I love traveling and I'm constantly battling a bad case of wanderlust that I can't satiate. A few of my favorite places:

• Cambridge, U.K.
• London, U.K.
• Tokyo, Japan

• Kyoto, Japan
• Mendocino County, U.S.
• San Francisco, U.S.
• Seattle, WA, U.S.
• Nevada County, U.S.

I take care of 3 rescue cats. A tuxedo named Maximilian (aka Max), a tortie named Cosette (aka Cosey) & a lynx point Siamese named Puck (aka Pooka). They're all rambunctious & occasionally make appearances on my Instagram account.

I also live with my spouse, Andis. He's a talented artist & musician who currently works in the wine industry.

I enjoy doing volunteer work and have collaborated with the Napa Valley Historical Society. I also support a number of local causes including Napa Wildlife Rescue and I was a proud volunteer for the Bernie Sanders' campaign during his 2019 presidential run.

I have been a member of:
• Keats-Shelley Association of America
• Alliance of Women Film Journalists

I was born with a speech disability that makes verbal communication difficult at times. My stammer has been an obstacle throughout my life but I've tried to manage it with speech therapy. And although it's a part of who I am, I don't let it define me.

 • 5 Myths About Stuttering
 • Stuttering FAQ

PAST EMPLOYERS & COLLABORATORS
 

• FilmStruck

• Turner Classic Movies

• Publishers Weekly

• Cineaste Magazine

• Harkit Records

• Fandor

• The Cultural Gutter

• Paracinema Magazine

• Woodstock Film Festival

• Cinedelica

• Anchor Bay Entertainment

• Media House

• Fashion Doll Quarterly

• Kota Press

• Art Doll Quarterly

• Morbid Outlook

• Biseinen-ya

• Book Passage

• Comic Culture

• Spontaneous Combustion

• Propaganda Magazine

ART EXHIBITIONS
 

• "Dream Life of Dolls"
  - Poet's Gallery, New Orleans LA (2004)

• "Art for Japan - Earthquake Victim Fund"
  - Online digital exhibit (2004)

• "Pillow Books"
  - Gem City Clayworks, Laramie WY (2003)

EDUCATION
 

• College of Marin
  - Digital Design (2000-2001)
  - Film Studies (1990-1991)
  - Comparative Religion (1990-1991)

• Conferences & Workshops
  - Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference (2017)
  - Dreamweaver Web Design Workshop (2000)
  - Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference (1999)

SKILLS & ABILITIES
 

• Creative Writing
  - Film, Music & Book Reviews
  - In-depth Film Studies
  - Artist Profiles
  - Opinion pieces
  - Listicles
   

• Copywriting
  - Promotional Materials
  - Press Releases
  - Product Descriptions
  - Correspondence
   

• Research
  - Data collecting
  - Fact checking
   

• Design
  - Web Design
  - Editorial Design
  - Book & Magazine Covers
   

• Branding & Marketing
  - Logos & Business Cards
  - Postcards & Flyers
  - CVs & Resumes
   

• Photography
  - Digital & Traditional
   

• Software
  - Photoshop

• - Canva
  - Microsoft Word
   

• Programming
  - HTML
  - CSS
  - PHP
   

• Web & Blogging Platforms
  - Wordpress
  - Wix
  - Blogger
   

• Social Media
  - Twitter
  - Facebook
  - Instagram
  - Pinterest
  - LinkedIn