By Paul Reitano
My wife is so busy. How busy is she? She’s so busy that sometimes I only see her mid-sprint. For the whole day. Barrelling down a flight of stairs, running through a hallway, dashing into the garage. And sometimes, if she’s feeling lucky, she does it all while brushing her teeth. Look there she is – driving away in the distance. Despite the fact that I often only see my wife in a blur, I love her dearly. So much so that for Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d get her the most meaningful, heartfelt, and inexpensive gift I could think of; a column in which I allow her to air her grievances, slyly promote her clients, and share with you her undying love of Mexican cuisine.
Q: Karlie, first off, so the people have proper context; how many jobs do you have?
A: Paid or unpaid?
Q: Everything.
A: Well, I have my own Marketing and PR consultancy. Some of my clients around town are Halo Fitness, the New Canaan Community Foundation, and the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance. I also represent Naya, which is a fast casual Middle Eastern chain of restaurants in NYC and locally in Darien, a soon-to-open member social club in Mount Kisco called Goodhouse, and Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego.
Q: And…
A: I’m also PTC co-president at West Elementary. And I’m on the Committee for Young Life New Canaan.
Q: And….
A: I started my own dance company in town called New Canaan Dance Clinics. We teach kids dance team styles and cheerleading.
Q: And…
A: I’m also a fitness teacher with The Fitness Collective in town.
Q: I guess the most obvious question is – why not more?
A: You think it’s too much?
Q: You go to bed at night after a frightfully busy day and you see your phone only has 3% battery left…do you ride it out or do you plug her in?
A: I usually try to plug it in.
Q: So the people know – how long can that 3% last?
A: If you put it on low power mode it can last an hour on 3%.
Q: And if she dies in your hands? Mid grip. Is that God telling you to go to bed?
A: Next question.
Q: What percentage “humorous” and what percentage “very annoying” do you find me?
A: About 50/50.
Q: It’s Valentine’s Day.
A: 80/20.
Q: You’re the master of the follow up email. So when someone you want to engage with for work doesn’t respond – you follow up. You email them again. Without them ever emailing you back.
A: Yes, you have to circle back.
Q: How many times can you circle back around while still maintaining dignity?
A: I usually will follow up twice – then reach out by phone.
Q: You’re from Iowa. How would you compare Iowa folk to New Canaan folk?
A: I like Iowa because the people are so kind. In terms of values, work just seems really well balanced with life. Most everyone tries to be present with family. Like New Canaan, there’s also a very strong sense of community.
Q: Yes. Strong community in Iowa. Horrendous pizza though.
A: Don’t say that. Maybe their version of pizza is just different from your version of pizza.
Q: It is. Their version of pizza is horrendous.
A: That’s mean.
Q: You grew up a vegetarian in Iowa. How’d that work?
A: It didn’t really. I was mostly served sides.
Q: So, it’s dinner time at the Kayser household. Karlie just eats the green beans.
A: Pretty much. Maybe a roll.
Q: And how would you categorize yourself these days?
A: I’m a pescatarian, maybe?
Q: But you eat chicken now. I think that makes you a pesce-pollotarian.
A: Don’t put that in. Seriously, that sounds ridiculous.
Q: What does a pesce-pollotarian like to eat?
A: My favorite food is Mexican. I just love the whole experience. The chips coming out first. The margaritas. Truck in Bedford is one of my favorites. Everything there is really well balanced and fresh. In New Canaan, I really love Greenology’s Mexican inspired “South of the Border” bowl. It’s vegan and comes with beans, peppers, guacamole, a chorizo that they make with farro, and then they put chips on top. I get it with the Happy Jack, it’s an oat milk latte that has cinnamon and honey.
Q: Sounds like that’s your happy place.
A: It is.
Q: Do they have an outlet to plug in your dying phone?
A: They do. I actually love working there.
Q: First, let me say how proud I am of you for choosing a non-client as your favorite meal. That took great self-control. And second – happy Valentine’s Day.
A: Happy Valentine’s Day!
