The engine and the heart of The Moth

One true thing about me is…I watch films and television series completely out of order. This horrifies a lot of the people in my life, and I have made peace with that. I believe that a story worth telling can be entered anywhere. You don’t need the beginning to find the meaning. You just need to trust yourself to land.

One true thing about me is…I am an unreasonably good backgammon player — a fact I work into conversation far more often than is socially acceptable.

One true thing about me is…one of my longest standing relationship is with my dislike of cold weather and snow. It started when I was nine years old, and neither of us has changed since.

One true thing about me is…I met the Dalai Lama at his compound, and at the end of a deep, spiritual gathering on peacekeeping and storytelling, I gave him a Yankee’s hat.

One true thing about me is…I despise moths (the species). As a knitter, I’ve had a few traumatizing run-ins with the lil’ guys. But I love THE Moth. The irony!

One true thing about me is…I can’t carry a tune and wanted to be a backup singer or Joni Mitchell when I was growing up. As a result, I go to a lot of concerts!

One true thing about me is…I recently rescued 11 perfectly-good headless mannequins from a dumpster behind a department store. Waste not, want not! Found good homes for 8 of them but seeking placements for the remaining 3 as they frequently startle me when I venture to the attic.

One true thing about me is…I am a mere mortal woman who bleeds and cries like the rest, despite my own invention of being something out of this world. I’m also an Aquarius. 

One true thing about me is…I get emotional every time I think about the New York Giants’ 2007 Super Bowl season.

One true thing about me is…I’m a certified high ropes course and zip line rescue guide. From squirrel attacks to biohazards, a lot can happen 50 feet in the air.

One true thing about me is…I believe chips and salsa to be the perfect food. I dare you to find one single occasion where chips and salsa are not perfectly appropriate. I could be lured to my death with the promise of chips and salsa. And… what a way to go.

One true thing about me is…I’m a native New Yorker. I know where the best pizza in this city is, and I will only reveal it if I like you enough to take you there myself.

One true thing about me is…I’ve been making my own Halloween costumes since I was 12, and now bring my enthusiasm for DIY to the Moth Ball as well!

One true thing about me is…I have an opinion about where you should have lunch.

One true thing about me is…I voice a character named Glitterstar in a cartoon series with a cult following. Glitterstar owns a bubble tea cafe in Singapore… which might be my ultimate retirement dream??

One true thing about me is…I am a proud card-carrying member of the Metropolitan Postcard Club and, by extension, could most likely bend your ear longer than wanted about pencils (specifically the Blackwing 602).

One true thing about me is…I listen to radio.

One true thing about me is…I was a contestant on $100,000 Pyramid. And yeah…that happened.

One true thing about me is…I will read anyone’s memoir.

One true thing about me is…I was one of the first female pole vaulters in the state of Nebraska. Apparently I still feel pretty cool about that all these years later, even though we had yet to go very high!

One true thing about me is…I am a classically trained singer. I can sing in five languages.

One true thing about me is…I almost made it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 5th grade but I lost on the word ​“alliteration”!

One true thing about me is…I paid through college by being a professional balloon animal twister.

One true thing about me is…feed me well and I’m yours (emotionally at least)!

One true thing about me is…no matter the occasion, I’ll always make a playlist.

One true thing about me is…I was a child fencer. En garde!

One true thing about me is…despite not having a specific interest in them, I have a photographic memory for automobiles. I didn’t ask for this, I have no idea what good it’s for or why I can, but it is a gift I must carry. Also I really love frogs.

One true thing about me is…I love the Olympics, especially track and field, and my family and I have agreed that, for the sake of my nerves and those around me, I only watch on replay. This may extend to other areas of my life.

One true thing about me is…I know how to typeset, print and bind books by hand.

One true thing about me is…I will never stop reminding people that I am Spanish. I use it as an excuse when I don’t understand American Pop Culture references with my friends or when responding to strangers when they inevitably ​“need to know” where my accent is from.

One true thing about me is…I always wish I had responded with what I think someone else would have said.

One true thing about me is…I prefer hugs to handshakes.

One true thing about me is…I was cut from an episode of ​“Reading Rainbow” when I was 9. A second true thing about me is that I’m still reeling from being cut from an episode of ​“Reading Rainbow” when I was 9.

One true thing about me is…I never met a disco ball that I didn’t love. You can take the girl out of Studio 54, but you can’t take the Studio 54 out of the girl.

One true thing about me is…I’m generally certain that whatever direction I am currently facing is north, both geographically and spiritually. Don’t ask me for directions (you will be lost), do ask me for my opinion (it will be spirited).

One true thing about me is…I’mma have a Beyoncé lyric for every occasion, okay?! ​“You must not know ​’bout me!”

One true thing about me is…nothing makes me feel more prepared for the day than two charged sets of AirPods and the possibility of an afternoon nap.

One true thing about me is…my favorite place in New York City is Green-Wood cemetery. There’s something so calming about walking through the space.

One true thing about me is…few things bring me as much happiness and peace as making pottery. You get to make a one of a kind object that will eventually match with a one of a kind person.

One true thing about me is…I lived in the servants’ quarters of a mansion in Newport, RI and will share facts with you about its previous inhabitants including John Jacob Astor IV (richest man to die in the Titanic, shown in the movie crying and hugging his money). One? The ballroom is based on the Hall of Versailles and, not to brag, I’ve Schottische-ed in there numerous times. For money.

One true thing about me…I believe both generous salads and thoughtful feedback can genuinely change your day — for the better.

One true thing about me is…I love a hot dog.

One true thing about me is…I was an ESL kid, and years later, I ended up teaching middle school English in Chile. A full-circle moment of confused grammar, patience, fun and laughter! 

One true thing about me is…I am the reigning family champion in oysters eaten in one sitting (55!).