym once in a while.

Well friends, that's all for now. My rant is done. I hope that you are prospering and enjoying all the beautiful things and wealth that you have....on your own terms and on your own time schedule. Be well :)

Peace,

Carla. 

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If You Don't Want to be Monitored....

If you don't want to be monitored....buy a typewriter. Yes, one of those old fashioned clunky beauties that allows you to type without anyone monitoring and collecting the meta data on every key stroke you make.

You think I am kidding? I wish I were. But if you are sensitive to these things, these obsessions that the internet has with watching and "owning" everything you type....then YES, go ahead and buy a type writer. You may wish to get an electric typewriter instead of a manual one, as it will respond faster to your touch. The really old fashioned typewriters require quite a bit of manual physical effort...whereas the newer electric typewriters type faster and smoother.

But Yes, it will feel weird. Yes, you will need to buy ink cartridges and good paper and it might not be so easy to delete your typos as when you type on a lap top. But at least your words will be yours, and then you and only YOU get to decide who to share your hard copies with.

I heard a rumour that the Russian intelligence organization uses typewriters often so that their communications may not be hacked. I don't know if this is true. But I certainly would understand that type of strategy. 

Why should some multinational search engine or web browser company own the rights to anything you type into one of their "free" word processing program? Did you know that some social media companies have it in their fine print that anything you post, including words, videos and photos now become the permanent property of these companies? Yikes! Please be careful.

Don't forget the fine art of writing letters the old fashioned way. Don't forget about snail mail.

It is still a blessing to receive a snail mail from friends or family.

Well, that's all for now. It is not my intention to spread fear with this blog post, but to make you think. Maybe it is something you can pray about, so as to get God's leading in these very personal choices.

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

 

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Hey Employers! Here´s How To Keep Older Employees

Hi Employers! Yes, I am talking to YOU!!!

I am not speaking to employees today. Just to the people who do the hiring and managing and maintaining of workers who are considered part of the ¨older¨ aged workforce.

I don´t know if you are reading this blog from within North America, but within my home country of Canada, there has been hiring pressure over the last couple years. There have been more jobs than there were employees to fill those jobs. Therefore companies have adopted a more inclusive hiring policy, which thankfully is including more people who are considered ¨older¨. Older workers are dusting off their resumes and joining the work force to help meet the demands of expensive retirement costs and cost of living inflationary pressures.

Note  that hiring older workers is simply the very first step.

The next step and many steps after this..... involves figuring out how to keep older workers happy and stable in your workplace. You want them to stay and to thrive there and bring a joyful prosperity to the whole company. Older workers are precious and must be valued as precious gems.

So, shall I get to the chase? What are some ideas that employers can use to keep and maintain a happy employment of an older worker?

First of all, always adopt an attitude of respect and patience with older workers, who have many decades of life experience. They may not be specialists in your area of expertise, but there is a certain wisdom that comes with age, that can not be replaced by a formal education. A vast and lengthy life experience always carries valuable insight.

Secondly, try your best to keep ¨creature comforts¨ close at hand. For examples, are the rest rooms and break rooms within a close distance from the work setting? Older workers may require more frequent bathroom breaks and may not be able to walk as quickly to saunter down a very long hall way before they make it to the break room. Tyr to keep rest rooms and break rooms on the same floor level as the work space. Older workers may not be able or willing to navigate many stairs as easily as younger workers.

Make sure that your older workers have easy access to restrooms and break rooms and that they are given the time and space to get to them in a convenient time frame. Don´t rush them through their bathroom breaks or snack times. I am not suggesting that you allow inordinately lengthy breaks, but I am gently suggesting that it may take longer for an older worker to get to and from a break area and therefore may need a bit more time.

Thirdly, are there some things you can do to keep the work place pleasant in ways that uniquely please an older work force? If your older employees take the bus to your work place, do you let them leave in the time frame required to catch the most convenient bus or train or trolley? Do you make sure that the walk ways in and around your work place are free of snow and ice and safe for older workers to walk on? 

If your work place requires safety boots, are these footwear comfortable and provided at an affordable or free cost to the workers?

SIDE NOTE: Remember that older workers are much more safety conscious than younger workers and they may have very valid contributions to make to your safety committees and have helpful tips and constructive awareness of potential safety hazards in the work place.

Fourthly,

When older workers participate in your work place, do you acknowledge their successes? If they lead the way in sales or some other work place target, do you acknowledge them publicly with an award or reward? Older workers may not be as noisy as younger employees, but that does not mean that they do not need to be applauded publicly for the good work that they are doing. They need the same pats on the back. Consider good award systems and rewards that they would enjoy if/when they reach company goals for the week or month, or quarter or year.

Fifthly,

Mature workers rely on consistent financial rewards for their labor. They may be closer to retirement than you are, but that doesn´t mean they don´t care about the money. They care and they will count every penny. They will check and double check to ensure that you are paying them exactly what they are owed and more so.

Be sure to be clear and straightforward about what they can expect from the job financially and what bonuses they may earn if their performance meets the challenge.

Lastly, take time to speak with and listen to your mature and aging workers. They want to know that they have access to management....that their input is valued and that the place they have in the company is respected and secure.

That´s all the tips I have for today. Enjoy the changes of employing workers in today´s corporate environment! Peace on and may you enjoy the vast diversity in today´s modern work force!

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

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What Do You See?

When u look at this photo...

depending on who you are will determine what you see.

I see a beautiful rug crafted from the discarded clothing of seasons gone by. I see hands learning by doing..

by touching and feeling the weight of the cloth. I see  a new skill being honed with upcycled raw materials and creativity.

What do u see?

Do you see the result of "fast fashion" and are reminded of the mountains of second hand clothing that sits outside in developing countries?

Or do you relish the thought of what you could possibly knit or weave or braid or macrame from the free or low cost second hand fabrics in your city?

Is a business being birthed in your mind and heart this morning? Are you trying to remember where you put that huge back of clothes that your family no longer wears?

Do you know how to cut useable strips from those old clothes that someone or you....can use to create a new rug or wall handing or basket?

Or are you someone who thinks a lot about what fabrics are made of? Natural fibers preferred? Or are synthetics like polyester your choice?

May God bless your creativity and allow you to see some of the endless possibilities in what appears to be a simple item placed before you.

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

For Those Who Went To Work Today

For Those who got up from bed with their alarm today...rolled out ...grabbed a coffee, brushed your teeth and washed yourself before brushing the snow or sand or leaves off your car and made your way to work... I see you.

For Those who started the day´s tasks before the boss arrived, I see you.

For those who filed the papers in order and made sure they were stayed secure....I see you.

For those who watched the supervisor walk in late and didn´t mutter under their breath... I hear you. For those who did their job when no one was looking.....I see you.

For those who picked up the pieces when a colleague called in sick....I see you.

For those who covered for a colleague when their loved one passed away, I see you. For those who were given the privilege of handling a difficult client, and didn´t lose your cool and exceeded their expectations, I applaud you.

For those who shared their lunch with a colleague who forgot theirs, I see you.

For those who went to work, when you could have stayed home....I see you. 

The world is better because you chose to go to work today. Money flows better in our economy because you chose to go to work today. Your boss slept peacefully because of the work you went to go do, today.

Thank you for all you do in your work place. May the favour you have given to others flow freely back towards you and your family. May God bless the work of your hands.

Peace out,

Carla.

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