Hiking at Turkey Creek (Gainesville/Alachua)

Nestled between the Gainesville-Alachua area, the Turkey Creek trail system is a little gem of North Florida. Horse riders, bikers, hikers, and dog walkers are all welcome on these trails. The main trail we traveled through the woods on was 2.5 miles long and had an elevation change of over 85 feet. Rated as “easy” due to the broad, even surfaces on the main trails; the elevation change did make this trail a little more challenging than easy.

Peeking from under a mushroom.

The day we went hiking it had been raining off and on over the last month and the trails were still a little damp. One section of the main trail Turkey Creek actually passes over the roadway so we had to hop over the water. The trail has adequate shade for the majority of the hike.

This is really one of the best trail systems in the Gainesville area. Pick a day to visit when it hasn’t rained too much in the previous week and make sure to wear bug spray - there are definitely a lot of swarming mosquitoes and horseflies as you get into boggier (lower elevation) areas.

This is the bug spray I use:

Buy OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray (2-pack)

 

Along the trail there are several sinkholes and deep washes where water has cut through the terrain. Since Gainesville has had quite a bit of rain over the summer there were also many different kinds of mushrooms growing everywhere in the damp ground.

 

White, wavy mushrooms cover this fallen log.

 

Another huge mushroom.

 

We even saw a family of four deer while we were there: a small buck, a doe, and two fawns hiding just off the road. The buck and doe stood just breathing and looking at us about 10 feet from our vehicle - they were small deer, but truly beautiful to see wildlife so close. Other reviewers have noted seeing turkeys, deer, snakes, alligators, and even bobcat while hiking Turkey Creek.

Two deer by the side of the road: a small buck and a doe.

In addition to the main broad, easy trail; there are many side trails and cut-throughs that are not as well-maintained, but still passable if you are on horseback or mountain bike. There’s even a fitness course that cuts through the middle of the park with fitness equipment installed along the route. We will definitely be coming back with our mountain bikes so that we can take some of the side trails more easily and cover more ground to get to some of the back trails.

You might want to bring a hiking stick with you when on foot at Turkey Creek. A hiking stick would come in handy in some of the higher grass areas or if you ran into some of those poisonous snakes that are advertised everywhere. I almost always carry a hiking stick for snakes or wild animal protection as dangerous situations can arise quickly when you’re out in the wild.

This is the hiking stick I recommend:

Buy Hickory Wood Hiking Stick

I also bring a fanny pack with my phone, keys, and water. A fanny pack doesn’t hold heat against your body like a backpack does, it provides plenty of caring space, and you’re still hands-free.

This is the exact fanny pack I carry (blue/yellow camo):

Buy Blue/Yellow Camo Fanny Pack

Here's a red/grey camo version:

Buy Red/Grey Camo Fanny Pack

 

If you haven’t hiked this really neat trail in the Gainesville area yet, then I highly encourage you to make a trip. It’s so quiet and rural while you’re on the trails that you don’t hear any traffic. It’s a peaceful slice of Florida that you have to visit!

A large tree had fallen across the main trail.

 

A green Florida anole.

 

#amberclee #CommissionsEarned #Ad  

Online Learning, A Pandemic Bandaid

I was hopeful when all of America collectively implemented online learning last year - that people who had never tried it before may come to like it and find it efficient for teaching and learning - but instead the application was poor and many students did not achieve the learning gains possible. Online learning has pretty much been badmouthed in the media - but yet here we go again, rushing to remote learning due to the new rise in more dangerous Covid variants.

Online learning is not for everyone?

Now as another in-person school year is threatened by the Covid delta variant, the same students will be rushed into an online learning system that could produce less than mediocre learning results (and probably being implemented by the same staff badmouthing online learning). It’s normal to be frustrated with technology - but I encourage you to give online learning a try with a fresh perspective and utilizing the tips below.

Through modern curriculum design methods, online learning should be successful for most learners with the proper supports, like having trained teachers (teachers properly trained to support online learners, and who are not overloaded with in-person teaching duties at the same time) and reliable learning management systems. Online learners that are successful are also typically self-motivated and strong readers (usually English is necessary but ESOL programs are available too).

