Guest Interview n°9: Benedetta Barzini

Guest Interview n°9: Benedetta Barzini

Who is the most surprising designer of the spring summer collection 2010?
No real surprises, honestly. Some demonstrate knowledge on cutting and sewing, but the style belongs to a melancholic past.

And who is the most telented?
I hate to place one above another. ‘Better than’ is not in my way of thinking.

There was a lot of criticism about the Milan fashion week this time… Why? Do you agree with this point of view?
In Italy there is no sense of solidarity or common sense. I’m not going into what designers and organizers fight over. It’s rather repetitive (somewhat like the clothings that come out of the Italian productions).

Milan, Paris or New York?
Milan is commerce. Paris is Paris, light years separated from the other capitals. New York is playing around with the aura it has of being the most exiting place to be in, so it created a personal way of dressing. New Yorkers indeed yearn for France.

How do you see the intersection between street fashion and catwalk fashion?
‘Street’ talks about being different from acting out and dressing exactly like all others . ‘Catwalk’ reveals and therefore projects what the inner thought of women-seen-through-men’s-eyes is about.

In the past you were a model. What do you think has changed in the last 20 years for better or for worse?
Modelling today is opposed to the Sixties: the market has developed at an incredible rate, the girls are used and thrown out at a good pace, fashion is a product and the show must go on, regardless of its meaning.

What is the most negative aspect of the fashion world today? And the best one?
No negative or positive aspects: it constantly measures the temperature of a collective form of distorted unreality and tells us where affluent society stands.

What we must absolutely recover from the past?
The values of slowness. It allows people to assimilate an idea, a dream, lots of important lost things..

You currently teach at Milan Politecnico. Do you consider internet a resource or a hazard? Do you use it for your lessons?
Internet. It’s an illusion of power, knowledge and contact. It really only gives you headlines whithout depth. It has the privilege of turning all people passive. I can smell it a mile away when a student just owns some internet notions.

One example to follow and one to avoid..
Figure out what you could think without using someone else reflections. Avoid plucking your eyebrows.

Describe your typical day.
I’m sort of lost these days, so there is no typical

Your speciality in kitchen?
I’m not keen on cooking, but I can make a decent vegetable soup.

By Silvia Bergomi | images by Matteo Cherubino

veld_ver_slagen: Kraak

veld_ver_slagen is een rubriek over de mensen in het veld en het schemergebied achter de schermen. Gesprekken met concertprogrammeurs, evenementenorganisatoren en curatoren van kunstencentra. Kortom, de heren en dames die bepalen wat wij te zien krijgen. Ditmaal met een Dave Driesmans en Steve Marreyt van het Vlaamse platenlabel, boekingbureau en algeheel keurmerk van avontuurlijke muziek, Kraak.

(Gepubliceerd in Gonzo (circus) #90 – januari/februari 2009)

Kraak: Keurmerk voor Vlaams avontuur

Sinds de oprichting in 1997 is Kraak uitgegroeid tot een waar kwaliteitslabel voor de Vlaamse avontuurlijke muziekliefhebber. Dave Driesmans gaf zijn perspectief op de zaak en Steve Marreyt schoof er halverwege bij aan.

Kraak lijkt een verzamelnaam voor een grote hoeveelheid activiteiten, van een platenlabel tot festivalorganisators tot een magazine; was dat vanaf het begin af de bedoeling, of is dat zo gegroeid?
Dave Driesmans: “Het is allemaal heel organisch gegroeid. Aanvankelijk was er enkel het platenlabel. Maar toen kwam al snel het idee om een jaarlijks festival te organiseren, en wat later ontstond het idee van een maandelijks tijdschriftje. Het is een combinatie van veel zin hebben om iets te doen en de noodzaak voelen een leemte op te vullen. Maar het is natuurlijk wel leuk dat we nu een beetje een structuur en publiek hebben waarbij we snel projecten kunnen lanceren.”

