Saturday, April 30, 2011

Robyn Carolyn Price: Tattoos and Torah: One Woman's Journey to the Rabbinate

2011-04-29-RabbiRochelleordination.jpg

Rabbi Rochelle Kamins has not always felt Jewish ... enough. No youth group or summer camp. She never did all of the things that young Jewish people were "supposed" to do. But she always wanted to feel like she fit, and that she could belong -- tattoos, motorcycles and all. Sitting in her office, Rabbi Rochelle talks candidly about her non-traditional road to the rabbinate and why she doesn't plan on conforming anytime soon.

"I think everyone has an image of a rabbi," says Rabbi Rochelle laughing. "They think old white man with a beard and big hat. Just like when you ask most kids what God looks like, he is still the man on the cloudy throne in the sky."

Rabbi Rochelle is a bit of an anomaly. Adorned with tattoos, albeit inconspicuously, she drives her Honda CBR F4i motorcycle through Los Angeles traffic en route to perform one of her rabbinic duties. Ordained in 2009 as a Reform rabbi, she has built an image on being different and welcoming people into Judaism who might not fit the mold.

Her goal is to make change in the Jewish community -- change in the way Jews look at other Jews. She has a passion that stems from a lifetime of feeling like people were looking at her as if she could not be a part of the community, because she didn't participate in all of the things that constituted being a "good" Jew. As a rabbi, she aims to help people foster connections within the community while being a reflection of what she believes are different, yet acceptable routes to Judaism.

She tells the story of a couple who asked her to perform their wedding on a Saturday, the day of rest in Judaism where working or getting married is against tradition. The couple grew up Jewish and were interested in maintaining a Jewish household, however were not currently connected to a synagogue. They shared with her horror stories of other rabbis who had refused to perform the ceremony and told the couple that they were not Jewish because of their decision to get married on Shabbat.

"I had a conversation with them and explained the tradition," recalls Rabbi Rochelle. "The date and the place for their wedding was already set. Is it the worse thing in the world? No. The worst thing in the world would be if the next rabbi said no. And the next rabbi said no, and the next. Then they would be lost. Why would anyone come into a community if they feel like the door keeps getting slammed in their face?"

Raised in San Francisco by her mother, a more traditional Jew from the Bronx, and her father, an L.A. socialist Jew, Rabbi Rochelle's experience was anything but traditional. "How the two of them came together and created a rabbi is anyone's guess," chuckles Rabbi Rochelle.

Her upbringing, however, cultivated a sensitivity for Jewish people whose lives did not fit perfectly within the boundaries of traditional Jewish practice or thought. "My dad's parents were basically communists," says Rabbi Rochelle. "You know L.A. Socialists had meetings in their house. One of my grandparents' good friends was a lawyer who was defending people at the Supreme Court during the Red Scare and all of that. My dad's father was very anti-organized religion. He was all about science and reason. My grandfather was like, 'Oh sure you can have a bar mitzvah, if you believe in that.'"

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Her father, who is in his 60s, never had a bar mitzvah until she performed it last November. "We had a deal," says Rabbi Rochelle with a smile. "He said he would have a bar mitzvah when I could be the rabbi. It was pretty cool."

Her mother shares that her daughter's decision to become a rabbi came as a huge surprise: "I knew after she went to college that she would do something with kids and Judaism, but had no idea that she would take this route."

Veering from the beaten path has become one of Rabbi Rochelle's hallmarks. She successfully petitioned UC San Diego to allow her to create her own undergraduate major in Modern Israeli Society and Israeli Culture. And in rabbinical school she wrote her thesis on the question of tattoos in Judaism, "The Illustrated Jew: A New Jewish Perspective on Tattoos," hoping to give a reference to people like herself that were trying to find a balance between the secular world and their Judaism.

"I did a ton of research before I got my tattoos," she says. "And I eventually came to the conclusion that body art did not make God angry with me or make me a bad Jew. I am not a bad person and I live my life with integrity."

Rabbi Rochelle's body is adorned with two tattoos, although the second one can hardly be considered a single tattoo. It initially started off as a tattoo on her back that spelled the word "love" in the shape of a heart. It has since morphed into an olive tree, which makes the heart appear more like a carving in the tree. The olive tree has special significance in Judaism.

The word emet, meaning "truth" in Hebrew, is tattooed on her hip and was designed to look like it was written on her body with a black Sharpie. The tattoo's placement was carefully chosen, as she wanted it to be a bit hidden, just for her, and to serve as a reminder to always walk in truth and integrity.

Walking in truth and integrity for Rabbi Rochelle has not always been an easy road to travel. Adopting the unpopular position that someone's sexual preference, body art or piercings has nothing to do with his or her spirituality has presented its fair share of challenges. She is aware that she might be looked at as a bit of an outsider and is sometimes referred for jobs that quite possibly nobody else will take. Weddings on a Saturday. An interfaith wedding with a minister. She gets the impression at times that people refer these jobs to her because they think, "Oh, it's Rochelle, she'll do anything." That just because she is open in some ways, she has no boundaries or rules. That there is no method to her madness.

"So many people go through the motions," says Rabbi Rochelle. "They go to religious school. They do the things, but there is no real connection. I want people to stay connected and to let people know that even if they feel different, like they don't fit or they don't belong, there is still room here. You know, they say that Abraham's tent was open on all four sides, so that visitors or people coming from any direction -- he could greet them. I really think that is what the synagogue should be and that is what a rabbi should be. A rabbi is like Abraham, open on all sides and ready to welcome anyone in when they are ready and from whichever direction they come."

A revised version of this article was originally published at onBeing.

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Lohan to plead no contest to misdemeanor theft charge

Lindsay Lohan could be headed back to prison for a few weeks.

Stephen Lovekin

Lindsay Lohan could be headed back to prison for a few weeks.

Lindsay Lohan's latest legal fiasco maybe soon be over.

The troubled starlet is expected to plead no contest to the misdemeanor theft charge of a $2,500 necklace next week, TMZ.com reported on Saturday.

The actress, sources told the website, just wants to move on with her life

"I've made a lot of poor decisions in the past and I'm dealing with the consequences of those decisions," she told Jay Leno in an appearance on his show earlier this week. "I'm a fighter and I know I have to gain the respect back."

The "Mean Girls" star was already sentenced to 120 days in jail and 480 hours of community service for violating probation last week.

Lohan's lawyer Shawn Holley appealed the jail sentence immediately, so the star was freed on bond after only a few hours behind bars.

If the sentence is upheld, due to overcrowding and time off for good behavior, Lohan is expected to serve only a fraction of that time.

Her lawyers are reportedly hoping that the judge will not add any additional time for the misdemeanor theft charge.

