Now That's Friendly

Friendly's saw the post that I wrote about them . I guess they liked it.

Now they want to give you something free. Look here to find out!

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Interview Tips: Prepare For The Dream

I know that I'm not the only blogger with a book fantasy. Because at the heart of it all, we bloggers are writers. In a way, we blog because we have to. We get all these ideas swirling around in our heads, and the easiest way to get them out is to write them down. Because we're Web 2.0, these thoughts go online instead of paper.

Luckily, the fantasy isn't that far-fetched. Many bloggers actually have gotten those coveted book deals. It seems that almost weekly I read about a new book being written by a blogger. And the first blogger book turned into a movie, Julie & Julia, will be coming out next month. I cannot wait to see it!

Unfortunately, this is not a coy prelude to my telling you that I have one of those coveted book deals. Ah, but let me revel in the thought for just a bit....

Okay, I'm back. However, I am happy to tell you that I have something for all you bloggers, or anyone for that matter, who suddenly finds themselves in the spotlight. Many certainly don't need the help, like Nance who had a media frenzy around her blog, The Brian Williams Tie Report, last November. She did just fine.

But what if out of the blue, you needed to give an interview? Would you be ready? That's what happened to freelance writer Susan Johnston, who writes the wonderful blog, The Urban Muse. She was interviewed on ABC News and wrote a post about the experience and gave some interview tips.

I thought it was a really interesting post and was talking to my friend about it on the phone. I was saying that it would be really difficult for your average person to give an interview and said that I don't know that I'd be ready. Then she told me that for her job, she's given many interviews. I had no idea!

Then I asked if she'd be willing to answer some questions here about how to prepare to be interviewed by the media. She agreed. So here's is my friend Nichole Lawton with some tips. Thank you Nichole!


Can you tell us a little bit about the work that you’ve done?

I've worked for a non-profit adoption agency doing public relations work for about 13years. My work has involved extensive collaboration with local print, radio and television venues. I've written press releases and pitched story ideas. I served as spokesperson and interviewed with print and broadcast media. I have had experience planning special events, organizing a press conference, panel discussions, and arranging media coverage. I have produced agency publications and written adoption-related articles for local newspapers.

Are there any differences in your suggestions depending on the type of media - television, radio, magazine, newspaper, blog, etc.?

Preparing for an interview with the media is a lot like preparing for a job interview. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become with it. For simplicity, media can be categorized as either print (newspapers, blogs, magazines) or broadcast outlets (radio and television). The process of preparing is similar for both types of outlets and I'll distinguish any differences. Since preparing for a television interview is probably the most nerve-wracking for most people, I'll focus my tips on that area.

What are some of the biggest mistakes that people make when answering questions during an interview?

Some of the biggest mistakes include going into the interview not having done your homework prior to the interview (more on that later), rambling for the sake of talking (it’s okay to pause or stop talking when you are finished answering the question), and feeling obligated to answer a question. If a question comes up that you don’t know, it’s okay to state that.

If you are not comfortable with answering a question because the subject matter is sensitive or too personal, it’s okay to discuss generalities, answer part of the question, or simply state tactfully that it’s not an area you would like to discuss. I would shy away from saying “no comment,” or answering a completely different question. It’s never okay to lie, but you can frame your responses to discuss your issues in a favorable light.

I'm curious if one mistake might be by giving the interview at all? There may be some circumstances where the person just might not be ready. Maybe if they are just too nervous? Or should people try and work through any fears?

I would not give an interview if you don’t have the knowledge base on the subject matter for the interview. For example, you’re new to a job and the interview is calling for an expert in the field. If you have the knowledge base, you can easily research any points in question. It’s always good to push your comfort level, so I would recommend working through your fears whenever possible. Being able to speak well publicly is a valuable skill in any profession and will grow you and your product exponentially. Practice, practice, practice and have fun (or at least look like you are).

Please read the rest of Nichole's Interview Tips on my writing website by clicking here.

