Turkey Day is almost here, and I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to going home for a few days, spending time with family, catching up with old friends and, of course, eating.
Thanksgiving dinner is the best. Growing up, I was lucky enough to get to have two Thanksgiving meals in one day: First came lunch with one side of the family, and later was dinner with the other. I got to visit with relatives — some who I’d only see once or twice a year — while we all enjoyed turkey and stuffing. We’d talk, watch football, and make plans for Christmas.
This year, plans have changed a little, and we’ll only be able to make it to Thanksgiving lunch. But that’s OK — I’ve stopped working out as much as I used to (believe it or not — and lately, I can’t believe it — but I used to visit the gym regularly), so I probably should cut back on the holiday food, too. Besides, there will be plenty of leftovers to enjoy over the next few days.
And when I get back to work the following week, I’ll really need to try to start visiting the fitness center again. And maybe, as a way to plan ahead for the “get in shape” New Year’s resolution that will no doubt have to be on my list for 2009, I can check Angie’s List for a personal trainer as an early Christmas present to myself. Because, let’s face it: Christmas time will just mean time to do some extra snacking.
Liz is an associate editor at
Angie's List magazine. She enjoys eating chocolate chip ice cream on the beach after swimming. She also likes colder, drearier places like London.
I hold an Angie’s List record. No, I haven’t done any research to prove it. You’ll have to trust me (as I unsuccessfully told Guinness World Records officials). To my knowledge, I’m the longest-running intern in the Angie’s List Publication Department, and probably in the entire world.
Being an intern isn’t the most prestigious job. I really resent how I spend half of each workday pushing cars out of the mud and doing frivolous, humiliating parlor tricks to amuse staff members. Of course, I look at the glass as half full: All those ruthless insults were actually “constructive criticisms.”
I’ve been at the List almost two years. As my desk neighbor Matthew likes to joke, that makes me a “senior intern.” Well, I’m sad to say I’m retiring that esteemed, albeit paradoxical, title. It’s time to move on.
In a few weeks, I’m graduating college and beginning a new epoch. I’ve been told the world looks much different to college graduates. Doors open. Gaps close. Wages increase. Mountains crumble.
I’m excited to experience all of that. Yet I won’t encounter this new world without feelings of gratitude and heartache. The truth is, I’ve really loved my internship at Angie’s List. I learned a lot, grew a lot, and never stopped having fun. By title, I was an intern, but not once did anyone treat me as anything but an equal.
So, I’ll miss it. My family lives in Georgia, and that’s where I belong. My second family, though, lives in the Blue House. And how do you say goodbye to such wonderful people? You don’t. You say, “Thanks.”
As editorial intern, Mike writes the monthly employee page, edits content and talks to service providers for the Comparative Shopper column in
Angie's List magazine. His favorite place is the Appalachian Trail (except for the areas that have bears, snakes or birds). His favorite album is "London Calling" by the Clash.
So I saw my first snow before February yesterday. Every relative I had below the Mason-Dixon line called me and asked if I was in line “at the Wal-Mark’s stockin’ up for the blizzard.” And honestly, yes, the thought crossed my mind. Maybe even more than once.
It’s exciting for me to get familiar with a new climate, albeit the cold end of the climate at this point. The Blue House is endearingly chilly, yet delightfully cozy, with everyone bundled up while working away. I like it in a way. More excuses to drink hot chocolate.
My car on the other hand does not like the weather. Every morning Nadine, my little car, whines and moans. You can tell she thinks that it isn’t time to be this cold. It’s not time to scrape the windshields. She huffs and puffs as I turn the key, trying to get her engine going. I don’t know much about weatherizing an older vehicle, but I bet the List can give me a few ideas to ease Nadine’s creaky sprockets on future — even colder — Indy mornings.
Twinkle VanWinkle is a Southern punk-rock belle transplanted to Indianapolis, and is
List-en up! producer for
Angie's List. She enjoys thrift store treasure hunting, dusty old records and is a connoisseur of hot sauces.
At Angie’s List, we work hard, but we play hard, too, with our soap box derby right before Memorial Day weekend, and an annual Dunk Tank event on Labor Day weekend.
