Newsletter

Art I’ve Found

Kurt Jurgen

Kurt is a drone photographer extraordinaire, and also an engineer extraordinaire. Going by the nickname Topdown King, it’s easy to see his kingdom.

He looks for great perspectives from the air, finds unique places to create his art, and makes me wish I had a drone until I realize that my art would pale in comparison.

Find Kurt at:
Lynkfire
Instagram
X/Twitter
Gallery on The Line

My Art

Looking Up

We are used to looking straight ahead for beauty, but sometimes looking up can be even more beautiful. It can be difficult, though, when you are trying to look up at the beauty of the underside of a flower.

Music I’ve Found

Bright Lights – The Killers

There are times I hear music, and it makes me remember how much I love an artist or band.

Such was the recent case when “Bright Lights” from The Killers hit my playlist.

It reminds me a bit of a Meatloaf/Jim Steinman song, complete with strings in the background, a bombastic sound, and a song that just makes you want to move.

It makes me excited if they could put together more music and launch a new album.

My Dorky Song

I’m Cheugy

I heard some hip kids say something like, “That outfit is cheugy.”

I saw what they were looking at and really hoped it meant, “Cool.”

Then I looked at what “cheugy” meant, and realized I was cheugy.

Guess it’s time to get rid of my cargo shorts.

• YouTube

I’ve Written (and Recorded)

What Ben Didn’t Know Podcast

Yea, I wrote a couple of short stories, but for those of you who dislike reading, I do have them released on the “What Ben Didn’t Know…” podcast.

Save the $.99 and just listen in your car, on the beach, or going to bed!

One More Thing…

“Hollaback Girl” Deconstructed

Seeing Gwen Stefani back on The Voice for some reason had my mind drift to nearly twenty years ago and someone who deconstructed her song, “Hollaback Girl.”

The entire article is a wonderful analysis of a pop song, but in case you want to jump to the chase…

A few times I’ve been around that track
So it’s not just gonna happen like that
Cause I ain’t no hollaback girl
I ain’t no hollaback girl
Gwen is apparently the captain of the cheerleader squad; she is the girl who “hollas” the chants, not one of the girls who simply “hollas” them back. Given that the squad is preparing to beat somebody up on Gwen’s behalf, she’s picked a strange time to remind them that she is their leader and they are her sheep-like followers. Gwen obviously rules her squad with an iron fist.

Art I’ve Found

Mnopxart

Nazanin, who goes by Mnopxart in her art channels, calls herself a visual artist and weirdo.

I’m not sure about the weirdo part, but I do know that I love her art and seeing the wonderful mix of colors she puts together as the beautiful images land in my feeds.

Find her at:
Instagram
X/Twitter
LinkTree

My Art

Daylight Moon

Music I’ve Found

Sabaton – Metal Machine

I guess my listening to metal music has influenced my random music as the song “Metal Machine” from Sabaton popped in my ears the other day.

The song is a tribute to the metal bands that influenced Sabaton, so somehow they fit lines like, “Riding on this crazy train, I’m going paranoid,” and “The rainbow in the dark is shining,” into the song.

Apparently Sabaton is a popular, power, metal band from Sweden, using historical events in their lyrics. I’m really liking them!

My Dorky Song

Crap, I Need Gas

I forgot to get gas in my car the other day, and then I was running late in the morning. I looked at my fuel gauge, and yup, I’m gonna be more late!

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One More Thing…

“Shut Down the Garbage Mashers!” Ornament

I have a Death Star Christmas Tree topper, and yes, for a few years, my wife let me replace our angel with the Death Star. Along with the Death Star, the Hallmark collection includes other Star Wars characters.

This year Hallmark added a new ornament, the “”Shut Down the Garbage Mashers!” Ornament,” for all of the Star Wars fans out there. And yes, the walls move in just like the garbage masher in the movie!

Art I’ve Found

Art Cruise

Art Cruise does a lot of pixel art in the digital world, but also branches into colorful faces and geometry art that pops on a screen.

She is someone to watch, and I love seeing what she creates.