Once her legal troubles are behind her, Lohan could be back on the silver screen soon. She inked her first gig in an upcoming movie about the Gotti mob family earlier this month.

nmandell@nydailynews.com

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A Tale Of Two Royal Brides—Diana And Kate Compared

Kate Middleton and Prince William?s wedding will invariably draw comparisons to the nuptials of his parents - Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles.

Click through the gallery below to see the surprising similarities?and notable differences?between the two royal weddings. Read more?

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Soiree gives newlyweds, friends chance to let hair down

By Donna Freydkin,, USA TODAY

Where there's a will, there's a soiree.

Or in the case of Prince William and his bride, Kate, there's two.

  • Kate wore a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

    By John Stillwell, AP

    Kate wore a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

By John Stillwell, AP

Kate wore a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

After saying their "I wills," puckering up for public smooches and going for an impromptu drive, the couple now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended their second wedding reception of the day, this time for 300 of their nearest and dearest.

The evening dinner and dance followed the first wedding reception, which was hosted by Queen Elizabeth for 650 guests and held at Buckingham Palace directly after the nuptials.

Kate changed into another white frock, this time a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, for the bash at the palace. Her husband wore a tuxedo, as did her father-in-law. And Kate's sister, Pippa, donned an emerald green gown by British fashion house Temperley London.

Royals including Princess Anne and her daughter, Zara Phillips, were seen arriving to the fete.

Prince Charles was host of the second party at the palace, and Prince Harry, William's younger brother and best man, was to give a toast. Queen Elizabeth did not attend.

The reason for the second celebration?

"William and Kate can't invite everyone to everything. There's too many people," says Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs, who has planned parties for Mariah Carey, P. Diddy and Russell Simmons. "This is a let-your-hair-down reception for close friends and family."

Even in non-royal circles, multiple receptions are becoming more common, says party planner Lisa Vorce, who plans events for Kobe Bryant and the Clooney family. In most cases, the first gathering is more formal, while the second one is where guests hang out and kick back.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.
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Alexander McQueen's Regal Designs

Weeks of speculation wrapped Friday as Kate Middleton's bridal dress was revealed to be designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen's fashion house.

"Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen's work," said the palace in a statement.

One look at the late designer's love for regal fashion with a twist in our special style gallery and the connection is obvious!

PHOTOS: Alexander McQueen's Regal Designs

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Meet the World's Richest Royals

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Ecobold Launches the Easiest Marketplace to Buy and Sell Green Products

Sign up for free video product recommendations and a tree will be planted for you

Ecobold today is launching an online marketplace that makes it as easy as possible to buy and sell green products. To lower the barrier of ?going green,? Ecobold hand selects products that keep you, your family, and the earth healthy, and then features one recommended product per day with an informative video review and a steep 24-hour discount. In addition, Ecobold makes it easier to sell green products by offering merchants the best terms of any similar marketplace. To celebrate the launch along with Earth Day on April 22nd, Ecobold will plant a tree for every person that signs up for their free video recommendation newsletter.Going green has gone mainstream, with a reported 64% of the population now actively looking for green products* - and justifiably so. In fact, prolonged exposure of up to 150 chemicals found in many home cleaning supplies are connected to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological disorders.** The result is that the average newborn actually has 232 chemicals in its umbilical cord.*** Ecobold?s mission is to drive an increase in the consumption of safe products by lowering the barrier of both buying and selling green. Their team is comprised of green product experts who research products, investigate ingredients, and record daily in-depth video reviews to educate you on the advantages of buying non-toxic products.

The site currently offers over 1200 green, natural, or non-toxic products from over 50 certified sellers. Any merchant of green products can submit an item for review, and products that pass the site?s strict review standards are subject to just a 10% revenue share (which includes the credit card transaction fee). Other comparable services take up to 30%.

?The goal is to spur growth in both green entrepreneurship and product consumption,? says Steffany Boldrini, Founder & CEO of Ecobold. Steffany developed her eco-conscious lifestyle while growing up on a small ranch in Brazil, and since moving to the United States in 2000 she has devoted herself to creating environmental awareness.

For more information about Ecobold, please visit their website.

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Singer Keyshia Cole?s Druggie Mom Frankie Lons Arrested

frankielonsarrested Singer Keyshia Coles Druggie Mom Frankie Lons Arrested

R&B singer Keyshia Cole?s mother, Frankie Lons, has been jailed for violating probation and for possessing drug-related items.

Frankie Lons, who appeared on the show ?Celebrity Rehab? with Dr. Drew, was pulled over by cops for a routine traffic violation when they realized Lons had a warrant out for her arrest.

Police then searched Frankie and discovered ?drug-related material? on her person.

Lons was arrested and booked on both counts.

Sources report Lons is still in police custody this morning.

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Images: wenn.com/news

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J.Lo Returning to The Grove!

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Prince William, Middleton wed in royal fashion

By Gary Strauss, Maria Puente, Marco R. della Cava and Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

LONDON � The wedding of the century wrapped in about an hour Friday as Britain's Prince William married Catherine "Kate" Middleton in a storybook ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

  • Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their wedding.

    By Martin Meissner, AP

    Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their wedding.

By Martin Meissner, AP

Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their wedding.

The longtime sweethearts began dating while students at the University of St. Andrews in 2002. Their on-again, off-again relationship, cemented by an engagement announcement in November, restored fascination and luster to a British monarchy on levels unmatched since the star-crossed marriage of Prince William's mother, Lady Diana, to Prince Charles in July 1981.

William, 28, is second in line to the throne. Kate, 29, a commoner, is the daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton, a former British Airways flight supervisor and flight attendant who became self-made millionaires after starting an Internet mail-order business.

William appeared to mouth the words "you look beautiful" when Kate joined him at the altar. Though the groom seemed composed, the bride tightly gripped her father's hand before saying her vows, reciting them so softly they were hard to hear. As William slipped the wedding ring onto Kate's finger, it got hung up for a moment on her finger joint until he finally coaxed it into place. She escaped any such awkwardness: Her husband will not wear a wedding ring, standard for male royal family members.

The celebrity-studded event, attended by 1,900, included singer Elton John, soccer star David Beckham and scores of royals and luminaries. A global TV audience was estimated at 2 billion, many who began watching coverage at 4 a.m. ET. About 650 were invited to a post-wedding lunch given by the queen, and 300 close friends of William and Kate's were expected for an evening dinner and dance. Prince Harry, William's younger brother and the best man, planned a Saturday morning breakfast for those with the stamina to party all night.

