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Tiffany
"Fuel Family Profile" is a more in-depth, get-to-know-you-better type of interview. In this issue of EFI, we get to know Tiffany. First thing, tell everyone a little about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now? Where do you work? Married? Kids? When you joined Fuel? ...things like that. I was born and raised in Princeton, WV, about 90 miles from the "big city" of Roanoke. When I was growing up, Roanoke was "the city", and "the place to go". I still think of it that way and people who grew up here flat out laugh at me. I am an only child and had just a few close friends growing up. I found comfort and total escape in music. I moved to Virginia straight out of my parent's house when I got married back in 1997. I married a guy I met in college, and honestly we should have just stayed friends. He wasn?t the right one. I knew it but I ignored my gut feelings. Looking back now, it was a blessing in disguise. I just got married, about three months ago, on February 7th to the absolute LOVE of my life! For me to have met Chip is such a blessing from God. The line of events that occurred for us to meet was unbelievable and a little freaky! Let me put it this way - on our first date we just "knew" and told each other "I LOVE YOU!" on the first date. I thought it was crazy. We both LOVE METALLICA. I walked down the aisle to "Orion". We cut the lights off in the church and blasted the first part and everyone just sat there, and I stood at the door. Then about the 3:50 minute mark of the song - you know when you hear the gong sound - they turned the church lights up just a bit, and I walked down the aisle to marry Chip. It was the best day of my life! Then we rode off in a white Harley and he picked me up and put me in the sidecar.
 Me and Chip at our wedding
 Me and Chip at our wedding When Chip and I met back in 2007, his two kids came into my life. They are AWESOME! So now I?m a stepmom. They are 6 and 8 years old, and I am just crazy about them. They love being with us, and we are introducing them to Metallica and The Blues Brothers.
 Right now, I live with Chip and two shih-tzus in Daleville, VA which is in Botetourt County (north of Roanoke). I have my own business, Tiffany Lynn Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. I'm a private jeweler and diamond broker and I absolutely love it! My family has been in the diamonds business since 1912. I was named after, well...Tiffany?s! I didn't think I wanted to do diamonds as a career because I grew up in it, so I decided on majoring in psychology. I went to Concord College in West Virginia and earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, and then I went to Radford University and got a Master's Degree in Community Counseling. I did an internship and found out that I hated counseling. Growing up, my Grandfather (who I called BIG DADDY) taught me so much about the diamond business. Just hanging out in his store prepared me for what I was supposed to do. While I was getting my master?s degree, I sold a few diamonds to other fellow students in my class and some therapists at the rehab where I did my internship. Selling diamonds was way cool. I was hooked. Right after I graduated, I knew that I wanted to be involved with diamonds in some way, shape or form. So I decided to start my own business back in 2003. I still own that business, and I love it. I went to D.C. and studied with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and got my Graduate Diamond Diploma. It's hard sometimes selling diamonds because there is only you. Sometimes you are up and having a really good month, and then sometimes two months will go by and you don't sell anything. For those rough times, I also have a second job which I have done since I was about 17-years-old. I teach aerobics, and I?m a personal trainer. I teach cycle, jump rope, body pump, power punch and several other classes. In my personal training business, I help my clients with their workouts (And, I try to sell them diamonds in the process!) So, you rode off from your wedding on a Harley! How long have you been a Harley owner? Tell us about your ride. Have you ever been to Sturgis? I got my first bike in 2007 right after I got divorced. I had always wanted one, so the first thing I did was buy a 2005 white Sportster 1200. Once I got it, of course, I wanted it LOUDER; so I took it to a bike shop I had never heard of. The shop was recommended by woman who takes my body pump class. That's how I met Chip. He upgraded my pipes! I kept that bike for about eight months, and then Chip encouraged me to get a bigger bike. I was really apprehensive, but I found one I loved. I sold my Sportster, and now I have a 2007 Dyna Street Bob, 1450 with the six-speed transmission. It's COOL AS HELL! And LOUD TOO!
 My first Bike!