Supporting online learners

To support this rushed transition to online “remote” learning with these students:

Support and structure learning for self-discipline. Use regular turn-in intervals for assignments, predictable activity schedules, mandatory in-person check-ins, a clear agenda posted for each unit, predictable assignment successions, succinct rubrics that are shared in advance of the assignment, and apply metacognitive strategies to maximize your students’ learning. 

Humanize the online environment and build authentic connections. This is really the most important tip - if you don’t build instructor-to-student support, peer-to-peer community, and learner-to-content personal connection; then prepare for your learners to check out from your lesson. Learners are motivated and build connections while learning in an online environment through these elements - these authentic, humanized connections are what we all need in the online environment. 

Create clear instructions. Try to be succinct and don’t be superfluous with your word choices. Sometimes a video is needed to explain an assignment, which is also a chance to build instructor presence. State your instructions starting with a directional verb: look at what is used in this article, telling you to “support,” “humanize,” "build," “create,” and “remember.” Have someone else proofread your instructions (if appropriate, an advanced student in the class) or at least read them aloud to yourself. You could also work in community with other instructors to provide support for each other.

Recognize that every learner is different and will need varying levels of interaction and support to grasp the lesson. The learners that already lack support to be successful in a traditional in-person classroom: these students will likely need the most instructor support on a regular basis. Are you sure that your learners have reliable access to the internet and a device capable of completing the online work? Is there district or school level technical support for teachers to help ensure this access?

One last thought that’s super important about supporting students through this online transition: as we send individual students (or groups of students) home to quarantine for two weeks at a time, are we also sending meals home with them? Hunger is endemic to the children in our school systems. I don’t think this is currently being done. This program could be run similarly to the summer breakfast/lunch pickup program already run throughout the country (through Covid too). Let’s make sure these kids are being taught effectively... and being fed!

What are your thoughts about online learning? Have you had successes or failures - share a comment below. 

#amberclee

Cybersecurity Basics, Revisited

Recently I’ve received more and more of those annoying and potentially unsafe texts and email phishing attempts from scammers. It seems that these criminals had nothing better to do during the pandemic lockdown except to come up with new ways to try and trick us into giving them our personal information or possibly losing money to them.

Although I work in the technology field and I’m well-versed on cybersecurity and online safety, I myself was almost tricked into clicking on a malicious link contained in a text message and had to do a double-take to stop myself. The phishing was a simple text with something about BJ’s Club membership information, and then I remembered that I didn’t even have a BJ’s Club membership, ha ha ha. This is what the text said:

There's an update to your BJ’s club order, please review the change here: bjsclub/randomurl.us

It was such a short simple text, related to “an order that I had made” - we’ve all been shopping more online this year and I’ve definitely been using the curbside pickup option with several stores. That little scam text almost tricked me into clicking almost automatically, without thinking, on the malicious link.

Basic cyber security tips

Scammers continue to get better at trying to steal our information. Realize that attacks may come in the form of a text, an email, through snail mail, or even by phone call. How do you protect yourself when using technology or online? Here are some basic tips to increase your personal security when interacting with technology or while online:

Be cautious when using public wi-fi, including your work network. Public networks give criminals the opportunity to intercept your encrypted transmissions - including when you’re using your “secure” mobile banking app or anything else where your personal data is being transferred over the wi-fi network. Wait until you’re home to conduct your important transactions or learn how to set up a virtual private network.

Plug your own charger directly into the wall outlet, not into another device (especially when traveling or away from home). When you plug your device's charger into another person's computer (or car), that computer can access your device's files.

Use a strong password or use a password manager. I personally choose to use strong passwords AND a password manager. A good password includes several unrelated words, some capitalization differences, some numbers and also some special characters.

Examples of strong passwords:

houseGolf2@cheese32
Nail$?ice5rubiX
452cucumBer#*yoyo!

Use a 2-step login process. A two step log in requires you to verify twice before accessing your sensitive information or computer - many times you will enter a password and verify an image, or enter a password and receive a text message to confirm entry.

