Thursday, December 8, 2011

A Change Has Come and It Comes with Pie

Tomorrow I have the honor of doing something absurd- leaving a job I love while grinning to Cheshire proportions. Friday is my last day at Edelman after three and a half fantastic years.

All of this because Monday will be my first day on the digital team at Obama for America.

I’m joining the team to do whatever I can to ensure Barack Obama is reelected, as I believe him to be one of the single greatest agents for positive change my generation will know. I’m doing it because it absolutely qualifies as a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to be part of something *big*, on behalf of something I so wholeheartedly believe in.

And because this is still a food blog and this is how we celebrate… I baked a pie. I will save you from any self-assigned deep metaphorical meaning and just tell you it’s an apple pie topped with half blueberries and half cranberries and it was delicious.

Baked goods aside (for now), I have every reason to believe this could be the single hardest thing I’ve ever taken on. I’m on the brink of being fully absorbed into a challenge so rich that it will swallow me whole for the next year by every account, including that of my new colleagues. And yet I can feel myself humming in anticipation, ready to dig in, understand, and be useful. There is a very real chance that everything I've done to date has led me straight to this whether I was aware of it or not.

For the last few years I have had the supreme good fortune of filling a role at Edelman that more often than not felt tailored to me like a glove, and definitely the kind with the nerdy tip points for texting. I've spent the last three years reading stories and meeting the women and men behind them. I've watched voices from the depths of the Internet become credible and recognized voices of “the people.” There are days when I even feel like I had a bit part in setting up the loudspeakers.

Not to mention the adventures. One after the other after the next and I came home breathless and chattering nonstop. I met her! We ate there! We had the best idea! From Portland to Asheville to Austin to San Diego and New York, New Jersey and New Orleans, I was buzzing. And I was pinching myself all the while for being the one that got to connect the dots. For getting to do it in such fine company.

I work with a bunch of nerds and it’s the highest compliment I can think to give in this context. People with the wanton ability to geek out over feed readers, measurement theories and platform coding but it goes beyond that.

I’m talking about food policy wonks, letterpress junkies, women in waders in search of a quiet spot with all the fish. People who run marathons with hip fractures because you cannot stop them from moving and try at your own peril. Star Wars junkies, chorus girls, music nuts, a fascinating breed of style curators and even a NASCAR fan. There may even have been a few fellow kitchen witches, Gryffindors, cat ladies and bourbon lovers. Just maybe. They are the kind of people who rave rave rave on about that thing you must try because it’s spectacular.

I can’t underline the importance of working with people who are passionate. Who are excited and eager and, above everything else, they are curious.

How does that work? Can I take it apart and will there be something simple and true at the center of it? Yes? Then let’s go there.

Yes. Let’s. I have a good feeling that I’m not done with the nerds. If anything, the stakes may have just been raised. Now that the secret is out, you know where to find me in 2012. There’s work to be done and if you feel like helping, I will gladly take you up on that.

Be advised, I'll be asking for your vote as well.

49 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brandon Zeman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brandon Zeman said...

Huge congratulations, Jessi. I know that whatever you'll be doing, you'll kick ass at it.

TKTC said...

Brandon, Elizabeth - thank you so much!

Lauren said...

Congrats! Campaigns are so much fun!

Rachel said...

Jessi,

I'm SO excited for you! You will kick ass in life whatever you choose to do. Sending you love and excitement from way down South.

Also - that pie sounds ridiculously yummy!

{hugs} and best wishes!

ExtraordinaryMommy said...

Jessi - huge congratulations - I smiled as I read your post - I could feel your joy. Thrilled for you.... amazing to be able to follow your passion

doniree said...

How exciting, Jessi! Congratulations and good luck to you on Monday! :)

designHER Momma said...

you are going to do awesome!!!!!! Since you're a blogger, we will still get to see you at conferences, right?

Kim Moldofsky said...

Amazing! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

You have no idea how honored I feel that this particular bit of changw was baked in my oven. You are an inspiration and a treasure. I hope Mr Obama realizes how lucky he is. xoxo

Kristen said...

Huge congratulations to you! What an amazing opportunity!

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

SO incredible!! You will do a fantastic job!

Unknown said...

Aaahhhhhh so pumped for you!! Congrats Jessi, go get 'em!

whoorl said...

You are AWESOME. I am so excited for you!

TKTC said...

I don't know how to properly express my gratitude here. Rachel, Lauren, Sarah, Danielle, Kristen, Doni, Kim and Emily+1...you are a seriously inspiring bunch of Women. To say that I have learned a lot from you in the last few years doesn't do enough to acknowledge how much I have left to learn. Thank you for the love then and now and next!

heather... said...

I am SO THRILLED for you Jessi!! I can't wait to hear about your new role - and BTW, you have my vote!

Unknown said...

Just saw Danielle's comment about this on FB, and it's so awesome! Many congrats!!!

Lauren said...

Wow, congrats Jessie!!!! You are an amazing woman and so talented. I have no doubt you will bring success to anything you do. Glad I can follow you via blog/FB. Sending big hugs!!!!

kat said...

