Getting to Know…

My interviews this time around are with Mandy and Casey!  I have seen them tweet many times they are Twitter BFF’s and with that being said, I couldn’t interview one without the other.  From Casey’s hilarious tweets and links to Mandy’s funny ass comebacks and wit towards people, I am usually holding my belly in pain from the laughter they cause.  I love them both very much. 

So let’s talk about Mandy (mandy302).  When I first started one of the Boondock Teams, Mandy was one of the first Betties to banter around with me.  Since then, I have gotten to know her pretty well, but realize after my interview with her, its just the tip of the iceberg.  In all honesty, she is probably one of the sweetest good girls I have ever known in my lifetime (and that’s a long time).  I can’t wait to meet her in person someday, and I am hoping it will be soon! Take a look what she had to say to my questions!

Me: Everyone’s interview starts out with of course; a little known fact about you, something we don’t already know…there has to be something!

Mandy: Okay when I was little I wanted to be a professional wrestler and work for the WWE! I thought that would be the coolest job ever, you get to be on TV, beat people up and wear sparkly costumes, does it get any better than that 

Me: So you work in a law firm doing legal assistant stuff, really it sounds like you do most of the work for them!!!  We all know the jokes about lawyers, so give us the goods, what’s it really like working with them?

Mandy: DON’T EVER DO IT!!!!! Lawyers suck, they may be book smart but they have no common sense whatsoever and they can’t do anything for themselves.  I will literally have a lawyer walk documents down to me, to get copied by the mailroom which I have no problem doing but when you have all the paperwork filled out and the mailroom is only another 10 feet away why not just keep walking.  Seriously most of my job is spent waiting on them, say something needs to be filed by midnight, they will come to me at 11:30 and expect like a dozen copies made,velobound and filed by midnight apparently I am Superwoman

Me: Where do you see yourself in 10 years, Mandy?  

Mandy: I don’t know, right now I just try to take everything day by day but I would like to be married and have some kids but if that doesn’t happen soon I am going to be like Miss Havisham or the crazy cat lady 

Me: What is the best advice you’ve ever given and received? Who gave you the advice? 

Mandy: Off the top of my head, Best advice is from Melissa, “FUCK IT. When ur in doubt and u hesitate just hold a deep breathe and say FUCK IT and go”.  I really don’t know what the best advice is that I have given, I guess you would have to ask somebody who has taken my advice, if there is anybody.   

Me: Did you love high school or hate it? Why? 

Mandy: I loved High School, well sophomore to senior years anyway.  My Freshmen year I went to this school that the teachers had the attitude that you got into this school so you should be able to teach yourself and we shouldn’t even have to be here.  It was the first year I ever came close to failing a class and I hated it!! I transferred after my Freshmen year to the school I originally wanted to go to with all my friends, Cardinal Dougherty and I loved it!  

All throughout school I was never the whoa popular girl but I got along with everybody, I actually made it through high school without a lot of drama, it’s a miracle I know! I did typical high school things went to homecoming, games, dances, plays, etc.  One of the things I loved about my high school was that most of us knew each other since kindergarten but even the ones that didn’t we were still like a family.   

There was a month in my Junior year where every Monday when we came in somebody had died, one kid was hit by a car, one kid accidently shot himself with his dad’s gun, but the most difficult one was a kid named Eddie Polec who was beaten to death with baseball bats by a group of kids cause some girl claimed she was raped(she wasn’t) and they were looking for revenge, they drove in from another neighborhood, picked the first group of kids they saw, chased them and Eddie happened to trip and fall when running away so they beat him to death with baseball bats.  I didn’t know Eddie personally but a lot of my friends did, but it didn’t matter whether you knew him or not, everybody was affected by it and we all helped each other through.   

Me: If you could only see black and white except for one other color, what color would you choose to see?  

Mandy: PINK!!!!! I love pink, I am a girly girl in that sense  

Me: Most embarassing moment?  