Find her at:

X/Twitter
The Hug
Her Linktree

My Art

Bread Formation

My wife makes a variety of breads. Mostly it’s the best sourdough you’ve ever eaten, but sometimes she gets a little more creative.

I thought this loaf looked like rock formations. But it is bread.

Music I’ve Found

Frank Sinatra

When I was seventeen, it was a very good year, and there actually was a small town girl, on soft, summer nights, and we would hide from the lights, just not on the village green.

There was also Frank Sinatra in my house from time to time.

He’s been with me since I can remember, and when I heard him playing at an Italian restaurant the other day, it was time to revisit the world I remember.

My Dorky Song

The Perfect Home

Yay! It’s a Love Song Thursday!

For this love song, there might be things wrong with the things where we live, but for me, it is always the perfect home as long as my wife loves me, and we are together!

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I’ve Written

The Coffee Journey

My second short story is released! I still can’t believe it!

There is less darkness in The Coffee Journey than my first story, yet there are still some challenges to face!

As the book description puts it, “When an unexpected delay in Ben’s order leads to a simple act of kindness, it sets off a chain reaction that touches Miranda’s life she couldn’t have anticipated.”

Just $.99 direct to your Kindle, or $9.99 if you want the paperback!

Podcast version in a few weeks!

One More Thing…

Moo Deng – Live!

You may not have any clue who Moo Deng is, but in the internet world, this baby hippo, whose name translates to “Bouncy Pork,” has hit the meme world by storm.

Who doesn’t like a baby hippo?

Art I’ve Found

Steve Walasavage

Steve Walasavage creates stunning, outdoor images. His photography brings out a sense of awe about this world we live in, and I’m always amazed of how he captures waterfalls (Check out his Instagram for a bunch of examples).

Find him at:
LinkTree
Instagram

My Art

Through the Clouds

This image is from Big Island, Hawaii.

Gosh, I can’t wait to get back to the islands someday!

Music I’ve Found

Amantes Del Futuro

I was lucky enough to go to a fabulous Mexican restaurant, Mi Tocaya Antojeria, in Chicago.

As we were sitting waiting for our food, some fun music came on, I Shazam-ed it, and discovered it was Amantes del Futuro’s “Cumbia Lenta.”

It’s the kind of music that makes you want to dance and bounce around and also makes you want to eat fast!

They also sometimes sound like the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street.

I am now a fan of cumbia music!

My Dorky Song

How Long Will That Squirrel Sit?

I saw him there, or maybe it was a her, but decided to watch the squirrel until they decided it was time to go.

In the end, it wasn’t that long.

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I’ve Written

I’m doing my best to get out my next short story, “What Ben Didn’t Know… The Coffee Journey,” next week!

If you haven’t checked out “Just Another Lunchtime Walk,” yet, now is your chance!

E-book links, listen as a podcast, or read it for free!

One More Thing…

Free Bird

Maybe you know the song Free Bird from Lynyrd Skynyrd, but you probably don’t know it played with whistle, violin, and bagpipes.

Enjoy!

Art I’ve Found

MonikasArt

Monika does wonderful, abstract art, most of which you can find in the NFT world.

My mornings are much more colorful when the algorithm decides I should see some art from Monika as I scroll through.

Check out her abstractness at:

Lynkfire: All Things Monika
Foundation
X/Twitter

My Art

Morning Glow Ascension

Music I’ve Found

The Hu

I’m not sure when the song “Shireg Shireg” popped into my music mix, but I’m sure glad it did.

The description The Hu is “a rock band that fuses heavy metal with the traditional Mongolian throat singing of their native land.”

I have to say that there aren’t that many heavy metal bands with flutes and harps in them, either.

“Shireg Shireg” isn’t that heavy metal-ish, but does have some flute and guttural throat singing.

My Dorky Song

Bug On the Ground

I saw a bug on the ground. I thought it was dead. Then it started moving. Nope, not dead!

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I’ve Written

Trifecta Complete!

The trifecta for my short story release, “What Ben Doesn’t Know… Just Another Lunchtime Walk,” is now complete!

