Barack Obama

2009 Love: Thanks Peeps!

This week I’m wrapping up one of the most adventurous, romantic, ambitious (yet incredibly challenging) years in my life, and I’m happy to be at home in Washington, DC, with my best friend from college Mr. Nate Moore, who has been an excellent house guest. For all the action that characterized the year’s first nine months, I’ve been on autopilot since I arrived in our nation’s capital for good in early November, acclimating. Now the apartment is sufficiently decorated, Eric and I have a few regular haunts in Cleveland Park, I’ve settled into the new Energy Action Coalition offices in Dupont and my work is underway. Surely, the city has no idea what will hit it come January; that snow storm will be a mere puddle when I put on my spiky heels on Monday.

I certainly couldn’t have predicted that the year would end like this, and that’s what excites me about 2010. The things we can’t anticipate are always the ones to revel in, and I suspect the new decade will bring with it many surprises that will delight and energize me. I hope the many chapters to come will continue to be enjoyed in good company, and so a few “thank yous” to the people who made this bursting-at-the-seams year the kind of story I always wanted to write:

To my dear friend and business partner, Romi Lassally, for loving me enough to let me go out into the world on my own.

To Eric Kuhn and Maury Postal, whose minds congeal with mine in the perfect unconventional delicacy, like an ice cream bento box at Nobu.

To Katy Tur and Katie Halper, who I met on the same cold January day over Cuban sandwiches and red wine, respectively. You became the best gal pals I needed to make New York a memorable experience.

To Ted Johnson, Teresa Valdez Klein and Blaise Nutter for a second amazing year of “Wilshire & Washington,” my favorite project.

To Rachel Goldstein and Michael Skolnik for building me a new family of visionaries, a group that serves as my compass in the ambitious journey of our generation.

To the brilliant, prolific and dashing Ari Melber, for setting the standard of punditry and pushing me to match it.

To Baratunde Thurston, for turning a tough year into a victory and reminding me that we can work through anything with the right attitude. You are the definition of poise under pressure.

To some of the amazing women I met on the professional event circuit: Megan Carpentier, Amanda Ernst, Deanna Zandt, Nichelle Stephens and Aly Campbell. Your work and ability to balance demanding lives is an inspiration.

To Jon Henke, David All, George Alafoginis, Lizzy Blackney, Patrick Ruffini and Kristen Soltis for opening my eyes to the robust nature of Republican principles and the possibilities of what that party can offer in the new decade.

To Cory Booker, the dynamic mayor of Newark, NJ, for sharing your powerful story. Sometimes when you’re giving a monologue in another random living room full of people you wonder who is listening. I heard you when you said, “do something.” Needed that.

To John Battelle, for taking my “What next?” phone call and giving good advice.

To Jeff Pulver, for the amazing Twitter conferences that gave me the chance to love all the nutty people I follow in 140 characters in real life as well.

To the Energy Action Coalition team of passionate activists where I’ve finally found a home and a cause worth fighting for: Pete, Whit, Lili, Anjali, Danny, Adam, Ethan and our fearless leader, Jessy.

To Katie Masterson, Aamer Madhani, Andrew Satter and Janet Rabin: I’m thrilled that we will get to resume our friendship in close proximity.

To Shannon Hawes, Jacqueline Bush and Rich Wisz for diving into the domestic adventure of a lifetime, and for staying friends and supporters no matter what happens.

To Amber and James Bracegirdle for being Scarlett O’Hara’s and my east coast family.

To my cousin Nora Fitzgerald, who suffered great losses and confronted life-changing fears. I am sad we were not able to spend as much time together this year, but my heart never leaves yours.

To Kate Hahn and Adam Davis, my spiritual heroes and the kindest people I know.

To Megan Rollins, who knows better than to have listened to me when I was 23 years old now that she is too.

To Sarah and Damon Carroll and Julie and Brent Price for making me overcome my fear of weddings. Yours weren’t half bad, and we can totally still hang out until you have kids.

To Gramma, for being resilient through adversity and looking life in the eye every day with a smile and a good book.

To Mom and Dad, who have always believed whole-heartedly that I can change the world, even before Barack Obama said it was cool.

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