Friday Facts - 5 Things That Make Me Crazy

It's Friday, and I've had a frustrating week. Rather than scream or pound my desk until my hands hurt, I thought I'd vent here.

In no particular order or subject matter....

5 THINGS THAT MAKE ME CRAZY

1. People who go door to door to ask you to vote for their candidates. I hate this. At this time of the year, they're worse than the ____________ who want to talk to you about your soul's salvation. (I didn't fill in the blank because there are more than 1 religious groups that do this.)

2. Bananas that are perfectly yellow and nice when you buy them. Get them home and brown spots magically appear. You better eat them fast because 3 days later they're destined for the compost pile.

3. WiFi signal from AT&T that never delivers the upload and download speed advertized. I would change providers in an instant if there were any better ones, but I haven't found any. They all seem to have their problems.

4. While we're on the subject of AT&T and other similar companies, I hate it when you've been a loyal, long-term customer, but they never honor that with reduced rates or anything like that. They offer new subscribers rock-bottom prices for the first year, but never do anything but increase the fees for long-term customers. 

5. AI. I hate the intrusion of AI into every website I frequently use. It's everywhere, and it's as annoying as hell. Maybe it's great for someone who doesn't know how to navigate the internet and use various websites, but for me, it sucks!!! It takes me twice as long to do anything because of constantly having to say NO to the AI wanting to help. They're also a prime reason everyone's computer is running slower than molasses in a Minnesota winter.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I had to stop with number 5 because I could go on and on about all the reasons I hate AI bots. I'm going to get my Main Man to make me a cappucciono so I can calm down. If youhave any pet hates, feel free to vent in a Comment.

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7 Ways to Build Your Social Media Audience

I never thought about this before!

Building an audience for Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. is about the same as building one for a Blog.

Any social media activity from Blogging to TikTok should be fun. If it's not fun, change something in your approach.

Also, your audience should grow each month. If it's not, then it's time to shake things up a bit.

I haven't talked much about blogging lately. I thought BLOG OPS, the book I wrote and published about the subject, said everything. (The book is in KU or sells for $3.99.)

But I realized that what I said about blog audiences also applies to the other social media platforms too.

For instance, try this which was originally written about blogging, but which can be adapted to virtually any social media.

7 Ways to Build Your Social Media Audience

1. Post often to the social media platform you've chosen as yours.

2. Comment on other accounts in the same platform. Your name/link is there for anyone to click and learn about you and your social media account.

3. Join a group account like RomanceGems...Where Authors and Readers Meet, the facebook group to which I belong. 

The burden of posting every single day is removed since there are many in the group with a date assigned to each. You get exposure and a chance to build an audience probably larger than you can do individually.

4. Always interact with your social media visitors. If in a group blog, be sure to support the other authors, Like and Share their posts, and comment on their posts as well as the visitors who leave comments.

5. Change your banner image at least every 3 months. That will keep your Facebook, etc. page looking fresh.

6. Try to engage your audience by asking questions, offering prizes occasionally for specific actions, and always use a clear call to action.

7. Be yourself and share from the heart.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Do you have any tips you'd like to share about how you built your audience? If so, please leave a comment. 

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Be Wary of Touchy Feely AI People

I watched an interesting video today that explains why there are so many "old people" videos on YouTube.

The creator of the video said up front that she was posting it to illustrate not only how easy it is to create videos but also to put you on notice not to believe what you see.

The Creepy Truth About AI and "Old People" is the video I'm talking about. I must say I didn't realize it was that easy to create an attractive video in a couple of minutes.

YouTube is supposed to flag videos that are AI-created, but there must be ways around that. I think YouTube outght to require an icon or image that plainly says AI, and it should be visible on the video all the way through.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Watch the video and tell me what you think about this subject.

Review - Jack Ryan: Ghost War - Prime

The long-awaited (by some) return of the Jack Ryan character as portrayed by John Krasinski premiered on Prime last week.

Jack Ryan: Ghost War, an American political action thriller film based on Tom Clancy's work of the same nave, was directed by Andrew Bernstein and written by Aaron Rabin and John Krasinski from a story by Krasinski and Noah Oppenheim.

In case you're keeping score, this is the 6th film and 3rd reboot of Jack Ryan, and it's distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.

Starring Krasinski as Jack Ryan, the film also has Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Max Beesley, J.J. Feild, Douglas Hodge, Betty Gabriel, and Sienna Miller.

