My mother worked as a caterer. From as early as I can remember, it was me and my younger sister lugging the soup pots and cookie trays and shrimp skewers from our kitchen into the van, then arriving at a client's house and trying to make them feel comfortable in their own home.

It was an incredible social experiment for a young child. I learned how to schmooze with the folks that hired us, and the dishwashers I worked with.

I grew up fast this way. I felt most at home in other people's houses, at peace and at my best in a crowd of strangers.

Which is what I do now. Meet people I don't know, talk to them about what they do and how they see the world. Then I write it all down. Best job ever.