Interview of April Trent: A Writer, Traveller and Radio DJ

If you are a regular reader of the blog then you must know it very well that I love to interview people from time to time. I am happy to interview April Trent because first of all she loves to travel around the world but more than that she can write about travelling in a very good way. Most of the people that I have seen are fond of travelling are not good in writing about their experience. April Trent is surely a good exception in this regard. She is just finishing her Master's degree in Marketing Communications. She is also a radio DJ and freelance writer. April Trent is the National Youth Travel Examiner and I am sure that you will find her articles enjoyable and useful. From South Asia Blog, I took her interview and here it is:

Razib Ahmed: What encouraged to start writing about travelling?  

April Trent: I wanted to encourage young Americans to explore the world around them.  American culture is more work-centered rather than travel-centered, which is disappointing since we can learn a lot from different cultures.  I finally took the plunge into travel writing when I was laid-off from my marketing position and decided I was going to do something I loved while I search for a great job.  I signed up for Examiner and months later I found a wonderful job in radio.

Razib Ahmed: What are the tips you would like to give to the young backpackers?  

April Trent: Think outside the box, plan ahead, and remain flexible in terms of travel plans.  Keep looking for great deals and do not feel discouraged if you have a bad experience.  The world is huge, but you can easily connect with others via the Internet and learn great tips for saving money while traveling.

Razib Ahmed: What are the key areas travelers should focus on to make a low-cost trip?  

April Trent: The main costs, from my experience, has always been airline and lodging.  These are normally the most difficult areas to save money.  However, there are tips to save money in each of these areas.  For example, book your flights a month or two in advance and try to leave and return during the middle of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, maybe Thursday).  Websites such as Priceline allow you to name your own price and possibly win a bid for a lower ticket.  Most American airlines are charging for checked luggage, drinks, etc. so traveling light will also help.  The best way to save money is to either take a train, bus, or a budget airline such as JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, WestJet, or EasyJet.  

Lodging is a bit easier.  In the U.S., there are some low-price hotels which sometimes rivals the price of U.S. hostels.  Around the world, there are many nice hostels, apartments, and don't forget Couchsurfing.com.  That site is great if you want to experience living with a family from the area and/or if you want to really save money on lodging.

Overall, planning will definitely help you in the long run.  Plan in advance where you want to go and start searching for deals.  Some museums have free days, some restaurants have special deals, and some hostels have discounts for events. You don't have to plan your entire trip, but some planning can help in the long run.

Razib Ahmed:  Have you ever travelled to Asia? If yes, tell us something about that trip?

April Trent: I have not traveled to Asia yet, but I am preparing for it.  Actually, I am studying Mandarin right now so I can travel to China within the next year or two.  My friend, who is a native from Fujian, gets a kick out of hearing my attempts to speak her language.  However, we have to start from somewhere.

Razib Ahmed:  Recently, you wrote about money-saving summer trips. According to you, what are some of the most inexpensive summer tourist destinations?  

April Trent: There are quite a few affordable places, but the main key is to try and travel to smaller cities.  Cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., etc. tend to be expensive during this time of year, but cities such as Portland or San Antonio may be more affordable.  Keep the season and currency conversions in mind.  For example, a vacation to Cancun may be more affordable than a vacation to Hawaii.  However, you can always find great deals even in large cities like New York City or London.  

Razib Ahmed: You have travelled a lot. What, according to you, is the best tourist spot you have ever visited? And Why?

April Trent: I normally have a hard time answering this question since each city has its own personality.  If you are interested in beautiful cities I would have to say Paris.  If you love friendly people I would recommend Montreal.  I think my favorite city is a tie between Toronto and Vancouver.  Toronto is a large city with tons of stuff to do, relatively friendly people, and you feel safer.  Vancovuer is smaller seems gritty at first, but it has the right blend of a diverse city, beautiful beach, and in northern Vancouver there's forests with nature trails, canyons, etc.  

Razib Ahmed:  Have you ever faced any security-related problem on any of your past trips? How do you think travelers can ensure the best possible security for themselves before setting out on a trip? 

April Trent: Yes!  When I was visiting Barcelona my travel pouch was stolen the day before Easter Friday and the U.S. Consulate told me I was on my own until the following Tuesday.  The best way to remain secure is to hide everything.  Carry a thin travel pouch with your bare necessities (debit card, passport, etc.) underneath your clothing.  Some stores have special belts which conceal your money, passport, etc.  