Use HTTPS when browsing the web. When you look in the address bar, you should see “https” in front of the website address, not “http.” This ensures that any information you send over the web to that website is encrypted and therefore less likely to be hacked.

Keep your software updated. Be sure that your computer, phone, or other device has the latest software and removes any holes that hackers might exploit. Companies are very fast push out patches, but it’s your responsibility to get them installed as quickly as you can. A sidenote to software updates - always verify the origin of your software update, because this is another hole that hackers like to exploit.

Think twice before clicking any link. Links may appear to be safe, but unless you were totally sure of the sender you shouldn’t click on it. The text in the link may even appear to be safe but could be hiding a malicious site within the link.

Backup your data. Store copies or backups of important files from your phones, tablets, computers, and any other devices. Consider setting up automatic backup schedules through the settings on your device.

Put a sticker on your laptop (or other devices). There are thousands of iPads or HPs or Androids (or whatever you use!) in your surrounding area - a sticker or other identifying alteration quickly makes your device visually recognizable from other peoples’ devices. You mark your luggage- so make sure you mark your laptop too!

Don’t answer or say “yes” to any unknown caller on an incoming phone call - the unknown caller might just be a computer recording your voice to be used maliciously around the internet. Realize that your voice and other human body identifiers are now being captured by scammers to fake your identity online.

I hope you find these simple tips helpful to your safe interactions with technology. Leave me a comment below to share your experiences of scam attempts!

...And if you're looking for more Cybersecurity basics, visit my first post on Cybersecurity basics - its a fun visual presentation with a short self-test. Here's page 10 of the self-test:

 

 

#amberclee #cybersecurity

Role Models

There’s been a few times in my life where I’ve needed a new direction or guidance. One of the best sources of this life guidance comes from finding role models that mirror your own personal life goals and then emulating their success to then reach your own goal success. I’m always looking for great role models, most especially female role models - - as they share the same experiences that I have, like motherhood or being a wife, and they have still built immense (and unique) success in life.

As a great financial and business leader, Warren Buffett was really my start to this role models project. His advice advocates that you model your own leadership (and goals) after the very best: find successful people to admire, then simply repeat [or improve] on their methods to success. He also strongly advocates increasing your communication skills, learning something new every day, and to stop using procrastination and excuses to hold you back. Whenever I get stuck, I go back to his basic yet powerful advice to inspire me and get my progress on track again.

Choosing role models

I’ve found that it’s helpful to choose several role models from the different areas of life that you’d like to focus your goals in. Think about the different areas of your life and for what you’d like to set goals. For me, these major life-goal areas and basic guiding questions might be:

Work: Who do you wish to model professionally?
Relationships: Who enjoys and embodies the types of relationships you seek?
Health: Who is, for you, the model of health and wellness?
Spiritual Growth: Who can serve as a model for your spiritual development?
Personal Interests: Who represents “the best” in your hobbies and areas of interest?



Lastly, remember that it’s always important to be yourself. Set goals in line with who you are and your values. As Judy Garland once said: “Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” The unique contributions that you can bring to the world are too precious to waste by simply being a copycat. Strive to put your own spin on projects and never give less than your best effort: You’d be cheating yourself otherwise!

Some of my female role models

I highlight female role models in the list below because it was hard for me to find a good list online when I was searching for ladies I could look up to myself.

(In no specific order)

• Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth

Duckworth is a professor, business woman, and researcher known for her work at the intersection of resilience and passion, coined as grit.

 

One of her quotes: “Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint."

 

https://angeladuckworth.com/qa/

• Melinda French Gates

Gates is an influential businesswoman and philanthropist.

One of her quotes: “Philanthropy is not about the money. It's about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world."

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/leadership/melinda-gates

• Michelle Obama

Obama is a lawyer, former first lady of America, and now a style icon.

