First Interview- Fashion & Lifestyle Beat

Adrienne Nettles is a makeup artist and hairstylist in Atlanta who I conducted my first interview with. She’s styled models in some Atlanta fashion shows and photoshoots. She does freelance work; works at the Red Carpet Salon and Spa, and is in her last year at the Aveda Institute in Atlanta.

Me: [So first, tell me your first and last name, where you’re from, and where you live now]
Adrienne: I’m Adrienne Nettles .I’m from McDonaugh, GA. I’m 25 years old. I live in Atlanta.
Me: [What school are you enrolled in?]
Adrienne: The Aveda Institute of Atlanta
Me: Have you worked as a stylist before this? What made you want to enroll in Aveda to get your certificate?
Adrienne: Actually I started doing makeup when I was in highschool, after working for Sephora, I decided to go to school to get my certificate in hair because they go hand in hand. I thought it would just help my business.
Me: I believe you said previously you were able to work on fashion shoots or been involved in the fashion scene in Atlanta?
Adrienne: The director [of her most recent fashion show] came looking for stylists from Aveda. I had to style the models in the way the director specifically wanted — the natural look. A lot of people want that look these days. You know the big bright eyed and natural face and lots of glow. I did two shoots. One was very casual, there was one that was high fashion. The high fashion one involved a lot of crazy makeup, that was really fun.
Me: [Do you have a preference of which of the two you’d prefer? Like what’s your style? Do you have a very different fashion sense in the day-to-day then what you like working on? Or are those two things similar?]
Adrienne: I actually like to do dramatic makeup. More than I like natural — I mean that does bring out your inner beauty. But the more dramatic makeup brings out more of your personality and people can see, “Oh wow, she must be really fun to wear all that makeup, ya know?” It makes people smile. It’s more fun to do.
Me: Speaking of wild makeup, you were at the Imagine Festival in Atlanta this past weekend, right?
Adrienne: Mhm. Yes
Me: What was some of the craziest or stand out trends this year? What did you like? What did you not like?
Adrienne: The craziest things were the pasties. People wear something on top of them but you know, very see through, crop tops, aliens, holographic pictures…it’s really out there. I’d say the worst would be — the guys in choo choos. That would be the worst. It’s really funny to look at though.
Me: [It’s weird how- I think you’re more familiar with this scene but — it’s weird how raves have their own little subculture, isn’t it?]
Adrienne: I think for the EDM culture- it’s mainly neon colors, very accessorized. But mostly people dress in colors– just at this very moment, people are very go with the flow. EDM in general, has so many subcultures, that you can pick any genre. They have country influences and hip hop influences.
Me: It seems that the fashion and the music are very intertwined in those ways, don’t you think?
Adrienne: Mhm, definitely.
Me: Changing the subject a little, I know you’ve traveled a bit, from like Atlanta to NYC — how do you think the fashion scene — including makeup and hair — how do you think the scene is different, Atlanta’s scene is different versus NYC?
Adrienne: I think Atlanta is more open to more body types. I think in NYC you see more slender people. I think in Atlanta, they wear what they’d like to. I think in NYC, larger people dress more for what makes [other peoples eyes] comfortable. But women in Atlanta, they’re very carefree. Crazy hair in Atlanta. You’ll see piles and piles of extensions in Atlanta. And it’s not just African-Americans, it’s all kinds of people. That you see rocking these crazy hairstyles. I’d say, we’re the national hair capital of the world.
Me: So [Atlanta’s] a much more diverse fashion scene? It’s not like New York, where it’s like monochrome skinny models?
Adrienne: Yeah.
Me: What are your goals? Do you want to stay in Atlanta for your career or go someplace else?
Adrienne: I want to stay in Atlanta. Everyone’s moving here. Why would I want to leave Atlanta when everyone’s coming to this place that could be as incredible as NYC.

Transcript: Marathon Runner Talia Levine

Sandra McGill: If you would, please tell me your name and your title.

Talia Levine: Talia Levine, and I am a graduate assistant at the National Park Service. Is that the title you wanted?

SM: Sure! That’s fine.

TL: Okay.

SM: And you’re a second-year master’s student?

TL: I’m a first-year master’s student at the Odum School of Ecology.

SM: Okay. And how do I spell your name?

TL: T-A-L-I-A, and last name is Levine: L-E-V-I-N-E.

SM: Excellent. And you are running a marathon. Would you tell me about that?

TL: Yes. I am running the New York Marathon on November 6, and I’ve never run a marathon before. I’ve done half-marathons. I’m actually doing this one because my mother passed away just under two years ago, and had a very sudden heart attack. She was very healthy, and [this was] unexpected. So I am running with the American Heart Association team and fund raising for them, so that’s why I decided to run it.

SM: Excellent. And did you run half-marathons at all before she passed away?

TL: Yes. So I’ve been running—I’ve been doing races for the last 10 years. I did my first half-marathon 10 years ago. So I’ve done—I guess I’ve run about five or six half-marathons, but never a full.

SM: Okay. And what inspired you to initially start running?

TL: Um … that’s a good question. I think part—well, I think I started, you know, for weight loss and probably to get in shape—a lot of what initially motivates people. But I think I have kept doing it because it’s good for one’s sanity. (laughs)

SM: So first for weight; now for sanity.

TL: Yes. (laughs)

SM: Wow; neat. Tell me your training schedule.