Mandy: I have several but this one always makes people laugh.  The day after our Senior Prom a group of us went to Great Adventure for the day, and I had a backpack on to hold some necessities and stuff .  So my friends and I decided to go on the Swings so our group gets called up and I go to sit on the swing and my backpack gets caught on something, I don’t even remember what but as I went to sit down, the swing moved out from under me and I fell on my ass in front of a long line of people waiting to go on, they all laughed!! My friend Sean would not go on another ride with me all day, he was like quick put your sweatshirt on, maybe nobody will recognize you, he was more embarrassed than me.  

Me: You find the whole genie in a bottle thing, what are you three wishes? (No you don’t have to be politically correct and wish for world peace or to end hunger)  

Mandy: Since I can all selfish answering these, my 3 wishes would be:

1. Money, I know it’s obvious but I am tired of not being able to do certain things cause of money, I would love to be able to just go and do anything that I wanted to do without worrying about cost and if I have enough money till my next paycheck, etc.  

2. I would love to be able to sing, I can’t I sound like a dying cat, not that that stops me at all, I will still belt out a song whether you like or not but I would like it to be enjoyable for the audience   

3. Last one, okay it may be corny but really I would just like to see everybody happy!! 

Me: What’s your biggest pet peeve?  

Mandy: I have so many, it’s really not even funny.  Do tourists count as a pet peeve?  I work in the middle of touristy(I know that’s not a word) Philadelphia and they drive me nuts.  They walk entirely too slow for me or they just stop suddenly in front of you without warning.  Some others include girls who wear uggs with booty shorts, you’re either cold or you are not, Snuggies, Vince the Sham Wow guy, people who think Angelina Jolie is a saint, Fat guys who think they are God’s gift to women, ok I am babbling again but the last one I am going to leave you with is MANPRIS!!! 

Me: Boondock Saints question: What is Connor’s best quality and Murphy’s worst quality? (Don’t worry, Murphy will still love you no matter what you say)  

Mandy: Everything about Connor is the best! LOL! Seriously Connor’s best quality is that he is the man with the plan.  I mean Murphy is always bashing his plans but I don’t see him thinking up anything, he always leaves it up to Connor! Hello! Connor is the one that wanted the rope and look how handy that came in, not once but twice.  Murphy’s worst quality even though it’s part of why I love him is his hotheadedness, he is always picking fights with his brother at the most inopportune times, like say in air conditioning shaft or a coffee crate.  

Mandy, I couldn’t agree with you more about Connor and Murphy!! The story of Eddie Polec really made me emotional (and if any of you know me well, you know I get emotional over everything) but it really got to me.  Its sad when people are wrongfully accused and punished or persecuted for who they are.  But I won’t get started on that.  I also hate snuggies, manpris, and tourists!!  But if I ever come to Philly again, I will be sure to wear my Uggs, bootyshorts and bring you the picture I painted of Angelina Jolie next to Mother Teresa! Get over to Twitter and say hi to mandy302 NOW! 

Next, I interviewed Casey (CaseyCcC).  One word….FUNNY!  Casey reminds me so much of my sister-in-law, I couldn’t resist talking to her.  One of the first things I remember reading that Casey tweeted was when she was slamming Ohio for their tourist commercials…I was not upset, but in turn gave her some shit.  I absolutely love bantering around with Casey.  Although, I have not gotten to know her really well yet, I am working on it!  She wants you to check out these links:  www.livestrong.com www.kidney.org  http://perezhilton.com/2010-06-07-christian-bale-goes-gaga  (OMG horse laughing over this) I also asked her for a quick little bio about herself to which she responded: Hmm. My name is Casey. I’m  about a month shy of 26. I was born in Tennessee but grew up in Kentucky. I went to the University of Louisville. Gwen Stefani is my favorite person in the world. I have an older brother, he’s a doo-doo head. My Likes: Dogs, funny television shows, the internet, & winter. Dislikes: Whale Wars, women’s basketball, bumper stickers, and The Duggars. 

Me: Little known fact time.  Dig deep… 

Casey: I used to play bass, guitar and drums. I was pretty decent but I was way too shy to play in front of people. I guess that is little known to my Bettie friends. Also, Abbey’s full name is Princess Abigail Wigglebottom (PAW!). Yes, I am a crazy person. 