One of her quotes: “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals."

https://barackobama.com/about/

• Simone Biles

Biles in an inspiring Olympic-level gymnast.

https://www.simonebiles.com/

One of her quotes: “Do what’s never been done before”

And if you still don't think she's totally amazing, see this clip of her performance: https://twitter.com/nbcolympics/status/1400997747877199873?s=21

• Mary Wallace Funk

Funk is an American aviator and currently the oldest astronaut (flying with Jeff Bezos in July 2021).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Funk 

One of her quotes: “You have to remember one thing. The only thing a woman needs to compete in a man’s world is ability.“

• Kathy Ireland

Ireland is a businesswoman, model, and fashion icon.

https://www.kathyireland.com/about-kathy/

One of her quotes: "I look at failure as education. In that respect I am so well-educated."

• Amy Schumer

Schumer is a fun and outspoken comedian.

https://www.amyschumer.com/

One of her quotes: “I know my worth. I embrace my power. I say if I'm beautiful. I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story. I will."

• Maya Angelou

Angelou is an amazing writer and poet.

https://www.mayaangelou.com/biography/

One of her quotes: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

• Beyoncé Knowles

Knowles is a singer, dancer, and business investor (she's currently working with Peleton).

https://www.beyonce.com/

One of her quotes: “Do what you were born to do. You have to trust yourself."

• Serena Jameka Williams

Williams is a talented world-class tennis player.

https://www.serenawilliams.com/pages/bio 

One of her quotes: “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does."

• JK Rowling

Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series.

https://www.jkrowling.com/about/ 

One of her quotes: “Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged.”

 

• Martha Stewart

Stewart is a business empire mogul, a queen at all matters of the home including decor and cooking; and a tv personality.

https://www.marthastewart.com/274830/the-martha-timeline

One of her quotes: “All the things I love is what my business is about."

 

• Alyssa Carson

Carson is the youngest future astronaut (a Mars colony planned for 2030).

https://nasablueberry.com/about/

One of her quotes: “Believe in your dreams, appreciate oneness, and help others."

...and that’s just a start - what other role models do you find helpful for life guidance? Leave me a comment below.

#amberclee

The UFO Trend

**UFO and alien are used interchangeably in this article.**

Aliens are a phenomenon that I’ve always kind of been interested in, but never really believed that they were anywhere near or our corner of the galaxy. However, there’s been a lot of new evidence revealed (especially video evidence) that appears to be well-researched and it makes me start to think that maybe aliens aren’t living so far away after all.

Even if you personally don’t believe in UFOs, surely you’ve noticed the increase in TV programming and news reports on unidentified crafts increasing over the last year. The U.S. government released its first-ever report on UFO activity, acknowledging that unidentified crafts are operating in our airspace -- and that even our elite capabilities cannot track or match some of these sighted crafts.

Statistics on American UFO belief

Over the past year, it seems like there's been a big change in how many people believe in UFOs flown by beings not from this world [or from this time period, or dimension...] as credible craft sightings. A 2019 Gallup poll surveyed 1,522 random adults in the U.S. by phone and found that about 33% of Americans believe that UFOs may be alien spacecraft (https://news.gallup.com/poll/350096/americans-believe-ufos.aspx).

In addition to the traditional “aliens“ you think of, it’s possible that there are also multi-dimensional beings, time travelers, and possibly other life forms that we can’t even imagine yet, already present on our planet and possibly interacting with us, and both positive and negative ways.

The Gallup survey question and findings are below:

We have a question about unidentified flying objects, also known as UFOs. Which comes closer to your view -- [some UFOs have been alien spacecraft visiting Earth from other planets or galaxies, (or) all UFO sightings can be explained by human activity on Earth or natural phenomenon]?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mainstream tv channels like History and Discovery channel research/document many sightings and anomalies in a balanced, scientific fashion. While there is always the possibility of exaggeration for tv or someone lying to the audience, the scientific process followed is logical and corroborated by unaltered video camera footage.

Many of these specials detail the many unexplored places on our own planet: the deep ocean, in Antarctica, and even underground. I often wonder if maybe there’s activity occurring in these hidden places where high technology, like cloaking and the ability to fly underwater, remove barriers for our [possible] alien neighbors.

