Arts & Entertainment Archives

Author Spotlight: Stuart Waldner

Bree on September 28, 2022

Activist and author Stuart Waldner is up to release his debut novel ‘Escape the Meatrix: Eat Plants, Feel Great, and Save the Planet!’ this October 11, under Houndstooth Press. But before we talk about the exciting details of his upcoming book, let’s get to know Stuart Waldner.

Stuart Waldner is an author/activist of the upcoming book ‘Escape the Meatrix: Eat Plants, Feel Great, and Save the Planet!’. The book Escape the Meatrix was written after Stuart switched to a plant-based diet in 2008.

Stuart Waldner is living in Lexington, Kentucky, in the United States. Lexington, Kentucky, is one of the country’s poorer and least educated areas with unhealthy individuals. Despite this, it’s one of the most beautiful places filled with genuine people, which Stuart appreciates. Growing up, Stuart witnessed those around him become ill, so he decided to make some changes in his lifestyle that could offer him the best chance to avoid the illnesses he saw in his relatives and the people he grew up with. In 1985, when Stuart was 23, he stopped eating meat and started exercising. It was not until 2008 that Stuart entirely went with a plant-based lifestyle. People may see it as a foolish decision, but Stuart’s life experiences prove that it was a big, good decision.

After transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, Stuart discovered the connection between food choices and global crises such as climate change. The more Stuart learned about the statistical data that links dietary choices and the current global crisis, the more he was eager to convince other people to wake up.

When not advocating, Stuart Waldner spends his free time playing with his dogs, cooking plant-based foods, running, and restoring his 128-year-old Victorian home. Stuart’s doctor and the people around him can’t help but notice his excellent health—all thanks to a plant-based lifestyle.

‘Escape the Meatrix: Eat Plants, Feel Great, and Save the Planet!’ is an environmental, health, and wellness nonfiction book which features personal experience and data supported with research and scientific evidence. Here, Stuart Waldner boldly tells the truth about the Meatrix and how it led people to believe that animal-based products are natural and necessary when it was only conditioned to use them. Supported by science and research, the book illustrates how switching to a plant-based lifestyle can positively affect and improve a person’s health. It also averts the effects of climate change which can be a more significant problem for future generations. Stuart Waldner invites the readers to challenge the status quo and don’t sway with the growing animal-based consumers. The evidence is presented in the book. It’s up to you to decide whether you accept the action or stay the same.

You can check out and pre-order Escape the Meatrix: Eat Plants, Feel Great, and Save the Planet! on Amazon.

For more information about Stuart Waldner, you can visit his website. Find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Author Spotlight: Steven Joseph

Bree on April 22, 2022

Steven Joseph is an attorney and a remarkable writer. He experienced writing comprehensive legal briefs to pen award-winning non-fiction for children and adults. Aside from that, Steven is also a professional negotiator, marathon runner, and comedian whose humor can be seen significantly in his books. He lives in Hoboken, New York, and is a proud father of a grown-up daughter, Vita.

Steven is also a Holocaust survivor’s son, which explains his recognition and celebration of his Jewish heritage. Most of his writings circle the concept of survival and crankiness, which came from the household he grew up in, and the acknowledgment he has learned through his Zen practice. As a crankiness expert, Steven Joseph can help manage one’s emotions, embrace inner crankiness, and improve communication with friends and family.

Steven’s goal as a writer is to tell a story that nobody ever imagines. He wants to tell a funny story but, at the same time, has an important lesson for the readers to ponder. He wishes his readers to come away with an optimistic view of themselves and their world through his books.

Steven also mentions having a great time collaborating with his illustrator Andy Case. After putting the story into blocks, he describes what exactly he sees in the scene. Andy will then add pleasant surprises unto Steven’s vision. Both are open to changes and mutually supportive of each other. Steven Joseph’s books are put to life by Andy Case, a long-time and experienced freelance illustrator and cartoonist from Nottingham, UK. You can find more about Andy Case on his website.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

“I have a story on my website called “Can’t Make This Stuff Up CrankaTsuris.” We always say that you can’t make this stuff up when the unusual happens. I turn that around and say that when you go through the same motions every day, it becomes your rut. And you get cranky! So, never be afraid to use your imagination to make stuff up.” – Steven Joseph.