There are the print and e-book versions on Amazon and Apple Books.

If you don’t want to risk the $.99, you can read it for free on the website.

Don’t like reading? Listen to it as a podcast! Search for “What Ben Didn’t Know” wherever you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Now it’s on to short story number 2!

One More Thing…

If I Were Your Pup

This is just a fun song that might brighten your day, especially if you like dogs!

Art I’ve Found

Cory “Withhears” Staudacher

Cory Staudacher, a.k.a. “Withhearts,” is a photographer in the minimal world. He tends to use a lot of mist, fog, and dreaminess when creating scenes to bring a sense of calm and peacefulness when looking at his art.

If you need a break from the craziness of life, scroll through his Instagram, X, or check out his website.

Find his art at:
Instagram
X/Twitter
Website

My Art

Standing Tall

As bad as some of the news might be about Chicago, it’s still a damn beautiful city. I always love the buildings, reaching for the sky.

Music I’ve Found

Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet
Narco

Somehow my “Discovery Station” started playing a song that was electro house music. Okay, I’m fine with that. Then I started hearing trumpet. Cool. Then I heard a lyric with the word, “underoos, roos, roos, roos.”

Yup, it doesn’t take much to hook me in!

My Dorky Song

The Perfect Day

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I’ve Written

So, yea, my short story is released, and as I progress with my plan for short story domination, I’m also going to offer them for free on the What Ben Didn’t Know… website a few weeks after their official release.

So, if you don’t want to spend the dollar on the Kindle version, or a few more bucks on the paperback, read it free on the website! And, if that isn’t enough, hopefully there will be a podcast release of the stories as they come out as well!

One More Thing…

John Denver sings Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”

There’s a group of musicians called “There I Ruined It” who do odd adaptations of just about any song.

I’m an old fan of John Denver, and kind of wish he were alive to actually do this version.

Alas, technology must be used, and Black Sabbath will never sound the same!

Art I’ve Found

Jessica Cardelucci

Jessica Cardelucci is a photographer whose black and white images bring a sense of wonder to my soul.

I’ve been a fan of her work since I started finding folks in the NFT world, and her art of mustangs, not to mention her other works, is stunning.

Find her at:
Website
X/Twitter
Instagram

I’ve Written

What Ben Didn’t Know… Just Another Lunchtime Walk

My short story is live and available on Amazon! https://a.co/d/46QKFzD

I am really proud of putting this out there. I know many of the things I post can be funny, but this short story touches on serious subject matter so don’t be surprised if you shed a tear rather than chuckle.

If you can help by spreading the word to your friends who like to read fiction, I would be grateful.

My Art

Foul Pole

Music I’ve Found

Lord of the Lost

Most people don’t know that I have an appreciation for what is considered industrial music. A friend of mine suggested I listen to Lord of the Lost, and sure enough, I was hooked.

For those of you who like things on the softer side, you might not want to click the video as it might just frighten you, or have you think, “Andy likes this crap?” Yes, yes I do like it.

My Dorky Song

French Toast Sandwich

If you find yourself making breakfast and have some french toast and some berries, may I suggest you make a sandwich. It’s very tasty!

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One More Thing…

They Will Never Die

For a variety of reasons, the cockroach will probably live forever. One of those reasons is simply that most bug sprays in the United States won’t really do much to kill them according to a study by some University of Florida smart people.

Sure, you can go really, really, really, old school and use diatomaceous earth, letting the fossils slowly kill them by damaging the exoskeleton of the roach, but in the end, we will all be dirt and the roaches will probably still be roaming the earth.

I’ve Written

What Ben Didn’t Know… Just Another Lunchtime Walk

I’m proud to announce my first short story, being released on Amazon on September 1st!

The stories are about human interaction. The main character, Ben, generally has no idea he has an influence on others, i.e, he didn’t know.

You can pre-order on Amazon!

Have it delivered direct to your Kindle, and there will be a paperback version available as well.