SHORT BLURB

Jack Ryan reluctantly allows himself to be pulled back into an espionage operation action in which he reunites with his former CIA "friends" to uncover a deadly conspiracy. The international covert operation goes sideways, and he must go rogue to find those responsible.

MY THOUGHTS

I'd seen the previous Jack Ryan flicks with Krasinski. I remember a couple of them had the Ryan character trying to straddle the line of being hard-core covert operative and a man who found it all distasteful. One was a pretty good action flick.

This most recent offering has Ryan a little more firmly committed to being an effective operative even though he rails against the evil done by the CIA, etc. The opening of the movie has a pretty good action scene even though it's contrived to move the plot to the next act. The middle is a bit of a muddle, but the end gets back to action scenes that move the plot to the finish. 

I think Krasinski initially got the part of Ryan because of his work in the stellar film, 13 Hours. He was riveting in that movie as were the other actors. Of course, a story like Benghazi doesn't come along every day—thank goodness.

So it's probably not fair to compare the storytelling of this movie with that of 13 Hours where Krasinksi shone.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you're looking for light entertainment with an action story, this latest Jack Ryan film should satisfy you.

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Remembering on Memorial Day

The first person I personally knew who died in service to our country was Billy Joe Renfrow. He was a Senior Class Favorite who noted for Congeniality.

I've know many men and a few women who served in the military, but Billy Joe was the only one I knew who went to school with me. He was the last person I ever expected to see in the Army.

After his death, every time my Mom would see his Mom in town, his mother would tell mine to say hello to me. That's how it is in a small town.

Today, I'm thinking of him and how young he was when he was killed in action. War is hell in so many ways.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Remember those who gave their lives in service.

Memorial Day Explained

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States. Many people think this is the same as Veterans Day, but it's not. They're 2 distinctly different days created to honor our heroes.

What is the difference between the two days?

Memorial Day, celebrated the last Monday in May each year, honors the sacrifice and loss of those who served and died in the military.

Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.

In 1868, Americans began to recognize Memorial Day, and the country established it as a federal holiday in 1971. Originally, this day was known as “Decoration Day.” Churches and entire ommunities would decorate the graves of those who died during service.

Many service members, veterans, and others in the military community treat Memorial Day as a time to mourn and honor those they’ve lost. 

WHAT TO SAY ON MEMORIAL DAY

This is not the day to thank someone for their service. That's Veterans Day. Since Memorial Day is  to honor the fallen, it's not appropriate to say, "Happy Memorial Day." I've been guilty of that even though I know better. The appropriate thing to say is, "Have a meaningful Memorial Day." Or, perhaps, "Have a reflective Memorial Day."

RED POPPIES

When I was a kid, people on the streets would sell red poppies made of crepe paper. They cost pennies. 

All the adults would buy them and pin them on shirts, dresses, and suits and wear them proudly. I guess that's not done any longer.

The red poppy, symbolizing remembrance and respect for those who died in service to their country, was inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrae, which honored those who died in WWI.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Amidst the family gatherings and barbeques, take a moment to honor those who gave everything in service to our country.

Saturday Share Recipe - Brandied Steak Sauce

This has been a rainy week, and our Memorial Weekend is following that trend.

We'd planned a barbeque with Darling Hubby's famous BBQ Drumsticks, but it looks as if we'll be grilling indoors instead.

That means Flat Iron Steaks with Brandied Steak Sauce. You make this with drippings in the pan from cooking the steaks.

This homemade steak sauce is great on beef steaks or pork chops and can dress up hamburger steak too.

Make a batch and store it in the fridge or freezer until needed. Heat before serving.

BRANDIED STEAK SAUCE

Ingredients

1/2 cup very finely diced onion or shallots

1/2 cup of brandy

1/2 cup of rich beef stock

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Directions

1. When the steaks are finished cooking, place them on a platter in a draft-free space for about 10 minutes to allow the meat juices to settle.

2. Pour the drippings from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon left in the pan. Toss the onions into the pan and saute until soft. Do not brown the onions.

3. When the onions are soft, reduce the heat, and carefully add the brandy. You don't want to flame the onions. Simmer about five minutes until the alcohol volatilizes. You don't want that "raw" brandy taste.

4. Add the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock. Whisk well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer. 

5. Serve warm with the steaks.

Option. Before serving, when the sauce has thickened a little, add a bit of finely chopped fresh tarragon or fresh thyme leaves to finish. Then pour over the steaks.

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