Although I rarely have time to visit Epinions anymore, I used to write extensively (almost ridiculously extensively) in the Beauty category. I've also been known to pontificate in the Kids and Family and Book categories. I've even dabbled in Home and Garden, Music, and Travel, as well as a few others.

What do I love? Great art (Titian, Veronese, Caravaggio, and Fra Angelico come to mind). Great music (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Philip Glass, Jon Deak, and more). Great food (especially cappuccino, focaccia, and gelato direct from the source). Travel. Fashion. Books. Catholicism. And my kids and their passions (for starters, Shakespeare, spelling, ballet, Playmobil, and more books.) And lately, I love a good night's sleep more and more.

Why do I Epinionate? I'm married to a professor. It's hard to get in a word edgewise with him around, so I have to express my highly opinionated big mouth self somewhere. Lucky you.

Why have I rated a review a certain way? Far greater Epinions members than I have written the equivalent of hundreds of tomes on this topic. I do attempt to be just and impartial in my ratings, but I'm hardly Solomonic in my wisdom. I try to give the benefit of the doubt if I can, but sometimes the little ones have just been whining a little too much for my sanity. If you are dismayed by a rating I've given, please don't hesitate to e-mail me with the URL and your concerns.