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girl in red

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Spotify’s global emerging artist program, RADAR, announced its latest artist partnership for the US, the Oslo-based pop sensation, girl in red, aka Marie Ulven.

On the heels of the recent announcement of her debut album, if i could make it go quiet,out April 30th and its accompanying FINNEAS-produced first single, “Serotonin,” Marie has proven exactly why she’s a Spotify RADAR artist: She has over 886 Million Spotify streams to date, almost 9 Million monthly listeners, and placements on over 396 Spotify playlists including New Music Friday, LOREM, Oyster, Ultimate Indie, and Out Now.

To celebrate these milestones, Spotify and girl in red have teamed up for a mini-documentary, which is out today and viewable on YouTube HERE or on our RADAR playlist HERE.

In the 11-min clip, Marie’s bubbly personality shines, as she cracks jokes and spins a basketball while playing show-and-tell in her childhood bedroom: The serotonin molecule she bought in honor of her new single, her grandmother’s metronome, her bass, her cello, a spiderweb (!!), her fingerboard ramps, and even her diary.

After a jaunt through the snowy forest in Marie’s hometown of Horten, Norway, we learn about her early inspiration for making music. Her close bond with her family is clear, and we’re let into their circle as her mom shares old photos and memories of her upbringing — from her tomboy style to her fear of flying to her sexuality. As Marie revs up for a return to live music, a busy album promo cycle, and arena-headlining ambitions, she shares who keeps her the most grounded: Luna, her Bernese Mountain dog!

Spring In The Town & Country

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SPRING IN THE TOWN & COUNTRY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

Spring heralds the start of a new season dedicated to rebirth and new beginnings. In celebration of the Spring Equinox, Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, debuts the latest experiential seasonal program for guests – Seasons in the Town and Country. This latest offering highlights the very best scenic destinations in Boston and New England through seasonal Insiders’ Guides, curated by the One Dalton Hotel team.

As the first of three seasonal offerings throughout the year, Spring in the Town and Country includes a seasonal welcome amenity on arrival; a personalized picnic for two including a bottle of wine; complimentary overnight valet parking and a curated Spring Insiders’ Guide designed to maximize the fun and enjoyment of exploring some unknown locations in the city and surrounding countryside.

Renowned for being one of the most scenic destinations within the country, New England boasts a stunning Atlantic coastline, rugged mountain ranges, spectacular spring blooms and quaint seaside towns. The city of Boston sits at the heart of New England and acts as the cultural hub within the region. Boston is a charming and extremely walkable city and offers a fascinating window into the nation’s history, making it an ideal base for exploration.

The team at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston has thoughtfully curated a selection of their favorite destinations in the city of Boston and the surrounding New England area in the Spring Insiders’ Guide. Local natural attractions in Boston, ideal for a picnic, include the variety of parks that constitute the Emerald Necklace and the stunning cherry blossoms in Back Bay. The arrival of the cherry blossoms signals that the long winter is over, and spring has arrived. Most prominent in Back Bay and along the Charles River Esplanade and throughout the Public Garden and Boston Common, the Hotel team recommends a stroll or a bike ride to take in the gorgeous blooms across the city. Specifically, start a self-guided walking tour along Newbury Street or Commonwealth Avenue and head towards the Boston Public Garden for prime bloom-spotting.

Two other city suggestions include landmark locations such as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the North End. Completed in late 1901 and dedicated to its namesake, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of the most wonderfully unique museums in Boston. As a passionate and devoted art connoisseur, Isabella Stewart Gardner personally collected and arranged the works of art in the historic galleries on three floors. Alternatively, if guests are looking for a great locale for history and dining, the Hotel team suggests guests take some time to wander the streets of little Italy in the North End of Boston, home to some of the best Italian restaurants, markets, and pastry shops in the country. For history buffs, guests should not miss The Paul Revere House (circa 1680) and the Old North Church, dating back to 1723.

A little further afield but within an hour’s drive from the Hotel, the Spring Insiders’ Guide features two wonderful destinations in Massachusetts – Hingham, and Essex. World’s End is a 251-acre (100 hectares) park and conservation area located on a peninsula in Hingham that is bordered by the Weir River to the north and east and Hingham Harbor to the west. Alternatively, Essex is a quaint coastal town that once centered on the ship-building industry but is now known as the antique capital and famously claims to have the highest density of antique shops in the United States. Seafood and clams are a particular specialty here and a serving of fried clams for lunch or dinner should not be overlooked.