Me:  You seem very passionate about the Livestrong Campaign, Casey, what is it that has drawn you to it?  Have you ever met Lance Armstrong?  What would you say to him if you did meet him/what did you say to him?

 Casey: A) If I had ever met Lance, that would be one of the first things anyone would know about me. “Hello, my name is Casey. I once met Lance Armstrong.” I had a CHANCE to recently while at Monster Mania in New Jersey, as he was in town that weekend for a Livestrong event. However my new Bettie friends refused to go wander aimlessly around the city until we found him. Some friends they are.  

B) I am drawn to Livestrong for several reasons. My dad and I have always been in to cycling so I’ve been a fan of Armstrong’s for a long time. A lot of athletes attach their name to a charity and that’s the end of their involvement, but Armstrong really lives it. He recognizes that he is lucky to be alive and in a position to help others, and I appreciate that. I also think that everyone should be more involved with cancer charities. The fact is everyone  will have to deal with it at some point in their lives, whether it be with a loved one or with yourself. As far as I’m concerned, helping raise money now or being involved otherwise is good karma. When I have the chance to meet him and chat, and I will one day, I think first we’d have to discuss some cycling things. Talk about other riders I’ve always wondered about. Then we’d talk about the foundation and charity work. Then we’d make friendship bracelets for each other. 

Me: We share a love for basketball.  I have been out of the loop on the basketball scene for quite sometime, as I “lost my way”.  I just started getting back into it last summer when the Cavs made their go at a Championship only to be let down again by a Cleveland team.  Did you play basketball in high school or college? Do you prefer college basketball over pro?  And who is your favorite player? 

Casey: It’s hard to be a sports fan in Cleveland. (Sorry.) I was always bad at playing basketball, but I’m super good at watching it. My family has had season tickets for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team for 45 years, so I was born into a college-ball loving family. I’ve only missed going to a handful of games in my life. This season the team moved from our old historic facility to a brand new state of the art arena, so I’m really excited for this year even though my team will not be good. My favorite player at UofL was Francisco Garcia. He played while I was in school there. Awesome player and cool guy. He plays for the Kings now. I like the NBA, not as much as college but if it’s basketball I’ll watch. My favorite NBA team WAS the New Jersey Nets until Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson left….that made me sad. 

I then added a sidenote for her, and she responded, so I will include it 

Me: *sidenote of un-importance* (P.S. My absolute all time favorite basketball player in the history of all the world is Bobby Hurley, and when he went pro I was able to get tickets to see him play in person for the first time.  A week prior to the game, he was in a devastating car accident that ruined his career.  I’ve still never seen him play and I never will ) 

Casey: Aw. As a UofL fan I hate Duke, but I also hate seeing players get hurt. One of my all time favorites, Marquis Maybin, played in Euro leagues for a while and the day he returned to the states he was in a motorcycle accident that paralyzed him. Stories like that break my heart. 

Me: What is an event in your life fabulous or tragic that has impacted who you are? 

Casey: Two things. First, my family owns a hot air balloon company. When I was 3 or 4, my Mom was in an accident in which the balloon exploded and she caught fire. She had to jump out. She lived but was in the hospital on and off for years and some of her injuries are still problematic today. This accident shaped every fiber of my being in one way or another.

Secondly, I do a lot of volunteer work. My favorite volunteer experience really impacted my life. It was for the US Transplant Games, sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. The games are Olympic style competition for people who have received organ transplants. During orientation we were told we would cry out of joy and sadness at one point or another that week, and boy were they right. I met so many amazing people who were given a second chance at life. They may not have been great athletes but they were giving it their all that week to honor the people who had very generously given them the gift of life. Among the attendees were the families of donors who had passed. A lot of the families had made the effort to meet the recipient of the organ transplant and the bond these families shared was unbelievable. They treat their donation-day as their birthday. There were people of all ages there competing and it was a really beautiful week. If anyone ever has the chance, I highly recommend volunteering with the games if they come to your area. Tremendous amounts of fun and the impact it has on your life is truly special.

