Full Name: Megan Quinn L.
Age: 25
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Occupation: Engineer
Hobbies: refinishing furniture, going to estate sales, making stuff- clothes, furniture, presents
Pets: I really dislike cats, and small dogs rank up there with cats. I'm really not compassionate enough to have a pet.

1: the heavy part
Where are you from, originally? What was it like there?
Etters, PA. "It's not a town, it's just a mailing address." It's a green place outside of Harrisburg. I played in the woods a lot. It was all boys in the neighborhood, so it was a lot of War, He-Man, acorn battles, and football.

How did you end up in Pittsburgh?
To go to college. I wanted a city. My mom convinced/tricked me that Fordham bordered Harlem. They were housing kids in a crappy Sheraton off-campus at Drexel. So Pitt it was. I'm happy with that decision.

How did you wind up in Texas?
I have this one down pat. "A job. Nothing else would bring me here." The locals don't appreciate that response too much, but there's way too much state pride here, so it's expected.

Where else have you lived? How were those places?
Eastern L.I., NY- 1 summer. I was by myself and knew nobody. I gardened and worked on the house. I would ride my bike to the beach after work and read until the sun went down. It was solitary and enjoyable.

Tempe, AZ- 8 months. I disliked the desert environment at the time, but appreciate the experience now. I had a blast living there.

Seattle- 2 summers. I love the mix of city and country there. I'd often drive 20 minutes outside the city for a morning hike and the greatest views. The tallest, greenest trees.

Update us on your situation in life.
Content enough to continue doing what I'm doing. Things are good for me in Texas. I live in a house I really like, with a big backyard to work on stuff. I have a lot of great friends and a busy schedule. People are nice here. Strangers talk in bars and people jump around and have fun at shows. Apart from all of that, I'm ready to pick up and go when the opportunity comes along.

Ideally, what will your life look like on New Year's Day 2005?
Not missing the early train out of NYC because of an f'd up alarm. And not going to Grand Central only to realize I meant to go to Penn. And that's the best day-after I've ever had for that damn holiday. But my LIFE? Who knows. Probably in the same aura of contentedness that keeps me from doing anything earth shattering now.

Have your early to mid 20s been like you imagined? Why or why not?
As a kid I'd watch the movie Mr. Mom and envision myself wearing suits to work one day. But that was to be when I was 35 with kids. I never thought I'd be a professional at this age, but '86 was probably the last time I really envisioned anything in particular. I've had fun and am still having fun. I've fulfilled a lot of the 'doing and seeing' one should do while young. But I'm not done.

Which was the best year, for you, of the aforementioned early to mid 20s? Why?
I suppose the year in which I spent most of it in Tempe. I have some of my favorite memories from there. I met one of my best friends there. I turned 21 there. It was a carefree lifestyle.

We understand that you like to travel. Of your countless excursions, which has been your favorite so far? Why?
I look back on my cross country road trips and honestly don't think I'm romanticizing how great they were. Most trips were with my dad. We made the most of them and saw everything along the way, and some things out of the way. Absolutely great.

I've done the obligatory backpacking through Europe. Lovely sites and fun adventures. The spots in Italy were my favorite.

2: the not-heavy part
Describe a good night out...
Start early with some good beer and a snack. Meet up with a bunch of friends, we're all feeling jolly. We fall upon a party where everyone talks to anyone and a dance party is taking place in the living room.

And a good night in the apartment – describe that, too.
Spent by myself, finishing up a current craft or project.

Current favorite ethnic food and, if possible, dish.
Mediterranean. Hummus.

What have you been listening to?
Marketplace. They have someone good working behind the scenes for in-between segment music. Ok, really, I got this V/A comp called Sing For Freedom that makes you want to go for a drive through Mississippi or Louisiana. Looking forward to the Citizen Cope coming out.

Was hast you been reading?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I don't think I want to continue reading it though. Got a backlog of Architectural Record to get through.

What have you been watching on TV?
Nada. When I moved here I was given a TV from a guy who purchased one of those huge 500-lb flat screens. He had no use for this paltry one anymore. I don't really either.

Seen any movies lately? What did you think?
I don't like going to the theatre. I take movies out from the library almost every week and never watch them. My mental to-do list prevents me from, in my opinion, wasting 2 hours. I'm pretty critical of what I see, so the last movie I saw probably doesn't rate well.

3: the cocktail party
So you’re having a cocktail party: list five A-list guests, other than Jesus, me and your friends...
Jesus, Steve, you think you need to cross yourself off the list because one would feel obligated to invite the interviewee? People that will talk a lot and make up for my quietness. Robert Pollard is welcome.

What drinks will you serve?
I'll provide whatever randomness is in the alcohol closet. And wine. But only drink beer. Good beer. I'll have lemons and limes if they are a good accompaniment for the beer.

What will be on the stereo?
My fave party mix that includes the Saints, the Cramps, the Makers, the Woggles, and the JSBX.

Conversation topics will include…
Are you on the inside or the outside of your pants?

How will the evening end?
Shouting "Slumber party, everyone on the bed."