✍The First Page: Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond by Evy Journey

ARTSY RAMBLER: MINDFUL JOURNEYS TO PARIS AND BEYOND

By Evy Journey 

Nonfiction/Art/Travel

Experience the transformative power of art when you see the rich and vibrant city of Paris through the eyes of a mindful artsy traveler. From the light-inspired grandeur of Gothic cathedrals and the fresh beauty of Impressionism, sinuous forms that speak to our innate sense of beauty, and the rare library that helps one define oneself; to the role of French cuisine and cultural events in shaping the city’s uniqueness, this collection of essays will take you on a journey of discovery and self-reflection.

Amidst the charm and allure of Paris and its art, questions arise and conflicts are explored. Can art truly enrich our understanding of life? Can it help extricate us from constantly waging wars? And how does a urinal become a symbol of controversy that challenges our conception of art?

If you enjoyed “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway, this thought-provoking and sometimes meditative collection of essays will unveil the beauty and complexity of the world around you by unleashing the power of art as you satisfy your wanderlust.

Read sample here.

Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond is available at Amazon.

 

 

                     

When we first met, Rich was working as a clinical psychologist in the program that hired me as a researcher. We discovered  early on that we shared a profound interest in exploring other  cultures. While I hadn’t yet ventured outside the US, he had already  gone on a solo trip to Paris right after completing his undergraduate  Philosophy degree.  

Why Paris, I asked. For the museums, he said, and for the occasional  unexpected experience that could turn out quite memorable and  might even shift your perspective. He recounted one unusual  experience at a Paris café that fascinated me —meeting the assistant  director of the classic genre-defining Nouvelle Vague (New Wave)  film 400 Blows, written and directed by François Truffaut and a  staple in college campus movies. The director and the young woman  with him took Rich to several spots rarely included in Parisian  city tours. They concluded their evening at a bar on Place des  Vosges where the director invited him to try pastis (an anise-scented  aperitif). 

Maybe, I began to fall in love with Paris listening to Rich’s stories  about wandering around museums and the streets of Paris. Before  I became aware that this love had seized me irrevocably, I thought  that if there was one place in the world I was truly in love with,  it was Florence, Italy. That if I had the means, as well as the guts to overcome the challenges of adapting to a foreign culture, it was  where I would have chosen to live. For the art. For the history. For  the Florentine sensibility I imagined it to have. For the gelato and the  loggia in the Piazza della Signoria. All contained in a coherent little  package, including the tourists who came for the day and couldn’t  possibly know all that their guides were keeping from them. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Evy Journey writes. Stories. Blogs (three sites). Cross-genre novels. She’s also a wannabe artist, and a flâneuse (an ambler).

Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D. University of Illinois) initially to help her understand herself and Dostoevsky. Now, she spins tales about nuanced multicultural characters negotiating separate realities. She believes in love and its many faces.

Just as she has crossed genres in writing fiction, she has also crossed cultures, having lived and traveled in various cities in different countries. Find her thoughts on travel, art, and food at Artsy Rambler.

She has one ungranted wish: to live in Paris where art is everywhere and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She visits and stays a few months when she can.

Evy’s latest book is Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond.

Visit her website at https://evyjourney.net.

Connect with her on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evictoriajourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveonalimb2

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evy-journey 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14845365.Evy_Journey 

 

 

 

✍The First Page: Celebrating Unemployment: How to Avoid Becoming a Crunchy Couch Burrito by Deborah E. Levin

 

 CELEBRATING UNEMPLOYMENT: HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A CRUNCHY COUCH BURRITO

By Deborah E. Levin

Publication Date: May 6, 2024

Nonfiction

Unemployment does not have to suck.

“Celebrating Unemployment: How to Avoid Becoming a Crunchy Couch Burrito” is a book helping people stay positive after losing their job. It shares steps to move forward and find their dream job. It acknowledges being unemployed is depressing and shows ways to feel better and keep going.