TL: So right now I run three kind of shorter to moderate runs throughout the week, and then a long run on the weekend. And it kind of ramps up each week, so this past weekend I ran 10 on Saturday, and this upcoming weekend I’ll have to run 12.

SM: Miles or kilometers?

TL: Miles.

SM: Okay.

TL: And I’m trying to remember—I think—well, nevermind: I’m not going to say that because I don’t know if it’s accurate. But that’s about what the schedule is. And then you have another day or two where you can throw in some cross-training, if you want to do walking or swimming or biking or something, if you’re not exhausted, which generally I am. (laughs)

SM: And how long are your short runs, generally?

TL: Right now they are five and six miles.

SM: And at what time of day do you run those?

TL: It depends on my schedule with school, but anywhere from—um—sometimes, you know, seven in the morning; five in the morning, sometimes nine or 10 at night—it just depends on when I can get it in. So I don’t have a very patterned schedule! (laughs)

SM: Cool beans. What inspired you to run a full marathon this time?

TL: I think it’s been on my bucket list; I just wanted to see if I could do it. When I first started running halfs, I didn’t think that I could run a half. I just learned that, like anything else, you just have to work at it and train, and if you dedicate yourself to it, you can accomplish it. So I’ve wanted to kind of test myself with the full to see if I can do that without dying! (laughs) That’s my main goal.

SM: What do you expect?

TL: Uh, potentially to die! (laughs) I expect I’m going to—I’m prepared to walk/run, so I don’t think—it’s been a while since I’ve run. So this is really just to kind of get back into it. So I hope to finish: that is my goal, just to finish and try to enjoy [it]. [I’ll] get to run through the five villas of New York, so I’ll try to enjoy the experience and not be too hard on myself. So that is my expectation: just to walk across that finish line, or run. I guess run would be better. (laughs)

SM: And why did you choose one so far away?

TL: Um, I think just because it’s an iconic race. And I wanted something I would be excited about to motivate me to train for it and do it.

SM: Awesome. Tell me about the American Heart Association. Why are you specifically running for them?

TL: So I have lost two family members to heart-related conditions: my grandmother died when she was—when I was a baby—from a stroke, very suddenly, and then my mom of a heart attack. So, um, just kind of seeing how people’s lives can change somewhat dramatically: even when you think someone’s healthy and, you know, skinny and exercises and eats right, there are still underlying conditions that people can have. So I wanted to support their research and their health outreach programs to hopefully prevent that from happening in other people’s lives.

SM: And how have you found running and training is fitting in with your own health?

TL: I think it’s been really good. I think, you know—I’m sure you can relate: having started grad school, I probably would not be exercising right now if I were not, you know, afraid that I would be embarrassed (laughs) in three months’ time by not being able to finish the race. So I think it’s been a good motivator for me, and I find that when I have a schedule like that, that I’m a lot more likely to stick to it than when left to my own devices.

SM: Did you run for any charitable causes before your mom passed?

TL: This is—no. I mean, I think I’ve done races in the past that have supported charitable causes, but this is the first time I’ve kind of taken on fundraising as part of a racing experience.

SM: And I know your mom passed away two years ago, you said. Why wait until now?

TL: I was going to—so, it happened in December of 2014. I was actually supposed to run last year, [but] I hurt myself and couldn’t do it. So I deferred until this year, and I’m running with a team this year. So I’ve actually kind of been fundraising for two years! (laughs)

SM: Tell me about the fundraising aspect.

TL: So you have to raise $3,500 to run, and last year I raised $6,500! This year has not been as profitable, because I think most people donated last year. But luckily I don’t have a level I have to achieve this year; they’re letting me run because I already did my fundraising. But I’m still trying, and techniques I’m using—aside from peer pressure—are I have a dog who likes to sing. So every time someone donates, she and I sing a song together and post it to the person’s Facebook wall. (laughs) And I’ve even thought about trying to record something to send to Ellen DeGeneres, to see if she would feature it and maybe some. So that is in the works in the next couple of months. (laughs)

SM: That’s hilarious. That is very funny!

TL: You gotta get creative, you know?! [There are a lot of] people with a lot of causes. You have to do something to stand out a little.

SM: What are your other techniques for raising funds?

TL: Um, you know, the first time was really easy because there were a lot of people who really loved my mom, so I [reached out] to a lot of her friends and family members. Facebook has—I’m not a huge social-media person, but Facebook was definitely, you know, paramount in helping me to achieve that goal and kind of getting the message out. Honestly, it really was pretty easy last year because of that. This year I’m having more trouble and am needing to get a little more creative. I’m a group fitness instructor, and I’ve taught yoga in the past, so I’ve thought about maybe trying to organize some classes for donation, or things like that toward the end of things. If I’m not kind of at the level where I want to be, to see if I can maybe boost my donations generated a little bit.

SM: Is that because you don’t want to ask the same people again?

TL: Yeah—I mean, you know. People were pretty generous in their donations last year, and I know that people have a lot of things going on. So I’ll probably email some of the people who didn’t donate last year, who maybe, you know, might be interested in doing it this year. But I don’t like pressuring people too much. I want to make them feel like there’s something in it for them.

SM: You mentioned [the race benefits] the American Heart Association. Why that particular vascular association as opposed to another one that also does vascular research?

