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3 versions of my D&D character, Ciara, a 1/2 elf Wizard/Fighter

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I recently discovered D&D and now regret all the years I was unaware of what I was missing!

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Competing with my horse, Sandee Deserts (Dez, for short), 2002.

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Horses have always been my first love, and despite my severe allergies and asthma, I was able to have my own (he was free!) and compete. I would love to be able to ride again.

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Camping in Anza Borego Desert for the spring superbloom

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As much as I love living in LA, I'm still a country person at heart and need time in nature.

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Apart from seeing loved ones in person and live music, travel was one of the things I missed most when the pandemic hit. Through my research and conferences, I try to get to as many different locations around the world as possible. This trip was for the international DH conference, which was held in the city of Utrecht.

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I have an eclectic taste in music and listen to everything from hard rock to hip hop and jazz.

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This is my second painting ever - an abstract aloe plant.

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It has taken me many years to think of myself as a creative person, but the journey has been worth it. I take painting classes from time to time, dabble with drawing, create mixed media artwork, cards, and write fiction.

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Social Dilemma Director, Jeff Orlowski-Yang & FB Whistleblower Frances Haugan, April 2022

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My Ph.D. is in History with specializations in

North American, particularly Native American, History

Modern Europe

Middle East and North Africa

Digital Humanities

My undergraduate degree is in both Mathematics and History from Western Michigan University where I worked in the Math Department as a research and teaching assistant.

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Mixed-media art with photo of artist's own hands

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Gizmo

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L to R: My best friend, Brian; his sister, Kari; my brother; and me in front of the Mackinac Bridge, Michigan, early 1990s.

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L to R: My best friend, Brian; his partner, Rabin; and me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge (2020).

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My brother, Gabe; his wife, Joy; and my niece, Scarlett.

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I grew up on a farm outside a small rural town in Michigan. Look closely, and you'll see an Amish horse and buggy cruising down Main Street - a common sight to this day.

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Part of my New Bear Republic cycling team

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We raise money for the LA LGBT Center and those who live in NorCal raise funds for the San Francisco Aids foundation. In addition to fundraising, we train to ride 545 miles from San Francisco to LA during the first week of June as part of the AIDS/LifeCycle ride.

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At the top of the "Evil Twins" - a grueling climb up the mountains in Paso Robles

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This is part of the AIDS/LifeCycle ride.

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Live symphony performance of Coco at the Hollywood Bowl

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There isn't much to do in a small rural farming community, so in addition to running track, competing on the equestrian team, and studying, I also learned to play piano and cello and performed in small ensembles and orchestras through graduate school. There's nothing like live music!

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Hand-drawn rose bush with embossed roses and leaves.