Holy shit! This is fabulous news. Congrats x 1000.

Eddie said...

Told you many times already, but congratulations again ... you will be missed!

Caleb said...

I still expect you to stop by for a Macallan every once in a while. Just so you know.

Amy said...

Wishing you all the best on your new adventure Jessi! xoxoxo

Katelin said...

that is awesome jess! good luck with team obama!!

Walk to the Mailbox said...

So beyond proud to know you and support you through and through. LOVE! xo

Laurel of Sass Attack, RIP said...

Fantastic news!! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures over the next 11 months.

TKTC said...

Heather, I will take that vote and I might raise you an adorable curly-haired child with an OFA 2012 shirt on. Fruit for thought and THANK YOU!

Aimee, I will take your battleground state vote and I am glad we still have Pinterest. Just don't let me start pinning poll returns. That's when you'll know I've turned a dark corner.

Lauren- I got to tell MB in person which I was so glad for. Excited for this new endeavor but you were such a big part of Edel-adventures past that you were very much on my mind last week.

Kat- I will still be reading Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone within 24 hours of my pre-order's arrival.

Eddie and Caleb- I miss you already. I hope there's a scotch crawlspace on 66 in case of emergencies.

Amy- It has been such a pleasure, Mrs Johnson! I will likely still be following along the adventures of Team Bean from afar:)

Katelin- YES! Bummed to miss the conference circuit but this is just a very different bit of gift.

Laurel- I love the edit to your comment name Thank you so much...tomorrow is the big day!

yummy supper said...

Wow! Good for you for going for what you really believe in. I wish you luck in your new adventure and I for one hope you can help Obama stay in the White House.
-E

Nancy G. said...

Jessi,

Fantastic news for you! I am sure you will be as phenomenal at this as you were with Edelman.

And I just might add, that is one fine looking pie!

Admin said...

nice blog

indianafuji said...

This pie looks amazing! Glad you are working for our president's reelection, too :)

Lynda said...

Congrats on the new job. It sounds amazingly exciting.

Anonymous said...

buy best CvlbsoVy [URL=http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/]spyder outlet aurora[/URL] , just clicks away mWPpgsKI [URL=http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/ ] http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

purchase AURHQLIQ [URL=http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/]spyder jackets mens[/URL] for less NPEAcoXX [URL=http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/ ] http://www.spyderjackets--outlet.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

you love this? GBXGqrDn [URL=http://www.burberry--outlet-online.weebly.com/]burberry trench[/URL] , for special offer dEqxYeNU [URL=http://www.burberry--outlet-online.weebly.com/ ] http://www.burberry--outlet-online.weebly.com/ [/URL]

dsds said...

This is a fantastic website, could you be interested in going through an interview concerning just how you made it? You can visit my site.
love

pokerrepublik said...

pokerrepublik login
link alternatif pokerrepublik
pokerrepublik live chat
pokerqq188
cara bermain judi
pokermas


jepang ngentod
video xnxx
pacar bucin
video bokep online jepang
video bokep online
video ngentod pejabat
video hot nikmat
video hijab
video hot terbaru Ml
bokep hot terbaru
bokep indo 69
video porno terbaru
video skandal bokep
video porno indonesia
video hot indo psk
abg mandi dan bugil
bokep tocil
bokep jilat memek
bokep indo ngentod binor
video bokep hot gairah
video hot main
ngentod jablay
ngentod spg
bokep malay ngentod
pns ngentod
bokep amoy singkawang
ngentod di kamar
tante ngentod
bokep indo skandal terbaru
video ngentod tante
bokep indo bispak
bokep indo ngentod bu haji
bokep jav terbaru
bokep abg smp
bokep live
bokep cewek cantik
situs video bokep
bokep indo terbaru

BMW EXPORT CO UK said...

guest post SEO very interesting

NOOR ul AIN said...

Now we're seeing this same dynamic in romance Apk Write For Us

overseas education consultants said...

Nice
overseas consultancy in delhi
study abroad consultants

overseas education consultants said...

Great
overseas education consultants in india
best overseas education consultants in delhi

Wiki said...

Click Here
Click Here

overseas education consultants said...

Great
ielts training center near me
ielts coaching institute near me
pte coaching near me
online ielts coaching in delhi
top ielts coaching in delhi
ielts preparation delhi
ielts syllabus
ielts exam syllabus
ielts syllabus
ielts exam eligibility
ielts eligibility

The Vocal News said...

Thankyou for sharing
Health News in Hindi
Automobile News in Hindi
Raksha Bandhan 2021

Surbhi Jain said...

Tech News in Hindi

India News in hindi

Ind vs eng

Thanks to you for the share

Surbhi Jain said...

Tech News in Hindi

India News in hindi



Ind vs eng

Naman said...

FILMY ZILLA
https://thevocalnews.com/

The Vocal News said...

Bhojpuri sexy Video

Gold Price Today

Sports Hindi News

Thanks for share amazing content

DR AQ said...

Best place to order 10mg roxicodone near me.Write For Us Technology