Ryan Dosier – Nearly every day for the past five years and nine months I’ve found myself sitting in front of my computer screen, staring at the blank canvas of a Blogger or WordPress post, wondering what’s next. What is the next article? Who is the subject of the next Weekly Muppet Wednesday? Who else can I bug for an interview? I’ve always taken a sort of odd comfort in not knowing exactly what was next.
And now I’m sitting here and for once I do know what’s next, but I don’t know how to write about it. But here goes nothing: After today, I will no longer be involved in the day to day operations of The Muppet Mindset. I am leaving at the request of my new employer… The Walt Disney Company. I have taken a job as Social Engagement Strategist for the Muppets. I now get to be directly involved with the Muppets, a dream I’ve had for over a decade, and I could not be happier.
But at the same time, I could not be more at a loss. The Muppet Mindset has defined me for nearly six years and saying farewell will not be easy. I’m floundering for the words I need to really say goodbye. To me, The Muppet Mindset is much more than a website; it’s my baby. I’ve poured countless hours into this thing and I’m so unendingly proud of what it has become. The things I’ve gotten to do because of this site still blow my mind, and the fact that it’s propelled me to my dream job literally does not feel real to me.
Anyway. That’s enough about me, now I need to thank the people who have gotten me here. (Please don’t play me off.)
First and foremost I have to thank Bill Barretta. Bill has been my unyielding support system for nearly a year and is directly if not entirely responsible for my new job. To Bill I am eternally grateful and forever thankful. I also need to thank Bill’s wife Cristina who has been tireless in her support of me. I also have to give a shoutout their son Jackson who gives me so much joy.
Major thanks also go out to my endlessly supportive parents and family, my brilliant, lovely, wonderful girlfriend, my unbelievable friends Peter Linz, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Matt Vogel, Steve Whitmire, and David Rudman, plus Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado, Martin Robinson, Leslie Carrara Rudolph, Paul Rudolph, Louis Mitchell, Joe Bailey, Bonnie Erickson, and so many others who were so supportive, everyone who has helped me make The Muppet Mindset what it is: my great friends Mitchell Stein, Joe Hennes, Ryan Roe, Lisa Alexander, Matthew Drapper, Jamie Carroll, Dave Hulteen, Chris Stulz, Matt Wilkie, Michael Wermuth, Kyle Mahoney, John Papovitch, Max Jessop, Ed Castle, Kieran Moore… and so many, many others. I’m positive I’ve missed people, but I don’t want to ramble… so to everyone who has been a fan, contributor, or supporter of The Muppet Mindset these past six years, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.
I know I’ve rambled a lot… but I feel like I still have so much more to say. But I’ll cut to the chase and announce what you’re all probably wondering. What will happen to The Muppet Mindset? Well… nothing. As in, if all goes well, nothing will change. I’m so happy to announce that my friend Jarrod Fairclough will be taking my place on the site starting on Monday. I have nothing but the highest praise for Jarrod and I’m so excited to see what he does with the place… as long as he doesn’t touch my snow globe collection. Jarrod will be assisted by loads of people, but the core Mindset team will consist of Mitchell Stein, Kyle Mahoney, and John Papovitch as well as Jarrod. Good luck to everybody and extreme thanks to Jarrod for agreeing to take on this crazy load.
Well… that about does it, I guess. All my thanks goes out to my dear friends and supporters and everyone who has ever visited this little site. I appreciate you all more than I can ever express. Thank you. I will try my very hardest to make you all proud as I work for the Muppets. And… I’m sure there’s more that I could say, but I think I’ll turn to the Muppets for advice here…
“Much more to say, foolish to try, it’s time for saying goodbye.”
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com
