CURRENT MISSION

Finish the book I'm writing on time, and in a most-awesome way.

ABOUT ME

I'm a journalist and a blogger (of the sort that gets paid), which also means that I run a small business centered around my writing. I write about science and love the process of discover. I'm a big fan of evidence-based everything. I'm a 5'10" redhead, so you can always spot me in a crowd. I'm chatty and outgoing. I'm learning how to balance work and personal life. I'm a curious person, and I hope to remain curious forever.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couch surfed last summer while researching the book I'm now finishing. It was a great experience. I love meeting new people.

Interests

I love to cook and read. I'm fascinated by both science and storytelling, to the point that I turned those things into my job. I'm really getting into bike riding for fun and did my first 100-mile ride last summer with my husband. I'm learning how to sail. Last fall we planted some fruit trees in our yard and I'm spending this spring obsessing over their development as if I were their helicopter parent.

I love good conversation, good beer, and learning more about the world.

My book, Before the Lights Go Out, about electric infrastructure and the future of energy, came out in April 2012. For the last two years, that's kind of been my number one hobby.

• writing
• books
• cooking
• beer
• running
• cycling
• sailing
• business
• journalism
• science

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Two years ago, I went to Florida to a Naval Air Station to see what the military is doing to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. (In fact, I stayed with a Couchsurfer while I was there.) One of the things they showed me was absolutely astounding. In one aircraft hanger, the walls were painted white. Because of that, daylight reflected through the space and made it possible to work comfortably inside without having any electric lights turned on. Next door was an older aircraft hanger, where the walls were painted beige. Inside, it felt uncomfortably dim, even with all the overhead lights blazing.

When I saw that, I realized something important. Energy is systems, not just sources. And it's definitely not just choices. The people in the white hanger weren't saving energy because they were more conscientious or more "green" than those who worked in the beige hanger. Instead, they were able to decide to save energy because of the building system they worked in. Until systems and infrastructures change, it's often difficult to make individual energy changes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, France, Italy, Netherlands, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States