TL: Hmm; that’s a good question. I think they’re just kind of the primary one that comes to mind. I’ve been CPR certified and AED certified through them for many years. So I think people just kind of respect that organization, and think that they make a huge impact in people’s lives. So I guess they were kind of the first that came to mind, and since they do stroke and heart disease and heart attack, it seemed like it fit my situation well.

SM: Do you happen to know how much of the funds that are raised go toward research and that kind of thing, as opposed to operational expenses?

TL: That’s a good question. They send us emails about how they are going to use the funds, and they did send a communication out recently about (searches her phone for the email)—oh, I’m not going to be able to find it. But they sent something out about how much it takes for certain preventive education [and] things like that. I should have a better answer to that, and I don’t. but I can certainly follow up with you about that later.

SM: If you find that email, would you send it to me?

TL: Sure.

SM: My email address is sandralmcgill@gmail.com. Thank you!

TL: Sure. I’ll try to find that tonight.

SM: How long have you been training for this particular marathon?

TL: This one, I’ve been seriously [training] for about six weeks, and I’ve got about ten weeks to go. So I was kind of running a little bit off and on before that, but my schedule is a 16-week training schedule.

SM: What would you like people to know?

TL: I think that you can never judge a book by its cover, in a lot of different ways. My mom was someone who—she and I did not really resemble one another in body: she was very—she used to always tell me that she could never gain weight. That was her problem growing up, which I’ve never experienced! (laughs) But she also, you know, didn’t really—because of that—didn’t go to the doctor very much. She just always kind of assumed that she was in good health. I think that you can lead a very healthy lifestyle and [bad] things can still happen, so I think it’s good to get checked out and kind of stay on top of that. I think the flip side of that is, you know, I think a lot of people would look at me and probably think, “Oh, you’re going to run 13 miles?” Or “You’re going to run 26 miles?” and probably assume that’s not necessarily something I can do based on my body [type] (she is a bit heavy set), but I think that you kind of never know what people have going on, what kinds of hobbies they’re into, and what types of things they devote themselves to in life. I guess that would be my primary takeaway.

SM: What would you like people to do?

TL: I guess maybe two things. One would be to find something that you’re passionate about and support it in the way that you can, in the way that feels authentic to you, I guess. And then I think one really powerful lesson—a kind of takeaway for me from running—has been that, I don’t know that it’s true that you can do anything you set your mind to, because I know that there are places where you’ll have more natural skill. But I think that running is a good example of something where just showing up and being consistent, you notice that you get better. So I think that’s kind of 99 percent of life, they say, is showing up and trying. So if there’s something that you want to do and you want to try, try it, and even if it doesn’t go well the first time, continuing to show up and continuing to do it and looking at it six weeks, six months down the line, and kind of seeing where you are. And then if you’re terrible at it, you can quit! (laughs) But at least try it for about six months to a year before quitting. That’s my message! (laughs)

SM: What other health benefits have you noticed as a runner?

TL: I think, just, definitely reduced stress. I think it helps to manage times in your life where you know, you’re busy; you have emotional things going on; or whatever the case may be. I think it’s kind of cheap therapy. I think just feeling like I can keep up with my two-year-old nephew better when I’m running after him, and I think I just have a better quality of life when I’m running because I feel more energetic. I feel like I can go out and do things and have better energy when I’m doing it.

SM: What have I not asked that you’d like people to know?

TL: Well, I’d like them to know that if they’d like to donate to my campaign (laughs), I am happy to provide that information! (laughs) If you’d like to advertise that to UGA!

SM: Thanks so much! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

TL: No. Thank you for the interview; I appreciate it!

SM: You’re welcome!

Business/Downtown Interview

I did an interview with a local pharmacist named Joe Smith at Horton’s Drugs. Horton’s Drugs is a locally owned pharmacy in downtown Athens. In the business world, there has been a price hike in Epipens, a life-saving injector used for those with severe allergies. I worked on localizing the story for the Red&Black and did an interview with a pharmacist downtown.

me: Hi. I just want to know about Epipens. I read recently that Epipens are getting quite expensive. Over the last decade, people have seen a 400 percent price increase. I was wondering, since you’re a pharmacist, if you could comment on that.

Smith: We’ve seen people who have gone away empty handed because they couldn’t afford them, and that’s unusual with medicine. There’s nothing else in that segment. There was another pen called…are you familiar with that?

me: yeah, there’s a second producer but there was something wrong with the mechanism so they dropped out of the market.

Smith: It didn’t work right so, so yeah it’s been very disappointing. What other kinds of things are you looking for?

me: Actually, something like that. Could you tell me about the alternatives? I heard epinephrine itself is not very expensive.

Smith: It’s not. It’s getting it in a sterile formulation that you can eject.

me: So is there an alternative?

Smith: Well certainly you can get a vial of it and draw it up and inject it yourself but that wouldn’t be useful if you’re going into anaphalactic shock. You need something that’s easy to carry around and easy for a stranger to use.

me: So it’s not like you could not have an Epipen and just wait to call an ambulance?

Smith: No no. It certainly isn’t. I’d say that any patient that’s allergic to bee stings with insurance that doesn’t cover the Epipen is in danger by these high prices.

me: Are insurances not required to cover Epipens?

Smith: Well they are. And so there was an alternative for a little bit, Auvi-Q, the one with the mechanism that didn’t work…the manufacturer gave out coupons because they thought it was important to keep their prices more affordable with a competitor on the market. But since the recall occurred, they haven’t given out any coupons. Insurances just need to cover one of them, and a lot of them just cover Auvi-Q even though they’re off the market now.

me: Okay

Smith: Inspite of insurance reform, not everyone has insurance. There are people who come in, can’t afford it, and so they walk away.

me: wow. So currently there are no coupons that they can use?

