Week One: Ingrid Hartwin

Hey! Lizzie here and reporting for duty. My friend Izzy (get it? Izzy and Lizzie? Heh. Maybe not…) asked me to do some interviews, and so here’s the first one from a local owner of Rescued Pages, Ingrid Hartwin!

How long have you been living in Killamarsh?
Christ, what has it been now? Almost twelve years, I think. However I could be wrong… Oh no, I was right. It’s twelve. Almost twelve. I know it’s a horribly long time to be confined to one place. I’m content though. I don’t really have anywhere else to go, after all. It would be silly to just up and leave. I’ve sort of found my niche, you could say, and I plan to stay in it.

Who or what sparked your interest in books?
Who? I don’t… know? Myself probably. I spent the majority of my childhood trying to find ways to keep myself occupied. Mum didn’t approve of jumping on the furniture or attempting to make my own homemade recipes. Mess. She didn’t care for mess. Books aren’t messy, I wasn’t messy after reading them, mother was content. I was, and still am, attracted to the escapism that comes along with cracking open a good book. My childhood wasn’t particularly terrible, but it was definitely dull. So, it was rather simple for me to willingly slip into the exciting fantasy worlds or the just as dull lives of other little children.

Besides binding books, what other job could you see yourself doing or have you done?
Actually I was a teacher back in the day. Mainly eleventh year World History. Though I did drop down to the lower years. Terrifying little creatures, I tell you, the teenagers and younger children. I suppose you have to find the half way mark. I’ve never really considered doing anything else. Maybe some actual writing? Trust me, I’ve tried. I just lack the attention span needed to keep up on a continuous project.

If there was one interesting fact you wanted to share with everyone else, what would it be?
Uhh… I – I don’t know. What exactly qualifies as an interesting fact? You really should have called before hand and given me time to think about it. Then I’d have something really spectacular for you. I used to play the cello? Yeah, I suppose that’s interesting. I actually used to be able to read music. Super, huh?

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Oh, this one’s too easy. Joseph Stalin, of course! …What? Yeah, yeah, not necessarily appropriate, seeing as he led to the death of approximately twenty million people… BUT! Think about if for a minute. In that week I can be a man, a slaughterer, and a powerful dictator all in one day. I would get to experiment with everything I’ve ever wanted to, and some other things that I’ve probably never even thought of, without any of the repercussions. It’s excellent, really.
What three words would you use to describe yourself and why?
Oh gosh, another hard one. Yeesh. Um, I would have to say lovable, bookish, and dull. I love hugs and such, and enjoy a bit of cuddling here and there. Bookish… because, well, you know. The bookbinding and – yeah. Dull? Yes, of course. I’m terribly boring. I’m not really sure why you were so keen to interview me.

Finally, if you could go anywhere in the country right now, where would you go and why?
Home. No, really. I’ve been running around all day. It would be lovely to collapse onto my couch and take a quick nap. Maybe even a really long nap.

—

Stay tuned to our next edition of Masquerade and the next interviewee!

[Via http://zimonthly.wordpress.com]

Interview with Tom Marino- George Schrade fan and Push Button Knife Collector

Collector Tom Marino holding a New York Knife Co. display knife

Met a new collector friend at Parkers Show near Gatlinburg, Tn on Friday. As I roamed the isles, I passed Tom Marino’s table and couldn’t help but notice this huge New York Knife Co. display knife featured front and center. It was etched “Hammer Brand” and had bails on both ends so it could be hung.

Tom is a member of the Northeast Cutlery Collector Association and sets up at shows throughout the eastern-half of the country. As I admired his NYKC display knife, we got to talking. He is a huge George Schrade and Push Button Knife fan. The minute he started telling me about them, I recognized his passion immediately and pulled out my iPhone to record all the nuggets.

Allow me to introduce Tom Marino, as he shares his passion for the Push Button Knife and George Schrade, its inventor.