Royal fever was widespread in the USA, where events included live viewing in New York's Times Square and a celebration party complete with prince and princess attire at Walt Disney World's Wedding Pavilion. For months, the media have been filled with royal wedding stories, building to frenzied coverage over the past week. More than 8,000 journalists, photographers and other media types covered the event.

There was speculation over attendees, wedding cakes, honeymoon locales and the bride's wedding dress.

For the record: Kate wore a white Sarah Burton creation with a 9-foot train and an ivory veil trimmed with embroidered flowers, held in place by a Cartier Halo tiara borrowed from the queen. "I thought the dress was elegant and it hit that perfect balance of being a dress that reflected her personal style, but was also appropriate for the regal event and location," said Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings.

The bouquet was shield-shaped with myrtle, lily of the valley, sweet William and hyacinth and made by floral designer Shane Connolly. The tradition of carrying myrtle began with Queen Victoria.

Prince William, a Royal Air Force officer who serves as a search-and-rescue pilot, wore a cap and mounted officer dress uniform, befitting his honorary appointment in the Royal Army. He is commissioned in all three armed services and was made honorary colonel of the Irish Guards last year. His choice of uniform was considered a diplomatic move in light of the queen's scheduled visit to Ireland next month.

As custom, William received a new title before the wedding, when his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title of duke of Cambridge ? the highest rank in British peerage ? on him. Kate will be known as the duchess of Cambridge. They were also given the Scottish titles of earl and countess of Strathearn.

A testimony to British tradition, the wedding offered many, especially Britons, some respite from hard economic times and a government-imposed austerity plan. There were even betting pools wagering on everything from the color of the queen's hat to who might cry at the ceremony to potential gaffes.

"I'm not a massive royal family watcher, but it's been absolutely fascinating, in part because William is very much Diana's son," says Nathalie Haxby, communication director for British media agency MEC who watched the event on TV. "But it's as much about the fairy tale ? Kate becoming a princess and ascending to this royal, fairy-tale family."

Expat Margaret Jones, an executive assistant who has lived in Indiana since 1983, planned to DVR the event. "The pomp and circumstance is a nice positive thing to watch," she said.

The palace has not disclosed the cost of the wedding, but estimates are in the tens of millions of dollars. The royal family and Middleton's parents paid for the wedding; British taxpayers picked up the tab for security, about $32 million.

London police estimate that up to 1 million wedding enthusiasts flooded the streets in densely packed London, including many who camped on the streets for days before the big event. Worries that anarchists would spoil the festivities proved unfounded. The Metropolitan Police announced that as of midday, they'd arrested 43 people in or near the wedding area, mostly for minor offenses such as breach of the peace and drunkenness.

Generally, royal watchers were well behaved. When William and Kate left Westminster Abbey in a horse-drawn carriage bound for Buckingham Palace, they drew huge cheers from flag-waving well-wishers.

About an hour after the ceremony, the couple exchanged two brief kisses before an adoring crowd at Buckingham Palace. Later, the couple took a brief unscripted ride on London's Mall in Prince Charles' vintage Aston Martin convertible, waving to fans outside Buckingham Palace, with William behind the wheel. The license plate read "JU5T? WED."

Anne Larsen, 34, flew in from Boulder, Colo., on Thursday. "I was giddy flying in yesterday. I had butterflies in my stomach."

Larsen had planned to watch the wedding on the Mall but wound up in a restaurant near St. James's Palace. As she sipped Champagne, Larsen checked her phone. "All my friends are up at home. I've had about 25 texts," she said.

Louise Llewellyn brought daughter Megan, 15, in from Southampton. "We're royalists," Louise said. They plotted where to go for the best viewing spot. "We've got milk crates with us," she said, in case they needed to step above the crowd.

Jonathan Nosworthy of rural Warwickshire watched with daughters Rebecca, 4, and Ellie, 5. "It's fun for the little ones to be able to talk about this when they're 90. Not that anyone can really see anything, anyway," Nosworthy said. "They're obsessed with it."

Eugenia Preoteasa, a Romanian immigrant who works in catering, had her nose pressed up against the plate-glass window of a restaurant just off Piccadilly. Inside, flat-screen TVs carried images of a beaming Kate inside Westminster Abbey.

"Oh my, oh my, she is just so beautiful," says Preoteasa of Braila, Romania. "I was waiting and so curious to see about if she would wear her hair down, and she did."

Preoteasa said Kate reminds her of a daughter studying piano in Birmingham, Ala. "She will certainly be calling me to ask about the details of the day here. And you know what? Her name is Diana," she says with a smile.

Why not just stay at home in front of her own TV? "No, I had to be out here," she says, sweeping an arm toward the flag-waving throngs passing by. "This is what it is all about. Everyone celebrating together."

Contributing: Traci Watson, Arienne Thompson and the Associated Press

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.
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Sara Evans' ex-husband fears kids will be harmed on tour

Craig Schelske and country singer Sara Evans, pictured in 2005, split the following year.

Evan Agostini/AP

Craig Schelske and country singer Sara Evans, pictured in 2005, split the following year.

More than four years after Sara Evans filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years, the former couple's ugly custody battle continues to take nasty turns.

Just this week, Evans' ex-husband, Craig Schelske, reportedly filed court papers arguing that he should have joint custody of their children due to the potential "harm" they'll face on the singer's upcoming tour.

Evans and Schelske have three kids together: 11-year-old Avery, 8-year-old Olivia and 6-year-old Jack. The country singer, who remarried in 2008, currently has full custody.

But Schelske wants to "protect the children from the likelihood of substantial harm" when Evans, 40, hits the road in June, according to TMZ.com.

PHOTOS: BITTER CELEBRITY SPLITS LEAD TO BITTER DIVORCES

In March, Evans and new husband, Jay Barker, told People they plan to take their blended family ? Barker has four young kids of his own with his ex-wife ? to live on the singer's tour bus this summer.

Court documents filed Wednesday reportedly claim that Schelske, who had joined Evans on tour during their relationship, "has firsthand knowledge that the children are exposed to inappropriate conduct, spend little time with [Evans], and are placed in a party atmosphere with excessive drinking and drug use."

It is also alleged that Evans has "encouraged and condoned underage drinking."

This isn't the first time Schelske has made some potentially damaging allegations against the singer. Following their split, he accused her of having several affairs with various musicians, including Kenny Chesney and the members of 3 Doors Down. The trysts were later denied.

BIGGEST CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUDS

Evans, however, had also accused her ex of affairs, as well as having a penchant for pornography and committing verbal and emotional abuse.

The country star dropped out of "Dancing with the Stars" in 2006 when she decided to file for divorce.

Last year, Evans obtained a temporary restraining order against Schelske, barring him from using the media to make derogatory statements about her or accusations related to their divorce.