For guests wanting to escape the city for the ultimate day-trip, the team has suggested Perkins Cove in southern Maine and MASS MoCA in North Adams. Originally a small fishing community and artists’ colony, Perkins Cove is a charming area that consists of local independent shops, restaurants, and scenic outlooks. Hugged by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a small harbor on the other side, guests can picnic on the rocks while enjoying the crashing surf. If culture is on the agenda, then a visit to MASS MoCA will not disappoint. As one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art, the center features vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues.

Designed by the culinary team at One Dalton and perfectly packaged to enjoy while exploring by bike or foot in the city or by car for those longer distances, the Spring Picnic Menu includes a delicious seasonal selection of salads and sandwiches or wraps, accompanied by a variety of sides. Salad options include farfalle pasta salad, burrata salad, arugula salad and a spring green salad. Sandwich options include a Maine lobster cobb wrap, turkey and Vermont cheddar on a brioche bun, local Massachusetts meats muffuletta, grilled organic chicken breast and crumbled feta with zucchini, red pepper flakes, cucumber and mint on local ciabatta. Every Spring Picnic hamper includes Natalie’s handcrafted lemonade, house-made spiced potato chips and One Dalton’s own pistachio-cherry-chocolate cookies.

Spring in the Town and Country is available for stays through June 20, 2021 with rates starting at just USD 745 per night.

Following Spring in the Town and Country, additional packages will be seasonably available during the summer and fall months to celebrate the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. Both packages will include a dedicated seasonal Insiders’ Guide and Picnic Menu showcasing seasonal ingredients.

College Campus Overnight Experience

Researching and discovering a future university or college is an exciting time for any parent or student. Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston has thoughtfully curated a dedicated College Campus overnight experience, which ensures that the prospective student or alumni and their families are set up for success and well prepared for the days ahead.

Guests who book this overnight experience will receive a college-themed amenity specific to their college of choice, a branded Four Seasons backpack filled with bottled water and snacks for the day, notebook and pen ready for taking notes in an instant, a college-themed postcard with an insider tip by alumni specific to the college of choice, and an overnight stay at the Hotel. As many of the One Dalton team have personally attended local Boston colleges, the Hotel team is also able to offer suggestions and recommendations and give prospective students the inside scoop on college life at any of these prestigious schools.

Reservations for the College Campus Experience can be made online.

Ziggy Marley × Concert

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Ziggy Marley to Headline First “Concerts In Your Car” Live Concert of the Season

Legendary Reggae Musician to Pay Tribute to his Father’s Legacy on April 17 in Ventura

The music is BACK! Concerts in Your Car returns to the Ventura County Fairgrounds with a blockbuster live concert by Ziggy Marley. An eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, guitarist, songwriter, and humanitarian, Marley will perform, along with his band, a tribute to his legendary father, Reggae Icon Bob Marley. This year will mark the fortieth anniversary of his father’s death.

Ziggy Marley is known as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock, and other elements. Marley, who is a prolific composer, usually primarily performs his own compositions. Sets focusing on his late father’s music are a rare event.

Two performances are scheduled for Saturday, April 17 at 5 pm and 8:30 pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tickets start at $99. per car for up to four passengers, with additional passenger tickets available for purchase. The number of passengers must not exceed the number of safety belts/seats in the vehicle. Tickets are sold in advance and online only.

All “Concerts In Your Car” events include a visual light show and multi-media entertainment. The combination of an extra high, theatre-in-the-round style, four-sided stage, and four over-sized screens ensures that every seat is the best seat in the house. The events are designed to comply with all state and county restrictions. Sound comes from the stage like a traditional concert and can also be heard via car stereos on an FM station.

Next up for April is the electronic dance music duo Hippie Sabotage on Saturday, April 24. They are best known for their remix of “Habits”, which has surpassed a phenomenal 800 million views on YouTube. To buy tickets and for more information visit the website.

