The Unfathomable Ups and Downs of Politics, Love, and Community
Ever wondered how a venture into politics could shake up your life? Join us as we walk through this extraordinary journey with a special guest, my boyfriend, Dan. We peel back the layers of our personal story, taking you from our initial meeting to moving back home after a decade on the West Coast, and how these changes put our relationship to the test. We also delve into the riveting experience of organizing a vast community event that serendipitously brought us together.
But our story doesn't just stop at community events. We've worn many hats, from being accidental homeowners to campaigners for my election. As we recount our experiences, we unveil the trials and triumphs that have not only shaped our bond but also led us to a deeper understanding of each other.
The second segment of our conversation opens the door to the complexities and struggles of being in the public eye. From the unwelcome advances during the campaign, the betrayals, to public rumors, we share how these incidents marked us and how we managed to navigate through them.
As we tie up our narrative, we reflect on the challenges we faced together - travel troubles, a police vendetta, and personal struggles, and how these hurdles have fortified our relationship. But more than that, we talk about the overwhelming support we received during these trying times, and how it has left us with a profound appreciation for our community. Our journey has been far from easy, but through it all, we've learned that every challenge offers an opportunity for growth and a chance to build a stronger bond. Listen in as we share our story, our adventures, and the lessons we've learned along the way.
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------
(0:00:00) - Interviewing Boyfriend
(0:17:15) - Planning and Organizing a Community Event
(0:24:44) - Navigating Eventbrite Ticket Issues
(0:33:39) - Meeting at the School Event
(0:48:47) - From Texting to Dating
(0:55:20) - Impulsive House Purchase
(1:11:39) - Small Town Campaigning and Support
(1:18:00) - Unwanted Advances and Betrayal in Campaign
(1:32:19) - Public Rumors and Personal Struggles
(1:39:56) - Travel Troubles
(1:53:39) - Political Vendetta and Abuse of Power
(1:59:05) - Difficulties and Support in a Relationship
(2:12:55) - Introduction to "The Salt Grain" Podcast
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------
(0:00:00) - Interviewing Boyfriend
We discussed moving home, our story of meeting, and how politics changed our lives.
(0:17:15) - Planning and Organizing a Community Event
I ran a tech-driven town meeting, setting up a website and ticketing system, with bars, food, and a step and repeat banner.
(0:24:44) - Navigating Eventbrite Ticket Issues
I helped Dan buy a ticket on Eventbrite, explaining directions and using his new iPhone.
(0:33:39) - Meeting at the School Event
We expressed gratitude, shared sentimentality, discussed West Coast party culture, and reflected on my journey to becoming a Blue Raider.
(0:48:47) - From Texting to Dating
Dan and I discussed my single life, his dating scene, and his literal interpretation of my suggestion to "go out and bang 20 chicks".
(0:55:20) - Impulsive House Purchase
Dan and I moved in together, found an apartment in the Summer Set school system, bought a house, and encountered a neighbor wanting to buy a pizza wedge of land.
(1:11:39) - Small Town Campaigning and Support
Campaigning for my sister, Emily, with support from Ricardo, I faced social media attacks and lack of sleep.
(1:18:00) - Unwanted Advances and Betrayal in Campaign
Ricardo's inappropriate advances, my difficult decision to tell Dan, and the fact that Ricardo had too much time on his hands were discussed.
(1:32:19) - Public Rumors and Personal Struggles
We discuss social media attacks, Pat McDonald's story, cheeseburgers, and how I can now ignore the haters.
(1:39:56) - Travel Troubles
We prepared for a trip to San Diego for a wedding, put fail safes in place for my boyfriend's children, and were shocked to find police officers in our kitchen due to a school principal's routine wellness check.
(1:53:39) - Political Vendetta and Abuse of Power
A police officer pursued a vendetta against Dan and me, sending letters to the town and attempting to discredit the police chief, causing a feeling of violation.
(1:59:05) - Difficulties and Support in a Relationship
Neighbor's water main break, police officer's vendetta, former chief's stories, no grudges, San Diego trip preparation discussed.
(2:12:55) - Introduction to "The Salt Grain" Podcast
Our neighbor's water main break led to appreciation for community and neighborly kindness.
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH FULL SUMMARIES ---------
(0:00:00) - Interviewing Boyfriend (17 Minutes)
I chat with my boyfriend, Dan, about the story of how we met and how a life of politics changed our lives. I discuss moving home after living on the West Coast for 11 years, and how despite being happy and single, I decided it was time to settle down and move back home. I talk about how I was inspired by a friend's story, and how I had to make the decision to leave my Bay Bridge View apartment in San Francisco. I also share some of the fun and interesting stories of how Dan and I met and how our lives have changed since then.
(0:17:15) - Planning and Organizing a Community Event (7 Minutes)
My sister Emily convinced me to attend a town meeting and I was assigned the role of running the committee. I had to use my tech knowledge to set up a website and an online ticketing system for the event. We put together an amazing event, complete with bars, food stations, a step and repeat banner, and more. My background in tech was a culture shock compared to my small town.