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Moved By Michael

I'm still brimming over with emotion over Michael Jackson's passing and I'm trying to find a positive way to channel my energy. I watched the tribute and memorial today and was reminded of all of Michael's philanthropic endeavors.

My friend A called me soon after the program was over and reminded me of the project that his wife was working on. I wrote about her organization before and the work that they do bringing clean water to Africa, Liberia in particular, where she is from originally.

The organization is FACE Africa. Below is an excerpt from their website.

"FACE Africa is helping communities across Liberia address some of their basic but critical needs by bringing to them innovative and life-changing programs.

We accomplish this mission by identifying programs that have shown to be effective in other developing countries and replicating those programs in Liberia.

We particularly support programs that affect primarily women and children and can easily be adapted, owned, and sustained locally."

FACE Africa is currently in the running to win $30,000.00 from All For Africa. Read more here and see an excerpt below.

"The organization that receives the highest number of votes will be named a Beneficiary of the Palm Out Poverty Initiative. As a beneficiary, the organization will receive a trust that will cover its operational expenses, up to $ 30,000 per year, for the next 30 years, allowing such organization to focus its internal or other donor funds on its core activities."

Please vote for FACE Africa and help them fund their work in Liberia. You can vote multiple times a day until the deadline of Friday, July 10th.

FACE Africa is a local Massachusetts organization with an international mission. You don't have to register or do any heavy lifting. With just a simple click, you can make a difference a world away. As we have seen with the worldwide reaction to Michael Jackson's passing, we remember how very connected we all are and how small a place the world really is.

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas spoke most eloquently at the tribute today. She's put forward House Resolution 600 honoring Michael Jackson as "an American legend and musical icon." In the Resolution she writes about all his humanitarian efforts. They are staggering. And probably not all of them.

No matter his faults and peculiarities, the man did a world of good too. These things, my childhood memories, and his amazing music are what I choose to focus on today.

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See Ya Later Alligator!

The past couple of weeks have filled me with a great deal of nostalgia and reminiscing about my high school and college years. The release of Al B. Sure's first CD in 15 years and Michael Jackson's death caused some major music related emotional highs and lows.

With that mindset, I watched the end of Roger Federer and Andy Roddick's epic tennis match. I was on twitter, when someone tweeted that they were still playing, so I turned it on. I had assumed that it was long over, but they kept going and going like the Energizer bunny.

Federer eventually won, making history, but it took four hours and sixteen minutes. Now a few things came to mind while watching Federer and Roddick. They both have great legs. And Federer is so GQ that I almost can't stand it. He barely sweats and his hair is so perfect. His cut must cost thousands of dollars. I bet John Edwards dreams of having hair like his. Or maybe he thinks his hair is better. G said that he's sure that Edwards doesn't think about it at all. I'm not so sure.

Anyway, one of the things that I noticed about Roddick was what he was wearing.

Remember the little alligator from the 80's? Izod?

G said that he thinks that the label is still big in Europe, but that it just fell out of favor in the United States.

Is that true? Is everyone wearing these little alligators in Europe? I guess the preppy look is coming back. I did see some young guys on the train last year with ice cream colored Izod or Polo shirts with the collars up. Those crazy kids!
I was preppy in high school and wore those polo styled tops. But then the preppy look faded, Madonna was big on the scene and my style veered more to cut up t-shirts.

I did some quick investigating and found that Izod now appears to be a brand sold by JCPenney and has nothing to do with the alligator. The alligator appears to be the logo for Lacoste.

Not that any of this matters or is any way important to the rest of my day. By the way, these alligator photos are from flickr, courtesy of Kathy aka kthypryn's photostream.

Just curious, do you have any Lacoste clothing? Have you seen anyone wearing any? And if so, I'm curious which country you were in at the time.

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Happy 4th of July from Boston!

One of Boston's Swan Boats up close and personal.


America's First Family up close and personal. I just saw this photo on flickr and couldn't resist.


