Hi, I’m a Seattle transplant who made the jump here from the west coast several years ago to work for the EPA. In general, I love being active outside and love trying new things and exploring new places. I love DC for all its excitement, international feel (well, compared to the west coast), and endless opportunities to keep learning for those who seek it out (free museums! Thanks taxpayers!). Traveling internationally has also become something I really enjoy. I try to take a trip every year. In the past few years I've focused on Spanish speaking countries (Ecuador, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Spain). I suppose there is a certain comfort in knowing that I will at least be able to order food/drinks and get directions. I have a wide range of interests that may have something to do with my short attention span ;). In an average week, I might be volunteering, playing volleyball, hanging out with friends for trivia, going to a lecture or museum tour, Salsa dancing, going to see some live music at the 9:30 club, or hosting a dinner party.

trying new things. I'm especially curious about how things are made. I recently started making my own yogurt. Other projects include making wine, cheese, vanilla extract and granola.
Growing up I was always captivated by the segments in kids' shows at the factory showing how things are made.

My towering presence and my bright red hair.

Besides that, you might notice my tenancy to engage in witty banter. That might be followed up with some sarcasm and and occasional rolling of the eyes if you are shameless enough to make a pun.

Books
I recently read "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell and really enjoyed it. Another recent nonfiction was "Hope in the Unseen" by Run Suskin which is the powerful story of a kid making it from the DC ghetto to the Ivy league. As far as non-fiction, I was recently converted to Carl Hiassen's random and hilarious novels.

Magazines
National Geographic
The Atlantic
Cooks Illustrated

TV shows:
the long canceled but classic Arrested Development (waaaah)
The Office
30 Rock

Food:
Thai
Indian
Sushi
Ethiopian
New York style pizza

[Other than family and friends and the life sustaining things]
The internet
Music
Spicy food
The ocean
chocolate
airplane travel

Food. My next culinary masterpiece or where I can get some fantastic (and hopefully spicy) ethnic food.

When I am not hungry, I spend a lot of time thinking about where my next international trip should be.

The other five percent of my time I tend to think about what I kind of positive impact I could make with my life if I wasn't always thinking about the previous two things...

In the last few years I've been "going out" a lot less over the weekend. I tend to get curmudgeon-like when inundated by crowds of college-aged hipsters and music that's too loud. So generally I'll avoid bars like Wonderland and Marvin on the weekends in favor of small gatherings at a friend's place or a show at a small music venue (where for some reason I can accept the hipster crowd and loud music).
My summertime routine for Friday evenings included pickup sand volleyball with friends followed with margaritas. Ahh summer.

If you enjoy witty, sometimes absurd conversation. Being smart and tall are also prerequisites.

If you use the adjective "hella" or say "Vegas, baby!", this probably won't work...