Hoe is de organisatie nu verdeeld? Zijn er aparte medewerkers voor ‘Concerten’ en ‘Platenlabel’, of loopt het door elkaar?
Driesmans: “Het loopt allemaal door elkaar. De ene dag ben je bezig met de website, de andere dag met de mastering van een nieuwe elpee, dan weer wat het boeken van vluchten voor een volgend optreden. Die variatie houdt je fris. Bovenal vind ik het voor Kraak heel belangrijk dat er meerdere mensen inbreng hebben. Zou er maar één programmeur zijn, dan is de kans op herhaling reëel. En dat willen we te allen tijde vermijden.”

“Over kleuren en smaken [moet] zoveel mogelijk getwist worden” heet het dan ook op jullie website; hebben jullie onderling nog twisten over wat wel en niet binnen Kraak past, of is het concept zo afgebakend dat daar geen onduidelijkheid meer over is?
Driesmans: “Nee, er wordt hier erg veel getwist en getwijfeld. Niet zelden gaat er een hele discussie vooraf aan het boeken van een groep. Is die groep representatief voor wat er nu gebeurt of kiezen beter voor een andere groep? Is die laatste release niet iets minder? Enzovoort.”

Op welke manier heeft de (Vlaamse) markt voor experimentele muziek zich ontwikkeld sinds 1997?
Driesmans: “In tien jaar tijd is er erg veel veranderd vind ik. In 1997 waren we hier één van de weinigen die met experimentele popmuziek bezig waren, en zeker de enigen die dat in een festivalformule aanboden. Er zijn sindsdien talloze ‘nieuwe muziek’ festivals opgedoken, maar de meeste daarvan zijn niet echt interessant meer. Aan de andere kant is de platenmarkt in elkaar gestort en zijn er in Vlaanderen nog maar enkele winkels over waar je een Kraak-cd kunt vinden. Een jammerlijke evolutie want door het ontbreken van subsidies kunnen de winkels niet overleven, hoewel ze voor mij toch evenveel cultuur brengen als een gesubsidieerde instelling.”

Vaak wordt gesteld dat door het internet de nadruk in de muziekbranche is verschoven van platen naar live-concerten. Hoe zien jullie dat?
Driesmans: “Ik heb op de trein of metro nog nooit zoveel oordopjes gezien, hoor. Verklaren dat de aandacht van opnames naar het livegebeuren verschoven is vind ik dus onjuist. Ik denk dat er wel een verschuiving te merken is in het luistergedrag: er veel meer aandacht gekomen voor de geschiedenis van muziek. Daar zullen mp3-blogs en de verzwakte marketingkracht van de platenfirma’s deels voor hebben gezorgd.”
Steve Marreyt: “Die downloadbare geschiedenis is lange tijd mijn verslaving geweest. Ik ben nogal een fan van muziek uit de jaren 1960 en 1970. Toen ik ontdekte dat zowat alle zeldzame psychedelische parels gewoon van blogspots te plukken waren, heb ik mij daar lange tijd mee bezig gehouden. Dat duurde tot het moment dat ik meer downloadde dan ik kon beluisteren. Nu ben ik een stuk selectiever geworden. Ook met internet was het dus weer zoeken hoe je er op een goede manier mee omgaat.”

Random Thoughts About Grad School. And Interviews.

On Grad Schools:

This I tell you, and I tell you with the hopes that you’ll learn from my stupid mistakes: If you are AT ALL considering continuing your studies after undergrad in a field you did not major in, for the love of Jasper Gabriel bon Jingles- MINOR IN IT!! My faculty adviser told me minors weren’t worth anything unless I was sure I wanted to study that subject in grad school. And, given the fact that I wasn’t forward-thinking enough to be considering grad school, (mostly because I hate application essays), I didn’t minor in anything. Stupid, stupid me.