What’s included in this book:

• Survival budgeting tactics
• Short-term income strategies
• Resume and cover letter techniques
• Job search opportunities
• Interview approaches
• Changing careers
• Finding work that makes you happy

Since the author also experienced unemployment, she understands reading about job-related topics can cause worry and anxiety. She writes with empathy, giving useful advice on dealing with unemployment and offering practical ways to overcome personal challenges. By dealing with these issues directly, you gain the knowledge and build the positive attitude needed to change problems into opportunities for a better future.

This book also shares insights about taking care of yourself and staying strong mentally. Overall, it’s a guide to help people turn job loss into a chance for something better.

Celebrating Unemployment: How to Avoid Becoming a Crunchy Couch Burrito is available at Amazon.

 

                     

Three days after my birthday, my boss asked me if I could join him in a quick meeting. I asked him if I needed to prepare anything. He said, “No.” I felt dread, and my head was swimming with potential issues he might discuss. Sure enough, I hopped on the call, and my boss expressed despair. A woman from Human Resources joined us on the call. It was happening. Through no fault of my own, I was losing my job.
After ten years of dedication to the company, I fell victim to “Job Redundancy.” My position was no longer needed. Ironically, much of my work as a project manager helped automate many of the tasks I managed.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, I had continuously improved myself out of a job. Sometimes, being really good at what you do can hurt you.
So here I am, in my early 50s, entering the job market again. I was numb. However, I was not overly upset about the job loss (why was I not more upset?). The company was wonderful because they gave me a nice
severance package, paid out my vacation time, and reassured me this had nothing to do with my performance. I know many people are not as fortunate as me, and job loss means an immediate loss of income. So thank you, Company ,for helping me land gently.

 

 

 

Dr. Deborah Levin is a woman of many talents. She holds degrees in Design, Business Administration, and Leadership. She has multiple technical certifications, ranging from project management to artificial intelligence natural language processing. She has a strong background in project management and continuous improvement. She used her unique combination of creative and analytical skills throughout her decades of experience in corporate manufacturing and transactional environments, in addition to facilitating courses for adult learners and community service leadership. Dr. Levin is passionate about lifelong learning and is a strong supporter of formal education. She believes sharing her learning and experiences with others helps them gain perspective to become better versions of themselves.  She expresses this passion through a down-to-earth, personable writing style often seen in her written work.

Her book, Celebrating Unemployment: How to Avoid Becoming a Crunchy Couch Burrito is available at Amazon.

Visit her website at www.allenjopublishing.com.

 

 

✍The First Page: An Exploratory Study of GPT-4o Poetry 2024 by Deborah Levin

 

 AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF GPT-4O POETRY 2024

By Deborah Levin

Publication Date: May 6, 2024

Nonfiction

Discover the creative abilities and constraints of artificial intelligence with "An Exploratory Study of GPT-4o Poetry 2024." This groundbreaking study examines the creative capabilities and limitations of GPT-4o, an advanced AI model that mirrors human expressiveness. Drawing on the insights of the latest research, this book explores whether AI can truly replicate the depth and nuance of human creativity in poetry.

From structured sonnets to open-ended free verse, poetry is a profound literary form that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. But can an AI model like GPT-4o generate verses with human authenticity? Through a qualitative exploration of AI behavior in creative contexts, this study examines the model's ability to create original, non-plagiarized work and its tendency to rely on specific terminology or phrases.

Key Questions Explored:

• Can GPT-4o produce poetic expressions equivalent to human creativity?
• What refinements in capability does GPT-4o encompass beyond its older counterparts?
• Does GPT-4o exhibit over-reliance on specific terminology or phrases?
• Are the poetic outputs from GPT-4o indistinguishable from human-created poetry?
• How does GPT-4o handle the complexities of creative context generation?

In this study, you will also find:

• Examples of AI-generated poetry that showcase GPT-4o's creative potential.
• Insights into the model's unique approach to literary expression.
• Evaluation of plagiarized content and poetry generation speed.

An Exploratory Study of GPT-4o Poetry 2024 is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of AI and its role in human culture. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or simply curious about the capabilities of modern AI, this book offers unique insights and thought-provoking analyses. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the cutting-edge of AI-driven creativity—get your copy today!

An Exploratory Study of GPT-4o Poetry 2024 is available at Amazon.

