Creative me: I'm an amateur photographer specializing in wildlife and landscapes. I was really into photography when I was a teenager, but I gave it up in my early 20s for various reasons (none of them good, I might add). I've taken it up again as of early 2010 and am enjoying the time I spend behind the lens. I'm also a book reviewer--I worked for nearly 10 years as a freelance writer for my local newspaper before budget cuts forced me out. Nowadays, I review on my website http://www.owlcatmountain.com/ and blog http://owlcatmountain.blogspot.com/ exclusively. I specialize in science fiction and fantasy, but I'll also read teen novels, historical novels (mostly about England and its monarchy), and some nonfiction and mainstream fiction. Check it out if you're interested in reading my reviews.

Career me: I work for a major California university as a course materials acquisitions agent... which is a fancy way of saying that I'm one of the textbook buyers, and I make sure that the kids have what they need for their classes. I've been there almost ten years. I've also been a high school English teacher (quite briefly), a library assistant, a day care teacher, and the assistant manager of a Waldenbooks branch.

Personal me: I'm married to a wonderful man that I met in a Livejournal book discussion group. We live in Northern California, and we love going on adventures together and seeing new places. We both love to read, watch movies, play games, go for walks and generally geek about things. I'm very much a cat person, and I'm currently owned by a black female cat named Gryphon. Her brother Merlin passed away in November 2010 and he is dearly missed. I've lived in Northern California my entire life and love it here. I'm fairly shy in real life, but a little more outgoing online.