After all, I knew I was interested in film studies and psychology- but instead of sticking to either of those minor programs, I took more English courses (Literary Criticism and Shakespeare) and a not-required Biblical Studies course (Exodus-Deuteronomy) because it was taught by a professor of uber brilliance. Do I regret taking these classes? No, I enjoyed all three (well, not Shakespeare so much as a class, but I was in Oxford at the time, so I would have been happy to study ancient native Haitian basket weaving… or whatever). But wish I had also made room to take more psych courses (even if APU’s psych program SUCKS TO HIGH HEAVEN… regardless of how blindly proud they are of it. I’m sure the faculty members are all very nice people…). Because now I find myself staring at MA program aps and banging my head against the wall because I haven’t taken the prerequisites. Could I trudge my way through the information at the Advanced Level- sure, if I really put my mind to it. But they don’t know that, and that stinkith. So then what? Online classes or MJC? Yuckiness… Gr.

On Interviews:
Due to the fact that I once (ignorantly) aspired to be an Executive Assistant in the film industry, I have gone to many, many interviews. Perhaps this is indicative of my resume’s brilliance (since a resume’s purpose is to get you the interview), or maybe Oxford’s too shiny to resist, or they chose aps at random. But, I never did get an assistant job (and, after hearing how Sam’s bosses treated her, I stopped applying). Regardless, I’ve faced many an interviewer, and this is what I’ve noticed:

Bad:
1. When he/she picks you out of a crowd as “the one wearing all black?”
2. Ending rambling sentences with “and, um… yea. so on?”
3. Sending out mass emails to potential employers in the “To:” section instead of the “BCC:” section (one actually sent me an email back, all insulted and whatnot. Er, sorry? My bad…)
4. When the interview is really short.
5. Going home and deleting all your info on a potential employer because you’re convinced the interview went horribly. They still might call you back.
6. Sweat. It’s just a pain. It screws up your bangs and makes your feet smell weird. And there’s little to nothing you can do about it- RAHH!!

This afternoon, I learned that:
1. Group interviews suck
2. I am not so great at making a good impression when there are three other interviewees around the same little table, and only one question is actually asked pertaining to job-related experiences, etc.
3. Some people, when asked if they have any questions, will ask the interviewer what her favorite color is. (I spell this without “u”s because it was a freaking stupid question)
4. At a group interview, you will get interrupted by loud-mouths. And they might even pretend not to notice that they talked over you.

In my experience, no one cares if:
1. You don’t tailor your resume drastically for each position. Of course, it should show that you can do the job (ie. have previously answered a phone and/or spoken to a human being in real life).
2. You’re nervous. They probably can’t even see you shaking, so grin and ignore it.
3. You spill your purse contents everywhere- especially if the interview is for an internship that they barely pay you anything to do.
4. You call them by their first name. They seemed to expect me to, at least in LA. Don’t know what it’s like up here in hick country though… teh hehe…

So, now I have to figure out how to take prereq classes and write a statement of purpose, as well as still picking programs to apply to. And I start working at a new job tomorrow. This is a good thing but…. AHHhhhhh… *hides*

Meet @Konelli

Name: Christine

Brithdate: March 16th (Pisces)

Nickname: Bunny LOL I have had this nickname since I was a young girl as I loved rabbits Slippers on Twitter

Personal Bio: Originally from Sydney, Australia. I have been living in NYC for the last 10 years, Work in the financial markets on one of the largest global trading floors and yes I have a real job, surprise surprise!!!! You never know who is who on Twitter right?