A rep for Evans has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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GUESS WHO: ON THE SET OF NEW MOVIE WITH FOREST WHITAKER

GUESS WHO was spotted on the set of his new movie with actor Forest Whitaker earlier this week? HiNT: He is featured in an upcoming video with a pop singer.. It’s Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson! He was on the set … Continue

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Friday, April 29, 2011

Samantha Cameron breaks tradition and wears no hat to Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding

The Prime Minister's wife decides against any headgear

David and Samantha Cameron | Pictures | Photos | Now Magazine

David and Samantha Cameron arrive at Westminster Abbey

Samantha Cameron stood out at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding today - because she wasn't wearing a hat.

David Cameron's wife was one of the few guests not to don any headwear for the big day, with many opting for extravagant, quirky headgear to liven up their outfits.

Princess Beatrice's kooky nude bow-detail fascinator was especially noteworthy and is bound to have got Wills' 22-year-old cousin a lot of attention.

Sam, 40, instead accessorised her fitted teal Burberry dress with a tangerine pashmina, red and gold necklace and chose to wear a small flower clip in her hair.

Within minutes of arriving at Westminster Abbey, the Prime Minister's wife's outfit had sold out on website Net-A-Porter.�

The Royal Wedding - all the hats>>

Samantha Cameron | Pictures | Photos | Now MagazinePrincess Beatrice | Royal Wedding | Make up | Hat

NEW PICTURES Royal Wedding crowd celebrate Kate Middleton and Prince William's big day>>

NEW PICTURES Guests arrive for the Royal Wedding>>

NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton wears elegant lace Sarah Burton dress for her wedding to Prince William>>

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NEW PICTURES Celebrity hair: Kate Middleton - a princess in the making>>

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MORE PICTURES Amazing facts about Kate Middleton - Prince William's wedding belle>>

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SEE PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William: Their love story in photos>>

PHOTO GALLERY Kate Middleton watches Prince William play polo>>

PICTURE SPECIAL Kate Middleton and Prince William appear together at first public engagement>>

NEW PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William attend wedding>>

PHOTO GALLERY Kate Middleton gets into Christmas spirit at charity do>>

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Rihanna's Reb'l Fleur NYC Launch Event

She?s been non-stop since her arrival yesterday, and Rihanna was spotted out and about in New York City on Friday (April 29).

The ?Most Beautiful Girl in the World? songstress looked smokin? hot in a black and white ensemble as she made her way to her Reb'l Fleur Fragrance Launch at Macy's.

Last night, Ri-Ri was honored for her continued support of charities that help fight leukemia

She was toasted during the annual DKMS Linked Against Leukemia event held at Cipriani Wall Street .

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Paris -- My BF's Attacker PROPOSED at Media Event

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Paris Hilton just realized ... the guy who attacked her boyfriend at an L.A. courthouse this week PROPOSED to her at a So Cal media event back in February ... and it was all caught on tape.

042911_paris_hilton_video
Hilton just went to her Twitter page and wrote, "OMG! I just realized that the attacker from [the attack] video is same nut who proposed at [a Macy's event in February]."

The man -- James Rainford -- was arrested after smacking Cy Waits in the back of the head Wednesday as Cy was walking Paris into court.

Rainford -- who was already on probation -- plead no contest to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 227 days in jail.


Tags: Paris Hilton,�Celebrity Justice


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Stars at the Royal Wedding... How Tweet It Was

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Jammin? With The Partyman

So ? let me tell you about my night last night. I have been to my fair share of Prince concerts over the years and I am planning to attend many more in the future ? but last night?s show will stand out in my mind as one of the most fun, one of the most mind-blowing concerts I?ve ever attended. I have to make clear, EVERY Prince concert is special and magical ? but sometimes, the setlist just comes together so perfectly for that night that ? lifelong memories are made. David and I attended last night?s Prince concert at the LA Forum with our dear friend David Russell and we had THE time of our lives.


I honestly never go into any Prince show with any expectations ? because I?ve been to enough shows to know by now that anything is possible. Before the show started, the Davids and I were talking about songs we wanted to hear. David Russell?s fave Prince song is 17 Days and he was hoping but not counting on hearing it. My David wanted to hear Let?s Go Crazy. I knew, somehow, that both songs would be performed ? I don?t know (Read more...)

Tags: 21 Night Stand in Los Angeles, Celebrity Gossip, Celebs, Concert Tours, Live Performances, Music, My Space, Pink is the New Blog, Prince, The 'Welcome 2 America' Tour, The TV Guide

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Chace Crawford Scores Pot Deal

Chace Crawford has made a deal in his marijuana possession case, and if he follows all the terms for the next year, it will be like he was never charged at all.

Crawford was arrested in Plano, Texas last June after police found a joint in his car.

PHOTOS: Chace Crawford Laughing It Up With Tony Romo

The conditions he has to meet are for the charge to be expunged from his record are ? he can?t be arrested or engage in any criminal conduct for a year, must perform 24 hours of community service and he must report to a probation officer once a month.

Here?s hoping the Chace can manage to stay out of trouble.

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Lady Gaga throws royal party

29 April 2011

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Lady Gaga celebrated the end of her 'Monster's Ball' tour with a royal wedding-themed party on Wednesday (27.04.11).

Lady Gaga threw a royal wedding-themed party to mark the end of her tour.

The eccentric singer marked the end of her 'Monster's Ball' tour on Wednesday (27.04.11) by throwing a huge bash inspired by today's (29.04.11) nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton for her friends, family and crew in Cleveland, Ohio.

According to insiders, the 'Judas' singer decorated the venue with Union Jack bunting and served her guests - including her mother Cynthia - traditional English fare such as cucumber sandwiches, coronation chicken and crumpets with jam, with gin cocktails served in royal mugs.

Her attention to detail was impressive. She had a special room decorated backstage in British flags and bunting and everyone was told to work the royal look.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Gaga had the time of her life - on occasion she was even talking in a London accent.

"Her attention to detail was impressive. She had a special room decorated backstage in British flags and bunting and everyone was told to work the royal look."

Gaga, 25, dressed up as William's great-grandmother, the late Queen Mother, in what was described as a "unique interpretation" of the royal, while her entourage were also creative in their costumes.

The source added: "Her dancers came dressed as Wills and Harry, Henry VIII and even corgis, like the Queen's dogs."

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Minki van der Westhuizen Marley Shelton Freida Pinto LeAnn Rimes Mena Suvari

Catherine Middleton's Tiara and Earrings: All the Details

Catherine Middleton's Tiara and Earrings: All the Details

Catherine Middleton's tiara and earrings

WPA Pool/Getty

Catherine Middleton's smile wasn't the only thing sparkling on her wedding day.