This interview is posted at the CutleryNewsJournal YouTube Channel.

[Via http://cutlerynewsjournal.com]

Interview with Erica Shine

The hardness of Within Temptation with a soft pop sound Erica Shine outshines the rest. Her album I Will Wait for You is in stores now. Let’s find more about this indie rock goddess:

1.) How did your music come about?

ES: My music started when I got a record deal with my twin sister, Lisa, in 2003. We weren’t happy with the song writer that the record company assigned to us so we started writing our own music. It was very challenging because we had to write not average songs but hits, and in three languages.

In 2008, five years later, I have gotten better and completed a 4-song EP.

2.) Asian artists like BoA and Utada Hikaru have caught a hard time in the American music market. Are you givien the same diffculties as these artists have faced?

ES: Well, first of all, thank you for comparing me with such successful artists as BoA and Utada. Second, my music doesn’t have any K/J-pop influence. I don’t really know K/J-pop artists as I don’t listen to them. I had only listened to BoA’s and Utada’s English albums but I thought, “I prefer Evanescence and Linkin Park .”

3.) You have a very unique blend of rock and pop. What gives you the drive to create this kind of music?

ES: Well, since I am “unsigned,” I have freedom of musical genre. I became what I liked. I am driven by the mixture of electric guitar, strings, and piano sound. Although I have done some acoustic songs, Evanescence music would describe perfectly as to what “I like” musically. Vocally, I like Kelly Clarkson style.

According to Jango airplay, most of my fans also like David Cook, Cold Play, Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson and the like.

I had been approached by Japanese record companies; they tried to convert my music to J-pop. When they gave me a few tracks to write with, I lost my passion for music since I didn’t like what I had to work with. I realized I was happy only when I had freedom  of musical art.

4.) Often I feel that the fans take musicians to be idols instead of people. What is one thing you would like for your to know about you outisde of your music?

ES: My friends know me as a dork. I tend to make people laugh all the time. I not only have an animated personality, but I can also play the “start-ass.”

I will give you an example. I would ask my camera guy to start rolling (without telling him what I was going to do) and take a piece of tissue out of my bra to blow my nose and fold the tissue to put it back to my bra while looking around to make sure no one saw me. J

When I was growing up, people preferred me telling stories because I made funny faces and exaggerated my voice tone.  I have little bit of Jack Black quality in me. J

5.) In 2008, you released Oxygen, which was my favorite song. Before that you were working with your twin sister and created the duo Fantasy Twins. What is the difference between Fantasy Twins and you as a solo artist?

ES: There is a difference in genre. Fantasy Twins was a DANCE-POP group where Erica Shine is a POP-ROCK solo-band.

6.) According to your website you have performed in different parts of the world. Do you feel that is different between the American and international audiences?

ES: Very much!! International audiences like the world cup whereas American audiences like the foot ball. Oh, we are not talking about the sports?

The international audiences were more open to “eclectic” of music whereas Americans are specific of their favorite genre. For example, in Europe, people who love urban music would also like rock.

7.) Any upcoming news and events you would like for you fans to know about?

ES: iTunes just added my album and I am finally on the market! So please support the indie musicians. J

8.) How can people get in touch with you?

ES: People can get in touch with me through my myspace page myspace.com/officialericashine

Or they can visit my website at www.ericashine.com and click on CONTACT.

Photo Credits: http://imgjam.com/albums/52288/covers/1.130.jpg

http://www.leicesterbangs.co.uk/ericashine3.jpg

[Via http://asianfuzion.wordpress.com]

Why is a Manhole Cover Round?

Why is a manhole cover round?

And more importantly, who cares?  And why do interviewers keep asking these sorts of questions?

Elaine from Meebo, an in-browser instant messaging service, wrote a blog post considering this question.  She explores the thesis “A product [or company] is the product of its hiring process.”  A company is only as good as its employees, and a product is only as good as the people who make it.

