*Drumroll, please* Introducing… ME!

Hi there! My name is Emily, and I'm an attorney, adventure-seeker, and lover of most things German. I'm also a voracious reader, hence the homage to von Goethe in my handle. I look forward to learning from this excellent online community, and wholeheartedly hope to become friends with many of you!

Currently, I'm sitting next to my space heater, with a hand warmer wrapped in my fingers, following a failed attempt to get my passport today. After waiting in line more than two hours at the post office, my name was finally called. The postal clerk requested my birth certificate. Oops; I didn't realize it was an item I needed to bring. As I write this post, I am trying to decide whether to take a day off work week or take my chances next Saturday. I'm traveling to Morocco in two months, so I'll likely need an expedited passport application regardless.

As someone spinal muscular atrophy and a full-time wheelchair user, traveling is always a unique experience. Whether stuffing my face with croissants and delicious French butter for a Parisian breakfast, hanging out with Steve Carell at a super-secret Los Angeles location, or getting carried up the stairs of 300-year-old building by members of a Salem coven on Halloween night, I love new experiences. Perhaps I'll share some of more interesting anecdotes in future posts.

I also endeavor to participate in my hometown community. I serve on the board of our local fair housing nonprofit, as well as several government boards advocating for disability rights. Several years ago, a friend of mine coined the phrase "conservative activist" to describe me in a letter. My political philosophy tends toward the conservative, but I'm more willing to actively support civil rights than many in the Republican camp – or at least the elderly members of the GOP… As I grow more comfortable using forum, you're likely to hear from me on such issues.

The remainder of my free time – because I doubt you care to hear about my litigation exploits – is spent reading, mostly non-fiction. That's not to say that literature hasn't shaped my outlook. My favorite book of all time is von Goethe’s Faust, Part I. My favorite author is Thomas Mann. Yet I feel that there is so much to learn in the world that I need to spend my time usefully rather than for fun. (And, if I'm being totally honest, I don't consider much contemporary fiction fun. It's actually rather painful to read.) I want to learn more about cryptocurrency – maybe someone here could suggest a handy tome or two?

I look forward to learning and sharing more in the days to come.