 

 

                     

This independent exploratory study aims to understand GPT-4o’s capabilities
and limitations related to creative poetic expression. Poetry encompasses
creative literary representations in structured and open-ended formats.
Expressions of feeling are arranged in verses or comparable language patterns
(Oxford, 2024). Can GPT-4o produce poetic expressions equivalent to human
creativity?
GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer. The number four in
the model’s name represents the fourth generation of this model, created by
Open AI. The“o”is short for “omni,” which is defined as “combining all.”
GPT-4o is a multi-modal large language model (LLM) based on artificial
intelligence (AI). AI uses data and algorithms through machine learning to
imitate how humans learn. A subset of machine learning, known as Deep
Learning, uses multi-layered deep neural networks to simulate the decision
making complexities of the human brain. This learning enables the model
to increase the accuracy or predictions over time. Examples of AI-based
technology include digital assistants, global positioning systems, and self
driving vehicles. Companies use AI strategies to automate tasks of lower
complexity and bolster predictive modeling performance. (IBM, 2024)
Critics of AI believe it cannot replicate human creativity. The development
of quality literary contribution requires personal collaboration. AI cannot
critically analyze its outputs and cannot produce engaging content. Although
technically accurate, the absence of emotional intelligence and empathy
makes AI-generated creative content lackluster. Additionally, AI struggles
with context and tone. (Burn, 2023)

 

Dr. Deborah Levin is a woman of many talents. She holds degrees in Design, Business Administration, and Leadership. She has multiple technical certifications, ranging from project management to artificial intelligence natural language processing. She has a strong background in project management and continuous improvement. She used her unique combination of creative and analytical skills throughout her decades of experience in corporate manufacturing and transactional environments, in addition to facilitating courses for adult learners and community service leadership. Dr. Levin is passionate about lifelong learning and is a strong supporter of formal education. She believes sharing her learning and experiences with others helps them gain perspective to become better versions of themselves.  She expresses this passion through a down-to-earth, personable writing style often seen in her written work.

Her book, An Exploratory Study of GPT-4o Poetry 2024 is available at Amazon.

Visit her website at www.allenjopublishing.com.

✍The First Page: The Beauty of Tribulation by J.A. Cox

 

 THE BEAUTY OF TRIBULATION

By J.A. Cox

Publication Date: August 28, 2020

Christian Nonfiction

The Beauty of Tribulation was written to provide answers based upon scripture to help us understand things such as:

• The purpose of tribulation in the life of a believer.
• Reasons why it is necessary.
• How God uses it for our edification and his glory.
• How God is not the author of our tribulation.

At the root of it, the greatest purpose is to depict the beauty of our painful, frustrating, and most hopeless moments when we allow God to complete the work he is trying to accomplish through them. As you turn the pages of this book you will be taken on a journey that will delve you deep into the tribulation process and come away with a firm understanding of it, perhaps like never before. Every premise is backed with scripture, focused on what the bible says rather than my own ideas.

J.A. Cox hopes that all who read will walk away with a greater appreciation and devotion toward the Lord in regard to this troublesome subject and inevitable part of our lives.

PRAISE:

“…I think The Beauty of Tribulation will be relevant for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of their faith, as well as for those grappling with questions about the presence of evil in the world and the nature of divine justice. Cox’s approach which blends insightful queries, scriptural citations, and logical explanations, facilitates a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The book encourages a connection to the experiences of Jesus and offers a perspective on suffering as a path to dignity and honor, both in heaven and on earth. Its insightful and reflective nature makes it a valuable read for people looking to deepen their understanding of Christian theology and the human experience within it.” – The Literary Titan

You can pick up your copy at Amazon or Kobo.

 

 

 

                     

Tribulation is the most abundant commodity that everyone is looking to sell but no one is willing to buy.  It is an experience so common to mankind that it transcends social, cultural and language barriers.  It requires no introduction or explanation.

We commonly associate the following with it:

1.                   Suffering.

2.                   Adversity.

3.                   Trial.

4.                   Pain.

5.                   Temptation.

6.                   Infirmity.

It is safe to assume that the general perception of tribulation is not positive, and we desire to avoid it as much as possible.  This places a Christian in a precarious position. 