ABOUT CBF PRODUCTIONS
In 2020 when large public gatherings were rendered unsafe by COVID-19, CBF Productions launched the first drive-in live music experience in California. They continue to lead the pack by bringing top-name talent to their acclaimed live, drive-in, theatre-in-the-round-style, and socially distanced entertainment option to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. From their legendary Boots & Brews Country Music Festivals to Tequila & Taco Festivals, Winter Wine Walks and more, CBF’s visionary events have been on the forefront of the food/drink and music festival circuit for over 12 years.

NOLA Has Wiiings

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Red Bull has teamed up with the New Orleans Pelicans and renowned visual artist Brandan “Bmike” Odums for NOLA Has Wiiings, a project dedicated to replacing backboards at basketball courts throughout New Orleans.

Bmike selected eight local creatives to transform old local backboards into works of art, which will be on display starting this month at the New Orleans Pelicans’ Smoothie King Center and online at RedBull.com.

New Orleans locals can vote for their favorite backboard starting today via the Pelicans Mobile App or website. The artist with the most votes will have the opportunity to conceptualize and design a full art court that serves the New Orleans community.

Bmike’s custom backboard, for exhibit only, will be on display at Studio BE for the duration of the project.

NOLA Has Wiiings brings artists from around the city together to celebrate, brighten and educate communities through colorful displays of art that showcase NOLA’s unrivaled ability to rebound.

NOLA Has Wiiings Artists

Ceaux, a New Orleans-born multidisciplinary artist, has created a backboard inspired by Harrell Park – located on the “Pigeon Town” side of Carrollton – and the color and playfulness that’s felt at playgrounds.
Ayo Scott, painter and son of nationally recognized artist John T. Scott, has created “Big Ol’ Lil Big Chief” in collaboration with Big Chief Terrence “T” Williams of the Black Hawk Hunters, which is inspired by the resilient spirit of the people of New Orleans.
Kara Crowley – Visual Artist, an artist who embraces black culture and positive representation in her own artistic interpretations, has created a backboard which showcases multiple hands expressing the message of unity.
Jessica Strahan, a self-taught painter and muralist native to and based in New Orleans, has created a backboard inspired by dance and its ability to take people through vibrant moments in time.
Marc Verrett / MarcFreshArt, a Baton Rouge based muralist, has created a backboard that illustrates a positive rise to overcome obstacles through imagery of a skull paired with colorful butterfly wings to represent the eternal drive to fly above.
Jade Meyers/THEARTISTJADE, Art director and founder of the art-based company, “J A D E 1 9 9 1,” has created a piece inspired by liberation, growing up in New Orleans, power, nature, Black culture and sports culture.
Bryan Brown, an artist whose work focuses on New Orleans culture, random but beautiful moments, and philosophy, has created “The Big Brain,” a representation of getting mentally healthy to unlock one’s true full potential.
1985 Poet; Artist: Monique Lorden, an artist and author and co-illustrator of “I Wish for Freedom,” a poetic picture book, was inspired by her memories of hooping at the park to create “Hoops Dreams and Poetry,” a visual story of childhood hope and community.

Money Issues × Relationships

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Are Money Issues Ruining Your Relationship?

Read on for 5 tips to resolve them.

The COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with families’ finances through lost jobs, squeezed budgets, increased debt, and missed payments.

Money and the decisions spouses make with it are one of the main sources of stress among couples, and sometimes money issues end relationships or cause divorce. But differences can be solved or managed if couples learn to listen to each other and work as a team to formulate a sensible plan, says financial planner Aaron Leak, the founder of ECL Private Wealth Management.

“No matter how long you have been together, financial issues can wreak havoc on a committed relationship,” Leak says. “When couples don’t agree about spending and saving habits, it causes arguments and resentment.

“But understanding what you’re fighting about and why helps you and your partner come up with solutions. By being transparent and honest with each other about your finances, you can not only prevent arguments that strain your relationship, but you will strengthen it.”

Leak offers these tips for couples to address and resolve financial issues:

Understand your money styles. Think of some extreme examples of money styles in your circle. Like your friend, the foodie, who won’t touch a bottle of wine that costs less than $75. Or your sister who constantly surfs Amazon. Or your mom who washes aluminum foil, then folds and reuses it. Everyone has a money style, and it’s helpful to talk about it without any name-calling or labeling involved. Understanding your partner’s spending habits often involves a deep dive into money fears, scarcity memories and childhood traumas. Come up with a spending plan that works for both of you.

