About Us

Hometown: Technically Crofton, Maryland—but Orlando, Florida; Boston; and Austin, Texas, are all places my heart has been.

Favorite Bands/Music: Saves The Day, Dr. Dog, The Thermals, Camera Obscura, The Decemberists, Smoking Popes, The Cardigans, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Radiohead (it took me a long time to admit that), Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, Ben Kweller, Jimmy Eat World, The Kills, and The Killers. And as anyone who's ever toured with me can attest, I do in fact have a soft spot for musicals. "What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play."

About Me: I've got two sisters, one older and one younger. When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be a hula girl, and I learned the truth about Santa Claus after asking for a dolphin for Christmas. I hold my pencil weirdly and type with one hand. I consider myself a combination of both Harold and Maude, but I may just be someone who really likes that movie.

I Like: Awkward situations and challenges. Bad movies, hot baths, old dresses, and vegan chocolate milkshakes are my sanctuary. I also love to bake and veganize recipes. Nine times out of ten I'm down for karaoke, dancing, or a good hula hoop sesh.

I Dislike: Apathy and avoidance. "Out of sight, out of mind" mentalities (not to be confused with the George Clooney/Jennifer Lopez film Out of Sight, which I do like). Also, when feminists eat eggs and/or dairy, cold showers, getting my bangs wet, baby talk, and when grown adults say, "Yummy."

Why You Went Veg: I grew up with a junk-food vegetarian mother, so vegetarianism was not a new concept to me. And by junk-food vegetarian, I mean the people at Taco Bell knew who we were and pieces of shredded wheat were used to scrape a stick of butter as a snack. One day, I heard someone say that there were more than 400 cows in one beef patty, and that grossed me out. So I thought to myself, "Why does the number of cows gross me out and not just the fact that it is made of a cow?" In short, I got philosophical at a young age.

Companion animal? Yep. His name is Droogie, and he's a laid-back husky. He was hanging out in my fake graveyard around Halloween about seven years ago on the east side of Austin. He had a rope tied around him as a harness with metal pieces sticking out and several wounds. I reported him to the local animal shelter and hung up signs, but nobody claimed him. We've been buds ever since.

Have you ever participated in any vegan-related competitions? In fact, I have! I competed in a Fourth of July veggie hot dog eating contest, where I ate 10 vegan hot dogs in 10 minutes. I didn't win, but at least now there's a bunch of photos of me with veggie dog–filled chipmunk cheeks. I've also run half-marathons as a vegan. Now, if only there were a way to combine the two …