Smith: Not unless they have one of the old ones.

me: Okay. At this current time, in Athens, about how much does an Epipen cost? I looked online and some of them are like $600-$800.

Smith: Well, um. You know, we’re an independent pharmacy so our prices are set locally. They’re based on what we paid our distributor. Which is what they pay their manufacturer. So our prices are a little bit different from other pharmacies. We are able to sell them for close to $300.

me: really? So Horton’s sells them for like $300, but CVS is selling them for $600, $700?

Smith: That’s right.

me: So is it Mylan that’s doing this? Or is this the pharmacy? Because you’d expect them to have lower prices because they’re buying them in bulk.

Smith: Well, they’re selling them in bulk too. If someone is already steered toward CVS by their insurance or they’re out of town and don’t know where to go, then they’re gonna buy the Epipen from that store. CVS has a huge marketing…I don’t want to say scam, but CVS has a huge marketing budget and that marketing is paid for by drugs like Epipens that are being sold for twice as much as we’re selling them for.

First Interview

Interview with Liz Best, Fashion Blogger and Stylist

Me: Hey Liz! Thanks for making time to talk with me. I really appreciate your help.

Liz: No worries! I remember how hard it is to nail down interviews; I’m glad to help.

Me: So what have you been up to since you left Grady?

Liz: Well, you remember I left when I started getting styling jobs for Atlanta Magazine and whatnot. I had felt like I needed a master’s to sort of prove myself, but when I started getting jobs it seemed smarter to walk away. Sometimes you have to just jump at an opportunity. But since then I’m still styling. I try to update my blog at least every other week or so, and I’ve had images of my styling (sometimes on me, sometimes not) on the New York Times site, The Huffington Post, and Refinery29.

Me: It seems like it’s really working out for you!

Liz: So far so good, yeah.

Me: Well, I always enjoy seeing your posts on Facebook and whatnot. I have what you might call kind of a casual interest in fashion. I know what I like and what I think looks good on myself or friends, and I always click through the fashion albums posted during the Oscars and stuff. I know the September issue of Vogue is always a big one. I know some things, but I’m by no means an expert. So when I was assigned this beat on fashion and lifestyle, I immediately thought of contacting you as a first step.

Liz (laughs): Totally! So what did you want to know, specifically?

Me: I guess I’d like to know where to start. What do you, as a fashion blogger and stylist, see as big trends or topics in the fashion world right now? What should I be reading? Are there stories that you think should be covered but aren’t really getting covered? Do you have any ideas on how to localize stories on what’s happening in bigger cities? Any words of wisdom appreciated.

Liz: Ok, that’s a lot—

Me: I know, sorry—

Liz: No, it’s cool. I’ll do my best. First I’d recommend you look more at Vogue, because that’s going to be different than a magazine like Cosmo or something. You know, more actual writing, less clickbait on paper. You’ll see stories about what’s coming for fall, new designers and all that, and maybe some of those could be localized somehow. Like, do you see trends for fall reflected in what girls are wearing in Athens. Still on the whole what to read thing, I’d also recommend Atlanta Magazine, because that’s more local and has a good fashion section. You might get ideas about upcoming events you could write about or something, and then that could maybe be a place you could pitch or publish a story. I’ve worked with them a few times now, I’ll have to send you some contact information later.

Me: That would be great!

Liz: No problem! As far as story ideas go, I think the whole “sorority girls in workout clothes and what is appropriate on campus” has probably been done too much, but I could be wrong. But I do like stories about fashion that really show how much what we wear matters in our lives, in how people perceive us or how we perceive ourselves. I think maybe you could do something interesting relating to the whole burkini ban thing, have you heard about that?

Me: In France? Yes.

Liz: Yeah, exactly. There’s definitely a Muslim population at UGA, I wonder if you could do a piece relating to religiously-inspired fashion choices. Like, that would be timely with the burkini ban being in the news right now.

Me: That’s a really great idea.

Liz: Glad you like it! And then the last thing I can really think of at the moment would be that it could be cool to do a photo series of fashion in Athens. I feel like when you’re sitting outside a café or something you see a lot of people in workout clothes or whatever, but also some people who have made these really interesting and creative styles work for them. I think a cool photo series could be made just of people you see downtown in an afternoon, get a statement about what they’re wearing means to them. I don’t know if that would work for your assignment. I just want someone to do it.

Me (laughs): Downtown really is its own little fashion parade. I don’t know if I’d be able to do that as an assignment, but even if that didn’t work out for class purposes maybe that’s something I could do just for my own portfolio.

Liz: Yeah, I saw you’ve kept working on your site!

Me: I’m trying! I think this class is really going to help with that, actually. I’ve done more in the last week or so with it than I have in a while, which is good. Anyway. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I do want to thank you for all of your insight, and one last thing I always ask people is “Is there anything else you’d like to say that I didn’t give you space to say? Anything I should have asked you?”