As such, its in the best interest of the company to hire only those who will do a good job in the role they’re hired for.  Why should potential employers ask questions that don’t relate to the job?  Does being able to figure out what part of the wheel the inventor should patent really indicate how well the candidate will be able to do the job in question?

If the applicant wants to be a patent lawyer, probably.  If the applicant wants to open her own bakery, unlikely.

Elaine explains how Meebo’s hiring process works.  While applying, applicants visit Meebo and participate in a simulation of the job they would actually be doing.  That way, Meebo can find out how successful the applicant would be in the job role … by testing directly how successful the applicant would in the job role.  Meebo does not guess how effective the applicant would be by asking them banal interview questions, but instead takes a logical, hands-on approach.

“For a candidate, an effective simulation is amazing. If you’re searching for your next career opportunity, you may have to wait weeks for feedback or phone calls. A three-hour simulation eliminates weeks of stressful sit-and-wait. Plus, you leave from the experience knowing what’s expected of you in your role, who your team members are, and whether you think it’s a good fit.”

Elaine also downplays the role of the GPA in the hiring process.  If the candidate is a good fit, and will help create a product or service that the customer loves, then why should the GPA matter?

The good news: Meebo is hiring.  The bad news: most companies are not going to spend three hours per candidate on a simulation.  So most of us will still have to come up with answers to the traditional interview questions.

And why is a manhole cover round?  Because, of course, if it was any other shape, it could fall through the hole.

[Via http://lisadonchak.wordpress.com]

INTERVIEW: Bee Nguyen (Grand Tactics / Hot Air Brand)

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.

My name is Bee Nguyen; I am the owner of Grand Tactics; a lifestyle/influencer consulting agency www.grandtactics.com and I am a co-founding partner in a apparel company by the name of Hot Air Brand. www.hotairbrand.com. 
What’s a typical day in your life / job like?

My days start with taking my daughter to school, then off to the gym, meetings all day, a little Twitter (@BeeNguyen), a bit of Facebook, a few blog posts (beenguyen.com), then off to one of my weekly clubs I co-promote at night.
 

 
How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?

I always knew that I ultimately wanted to be my own boss, and so my first real job in the industry was for an entrepreneur by the name of Steve Rifkind; founder of LOUD records and now SRC.  Working for a trailblazer like Steve, I learned a lot about brand marketing and the influential power of youth culture early on in my career.
 

 
How did you get your job?  What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?

I started off as an intern at LOUD records, within 2 years, worked my way up to become Director of Marketing for LOUD’s sister company SRC, was able to work with corporate clients as varied as Adidas, MTV films, Pepsi, SONY, and realized that companies were paying BIG money to learn how to communicate to the young trendsetting demographic.  I was then hired by Nike to be a part of their Brand Marketing team in LA, worked on a project called The Blue House in Venice, still not satisfied with my career path, I started my own consulting agency in ‘04 and have not looked back since.  And most recently in ‘07, with a few friends co-founded our clothing line; Hot Air Brand which has been growing at a steady pace; currently in over 100 retail doors nationwide.
 

Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?

The best way to obtain the necessary “know how” is to surround yourself with those that inspire you, those that are doing what you want to do, and having the passion and commitment to learn your craft.  Like my friend Mister Cartoon says; “most overnight success stories are more like 10 years in the making.”
 

What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation?  What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying?  Most challenging?  What do you like and not like about working in this industry?

I definitely appreciate the luxury of working at my own pace, setting my own schedule and doing what I love each and everyday.  The constant excitement of new projects, clients, collections, events.  The only drawback is the fact that when you work for yourself, no one pays you but YOU, so you gotta stay motivated, and we can all get complacent at times.  I love what I do so its not a mundane task everyday, I think that’s the most important part is love what you do, then its not going to feel like work.  I also enjoy the fact that for the most part, the bulk of my friends are in my industry as well so we all work together and hang out together. Its like an extended family.

