Education has always been important to me, and I always knew I'd go to college. After spending some time living on the beach in San Diego, I got serious and went full-time to a community college, while working as a photographer and a computer tech.

I transferred to UC Davis and graduated at the top of my class in 1995 with a degree in English. Three weeks after graduation, I got my first job as a technical writer, writing manuals for medical device software.

I've been working as a technical writer for several years, and now work as an independent contractor, developing web sites for small businesses.

My grandfather on my father's side immigrated from Wales in the early 1900s. He met my grandmother, who came from a mostly Dutch background, and settled down in Wyoming, where my dad was born.

My mom's background is mostly French, but I think there's German in there somewhere. My mom grew up in Tahunga Canyon, out in the desert near LA, where her dad and her brother both raced motorcycles. My father also raced, and belonged to the same motorcycle club, The Checkers, as my grandfather and uncle.

My dad got a job in LA working as a draftsman in an architectural office, while my mom took care of the kids. They moved to Sacramento, and my dad started his own business and worked as an architectural illustrator, until his death in 1985.

My mom worked as a purchasing agent for the US government until she retired about 5 years ago.