Steven Joseph has written a couple of books, namely A Grown-up Guide to Effective Crankiness: The CrankaTsuris Method and the Mom’s Choice Award-winning Book The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris. His upcoming book Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles is a feel-good, smell-good, and taste-good story for children (as well as children at heart) that is up for an early January 2022 release!

When asked about Steven Joseph’s plan for future books, he mentioned that he plans to write a second Grown-up Guide to Effective Crankiness! He is also working on a story with Willy Nilly, Dilly Dally, and Nervous Nelly as the main characters. There’s no news yet, but it’s going to be a fun read as well. Steven urges the readers to stay tuned for more updates!

You can check out his books at Amazon.

For more information about Steven Joseph, you can visit his website or find him on Facebook and Instagram.

Click Clone Cash: How NFTs Can Be More Than Just Artwork

Chris Turn on March 24, 2022

NFTs are one of the most interesting forms of investment in the modern world. There is so much mystery and niche surrounding the technology, and this mystery is what makes it so exciting to watch.

Most people only know about NFTs because of the Gifs and Artworks that are selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But NFTs can be so much more than art. To prove my point, I asked Click Clone Cash for an interview.

If you don’t know, Click Clone Cash is an organization of NFT experts and the source market analysis, news, and insight into new NFT projects. If anyone can explain, it’s going to be Click Clone Cash! Now, let’s get to the interview.

Can you tell us what it is about NFTs that make them so sought after? Why are NFT art, videos, and the like worth so much?

Well, the thing with NFTs is that they are all unique. So usually, if you have a file, let’s say an image file, all you have to do is copy and paste that file.

Now you have two completely identical files, you send them out, and no one will know which is the original or who the owner of it is. With NFTs, there is only one, and you know who owns it. That’s the allure of the technology.

How can NFTs be used beyond art? What else can be created?

That’s another thing about the technology. It is limitless in possibilities. People can make art, make music, and make albums, and all of these things can be minted as an NFT and traded. The blockchain is absolutely phenomenal.

There are video game developers creating NFTs for in-game items to give their players something of real value, Nike has a line of Cryptokicks, which are virtual shoes, and virtual worlds like Decentriland have so many uses for NFTs.

READ
Click Clone Cash: Incredible NFT Tips For New Artists And Collectors

Are any other companies using NFTs other than Nike?

Oh yeah, just about any big-name company you can think of probably has at least a toe in the game. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, WWE, Nike, you name it, have likely experimented with the technology. It’s just too good to ignore, and there are so many directions to take.

So do companies only use NFTs to advertise? Are there any other uses?

Sure there are. You can store anything from tickets to proof of sale documents. People have even started experimenting with the technology for use in data storage.

There’s no better place to store sensitive documents than an NFT because NFTs are not hackable. Not without significant human error, and I mean things like giving away your password. I see a future where all significant contracts are done via the blockchain.

So do you think the future of NFTs lies beyond art?

Absolutely, we here at Click Clone Cash believe that NFTs are the future, plain and simple. Right now, art is just one of the most popular uses and easiest for people to get into.

In the future, however, we expect to see a lot more companies using the technology how Nike is. We also expect to see a lot more practical and less artistic uses: contracts, code storage, things like that.

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Click Clone Cash: Here Is The Ultimate Guide To NFTs In 2022

Finding Self-Sufficiency in Babe in the Woods

Bree on October 26, 2021

May involve taking advice from strangers.

Self-sufficiency requires identifying three things: what’s within your control, what’s beyond, and what falls in-between. Yvonne Wakefield tells how she finds all three in Babe in the Woods: Self Portrait, a story of what happened after building a log cabin for herself as a young adult. After the unfortunate death of her parents, Wakefield uses what little money she has left to her name to purchase land and build a home by herself. Whether you grew up in the city or in a rural area, her story of perseverance and self-sufficiency will inspire and likely remind you of your own experiences.

