Erica, you arrived at Meetup soon after I did around a year ago, right?
Can you tell me about your daily routine and about your tv show Erica's Corner?
I did! I spend most of my time listening to members and Organizers
talk about how they use Meetup and helping them to navigate the site.
I learn a lot from everyone who uses Meetup and I think it's fun to
spread the creative ideas around.
Erica's Corner is a tv show I've
been cooking up to do just that. I've seen Organizers shoot really cool
how-to videos and I couldn't help but start creating some, too!
This summer you've been riding your bike to work like many here at
Meetup HQ. Is the Williamsburg Bridge the best part of the ride from
Greenpoint?
I love my bike! Riding
down
the Williamsburg Bridge is definitely the best part. Since there
aren't any cars there isn't too much to worry about. There may be some
bike lanes once I get into Manhattan but we have a long way to go in
being a totally bike friendly city. On the bridge I've always got one
head phone in and it is one of the only times you can catch me singing
along!
Can you tell me about Elfing? Did you get 'Elfed'?
Aw, I totally got elfed! One morning at Mount Holyoke College I tried
to leave my dorm room only to find out that I was trapped inside. Being the timid freshman that I was, I stayed put trying to figure out
why I moved all the way across the country. Once I finally busted out,
I discovered a lot of candy and fliers everywhere that said I was
awesome. The sophomores sneak around all week basically welcoming us to
the MHC community.
We have so many traditions, many of which involve
chocolate! For example, every night at 9:30 there is 'milk and
cookies' where we regularly gathered. And there is 'mountain day' once a
year where everyone climbs Mount Holyoke, and friends and ice cream
await! I learned a lot about building community there!
Sticking to school, you spent some time abroad in Russia. I've always
wanted to visit. What was it like? Were you already vegetarian back then?
I was a vegetarian when I first arrived which totally mystified just
about every person I met. I had a host there who told me I would be
the perfect girl if only I would eat meat! Russia is full of all kinds
of little hidden secrets and and you should definitely go on adventures
there. There can be a ton of unexpected surprises that come up
whenever you try to do just about anything, so bring a go-with-the-flow
attitude!
You're blessed with a huge window at your desk which I'm quite jealous
of. I notice you now have a second monitor... Is the new monitor
interfering with the beautiful light coming in from Broadway? How did
you relationship with the window change since the arrival of the second
monitor?
I love being near the window since there is a lot to look at. I've
seen pigeons, bubbles and lost balloons! Considering everything
floating by my window, it is really easy to get to daydreaming in the
sunshine. The second monitor has been a reminder that the internet is
probably almost as good as daydreams!
Davide is on Meetup's Community team.