Avoid buying things off the street when they do not come from vendors.  I know this isn't always the case, but I have seen tons of scams involving people who want to sell you a flower then they try to place it on you (when they are secretly looking for money in pockets and such) or people who ask you to pay 2 Euro for a six pack of beer, then they tell their friends down the street, in a foreign language through a hidden microphone, where the money is located.  Even though it might seem harsh, avoid giving money to beggars on the street.  If you're traveling on a budget, you should focus on saving your money.  If you really want to help, donate to a charitable organization or drop off a bag of food, but do not hand them cash.

Razib Ahmed: Now, tell us something about yourself.  

April Trent: I'm a part-time radio DJ, part-time freelance writer, full-time travel enthusiast.  I enjoy teaching others how they can save money while traveling abroad.  My main goal is to help educate young Americans on affordable travel and encourage them to explore the world beyond the U.S.  

Razib Ahmed: What is your future plan about writing and traveling?  

April Trent: I will be finishing my Masters soon, so I hope to start building a stronger career in terms of travel writing, copywriting, voice acting and multicultural marketing.  I also plan on traveling to Australia, China, and back to England which I consider to be my second home.

Interview of Aimee Laine: A Photographic Artist

If you are a regular reader of this blog then you already know that from time to time, we carry out interviews of other bloggers and business personalities. I became interested about Aimee Laine because of the nice photographs you can find in her website http://www.aimeelaine.com . She really has the skill of turning a photograph in to an art work. Aimee Laine used to do a full time job and then she decided to become self employed. I have done the same thing 4 years ago and I know how challenging it is. If you visit her website and see her samples then you will realize that she is giving all her efforts to develop her business. Aimee Laine is also a freelance writer.  

I emailed her the questions and got a quick reply to the interview questions. Here is the interview:

Razib Ahmed: What led you to set up Aimee Laine, LLC instead of just working as a freelance photographer? Don’t you think that managing a company is time consuming and difficult?

Aimee Laine:  Effectively I am a freelance photographer. I choose every project I take and work with a variety of clientele including individuals as well as commercial businesses -- of my choice. :) But for   tax purposes, security and legal reasons, I own a company that happens to be my name. I do think managing a company is time consuming, but I love it! I got my MBA in 2002 because I wanted to grow as an entrepreneur. It's not about it being difficult, for me, it's an extension of my education and experience. I have loved as many minutes as I've hated. That old saying "the grass is greener" is true ... from both sides -- corporate America and the ideal : self-employment. 

Razib Ahmed: Kindly tell us about the services that you offer.

Aimee Laine: As a Photographic Artist, I create imagery of people's lives, either in my studio where the moments are more planned and setup or in real life where a home, park, building or other environment is the stage.  As a writer, I often incorporate words, prose or entire stories into the images I create. I make up stories too that tell something completely different than the image shows -- in line with the old adage "a picture's worth a thousand words". On the flip side, I also instruct. Digital cameras are prolific but people have no idea how to use them and the manuals stay tucked away inside the plastic sheath in which they were shipped. Even when they are pulled out and dusted off, they don't make practical sense to most. So I spend time teaching how to use cameras to get some of the "cool" effects people see in images ... like how the background can be a blur while the foreground is crisp and sharp.

Razib Ahmed: Have you suffered any problems during the economic recession that started at the end of 2008 and is perhaps still going on? How could you overcome the problems?

Aimee Laine: Yes, absolutely and unfortunately. It hit us in May 2009 and has not yet eased. Photography and story telling can be done by anyone and the value one places on those two talents/gifts is often limited to their budget for them. When the economy takes its toll on a family, they often revert to their own skills and call it "enough to get by". There is no one way to overcome the problems. We've run specials, fun events and created opportunities for them to spend less and get more but even those will be bypassed in favor of groceries and gas where needed. For us, we'll continue to be supportive of our clients and to welcome them back with open arms when they are ready. 

Razib Ahmed: You used to have a full time job and then you started your own business and you successfully survived for more than 2 years. What advice would you like to give to anyone who wants to quit a full time job and start their business?

Aimee Laine: Don't do it. :) Ha ha. That was the hardest decision of my life as I am the primary breadwinner in my family. But I was ready and as I stood on that proverbial diving board ready to jump, it all but threw me off. We've succeeded because our clientele have been wonderful and supportive and trusted us with their many opportunities. But the last year has proven difficult and has tested us more than at any other time. We've had to get creative, push boundaries, pursue other avenues for our work. My greatest advice to anyone ready to make that leap : Don't burn bridges. Be prepared, if the time comes, to go back to what you used to do if you have to -- or to blend the two. Be open to opportunities that aren't in line with your direct goals to get you through. Then when the situation rectifies itself you'll be better prepared for the long haul.