Liz: Hm. I guess I would say, and it’s just something I think about sometimes, is that it’s really hard to make fashion both art and like…relatable? You know? Like, you have all these ritzy articles by Vogue and stuff talking about how so-and-so’s Fall collection is reminiscent of so-and-so other designer back in whatever time, and there’s an audience for that, just like there’s an audience for the NYT book review. It’s art critique. But there’s also an audience who still cares about clothing and how they look, and they have their own look, but they’re not interested in the jargon. They like what they like just because they like it. And that’s cool too. But I wish you could write for people who aren’t looking to hear the jargon without it turning into “people of this body size should wear this silhouette” or “this style skirt makes your butt look good.” I would like to see more depth in fashion coverage without it alienating people.

Me: Wow. That’s pretty deep right there.

(both laugh)

Liz: I’m not trying to be, I guess. It’s just something I’ve thought about personally.

Me: No, I like it! That definitely gives me something to think about, and it touches on something I was thinking about myself. I know I don’t have the resources to do “high fashion” coverage, you know, but I didn’t want to do just another piece on whether leggings are pants, either. I didn’t describe that as eloquently as you did, but I think I’m maybe describing that quest for middle ground that you were referencing.

Liz: Yeah, I think we’re kinda touching on the same idea. I’d love to see what you’re able to do with it.

Me: Well, I really appreciate your confidence in me! And your time. I really appreciate your time.

Liz: No problem! It was great to chat with you again. Hit me up if you think of anything else you’d like to ask. I’ll do my best to answer.

Me: I may just take you up on that! I’ll let you go for today, though. Thank you again!

~Awkward “ok, bye! Yeah thanks! Ok bye!” at end of recording~

Interview Transcript

Interviewee: Zixuan Wang, a clinical psychology P.h.D student at George Washington University, a licensed psychologist.

1. What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are characterized by abnormal eating habits such as bulimia and anorexia. Eating disorders are mental illness but can also seriously damage physical health

2. What are causes of eating disorders?

There are lot of factors can cause eating disorders, and the factors cause bulimia and anorexia are different. The anorexia may be caused by excessive dieting, while the bulimia may be caused by excessive pressure. Also, if parents have eating disorders, their children are likely to have eating disorders as well.

3. Do you mean eating disorders are related to genes?

No, there is no scientific research prove that eating disorders are genic diseases. It just what

statistical data showed.

4. Can you explain more about anorexia and bulimia?

The fear of gaining weight and a strong desire to be thin is one of causes of the disease. In this case, people with anorexia refuse to eat anything or just eat only small amounts of food because they are afraid that if they eat food, they will be fat. In some cases, the patients force themselves to vomit if they eat food.

Bulimia is another kind of eating orders, characterized by eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time. It is often accompanied with anxiety disorder. When the patient feel anxiety, they may can’t help eating food and eating can help them to release the feel of anxiety. The anxiety can also caused by the worry of shape, the fear of being fat, and the desire to be thin.

Some people only have anorexia or bulimia but some people may have both.

5. From a psychological point, why some girls are not satisfied with their body and try to use excessive dieting to lose weight?

First, excessive dieting does not necessarily relate to lose weight. Some people go on diet just want to control their weight. It reflects their desire of control. In several cases, we found that if children have very powerful or controlling parents, they are likely to excessive dieting because they feel that the weight is thing they can control. They get satisfactions through excessive because they feel they finally can control something.

But you’re right, some people, especially girls, go on a diet in order to lose weight and get the ideal shape. Talking about why girls want to lose weight, peer pressure is one incentive. If a girl see another girl who is slim and popular, she may also want to be slim. She wants to get attention and she wants a close relationship.

The social idealization of thinness is another factor. Influenced by media, for example, the model and actress on TV, many women wrongfully think that they are beautiful only when they are thin.

Thus, because these and some other factors, many girls become feel upset, unsatisfied, shame or self-discrimination about their body.

6. If the desire of losing weight has caused mental illness, like eating disorders, how to treat it?

I will recommend a 1- on -1 psychotherapy. First, we need to know why the patients feel unsatisfied with their body, then use cognitive therapy to help patients to change the thinking model, to better know and accept themselves. We can help patients to analyze if they have a negative emotion, what outcome will produce while what if they have positive emotion. The basic idea is to lead them to establish a right view. The group therapy can also be a useful way, to gather patients together to share their experiences and encourage others.

7. Normally, how long the therapy will take?

It depends on patients’ situation. At least, it needs 2 or 3 months.

Interview

Transcript of 8/22, midafternoon, interview with Tony, a homeless man sitting on a bench at the corner of College and Clayton.

After a quick walking tour around the streets of downtown Athens, I decided to focus on a man sitting on this particular bench. He was looking at a book when I first saw him. A cardboard sign reading “Homeless, please help” was perched against his backpack on the pavement.

I approached (with my husband accompanying me) and handed him a dollar. He accepted it with a smile, made direct eye contact, and said “thank you”.

Me: Can I join you here?

Man: Sure, sit right down.

He motioned to the space next to him. There was already someone seated at the other end of the bench, so I sat down next to the man. My husband sat on a cement wall until the other occupant got up to allow the three of us to be on the bench together.

Me: Hi. My name is Maryann … and actually, I’m taking a journalism class at UGA.

Man: Oh, that’s great (smiles).

Me: I’d like to interview you for a project I’m working on, if that’s okay.

Man: Sure. That’ll be fine.

Me: Would you mind if I record our conversation, or would you be more comfortable if I take notes instead?

Man: Whatever works for you. Either way’s okay with me.

Me (after getting recorder going): What are you reading?