(0:24:44) - Navigating Eventbrite Ticket Issues (9 Minutes)
My background in the printing industry helped me assist my boyfriend Dan when he encountered a problem trying to buy a ticket on Eventbrite. I explained the directions and how to use his new iPhone. Dan's innocence and good intentions were refreshing and his willingness to follow directions made him the perfect person to invite to my event.
(0:33:39) - Meeting at the School Event (15 Minutes)
I put my arm around the event organizer, Holly, to express my sincere gratitude for her hard work. Dan shared his sentimentality towards the school and how it left him feeling like he lost something. We discussed how I was used to the party culture of the West Coast and how my experience with Dan was something completely different. Finally, we talked about my journey from growing up in Berkeley to becoming a proud Blue Raider and the emotions that came with the school being torn down in front of our eyes.
(0:48:47) - From Texting to Dating (7 Minutes)
We discuss the night before Dan and I initially met, when I texted him in distress from a club, and how he eventually came to my mother's porch to meet me. We talk about my single life after a divorce, and how Dan was taking his time to get back out in the dating scene. We also talk about how he took my suggestion to "go out and bang 20 chicks" very literally, and how he ended up taking me to the concert with the ticket he bought a month before.
(0:55:20) - Impulsive House Purchase (16 Minutes)
We explore how I moved in with my boyfriend Dan and his two kids in Taunton, Massachusetts. We discuss the process of finding an apartment in the Summer Set school system as well as the story of how Dan and I ended up buying a house together shortly after he moved in. I share my experience of visiting the house for sale with my sister and our surprise at seeing an open house, as well as the story of the neighbor who wanted to buy the pizza wedge of land from our house.
(1:11:39) - Small Town Campaigning and Support (6 Minutes)
I recount the challenging journey of campaigning for my sister, Emily, and how a random person named Ricardo came to my rescue. We discuss the support system I had in place, the struggles of being attacked on social media, and the lack of sleep I experienced during the campaign trail. Ricardo took me out for drinks one night and his support helped me to push through the campaign.
(1:18:00) - Unwanted Advances and Betrayal in Campaign (14 Minutes)
We discuss an uncomfortable experience I had with Ricardo, a married acquaintance of mine. He hit on me and wouldn't take no for an answer, even after I told him multiple times. I had to put up with it until the election was over and then a week later I ran into him again at a town meeting. He tried to do the same thing again, but I was luckily able to fight him off and get him out of my car. After that, I was left with a difficult decision of whether or not to tell my boyfriend Dan about the situation. We reflect on how Ricardo had too much time on his hands and was likely taking advantage of the fact that Dan and I were fighting.
(1:32:19) - Public Rumors and Personal Struggles (8 Minutes)
We discuss the rumors that began after I was elected to office, and how the four of us became good friends despite them. I explain how I was impacted by the social media attacks, and how Dan was always there to help me. My love of cheeseburgers is also discussed, as well as the story of how Pat McDonald's began and how it still continues today. Lastly, I talk about how I am now in a place where I can ignore the haters and sleep peacefully at night.
(1:39:56) - Travel Troubles (14 Minutes)
We recount the events that led to Dan and I taking a trip to San Diego for his best friend's wedding. I discuss the process of preparing for the trip, including the fail safes we put in place for my boyfriend's children, who were 13 and 16 at the time. We talk about the shock we felt upon seeing two police officers in our kitchen via our home security cameras. It turns out one of my boyfriend's sons had bragged at school about being home alone for a week and the principal called the police for a wellness check. We explore how the principal's actions were a result of her daily routine, rather than a judgement of us as parents.
(1:53:39) - Political Vendetta and Abuse of Power (5 Minutes)
We recount the events of a police officer pursuing a vendetta against Dan and me. This involved sending a letter to my town alleging I was abusing my power as a selectman. We discuss the support we received from the community and how the union lawyer attempted to limit our options with their opinion on the matter. Six weeks later, a 14 page letter was sent trying to make the current police chief look bad. I experienced a feeling of violation, like I had been raped. I called the principal and George in the middle of the night to express my disbelief at the situation.
(1:59:05) - Difficulties and Support in a Relationship (14 Minutes)
A woman rang our doorbell at 9am on a Saturday morning. It turns out she was a neighbor who had a water main break, and was trying to contact the fire department. We then discuss the police officer who had a vendetta against Dan and me, and how he tried to use me as a pawn to get to Dan. We also discuss how Dan's former chief made up stories about him to try to ruin his career. I explain that I don't hold any grudges and try to keep things unconditional. Finally, we discuss our preparation for a trip to San Diego for Dan's best friend's wedding.
(2:12:55) - Introduction to "The Salt Grain" Podcast (1 Minutes)
On a Saturday morning, our neighbor rang our doorbell due to a water main break. I had to contact the fire department and my town to resolve the issue. The experience led to a greater appreciation for the community and the value of neighborly kindness.
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The Salt Grain
When public figures stop pandering and start getting real.
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