In a similar fashion to how she learned a lot while building her home in Babe in the Woods: Building a Life One Log at a Time, she begins a new chapter of her life upon purchasing a truck. She quickly learns how being “safe” can take on many different meanings. For instance, she appreciates the safety offered by the canopy from rain and heavy coastal fogs. That being said, it is not enough to protect her sketchbook from the morning moisture and she quickly learns to wrap it in a plastic bag before sleeping. Despite the safety offered by the canopy from the rain, she also understands it cannot provide safety from greater dangers. She spends many sleepless nights on the roadside watching headlights whizz by. She found it most helpful to practice drawing a gun, aiming, and being threatening overall, with a fierce “I shoot first… ask questions later”.

Whenever things became overwhelmingly tough on her journey, she was lucky enough to obtain advice from both strangers and new friends. Some of this advice was important, such as how her friend Del told her to always watch for ripped up stumps and windfalls because those were signs that the bears were out and about. Some of this advice was painful, such as keeping whiskey on hand for when injuries occurred; she notes that whisky is good for not only wounds, but also for loneliness.

Perhaps one of the best pieces of advice she got was also the simplest; so long as you keep warm and fed, you will survive. She had no time to be self-absorbed because crying over her losses was a luxury she could not afford; she instead kept her eyes on the prize of survival and focused on staying warm and fed.

In times of self-doubt and fear, Wakefield worried that the glue holding her together might crack. She makes a conscious effort to keep herself intact by focusing on herself and having confidence in the many skills she’s acquired along her journey. While most readers will not find themselves in this exact situation of living alone in a homemade log cabin, Babe in the Woods: Self Portrait will still inspire you to be self-sufficient in whatever environment you spend time in.

A Romany and an Englishman in Always a Princess

Bree on September 26, 2021

Will their love prevail?

If you start reading Clyve Rose’s Always a Princess and find yourself waiting for the classic meet-cute, such as the handsome prince catching the enchanting gaze of the prettiest girl at the ball, it is time to throw that expectation out the window. Like much of the historical romance genre, this novel will more than satisfy your cravings for smoldering desire, fiery passion, and the excitement of uncontrollable love. Unlike much of the historical romance genre, this story begins with a gunshot, a Romany family who exists on the outskirts of the English, and a very angry Princess.

If you find yourself confused on who the “Romany” people are, look no further than the Author’s note at the end. Rose explains the background of the disconnect between calling this population “gypsies” versus “Romany”. By supplying you with both contextual information on the Romany and a bit of their language, Rose differentiates herself from the rest of the genre to guarantee that you will want stick around for the rest of this three-book series.

Although you may already be familiar with the ins and outs of how the English live in the Regency period, Rose kickstarts this series by throwing a Romany family into the mix. Princess Syeira, the oldest daughter of the Romany King, takes on the unfortunate duty of witnessing her oldest brother Valkin in a duel that ultimately forces her to cross paths with Englishman Captain Warwick “Wil” Clifton.

Syeira struggles to control her emotions when tending to her brother’s resulting injuries since he is “sher-engro”, meaning Head of the House in Romany. While the extent of the damages Wil had inflicted were unbeknownst to him at the time, Syeira’s unfiltered temper immediately clued him in. This duel set into motion a story of two people from opposite cultures who met by chance, blend them together in a whirlwind of emotion and erotic tension.

Rose gives life to Syeira’s character in a way that surpasses any stereotypical gypsy tendencies you might have expected. From the moment he first lays eyes on her, Wil is intrigued to say the least. Initially torn between admiring and fearing her wild spirit, he struggles to keep his feet on the ground around this woman who he instinctively knows would make a great wife. In stark contrast to the English women he has grown accustomed to, Wil quickly learns to respect Syeira’s devotion to the House of Brishen and the mighty strength of her moral standards.