Decide how to divvy up the bills and save for future goals. You can both put all your earnings in a joint account and pay everything out of that. Or you can split bills down the middle and keep the rest of your own earnings for yourselves. Once you have decided how the bills get paid, you need to devise a plan for saving for your long-term goals. Remember that you need to work closely together as life changes arise – such as one of you losing a job or cutting back on hours to care for a parent. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that contingency plans are always advisable.
Create personal spending allowances that stay personal. Having some personal money that’s designated just for you each month can really help how you feel about your relationship. It can also help avoid relationship-ruining behavior like “financial infidelity,” when one spouse hides money or purchases from the other. The personal spending allowance gives each partner the chance to spend their money however they wish, no questions asked.
Face and eliminate undesirable debt. Couples should employ a strategy to pay off debt, such as paying off the higher-interest debt first or paying off the smallest loans first (the snowball method). Payments on credit cards, car loans, and student loans can devour monthly budgets, so the sooner they are paid off, the better.
Set a budget you can live with. One of the best ways to keep in sync with your partner financially is to have a budget as part of your overall plan. The budget includes your household bills, your personal spending allowance, your debt-paying strategy, and your monthly budget for long-term goals like retirement.

“Relationships take consistent work in order to be happy and successful, and money management is a big part of it,” Leak says. “The best way to be sure you and your spouse are staying on the same page financially is to talk honestly and without judgment.”

About Aaron Leak

Aaron Leak has 16 years of experience in the financial industry and is the founder of ECL Private Wealth Management. He holds Series 7, 6, 63 and 66 licenses as well as life, health, and property and casualty insurance licenses.

National Aerobatics Day

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National Aerobatics Day on June 26 highlights precision flight

The International Aerobatics Club is hosting its inaugural National Aerobatics Day on June 26 to showcase the skill, beauty, and excitement of competition aerobatic flight. The IAC is a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association and manages the sport of aerobatics in the United States.

The skill, beauty, and excitement of aerobatic flight will be celebrated on Saturday, June 26, during the inaugural National Aerobatics Day, as announced by the International Aerobatics Club (IAC).

“National Aerobatics Day is the perfect day to host an aerobatic camp, a BBQ, a practice session, or to share videos of aerobatic activity online,” said Jim Bourke, IAC President. “With over 40 chapters nationwide and two international chapters, IAC members will be organizing these types of activities and others to engage the public and general aviation pilots in aerobatics.” IAC has established National Aerobatics Day as the fourth Saturday in June each year. It will highlight the dedicated pilots who fly these precision maneuvers as well as the ground support teams that make it possible.

Greg Principato, President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association enthusiastically stated: “Aerobatics thrill. They also inspire. And there is no telling to what heights that inspiration will take someone!”

Originally developed as evasive maneuvers during World War I, aerobatics is a proven discipline that builds confidence and improves pilot proficiency. The loops, rolls, hammerheads, and lomcevaks are examples of precision flying at its finest, and most fun!

“There are few things in life and nothing else in aviation that are as joyful and liberating as flying aerobatics,” said John Cudahy, President of the International Council of Air Shows. “And the idea of devoting one day each year to celebrating aerobatics is brilliant.”

The IAC exists to promote the safety and enjoyment of this great sport – what better way to celebrate than to set aside a special day to recognize the aerobatic community, and engage in sharing a passion that too few get to experience?

More information is available – including IAC chapters throughout the country and IAC contest and events calendars for aerobatic activity on June 26 and year-round!

NIKE vs MSCHF

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Nike has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against MSCHF shoes that released a controversial customized version of its sneakers “Satan Shoes” with rapper Lil Nas X. In the lawsuit filed today, Nike accused MSCHF Product Studio, Inc. of trademark infringement over the designer’s 666 pairs of modified Nike sneakers made in collaboration with the “Old Town Road” singer. All 666 pairs sold out Monday.

Fara Sunderji is a partner at the international law firm Dorsey & Whitney in its New York office. Sunderji has extensive expertise in all stages of trademark, copyright, clearance, prosecution, maintenance, enforcement, and litigation. Of the lawsuit she says,

“Nike’s swoosh is probably one of the most recognizable non-word trademarks in the world. You see it and you automatically think of Nike as the source of the good on which it appears. This is how trademarks are supposed to operate, as a source identified. Nike’s case here is pretty simple to understand: MSCHF is selling Nike Air Max 97’s that have been modified in a way in which Nike does not approve. People see these “Satan Shoes” and think they come from Nike and some people don’t like that. Nike, therefore, claims that the release of these “Santa Shoes” is harming its valuable brand,” Sunderji says.