Man: It’s a travel book. This one is on South Carolina. It has a lot of nice pictures. I had one on Georgia but I gave it to someone who’s traveling around. There’s a free book exchange up the street (points up College Avenue toward Washington Street). I pick up a book every week or so and read it, then give it to a friend if someone wants it. Or I bring it back up there. Then I get another one.

Me: So, what kinds of things do you like to read?

Man: I like science fiction and history mostly. Those kinds of things. But I read all kinds of books.

Me: Do you have a favorite book, from what you’ve found there … or anytime?

Man: Well, actually last week, after I got out of the hospital, I read the book Green Mile. The movie with Tom Hanks was made from that story.

Man continues, after I ask for clarification about book name (I’ve put the statement about being in the hospital in the back of my mind for now): It’s about him being a prison guard back in the early years and the green mile meant you were on death row. One of the guys that he had on death row was this huge, huge, huge black man but he had special powers. He helped heal the guard and also, he helped heal the warden’s wife. She was bedridden. And the guard took him out of the prison to the warden’s house. And he helped heal her. But the thing about it was … whatever was, whatever was in their body that was making them sick or whatever, he would inhale it and take it into his own body. Then all he had to do was blow it out (he demonstrates).

Me: Too bad that can’t be true.

Man: Yes (emphatically). Too bad.

Me: So, let’s start with …

Man: How I got here?

Me: Yes. Would you mind telling me your name?

Tony: My name is Tony.

Me: Tony. Okay.

Tony: I lost my job and my house at the same time. Um, I worked on a horse farm just outside of Helen Ga. Uh, we gave artificial insemination and raised ponies up to certain age, and we shipped them to Florida .. to the owner’s sons and they raised ‘em up for horse racing. I was there for about 8 years and there were nine of us that lived on the farm. Um, the owner passed away, from a heart attack. He was in his mid-70s. His sons I had always dealt with for years, just by phone, I had never met ‘em, umm… but once their father passed away, they came up, they put up for sale signs and said, “See ya.” No severance pay, nothin’. I’m originally from here. This is where I grew up.

Me: So you grew up in Athens and left to work on the horse farm?

Tony: I moved away before that. I worked for a book company.

Me: What book company was it? What did you do there?

Tony: Account administration and I went from that to receiving department. The company was Baker and Taylor. They’re right in Commerce. I stayed there for like 14 years and um … then I got into account managing, inventory control, that kind of stuff. I decided after 14 years I’d had enough of it.

Me: it just wasn’t the right thing for you.

Tony: Yup. So, I decided I wanted to learn how to build a house and I had no clue (laughs) so I went out and started toting lumber for construction companies that were building houses here in East Athens. And um, swinging hammer, learn how to read blueprints. I did that, probably for about 7 or 8 years. Then the last 8 years I was on a horse farm.

Me: What did you like the best of those things that you’ve done so far … or none of them?

Tony: I liked being on the horse farm. Yes. I would love to go back to the mountains. Yes. But, I’ve been back here about 3 years.

Me: Do you still have family in the area?

Tony: My son lives in Lawrenceville. Uh … he has no idea of my situation. I don’t let him know about that. I mean I talk with him, and we visit. I have two grandsons, one is four years old and the other one’s seven. And I talk with him and stuff. He’s doing very well and I’m very proud of him. He and his wife, both. But I don’t let him know what my situation is.

Me: How do you keep him from discovering that?

Tony: I go visit him sometimes but he doesn’t come here. Yup. If he knew I was out here, doing this, he would’ve already come and got me.

Me: And you don’t want that. Do you like to be on your own?

Tony: Well, I didn’t choose to be in this situation but that doesn’t mean I have to stay here.

Me: No, it doesn’t.

Tony: Yea; several people I’ve met since I’ve been here and I’ve asked them, “How long have you been out here and they say, you know, seven, eight, nine years. And I say, “Well, do you look for a job? And the first two words to come out of their mouth are “I can’t.” They’ not physically disabled, they’re not mentally disabled, as far as I know. I think the first words that come out of their mouth should be, “I don’t want to”.

Me: I see.

Tony (adds quickly): But you know just because this happened to me doesn’t mean I have to stay here.

Me: No, absolutely not (I know that this juncture begs a question about what he is doing to change it, but I did not feel it was the right time to pose that question. Instead, I just let him continue).

Tony: I’ve been here a little over two years, day and night.

Me: Where do you sleep at night?

Tony: Um … normally beside the church under the stairwell, because it stays dry. I have camped with some fellows, in a tent, that type of thing, I’ve done that. But no, normally for the last year or so, I stay by the church over there.

Tony: I slept in that stairwell for 6 months (points to stairwell going down to basement of Subway sandwich shop). I worked there for 8 months.

Me: At the Subway?

Tony: Yes (nods). I gave it up because my last paycheck, you get paid every two week, my last paycheck for 2 weeks was $19. I had 3 hours in two weeks. I worked there for 8 months and made not the first sandwich. Everything I did was downstairs. When the trucks came in, the freezers and the coolers and stuff, you have to bring everything out front, bring new stuff in. Rotate it. That kind of stuff.

Me: You were living on the street at that time?

Tony: Yes. Right there (points to stairwell).

Me: What’s it like being out here?

Tony: It’s not so bad. To me it’s like, umm, I keep an eye on who I associate myself with. There are people out here who are not good people. In my opinion.