 My second Bike! Best Harley trip? Oh this is easy. We left Daleville on June 1, 2008 and rode all the way to the pier in Santa Monica Calif. I didn't get back until June 18th. That trip was...I can't even begin to describe it. It was so amazing! I saw so much, and I can't wait to do it again. We would ride between 450-600 miles a day. I think in total, we traveled about 6,500 miles. We didn't plan anything, just stopped when we were tired and could find a decent motel within walking distance of a restaurant. I do have to say I was on the back - I'm not ready for a trip like that on my own bike. When we hit Oklahoma, and all the way into Arizona, the wind was awful. Crosswinds up to I would say 70 to 80 mph. I thought it was going to blow us over! It would be 115 degrees and so freaking hot, we put ice in our helmets. Then, two hours later, the temp would drop to where you were freezing and had to put on your leather. You learn how to pack light! We each had our own saddlebag (one side compartment of the bike) for clothes, shoes, etc.. And we shared the tour-pack. We put food, maps and our leather in there. We have not been to Sturgis, but I'm sure we will go one day. Now, when we go on a vacation where you just stay in one place, I think it's boring!
 Sedona, Arizona - during our cross-country trip
 "Keep Off Wall"...yah right!!! One of my favorite pix! When did you first become Metallica fan? Back when I was in junior high. My first Metallica cassette (which I still have because it's sentimental) was Garage Days. I listened to that so much, there is scotch tape holding it together. My next Metallica album was Justice. That's still one of my favorites. My all-time favorite is Master of Puppets. It's just untouchable. When did you join Virginia Fuel? I joined Virginia Fuel about four years ago. Basically, I had maybe one or two friends down here, who shared my love for Metallica. And, no one really "got it," so somehow I found you guys and it was just like, wow! Here are some people who share a passion I have.
 "Fade to Yack" Jam - April '05 What was your first-ever concert experience? Actually, my first concert was Kenny Rogers and Crystal Gayle when I was 5 years old. That was my parents' doing. My first concert was Van Halen in Greensboro, NC when I was in the 10th grade. The next one was probably Aerosmith or Guns-n-Roses. First Metallica concert? I saw them in Charleston, W.Va., on the Black Album tour (3/22/91) and was in the snake pit right in front. Lars gave me a drumstick, and I got a bunch of pics, too. It was just awesome! How many Metallica concerts have you been to? I think around 14 or 15. Craziest thing that ever happened to you at a concert? Hmmm. Nothing crazy has really happened - except the way I act! I would say getting in the snake pit to see Metallica. Actually, I just remembered something kinda crazy. When I went to see Bob Seger for the third time, I got the best seats in the house - right beside the stage in Row A. One of my friends went with me. When Bob comes on stage, I stand up, all excited, and just start doing my thing. After the third song, a stuck-up woman behind me (dressed up with a fancy scarf around her neck, and her husband was wearing a damn wool turtleneck and a sports coat) says to me, "You need to sit down." I said, "Hell no, I'm not setting down!" She reported me, and the guard and finally came and told me to sit down. I was like this is ridiculous! So, I stood back up, and she reported me again. A roadie for Bob Seger saw what was going on, and he actually told us to come down, and he gave us backstage passes! We got to stand behind the soundboard! That was pretty cool! I wanted to flip the bitch off, but I got the best part of this deal!
 Bob Seger concert Craziest thing that ever happened to on a Harley ride!? We ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere...somewhere in California at a place called "Desert Center". The tom-tom said there were three gas stations there, so we went past a fuel stop back at the border. We pulled off and the needle was below the E on the gauge. We said, "THANK GOD! A fuel stop!" Unfortunately, we found out the first gas station went out of business three months ago; another one just wasn't there; the final one had shut down in the '50s. All that was left was an old-ass diner. I was about to have a heatstroke and there's no gas station for another 30 miles. So, I go in and make friends with the regulars at this diner, and Chip goes outside and runs up to the exit ramp because he sees a guy pulling off. Chip runs up to him and asks if he has any gas on the boat. The guy said he just filled it up and Chip could have as much as he wanted - all he had to do was siphon it. And here's the funny part - they couldn't find a hose, but the guy remembered that he had a beer bong. So, they siphoned the gas with a beer bong!