Me: What is your dream job? 

Casey: When I was a kid I wanted to be an actor or comedian. More realistically, I’d enjoy being an heiress, if my parents could just muster up a billion dollar business to give me someday. Even more realistically, I have a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. I’d like to work in sports, preferably in Olympic style competition like the Transplant Games described above.  

Me: Most embarrassing moment? 

Casey: haha. I don’t embarrass easily but this is a good one. Third day of high school my first period drama class went on a field trip to see “Fiddler on the Roof” at a local dinner theater. It was a theater in the round situation, with tables all around the stage. I was sitting with two of my friends and I remember staring at my friend Amber across the table, and then I started seeing stars….my ears started to ring and the last thing I remember was Amber saying “Casey? Casey??”  I woke up on the floor a few minutes later covered in puke. For some reason the teachers and other grown-ups around thought I was just fooling around (in a puddle of puke on the floor?) so they ignored my friend’s cry for help for a while. A teacher finally came over after like five or ten minutes and helped me up and I remember being dragged out past the actors in Fiddler, staring at me with their beards and stupid Fiddler costumes, looking at me like I’m the weird one. I passed out again outside the theater and woke up in the hospital later. I had some crazy virus and was sick for just a few days. That particular teacher still tells her class about that “that one time when this girl puked all over Tevye and Golde.” She likes to exaggerate.   

Me: Finish this statement: You know you are from Kentucky if ____________ 

Casey: If you find yourself riding about on a horse eating chicken on the weekends. Or if basketball games can make you more emotional than losing a loved one.  

Me: What is the first thing you notice on guys? (Don’t lie either! LOL) 

Casey: This might be due to the enjoyment of cycling, but legs. Have you seen cyclists thighs? Sheesh. Typically though it’s hard to see a dude’s thighs when you first meet, unless they are in bike shorts or are pantsless, which may or may not mean you are in a dangerous situation. If legs are not available for viewing, I notice eyes and mouth. And hair…I really hate curly blond hair on boys. It makes me angry.   

Me: If you were famous touring singer, what 3 things would HAVE to be on your tour bus? 

Casey: Hmm…I really enjoy old-school Nintendo and Super Nintendo games, so I think I’d need those. I’d need a miniature tour bus for Abbey, obviously. And since I’m rich and famous in this scenario, I think I’d hire another celeb to entertain me. What’s up, Norman?   

Me: I know this is a repeat question, but I like it so much: Boondock Saints question: If Troy Duffy called you and said, “Casey, this is Troy, tell me one thing you want to see happen in BDS III” what would you say? 

Casey: My “one thing” is more like the entire plot to the movie. I’ve thought a lot about this and sent Troy several notes on the subject. Here it goes: The boys are back in Ireland at a local pub, and see an attractive barkeep (me). They feel strangely attracted to this girl, until they find out that it is actually their long lost sister. The three of them go about their vigilante business, but the boys still can’t shake that feeling of desire. Eventually we find out that we’re not really blood related, and we make out for a while. End scene.

Casey added in at the end: I’d like to also add that my Bettie friends are amazing and I love you. I’m lucky to be able to call you my pals. I’m going to go eat a cookie now.

What a great interview, I enjoyed it very much.  I’m honestly hoping at this point that Troy Duffy is reading these inteviews because there are great part III ideas being spit at him.  I promise not to be jealous while Casey is making out with Connor and Murphy…maybe I will be just a little XD.  I can’t wait until basketball season gets going, so I have someone to talk about it with.  And as hard as it is to be a Cleveland sports fan, I may just keep rooting for the Cavs in the hopes they make LeBron James look like a chump for ever leaving us.  Anyway, I am proud of the amount of charity and volunteer work Casey does and proud to say she is my friend.  Get over to Twitter and look CaseyCcC up!!!

Just want to add in, Mandy and Casey, I love you both and thank you for doing this for me!  And as always, I am on the prowl…victims in my sights!