(At this point, a young woman who apparently knows him came out of the Subway shop and told him she had been hired. He congratulated her then returned to our conversation, now talking about how the Athens has changed since he was a young adult, particularly noting increased number of students and new buildings going up. Another individual approached him, apparently a street person. They spoke for a few minutes. I interjected that I’d let him go and would come back to talk more another time.)

Tony: Oh no, please don’t. Don’t do that.

(I stay for a while longer and resume our conversation)

Me: You’ve got a lot of friends out here. I can see that for sure.

Tony (smiles, then says about the friend who has now left): “He’s very musically talented but since he’s been out here on the street, he’s kind of nuts (laughs).

Me: Hmm. So, you were saying that you get a read on people and know who to stay away from.

Tony: Yeah, that’s important. (Pauses) About 2 months ago I started having seizures. And I never had that happen to me before, ever in my life. They gave me anti-seizure medication and did an MRI and said that I had a brain tumor. The doctor said I could go to Emory. They’d cut in to see what it is or to just take it out. But right here in Athens they could do radiation. So, I did that. They took me off anti-seizure medication because it’s not good to take it while you’re having radiation. I was supposed to have 6 sessions. Then after 4 the doctor checks it and says it’s gone.

Me: Oh, I’m glad to hear that.

Tony: But, I had another seizure, so they said it wasn’t the tumor.

(A passerby asked for directions to the Mellow Mushroom and he said it was two block down on the right)

Tony continues: The neurologist referred me to a doctor across the street and she’s internal medicine. She put me back on anti-seizure medicine. But, I had another one last night. Right here (points to pavement). One of the ladies that works there, at the Subway, saw me. It’s like a blackout thing. My body doesn’t tell me that this is fixing to happen. And um, she got me to come to and brought me some orange juice and stuff, but umm … I didn’t go to the hospital last night. The last time I did that they kept me for like 6 days. And they strapped me to the bed because I was like wanting to leave.

Me: That can’t be too pleasant.

Tony: No, it isn’t. And I didn’t want to go. I go back to the doctor on the 30^th and she’s wanting to give me another brain scan and do some blood work.

Me (getting ready to leave): I’m going to check up on you, Tony, and see how you made out. I have to go now but I’d like to talk to you again.

Tony: Oh, yea. I’ll be sittin here.

Me: This is kind of your spot.

Tony: Oh yea. I’ve been sitting here for over 2 years.

Me: Well, I’m going to stop and talk to you another time.

Tony: Do that. Please do that.

I gave him an unopened bottle of water I had in my bag and wished him well. Before leaving, I asked if I could take his picture. He did not hesitate to say yes and added: I have no problem with that. I’m not wanted anywhere.

As we left, Tony said: Good luck with your class!

Interview with Rachel Barnes

Background: Rachel Barnes, coordinator of the Clueless Fashion Show at Cine (8/27), manager and “finder” of merchandise at Dynamite Clothing.

Me: “So I was told at Community that you were actually the one that started the idea of the fashion show. Is this the first year of it?”

Rachel: “Yeah, well, it’s probably not going to be a recurrent [sic] thing, necessarily. I am on the events committee at Cine. So for the last year and a half now– almost two years, I guess, I’ve been helping with different events. They get a fun movie in and I try and come up with awesome stuff to do with it… But my dream– what I’ve always wanted to do at Cine– was to get Clueless, the movie there for everyone to see and then have the fashion show to tie in with it. And some gift from the god[s] the last movie of the summer series this year is Clueless and I’m getting to do this!”

Me: “That’s great. So how long have you been wanting this?”

Rachel: “Well, probably from the first fashion show I ever did, which was like, 2007 maybe? Almost ten years ago. I had it in my head. I either wanted to do a photo shoot or a fashion show. It was my favorite film. It was probably the most influential film in my life, as far as fashion goes. So it was a no-brainer. And then to be able to tie it into a movie theater where they can actually play it– it was too perfect.”

Me: “What’s your role here at Dynamite?”

Rachel: “I am a manager and I sometimes help ‘find’ with the merchandise… and overall awesome employee. We all run the instagrams and social media.”

Me: “How do you come up with the looks for the fashion show?”

Rachel: “So I really wanted to include the community on this because the more people involved with Cine, the better. Cine is just such an awesome non-profit movie theater that Athens is so lucky to have. So I wanted more of the community to be involved, so in that sense, I decided to have multiple clothing stores or boutiques involved. Dynamite Clothing, Agora Vintage, Athens Atomic, Community, and Entourage are the five stores that we’re featuring. I’ve got five different local stylists in town that are just awesome fashionable people that are paired with the store and they are picking out the looks based on the characters’ outfits in the film. I’ve got models that look just like the characters, then we’re going to project the image of the character from the movie up on the wall while the models are walking down and there will be a panel of fashionistas, three local, fashionable ladies that grew up in a time when Clueless was an influential movie– they’re going to be talking about the comparisons of the outfits… I just wanted to do something a little more interactive. I’ve been doing fashion shows for so long now, I thought it’d be fun to have one where people are talking about what’s being worn as opposed to everyone just watching the models go down the runway.”

First Interview

Background: Molli Botnick, 21, Fashion Merchandising Major and a sales associate at Cheeky Peach downtown.

Me: Hey Molli, I’m just going to ask you some questions about your involvement in Fashion and Cheeky Peach. What’s your fashion background and what are you up to now?

Molli: Umm so my parents own jeewelry stores in atlanta so I grew up in retail. When I was 4 my mom was a buyer for a store called nose for clothes.

