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Why AOL Music (and certain peeps) are my personal heroes

by Ryan Shea

I woke up this morning giddy as a catholic schoolgirl on her first day of school (I don’t care if that is a sick pun here, just go with it) wanting to email my buddy Dan Reilly over at AOL about a new venture I was hopeful about publishing for Spinner.  We had just gotten acquainted a little while back and I was really looking forward to writing with them as I had been for their hip-hop and sister site, The Boombox.  Then I got the bounce back email.  Then I read all over the news that AOL Music had been shut down, and the rumors and whatnot spread like rapid fire.  I was beyond shell shocked and honestly saddened by this whole thing but at the same time it did put some perspective into my brain on how amazing this experience has been with them.

As someone who started doing blogging three years ago really as a means to fill time while looking for a job in this fucked up economy, I started to grow and really come to love what I was doing and decided to change that from hobby to a side gig to something hopefully full time.  My first real moment was when I got asked to cover and interview Drake last summer at Jones Beach, until that whole Drake-Chris Brown bottle throwing fight happened in NYC (just another reason to hate Chris).  Even though I was saddened by it, I was proud of myself that little old me emailed a bajillion people to get the correct contact and get in to meet one of the biggest hip hop stars in the world.

Two or three months later, I got asked to interview T-Pain for my original site that I worked on, Examiner.  That was when a light bulb went off in my head that I was really onto something here.  It ultimately gave me the idea to approach bigger outlets and see if what I was doing was something they liked and wanted to try out.  To be honest, as much as I liked Examiner the rules and regulations became a bit much and I wanted to do something where I had the freedom to write more than factual information, give my take on things and ask questions that others would be afraid to ask.

I emailed someone that I knew at AOL Music asking if they had freelance gigs available.  I was then forwarded to the editor of AOL Music, Sarah Chazan.  Sarah took a look at my stuff and said she would get back to me.  As confident as I was, I still had the thought process of “Who am I, she won’t care, this isn’t good enough, why bother”.  Then ubiquity happened, or at least my own personal ubiquity- she called me in for an interview for an even bigger position.  As someone who has had a dream since he was 10 years old to write for a huge publication or website, this was destiny meets fate meets any of that other stupid crap we call times infinity.

Sarah was kind, warm and just like me, a lover of music.  I really enjoyed her friendly demeanor and it made the nerves that were ravaging through my body calm down and I really just took it as a great conversation with a fellow music aficionado.  The role went to someone else, but she stated some very warm things in that email about my talent and creativity as a writer, which boosted my confidence completely and said I would have the possibility of writing for their site.

Credit to: The Boombox
Credit to: The Boombox

 

Little over a month later, that happened.  I did my first interview for AOL’s”The Boombox” featuring fellow Long Islander and up and coming hip-hop star Hoodie Allen.  Before starting with that, I was introduced to Paul Cantor, who was the editor.  Within our first couple of interactions, I got from Paul that he was serious, smart and pushed me to go outside the basic Q&A that I usually did and really ask the questions that I should.  And since then, it has been pretty freaking awesome.  I was able to do five interviews with the site, ranging from Fat Joe, Tamar Braxton and one of my hip-hop heroes, LL Cool J.  The coolness factor in all of this has shot to a billion percent in my books and the short experience I had with them really is a highlight of my professional life.  Hell, even Clive Davis tweeted my article that I did on Anthony DeCurtis, a Rolling Stone writing legend who co-penned Clive’s Book.  I almost fell of the bed when that happened, and ultimately I owe it to Paul and Sarah for leading the path and getting me there.

Credit to: @clivedavis
Credit to: @clivedavis

Really, this is just a thank you blog I am writing for Paul, Sarah and Dan.  I don’t think any of you will truly realize what you have done for me since I started writing for you and my eternal gratitude I have for you all is full of abundance.  I hope that you continue on this amazing path you have set for yourself and be the amazing editors and writers that you already are.  Thanks again guys, from the bottom of my heart.

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT, OPINION Tagged With: anthony decurtis, aol, aol music, blogging, clive davis, fat joe, hoodie allen, LL Cool J, spinner, tamar braxton, thank you, The Boombox

Fashion and Technology: Diana Eng on CNN’s The Next List

by Ryan Shea

Diana Eng Fibonacci Scarf

Diana Eng is an American Fashion designer who gained popularity on the second season of the hit show Project Runway.  Unfortunately, Diana was eliminated on the sixth episode, The “Nicky Hilton Party Dress” episode.  Although she did not make it to the winner’s circle on Project Runway, her talent and ingenious designs have certainly won the attention of fashion lovers and nerds alike.

 

Diana Eng is best known for her innovative and technological designs, yes I said technological.  Diana says she like to, “look at technology, math and science and how to integrate it into fashion designs.”  Diana Eng has surely brought technology into the fashion world with her thermochromic scarves.  Thermochromic you ask?  Scarves that change color and design according to the weather!  She has designed a scarf that when the temperature is below 64 degrees snowflakes begin to appear, and as the temperature decreases, say below 38 degrees, the size of the snowflakes increase and the pattern slowly engulfs the scarf.  It is truly magical to watch and one of a kind.  Below is a video from CNN’s The Next List and shows the science of the scarf.

 
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/tech/2013/02/19/exp-the-next-list-diana-eng-preview-1.cnn
 

I just checked out Diana Eng’s website and I am officially obsessed!  She has some amazing items featured.  You must check out her website!

 

http://www.dianaeng.com

 

Below are a few of the items that really sparked my interest.

FortuneCookie
Diana Eng Fortune Cookie Purse

 

Diana Eng Lady Bug Pins
Diana Eng Lady Bug Pins

 

Diana Eng Fibonacci Scarf
Diana Eng Fibonacci Scarf

 

The above Lady Bug pin is featured on CNN’s The Next List’s Blog.

The Fibonacci Scarf utilizes the famous math formula known as the “Fibonacci Sequence.”  Basically the sequence involves adding the next number to the previous.  For example, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,…  The Fibonacci sequence occurs in nature and Diana Eng used the sequence to knit this impeccable scarf.

Diana Eng is the definition of a unique designer.  Her mix of fashion and science are remarkable.  In a field where being inventive and forward are keys to being successful, Diana Eng undoubtedly brings something original to the fashion world.  Personally, I look forward to watching her career develop and am fascinated to see what new technologically ground-breaking designs she will come up with next.  CNN is going to be featuring Diana Eng on their show The Next List this Sunday at 2:30pm.  I’ve caught this show a few times and admire the way CNN features a new innovator or idea each week.  The subjects of the show are not always well known but definitely deserve to be.  You can also check out their blog if you happen to miss an episode.

 

 

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/high-tech-meets-high-fashion/

 

Follow The Next List on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenextlist
Follow The Next List on Twitter: @cnnthenextlist

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, TELEVISION Tagged With: accessories, afternoon, blogging, clothing, cnn, cnn's the next list, designer, diana, diana eng, eng, fashion, fashion design, fibonacci, fibonacci sequence, hln, innovation, invention, math, mathematics, project runway, science, sunday, technology, the next list, www.cnn.com, www.dianaeng.com

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