I took the time to interview two fabulous Betties I admire.  I thought this would be easy, but I can honestly say it’s hard to put down words about these two girls.  When I joined the Bettie Brigade, they were two of the first girls to talk to me, and I find them very interesting!  I can say the same about most of the Betties I chat with, as you will see in the coming weeks when I continue my interviews.  It was fun to come up with questions they would enjoy answering as much I was going to enjoy reading the answers to.  I think we did a pretty good job! So instead reading what I have to say, lets talk about Feanix and Rina!!

First up is @feanix !  I remember reading her bio on Twitter and thinking “the Bettie your mom warned you about” OH I have to get to know her!  And I did!  She’s a belly dancer, a model, a zombie, a daredevil…name it, she probably fits in the category.  If you haven’t gotten your fill by the time you read my interview, then follow her on Twitter, check out her website www.feanixfire.com AND guess what??? —–>She’s Officially Plugged In ( www.officiallypluggedin.com )

Me: Tell me something about yourself that you would want everyone to know that we may not already know about you. (A little known fact)

Feanix: Hmm, I get asked this a lot but I am not sure, I am pretty open haha. I guess a little known fact would be that I am afraid of being alone, not like relationship wise but in general. I like company, be it via the phone or a face to face convo. I think too much and over analyze things too much when I am left alone. Its dangerous! XD

Me: I saw a picture of you skydiving on your website www.feanixfire.com .  I am a complete chicken when it comes to extreme sporting activities, but I always want to know what did it feel like when you were falling through the sky? And is there any other extreme sports you would like to try?

Feanix: The feeling is very different. You get the “is it like a roller coaster?” a lot but no, its nothing like that. Free falling at those speeds does not give the stomach drop. Its windy and loud and you just feel free. The most amazing part was when the chute opened, the whole world went quiet it was like someone hit pause. It was very moving to me in full motion and the world looking so still and then a bird flew next to me and was flying right with me. I never felt so alive. I would gladly go again at any moment.

As for another “extreme sport” I would love to try it all. The only thing I won’t try is bungee, I don’t want to be snapped around lol. I really want to walk on coals and do a suspension.

Me: For any of you who don’t already know about Feanix’s tribal fusion belly dancing and modeling, you are missing out!  Feanix, where do you see yourself in 10 years with your career?

Feanix: I don’t really think about that too much really, I think as long as I am breathing and still able to stay true to myself then that will be swell. I hope I am traveling because I love to explore and go to new places. So maybe I will be able to do so. That would be wicked awesome.

Me: If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Feanix: I would LOVE to have dinner with Edgar Allan Poe, he is my favorite writer and I would love to sit with him and pick his brain or have a food fight

If he was unavailable then I would like to dine with Salvador Dali, for the same reasons.

Me: Who has made the biggest impact on your life, and why? (good or bad)

Feanix: My grandparents. They showed me a lot in life. The simple things they did taught me that you don’t need to be rich and famous to be happy. They taught me so much and though they are gone from this earth, they still teach me daily from memories.

Me: Favorite fast food?

Feanix: I am so typical…I love potatoes! Anyway you can make em. I loooove them sooo much hahaha

Me: Favorite drink?

Feanix: Non alchy I would say Orange Soda.  Alchy I have become addicted to the Bettie (created for us!) It is basically Sex on the Beach and add Blue Curacao. Man they are tasty!

Me: Favorite superhero?

Feanix: I was a huge fan of the X Men, Phoenix was my favorite growing up lol… go figure right?

Me: Most played song on your iPod/MP3 player?

Feanix: Hahaha I would say currently it is William Control’s I’m Only Human Sometimes.

Me: Standard Boondock Saints Question: If you had 30 mins to spend with Connor and Murphy, what would you tell them?

Feanix: I would thank them. They brought together a group of people that would have never known each other had they not stepped on the screen.  Thank them for being the catalyst for such an amazing bond between all these women and men. It is amazing. Then I would have a shot and chase them with Lobster Tits

There you go…Lobster Tits says it all!!!  This is only a tiny glimpse of Feanix, if you haven’t already, say hi to her, you won’t regret it!  Thank you, doll, for taking the time to answer my questions!