What bought you to Twitter?: I started watching TrueBlood from the first episode and so a friend at work after the first few episodes said you should go and look at TrueBlood on the internet there is a lot of different material on the show.  I found my way to the wiki by accident, started to look around.  I started to read the different threads and saw one called Bill on the Brain and started to read the messages for a day. I couldnt stop laughing. I kept going back on a daily basis and reading these messages and since I love Stephen Moyer and the Bill character, I found the interaction with others on the wiki fascinating.  One day I thought let me get on and interact with others only just this one time. LOL Anyway started to chat with others who loved the TrueBlood show and so I met @BillohBill,  greeneyed girl (GEG) , @smeykunz, @BubbaLives , Wikked Queen etc.  and started to chat. These women made me laugh so much I just had to come back to see what was going on. I would get on once an evening or every few days and then used to get on after the show on Sundays as they had this discussion panel of what had gone in the show that night. After chatting to smeykunz one night she said follow me to Twitter as this is where alot of people are tweeting about the show etc. I followed her and then I realized there were these people in character tweeting away to different people. Then I saw @VampireBill  At first I had no idea what to do, what the rules were and what you could and couldnt say. I had no idea what an RP was, well you know I work in finance, it was my first trip to Twitterland  *laughing at myself*. I was a little intimadated the first time I sent my first tweet and my education began. Well the rest is history. LOL I was lucky enough to interact with a great group of people and I am very fortunate and proud to be part of what is known as @BillsBelles. I am also an original member thanks to @smeykunz I have had so much fun on Twitter and it has been a real education! I have had so much fun on Twitter and it has been a real education and I have been able to find my second BFF MsQ who is just a wonderful young lady and we have built a very close friendship.

How did you choose your @ name?: Konelli is bunny in the greek language a bit of trivia

Why is Bill your Vamp?: I fell in love with Stephen Moyer first, more as TV Bill Compton than book Bill. I have always liked the @VampireBill RP’s even though there are a few and they have been very different. I have to admit the current @VampireBill is a refreshing surprise from the last one. LOL

Favorite Bill quote show or book: May I call on you? LOL

Favorite Bill photo:

Favorite character from the books/show aside from Bill: From the show: Eric Northman, From the book: Sookie Stackhouse

Favorite @VampireBill moment: Dancing with @VampireBill on my birthday. Yes on Twitter ! LOL Dont go near my slippers. Slippers is mine  LOL

What would you like to see happen on Twitter in the off season?: I would like to see the Belles put on one of the Thursday night shows with the RP’s. I think that would be a lot of fun.

Who is your favorite @character? (other than Bill of course): @EricNorthman and @SookieBonTemps

An Interview with Michael Burstein of Burstein Law Firm on Estate Planning

The following is an excerpt from an interview between Tony Cordi of Beachtime Realty and Michael I. Burstein, Esq. of Burstein Law Firm that occurred over lunch on October 7, 2009 in Hermosa Beach, CA:

Tony:  Thank you for having lunch with me today.  So how long has it been now that you have been practicing law in CA?

Michael:  In December, I will have been an attorney in California for 22 years.  I have been focused on estate planning, estate administration, and probate since 1992.

Tony:  We have noticed a growing number of people using Family Trusts to take title on their homes.  What are the advantages of doing this?  Are there any downsides to doing this?

Michael:  One of the main reasons that clients do a living trust (or a family trust) is because it avoids probate.  However, a trust avoids probate only for those assets that have been re-titled in the name of the trust.  Failure to re-title an asset, especially a piece of real estate, in the name of the trust, may cause that asset to be subject to probate.

Therefore, many residences, as well as other types of real estate, are owned by living trusts.  Other means of holding title include limited liability companies (LLCs), family limited partnerships (FLPs), joint tenancy, community property, as well as in an individual’s name.

Tony:  What does one need to do to create a Family Trust?

Michael:  Most living trusts (or family trusts) are done with an attorney.  While it is true that it is not legally required to have an attorney prepare a trust, have worked with over 3,000 families, I can tell you that there are questions that I ask my clients that they have not thought about previous to my asking them the question.

There is a much greater chance of litigation on trusts when the trust has been created by the individual themselves or with the aid of software.  It brings to mind the old saying “penny wise, pound foolish.”

Tony:  Are Family Trusts the main component of Estate Planning or are there additional concepts that you would recommend?

