Andrew M. Ayers - June 2023

Check out our latest edition!

AndrewMAyers.com

877-262-9377

JUNE 2023

The Sound of Music From Vinyl Records to Digital Streaming

as I grew older. CDs were introduced and quickly became all the rage, replacing everything that came before them. By the time I graduated college, I owned thousands of CDs, which I eventually sold to pay off my credit card debt so that I could afford to attend law school. Since then, CDs have become entirely obsolete, and most cars no longer have a CD player! Everything is digital, and we now carry an infinite source of music around with us at all times. It’s interesting to consider how much music is available today compared to the past. It’s almost like the amount has seen the same level of evolution as the devices themselves. You can hop on YouTube, Spotify, or any other music streaming service and find live albums from almost any artist. You can also discover music from up-and-comers and relatively unknown artists. Artists really never stop making content these days. Back when I was younger, if I wanted to get anything that wasn’t mainstream, I had to go to my local record shop to look over their selection of bootleg tapes someone had recorded while attending a live concert. It didn’t always sound good, but listening to those tapes was an amazing experience. Now, we’re spoiled since we can watch a concert by almost any artist online. With today’s technology, music has become more accessible than ever before. When I was a kid, it was unimaginable that I would be able to listen to any song on demand. Even if I owned the cassette tape or vinyl record, it wasn’t always easy to fast forward or rewind to the song I wanted to hear. In today’s age, if my kids want to listen to the same Taylor Swift song repeatedly, there are no obstacles in their way! Although this technology may be considered “outdated,” I still own a record player that I bought in the ‘90s, and I even have a Walkman in my office (the analog beauty in the photo to the left). I’m sure plenty of other technological advancements will become outdated in the next few decades, but only time will tell what future development we’ll experience next.

Various companies release new devices and technology every year with the hope of creating something that will revolutionize how humans live and act. Some have been successful in their endeavors and, in the process, made the technology that came before them completely obsolete. A great example of this is the smartphone, as it seems everyone made the transition from flip phones to iPhones, Androids, and BlackBerrys overnight. On June 7, we get an opportunity to appreciate the tech that time passed by when we recognize National VCR Day. Music has played a vital role in my life. I started listening at an early age and have never looked back. One of my favorite memories from college was working at our radio station. Due to my love of music, I’ve been able to witness the advancement of how we listen to music firsthand. It’s crazy to think about how far this technology has come in such a short time, and to this day, I still use some devices that many might consider “outdated.” When I was growing up, my options for music were cassette tapes and vinyl records. This meant you had to go to a record shop to purchase any new albums with songs you wanted to listen to. While vinyl is starting to make a comeback, it fell out of popularity

–Andrew M. Ayers

AndrewMAyers.com | 1

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How an Attorney Can Help

While debt settlement lawyers often work to reduce these debts, they can also provide legal assistance on other issues such as car repossession, wage garnishment, debt collection lawsuits, debt collector harassment, and more. If you’re struggling because of debt, they’ll most likely be able to help. Is it expensive to hire an attorney? There’s no simple price tag for hiring a debt settlement lawyer. Plenty of factors influence legal costs. For example, how much debt you have affects a lawyer’s total charge. Also, how many creditors require negotiation and how much you save in your settlement affect your cost. Additionally, if you need to file for bankruptcy eventually, it involves another set of charges to engage that process. You should contact a debt settlement attorney if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and know you can’t pay them on time. Whether mapping out a payment plan or negotiating with creditors, these attorneys will work to ease your financial stress. Many of these lawyers offer free consultations so you can better understand your situation. If they can help you reduce your debts, they will be a great asset.

Paying your bills on time isn’t always an easy task. If you’re going through financial difficulties, it can sometimes be impossible to pay your bills on time. Yet, there are still some ways to minimize the damage that can occur when you can’t pay your debts. When your bills pile up, you should always contact your creditors to learn if you can receive any extensions on payment deadlines. Being proactive is critical when managing debt. However, if they are unwilling to offer you leniency, you may face a creditor lawsuit; if that occurs, you should contact a debt settlement lawyer. What does a debt settlement attorney do? A debt settlement attorney can reach out to creditors and negotiate a way to reduce your debt or lower your payments. Finances can be confusing, but there are plenty of protocols and strategies out there — most of us just aren’t aware of them. Debt settlement lawyers are experts in consumer rights and know precisely what lenders can and cannot do. While debt settlement attorneys can assist you in various ways concerning your debt, they will often review your financial status, income, and conflicts in order to negotiate effectively with your creditors. However, hiring a debt settlement lawyer does not guarantee your debt will be reduced; it will give you a greater chance of doing so. What types of debt can they settle? You may not know about the multiple kinds of debt and their particular characteristics. These lawyers primarily work on unsecured debt, which is any debt that doesn’t require collateral. Some examples of unsecured debt include:

• Credit card bills • Personal loans

• Car loans • Student loans • Medical bills

2 | 877-262-9377

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

TAKE A BREAK

PUPPY POWER IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN How Do Cute Images Affect Your Mind?

“Kawaii” is the Japanese word for “cute,” which apparently alters our brains more than we thought! During The Power of Kawaii study, Hiroshima University researched the effects of viewing images of cute animals, and what they discovered was shocking. Researchers found that these adorable animals can help us improve our concentration, especially on detail-oriented tasks. Participants who viewed images of puppies and kittens could accomplish tasks with greater care and attention than those shown other pictures. How did they measure concentration, and why cute animals? What method was used in the initial experiment? In the first experiment, researchers split a group of 48 participants and had each person play a surgery game similar to “Operation.” Using tiny tweezers, the participants had to grasp small objects without touching the edges. Afterward, one group observed images of puppies and kittens, and the other viewed photos of adult dogs and cats. After viewing the pictures, both groups played the game again. The result? The first group had a significant improvement when playing the game. They approached the game more deliberately and at a slower pace to carefully remove the objects without touching the edges. Meanwhile, the second group showed no difference in their performance. Why do these cute images affect us? After more experiments with increased difficulty, the researchers concluded that the sweet animals made a noticeable impact on our brains. Participants showed higher levels of focus, concentration, and carefulness both mentally and behaviorally. The reasoning may be that seeing baby animals triggers our nurturing side and, in turn, makes us more careful and alert. We sense something needing protection, care, and focus. At a subconscious level, you likely will become more cautious in how you think and behave after looking at pictures of baby animals. So, the next time you need to do something tedious or detail-oriented, prep yourself with a cute puppies and kittens slideshow to ensure you get the job done right!

GOAT CHEESE AND THYME STUFFED CHICKEN

Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

Ingredients

• 4 pieces of thin-sliced bacon • Olive oil • 2 zucchinis, thinly sliced • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts • 3.5 oz firm goat cheese • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 2–3 sprigs

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Split the chicken breasts almost in half along the long side, open them like a book, then flatten the sides out. 3. Put the goat cheese on the “open book” side of the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each breast in 2 slices of bacon. 4. Lightly oil a shallow gratin or casserole dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set chicken on top. Place thyme sprigs on chicken. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the zucchini is tender.

AndrewMAyers.com | 3

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

877-262-9377 AndrewMAyers.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

6800 France Ave., Ste. 190 Edina, MN 55435 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Small Business & Personal Planning Attorney See what my clients say about me on MyGoogleReviews.com!

How We Listen to Music Continues to Evolve

1

Do You Need a Debt Settlement Lawyer?

2

Goat Cheese and Thyme Stuffed Chicken Cute Puppies = Concentration

3

You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?

4

Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT:

reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone- paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.

with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for aesthetic

If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing

4 | 877-262-9377

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

andrewmayers.com

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator