Three-and-a-half years ago, I interned at Indianapolis Monthly magazine, assisting with tough jobs such as restaurant reviews and searches for the best “cheap eats” in town — an assignment oh-so difficult for a college student.
For the September 2006 issue, they put me on an editorial quest to find the best Indiana-grown popcorn judged by taste, appearance and “popability.” This was an exciting assignment, yes, but there was one minor hang-up: I hated popcorn.
Nevertheless, I researched where every popcorn brand grows its corn, scoured grocery stores and super marts for Indiana-grown popcorn in butter and light varieties, and popped dozens of bags of popcorn for an in-house taste test. After all that, I can say I finally started to like — and even appreciate — the taste of those airy cornballs.
So now, three internships and a diploma later, I’m at Angie’s List Magazine, occasionally taste-testing the fresh-daily buttery snack from the company’s carnival-like popcorn machine located in the Firehouse. My tastebuds are now seasoned professionals at grading popcorn’s taste, appearance and “popability,” and I give Angie’s List popcorn an “A.” Now, if only that grade counted for something on the List.
Brooke is an editorial intern at
Angie’s List magazine. After graduating college, she completed a publishing internship in London, then toured Paris, Ireland and England.
My co-workers in the Angie’s List Blue House make fun of me because I religiously wear Crocs — those clunky, rubbery shoes. I have enough pairs to practically match every outfit I own, and I’m asking for a few more for Christmas. I just love the way they tenderly hug my feet without rubbing a blister into my heel or crunching my toes. And I can’t resist the synthetic fur-lined clogs that keep my feet toasty, despite Indiana’s winter breezes that seep through the Blue House’s old windows.
Last week, I wore my Crocs denim slip-ons, but I freaked out on the walk to lunch with my co-workers. Alas, I noticed my shoe had a hole in the toe! Our walk wasn’t long or treacherous, but it felt that way after discreetly limping my way there; I didn’t want to stretch out the hole even more.
I plan to consult the List for a top-notch shoe repair service around my house. My co-workers may poke fun at me for adoring what some consider a trend gone wrong, but I don’t care. Crocs are serious business to me (and my feet), and only the best shoe repairman will do.
Brooke is an editorial intern at
Angie’s List magazine. After graduating college, she completed a publishing internship in London, then toured Paris, Ireland and England.
To celebrate my college graduation in May, my family hosted a hog roast at our house. We bought the meaty 80-pounder from a catering company in Fishers, Ind., whom I’ve rated on the List. My dad picked up the roaster and hog the day before the party, and he and I had big plans to stay up all night cooking the meat to barbequed perfection. Continue reading ‘Meaty conversation: Spending time with Dad after my college graduation’
Brooke is an editorial intern at
Angie’s List magazine. After graduating college, she completed a publishing internship in London, then toured Paris, Ireland and England.