Michael:  Living trusts are the foundation for virtually every estate plan.  Depending on the size and composition of the estate, additional estate planning may be necessary.  Therefore, there are ILITs (irrevocable life insurance trusts), FLPs, LLCs, GRATs (grantor retained annuity trusts), CRTs (charitable remainder trusts), and a whole host of other estate planning options.

Tony:  Thank you for this.  Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Michael:  Estate planning is a highly rewarding area of the law.  It provides me with the opportunity to make a difference in a lot of people’s lives.  I see this everyday because we do a lot of estate administration and probate work.  It is at that point that we see whether the deceased was able to do estate planning that is of the most benefit to his/her children, loved ones, heirs, and beneficiaries.

Tony:  That is great and thank you again for taking the time to have lunch with me.

Michael:  My pleasure and thank you.

Michael I. Burstein of Burstein Law Firm

Visit www.bursteinlaw.net or www.beachtime-realty.com for more information

Burstein Law Firm
848 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-545-7878 office
310-545-7771 fax

11600 Washington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-391-1311 office
310-391-4853 fax

Today Marianne Williamson online with Jennifer Mclean.

Jennifer Mclean’s interview with  Marianne Williamson from last Thursday is online for today till midnight California time at ‘Healing with the Masters’. (And Carol Cook!, as an extra gift, great conversation too!) Beautiful meetings with beautiful women.   Friday night (in the Netherlands) before I went to bed I listened to this interview. I felt that night, with the hassle with my daughter and school, (again) indignant and angry. I told ‘the story’ to my dear neighbor-friend and by telling her I went into criticizing school again. Right or not, I felt it didn’t do me any good.    Jennifer and Marianne talk about prayer. Marianne is a teacher who works with the book”‘ A Course in Miracles’ and is well known because Nelson Mandella used a paragraph of her book ‘A return to Love’.     A RETURN TO LOVE    “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.    We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.    We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.   It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”         Marianne says in the interview, when we feel angry with someone or a situation and we don’t know how to stop, we can state the intention we are willing to let the situation develop in love with a payer. That we don’t yet know or see how. That we feel the habit of hanging into the angriness and the outrage , and because we think we are right . The ‘I’m willing to’ has touched something in me.   That’s how I went to bed. And from that moment on I thought at least 50 times, ok, I give my angriness and outrage willingly to god. And I am very willing to let this situation be handled by spirit with love. It makes me stop my resentful thoughts who still can become more and more angry fast. It’s an exercise. Apparently lol.   I so don’t know how it can be different, what I could do or say, how I could behave. I can only feel a good end. When I think about, I don’t know how, a dutch song pops up in my head which has the words, ‘He doesn’t know how, he doesn’t know how, he doesn’t know how. I sing it in the she-form. ‘She doesn’t know how’. And than I start to laugh.   I’m putting my whole self into building a new thought pattern. To change the habit of criticizing and judgement in an automatic thought pattern of ‘Oh, that is a peace of cake. No problem. They are such sweet people and they are so willing to create the best solution. School is open minded. I am open minded. I’m very curious too, about their story’s.’ It is only 1 new path of neurons. I can do it!   Practice makes perfect, repetition works. An other dutch song pops up in my mind. It says, “We will continueeeeeee. Till we are in peace!’

Murkowski Could Support Climate Bill

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has “signaled she could vote for a revised version of Democrats’ forthcoming cap-and-trade bill,” The Hill reports.

In an interview to air Sunday on C-SPAN, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) explained she would "keep her mind open" during debate over the hotly contested carbon-reduction proposal, a version of which has already passed the House. The Alaska Republican also suggested she could vote for the final bill if it expands domestic oil drilling and better funds nuclear power.

"When you see changes to the land coming about … what is causing the loss of the sea ice that adds to the erosion issues, yes, in Alaska we are seeing change," Murkowski told C-SPAN. "That’s why I have been one of those Republicans who has stepped out front a little bit more on the issue of climate change."

(credit image – associated press)