Roots in Chicago, resident of the District for about two years now. Loving this city and the people here and everything it has to offer. I came to DC fresh off of two years serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the mountains in Zambia, which is definitely my life's defining experience so far. I'd like to think Peace Corps happened as a result of an unending curiosity about the world around me, and while I'm happy to be where I am right now occasionally my wanderlust peaks it's head back out and I find myself wandering around some new country/region for a week or two. Last one was Southeast Asia, next Peru maybe? We'll see. In the meantime I'll settle for things like obsessively chasing the next great band, catching as many concerts as I can, catching movies at E Street, taking in the occasional Nats games, and patiently waiting for the start of the new NBA season

Currently employed by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, working in an office that does a lot of data analysis and statistical reporting. Its a job that continues to teach me new things every day and I'm grateful to have it, and to work at a Federal agency who's work I believe in and is important to me. At some point I'll begin to think about future steps but for now I'm glad to be where I am and doing what I do.

I'm good at connecting with people, getting to know someone, listening to what they have to say and making them feel comfortable talking to me. I was told this past week that I'm a very calming person. I took that to be a good thing. I'm a decent cook when motivated (lentil soup is my specialty) and I'm amazing at eating things other people cook. Passable guitar player, though skills lately are probably not as sharp.

Books: I read 'Infinite Jest' over the course of three weeks during rainy season one year in Peace Corps. I could handle about 60 pages of the book a day before smoke was coming out of my ears. But it's probably the best book I've ever read. Lately on a lighter non fiction kick, Michael Lewis, newest Anthony Bourdain. Also a huge nerd for sports lit and music lit, especially the 33 1/3 series. There will always be a special place on my shelf for my lonely planet books that have gotten me in and out of various countries.
Movies: favorites tend to skew old, Vertigo(and all hitchcock), Royal Tenenbaums, Usual Suspects, 12 Angry Men, The Third Man, Manchurian Candidate (old one), The Apartment, and I'm now adding Moonrise Kingdom to this list cause it was amazing
TV shows: Mad Men, Always Sunny, Curb Your Enthusiasm, South Park, How I met Your Mother, Simpsons, Currently working my way through the Wire
Music: Old standbys: U2, REM, Radiohead, the National, Wilco, Arcade Fire, Bowie, Talking Heads; lately: Deerhunter, Lotus Plaza, M83, Local Natives, Caribou, Antlers, War on Drugs, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, Panda Bear, Yeasayer, Beach House, and plenty of others. I strongly believe that 'Waterloo Sunset' is the greatest song ever written and will argue heatedly about it if provoked.
Food: Eat all the foods.

This section is impossible but let's see. My guitar definitely. I was fortunate enough to receive an iPad for Christmas this past year and while I never would have said it was something I must have it would be hard to give up now. In the past I probably would have said my iPod but times change so now I'll say the spotify app on my phone. my French press. My trusty tan backpack that I got in high school and has been my faithful companion through many trips, grocery runs and when I go to the gym. And my smart trip card I guess.

What's for dinner. Will animal collectives new album be anywhere near as good as merriweather post pavilion. Why don't more people listen to Paul Krugman, especially people who control economic policy. Could Liz Warren possibly be president in 2016. Will Derrick Rose's knee ever be the same. Who do I root for if the Nats and the White Sox make the world series. How soon will I have the vacation time and money to travel abroad again, and where should I go.

I can usually be convinced to do pretty much anything on a Friday night. If nothings going on that's ok too, I enjoy the occasional Friday night at home unwinding at work week's end.