Thanks for stopping by. Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Catherine; Cathy if we grew up or went to school together; Cat (or “Internet girl”) if we work together.

In case you haven’t guessed, I am a fat girl. OK, so pushing 37 means “girl” probably isn’t the most accurate description. But I thought “fat girl walkin’” sounded better that “fat woman walkin’” or “fat lady walkin’.” (By the way, the “walkin’” part is pretty important, because if you add the g, you’ll end up at a whole different site, and let’s just say it it not rated E for Everyone. Not even close. Consider yourself warned. )

Back to my introduction.

I am that rare thing known as an Arizona native. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in.

I graduated from Arcadia High School in 1991. USC in 1995. (Yes, I know my Trojans are kind of screwed when it comes to the coming football season, but I prefer not to think about it.)

After college, I came back to Phoenix and got a job doing Apple tech support. Remember the Macintosh Performa? When people dialed 1-800-SOS-APPL, I was the person on the other end of the line who’d help them save their icon collections in the event of a crash or explain that in order for the computer to “work right out of the box,” it needed to be plugged in. I have some pretty funny stories, and many of them are from the day after Christmas. That’s an… interesting… day to work tech support, let me tell you.

A few months later, I got a job at 3TV, which was good, considering I’d spent the past four years getting a degree in broadcast journalism and those student-loan payments were about to kick in.

I did both jobs for awhile, but came to realize that working  1 a.m. to 10 a.m. (3TV) and then 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Apple) was not the easiest thing in the world, and definitely not good for the social life.

So, I’ve been at KTVK for 14 years now — 15 by the time the 3-Day rolls around. Is that a great way to celebrate my work anniversary or what?

Anyway, I started out as a writer for “Good Morning! Arizona.” Jodie Applegate was still the host. A couple of years later, I became the producer for the weekend edition of “Good Morning! Arizona” with Samantha Mohr and Christi Paul. I couldn’t have worked with nicer people.

Looking for a change of pace in 2000, well after the Y2K non-event, I moved over to azfamily.com, which appealed to my inner geek, and that’s where I am today. If you surf azfamily.com on weekday mornings, chances are I’m the one who posted whatever you’re reading or watching. Unless it’s bad. If it’s bad, then I didn’t do it. Just kidding.

I’m also a freelance writer, with a couple of pieces published in Phoenix Woman magazine and a short story or two making the rounds.

I live in North Phoenix with my very mean cat, Hercules. (If we’re Facebook friends, you probably recognize him.)

I love reading, watching movies, leisurely dinners out with friends, and traveling. I’m actually hoping to go on a Mediterranean cruise before the 3-Day. We’ll see.

This will be my first 3-Day adventure. It’s too early to decide if I’m going to make it an annual thing, but I’ll let you know. I hear it’s addictive.

In the meantime, check out my page on The 3Day.org, and while you’re there, please make a donation. Pretty please? (Don’t make me sic Hercules on you.)