“MSCHF will likely argue that they are protected under a theory called the First Sale Doctrine, which allows third parties to resell trademarked goods that have already entered the marketplace. But the doctrine is limited to the sale of genuine goods. The doctrine is based on the premise that consumers are not being deceived because they are receiving what they have bargained for, the trademarked good. Under Second Circuit case law, goods are not genuine if they do not conform to the brand owner’s quality control standards, and it is easy to guess Nike’s take on this issue – Just don’t do it,” Sunderji says.

According to NBC News, the lawsuit states “We don’t have any further details to share on pending legal matters,” Nike said. “However, we can tell you we do not have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF.”

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Perrott PLLC stated to CNN Business that “It’s a legal rationale that grants artists who purchase and repurpose individual copyrighted products the ability to express and profit off their own creativity.”. He also pointed out Nike shoe redesigners like MSCHF commonly sell their work on online marketplaces. “You’ve got all kinds of artists that go out there and they take a shoe, and they’ll do a whole bunch of custom art on the shoe and maybe resell it for $1,000-3,000,” Gerben said. “This is something Nike is well aware of and has done absolutely nothing to mess with because there’s a sneaker culture here.”

Lil Nas X isn’t named as a party in the lawsuit. Representatives for the musician did not respond to calls or emails requesting comment.

The backlash from social media is incredible with thousands of people expressing their opinions with the shoes and the representation they bring:

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem tweeted “Our kids are being told that this kind of product, is not only okay, it’s “exclusive.” But do you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul. We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win.”.

Angela Stanton King, founder of American King Foundation, tweeted “I’m sitting here trying to figure out where Nike got the blood from for Lil Nas X 666 shoes (shoe emoji) …Who’s blood is it?”

NBA star Nick Young tweeted “My kids will never play Old Town Road again… I’m still debating about wearing Nike after this come Nike a drop of blood for real”.

On Instagram, celebrity musician Miley Cyrus shares a photo proudly wearing the controversial sneakers, captioning the post “Can you see Satan?”.

The controversial ‘Satan Shoes’ were strategically dropped after the release of Lil Nas X’s music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, which has already been viewed more than 54 million times.

Lil Nas X took to Twitter in his true fashion posting “I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because I was gay. So I hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.”

Ariana Grande × The Voice

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Multi-platinum global recording artist, Grammy Award winner, and talented actress Ariana Grande will join the upcoming Fall 2021 cycle of NBC’s “The Voice” as a coach.

Grande, a powerhouse vocalist whose international fan base of “Arianators” has enabled her to rapidly become one of the biggest pop superstars of our generation, will be joined by returning iconic coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton, along with host Carson Daly, on the four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series.

With her most recent album, “Positions,” recently breaking the record for most songs to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing her as Spotify’s most-streamed female artist of the past decade, Grande, a self-proclaimed fan of “The Voice,” claims a red chair at a pivotal point in her career.

“As an undeniable force in pop music, Ariana’s inimitable success in the music industry is extraordinary,” said Jenny Groom, Executive Vice President of Unscripted Content for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We were thrilled to learn that she is a true fan of ‘The Voice’ and know that this enthusiasm will add to her impact as a dynamic coach. Ariana is a visionary with over a decade of experience in the music industry. Her unmatched vocal skills, creativity, and unique expertise on all facets of the industry will make her an invaluable coach to the next generation of artists.”

Said Grande, “I’m so honored and excited to join ‘The Voice’ family! I have been a huge fan of the show for such a long time. I can’t wait to go head-to-head with the incredible coaches, get to know these new artists, and help to take their craft to the next level.”

A Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande was the first artist to hold the top three Billboard Hot 100 spots since the Beatles in 1964 with “7 Rings,” “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” and “Thank U, Next.” In 2020, she became the first and only artist to have five singles debuts at #1 in the chart’s history. At age 27, she has delivered five platinum-selling albums and surpassed 35 billion streams – she’s Spotify’s most-streamed female artist of the past decade – while rapidly becoming one of the biggest pop stars of our generation with her powerhouse vocals and unmatched presence both on stage and with her fans. She recently won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Rain on Me” with Lady Gaga.