This is the case when we consider what God's word exhorts:

1.                   To count it all joy, James 1:2,3.

2.                   To greatly rejoice in it, 1 Peter 1:6.

3.                   To not think of it as strange, 1 Peter 4:12.

4.                   That we glory in it, Romans 5:3.

5.                   Paul expressed exceeding joy in it, 2 Corinthians 7:4.

6.                   We must experience much to enter God's kingdom, Acts 14:22.

In regard to such maybe you have thought the following:

1.                   Okay Paul, I know you were a great man of God and had endured much hardship but I'm having a difficult time finding joy in this.

2.                   Is there something wrong with me if I have no joy in suffering?

3.                   Why must we go through tribulation?

4.                   Why does God allow us to suffer?

5.                   Do we experience tribulation as a form of punishment?

6.                   Does tribulation mean that God has forsaken me?

J.A. Cox is a husband, father and disabled veteran. He is passionate about Jesus Christ and has a desire to allow God to use his writing to bring glory to his name and reach others for him. His other passions lie in: 1) Empowering people by teaching about things that he is knowledgeable in in a simple and fun as well as interesting manner. 2)Inspiring others that they may realize how the true potential to overcome their perceived dilemma lies right between their ears and how they allow it to manipulate what their eyes behold. 3) Helping people to realize that being healthy truly begins with realizing how important it is for them to be intimately acquainted with their own body in order for others to help them resolve its maladies that beset it. Along with those, he enjoys entertaining with fiction based on the concept that fact is stranger than fiction and then stretching it just a tad to create some memorable page turning moments that you will likely recall for some time to come.

Author Links  

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

✍The First Page: Mastering Your Scenes by J.A. Cox

 

 MASTERING YOUR SCENES

By J.A. Cox

Publication Date: August 27, 2020

Nonfiction/Writing

Mastering Your Scenes was written with one main purpose, to help give authors and writers a creative boost in their scene writing and toss writers block into the oblivion of the abyss. In order to accomplish this each chapter is written in a workbook like format so that the steps provided can easily be implemented after they are explained. For each element of scene writing that is presented J.A. Cox explains the How, Why and When of its use along with his own description so that the information is easy to assimilate. He provides copious examples from his own writing of these elements in action as well as from shows and movies.

You will be given an anatomical look of what composes a scene and understand what goes into creating scenes that are engaging, seamless, and bristling with activity without any fluff. Mastering Your Scenes gives you the practical advice you need to keep your readers turning pages and falling in love with your characters. With the steps you will learn there will be no more question of if that scene fits or seems out of place.

“A slim, concise and well focused treatise on how to write and master scenes and how writers can become authors by mastering scene writing. The various elements of a scene are discussed with well known examples and the key facts of each element are presented in depth, with a well laid out structure. The focus on the when, why, how, and the practical application tie up the various aspects of an element neatly and are very well explained. The author’s observations based on experience in each area further adds to the utility of the treatise.”

– The International Review of Books

Buy Links:

Amazon | Kobo

 

 

                     

Once this book is all about writing a scene, it would be a good idea to discuss what it is before we begin talking about how to build one. I am sure that you already have many ideas on how to answer the question above, but please humor me for now.

Let’s look at a scene in this manner:
 

As an episode.
As a segment of an episode.

Some episodes are short, and some are long, it really all depends on how they are made. Also, an episode is the medium in which a portion of a series plays out. A scene can also be viewed in the same manner, as a medium in which a portion of your story plays out. On that notion, some may be short, and some may be long, but they still fulfill the same purpose. They provide the boundaries to contain all of the myriad of things that will take place at a certain point in the story.

Consider that within an episode that there are segments in which very particular things happen, such as a robbery at a bank, a highspeed chase along the highway or even a ship being boarded by pirates on the high seas. All of these segments placed into a written format would actually be the scene itself. I hope I am not confusing you but am just trying to convey the fact that a scene in a story fulfills the purpose of both episode and segment combined.

