Archive: May 2012

1. Jack Draws Anything, A 6 Year Old Inspiration

   May 29, 2012 7:29 pm Leave a Comment

   Have you ever had a loved one in hospital knowing that the hospital funds were strained and wishing that you could do something to help? Well this is how six year old Jack Henderson felt when his baby brother spent many hours in and out of the hospital.

   Unlike most of us, Jack stopped wishing he could do something and actually got on and did it. Here is his story:

   I spoke to Jack and his father Ed, I was told that ‘Jack is 7 now; he was 6 when he started his idea. He had an idea to raise funds for the ‘Sick Kids’ in Edinburgh, a Hospital that looks after his little brothers, especially Noah who has had breathing problems since age 3 months, he recently had his third birthday. Jack decided to draw pictures in exchange for donations’.

   What gave Jack the idea to draw in order to raise funds?

   He had been naughty and was taken to a Jumble Sale/Craft Fair with his Mum & I, he took his pencils and pens with him and he was bored so was drawing. He decided to chance his arm and sell one of his drawings to a lady for 20p which gave him the idea as the next day he asked me to build him a website. I am a Web Developer so I helped him, Jack chose all the colours, fonts, layouts and wrote the text, I just implemented it for him; we also setup a Just giving page.

   How did you go about disseminating the site? (more…)

2. John M Meloche – So Many Ideas, So Little Time

   May 25, 2012 3:08 pm 1 Comment

   Have you heard of a Canadian named John M Meloche? No? Well have you heard of Melochenator, Synergy, MeloTel, National Projects, PC Everywhere, CanAdvance, Melojobs or Mr In Demand? I am sure that you would have heard of at least one of them. So yes, you have heard of John as he is or has been involved with each and every one of these businesses.
   So read on to find out more about this entrepreneur including something about a rap song (!?!)
   Hi John, thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
   No problem, happy to help. What business owner doesn’t like talking about themselves anyway?
   Can I ask you to tell me about yourself?
   I consider myself a successful entrepreneur, as I am highly motivated to seizing opportunities afforded to me and dedicating my time to flourishing opportunities. I am a business owner and operate on a consultation basis for a number of organisations. I started in the industry as a hobbyist and ultimately evolved into a very rewarding career of working over the Internet. (more…)

3. Peter Lovesey, An Interview with a Crime Author

   May 24, 2012 8:32 am Leave a Comment

   After driving to the beautiful Cathedral City of Chichester, I walked a short distance to a coffee shop. I entered through the glass fronted wide doors as a wonderful aroma assaulted my senses. Considering that I was early for my meeting I purchased a drink and chose a seat in a quiet corner of the wood encrusted cafe where I waited for Peter Lovesey.

   Okay, so I am no author, it was fun trying though!

   Now, back to business, for those of you whom have not heard of Peter, he has been an internationally published author since the 1960’s whose books have been occasionally adapted for television and film as well as being translated into 30 different languages. I had a lovely conversation with Peter about his journey through the years that have led to his latest novel Cop to Corpse.

   I initially asked Peter to tell me a little about his self and to explain what he does for a living.

   Well I am a crime writer but do some sports writing on the side for magazines, I started off writing a sports book. I started writing articles about the history of track and field for magazines eventually I turned most of the articles into a book 1968 called The Kings of Distance which was named as the sports book of the year in one magazine.  After publishing that book I did not think there was anything else I could do. (more…)

4. Karyn Colfer’s Interview – A Mum in a Million

   May 16, 2012 5:45 pm 4 Comments

   When people discuss their inspirations, parents are often left out of the scenario. One set of parents that truly are inspirational, not only for their own children but for many others both young and old world-wide are Karyn and Tim Colfer.  These are the parents of Glee star Chris Colfer. You may have read my post in April where I discussed Chris’ accomplishments and bullying issues as well as his sister Hannah’s rollercoaster ride with epilepsy. This time, I was honoured with interviewing their mum Karyn Colfer who is probably the most amazing person I have had the pleasure to converse with, although I have a feeling that she will deny it and say that it is her children who make her who she is!  Not only has Karyn raised two humble, loving and fabulous children, she has done this whilst keeping them both grounded through upset and trauma.

   Hello Karyn, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Can I please start by asking you to tell us a little about yourself?

   I just turned 49 in January. I love to cook and find myself entertaining a lot so that I can cook for my friends and family. There’s something very comfortable about watching people enjoy a good meal, a nice glass of wine and I love the conversation and warmth it brings into a room.

   I have heard you state that Hannah has 50 epileptic episodes per hour, how have you and Tim managed to help her maintain enthusiasm and strength over the years? (more…)