The newly ennobled Duchess of Cambridge walked down the aisle at the Westminster Abbey in her v-neck Alexander McQueen gown, designed by creative director Sarah Burton, and it was accessorized with glittering touches fit for a princess.

Middleton's cascading curls were topped off by a 1936 Cartier halo tiara lent to her by Queen Elizabeth. The tiara, which was purchased by King George VI for the Queen Mother, was presented to the Queen on her 18th birthday, the Palace confirms.

The newlywed's look was styled by James Pryce and Richard Ward, who tell PEOPLE they're "extremely honored and privileged to be involved with creating Catherine's wedding look."

With her hair swept behind her ears, Middleton wore leaf-shaped diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham, which were made to match her tiara. They also featured a diamond set drop and pav� set diamond suspended in the center.

The earrings were a gift by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

Sister ? and maid of honor ? Pippa Middleton wore a similar pair of diamond earrings, also designed by Robinson Pelham.

With reporting by DIMI GAIDATZI and MONIQUE JESSEN

Kylie Bax Grace Park Jessica Simpson Susan Ward Christina Aguilera

Tim Rollins And K.O.S' Visual Reinterpretation Of Classic Literature (PHOTOS)

Tim Rollins and K.O.S portray a visual investigation of three important pieces of classic literature by bringing forward their contemporary message. For their paintings related to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tim Rollins and K.O.S. were inspired by the original illustrations Mark Twain commissioned by F.W. Kemble. These works continue a series, which began in 2000, of whitewashed book pages painted over in indigo. In exploration of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, The Great Gatsby, the artists create a study of the color symbolism that permeates the novel. For works based on The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, the artists utilized Kurt Weill?s original operatic score, creating nets of butcher?s twine and gold paint to stretch over the pages, generating a new interpretation of the piece.

Tim Rollins & K.O.S., Lehmann Maupin Gallery, 540 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001, through April 30th, 2011.

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TIM ROLLINS and K.O.S. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - On the Raft (after Mark Twain), 2011 matte acrylic, book pages on canvas 96 x 72 x 1.5 inches 243.8 x 182.9 x 3.8 cm LM14598

TIM ROLLINS and K.O.S.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - On the Raft (after Mark Twain), 2011
matte acrylic, book pages on canvas
96 x 72 x 1.5 inches
243.8 x 182.9 x 3.8 cm
LM14598

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Zhang Ziyi Paula Garcés Elisabeth Röhm Thandie Newton Piper Perabo

Olivia Munn's Bikini Jet Ski Burger Shoot

She?s always oozed sexiness, and Olivia Munn recently showed off her hotness as she shot a Carl?s Jr burger commercial.

A staff member for the burger joint told press that they "believe in putting hot models in our commercials." Why? "Because ugly ones don't sell burgers."

In the ad, Ms Munn is clad in a little bikini as she munches on a burger all the while driving a jet ski.

?We believe in celebrity endorsements because we like to hang out with celebrities ? and ride water motorcycles," another staffer added of the creative commercials.

Samantha Morton Alessandra Ambrosio Natalie Imbruglia Maggie Gyllenhaal Amanda Detmer

Khloe Kardashian's Fitness Quest

Getting in a serious sweat session, Khloe Kardashian was spotted after a workout in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday (April 28).

The ?Khloe and Lamar? babe looked cute in her black workout gear but seemed to be in no mood to have her picture taken.

Meanwhile, it?s no secret that Khloe has had to battle with her weight for a long time now - and she recently opened up about when the struggle started.

?My brother [Rob] and I were always heavy. They gave us food to keep us comforted. All we did was eat crap,? Khloe said referring to when her mom Kris and late father Robert went through a divorce.

T.A.T.u. Sarah Michelle Gellar Catherine Bell Connie Nielsen Nichole Robinson

Thursday, April 28, 2011

?ROUND THE WAY: CASSIE, SOLANGE & SELITA DISCUSS GOOD HAIR w/ CAROL?S DAUGHTER FOUNDER + VIDEO

Cassie, Solange and Selita Ebanks were recently selected as the newest faces of beauty brand Carol?s Daughter. The company and their haircare products have been longtime favorites of curly-haired, multiracial girls for years are now looking to diversify their brand … Continue

Ivanka Trump Whitney Port Samaire Armstrong Thora Birch Ivana Bozilovic

Elaine Coughlan, Atlantic Bridge, Women Can't Screw Up Any Worse than the Guys who Ran the Banks in Ireland

Pemo Theodore, a Startup Coach & Australian origin online entrepreneur, video interviews venture capitalists & women entrepreneurs on the shortfall in funding for women @EZebis: Winning theVenture Game for Women.

Video interview with Elaine Coughlan, Partner Atlantic Bridge, Ireland. Elaine has over 15 years operational experience in technology companies with extensive merger and acquisition experience.�

She has been involved in three successful initial public offerings and two secondary offerings raising more than $1.6 billion in capital for various companies. She served as the CFO of semiconductor company Parthus Technologies plc (now CEVA Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company), from 1999 to 2003. Most recently she was a director and co-founder of GloNav, a GPS semiconductor portfolio company which was sold to NXP in January 2008 for $110 million

Pemo: Which themes do you like to invest, what is your sweet spot?�

Elaine: We just do tech. In Europe we are rare enough in that the team is all from industry.� We're from semi conductors & software backgrounds, long careers. So you have people in the team that are serial entrepreneurs that have built a few companies. Executives, so CEO, CFO all types of roles. That's not the common, it is in the US but it's not in Europe the common approach where venture capital is typically drawn from the financial industry. We don't like taking product risk so we like to move a little bit beyond the curb.� We have done it & in our first one we've got a mix of mid & early stage.� But we prefer to move beyond the seed & the first round & to I suppose the scaling type stage. But we're not religious about, if you have an opportunity where you have a serial entrepreneur who has a fantastic record in a particular domain it can be of interest to us.�

In terms of technologies we may sometimes change but generally speaking mobile, wireless have been a big feature of what we have done both in our tech backgrounds & in our businesses. Mobile, wireless, cloud computing is such a huge part of the shift & trend. Security around that, security software, web infrastructure.� It's very difficult to know or back what's the next Facebook or Twitter so we probably focus a little bit more on the infrastructure that enables those businesses. Digital home, home networking, intranet everywhere, technologies like wifi direct which is both home & wireless play. So we accept the domains & we obviously keep them under review & they change sometimes.� We then go out & try & find the companies in those domains.� So we probably have 5 or 6 domains that are relatively broad. We stick to those & they're areas that we have guys that have domain knowledge, expertise etc in.� So we try to stick to what we know.�

Pemo: What do you look for in women entrepreneurs & startups that indicate interest to you in investing in their businesses?