Despite existing in a world where the English and the Romany have different mindsets and codes of conduct, Wil and Syeira throw caution to the wind in Always a Princess, the first of a three-book series. Find your copy on Amazon now.

History Behind Vinyl Records

Article Editor on July 29, 2021

History Behind Vinyl Records

Vinyl

There is probably no way one could imagine not being able to get any song at any time with the push of one finger. With today’s innovative world of technology, one can have access to any song, and all the music that covers the globe, right at their fingertips by way of subscription-based streaming. Therefore, some may wonder how and why in the world, would anyone want a vinyl record, and even more so, how could vinyl records actually be making a comeback. Well, it is quite simple for the ones out there who are audio enthusiasts and collectors of vinyl records as Alexander Djerassi is a collector. Many collectors pay a lot of money just for one record, and there is something extra special about not having the best in quality with the scratchiness and popping sound of that old vinyl. Perhaps it is the simple love of having a moment of nostalgia. However, from vinyl to streaming there is a lot of history. And, one would have to go back to see just how vinyl records came to be in order to have an appreciation for where one is today in regards to the sound of music. So, let’s take a look at the history behind vinyl records.

History

It all started with the phonautograph. In 1857 the phonautograph was invented by Edouard Leon Scott. Edouard Leon Scott was a French inventor who was interested in getting a better understanding of sound and how it works. With this device, sound would be represented graphically onto paper that were small discs by way of a vibrating pen. However, in 1878 Thomas Edison took the phonautograph a step further by creating a way to hear music by using a stylus. The stylus would cut grooves into tinfoil. This enabled sound to be recorded and then played back.

Next, it is important to note that while the phonautograph was being invented in 1857 a decade later a vital part of the vinyl history was invented. Yes, in 1867, the gramophone was invented by Emile Berliner, a German born US citizen. The gramophone is the first actual record player as it played rubber discs that were seven inches. It was operated by hand. Later in 1901 a record player called the Red Seal was released by the Victor Company. The Red Seal played vinyl records that were ten inches.

Continuing to move along, or one may say leap forward to 1948 when the 33 1/3 RPM was released by Columbia Records. This is the next step in the history behind vinyl records. The 33 1/3 RPM was made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC as it is referred to. The grooves in the vinyl have the recorded sound and as the record spins needle runs on the grooves. This passes the information or sound to the electromagnetic head.
Fast forward again to 1982 when Sony invented the compact disc (or CD as it is most commonly referred). This basically made the beloved vinyl record obsolete except for collectors like Alexander Djerassi.

I Found My Love for Poetry in Tears of Change

Bree on June 25, 2021

Even if You’re Not a Poetry Person, You’re Going to Love It!

I never saw myself as a poetry person. No, wait! That’s a lie. In school, I would use my journal to scribble small pieces of poetry (or at least, my attempt at that). But over time, I forgot about it because I didn’t think it meant anything. Now, years later, I’m inundated with so many book recommendations from friends who read and love poetry that I had to give it a fair shot.

Even so, up until most recently, I hadn’t picked up a single book of poems. It wasn’t until I watched a book reading by an author and instantly fell in love with the form. Debbie Monteggia, the author of “Tears of Change,” read two of her most-liked poems, both so touching! They made a home in my heart.

Debbie’s poem brought back those old memories, and it hit me. Those squiggles weren’t “nothing.” They were the most fluid expressions of my deepest feelings, freewheel dreams, and pure child-like imagination. “Tears of Change,” as I learned, was Debbie’s way of channeling her thoughts and feelings to cope with anxiety. She hopes her poems resonate with the readers and inspire them in more ways than one. The verses that stuck with me are “A Child of God,” “Friendship,” and “A Mother’s Love.”

As you can tell, Debbie’s book sure has made a significant impression on me.Although my journey is different from hers, so many of her poems struck a mutual chord. They hit a little too close to home. You don’t need to be experiencing the same things as the poet to feel those emotions after reading these delicate yet impactful words. For me, the poems that stuck with me were “A Child of God,” “Friendship,” and “A Mother’s Love.”