Me: How do you spell that?

Molli: Nose, like the body part, and then clothes. They’ve closed now it was really sad. But my mom was a fashion merchandising major at Alabama. Fashion merchandising just seemed like the only thing that makes sense. I started spending a lot in college so my parents made me get a job.

Me: I feel that

Molli: So then I started at Cheeky Peach. I started as an intern and worked my butt off and got promoted to sales associate. Then in December I got promoted to key holder.

Me: Wow, I didn’t know that

Molli: Yea it has been an experience. But it has given me a place to call home and be around people who love clothes as much as I do.

Me: So has your passion or vision changed at all?

Molli: Well I wanted to own a boutique after college but now that brick and mortor stores are going out of business I have thought about moving to New York and working in the fashion department for magazines or something like that.

Me: That’s so different, what other goals do you have.

Molli: I would love to have a Birkin one day.. I will have a Birken. But seriously working under Katie, the owner of Cheeky Peach, has been so inspiring. She stresses how much she wants everyone to learn and thats what I have done. I was so sad to leave for the summer!

Me: how does working at cheeky peach and being a major how does that make you look at the Athens fashion culture.

Molli: Well Katie is friends with so many people, literally the housewives of Oconnee County, so I see people come in and spend thousands of dollars and it really pulls me out

Me: Move somewhere outside of Athens. Like a second location?

Molli: Yea, that is what seems like the logical choice. But Cheeky really does make you fall in love with Athens, we partner with Terrapin and Creature Comforts and Yourpie, and it makes you love everything about Athens. Sorry I ramble. But you get to see a lot more of Athens. Katie’s friends that come in are the VI Peaches (she laughs). There is just so much Athens pride in the store.

Me: That’s funny, I like that.

Molli: Yea she wants it to be Athens. A really clean and trendy Athens. Sorry, I talk a lot.

Me: No, it’s fine this is all interesting. So do you see yourself working at another place like Cheeky Peach in the future?

Molli: I love retail. I’m a retail nerd. I need the experience. The class that we took last year, getting the right vibe and feeling in the store is so important to me. It’s kind of like people who like books who love the feeling or smell of a good book. I love that feeling of a store. When I see people downtown who stop me and say that I helped them or dressed them it makes me happy. I wouldn’t want to do corporate, but I definitely love retail.

Me: Thanks for letting me interview you today! I really appreciate it.
Molli: Of course, hope all of my answers made sense.

Health and Fitness Interview

Interview with Marshall Mosher, CEO and Co-founder of Vestigo

Background: Vestigo Adventures, LLC. is a local start-up whose primary mission is to empower those seeking outdoor adventures by providing them with a guide who knows the way. Vestigo serves as a platform for guides to host trips, whether they be yoga classes, kayaking adventures, or hiking excursions, and allows those interested to sign up for said trips.

Me: Hey Marshall, how are you doing this afternoon?

Mosher: Doing great! Just enjoying the nice weather today. How about you?

Me: I’m doing good, you know, looking forward to the weekend and whatnot – mind if we get started?

Mosher: Yeah of course.

Me: Okay, so tell me a little bit about Vestigo.

Mosher: Well, Vestigo is an adventure-sharing platform. Guides and local experts from anywhere in the world can host a trip and others can sign up for it. It’s kind of like the Air BnB for outdoor experiences. Have you heard of Air BnB?

Me: Yes I have! I’ve stayed in a few actually. That sounds really cool though – what kind of trips are being hosted?

Mosher: Well, right now we’re based out of the Southeast. Mainly running trips in Athens and Asheville. But trips could be anything from hiking to rappelling to kayaking. Eventually we want to expand and be all over.

Me: That sounds really cool, I would love to go on a trip sometime!

Mosher: Haha, yeah you should definitely sign up for one!

Me: I’ll look into it! Okay, but as far as your mission goes, what are you aiming to do? What inspired you to start Vestigo?

Mosher: Well, we really want to get as many people outdoors as possible. I’ve always loved the outdoors and I’ve loved showing people how to do new things. I used to be a trip leader for UGA’s Outdoor Rec Program, so I would lead kayaking, rock climbing, caving, trips like that, and it was always great to see someone try something new.

Me: I agree, I’ve always loved the outdoors too. I think its great, what yall are doing.

Mosher: Yeah, thanks! It’s a work in progress, but hopefully it’ll be big one day.

Me: I’m sure it will! So as far as a health and fitness angle.. are you guys trying to incorporate that into Vestigo at all?

Mosher: Definitely! I always have thought that being outside, hiking or doing whatever, is the best way to get exercise. We’ve started pairing with Fit Bit and use their technology on our trips to see how many calories are burned on a hike, how many steps or flights of stairs are climbed. That sort of thing. I’d like to do more with it eventually.

Mosher: Oh, we also have a lot of yoga instructors as guides. We give them a platform to host classes on, so I think that has a really big fitness and health component as well.

Me: Yeah for sure! You know I have been wanting to try yoga so I’ll definitely have to check that out!

Me: But I totally agree with the whole outdoors thing – I’ve always thought working out outside is the best not just for your physical health, but mental and emotional health too.

Mosher: Absolutely.

Me: Well, Marshall, thanks so much for meeting with me, it was great getting to talk to you and learn more about Vestigo.

Mosher: Of course! Thank you too – always love getting to talk about what we’re doing. Have a good weekend!