I am managing editor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. It is a think tank. Sometimes my fingers get wrinkly in the water. Prior to joining the Institute, I worked on my true calling, dolphin language research. Unfortunately, the demands of adulthood and a mature partnership with a poor woman necessitated that I give up my passion and get a good steady job with sound benefits and limited web access. In November, my life will be complete again. Until then, I bid you mmraatlebbe! ["farewell" in the dolphin tongue].

I'm a graduate student working towards my Master of Applied Anthropology at the University of Maryland. My passion, besides Georgie and the kitties, involves developing a health education program at a community clinic near campus. If I could do it all, I'd research more of my Virginia, Alabama, and Connecticut family history, as well as George's Cuban, Greek, and Yugoslavian roots, and spend lots and lots of play time with my nephew Kaleo. Maybe come 2008 when we move out to California? Right, Georgie?

We met in early July 2002 at a park in Virginia Square (that's Arlington, VA for you non-DC folks). George had volunteered twice a month for three or four years to help feed the homeless hot food out of the trunk of his car, and I decided one day to start volunteering with his group, too.

We saw each other at least twice month through the summer and fall, and the poor kid tried his hardest to convince me that we were meant for each other. I wasn't having it at the time, but finally around Thanksgiving, I started to see George for the amazing person he is, and by early December we were a full on couple.

If you haven't heard the outrageous story of our first date, then certainly, you will have to come over, share some wine with us, and hear all the gory details.