one small corner of the universe

Jen asks:

Have you had any other jobs besides teaching?

As an adult, no, unless you count coaching, but I think they are parts of the same whole. I was the night and weekend manager of a successful hair salon my last two years of college, however, and I loved it. Not only did I get lots of free services (hair color, cool cuts, waxing, manicures, tanning), but I also learned a lot about customerservice and PR. But the best part of all was that I got to attend an International Beauty Show in DC. It was Halloween weekend, and the big party on the show’s opening night was a masquerade party. Our staff went dressed as Little Bo Peep and her sheep. My friend Jeff was Bo Peep, and the rest of us–all girls–were the sheep. The salon owner, a wild Greek woman named Tina, was the black sheep. We had actual sheep costumes (my mom made them!). It was awesome. Ever seen a flock of intoxicatedsheep being herded by a hairy-legged girl with a mustache?

What surprises you (if anything) about motherhood?

I never thought I would willingly pick another person’s nose.

What do you imagine yourself doing 10 years from now?

I see myself living in my dream house–lots of glass and stone–next to a body of water, preferably a mountain lake, writing and editing for a living from my home office.

What’s your biggest vice?

I’m afraid I’m going to have to say mindless television. I blame work. At the end of the day I need unsubstantial entertainment to melt away the crazy I inevitably bring home every afternoon.

What author would you most like to meet?

Barbara Kingsolver. For some reason I think she is shy and slightly awkward like I am, and I admire her politics as well as her creativity, so I believe she would be good company.

What’s the best play you’ve ever made in Scrabble?

I have no idea, but I’m on a winning streak these days. There’s a great site where you can play online via e-mail. If you want to try to take me down, leave me a comment and I’ll invite you to a game.