I like politics, the Supreme Court, traveling, the Constitution -- and arguing about any of those things. I read a lot. I spent four years as a daily newspaper reporter before moving to DC, and am not convinced yet that I won't go back to it. Now I'm attending grad school for my master's in public policy and working as a government consultant.

I like happy hour, especially when it lasts longer than an hour.
I like trying things. I've traveled through lots of foreign countries alone, been skydiving, fostered a litter of seven kittens, driven across the country twice, ridden an elephant, pet tigers, and gone bamboo-rafting.

I grew up in Los Angeles and have since lived in North Carolina, Boston, Central California, New Jersey, and now DC. I've traveled all over Europe, and have also been to China, Thailand and Morocco. The most recent trip was Thailand, and I'd like to keep exploring Southeast Asia.

I read a lot of news. I took a little longer than others to come around to electronic news, but Google Reader has become my best friend, and I recently joined Twitter so I can follow my favorite reporters and news outlets.

I played basketball, and ran cross country and track in high school. I also did basketball and cross country at a tiny D-3 college in Boston. I still run whenever I can.

I like cats.

I'm attending grad school part-time and working full-time.

Running, writing, arguing, data analysis, drinking, spelling.

I'm the shortest girl in the room.

Books:
Growing Up by Russell Baker, Alex the Life of a Child by Frank Deford, On Her Trail by John Dickerson, The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin, A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein, The Last Shot by Darcy Frey, Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra, Death at an Early Age by Jonathan Kozol, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

Movies:
Without Limits, Finding Forrester, Sleepers, Juno.

Music:
Alternative, indie, classic rock. Stuff that's not loud and bangy. I don't like loud and bangy. Specifically... Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Oasis, Wallflowers, Airborne Toxic Event, Weezer, Kooks, Wombats, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Killers, Counting Crows.

Food:
Mexican, Italian, Ethiopian, Thai.

I'll make the basic assumptions about food, water, sleep, money, etc., and move on to:
1. Cookies
2. The Supreme Court
3. Cats
4. Running shoes
5. Gin
6. Tonic

Out with friends.

You like good conversation and you're interested in Things. I'm not too picky about what those things are, as long as you're passionate about them. You have opinions. And goals. You like going places you've never been and doing things you've never done.