I’m just like my idol, Sydney Bristow, but with significantly fewer cool wigs/outfits. Last summer, I started working at McGarrah Jessee (you can see me for .1 seconds in the video around 2:19), and ever since I’ve been traveling to Austin about once a month. So now I have my Boston life and my Austin life, and while I’m not sure which one is SD-6 yet, there’s definitely some dual life stuff going on.
In Boston…
I live in an old house in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood, which I like to call the Brooklyn of Boston. It’s kind of hipster, kind of suburban feeling, but still technically in the city. When I walk through the door, my two dogs greet me enthusiastically.
In Austin…
I live at the Tommie Hotel, right off of 6th St in downtown. It’s a big party area, which I suppose is why the Tommie leaves a pair of ear plugs on the bedside table. Last time I walked through the door, Niall at the front desk (not from One Direction) asked me if I wanted a glass of champagne. That’s what makes you beautiful, Niall.
In Boston…
I wake up between 5 and 6:45 am EST, depending on if I’m meeting friends for running (5), going to bootcamp (6), or saying bye to Hazy and waking up George for school (6:45). Matty gets up at 5:45 and does an elaborate ritual that I believe involves clog-dancing and the banging of pots and pans. No one has provided ear plugs.
In Austin…
I wake up around 8 am EST (7 am Austin time) to go run before work. It is usually gloriously quiet; even the partiers have gone home by then. I don’t have to wake up, feed, or walk anyone but myself.
In Boston…
I run around the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, or the overpromisingly named Emerald Necklace. It is neither particularly green, nor necklace-like. Discuss amongst yourselves. I avoid running in lovely Franklin Park, right down the street from our house, because sometimes people get stabbed there.
In Austin…
In Austin, I run to a beautiful running path down by the river, but to get there, I need to avoid the addicts sleeping on the sidewalks. I like to think they’re harmless, but one time one of them chased me for a few blocks, making strange beeping sounds. But hey, he didn’t try to stab me, did he, Franklin Park?
BTW, I see these turtles almost every time I run around Jamaica Pond and also every time I run by the river in Austin and that can’t be a coincidence, can it? #allianceoftwelve #iykyk
In Boston…
I have the best husband, Matty. He puts up with all my shit, helps me run our two-kid, two-dog household with humor and grace, and farts so much it was mentioned in our wedding vows. I’m lucky to have him.
In Austin…
I have the best work wife, Steph. She puts up with all my shit, helps run the often-crazy account we manage together with wisdom and style, and I’ve never once heard her fart. I’m lucky to have her.
In Boston…
I eat a lot of cheesy melts (Triscuits with Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese melted on them) and, tragically, very few tacos.
In Austin…
I eat tacos at least once per trip, sometimes for more than one meal, because I’m not *not* going to have tacos for breakfast if there’s something called Breakfast Tacos. Duh.
Breakfast tacos and mimosa courtesy of McJ
In Boston…
My day consists of walking the dogs, running, having many Zoom meetings, cleaning dishes like I’m Snow White to the seven dwarves, refilling the dog’s water bowls, more Zoom meetings, cleaning up after Rosie’s “accidents,” planning meals, ordering groceries, staying on top of laundry, actually working, making dinner, repeatedly answering, “What’s for dinner?”, eating snacks, hounding the kids to do their homework instead of covertly watching YouTube Minecraft videos, and managing our hockey/soccer/track/baseball schedules.
In Austin…
My day consists of running, having in person meetings, eating tacos, ogling the office dogs, actually working, and not taking care of anyone but myself. My dinner is usually planned for me (by Megan, our brand director, or Steph, or by my Austin friends, Tonya, Holly, or Ajit).
In Boston…
I wear cute tops and some form of sweatpants/joggers/leggings from my extensive Covid Capsule Collection of comfy bottoms.
In Austin…
I wear all the dresses I’ve justified buying “for work.”
In Boston…
My nights are usually spent watching Barry/Last of Us/Shrinking (I’m behind on all of them) or being let down by assorted Boston sports teams. It’s your turn to not-shine, Sox!
In Austin…
My nights are spent at client dinners or exploring Austin with work or local friends, which has included going to a “death bar,” attending the Air Guitar National Championships, and meeting a Timothee Chalamet lookalike (not pictured).
I really love my life in Boston (my family! my friends! my dogs! an endless supply of cheese in my fridge!) but I also really missed the shenanigans of working in an agency, so I love my Austin life too. I feel fortunate to be a double agent, way more fortunate than Sydney Bristow ever was (super spoiler alerts: hello, fiancé murder, father betrayal, double crossing, etc).
Letters & Lists 
I had no idea we shared such a deep and abiding love for Sydney Bristow! There is no fictional character I love more.
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I think I *did* know that though!
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