Friends and Family –
It is not often that I sit down to write an email to a broad group like this but I wanted to give a more substantive update than a social media post.
I left my job at Netspend. On Monday, October 8, I turned in my computer and work phone with 12 years worth of work, email and pictures. (I should have counted the emails on that machine) I am taking some time off to decompress and really think about what I want to do next. It was an amazing, challenging and rewarding 12 years but I am hungry for something different.
In the spirit of something different, I am also “Embracing Awkward”. I realized that as much as I have been willing to do bold things when I am comfortable, I have very much avoided situations where I am not comfortable. I didn’t put myself up for positions that I wasn’t 100% sure I would get or attend social events where I didn’t know several people. So I am pushing myself to embrace situations that may feel awkward. In fact, Randy and I are headed to Budapest for the world wrestling championships with his business partners that I have never met next weekend. (wrestling tournament + strangers + foreign country = max awkward). I have also chaperoned a 2nd grade field trip to a farm, auditioned for an American Girl doll commercial with Marley, oh yeah, and quit my job.
In the spirit of Embracing Awkward, I am writing this email from a campaign office. Until November 6, I will be volunteering for the Justin Nelson for Texas Attorney General campaign. I have never worked in politics and not even really volunteered before. I am drawn to the election this year because it’s hard to explain to Marley why we keep electing people “who make bad choices” and “are bullies”. Most people know that Ken Paxton, our current Attorney General, has been under indictment for 3 years and faces 99 years in prison (or maybe they don’t because he’s been under indictment so long) but not many people know who is running against him. More than anything, I’m hopeful we can get an Attorney General who will follow the law while he tries to enforce it and who won’t spend taxpayer dollars on lawsuits that don’t help Texans.
(omitted campaign plug)
Finally, I am available for lunches, phone calls, walks, travel suggestions, random questions, gift ideas, help with projects big and small and, of course, awkward experiences! Really anything as long as it doesn’t interfere with the fierce exercise challenge I am currently engaged in with my dad.