I'm a graduate student, blogger and freelance writer with a love of mindless games [especially rock, paper scissors].

I am also a rare breed -- the elusive Portland native. I feel really lucky to have been born and raised here, with my entire family (though I am an only child). I spent four years away for college, and have spent the last year re-adjusting to Portland life.

I enjoy a good glass of wine, great coffee, microbrews, shoe shopping, football season, live music, live theater, street fairs, thrift shops, MMA, long conversations, a long swim, the smell of previously loved books, fashion magazines, crunchy leaves and my puppy.

Also, I find correct grammar, spelling and punctuation sexy.

Editors

• nipplefloss

I'm pursuing my Masters in Education, with the hopes of working with homeless youth and women (GED tutoring, training, college preparation, etc.).

I am a GED tutor, personal assistant, comedy intern and PR intern. I take improv classes and feel lucky to learn from some of the funniest people in the world, let alone Portland. I often write things for people who send me checks in the mail or occasionally pay me in beer. Either way, I feel pretty successful.

I also work for a local jewelry company as a national sales rep. I research and communicate with amazing boutiques all over the country who buy from us, and sometimes I get pretty, shiny things for free.

Recently, I've picked up a toy camera (Holga) and am really digging it. Anyone with photography pointers - feel free to send me a message!

Making people laugh [DISCLAIMER: Only when said people are known for laughing out of pity]. Sitting with a pen and pad in a laundry mat. Drinking wine. Carrying conversation with complete strangers. Dressing people. Dressing myself (by default). Researching current events (read: pop culture and celebrity news). Dancing with the gays. Getting lost in bookstores. Hiding my sordid past. Did I mention drinking wine?

My eyes. Possibly my tattoos. Legs. Depends on what I'm wearing and the setting, I suppose.

BOOKS:
Portland Noir (Amazing! Go buy it at Powells immediately). To Kill A Mockingbird. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Silence of the Lambs. I Was Told There'd Be Cake. Dispatches from the Edge. How To Lose Friends and Alienate People. Going Up The River. Dress Your Family In Corduroy & Denim.

Anything by Chuck Palahniuk, Chuck Klosterman or Sylvia Plath.
[If your name is Chuck, we should be friends.]

Wizard of Oz. Drop Dead Gorgeous. The Bridge. Romeo + Juliet. Dead Man Walking. Office Space. Best In Show. Mean Girls. Burn After Reading. Godfather series. Transporter series. Fight Club. Choke. Any movie where things blow up is usually a safe bet with me.

MUSIC:
Adele. Portishead. Atmosphere. Starsailor. Ray LaMontagne. Trina. Morningwood. The 'Romeo + Juliet' soundtrack (I still play the same CD I bought when I was 12). Mindy Smith. Sinatra. Girl Talk. Tegan & Sara. Company of Thieves. Iron and Wine. The Roots. Missy Higgins. Matt Nathanson. Radiohead. Jay-Z (fucking genius). Gregory & The Hawk. Cold War Kids. Queens of the Stone Age. Bob Dylan. Rachael Yamagata. Meiko. Natalie Walker. Lenka. Kings of Leon. The Decemberists. Damien Rice. Jenny Lewis. Death Cab For Cutie.

FOOD:
Sushi. Green grapes. PB&J. Chocolate covered pretzels. Jell-O.

1. Family
2. My puppy
3. Friends
4. iPhone
5. Books
6. Music collection

Social inequity. How to be the best version of myself. Celebrities - always thinking about celebrities.

Until I graduate in June of 2010, I will continue to think about educational theory and annotated bibliographies more than anyone should.

With friends at happy hour, a concert, a movie, or on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn. I like high heels and sweatpants just the same as long as I'm with good people.

I don't ride a bike.

Also - I feel increasingly uncomfortable when dudes check out my profile and never say anything to me.

... you have an inclination to do so :)