Tag Archives: q and a

Frisky Q&A: Discussing The 2013 Cicada Invasion With My Dad, A Man Who Loves Cicadas

Winona Dimeo-EdigerMay 16, 2013 //
Apocalypse Survival Kit
Here's what you'll need to survive the end of the world. 9 Photos »
Weird Dads Rock!
7 reasons I'm glad my dad isn't, you know, normal. Read More »
The Bay Of (Guinea) Pigs
A story of marital strife and two dozen guinea pigs. Read More »
2013 Cicadas

As you probably know by now, the cicadas are coming. Thirty billion cicadas, to be exact, are poised to swarm the northeastern United States pretty much any day now after spending the past 17 years underground. Many of my east coast friends have already vowed to stay inside for four to six weeks while the cicadas dutifully buzz, breed, and die; others are dreading the inevitable clean-up of the billions of crunchy post-coital cicada corpses. But one person I know is really excited about the cicada invasion: my dad. For as long as I can remember, cicada breeding seasons have been like extended Christmases for my family. I’d often find my dad out in the yard listening to the cicadas’ deafening buzz with his eyes closed, as if it were the most beautiful symphony he’d ever heard. On the exciting occasion that he would catch one of the massive insects, he’d pass it around to my brothers and me, instructing us to gently close our hands around it and feel the vibrations emitted by its trademark buzzing. Even a passionate bug hater like me had to admit it was pretty cool.

How could anyone love these much-loathed insects? Why are they so damn loud? Can cicadas hurt people? What advice does he have for people who are scared of this year’s “Swarmageddon”? Read on to get the scoop on cicadas from their biggest fan, my dad… Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: “It’s A Disaster” Star Julia Stiles Loves Spanish Judge Judy, But Hates Brunch

Jessica WakemanMay 10, 2013 //
Vintage Julia
Here she is on a 1993 episode of "Ghostwriter." Read More »
Call Girls Onscreen
Meet the women who've played call girls in film and TV. Read More »
David Cross On Cat Soup
David Cross hosts a special episode of "Cat Soup." Read More »
julia stiles

Looking over Julia Stiles’ IMDB page is a reminder she’s more than just the woman we know and love from “10 Things I Hate About You.” Yeah, that movie was my everything during high school and college. But she’s had a looooong career doing different movies and TV. Whether you fell for her in “Dexter,” “Silver Linings Playbook” or “Save The Last Dance,” you have to agree Julia is a solid actress.

In her latest dark comedy, “It’s A Disaster,” Julia stars as Tracy, a woman who goes on her third date with Glen (played by David Cross) to brunch with all her coupled friends. More specifically, friends who are couples who are fighting. If that’s not an awkward enough premise for newcomer Glen, very quickly into the film there comes news that a national disaster is afoot. The phone lines go out, the windowframes all get taped up, and it’s time to start heavily drinking and/or air old grievances. It is a disaster in more ways than one … but it’s very funny.

I talked with Julia about the end of the world and the hazards of brunch and along the way learned she has a secret love of Spanish language television, including the Spanish version of “Judge Judy.” Who knew?!

Our Q&A, after the jump!

Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Kelly Oxford Talks About Her Hilarious New Memoir, Going From Stay-At-Home Mom To Breadwinner & Meeting David Copperfield’s Mermaid

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 4, 2013 //
Kelly Oxford's Book!
Our review of "Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar." Read More »

Full disclosure: I am more than a little obsessed with Kelly Oxford. The Canadian blogger turned Twitter celeb turned screenwriter just released her first book, the memoir Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar, and it’s seriously one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. I have to stop myself from retweeting every single one of her deadpan missives on Twitter. Her husband James looks like bearded Jon Hamm and her three children — Salinger, 11; Henry, 8; and Bea, 4 — are adorable. She owns the Isabel Marant wedge sneakers that I want but can’t afford. So when I got the opportunity to talk to Kelly about her book and her other upcoming projects, naturally I kept her on the phone for as long as possible. After the jump, Kelly talks about the process of writing all of the essays in Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar; the differences between Canadians and Americans; what it’s like to have switched roles with her husband so she’s now the “breadwinner” after 10 years of being a stay-at-home mom; what pal David Copperfield — yes, the magician — has hidden on his private island; and which celeb she totally could have dated at 17. Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Starstruck Author Rachel Shukert On Old Hollywood Glamour & New Teenage Problems