 
What are some of the other jobs available in this field or organization?

As far as jobs, nowadays you have to be able to wear multiple hats, so it’s very common to be a graphic designer / web designer or a publicist / event producer, so it’s really about being multifaceted and being able to adapt to various job opportunities.  Everyone has a clothing line now and/or is a blogger, so you just have to really carve your own career path and stay in your lane.
What particular skills or talents are most essential to be effective in your job?  How did you learn these skills?

You have to have drive, determination, passion, follow thru, and an ability to work with a variety of different personalities, cause in business, you definitely come across all walks of life, and they don’t always mesh with you.  I guess my learning curves came from just working, and soaking up all that you can, being around those that inspired me. Ask questions, be a sponge.
 

How is the economy affecting this industry? 

I think that as with everything else during hard times, consumers are looking for more bang for their buck, so you notice brands with lower price points profiting a bit more for the most part, unless you are already a household luxury name like a Hermes or Gucci.  We even lowered our own t-shirts which went from $65 to $36 retail.  But its times like these that the strong thrive so I am very happy to be in business.
 

How has your job affected your lifestyle?

My job is basically my lifestyle.  I have been very fortunate to be one of those folks that was able to learn early on that I myself was a “brand” to a certain extent and once I realized that I could get paid to essentially do what I do, synergize my passions, it gave me a sense of conviction and humility at the same time.  I do not take for granted all that’s in my life and with that I am continuously learning to be appreciative of what I possess financially and spiritually. 
 

What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in this field / job?

Humility, drive, loyalty, honor, love, and respect.
 

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Bee.  Do you have any last words or shout-outs?

I would like to shout out my business partners in Hot Air Brand; Charlie Muff, Chike Ozah, Diego Carlin and Duke Wu.  Our incredible team that supports us, Wesley Chu, Dave Rowan, Isaiah Sanchez, Emily Gaddy, and the M&P crew.  Shout out to the COLLECTIVE; Doug Wu & Arsen, JL, my homies over at Android Homme, Black Scale, Crooks & Castles, Mighty Healthy, CLAE, Diamond Supply, GOURMET, PASSPORT, Public School, the ladies over at BPMW, LTD Mag, Danny Lee of the YD’S, Kenny Mac and the whole Creative Contraband family and of course The Goodie Bag for the love.

[Via http://thegoodiebag.wordpress.com]

Ram Gopal Varma Vs Smriti Irani

11-8-2008

The déjà vu is certainly not hallucinatory…. Maybe the television directors and producers are actually running short of ideas. Be it plots, costumes or scenes, different frames in serials remind you of popular film sequences. Evidently, the resemblance is not coincidental…

The recently launched show Waaris (on Zee) revolves around the life of an underworld don, Rudra Pratap Singh (Ashish Vidyarthi), who is searching for a suitable ‘waaris‘ (successor) for the position that he created in the criminal world. Sounds familiar? Of course, it does. Starting from the teasers, the look and feel of the show uncannily resemble Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar and Sarkar Raj. The similarities don’t end here. While Ashish Vidyarthi’s character has been heavily inspired by that of Amitabh Bachchan’s, Iqbal Khan as Vidyarthi’s son Shankar is a take on Abhishek, who too played ‘Shankar’ in the film.

Kareena, Hrithik and Hamaari Betiyon Ka Vivaah

Remember Sooraj Barjatya’s Hrithik, Abhishek and Kareena starrer Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon? Sanjana (Kareena Kapoor)’s parents want her to get married. So Sanjana’s sister Roopa suggests the name of Prem Kumar, a US-based businessman. Prem (Hrithik Roshan) lands up in Sanjana’s town and Sanjana’s family receives him. Sanjana is disapproving at the start, but later falls for Prem’s charming ways. But by a twist of fate, everyone (except Sanjana) comes to know that this Prem is not the actual suitor. His real name is Prem Kishen and he is a subordinate of the real Prem Kumar. Well, if you have missed the film, you should watch Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah on Zee TV. The serial is a scene-by-scene rip-off of the film, with two Rajs fighting for Trishna.

