Meet a Staffer: Claire Porter

Describe what you do at work day-to-day:
On any given day I could be planning an issue, interviewing sources, writing stories or editing copy. 

Describe something you worked on recently or are working on right now that you’re proud of. 
I’ve been working on the first issue of Biz 417 for a long time, so it’s exciting to finally see it all come together in print. (Editor’s note: The very first issue of Biz 417 launched this month. It’s a magazine for and about the lively, thriving local business community.) 

What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever had to do for this job?
We celebrate a lot of birthdays and special occasions in the office, so getting to bake (and eat) lots of desserts is my most favorite thing about working here. 

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever had to do for this job?
I haven’t done anything weird just yet, but I’m sure I will soon. 

What’s your favorite thing to do in 417-land?
This area is packed with walking, biking and hiking trails, so I really enjoy getting out and exploring all the nature 417-land has to offer.  

What’s your favorite magazine lingo?
I have a particular affinity for the abbreviations FOB (front of book) and BOB (back of book). They’re supposed to be pronounced “f-o-b” and “b-o-b,” but I tend to prefer “fob” and “bob.”

What’s your favorite thing to eat that you can only find in 417-land?
My sweet tooth dictates most of my meal decisions, so I typically end up in line at Andy’s Frozen Custard or grabbing a little something at Elle’s Patisserie despite my best efforts to eat healthily. 

If there were a movie about your life in 417-land, what would its title be?
It would probably be something like, This Movie is… Oh Look, A Dog!, because that’s a pretty accurate description of most of my outings. 

What celebrity would you most like to have coffee and conversation with?
Without a doubt I would sit down with Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Stephen Hawking and pick their brains. I have some theories about life in space and questions about the multiverse I’d love for them to weigh in on. Plus they both have a great sense of humor, which would make for a pretty entertaining coffee date.

Do you have a nickname in the 417 Magazine office?
There are a few nicknames floating around the office such as the standard Claire Bear or the bizarre Clür.

What do you do in your free time? 
When I have time, I try to work my way through the massive piles of books and magazines I’ve accumulated over the years. I also like cooking, baking, eating and all activities food-related.

What would you do if you won $1 million?
I’d pay off my house, invest the rest, work until I’m 30, cash it in and retire. Then I’d probably travel for a bit before settling down and starting a little self-sustaining farm in the Loire Valley.

What is your Facebook status right now?
I don’t typically post statuses, but the majority of my timeline is pictures of my dog, or my friends’ dogs or strangers’ dogs. There’s a pretty dominant dog theme to my social media presence. 

What would your co-workers say is your most distinguishing feature at work? 
I’ve started bringing in baked goods for special occasions, which has spurred some fierce competition within the edit department. If I left, I’d say the non-edit people would miss the free sweets, but my fellow editors would definitely enjoy reclaiming their roles as unchallenged dessert royalty.