Julie GersteinMarch 21, 2013 //
Books For Obsessives
No matter the obsessive k-hole, there's a book for you to read. 11 Photos »
Books On Our Nightstands
Take a look at our favorite bedside books and then share YOURS! 7 Photos »
Books To Avoid
Forty books that you shouldn't bother reading. 11 Photos »

Here are some things you should know about author Rachel Shukert: She looks an awful lot like Kathleen Hanna; she wrote and recorded an amazing awards show-worthy Oscar movie medley; she recaps so-campy-it-hurts “Smash” for funsies; and she’s the author of three of my favorite books ever. Shukert’s first two, Everything Is Going To Be Great and Have You No Shame?, were memoirs, the former a hilarious meditation on her post-college European travels, the latter, essays and stories about growing up Jewish in Omaha, Nebraska. Here’s how great Everything Is Going To Be Great is: I almost (almost!) stole my librarian friend’s library copy so I could finish it (I now own my own).

Her latest, Starstruck, may seem like an unlikely departure. It’s a young adult novel set in the 1930s about teenager Margaret Frobischer, who leaves her well-to-do family behind to pursue success in Hollywood. On the lot of Olympus Studios, Margaret (renamed Margo by the studio) befriends fellow starlet Gabby Preston, ogles leading man Dane Forrest, and puzzles over the mystery of star Diana Chesterfield’s disappearance. And here’s why Starstruck is great: it’s rife with juicy period details, and exposes the seedy side of what it took to succeed in the film industry — plus, it has tons of fascinating little tidbits about life in the weird Hollywood studio system. And don’t let the “young adult” moniker fool you — there’s plenty of torrid romance, drama and unseemly characters to hook even the most depraved grownup.

I spoke to Rachel about Starstruck, her writing process, and her enduring love for all things Old Hollywood. Check out our interview after the jump, and don’t forget to grab your copy of Starstruck, available online and in bookstores now. Keep reading »

How To Move Across The Country Without Having A Nervous Breakdown

Winona Dimeo-EdigerMarch 6, 2013 //
Moving In Together?
Talk about these 5 things first! Read More »
Travel Diary: Nashville
Grab your banjo and head to Music City with Winona! Read More »
Traveling Alone
Why one woman prefers to travel the world -- solo. Read More »

So, huge news: my boyfriend Nick and I are moving from Portland to Nashville, Tennessee! Remember when we visited last year and were totally smitten with the city? Well, our lease is up at the end of this month, and we’ve decided it’s the right time to give southern living a try. Neither of us has ever done a major move like this. We are incredibly excited. We are totally terrified. And we are full of questions about everything from packing logistics to saying goodbye to our dear friends, which is why I enlisted my lovely and wise coworker Ami, who is something of a moving expert–to give us some guidance. Read on for our moving Q&A, and please feel free to add your own tips and suggestions in the comments (we’ll take any help we can get!).

Alright, take it away, Ami…
Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: New Band My Dick Replaces Popular Song Lyrics With “My Dick”

Almie RoseJanuary 1, 2013 //
Craziest Penis Accidents
The Craziest Penis Accidents Ever
13 very unfortunate penis accidents. 13 Photos »
Sexy Penis Moves
Sexy Penis Moves
Guys, you have to try these moves. 12 Photos »
2012: Year Of The Bulge
The 12 biggest bulges of 2012. 13 Photos »

Move over, Beatles, because I think I found my new favorite band. Their name is My Dick. Their album? My Dick’s Double Full-Length Release: 23 spot-on covers of some of the greatest hits of the ‘70s–‘90s, with one twist: key words in the lyrics are replaced with “dick.” I spoke to the two artists behind this opus. Read on.
Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Jessica Valenti, Author Of “Why Have Kids?” Plus, Enter To Win A Kindle Fire!

Amelia McDonell-ParrySeptember 20, 2012 //
Mommy Wars Ceasefire
I want a ceasefire on the mommy wars, because it helps no one. Read More »
On Attachment Parenting
One woman's opinion about attachment parenting. Read More »
Single Mom Speaks
Rick Santorum can kiss this single, working mother's ass. Read More »