Last week, Angie’s List employees got to nominate coworkers to go in the dunk tank. A list was compiled, and all week long, we voted for our favorites. But there was a catch — each vote cost $1. All the money goes to the Handy Helpers, a charity organization at Angie’s List that works with other organizations and schools in the neighborhood. Continue reading ‘A slam dunk: Angie’s List employees have fun for a good cause’
Liz is an associate editor at
Angie's List magazine. She enjoys eating chocolate chip ice cream on the beach after swimming. She also likes colder, drearier places like London.
I never have enough time to do everything I’d like to accomplish. You know how that goes. The best part of working at Angie’s List is that I can achieve some of my bigger life goals while at work. The perks of the job are above and beyond what most any company offers.
I’ve been meaning to get back in shape for a while — a real long while. This February, my co-worker Liz and I decided it was time. So, we started hitting the Angie’s List gym on campus three to five times a week during our lunch hour and now take aerobics and kickboxing classes at Angie’s List. We even have access to a free personal trainer.
Having been a crime reporter in the past, I understand how important it is for a woman to be able to defend herself against the crazies. Continue reading ‘Living life at the List’
Brittany is senior editor of national affairs for
Angie's List magazine. When she's not busy reporting for the magazine, she enjoys relaxing, bowling and watching movies.
As I sit at my desk, I’m watching some of my co-workers pack up theirs. No, they aren’t leaving—well, not really. They’re just relocating to the third floor of the Blue House.
That’s right—it’s moving day here at Angie’s List. It’s actually a pretty common occurrence around here. With the way the company is growing (we had about 45 local magazines when I started working here a year and a half ago, and now we’re up to almost 75), we keep hiring more people, and we keep rearranging desks. Continue reading ‘Moving day’
Liz is an associate editor at
Angie's List magazine. She enjoys eating chocolate chip ice cream on the beach after swimming. She also likes colder, drearier places like London.
I don’t know about your job, but I love mine. The people are great, the job is demanding and rewarding, and the atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else.
Our recent Soapbox Derby (click here to watch the video) is a great example of this unique atmosphere. It’s an annual event at the List, and we’ve blogged about it before. It’s a great event filled with food:
Continue reading ‘Life on the List is ever-changing’
Conor is an associate editor for
Angie's List magazine. He has a cat named Kanye and a puppy named Sherman, his favorite movie is
Back to the Future, he loves playing basketball and his favorite place is his couch.
Angie’s List employees refer to the workplace as the company “campus.” That always seemed a bit weird to me. When I think of a “campus,” I imagine Victorian homes turned fraternity flophouses and fountains and bearded professors. I think University of Georgia. Or perhaps Auburn.
Our campus doesn’t look quite like a university. And if there are any classes taught around here, it’s probably woodworking at the county jail downtown. Continue reading ‘It’s true: now we’re official.’
As editorial intern, Mike writes the monthly employee page, edits content and talks to service providers for the Comparative Shopper column in
Angie's List magazine. His favorite place is the Appalachian Trail (except for the areas that have bears, snakes or birds). His favorite album is "London Calling" by the Clash.
Angie’s List sure knows how to treat its employees!
The company rewards top performers each quarter with a fun, daylong excursion. I’ve been lucky enough to make some of those trips in the past year – we went to a horse ranch in Brown County, rode rides at Kings Island and even cruised on a private boat around a lake in Monticello. At the end of the year, Angie’s List goes all out and takes the top 10 percent of the company on a big vacation. Continue reading ‘Fat Tuesday’
Brittany is senior editor of national affairs for
Angie's List magazine. When she's not busy reporting for the magazine, she enjoys relaxing, bowling and watching movies.
I don’t have a pet.
Shocking, I know — especially if you’re a faithful reader of the Blue House Blog. It may seem that everyone here has a furry companion waiting on the stoop when they get home. And that perception would be fairly accurate. I think I am one of maybe three magazine staffers who is sans critter. But (guilt) I’m OK with that.
Not that there hasn’t been ample opportunity to adopt the seemingly endless supply of strays that wander
through the neighborhood. I think the word is out among street dogs; “Want a home? Go to the Blue House. There are still three people inside that don’t have dogs yet.” It wouldn’t surprise me to find them all lined up outside the door one morning. Sitting there, all combed and smiling, begging for a family. Continue reading ‘Outnumbered’
Staci is an associate editor at
Angie's List magazine. Her favorite foods are sushi and chocolate (but not together). Staci enjoys mowing the lawn, and she can also make a mean s'more.