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Discovering Food in our Northern Neighbour’s Capital City

Hello, I am Esme, from Chocolate & Croissants. This week Lisa honored me by asking if I would write a guest post here at Anali’s First Amendment.

Lisa and I met through the blogging world; we both love Nutella, adore Obama, passed the bar and enjoy food. These are some of the best ingredients for a friendship.

Happy Birthday Canada! Canadians are waking up today to celebrations of Canada’s 142nd Birthday. To get you in the mood, I have a Canadian trivia quiz for you.

1. What is the capital of Canada?
2. Who is the current Prime Minister ?
3. How many official languages does Canada have?

Visiting Ottawa last week I was truly amazed by all the selection of ethnic food. Located in Ontario, Ottawa is separated from Quebec by the Ottawa River. The city’s choice of food reflects both the country’s history and the wave of migration to the nation. In grade school we were told that Canada was a melting pot of nations and this statement rings true in the capital’s offering of cuisine.

The Byward Market is a great place to stop for lunch if you enjoy open air markets. Designed by Colonel By in 1826 it is one of Canada’s oldest public markets.

When the good Colonel designed the streets for the market, he had two streets be extra wide so they could serve as a public market and gathering place.


The market is open all year round with farmers selling their goods. Sidewalks are lined with shops and stalls. While fruit and vegetables are big sellers in the summer, in the wintertime, this is the perfect place to pick up maple syrup and wreaths and bows for your home.

Inside the market are take-out stands selling Indian, Greek, French and traditional Canadian food.

For those that have a green thumb, there are plenty of fresh herbs and beautiful flowers for sale.

You can buy freshly cut flowers or beds for your garden.

One of my favorite shops is The House of Cheese with its collection of imported and domestic cheese, pate and a decent selection of imported chocolate.

Here the staff introduced me to Sauvigne, a creamy Quebecquois cheese.

Give me a baguette, a glass of wine and a good book and I am quite content.

Another great shop is La Bottega, an Italian deli and market. The shop offers a wonderful selection of spices, coffee, dry and fresh pasta, chocolate, vinegars, oils, a fresh olive bar, cheeses and packaged deserts. At lunchtime, you can have a sandwich made for only $4.95.

Of course no trip to Ottawa would be complete without sampling a beavertail pastry.

If you are feeling tired, hitch a ride from one of the rickshaw drivers. College students earn summer wages, by giving tourists rides.


We discovered a Thai restaurant that introduced us to young fresh coconuts stuffed with a delicious chicken and shrimp curry.



Ottawa’s own Chinatown is home to a good sampling of pho, dumpling, Korean bar-b que and sushi restaurants. After dinner you can wander over to one of the coffee and tea shops for bubble tea.

Every city has a Little Italy and Ottawa is no exception. Corso Italia as the main street is known hosts an Italian week, Ferrari festival, cyling criterium and grape harvest. This is the place to come if you want some Italian pastries.

If you are in the mood for something more exotic, the city has a wide selection of middle eastern restaurants serving gyros, kebabs and a traditional pizza that is a thin pita crust baked in a brick oven with toppings.

La Brioche in the Glebe is home to a middle Eastern bakery selling baklava and other desserts.

Should you be in the mood for traditional French pastries or fresh bread, then let me suggest that you return to the market and visit Moulin de Provence, the little bakery Obama made famous. The desserts are so delectable that Obama returned home with a few goodies for the children.

Outside of France, this is one of the few places I have found ready made vol a vent (French for windblown) shells. Vol a vent is a filo dough cup traditionally filled with a mushroom mixture.

To all the migrants that have brought their wonderful recipes and foods to Canada, Happy Canada Day!


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Thank you for your wonderful post Esme! You've given us all quite an education and definitely made me want to take an Ottawa vacation.

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The Boston sky on the day Michael Jackson died.

The Boston sky on the day Michael Jackson died.
Originally uploaded by anali02170