This Interview was done November 3rd, 2017 and I talked with IPhone Life Magazine writer, Jim Karpen.   This is a series of Fairfield Cards that have been produced to commemorate Fairfield, Iowa's unique distinction as the "Renaissance Capital of the World.".   

Our next Fairfield Trading Card Spotlight features Jim Karpen, who is displayed on card number 14, from the Fairfield Collection. These cards commemorate Fairfield, Iowa's unique distinction as the "Renaissance Capital of the World."  Jim has been involved in TM (Transcendental Meditation) since the early 1970s. Starting in the year 2000, Jim has worked full time as a writer for Maharishi University of Management as well as for various publications, with a focus on technology. Most recently he wrote for iPhone Life Magazine. Jim also enjoys tennis. 

How is your involvement in the TM industry been important to you?

It has transformed my life. I had never been very successful at anything, but that all changed once I began TM. I went back to school and did well, ending up with a PhD. And now, after 40 years, I’m enjoying experiences I could never have imagined.

 Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Steven Lucas, who is displayed on card number 178, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.   Steven is the 1991 Nintendo Campus Challenge National Champion, in which players contested over Super Mario Bros. 3, Pin-bot and Dr. Mario on a time limited cartridge. Steven has a passion for gaming and always can be seen attending various conferences and events in the gaming industry. He has also competed in other tournaments such as the Sega Genesis College Tournament. 

If you can design your own game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?

Well I did make a game using the Shoot Em Up Construction Set where a kid who had his Nintendo taken away by his parents and given away to unsavory characters fights to recover it. "Battle for Nintendo Power".

To celebrate this weekends Midwest Gaming Classic event,  we look back at the person that helped start it all, Dan Loosen.  On April 13th-15th, 2018 Dan will be hosting one the largest video game conferences in the Midwest.   This interview with Dan was done on December 6th, 2015.  Hope to see you at MGC in Milwaukee.  

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Dan Loosen who is displayed on card number 160, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Dan is one of the co-founders and organizers of the Midwest Gaming Classic, a gaming trade show in Milwaukee, WI.  The MGC showcases retro and modern home video game consoles, pinball machines, arcade video games, computers, table top gaming, crane games, collectible card games and much more.  

When did you first meet Walter Day and where was it at?

I first met Walter at the 2004 Midwest Gaming Classic. He had emailed me and told me that he would be coming to our show with a few players and was it okay if a team that was shooting a documentary was there too.  We said sure, and a few weeks later at the show I met him.  I didn’t have too long to talk to him, but he was definitely a great person to have around, and his love of the culture around gaming and preserving that culture was outstanding.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mike Gedeon, who’s Cleveland's Classic Console and Arcade Gaming Show (CCAG) is displayed on card number 233, from the Superstars of 2012. Mike and his partner Matt Teske are the organizers of the Cleveland Classic Gaming Show in Ohio.  This event displays various gaming displays form both console and arcade gaming, as well as pinball.  Tournaments, auctions, prizes and many other surprises can be found at this one-day event.   The mission of this event is “To strive to keep the days of early video gaming alive.  Paying homage to the games and systems that started and formed the largest and most pervasive form of entertainment media ever!”

Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

 Probably either some black & white arcade games at the local Sears or some 70’s pinball machines on a Florida vacation.