An Earth-centric viewpoint

As typical of humans, we tend to hold a viewpoint where we’re at the center of whatever is going on - in our lives, when relating to the world, etc - and the UFO trend is more of the same. Why is it still difficult for many people to believe that alien life is visiting our planet, given all of the evidence that’s available? Somehow it’s more acceptable to believe that alien life is out there rather than in our own corner of space. Maybe aliens visiting or living here on Earth is a scary idea that is best kept at arms length.

“While Americans are inclined to think UFOs are not alien spacecraft, they are more apt to believe alien life forms exist beyond Earth. A June 2019 poll found 49% of Americans believing there are "people somewhat like ourselves" living on other planets. A much larger percentage, 75%, said that "life of some form" exists elsewhere in the universe” (also from the 2019 Gallup poll https://news.gallup.com/poll/350096/americans-believe-ufos.aspx).

Could it be possible that human life was seeded on this planet from life elsewhere a long time ago? There are many conflicting views of where human life came from (or evolved from) and the possibility of Earth being a zoo planet isn’t that far of a stretch when you view at the evidence without our Earth-centric egos.

Conclusion

Perhaps we’re being collectively prepared for a major reveal of information – and that aliens could already be very active on our planet and interacting with our U.S. government. While the 2021 government report didn’t reveal much, it does confirm that UFOs are enteing our U.S. airspace and that they’re not sure what or who they might be.

I think that having alien neighbors closer than we think and possibly being part of many species of intelligent beings could bring us closer as humans with a collective goal and shared identity... I’m curious what you think about this world-changing issue - please leave me a comment with your own opinions!

Step into Augmented Reality Technology to Succeed, AMC: Advice from an Investor

As an investor (and customer) with AMC, I couldn’t help but notice that they don’t seem to be employing augmented reality technology, in both their lobby and theater spaces, to make the experience more interactive for customers, and ultimately to make AMC more successful in the business (so that my stock goes up). Check out some of these ideas, AMC, if you are listening!

Augmented reality overlays visually interactive elements over your real environment, which you view through your phone’s screen. Think of the mobile phone game Pokémon Go or how many online stores offer a virtual furniture preview.

AMC should really begin enhancing their theaters by analyzing the lobby space, where guests spend the majority of their time waiting either to get into a movie or while in line to get snacks. Arcade games unique to the AMC theater chain or paired with current showings. Virtual AR games supported by individual user devices and the theater’s wi-fi network can substitute for physical (old-school) arcade machines, which can break and/or quickly go out of style.

Games chosen should be done with careful thought and include playtesting with feedback, if possible. For example, an article by Business Wire (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180220006051/en/National-CineMedia-NCM-Brings-Augmented-Reality-to-Movie-Theaters ) details three examples of AR being developed by company Noovie for use in a movie theater. “Cinevaders” encourages patrons to shoot lasers at aliens invading the theatre. “Emoji Escape” has patrons catching emojis throughout the lobby space. Unfortunately, these two ideas are not really viable due to the safety of patrons looking down at their phones while moving in a lobby possibly filled with other patrons to play the Emoji Escape game; and as for Cinevaders, it’s not a socially sensitive idea to have people shooting anything while inside a theater. Finding these weak points in game design can often be observed through playtesting.

Also described in the article is the game Munchie Mania. This AR game is a great idea for AMC to incorporate, and doesn’t pose safety concerns like the other ideas. The description from the creator of the game, Noovie: “Munchie Mania – Who doesn’t like popcorn at the movies? Players will toss flying kernels to fill up their individual popcorn bucket – and you can play at home!”




Some other ideas for incorporating AR (and interactive technology) into AMC theater spaces:

• Tell stories about your brand or the origin of your products. Maybe you have an interesting story about one of your founders that you can share or about the origins of the movie camera and projection screens.

• Offer post-event access to event content. Try an AR photo booth that can be shared later or the ability to share game stats or replays.
  

• Offer a tour, a model, or an experience. You could create new experiences seasonally, to match happenings in popular culture or scientific happenings (like space exploration), or to compliment marketing promotions.