As you go through the poems, you’re likely to feel the full range of emotions that you experienced in a while. The theme may be drawn from our day-to-day life, but the poem will help you appreciate things in a whole new light. You’ll learn to acknowledge them, be grateful for, and love them with all your heart.

I guess that’s the beauty of poetry. It tugs at the strings of your heart, creating nothing less than a sweet melody. Even if it’s sometimes drenched in tears–washing your sorrows away. Poetry also reminds us to pause and admire our surroundings, our relationships, our blessings that we may take for granted ever so often. It evokes a calm, soothing realization of the present and appreciation for the past. It prompts us to get in touch with our innermost selves to bring out the best of what we have to offer to the world around us.

“Tears of Change” by Debbie Monteggia delivers joy, tears, comfort, and so much more. But most of all, it inspires people like me and you to appreciate the gifts we’ve received. And encourages us to think of our life as the greatest gifts of all!

For anyone who loves poetry, this book is a must-read. Those of you who’re like me, unsure of your liking for poems, please give “Tears of Change” a chance. Who knows, you too might end up loving it. I highly recommend you get your copy today. You can thank me later.

Renaissance Artists to Admire

Article Editor on May 24, 2021

What Is Renaissance Art?

There must be a reason Renaissance art is admired, but why is that so? Why is the Mona Lisa so worthy of such praise?

The art period from the 14th century until the 16th century is known as the renaissance because of the great awakening of humanism, reality, and individuality, all of which allowed the advancement of new horizons, a new way of looking at mankind and what really was. Man now began to respect intellect and inquiry. And that allowed men such as Da Vinci and his art to come alive.

What is it about the Mona Lisa: that smile, the reality of expression which was a new way of artistic painting, a more realistic example of humanism, the new sensation of the renaissance. Humanism is just what would be expected of the work, a way of looking at the man as realistic, with feelings, living in a world of pastoral scenes and natural home settings.

The Art

Renaissance art is thought of as painting as well as sculpture. But it encompasses much more. Renaissance art includes architecture, literature, music, philosophy, and many more endeavors in thought. The mind became alive in this period, to explore man’s existence in reality. Father Rutler expounded humanism, the forgiving of sins, and the growth of each individual at his own ability. It is these changes in the culture and life that was the Renaissance, that makes a man look at the great advances during this time that brings us to the present.

Art became more realistic, the backgrounds now having a more natural look rather than the ethereal gold or diaphanous backgrounds of the past. Artists were looking at trees in the distance and now applying perspective. They also showed the ability of foreshortening and knowing or expecting the public to be able to mentally fill in the missing pieces.

The Artists

The artists are well known by most people. Their art is exhibited and honored. Yet, art, like everything else, is made of materials that decay, and art, no matter how we try to protect and preserve it, will decay. We have already lost much of that old art that might have inspired us.

We have the works of great men who inquired and learned, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Both went beyond painting and produced magical works that expound harmony and unity, qualities which Father Rutler wanted people to admire, to use for peace of mind.

In literature, the art went from spoken tales and myths to the written word. Now came the tales of Cervantes. The poetic became popular, as popular then as communication allowed. Drama grew in reality and became popular on stages rather than carts and community gatherings. Philosophy became a reality with the rise of Descartes.

Conclusion

The renaissance was a break from medieval life to a more advanced look at mankind which led us into more modern and realistic life. Without that break, we wouldn’t have advanced as far as we have.

Top Classical Violinists

Article Editor on January 21, 2021

Today, there are many artists worldwide, and it may not be easy to differentiate them since the industry is wide, and it is still growing bigger and better each day. Even though that is true, it is quite different when it comes to violinists because you can easily know the top classical violinists who possess creative skills. Such people have achieved recognition over the years since they possess something special that sets them apart from others. Here is a list of the top classical violinists.

Pablo de Sarasate

As a nineteenth century violinist, his talent stood out from the crowd from 1844 to 1908. He became famous due to his creative compositions and got the privilege to tour various parts of the world, including South Africa, America, and the Far East. Father George Rutler loved his performance and creativity, and he remains one of the best violinists of his time.