J.A. Cox is a husband, father and disabled veteran. He is passionate about Jesus Christ and has a desire to allow God to use his writing to bring glory to his name and reach others for him. His other passions lie in: 1) Empowering people by teaching about things that he is knowledgeable in in a simple and fun as well as interesting manner. 2)Inspiring others that they may realize how the true potential to overcome their perceived dilemma lies right between their ears and how they allow it to manipulate what their eyes behold. 3) Helping people to realize that being healthy truly begins with realizing how important it is for them to be intimately acquainted with their own body in order for others to help them resolve its maladies that beset it. Along with those, he enjoys entertaining with fiction based on the concept that fact is stranger than fiction and then stretching it just a tad to create some memorable page turning moments that you will likely recall for some time to come.

Author Links  

Website | LinkedIn

✍The First Page: Godzilla: The Monster Fight Record by Patrick Kelley

 

GODZILLA: THE MONSTER FIGHT RECORD SERIES

By Patrick Kelley

Publication Date: August 27, 2023

Nonfiction/Reference

Godzilla: The Monster Fight Record is a two-volume series that provides a history of all the monster battles throughout the Godzilla film series. After seven decades and almost forty films, Godzilla has earned the title of King of the Monsters. The Godzilla films have showcased the King’s legendary battles with larger-than-life opponents like the three-headed King Ghidorah, the winged guardian Mothra, his robotic doppelganger Mechagodzilla, and the original giant monster star King Kong. The Monster Fight Record analyzes these titanic battles to determine an informed and accurate win-loss record for Godzilla and all of his monster co-stars. Fans of kaiju and classic science fiction films will enjoy a trip down memory lane while also getting a sports-style analysis of the monster battles, complete with statistics and win percentages for each beast.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N

 

 

 

                     

Why Godzilla?

What images come to mind when you think of your favorite childhood movies? Some of you might recall specific moments and characters from the films you grew up with, but is your love of those movies so deeply entrenched that even the opening vanity logo is enough to elicit a rush of pure, nostalgic joy? Many adults my age might picture the simple white castle against the blue background and hear the comforting tune for “When You Wish Upon a Star” swell up before the words “Walt Disney Pictures” are revealed. While I do seem like a contrarian from time to time, I must admit that it is hard not to get swept up in the magic of seeing that classic vanity card. Disney’s logo began many childhood journeys of wonder, comedy, and fantasy for me. However, there is another cinematic logo I place above it. This logo holds a special place in my heart that not even the Walt Disney Company could ever occupy. 

東宝: Imagine those characters surrounded by a bold white circle illuminated by a bright spectrum of colorful rays of light against a predominantly blue backdrop. It was the emblem of Toho Company, Ltd., and seeing that logo prepared me for what I was going to witness: bizarre, larger-than-life creatures; giant irradiated dinosaurs rising from the ocean depths; alien cyborgs coming to invade the Earth; multiheaded flying dragons raining down lightning bolts from the skies; and powerful gods and goddesses of ancient myth carrying out their age-old rivalries in a world unprepared to handle them. I was about to see monsters! Best of all, there was a great chance I was about to see another adventure starring the greatest of them all, Godzilla, the King of the Monsters.  

Before continuing, I should point out that Toho isn’t limited to producing monster movies. Over the years, the studio made comedies, romances, and historical dramas, including some from famed director Akira Kurosawa. However, I can’t help but think of Godzilla as the icon of the studio, like Mickey Mouse is for Disney. My love for the Godzilla character, series, and franchise transformed into a near-lifelong hobby. Some of the most cherished moments of my childhood revolved around discovering, watching, and rewatching the King’s classic movies. 

It was not always easy having Godzilla as a passion. Being an American fan before the age of the internet meant that finding all those movies was hard to accomplish. Whether scouring through TV Guides or going through the shelves of old local video stores, my self-imposed scavenger hunt was exhausting at times. However, the search yielded its rewards more often than not.

Patrick Kelley was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is a lifelong monster movie fan. He spent his childhood becoming familiar with the classics like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, King Kong, the works of Ray Harryhausen, and of course his favorite, Godzilla. His many other hobbies include sports (particularly Football), movies, and television, but when he’s not indulging in those activities, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and newborn daughter.

Visit Patrick on Twitter at http://twitter.com/patrickgbook.