The Battle Rounds for Season 20 of “The Voice,” with current coaches Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend, and Blake Shelton, continue Monday, April 5 and April 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

For the 2020-21 season-to-date, “The Voice” is the #1 alternative series among total viewers. The show has ranked among the top 5 most-watched alternative series for each of its 11 broadcast seasons on the air.

Season 20 marks the 10-year anniversary of “The Voice.”

“The Voice” is a presentation of MGM Television, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, and ITV Studios The Voice USA, Inc. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as an executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson, and Adam H. Sher.

Cryptocurrency × NTFs

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By: Heather Skovlund-Reibsamen

Cryptocurrency × NTFs

In recent news, Tautachrome Inc. has announced its patent attorney’s opinion on the early applicability of its KlickZie patents. The KickZie application will enable users to capture images that are invisibly marked and verified as the original. The owner of the image or video will have the ability to use, sell, and monetize their images. A simple tap on the image will allow users to communicate with the image’s author or others currently viewing the image. The patent is among many in the market of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

Cryptocurrency Breakdown:

Understanding cryptocurrency can be a headache! It is best to research thoroughly before investing your hard-earned money into just any digital asset. Let’s start with the basics: what is cryptocurrency? Crypto, crypto currency, or cryptocurrency is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange where individual coin ownership records are stored in a ledger existing in a form of computerized databases using strong cryptography to secure transaction records, control the creation of additional coins, and to verify the transfer of coin ownership. Now, cryptocurrency does not exist in a physical form, like your wallet filled with dollar bills.

Crypto Coins – Altcoins: Tokens, cryptocurrencies, and other forms of digital assets that are NOT bitcoin are known as alternative cryptocurrencies.

A few examples:

Peercoin
Litecoin
Dogecoin
Auroracoin
Namecoin

Tokens: Created and given out through an Initial Coin Offering, or ICO – much like a stock offering. Crypto tokens are a blockchain account that can provide functions other than making payments. Tokens are usually issued within a smart contract running on top of a blockchain.

Value tokens (Bitcoins)
Security tokens (to protect your account(s))
Utility tokens (designated for specific uses)

What does it mean when a cryptocurrency forks?

Sometimes a cryptocurrency will ‘fork’ and yes, that does sound confusing. It can be broken down into Forks, Hard Forks, or Soft Forks. Forks can be classified as accidental or intentional. An accidental fork happens when two or more miners find a block at the same, or almost same, time. The fork is then resolved when subsequent blocks are added and one of the chains becomes longer than the alternative. The network then abandons the blocks that are not in the longer chain, then referred to as orphaned blocks.

Hard Fork: A hard fork happens if a protocol or rule is changed so that the old protocol version is no longer valid.

Soft Fork: A soft fork occurs when a protocol or rule is changed, and the old version accepts the new version; enabling it to continue working.

What exactly are NTFs?

A non-fungible token is a unit of data within a digital ledger called a blockchain. This is where each NFT can represent a unique digital item and are not interchangeable. A blockchain is a growing list of records (blocks), that are linked using cryptography. Each block has a cryptographic hash (a mathematical algorithm that maps data), a timestamp, and transaction data.

NFTs can be used to represent digital files such as audios, art, collectibles, sports, pornography, video games, and other forms of creative work. While copies can be made of these creative means, the NFTs representing the original are tracked on their underlying blockchains; therefore, providing the buyers with proof of originality and ownership.

In order to create an NFT, a file is uploaded to an NFT auction market. This creates a copy of the file recorded on the digital ledger as an NFT. This enables it to be bought with cryptocurrency and then resold. The artist can sell an NFT representing the work and still retain the copyright to the work as well as create more NFTs of the same file.

In addition, the buyer of the file does not gain exclusive access to the work or the original digital file. Unfortunately, a seller does not have to prove that they are the original artist either. There have been many cases where are was used for NFTs without the true artist’s permission.

Most Common Types of Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin: Invented in 2008 by a person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The currency began being used in 2009 when its implementation was released as open-source software. Bitcoin was the first decentralized cryptocurrency leading the way for many others in the years to come. Bitcoins were created as a reward for a process known as mining (record-keeping service done electronically). Bitcoins can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services.

