If you could choose any place in the world to live, where would it be?

Estes Park, Colorado, without a doubt.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Either an equestrienne or an NFL referee!

Your occupation now?

Human Resources. Not very exciting, huh?

What are some of your interests and hobbies?

I'm a huge movie buff, and I even dabble in screenwriting, although I haven't finished a screenplay yet. I also enjoy playing with my dogs, ballet (as an amateur only), drinking beer, reading, watching hockey and football, and cooking.

What would you say are your character strengths?

I'm an extremely loyal friend, and I think I have more empathy than the average person. I'm also good in a crisis, as I tend to keep a fairly cool head.

Weaknesses?

Absolutely NO willpower or self-discipline.

Do you have any quirks you think are strange or amusing?

I sing and talk to my dogs, I keep the same amount of everything on my plate while I'm eating, and I'll only buy purple toothbrushes.

Who is/was the most influential person/role model in your life?

I know it sounds clichéd, but it was and is my Mom.

What are your achievements/accomplishments that you are the most proud of?

I haven't achieved much in the material sense, but I have the most wonderful circle of friends imaginable. I'd like to think that I had something to do with that! Also, with the help of a wonderful therapist, I recently overcame a severe self-esteem problem that has been plaguing me since puberty.

Are you currently single, involved, or married?

I am engaged to be married to a wonderful younger man this July.

What qualities do you find the most attractive in other people?

Again, a cliché, but a sense of humor is paramount. I'm attracted to kindness as well, to other people and animals.

What is one thing you would change about the world?

I would do away completely with any and all organized religion. I think it does far more harm than good.

What is your favorite food?

Oh wow, anything fattening! Steak, pizza, ice cream, anything fried, etc. I'm a "live to eat" person, not an "eat to live" person.

If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose?

John Douglas. He's the retired FBI agent who established the art of profiling and who was the first to head up the elite Serial Crimes Unit. I think it would be fascinating to pick his brain for an evening.

If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?

I would donate a big chunk to AIDS charities, the American Cancer Society, and Bill & Pat Arnold's Happy Home For Strays. They're the patron saints of homeless dogs. (www.straydog.org ) I'd travel the world, provided it was safe for an "Ugly American" to do so at the time, and I'd buy my Mom a house in the mountains.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?

Spiritual, somewhat. Religious, never.

Is there any particular historical era that you feel drawn to?

The Wild West. I'd like to think I'd be more Annie Oakley than Miss Kitty, though.

What are your favorite books and authors?

Any true crime, especially about serial killers. (Ann Rule is my fave true crime author, though.) As fiction goes, I like Caleb Carr, Armistead Maupin, Stephen McCauley, Rita Mae Brown, and Peter Lefcourt, to name but a few.

What are your favorite movies?

Too many to name. I suppose "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" would be number one, though. I also like the Christopher Guest ensemble comedies (Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind)... hilarious! On the serious side, "The Shawshank Redemption" is great, and a little Scottish film called "Shallow Grave" comes to mind. Like I said, way too many to name. I'll think of a hundred I should've mentioned after I'm done!

What is your most prized possession?

My dignity.

What is your favorite color?

Pale Pink.

What are your favorite television shows?

CSI and Jackass!

What are some of your pet peeves?

When people give bad driving directions... like you've been there before! I also hate it when people say "y' know?" after every sentence, or they make a statement sound like a question...

What are some of the issues that you are passionate about?

I'm moderately passionate about feminism, especially as it applies to modern media and pop culture. Women truly are psychologically and emotionally terrorized in our society. (And some of the biggest contributors to the problem are women themselves!!) I guess the issue I'm most passionate about though, is the spaying and neutering of companion animals and putting breeders and puppy mills out of business in favor of rescue or adoption. Unrealistic, probably, but the pet overpopulation problem is enormous and tragic.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

One tattoo on the small of my back. It's a bleeding heart with barbed wire around it and it says "Love Conquers Nothing". I've kind of changed my mind since I got it, but at least I don't have to look at it if I don't want to!

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before you die?

I hope to be able to have a child, but I'm getting a little old and time's a tickin'!

What is something you've always wanted to do/try but haven't yet?

I want to go to Egypt to see the pyramids. It will probably never be safe again though, thanks to this ill-considered war, and the anti-American sentiment it is stoking.

Where do you see yourself ten years (what are your goals)?

I hope to be celebrating my 9 or 10 year wedding anniversary and living out in the country with at least one child and at least 5 dogs and one horse.

What is your favorite quote?

"They call us lonely when we're really just alone." ... I think that everyone should be able to enjoy their own company!