 Me with the locals in desert center! Who are your favorite bands other than Metallica? Definitely Bob Seger. He is an all time favorite. Others are Kid Rock, the Blues Brothers, Tenacious D, Rob Zombie, AC/DC, Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Joan Jett, Old Crowe Medicine Show, and Hayseed Dixie. Any backstage experiences with Metallica? No. I would just LOVE to have my picture taken with them. That's all. Do you collect anything Metallica-related? Not really anything specific. I have lots of bootleg concerts and a ton of T-shirts. I do have the Todd MacFarlane Justice stage. When you push a button and it plays "One"! That thing is pretty cool!! Tell us your other hobbies or favorite sports. I love to play tennis. I started playing when I was 5, and I was on the team in junior high and high school. Other than that I don't watch sports or play anything that's worth bragging about.
 Somewhere in Arizona during our cross-country trip What magazines or books do you read? I don't read much. I am reading the Bible, and I just got through the "Book of John". I'm reading "Acts" now. I also read jeweler magazines like Modern Jeweler, National Jeweler and In-Store. Have a favorite movie this year? My favorite movie will always be The Blues Brothers. Nothing will ever top that one! I mainly like dumb stupid movies - like Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, Napoleon Dynamite, and a bunch of others. If you were offered a job at Metallica HQ (or in the band) what would you be doing or what instrument would you be playing? I would be their private jeweler! That would be the coolest! To get the band diamond jewelry for their wives, kids, loved ones, etc. I can't play an instrument, but if I could I would love to play the drums. If you were offered your dream job, what would it be? Honestly, it is what I do right now. I feel like I don't even have a job because I LOVE what I do. I get to play with and sell diamonds and jewelry, teach aerobics and do personal training. And, I also sell cowhide rugs on the side and make a decent living when the economy is good, but of course it sucks right now. Who is your favorite all-time Metallica member? And Why? James..hands down. He just exudes a coolness. I don't know how to describe it; he stands on stage and his presence is just OH-MY-GOD. I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. I don't think there could ever be another singer for Metallica. What's you favorite Metallica song and album and why? Favorite song: "Orion". I just got married and walked down the aisle to that song. Every time I hear it, all things come to a stop. It's like something almost religious. Album: Master of Puppets, of course. That whole album is just - there are no words that can describe it.
 Master of Puppets 20th Anniversary Jam - Oct. '06 Favorite snack food? Popcorn, frozen grapes, and this CRAZY health food thing I made up. I call it the food of the future. You don't have to cook it; it never goes bad; and you can carry it anywhere. It's powdered milk, chocolate protein powder and some Splenda. You eat it dry. It's like adult lick-m-aid. What's your favorite secret song by a hair-metal band? "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. My favorite secret hair metal band is Skid Row. What's in your car stereo/CD player, iPod right now?
In my CD player in the car there is Bob Seger - a greatest hits CD that I made. I have What does being a member of Virginia Fuel mean to you?
It means I'm part of the coolest Metallica fan club ever! This is the only club I have ever been in. It's different. It's about being a part of something that very few people understand. No matter if I'm happy, sad, angry, mad, ecstatic, feeling crazy, whatever...I can listen to Metallica, and it gets me through the shitty times and enhances the feeling of the good times! [Ed. Well said,
 Who is your hero, or heroes/heroine? I have a few. The first one is GOD. He has blessed me in so many ways and gives me strength every day. Another is my grandfather (Big Daddy). He passed away last October. He was an incredible man. He was actually the second-generation jeweler in my family, and he is the one who got me in the business and taught me so much. He had a kindness and peacefulness about him that you just don't see much now. My husband Chip has that quality which is so rare. My grandfather was so patient and wanted to offer words of wisdom as much as you were willing to listen. He was the coolest Grandpa, and he has led me to where I am at today. The other person in my life whom I absolutely adore is my husband Chip. He is the most wonderful man. He has the kindest heart and has this peacefulness about him. He has a strong relationship with GOD, and I absolutely love him and want to be with him as much as time allows us. Honestly, I would rather re-live our wedding day than go to a Metallica concert! It was that AWESOME! Well that's it! Thanx Tiffany!!!
 Somewhere in Alabama on our way home. I just like this picture! |