Bitcoin Cash: A spin-off or altcoin of Bitcoin that was created in 2017 eventually splitting into two cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV. Bitcoin Cash is one of the most popular types of cryptocurrency on the market and holds a block size of 8MB. To compare, Bitcoin’s block size is just a mere 1MB. This means Bitcoin Cash processes at faster speeds for its users.

Litecoin: A peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and open-source software project released under the MIT/X11 license. Litecoin is nearly identical to Bitcoin. Created by Charlie Lee to improve on Bitcoin technology, with shorter transaction times, lower fees, and more concentrated miners. In May 2017, Litecoin became the first of the top 5 cryptocurrencies to adopt Segregated Witness – a soft fork implementation change in the transaction format of Bitcoin.

Ethereum: A decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality developed by Vitalik Buterin. Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum platform. It is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Ethereum is also the most actively used blockchain. It focuses on decentralized applications (phone apps) – almost like an app store. Ethereum looks to return control of apps to its original creators instead of the middlemen (like Apple, for instance). The token name is Ether, which is used as currency by app developers and users.

Ripple: A real-time gross settlement system, currency exchange, and remittance network created by Ripple Labs Inc. Ripple was released in 2012 upon a distributed open-source protocol that supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodities, or other units of value (frequent flier miles, for example). Ripple is geared more towards large companies and corporations than it is for individual users. Ripple is well known for its digital protocol because it allows large amounts of money in any form to be transferred.

VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain

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ADVENTURE AWAITS IN THIS NEW COMING-OF-AGE TRAVEL MEMOIR

“VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain”

A Tribute to The Glorious Diversity of Our Worlds

Shortly after the American ministers of hate started demonizing the people of Mexico, New York Times Best-Selling Author Edward Stanton began writing about his own wide experience living in that country, confounding the bigots and their bogeys, showing the real women, men, and children he knew there. When the coronavirus struck Spain last year, he decided to include that country as a homage to it and its people, whom he also knew and loved.

This is how VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain was born.

A wayward descendant of Mexico’s national hero, a femme fatale who recites poems in cantinas, a Tunisian prostitute in Barcelona, a Spanish psychiatrist who fights brave bulls, the wise owner of the world’s oldest restaurant. They are just a handful of the characters portrayed in VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain, the first memoir to capture Mexico and Spain from the perspective of an American and the knowledge of an insider.

VIDAS explores subjects as diverse as the art of blasphemy, the cult of the Virgin Mary, superstition and witchcraft, the bordellos of Mexico, Spain’s paradise of drink and food, the bullfight, and the running of bulls in Pamplona, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Every chapter of this vibrant travel memoir depicts a different person or place, which combined create a cross-section of the most populous Spanish-speaking countries in the New and Old World. VIDAS is a passage from childhood to adolescence and maturity, a tribute to nature and the open road, an exaltation of love, food, and wine, a journey from the tender, mortal flesh to the luminous world of the spirit.

-RELEASE DATE: March 1st, 2021
-PUBLISHING COMPANY: Waterside Publications
-ISBN-13: 978-1-949003-47-5 (print)
-ISBN-13: 978-1-949003-48-2 (eBook)
-GENRE: Nonfiction, travel, memoir, culture, diversity
-PRICE: $17.95 (print) $9.95 (eBook)
-PURCHASING INFO: VIDAS is available for purchase on Amazon here.

Why You Need This Book

Filled with photographs, this engaging and unique memoir provides a sensory travel experience many of us are craving today. VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain offers the opportunity to learn about faraway lands and striking events while never leaving home. This timely “armchair travel” memoir is for anyone searching for an escape during our troubled time.

“Lyrical…Iconic…Elegant…” –KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A love letter to the Mexican and Spanish peoples, a pure affirmation of life in countries with radical cultures of death.” –ANA MERINO, WINNER 2020 PREMIO NADAL

About the Author, Edward Stanton:

Born in Colorado and raised in California, Edward Stanton has lived in Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Spain. He’s the author of twelve books, some of them translated and published in Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. Road of Stars to Santiago, the story of his 500-mile walk on the ancient pilgrimage route to Compostela, was called one of the best books on the subject by the New York Times; Stanton’s environmental novel Wide as the Wind, the first to treat the tragic history of Easter Island, won the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Young Adult Fiction and three other international prizes.