The show is also a take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Gurinder Chadha’s Bride and Prejudice. As in the book/film, here too you will find four daughters with a nagging mother trying to get them married off to rich men. To attract the viewers and to bind them with the serial, everything is there on the show – romance, comedy, drama, emotions…. Do we need more?

Om Shanti Om and Banoo Main Teri Dulhann

Banoo Main Teri Dulhann (on Zee) or should we call it Om Shanti Om?! For a long time the show was moving towards a climax. It seemed Vidya (Divyanka Tripathi) was getting braver, and ready to face Sindoora (Kamya Punjabi, the female version of Arjun Rampal in the film) in order to protect her husband Sagar (Sharad Malhotra). Sagar, on the other hand, was getting closer to the truth, and then finally realised that his eldest sister meant him harm. And then it happened. Sindoora shot both Vidya and Sagar to death.

But picture abhi baki hai mere dost. No, we never said that, but the teasers of the show shamelessly propagated the OSO theme. Sagar and Vidya were born again. They met, fell in love and got married. And not only that, the couple (now Divya and Amar) have started recalling incidents of their previous births and in the current episodes, Divya is all set to take revenge on Sindoora, exposing her true colours. Does that sound interesting?

Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Devdas

Kasautii Zindagii Kay (on Star Plus) began as the love story of Prerna and Anurag, but turned into Devdas somewhere along the way. Cezanne Khan aka Anurag Basu happened to be the handsome, soft-spoken son of a rich father, while Shweta Tiwari aka Prerna was Paro, who got married into a rich family and a husband she never loved. Yes, her much older husband had three children from his previous marriage, quite like in Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel. And a la Aishwarya in Bhansali’s Devdas, Prerna too was gifted a portrait by her husband Bajaj, where she donned the Ash look.

Pyaar Ke Do Naam and Rajshri films

The Barjatyas too draw from their own, and sometimes their friends’. Pyaar Ke Do Naam – Ek Radha Ek Shyaam was a unique melange of films like Hum Apke Hain Koun…!, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Mehbooba et al. The serial showcased wedding sequences, complete with sangeet and antakshari ceremonies that characterise Rajshri productions. If you remember, the lead pair Indraneil Sengupta and Barkha Bisht had even unabashedly put on a Shah Rukh-Kajol (and sometimes a Salman-Madhuri) act.

Shveta Salve and Sushmita Sen

Shveta Salve of Left Right Left became the middle-class man’s Sushmita Sen after the soap happened. Be it the way she used her eyes or her flowing chiffon saris, psychiatrist Dr Ritu Mishra’s character took up from where Sushmita Sen left off in Main Hoon Na. The serial was a take on the lives of cadets at a premiere military academy, and Shveta played the muse for the young students just like Sush did in the film.

[Via http://reelstories.wordpress.com]

Dedicated to Yellow (ET promo), Sun Bowl, Cleveland phoner

Entertainment Tonight – CFTH buzz

J.E.L.L.U.S.

Yellow M&M had a gig on ET??? And had an “awesome of m&m airtime” with the adorable David Archuleta? WHY wasn’t it Purple M&M? Purple is my favorite. After all, David sports a purple shirt for the tour, hmmmph. Just sayin’

BUT Purple is the bigger M&M and shall post the ET interview now. Also, Purple loves Yellow, so Yellow, here’s your mo-ment, ”Well, hey, Yellow, glad to be here!”

Sun Bowl

Source

David Archuleta To Perform At Helen of Troy Halftime Show EL PASO, Texas (December 8, 2009) – American Idol’s David Archuleta will perform at the Helen of Troy Halftime Show at the 76th Annual Brut Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 at Sun Bowl Stadium.

