We moved around a lot. That's what did it, I think. Born in Puerto Rico, I was dragged around the south-central region of the country as my father hopped academic jobs: New Orleans, Dallas, Austin for the longest stretches of time and then, finally, Lincoln, Neb. Constantly being immersed in new situations forces you to pick up local mores and social heirachies quickly... figuring out who people are sucking up to, what favors are being traded and how not to get your lunch money stolen. This was exceptionally good training for Washington, though in all of these cases my keen knowledge of tribal customs didn't necessarily mean that I found myself trading cows with the chief, though I have avoided getting beaten up. Until that Washington Post review. Ouch.I am currently at work on my next book -- a non-fiction anthropological survey of young political operators, though "work" is a flexible term at the moment. My husband provides the health care and the coffee, my three pets provide templates for good nap practices. Be like the cat.