Razib Ahmed: What caused you to open a blog? Do you think your blog has been helpful to your business? If so then how?

Aimee Laine: I love to write. I write in three different blogs -- one private and personal that I share only with my family; that's the one I write my deepest darkest secrets in. :) I have my photography blog in which I share about my customers, their accolades, their images and show off their cute kids for the world to see. And then my writing blog. I separated them because to me they are separate, but I often take a photo as inspiration and write a quick flash piece around it. 

A blog is helpful for a number of reasons : it shows who you are and what you can do. Photographically, it's a historical record of my progress as I've grown and established my style. In writing, it's been the key element in my ability to get a few writing deals for a couple of magazines. It's there for the public, but more than that, for people who need to see I can do what I say beyond my ability to convince them in an email.

Razib Ahmed: I liked your pictures that I could find in your website and I am sure that many people like them too. I think that you should write an e-book so that you can help others to learn to take excellent pictures. Do you have any plan for that?

Aimee Laine: No, no plans on that. There are TONS of how-to books on photography. If I were approached by a company, sure I'd do it in a heartbeat, but it's not an avenue I'll likely pursue on my own -- instead I'll build up my instructional schedule and work more one on one. Photography is so very subjective and in a book I could say 'do it this way' when in reality there are ten different ways to accomplish the same goal. When I teach, I impress that upon my students -- find your niche whether it's just fun or more formal. Find it.

Razib Ahmed: What is your dream as a freelance writer?

Aimee Laine: My dream is to see one, just one, of my books on a shelf at my grocery store. :) Now, granted, I know I'd have to be more than a best selling author to make that happen, but that's my dream -- and everyone needs one of those! Some day I might just have to print mine out and put it on the shelf, photograph it and pretend, but hey ... one can dream. :) 

Razib Ahmed: If you don’t mind then please, tell us something about your personal and professional background. 

Aimee Laine: I don't mind! I live in North Carolina -- in the U.S.A., half-way between the mountains and the beach and yet I visit neither regularly. I have been connected to my husband of 16 years for 22 years (since I was 14 -- you can do the math) and I have three kids -- one son and identical twin girls who are so very different and yet completely the same. I began to work in corporate America the day after I graduated from college with my Applied Math degree in 1996, added my MBA in 2002 and quit to be my own boss December 31, 2006. My husband works with me and my kids are great cleaners but generally make a bigger mess than the one they cleaned. 2009 was an incredibly tough year and here we are in 2010 ready to roll.

Interview of Will Luke: Cricinfo Writer and Cricket Blogger

(This entry was originally published on Sunday, January 4th, 2009)

Will Luke is a staff writer at Cricinfo. He has been running The Corridor for five years. “The Corridor” is one of the best blogs about cricket. So, if you are a cricket fan then I am sure that you would have come across his writing at Cricinfo. The thing that I admire about Will Luke is that he is always ready to voice his opinion frankly. This is an attractive skill in blogging. He is perhaps one of the successful cricket journalists who could show equal skill in blogging. Earlier today, I e-mailed him some questions for this interview and he replied promptly. Here it is for our readers:

Razib Ahmed: What do you think about the possible impact of Twenty20 cricket on cricket’s traditional version test cricket? Where do you see the future of test cricket?

Will Luke: Recent tense matches have showcased Tests’ strength. Run-chases that were once at best ambitious and at worst suicidally ludicrous are now within reach (or very nearly), and Twenty20 can be partially credited for expanding players’ belief in what they can achieve. The future of Tests is less clear; only in England and Australia (and to a lesser extent South Africa) are crowds sufficiently big enough, and television audiences interested. A world Championship is one idea that I’m in favour of, with two divisions - the second of which would contain the top Associate nation. Day-night Tests is another, but only once they’ve replicated the visibility of a red ball. They’re nowhere
near close at the moment.

Razib Ahmed: You know that cricket still has limited presence in many parts of the world. Do you think that twenty20 could be an effective tool for ICC to explore new
market for cricket around the world?
Will Luke: It already is. If you read Beyond the Test World (http://blogs.cricinfo.com/btw) which me and my managing editor run, you’ll see just how many Twenty20 competitions are appearing in places like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and African nations. Twenty20 is not a new concept at all; clubs have been playing it for decades. The concept of making money out of it, however, is.

