I grew up in Story City, Iowa, which I think has to mean something. I am the youngest of twelve children, which means that I’m very familiar with the survival-of-the-fittest theory.

I now live in Southern California with my family, a psychotic cat, an elderly Chihuahua, and an albino corn snake. The corn snake and I have agreed to keep our distance.

Favorites

My favorite song in the entire world is either “We Close Our Eyes” by Oingo Boingo or “At Last” by Etta James, depending on what day of the week it is. I also like blues, anything from the ’80s, punk, emo, and cheesy ’70s disco.

I watch (too much) t.v. My favorites include Heroes, Dexter, Californication, Gossip Girls, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Men in Trees, Moonlight, Friday Night Lights, Reaper, Pushing Daisies...well, you get the idea. Thank goodness for dvrs. Old favorites include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, Roswell, and Veronica Mars.

My favorite movies include Grease, Sixteen Candles, The Princess Bride, Galaxy Quest, Raising Arizona, The Opposite of Sex, and Brick.

My favorite books (this could take all day!) include fairy tales, Anne of Green Gables, The Little Princess, Pride and Prejudice, I Capture the Castle, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Forever, and Down a Dark Hall.