Go to the parenting section of any bookstore and there are hundreds of thousands of pages to read on how to do it and setting expectations for what the experiences should be like. Very few tackle the question of why a person, in particular a woman, should/would become a parent, and even fewer from a feminist perspective. That’s why I was so excited to read Jessica Valenti’s new book on the subject, Why Have Kids?: A New Mom Explores The Truth About Parenting And Happiness. Valenti is the founder of the feminist blog Feministing and author of a number of books, including The Purity Myth and Full Frontal Feminism, as well as a first-time mom to daughter Layla. Why Have Kids? is an incredibly well-researched look at the reality of parenting in America, in particular how having a child affects relationships, career aspirations, and financial security, using statistics, interviews with real women, and Valenti’s own experience as a guide. As someone who definitely does want kids, the book was still incredibly eye-opening, not to mention a total page-turner — I devoured it in a day! I was excited about getting to interview Valenti myself. Check out my Q&A with her — and enter to win a copy of Why Have Kids? and/or a Kindle Fire – after the jump! Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Gymnast Shawn Johnson Discusses Her Retirement & Her Future Plans, Plus Shares Her (Gross!) Beauty Tips And Crush On Ryan Gosling

Amelia McDonell-ParryJune 28, 2012 //
WOMEN WE LOVE
Olympian Alicia Sacramone
We talk with gymnast great Alicia Sacramone. Read More »

So, yesterday was basically one of the most exciting days I’ve ever had. As you know, Julie is headed to the Olympics in London in August, but I got the chance to attend the gymnastics Olympic trials this week in San Jose on behalf of P&G Beauty. For three hours, I had the opportunity to watch, up close, the country’s best gymnasts practice for competition. It was, quite simply, awe-inspiring. I’ll be posting photos and videos in the next week.

But equally as exciting was sitting down to talk with an incredible athlete who is not competing this year – Shawn Johnson, who won the gold medal on balance beam, and the silver all-around individual medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Earlier this month, despite prior intentions to compete for a slot on the 2012 Olympic team, Johnson announced her retirement due to recurring problems with her knee following an injury. Instead, her new role at the Olympic Games will be as a P&G correspondent, interviewing athletes and cheering them on from the stands. After the jump, read my interview with Shawn, who talks about what she learned from being surrounded by so many other women, how she feels about being a role model, and what question she’s dying to ask the Olympic athletes in London. Oh yeah, and we also obviously talked about gross beauty tips, Ryan Gosling, tall guys, and “Magic Mike.” Because duh. Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Talking Love & Turtles With “Call Of The Wildman” Star Ernie “The Turtleman” Brown Jr.

Julie GersteinJune 1, 2012 //
Be My Boyfriend: Turtleman
Why Julie loves the "Call of the Wildman" star. Read More »

Sometimes dreams do come true, like the time that I wrote about Ernie “The Turtleman” Brown Jr. and he came to our office and hung out and visited with us all day. The Turtleman, if you’re unfamiliar, is the host and star of “Call of the Wildman,” an awesome show on Animal Planet. In it, The Turtleman traps all manner of wild animals and safely removes them from people’s yards, houses and swamps (some people have swamps). His catchphrase is “Live action!” which he will shout at you with a joy and exuberance most of us reserve for our favorite bands or gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Not Turtleman. He lives every day like this, and watching him catch possums, or remove snakes, is totally entertaining!

We talked to The Turtleman about turtles, life in his native Kentucky, and asked him for dating and relationship advice. Because, we figured, chasing turtles all those years is bound to teach you a thing or two. See what he had to say, after the jump!

Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Ezra Miller, Star Of “We Need To Talk About Kevin”

Amelia McDonell-ParryJanuary 23, 2012 //
10 Things To Know
Some facts about actor Ezra Miller. 11 Photos »
Watch The Trailer...
... for "We Need To Talk About Kevin." Watch »
And A Spoof
We need to talk about ... kitten? Watch »

I’m definitely one of those people who enjoys the vast majority of movies I see in some way. But I’m rarely blown away by a film to the point where I’ll want to see it twice in a short period of time. One such film that did have that spirit-moving effect on me was “We Need To Talk About Kevin,” based on the book of the same name by Lionel Shriver. The film is told from the perspective of a mother (played by Tilda Swinton) who is looking back on her experience raising a boy named Kevin, who eventually massacres teachers and classmates in a school shooting. Swinton’s character Eva is shown both in the present as she faces what’s left of her life following Kevin’s crime, and in flashbacks to his upbringing. The film is deeply moving and frightening, a truly successful adaptation of a great, complicated book. Swinton, as you can always expect from the great actress, is fantastic, but I was equally as impressed by Ezra Miller, who portrayed Kevin as the teenager who eventually commits these atrocious acts. 

I was lucky enough to interview Miller, 19, about “We Need To Talk About Kevin” (which is in theaters nationwide now), the ways in which he actually related to the character, how society views motherhood, and acting in general. I was very impressed by his intelligence and found that his thoughts heightened by impressions of the film to the degree that I actually want to see it a third time. Check out our Q&A after the jump! Keep reading »

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