I also interviewed Rina, who has had a few Twitter name changes since I met her (@RinaDonRocco @BlackIrishFae and currently @GoodGrrlGoneBad ) There are many things I could say about Rina, as she has quickly become one of my best friends on this planet!  But I won’t tell you everything; I will let you find out for yourself.  I can tell you she is many things like mother, writer, independent movie guru, artist, tattoo artist, strong willed, natural leader, and brave!  She digs Dexter and True Blood and space shows on the History Channel.  Someday, we are going to see her name at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.  Or you might just see her as the leader of a rock band…time will tell! She heads up @TeamBeatNicks and does some other great work behind the scenes for our friends!

Me: Tell us something about yourself that everyone may not know (A little known fact)

Rina: My ancestors are from Ireland and Spain

Me: I already know what a talented artist, tattoo artist and writer you are, so tell me where do you find your inspiration?

Rina: Mostly in my emotions. Situations arise that cause emotions like happiness, anger, sadness. The way I vent is to pour all of that into my art.

Me: Rina, you have done hard work helping to promote what and who you are passionate about including being the coach of @TeamBeatNicks .  If I was your Public Relations manager for the day, what would you hope I showcased about you (don’t be shy either)?

Rina: Um, well first off I’d be flattered at the idea of someone showcasing me. [haha] I’d have to say my art (in its many forms) of course and passion for music. My passion for equal rights for everyone. I would hope in conclusion that if someone took time to showcase me that I had truly made a difference in this life worth noting =)

Me: If you could go back ten years and tell yourself something, knowing everything you know now, what would you say to Rina?

Rina: I’d tell her to start saving money. haha. Naw but seriously it would probably be something along the lines of comfort. Just telling myself that life will be hard. I will have hurdles but that I am strong and I will make it through.

Me: Who is your hero? Why?

Rina: My daughter Madyson. She came into my life when I was headed down a dark path. She  saved my life in more ways than one. She has shown me a side of myself that’s not so dark. She taught me to be patient. She taught me to smile and laugh more. To be stronger in every way. Its such a wonderful feeling to care for someone so deeply who loves you unconditionally. She’s my savior.

Me: Pizza or Tacos?

Rina: ooh tough choice! I like both but I’ll be fair and pick one. I think I’d go with pizza. I’m a sucker for Italian style food.

Me: Favorite sleeping position?

Rina: Either on my side or on my stomach

Me: Who is your favorite Smurf?

Rina: Smurfette. Even though she started out as a spy for Gargamel she stuck around and turned good because of the goodness of the smurf ways. I think in a corny way, it symbolizes that change is possible. Even in the worst situations.

Me: Current wallpaper on your cellphone?

Rina: haha well it’s weird. It’s a picture of an old fashioned lamp post with crows flying about. It’s in black and white. It’s nothing special but I think its poetic in a way.

Me: Standard Boondock Saints Question: If Troy Duffy called you and said, “Rina, tell me one thing you would like to see happen in Boondock Saints III..” what would you tell him?

Rina: Well first off I’d have to scream and jump around like a giddy school girl because Troy was calling Moi to ask MY opinion. haha.

I’d like to see some fighting scenes. We all know that the boys use guns. But what if one jammed? Something went wrong and they ran out of ammo? Or they were put in a situation that they weren’t prepared for? Put those spiffy Flanery martial arts skills to the test. Maybe bring down a guy or 3 with just his mad ninja skills ya know? Then Murph can be there to tie ‘em up and Connor can say “now ar’nt ye glad I always bring the fecking rope?”

Smurfette you say, huh Rina?  I totally agree with you!  Besides turning into good from evil, she is the ONLY chick with all those guys!!! Woot!  Sounds fun to me!  Head over to Twitter and say hi to Rina!  I’m glad I did.  Thank you for your time, Rina.

And with that, be on the look out!  I’m on the prowl for my next victims, and I already have you picked out….*smirk*