I absolutely, positively can't start the day without a good cup of coffee. And not just your plain old drip coffee. Nope, it's got to be a homemade latte (or bought from a select few local coffee shops) or a strong french press brew. I love reading the newspaper, particularly with the previously mentioned cup of coffee. I've been a downhill skiier since my dad put me on my first pair of plastic red skis at the age of 3. And I more recently have taken up yoga. I love traveling -- most any beach, Australia, Paris, Portland, Italy and especially my husband's native Montana are among my favorite destinations. I'm a member of a fantastic all-girls book club and I get together with two different groups of lovely ladies for regular knitting brunches. And then there's photography. I enjoy photographing most anything. I shoot nature and landscapes, portraits and weddings, events and fine art. Almost nothing compares to the feeling of sitting down to check out a freshly developed roll of film or emptying a CF card full of digital images onto my computer. I am currently an occasional shooter for my newspaper as well as a portraits and weddings photographer -- both for my own company and for a Bethesda studio. You can check out my work at www.jennifermcmenamin.com.
Music
There are very strong connections between music and memories for me. And my musical interests vary widely. Some of my favorite musicians are Jack Johnson, Van Morrison, the Dixie Chicks, Lori McKenna, Deirdre Flint, Marc Cohn, Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan and Harry Connick Jr. I also go through listening streaks. Currently getting a lot of play time are Ben Folds, Kate Havnevick, Beck, the Fray, Five for Fighting, the Weepies and the many, many cool songs used on Grey's Anatomy. Mostly, though, I love mixes. That means that I have dozens of mix tapes from high school, a gazillion movie and show soundtracks and tons of iPod playlists!
Movies
I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. Some of my favorites are Amelie, French Kiss, When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually, Hope Floats and Mystic Pizza. I'm also a fan of Swingers, the Godfather series, Garden State and Life is Beautiful. And I think I can pretty safely add Little Miss Sunshine to my list of newer favorite flicks. Unbelievably funny!
Television
I have seen every episode of Sex and the City -- most more than once. I am currently completely addicted to Grey's Anatomy (my husband calls it emotional porn for women). I make it a habit not to miss the Sopranos or The Wire (set and shot in Baltimore!). I've got my fingers crossed that Studio 60 won't get cancelled. I'm not embarassed to say I watch Project Runway. I am a little embarassed to admit that I'm actually beginning to like Friday Night Lights -- after all the episodes my sports writer husband made me watch with him!
Books
I enjoy most everything that Anna Quindlen, Amy Bloom, Jennifer Weiner and Laura Lippman have ever written. Other favorite books: The Shipping News, On Beauty, A River Runs Through It, The Lovely Bones and Under the Tuscan Sun (the book, *not* the movie!) and Nine Stories. Oh, and US Weekly. I know it's not a book. But it's sure is good readin' at the end of a long work week!
University Of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD
Graduated: 1998
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Journalism
Minor: Women's Studies
Clubs: The Diamondback student newspaper, Omicron Delta Kappa
1994 to 1998
Pikesville High
Baltimore, MD
Graduated: 1994
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
1990 to 1994
jennifer's Companies
The Saint Paul Pioneer Press Saint Paul, MN US Reporter
I'm a reporter. And a writer. And a photographer. I'm trying to figure out if I'm meant to be more one than another right now. I currently live in my hometown of Baltimore. I landed here after a couple years in Minneapolis and brief stops on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in Boston and Florence, Italy during college. It's been really fun getting to know my city as a grown-up. But I do hate the heat and humidity in the summers. (Ugh. It's awful.) My husband and I live in a cute little rowhouse in a fun neighborhood, where we can walk lots of places and meet up with friends. People call Baltimore "Charm City" and I have to say that I'm happy to have discovered many of its charms.
Boy oh boy....took forever to find you and now I can't see you...I know patience is a wonderful thing. Turns out I got offered Jets/Dolphins tickets for Sunday anyway, but do let me know when you finally settle down.
What you up to the 25th? WEdding? Montana? Hope you are free. Luau at my place. Should be a good time, would love to meet the hubby. Let me know if you can make it...Come !!!
check out piknikstudios.com! she got a new web site and there are 4 pics from our wedding. one in brides and three in weddings. i still don't have the actual photos, but hopefully soon.
Hey there...Hope you got my birthday text message and that you had a great one. Just got back from Europe, basement is finished, when do I get to see you again? Wondering if I can hook you up with a friend of mine that's a graphic designer doing wedding invitations and favors? Maybe you can throw some business each other's way, let me know...
It was fun to see you and your parents, as well as your many friends - mostly in pink - at your parte the other day... hope to hang with you again real soon, dear one.
You've got a date. Spackling is finally finished, painting starts tomorrow, should be finished by next weekend finally!!! Ran into some snags with our spacklers, I'll have to tell you all about it
Isn't it a great song? I bought the CD and I would highly recommend it - you WON'T be disappointed.
Just to give you a taste, one song includes the following lyrics:
"Because you wrote
I wish you were her
You left out the "E"..."
It was so wonderful to see your beautiful smiling face last night! You seem so happy and content and I can't wait for our coffee date so that I may hear all the details!
