The unexpected can gift better

Summer 2016 is now coming to a close (Autumn begins Thursday September 22nd this year) so I thought it an excellent time to accomplish my seasonal blogging on Alicia Rose at WordPress. The reason behind my being a seasonal blogger is the amount of time required to do the blogging had to come into consideration. Book manuscripts for future publications and online publishing articles do not write themselves. Writing anything takes time and effort. To all of my readers who have encouraged me to blog more often, a great big thank you for your enthusiasm; very heart-warming.

First, before I get into my usual sharing mode, I want to thank all who have given thumbs up for my videos on my YouTube channel Alicia Rose Shares, followed me on Twitter, befriended me on Facebook, bobbled me on BOBL, became a friend on Wazzub Community, plus my posts on Google+, connected with me on LinkedIn, and continue to support my website Alicia Rose Shares as well as this blog. Your positive feedback gifting support has been very inspirational. The unexpected constructive criticism given has also been an excellent help. Thank you so very much!

To those of you who read the multi-topical articles on my columns KnowABit and HubPages, I heartfelt thank you. Truly wonderful to share my interests and reviews with you. Appreciate you taking the time to read what I have written, truly honored by this.

Quite a stir occurred in my world July 2016. It was most unexpected, did not foresee this event. Examiner.com website was completely transformed into AXS.com a live entertainment venue only site July 15, 2016. My Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner column was on this date unpublished, and my brand of Health and Happiness articles were no longer required by AXS. At first, I was upset by this change for it meant losing something very important to me, but now looking back AXS did me a great favor. This change allowed me to determine what was most important, where my passion truly is, and pursue new goals in my field. It was not the stumble back a step or two kind of change in my writing career.

Foremost, I had become too used to being the Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner. I had been it for so long that the title had become an online identity greater than me being an Author, Columnist and Reviewer. When someone asked me how to find me online, I used to say, “Please search under the Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner, that is my column.” I had a brand other than Alicia Rose. Having multiple brands is not unheard of, but can be confusing to those trying to find your work. It took me 1 3/4 months to sort this out plus update my information on the sites I was active. Learned much along the way in the online world. Fortunately, I made a list preventing any site being overlooked. Now I am easier to “search” and “find.” Just the other day I said, “You can find me through my website Alicia Rose Shares.” A much better method since all I do as an Author, Columnist and Reviewer is listed on my official author site.

That was not the only unexpected change this summer gifted. I also had an upbeat one. How can a work related surprise brighten instead of turn the day glum? Well, this one did when I upgraded my laptop from the unfriendly Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 the minute Microsoft let me know via Microsoft Explorer I could do this. Their free upgrade came with a deadline of August 31, 2016. I did not wait even 5 minutes after reading their invitation to upgrade. This turned out better than expected! Upgrading to Windows 10 did not cost me anything. No Explorer and Google Chrome browser favorites or files were misplaced or lost during the downloading process. Nothing was hard to find after this change. Windows 10 is compatible with earlier versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel (Office packages). Considering I am very attached to my Microsoft Office package, I was ecstatic not to be forced into upgrading. I did have to update the Bluetooth driver for Windows 10 and re-pair my devices, but that went fairly quickly. All in all it was the easiest upgrade of its kind I have ever experienced!

The personal assistant Cortana is amazing! The calendar that works with Cortana has gifted me a better organizational method; very user friendly. If you can upgrade to or get Windows 10 for your PC, my recommendation is do as soon as possible! Windows 10 saves time and is faster than Microsoft Vista, Windows 7, XP and 8.1. My laptop runs a lot smoother now than it did on Windows 8.1. A lot of problems and glitches I was experiencing with 8.1 magically disappeared the minute Windows 10 was up and running!

Microsoft Edge, the browser that comes with Windows 10, is better than Microsoft Explorer. This browser comes with some handy features that Explorer does not have. My favorite is the Web Note. The only thing I miss is no language translator for Microsoft Edge. If I want to translate a web page from a foreign language to English, I have to use Google Chrome, which I kept any way because some sites I publish on are not compatible with Microsoft Edge or Explorer. I do use Edge more than Chrome when I am online, because it is more user friendly. Microsoft Edge is working great for me as I publish this via WordPress. I am very glad WordPress’s website and Edge are compatible!

Nothing like a few summer changes to keep one’s mind sharp and keep life interesting. Can hardly wait for the beautiful orange, yellow and red colors of Autumn as the trees’ leaves change into their new Fall look.

Sunny Afternoon by Milen

 

Have a great rest of summer! Barbecue while you can! Happy Labor Day and Autumn Solstice!

Alicia Rose

Wonderful Spring 2016!

 

Colored eggs in bird’s nest in honor of the spring season.

Hard to believe 2016 is already underway! Spring officially arrived March 20, 2016, even though in Oklahoma we already were experiencing Spring weather the end of January and throughout February. Definitely a winter miracle!

 

At the end of last year, much changed on my end with getting Alicia Rose Shares, my official author’s website, completely created the way I had envisioned. It felt good to remove the words “this page no longer under construction” as each page became complete. This also meant updating a lot within the pages of this blog website; finished that task December 2015. Felt good to end 2015 this way.

End of March 2016, due to a change that involved an opportunity removing the payment processor I normally use for their website, I bid that particular venue farewell even though it was a good and honest website. It saddened me to leave for it was also a trusted advertising venue I had used since 2011. Thankfully there are other ways to advertise one’s website, so time to move on,and updated Alicia’s tips and money making opportunities for people on a budget page by deleting the information about this money making opportunity. This was the first of this kind of change I have done, so added the reason for the change to the bottom of this particular page as a way of informing. Trying to prevent a misunderstanding.

I wholeheartedly appreciate those who regularly visit this blog and Alicia Rose Shares. It is an honor to have a gigantic readership developed and loyal visitors. I am very grateful for all visitors to this blog and my official author’s website, many thanks to YOU!

Another wholesome change in social networking, I am now on Twitter! It is wonderful to connect with more people via this venue. I still participate on BOBL, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Wazzub Community. I am very visible these days while enjoying interacting with many domestically and internationally (global!).

I have been social networking since 2006, I have learned much while interacting with others; even made some wonderful friendships. When asked, I usually make the following recommendations:

1. Share only what you want the public to know. Anything private, do not put online. Be wise by not sharing personal information that could lead to identity theft or robbery such as phone number, mailing address, the bank you use, type of credit cards in your wallet, when you are going on vacation, where you were born, etc. These types of things regard top-secret, share with NO ONE!

2. If someone you only know from online wants to Skype with you, be cautious. Make sure you have a good idea who they are before agreeing to this, make them social network with you for at least 2 years before agreeing. Most undesirable types usually give up within the first to second year of networking with someone. There are, however, exceptions so be very careful.

3. Meeting in person can be very dangerous if you only know the person from online. I personally have never done this, but those I know who have, first do background checks and after 2 or more years of socializing online bring others with them (safer in numbers) for the first meet-up. It is my understanding this is the safest route other than abstaining from any in person contact.

4. Do not share a cell phone number if only know the person from online. I have had friends who regretted doing this. There are people who can get very pornographic with texts and images, or want to talk dirty on a cell phone. Best to keep one’s cell phone strictly for friends and family you actually know off-line.

These recommendations are from what I have learned by others’ mistakes or my own errors, plus by using common sense. Do not be afraid to make friends online, just be wise with how you go about this. Embrace the happy friendships made. They are amazing!

Wonderful Spring to YOU! Thank you for visiting,

Alicia Rose