Elaine: Well there's not many of them, that's the first problem.� I don't think there's anything different in terms of what we look for between a woman entrepreneur or a guy.� I think in general when you meet women entrepreneurs you find that they are incredibly energetic & focused about their business. That's really critical.� They probably have that in spades maybe a little bit more than some of the guys.� Just purely because they've had to have that to even get to the stage to spin something out, back something out, start something up.� But genuinely I've been disappointed in terms of just the numbers coming through.� They say never waste a crisis, I think the current recession particularly in Ireland & indeed across Europe will probably long term be a very good driver for women entrepreneurs. I think there's probably better structures now & we can talk about some of those later on.�

But I think in general from an entrepreneur we look that they are very passionate about what they're about to do or want to do.� That they have fantastic knowledge, domain knowledge about the market, product, the competitors. Not just the technology, but how it actually fits into the ecosystem & how it's going to compete. Then finally how they're going to take it to market. A lot of entrepreneurs don't actually think about (they might have great technology) but they haven't quite worked out what the sales strategy, what the business plan is & how they'e actually going to get it into the market. I think they're kind of personal attributes.� You want them also to be keen listeners.� I mean in the sense, open to taking in input. We're not passive investors.� Entrepreneurs aren't passive people either. You back entrepreneurs, you don't hire them! You hire CEOs, you don't hire entrepreneurs.� So we back teams, we back entrepreneurs & teams.� That's what we're looking for first & foremost. Not easy to find the ones that are truly world class but you can find guys that can absolutely grow & scale & benefit from our mistakes, as previous entrepreneurs & founders. And our successes as well & you're hoping to actually pass that on. To do that they've got to be open to it.������

Pemo: What can women entrepreneurs/startups do to increase their chances in sourcing venture?

Elaine: I think that's a very good question.� I think that women have got to be really much more confident in themselves & have much more belief in themselves. Be a little bit more ballsy & going out there & sourcing capital & be willing to get nos.� Because the reality is you get a lot of nos in this business.� Actually you don't even get the nos, a lot of people don't even tell you no.� The good guys tell you no.� I think women aren't as good at getting out there & networking & being a little bit more forthright.� It would never be said about us that we're too backward in going forward, which we are.� Typically you find women entrepreneurs are product experts so maybe they've been the code monkey, they've been the one that has built the product. They know the space well. Completely blind on sales, pushing, marketing, getting out there. I think those front of house skills, as I call them, as opposed to back of house skills.� I think they must be much, much more confident in front of house. Take a chance. Guys are much more willing to give it a whirl. Let's spin, let's see what happens.� Instead of quietly beavering away.� They don't really shine the light very brightly in terms of saying 'Look how fabulous I am & look at what a fabulous product I have. So in selling ourselves I think we've just got to be much more confident & a little bit more outgoing. I don't want to use the word aggressive but being much more proactive about pushing. Be open & be very aware that you're going to suffer a lot of rejection.� But you just need one to say yes! You can take thousands of nos if you get one yes.�

Also I think familiarity with the process.� I think that's fair.� Women just aren't familar with the vc process because quite frankly this generation of women entrepreneurs are standing on the shoulders of the previous generation of women.� And there wasn't many of them that were out there as entrepreneurs. So they're really pioneers & cutting new ground. I think that's where we have to look at the supports, the mentoring, to help give them the framework of this is what you need to expect.� Because women are really fast learners. They don't need to be told things twice. You don't expect people to do it in a vacuum is the reality. It's going to be difficult for them to do it in a vacuum.� I think network.� We've got to be much better at networking. Women should not have a bias now with networking with other women & other successful women. Other successful women always to the next generation of women, to put a hand down & pull them up. At all levels, both the women that have been successful in venture, in industry, in finance, we need to be much more cohesive as a group in trying to bring women entrepreneurs forward. The reality is that entrepreneurs need a lot of support in any event.� But as a minority women entrepreneurs just need much more coaching, mentoring, support to understand the rules of the game as it were.�

Pemo: That's one of the reasons I've been doing these interviews.� I think the other piece that happens in Europe, having lived in Ireland & the UK is that failure which is obviously part of the deal when you're doing these sort of startups or ventures is culturally looked at differently than it would be say in the US. I'm wondering how you tackle that I guess with female entrepreneurs?� Because women tend to want to really make sure that they succeed, that's what I've heard from other vcs & women founders.� That may be also where the numbers are falling down?

Elaine: That's a very good point.� I think it's very true.� Failure is very difficult & there is a cultural aspect to this.� If you look at the US its a badge of honor.� Here it's a bit of a badge of honor, believe it or not, I love for a guy to say we did this but we failed.� I immediately think well you know what he's gone off & bled on somebody else's carpet.� He knows now, he's worth backing. So culturally it is an issue & genderwise I think you're right, women always aspire to be top of the class.� I think failure doesn't come naturally to us. We're not probably natural risk takers either.� That's the other part, that's the corollary of that. So I think again I think it comes back to, to the extent that they're in the world of tech, venture, finance, they're going to see hey you know what a lot of other people fail.� It's a bit like the banks here in Ireland.� I have to say they were run by guys & you know what girls we really can't do any worse than them.� They've made such a screwup of it. So women need to think like that.�

Thanks to Alexander Blu for music 'Moderato'

Video interview with Elaine Coughlan, Partner Atlantic Bridge, Ireland http://www.abven.com/team/elaine_coughlan.html Elaine has over 15 years operational experience in technology companies with extensive merger and acquisition experience. She has been involved in three successful initial public offerings and two secondary offerings raising more than $1.6 billion in capital for various companies. She served as the CFO of semiconductor company Parthus Technologies plc (now CEVA Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company), from 1999 to 2003. Most recently she was a director and co-founder of GloNav, a GPS semiconductor portfolio company which was sold to NXP in January 2008 for $110 million

Pemo: Which themes do you like to invest, what is your sweet spot?

Elaine: We just do tech. In Europe we are rare enough in that the team is all from industry.We're from semi conductors & software backgrounds, long careers. So you have people in the team that are serial entrepreneurs that have built a few companies. Executives, so CEO, CFO all types of roles. That's not the common, it is in the US but it's not in Europe the common approach where venture capital is typically drawn from the financial industry. We don't like taking product risk so we like to move a little bit beyond the curb.We have done it & in our first one we've got a mix of mid & early stage.But we prefer to move beyond the seed & the first round & to I suppose the scaling type stage. But we're not religious about, if you have an opportunity where you have a serial entrepreneur who has a fantastic record in a particular domain it can be of interest to us.In terms of technologies we may sometimes change but generally speaking mobile, wireless have been a big feature of what we have done both in our tech backgrounds & in our businesses. Mobile, wireless, cloud computing is such a huge part of the shift & trend. Security around that, security software, web infrastructure.It's very difficult to know or back what's the next facebook or Twitter so we probably focus a little bit more on the infrastructure that enables those businesses. Digital home, home networking, intranet everywhere, technologies like wifi direct which is both home & wireless play. So we accept the domains & we obviously keep them under review & they change sometimes.We then go out & try & find the companies in those domains.So we probably have 5 or 6 domains that are relatively broad. We stick to those & they're areas that we have guys that have domain knowledge, expertise etc in.So we try to stick to what we know.