Razib Ahmed: Do you believe that Australia’s decade-long dominance in world cricket has at last started to fade away? If yes, then what sort of measures do you think Cricket Australia (CA) should take to get over the problem?
Will Luke: Their fade began when McGrath, Gilchrist and Warne retired but their batting lineup is so strong that they’ve been able to cope without them. When their bowling falters, as it now has, then they’re in trouble. There are no ready replacements for McGrath, Lee (when injured) and Clark (when injured). Mitchell Johnson is promising but not yet an attack-leader. Cricket is cyclical; Australia will have to invest in their academies again but their decline is no way terminal. Cricket is too big there; people love it too much and kids play it from a young age. They’ll be back as soon as they’ve found two young fast bowlers.

Razib Ahmed: The recent performance of England test team is not satisfactory at all. Even Kevin Pietersen’s captaincy did not work well in India. So, do you think that England as like as its fierce rival Australia is also going through a formation period, following the departure of the players like Ashley Giles and Marcus Trescothik? If not, then what should be the remedy for England’s current problems?
Will Luke: England’s situation can’t be compared to Australia’s. The side is no longer in transition: Trescothick and Giles left some time ago, and Vaughan is unlikely to return. England’s problem has been a lack of top-order runs and an inconsistent opening attack. If Strauss & Cook can begin making hundreds as a matter of course, and if Harmison and
Anderson/Broad can combine, they’ll be very difficult to beat. And they must not be afraid to dump the slip streamers, such as Bell, who was really lucky not to be dropped for the West Indies series.

Razib Ahmed: Inspirational South Africa seems to take over the no. 1 spot of test ranking from Australia very soon, while India is also aiming to secure the same pride.
So, do you think that a seemingly possible rivalry between India and South Africa is going to build up in the years to come?
Will Luke: Not especially. I don’t think India or South Africa have the depth or talent that Australia did. Both sides will be high-class and attractive to watch, but will remain beatable. Australia had four or five once-in-a-generation players: the Waughs, McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist.

Razib Ahmed: With Australia struggling to sustain their long-lasting dominance and
England showing limited prospect, do you think that traditional Ashes series could somehow be affected? Do you see any possibility of India-South Africa rivalry replacing Australia-England rivalry in terms of popularity in world cricket in the near future?
Will Luke: Absolutely not! The Ashes stretches back to the 1800s. India and South Africa have only played a handful of matches in comparison. The history and tradition and social rivalry between the English and Australians will always guarantee a fierce competitiveness in the Ashes, and nothing else comes close, other than India and Pakistan.

Razib Ahmed: Both England and Australia are now in dearth of quality spinner (considering Monty Panesar’s failure in India). How do you think the two cricket powers can get over this problem? Do you think England and Australia can help each other in this regard?
Will Luke: Not really. You can’t wave a magic wand. England have had leg spinning
coaches and clinics for about 10 or more years with little or no products coming through. The attitude towards leg spin in England is still completely bogus. It’s changing slowly in schools, but these things take years. Warne appeared out of the blue, and largely thanks
to his mentor Terry Jenner. Great players appear from nowhere. They were born to play; the trick is in keeping them in cricket and not letting them stray to other sports which, traditionally, offer more incentives.

Razib Ahmed: How do you see the involvement of Antigua’s billionaire Sir Allen Stanford in English cricket amidst the current credit crunch? To what extent, do you think, cricket has been affected by the current economic slowdown around the world?
Will Luke: Stanford will get as much out of cricket as his investment team (and
marketeers) consider they need to boost their wallets and his profile. He’ll then pull the plug. It might be next year or in 10. No one knows other than Stanford. He is a businessman first and foremost, not a cricket fan.

Razib Ahmed: How do you see the ICL-IPL conflict? Do you think that ICL and IPL could be beneficial for the development of cricket?

Will Luke: Possibly. It might improve the standards of Twenty20 cricket, which could then drip down into other formats, but I’m not a supporter of what is essentially a league to make millions for one man and one board.

Razib Ahmed: Now, tell us something about your blog. What is your future plan with the blog?
Will Luke: No immediate plans. It’s five years old and I have increasingly little time to keep it going, but hopefully there will be a few good contributors over the next few months which will be fun.