My Art

Smoky Mountain Sunset

My wife and I recently had the opportunity to drive around the Carolinas. One of our stops was in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s quite beautiful, and the sunsets are magnificent!

My Dorky Song

I Passed the Test

It took four years. I tried and tried again to pass the test, but I kept failing. I was so happy to be failing, it was awesome, it was a great story.

Now that I passed the test, I’m stuck not being special.

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One More Thing…

Take Things with A Grain of Salt (or add the salt to your steak)

There is a lot of information out there, a lot of studies, and most of the times the headline, and even the study, don’t give all the truth.

Recently there was a study about red meat and diabetes, kind of scary for meat eaters, until you really look at the data.

A doctor out there does a great job explaining how studies aren’t always the results you might think they are.

Art I’ve Found

Giulio Aprin

I love Giulio’s bio, “Storyteller of Deserts.”

You may just think of a desert as a barren wasteland, but Giulio Aprin will show you that, as he explains, “The desert is peace and desolation, a place as dead as it is alive. But the desert is also resilience and perfection. The desert is a woman, with curves so soft and smooth, sensual and delicate….The desert, like all forces of nature, is a mirror of what we are.”

His story is fascinating, so explore the desert through the eyes of Giulio, you will find it a thing of beauty.

Find him on:

X
Instagram
Website

My Art

Kauai From the Air

It might seem scary, but if you ever make it to Kauai, Hawaii, I suggest you splurge on a tour from a helicopter. Just be sure to position yourself by the window!

Music I’ve Found

Tito Puente

I love when people make me reconnect to some of the classics. In this case I was told to revisit Tito Puente, who I wasn’t really familiar with.

If you want a party time, go ahead and fire up a Tito Puente playlist on your favorite music source.

My Dorky Song

Ignore the World

Now that The Olympics are over you might find yourself doom-scrolling and thinking the world is a horrible place.

Take a break, quit the scrolling, at least for a little while. You might feel better.

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One More Thing

Googly Eyes

So you’ve just bought a Tesla Cybertruck, but you want to be a little less conspicuous as you drive your tank down the road.

Give it some personality!

And yes, you can buy giant “googly eyes” on Amazon.

Art I’ve Found

Robert “Intrepid” Downie

Say what you will about Twitter/X, but it has the most interesting art community if you look for it.

Robert is an unbelievable travel photographer whose work spans the globe. What caught my eye this time, though, was a post he reposted from nearly a year ago.

The post began… 
My small family spent two years of our lives essentially stateless, stranded at sea, 18,000km from home, floating on 40ft of fiberglass. ‘Freedom to transact’ literally became a matter of life or death. This is our story.“

The story is a riveting look at resilience and being thrust into weirdness back in the days of lockdowns. You should check out his story, and especially his art on his website, Instagram, and X.

My Art

Looking Scary

I will forever remember the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

It was like being a kid again, giddy seeing the coolest, hot air balloons, even if some were kind of scary.

Music I’ve Found

Mark Knopfler

While not recently found, reading that Mark Knopfler was turning 75 years old had me revisit his music catalog.

Way back when I was never a huge fan of Dire Straits. Sure, I knew “Sultans of Swing” and the MTV song “Money for Nothing,” but it wasn’t until I heard a bar band cover “Espresso Love” that I started to become a fan, loving most things Dire Straits and even more things Mark Knopfler.

It’s great to hear him still making wonderful music.

My Dorky Song

Bats Not in the Belfry

For a while I saw what looked like rodent droppings on our deck. I thought it might be mice, squirrels, or maybe chipmunks. Then I realized it was coming from above, and sure enough, there is at least one bat in the deck of the dwelling above our deck.

Yuck!

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I’ve Written

A new tease built off of last week’s tease.

I’m still shooting for a September 1st release, just hoping my bought with Covid didn’t delay the progress in getting all things prepped and ready. Gonna be a busy end of August while still enjoying the last bits of summer.

One More Thing…

1/16th of an Inch

I never realized things were so measurable in the lobster world!

While your lobster may be getting smaller, as long as the new rules don’t affect my favorite lobster tails, I think I’ll be okay.