Pemo: What do you look for in women entrepreneurs & startups that indicate interest to you in investing in their businesses?

Elaine: Well there's not many of them, that's the first problem.I don't think there's anything different in terms of what we look for between a woman entrepreneur or a guy.I think in general when you meet women entrepreneurs you find that they are incredibly energetic & focused about their business. That's really critical.They probably have that in spades maybe a little bit more than some of the guys.Just purely because they've had to have that to evenget to the stage to spin something out, back something out, start something up.But genuinely I've been disappointed in terms of just the numbers coming through.They say never waste a crisis, I think the current recession particularly in Ireland & indeed across Europe will probably long term be a very good driver for women entrepreneurs. I think there's probably better structures now & we can talk about some of those later on.But I think in general from an entrepreneur we look that they are very passionate about what they're about to do or want to do.That they have fantastic knowledge, domain knowledge about the market, product, the competitors. Not just the technology, but how it actually fits into the ecosystem & how it's going to compete. Then finally how they're going to take it to market. A lot of entrepreneurs don't actually think about (they might have great technology) but they haven't quite worked out what the sales strategy, what the business plan is & how they'e actually going to get it into the market. I think they're kind of personal attributes.You want them also to be keen listeners.I mean in the sense, open to taking in input. We're not passive investors.Entrepreneurs aren't passive people either. You back entrepreneurs, you don't hire them! You hire CEOs, you don't hire entrepreneurs.So we back teams, we back entrepreneurs & teams.That's what we're looking for first & foremost. Not easy to find the ones that are truly world class but you can find guys that can absolutely grow & scale & benefit from our mistakes, as previous entrepreneurs & founders. And our successes as well & you're hoping to actually pass that on. To do that they've got to be open to it.������

Pemo: What can women entrepreneurs/startups do to increase their chances in sourcing venture?

Elaine: I think that's a very good question.I think that women have got to be really much more confident in themselves & have much more belief in themselves. Be a little bit more ballsy & going out there & sourcing capital & be willing to get nos.Because the reality is you get a lot of nos in this business.Actually you don't even get the nos, a lot of people don't even tell you no.The good guys tell you no.I think women aren't as good at getting out there & networking & being a little bit more forthright.It would never be said about us that we're too backward in going forward, which we are.Typically you find women entrepreneurs are product experts so maybe they've been the code monkey, they've been the one that has built the product. They know the space well. Completely blind on sales, pushing, marketing, getting out there. I think those front of house skills, as I call them, as opposed to back of house skills.I think they must be much, much more confident in front of house. Take a chance. Guys are much more willing to give it a whirl. Let's spin, let's see what happens.Instead of quietly beavering away.They don't really shine the light very brightly in terms of saying 'Look how fabulous I am & look at what a fabulous product I have. So in selling ourselves I think we've just got to be much more confident & a little bit more outgoing. I don't want to use the word aggressive but being much more proactive about pushing. Be open & be very aware that you're going to suffer a lot of rejection.But you just need one to say yes! You can take thousands of nos if you get one yes.Also I think familiarity with the process.I think that's fair.Women just aren't familar with the vc process because quite frankly this generation of women entrepreneurs are standing on the shoulders of the previous generation of women.And there wasn't many of them that were out there as entrepreneurs. So they're really pioneers & cutting new ground. I think that's where we have to look at the supports, the mentoring, to help give them the framework of this is what you need to expect.Because women are really fast learners. They don't need to be told things twice. You don't expect people to do it in a vacuum is the reality. It's going to be difficult for them to do it in a vacuum.I think network.We've got to be much better at networking. Women should not have a bias now with networking with other women & other successful women. Other successful women always to the next generation of women, to put a hand down & pull them up. At all levels, both the women that have been successful in venture, in industry, in finance, we need to be much more cohesive as a group in trying to bring women entrepreneurs forward. The reality is that entrepreneurs need a lot of support in any event.But as a minority women entrepreneurs just need much more coaching, mentoring, support to understand the rules of the game as it were.

�������

Pemo: That's one of the reasons I've been doing these interviews.I think the other piece that happens in Europe, having lived in Ireland & the UK is that failure which is obviously part of the deal when you're doing these sort of startups or ventures is culturally looked at differently than it would be say in the US. I'm wondering how you tackle that I guess with female entrepreneurs?Because women tend to want to really make sure that they succeed, that's what I've heard from other vcs & women founders.That may be also where the numbers are falling down?

Elaine: That's a very good point.

Video interview with Elaine Coughlan, Partner Atlantic Bridge, Ireland http://www.abven.com/team/elaine_coughlan.html Elaine has over 15 years operational experience in technology companies with extensive merger and acquisition experience. She has been involved in three successful initial public offerings and two secondary offerings raising more than $1.6 billion in capital for various companies. She served as the CFO of semiconductor company Parthus Technologies plc (now CEVA Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company), from 1999 to 2003. Most recently she was a director and co-founder of GloNav, a GPS semiconductor portfolio company which was sold to NXP in January 2008 for $110 million

Pemo: Which themes do you like to invest, what is your sweet spot?�

Elaine: We just do tech. In Europe we are rare enough in that the team is all from industry.� We're from semi conductors & software backgrounds, long careers. So you have people in the team that are serial entrepreneurs that have built a few companies. Executives, so CEO, CFO all types of roles. That's not the common, it is in the US but it's not in Europe the common approach where venture capital is typically drawn from the financial industry. We don't like taking product risk so we like to move a little bit beyond the curb.� We have done it & in our first one we've got a mix of mid & early stage.� But we prefer to move beyond the seed & the first round & to I suppose the scaling type stage. But we're not religious about, if you have an opportunity where you have a serial entrepreneur who has a fantastic record in a particular domain it can be of interest to us.� In terms of technologies we may sometimes change but generally speaking mobile, wireless have been a big feature of what we have done both in our tech backgrounds & in our businesses. Mobile, wireless, cloud computing is such a huge part of the shift & trend. Security around that, security software, web infrastructure.� It's very difficult to know or back what's the next facebook or Twitter so we probably focus a little bit more on the infrastructure that enables those businesses. Digital home, home networking, intranet everywhere, technologies like wifi direct which is both home & wireless play. So we accept the domains & we obviously keep them under review & they change sometimes.� We then go out & try & find the companies in those domains.� So we probably have 5 or 6 domains that are relatively broad. We stick to those & they're areas that we have guys that have domain knowledge, expertise etc in.� So we try to stick to what we know.�

Pemo: What do you look for in women entrepreneurs & startups that indicate interest to you in investing in their businesses?