 

“Helen of Troy is excited to bring another outstanding talent like David Archuleta to perform at halftime of the Brut Sun Bowl,” said Gerald J. Rubin, CEO and president of Helen of Troy. “David piqued America’s interest during his run on American Idol and he definitely will be a fan favorite due to his extraordinary talents as a singer-songwriter.”

Archuleta, who turns 19 years old on Dec. 28, was the runner-up on the seventh season of American Idol. In August of 2008, his self-titled album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

The Brut Sun Bowl, sponsored by El Paso’s headquartered Helen of Troy, will feature Oklahoma of the Big 12 Conference against No. 19 Stanford of the Pac-10 Conference. The Helen of Troy Halftime Show will feature a performance by David Archuleta, as well as the two fine marching bands of the universities participating in the Brut Sun Bowl.

This marks the sixth consecutive year the Sun Bowl has featured the Helen of Troy Halftime Show. Previous performers have included Los Lonely Boys, Diamond Rio, Baby Bash, Rihanna and the Village People.

The Brut Sun Bowl is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 31 at noon at Sun Bowl Stadium. The game will be broadcast live nationally in high definition on CBS for the 42nd consecutive year. Tickets for the Brut Sun Bowl range in price from $15 to $60 and can be purchased by calling (915) 533-4416 or (800) 915-BOWL or go on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Cleveland Phone Interview

Source

David Archuleta spreads holiday cheer in concert and on new album By John Soeder, The Plain Dealer December 09, 2009, 3:00PM

Chris Pizzello, Associated PressCHRISTMAS CROONER: “In my life, there’s no other time when I’ve been more involved with music than the holiday season,” says David Archuleta.

David Archuleta’s self-titled debut last year featured the Top 5 hit “Crush.” Now the 2008 “American Idol” runner-up is on tour behind a new holiday album, “Christmas from the Heart.” Archuleta, who turns 19 on Dec. 28, spoke to us last week by phone from Idaho, before a gig there.

There are so many holiday albums. What do you hope sets yours apart?

I wanted to be able to get that feeling of this whole time of year into the songs, and to be able to share that with people. That was my goal with the album. And that’s my goal with the tour, too. For the first part of the show, the focus is on pop music and non-holiday songs. In the second part of the show, we focus on the Christmas music. Hopefully, people leave in the mood for the holidays. In my life, there’s no other time when I’ve been more involved with music than the holiday season, every year. I’ve always been really into Christmastime. I used to go caroling with my brothers and sisters, and we used to do family shows together in retirement homes and hospitals. I really enjoyed it.

How did you conjure the proper mood in the recording studio?

I was like, “Man, it’s summer and it’s sunny outside, and here I am inside, thinking about these Christmas songs!” But the weather doesn’t affect the songs. The meanings don’t change. I just thought: “What are these songs about?” It helped me get deep into the meanings. And I tried to get those emotions out as best as I could in my performance. Sometimes there were Christmas lights in the studio, too.

What’s the story behind “Melodies of Christmas,” the new song that you co-wrote?

It’s about the melodies in Christmas songs, how they bring back those memories of being around the Christmas tree, opening presents with your family and spending time with people you care about. Simple melodies — like [sings] “Glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria” or [sings] “Chestnuts roasting. . .” — all those songs, they bring back those memories and those holiday feelings. Those melodies really have a kind of magic to them. While the lyrics are powerful, there’s something about the melodies themselves that really leaves an impression on people. That’s what the song is about.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

This year, I really focused on journal writing. I was like, “I need to record what I’ve been doing, so my kids can know my story.” Next year, I want to focus on songwriting. I want to write as  much as I can. Right after the holidays, I’m going to be working on my next album. . . . I’m hoping to show more of myself. What I’ve been trying to do in the writing is show more of my personality, what’s on my mind, my creative side and my realistic side — just showing people more of who I am.

Another goal is to learn to play guitar better

[Via http://archuletavenue.wordpress.com]