So, I’m not sure if her name rhymes with Patrick Swayze’s, rhymes with cheesy or swissy, but after this interview, you two will know just how cool Jessica Swesey of Inman News is.  I interviewed her months ago but was waiting for Inman Connect to gear up so that readers have her fresh in their minds (and so they can laugh at her and poke her with sticks when they see her in person this week).  Let the fun begin!!!

What is the strangest pet you’ve ever had?

I actually haven’t had a lot of pets in my lifetime. I do remember a pet salamander I caught in a pond when I was in the first grade. I promptly named her Sally the Salamander and she kept me company from her mayonnaise jar (cleaned of course) while I battled the chicken pox.

How do you react when a stranger swears they know you? Mace them because they looked at your credit card when you just bought coffee or rack your brain in case you actually DO know them?

I usually think they are a little bit crazy, but mostly harmless. I live in San Francisco where most people are a little bit crazy and mostly harmless. This actually happens to me a lot at industry events since we launched InmanTV. Thankfully, there’s been no leak of my sex tape yet.

Name the spiciest food you’ve ever eaten.

This one’s easy — it would have to be the doro wat (a spicy stewed chicken dish) at my wedding last year. My husband is Ethiopian so we had a huge traditional feast and celebration, which in that culture means stuffing your face until you’re so full that other people begin stuffing it for you. All the dishes were made by family members and the spices were brought over directly from Addis Ababa. Good stuff.

If you had to be the red carpet fashion police, who would be banned from ever being on the red carpet again?

Anyone who’s too drunk or pharmed up to walk on their own. Come on Lindsey, Paula and Britney — being wasted is soooo last year. No one could wear wasted like Anna Nicole and now that’s she’s gone the trend has to be retired.

What song would be the soundtrack for your life? You know, like what would play in the background as you walk downtown?

Ooh, this would have to be the catchy tune, Young Folks, from Peter Bjorn and John. I dare you to listen without whistling along.

What is the meanest thing an ex-coworker has said or done to you?

I’ve had many co-workers in the past mistake my quiet and self-reflective nature for being stuck up. But I guess the meanest thing anyone’s ever done to me is leave me in the trenches for a more exciting job. That always sucks. How dare they chase success at my expense!

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So there you have it. Jessica jars animals, aims to fill up RErevealed’s spam filter by using the words “sex tape” (thanks, Jessica), eats crazy made up Ethiopian food, and her life soundtrack is a song by some strange, whistling Swedes. Now that you really know Jessica, what do you think?
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