Welcome to our weekly Boredwalk Community series, where we ask Boredwalk fans fun questions! This week we're talking to Jordan F. of Battle Ground, Washington, showing off his fine baked goods and his Seasonal Depression shirt.
1. What's your actual day job and what's your dream day job?
My dream job is to host a show on the Food Network that connects people’s lives and food in long-form-on-location interviews (think vintage 20/20 episodes) featuring people like a woman who wins the county fair pie contest every year, or a celebrity whose family has owned a BBQ joint for 65 years. (Ed. note: I would watch that in a heartbeat!)
2. What keeps you up at night?
Reading! As a former professional journalist, I’m always curious and there is never enough time to read all of the books and articles I have littering the right side of my bed. If you haven’t read the December issue of The Atlantic, you’re really missing out. (Generally speaking, I'm frequently impressed by the consistent quality of the writing in The Atlantic, so consider this a double-plug!)
3. What's your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is a lack of imagination. We’d all be better off if we took more time to think big thoughts and dream big dreams. I covered Jeb Bush’s 2016 campaign for NBC News and one of his sayings on the campaign trail was, “if we weren’t doing it this way, how would we do it?” and I think we should all ask that question more — not just about politics, but about everything — and let our imaginations fly!
4. What's a book you think the Boredwalk community should read?
Oh man, I’ll have to give you three:
1.) I really enjoyed The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach — it’s a classic coming of age story and a fun read that has plenty to ponder.
2.) My fun, easy read of the past summer was Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston — it’s a fictional account of what would happen if the first son of the United States fell in love with the prince of England, and it’s spicy!
3.) I am a sucker for a good memoir, and the best one I’ve read in the past year is by Andrew Rannells called Too Much is Not Enough — it's funny and beyond enjoyable.
5. What experience do you most want to cross off your bucket list?
I would love to run for office one day. I’ve been on the journalism side of things for more than a decade, but one day I’d like to be in the decision-making seat. I’m not quite cynical enough to think I couldn’t do some good for the next generation(s).
6. What's your go-to dessert or snack?
I LOVE to bake and trying new things in the kitchen. Currently I’m
obsessed with cake decorating, and as Julia Child said, “a party without cake is just a meeting.” With that in mind, I can make a pretty mean peanut butter cake with chocolate and peanut butter buttercream frosting, and of course, the more layers the better. (And as Liz Lemon said, "I want to go to there.")
7. What's the most useful piece of advice you've ever received?
Fake it until you make it. People will always appreciate initiative,
perseverance, and the grit of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and getting shit done. You have to be willing to admit to making mistakes from time to time, but as Teddy Roosevelt said, the credit belongs to the man (or woman) in the arena.
8. Where can the rest of the Boredwalk community find you?
I’m an anti-Twitter and Facebook guy, but I’m all about the ‘gram. Find me on Instagram @jordanjfrasier for pictures of cupcakes and my puppy, Ben. (Boredwalk follows Jordan on Instagram and can confirm that his feed is full of fine baked goods and adorable pupper pix!)
Leave a comment