• Engage all five of their senses: this idea could go along with marketing or seasonal promotions. AR content, music, seasonal food choices could all have some more thought and variety offered throughout the year.

• Give theater patrons unique opportunities to share on social media including photos, short videos or badges of earned game achievements/rankings. Connecting your AR or other fun technologies with social media adds to patron excitement and also acts as free referral advertising for AMC.

• Partner with a 3D space mapping technology company like GILDA (https://gilda.co) for precise location mapping of the inside of theaters and lobby spaces. This ensures that AR interactions are triggered in the correct locations, encouraging a more accurate and seamless guest experience.

• One last technology idea - that’s not AR - is to incorporate ordering food through an app with qr pickup, similar to the pizza pickup portal used by the Little Caesars pizza chain for hot food items.

Try a few of these ideas or try them all, AMC, and you’re sure to increase customer satisfaction and your overall profits.

And Now For Something Different: Model Diversity in the Peloton TV Commercial 'At Home Motivation'

**Update to Article - only five days after this was published, the commercial was removed from Youtube, that's why the video is missing below... perhaps they listened?**

 

Have you seen the 2021 Peloton bike commercial advertisements on TV yet? In the era of body image diversity, this commercial is a total marketing FAIL. Read on to hear why this commercial irks me everytime the upbeat tune from Beyoncé starts to play.

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's the newest Peloton bike commercial (released Spring 2021) which features the song 'At Home Motivation' by Beyonce. On an interesting side note, superstar singer and entrepreneur Beyonce has partnered with Peloton to create a series of custom workouts lead by the famed singer... Here's the commercial:

 

What strikes you most while watching? What do you notice about the people chosen to represent at-home exercise participants? Watching it at home many times now, I've noted a few things, both positive and negative, regarding the diversity with the models Peloton has chosen to represent regular people participating in home exercise using Peloton’s bike equipment.

Let's start with the positive attempts at model diversity - - there does appear to be many different ethnicities and ages displayed in the commercial for the at home exercisers. The Peloton trainers represented are also somewhat diverse in ethnicity and age. That's where the diversity attempts end.

Now for the negative - -

What bugs me the most is that every model representing at home exercise participants appears to be in really great physical shape. As I watch, I’m thinking “why do these people need to work out, they’re already fit?” Maybe Peloton is only for people who are already fit? And the only girl working out at home is in great shape, far from the average US women’s size (which I think is a size 16). The commercial really leaves me feeling out on the Peloton fitness trend.

Even the older gentlemen doing sit-ups at the end appears to have a little tummy, but upon second look, you’ll notice that he is quite fit and might have the bulk due maybe to a layered shirt.

My point isn’t to pick apart the models used (because these are real people too) - but to ask that companies consider body shape as a diversity item on their checklists. The lack of diverse body shapes is kinda depressing to watch. Every time I hear Beyoncé’s catchy tune start, I sigh and wonder why the marketers could be missing such a relevant issue in today’s world. Discussions about diversity, specifically body image, are everywhere.

And while we’re on the diversity checklist: I didn’t sees any models (both trainers and at home fitness participants) that had differing abilities, such as sight loss, limb loss, or mental illness. How about including some diversity here, which could recruit customers that are veterans, elderly, or somehow “different” than the norm Peloton is currently portraying in their commercial.

What about income diversity? Perhaps criticizing for income diversity is a reach, since Peloton equipment is at a high price point - and requires a monthly subscription that's more than most cellphone planes or a gym membership at a Youfit or Planet Fitness.

I digress, back to body shape -

For an example of a company that does a commercial right for inclusive fitness, check out the brand new commercial for Echelon Fit, sponsored by the Saved by the Bell character, Mario Lopez. The commercial uses very diverse models, looking like real people with many different body sizes and types. Here’s the most recent (2021) Echelon Fit commercial:

 

Peloton, please consider choosing models that represent a more diverse audience in your next commercial attempt.

Beyoncé, how could you put your name on something that leaves out so many types of people? I am both surprised and disappointed that you would so irresponsible with your sponsorship.