Elaine: Well there's not many of them, that's the first problem.� I don't think there's anything different in terms of what we look for between a woman entrepreneur or a guy.� I think in general when you meet women entrepreneurs you find that they are incredibly energetic & focused about their business. That's really critical.� They probably have that in spades maybe a little bit more than some of the guys.� Just purely because they've had to have that to evenget to the stage to spin something out, back something out, start something up.� But genuinely I've been disappointed in terms of just the numbers coming through.� They say never waste a crisis, I think the current recession particularly in Ireland & indeed across Europe will probably long term be a very good driver for women entrepreneurs. I think there's probably better structures now & we can talk about some of those later on.� But I think in general from an entrepreneur we look that they are very passionate about what they're about to do or want to do.� That they have fantastic knowledge, domain knowledge about the market, product, the competitors. Not just the technology, but how it actually fits into the ecosystem & how it's going to compete. Then finally how they're going to take it to market. A lot of entrepreneurs don't actually think about (they might have great technology) but they haven't quite worked out what the sales strategy, what the business plan is & how they'e actually going to get it into the market. I think they're kind of personal attributes.� You want them also to be keen listeners.� I mean in the sense, open to taking in input. We're not passive investors.� Entrepreneurs aren't passive people either. You back entrepreneurs, you don't hire them! You hire CEOs, you don't hire entrepreneurs.� So we back teams, we back entrepreneurs & teams.� That's what we're looking for first & foremost. Not easy to find the ones that are truly world class but you can find guys that can absolutely grow & scale & benefit from our mistakes, as previous entrepreneurs & founders. And our successes as well & you're hoping to actually pass that on. To do that they've got to be open to it.������

Pemo: What can women entrepreneurs/startups do to increase their chances in sourcing venture?

Elaine: I think that's a very good question.� I think that women have got to be really much more confident in themselves & have much more belief in themselves. Be a little bit more ballsy & going out there & sourcing capital & be willing to get nos.� Because the reality is you get a lot of nos in this business.� Actually you don't even get the nos, a lot of people don't even tell you no.� The good guys tell you no.� I think women aren't as good at getting out there & networking & being a little bit more forthright.� It would never be said about us that we're too backward in going forward, which we are.� Typically you find women entrepreneurs are product experts so maybe they've been the code monkey, they've been the one that has built the product. They know the space well. Completely blind on sales, pushing, marketing, getting out there. I think those front of house skills, as I call them, as opposed to back of house skills.� I think they must be much, much more confident in front of house. Take a chance. Guys are much more willing to give it a whirl. Let's spin, let's see what happens.� Instead of quietly beavering away.� They don't really shine the light very brightly in terms of saying 'Look how fabulous I am & look at what a fabulous product I have. So in selling ourselves I think we've just got to be much more confident & a little bit more outgoing. I don't want to use the word aggressive but being much more proactive about pushing. Be open & be very aware that you're going to suffer a lot of rejection.� But you just need one to say yes! You can take thousands of nos if you get one yes.� Also I think familiarity with the process.� I think that's fair.� Women just aren't familar with the vc process because quite frankly this generation of women entrepreneurs are standing on the shoulders of the previous generation of women.� And there wasn't many of them that were out there as entrepreneurs. So they're really pioneers & cutting new ground. I think that's where we have to look at the supports, the mentoring, to help give them the framework of this is what you need to expect.� Because women are really fast learners. They don't need to be told things twice. You don't expect people to do it in a vacuum is the reality. It's going to be difficult for them to do it in a vacuum.� I think network.� We've got to be much better at networking. Women should not have a bias now with networking with other women & other successful women. Other successful women always to the next generation of women, to put a hand down & pull them up. At all levels, both the women that have been successful in venture, in industry, in finance, we need to be much more cohesive as a group in trying to bring women entrepreneurs forward. The reality is that entrepreneurs need a lot of support in any event.� But as a minority women entrepreneurs just need much more coaching, mentoring, support to understand the rules of the game as it were.�

Pemo: That's one of the reasons I've been doing these interviews.� I think the other piece that happens in Europe, having lived in Ireland & the UK is that failure which is obviously part of the deal when you're doing these sort of startups or ventures is culturally looked at differently than it would be say in the US. I'm wondering how you tackle that I guess with female entrepreneurs?� Because women tend to want to really make sure that they succeed, that's what I've heard from other vcs & women founders.� That may be also where the numbers are falling down?

Elaine: That's a very good point.� I think it's very true.� Failure is very difficult & there is a cultural aspect to this.� If you look at the US its a badge of honor.� Here it's a bit of a badge of honor, believe it or not, I love for a guy to say we did this but we failed.� I immediately think well you know what he's gone off & bled on somebody else's carpet.� He knows now, he's worth backing. So culturally it is an issue & genderwise I think you're right, women always aspire to be top of the class.� I think failure doesn't come naturally to us. We're not probably natural risk takers either.� That's the other part, that's the corollary of that. So I think again I think it comes back to, to the extent that they're in the world of tech, venture, finance, they're going to see hey you know what a lot of other people fail.� It's a bit like the banks here in Ireland.� I have to say they were run by guys & you know what girls we really can't do any worse than them.� They've made such a screwup of it. So women need to think like that.�

Thanks to Alexander Blu for music 'Moderato' http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/718

I think it's very true.Failure is very difficult & there is a cultural aspect to this.If you look at the US its a badge of honor.Here it's a bit of a badge of honor, believe it or not, I love for a guy to say we did this but we failed.I immediately think well you know what he's gone off & bled on somebody else's carpet.He knows now, he's worth backing. So culturally it is an issue & genderwise I think you're right, women always aspire to be top of the class.I think failure doesn't come naturally to us. We're not probably natural risk takers either.That's the other part, that's the corollary of that. So I think again I think it comes back to, to the extent that they're in the world of tech, venture, finance, they're going to see hey you know what a lot of other people fail.It's a bit like the banks here in Ireland.I have to say they were run by guys & you know what girls we really can't do any worse than them.They've made such a screwup of it. So women need to think like that.

Thanks to Alexander Blu for music 'Moderato' http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/718

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