Itzhak Perlman

No doubt that Itzhak Perlman is also another classical violinist of his time. He almost attained a super-star status due to his creativity and outstanding composition and performance. He is one of the most sought violinists each year and one of the favorite artists of the New York pastor. Perlman has previously interacted with top performers and highly recognized artists around the world. He also received various awards due to his top and excellent performance and creativity. Perlman continues to delight his listeners with his outstanding uniqueness.

Friedrich Kreisler

Fritz was his common name, a violinist and composer who became famous through his amazing performance from 1875 to 1962. His distinctive, passionate, and melodic work caused him to maintain a high standing in the industry. He featured in the Time magazine cover on the 2nd of February 1995, and people like Father George Rutler still celebrate his classical recording and creative compositions. Many people love his vivid expression in the music, melodic prowess, and excellence in the industry.

Jascha Heifetz

This famous musician is one of the most sought after violists with a high ranking in the industry. He became a household name between 1901 and 1974. Heifetz started his career at the young age of five and spent 65 years entertaining and touching people’s lives with his magnificent performance. At age 16, he made an incredible performance that made him start climbing up the ladder in his career. In the recent PBS installment, Heifetz was identified as a top performer, leaving behind a great recording that most musicians emulate.

Niccolo Paganini

Niccolo Paganini came to the limelight from 1782 to 1840. He is an Italian and among the top violinists of his time. He composed outstanding classical music and performed excellently before he got addicted to gambling and alcohol. However, he remains one of the top celebrated violinists. Paganini became so famous, and his 24 caprices for Solo Violin remains one of the favorites to his listeners and other artists.

Hilary Hahn

Hillary Hahn is a young American musician who started her career at the age of 16 in 1979. Her classical music and Jennifer Higdon’s concert earned her the Pulitzer Prize. Hahn also received international awards for her performance.

A Sci-Fi Rags To Riches Story That Must Be On Your Reading List

Bree on January 19, 2021

The Commander: Guardian of Utopia by Kevin Groh is the rags to riches story of an ordinary teenager. The story begins in Utopia Beta, a planet ravaged by the aftermath of overpopulation and war. The societal division is brutal, and the poor people live in the slums, struggling to find resources. Whereas on the other side of the planet, the riches find their fare by controlling the power through an overtly powerful army.

It is a struggle as old as the ages, and we see it come together in a fascinating Interplanetary coalition. The home base of Utopia Beta is attacked and the small ragtag group of recruits have stayed behind, refusing to accept defeat. They believe that fighting to the end is the only way. They take command of their situation and risk their lives to fight for their planet.

The book starts with the protagonist in a military facility, awaiting a bleak future of prosthetic modifications to make him into a soldier. It slowly shows us the underdog’s fight through many adventures, ending in a very satisfying conclusion. For me, this is the highlight of the book. The writer has taken every opportunity to surprise and amaze us. Yet, every plot point in the book has been neatly tied up into a satisfying conclusion. It an incredibly enriching experience.

There is a lot of action in the book, and I am struggling to find a moment when the pace of the story is “slow”. It might come as a surprise for some readers to see that the story moves through a brisk pace with little breathers in the middle, but I love the action and the story has a little bit of bite and punch. The Commander by Kevin Groh delivers the futuristic world conflicts and difficulties really well. It is utterly extraordinary yet entirely plausible.

From the start, The Commander has the building elements of a remarkable sci-fi book. There is an endearing group of misfits who struggle together and strive together to find their place in this brutal and exciting world. They are trained to become soldiers, and nothing comes easy, so it does not feel like the characters are fluffed up. The fact that the story is wrapped in a otherworldly setting is only the cherry on top. There are also many planets and interplanetary relationships to explore in future books, which is why I will be looking forward to the next installments with a lot of excitement. The mean instructors, challenging lessons, and daunting adventures make this book touch the heartstring of every reader who wants to achieve the impossible. Order your copy of The Commander on Amazon now.